I do not own Eragon, Saphira, Alagaesia, or any other part of Inheritance in general. The world I've placed them in, the events that take place in that land, and the black wolf Luna however are all my creations.

This also happens to be my first attempt at a fan fiction, and is something I've wanted to do for a long time. So, if you have the time, please, share your thoughts and review. I would love to hear peoples advice and impressions on this story, so I can take what I learn from this, and apply it to create better stories in future fan fictions :) So REVIEW!!! xD

Anyways, without further ado,

Enjoy! =D

Chapter 1

Eragon outstretched his weary arms into the warm rays of sunlight escaping from the web of leaves above him. He could feel the energy run through his hands, encouraging him to open his eyes and welcome the new day. Although, he couldn't welcome this wonderful morning yet. Eragon suddenly was aware of a horrible, empty feeling inside him, and he had a sneaking suspicion he knew the source. Still not opening his eyes, he rolled over, searching with his hands for an oh-so-familiar resistance. Frustrated when he found none, he got up onto his feet and looked around, taking in his surroundings.

Eragon found himself under a large canopy of trees and green leaves, although in a fairly large space. The grass around him was long and soft, hiding small flowers which Eragon had tried, and failed, to avoid stepping on. Trees densely populated the areas to the left and right of him. However, in front of him lay a path to a rolling meadow, surrounded by trees and tall mountains, and behind him, a steep cliff with a stunning vista of the ocean. This paradise failed to satisfy Eragon however, and, in annoyance, he walked towards the cliff. Standing on its edge, he looked up, shielding his eyes from the bright sunlight.

There was an assortment of clouds in the sky, but just the right amount. One of them began to hover in front of the sun, diminishing the harmful rays from Eragon's eyes, allowing him to get a better view. An island could be seen to the far right in the sea, one which Eragon doubted the map-makers in Alagaësia knew about. However that was little of Eragon's concern, as he still hadn't found what he was looking for.

Where in the world is Saphira? Eragon wondered, frustrated by her absence.

Saphira had left two nights before to go hunting, despite Eragon's protest and begging to come along, and for some other reason she refused to disclose with him. She had told Eragon that she would be back in the second morning, possibly afternoon, but a small, yet overpowering part of Eragon was hoping she would be next to him when he awoke, cradling him in her large forearms, shielding him from the world under her wings. Yet, she wasn't there, and although he knew he shouldn't have hoped for it so much, it still made him sad.

Walking towards the meadow, he caught the sight of a deer drinking from the small river flowing through off to the left. Holding his breath, he swiftly reached for his bow to hunt himself a meal. Finding nothing where his bow usually was, he realized he had left it with his pack back in the small clearing. Cursing, he looked around for a small rock to use, but the deer heard his mutter and scampered off. Sighing, he went to the pond, where the deer had been drinking, and began to quench his thirst he just recently realized he had.

... I shouldn't be eating meat that much, anyways, he contemplated, besides, Saphira will probably bring me some food. She usually does.

'Did someone say my name?' said a cheerful, familiar and welcoming voice in his mind.

"Saphira!" Eragon yelled, too excited to talk with his mind.

Hearing the beat of wings suddenly nearing him, he turned and ran across the field to where a majestic, beautifully blue dragon was making her descent. Not waiting for her to land completely, Eragon vaulted and clasped onto her neck, hugging her like he hadn't seen her in years, ignoring the scrapes her scales were causing on his skin.

'Well, isn't someone happy to see me?' He refused to let go. 'Erm... little one, I don't think it's very nice to choke to death someone you're so happy to see'

'Oh' Eragon said, quickly releasing his grasp. 'Sorry'.

'Oh, I suppose I can forgive you, this time.' Saphira teased. She stretched out her mouth to form what Eragon long before figured out was a dragon-smile.

'Well, you certainly aren't! Where did you go for so long? Do you know how worried I was??'

'Oh, little one... I'm sorry. I told you, though. I went hunting.'

'Hunting doesn't take that long,' Eragon countered, 'what was the other reason you left for?'

'Well... fine. I was scouting the area, to get an idea of our surroundings' Saphira explained.

She began giving Eragon a quick overview of her findings, sending him images and telling him how they connected.

'Alright, I suppose. But did you really have to take so long? And why couldn't you have taken me. I would have liked to see what's around here too,' he complained, although not nearly as annoyed with her as before.

'Eragon, this is a new area which we have no knowledge of. I suspect we've long past the borders of Alagaësia as I found we've past the forest of Du Weldenvarden as well. I doubt the map-makers of Alagaësia have any recordings of this land, let alone the island you saw. Who knows what dangerous creatures lurk in these lands?'

'So you left me alone in a strange forest, next to a strange meadow, surrounded by strange mountains. Yes, that's a lot safer than going with you' Eragon argued.

'This clearing is completely surrounded by mountains. The only way in is to fly. Any existing creatures have been living here for many, many years, and I've already checked to make sure there was no threat, of course, little one.' Saphira replied, looking at Eragon with fond interest, smiling inside.

Eragon sighed. He knew she was lying, and she knew that he knew, whether or not she would admit it however was a completely different battle. He decided to just say it.

'Saphira, you were looking for Galbatorix, weren't you,' Eragon asked , reassuring her with his mind that he would not be cross with her.

'Eragon, of course not.' Eragon stared into her deep, Saphira eyes, trying to dig out the truth.

'...Okay, yes, I was, a little bit,' she finally admitted, shame washing over her emotions, 'but I just needed to make sure he wasn't going to be here to try and hurt us, and ruin our little vacation. We still don't know where he disappeared to after that great battle, there's nothing proving that he couldn't have escaped here.' Saphira looked at Eragon, her eyes searching for forgiveness. 'I just wanted to make sure you'd be safe...I'm sorry, little one.'

Eragon sighed, but with content this time. 'Its okay, Saphira, I'm not angry. Don't be so sad,' Eragon comforted, 'I appreciate you looking out for us. Just, this is supposed to be our time off from that. Our time alone. Together. We shouldn't let these past ordeals haunt us. We should be celebrating, relaxing. Galbatorix is gone, the Empire is no more. The people of Alagaësia are free. Galbatorix wouldn't be nearly as powerful as when we faced him, either, as his collection of Eldunari are free from his grasp, and his dragon Shuriken trapped in stone.'

'I guess... but-'

'No buts. Just relax with me, Saphira. Look, it's a beautiful day. The grass is fresh, the ocean is clear.. Let's just enjoy ourselves, okay?'

'Alright Eragon,' Saphira said happily. She got up from her seated position and went over to the river, drinking in a large portion.

'Just, Saphira, don't bother trying to hide something from me again,' Eragon teased, coming up beside her and putting his hand on her shoulder. 'You know you can't lie to me.'

Saphira turned her head to look into Eragon's eyes. 'Yes yes, little one. Now, where did you suppose that deer ran off to?' she asked, lapping her lips with her large, barbed tongue. 'I could use some meat in my stomach'.

'Just over there' Eragon replied, pointing to the left, back into the trees. 'Just leave some for me, would you?'

'Oh, fine, if I must,' she teased, gracefully leaping over Eragon towards the small forest.

____________________________________________