This is the first fiction that I have written. Go easy on me the first few chapters please. My take on what happens in the fourth book. Eragon/Arya, Nasueda/Murtagh, Saphira/oc.

Inheritance Book IV: Beginnings

Eragon was still standing on the wall next to Saphira, looking out over the fields, when Arya came up to him. The graceful elf instantly recognized the look on Eragon's face. It was the face of someone trying valiantly to cope with an immense loss.

"Glaedr has not returned to us yet then?"

"No. He has yet to overcome his grief from the loss of Oromis," said Eragon.

Turning to look at Arya, Eragon found the traces of tears in the emerald eyes he knew so well. Deciding not to comment on the fact that Arya had been crying, he instead said, "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"

"Nasueda wants to speak to both you and Saphira in the war room," was the elf's emotionless reply. The mask was back on in full force.

"How am I to get in the war room? The hole I made during the battle isn't large enough for me to get through comfortably."

"The hole has been expanded so you have plenty of room Saphira."

At this Eragon spoke up. "When did she want us?"

"As soon as I found you we were to report."

At this the three made their way through the city. Eragon and Arya maintaining a light jog that was still faster than most humans could hope to run. Saphira glided above them, reminding all those who remained in Feinster that the Empire was no longer running the city.

When they reached the war room, they found Nasueda, Orrin, Jormundur, and Nar Garzhvog, along with Narheim. At the sound of the doors opening, all of them looked up to see Eragon and Arya walk in, Eragon still carrying Glaedr's eldunari. Looking around the room, Eragon noticed the tired looks on everyone's faces. Nasueda broke the silence.

"Where is saphira?"

A loud thump answered her question as Saphira dropped from the roof onto the floor.

"Good. Now we can begin." At this, Nasueda looked at the three and spoke in the voice Eragon had learned not to argue with.

"I am sending you three on a scouting mission to Belatona tomorrow. You are to scout the city and see if you can gleam any information on the amount of soldiers, defenses, and possible weaknesses. Do either of you have any questions?"

"No, My Lady." "None here either."

With that, Saphira leapt out the roof while Arya and Eragon used the door. Arya went to her room to gather her gear after they decided she should stay in Eragon's suites in order to leave unnoticed. Eragon meanwhile was moving his treasured possessions into his pack. He placed the bottle of Faelnirv, his copy of the poem he wrote for the Agaeti Blodhren, and 'the Domination of Fate' that he received from Jeod. He laid out his armor on his table and cleaned the rust off with a spell. After oiling and polishing it, he did the same to his shield. As he was placing his pack and armor next to Brisingr, he heard the door open and close. Turning, Eragon saw Arya removing her pack to place next to his. Her black armor went next to his and her sword next to Brisingr. When she spoke, she was oddly hesitant.

"Eragon?"

"What is it Arya?"

"With all of our gear in here, where are we going to sleep?" At this Eragon froze.

Arya would never admit it, but there was something appealing in the way Eragon's body reacted to that information. Finally Eragon said something.

"Well you get the bed, and I'll sleep… I'll sleep…" He stopped, and massaged his temples as he thought.

"Eragon?"

"Yes Arya? What is it?"

"The bed is large enough for two with a comfortable distance between the two."

"Are you sure?"

"You do not want to know the results of you instigating anything." Eragon winced at those words.

"So be it."

Lying on the bed as far apart as possible, the two fall into actual slumber for the first time in many weeks.

____________________________________________________________________________________

When Eragon woke up, he attempted to roll out of bed, but something was weighing him down. Still slightly confused from waking up, he started remembering what happened the night before. As realization dawns on him, he also remembers her threat. He was still trying to think of a way to move Arya without waking her, when she yawned and opened her eyes.

Arya was comfortable to say the least. She had just gotten a full night of actual sleep for the first time in weeks, and she felt the results. It was only when she yawned and felt whatever she was lying on stiffen, that her mind caught up. Keeping her eyes closed for the moment, Arya used her sense of touch to determine that she was lying on her stomach, her head on Eragon's chest, and one leg draped over his. Deciding not to do anything to Eragon, she opened her eyes.

"Arya I…" Eragon's words were cut short by Arya's finger on his lips.

"I never said anything about me initiating anything Eragon. However, there is no time for debate. We must go before others wake up."

Eragon shuddered at the cool air as Arya stood and donned her armor and sword. Taking that as his cue, Eragon quickly said the word to shave his beard and donned his armor as well. As he was buckling the belt of Beloth the Wise, he opened his mind to Saphira.

"Why didn't you tell me she was on top of me?" At this Saphira chuckled mentally.

"If I had, Arya would not have gotten closer to you. She doesn't realize it yet, but she needs you just as much as you need her." Eragon didn't have an answer to that so he picked up his pack and went outside to join Arya.

Placing their packs in Saphira's saddlebags, they mounted and stole into the predawn sky. With Arya pressed against him, Eragon could not help but smile at the thought of waking up with her coming into his mind.

"Focus Eragon! Arya is talking to you." Eragon blinked and concentrated on Arya just in time to catch the last part of what she said.

"… Was a mistake." She said, looking at him with an expressionless mask on her face.

"How can it be a mistake when neither of us was in control when it happened? In order for it to be a mistake, someone has to commit the mistake, no?"

Arya thought hard on these words. "Perhaps. But that does not change the fact that it shouldn't have happened. I value your friendship Eragon, and we cannot be distracted from our duties."

Eragon sighed as he said, "I know Arya. I am not debating whether it should have happened. I am debating whether it can be termed a mistake, or just unhappy chance."

'More like happy chance,' Arya thought to herself, or so she thought.

"How long are you going to deny my Rider Arya? You yourself are starting to notice feelings for him."

"It cannot be Saphira. He is a Rider, I'm a princess. He is young and I am old. Our duties will not allow it."

The time past in silence as each member of the trio pondered their thoughts on each other. As they drew near to Belatona, they noticed camps of soldiers around the walls. As Saphira flew high enough that even an elf would mistake her for a bird, Arya and Eragon used magic to see the city below.

It seemed as if nature was on the side of the Varden, as a tornado had destroyed a large section of wall on the wall next to the gate. Most of the soldiers were camped at this breach, in an obvious attempt to ward off attackers. Eragon had just told Saphira to turn for Feinster when the air a hundred yards from them shimmered. Instinctively, Saphira sent a stream of sapphire flames at the shimmering mass, to reveal Murtagh and Thorn. Murtagh appeared to be carrying something, but that did not stop him from grinning, drawing Zar'roc, and charging as Thorn let out a roar of challenge.