Disclaimer: I do not own Eragon or any other charcters from the books. This is sort of after Eldest but not. Eragon is not in Surda nor has his appearance changed. Murtagh and Eragon know they are brothers and are nice to each other.

Chapter 2: Friend or Foe?

The sound of foot steps came faster and closer. I backed up, my back hitting the tree behind me. A large stick fell and hit me on my head. I groped to find the stick, picked it up, and broke it over my knee.

The sound of feet crashing on the leaf-littered ground. I reached up for something...anything that could help me to escape my immediate doom. My hand bumped into a low hanging branch and I climbed up into the leafy tree.

As soon as I reached the second branch the creatures broke through the foliage. I listend carefully to their heavy breathing and realized that they were running from something, too. (Talk about IRONIC)

Suddenly, the branch began to crack. I panicked. Then, the branch broke and I fell to the ground.

WHOOSH!

They stepped toward me, slowly. Then they picked me up, gently, as not to hurt me. When I realized this, I jumped up and reached for the sticks. I twirled the two broken sticks on the tips of my fingers.

"Look. I thank you for the help, but..." I said. Tremendous foot steps rocked the earth beneath us. The trees moved as a dark creature raced through the forest.

"No. Artamous...he's coming after us. Quickly. Follow me to saftey." I cried as the dragon reached the edge of the trees. He bellowed and the birds flew through the cool, dank air.

"Here." I told them opening an underground hiding place. They climbed in, and I after them, closing the hatch behind me. A great heat flew onto the hatch, but the hatch was unharmed.

"Okay. First, I need to know if you are Friend or Foe." I said, my mouth forming a thin line. I listened intently.

"Well, to begin...we are definately friends. My name is Murtaugh and this is my friend and brother, Eragon. Thanks for the save back there. But one question remains...what is your name and who is Artamous?" He said.

My name is Crystal, and I am a dragon rider. My job is to insure that He doesn't take over our lands. As for Artamous, he is a dragon who belongs to my abusive ex-boyfriend. He made me what I am." I answered, quietly.

"What are you?" Murtaugh and Eragon asked simotaniously. I pondered how to answer this inquisitive question.

"I guess I must tell you...It began when I was 12 years old. Bruno, my boy-friend at the time, was being abusive and rather jerky. I told him to stop and he struck me across the face. When I told him it was over he cursed me and caused...well... this. I am blind." I told them.

Hey, this is A.J. Egerton. I hope you liked my new chapter. I just thought of it. Also. If I don't write back in about 2 weeks, it's because I'm with my mom. She doesn't allow me to touch the computer. Anyway, I'm open to any suggestions you may have for this chapter. Please Read and Review.

Amanda J. Egerton

a.k.a.

A.J. Egerton.

Oh. Don't forget to read my first chapter or you might get lost. Thank you!

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