Aloha mon peeplies. XD this just so happens to be my story that you have just stumbled across. Well it's about Eragon...obviously...and Saphira....and Arya...and all the other characters that I have not mentioned....I hope you enjoy it. Ciao xxx ;P (P.S. please excuse my randomness in the A/Ns as I use coffee and sugar to help me write and they also happen to make me hyper...^^). Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do NOT (unfortunately) own any of the characters which have been mentioned in Christopher Paolini's books.....I wish I did though. Eragon IS quite yummy in my mind....although Ed Speleers is quite fit too...hmm...anyway. So HA HA HA...you can't sue me now! : P

Chapter 1

Aftermath

Eragon rubbed his eyes as the red dawn crept through the slit in the tent. Saphira's silhouette danced across the side of the tent as she shifted her position away from the sun. Eragon rose from his makeshift bed and yawned. His tent was littered with scrolls, clothes and his and Saphira's armour. Stretching his muscles, he groggily began doing the Rimgar. After an hour, he soon felt awake. Glistening with sweat, he made his way over to his basin. Filling it with cold water, he washed his face and put on a clean tunic and trousers and pulled his boots onto his feet. Strapping Brisingr around his waist, he stepped out of the tent and drew in a long breath. Looking around, he saw the walls of Feinster 200 yards to the east. As he looked, he saw a runner coming towards them. Saphira opened one eye and fixed it on the runner. The runner stopped, slightly short of breath, in front of them, bowed and relayed his message. "Argetlam, Lady Nasuada requests an audience with you. She asks that you come as soon as possible please."

"Of course," replied Eragon, "Thank you for coming to tell us. Please tell Lady Nasuada that we will be there as soon as we can." Eragon waited for the runner to disappear before turning to Saphira.

Come on, we have to go, he said. Saphira puffed a smoke ring around his head.

Do we have to? Can we not go in a little while? I haven't even eaten yet. She complained.

Yes we do have to go now. And it's your own fault you haven't eaten anything, you slept all this time. I'm sure we can get you something on the way, but for now we have to go.

Saphira growled and reluctantly sat up. She stretched and yawned loudly before standing up. She blew another ring around Eragon before setting off in the direction of Nasuada's tent. Eragon followed, keeping silent for the better part of the journey. His thoughts were lost in the heat of the day and he didn't even see Arya when he bumped into her. "Arya. Sorry, I wasn't paying attention." He murmured, trying not to look into her eyes.

"I noticed," She replied, "Where is Blodhgarm? ...Something is on your mind Eragon. What is it?"

"It's nothing. Err...Blodhgarm went ...somewhere. I can't remember where." He said quickly, trying to change the subject.

"Eragon I know you too well to know when you're hiding something. Tell me." She urged.

By now Saphira had stopped and was comforting him with her mind. She turned one of her big, doleful eyes and looked upon him with sorrow. Oh little one, your heart is heavy. I know. I feel your pain too. But we must be brave. We are the only ones who can lead the Varden to victory now. Oromis and Glaedr taught us to be strong. They happily sacrificed their lives in order for us to succeed. Don't let that go to waste Eragon. Don't fall now.

At the mention of their names tears began to well up in his eyes. He turned his head to avoid looking at Arya. She put a hand on his arm and walked around to face him. Gently, she put a hand on his face.

"Eragon...." she started.

"No," he sniffed, "please. Just let me be."

Arya watched as he turned his back and walked swiftly into the distance. Oh Saphira. He's taking it so hard.

I know Arya. He won't even open entirely to me. I think it's best to let him be. Saphira hung her head and crooned for her Rider and her teachers. Arya shook her head.

No. Arya said. I'm going after him. It's the least I can do.

Now it was Saphira's turn to watch as Arya turned and followed in Eragon's direction. Saphira wondered if Arya would tell him now or not. Recent events showed how easy close death was. She needed to tell him, before somebody else got hurt. She turned around and headed towards Nasuada's tent, to consult privately with the Varden's leader.

Eragon began running. To where? He didn't know. He was just running. Running somewhere, anywhere, to try and escape the memories, the tears and the pain in his chest. But it wouldn't go. It was there, like a shard of glass embedded in his heart. Exhausted, he stumbled. Falling to his knees, he began sobbing, uncontrollably. He sobbed for Oromis; he sobbed for Glaedr and Murtagh and Thorn, and sobbed for all of Alagaesia. He cried out as he felt somebody envelope him in their arms and hug him tight, comforting him softly. Arya felt tears roll from her eyes as she held Eragon. He had been through so much. So young yet so burdened. It wasn't fair, to lose his family, his freedom and his innocence and then to lose his teachers. The two beings that knew and shared what he felt. The ones who tried as hard as they could to free him and shoulder some of his burden, and taught him to overcome his fears and troubles. Those who granted him the gift of knowledge were gone.

Arya sighed heavily as Eragon cried into her shoulder. She felt a pang in her own heart as she thought of Oromis. The man she had looked up to when her father died. He had helped her through so much of her life; he became part of her life. He was the one she went to for advice. The only thing she never talked about with him was Faolin. At the thought of Faolin, her heart wrenched. She was slowly losing all the people who meant something to her. Who knew who was next? It could be her mother, Nasuada, Eragon or even Saphira. She closed her eyes and wished with all her heart that this war was not real and that her life was like it used to be. But inside, she knew. She knew that it would never come true. It had already changed and there was nothing she could do.

Aha! First chappy done. So....watcha saaaaay? (Hehe Jason Derulo!!) Ahem...please review else I shall go into depression and if I do something when not in the right mind, I shall blame you guys. *cackles* Only joking!! No seriously, review...PLEEEEAAASEEEE!!! Over and out.