Authors note: For My Rider has been my long time project, and while it is my first fiction idea I plan to see it out till the end. Mostly in Arya's POV, it is my continuation of the inheritance cycle and it displays the struggles of two shadeslayer's who's destinies are intertwined into one. Please read and review with your thoughts on my story. Now on to the first chapter of For My Rider.

Summary: Eragon is captured, Saphira is left broken and infuriated, through tragedy Arya realizes her feelings for Eragon, a rider is born, Galbotorix looms, and a new mysterious foe will surface. Can Eragon and Saphira fulfill their destiny? Eragon x Arya.

Gone...Gone...Gone...Utter despair was the only emotion Saphira's mind recognized as she sped towards the Vardens camp under magical influence. Eragon, the partner of my mind and soul has been captured, taken away from me by the cold clutches of fates cruel hands. Saphira's mind could barely fathom what had just transpired. It seemed so surreal, almost like a dream, yet the painful absence her heart felt was as real as it gets. Every second that passed, every fleeting moment of time felt completely void of happiness, for without her other half, life had lost its glory. Being completely engulfed by these anguished thoughts Saphira did not realize that she was only meters away from the Varden, a short distance for her powerful wings. Saphira opened her mind and reached out, searching for her desired presence until she found it.

"Arya? Arya where are you?"

An image flashed before Saphira's eyes and she landed heavily in the forest nearby, not caring to control her movements. "Saphira what is wrong? I sense your distress."

"Arya I have grievous news, Eragon has been captured by the empire, more specifically Murtagh and Thorn."

"What? How is this possible?"

"Eragon and I were ambushed on a hunting trip, all of the injuries Thorn received at Gil'ead were miraculously healed and Eragon did not have brisingr, nor did he have any other means of self defense. Eragon foresaw our defeat and forced me to fly back to the Varden with magic, insisting that my safety was more important than his own. He knew Galbatorix could not have control over me, the last free female dragon. This was the last thing I heard from Eragon before his spell activated, forcing me to fly here.

"No, this can't be, I'll be right there Saphira. Hold on."

Saphira felt worry, pain and disbelief radiating from the elf along with another emotion she couldn't quite place. The grief Saphira felt was so strong that she could name every single emotion that coursed through her; misery, pain, sorrow, emptiness, worry and fear. Fear for her life partner Eragon. The only thing that kept Saphira from completely losing her mind and succumbing to her deep sorrow were the last words of Eragon, that of which she did not mention to Arya.

"Saphira is...is Eragon still alive? Can you feel him?"

Saphira turned her head and looked at the elf that had just arrived. Her head drooped and her hair was tangled wildly, suggesting that she had traveled at a frightening speed. Not only that but Saphira noted that the elf's usual facade of impassiveness had fallen, her face expressed worry and pain, among other emotions.

"No." Saphira watched as the elf crumpled to the ground, falling to her knee's. "But he is still alive."

Arya raised her head looking as if she did not dare to even hope. "But if you can't feel him then…."

"I just know he is."

Arya placed her head in her hands before speaking, through a cracked voice. "This is horrible I..I can't believe it, this is a tragedy Saphira. We must tell Nasuada of what has happened."

Saphira let loose a menacing snarl. "I must do nothing elf, I have sworn no oaths to anyone and I will move when I want." A heavy silence enveloped the elf and dragon after Saphira's statement, giving both Arya and Saphira time to think to themselves. During this time Saphira was surprised and wondering why Arya hadn't left to inform Nasuada by herself. Her curiosity halted however, when Arya began to walk towards her and laid against her underbelly.

The elvin princess sighed, tears beginning to form at the brim of her eyes. "I'm so sorry Saphira, we will go when you're ready." She paused taking a deep breath then continued speaking. "He's my only true friend," Arya stopped again as if she was struggling with her thoughts before continuing in a hoarse voice. "He has helped me through so much in such a short time, I used to be so isolated in the Varden but with Eragon around I no longer feel so alone. I trust him deeply. He is a great man."

Saphira took note that all of this was said in the ancient language and began to wonder if the female elf before her harbored any more feelings for her rider then she previously let on. Saphira decided to keep these thoughts to herself as another silence fell over the dragon and elf. Nothing could be heard as the pair grieved over their rider, as oblivious to the outside world as it was to their grieving.

"I will get him back; I promise you Saphira I will find him and bring him back to you."

"No little elf, we will find him and we will bring him back to the Varden...together."

ExAxExA

Arya closed her eyes and relaxed against Saphira's underbelly, allowing her mind to be consumed by thoughts of Eragon. She just could not believe that he was actually gone. How could wryda be so cruel to her and take away the one person she cared for, that truly cared for her? First Faolin and now Eragon, Arya's mind reeled and her heart tore at the prospect of never seeing the dragon rider again. Ever since her rescue Eragon had been nothing but the greatest of friends, even when she had pushed the rider away because of her own selfish fears, he had stayed true to her. It was this friendship that had allowed Arya to give a life of happiness another chance, no longer was she driven by duty only, but admittedly she was driven by the hope that maybe, sometime after the war had ended she could live a peaceful life, with Eragon by her side. It seemed the old cliche was true, she did not know what she had until it was gone, and at that moment in time Arya made a vow to herself. If she ever saw Eragon again she was going to confess her true feelings to him, and never ever let him go.

– Read and Review truly yours, Elvin blade