Saphira flapped harder looking around to try and spot the urgals. It was no use, the beasts were long gone. Eragon's pain was reaching her, even though she was too far to feel anything else, and she felt a stab in her heart when she tried to speak to him and could not.

Brom, if you could have followed Saphira, would you? She asked the man on her back. The answer was instant.

Yes, without hesitation. Brom scowled. Why do you ask? I loved her more than anything else in the world, more than my own life. She was everything to me. Brom shuddered. Saphira thought about what it would be like if Eragon was lost, and just couldn't imagine the pain… Saphira, guard Eragon with your life…

I will. Saphira's throat clenched. Brom, I must tell you something, something only a rider or bonded dragon could understand…

I will listen…

I trust you will not tell him?

If you don't want him to know. Saphira nodded.

It is important…it is something Angela foresaw, and I think she was only half-right…this could destroy him, but he cannot know…

OooOOooOOooOOooOOooO

Saphira landed by the hut, Eragon leaping from her back. Se sniffed and realized that Glaedr hadn't been around there for some time. Eragon gave a cry of surprise, running out of the hut with a piece of parchment.

Listen, Saphira… 'When you read this I and Glaedr will have passed on, for we have left Alagaesia and gone north to find peace. We will not live long enough to help you any further, and I wish to die upon Glaedr's back with my blade in my hand. Eragon clutched his heart and Saphira felt a stab of pain. We have given you all we can, and we can only hope it is enough. Whatever path you take, remember what we taught you and pass it on to the next generation. You are stronger than you realize, Eragon, and we know that no matter what you do, you will do it well. Oromis' … Eragon dropped the parchment, clutching his chest. He slammed his foot down, yelling incoherently, and Saphira closed her eyes and wept silently.

Eragon, be silent, she said, and Eragon stopped, leaning on her. She curled around him, nuzzling his face. Eragon, they passed as they wanted to, not sitting around waiting to die. They did all they could for us, and we must do our part.

No, we will not, Eragon said confidently, wiping tears from his eyes. You're right…we're going to leave it all behind and carve our own destiny.

You must tell Izlanzadi…

I will, and no matter what she says we will leave…tonight.

Eragon

"Your majesty…" Eragon said, bowing to the queen. The queen bowed back, wondering why they were meeting alone at the menoa tree.

"Eragon, I was going to tell you about Oromis, but he made me swear to let you find the note on your own…"

"It is not that…Saphira and I have made a decision. We will end our part in this war once and for all."

"You want to attack, don't you…" Eragon held up his hand.

"We want to retreat." Izlanzadi frowned in confusion. "We, Saphira and I, are leaving Alagaesia to its own fate…"

"I see…" Eragon gasped.

"You…you're not going to try and stop us?"

"I order you to leave…" She held up her hand to signal silence. "As long as you are here you put yourself in danger…and Saphira as well. She is the last female and if she dies then so will her race. We are attempting to retrieve the last egg, but there is no guarantee he would be her mate…go and find peace, I will look for you when the other egg hatches, for whoever it is."

"You want us to hide until we find her a mate…" Eragon grinned. "I see, so you are trying to build an army from her offspring, is that it?"

"…Yes…" Eragon hadn't actually expected her to answer, and he went silent. "Just go, and keep Saphira safe…"

"Yes, your majesty." Eragon turned and mounted Saphira. "I will leave my belongings in your care."

"They will be waiting for you when you ever return." Izlanzadi left without another word, and Eragon was surprised to see her weeping.

Saphira, this is almost…too easy…

Let's just leave, Eragon, Saphira said, taking off and slipping between the trees. Where will we go?

East, towards that village, Hirath.

To find help?

And hide out.

Eragon

Over Du Weldenvarden

Saphira was soaring high above the clouds, only glimpses of the trees visible. Eragon was dressed warm, and the only thing between his skin and her scales was a thin blanket, as he had left the saddles behind. Saphira breathed deeply.

Eragon, we are free…

It fells good doesn't it? He chuckled, leaning on her neck. I hope Arya doesn't gather an army to hunt us down…

She won't, Saphira said with such certainty it frightened him. She knew we were going to leave, and she spoke to me mentally when we were at the menoa tree. She will not do anything to stop us… Eragon was a little disappointed, and Saphira caught his thoughts.

I always thought it was her…

No, it never was. Remember Angela's fortune?

Yes, perfectly. She was royalty- Saphira snorted.

But she wasn't the one. There is more royalty in the world, Eragon, Saphira said softly. And it doesn't have to be elf royalty, there are humans as well, and many other races, too…

What do you mean?

Nevermind, it doesn't matter. When the time comes, you will know for sure who it is… They were silent until night, when Saphira landed and Eragon slept curled up in her grasp.

Saphira

Saphira watched Eragon sleeping, wondering why she had told him that it wasn't Arya she was destined for. She lowered her head to lay beside him, looking up at his face.

Eragon, why do you think it is Arya? She pushed you away so often I was sure you would understand it, she thought to herself. There really are others in the world, Eragon; you just have to find them… She sighed, thinking about her own fate. She looked up and back to her tail, noticing the three extra spikes that were grouped close together, a sign that she was descended from Bid'Daum himself. In fact, there are others of noble birth very close by, but you haven't looked, have you? She smiled at the young man, knowing that he could never have guessed her own lineage, much less any human's of elf's.

You could never have guessed, could you? There are more of noble birth than you think. I will tell you of what Brom said one day, but that will wait. One day, Eragon, you will meet your love, and you will know it to be destiny…

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