Birds were chirping. Those were the first noises I heard as my senses returned to me. Accepting this as a normal event, I relaxed, smiled slightly and stretched. I had the most wonderful sleep and now I felt bright and energetic. Wow was it ever bright. It was so bright, in fact, that even behind my eyelids the light was burning my eyes. I squeezed them tighter and then opened them. I was lying on the floor; there was a huge window to my right that allowed the sun's rays to fall directly on my sleeping face. That was when I started to panic. Memories of the night before flooded back into my mind and I scrambled to my feet. Looking around me frantically I finally realized where I was. Inside a story that was not my own... "Eragon?!" I cried. No answer. I decided that I would go searching for him. Only when I was about to venture outside, did I realize that I had not been wearing shoes. Looking at my feet, I cringed in disgust at the dirt and grime that seemed to be a part of my skin.

Stepping outdoors I discovered a well a ways off and decided to use the fresh water to rinse my hands and feet. So, I took the bucket that was attached to a sturdy looking rope and threw it into the well. As I was spinning the lever that allowed the bucket to lower underground, I lost my balance. But before I could fall head first into the stone well, someone grabbed me from behind and thrust me to the ground.

"Eragon!" I said shivering from the momentary adrenaline rush.

"Are you alright Andrea? What were you doing here anyway?"

I showed him my dirty feet with a sheepish grin, and the corners of his mouth twitched in the ghost of a smile. He took over position at the lever and spun it very fast, which was quite impressive since I was having a hard time with it, due to the weight of the bucket and the fact that the lever was a bit rusted over. I stayed seated on the ground and watched him in silence. When the bucket was full he brought it up and told me to rinse my feet in it. I thanked him in gratitude and did what I was told. As I was scrubbing the dirt off Eragon told me about his plans for the day.

"I have to help my uncle Garrow finish harvesting the crops. Do you think you will be okay on your own for a few hours? By the way …" he added, "you slept in really late this morning, it's already a few hours till noon. Are you alright?" he asked with what looked like concern.

"Um yeah, I guess I'm just use to waking up late … bad habits die hard I s'pose." I answered, shrugging it off. "And yeah I'll be fine on my own. I've been on my own for as long as I can remember," casting him a reassuring smile. He seemed satisfied, for he got up, helping me up as well and departed. I was left to wander around on my own.

After exploring the surrounding forest and the rest of Eragon's house, I started to feel anxious and edgy. After resting a moment on a large boulder a little way away from the cottage, I finally realized why I felt this way. I was curious to see the egg. It's not every day you get to see a beautiful dragon egg. One, in fact, you knew a lot about. Deciding that Eragon wouldn't get mad if he caught me since he didn't know what he really possessed, I ventured into the still vacant house and into Eragon's room. His room was tiny containing only a few pieces of furniture and a low leveled wooden bed with cotton sheets. On an almost barren shelf lay the egg. I slowly walked up to it in wonder and touched the smooth surface, marveling at its beauty. Just then I heard a creak in the floor board behind me and turned around abruptly. Eragon was standing in the doorway watching me suspiciously.

"Whatcha doing?" he asked, eyeing me.

"Uhm, I was just admiring your eg-stone." I corrected, smiling shakily. When he didn't reply, I thought it best to walk out of the room. As I turned the corner I caught a glimpse of Eragon looking at the egg searchingly…

After a quiet dinner, which was very awkward since Roran and Garrow were still finishing up on the field, and I was left to dine alone with Eragon, I helped him clean up the dishes. Even though the sun hadn't quite set yet, I excused myself, claiming I was tired and sank under the sheets, feeling alone and fearful that I would never wake up from this bizarre dream world. Ever.

A couple of days later, Eragon, his cousin and uncle left for Carvahall to converse with the traders. I decided not to follow them there, for I knew very well that I would be quite out of place, and it was just best to let the things that were suppose to happen, happen, without my interference. After eating supper on the night they were to return, I ventured outside and sat in a low branch of one of the giant trees situated a mile from their property. As I stared up at the bright moon through the branches, I started to ponder. What if this was an opportunity for me to change a sad story into a happy one? Roran is supposed to leave home in a week or so, and that is when Garrow ends up getting murdered by the Razaac. But what if I am there to stop it from happening? That wouldn't change things that drastically, would it? It would just make Eragon, Roran, and everyone else happy. As I was considering this, I heard the sound of wheels turning and horses huffing. I jumped down from the tree and walked on to the path to greet them …

The evening from their return to Carvahall, all was silent on the small farm. Roran and Garrow were busy doing their usual farm duties, and I was still unsure of what Eragon was up to. Even after almost a week of staying in Garrow's dwelling, I still had the inkling that he despised me and still resented allowing me to stay here. I felt very unwelcome and afraid that too soon I would be overstaying my welcome. If I decided to clue Eragon in on the events to come I should do that soon, because I was starting to feel a growing tension in this house, and feared that the sole cause of it was me…

At last, I felt too alone and anxious to sit on my own by the fire, so I got up and moved around the small cottage, in search of Eragon. I didn't have to look long, because I peered through his bedroom door that was open just a crack and saw him holding the egg.

I tried to recall this part in the book to memory. Oh! I remember this perfectly! The time must be close now for Saphira to finally decide to hatch. I continued to watch with a growing anticipation which turned into uncontained excitement.

I watched as Eragon started to tap the egg with a wooden mallet which caused the egg to produce a quiet ringing noise. After trying a couple different tools with the egg, I thought I could hear a faint squeaking noise coming from the inside. He didn't seem to hear it, or perhaps was just immune to the sound, for he then sighed, and placed the tools and the egg up onto his shelf.

At that exact moment, I turned to leave but pushed the door a bit with my hand in my hurry. Just as quickly, Eragon wrenched open his door and stood staring at me.

"Were you spying on me?" He asked with reproach.

"N-no of course not! I was just looking for you." Even after I made my excuse, I knew he still felt very suspicious.

"You know, it has been a fantastic week having you here as our guest, truly, but I really feel like it is time that we say our goodbyes and move on. Don't you have anyone that you could go and visit, or perhaps there is somewhere you would want to travel to, to go explore the country side perhaps? There must be some sort of a plan that is formulating in your mind …"

Even though he was trying not to offend me, I still felt the sting of rejection and the feeling of being unwanted. Even far off into dream world, I could still recall the same sort of feelings I felt in my real life, living with my real family in New York. And with that penetrating thought, I didn't feel so very lost and hopeless. Even this world, full of evil and war, was better than the one I was born in …

"Eragon, I have to tell you something. Something that will make you think I am crazy. Something huge, that will for sure get me thrown off your property. But I cannot simply leave without warning you of what is about to happen."

We were all sitting outside on the porch just as the sun was beginning to set. Garrow had been silent for a long time and Eragon was pacing back and forth on the front lawn while Roran angrily sharpening his belt knife. At last, Eragon came back up the porch and confronted me, asking me again exactly what I told him earlier.

"I come from a place unlike Alagaesia. Except, I know things. Things that will happen, and have already happened… I had to tell this to them in a way that they might be able to understand. If I told them this was all just a dream, there is no way they would even consider me. But if I told them I am some form of a witch, they would believe that for sure! For instance, I know that the 'rock' you carry is actually an egg. A dragon's egg to be specific-"before I could continue, Eragon let out an exasperated huff and rolled his eyes.

"What?" I demanded, angry now that he still didn't believe me.

"There are no dragons in Alagaesia anymore, Andrea … there is no possible way this is one of their eggs …"

"Just hear me out alright? It is going to hatch, pretty soon I might add, and it will choose you to be its rider Eragon. Once it does, you will know I'm telling the truth about everything. The Ra'zac – that's right, I know who they are – are going to get a summons from the king to come here, once Saphira hatches to – "

"Wait a minute! Saphira? Who –"

I was really started to get irritated that he still couldn't keep up with me. "It is the name of your dragon! Now, as I was saying, they will be sent here to kill you Eragon, and to bring Saphira to the king. Except, I have rea- seen how it all plays out, and Saphira takes you away in order to protect you from them, except Garrow is left unprotected and he …"

At this, Roran stands up and shouts "he wouldn't be unprotected! I would be here!"

"No you wouldn't" I said. "You would already be away working at the mill at this time."

Three pairs of eyes were silently staring at me.

"What? Roran didn't tell you yet about the job he was offered?" I could feel Roran's confusion and awkwardness just emanating off of him.

"Ho-how did you find out about that?" he demanded.

"I already told you, I know things. Things about all of you…"

But Garrow wasn't paying attention to me anymore. He only had eyes for his son.

"Is this really true Roran? You are going to leave?"

"I was planning on telling you very soon. It wouldn't be safe for me to stay here much longer what with Galbatorix's soldiers rounding up men who come of age to join the army … and I need this job in order to support Katrina once I ask for her hand in marriage." He stated proudly.

"You're right son. You should go." Garrow conceded.

"Okay, so as I was saying … Garrow will be left unprotected by the time the Ra'zac show up, and by that time it will be too late." I lowered my eyes as I said this, not wanting to meet Garrow's accusing glare. But it was Eragon who spoke first.

"What are you saying Andrea?"

I couldn't go on knowing he was listening. I looked over at him. He was staring stony eyed at the ground. I sighed and continued.

"They will kill him."

Eragon let out a gasp and stared with concern at Garrow, who did not move an inch.

"That can't be possible. You're lying! Why would you say something like that?" he demanded. I could see out of the corner of my eye that Roran didn't even react at all. He just rolled his eyes angrily and walked away without a word.

"It's the truth Eragon! I'm just trying to help you!"

"It was a mistake inviting you here. You're mad! I don't believe a word of it!" and with that Eragon stormed away into the house. After a few seconds, Garrow looked up, gave me a troubled look and followed him in more quietly. I was left to stand there staring into the dark alone.

"I failed. My plan to protect them isn't going to work if they don't believe me!" I wailed to myself.

After a while I decided that it would not be safe to go back into their house, so with a heavy heart, I headed to the forest. For a few minutes I wandered on the path, but then when I came upon an opening in the under brush I cut through it and found a very large, sturdy tree. So with a great sigh, I took off my outer sweater, laid it down under the tree and fell into a fitful sleep.