A\N : Here's chapter three hopefully its good. I could never get this scene the way I want it but I don't want to never post it so blahh here it is. Read and review or else I might give you the evil eyes.

"Aye indeed it has been, Murtagh." Arya spit his name out with such venom and conviction that even the red rider could not help but frown in the wake of Arya's apparent anger. "Where is Eragon you traitor, tell me where he is now."

Arya grimaced when a bone chilling laugh escaped Murtagh's lips. "Elf maybe you are disillusioned, but I don't have to answer to you. Especially since im much more powerful than you." Murtagh said this with a smug look written upon his face.

"Murtagh do not toy with me im in no mood now... Arya's words were interrupted by a loud, thunderous roar.

"TRAITOR! MURDERER!! I will kill you for what you have done to Oromis and Glaedr, and especially for what you did to Eragon."

No more words were spoken as the enraged sapphire dragon let loose a blue jet of scorching flames towards Thorn and Murtagh. These flames were easily deflected by Murtagh's wards however they did succeed in blinding Thorn momentarily, which was all the time Saphira needed as she rammed herself against Thorn's side. The smaller dragon roared in pain then snapped at Saphira's neck with a vicious bite, intending on causing severe damage but missed as Saphira nose dived underneath his attack. Saphira then retaliated by striking his under side with her claws, penetrating his rough exterior and drawing blood. Once again Thorn roared in pain, as blood gushed profusely from his newly opened wound. However just as suddenly as Saphira created the wound it began to heal itself, knitting the skin back together, and before Arya or Saphira knew what was happening Murtagh casted a spell that rendered Saphira motionless.

Arya looked down in horror, as she realized Saphira could not move. "Murtagh what did you do?"

The red rider smirked, confidence radiating from his appearance. "Nothing at all, O mighty elf." Murtagh responded in his most sarcastic voice.

Arya frowned as she realized the dire situation she was in. The elvin princess knew she needed to distract Murtagh in hopes she could think of a plan to defeat him. "Murtagh what has happened to you? You were once an honorable and trust worthy warrior who fought for all the right reasons. Eragon had trusted you with his life, but now your just a sad excuse for a rider and a traitor to your friends."

Murtagh's facial expression quickly changed to that of a man with deep turmoil raging in his heart. "Do you think I chose this fate elf? Cause I didn't. Galbotorix knows my true name Arya, I have no choice in the matter."

"Yes you do Murtagh, I know Eragon told you it is possible to change your true name if only you try to change yourself."

The red rider looked as if he was on the brink of losing sanity before replying, "Its not that simple Arya." After his statement Murtagh released his spell over Saphira which sent the sapphire dragon and elvin princess spiralling down towards the ground at a frighteningly rapid pace. Just
before they impacted against the ground Arya shouted "Letta", stopping the falling pair just above ground. Once Arya was confident they were no longer free falling she mumbled "Risa" and they rose back into the air where Saphira then took flight.

Arya felt an immense drain upon her energy after countering Murtagh's spell but suddenly she felt a massive pool of energy flow into her body, rejuvenating her senses, as Saphira merged minds with her. Once their minds were merged Arya sent her thanks to Saphira before speaking.

"Saphira land. I will deal with Murtagh on the ground where I am better suited for battle".

Saphira sent her acknowledgement through their mental link and began a series of complex maneuvers to shake off the red-beat dragon Thorn, who had just begun chasing them. After Saphira performed an impressive summersault in mid-air that confused Thorn, the female dragon flew straight to a clearing directly below them, and landed gracefully even though they were in the midst of a battle.

Arya's sensitive elvin ears began ringing loudly when she heard a thunderous roar from above. The elf watched in anticipation as Thorn landed heavily in the clearing herself and Saphira occupied, not nearly as gracefully as Saphira did. Arya took this time to observe the rider before her. His ebony hair was tangled wildly and cascaded to just below his chin. His eyes were dull and lifeless, and they held bags underneath them suggesting the rider hadn't sleep properly in days. Murtagh also looked thinner then what she was accustomed to, seemingly malnourished. He wore a daunting midnight colored armor, that shone with brilliance unmatched by other battle armors. All in all Arya had to admit the rider looked as if had been through horrible things. Her analysis of the red riders appearance halted however when Murtagh spoke.

"It seems you would rather commence in a battle of the blade elf."

Arya took mental note that Murtagh's voice was laced with confidence, perhaps too much confidence. "Shut up and raise your sword coward"

At hearing those words Murtagh seemed to become very angry. Throwing all caution into the wind Murtagh drew Zar'roc and lunged at Arya's left side with his sword. Arya easily side stepped the reckless assault and drew Brisingr from its sheath, all in one swift motion."Brisingr". At Arya's words Eragons sword erupted into flames, creating a blazing inferno that surrounded the blade. I didn't think I can do that Arya thought to herself. Her thoughts however were interrupted by an over head swipe from Murtagh. The elvin princess quickly raised Brisingr to meet his blade, causing sparks to fly everywhere. The sheer force of their attacks propelled Murtagh and Arya in opposite directions.

Murtagh who quickly recovered from the effects of his reckless lunge straightened himself out, then began speaking. "It seems the elf has some fight in her, no matter, your coming with me back to Galbotorix's castle weather you like it or not."

Arya shook her head. "Wrong Murtagh, underestimating your opponent is always the first step to defeat." With this said Arya raised her blazing sword diagonal to her body, taking a fighting stance.

Murtagh left no more time for talk as he ran towards Arya, sword raised. He struck out at Arya's left shoulder but the elf quickly rolled to the right evading the strike. She then attacked Murtagh with a flurry of well placed slashes, all of which Murtagh barely parried in time. Whilst fighting Arya felt a sudden pressure being applied to her mind, restricting her thoughts and clouding her judgement, she immediately threw up her mental barriers, fortifying her mind behind an impenetrable fortress.

Once Arya felt her mind was no longer in danger of being attacked she contacted Saphira. "Saphira im much quicker then Murtagh with a blade and he is oblivious. His magical prowess may surpass mine but he is still no elf, and can not keep up with me. I plan on using this to my advantage, however I need you to distract Thorn and take him somewhere far from here as I believe the eldunari are in Thorns saddle."

"No problem." Arya watched as Saphira took flight, Thorn following close after her. Arya knew this was as best a chance to defeat Murtagh as any. The elvin princess attacked Murtagh's left flank with blinding speed, spun quickly away from Murtagh's retaliation attack and unleashed a horizontal strike. Arya grimaced as she felt Brisingr slice through Murtagh's skin, opening a long wound across his abdomen. The red rider hissed in pain but did not falter nor relent. Ignoring the open wound upon his stomach Murtagh swung his sword diagonally with great velocity and strength toward Arya who merely ducked underneath his violent attack.

Arya caught a quick glimpse of Murtagh's face during their last exchange and noticed how his once confident facade had now become that of an angry man. Deep inside Arya knew this was the time to finish him. The elf quickly jabbed Brisingr towards Murtagh's ribs but purposely lost her footing, falling to one knee. As suspected Murtagh took advantage of this quickly and pointed Zar'roc's tip at Arya's throat.

"Now will you surrender and allow me to take Saphira and yourself back to Ura'baen?."

"Never, I will never be Galbotorix's slave like you are." Not waiting for Murtagh's response Arya shouted "Jierda", then before Murtagh could counter her spell the elf attacked his mind with all the force she could muster, and rolled away from his blade, at the same time leaping up behind Murtagh. Before the rider knew what was happening or could react Brisingr was protruding his stomach. Arya leaned in closer to Murtagh's ears and whispered "For my rider."

Murtagh fell on to both his knees, blood flowing profusely from his wound. "I...I...I can't believe it." The rider had trouble speaking and began coughing up blood. Summoning the last of his strength Murtagh looked directly into the emerald eyes of Arya. "Tha...thank you Arya, there are some fates worse than death, things in life no man should ever experience, and being Galbotorix's puppet is one of them. Im finally free." Murtagh started coughing up more blood before he continued talking. "Free Eragon, I can not tell you where he is located because of my oaths to the dark king but you must save him before he is mentally broken. You still have time, Eragon is strong and can repel the dark king, if only for the time being." Murtagh paused as tears began to form at the brim of his eyes, emotions seemingly raging through the mind of the rider. "Arya please tell Nasuada... Tell her I wish things did not have to be like this. Tell her I wish...I wish I could change everything, and that im sorry for everything I've done and all the things I could not do. Please tell her this."

Arya looked down upon the broken dragon rider, with both pity and regret coursing through her, "I will tell her." Murtagh nodded his head weakly then took his last breath before his body went limp and he fell to the floor lifelessly. The roars of a dying dragon could be heard from a distance.

Arya felt rather then saw the Sapphire dragon land next to her, and listened with sadness in her heart as Saphira let out a mournful growl. "Come little elf, I think we owe Nasuada and the others an explanation of what has happened. After that I think you deserve a rest, you have done well little elf."

Arya turned her head to look at the dragon next to her."Aye, your right I do need a rest and Nasuada does deserve an explanation,but why do you keep calling me little elf?"

Saphira looked towards the sky. "I will keep that to myself."

Arya nodded her head in acknowledgement and reached inside her pocket to retrieve the trinket she found in Eragons room earlier that day. She placed it in her hand and gazed out towards the sky hopefully.

"For you, my rider."

-Read and review truly yours, Elvin Blade