A/N: Since we seem to like this so far, here's a new chapter! Well, half of one. Chapter Three was a bit long so I split it into 2 parts. Part B will be posted nest week. In the meantime, enjoy!

This is dedicated to my awesome beta- Tjay Motou! She's been a doll, helping me out with revisions and everything! Sadly she's moving, and won't be able to get to her computer for a while… Never fear! Unless it takes her a month, updates should still come regularly… (Chapter 3, 4, and part of 5 have been beta'd).

Also, dedicated to all my friends (that'd be you, reading this right now) since you all have inspired me to keep it going!

Italics: dreams, imaginings

(Parentheses): Mind to mind communication (i.e. between Eragon and Saphira) Why parentheses? Because the site won't let me use carrots…

And since I'm bored, review replies at the bottom of the chapter!

In Dreams III, Part A

Content. Sleepy.

Arms encircling him.

Warm chest.

Comforting heartbeat.

"Eragon…"

"Eragon!"

At the sound of his name, the blue Rider was pulled from dreamland into wakefulness. The sudden transition left him disoriented, and it was several minutes before he realized that there was someone in the room with him.

A tall, dark-skinned woman- obviously the one who had awoken him- was standing over his bed, her pretty face tense with apprehension and anger.

"Nasuada?" he asked in surprise- usually, the leader of the Varden did not go around to rouse others. "What's going-"

She raised her hand, indicating that she was going to tell him if he would only be quiet. The Rider shut up.

"Galbatorix's troops have been seen not two miles up ahead. I don't know how they knew we were using this castle as a base, but..." Nasuada shrugged helplessly. Eragon cursed under his breath, rolling out of the bed and heading straight for his armor.

The abandoned castle had once belonged to a long-dead king of Alagaesia- it had probably been some sort of summer home, and had been a good distance from Uru'baen. They had thought themselves safe- the castle even had an escape route out the back they could use to get to the forest nearby. There had been a thick layer of dust on everything, but it was obviously abandoned and therefore made a perfect hiding place.

They had only just arrived as well- impossible that Galbatorix had just figured out where they were hiding. Someone must have seen...

Or someone in the Varden had told Galbatorix.

"Do we know how many men he sent?" Eragon asked, pulling his armored shirt on and fastening it tightly around his torso. Quickly, he strapped on his gauntlets, shin guards, and the rest of the armor gifted to him by the dwarves.

"No- only that we're far outnumbered." A pained look crossed her pretty face then, obviously troubled by the thought that many of her people would die. "Those too young and too old to fight have retreated to the woods. All of the soldiers we brought with are preparing, and several messengers have been sent to any place close by that supports our cause. Hopefully, we will have reinforcements, but they won't get here for hours yet."

"Have you sent word to the elves?" Eragon bent and picked up his sword, quiver, and elven bow. He cinched the sword around his waist and slung the quiver and bow over his shoulder.

"Arya left the second we got word." Nasuada turned towards the door, shoulders shaking with emotion. "If we had come with more soldiers, instead of just over half... if we had made it a full-scale move, instead of moving only a few of us..."

"You couldn't have known this would happen." Eragon instantly replied, seeing where she was going. It would do no good for the newly elected leader of the Varden to go to pieces blaming herself.

"I should have expected it. That is a leader's duty to her people." Nasuada sighed tiredly. "You need to call Saphira so we can get her armored as well." Eragon nodded.

The young leader of the Varden left, most likely to prepare herself for the upcoming clash.

Eragon listened as her footsteps died away, the silence following eerie and cold.

He ignored the ominous feeling and opened his mind, reaching out to touch his dragon. It wasn't long before the familiar, warm brush of Saphira's mind met his. Her mind instantly recognized his mental presence, opening to allow mental communication.

(Saphira? Where are you? ) he asked. (Have you seen what's happening?)

(I'm not far- I found a clearing large enough to rest in for the night.) Saphira responded, then her voice went heavy with worry. (Is something the matter? I haven't seen anything- did something happen?)

Eragon ordered her to begin heading for the castle, but to try and stay out of sight. As she moved closer, he began filling her in.

He could feel her anger rising as he explained the situation.

(So, not only do we have a traitor, we must keep the soldiers from entering the woods with a much smaller force, with no reinforcements for hours. Assuming, of course, any come. ) Saphira went quiet and contemplative, her anger simmering for a moment. (Eragon, it's too dangerous-)

(I will not abandon them, Saphira.) he warned her. (If you're planning on flying away with me- like you did when Garrow died- then I'll fight on the ground.)

He could sense her frustration and her fear. As much as the thought of dying scared him, he knew that he could not abandon the Varden.

(Fine, but you will fight from my back.) Saphira replied. Eragon didn't argue.

He headed from his room, trying to ignore one nagging thought that had burst into existence the moment he had heard about Galbatorix's soldiers. As much as he tried to quash it, it persisted, causing an odd mix of fear, anticipation, and sorrow to churn his stomach.

Nasuada hadn't said anything directly, but Galbatorix had never sent his soldiers against the Varden without sending a certain someone to face Eragon. To not send the only Rider he had at his command would basically be forfeiting the battle, no matter how greatly his troops outnumbered those of the Varden.

His heart fluttered. He attempted to calm it, but it defied him and made his whole body feel strangely light.

'Murtagh's here.'

Insert Line

Eragon moved quickly down the steps, heading for the door to the back where he knew Saphira waited.

It was almost time- Galbatorix's troops had not moved forward, apparently knowing that their presence had been realized. They were waiting for the Varden to come to them.

'They know they have us cornered.' Eragon thought, a trace of bitterness and resentment coloring his voice. There was no way to escape safely through the forest with enemy forces so close- if they had only brought up their army, and left those useless as warriors behind...

But what was done was done. There was no way to change it now.

He reached the bottom, heading across the stone floor. His boots clacked loudly, his footsteps echoing in the empty hall loudly.

Taking a deep breath and steeling himself for what was to come, he reached the large wooden doors and pushed them open as he stepped into the sunlight.

Eragon blinked several times as his eyes adjusted to the bright sunlight of early morning. While inside it had been as cold, dark, and empty as a tomb, outside it was bustling with activity.

Several soldiers were sharpening weapons; many were still getting on armor. A commander was directing some of the men, while the rest of the obviously battle-hardened veterans were giving tips to soldiers fresh from training.

Eragon had to look away- quite a few of the boys listening were obviously terrified, and most were a year or two younger than he was. He had known that the Varden was short on soldiers, but- despite the small gap in age- they just seemed so young to Eragon.

He spied Nasuada crouched down in the dirt with several dwarf chieftains and one Urgal chief, obviously discussing strategy.

There were frequent disagreements in the group, at least judging by the way glares were being exchanged at regular intervals. The only thing that broke the rounds of glares was a new round of hushed whispering.

He continued to scan the camp, moving aside for soldiers as they ran from one place to the next, making sure they were as ready as they could be.

'No one is ever completely ready for war.'

A flash of blue caught his eye, off to his left. He smiled thinly and turned, heading in the direction of the magnificent blue dragon.

She was easily as big as a large hill, but despite her huge size she was extremely graceful and sleek. Her bulk was pure muscle. Her wings were twice the size of her body, but they seemed to enhance her reptilian beauty instead of make her seem awkward. Sapphire scales gleamed brightly in the morning sun, covering her from talon to tail.

As he neared her, she turned to face him. Even though her features were reptilian and thus unable to express emotion, she was radiating disapproval and worry.

Even with her misgivings written on her face, she lowered her head for him to rest his hand on the armor protecting her skull. That small sign was enough to tell Eragon that she would follow his wishes.

(I still do not think this is a good idea.) she told him.

"I know." he replied out loud. "But we're the Varden's best hope for surviving this."

(I know.) Saphira replied, irritated. (I don't have to like it.)

The sound of hurried footsteps approached. The blue Rider turned, Saphira raising her head to determine if the person approaching was a threat or not.

A messenger- a man with red hair in a long braid down his back- ran up to Eragon, leaning over to brace his hands on his knees, panting with exhaustion. The brunette waited for the other to catch his breath, certain of what the message would be but wanting to hold onto the odd peace that existed between himself and Saphira for a little longer.

All too soon, the messenger caught his breath. He straightened and stood at attention.

"Sir, Lady Nasuada wants me to inform you that we're moving soon. She wants you to report to her as soon as possible."

"Thank you. Dismissed." The man saluted and turned, running off to complete some other errand Nasuada had probably sent him on.

Brown eyes met blue.

(Get on my back.) Saphira told him firmly. (Now's the best time to strap your legs in, and if Galbatorix's troops do move...)

(In other words, it would make you feel better.)

Saphira was quiet for a moment.

(Yes.)

The Rider walked around to the blue dragon's side, hoisting himself up and quickly strapping his legs down so he wouldn't fall while flying and fighting.

"Let's go then." Saphira snorted, but was much more at ease now that the brunette was on her back. She began walking at an easy pace, moving around the busy section so she disrupted the constant flow of people as little as possible. Eragon scanned the crowd, trying to spot Nasuada, as the messenger hadn't left any information in regards to finding her.

He was spared from his task as she emerged from the crowd, a grim expression on her face.

"Do we have a strategy?" Eragon asked as she approached, knowing they had no time for formalities. She nodded.

"Basically, you fly over our men and try to fry as many of the enemy as possible when not in immediate danger from their Rider. Our archers will try to cover you and Saphira, but their main task will be to fire at the front lines. The archers will be in trees, on top of the castle, as well as on the ground. Hopefully, most of them will be killed by the time they reach the ground fighters." Nasuada smiled grimly.

"Galbatorix must also be running low on magicians- they only have one besides Murtagh and we have three, including you. That is our only advantage."

Eragon nodded in understanding. Two members of the Du Vrangr Gata had accompanied them, and that could be their edge.

"Lady Nasuada!" Another messenger- a girl with brown hair tied back in a tight ponytail- ran up and saluted quickly. "The men are ready to move, and await your signal." Nasuada nodded, absently dismissing the girl with a wave of her hand.

The blue Rider didn't even need to be told what to do. Urging Saphira on, both man and dragon rose into the air and flew towards their front lines. Saphira roared loudly- a battle cry, proud and fierce.

They were ready to fight, and they were coming.

Insert Line

It was a sick moment of anticipation- fear as well as bile rose up in every soldier.

The Varden was moving, closing the gap between the two forces, but stopping many yards before the enemy. Far above even the tallest soldiers head, two people- like forces of nature in their own right- faced off.

Eragon held his drawn sword before him, heart beating fast as his eyes scanned the sky before him. He willed his heart to slow down to a normal pace, but it continued racing.

A red dragon hovered over Galbatorix's soldiers, shooting threatening trails of smoke from his nostrils. The male dragon was only slightly smaller than Saphira, but was much stronger and of a stockier build than she was. A long row of white spikes ran down his neck- from previous encounters, Eragon knew the sharp points ran all the way down the dragon's spine, but currently most were blocked by the Rider perched on the ruby dragon's back.

Murtagh was clad all in black, as usual. He held Za'roc out, the blades color the same shade as Thorn's scales as it glinted in the sunlight. A small smirk tugged at pale lips- even if the brunette couldn't see the exact expression, he knew the other Rider well enough to picture it.

It was oddly thrilling to go into battle against his brother. In a fight to the death, you could only focus on your opponent. That fight was your world until either you or your opponent died.

Eyes that only saw him.

Emotions meant only for him.

"So we meet again, brother." Murtagh articulated coldly, a bare hint of dry amusement in his voice. "Galbatorix is tired of waiting. I warned you that next time we meet, I would not show you mercy."

"Eragon..."

Pale skin.

Warm kiss.

Shaking himself soundly, Eragon shoved the disturbingly enticing images away from his mind. Those thoughts had no place in his life and no place on a battlefield of all things.

"I will show you none, either." he responded. A laugh drifted over the tense, silent field. Shivering slightly, Eragon recalled the first time he had met the red Rider- it had been the same resigned, sad laugh, but now there was a great deal of pain added into the mix.

"Then let it begin, brother."

Murtagh motioned his soldiers forward, raising Za'roc high and snapping the blade forward. As one, the body of red uniformed soldiers below him surged towards the Varden.

For a moment, Eragon was sure the men would panic, but then a rain of arrows flew towards the enemy line. As each arrow found it's mark, the targets fell, either dead, dying, or in severe pain.

More men fell as the next volley rained from the archers. More fell, screaming.

(Eragon!)

Eragon jerked his head up in time to see Murtagh speeding towards him, blade aimed for his throat. Mentally cursing himself for being distracted, Eragon blocked, wincing at the screech of metal as the two swords connected.

The red Rider tried pressing his advantage, but Eragon gritted his teeth and shoved the heavy weight of his brother away from him.

Below him, he could hear the screams of the dying and battle cries of the wounded. Knowing that they were severely outnumbered, the brunette commanded Saphira to dive. She did, a blue stream of flames issuing from her throat as she swooped low over the fighting soldiers.

Some died instantly, while others screamed in pained as their flesh literally melted off their bones. A few seconds was all the time Eragon had- his brother came diving after him, Thorn's powerful wings slowly gaining on Saphira.

The blue dragon roared in pain as the ruby beast caught her tail with his teeth. Thorn pulled, trying to knock Saphira out of the air so she would literally crush any human unfortunate enough to be underneath her.

Growling, Saphira bent in half and snapped at Murtagh with her sharp teeth. The ruby dragon let go, snapping his head back to protect his Rider.

Saphira shot straight up, getting out of range of either Thorn's tooth or claw before Murtagh could follow.

(Are you all right?) Eragon asked, looking back and squinting to see if he could tell how bad the damage was.

All he could see was red blood falling in a trail behind them, and Murtagh close behind.

(I'll be fine. Don't worry about me, concentrate on the fight! )

Saphira dove again, turning around to come straight back up at Thorn's unprotected underbelly.

The red dragon twisted, but that didn't bring the Rider out of range of Eragon's sword. He swung, only to be blocked by Za'roc. As his sword clanged off the metal, Eragon twisted his wrist to bring the sharp edge down on his brother's head.

He was blocked again.

Murtagh threw the blade off, throwing Eragon off balance. While the blue Rider recovered, Murtagh aimed a straight thrust for the brunette's heart.

Sensing the danger to her Rider, Saphira rolled away from Thorn. The red Rider missed his brother's heart by seconds. To allow Eragon more time to recover, Saphira flew to the far side of the field.

A bomb exploded somewhere below them. Smoke bloomed from the spot, the air quickly becoming cloudy and visibility nearing zero.

Eragon coughed, the unexpected addition to the air irritating the delicate tissue. Saphira quickly flew out of the black cloud, spinning around to face the ruby dragon that should have been right behind them.

Nothing.

Saphira and Eragon both stared intently at the black cloud, searching for any sign of red scales. Nothing.

Frowning, Eragon looked from side to side- maybe Thorn had gone around?

There was a sudden rush of air to his left. Turning as much as the saddle allowed, he saw the red dragon and Rider diving in from above.

TBC

A/N: And there's where we end it for this week. Sorry about the cliffie, but they're fun!

Hopefully this chapter was easy to understand- I tried to explain WHY Eragon didn't mind fighting his brother, but I'm not sure if it came across right… or if I made him seem as reluctant to embrace his homosexuality as in chapter one…

Hey, it was a battle. He doesn't really have time to be focusing on things like his orientation or stewing over it. (But his mind provides him with plenty of distractions… Can't have the slash disappear completely. Hopefully the small imaginings weren't out of place…)

And so far, the battle doesn't seem to be going so well for poor Eragon…

Next week: The battle ends. Duh.

…That's all. Really. Trust me… (Cheshire cat grin, check!)

And here are your review replies! (First time I've done these… If you don't see your name here, it's probably because these are just the reviews for Chapter 2. If you reviewed chapter 1, then I didn't even think about replying to those last week- sorry!)

angels.on.strike- So glad you like it so far! That's always good to hear… I hope you enjoyed this just as much, and will continue enjoying it!

Sockz- Honestly, I don't know. I'm leaning towards it, but I probably won't focus much- if at all- on Saphira and Thorn. So far, those two have managed to keep their private lives out of my fic, but then again I've only just begun… We'll see how it goes.

daydreamin' angel- I know I'm mean for keeping the next part from you all for another week, but I never claimed to be nice… (smiles). I hope you liked this installment!

Kaylen- It's fine if you want to ignore the incest- if you can. I don't try to bring up the fact that Eragon and Murtagh are brothers (other than to torture Eragon…), but I don't ignore it either. As they interact more, it may be harder to ignore it. Hopefully you like it anyway!

Anonymous- Who doesn't like slash? Well, what SANE person doesn't like it…

Lekarsha- Thanks for the compliment on my characterization! I tried, but I never know how well I'm succeeding… Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Sakura evil twin of Sango- Nice name, by the way! (I actually have a twin sister in reality, though I don't like to linger in the realm of realism…) Was this soon enough?

Gloria Monday- Yayz indeed! They're so cute together- was I to resist the underlying slashiness? Thanks for calling the story 'sexy', but I can assure you it gets better…

bleedingRose11- There aren't enough MurEra fics. (smiles) If it's any consolation, I think I kept most of the other main characters straight… Hope you liked this chapter!

Mantineus- Keep the dreams? Got it- I don't know if I could erase them completely from the fabric of this fic if I tried… The dreams come less frequently, but there are still quite a few in the future!

Mercury Bohemian- As usual, the longest review this chapter! (huggles) Thank you so much- long reviews are rare treats! I love to read rambles, so long as they are somehow connected to the story. I'm extremely pleased that you liked the last chapter- I hope you enjoyed this one just as much! It also makes me happy I'm up to your expectations- hopefully I will continue to write up to your standards…

Geek Squared 1307- My writing style is good? That's great to hear- I want to write for a living, and I can't very well do that if my writing is awful, now can I? So happy you like it! (And I figured that I had to have one of them more open to the idea- and besides, it just seemed to fit Murtagh, from what I remember him to be.)

InsaneBlackHeart- You probably won't be able to wait for the next one either, right? Sorry- one more week and the next part of Chapter 3 will be out! (I know what you mean though- I can't wait to see everyone's reaction on chapters 4 and 5! Speaking of 5, I'd best get cracking…)

Aisling-Siobhan- I thought it was only fair- since you liked Chapter 1, I thought you'd like to know I was continuing it. (I know I would have wanted to be told, instead of finding out months later…) I'm glad I did PM you!

FangedWriter- No apologies needed! I'm just glad you enjoyed this! (And alert backups can be terrifying, when you have enough of them…)

That's all for now! Much love everyone!