A/N: Not sure what to put here so I'll just say thanks for the reviews and leave it at that :)

Chapter 3

Eragon collapsed onto his sleeping mat , which was located on the floor beside his cousin's, and thought about all that had transpired over the last six days. From the mysterious man who had collapsed into dust when the arrow had stuck him to the small, but rapidly growing dragon sprawled out along the foot of his sleeping mat.

Eragon could not help but let a small chuckle out as a quiet snoring sound emitted from the snout of the dragon followed closely by the soft purring sound that she often emitted when he scratched the small soft spot of skin at the base of her skull.

Eragon's thoughts then shifted to the mysterious persona of Arya. She had gone missing for hours earlier this day and when she had returned had walked wordlessly into the bedroom she was currently using, which she had not emerged from for the rest of the day despite Garrow's attempt to make her eat earlier that day.

Each time his was offer was refused with a sickeningly formal refusal from Arya. Garrow seemed to think nothing of this and walked back into the room which housed a confused Eragon muttering

"Never try to understand females Eragon, all you will achieve is a headache and more confusion than you started with, the best thing us lowly men can do is attempt to satisfy their every whim and desire".

The advice of his Uncle only serving to confuse Eragon even more than the actions of Arya had.

Eragon groaned and forced his face as deep into the thin pillow as possible.

O.O.O.O.O

Eragon was awakened from his slumber by small barbed tongue slowly covering his cheek in thick saliva. It took Eragon a few seconds before he realised what was happened and quickly, but softly, shoving away the dragon who was coating his face in the slippery substance.

The dragon made direct eye contact with Eragon and for the first time he thought that maybe there was more to this small lizard-like creature than to be the future mount of a Dragon Rider, he still couldn't believe he would be the one to have such a privilege.

A sudden hunger shot through Eragon despite him having eaten only a few hours ago judging by the moon which was now sailing high in the sky like a giant milky eye. An image then flashed through Eragon's mind causing him to stop mid breath and stare at the dragon.

"Was that you?" he stuttered, only to be rewarded with the tilt of a small triangular head which he took as confirmation. Although the dragon had made her hunger obvious Eragon continued to sit in the same position staring into the space directly in front of him.

Eragon finally stood to get some meat for the hungry creature circling his feet but as he reached the door he could her the soft melodic voice of Arya from the opposite side of the door.

Curiosity won out over Eragon's internal battle about whether or not he should be hearing her words, but even through the door Eragon could make out her barely contained anger. He couldn't stop the shiver that involuntarily travelled down his spine at the thought of an angry Arya. The memory of when he had told her he didn't need her help still fresh in his mind, and he suddenly felt pity for whatever was the object of such anger.

"I told you to inform no one about what has transpired, and yet you went directly against my wishes and told someone without even consulting me," Arya snarled before being cut off by a knock on the door. Eragon could imagine the frown that seemed to barely leave her brow was out in full force at this moment in time.

"I came as soon as I got the message, what has happened," said a worried voice.

The voice added even more confusion to Eragon's already jumbled mind. Why would Uncle Garrow go to the village storyteller at such a time. Admittedly they didn't seem to dislike each other but it never stuck Eragon that they may have been more than the acquaintances that Eragon had assumed them to be.

Dragging himself from these thoughts, Eragon pushed his ear completely into the door until even his cheek was pressed tightly to the wood.

"Nothing has happened as of yet Brom," Eragon heard Arya say quietly along with a small gasp and stutter from the man, who was confirmed to be Brom.

"Arya what are you doing here?" he managed to stammer out.

"I will explain that when Eragon removes his ear from the door and comes out into the open," Arya said calmly as if talking about the weather outside instead of revealing someone who she had no possible way of knowing to be eavesdropping on their current conversation.

Eragon sat, face still against the wood of the door until it was wrenched from beneath his body taking him by surprise, as he had heard no footsteps, and sending him sprawled out on the cold floor of the house.

Eragon attempted a small, feeble grin up at Arya who was staring down at him with a look of disdain.

"What have you done this time you fool?" snapped Brom his famed impatience showing through.

"That is a story I may be better explaining," started Arya "I was carrying the egg along the route we decided on through the Spine, when all of a sudden I was tackled from my steed. We had run straight into an ambush planned by the Shade Durza," she continued " My companions were both killed in the ambush but I managed to get myself and the egg away from the road, although Durza followed and eventually cornered me in a small clearing," Arya had stopped and taken a gulp at the word companions almost as if she had a lump in her throat. "I was getting ready to use the last of my energy in an attempt to teleport the egg to the agreed location when Durza was struck between the eyes with an arrow. I am sure you can piece the rest together on your own," Arya finished.

"So where is the egg now?" Brom asked raising a brow.

"That was the next point of discussion, it seems we have a new rider, and a new hope," Arya completed with a meaningful glance towards Eragon.

O.O.O.O.O

A/N: So here it is, I'm not particularly satisfied with this chapter and personally think it's the weakest so far. Good thing is it can only get better...Right?

Anyway leave a review and I'll see you soon :)

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