Disclaimer: I did not come up with any of the characters, places, names or anything else in the world of the Inheritance Cycle. All of that was the great mind of Christopher Paolini. I wish I had a genius mind like his.
"Text" speaking in the mind
Text thinking to ones-self
"Text" speaking out loud
Text Saphira speaking
Text dragon speaking
"Text" Saphira thinking to herself
Setting OutEragon sat in his mind as he rested. He didn't wander among his memories as he use to; he just sat there in the void not thinking or remembering. As he sat in the void he was vaguely aware of what was going on around him since he was concentrating on the fact that he was finally getting a peaceful rest. A rest that wasn't tainted with sad memories and thoughts. Of course he had good happy memories, but most of them would trigger the sad ones so they too were locked away.
Although vaguely aware of what was going on around him Eragon suddenly began to notice a nice smell. It was the fragrance of freshly crushed pine needles, and he watched in wonder as his black void slowly turned into a soft dark green forest. Arya. He thought softy. She's the only one who smells like this, although her mother has a similar scent. She must be close, very close. He thought as he sped up his breathing and quickened his heartbeat.
"Hello Arya." He said as he slowly opened his eyes. He quickly became aware of the pain slowly drifting to his heart. "Hello Eragon-elda." He heard her say.
"Saphira?!" He called to her in his mind. I could not refuse her; I had to let her in. she said to him. "You didn't let Roran in when he came." Eragon said, insistent. It is different with Arya because of your feelings for her, and because I like her. Besides she wanted to see you; it didn't matter that you were resting she just wanted to see you. She finished softly. "Really?" he said amazed and feeling a little warm inside. "No! No…it doesn't matter." He said, quickly stopping those feelings. He wasn't going to get excited just because she wanted to see him.
"What brings you here?" he asked Arya in the ancient language as he shifted Elva on his chest. He always spoke to Arya in the ancient language unless there were those around who didn't speak it. "I came before you left with Elva to see how you were doing after the battle; that is why I am here now." Arya said. He could feel her eyes on him, but he was not ready to look at her yet.
"And how am I doing?" he asked her as he starred at the top of his tent. "You are fine physically, but something about you is different. I sensed it before you left, but it is even stronger now." She said then added after a brief pause. "Eragon what is the matter?"
What is the matter? He repeated bitterly in his mind. Only everything. He thought then avoided her question by asking one of his own. "How do you know I'm not suppose to act this way? I'm growing up; perhaps I am maturing." He said.
"Perhaps." She said slowly as Elva made a whimpering sound in her sleep, and began to squirm around on Eragon's chest.
Eragon looked down at the top of Elva's head, and shifted her head so that it lay over his heart. He then began to rub her back gently knowing that that action as well as the rhythm of his heart would settle her back into sleep.
"You handled that well." Arya said softly, not wanting to disturb Elva as she watched Eragon rub her back. He looked at her for the first time since he realized she was there, and felt the pain in his heart intensify. "It was instinctive." He said just as softly as he quickly looked away.
"Saphira it hurts. It hurts so much. I can't even look at her without feeling this pain." He said to Saphira as he trained his eyes on the top of his tent again. I know little one. Why won't you let me share it with you? She asked him. "Because I don't want you to have to feel this pain. You had to feel it during the Blood Oath Celebration, and that was enough for a lifetime. This pain is not as intense, but still…you should not have to feel it." He said to her. She knew that she could not persuade him to change his mind, so she stayed silent on the matter.
They sat there for a while not saying anything as they listened to the sounds around them. Eragon wondered why Arya hadn't said anything. He didn't really have anything to say, and what he wanted to say he knew that she didn't want to hear and he wouldn't allow himself to say it anyway.
Why…why is she here? The longer she's here the harder it is to hide my emotions. He thought as she tried to ignore the scent coming from her. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest; hear it like a drum in his ear in reaction to Arya's presence and scent.
"Eragon let me take Elva back to her guardian, so that you can rest properly." Arya said to him and he looked at her briefly before looking at Elva. Will she be all right? He wondered with a slight frown. "You will be able to see her anytime you want. You know this." She reassured him.
She is right little one. You don't have to worry about her tonight, and you can check on her tomorrow before you see Roran. Saphira said to him. "Okay." He said to Arya as he carefully sat up then stood up as Arya stepped closer to him. He kept his face blank as he carefully placed Elva in Arya's arms then stepped back.
Eragon stood there watching Arya as she walked to the tent entrance. "Goodnight, and thank you for coming to see me." He said in a calm voice just as she was about to step out. She turned her head sharply and looked at him for a long moment before she spoke. "Goodnight Eragon. Rest well." She said in a slightly worried voice then left.
So maybe my voice wasn't calm. Okay it wasn't calm at all. He thought as he lay down on his cot. You're right. It sounded flat. Saphira said to him as she made herself comfortable in front of his tent entrance.
"Really? I thought I sounded weird." He said to her as he closed his eyes. "I didn't mean to, but there is nothing I can do about it now." He said as he began to slow his heart. "You get some rest too, Okay Saphira?" He said as he slowed his breathing. I will. Rest well little one. She said to him.
She sounded worried. I wonder why. was the last thought he allowed himself before he began his rest in the black void that was now his mind.
It was mid afternoon when Eragon quickened his heart and his breathing as he finished resting. He sat up without opening his eyes and took his boots off. He then stood and walked to the entrance of his tent as he thought about bathing. I want to bath, but what I really want is to feel the cool water and lose myself in it. He thought as he stepped out of his tent and opened his eyes.
He already knew that Saphira wasn't there when he woke, so it wasn't a surprise when he didn't find her stretched out in front of his tent.
As he looked around he let his mind expand in search of Saphira, and was quickly bombarded with the thoughts of the many people around him.
"Look he's finally awake.", "Shade slayer, there he is.", "He sleeps late doesn't he? I guess he's allowed.", "I haven't seen him around. I wonder what he's been doing.", "Why doesn't he have boots on?" came some of the close thoughts he picked up before he felt Saphira's mind enter his.
She sent him an image of her flying high above the camp, and he looked up quickly. When he spotted her in the sky his face softened, and a smile lit his face. She knew what he wanted and he watched as she began to descend toward the ground.
Eragon knew that she wouldn't land; that she wanted to try something that they had never attempted before. He wanted to try it too, but didn't mention it because he thought that she might think it would be too dangerous. "I guess we really do think a like." He said to her as he watched her get closer and closer. Yes we do and it is dangerous, but I think we could pull it off with some practice. She said.
"Lets find out how much practice." He said as he began to run in the direction she was headed. He didn't have to look up as he ran since she was sending him images of how close she was, and because he could hear the sound of her wings beating and see her shadow slightly.
Saphira then flew low and passed over him. As she did this Eragon jumped high and grabbed a spike on the end of her tail and held on tightly as she ascended higher and higher in the sky.
As she flew he carefully climbed on top of her tail, and began to crawl along the spikes on her back until he reached the space between her neck and her back. Once he was seated safely he spoke to her.
"That wasn't so bad for our first try." He said to her with excitement in his voice. That's true, but I have a feeling that the landing we have in mind won't go so easy. She said as she approached the river.
Eragon sighed in agreement. "How about we hold off on that until after we help Roran rescue Katrina. I would hate to hurt myself during our little experiment, and not be able to help them." He said to her. That's fine, although I don't believe that you would get that hurt. She said confidently. Eragon chuckled at that. "Yes well I'm not so confident, and I'd rather not take the chance." He said as they reached the river.
Saphira flew over the river then circled around and flew lower and lower until they were right above the current. She then folded her wings, dived under the water, and began to swim while Eragon held his breath and kept a good grip so that he wouldn't float away.
She then surfaced when she felt that Eragon needed air, and allowed herself to float on the water. "That was fun." He said as he gathered his breath. I thought you might like that even though your clothes would get wet. She said as she felt Eragon slip off her and into the water. "It's no problem; I didn't plan on taking my clothes off anyway." He said as he dived under the water.
Eragon let himself drift under the water, enjoying the feel of it on his skin when suddenly an image of Arya's worried face entered his mind. Where did that come from?! He thought incredulously as the pain began to flow through him like the water around him.
Maybe I let the water relax me too much. He thought trying to find a reason for her face to suddenly enter his mind. Oh well. I might as well try and figure out what I'm going to do since she's already on my mind. He thought to himself as he remembered the pain he felt from just her scent and her presence.
He really didn't know what he was going to do. He didn't feel as much pain as he did before he locked up his memories and thoughts, but seeing her and talking to her still caused him pain. He knew that not being able to recall the memories he had of her was good, but the fact that he could make new memories was not helping. And he could always have thoughts about her.
I just need to not see or talk to her and I'll be okay. He thought as he surfaced and began to swim against the current. But I can't just not talk to her, ignore her. I don't want to cause offense or disrespect her. She is princess of the elves and their ambassador. He continued with his thoughts.
Perhaps I should try to avoid her. That shouldn't be too hard since Saphira and I will be leaving with Roran soon, but what about before we leave and when we get back? He wondered as he swam. I'll just have to do my best to avoid her. I'll stay clear of where ever she happens to be and I'll be fine. Besides she still only thinks of me as a friend, and doesn't want to hear me spill my feelings again so maybe she'll stay away from me. He thought as he climbed on to one side of the riverbank and walked in the direction he last saw Saphira in.
After Eragon found Saphira they flew back to his tent and he changed into dry clothes and put his boots on. He then dried his hair and his sword belt that of Beloth the Wise, and put it back on. The only time he would leave that belt unattended was when he and Saphira were back in Ellesmera.
When he was done he decided that he was going to take Saphira's advice and go check on Elva before seeing Roran. "I'm going to go see Elva before going to Roran." He said to Saphira as he stepped out of his tent. I'll stay here; that way you'll be able to get around quicker. She said to him as she stretched out on her stomach.
"Alright." He said as he began to walk in the direction of Elva's tent. I hope she's okay and that she was able to sleep well. He thought as he neared her tent. He didn't know what he'd do if it turned out that he screwed up when he was removing the curse. Don't worry so much. I'm sure she's fine. Saphira said. "I shouldn't have let Arya take her. I wouldn't be worried if I hadn't." He said. But you needed to rest without having to worry about her, and I'm positive that if anything had gone wrong you would know it by now. She assured him.
Eragon knew she was right, but he wanted to see with his own eyes. I'll just look in on her real quick, and then go see Roran. He thought as he came to a stop in front of Elva's tent.
"Excuse me? Would it be okay if I could have a quick visit with Elva?" He called through the tent. He could sense Elva and her guardian within, but it wasn't as if he could knock and it would be rude to just barge in. There was a rustle then out came Elva and her guardian. Elva wore a big smile and giggled as she was held in the arms of her guardian.
Eragon breathed a sigh of relief as he took in her happy face. "She is looking very well; can I hold her?" He asked. "Why yes you can sir." Replied Elva's guardian as she placed Elva in his arms. He smiled when Elva placed her tiny hands on his face, and nibbled at her fingers, which caused a stream of laughter from the infant and himself. She really is happy and well. Now I don't have to worry so much. I just have to help make this world safe again for her. He thought as he handed Elva back to her guardian.
"Thank you for letting me visit with her. I can't tell you how worried I've been about her; especially since I removed the curse." He said. "I just wanted to make sure there were no side effects, and that she was doing well." He finished. "She was fast asleep when the dragon egg carrier brought her here last night, and she continued to sleep peacefully during the night. It's the most peaceful I've seen her in months." She said as she looked at Elva's smiling face.
"I'm very glad for that." He said with a relieved sigh. "I must go now. Will you please continue to watch over her?" He asked and she smiled and promised that she certainly would. He would be watching over her with his scrying, but he didn't want to make her uncomfortable with that information. "Thank you." He said with a soft smile then looked to Elva. "Bye. You be good." He said as he gently grasped her little fingers then he began to walk away.
Now I can tell Roran I'm ready to go. He thought as he headed in the direction where the villiagers were camped. As Eragon walked his thoughts turned from Elva to Arya. He began to wonder if avoiding Arya would be enough to keep the pain away, and thought that maybe he needed to do something else to make sure it stayed away. But what else can I do? I've already locked away my memories and thoughts of her. What more is there to…. His thought trailed off as an idea came to him. I'll lock my emotions away! That way I won't have to worry about reacting to her, and there won't be anything to interfere with what I need to do as a rider. I would be able to concentrate more during battle without my emotions and feelings getting in the way. He thought as he remembered the battle and how his concentration had been divided between fighting, protecting everyone he cared about, and worrying about what could happen if he didn't.
Yes! This is perfect. I'll do the same thing I did with my thoughts and memories. He thought as he neared the villagers' campsite. I'll do it now before we leave. He thought as he stretched out with his mind in search of Roran.
As he walked through the villagers camp many thoughts from the villagers entered his mind, and he was grateful that none of them had seen him walking yet or those thoughts would most likely be about him
After a few minutes of briefly searching the minds around him Eragon came across Roran's thoughts, and found him thinking about what might have happened to Katrina since she was captured. Eragon sighed sadly as he approached Roran's tent; his thoughts were depressing. As Eragon called out in a low, but clear voice he noticed that Roran had the tent to himself.
Roran came out looking sad but hopeful and excited. "You're ready?" Roran asked. "Aye. What about you?" He asked. "I'm ready now; I just need to get my hammer and we can go." Roran said as he turned to go back into his tent, but Eragon stopped him.
"You should tell everyone that we're leaving and say goodbye, so they know what is happening and bid you well. While you're doing that I'll gather what I need and put Saphira's saddle on." Eragon said. He needed to buy a little time for himself, so he could get rid of his emotions. "It's not going to take me that long." Roran said. "I move pretty fast these days." Eragon said with a smile. "Come to my tent when you're done." He said as he began to walk away.
As Eragon headed back to his tent he was able to avoid being seen by the villagers, and decided to avoid the soldiers as well so he wouldn't have to see the looks they gave him or answer any questions they may have. This will limit my chances of coming across Arya. He thought with a sigh. He just wanted to concentrate on what he needed to do so he could help Roran save Katrina. He hoped that they made it in time.
Eragon squirted around the backs and sides of tents as he got closer to his when he smelt something that stopped him in his tracks. The scent of freshly crushed pine needles was strong in the air, and he couldn't help it when he breathed deeply. He knew that he wasn't imagining it, but he hoped he was as he peered around a tent to get a good view of his.
Arya was standing there conversing with Saphira. His first thought as he felt the pain travel straight to his heart was why the hell did Saphira not tell him that she was there, and his second thought was of how he was going to get to his tent without looking at her or talking to her.
He looked again at the two ladies closest to his heart and hesitated in going back to his tent. It might not be too bad if I don't have to talk to her, but who am I kidding? I can't just ignore her when she's right there. He thought as he stood behind the tent unwilling to move toward his. This just confirms that I need to get rid of my emotions. I can't just breakdown like this every time I see, talk, sense, or even smell her. I just can't let that happen. I have to do something about these feelings; this pain. He thought as he took a deep breath and stepped out into the open and walked toward them. He knew that they already knew that he was there.
"Why didn't you tell me that she was here?" He asked Saphira with his mind as he walked toward them. You were busy with Roran, and I was talking to her. She said in an innocent voice. "Since when has that stopped you from telling me something?! You knew that I would have wanted to know she was here." He said. Yes but you're avoiding her right? So would you have come back or waited until she had gone elsewhere? She asked in an 'I already know the answer' kind of voice.
Eragon sighed; he knew that she was right. He would have delayed in coming back if it meant not seeing Arya, and avoiding the pain that comes with being around her. I need to hurry up and get this done before Roran comes. He thought as he stepped up to them and stood next to Saphira.
As he greeted Arya he couldn't help breathing in her scent. He had to struggle to keep his face blank and hold back the groan that threatened to escape him. Her scent was both pleasure and pain, and he placed his hand on the side of Saphira's face drawing strength from her presence to keep himself from moving closer to Arya.
"I came to bring you these." Arya said as she handed him a cluster of perfect arrows with white swan feathers. "I knew how busy you'd been with Elva and everything you have had to deal with, so I gathered them since I knew you would need them on your rescue mission." She finished.
Oh my god! I can't believe I forgot about these arrows! These were a gift from the Queen! He thought franticly as he handled them gently. Well you've had a great deal on your mind. Saphira said to him soothingly. "That I have." He said with a sigh. But I should have remembered. She said slowly and Eragon looked at her. "You've had a lot on your mind too haven't you? You've been worrying about me, so don't you try to feel bad about something I should have remembered." He said to her as he looked back to Arya.
"I can't believe you took the time to collect all these. Thank you so much." He said heartfelt as he looked into her deep green eyes. She didn't say anything for a few moments as they looked into each other's eyes. Eragon's heart began to beat faster and he was more aware of the pain flowing through him the longer the silence lasted. He began to feel a falling sensation and was grateful when Arya began to speak. He didn't know what he would do if she continued to hold his gaze as if she were looking for something.
"You are welcome. I know that I can not talk you out going, so I want you to take care of your self and don't get killed." Arya said in a serious tone. "Don't worry. I'll be sure to keep myself alive." He said, his face going blank. He was having issues containing his emotions. He watched as a tiny frown crossed her perfect face then vanished just as fast as it had come.
"Goodbye Eragon. I'll see you when you get back." She said and he nodded his head once. "I'll see you then." He said and watched as she turned and began to walk away. She must have said goodbye to Saphira before I came. He thought.
Eragon forced himself not to watch her walk away, and went into his tent and sat on his cot with a deep sigh placing his arrows next to him. He let Saphira know that Roran would be arriving soon, and that he was going to take a little time to get his mind settled before they left.
He decided that he would need all of his concentration to lock his emotions away, so he closed his mind to everything and everyone including Saphira. He wasn't trying to hide it from her; he just needed his mind to himself. Then he withdrew into his mind where he created a room in the very back of his mind away from the one with his memories and thoughts and added a thick door to it.
When he was done he focused on the emotions that he recently felt so he could put those in first. Okay. I remember feeling pain, pleasure, fear, and helpless, but I don't want to put pleasure in there so just the pain, fear and helplessness then. He thought and focused on holding those emotions. He then opened the door and tried to put them in, but he couldn't get them in.
Eragon wondered why it wasn't working, but quickly realized that he could only put one emotion in at a time. It then occurred to him that he might have to feel the emotion before he could lock it away. That's not good. What if I'm in the middle of something important when I'm experiencing it? He thought in frustration. He then tried to put random emotions in the room just by thinking about them and realized that he couldn't.
Ugh! I was just feeling a bunch of emotions I wanted to put away a few minutes ago! He thought in frustration. He decided that since he was feeling frustrated he would put that emotion in the room, and stop worrying about what he couldn't help.
He grabbed hold of that emotion and focused on putting it in the room. Once it was in he closed the door and withdrew from his mind. Then he opened his mind to Saphira and his surroundings and felt the familiar hum of the many thoughts around him.
After that Eragon began to gather what he needed for the rescue trip. He put his cloak on then gathered his bow and arrows, bottle of faelnirv, and his supply of food and put them in his saddlebag. I have a feeling that bringing food hasn't crossed Roran's mind. He needs to eat, and who knows what they've feed Katrina if they they've feed her at all. He thought as he carried Saphira's saddle and his saddlebag out to her.
Feeling better little one? Saphira asked as he approached her with the saddle. "A little. Enough so that I'm not distracted right now." He said as he placed the saddle on her and began to buckle it. "Do you think it will take us long to get there?" He asked as he continued to buckle the saddle. No I don't; it'll definitely take us less time to get there then it did to get here. She said as she shifted a little for him.
As he moved to her other side he could hear someone walking in their direction, so he reached out with his mind to find their thoughts and realized that it was Roran. He backed away from his mind so he wouldn't feel uncomfortable or threatened and continued with Saphira's saddle as Roran watched.
You seem interested in my saddle. He heard Saphira say to Roran, and saw him jump slightly. He wasn't use to hearing voices in his mind especially not that of a dragon, so Eragon wasn't surprised by his reaction and couldn't blame him. He was use to Saphira's voice, but it still shocked him the first time he heard their Master Glaedr's voice.
"Yes. It's really nice and very well made. Can I ask where you got it from?" Roran asked as he moved closer for a better look. Our Master gave it to us. She said as he continued to look at the saddle. "Wow. Look at the detail. Is it heavy?" He asked. Not to me. She said in an amused voice. "Eragon?" He asked as he pulled his eyes away from the saddle. "No not really. At least for me anyway." Eragon said as he finished with the saddle. He then asked Roran for his hammer, so he could put it in his saddlebag.
As Eragon grabbed his saddlebag Saphira laid herself flat on the ground to make it easier for Roran to climb into the saddle even though she knew that Eragon would help.
After Eragon attached his saddlebag securely to the saddle he climbed lithely into the saddle and held out his hand to assist his cousin. Roran looked at his hand skeptically as if he doubted Eragon could support his weight with one hand. Eragon sighed. "Look at it this way..if I fall out of the saddle under your weight you can tease me about it for as long as you want." He said and Roran laughed. "Okay." Roran said with laughter still in his voice as he grasped hold of Eragon's hand.
Eragon held Roran's hand tight but not tight enough to break any bones as he pulled him up and helped him sit comfortably behind him. "Hold on tight." He said to Roran and felt him grip his waist on both sides. Eragon shook his head. "Roran wrap your arms around my waist. You don't want to go flying off when Saphira takes off do you?" He said and felt Roran comply, and also felt his heartbeat speed up.
"Don't worry. Saphira will take it easy since this is your first time." He said as Saphira stood up. "If you want to talk to either of us just think whatever you want to say and we'll answer." He added as Saphira stepped clear of their tent. She then stretched her wings and took off into the sky.
Eragon smiled as he felt Roran holding on tighter and tighter as Saphira ascended into the sky. Oh that was horrible. I wonder if Eragon's first time flying with Saphira was like this. Roran thought as Saphira stopped rising and began to head in the direction of Helgrind.
"No my first time was very, very different. Lets just say you're lucky enough to experience this with a saddle." He said to Roran as he heard Saphira's rough giggle in his mind. "I can't believe you're laughing. I remember the pain I was in after that first ride." He said as he pretended to be sad. Yes I remember too, but I also remember how you were afraid to fly with me after that. She said fondly. "Can you blame me? Plus I did get over it once you showed me what I was missing." He said with a smile in his voice.
They spent the rest of that afternoon and evening flying, trying to cover as much ground as they could before nightfall. They talked little during that time. Eragon spent the time transferring energy into the diamonds of his sword belt, and Roran spent the time thinking about Katrina.
When it became dark Saphira chose a secluded spot for them to camp in. After she landed she laid herself flat on the ground again to make it easier for Roran, but he didn't move because it was so dark he couldn't see anything; not even Eragon sitting in front of him.
That was worse then the take off. Roran thought. "I can't see a thing." He said as he blinked his eyes wide open like an owl. "Don't worry about it. I'll take care of that." Eragon said as he moved his right leg over Saphira's neck and jumped down. He walked around for a minute collecting large rocks, and put them in a circle creating a boundary for a fire. Then he grabbed dried sticks and leaves that were lying around and put them in the center. He focused on the magic inside him and said brisingr in his mind and his right hand erupted in blue flames.
He heard Roran gasp as he lowered his hand and placed it on the sticks and leaves. They caught fire right away and he released the magic as he pulled his hand away and stood up. He watched the fire as it turned from blue to orange. Then he looked around making sure the site was bright enough for Roran to see then turned to look at him still sitting on Saphira.
"This should be enough to help you see, and it will help keep you warm for the time being." He said as he watched Roran climb from Saphira's back. "For the time being?" He questioned once he was firmly on the ground. We cannot leave the fire going all night. We don't want to attract any unwanted guests, especially this close to enemy territory, so you'll be sleeping with me to keep warm. Saphira said in answer to Roran's question.
"Where will I be sleeping exactly?" Roran asked as he sat between one side of the fire and Saphira. Next to my stomach where the fire inside me is strong. I'll cover you with my wing, and you'll be completely warm. She said as she lay down and watched Eragon lean against a tree across from the other side of the fire.
They were all quiet for a time after that. Eragon gazed into the fire as he and Saphira listened to the sounds of the forest around them. Eragon listened but he was having a hard time blocking out Roran's depressing thoughts.
His thoughts are starting to make me depressed. He thought as he focused his entire mind on blocking Roran's thoughts. He then realized that he was feeling depressed, and that he could lock that emotion away. So he retreated to his mind after blocking everything around him, and grabbed hold of that emotion and focused on putting it in the room. Once it was in the room he closed the door and withdrew from his mind.
He then opened his mind and felt Saphira, Roran, and the forest life around him. He could tell that Saphira was curious about why he had blocked her out, but he didn't say anything. He was a little happy that Roran's thoughts were no longer depressing him.
Eragon would have been happier about that, but what he didn't know was that every time he locked away an emotion a small piece of love and joy went in too.
Sorry for the long wait. I was having some serious writers block with this chapter. Anyway please pull out your Limited Edition of Eldest or head over to Alagaesia dot com and read the sneak peak of chapter three of Brisingr. I thought up this story after I first read that, so it is a part of the next chapter, which is called The Rescue.