Chapter 4: Tears
"Go to Eragon..." Ardice heard Saphira say to her. Her and Murtagh's heads snapped sideways when they heard a cry down by the river near the caves. "Stay here."
Ardice ran towards the river, dodging trees left and right and trying to remain balanced on the uneven hillside. "Eragon!!!!!" she shouted. She heard sobs in the distance. "Eragon?" A branch swept by her face, giving her veil and skin a slice, but she didn't stop running.
She entered the dim cave and found Eragon sitting cross-legged by the fire with Brom's head in his lap. Tears rained down his cheeks. "Dead two minutes ago."
Ardice hurried to his side and took her turn holding Brom. "Go get more firewood," she ordered Eragon. He stood looking disgusted at her. "GO GET IT, HE NEEDS IT!!!!!!" she cried, her voice breaking with every syllable. Eragon left reluctantly, soundlessly crying.
Ardice hovered over Brom, trying to get his heart going again. "No, no..." she panted. "Come along, old friend!" Rage made its way into her pleas.
"NO! No, you can't leave me here! Don't do this Brom! Please!" She shook him hard. "Wake up! Wake up! Why do this to me?!" She let him lay as she let out a wail of grief. She pulled at her hair and pulled down her veil a little so her nose was visible.
Ardice crumpled onto the floor. She felt someone hug her from behind. "No, NO! She turned and tried to push the person away, not bothering to identify them. Her sobs got louder and she was pushed against the chest of her comforter. She sank to the floor, still in an embrace. Ardice cried herself to sleep, being lulled by soft humming and against a black leather vest, completely unaware that she had fallen asleep in Murtagh's arms.