Not Alone

By realixweatherfairy

Disclaimer: I do not own Eragon!

Chapter 4: Jealousy and Pre-battle Jitters

It took the Varden a full week after the battle of Feinster to begin marching towards Belatona. There had been many injuries and new recruits, since some of the soldiers that had been fighting against the Varden had decided to join them and battle for their freedom; one of the new recruits was the boy that Eragon had almost killed in the milliner's shop. Nasuada was very optimistic about the upcoming battle, optimism that was not shared by Eragon and Alenanora, who were still grieving over the loss of their masters, who had been teacher, friend, and father to them both.

They had mostly stayed to themselves most of the time before the Varden marched to Belatona. In that time, Alenanora had met many of the people from Carvahall, and had become fast friends with Elain and Katrina, who both adored her and treated her as a member of their families. She had even become friends with Roran, who treated her like a sister, and Horst, who treated her as the daughter he never had, and his sons, Albriech and Baldor, who Eragon could tell had feelings for her and didn't like it. She had spent many hours talking with Elain and Katrina about every subject under the sun, and Horst had been impressed by her knowledge of the forge. She had also met Orik, whose army had finally reached the Varden about a day after the Battle of Feinster and he absolutely adored her, and many of the other dwarves, who also adored her.

In addition to the time that Alenanora spent with her new friends, she spent much time helping Eragon improve his powers and become stronger. With their determination, it did not take long for both him and Saphira to reach their full potential, since they were both determined and quick learners. Alenanora was proud of them, as was Aleahdeen, and they praised them both generously. Eragon quickly began to appreciate the time that he and Alenanora spent together. They had many things in common and she was a tough sparring partner.

Every time they sparred, it came to a standstill since they were both fierce warriors. She helped him develop his powers well beyond what he had originally had thought he could while Aleahdeen taught Saphira some aerial maneuvers that Glaedr had not taught her yet, and both dragons had grown closer to one another; Aleahdeen treated Saphira as if she were her sister, and Saphira adored and looked up to the older dragon as if she were her older sister.

Since he had met Alenanora, Eragon had come to think of her as family, but in the last week, his jealousy that Albriech and Baldor had such obvious feelings for her told him that what he felt for her was something more, but he couldn't figure out what it was. He talked to Saphira about it, but she wouldn't tell him what these feelings were, telling him that it was something that he had to figure out on his own and he was stumped.

He knew that he didn't want her to get hurt, and cared about her welfare, but he felt the same with Arya. But Eragon knew that he was very protective of Alenanora, that if anyone ever harmed a hair on her head, he would personally hunt them down and destroy them with his bare hands and that he would give his very life to protect hers. He liked holding her hand and just liked being with her in general and was frustrated that he couldn't figure out why he felt that way.

While they were hunting together one day, Saphira told Aleahdeen, Eragon does not see what is right in front of his nose.

What do you mean? Aleahdeen asked.

I mean that he is in love with Alena and doesn't know it, she replied.

He is still a youngling, and hasn't had time to recognize what these feelings are, Aleahdeen said, He's probably never truly felt this way about anyone, and hasn't had enough experience to know what they are.

He just thought that he was in love with Arya, Saphira continued, What he's feeling for Alena is so much different than what he thought he felt for her older sister, and I think Arya knew that and that, along with the fact that she's so much his senior, is why she refused him.

It's true, Aleahdeen told her, Arya was talking about it to Alena the other day when they were having tea together. Alena didn't tell me many details, but Arya told her that she wasn't in love with Eragon; she loved him, but it was the same way she felt about Alena. She thinks of Eragon as family, like her little brother and that because there was too much of a gap in their ages, that it would never have worked anyway.

I just wish Eragon would figure out that this isn't something that I can help him with. I can feel his emotions as my own, but if he can't figure it out, and then if I tell him, he'll just deny it, Saphira replied wistfully.

Don't worry, Alena is just as much trouble as he is. I'm not supposed to tell you this, but she's been in love with Eragon for awhile, Aleahdeen told her.

Really?

Yes, you see, when the two of you first came to Ellesméra, even though she couldn't introduce herself to him, Alena watched over him so that he wouldn't get distracted, or hurt. When Vanir insulted Eragon, Alena gave him a beating he's more than likely never to forget for it, Aleahdeen continued, Over the course of a few weeks, she began to look forward to the day that she'll finally get to reveal herself to Eragon. At first she just wanted to be his friend; she could tell that even with you and his other friends, that he was very lonely. It wasn't long until her friendly feelings toward him morphed into something else. She's refused to admit it since the Blood-Oath Celebration.

She overheard Eragon talking to Arya, Saphira said, shocked.

Yes, she told you that she and Arya had been friends for years, best friends since before her mother had been killed, Aleahdeen said, She had been going to wish Arya a safe trip to the Varden when she happened to overhear his confession. I've never seen Alena so hurt, even though she knew she couldn't help the fact that he didn't even know that she existed at the time. It wasn't long after that that she told Oromis and Glaedr that we were leaving Ellesméra and we left before morning the next day. We mainly traveled from town to town in Du Weldonvarden, helping out wherever we could until we received our master's summons to return to Ellesméra, that the time to reveal ourselves had come. At the time, she told me that she couldn't care less who Eragon loved, though I knew that was a lie. She often forgets that I know her better than she knows herself.

Eragon is much the same, Saphira replied.

When Alena was talking to Elain and Katrina the day before, she was telling them that she was proud of the progress that Eragon was making, and they told her that they thought that Eragon may like her as more than just a friend, Aleahdeen said, When she asked them why they thought that, they told her that they could tell by the way that Eragon looks at her. They said that he looks at her as if he was seeing the sun for the first time, and that they saw the jealousy flash in his eyes every time that Albriech and Baldor approach her. She refuses to believe it; she still thinks that he loves Arya.

There must be something we can do to make our Riders see their true feelings, Saphira contemplated.

No, hatchling, we cannot interfere, this is something that our Riders must do on their own, Aleahdeen told her in firm, but loving voice, They must see their feelings for themselves, all we can do is watch over them and give them the best advice that we can without interfering. Saphira nodded her head in agreement and they continued to hunt. Once they were done, the two dragons headed back to the Varden's camp to be reunited with their Riders, who were in the sparring field, practicing. When Alenanora saw that Aleahdeen and Saphira were returning, she signaled to Eragon that their sparring match was done and said, "You are doing so well, Eragon. I'm proud of you."

"Thank you, Alena," Eragon said, literally beaming at the praise, as Orik approached him and said, "I must say, that was quite a show of swordsmanship. I don't think that I've ever seen an equal to the two of you, even when I last saw you spar with anyone. You have improved so much since the last time I saw you." Eragon only smiled at his foster brother, tearing his eyes away from Alenanora who was accepting a flower from a group of children and grew jealous when she gave the child a kiss on the cheek, and said, "It's all thanks to Alena. She's been such a big help." But Orik smiled and slightly shook his head and replied, "It's more than that, Eragon. The way you look at her, it's like you're a blind man seeing the sun for the first time in his life. And don't think I didn't see the fury flash across your eyes whenever any of the other men of the Varden approach her." Eragon just looked at him with an incredulous look on his face.

"What do you mean?" Eragon asked.

"I mean, Eragon, that you're in love with her and don't even know it," Orik told him, raising an eyebrow. Eragon's eyes widened with surprise and he couldn't even think to form an answer.

When he was alone in his tent later that night, Eragon lay in his cot, thinking about what Orik had said. He thought about the way that Alenanora's eyes would flash dangerously when in battle, or the soft look in her eyes when she saw the children of the Varden playing, or the way her smile lit up her face when one of the children had presented her with a flower, which she had tucked behind her ear, or how she could never hide her emotions as they were always expressed in her eyes, eyes that Eragon knew that he could drown in. He thought about the way her skin felt against his as he held her hand, or the warmth that flooded his chest whenever she smiled because of him, or something he said or did, or how happy it made him when she praised him, or how the fact that Saphira completely approved of her had made him feel.

I am in love with her, he thought and felt relief flood through Saphira and said, You knew all along what these feelings were, didn't you?

I did, but this was something that you had to figure out for yourself, she told him, If I had told you, you wouldn't have believed me.

You're right, he realized. He wouldn't have believed her if she had told him; he would have denied it with all he had, he continued, Oh, who am I fooling! I've been in love with her since the moment I met her! But she's an elf, and so many years older than me, she could never return my feelings.

Eragon, have you forgotten that she's a lot younger than Arya, and not that much older than you are, Saphira scolded, You won't know unless you take a chance. Eragon knew that she was right. He wouldn't know unless he actually told Alenanora how he truly felt about her; it was just his fear of being rejected again that held him back.

Here I am, a powerful Dragon Rider and magician, I have slain a Shade and faced so many battles, but yet here I am, afraid of being rejected by a woman! Eragon thought, cursing his own weakness.

Not all men are completely fearless, Eragon. Everyone has something that they're afraid of, Saphira replied, Even me, believe it or not.

I have never seen you as anything other than brave and fearless, Eragon told her, the only response that she gave him was a chuckle. By the end of the night, Eragon was determined to tell Alenanora his feelings and was finally able to get some sleep, and sleep peacefully for once in a long time.

The next morning, Eragon and Saphira left their tent to meet with Nasuada. When they got to her tent, they met up with Alenanora and Aleahdeen, who greeted them warmly. Alenanora and Eragon walked inside the tent to find Nasuada, wearing her armor, surrounded by her guards, advisors, Arya, and Orik. Both Aleahdeen and Saphira put their heads through the tent walls on either side so that they could hear what was going on as well. When Nasuada saw Alenanora and Eragon, she said, "Good morrow, Alena and Eragon, we are glad that you have decided to join us."

"Good morrow, Nasuada," Eragon said.

"May good fortune rule over you, Nasuada," Alenanora replied.

"We are only about a day's march from Belatona," Nasuada told them, "We can wait only a few more hours until we must continue. Eragon, I know that Alenanora has been helping you train these last few days and that you have progressed greatly. I am proud of you. We shall definitely need your powers in the battles to come."

"Thank you, Nasuada," he replied, blushing at the praise as she turned to Alenanora and said, "I know that you have helped us in the Battle of Feinster, Alena, but I need to know what you plan on doing now."

"If you are wondering where my loyalties lie, Nasuada, you have only to ask," Alenanora said, narrowing her eyes angrily, "I plan on staying and helping the Varden as much as I and Aleahdeen are able." Eragon looked at her with surprise; he didn't know what was going on. Nasuada looked flustered, like she'd been caught in the act of something she knew was wrong. Arya narrowed her own eyes at Nasuada in suspicion.

"You have no need to question my loyalty," Alenanora said, "My loyalty belongs first to my people, second to Eragon as my friend, and third to the Varden. So there is no need to ask the question you were about to ask." Nasuada nodded and blushed as if embarrassed as Arya said, "Indeed, there is no need to doubt the loyalty of a princess of the elves."

"It was not I who doubted your loyalty, Alena," Nasuada said, "But some of the Council has; I tried to quell their doubts, but they have refused to listen. I apologize if I have offended you."

"No need," Alenanora replied. They continued to talk of battle strategies and possible battle outcomes. Alenanora feared that this time Murtagh would make an appearance and knew that even with his newly acquired strength that Eragon would not be strong enough to fight him off on his own, especially since Murtagh would be using Eldunarí against them. She didn't want Eragon to get hurt, just because she hadn't been able to get to him in enough time. The very thought made her heart ache; she didn't even want to know what it would feel like if Eragon was killed.

An hour later, the Varden was on the move again, with Eragon and Blödhgarm riding Saphira, and Alenanora and Arya riding Aleahdeen. Mostly Alenanora and Arya didn't speak until Arya asked, "When are you going to tell Eragon that you love him, Alena?"; hearing her sister say that made Alenanora's heart stop beating for a moment and her eyes to widen in surprise.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Alenanora replied.

"Oh, yes, you do. You're in love with Eragon and you don't want to admit it," Arya pressed.

"He doesn't love me, Arya," Alenanora told her in a sad voice as if that was the end of the conversation, but Arya said, "Oh, yes, he does. You must be a fool not to see it. What with the way he looks at you, and the way his eyes flash when other males approach you. You're just scared to tell him." They both fell silent as Alenanora thought, "I already know that I love Eragon, just as I know that he doesn't love me. So telling him would be completely pointless."

The rest of the way no one said anything to the other and once they reached the walls of Belatona, the Varden immediately attacked. Saphira and Aleahdeen took out the few men in the parapets on either side of the gate that were shooting arrows at the Varden who were trying to break it down. Again the gate was impervious to magic and the battering ram wasn't doing any good. Arya and Blödhgarm, when Aleahdeen and Saphira were close enough to the ground, jumped from their backs, and went in to manually open the gates. This time there were no spellcastors to hold them back, so they were able to get the gates open in record time. Afterwards, Alenanora and Aleahdeen, and Eragon and Saphira split up, each taking a different side of the town.

It was not long until Eragon heard the roar of another dragon, and knew that his brother had decided to join them, since the roar had come from neither Aleahdeen nor Saphira. Just as he had thought, Murtagh and Thorn appeared though the smoke and his brother sneered at him.

"Hello, little brother. Fancy meeting you here," Murtagh sneered. Eragon did not dignify him with a reply; he only narrowed his eyes at him. "Have you gotten yourself another weapon yet, one that will actually stand up to me this time?" and he started laughing. Eragon once again didn't reply, only placed his hand on Brisingr's hilt and unsheathed it, making Murtagh's laughter to stop. It was time to bring his brother to justice, no matter how much it pained him. He also needed to keep Murtagh's attention on him, so that he wouldn't find Alenanora.

As they grappled up in the air, Eragon noticed that Murtagh was a lot stronger than he had been when he had last seen him, and surmised that Murtagh a few Eldunarí with him. While they were fighting, Murtagh razzed his little brother, trying to get a rise out of him. He tormented him with the knowledge that Eragon was Morzan's son, but it did not work, as Eragon knew the truth of the matter. He was Brom's son and no one else's, so he used that to his advantage and said, "Oh, really? You think I am Morzan's son? Ha! Morzan is no more my father than Galbatorix is! You are not my brother; you are my half-brother!" That brought Murtagh up short and he sneered, "Then who is your father?"

Eragon gritted his teeth and growled, "Brom is my father!" Murtagh stiffened and growled in return, "Impossible!" Eragon only smirked in response and they continued fighting. By now, Alenanora noticed that Murtagh had arrived and her heart stopped when she saw him slice through Eragon's armor and cut his arm. Eragon grabbed his arm with his hand, and when he pulled it back his hand was covered in blood.

Aleahdeen! We must hurry! Eragon and Saphira need our help! she shouted. The only answer she received was a short growl from Aleahdeen as she turned and they flew towards them. Neither man noticed when she approached them, they didn't notice until Aleahdeen bit into Thorn's neck, jerking Murtagh away from Eragon. He looked up and was surprised to see the silver dragon and the young elf on their back as the elf unsheathed the sword that was strapped to their back, what surprised him the most was that the elf was female!

"Lay one more hand on Eragon, and I swear to what ever gods may exist, I will kill you myself!" she yelled, anger flashing through her expressive blue eyes. He watched she merged her mind with Eragon's, giving him some of her strength, and healed his wound. Her mind was much stronger than that of Eragon's; it was even stronger than his, even with Eldunarí!

Eragon! Eragon heard Alena's voice in his mind.

Alena?

Yes, it is me. Are you alright?

I'm fine, he answered.

What were you thinking trying to fight Murtagh on your own? I know that you are very strong, but even with your newly acquired strength, Murtagh could have taken you down, she scolded. He did not answer her; what would he tell her? That he didn't want Murtagh to take her away from him? Absolutely not.

All right, all right, you're in a mood. Let's just fight together, okay?

Yes, we fight together, he answered her this time. And with their combined might, they were able to knock Murtagh and Thorn out of the air and knock them unconscious. Alenanora was able to create a mental and physical barrier that drew strength from Thorn and Murtagh instead of Aleahdeen or herself. Searching through Murtagh's saddle bags, she found two little drawstring bags from which she sensed minds from and demised that these were the Eldunarí that Murtagh had with him. Opening the bags, she found a blue and yellow Eldunarí.

She was a little surprised at the blue Eldunarí, so she pulled out the blue stone, and mentally contacted the dragon within. A voice that sounded very familiar answered her, Who is it that disturbs me?

I do not mean to disturb you, Great Dragon, but I must ask you something. Are you the dragon named Saphira? She asked.

My name is Saphira, yes.

Was your Rider named Brom? Alenanora asked next.

Yes, that was the name of my Rider, Saphira told her, her voice full of ancient grief, Who are you, hatchling?

I am Alenanora Shur'tugal, my dragon is Aleahdeen Rainbowscales, Alenanora replied, My father and his dragon were your mentors.

Ah, the daughter of Oromis, Saphira sighed, and Glaedr. I remember them well. Alenanora smiled and replied, There is someone that you might want to meet. He was of great importance to Brom.

Who is he?

Brom's son, Eragon, she answered. Since the battle for Belatona was done and a victory for the Varden, she did not have to worry about being attacked, and so she got up, taking both Eldunarí with her, and before she walked towards Eragon, she made sure that the barrier around Murtagh and Thorn was in place.

Once she was certain that barrier should not fall, Alenanora, cradling the Eldunarí to her chest, walked over to Eragon.

"How many Eldunarí did my brother have with him?" Eragon asked.

"Two, one of whom you might want to meet," Alenanora told him. He gave her a look of confusion. "It's Saphira." The moment he heard the name, he understood that she wasn't speaking of his Saphira, but his father's Saphira. She gently handed the bag with Saphira's Eldunarí to Eragon and walked towards the tent that Nasuada had had erected for her, thinking that Eragon might want to be alone when he spoke to Saphira.

She kept the other Eldunarí with her to protect it. She felt that it was Eragon's duty to protect the Eldunarí of his father's dragon, and she might have felt the same way with Glaedr, but he had specifically left the duty of protecting him to Eragon, Saphira, Aleahdeen, and herself. When she entered her tent, she mentally contacted the dragon within, and a male baritone answered her, Who is it that disturbs my rest?

I do not mean to disturb you, Great Dragon of Old. I am Alenanora Shur'tugal. My dragon is Aleahdeen Rainbowscales. I rescued you from the Dragon Rider who held you prisoner. You are free now, she replied, You no longer need to worry about being used against your wishes. What is your name?

I am Hírador. My Rider was Vrael, the dragon replied. Alenanora's eyes widened and she asked, As in the leader of the Riders of old?

The very same, Hatchling, Hírador chuckled, Who was your father? You seem vaguely familiar.

My father was Oromis, Dragon Rider of the great dragon, Glaedr, Alenanora answered, her voice saddened at the thought of her father.

Ah, Oromis, my Rider's pupil, I remember him and Glaedr well, Hírador commented, He is one of the greatest Riders I have had the pleasure of meeting, besides my own. But I sense great pain when you speak of him, Hatchling.

He and Glaedr were killed in battle a little over a week ago while I and Aleahdeen were too far away to be of any help, Alenanora told him, a tear running down her cheek.

I am so sorry to hear that, Hatchling, Hírador replied, If you do not mind, could you tell me what happened?

I don't mind. They were battling with the other elves over Gil'ead when they were attacked by an enemy Dragon Rider, she started.

Galbatorix?

No, there are three new Dragon Riders, including myself. There's Brom's son, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, Eragon's brother, Murtagh and his dragon, Thorn, and Aleahdeen and myself, she corrected, Murtagh swore fealty to Galbatorix unwillingly when Thorn hatched for him. They were battling over the town, when Galbatorix took control of Murtagh's body, and used Murtagh to kill my father.

Ah, I see, Hírador said, So, Brom had a son, eh? What's the hatchling like?

If you knew Brom well, I can imagine you would understand what he's like, Alenanora told him, her eyes softening as she thought of Eragon's attributes, He's so much like his father, it's not funny, but he's also kind, and considerate. He's a fierce warrior, a good man, and an even better friend.

I sense that you have taken a fancy towards him, Hatchling, Hírador remarked, making Alenanora blush, Worry not. I will tell him nothing. Now, if Brom was Eragon's father, wouldn't Murtagh be Brom's son as well?

No, Eragon and Murtagh only share a mother, Alenanora explained, So that would make them half-brothers. Murtagh's father is Morzan. It's a rather long story, and I don't think it's my place to tell it.

Then do not worry, Hatchling, I will ask no more, Hírador consoled her. Their conversation ended when Alenanora heard to door of her tent open and close. Turning around, she was surprised to see that Eragon had come after her. The look in his eyes made his thoughts completely unreadable.

"Eragon, what's wrong?" she asked, her worry and concern increasing as he came towards her and wrapped his arms around her.

"I miss Brom," he told her. Alenanora wrapped her own arms around his waist and hugged him back. "I wish I could have gotten to know him better. It's hard to think that I spent time with Brom, and not know that he was my father. It's hard to imagine what he must have gone through, to know that I was his son, and not be able to claim me without putting me in danger."

"It just goes to show how much he really cared about you," she replied, trying hard not to think of her own father.

"I guess," Eragon whispered, "It hurts, Alena."

"I know," she told him, and he continued, "It hurts, but you know what hurts more?"

"What?"

"The thought of losing you," he replied, pulling her closer, almost possessively and protectively. Alenanora's breath stilled and her heart started to beat ferociously in her chest. They held each other for a great length of time until Alenanora pulled back while saying, "I sense that Murtagh and Thorn have awakened. We shall need to speak with them." Before she could pull herself out of his arms completely, Eragon let her go but placed both of his hands around her head, making her look at him. Alenanora let out a soft gasp at the emotion in Eragon's eyes; it was as if he was trying to tell her something.