Disclaimer: I do not own the Inheritance Cycle.

A/N: Ah! I'm sorry! Saphira will not be showing up anytime soon! . And there is a time skip for this chapter.

Chapter 4

Roran looked up as Nasuada entered his room, with an angry look. Taking a deep breath, Roran had a feeling he knew what her business was about.

"Yes?"

"Roran, it has been two months since Galbatorix's death. Where is Eragon?"

"Umm...Not here?"

"I can see that. What I'm asking is, why has Eragon or Saphira shown up in these past two months? I know they didn't die, because they were seen the day after. Quite frankly, some of the people are starting to believe he walked out on us, as did Arya." Roran closes his eyes, about to stand up for his cousin and the elf, when Arya herself entered.

"Eragon is unable to help the Varden at the moment." Nasuada whirled around and stared at Arya in surprise.

"Arya! Where is he then?"

"He is somewhere in Alagaesia with Murtagh. Other than, I can't tell you where his exact location is."

"And Saphira?"

"Missing." Nasuada tilted her head to the side, completely confused.

"Missing? How can a big blue dragon go missing?" Arya sighed.

"You should sit down." Nasuada did and Arya continued. "The day after the battle, Eragon went flying with Saphira, like usual. But a wizard showed up, erased Eragon's memories and sent Saphira somewhere. Both Murtagh and myself agreed the safest place for Eragon was with him and Thorn, away from the Varden at the moment. I have been searching for the wizard who did this to them, and trying to find Saphira myself, but the problem is: How do you find something that is not even here anymore?"

"What do you mean?"

"There is no trace of Saphira having ever been in Alagaesia. If we do not get that wizard to return Eragon's memories, we will never find Saphira." Nasuada still looked confused.

"I understand Eragon's situation, but why would him getting back his memories help in finding Saphira?"

"Because if he remembered, he could try to contact her. You have to remember a dragon and its rider have a extreme bond...especially Eragon and Saphira." Nasuada nodded.

"So how do we keep this situation a secret from the rest of the Varden?"

"It's all ready been two months, I'm afraid we won't be able to keep it a secret."

"I was afraid you'd say that...wait what about that thing you elves did when Eragon was with the dwarves electing the new king?"

"Creating a fake Eragon? Nasuada, what about if someone wants to talk with him?"

"Oh yea...That won't work then." Roran groaned, holding his head with his hands.

"Maybe we should just tell them the truth? Don't they deserve to know what has happened to the rider?"

"True. But-" Nasuada trailed off when the sound of wings reached them. All three of them ran out of the room and out into the open to see Thorn landing, with only Murtagh on his back. Arya marched up to them, as soon as Murtagh was off, and grabbed his wrist.

"Where is Eragon?"

"Two months ago we encountered the wizard who erased his memories. He said his name was Durman."

"And Eragon?"

"Thorn took us both hostage and flew up to the mountains in the Spine. We stayed there for weeks on end, when just a few days ago Thorn went hunting, and I seriously thought Eragon had his memory back."

"You thought he did? Why?" Roran narrowed his eyes when Nasuada asked that.

"You should be asking what happened, rather then why did he think that. Murtagh, what did my cousin do?" Thorn's eyes were bright with humor and he made a laughing noise, and he told them all in their minds.

'He caught Murtagh off guard, by grabbing a really thick stick, and whacking him on the back of the head with it.'

"Thorn! It's not funny! After he whacked me, I passed out..."

"And?"

"And I'm assuming he ran off somewhere into the Spine."

"And you didn't search for him?" Arya's eyes were wide with horror, just thinking about the DragonRider, who did not know magic at the moment, alone in the woods...

"We did, but..." Thorn hung his head a bit.

'We couldn't find him.'

"And when was this?"

"About six days ago...We spent four days searching, and the last two we came here." Roran groaned.

"Why would he run from you in the first place?"

"I'm not sure! Ok? Ever since we encountered Durman, he was a little skittish." Nasuada rubbed her temples slowly.

"Ok, so let me get this straight. Eragon is alone right now in Alagaesia, with no memories, and he's been missing for six days?"

"Yeah..."

"Hopefully he's not dead then. If his memories are truly all the way gone, then he wouldn't know how to fight or defend himself." Murtagh groaned, while Roran chuckled a little.

"Then how did he whack Murtagh with a stick so hard it made him pass out? He has to have a little memory left or its just instinct that he's going on." Murtagh whirled around, glaring at Roran.

"Oh, so instinct drove him to whack me upside the head?"

"No, I mean instinct to take care of himself."

"We don't even know if he's still alive!"

"We would if you hadn't left him alone out there!"

"I thought it would be best to update you guys on the situation!"

"Stop it, both of you! Bickering won't help Eragon right now." The two looked at Arya, who was glaring. They both nodded, and Nasuada sighed.

"Since you seem to be the calmest out of those two, what do you suggest, Arya?"

"Murtagh, you and Thorn back out there and try searching for him again. Try the places he used to go to before he was a rider. For that info, talk with Roran. Nasuada, whatever you decide to tell the Varden about Eragon's situation is up to you, just make sure its before we get his memory back."

"You say that like you're certain you'll get it back." Arya froze and started at Nasuada with blank eyes.

"I'm not. I'm just praying that he will, because then I will regret not admitting my feelings for him."

~With Eragon~

He was cold. Very cold. 'Why did I run from him? Oh yeah, cause I was scared when he woke up that he'd be pissed...and order his dragon to eat me...' Shivering again, Eragon rubbed his hands along his arms, trying to stop his shivers. He was drenched from when he slipped into the very cold early morning water. His head shot up, however, when a twig snapped. Durman walked out with a smile.

"At last, I have found you, Shadeslayer." Standing up, shaking, Eragon backed away from him.

"Who are you and what do you want from me?"

"I want to finish what Galbatorix started."

"Galbatorix?" A sharp twinge in his head made him wince, and Durman scowled.

"Oh my, that should not have happened...Is it getting weaker?" He muttered a few words under his breath, and Eragon felt his entire body stiffen before it fell to the ground. Something echoed in his brain, and his eyes widened when he finally made it into words.

'Eragon...help...' Durman howled in anger and glared at Eragon.

"NO! No! No! No! No, remembering!" He pulled out a dagger and was about to throw it into him, when an elf came sprinting out of the trees and knocked Durman down. The elf looked at Eragon in recognition and spoke some words, releasing him from the spell. Pulling him to his feet, the elf looked him over.

"Shadeslayer, you're safe with me."

"Who are you?" The elf smiled a little.

"Vanir. Now I'm sure you can keep up?"

"I'll try." With that Eragon followed Vanir away from Durman, who stood up and cursed loudly.

"Damn those pesky elves!" Narrowing his eyes, Durman checked to make sure Eragon had no memory except for what had happened so far. When he was satisfied that he had none, he smiled and walked off.

All right review! Vanir came just in time to save Eragon. But there you guys go, he is starting to slowly remember. This probably won't be a very long fanfic. I'll just put it this way why Durman is not smart. He erased Eragon's memories, but not Saphira's. If anyone can guess what that twinge was in Eragon's brain was, then I'll be very surprised. Take a guess! Give me your opinion and how you think Eragon is going to get his memory back. It should be obvious now that he is, since he remembered Saphira's last thoughts towards him two months ago. Ok review!