The realisation that Eragon may have drunk too much only hit him the day after. He groaned as he sat up, rubbing his bloodshot eyes and his temples in a vain attempt to relieve the pain emanating from them.

'That will teach you to drink with dwarves' a smug voice told Eragon.

The hungover dragon rider looked over to the voice to see Angela, her hands on her hips and a smirk written on her face. She walked over to Eragon and handed him a glass full of a green mixture 'This will help, probably' she explained as Eragon eyed the glass with confusion.

Not in the mood to question her Eragon downed the drink, surprised to find it tasted like strawberries. The pressure in his head soon subsided. 'Thank you' Eragon muttered as he handed the glass back to the witch.

Angela smiled and walked over to her shelf to deposit the empty glass. As she did so Eragon looked at the witch more closely, her hair was wilder, as though she hadn't even bothered to brush it. Her dress was in a worse state, stains were dotted all over it and there was even a small rip on her skirt.

Looking around the room, Eragon realised he was back in Angela's room and he was in the bed he had previously been sleeping in. The room itself was slightly cleaner, Angela had set her cauldron back up and was filled with the same green concoction that had cured Eragon's hangover. The papers that were scattered on the ground earlier had been mostly cleaned up though it looked like Angela had given up half way through as Eragon could still spot several notes near the door to Angela's bedroom and the exit to the hallway outside.

Eragon lastly check himself, Zar'roc wasn't on his belt and hung on the bedpost, but the rest of his clothes were still on his person, even his boots. Looking back to Angela, Eragon got a closer look as the witch as she returned to his side, her eyes were victim to small black bags clinging to the underside of her eyelid, something he was all too familiar with. She hadn't been sleeping.

'Why am I here Angela?' Eragon asked, he wasn't ungrateful for what she had done, but he couldn't help be suspicious of the herbalist.

The smile on Angela' face faded slightly at Eragon's question, 'well you see, I was wandering the halls of Tonjheim, thinking about this boy I had been helping. He had run away, and just when we really needed to talk, very rude' Angela said in a condescending tone. 'When lo and behold, just as a returned to my room said boy had returned! So I followed him, because we really needed to talk. When I was finally able to get to him I found him drunk, so I thought instead of leaving him on the cold stone table I would take him back to my room to sleep off the hangover he probably deserved'.

Eragon frowned 'Did you really need to patronise me? I understand I shouldn't have left. But what was I to do?

'Stay?'

Sighing in frustration Eragon realised he had been idiotic, he may have left to handle his anxiety but by doing so he had pained Angela.

'I'm sorry' Eragon told Angela.

'It's fine' Angela responded, acting as if her earlier anger was fake, 'If anything I should be apologising' Eragon eyed her in confusion. 'Solembum told me about your conversation'.

'Oh' Eragon felt his cheeks redden in embarrassment, his discomfort with being touched wasn't something he wanted or enjoyed.

'Why are you blushing?' Angela asked in confusion, before realisation hit her 'Oh'.

Angela moved closer to Eragon's side, though she didn't make any move to touch him 'There's nothing to be embarrassed about Eragon, I know what you went through, it doesn't make you weak for admitting that you don't like being touched' she whispered to him.

However instead of feeling comfort from Angela's words a question was sparked in Eragon's mind, how did Angela know about his treatment in Carvahall? 'How do you know so much about me? Eragon asked the herbalist. He hadn't asked previously as the thought had never arisen.

Angela frowned at Eragon's question 'Why does that matter?'

'I just find it odd that you are so knowledgeable about my… abuse' Eragon had to pause to find the right word. 'The only way you could have that knowledge is by looking through my mind or through Saphira's mind, and if you have I should know' Eragon concluded.

'I would never have invaded your mind!' Angela exclaimed, her face showed her disgust at such a suggestion.

'Then how do you know!' Eragon asked in frustration.

Angela sighed and seemed to be in deep thought, eventually she responded 'Do you remember the dragon bones I used to tell your fortune?'

Eragon nodded, slightly confused how the bones had anything to do with the situation.

'Around fifteen years I awoke to find those exact bones laid out on my table, out of their bag. They showed or rather told me about a boy who had just been born. Over the years the bones told me more and more about this boy, how he was abandoned by his parents to an abusive uncle who hurt him terribly and how the villagers who lived with him either joined in or just ignored him. Several months ago the bones stopped showing me the boy, I just assumed his uncle had gone over the edge and killed him. But when I overheard your conversation with Arya after you had woken up I knew that boy was you'.

'Did you never think of trying to find me?' Eragon asked.

Angela shook her head 'I looked as much as I could, but the Brodding Empire is big. I didn't even know if you lived in the empire, you could have been in Surda or part of the Varden. It didn't help the bones never told me your name, or the village you lived in'.

It took a while for Eragon to swallow all that Angela had told him. For a split second a flicker of impulsive anger touched his mind, but he pushed it away. He couldn't get angry at Angela for failing to find him, the knucklebones seemed to have been vague about him on purpose. In the end Eragon accepted what Angela had said was true, she had no reason to lie to him. Yet one thing still bothered him.

'Why did you kiss me?' Eragon blurted out.

Angela's eyebrows rose in surprise 'I… umm… Do you really need to know?' She asked in an almost desperate tone. Eragon did need to know, the kiss had ben gnawing at his mind, and he couldn't think of a good reason for why she did it.

'I would like to know, but if it troubles you that much you do not need to tell me' Eragon responded politely, though in the back of his mind he was pleading that Angela told him.

Angela bit her lip before answering 'It is complicated, I don't fully know why I did it to be honest' Angela stumbled before collecting herself and continued 'I find you interesting Eragon, very interesting. I've been alive long before the fall of the riders, I've gotten used to the tedium of life and most of its oddities. Yet when I found out who you were and what had happened to you, I was surprised, no shocked! Everything I knew told me that you should not be here' Angela gestured to the room around them.

'What?' Eragon asked, failing to understand.

'You should not be here' Angela repeated, 'If you were anyone else you would have fled far away with Saphira, you wouldn't have tried to avenge your Uncle by killing the Raz'ac, I mean what did he ever do for you?' Angela asked, before Eragon could answer the witch interrupted him.

'What makes you even more interesting is that you don't hate your own kind. For over fifteen years you were kicked, punched and spat at by humans and when you find out that most of your kind is subjugated by a lone man, instead of saying they deserve it, you join the group that wants to kill him' Angela chuckled as she spoke the last few words.

'So you find me interesting because I'm idiotic?' Eragon asked. Angela's explanation had come out as more of a ramble.

In response the witch laughed 'No silly, I find you interesting because you are kind, even after all you have been through you would still help the race that has only ever mistreated you'. Eragon blushed slightly at Angela's praise.

'And when I had you in my grasp all I saw was the that kind person, who didn't want anyone to suffer like he had. So of course I kissed you, because you are special Eragon, for the first time in a hundred years I was surprised. Angela said with a soft smile on her lips.

'Oh' was all Eragon could muster as his mind was still trying to fully understand Angela's explanation.

'Oh? Is that all you can say, would you prefer I say that I find you endearing!' Angela exclaimed, the tone of her voice hinting that she was offended by Eragon's crass response.

Eragon's eyes grew at Angela's statement 'You do?'

The flush on Angela's face turned a shade darker, 'oh shut up' she said as she walked away in a vain attempt at hiding her face.

'Little one where are you?' Saphira asked as Eragon as she woke up and touched his mind in attempt to find him.

'I am with Angela, she explained a couple of things to me' Eragon responded.

Saphira hummed lightly at the news, 'I hope that she has helped to calm your mind if that is the case'.

'It has'. He was being honest, he had feared any type of exchange with Angela before, but now that they were talking he realised his fears were baseless.

'Well if that is the case would you find it acceptable to meet King Hrothgar with me? There is something I would like to discuss with him and I need you as my mouthpiece' Saphira asked.

'Of course, could you meet me in the courtyard near Angela's room?' Eragon said. Saphira snorted at Eragon's laziness.

'Where are you going?' Angela asked with a touch of concern in her voice, as Eragon left his bed and strapped Zar'roc to his belt.

'I am going to meet King Hrothgar with Saphira' Eragon explained as he stretched his back, ignoring the flare in pain from his scar.

'I see, before you go Eragon I was hoping you could answer two of my own questions' Angela asked.

Eragon shrugged his shoulders, seeing no harm in doing so 'It would only be fair' he told her as he sat back down on his bed.

'Excellent' Angela said enthusiastically, sitting next to him. 'First off I was wondering if you could tell me where you got your scars on your stomach from. The dragon bones usually told me about all of your injuries but it never told me about those'.

Dread filled Eragon's mind. She couldn't know. No one could know.

Eragon desperately wrangled his emotions under control before answering Angela's question. 'I got it from a hunting accident a couple of days before I left Carvahall'. Angela eyed Eragon before nodding.

'That would make sense, it's a good thing you didn't become a hunter for a living' she said with a small smile.

'So what is your other question?' Eragon asked, his desire to leave suddenly growing.

'Oh I was going to ask if you will be staying with me until you leave' the witch said, a small sliver of hope was present in her voice.

Eragon relaxed at the easier question, he was glad it wasn't something he had to lie about. 'It would depend on what Saphira thinks and how long I am staying' Eragon answered earnestly.

'Ok' Angela said, a hint of disappointment in her tone of voice made Eragon regret his answer.

However there was still something that was biting at Eragon that he needed to resolve with Angela.

'Where does this leave us Angela?' He asked, sweat already building in his hand as he anticipated her response.

The witch pondered the question even tapping her chin with her ring finger. 'We do have a strange relationship don't we? I don't see why it needs to changed' Angela answered with a small smile.

Eragon smiled in agreement, 'As long as you don't start throwing tantrums whenever I leave' he added, Angela glared in response.

'Yes well, you can be quite a handful' she answered meekly.

Eragon chuckled at Angela's excuse as he left the room and headed towards Saphira.

'You haven't told me what you want to discuss with King Hrothgar' Eragon told Saphira as they dived towards the large stone doors that led to the king.

Saphira smashed onto the paved stonework before turning her scaled head towards her rider. 'You will find out soon enough' she informed him as he slid off her saddle.

The dwarven guards pushed the doors open as Eragon and Saphira approached. Inside the stone throne room was King Hrothgar, a scowl affixed to his face and his ever-present hammer Volund shining by his side.

'Interesting I was about to summon the pair of you, and you have arrived before I could do so' Hrothgar rumbled. 'Nevertheless I would welcome you back to my halls. You have done much to save mine city and by doing so you have redeemed your blade, as long as you wield it Zar'roc will be welcomed in Tonjheim'.

'Thank you' Eragon said, bowing his head in respect.

'Unfortunately I cannot gift you for your actions appropriately, the armour that you wore is beyond repair and I fear you will be gone before we can forge you a new suit worthy of your deeds' Hrothgar said gravely before turning to Saphira. 'However the dragon armour will be gifted to you dragon, as long as you would wear it or until you out grow it'.

Eragon voiced Saphira's thanks before asking why they would have been summoned.

'You are correct, there is more that I would discuss with you. As you know the Council of Elders has chosen Nasuada as the successor to Ajihad. Sadly the other dwarven clans have pressed me on this issue, demanding to know where I support her. I know that most of the clans would support her as leader, but I would still as for your opinion on the matter. I would not look foolish by needlessly throwing my favour in with the wrong party'.

'What should I tell him?' Eragon asked Saphira.

'He has been kind to us' Saphira told Eragon 'I think we should be honest, we do not know Nasuada and we think the council may try and control her'.

'I fear that while Nasuada's heart is in the right place she may be inexperienced' Eragon said, choosing his wording carefully. 'There is also the council, Saphira and I are worried that the council will try and influence her'.

Hrothgar stroked his silver beard at Eragon's response, 'I see. I thank you for your honesty, some would shy away from speaking the truth. I will refrain from giving Nasuada my full support until we can talk privately, and I raise the topic of interference from the council'.

Eragon nodded his approval. Saphira then told him why she wanted to talk to the king.

'What will be done with the Isidar Mithrim? Will you attempt to repair it?' Eragon asked cautiously, in case he angered the king.

Instead the King's face fell to one of sorrow 'Many dwarves mourn the loss of the sky Sapphire, much talk will have to happen before a decision can be taken. It was a terrible deed, what Saphira did. It may have been necessary, yet some of the clans would have you both removed as punishment'.

'Could you not repair it then?' Eragon repeated.

Hrothgar laughed hollowly at the suggestion 'It could be done, but it would be an abomination and one I would not sanction in these halls'.

'Eragon I believe I could return the splendour to the jewel if it was rebuilt, please tell him this' Saphira urged.

Eragon gaped at her 'How would you do such a thing, you cannot use magic freely, even if you could the power needed… it cannot be done'.

'But it can! You've seen what I am capable, I've done it several times, you yourself have felt it!' Saphira argued. Eragon knew it was a low blow for Saphira to use that memory, but she was right. Eragon begrudgingly repeated Saphira's offer to the king.

'She could do such a thing' Hrothgar exclaimed, straightening in his throne 'not even the elves would attempt such a feat'.

'She is confident in her abilities'.

'Then we shall repair it, even if it takes one hundred years, no shard or fragment will be left behind. When it is ready you will come and fix the star rose'. The dwarf said eagerly.

'We will return' Eragon promised.

Hrothgar smiled, something that looked every bit as alien as it looked 'Thank you Saphira, you have given this old king a reason to continue his reign. If you can do this your name will be remember for generations. Go now as I spread the new to mine people'

Eragon and Saphira bowed once more and left, the Dwarven guards bowing at the feet of Saphira.

'Why did you make such an offer?' Eragon asked as he watched the dwarves kiss the ground. Instead of answering him Saphira released waves of guilt and sorrow onto her rider.

'This is why, I cannot bear the shame I carry for breaking that jewel, it has broken the dwarves. It is something I never intended to happen. I would see the dwarves happy again'.

Orik soon emerged from a side corridor and repeated the gestures done by the guards to Saphira. When he arose he attempted the grasp Eragon's arm but the rider moved away. Seemingly unbothered by Eragon's actions he spoke joyfully to the rider 'What you have done is a true wonder for my people. Oh there will be drinking!'

Eragon's stomach lurched at the idea of drinking 'And tomorrow there will be a funeral' he said grimly.

'You may be true, but you have given us more hope, come!' Again Orik tried to grab Eragon and again Eragon moved away from the dwarf.

'I believe one night of drinking was enough for me' Eragon told the dwarf, then looking at Saphira and smiling 'But Saphira is more than happy to celebrate with you'.

'Eragon…'

Orik smile dimmed slightly at Eragon's refusal but he didn't argue with him 'Come Saphira, my people would honour your promise with song and drink!' Orik yelled enthusiastically, slapping her front leg.

'Eragon why would you do this?!' Saphira whined as she followed Orik though the main corridor.

'Go on Saphira, I know how much you enjoyed their mead' Eragon said light-heartedly. At the news of mead Saphira suddenly quickened her pacing towards the dining hall. Eragon laughed and made his way back to the storage room.

Eragon spent his time doing menial chores, cleaning his boots, tightening the sting on his bow and inspecting Zar'roc. Although the blade didn't need sharpening or cleaning Eragon still felt it was appropriate to wash the blade, he had started to grow fond of the blade. Throughout his tasks Eragon kept his mind shut from Saphira as to stop her drunken thoughts overwhelming him.

After several hours of waiting Eragon concluded that Saphira wouldn't be returning that night, but just as he was about to go to bed a knock at the door destroyed any hopes of that.

Opening the door Eragon found a dark headed woman wearing a red dress smiling back at him, a golden snake adorned on her wrist.

'Greetings Argetlam' the woman said, inclining her head.

'Can I help you?' Eragon inquired.

The smile on the woman's face grew 'I believe so, I am Trianna, sorceress of the Du Vrangr Gata'.

'That was the group the twins led?

'Yes, I am here to ask if you would do use the honour of leading us, we are spread thinly in the Varden and we could use wise council if we are to succeed' Trianna asked, her voice was intoxicating.

'I do not think that would be wise, I will be leaving the Varden soon' Eragon said weakly, he was quite taken with the attractive sorceress and yet he did not want to entangle himself further into Varden politics.

Trianna bit pouted in an exaggerated fashion 'I am sorry to hear that'. She then moved closer 'but we could still spend some time together, I know it must be hard for you with all the responsibility on your shoulders'.

Eragon was sceptical that he could talk about his worries with Trianna, someone he has just met. Before he could doing anything however, Trianna moved even closer, placing one of her hands on his chest and moving her head to his ear.

'We could both help each other, I could teach you about summoning spirits, it would be an educational experience' Trianna whispered in Eragon's ear.

Eragon froze the second the Sorceress touched him, he was trying desperately to avoid the oncoming dread that was sinking slowly into his being. Trianna took the silence as a positive and began to press herself onto the frozen rider, making Eragon shudder.

'What do you think you are doing?'

Trianna pulled herself off of Eragon and looked behind to see Arya, who was glaring fiercely at the sorceress.

'I was just talking with Eragon' Trianna explained quickly, obviously nervous of the elf.

Arya looked to Eragon then back to Trianna, 'I would not call that talking, begone harlot I must speak with my vassal' Arya demanded. Trianna stared at Arya with contempt before leaving, walking as fast as her dress would allow her.

'Was she hassling you? Arya asked, stepping closer to Eragon though not as close as Trianna was.

Eragon shook his head not trusting his voice as he tried to squash the anxiety coursing through his mind, something that difficult without the support of Saphira sturdy conscious.

Thankfully Arya remained silent and allowed Eragon to battle with his mind in peace. 'Why are you here Arya?' Eragon asked after he had calmed down sufficiently, letting Arya into the room as he spoke.

'We need to talk about what will happen during the funeral and what will happen afterwards' Arya explained as she walking into large room.

Eragon frowned at what Arya said 'What do you mean? Am I required to do something during the event?'

'In a way, yes. You must stand behind me during the burial, to show your fealty to me. By doing so you will convince the Varden of who you stand with' Arya explained, though her usual passive expression wasn't present, she looked conflicted.

'Is there something wrong Arya?' Eragon asked.

'There is something else, I will need you to give me Zar'roc. I will need to wear it during the funeral' Arya revealed.

'I see' Eragon frowned. It made sense, if Arya held his sword no one could question who his loyalty was to. That still didn't mean Eragon had to like it.

Moving to his bed he grabbed the crimson blade and its belt, 'here' Eragon thrusted his sword into Arya's hand.

'Thank you Eragon, I will return the blade to you after the funeral' Arya said softy.

Eragon grunted in response 'is there anything else Arya? I would like to sleep'.

'We will be leaving the day after the funeral' Arya raised her hand before Eragon could speak 'I know this is short notice but we have spent too long in Tonjheim, the sooner we are in Ellesméra the safer you will be'.

'Safer? What is going Arya? Is there something you aren't telling me' Eragon asked angrily.

Arya's eyes softened, as they always did when she looked at the young rider 'I fear that your condition will only worsen if we do not get you to Ellesméra in time, I am only concerned it will become permanent if we waste time'.

Before Eragon could respond Arya was walking to the door, as she opened the door she spoke again 'I know that you feel more comfortable with keeping your problems to yourself Eragon, but know that I will be there if you need someone to listen' Arya advised as she walked out of the room.

Eragon pondered what Arya said, it was a welcome change that he had people he could talk to and Saphira was always telling him to talking about his issues with the ones he trusted. Yet Eragon detested the idea, it made him feel weak, Garrow always belittled him for complaining and that would be what he would be doing by talking.

Sighing, Eragon laid down in his cot, and yet he couldn't sleep. His mind was too active worrying about the Ajihad's funeral, he couldn't get the scent of Trianna's perfume out of his noise either. If only Saphira was with him he could sleep, the sound of her heart always set him at ease.

Pulling himself out of his bed Eragon slipped his boots on and took to walking aimlessly through the Dwarven city, avoiding any of the mead halls lest he fall victim to another hangover. Eventually his walk took him to a familiar corridor and a certain Witch's door. He knocked and heard Angela saying 'enter'.

Walking in he smiled faintly at the witch who reciprocated the action as she sewed. 'I see you've returned. Are you that short on company?' Angela joked.

'I couldn't sleep and Saphira is drinking with the dwarfs so there's no point asking her' Eragon told Angela, who laughed at the new of what Saphira was doing.

'Well you know you can stay here, or are you here to debate the existence of toads?' Angela said, referencing her firm belief that toads didn't exist.

Eragon declined the latter offer and took to the bed, closing his eyes he listened to the noises of the room. He could hear Solembum purring, the scratching of Angela's sewing needles and faint humming coming from Angela herself. The sound of the Herbalist's humming was soothing to Eragon's ears, helping to clear his over active mind, and soon enough he was in sleep's embrace.

Author's note

Angela isn't attracted to normies. But seriously, considering that Angela isn't going to be in the story for a while I figured I'd progress their relationship slightly.

I should also note that this chapter is the longest I've written, I don't see chapter getting bigger than 5k, but I've never really worried about the length of them in the past. That's it for me, let me know if I'm doing something wrong or right.