NOTE: This story is not meant the follow the canon ending of Inheritance or emulate the writing style of Paolini. Artistic liberties have been taken with some of the elements from the concluding scenes and altered to fit with the vision the author has as an alternate end of the series. Most if not all of the outstanding questions WILL be answered in some way and will continue beyond the confines of the book to develop the story just a little more.

Inheritance: Alternatives

Chapter 4: A Prophecy Untold

Murtagh was in good spirits. More than good in fact. The wind whipping through his long black hair felt more revitalising than usual, the sun being the only thing missing from his current locations above land and even then it was simply through the layer of white fluff above his head to see. It had been so long since he had heard a comforting voice, it was almost that fact alone that had brought him around to staying in Alagaesia. Eragon had been right. Taking the time to stay away from the radical changes of the land wouldn't have solved anything, rather put a focus on such negative thoughts since it would be all the two of them would've thought about. Not only that, but Eragon had done more than simply persuade him to stay and rebuild the Rider Order. He'd renewed the values he once held important before he had been captured by the Empire. And right now, that was obvious in the smile he wore whilst on Thorn's back, the young dragon in an equally positive mood as he hummed in content. This was how it should've been from the start, but even just picking up such a way of life now was a drastic improvement. Dragon and Rider were content.
The two of them were in flight, on their way to the Varden camp again after accompanying Eragon to his cousin's home. Whilst his half-brother was dealing with that, Nasuada had requested Murtagh's presence, the message arriving mere minutes after they had. Without a formal place for her to establish her rule as of yet, the new Queen of Alagaesia was making do with how she had lived for a while now in the Varden camp near the ruined structure of Uru'baen. Murtagh had found the whole affair a little strange, particularly when it was just him that was needed. Even Thorn had been at a loss as to what Nasuada could want, especially when she had given Murtagh and Eragon her best wishes when they had left to deal with other matters. He thought to himself all the way there, hoping the wind whipping up from underneath Thorn's wings would clear his confusion and make his thoughts seem more focused or at least be distracted from the strange sense of worry brewing in his gut. It was not to be, but he kept trying regardless.
In any case, the young Rider landed in the Varden camp, the tents nearby fluttering a little at Thorn's wings beating down onto the ground. To Murtagh's surprise, he was not met with the annoyed and often attacking looks he would be expecting from the many men and soldiers of the Varden, but the polite bow of heads and acknowledgement of his presence. Acknowledgement of him as a Rider. His expression seemed more than surprised, almost hesitant to accept what he was seeing was real as he turned towards Thorn.
"They…don't show us hate? No scorn or anger? They welcome us as Rider and dragon…"
"Perhaps Nasuada had something to do with this" Thorn suggested.
"Perhaps. Or maybe Eragon's words rung true. Maybe…they don't see us an enemy after all"
The wind seemed to have accompanied the pair's arrival, making the edge of Murtagh's dark clothing whip about somewhat as he made his way into the camp. Throughout, he was given the same reaction. Not angry of their prescence, but seeming more…content, some even honoured. He had to fight the smile trying to force it's way to the surface, Thorn's gentle growl seeming to say all that needed to be said. Eventually, Murtagh found himself in front of the grandest structure of all, fitting for a leader he thought. In that very place, Nasuada had been chosen as the Queen, giving it a sense of importance rather than just a shelter from the wind. He turned to Thorn briefly, warning him not to try and stick his head through the gap at the front. The red male assured Murtagh he wouldn't break anything, but he eventually agreed to keep his nose clear. Whilst Thorn kept an eye outside on proceedings, rather relishing in the respect he had gained since growing even larger than the last time these men had seem them, his Rider headed inside.
Nasuada was sat in her usual chair, though her attire was certainly a lot more formal than the last time Murtagh had seen her. Her dress was long, flowing with golden trim around it's darkened brown body, the robes hung loosely over her shoulders taking on a colour almost as deep as blood. A single ring of gold was placed atop her head, bangs of hair spilling over the top and down her face. She had been in the middle of reading when the chill of wind coming in through the entranceway had made her look up. Murtagh stood before her, one of his hands rested on Zar'roc's hilt while the other curled towards him as he bowed.
"You summoned me, Your Highness?"
Nasuada smirked a little to herself, waving her hand as she stood to dismiss such formalities.
"There's no need for that, Murtagh. Being referred to by such a title still feels odd to me"
"I'm sure it does. The change to being a queen mustn't come overnight" he replied with a smile. She nodded in agreement, beckoning him to join her at the table. She crossed her legs as she sat back, letting her hands rest in her lap.
"It's not a duty I take lightly, but I am trying" she said after some silence. "Luckily, nothing too pressing has been thrust at me lately, though I expect it is merely a calm before the political storm"
"That must be good news" Murtagh replied, his next words seeing to be drawn more from experience. "Being suddenly given a big responsibility is not something one can easily adjust to"
He paused for a moment, raising a brow in curiosity. Surely she wouldn't be wanting him to come here just for idle chat. "But…that's not why you called me, is it?"
Nasuada's smile faltered a little as she shook her head, the Queen seeming to try and take a moment to figure out how to word this correctly.
"Back in that awful place, when I was prisoner…amidst all that torture and failed escapes…" she started, the end of the sentence escaping her for a brief minute. "I never got a chance to say thank you. At least not properly"
Murtagh blinked as he took in her words, his brow still raised curiously.
"You couldn't have said this in your message?"
"I felt it needed more of a personal touch. After all, I probably wouldn't have survived without your aid"
"I'm sure you would have. You were strong enough to take over from your father and command all these men almost without hesitation." Murtagh said. "I just…didn't want you to suffer. It wouldn't have been right of me to sit idly by while he used those creatures on you"
"Still, the chances of me having fallen prey to his tricks and illusions. It may have spelled the end of the Varden. You have my eternal gratitude for what you did"
"It really is nothing to thank me…" Murtagh started, trying to dismiss the action with a motion from his hand before Nasuada interrupted him.
"Nonsense, Murtagh" she said abruptly. "You shouldn't downplay your own accomplishments! Eragon may have always been our initial hope, but he would have failed in his efforts without you. And besides, didn't saving me end up saving you at the same time?" she continued, unsure of the nature of true names in complexity, but at least having some knowledge of how Murtagh had been forced into the King's service. Murtagh himself retreated into his thoughts for a moment before nodding in agreement.
"I suppose that's a habit I have yet to get out of. But, yes. In a way, I should be thanking you. You allowed me and Thorn to escape those shackles, even if they weren't physical"
"It was your own noble actions that did not, not I"
"Nasuada, you are…were…"
Murtagh paused in his speech, biting his lip for a moment to keep his feelings in check. He cleared his throat to try again.
"You were the inspiration I needed to try something like that. Seeing the leader of the fight against such a vile man being brutalised and manipulated, I…I couldn't stand by and let that happen"
Nasuada grew silent, her fingers rapping in her chair for a minute or two before a smile twitched into life at the edge of her lips.
"I imagine we both must be thankful to each other for what we did. One thing couldn't have happened without the other"
Murtagh found that a fitting conclusion, or at least a proper way of putting his thoughts into proper sentences. He nodded his head with a smile in agreement as he watched Nasuada rise from her seat.
"Well, I shouldn't keep you. Eragon did say your coming duties were to be important"
"Y-Yes, yes, of course…" he replied, standing from his seat with another respectful bow. A sudden exclamation from Nasuada made him pause on his way out of the tent, the Queen glancing to the floor for a brief moment. He wondered what else she had to say before she took a few steps forward. With a light sigh, she leaned towards him and outstretched her arms in a light embrace as a whisper escaped her.
"Thank you"
Murtagh's surprised face quickly grew a comforting grin as she stepped back quickly with just as wide a smile. With another bow of his head and brushing the locks of hair that fell out of his face, he left the tent and back into the brisk and cold air outside.
Thorn was sat not too far away and in a very strange position for a dragon. For some reason, he had been surrounded by small children surprisingly enough and hadn't minded it in the slightest. Their yells of amazement rang out into the air as the young male occasionally leaned his head downwards to glance at them with a wide eye, an act that made them shriek in delighted mock terror as if he was sizing them up to eat. Murtagh had to let out a light chuckle as he concluded the children must've been from the families of the Varden soldiers. Since the area was no longer a war zone, it made sense for reunions to be happening everywhere right now. Thorn still did not seem annoyed by them, even when one of them was continuing to prod into his claw to see what his scales felt like. In fact, given the feelings Murtagh could feel, he was enjoying the experience. His ruby eyes shifted towards Murtagh with a light snort.
"Productive meeting, I hope?"
"Yes, in a way." Murtagh replied, trying to hide that well of emotions that had almost frozen him mere moments before. "I'm more interested in how this happened"
"The curiosity of younglings happened, Murtagh. I say, let them be curious"
"If you were Saphira, I imagine you'd be getting a little irritated"
"Well, it's a good thing I am not her then, isn't it?"
Murtagh shook his head with a laugh as he came closer. Thorn certainly seemed to have become mature in his thinking over these last few weeks, more so than he had ever imagined. Maybe it was being free of the oaths that had bound them before, but he was proud to see his dragon almost develop a sense of wit in his words.
"Any reason why this isn't a problem for you? You seem rather relaxed to say children are prodding you for information"
"I have my reasons" Thorn bluntly replied, huffing a little as if to end the subject. The dragon always gave his Rider space when it was needed and Murtagh knew when to draw the line on a subject. As he rested the issue and came closer, some of the children began to lose interest in his larger red companion and run over to the Rider, barraging him with question after question.
"Did you fight with Rider Eragon?"
"Is that a real Rider's sword?"
"Why is it red?"
"How'd your dragon get so big?"
"What's his name?"
A smirk crossed Murtagh's features. He was glad he stayed.

Roran's brow dripped with sweat as his fingers relaxed, his preferred tool of the hammer making a heavy "thunk" as it fell to the ground. He wiped his free hand against his forehead, letting out a light exclamation of disgust when he realised how much he had perspired. In any case, he admired his current handiwork with proud eyes, turning around to see many other fellow men doing their part in the reconstruction of what he had once called home. Ever since Carvahall had been destroyed in the battle with the Ra'zac, Roran had secretly promised himself to build it anew once the war had been either won or lost. And since it had been resolved and he now had a duty to the entire Palancar Valley as it's Earl, he couldn't have thought of a better time to start. Former villagers had travelled with him from the Varden and help, any available man wielding any available tool. Their families had travelled too, the longing to have a former home returned to working order just as strong in them as it did with Palancar. Of course, Roran didn't think he would put in half of the effort he had done without Katrina's encouragement. Whenever a problem on rebuilding something came up or a disagreement arose with the villagers, the automatically-appointed head of the village would always be able to confer in his wife. Her advice wasn't usually specific to the problem, but it still helped regardless, something he was eternally grateful for. Not to mention that their newly-arrived daughter was yet another of Roran's reasons for enduring such late hours of labour and toil. It would be worth it in the end to give his child a proper home.
Roran gathered his tools up into the neat layer of cloth, stretching out a hand to pick up his dropped hammer and carry that separately. A matter of habit, he usually told himself. With a motion of his head for another volunteer to finish off the fixing up of wooden beams he had started, the Earl of Palancar retired to his home just in time for some food to be thrown his way when he entered. Katrina gave him a scornful look as she headed into the main room of their dwelling. Though small, it was cosy and had a proper sense of belonging since Roran built it himself. The tired husband laid into his chair and rubbed his temples, an act that automatically made Katrina playfully swat at him with the cloth in her hand.
"That's what happens to those who are determined enough to be awake at 6 in the morning for some manual labour"
"Be fair to me, it was half 6 at earliest!"
"It was 6!" Katrina snapped back, although the grin snaking across her lips showed she was only being light in her tone. "I expected Ismira to keep me awake at the early hours, not you with that hammer of yours"
Roran shook his head with a laugh as he hungrily tore into the cooked and juicy meat presented to him with a satisfied expression. As he swallowed to keep his mouth clear, he spoke up again before sinking his teeth into it once more.
"How is Ismira? I do try to be quiet when I leave"
"She's been fine, much better than I had anticipated given the loud bangs all the work gives off"
"She's a strong girl, even Eragon himself said so" Roran noted.
"I suppose the word of a Dragon Rider is more reliable than most…" Katrina concluded, eventually sitting at the table to simply watch her husband enjoy his meal. At least, until a heavy "whoomp" like sound reached her ears. And again. And then again. Even Roran paused mid-chew at the strange rhythmic noise, gradually quickening in pace and even causing a chilling breeze to rush into the house. Katrina immediately looked up from her position to make sure the disturbance hadn't affected her daughter as Roran headed outside. That noise was familiar, but he couldn't place a finger on it. At least until he headed outside.
The occasional joyful yell of children and celebratory exclamation from the adults rang out over the village as Saphira beat her wings to slow her descent, eventually allowing her claws to sink into the ground with a graceful slip down the air. However, graceful in dragon-terms still caused a rumble to be felt in the feet of many who were nearby when she hit the ground. She seemed rather happy with the attention, shifting in her positioning for a moment with an almost smug aura about her. Eragon patted her neck for a moment with a smile as he studied his former soon-to-be-new home. It was…strange to be back here. After knowing the village was lost and then hearing from Nasuada that Roran had attempted to begin building it anew, it was almost like he had slipped back in time to when Carvahall had just been in the final stages of consturction. He jumped from the saddle on Saphria's back, the dragoness retracting her wings and analysing her claw scales to make sure they were clean. Eragon nodded in silent approval at the handiwork. His cousin had done a fine job so far. And speaking of his cousin, Roran was quick to run out when he recognised the familiar face of a family member.
"Eragon!" he exclaimed, grabbing the Rider in a playful headlock for a moment and causing him to flail a little wildly (much to Saphira's amusement). "This is an unexpected surprise!"
When Eragon had finally managed to break free from Roran's 'attack', he chuckled softly with a shake of his head. Maybe being back in Carvahall had reawakened those memories of the two of them practicing their swordplay into the early hours of the morning. It seemed almost like an age had passed since those days.
"Unexpected, but I felt it was needed." Eragon said, himself down. "I wanted to make sure the new Earl of the Valley was settling into his job properly"
"It's been a smooth transition thus far" Roran admitted, relaxing his arms to set his cousin free. "However, it had been more difficult than simply using my hammer to solve a few problems…"
"By that you mean pretty much all your problems, right?"
"I see you've tapped into the success of my husband, Eragon!" the voice of Katrina suddenly called, making her way out of the house to give Roran's cousin a proper greeting. She gave a light embrace to Eragon with a broad smile, casting a light nod of her head to Saphira who sat away not far from the group. The smell of the unfinished meal caught Eragon's attention, his stomach growling almost automatically in response. He placed a hand there, trying to act humble when Katrina raised a brow at him with her lips still curved upwards.
"If you were hungry, why didn't you say so?"
"Really, it's not a problem, I can easily wait until later" Eragon tried to reason. Katrina was having none of it, playfully nudging him with an arm.
"Please, it would be an honour to have a Rider for lunch. And given how busy Roran's said you've been recently, wouldn't it be best for you to take a break?"
Eragon wasn't sure of what to say. Roran's knowing smile suggested he didn't really have a way out of the coming events, eventually causing the Rider to sigh and sag his shoulders with a chuckle.
"Well, maybe for a bit then"
The answer seemed to satisfy Katrina who quickly headed back inside to prepare extra plates and helpings. Saphira, having overheard the exchange, have a quick snort of amusement at the situation and causing Eragon to linger in following Roran inside.
"What's so funny?" he asked.
"Just you. Humans have such small stomachs, it's a wonder you're not eating constantly"
"Humans don't tend to be bigger than most houses and eat the equivalent of a week's meals at once. You can afford not to eat daily"
"It's a matter of perspective" Saphira replied, arching her neck a little. "All I know is that those tiny morsels won't be enough to sate me"
"You're still welcome to join if you really want to!"
"I didn't realise having a dragon eye you down through a window would be something to be encouraged"

Over the course of the next hour or two, despite what Saphira had joked about ealier, she kept a watchful eye on proceedings through the house's windows. Eragon was glad Katrina had been in the middle of preparing a meal, the aroma alone enough to cause louder growls to echo from his belly. He soon filled it with strands of meat, bypassing the usual ethical dilemna he had with such things. Apparently hunger did strange things to people. The 3 of them conversed about the recent events of the month, how Roran's daughter was faring, the state of the villagers and even what was to be done next in Carvahall. Saphira occasionally injected her own opinions on such matters through communication with Eragon. It wasn't too long before the 3 humans were full and conversation had taken a turn more for the bare side of things. Eragon spoke up after a bit of silence had made him uneasy.
"So, Roran…when Carvahall is rebuilt, what will you do?"
"To be honest, I'm going to relish the peace and quiet after a change" Roran replied, moving closer to Katrina and laying an arm around her back. "I think my hammer only needs to be used for repairs instead of battle these days. And I hope it stays that way"
Eragon smiled, nodding with a slightly envious look on his face. Roran did seem to have the ideal quiet life that he'd often hoped for during the long years of this war. But what his cousin asked him next made him stop in his tracks.
"And what of you? You've asked so much of us, but what are you going to do? Keep the peace? Travel?"
Eragon hesitated in an answer. It was a topic he had been hoping not to confront for some time now given how much responsibility it placed on him. It had been a wonderful revelation at the time and now it had become a source of great worry. He turned his gaze to Saphira, her single sapphire of an eye blinking once as a reply. He shrugged his shoulders in defeat as he relaxed back into his chair.
"That's the question isn't it…it's a lot of responsibility and given all that's happened, I don't know even know where to begin in how to resolve it"
"No matter what you choose, Eragon, it'll be the right decision" Roran said after a few moments more of silence. "Your choices have been for the good of everyone, always"
"Even Riders can make mistakes Roran"
"Then just don't go rushing into it thinking a decision needs to be made straight away" the Earl continued. "Alagaesia has all the time in the world to change from the outcome of this war. And so do you"
"He is right, Eragon" Saphira said to him, keeping her words for him alone. "I think we will need to discuss this elsewhere at some point. In a lot of detail. But not now, it shouldn't be rushed"
Eragon nodded, his lips turning more towards his former smile. It was an action that still took him by surprise every now and then. Smiling hadn't been very appropriate these past months. He wiped away a stray piece of debris from his mouth as he stood, bowing his head in gratitude for Katrina's meal.
"I suppose we better leave for the time being. I wouldn't wish to take up any more of your time with all these repairs"
"It's not a problem, Eragon. The door's always open if you want to stop by" Roran said, standing up from his own seat to give his cousin a firm pat on the back. "Just make sure you don't disappear so you can stop by, alright?"
Eragon batted away the playful punch thrown into his arm, giving a bow to Katrina and resisting the urge to stick out his tongue at Roran. The pair of them stayed at the door as he made his way back to Saphira, the dragon eyeing up the village with a little bit of interest in testing her memory of the place before letting her Rider put himself in the saddle. Eragon waved an arm, calling out to his cousin as Saphria began to beat her wings.
"Stay safe, Stronghammer!"
"I should be saying the same to you, Shadeslayer!" came the response, Roran keeping Katrina close to him with one of his arms as the other waved him off. Saphira roared in her own farewell, the sound echoing around the Valley as she suddenly turned into the equivalent of a sapphire arrow, speeding away over the edges of stone surrounding them. Roran smirked to himself. Eragon was certainly one the luckiest people he knew. Besides himself for having Katrina and Carvahall back in his life, of course.

The next thing to plague Eragon's mind after taking care of Roran was to find someone else. And this person had a habit of being almost everywhere and nowhere at once. Saphira had already expressed her annoyance at acting as a simple steed for him over the past few days despite his assurances they could spend some time together soon. Although the thought that there was no rush was present in her head, she was still clearly agitated by it all, especially given how Angela was always tricky to track down when you needed her.
The pair of them decided to try the Varden camp outside Uru'baen, the soldiers currently in the middle of packing things up and moving out into the ruined structure of the city, surprisingly enough. No sign of Nasuada or any other important figures laid plain to see and many soldiers were often referring to the location as "Ilirea". Eragon found this puzzling, hopping off of Saphira's back and approaching a soldier who was carrying a bundle of different packages, most likely supplies.
"Do you know where Nasuada is?" he asked. The guard shrugged his shoulders as a reponse, being careful not to drop the objects in his grasp.
"She departed from the camp a few days ago, heading off towards Surda to finalise the agreement of giving Orrin more land. Rider Murtagh was requested there as her personal escort, leaving us in charge of Ilirea"
"Ilirea?" Eragon queried, at least glad he knew where his half-brother had gotten to.
"Yes, Shadeslayer. 'Twas the former name of Uru'baen before Galbatorix took control. Her Highness wishes to rebuild it back to what it was and use it as her place of rule"
Eragon bowed his head to the man who promptly stumbled off in quite a hurry for fear of being left behind with the others. With Nasuada departed and camp vanishing before their eyes, he let out a sigh as he turned back to Saphira. She, on the other hand, simply pointed her nose behind him, prompting the Rider to spin around on the spot. With a playful exclamation of "BOO!", Angela stood before him with a broad smile on her face as he stumbled backwards. He brushed himself down, clearing his throat.
"Did I scare you?" Angela exclaimed.
"N-No, of course not!"
"Shame. Usually I'm rather good at that. At least to certain people"
Eragon dismissed the usual claims of the herbalist that he was certain were designed to confuse. Angela was holding quite a few objects of her own, a few bags but nowhere near as much as the other soldiers quickly moving into the city behind them.
"You're going somewhere?" Eragon noted.
"Indeed. I figured my usefulness here had been…used up. At least, for now"
"Where are you going?"
"Oh, you know. Here, there, everywhere. Where all the big things are, of course" she replied, cocking her head in opposite directions. "Solembum's already done that, but I'm sure he'll pop up again soon. He always does"
"I don't wish to delay your journey, but I do wish to talk to you…"
"Well, why didn't you say so earlier? If talking to you is part of my journey, it's not a delay at all. And besides, I wouldn't have to go through the trouble of scaring you if you just wanted a chat"
Eragon was about to protest he hadn't been scared until Saphira pointed out that he had actually jumped. Her deep bass-filled tones proved she found it funny.
"Well…do you remember back when we first met?"
"Oh, back in that old shop of mine in Teirm!" she exclaimed. "I really should consider getting back to that, you do never know who comes in through the door. You're an example of that"
"Well, yes about that…when you read my fortune?"
"Oh! Did I turn out to be right?" she asked, seeming excited at the prospect. An act that made Eragon raise a brow in confusion. Angela retorted the look herself as she glanced him over. "Well, you're still here, so at least a bit of that's wrong…"
"You didn't expect to be right?" he asked, seeming a little perplexed that Angela of all people would be unsure of what they were doing.
"I never expect to be right until I'm proven I am" she said plainly, shifting the bags in her grasp a little. "Otherwise, the fun of guessing gets taken away"
Eragon glanced back to Saphira, who seemed to relay his feeling of confusion with a light growl shifting upwards in pitch.
"B-But, everything you said! Up until me leaving Alagaesia, it has all come true! Doesn't that mean that I am destined to…?"
Angela's expression suddenly took a sterner look as she raised up her hand in a snapping shut motion. The move made Eragon blink in surprise as she began to speak once again.
"What I said was what could happen, Eragon. Not what should happen. The future changes depending on what we do to events in the here and now. Whether the rest of my fortune comes to pass or not is ultimately up to you. It's really simply if you just use that head of yours! And besides…" she explained, pausing before returning to her former confident smile. "If I could really predict the future with such accuracy, would I really be stood her chatting to you?"
Eragon didn't seem convinced and more puzzled, trying to process her words as the herbalist gathered her things up, exclaiming aloud as she struggled to fish into her pocket for something. Eventually, a light blue piece of material was left trailing over her hand in a fluid-like fashion, eventually extended out towards Eragon with a nod of her head.
"Just a small little gift to say thanks for the memories. You've certainly given everyone a few"
Eragon peered at the strange object, glancing over it's smooth surface. It didn't feel like anything he'd felt before, the flexibility of leather and yet the soft touch reminded him of the finest silk. It was then he noticed the symbols stitched into it. They were unlike any sort of script he had seen before in Alagaesia, causing him to look back at Angela for a clue as to it's meaning.
"What does this say?"
"Oh, it's just Raxacori-…ah, it's not important".
And with that, Angela reaffirmed her grip on her posessions and began to head off seemingly in the opposite direction of the Varden troops. Eragon and Saphira were left staring at her with puzzled expressions, the Rider calling out to her.
"What if we need you again?"
"Oh, don't worry!" she called back. "I'm sure I'll be back in your life before you know it! Although quite a few wish that wasn't the case for them…"
With a single exclamation of 'cheep cheep!', Angela left.

Another month passed, making it almost 10 to the day since Galbatorix had been slain. Or was it 11? Eragon was having trouble remembering, the passage of time spent out in the wilderness of the Du Weldenvarden's neverending trees seeming to be almost unrecognisable. Eragon and Saphira had chosen to spend some time away form the bustling change sweeping the land, spending a quiet existence over the coming weeks (or was it months?) to simply relax. No orders to follow, no responsibilities to deal with for at least a while, just time to enjoy the beauty of nature and the magic that had sprung up such a forest alive with such wonder. Indeed, the experience even brought back strange memories for Saphira, since it was in these very trees that she had been sent to Eragon from. So, in a way, it was rather symbolic. Although Angela's words and prophecy still seemed to trouble Eragon's mind.
As he returned from gathering pieces of dried and dead wood for fire, Saphira glanced over him with a worried croon. They hadn't been this alone with each other for a while now and yet he felt distant even now. The sun glimmering through the treeline was enough to make dart of blue shine everywhere from her scales, giving her an almost god-like aura. Something she would appreciate in any other circumstance.
"What's wrong, little one? You seem troubled even after all this time"
Eragon didn't respond right away as he laid down the collected wood, motioning his hand to dismiss it as he sat beside her.
"Just…what Angela said. And of our inevitable responsibilities. I can't help but feel staying in this forest is just like us trying to avoid it all"
"What would make you think of such things? This is a chance for up to rest and recover after such toil. I thought you'd be happy"
"I am, Saphira. Deeply. But with Murtagh being busy with his personal missions for Nasuada and the fact I haven't even seen Arya since that meeting, it has me worried"
Saphira snorted softly as she wriggled a little in place, tail kicking up some dust behind her.
"You miss her, don't you?"
"Was I that easy to guess?"
"I am a part of your mind as much as you are mine" she replied. "You seem to forget that"
Eragon sighed softly in knowing Saphira was right, standing from his position with a stretching motion.
"I need to clear my head"
"Would my wings be of use here?" she asked him, hoping that would at least evoke a smile from him. It did.
A matter of minutes later although it could've easily been hours if physical effort wasn't needed, Eragon and Saphira returned from their journey above the clouds. They had tried to move above them again, to see the curvature of the world in it's true form but it was not to be on this attempt. But one day, they'd make sure to see such a revelation-making sight again. In any case, the two of them landed on the outskirts of Du Weldenvarden with big smiles (and light pants in the case of Saphira). Eragon noticed her tired nature, patting her snout as he jumped off her back.
"I didn't push you too hard, did I?"
"Little one, remember who you talk to"
"I'm just worried!" he said, smiling softly. Saphira nuzzled into his cheek with a quick blast of her breath ruffling is hair.
"I know you are, Eragon. And I love you for that"
Eragon scratched under chin, making her seem to almost purr in content. This seemed to be what she had been wanting all along, a flow of apologies passing between him mentally. She nudged him with her nose again as if to shut him up, making him stumble backwards onto the ground.
"You're bigger than you used to be, you know"
"And you have yet to change in that area"
Eragon shook his head with a chuckle about to get to his feet as the sun was beginning to settle further down into the sky. But then, a strange object in the air caught his attention. It was darting around quite a little bit, the Rider having to question it's distance as to whether it was far away and big or small and up close. In any case, the object twirled with a sort of elegance, a strange and distant noise echoing from it. As it grew close, Eragon could make out brief flashes of green and a strange silhouette which seemed so familiar to him. Saphira follow his gaze upwards, her brilliant eyes tracking the strange thing with just as much curiosity. It was only when it grew even closer and ceased it's looping and swerving did Eragon feel a sudden rush of excitement from her realisation at what it was. And he felt much the same.
"Saphira, is that…?"
"I think so…"
The object grew closer, now clear enough to be the unmistakable form of a rather large dragon. Almost as large as Saphira, the creature's wings outstretched to slow it's descent, beating against the ground and whooshing up loosened fragments of dirt and other debris into the air. Even Saphira grunted a little in annoyance as her pristine scales were assaulted with dirt, eventually focusing back on this new creature. The dragon was a brilliant shade of emerald, scales sparkling in the fainting sunlight as an incredibly deep growl escaped it. Slightly curved horns of an almost shining white accompanied it, the spike surrounding it's eyes and cheek bones just as prominent. It's body was bulky, seeming to be much larger than Saphira in terms of muscle although it wasn't as tall just yet. The strangest features were the eyes, large orbs of the finest gold hue in contrast with the rest of it's green frame. It tucked it's wings in towards it's body, turning it's gaze towards Saphira and Eragon before bowing it's head in respect. It's mental voice suddenly reached both of their consciousnesses, deep and powerful in tone, but portraying a strange sort of gentleness to it.
"Eragon Shadeslayer and the dragoness, Saphira. It is an honour" it spoke, the tone making Eragon conclude the dragon was a male. The dragon took a step forward as it spoke again. "My Rider has told me much about the both of you"
"Who is your Rider?" Saphira asked, her face seeming to be a mixture of confused and overjoyed, even Eragon could sense she was holding her happiness back from him. The green dragon grunted briefly, turning his body to the side and eventually lowing his wings down towards the ground. He bore a saddle, just as Saphira did, made from the finest leather and a brilliant green sword laid strapped into a scabard stitched into it. But it wasn't that which made Eragon's eyes widen in surprise. The figure riding on the back of this dragon hopped off, making to sure to take the sword with them as they approached the shocked young Rider. They patted the green one on the head as they left, eventually offering a light smile and a bow of the head.

"Greetings once again, Shadeslayer" said Arya.