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Disclaimer: Don't Own Eragon or Eldest

A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Arianna's been taking quite a beating and she's not going to be able to finish her training.

Hope and love: I'm really glad you love this story! It's been a fun story to write.

Katgirl0708: I'm also glad that you like this story as well. It's been a long time since I read Eragon and Eldest, but I can't wait for Brisngr.

Chapter 6: A Healed Scar and Mighty Heart

Codas still sat by his rider's side as she struggled with the pain of her scar, which seemed to be getting worse by the day. He tried to get through to her over and over but it was unsucessful. On the third day, signs of improvement showed and it was a good sign. The attacks had stopped and she once again had come to, this time feeling lightheaded and paralyzed. Arianna was glad the attacks stopped and the pain was subdued dramatically. She sat up, feeling stronger than before, and there was a commotion outside of her door. She realized why. Galbatorix's men and Urgals were coming, and she would either be hidden or thrown into battle. There was something in the corner, a dark colored leather tunic with gold pieces laid in with the same dark pants. She looked about, seeing no one but her sleeping dragon. She changed quickly and woke Codas up and wondered out of her quarters. And Arya stood, just as erect and elegant, waiting for her.

"I'm sorry that we cannot finish training you but the King's army is on his way and there's no time." She said. "Follow me."

Arianna and Codas followed her, leading them to an Armory where plates of metal laid. There were men getting in their armor and they marveled at Codas. But among the scraps, there was a lone set sitting there. And beside it was armor large enough for a dragon.

"They worked all through the night to protect your dragon." Arya said, helping Arianna with her armor.

"Why me?" Arianna asked, looking around her.

"Because it's who Codas chose. He's been waiting over 100 years for you." Arya replied. "And he would've waited even longer if he had to."

Ayra turned her around towards a shield. She barely recognized herself, in armor and hair tied back with a gold pin sticking out. Arianna put her only sword into it's scabbard and followed Codas. They were soon up high above the Varden in a cavern, waiting for Galbatorix's men to show. She remembered her promise to her brother, fight hard in battle and kept it in her mind. Codas look around him, craning his neck. Then Arianna looked up at him.

"I need to know, why me?" She asked.

A dragon chooses a rider for their heart, Codas replied vaguely.

It wasn't the answer she hoped for but it was an answer. She looked around her, seeing men below her and at towers standing guard. Finally they all heard a sound of Urgals and it was time for battle. Arianna got on Codas and was ready to fly. The link connecting the rider and dragon was strong, both of them felt it. They knew they were one. Codas took off quickly and Arianna felt the rush she had been waiting for. The king's men lay below and as soon as they saw the beast, arrows were towards them.

Fire!, Arianna said.

Codas only growled in response and flames soon surrounded men and Urgals aliked. Arianna nodded and started diving towards the ground, taking a few men out in the process. They flew up high above them, but a red flame was sent towards them.

"Skulblakas ven." Arianna said, letting green eyes take over.

Another rider sped towards them but Arianna and Codas swirved sharply and quickly. Both of their eyes remained to what was ahead and flew down into an arch, then back out. The rider was waiting for them, with an unnatural red to his eyes. Arianna's anger started boiling over when she saw him.

Who is that?, Codas asked in a deep and almost curious tone

That is the person who killed my uncle and gave me that scar on my back, Arianna replied angrily, Murtagh.

She took out her sword and tried to stab him but missed. He took out a sword that glowed a ruby red and stabbed her in the shoulder, but the pain escaped the girl as she came back around.

"I thought you were dead." Murtagh said. "But you'll die soon enough by Thorn's claws."

Arianna didn't have a response other than taking off again and Murtagh stayed close behind her. She had thought it through and decided to try and trap him. She made another sharp turn and stopped, facing the other rider.

"Brisingr!" She mutttered, sending a green flame towards him.

And Murtagh sent another flame towards her, burning her cheek. The two riders still faced each other, waiting for one of them to make a move. Arianna stood up from her dragon's saddle bringing out her sword. He did the same.

Codas, can you handle me standing on your tail?

Yes, but be careful.

She made her move carefully to his tail, she was now surrounded by nothing but ground and air. She lunged towards the red dragon but again missed and was disarmed. Recklessly, Codas made a move diving towards the ground and one of Thorn's claws dug deep into Codas's leg. He let out a pained roar.

Codas, you're hurt. Let me fight him.

No, I won't let you.

Arianna's vision flickered and she blindly attacked. She felt a sword hit her back and cried out in pain.

My vision's failing!

It's not you, it's me. This wound is the problem.

Then, let me handle him. I'll kill him.

This time, stab him in the heart!

Arianna complied and used all of her strength to throw the other rider off of his dragon. It worked and Arianna smirked.

"I expected more." She said, piercing Murtagh in the shoulder.

He lost consciousness and Thorn caught him, swearing revenge on her. Now, she was stuck falling and she was about to meet the ground but she felt Codas catch her. He crash landed throwing her against sharp rocks and stones. She limped to where Codas landed and saw how much he had bled.

You shouldn't have done that, Arianna said sadly

I don't want you sacrificing your life for me, Arianna.

I would anyway. But you did it.

No, we did together, Codas replied, sounding like he was dying

You're not going to die yet.

Words were in her head and out of instinct she put out her hand, letting a white light emitting from her hand. But as quickly as the words came, she fell over Codas knowing nothing but black.

Men on both sides lay dead or dying and Eragon stood there, soot all over him panting slightly. While Nolan, one of only three men still alive, wondered over to where a dragon had fallen. That's where Arianna was, unconscious. He kneeled to her level.

"You kept your promise, Ari. That's all I wanted." He said, picking up her sword and placing it next to her.