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On to the next chapter!!! (Most of my chapters are already written, I just have to type them)

Fanfiction---A New Hope

Chapter Seven---Surprise

Disclaimer: Anything you recognize is CP's.

Illera found Nasuada, and gave her the letter that Murtagh had written. Nasuada nodded, before going to meet King Orrin. Illera went back to Amira, thinking. They were leaving tomorrow for Ellesmera, for the elves to evaluate the Riders, to complete the Riders' training, and for Queen Islanzadi to know Arya was not dead. Illera scrambled onto Amira and they flew to the edge of a lake. I've always loved being near water… I miss him already, and it's barely been a day. I hope we find another Rider soon… Arya had taken the green egg and there was scheduled to be a touching at noon. It was seven now. Illera…? Yes? Eragon and Saphira are coming.She reached out with her mind. Sure enough, Eragon and Saphira weren't very far away. Kay. She thought about Murtagh compared to Ryan. Ryan wasn't as sensitive as Murtagh was, when he wanted to be. She also doubted if Ryan could've gone through everything Murtagh had. Ryan was a great guy…she mused, but Murtagh was far more… complex. Eragon landed and came over to her. She started thinking about Murtagh and Eragon. Eragon was softer, kinder. Murtagh's hard life had had an impact on him, making him colder, more ruthless. She understood that; he wasn't the only one who had led a hard life.

"Hey."

"Hi."

"Can you tell me what Galbatorix is like?"

"You can see for yourself."

She gave him all her memories that involved Galbatorix, stripping them of any emotion.

Illera felt Eragon's shock and pity waft through the air. Amira? …Yes? She sounded distracted. Oh, are you talking to Saphira? Yes. Never mind then. Okay. Eragon finished going through the memories, still in shock. Good thing I took out all the emotion, he would have guessed about Murtagh and I.

"We have to go to the touching soon." Eragon said, still shocked.

She gave him a half-smile. "Yes I know. Hopefully there is another Rider soon."

They left the lake and made their way to the area where the touching was to take place. Arya stood guard next to the egg. Everyone within the age limit touched in, forming a long line. Suddenly Illera saw someone she thought she would never see again. Someone she had run from. Holy…NO!"She stood, horrorstruck as the person touched the egg and a CRACK split the air. They touched the dragon. "Ow," the person muttered. She knew that voice. It was him.

Reaching the mysterious person, she swore.

"Dammit." She cast a privacy spell quickly.

"What, not happy to see me?"

"Yes…and no."

He blinked.

"Huh?"

"I'm happy we have another Rider, maybe not so overjoyed its you."

His eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means I haven't forgotten what you did to me Ryan."

His expression darkened. "I apologized over and over for that!"

"It didn't make it any better."

He didn't reply.

"I'll talk to you later."

Undoing the spell, she strode out of the area, mounted Amira and took off.

Eragon frowned. Illera had rushed to the new Rider-Ryan, he learned- and placed a privacy spell over them. Eragon couldn't see her expression, but saw Ryan's face turn from shock, elation, and then darkened. Then Ryan nodded, Illera undid the spell and strode out of the grassy place and flew off. Ryan clutched his dragon and made his way over to Eragon.

"Shadeslayer," he said reverently.

"Rise," Eragon said, not knowing what to make of him. "Your dragon is probably hungry, you can go down to the kitchens and get something to eat."

"Where are you going?" Ryan asked curiously.

"To find our Oriental Rider." He walked over to Saphira, scrambled up on her and took off.

Ryan made his way along the line. When it was his turn, he touched the green egg. Suddenly, there was a loud CRACK! He was a dragon Rider. Then, out of nowhere, Illera appeared and they talked for a bit. Truly, he wished he hadn't done what he did, but Illera seemed to have hardened. Now, after meeting Rider Shadeslayer, he was making his way to the kitchens.

Illera absently scratched an M in the sand. M for Murtagh… Hearing wing beats, she quickly scuffed the sand and destroyed the M. Murtagh… She sighed inwardly. It could be many years before she could be with him again. And what if he loves a different woman by then? Amira scoffed. Please. As if he would do that.

Eragon appeared. Why does he always come when I'm thinking..?

"Who was Ryan? Your lost friend?"

Illera didn't reply. Eragon sighed to himself. She was so complicated!

Murtagh flew with Thorn back to Uru'baen as slowly as possible, dreading when he would meet Galbatorix. He entered the castle and went into the throne room.

The king asked, "Well? You did not capture Shadeslayer. You had another Rider with you. WHERE ARE THEY!?" the King thundered.

"Shadeslayer escaped. Illera disappeared."

The King's face turned black. BAM! He slammed Murtagh into the wall and another torture session began.

"We leave for Ellesmera tomorrow. Are you ready?"

"I always am. Did you read your letter yet?"

"No, but I will now." He took out his letter and opened it.

Dear Eragon Shadeslayer, Leader of the Dragon Riders,

The Riders are in grave danger. Galbatorix grows ever stronger. I told Illera to flee and take the other egg with her; it is better with the Varden than here. And if Nasuada would not accept her—a better bargaining chip there couldn't be. As you read this, Galbatorix will be in a very black mood, planning another torture session for me. But I will risk it. Galbatorix found Amira's egg when he went back to Vroengard and searched for more…but it was the last egg there. Illera tricked Galbatorix into thinking she had sworn allegiance to him. Evidently, She did not. Now, she should pledge herself to you, but she refuses to pledge to anyone else. Trust me, Eragon. It may be many years till we meet again. Farewell; brother, and steer clear of my path. Galbatorix will allow no more loopholes.

Yours sincerely,

Murtagh Morzanson

Rider of Thorn

No wonder Illera seems so…distant. Months near Galbatorix must have been hell. I pity Murtagh. He has become cold and ruthless…No doubt because of Galbatorix. It became dark. Eragon wondered what Illera was thinking, to enable her to sit so still, so silently and for so long. He sensed sadness and…and what? Loss.

Nasuada was alone in her tent. She opened the letter Illera had given her. The last time she had seen Murtagh up close had been too long ago. She sighed quietly. She had been attracted to Murtagh, but didn't love him. Or did she? Now, what did he have to say to her?

Dear Nasuada, Leader of the Varden,

Illera the Oriental Rider holds the key to your success. I suspect…something, and she can lead you to even more resources, which will secure your victory. I helped her flee from the king, who believes she has sworn to him. I warn you though; angering her has no positive outcome for you. She should train with Eragon, as he will know her capabilities.

I must go now.

Yours sincerely,

Murtagh Morzanson

Rider of Thorn

She put the letter down and sighed. "Murtagh…" she whispered. "Why did you have to be captured?"

Elfy14: Lol. Yeah, very weird, they have to lose each other to save one another. Lol.

EragonPeep: In the summary, it says there's a weird mix of time. The Burning Plains have already happened, yet, Eragon, Illera and Ryan must go to train. (First time for Eragon) Very strange, I know, but that's how the story worked out.

My-Lover-Gren-Gren: Lol! No short shorts haha. Don't worry, the next chapter is half-written, I just have to type it. –sigh- I'm a very slow typer.

Wise Pallas Athena: Thanks for the suggestions! Some of then I already used, are using or plan to use. Yes, Katrina will be rescued, they will finish their training, Eragon will figure out what Solembum said, and he will free Murtagh. You're like psychic lol.

Remember to R&R!!!