A/N:Since I haven't read the books I don't entirely know how long it would have taken to get to the Varden so I'm sorry if you get annoyed because the amount of days isn't mentioned.


Chapter 8

His Name Is Murtagh

Alduin takes to the sky with both me and the archer clinging to his back. Alduin did what he could to 'fight' against his urges to spin around and twirl in the sky but his fight did him little good since Murtagh (I found out that that's his name) and I spent most of the flight clasping to the saddle for dear life. "Does he always do this?" Murtagh asked having to yell to be heard.

"Pretty much!" I call back as we suddenly drop.

"Found them." He announces spinning in a circle which makes us drop onto the ashes of a ruined forest while he flies back up for a better landing.

Saphira growls at us but mostly Murtagh than me. "Eragon?" I whisper then see the elf at his knees. That must be Arya. I fall to her side while Eragon stands and readies his sword for Murtagh. "Arya, you've been poisoned." I say looking at the dark tendrils under her skin. "Eragon, leave him alone, come help your friend." I hiss back at him.

"Is he trust worthy?" I sigh brush the ashes and sticks from my leather breeches as I stand then punch Eragon across the jaw. He stares back at me with the eyes of a child.

"My dragon almost died because of your friend here. You can take care of her and I'll take care of him." I growl pushing passed him as Alduin lands.

"All my life I've dreamed of dragons." He says brushing Alduin's neck.

"You think you could help her?" I ask looking back at the beautiful elf maybe a little jealous.

"The Varden can." He says leaving to talk to Eragon.

We ride for the Varden the boys take the horses while Saphira flies above with me and Alduin at her side. The journey seems endless, we travel across the ashes of what was once a forest then climb up the grassy hills with the mountains in view. I could speed Alduin up and we'd be there hours before the rest but I'm going to be sure that we all get there...except Brom.

The mountainous area with caves, caverns, waterfalls and rocks was, honestly, beautiful but I wasn't allowed to dwell on the landscape for too long since we had to reach the Varden and fast. Each hour we travel, Arya gets worse.

As Murtagh and Eragon run across the ground Alduin, Saphira and I watch the Urgals from above. "So this is it?"

"What do you mean?" Alduin replies as we stare down at the men shuffle towards the mountains.

"This is the last time the world will be the same, the last time Eragon and I will be friends since he'll be off trying to save us all?"

"Don't think of it like that. This is the last time the Galbatorix has the upper hand." Alduin explains before we watch Saphira approach. Alduin follows her.

"What are we doing?"

"Eragon has called for her...and us." Alduin explains as we enter through the waterfall and into the cavern. Men and dwarves, elves and our friends dot the room.

"There are two Riders?" An ebony skinned man asks Eragon.

"What is your name?" Asks the dwarf. I slide off Alduin and approach.

"I'm Theresa." I answer looking over at the uncomfortable Murtagh.

"She was poisoned by a Shade." Eragon says to the Varden. Murtagh meets my eyes then looks away. Something is wrong with him or them I'm not entirely sure.

"Our healers will make her well." The Varden man - he must be the leader - says losing the smile.

"Urgals, scaling the mountain as we speak." The dwarf announces.

"Time is short, I must know that you're with us, we'll be greatly outnumbered." The man says approaching Eragon.

"We're here to join you." Eragon replies looking at Saphira.

"And you?" The dwarf turns to me.

"I wouldn't be here if not to help." I shrug and Alduin nudges me forward.

"Seize him!" I hear the ebony man command and slide in front of Murtagh while Eragon rips out Zar'roc and both dragons roar in defence.

"He saved my life!" Eragon argues.

"He saved my dragon!" I hiss stepping forward a little.

"He is the son of Morzan, the traitor." The ebony man explains. I turn to Murtagh whose eyes are now on full alert.

"Is this true?" Eragon and I ask together.

"A son doesn't choose his father." He thrashes himself out of the guards' grasp and lifts his shirt revealing a sort of scar across his chest. "This is the only thing he gave me." He drops it again which kind of makes me less exited - wait what? "I hated that man until the day he died."

"Lock him up! If he tries to escape, kill him." We watch as Murtagh is taken away yelling and cursing. "I have no time to take chances. The presence of the Urgals means that the king's men are not far behind." He insists and we move about getting ready for the battle to come.