As his body pulled itself back to the consciousness, the first thing he noticed was the touch of cool air that caressed his body. Then, the scent of a thousand blooming flowers bombarded his senses.

He opened his eyes slowly, taking in his surroundings. He was in what looked like a tree. The walls were all made of wood. Where am I? He seemed to recognize this place, but he did not know where. He thought back hard and it came to him. He was in Ellesmera, the same tree house that was Vrael's, given to him by the Queen of Elves, Islanzadi.

He felt better than he had felt in what felt like years. It was so good that he forgot that he had just fallen unconscious in Helgrind.

How did I get here? There was an enormous roar that shook the tree house at its roots. Fear gripped him as he remembered the fiend that he had slain only recently.

A huge gust of wind rushed into the open tear shaped portal as a huge blue figure hovered just outside. A familiar triangular head entered, looking intently at him. Then, Eragon! You are awake! The creature rushed in and leapt on top of him, using her wings to envelope him in a huge hug that included.

He was shocked at first, not realizing what to do. Wha… Saphira! He yelled out with his mind as his memories came crashing down upon him.Tears streamed down his face as he hugged Saphira's neck with all his strength, even though the effort hurt him greatly. His limbs had still not gained their movement. Although she was crushing him, suffocating him, he would not stop. Everything he had gone through was for her, and he wanted to be paid in full.

They stayed in there respective positions without speaking or moving for ten minutes. Saphira finally lifted her bulk off of Eragon, allowing oxygen to rush back into his lungs.

Eragon, are you okay?

I am, that is, now that I am with you. But I need to know, how did I get here.

Saphira took a deep breath and began her tale. Well, when we fought the Ra'zac, I became wounded. After the last of them were killed, you healed me. But, in the process, you used too much magic and fell into a coma. I flew us back to Surda, where I brought you immediately to the elven mages. They told us…

She paused for a second to regain her train of thought.

They told us of your coma. Then, after a little over a month, I brought you here along with Arya.

But what I do not understand is that I was in Helgrind, battling with hellish creatures.

What are you talking about Eragon?

Now it was Eragon's turn to take a deep breath and delve into a tale. It took him over two hours as she interrupted him many times to ask questions about the different beast's he fought, and most of all, Brom.

When he was done Saphira looked at him closely. I know what generally happened, but I do not know all the details. Listen closely. When you fell unconscious, your mind assigned you a task to complete.

A task?

Yes Eragon a task, and do not interrupt please. I do not know enough about this to answer all your questions. So, your mind assigned you a task, which you had to complete in order to awaken. There have been known cases where elves have stayed in that state for centuries. That was why everyone was worried, including Oromis.

What has happened since I have left? Trying his best to digest the information that he had just been told.

Well, Orik is King!

Really?

Hrothgar had adopted Orik and made him his heir since he has no children of his own, as Orik once told us.

I am happy for him.

As am I.

And the Varden? Finally getting to what he had been working forwards to the entire conversation.

They have followed your plan… she paused darkly. Worry started to bubble at the pit of his stomach. And, it worked! The Varden has now sent an envoy of soldiers to Narda. The west coast is almost completely secured. They took Teirm with minimum casualties.

Eragon let his happiness how in his smile. His plan had worked!

And Roran?

Your nest-mate and his mate are fine. They have married and are now expecting a child.

WHAT! So soon.

Would you have waited if it were you?

She smirked as he felt his cheeks redden.

What of Oromis? He asked, trying to regain some dignity.

He is growing weaker. His time is dwindling and he knows it. I have been learning your lessons as well as mine incase he did not live long enough to see you awaken.

He was now spent of questions and sat in a comfortable silence with Saphira's head on his lap.

Eragon, began Saphira, do you want to rest more or do you want to get moving.

It is time for me to return to my duties. I have remained inactive for far too long.

He tried to raise himself into a sitting position, but was stopped by pain. Every joint would bring spasms of pain when he tried to move. He tried once again and lat out a weak moan as spasms of pain wracked his body. Energy entered his body suddenly and he was able to move without problems. Saphira was lending him her strength.

Eragon, Oromis told me that this would happen. Your limbs have stayed immobile for so long that they have become cramped. He has said that you need re-education, to teach yourself how to use your body again. It is a very painful process, but, you have a dragon along to give you energy and take your pain away. Now, when I remove my energy, it will hurt. But, you must perform the Rigmar, as to stretch out your joints.

He spent the rest of the day performing stretching maneuvers with Saphira coaching him along the way. By the end of the day he was back to his old strength.

As he laid in his bath, he spoke to Saphira. Tomorrow I follow the same schedule as I did last time I was here. Do you think you can inform Vanir?

It will be done.

He awoke the next morning feeling more refreshed than he had in a long time. He bathed and shaved and flew off with Saphira to Tialdari Hall. Why have you brought me here Saphira? Vanir will be waiting.

He already knows that we will be a little late. You must see the Queen. Would you dare insult her by coming into her land and not see her?

I am sorry Saphira, you are right.

Of course I am, she said smugly.

He quickly jumped off her when she had just started to crouch down.

He found the same male elf at Tialdari Hall that had called Islanzadi when he left came out of the door. After the elf initiated the greeting, Eragon requested an audience with the Queen, and the elf hurried inside to call her.

A few minutes later she came out, looking like an ink stain on white parchment by her midnight blue tunic among the white-robed elves that accompanied her.

After the proper greetings there was a pause as he was examined by Islanzadi.

"Queen Islanzadi".

"You have awoken."

The simple statement was filled with relief that they once again had a chance to win this war.

"Yes, and I plan to train at my top form to increase our chances at winning.'

She peered at him majestically, making him feel like when he first had arrived, like she was examining him in a way that she knew everything he was going to do or say.

"That is what will be needed."

"I am sorry if I may seem rude, but I must leave. I have come to tell you that I have awoken, but now that you know I must start training."

"Go rider, train hard."

With that she spun around and entered back into Tialdari Hall with the white-robed elves following her.

Well, that did not go too bad, now did it Eragon.

Of course it did not, but let us leave, it is time to train.

Yes, yes, Saphira do this, Saphira do that. What would you do without Saphira?

Nothing and you know it. Now let us stop dawdling and go to the training fields.

She made no further statement but crouched low, allowing Eragon to jump onto her.

They arrived at the training field only a minute later. Vanir was, once again, standing in the middle of the field, waiting for Eragon. But he was different this time. There was time when he would look at him smugly, as if he was the best there was. Now though, there was an obvious look of respect in his eyes. It was unmistakable. He knew that Vanir thought differently of him when he had bested him at swordplay, but the look he got was disorientating.

When Eragon came within distance of him, Vanir bowed low to him, just as he had when Eragon had defeated him for the first time after the Agaetí Blödhren.

Looking around, he saw the same elves that had made his time in Ellesmera harder, the elves that were friends with Vanir and among the young of the city. As he looked their way, they all made a slight bow towards him and he nodded in return.

"Shurtugal, draw your sword. It has been long since we have last crossed blades."

Eragon answered with a flurry of his blade. Vanir blocked his blade as Eragon did his.

"Shadeslayer, where is your blade?"

Uneasiness took hold of him. He did still felt embarrassed by the fact that it was gone, that Murtagh stripped Zar'roc from him so easily.

"I am blocking the edges of it. Can you not see it, or are you to injudicious to notice that?"

A shocked expression crossed Vanir's face, which was instantly replaced with one of rage. Vanir leaned back and launched himself at Eragon, who barely was able to bring his sword up to block the blow. Eragon twirled around and assailed him with blow after blow. His anger was building, why should he care where Zar'roc is? Irrational anger bubbled within him, the same anger that gripped him that night with Arya.

His blows came faster and stronger, skilled and deadly. The same was happening with Vanir. Their blows were fast. Faster than those around them, who were now stopping to watch the intense battle between the two warriors. Both of their faces were set in fierce expression; sweat already dripping off their limbs. Neither would back down. When one would start getting the upper hand, the other would increase his blows until they were even again, and slowly push past to repeat the process again.

Eragon dodged a swipe at his left and lashed out himself. He feinted in succession three times and was able to slam his sword against Vanir's guard, making his sword go flying. Before he could even move his sword was at his throat, and in between the beats of blood pounding in his ears, he heard himself say, "Dead".

He turned on heel, climbed onto Saphira, and flew away towards Oromis's hut, while the elves behind clapped at their amazing show of swordplay, and Vanir walked away towards his companions, all the while muttering curses into the air.

As he flew with Saphira he was still fuming. He knew it was irrational but, he could not help himself. It seemed like that there was something missing. Though what, he could not say. But it was obvious to see that the lid he had kept on his emotions was ebbing away.

Saphira, what is happening to me?

What do you mean Eragon? Everyone becomes angry at times. It is the way of life.

That is not what I mean Saphira. I meant that, for some reason I, I do not know.

I enjoyed being angry. It felt good to be angry at someone. When I was fighting Vanir, I did not just want to defeat him, I wanted to hurt him.

There was silence. Saphira seemed to be deep in thought. Maybe, all the events that have happened are catching up to you. It is stress that has made you like this, I am sure of it. We could ask Oromis.

No. We must train. I will not bother him with my small problems.

It is your choice to make.

Their conversation ended at that. Both sat deep in thought, trying to figure out what was wrong with him. They soared on to the newly risen sun, ready, for their next step into the world.