Disclaimer: I don't own anything you see from Eragon. See chapter one.

A/N: Here is the next chapter and for those who reviewed thank you SO much. I really appreciate it. Hope you all like the next chapter!

Chapter Ten: Flying

They had stopped again for the night and Anika was excited to have time to rest. She dismounted and Briam and Saphira landed moments later. Briam walked up to Anika and nudged her affectionately. Anika stroked him and kissed his nose. He hummed and laid behind her. She sat down and leaned against him.

"I'm so happy to be still for a moment." She told her dragon and closed her eyes.

"Are you hungry?" Eragon asked and handed her a piece of fruit.

"Thank you." She told him taking it.

Briam's eyes followed him. They still weren't on the best of terms. Anika just smiled and bit into the apple. Brom and Eragon made a stew and soon their stomachs were full and everyone was content for the time being.

Do you think they're okay? Anika asked Briam.

Balian and the family?

Yes.

I think that they are fine. I think that the danger passed over them and that one day when you return everything will be as it should be.

Thank you. Anika smiled and stroked his scales.

"Are you doing alright?" Brom asked her.

"I'm fine. Why do you ask?" She replied.

"You've been quiet tonight. You're usually more talkative." He told her.

She smiled. "Thanks for the concern but I just have a lot on my mind."

"Your family?" He asked. She nodded. "I'm sure they are just fine. If anything we're in more danger than them. What happened in Carvahall shouldn't have spilled into the other villages. Everything should be fine." He told her.

"I know." She replied. "But I still worry." He nodded. "But thank you." She said and touched his arm.

"You're welcome." He smiled and returned to his saddle and sat, leaning against it.

Soon after that a small amount of fighting was done and then they went to bed. As much as learning to fight was important being rested was also needed. Tonight Anika climbed up onto Briam's back and laid on her stomach in the open spot at the base of his neck. When he was lying down it made a decent place to lay and it was a nice change from the ground.

When Anika woke up she was no longer in the clearing. Briam was walking through the woods. She sat up to see Eragon walking with Saphira while Brom rode in between them. She sat up and stretched.

Morning. Briam told her sweetly.

Morning. She replied. "What's going on?" She asked aloud.

You'll see. Briam told her.

"We're almost there." Brom told her.

She just looked around the forest and soon it petered off and a high ledge was visible.

Holy… She said and Briam shook his head and his unique laughter filled the air.

"I want to make you both something." Brom told them.

"What is it?" Anika asked dropping from Briam's back.

"You'll see." Brom said and dismounted. "Hand me that leather."

Before their eyes Brom bent and formed the leather, cutting long strips and put all the pieces together. When he was finished he had created two things that looked similar to the horses' saddles. He had one that was a little larger than the other and placed it in front of Anika and Briam, the other in front of Eragon and Saphira.

"Is that what I think it is?" Anika grinned.

"Yes it is." Brom smiled.

"It's a dragon saddle." Eragon said and grinned at her.

"Show me how to put it on." Anika smiled at Brom. Excitement rose inside of her and she looked over the edge and then back at Briam. This is going to be fun. She told him.

Brom showed her and Eragon how to put the saddles on and how to adjust them and how to strap their legs in so they wouldn't fall off. Anika was very excited and was eager to get on top of Briam. When she climbed into the saddle Brom tightened the straps and then patted her thigh.

"You're ready." He smiled.

"Thank you." She smiled.

Are you ready? Briam asked her.

Stop talking and let's go. Anika smiled at him.

Briam's unique laugh boomed out of him and in a split second he had jumped from the ledge, gaining speed as he dove toward the river. When he pulled out of the dive just above the river he put his front feet into the water.

Glorious! His voice said happily.

Anika laughed, holding on tight to the saddle. Briam and Saphira raced over the river and then veered up into the sky. All their riders could do was hang on and enjoy the ride. When the dragons' slowed high in the sky Anika let go with her hands and put her arms out to the side feeling the wind move over her. When she put her hands back on the saddle she glanced at Eragon who was smiling at her.

"What?" She asked him over the noise of rushing air.

"Nothing." He told her.

They flew for a while longer before finding Brom on the ground and landing in a small clearing where he was waiting for them.

"That was great!" Anika said as she stepped down from the saddle. Brom laughed.

We'll have to fly again soon. Briam said and nudged his rider.

Yes we will. Anika grinned at him, stroking his neck.

"Now that you two have had your fun, we should keep moving." Brom told us.

"Zane…" Anika said and her horse walked up to her, even though he was uneasy around her dragon. "Good boy." She said and stroked his neck. "Alright, let's go." She said and pulled herself into the saddle.

"Can't we rest for a little while?" Eragon asked.

"Eragon, riding a horse is all the rest you need." Anika told him. "The only thing more relaxing than riding a horse is riding a dragon. So mount up." She finished.

Brom laughed again as Eragon mounted Cadoc. Anika smiled, pleased with herself. Briam let out a small moan and Anika looked at him.

Be careful. He told her.

I will. You be careful too. Stay high. We'll fly again soon. She told him and moved Zane forward.