I'm going to make this story a little similar Eldest in the later chapters that are coming. Bring in the next chapter, Iku Ze;

Chapter 11: Arrival at The Guarding Forest

The next morning, Eragon woke, with the heat from the rays of the sun rubbing against his face, and realized that Thorn and Saphira are missing. He tried calling out to Saphira using his mind link with her, but there was no response. Eragon was worried, he walked toward Murtagh, who was still resting in his sleeping bag, and knealt down. "Murtagh, wake up!", he said as he shoved Murtagh by the shoulder.

Murtagh groaned in a tiring manner and slowly opened his eyes to see his little brother. "It's time to go already?", he asked while Eragon knealt down next to him.

"Murtagh...Thorn and Saphira are missing.", Eragon said as Murtagh opened his eyes fully.

Murtagh sat himself up and looked around himself. He tried using his mind link with Thorn, but there was no response. Murtagh felt worried just as much as Eragon felt worried.

"Where are they?", he asked his younger brother.

Eragon shook his head, "I'm not sure. I tried contacting Saphira, but she would not answer."

Murtagh stood himself up, with Zar'roc strapped to his belt, and searched about until he and Eragon felt a presence nearing the camping ground. Both of the riders looked behind themselves and saw a group of armed slavers and rebels approaching them.

Murtagh sighed disgustedly, "Not again.", he said as one of the members, holding a curved dagger, walked closer to the young riders.

"I remember you...", he said coldly to Murtagh, "you're the one who beheaded our leader."

Anger was fueling inside the leader member as he turned his sights to Eragon. "And you... you're nothing without you're dragon." he said mockingly.

All of the slavers and rebels surrounded the young riders. "We will make you pay for our leaders' death. Unless...", said the leader, "you hand over all of you're belongings, then this thirsty land won't taste you're blood."

Eragon and Murtagh eyed each other as they both exchanged an idea in each other's mind. Both of the riders turned their interest onto the leader with a brave look upon their faces. Eragon spoke, "If you worms want our belongings, you'll just have to fight us for them.", he said as he and Murtagh both unsheathed their swords.

The group of slavers and rebels laughed out loud in a joking manner. The leader was laughing even harder as he said, "You can't be serious. There is only two of you and twenty of me. You are just mere children, you can never win."

Murtagh grinned, "I beg to differ.", he said as raised his left hand. He chanted the word Brisingr which sent a red beam of magic from his hand to injure one of the members. Murtagh's target fell to the ground, now there is only nineteen left.

"You kids have crossed the line.", said the leader in an angry and furious tone. Eragon had begun to communicate through Murtagh's mind as the slavers and rebels moved closer for the kill.

It feels strange to fight side by side with you again.

I know. I remember the good days before my capture.

This is different from before now that you are a rider.

Things are a lot different for me now that Thorn hatched to be my dragon.

Murtagh, even if you are my brother, how do I know I can trust you?

...Because, I want to take the time to tell Nasuada that I am sorry. Thorn wishes to make things right for himself too.

Then let's fight together once more just like we have when you helped me fight Durza.

Aye, Agreed.

Eragon and Murtagh stood their ground and waited for the right chance to strike. One of the members charged for the kill, but Eragon thrusted his blade into the chest of the attacker. More attackers joined the fight as Murtagh swung Zar'roc and slashed another attacker. The camping ground had now turned into a sword fighting arena. After a few moments of swordplay, there were only five members left including their leader.

"Th-that's not possible, how could you take down my entire group without being touched?", the leader said shaking in fear.

Murtagh smirked, "Because, we're dragon riders."

The leader looked in fear to Murtagh, "What, you're a rider too!?", he asked.

Murtagh replied, "Look behind you!"

Both of the members including the leader did so and they saw two dragons diving down towards them. The two dragons swooped and caught two men as they quickly ascended enough to drop the two attackers to their death. The two other members ran off like the cowards they were, leaving their leader behind as he watched them run off. Taking advantage of this, Eragon raised his right hand and loudly chanted Thrysta vindr which sent the leader member landing flat on his head against the sandy ground. Knowing that it is finally over, the two riders sheathed their swords and watched their dragons land in front of them.

Eragon spoke out loud, "Where have you two been?", he asked as Thorn turned his eyes toward Eragon.

It's a long story, Shadeslayer.Thorn answered in Eragon and Murtaghs' minds. I keep hearing this strange voice inside my head. I don't know who it is, but he's trying to take control of me. I don't know much more. Saphira came to me and supported me.

Eragon believed that everything Thorn said is true, "I see...we can have the elves see the source of that problem."

Saphira echoed in Eragon and Murtaghs' minds. Sorry we took so long little ones. she said as the leader suddenly began to creep towards Thorn.

Saphira felt his presence nearing Thorn as she saw him holding a dagger in a stabbing position. Saphira echoed warningly in Thorn's mind, Thorn, look out!

Before Thorn could do anything, he felt the dagger plunge into his left flank. Amazingly, Thorn did not even make a single flinch or make a sound, except for a growl of anger as he looked down on the attacker as he backed off a bit.

Murtagh was fueled with fury, "How dare you.", he yelled as he unsheathed Zar'roc and lunged at the attacker. He knocked down the leader and without hesitation, he finished him by impaling Zar'roc into his stomach as the downed leader screamed in agony. This brought back memories of Surda as Eragon could see tears sparkle in the sun light falling from Murtagh's eyes. Murtagh stood and took Zar'roc and covered his eyes with a hand as Thorn nuzzled him tenderly with care. Even Saphira could feel the same feelings in Thorn from Murtagh. Eragon walked closer to Murtagh and laid a hand on his shoulder comfortingly. Murtagh saw Eragon smile as he smiled back at him.

Murtagh turned around and saw the dagger protruding from Thorn's flank, "Let me heal that for you!", he said as Thorn purred with contentment. Gently, Murtagh wrapped his fingers around the handle of the dagger and pulled it out as Thorn growled in pain. After it was fully out, Murtagh dropped the dagger and laid his left hand on the gash and chanted Waise heill as the gash on Thorn's leg closed in.

"Are we okay to go now?", Eragon asked.

Murtagh replied, "Aye, let us be off."

While both of the riders were readying their supplies for Du Weldenvarden, Saphira kept her eyes on Thorn. Although she still may not trust him, she still feels for him a little. Saphira walked towards Thorn and asked him with an unusual concern, Are you alright Thorn?

Thorn replied politely, Of course I am. My rider healed me.

Saphira continued, That's not the point. I mean, are you okay to fight more even after what had happened at Surda?

Again Thorn replied calmly, Yes, it's all in the past now.

Saphira felt relieved as she said, Okay, I was just worried that you might--

Before Saphira could finish, Thorn interrupted and asked, Hey, hold on...Saphira listened as Thorn raised an eyebrow, since when did you start to worry about me?

Saphira was now filled with frustration, Ugh! Grow up! she snapped in an irritating way as she walked off to Eragon.

Well, excuse me! remarked Thorn.

After the riders finished loading their supplies, they boarded their dragons and flew to Du Weldenvarden. By the time the group had arrived on the edge of the forest, the trees were growing taller. From Thorn's point of view, everything around him was green and the air was fresh. The thought of being in Du Weldenvarden for the first time made him completely satisfied. After a few hours of flight, the group landed in the clearing for a short rest.

Why do we stop here? Thorn asked Saphira.

This is where Glaedr and his rider are to meet us. she replied.

A few moments had passed, until there was the sound of loud and hard footsteps. The leaves on the grass nearly skipped by every thud. Thorn looked into the horizon and to his surprise, he saw a huge gold dragon and an elf on his back approaching them.

Just so you know guys, I wanted to end the chapter here because I wanted to save all of the important stuff for the next chapters. No disrespect though, right? The next chapters will contain a lot of clues so be sure to read carefully, okay.