This chapter is kind of one that brings thoughts of Murtagh back into the picture so that the planned ending for this book will make sense. I can't say what it is right now, but if my predictions are correct, then the ending and the next book will go as I have planned. Here's another chapter thrown at you!

Thanks for all the reviews I've been getting lately, you guys rock!

Chapter 12: Intimate and Brotherly

Throughout the course of the next day, everything went normal. Marie welcomed the relaxation with open arms and took it all in without complaint, letting her body heal from her fatigue attack she had gotten the day before. Eragon was struck with another attack to his back and stayed in bed most of the day. So they settled on a cove while the dragons flew out into the open sunlight, disappearing as tiny dots in the sky.

Marie sat at the edge of the cove. She had taken off her boots and was letting her bare feet relax in the cool water. She was worried about Eragon, of course, but she was forcing the thoughts away. She just couldn't stand thinking about him in that way…

Eragon stomped out of the tent moodily and retorted sourly at a dwarf before heading to the other side of the cove with Orik.

Marie shook her head at his back and then looked out at the water again.

Oropher touched her mind and she felt his glee.

I just ate a feast! I never felt so alive! Oropher exclaimed. His excitement rubbed fast onto Marie as she giggled out loud.

Sounds fun! When shall we fly next? Marie asked eagerly.

Anytime… Oropher replied quieter than the tone he had used before.

The next morning, Marie awakened early and stretched in an almost catlike fashion as she exited her camp and surveyed the dim area.

She paused as the memories of traveling with Eragon and Brom flowed back into her and she immediately stifled a sob as she thought about the older Rider.

Marie bit her lip as she traveled the journey over again within her mind, which immediately led to thoughts of Murtagh. Murtagh had always been an excellent companion and the last battles he was her brother at war. She missed him dearly and she would love someone to talk to that wasn't sexist, that actually answered back and that she wasn't half in love with. Oropher was more than good but sometimes she needed just…a human to talk to.

Oropher and Saphira were nowhere in sight so with a quick scan of her mind, Marie located her dragon and began to make her way quietly towards him.

What she met was a sight like no other. Oropher and Saphira standing side by side, their wings arched slightly and their heads pointed to the horizon. The first beams of warm sunlight creeped over and beat softly against their scales, making them shine like pearls and sapphires. Eragon was standing next to them, his deep brown eyes fixed in the same direction, a slight breeze picking up his hair.

Marie felt so equal to the three others standing there at that moment. They understood everything she was going through, they knew and felt everything she had felt. They were as one.

Taking her place by Oropher's side, the two Riders looked out onto the horizon, adding their beauty and grace into the picture and making it as perfect as the sunrise.

Despite the uncomfortable feeling Marie had gotten around Eragon after their time in the tunnels of the Beors, they spent more and more time together in the sky with the dragons, feeding the yearning in their souls and the starvation for the breeze and the beauty of the sky.

Over the next few days the company traveled along the river until the finally stopped in the dwarf trading outpost, Hedarth, to put the rafts in and exchange them for donkeys.

As Marie and Eragon rode Cadoc and Snowfire, the dwarves rode the donkeys and Arya ran, topping even Snowfire. She would wait for them on a ledge or hill until they reached that point and then move on to the next spot.

Du Weldenvarden was sited a few days afterward. Marie was astonished at the massive size and the strange foreboding that radiated of the old and mysterious wood. Oropher and Saphira landed and began to walk with them as they entered the forest.

"This is amazing…" Marie muttered, twisting in her seat to view the forest as they began their passing.

Arya glanced as the teenager looked around with awe and appreciation for the creaked branches and the delicate leaves. The rare smile played across the elf's lips as Marie pulled Cadoc off the side of the trail, so she could view more of it. It was like a child on a birthday.

Eragon smiled at Marie's playful curiosity and glanced at Arya. He watched Marie with the elf, feeling at that moment like Marie's brother than anything else. His equality with Arya possessed him. Marie would not have a relationship but Arya could handle it better. By all means she was an elf and much more mature then the both Riders put together so certainly she would be a suitable match.

Saphira gave a low growl from behind Eragon. Don't let your feelings run away with you little one. I have talked a many with Oropher and Marie is fighting hard to keep herself back.

She feels that deeply? Eragon asked surprised as he watched Marie lead Cadoc back on trail, a smile wide on her rosy face.

More than you know little one. But she is willing to put it aside for now, Saphira said her growling lightening to a softened hum.

Eragon frowned at the back of Marie's head. I am sorry now…for ever kissing her in the tunnels. I had not meant for this.

You must tell that to her before your duties end Eragon. She will surely expect that you feel the same way, Saphira urged.

Yes…I will, tell her tonight. Eragon said. He bit his lip as he slipped away from Saphira. He did not love Marie, right? Arya…Arya was an elf. She was more beautiful, more graceful, more knowledged than either Marie or himself could be. Maybe…Arya is the one I am looking for.

Marie sighed as she lay down against her blankets under the cool shelter of the forest. She stared up at the old branches blankly, her mind wandering again when suddenly a shadow passed over her.

Quick as an elf Marie leapt to her feet and backward, her sword held in a hand.

Eragon laughed at her jump. "Relax…it's just me."

Marie breathed out a shaky sigh and sheathed her sword. She stood there waiting as Eragon watched her. With a slightly impatient shrug and waved her arms out. "So…have any reason for scaring me half to death?"

Eragon blushed and his face scrunched up. "I…I need to talk to you about something Marie."

She shrugged again, thinking nothing of it. "So? Talk."

Eragon shifted on his feet nervously and sat down. "Please, sit."

Now the girl became suspicious. What did he want to talk about? Why?

"Are you…wanting to talk about what happened…in the caves?" Marie asked slowly, embarrassment showing in her reddening face.

Eragon blushed too and nodded.

Marie looked surprised and she sighed. "Look, Eragon. I want this relationship to happen just as much as you do-"

"That's just it, Marie," Eragon broke in and Marie stopped, her forest eyes eyeing him strangely.

"That's just what?" she questioned, quietly.

"I…" Eragon couldn't bring himself to say it. But he did. "I don't think I want this to happen…as much as you do."

"What?" Marie asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Eragon's voice trembled. Am I doing the right thing? "I think…it would be best if we just forgot it ever happened. I've been thinking a lot on it and you're right. We need to shift…shift our attentions on what's important. Besides…we were better off and closer too as siblings…can it not be that way again?"

Marie was silent. Her eyes burned with angry and confused tears and her mind's barrier shot up. Oropher sensed the sharp change in attitude and tried to contact her but she blocked him entirely.

"Marie?" Eragon asked again, this time more quietly.

She finally looked at him, her eyes full but not shedding. "No."

Eragon looked taken aback. He and Marie were so close. He had just assumed that she would want to go back to being friends. He knew just as much as her that the tension between them was tiring. So what was wrong?

"No," Marie repeated again, her voice shaking with fury though she did not raise it. "I will not-I can not go back to being friends with you. Not after that kiss. Not after you tried to pursue me so many times afterwards. We do not have that kind of relationship! We never had that kind of relationship!"

"But this could not go on, Marie!" Eragon urged, rising to his feet. "We are so tense now. We don't speak like we used to. If we even touch each other, we shy away like little ponies!"

Marie stood swiftly and faced him, her fingers clenched into a stiff fist. "Do you think any of it will be any better after what you just said?"

"I-I…" Eragon stopped himself. No. It would not be any better. She would hate him and he would hate himself. She does hate him and he does hate himself.

"Exactly," Marie muttered her voice low. She spun around to leave only to be stopped by Arya who appeared to materialize out of thin air.

"Arya…" Marie's voice trailed off quietly and as a loose tear fell down her face, her expression changed from hurt to surprised.

Marie and Eragon both jumped as Arya's presence swept across their minds. Follow me as silently as you can.

Marie obeyed letting her wet face dry as they crept around the camp, not to be noticed. She felt estranged to Arya's mind. It felt royal noble, full of lead but that was all she herself could feel before the elf blocked the rest of it.

They three reached a clearing, the dragons with their Riders through the presence in minds.

Arya sat down on a moss-covered log and Eragon and Marie stood separate facing the elf, their bodies tense and full of emotion.

Arya slipped out of their minds, already feeling the anger, resentment, confusion and multiple other harsh feelings radiating out of the Riders but ignored the fact.

"There are some things you must know before we reach Ceris and Ellesmera so that you do not shame yourself or me through your ignorance."

Eragon and Marie kept silent, only half listening to the elf as she spoke.

Arya sighed as she glanced from the two of them and continued. "As Ambassador for Islanzadi, I have taken the time to notice the same similarities in humans and dwarves that do not lie within the elves. Your religions, beliefs, actions and feelings are so similar that when you meet the elves, things might be…confusing or strange. They aren't like other races."

Eragon looked up. "You speak as if you weren't one."

Marie turned away slightly when he spoke and tuned out what they said. Her thoughts once again traveled to Murtagh. How at this time he would've been there for her. Her feelings for Eragon were too intimate now to ever think of him as family and Murtagh would have surely kept her company in her time of need. Oropher broke into her mind.

I miss him too. The dragon spoke softly, his soothing vibes capturing Marie slowly.

Marie sighed and closed her eyes. He was the closest thing to family I have ever had in a long time. I mean, you Oropher-

It's all right, my girl, Oropher said, his voice drumming like a slow bass. You meant human and I understand. But isn't everything Arya is saying important right now?

Marie blushed guiltily and turned back to the elf.

"Humans," Eragon was saying. "Do the best they can with what they are given."

"Even so," Arya said.

And with that the Riders began their lesson on the elven ways. Marie stumbled over things and sometimes spaced out as her thoughts clouded her. She managed to keep steady though, with the help of Oropher and his coaxing.

"And we will end it for now…" Arya just finished saying. Marie sighed and stood. Feelings and emotions seemed to drain her system the more she thought of them. Oropher was the only thing keeping her tired body awake in the darkness of the clearing.

Marie stood and walked slowly to the edge of the clearing and disappeared behind a tree. Suddenly she realized that neither Arya, nor Eragon had followed her.

She turned, still safe in her seclude to look as the elf stared quietly at the stars and Eragon stood next to her, his vision of sight directed somewhere less heavenly.

"Arya…" Eragon murmured quietly.

Arya was silent for a moment before turning her elegant head slowly to look at the boy with big green eyes. "Yes…?"

"You've been different lately," Eragon said.

Arya looked away quickly from him and stared at the stars again, her shoulders tense. "You should rest Eragon."

"So should you," Eragon replied, his voice rising slightly and the urgency in it going up as well. "You are for more tense and uptight than-than Saphira on a bad day!"

"It is not of your concern, Eragon," Arya replied, her cool tone unwavering. She stood and prepared to leave.

"Wait," Eragon said. Marie's heart stopped as his hand reached out to touch Arya's shoulder before he snatched it back before the elf noticed.

We need to shift our attention on important matters, hm Eragon? Like pursuing that no good- Marie's thoughts were interrupted as Arya turned to look at the teen again and say something, Marie too distracted to make it out. She cleared her mind and then continued listening.

"I know…I understand," Eragon replied. "Are…are you well, Arya? You seemed distracted and out of sort ever since we left Hedarth."

Arya turned to Eragon in such a rough, unelfly way that Marie jumped slightly. The female Rider held her breath as Arya's eyes flicked over to Marie's hiding place and then turned stone hard as she faced Eragon once more.

"When we are in the presence of elves," Arya started her voice cold. "I expect that you will not speak to me in such a familiar way, unless you wish to cause affront."

Arya stormed soundlessly in Marie's direction stopping to face the female Rider head-on. Her eyes were full of fury and her lips tight. Her voice almost quavered as she locked eyes with the female teen. "I suggest you head to bed. You will need the rest."

And with that the elf continued her stalk away. Eragon stayed in the clearing for a few moments before taking off after Arya.

He suddenly stopped abruptly, seeing Marie standing there, biting her lip. "Marie…"

He looked at her incredulously for a moment before shaking his head roughly and continuing his flight after Arya.

Marie collapsed against the tree and began to sob. What have I done…