FASTEST...UPDATE...EVER! I LOVE SUMMER VACATION! lol By the way, just graduated from high school today. Think of this as a graduation present from me to you. =] I would like to take this time to say congratulations to the Class of 2011. We're so nice, we're number one TWICE! lol

I would also like to thank everybody for their amazing support for this little fanfic. You have all given me the confidence and motivation to begin writing my first original fantasy novel. I have so many ideas for it. Hopefully everything turns out okay.

And guess what folks, my grandmother is okay. It turns out that it's not cancerous at all (although they're still gonna check her to make sure that what was cancerous did not spread). Thanks for all the well wishes, folks!

ALL SIGNED REVIEWERS WILL RECEIVE AN UPDATE OF CHAPTER 14! Just allow my time to write it, please.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inheritance Cycle under any circumstances, the book was written by Christopher Paolini and published by the KNOPF Publishing Company. This fanfic is a mere extension of my twisted but awesome imagination. I only own the plot and my original characters and places.

It was one of those dark, quiet nights in the small village of Crystila. The skies were clear and showed absolutely no threats of snow in the near future. However, it was still quite cold outside as evident by the villagers bundling themselves in tight in their beds, preserving their warmth. Babies lay in their cribs, cocooned earlier by their mothers as they slept soundly without interruption. All of the windows were closed to capture the precious warm air inside the house so that not a soul would freeze. Every now and then, the wind would blow which would result in the wooden frames of the small houses to groan in complaint as they would push back against the wind in protest, protecting the slumbering souls inside.

However, there was one individual that cannot seem to take advantage of the serene and peaceful night. He makes one more turn in his bed and ends up on his back as he stares straight up onto the ceiling. The one window in his room provides a soft, whitish light emanating from Her Majesty: the moon. The peaceful light shines onto his face, causing his eyes to pop open as he groaned out of annoyance. The young man sat up in bed and cradled his head in his hands whilst his elbows rested upon his lap that is currently covered haphazardly by a thick woolen blanket.

What could Elidor have possibly been looking for in my dragon books? Elidor thought to himself. He stared at his sword that was currently lying against the footboard of his bed and he sighed in a tired manner. Not of fatigue, but of the constant tough decisions that me makes numerous times.

The sword has a simple design. A long, thin silver blade ends in a curved point with a slight depression running down the middle of the threatening blade. The blade itself is topped with a typical cross-guard that is made of brass. The main difference that sets this sword apart from others is the fact that there are two serpentine dragons etched into the handle of the sword. Their long bodies twist around the handle while each tail ends on the two sides of the cross-guard. Briam feels a sudden chill go up his spine as he remembers how he had acquired the weapon. He frowns as he also remembers the promise that he had made when he received the sword in exchange for the protection of his family.

Will I be protecting them still if I were to see for myself what Elidor was looking for? he asks himself. He slowly lifts the cover from his lap and jumps silently onto the wooden floor; socked feet sliding slightly before Briam regained control of his footing (all residents in the village wear socks while asleep lest they run the risk of losing their toes from the cold!). He begins pacing around his room as he tried to come up with a sound decision. He does not know the type of information that he could potentially come across if he were to find out. If it was crucial, then he may have to report it and he most definitely does not wish to get anyone in his family in trouble. But then again, if he were to find out for himself, he may become angered and could kill Elidor. Another chill went up his spine as he remembered the last time he sent out information on someone being disloyal. From what his mother had told him, it was not a pretty sight when the secret police came.

That's it, he decides. I have to find out for myself before that thing does. But what will I do with the information? He stops his pacing as he shakes his head. I'll figure it out when I cross that path later. Briam then gently places his hand on the brass doorknob and, ever so slowly, turns it. He successfully pushes open the door without a squeak and he slips into the dark shadows of the hallway. Luckily, his brother's room is right next to his own so he will not have to walk on the creaky floorboards of the hallway for long.

Briam stood in front of his brother's door and carefully placed his ear against the wood. Smiling at the first sound of a snore, he felt that it was safe to enter so he placed a steady hand on the doorknob and slowly turned it. He then pushed the wooden door ajar, just enough to allow him entrance into the dark room. He looked to his right and noticed Elidor fast asleep in his bed under the covers. He strode over to the bed by the headboard and looked down. His brother was facing the wall away from him. Briam then silently argued with himself whether or not this is the best idea. Nodding in silent agreement, he lifted his hand over his brother's head.

"Draumr kópa," he whispered. His brother's dreams suddenly played in his mind as if they were his own. Fortunately for Briam, the dreams happen to be of what Elidor had been looking for in his dragon books. Now why would you need to know what the gedwëy ignasia looks like? he asked himself. Curious, he began to dive a bit deeper into his brother's subconscious, searching for the answer to his question. He eventually sees the memory of him talking to the daughter of Akarli—Amelia, was it?—the day before while he was working in the forge.

"Feel better?"

"Yeah, a little." Again, she donned a quizzical expression upon her face. "But there is just one thing that I do not understand about her though." She looked upon him as he gestured for her to go on. "Last night, I went into her room, and I saw a strange mark on the palm of her hand. It was kind of weird. It was as if somebody took hot metal and pushed it against her hand…but it was silver…"

Elidor looked at her with a serious expression on his face. "Umm…a…a silver mark? Are…are you sure? On her palm?"

Amelia looked at his face. "Yeeaaahhhh…," she answered slowly. She laughed a little, "I mean, it's kind of hard to miss something like that, you know?"

"What do you think you're doing?" a feminine voice suddenly spoke behind Briam.

He lost his concentration and the flow of magic linking their minds instantly stopped. Briam cautiously turned around and lowered his hand. He looked to the door that he had left slightly opened. Only now, it was completely opened allowing him to see the silhouette of a woman in the doorway. "Mother?" he whispers for fear of waking his brother up.

"I'll ask you again, what were you doing?" she commanded with a silent voice that still had an edge to it; a quality that all mothers seem to have when they want to know the truth and not just a bunch of lies. He did not have to see her to know that she had a raised eyebrow and a disapproving frown upon her face.

"I was…," he quickly thought of an excuse. His eyes darted around the room quickly and he faked a small cough and swallowed to buy him a few precious seconds to allow him to come up with a fake reason as to why he was in his brother's room. Despite his training, he is still her son and like all sons, at least once in their lifetime (usually a lot more), a mother can be a very frightening and intimidating individual…this is one of those times. "I wanted to talk to Elidor. I just needed his help to figure something out."

The mother stood quietly for a moment. This made Briam nervous which was actually surprising to him since he trained himself to not feel fear when in danger…but this was his mother. A woman that is extremely unpredictable. She could be smiling at you outwardly, but in her head, she could be shouting curses at you that would make even a hardened, experienced sailor blush. Finally, she turned and headed out the door allowing Briam to release the breath that he had not even known that he had been holding. However, that changed when she looked over her shoulder, motioned with her finger to follow her, and stated, "Come with me to the kitchen." She then disappeared behind the wall as she walked to the kitchen, the only sign that she was actually there being the sound of retreating footsteps on the incredibly creaky wooden planks of the floor.

Damn, Briam thought. He then silently trudged onwards out into the hallway and silently closed the door behind him. He looked down the hall and saw a small flickering light of a candle that his mother had lit. Once he entered the kitchen, he saw his mother pouring two cups of left over tea from earlier that day. She motioned for him to sit down at the table which he did. She then walked over to the table, set down a cup of tea in front of her son, and then sat down as well on the opposite end of the furniture while holding the cup in her hands. Briam could see the candlelight on the table flickering light onto a ring on one of her fingers that his father had given her on the day he had proposed. Before he could think further on that topic, she began to speak.

"Now tell me what you were really doing in your brother's room, Bri," she asked in a soft, gentle voice while using her son's childhood nickname. She stared straight into his eyes. Although she seemed calm, the son could not tell what was going on behind his mother's calculating eyes. For all he knows, she could be analyzing his every movement, every involuntary twitch or hike in his breathing pattern. He looked down into his cup filled with the cooled, brownish liquid wondering if she would gain some sort of hint if he were to take a quick drink. Deciding it best to play it safe, he thought against it.

"Like I said, I just wanted to talk to my brother."

"Why didn't you talk to me?"

"I didn't think you'd be awake."

"Well, I'm awake now."

"Yeah, but…," he shook his head. "Why is this so important to you?" he questioned in a stressed manner. Forgetting about his earlier decision, he took a quick drink of the tea. The way that the smooth liquid poured down his parched throat made him feel refreshed and slightly calmer in front of his intimidating mother.

She sighed heavily as if she was releasing some stress as well. "Because, despite what you may think, I really do care about you. I worry about you and fear what you may be doing when you go on those little hunting trips. I want to protect you from all of the dangers out there…I just don't know what's going on anymore." She rubbed the fatigue from her eyes. "Please, just tell me what's going on, Bri."

Briam also let out a tiresome sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I already told you, I…"

"And don't give me that crap about everything being okay because I know damn well that everything is sure as hell not okay, Briam!" she harshly interrupted in a whisper so as not to wake Elidor or any of the neighbors. Her eyes glared at her son as if she were attempting to seek the truth out behind his deceitful gaze. "I want the truth," she demanded but in a softer and slower tone.

The boy's eyes widened in fright. Whenever his mother cursed, the recipient of those words better listen and tell the truth unless they do not mind getting embarrassed by being handled by the woman whether it be getting their foot stomped, getting slapped, or literally bringing the man down to his knees and grabbing hold of his family's jewels. Although Briam knew for a fact that she would not harm her children, she would still punish them in any way she saw fit. Quickly, he began to try to think up a way to give up half of the truth rather than the whole thing. "I'm just…trying to find a way to protect us," he solemnly whispered as he cast his gaze down upon his clasped hands.

Her eyes softened considerably. She reached across the table to unclench her son's hands and to hold one of them in a comforting and loving hold. "Sometimes, we do some things because we think we're helping. But, we fail to see the truth in our decisions."

Briam slowly looked down at their hands and then looked up into her mother's eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Well…did you hear what happened a few days ago?" she asked. "We had a raid. The king's dragons came and…took care of those that were involved in organizing a way to disband the king. Strangely enough, those were the only people that the dragons killed." She clenched his hand tighter in her grasp when she saw her son look back down giving her all the information she needed. "Surely, someone had to tell the king about what was going on." She felt a twitch in her son's hand. She narrowed her eyes slightly and put a bit of an edge back in her voice. "Families lost loved ones in this small village. Friends were lost as well. Did you know about this, Briam?"

He shook his head once, but the flicker from the candlelight allowed her to see a single, sparkling tear drop out of the corner of her son's eyes.

"Are you sure, Briam?" she asked in a softer tone.

He then pulled his hand out of her grasp and immediately stood up, pushing his chair back which caused a loud and demeaning screech to permeate the quiet little house. He turned around and placed his arm on the wall and let his forehead rest on it while he closed his eyes, unable to look at his mother as he felt shame. After the echo of the screech disbanded, the little house fell into another quiet silence, although this silence appeared to be quite loud and noticeable. The mother looked at the back of her son as she patiently waited for an answer.

Briam tried to control his breathing as he imagined the bloodshed that his hometown had experienced. Images of people that he had once previously talked to and their motionless bodies crossed his mind. Tears poured out of his eyes as these thoughts flashed through his mind. Guilt continuously accumilated until eventually, he could not take it anymore. "It was me. I'm so sorry, mother. I'm sorry," he whispered. He still refused to look at her.

"I understand, Briam," she quietly replied.

"No, you don't!" he shouted in a whisper. "Innocent people…killed. But I did it to protect us. But I want to protect everybody as well but…I just don't know how," he tearfully explained.

She then got up slowly and approached her son. When she was behind him, she placed a hand on his shoulder and pulled him into her arms, allowing his taller frame a supporting hug from her. He laid his head on her shoulder. "I know, Briam. I know everything."

"But how?" he tearfully asked.

She placed a hand on his back and rubbed his shoulders to further comfort him. "Because I am a mother, it's my job to know everything about my children. I know all about you working for the king ever since I first saw you bring that sword home. I just figured that there must be a reason. Knowing your love of this family, I figured you must have made a deal to protect us." She then let go of him to look into his still tear-filled eyes. "That sword, I don't know if you noticed it, but right at the point, there is a symbol. I recognized it as the mark of the king from…before," she ended unsurely. Briam looked at her confusedly as he brought a hand to wipe away the tears from his eyes. "I'll…tell you tomorrow," she answered his silent question.

His mother then reached for his cup on the table and gave it to him to allow him a soothing drink. When he finished, she continued. "Now look, although I'm not happy about what happened, I still understand why you did it. Just know this, you're family isn't as weak as you may think we are," she chuckled. "You're father made sure of that. Anyway, just know that I still love you and I always will. Just go to bed and allow me to think of what to do tonight and I'll tell you about it in the morning, okay?" After he nodded, she continued. "You don't have to be strong for this family; you may be surprised by our history. Elidor knows it, and now you will know about it as well tomorrow. I still love you, Elidor still loves you, and most importantly, somewhere up there, your father still loves you as well, Briam. Now just relax and go to bed."

He then placed his now empty cup down on the table by the still flickering light of the flame on its diminishing candlestick and walked down the hall to his room so that he may try to make another attempt at sleep again.

The mother smiled slightly as she poured a little more tea into her cup and sat back down at the table. He's trying, Liam, he's really trying, she thought to herself as she imagined herself talking to her husband. He may have been misguided but he's doing all of this just to help us. But rest assured, Liam, I'll steer him in the right direction. Just please help me out as I do this. Please help all of us out. After she quickly chugged down her tea, she got up and placed the empty cup on the wooden counter. She then turned around, bent down, and gently blew out the light of the candle. She then walked down the hallway to her own room so that she may try to sleep as well. Again, the only sound was the creak of the floorboards following her footsteps as she entered her bedroom, closed the door, lied down, and closed her eyes so that she may dream of her husband once again. Her husband…and his shadow.

-X-X-X-X-X-

Are you sure you do not wish to come with us, Veltrose? Shruikan asked his friend. They were currently standing by where the river poured into the frozen lake after winding down from the smaller valley that lead to the small village of where his rider resided. They were together with Eragon, Murtagh, Roran, Arya, Saphira, and Thorn. Angela decided to stay in the cave as she continued to silently ponder things. Of what, no one had a clue. Astarot was also with his brother, Ehecatl. They were still sleeping off their injuries but Veltrose promised Shruikan that he would be okay with them once they awaken.

No, Shruikan, now stop asking, Veltrose chuckled. This reunion is between you and your rider.

Then why did you insist that they come? the black dragon asked his mentor through a private connection.

Ehh…moral support, he answered uneasily. Now just go, I'll be fine with the younglings…and the weird one. He then gently pushed on his former student. But don't you dare fly, Shruikan! You hear me?

Yes, mother, he sarcastically responded as he turned around and began to walk with his group. We'll be back, Veltrose, he promised as the group began to trudge down the snow. Veltrose turned around with a last wave of his tail before he crouched down and took off, leaving a small snow storm in his wake as his massive, powerful wings lifted the powdery substance off the ground and left them spinning around each other in the air before eventually settling back down. The white dragon showed off his superior flying skills with lazy loops and spins as he rocketed back to his cave. Shruikan smiled as he watched his friend have fun in his element before he turned back towards his group.

Eragon was on Saphira, again, due to her still not trusting him in not getting into any trouble at all. Eragon, of course, objected to this but at the sight of her frightening, sapphire glare, he suddenly had no qualms and jumped up onto her back. Roran joined him since walking down the length of the river would be incredibly difficult due to the amount of snow that was on the ground from the many snow storms that passed. Saphira walked on with a satisfied smirk upon her muzzle.

Thorn, however, was walking behind Saphira and could not stop looking at her magnificent blue-scaled beauty. Her scales look to have been sculpted by a master artist. Her voice is so silky smooth, and her laugh…

Um, Thorn? Murtagh called as he looked down at his faithful red-scaled friend with a questioning look upon his face. What were you thinking?

Damn! the red dragon cursed as he realized that, because of their link, some of his thoughts and feelings poured into his rider's mind. Thankfully, nobody else seemed to have received his…private thoughts as well. You tell anyone and I will kill you in your sleep, he threatened his rider.

Murtagh sighed before bringing a hand down and began to lightly rub his friend's neck. You really should think of telling her, you know, he wisely advised. If you don't, then this is just going to keep on eating at your heart, Thorn.

The dragon bowed his neck down and focused his eyes on the sparkling ice-crystals beneath him. I know, my friend. I know, he pouted (if dragons could, in fact, show such displeasure).

Murtagh then began to think as they continued to walk. Thorn brought his gaze back onto the object of his conflicting thoughts. You know, Murtagh began. I'm no expert at this at all, but perhaps you should show her you like her before you actually tell her.

Oh? Thorn asked as he looked straight forward, clearly interested in what his rider had to say. And how should I do that?

By…hunting for her, or by doing little things such as warming the spot that she sleeps in before she lies down…or doing other small things to show your appreciation of her friendship. Who knows? Perhaps she'll notice it and confront you, thus saving you the trouble of having to initiate the conversation, he thought.

Perhaps, he returned. Maybe even tell her that she looks…pretty once in a while…?

Exactly, his rider affirmed. He then noticed the object of his dragon's focus. He then coughed nervously before he continued. Thorn?

Yes? the red dragon answered as he continued to subconsciously stare ahead.

You're, umm…, Murtagh had to stop to figure out how exactly he should word this. You're staring at Saphira rather intently. At the base of her tail to be more specific, he continued as he brought his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose out of embarrassment.

Without even thinking of what he was saying, Thorn simply asked, And…?

…she noticed, Murtagh continued. He tried to hide his gaze from the sapphire dragon's questioning stare along with Roran's and Eragon's smirk as they both looked back at the red dragon as well. Shruikan merely rolled his eyes at his young charges' amusing antics. Even Arya, who was sitting behind Murtagh, seemed to crack a smile (a small one, of course, can't have her showing much emotions after all).

Thorn's eyes suddenly widened as he began stuttering on his words as he tried to come up with an excuse for him staring at her rear end. Sorry, he finally projected. I…it looks nice…no, wait! he stopped himself but the damage was already done. Roran and Eragon burst out laughing. Shruikan shook his head side-to-side and tried to hide his own laugh by snorting. I meant to say that you look nice, not…that. I mean, not that it doesn't look nice because it really, really does. Damnit! he, again, cursed as he realized what he had just said. He then figured that perhaps he should just remain silent and look away from Saphira and, instead, look at the river.

Saphira could not help but chuckle lightly herself. If dragons could blush, Saphira's cheeks would rival her admirer's scales. And Thorn? Well, he would most likely be thanking the dragon gods that he was born with already red scales.

Shruikan could not help but to smirk at Thorn's words. Come now, Thorn. Surely I taught you a lot better than that, he chuckled. Remember my lessons on the anatomy of a female? he reminded him just to see his reaction. Of course, this conversation only took place on a private link between him and Thorn. Shruikan can only imagine what Saphira would have done had she heard.

Thorn's head simply lowered as he walked at a slower rate to allow a larger distance between him and Saphira. Shruikan, feeling sorry for the young one, walked alongside him so that he can better comfort him. Just tell her, lad. You never know what could happen unless you at least try, he attempted to reason with him.

Thorn simply sighed. His breath was clearly visible as it entered the cold atmosphere. Smoke churned out of his nostrils and twisted and turned as it made its way towards the gathering dark and imposing clouds above them. Shruikan frowned as he saw the churning clouds above them. Not today, please. Don't you dare snow today, he growled lightly to himself. He then looked back at the red dragon at his side as he tried to cheer him up. Unknown to him, Eragon, Roran, and Saphira were having an entirely different conversation.

"So you mean to tell me," Roran whispered to Eragon, "that Shruikan's rider has absolutely no memory of him? Whatsoever?" he asked incredulously. Eragon nodded.

"Aye," he answered. "I wanted to tell him, but I just imagined his reaction. I mean, just imagine the scenario. You thought that your rider has been dead only to find out that she is actually alive. Motivated, you journey to a whole different country so that you can find her and try to reconnect with her after all these years only to realize that she does not remember you at all. It's not going to be a very good situation, Roran. Not at all,"

Which is why I believe it would be much better if you were to have told him, Eragon. He's not going to be happy at all when he realizes this once his rider flees or even faints at his feet. I know that I certainly would not be very happy at all, Saphira shared as she continued to walk alongside the slightly frozen river.

Eragon remained silent as he listened to the river as if it would give him the answer that he needs. In some areas, there were breaks in the ice which would show the crystal-clean mountain water rushing through as it sped past bends and turns as well as splashing around the occasional protruding rock. He then looked at the environment around him. The river cut through the valley like a desert snake creating little valleys of its own in the sand. It was quiet. The only sound was from the river, the birds that would hang around the holes in the ice, waiting for a fish to jump out, and the sounds of the dragons as they continued to make their way through the soft snow.

This really was Eragon's favorite weather. It reminded him of the farm that he had grown up on back in his hometown of Carvahall. He remembered how sometimes, he would just look out his bedroom window to gaze at how the vast, dreary landscape of the dead fields after they have been harvested changed into an amazing landscape of ice and snow. He was reminded of how he and Roran would go outside to have snowball fights. But mostly, he would just look outside and let it all calm him down as his mind was free to wander.

Eragon? Saphira called worriedly out to her partner-of-her-heart.

I'm just thinking, Saphira, he replied as he continued to look at his surroundings. I'm just trying to figure things out.

Is this what you have been doing for the entire journey? she calmly asked.

Yes, he answered. It is.

I know how difficult the decision must be, she tried to soothe him. On one hand, you want to keep your friend happy with the knowledge that he is getting closer to be getting back together with his rider and you do not want to destroy his elated feelings. While on the other, you do not want to see him hurt.

But what would you do, Saphira? he asked as he attempted to seek for advice so that he may consider it in his difficult decision.

Honestly, I would have just told him so that he could have figured out what to do when he finally finds her. But it is already much too late, she sighed as she began to walk on a small incline.

Eragon noticed the feeling of his center of gravity changing and looked ahead. He cursed inwardly as he noticed that at the crest of the hill, black smoke could be visible from what he assumed was coming out of various chimneys of the village. Damn, I thought we had more time! He then began to quickly think of what to do as they approached the crest of the hill and even closer to their destination. He looked behind him and noticed that Shruikan was still conversing with Thorn as they walked.

When they were finally on the top of the small hill, Eragon was able to see the village for himself. The snowy valley trail winded down before the valley opened up slightly. Jagged mountains surrounded the village on all sides providing the perfect natural protection from those wanting to cause harm yet not knowing of the trail to enter the quiet town. Several houses could be seen in the village with smoke expelled from the chimneys from the fires that provide warmth to those that reside in the houses. The buildings themselves were small and did not look like anything special. However, despite their diminutive size, they still looked cozy. The wood that made up the buildings looked to be quite old and worn down by the difficult weather that it always has to stand up to. Everything in the village was covered with the tiny white crystalline substance making it hide the look of the ugly wood of the houses.

Children can be seen running around the village as they play some made-up game with each other. Their laugh can be heard by Eragon and Saphira. They see men hauling a large, freshly-fallen evergreen tree from the woods so that they can cut it up for firewood. Everybody that was out and about were wearing thick, heavy coats and it was quite comical to see the children fall down and attempt to get up as the thick coat made it quite awkward to move. It was not unlike a turtle that wound up upside-down on its shell. The village looked peaceful and it reminded the young dragon-rider of Carvahall in the winter. He smiled inwardly as the memories poured into his mind once again. However, one thing that Eragon noticed was that it appears that some buildings had recently caught fire. This bothered him greatly but he figured that perhaps it was simply an accident with the fireplace.

The group was looking down into the group for several minutes before they suddenly noticed everybody suddenly running for their homes. Men quickly ran towards the children to round them up and quickly bring them to their respective homes. Soon, there was absolutely no one outside in the village as everybody barricaded themselves inside their homes.

"What just happened?" Roran asked from behind Eragon to which he simply responded with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Eragon…where's Shruikan?" Murtagh questioned atop Thorn who padded beside Saphira while being careful so as not to attract her attention.

Alarmed, Eragon looked behind him for the familiar massive black-scaled dragon. Saphira? he called but she merely captured Eragon's attention with a snort.

Found him, she responded as she pointed with her tail down the trail as a familiar black shape bounded down the trail towards a single house that was the closest to the woods. And guess who he's going to find. She narrowed her eyes as she imagined what may happen once his rider finally meets him.

"Damnit, we have to follow him!" Eragon shouted. Saphira then took off into the skies followed by Thorn as they attempted to chase Shruikan down who seems to have been overcome by the necessity to be with his rider that he immediately left without even thinking of the meeting first.

Shruikan, however, was filled with nothing but memories and ecstatic thoughts as he imagined what he would do once he finally met up again with his rider. Perhaps they would reconnect and share what happened with each other when they were separated. She might even show him her family! I wonder how many younglings she has…or who her husband is, he excitedly thought as he eventually ended up in front of her house. He slowed down to a walk as he cautiously approached the wooden building. He could tell through his mental link that he once thought was gone forever that this is definitely the building that his precious Akarli resided in. He was too caught up by the circumstances that he did not notice that there was absolutely no one outside in the village anymore. He did not even notice frightening individuals cautiously looking out their windows from behind curtains at the frightening creature that has surely come to take more prisoners. Perhaps even kill them right here in the village.

He did, however, notice the shouts and roars coming from the skies above him. He looked up when he noticed Saphira and Thorn here to see him meet his rider, or so he thought.

Shruikan! Saphira roared as she heavily landed in front of him while Thorn did the same next to her. Snow was kicked up from their wings as they flared before landing. You mustn't meet her yet, please! she begged which greatly confused the onyx dragon.

Eragon hopped off of Saphira. "You do not know how she will react after an absence of many years," he lied to get him to stop.

The dark creature narrowed his eyes. You do not understand what I am going through! he growled as he narrowed his eyes at them, smoke billowing out of his nostrils in anger. I have been waiting for this moment for weeks since I first heard that she is alive. Do you have any idea of how many nights I stayed awake in Galbatorix's castle while mentally berating myself for having dropped my rider during a storm? I thought I killed her! And now you want me to wait when I am literally standing outside her door? I don't care how she will react after years of my absence. I just want to be together with her at last so that I can just apologize to her!

Saphira was about to tell Shruikan the truth when her rider placed his palm upon her muzzle. "Wait," he ordered. He then looked upon the ground as he quickly went through the potential consequences should he do what he is thinking of. "Fine, Shruikan. Go ahead. Just know that what is about to happen is…," he paused as he again thought of how Shruikan may react towards him. "…it's all my fault for not telling you the truth earlier."

Shruikan stared questioningly at the young rider in front of him before looking at Saphira who simply looked away, unable to watch what might happen. Roran simply looked downwards while everybody else looked confused at what is going on. Slowly, he turned back towards the small (to his massive frame, anyway) wooden door that separated him from his past. He brought his tail around and slowly knocked three times at the door and waited.

Finally, the door opened up to a beautiful young woman that looked as if she had just awakened. She was dressed in what appeared to be sleepwear and her hair was a mess. But what struck Shruikan the most was the absolute fear in her eyes.

Akarli, he whispered so as not to frighten the already petrified individual.

Ignoring the fact that she could understand this beast in front of her, she stuttered, "G…get away f…from my house, you beast!" Shruikan's eyes widened but before he could call her name again she continued. "Leave me and my children alone be…before I kill you!" She then brandished a typical kitchen knife that she held behind her as if it would keep away a massive creature such as Shruikan. "Don't get any closer…leave! Just go away!" When Shruikan finally stepped back, she appeared satisfied. With a final "Go away!" she slammed the door shut and he could hear her lock it in several places.

The dragon in question turned around and stared at Eragon and Saphira with wide eyes but they both looked down to the ground ashamedly. "I wanted to tell you, Shruikan. Tell you that she has amnesia from that fall. She doesn't remember you. I'm so sorry," he slowly apologized.

Shruikan simply shook his head as if unbelieving that this had just happened. He then walked into the woods that were close to the house and disappeared from view. The sky suddenly rumbled as, instead of snow, rain began to fall.

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Sincerely,

The Aviator