hehehehe, yes I know. I am evil. Enjoy!

He paced around the study quickly, stopping every now and then to check the landing fields to see if Fírnen was there. It was a month to the valley on dragon back. She should have been there by now. He was worried. His nephew had reported that a number of Riders left Vroengard two weeks ago. There was no official count yet as there had been a fight to keep them from leaving and some Riders had died, including two of the newest Riders, the Urgal and Dwarf. Both of them had been protecting each other and one of the older Riders struck them down as they left. Spies in Ilirea reported that Florina was there with Murtagh and at least six Riders that have been seen. Eragon felt powerless to help and not even Saphira was able to calm his mind about his decision. He had had a choice when Florina was kidnapped. He could have gone to Alagaësia and helped save her or stay in the valley and protect the dragons and the eggs. He had chosen the latter and now he felt that he had made the wrong decision.

"She will come, Little One." Saphira said. She was in the dragon hold above the castle. It was open to the sky from a hole in the plateau the castle was built into and Saphira liked to sun herself on nice days.

"She should have been here by now, Saphira. Lifaen said she left a month ago. She should have arrived last night. Something has happened to her."

"You can't be sure of that."

"And why not? Of those who knew her, I was the one who spent the most time with Florina. She is a great fighter."

"Yes, and Lifaen may know her better than you think you do. He's been her mate for the last two centuries."

"If Arya came across Florina on her way here,"

"Arya is a capable fighter. She has lived longer than most of the Riders here, including you and Florina." A knock on his door interrupted their conversation and Eragon opened it to admit Delinnëa. She entered with a tray of food for her uncle. "Delinnëa,"

"You haven't eaten for seven days, Uncle. You need to eat. Her Majesty would not have you starving yourself worrying about her. I'm sure something happened that she had to take care of first. Maybe Fírnen is hunting. With so many dragons about, it can be hard to find food sometimes."

"You haven't had the need to go to your mother, have you?"

"Of course I have a need to go to her. She is my mother. I could never see her as my queen, no matter what her sire has done to her. Oromis feels the same way."

"You talked about this and he didn't feel the need to go to her as a loyal son and heir." Eragon was surprised as Delinnëa nodded the affirmative and served them both food.

"Do you think she even knows we exist?" She whispered after a few minutes of silence, she hadn't touched her food.

"That would depend on what memories she has. I have been researching this blood magic. In some cases, theoretically, the blood magic will give a person certain memories to keep control of their victim. In your mother's case, you know she was born in Kuasta and openly fought against Galbatorix in Tronjhiem and on the Burning Plains and in Urû'baen. From what I have read, even the strongest memories a person has can be replaced with other memories. For instance, Florina could now remember being raised by Galbatorix and think of him as her father. If that is the case, everything she did during the war would be different to her. She may remember herself as a spy for him until she helped me to kill him, even though she may not know the exact reason for doing so." Eragon steepled his fingers like his uncle and Oromis used to do. "If this were the case, then she would not remember meeting Lifaen or even having feelings for him. She would not remember the roses he gave her or the fact that she has two children. Lifaen, you, and your brother are associated with those roses. If she doesn't remember receiving the first one, then she doesn't remember the person who gave it to her and what happened with that man afterwards."

"So you are saying that to her, Oromis and I do not exist as her children. Our human mother is dead and no one knows who she is." Eragon nodded.

"And that would render the blood magic powerless in the two of you as she does not recognize you as her blood. This magic is tricky. There is one woman, a witch of sorts, who would know the most about it. Last I heard, she was living somewhere in Du Weldenvarden. Moved there shortly after I left because of the laws regarding magic Nasuada put in place. She also knew your mother personally. She may be able to tell us more about this magic." He explained. Delinnëa stood up quickly.

"Tell me where she is. I will find her. If she can help us get Mom back."

"She keeps her location secret. Only Arya knows as queen. And right now, Arya is missing."

"Then I'll—"

"Master!" One of the Riders outside shouted.

"Eragon, come outside. Now!" Eragon grabbed his niece's hand pulled her from the study and to the takeoff area he had set aside for the larger dragons. They skidded to a stop as six of his students and their dragons took to the sky and flew out of the valley. Eragon used the Word to stop them, but they kept going. Several of the older students were mounting their dragons to go after them. Eragon stopped them and was glad when they listened.

"Blasted blood magic." Eragon spat. "We need to get rid of it. We don't know how she is calling her servants to her. I'm going to have to seal the valley. No one in or out." Evarínya padded up to them, saddle on and the bags packed. Delinnëa climbed onto her back and looked at her uncle.

"I'll find Arya. And then I'll find this witch and see if she will help us."

"Be careful outside the valley, Delinnëa. It's only a theory."

"I know, Uncle. But the sooner we find a cure, the sooner everyone will be safe again." She looked behind her and nodded to her brother who was standing at the top of the hill that formed their valley. He had kept himself locked in it for his safety and the safety of the others while she had begun wandering the valley again and attending lessons with the others. He nodded back and she looked forward again. "Let's go." She told Evarínya and the silver dragon took to the sky.

He reached out for Kilana as he woke and fully woke when he couldn't reach her. He took in his surroundings and noticed that he was in the dungeons of the castle in Ilirea. Then he remembered. Murtagh had come to the city and captured him. Edan had known that he wouldn't have had a chance against the ancient Rider, but had needed to give Kilana time to take Nadara and Galin to Surda and then to the dwarven capitol from there. It would be best for them to go to Vroengard or even Du Weldenvarden, but it wasn't likely that they would be able to make it, especially if the Golden Rider had summoned blood bound Riders to her. He had no doubt that she would be looking for Nadara soon enough. He didn't even know if the Golden Rider was in Ilirea. No one had come to see him since he had been captured when Murtagh arrived. Edan sighed and looked up at the ceiling. It was dark and dismal and nothing like he had been told of Nasuada's imprisonment by Galbatorix. Though, the Golden Rider was nothing like her sire, he hoped.

He sat up when the door opened. "Announcing, her royal majesty, Empress Florina, Daughter of King Galbatorix, Empress of the Empire of Alagaësia." Someone announced, one of the guards, and then the Golden Rider was standing before his cell. Edan stood up and faced her.

"Queen will do just fine. The Empress bit is too much. My father was a king and so I am queen. It would different if he introduced himself as Emperor Galbatorix. Now, go wait outside for me."

"Yes, Majesty." The guard left and Florina sighed. The door opened again and Murtagh joined her.

"Good, you're here." She said to him and then looked at Edan. "Is this the Rider who found here, trying to keep my birthright from me?"

"It is, Florina." He handed her Edan's sword. "He also had this."

"A Rider's blade." She looked at Edan. "You have completed your training."

"Enough that you would make me the blade, Golden Rider."

"That is no way to talk to your queen." Murtagh snapped and Edan folded over in pain.

"Enough, Murtagh. We need him with us. Not against us. We already have enough enemies. Soon enough, another Varden group will form and try to take my kingdom from me like they did my father."

"You gave it to Nasuada." Edan tried. "You became the leader of the Riders. You couldn't take the throne because of your responsibilities. And because of your sire." Florina opened the door and walked in and looked at the young Rider.

"You have much to learn, young Rider. I had been planted in the Varden as a spy all those years ago. Kuldra hatched for me just outside of these walls. I raised her in the woods for three months before returning to my father. Then, when word reached us of this new Rider, my younger brother, your master, we began planning. We knew that Brom would take him to the dwarves eventually. Didn't think he would die, the old fool. Either way, we planned my capture in Tronjhiem should Durza be defeated. And he was. Once I convinced them that I was against my father, they sent me to the elves to learn. Oromis never guessed that it was a ruse. And poor Glaedr would never have believed the truth about his daughter." She turned and nodded to Murtagh who left.

"I've nothing left to say to you." Edan said.

"Look, Edan. I know how hard this is for you now. It's not easy being separated from your dragon, the partner of your life. I had to do it myself to make my capture by my father look real. It was the longest few months of my life. You've sent her away to protect your family. But soon enough, you will be wishing you hadn't. I bet you don't even know where she is right now." Edan opened his mouth and then closed it. Florina was right. He didn't know where she was and he was already worried about Kilana. "I can find her. If you join with me. You can help me to protect our people. With your help, I can even protect Surda. They gave their blood in the war against my father and what do they get. Simple land and Nasuada's royal thanks. That's not fair. It'll never be fair. Join with me, and you can help them by giving them what they deserve."

"Go to hell." Edan spat and Florina sighed. She looked at him a moment before leaving without another word, closing the door behind her. She stopped a moment before walking out of sight.

"There are no Riders that are going to help Nadara. Eragon will keep what students he can in the valley. The rest will flee there or stay on Vroengard. The Riders who have already joined me are from there and they had to kill on their way out. Two of your fellow students I believe. A shame really." Then she was gone and Edan was left with her words, his thoughts, and his worries.

So, how do you like dark Florina? Do you think I could go further with her evil? Also, I have another AU up called Empire of Dragons. Thanks for reading and please review.