The Return of the Guardian

Chapter 14

Eragon was not relieved when the village's guards gave up on their pursuit. He knew that they would just inform the King and the King would send his minions, the Urgals, or worse, the Ra'zac. For two nights they did not camp, rather, they took short breaks before continuing on. When they were finally exhausted, Saphira made them set up camp. I am stronger than you, so I can stay up longer. I will keep first watch while you sleep. Tomorrow, you will keep watch and I will sleep. We need the rest.

She was right. If they were attacked, they lacked the strength to defend themselves, and Eragon did not like that option either. Fine. Eragon halted his horse and explained to Murtagh what Saphira had said. "We should risk a fire as well. The nights have been cold and our food would taste better heated."

Eragon could not help but chuckle. "I agree." He helped Lena off Snowfire before setting up her bed. Each day, he made sure to administer her medication, and it has helped, but the lack of sleep did not. She was awake, but only just. "Do you think you can stay awake until dinner, or do you just want to head to bed now?"

Lena shrugged. "I don't know, but I will try to stay awake. I am really hungry." Her voice was still hoarse, but that was only one of the few symptoms that still ailed her. The fever, rash, nausea, and vomiting had all been treated leaving her with only a sore throat and a few headaches. Upon leaving the village, Eragon was unsure how Lena would fare, but he was impressed by her strength and surprised that she was still awake, even though he knew that she was not all there mentally. She was in a delicate state of mind, but he was glad that she was all right.

"Why don't you just sit down next to Saphira, her body heat can keep you warm." Taking her by the hand, he led her to his dragon. When Murtagh had finished building the fire and heating up the food, he handed two bowls to Eragon.

"You might have to feed her, else, she may fall asleep in her bowl," he said, gazing at Lena with sympathy.

"I think you are right." Eragon sat down next to her. "Lena?"

At the mention of her name, she forced her eyes open to stare into his blue orbs, but only for a few seconds as her eyelids became heavy once more. She heard her name again and tried to open her eyes, but to no avail. She was tired, so very tired. She heard Eragon hand back the bowl of food and prop up against Saphira. He was close, less than a foot away, but he was still too far for her. With all her strength, she maneuvered herself until her head rested upon his shoulder. Feeling safe, warm, and comfortable, she allowed sleep to take her.

Eragon was stunned by her actions, Murtagh laughing hysterically in the background. Lena had snuggled up to him and had fallen asleep on his shoulder. Granted, he welcomed the fact that he had become her pillow, but he was still trying to process what had happened. When Murtagh caught his breath, he said, "She really likes you." Behind him, Saphira vibrated as she hummed in amusement.

"Stop it, the lot of you. Lena is ill and is not herself, you know that."

Murtagh rolled his eyes. "You are still trying to use logic? It won't help, not in this situation."

"What do you mean?" Eragon was confused.

"Look at her; she's tired, so tired that her defenses are gone, making her rely purely on instinct. And, her instinct is telling her to be with you." He winked.

"Shut up, you made that up."

"I did not!" He raised his arms in defense.

Saphira laughed harder. You might want to listen to him on this, Little One.

What, you agree? Eragon could not believe what he was hearing. You sure I am not asleep and this is all a strange dream?

Oh, stop your whining. Be glad she likes you; it's what you wanted anyways.

Eragon could not respond for she was right. "Right, if she subconsciously likes me, then what happens when she wakes up?"

"Ah, you mean when she finally gains consciousness and finds herself asleep on you. Simple, just pay attention to her reaction. If she is embarrassed, then you know full well that she likes you, but is too shy to admit it. If she becomes a bit startled, but eventually accepts it, then you know she likes you as well. That is the reaction you really want because she has accepted that she likes you and is no longer hiding the truth."

"How will I know if she has accepted the truth?"

"She will just stay glued to your shoulder."

"Oh…"

"Now, listen carefully, the reaction you do not want is disgust. If she wakes up and becomes angry or disturbed in any way, you have trouble. Your reaction plays a role as well."

"What?"

"It's best if I give you an example. Let's say she wakes up and accepts her feelings, but you say something stupid that gets her upset. Now you just ruined what you took so long to build. Relationships are fragile, especially early on. You finally got her to openly love and trust you, well subconsciously, but tomorrow is the main test. Don't screw up."

"Gee, thanks." Eragon said with heavy sarcasm.

Murtagh smiled. "Oh cheer up. I am sure you will do fine, that last bit was just me trying to scare you."

"Of course." Eragon rolled his eyes before returning his gaze back to Murtagh. They stared at each other for about ten seconds before they erupted in laughter. "Right, I think we should get some sleep," he said as soon as he could breathe again.

Murtagh nodded and unrolled his blanket. "Good night, Eragon."

"Good night." Only minutes passed before the two men were fast asleep, the mighty dragon keeping watch in the still night.

Eragon winced as a sharp pain infiltrated his head. He could feel sweat upon his brow and his heart beating fast, but he could not escape the prison of his mind. Clenching his fists, he endured for what seemed like hours, until his world became pitch black and the pain subsided. Before consciousness could take over, the woman with raven black hair emerged from the darkness, blood streaming down her face.

A soft, angelic, voice called his name, guiding him out of the darkness and into the light, quite literally. Eragon closed his eyes immediately as the sun nearly blinded him. "Eragon?" Carefully re-opening his eyes, squinting into the bright light, he could make out the outline of Lena hovering above him. The golden rays of the sun made her look as if she really were glowing like an angel. Her beauty was breathtaking, but his reaction as short lived as the darkness of his dream perverted his mind once again.

With a yelp, he sat up, almost slamming into Lena, and clutched his head. "Eragon, are you all right? What's the matter?"

"It was that recurring dream again, wasn't it?" Murtagh's sudden voice started Lena.

Eragon looked at Murtagh and nodded. "It was the dream, but this time it was different; it was darker, more sinister, and she called out to me. She needs my help."

"Wait, what? What dream. Tell me, what is going on." Lena backed away from Eragon and crossed her arms.

Murtagh sighed, "Lena, he had the dream of the imprisoned woman again."

"Oh," Lena stared at the ground. "So, he told you about the dream but not me."

"No…I thought you knew." Murtagh faced Eragon once more. "Tell me that you told her and that she just forgot."

Eragon stared at him blankly and shook his head. "No, I don't think I told her."

Lena uncrossed her arms, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Eragon shrugged. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Murtagh frantically shake his head as if to say, "no" to something. Unsure what else to say, he glanced at Lena and said, "I just forgot." Murtagh threw up his hands and Lena glared at him with cold eyes.

"You just forgot. Wow." She scoffed and crossed her arms again.

Realization began to take hold of Eragon as he shifted his gaze from Lena to Murtagh. "Oh no," he whispered under his breath. Standing up, he rushed over to Lena.

"Stay away from me."

"Lena, I didn't mean it like that. The last time I had that dream you were asleep and Murtagh noticed my discomfort. I told him about the dream and by the time morning came around, it never occurred to me that I should have told you. I'm so sorry."

Lena looked at Murtagh. "He is telling the truth."

"Fine, he's telling the truth, but it doesn't matter now."

"What?" Even Murtagh became confused.

"You said that you need to help her. Is that what you do? Help women in distress? Hmm?"

Eragon became defensive. "No! Lena, I—"

"Really? 'Cause to me it sure looks that way. Tell me, did you dream if me before I came stumbling down the hill with the wolves behind me?" Lena practically screamed, tears forming at the corners of her eyes.

"No." Eragon reached out for her hand, but she recoiled.

"I trusted you, Eragon." Without any warning, she ran off to be alone.

"Lena!" Eragon was about to run after her, but before his feet could move, Murtagh knocked him to the ground. "Murtagh, get off me."

"Listen to me; you remember what I said to you last night. Well, you screwed up and if you run after her, you are going to dig yourself into an even deeper hole. Let her go for now; she needs her space. In a little while, I will go and talk to her."

"Look, I made a mess of things and I am going to be the one to clean it up, not get off of me!"

"Stop being so damn stubborn, Eragon."

"Get off!" Reciting a phrase in the Ancient Language, Eragon forced Murtagh off of him, making him hit his back against a tree.

"Fine! Go lose her forever." Murtagh fumed.

"Shut up!"

Eragon! Saphira's roar made the two men silent. You may not listen to him, but you will listen to me. Let Lena calm down; talking to her now will make her even more upset. Women are jealous creatures, trust me, I know. Pretty words are not enough anymore; you need to prove that you love her through your actions now.

Saphira, I took care of her when she was ill—I risked everything to make sure she got better. How is that not proof?

Little One, you have to show your love differently. You want to help the imprisoned woman as well, and to Lena, that woman is a threat. Do you understand now?

Eragon sat down upon a boulder, placing his head in his hands. "How can I prove my love?"

Murtagh carefully got up and paced over to Eragon. "Give Lena some time to see that your love is true, despite the compassion you give to others. I think she has been hurt in the past, else, she may not have reacted this strongly. Will you let me talk to her later?"Giving up, Eragon nodded. "Good." When Eragon did not look satisfied, he said, "She still loves you, Eragon; she is just upset. Remember that."

By evening, Murtagh deemed it time to find Lena. "I doubt she went far; she knows the woods are dangerous." After searching the area for about ten minutes, he finally found the young woman sitting under a tree, hugging her knees. Her eyes were red and puffy from the tears she had shed, making her look quite pitiful. The sight made Murtagh almost want to weep as well.

"Lena?" He was answered with silence. "Lena, I just want to know if you are all right. It's getting dark and I was getting worried." He knew Eragon was worried sick as well, but he purposely left out his name.

"How can I face him? I can't, not after what happened. What am I to do?"

"Lena, you cannot be out here all alone."

"But I am not alone."

"Do not say that, Lena. You know what I meant." When he was certain that she would not come onto him again, he continued, "You have to come back sometime, so it might as well be sooner rather than later."

"You don't understand. I can't face him."

"You're afraid, why?" He crouched down before her.

"We can never be a couple, Murtagh."

"You still love him."

Lifting her head she met his gaze. "With all my heart."

"But you are still really mad at him. Lena, in time—"

"No." Her tone was heavy and serious.

"Excuse me?" Murtagh was sure he knew why Lena was upset, but so far, she showed no signs of her previous anger.

"I already have forgiven him, but I cannot be with him anymore."

"Lena, what is this about; what is really troubling you?"

"I can't tell you." She felt her eyes become wet once more.

"Why not? Have I not proven myself to be a trusted companion?" Right after the words slipped out, he mentally chastised himself. "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

"It's fine. I can't tell you because I do not know how to tell you. I am different, Murtagh."

Begging, he asked, "Can you please try?"

Lena became quiet for a moment before she sighed. "All right. I am not like most Alagaesian girls because I am not from Alagaesia. I am from Earth."