Eragon! The single word busted into his mind, familiar memories filled him as he recognized that voice, Saphira. He couldn't help but smile, she seemed to sound older, wiser.

Little one…words could not express what the sapphire dragon was experiencing; if a dragon could cry she would have started to bawl. Warm, loving, comfort; all the emotions one felt after being reunited with a lost friend enveloped him through their mental link, he couldn't remember the last time he had actually heard her voice.

Saphira, what's going on; why is Murtagh here?

They wish to tell you, so I shall let them, Eragon you do not know how long I've awaited to hear from you…I though for sure that I'd never even see my Rider again…Curiosity over came the Rider as he stared at the two, "Why are we in Surda; what has happened since I've been captured, and do forgive me for asking, but why are you even here Murtagh…?" He tried not to sound harsh; his voice was slightly cracked deeper than he remembered it to be.

"You do deserve answers-

"Deserve? I deserve answers," he cut Murtagh off in mid sentence, infuriated by what he had said, "after you were the one to capture me; well forgive me but I believe you owe me the pleasure of answering them."

Murtagh didn't flinch, he acted as if it hadn't even happened, "Yes, well you deserve answers after all; shortly after you were captured the Varden disappeared, dissolving into the masses of the people. Galbatorix had no opposition then, though what he failed to realize was that the Varden was dissolved, not the people who fought against him.

"In secrecy, Nasuada ordered the people to lay waste to his armies; swiftly as possible. Once his numbers where thinned out by unknown attackers of the night, he ordered me to find them. I came across a silver dragon and a man who claimed to know me, he promised me freedom, but with a catch.

He knew how to break my oaths, and could do it himself, though he wasn't supposed to alter the future of things unless it could not be helped. To him, it was deemed necessary seeing as you were a captive and the people with out a voice were left defenseless. I have been free from the mad clutches of that man for some time now."

He stopped, and Nasuada picked it up, "And I have reorganized the Varden, though it is unknown to Galbatorix at this time. My first objective was to get my Rider back," she paused, giving him a small smile of relief, "now we had the best healers take care of you."

Eragon slowly processed the information in his mind; wrapping his brain around one thing at a time. It made sense; Edric was, from what he could remember, skilled in magic…though his memory was muddled, "How long…how long have I been absent?"

Murtagh looked briefly at Nasuada before he answered in a gentle tone, "It has been five years…I am sorry brother."

He had turned twenty in his time of captivity; he had missed so much…, "What of Roran and Katrina?"

"Ah, your cousin," Nasuada said merrily, "do not worry for we have found StrongHammer's wife and they have wed some time ago." I've even missed Roran's wedding…

Little one, there are several people waiting for you, Saphira murmured softly to him

"Well…then there is no sense in sitting here now is there, so why don't we go to the dinning hall?" Murtagh asked cheerfully, Eragon nodded and the three of them walked down to eat, judging by the sun light, breakfast.

Nothing had changed except for the people with in the walls of the castle of Abreon. (That how you spell it?) The halls buzzed with life, some starring oddly at Eragon while everyone they pasted would pause to mutter either, "Shur'tugal" or "Argetlam". Eragon smiled softly, it felt strange for people to not know him, yet at the same time he enjoyed it.

Nasuada wore her normal royal attire, mostly silk while Murtagh wore a rich crimson blood red tunic trimmed in gold, with Zar'oc belted to his black leather belt; a white undershirt could be seen underneath his tunic, he also wore knee high black leggings with soft leather black boots meeting were the material ended.

Eragon matched his brother, except he wore simple clothes; blue tunic with a white under shirt, white leggings, brown boots, the belt of Beoth the Wise (again that how you spell it… not sure and to lazy to look it up) with a temporary sword strapped to it.

It was an odd site; royals with a commoner, "Soon enough people will know you Eragon," Nasuada muttered softly, "and you won't be stared at like a complete stranger."

"Oh, but I don't mind really," replied Eragon, "I quiet enjoy actually being seen as a normal person…not someone better than everyone else."

"Yes, I do know what you mean brother…" the last words left his lips awkwardly, unsure if he was aloud to call him that, "it does get very annoying."

"Aye…brother." He tried to not make the word sound…forced, "What of the others, Orik, Raylene, Edric, Razi, and Arya." Pain twisted his heart slightly at the last name.

Murtagh and Nasuada halted, and looked at each other; dread filled the pit of Eragon's being. With out answering, Murtagh grabbed a hold of his sleeve and dragged him down a side hall, Nasuada following close behind, "Eragon…I never was friends with the elf, but I did know her enough to realize that you being gone had an effect on her."

"Shadeslayer, Eragon, they returned immediately after your capture; once it was definite that we could not find you and the possibility that you maybe dead…well Eragon believe me when I say this, I was her friend and knew her, Arya with drew even further into herself."

"Where is she?"

"Here, most likely on the training field teaching new recruits."

"Wait if the Varden dissolved…"

"King Orrin still has to run a country doesn't he; and might I add protect it too. Galbatorix believes that I am an independent force, he thinks that I am running about enjoying my freedom when I'm actually here, preparing for war once more."

"…Then that is were I am going, brother do you mind if I borrow your sword?"

"Of course," with that Murtagh handed over Zar'oc, "now do be careful you just healed after all."

Eragon laughed at his brothers over protectiveness, "Don't worry, I won't run with it either." A small scowl over came Murtagh's lips as his little brother dashed off down the hall way.

"Now see, he doesn't hate you," Nasuada spoke in a tantalizing manner.

Murtagh slipped one arm around her wrist, sulking, "Being a big brother is defiantly going to be an exasperating job…especially seeing as it is Eragon.