Ok, it's really short. I realize this. I also kno that I wasn't going to do this again… But really, this was the hardest chapter I have ever had to write, and I couldn't wait to make it longer, because it's already a day late :( I really did try and have it out by Monday. So, we're gonna pretend like the amazizingness of this chapter makes up for the length, even if it doesn't :D

Disclaimer: Don't own it. Sorry

Song: Viva La Vida, Coldplay

Chapter 25: Crumbling Down

Orik pov

Orik watched them go with sadness in his heart.

However, he knew that it was for the best; a blind man could have seen that Eragon was uncomfortable in the mountain Orik called home. And, the rest of the humans were anxious to regroup with their families.

As he put on a cheerful face and waved his companions off, he held on to his wife's hand tightly. Only she would know the troubles that lay underneath his beard.

Because, for all of the smiles he had exchanged, deep in his chest was a discomfort that couldn't be ignored, that said the next time Orik saw his foster brother it would be in troubled times.

He lowered his arm as they left his range of sight, and squeezed his queen's hand gently. He bit his lip, and looked deep into her eyes, thankful that there was one person who could know him completely.

Then he settled the detached mask over his face, and turned to take care of his people.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The only thought on anyone's mind that morning was to go as far as they could.

The small group traveled through the day, only stopping once, and not staying long enough to eat an actual meal, but rather just pieces of dried fruit that the dwarves had given them. And then, they were back on the horses, traveling at a fast walk. By the time night had fallen, they had covered more distance than most would have even tried for.

They made camp, and everyone gladly unpacked their bedding for the night. Angela appointed herself cook, and started dinner, as everyone else tried to will themselves to get up and help her.

As the food was prepared, conversation slowly started flowing through the camp. It was a peaceful, easy conversation. Light, fun. Everyone was relieved to be doing something again, and everyone was happy to be under the sky. Everyone was in a cheerful mood, and no one's smile seemed forced.

Throughout the meal, most everyone focused on the food. They were ravaged; their bodies had gotten used to three large meals a day, just in the short time they had stayed with the dwarves. But, about halfway through her second helping, Arya started asking Adreana questions.

No one paid particular attention, because the questions themselves were uninteresting. However, as they progressed, Arya got more and more focused, and the questions became more and more difficult. Soon enough, both Angela and Elva were watching Adreana carefully, seeing the signs of distress growing clearly on her features, and everyone else was staring unabashedly at Arya. However, Arya didn't seem to care, she just pressed on.

Eragon watched the exchange anxiously, sensing Adreana's growing discomfort as Arya continued to quiz her. She didn't pause to think, she just kept a steady stream of questions, increasing in complexity. Arya asked Adreana about the proper verb conjugates of the subjective pronouns in past tense… She asked of the word for everything she could think of, ranging from sword to flower… She asked for melting temperatures, fighting styles, ancient spell phrasings…

"Enough!"

Arya paused, midquestion, and looked to Eragon with an expression of mild surprise.

Eragon flushed at the look on her face. But he didn't back down. No matter his feelings for the elf, he couldn't watch in silence. "She's my responsibility, technically. I should be the one to test her knowledge… Arya, please," he hurried to add, at the look on her face, "listen. You are extremely capable, but I was the one who went through the training. You weren't even there during the last month of it- perhaps it would be better if I tested Adreana in areas that she would need to be tested in?"

Arya looked at him for a long moment. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and the smallest scowl set itself in her features. But, she nodded, curtly, and as soon as they were done with dinner, Eragon and Adreana left.

As they took to the skies, Eragon delighted in the feeling of wind on his face. As they gained in altitude, the dragons wove an intricate arc, weaving around each other in a dance that only they knew. After the campground below was nothing more than a speck in the landscape, they leveled out and glided lazily. They flew for a little less than half an hour, coming to a secluded clearing in the forest that they had been traveling in that day. After a few moments of silence, Adreana looked at Eragon with her wide grey eyes. "Thank you. So much…"

"Of course, Adreana. I could see that you were uncomfortable." He smiled at her.

She smiled back, and bit her lip. He saw a hint of darkness fill her eyes, for just a moment. He didn't believe it was an angry darkness, but rather a nervous, maybe frightened, one. But she blinked a few times, and he felt the warmth return to them. "Please, it's not Adreana. Not anymore."

He looked at her, confused, for a moment, before understanding graced his features, followed by a wide smile. "Of course, Addy."

The two talked for the rest of the evening, and well into the night, stopping only as the sun started over the horizon. The original plans forgotten as the two got to know each other. Nothing of deep importance was discussed, rather just childhood stories, tall tales that they grew up with, the beliefs of their people. Neither one of them thought to tell the others where they were; they were Riders, alone in the wilderness. Nothing would hurt them.

So, they built the fragile beginnings of a friendship, of a partnership that both could lean on and trust, unconditionally. They both knew that it would take longer than just the three days they had been talking, but they also knew that they had been foolish to think that they would be able to do otherwise.

They were Riders; it was their job to uphold the peace. If they couldn't present a united bond, then the resistance of the free people would crumble. When the Riders and their dragons headed back to camp that night, none of them thought that perhaps the fragile partnership would need to be tested soon, that something other than the peoples' resistance would crumble that night.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Murtagh pov

Murtagh had been waiting, watching their camp since the last hint of daylight left the skies.

Now, with the sky starting to lighten in the East, it was clear that the Rider wasn't going to turn up, had maybe flown ahead, and the girl with him.

But no matter.

There was a mission to be finished, and there were choices to be made.

The first time around, the young woman hadn't been any help anyways. And the king had been clear; if there wasn't a girl in his throne room in three days time, people would be punished.

Murtagh shuddered. He looked around the camp, his gaze stopping on a figure that seemed remotely familiar. He thought for a moment, his eyes lighting in an unwilling grin as he realized from where.

He pointed, drawing the soldiers' attention to the sleeping form. "That one," he whispered.

Maybe the girl hadn't been much help, but perhaps her sister would be.

The master would be pleased.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

No one was prepared.

They came in the middle of the night, and left just as quickly as they came.

Afterwards, it was clear that no one was hurt. The soldiers had put fire to the forest surrounding them, and had made a lot of racket with their swords.

But, the attack had lasted less than a minute. Roran had been shot from afar, with a dart that made him drop into unconsciousness, leaving him unable to warn the others. It couldn't have been prevented.

There was a full fledged panic when they realized that five of their party was missing; however, as the morning drew closer, four of them returned.

But, as they saw the damage, the looks on everyone's face, the younger Rider clutched at her companion. Besides her wretched sobs, the silence deepened. Because no one wanted to answer the one question that she kept asking.

"Where's my sister?"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ayla pov

She woke to a slight rocking, and a horrid pain flashing in the back of her head, with no remembrance of how she had gotten it.

She could only remember angry voices… flashes of magic, the metallic twang of swords drawn.

And then warm arms, carrying her from the tragic scene. A soft voice, familiar, but lost in the recesses of her memories…

"I'm so sorry. But you're safe with me. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you."

The only sound that broke the silence that ensued was boots running around her, and a broken sob that escaped the darkness, making her want to turn around, if only her legs would work.

As Ayla fell back into an uneasy sleep, as she struggled to remember who she was, and why she would want to go back to the one that was sobbing. As the darkness claimed her again, two words took over her thoughts, chanting around and around her mind.

"I promise."

Review please. I can't promise an update out till this weekend, cuz school starts tomorrow. Ick. But, I'll keep up on the updates. I promise :D

**Hey. I just realized... I didn't say it would be more than one Monday. Oops. But, I did get it out on time, kinda, if you knew what was going on at least :)**