Thanks for the help Janika…I took most of the advice…but I like to spin these chapters differently from the book so I gave it a new purpose of things…

Hope you guys like this chapter. A lot of female backstabbing…

Chapter 28: Romantic Revelations on the image you want to capture and say, 'Let that which I see in my mind's eye be replicated on the surface of this tablet,'" Oromis was saying. "Look around you and pick something worth keeping forever, Marie."

Marie nodded and turned away from Oromis to stare at the stars glistening above her, down to the field blossoming tulips with dancing fireflies. She smiled lightly, wanting to capture it all. Her head jerked up as she heard sounds coming from the pond next to Oromis's and, with her tablet, moved to see what it was.

Oromis followed her slowly as she turned out of sight and around the corner of the hut. When he turned around the bend himself, he watched his student as her eyes met the sight of Oropher ad Saphira nudging one another and playing. Water splashed upon their dancing, sparkling hides and sent rays of blue, gold and white cascading upon the grass around the pond. Oropher ducked and laid in the pond, disrupting some frogs that croaked angrily at him. Oropher moved in apology, only to have saphira catch him off guard and tackle him.

Oromis walked to Marie's side and found her smiling. "Is this what you would like to capture?"

Marie nodded and she began the ritual. Her eyes stayed set upon the scene before her in concentration. Even though her subjects were moving, she knew how she wanted the fairth to turn out. She let her feelings about the dragons spill into her mind, pushing any wandering thought out. Her passion and gratitude towards their romance only brought tears to her eyes as she concentrated and then she spoke, "Let that which I see in my mind's eye be replicated on the surface of this tablet."

Marie watched as the scene in front of her formed on the tablet. The colors flowed and spun together, weaving a glorious sight until they stopped. There on the once black tablet was a beautiful rendering of the dragons playing. Saphira had her neck arched and was angling downward, to poke her mate. Oropher was in mid-roll, his face comically panicked as he tried to dodge the female's light blows. Everything but the dragons was blurred and barely decipherable. The sides of their hides glistened but was otherwise dark with the night. Their eyes protruded feelings and love for one another and even their body tones described it.

Oropher took the fairth and studied it himself. "You and Eragon…have such a similar way of thinking…"

Marie glanced at him. "Why do you say that? He showed me the pine needles…I do not see similarities."

Oromis only handed her the fairth back. "He did another one after the first…when Arya, Orik and the humans came by for the lesson and you were flying."

Marie looked at him questioningly. "What was it of?"

"If he has not shown you, then I shant tell you…it is for him to decide who sees it or not. He did not show Lady Arya, Master Dwarf or the humans. Only me…," Oromis replied. "I shall only describe that both of you tend to let your feelings interrupt what the true picture really is. And what you imagine comes out on paper more than what you really see. Eragon made something that was not even in front of him and you turned a dragon play-match into something passionate…something that represented more than a silly game. This is rusty, Marie, but very very beautiful. The elves would be honored to see a piece such as this."

Marie nodded, holding the fairth out so that she may see it again, trying to look at it through Oromis's eyes, but only seeing what had been before her, if only a sloppy remake.

"That is all for today…you may go back to your room. We've already gone over," Oromis said.

Marie nodded and turned back to the playing dragons. Oropher…let's go now.

All right…Okay! He shouted the last part as Saphira dove again at him, a dragony laugh escaping her lips. He dodged away from her and trotted out of the pond to stand in front of Marie, soaking wet.

Marie laughed and shook her head. I swear, you two are like two little kids flirting with one another.

Oropher nudged her, letting her shoulder get wet. You should not talk. You and your man-Rider are the same.

Hush! Marie glanced at Oromis as he turned and walked back into his hut. You never know, dragon.

All right, all right, calm down. Only teasing, Oropher replied. He snaked his head around her shoulder to look at the fairth. Come on, let's see it!

Oh fine…here, Marie said, holding up the fairth. Oropher did not speak as his golden eyes ran over the piece. He looked at it from up close and then pulled away to scan it from very far. He tilted his golden and pearl head to one side and then to the other. Minuted later after more twisting and turning, Oropher spoke.

This is a beautiful piece, Marie…You…captured the way I feel.

Saphira stood beside him, looking down at the piece as well. It should never be destroyed…it is a piece beyond pieces…

Marie blushed and nodded at the compliments. She turned and looked at the blue dragon. Did you, by any chance, get to see the fairth Eragon did today…the one he won't show anyone.

Why, have you?

No…

Yes. I will not explain it to you. It is his own piece.

Marie narrowed her eyes at Saphira then but shrugged. Where is he anyway?

Call to him, yourself, Saphira replied. She shrugged and let out a dragony sigh, blue flames escaping her nostrils momentarily. I'm going to bed. I don't feel too well after that play.

Are you all right? Oropher asked in concern, turning to her.

Marie frowned as they began to talk lovingly to one another and she cut off her presence from their minds, only letting a conscience of her own dragon slip through so that she may widen it if something were to happen.

She closed her eyes and sent her conscious self hurling through the watery barrier of magic and stretched it forth, searching for a presence. She found the one she was searching for and touched it, as slight as a whisper of the wind or a brush of hands.

Eragon let her into his presence fully when they met and she felt his happiness. Hello, Marie…how was the lesson?

Excellent. I made a decent-looking fairth, Marie said.

Really? Do show it to me when you get here, okay? Eragon offered.

Marie hesitated for a moment. Okay then…we shall swap pictures.Is that all right?

Eragon was silent and Marie felt him close off a rather large amount of his mind. I…don't want to show mine.

Why not?

Because…not now. You will see it, Marie…just not now.

What makes a difference if I see it now or then?

A big difference…look, can't you just trust me?

That hit Marie home. Eragon was beginning to sound rather defensive at it and Marie wanted to stay as far away from fighting him on things as she could. She knew battles were nearing…she could feel it. If she risked going to battle thinking ill of the one person who understood and loved her the most, she might regret it for the rest of her life.

Fine…I trust you.

Marie was hit then with unintentional waves of relief and gratefulness before Eragon forced those away too. Are you almost here?

No, I'm walking…Saphira is feeling a little ill after playing around with Oropher and they're going to spend the night out here, next to Oromis's, Marie replied. Sensing distress from Eragon, she quickly settled him with encouraging words.

Eragon was silent for a moment before saying, I'll come and meet you…we can come back together.

Okay…

Marie broke off the concection slowly then, only letting ghim trickle his consciousness in like her connection with Oropher. She walked silently among the trees, the sounds of nightingales and owls calling from the trees and flashes of deer bounding to their homes in the night. Marie sighed as she strode beneath the moonlight, thoughts of Eragon's fairth, Trianna, and the ever nearing fate of battling Galbatorix.

AAAAAAAA

Eragon leaped out of his home in the trees, landing on a knee. He straightened, brushing himself off and preparing to leave when a voice cut through the air. He spun around, Zar'roc unsheathed and hungry for blood. However, his eyes only met those of Trianna, who was leaning against the tree. He sighed and sheathed his blade.

"Dear, Rider…it has been some time since we last spoke," she called softly. She removed herself from the tree and began to step slowly towards him. "If you remember where we last left off…I think we can pick it up again."

Eragon's eyes narrowed and his face heated up as she walked closer to him. He began to step backwards, watching her eyes with rising panic. "I can't, Trianna…I don't…"

"Oh, hush, Eragon," Trianna said, a giggle escaping her lips. "I understand this could jeopardize us both…but think of what we almost became in Farthen Dur…we can still be that close again. We'll rule Du Vrangr Gata together…"

Eragon's blush seized to rise as he was beginning to understand what Trianna's intentions were. He let out a grunt as his back bumped a tree. She had him cornered.

"So what do you say?" Trianna said, her voice low. She leaned up against him and let her hands slide across his chest.

Eragon was frozen in place, wondering faintly how he should move her out of his way. Trianna smiled lightly and stood on her toes, her lips nearing his when, Where are you? I'm almost back already!

Marie's voice knocked Eragon back into place and his hands flew out, knocking Trianna to the ground.

She rolled and twisted and when she stopped in a heap, she turned and looked at him with accusing, incredulous eyes. "I thought…" Her eyes narrowed angrily. "You were interested in me!"

Eragon looked at her, his eyes wide. "N-no…not anymore…I…gotta go meet someone."

He shook his head and tore off into the forest, looking in a panic for Marie. His heart thumped within in chest as he realized what he almost did. He hadn't been interested in Trianna this time…but he had let himself be overwhelmed by the forwardness of the woman. She was a bit older than Marie and himself and put off the air of experience and womanhood. He shook his head in frustration. And she knew it would get to me!

Eragon's eyes raked through the forest, searching until he found her. She looked up at him in surprise as he raced towards her. "Eragon? Are you all right?"

"Oh!" Marie could barely speak as Eragon lifted her into his arms and kissed her, as if kissing her would relieve him of Trianna's tainting ploys or what she almost accomplished. His arms wrapped around her smaller body and he held her close to him as her fairth flopped from her hands and lightly onto the mossy grass floor. He took in the sweet taste of her lips and felt her go limp within his arms.

He stopped then for a moment, and looked at her. She was breathing shakily, her eyes shut and a small smile on her lips. He stared after her wonderingly. Had he just done to her what Trianna had caused himself to do. The other magician had caused him to go rigid and uncomfortable and immobile.

Eragon studied Marie as she opened her green eyes and looked up at him. He had made her go immobile, that was certain but she didn't look uncomfortable. She looked blissful and happy.

"Are you okay?" Her voice met his ears and he nodded, setting himself down on the grass beneath their feet to lean against a tree.

Eragon nodded again, as if trying to tell himself he was and he closed his eyes and tilted his head back against the tree. Marie sat down beside him and searched his face. "What…was that for? …Not that I minded it or anything…"

Eragon leaned upward and looked at her again. "I just…just never let me forget you. Ever…"

Marie stared at him, her brows together in confusion before Eragon leaned in slowly this time and kissed her lips again.

A noise from the trees made them both start out of the position and Eragon leapt to his feet, his hand on Zar'roc again. He glanced at his companion who had her blade out as well. They waited for a few moments, before relaxing and lowering their weapons.

Marie sighed, sheathing Brom's old blade. "It was probably some deer."

Eragon watched the forest for a few more moments, suspicious before dropping it and nodding, repeating Marie's gesture with Zar'roc. "Yeah…probably."

Marie turned to him. "Are you sure you're alright? You came to me like I was in trouble or something…like when I went to that glade before Farthen Dur…"

The memory of when Marie had disappeared on a walk flooded back into Eragon's mind like a bad dream and he closed his eyes with a groan. "Yeah…no. No, it wasn't anything like that. I just…I had a run-in with Trianna and…can we just forget about it?"

Marie's eyes suddenly sharpened and glittered dangerously. "What about Trianna? What happened?"

Eragon suddenly felt the familiar panic rise again as he watched Marie's form tense. "Nothing, Marie. She tried to…well…she pulled what she did in Farthen Dur and-"

"Did you let her?" Marie demanded.

Eragon's face twisted into a scowl. "How unfaithful do you think of me? I told you to trust me!"

Marie's eyes widened and then she looked to the grass, her face contorted with a mixture of pain and worry. She sighed and closed her eyes. "I'm sorry…I'm sorry I doubted you. I…don't want to fight."

Eragon shook his head and turned her shoulders to face him. She kept her eyes to his feet as he touched her face. "No…I don't want to fight either…I keep thinking of the battle that will eventually lie ahead of us. Of fighting Galbatorix and…I can't fight with you."

Marie nodded and finally met his eyes. "Aye…me too."

Eragon leaned down and kissed her once more before taking her hand and urging her back to the city limits. She bent and lifted her fairth and held it close to her as they left. He sighed and her her near him as their fee tbegan to take them back to Ellesmera. "Let's go back…Trianna wasn't too pleased with me pushing her to the ground."

Marie's eyes widened as they walked. "You pushed her?"

"Yeah…"

AAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Trianna watched angrily as Eragon dashed into the forest. She had almost gotten him. She had felt him freeze under her hands as she touched his chest. He had been hers. She would've pulled him into a room, seduced him and gotten him on her side.

However, the second she was about to make it…the second her lips were about to seal the deal, he jump-started and pushed her away. Trianna slammed her fist into the ground furiously. He said he was going to meet someone. Who could possibly have torn him away from her like that? Did someone touch his mind and she wasn't aware of it? Or were they already connected?

She got to her feet as she thought of the female Rider. Eragon hadn't liked it when she had interfered before. So…it should be the same now…unless there was something between the Riders now. Trianna's lips twisted into a sneer as she thought madly of how the girl Rider had overpowered her in Farthen Dur. Exposing a forbidden relationship would definitely be a great cause of revenge. And Eragon wouldn't dare tell of what had conspired here, or his reputation would be farther tarnished.

Trianna leapt to her feet and bounded easily into the forest after Eragon. Keeping up with Eragon was no easy task. While the magician wasn't honestly attracted to him, she still found that his build was pleasing, and definitely well off enough where he could easily outrun her. As it was, he was almost running away from her, so his trail was lost in a matter of minutes.

She stopped and tried to listen for his feet, only to hear nothing but the sound of the forest. Frowning, she was about to turn back when she heard voices.

"Are you okay…?"

Slowly, she crept amongst the trees and peeked out from the bushes to meet Eragon turning away from the horrid female Rider and sit down at the base of a tree.

Trianna watched, feeling a bit jealous as the girl reached and touched Eragon's arm. He did not flinch, or turn away from her. He sat there, letting her touch him.

Trianna watched as he nodded and sighed. She looked the the female Rider again as the girl spoke, "What…was that for? …Not that I minded it or anything…"

Trianna's brows rose. Did that mean he kissed her? Even the simplest kiss would do them both in. Trianna could twist it any way she wanted as long as she could them in the act.

"I just…just never let me forget you. Ever…"

Trianna finally got what she was looking for. She watched then as Eragon leaned forward towards the girl and pressed his lips against hers. Trianna's eyes widened and her lips twisted into an angry scowl as Marie shut her own and returned the kiss.

With a silent curse, Trianna stood and darted away silently. She cursed again and almost cried out as she stepped on a branch, the crack undoubtedly alerting the Riders that they were being disturbed. Trianna froze, waiting for the opportune moment. She couldn't move…she couldn't risk them capturing her. She knew she wasn't too keen on magic. That was exactly why she had planned on seducing Eragon. But it appears he is already lying with another girl.

When no sounds from the Riders following her came, Trianna continued her flight swiftly and silently.

AAAAAAAAAAAA

Marie and Eragon released their hands as they exited the forest and stopped at Marie'shome to drop off her fairth. Then they began to head down the paths to the Dinner Hall, enjoying the sights of the city lit up at night. They smiled and spoke with one another as they walked when the sound of urgent voices met their ears.

"Yes! It's true!" Eragon realized that the voice he heard was Trianna's. What happened?

They rounded the bend and saw Trianna talking with pained eyes to Lifaen, whose face was grim and angrier than Marie had ever thought.

"There! There they are!" Trianna shouted, pointing at them.

Marie and Eragon exchanged confused and worried glances when Lifaen met their eyes and stalked over to them. In one swift motion he had Eragon by the neck of his shirt and had risen him off his feet, staring mercilessly into the Rider's eyes.

"Lifaen!" Marie cried, racing to the elf's side and grabbing his arm.

Lifaen shoved her away without looking and continued to glare fiercely at Eragon. His voice was low when he finally spoke. "You better hope…for your sake that she is not with child."

Eragon's angry eyes widened. "What? What are you talking abo-"

Lifaen tossed Eragon to the ground, sending him sprawling in a heap. "Come, Riders. The Queen has requested an urgent meeting. We have already sent for the dragons and Oromis."

Marie went to Eragon's side on the ground and helped him to his feet. "What's going on?"

Eragon shook his head angrily and scowled. "I think I know…"

"Now, Riders."

Eragon nodded and grimly followed Lifaen, Marie trailing behind him, confused and miserable. As they stalked to the Queen's quarters, they met the eyes of Trianna who only watched them with a vicious triumph.

AAAAAAAAAAA

A half an hour later, a small group, much like the one of the Council of the Eggs was assembled, save the absence of Arya, Jormunder, Orik and the elven councilers.

Eragon and Marie were the only ones seated in the room, sitting on too small chairs in the Queen's sitting room. Their heads were lowered as the Queen and Lifaen stood above them. Trianna watched mercilessly from the sidelines and the dragons, saphira being a bit weak sat behind them.

Oropher and Saphira had pried for answers as to wy they were summoned but no one replied.

Oromis was leaning grimly against the wall behind Lifaen and the Queen and Glaedr had his head resting on the ground outside, an eye watching dangerously from outside.

"What…is this rumor that has reached my ears, Riders?" the Queen spoke slowly and calmly.

When Eragon and Marie realized that the question wasn't rhetorical, and they glanced at one another in panic. Eragon finally looked up at her. "I have not yet heard a rumor-"

"No! I imagine you haven't!" the Queen interrupted. "It is after all not a rumor, is it? It is true! I have searched the mind of that human girl-" She gestured to Trianna. "-and have found it to be true. You have laid with Marie!"

Eragon scowled and stood furiously. "I have done no such thing!"

Lifaen's sword was out before anyone could breathe and was gently pressed against Eragon's neck in a matter of seconds. "I suggest you sit down now, Shadeslayer."

Saphira snarled and watched Lifaen with a warning eye. Lifaen eyed her back with the same ferocity. "Fighting with you, Brightscales will only end in pain. I will stop at nothing to save my Queen and you would die before you let someone harm him. Before things get bloody, tell your Rider to sit back down."

Eragon…let's explain your side calmly…do as the elf says, Saphira said slowly and angrily. She was not willingly telling her Rider to comply.

Eragon shook with rising anger and his lips were tight as he sat back down stiffly. Only then did Lifaen lower his sword.

Islanzadi's brows met with disgust. "Trianna told us of how she followed you into the forest…hoping to apologize for trying to seduce you. When she saw you on the forest floor with her."

Marie's face twisted with fury as Islanzadi spat her name out. "Do you know what shame you have wrought upon the elves? Upon the Riders? This is how the Riders spend their free time…making love to one another behind the backs of their caretakers. What if she is with birth, Shadeslayer? How will either of you fight with a child?"

"I told you! I did not lay her!" Eragon yelled.

"I saw it in the mind of the human! You were with her in the glade! You kissed!" the Queen shouted.

Lifaen spoke this time, "Shadeslayer…give it up. You will only bring more shame…"

"Lifaen!" Marie interrupted.

Lifaen glared at her. "I knew you there was something between you two…I saw it before the Council started…I just…hadn't known." Lifaen looked away. "I thought you would respect us, more then that, Lady Swiftblade."

Oromis straightened himself and walked to the front. "I think we elves need to stop now before we embarrass ourselves any longer."

"You, Rider! How dare you say such things!" Islanzadi demanded.

"My queen," Oromis said with a sigh. "You have always ruled this country with grace and dignity but…you have always had a knack for jumping to conclusions. Have you searched the minds of the Riders to confirm what you saw?"

The Queen sat still and stuttering for a moment when Oromis started again, "Did Lady Trianna's mind actually show the Riders lying with one another?"

"They were on the grass-"

"It is quite obvious that these two have an intimate relationship…whether they have taken it a step farther or not is yet to be known," Oromis said.

Marie and Eragon looked at Oromis, tears of gratitude in their eyes. Islanzadi studied them for a moment and then sighed and grasped her brows. "Riders…we are at grave times right now and…I am not at my best. Forgive me."

Marie and Eragon didn't reply. Marie returned her gaze to the floor and Eragon stared angrily at his knees. The Queen sighed. "I know it will not forgive the accusation, but I am truly sorry. You have to understand, young ones…if you were to lay with one another…and cause Marie to be at birth…you would be disabling a Rider temporarily from battle. We'd either have to kill the child or let it grow, which of course would mean a few years before it could be left on its own. Do you understand why it is that important?"

Marie nodded but Eragon was more defiant. "Isn't there some spell of protection?"

"There is but the early elves made it complicated enough so that you would have to have three years worth of practicing to say a few simple words. It was done to farther forbid Riders form doing such when they are on a mission. Do you understand?"

Eragon only looked at her, his gaze penetrating.

Lifaen bent down to a knee and bowed his head. "Shadeslayer…Swiftblade, I acted without farther consolation. I ask for your utmost forgiveness for my pathetic insolence."

This time, both Riders nodded.

The Riders forgive you, Lifaen, my Queen…but we ask that this does not happen again. Asking the dragons first could prevent it all. We'd be able to sense if Marie lost her pure trait, Saphira said.

Eragon grudgingly repeated what she said, turning red at the mention of Marie's purity.

The elves nodded solemnly again and apologized for everything again. Islanzadi sighed. "I think this meeting is over…" She turned to Trianna. "Please do not suggest such things again. Not without sure proof."

She turned back to the Riders. "A relationship…a pure one is not forbidden among Riders at such time. We cannot keep you from your feelings…so we ask you here and now to swear that you will not lay with one another until you have felt that you are about to or have completed your duties with the elves and the Varden with this war."

"But…there is no guarantee that we will survive until then!" Eragon protested, looking up.

Marie glanced sideways at him and nodded in agreement. "You can't take us of our free will."

"Fine then," the Queen said thickly. "You shall jeopardize your lives, the war and the child you may have, should you chose to disagree."

Eragon's face twisted into a scowl and he nodded. "Fine…I swear it."

"In the Ancient Language!" the Queen boomed.

Eragon breathed the words out under his breath but his statement came out true to elven ears. The Queen turned to Marie. The girl looked to the ground, not wanting to meet the eyes of the elf Queen.

"Swiftblade?"

Marie nodded and uttered the words softly as well. When she did, her face contorted with a mixture of feelings and she fled the room. Eragon stood swiftly and moved to follow her, but Oropher was already on her trail.

He stopped, longing to comfort her but he turned and glared at Trianna instead. "I hope…that you receive the utmost satisfaction in what you have done."

Trianna looked at him, surprised for a moments and was about to speak when Eragon interrupted with eyes so angry she turned away and shuddered, "So that…when you have found your one love…the one you would spend the rest of your life with…that a person exactly like you will come along and rip it away at the seams so you can feel somewhat similar to the way we feel right now."

AAAAAAAAAAA

I don't know what is wrong with me, Oropher.

Nothing is wrong with you…you are a teenager…it is natural to feel those kind of things towards someone you care about.

But it's different. Oropher, I…actually wanted to have a child with him sometime. I…may not always seem like it but like everyone else…I just want a family and a chance to live after this war. Is that so much to ask?

So…you want hatchlings?

When Eragon and I were discussing what colors we imagine the eggs might turn out when Saphira lays them…I realized how wonderful it must be for her. She gets to have a family…with the one she loves.

You will too.

But what if I die Oropher! Why are you given the right to have a family during this turmoil when we are not?

Dragons are still able to fight when with eggs.

But it is still the same thing!

Marie…

It's not fair…

You know…I hadn't even really thought about…laying with him until now.

But you thought about having children.

Yes I thought about having children…but never what it took to have one. It's a strange thought…

Marie?

I love you…

And I you…

AAAAAAAAAAAA

Eragon paced outside Marie's tree. Saphira watched him and looked to the girls' room knowingly. Maybe I should have talked to her…

Maybe you should've…but I should too!

No…I can sense peace from her now, can't you? She'll be all right, I think.

Saphira nodded and looked up at the tree, her sapphire eyes glistening with the soft moonlight.

She'll be fine.

A/N: I hope everyone gets why this chapter was needed…I wanted you all to see where they stood, get curious about the fairth, get more angry with Trianna…(it'll help with later…laughs evilly) and other things. I also wanted to make be noticed. Some resolution witb Arya. I also wanted to show you how close Eragon and Marie are. I really need to stress that they do not crush on one another anymore. They are in love. :D Yeah…and that's about it…