A/N Hello peoples. Want another chapter? Ok!

Reviewers

dragon-miko- I know, I'm putting off writing the sad part, but alas, it must be done! Lol, wow that was dramatic! Erm... course everything thing will be ok... I hope!

Xiad Rusco- Believe me, if you knew you wouldn't be looking forward, let's just say... I don't deal with loss too well, but that will be next chapter.

Monaco- Your welcome, and erm... did Legolas make it? That is the question. Read on...

RandomInsanePersonW/Explosives- Nope, not dead. But don't ask me what's happening next. I'm at the mercy of Christopher's ingenious plot and my own plot bunnies!

Zammy- Okies!

Ellie- yay! Long reviews, they are my favourite kind, especially when they are all good! Thanks so much for taking the time to read through this and I'm really glad you like it! Yeah, that's something I wanted to do as I can go into a load more depth stealing parts of the books instead of the movies (though I love them loads too!). Yeah, when I wrote that part that Legolas could use the Ancient Language and communicate with Saphira I didn't really think about what would happen throughout the rest of the story, but I am so glad I put that in because as I've been writing things are falling into place so much easier. Yeah, why change a good thing? I love Legolas and Gimli's characters in the books/movies! Nah... he isn't dead, I couldn't kill him off (I got enough with the other character that's going to get the chop pretty soon!) anyways, this is a very long reply, but thanks and read on!

Ok, guess what? 31 DAYS TILL ROTK EE DVD! And that means... ONLY 42 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!. (I made a slight mistake with my calculations before concerning counting the days till Xmas which my dad kindly corrected me on. sends death glare at dad)

On with the show... erm... story....

Chapter 25- Return

Eragon opened his eyes and blinked repeatedly into the darkness. His first thoughts whirled to Brom. Then his own pain kicked in and he groaned. He found his hands to be unbound and he could think clearly again. The fist thing he did was to call to Saphira. 'Are you alright?' he asked.

'Yes, I am fine. But you and Brom are not. Gimli is well enough too, just few scratches and bruises," she replied.

Eragon struggled into a sitting position, his eyes fell on Saphira who was now free of her chains, then to the campfire and the man that sat near it, next to Gimli. But Eragon's heart only sank with disappointment. It hadn't been Legolas who had saved them, but this stranger clad in battered travel worn clothes. In his hands was a bow, at his side a long hand-and-a-half sword. A white horn bound with silver fittings lay in his lap and the hilt of a dagger protruded form his boot. He appeared to be a few years older than Eragon, he was only an inch or so taller. Behind him a grey war horse was picketed.

The stranger turned his eyes to Eragon, noting his return to consciousness. "You're awake," he said with a smile. Though he eyes Saphira wearily.

"Who are you?" was Eragon's first question.

The man's hands tightened on his bow and his smile faded. "Murtagh," he replied.

Eragon got to his feet, taking a moment to balance himself as his head swam and he felt sick. Gimli rushed over to help steady him. "There lad, you are alright," he said gruffly.

"How's Brom?" was Eragon's second question.

A grave look came over Gimli's face. "Not too good. The lad there reckons he has a fair amount of damage. After all, the knife went in right between his ribs. But first I think we better get you sorted."

Gimli helped Eragon remove his shirt. Murtagh whistled at the blotchy bruise that extended down his left side. "You think?" Eragon agreed.

Murtagh came over. He pressed a hand gently against his ribs and Eragon yelped in pain. Saphira growled at Murtagh dangerously and he backed away quickly. "I think you may have a few broken ribs. I would say at least two or three. You're lucky you're not coughing up blood," he took a blanket and tore it into strips and then bound it around Eragon's chest.

With not another thought about himself, Eragon went over to Brom and knelt by the old man's side. He saw where Murtagh had cut open his robes to bandage his wound. He carefully undid the bandage, despite Murtagh's warning not to.

Blood poured form the short, thin cut that concealed its depth. This wound was inflicted by a Ra'zac, and as Eragon remembered his uncle Garrow he thought about how long it would take to heal. He called to Saphira. 'I'm too weak to help him alone, I need your help,' he said peeling off the glove that concealed the gedwëy ignasia. Saphira crouched next to him, joining her mind with his and he felt new strength flow into him. Eragon drew on their combined power and focused on the words. "Waíse heil!" he said, his palm glowing as Brom's skin fused together.

Murtagh watched the entire process. He sucked in his breath in surprise. When they were done he came over to examine Brom's side. "It's as if the skin had never been broken!" he said in disbelief. "Is he completely healed?"

"Me and Saphira can only mend what's on the surface. I don't know enough magic yet to mend what's on the inside. It's up to him now," replied Eragon.

Murtagh smiled. "Saphira, is that the name of your dragon?"

"Yes," said Eragon a hand resting on her side for support. His head swam again and he felt faint.

Murtagh saw this. "I think you need food, I'll make soup."

Assured by this Eragon sat down next to Saphira. 'Wow, with our combined power we can do things that would otherwise be too big to handle alone,' he said.

'Yes, it is wonderful isn't it? I just hope Brom pulls through,' she replied.

'Me too,' Eragon sighed. 'I wish Legolas was here. I don't believe he's gone, forever. And all so we could get away.'

'Do not go blaming yourself Eragon. And I for one still do not trust the Ra'zac and what they said. Legolas is strong,' said Saphira defiantly.

'But Saphira I scryed Legolas, last night before the Ra'zac came and he was- I saw him and...' he trailed off, unable to say anymore but she got the general gist and did not reply as Murtagh served up the soup.

"We have to leave as soon as possible. I don't doubt that the Ra'zac will be back with reinforcements. I think you will be well enough to travel, but I don't think your friend can. Is there anyway we can transport his to a safer place quickly and efficiently?" said Murtagh.

"We?" Eragon questioned. "I do not ask you to come with us."

"No, I am offering to. Besides, you will struggle to make it to a safer place alone," replied Murtagh.

"Fine," agreed Eragon. Then he turned his thoughts to how to get Brom to a safer place, but he could find no solution.

Then Gimli piped up. "We can make a litter- a stretcher Saphira can carry, like we did for Eragon's uncle."

Saphira agreed to this and as soon as they had made a makeshift stretcher from two saplings and a blanket they strapped it to Saphira and secured Brom in place. Then Saphira took off into the dark sky. As soon as they disappeared Eragon hoisted himself onto Cadoc, Gimli agreed grudgingly to ride Snowfire (been the only other horse with a saddle and reins) to take some of the strain form Eragon's injuries.

Eragon leaned over to untie Loshîth from the tree he had been picketed to, and looped the rope around his arm. He pulled him along, but the horse would not budge. "Come Loshîth, tut tut tut, Loshîth! Come boy, come!" Eragon commanded.

The horse stood resolute, his ears pricked up and eyes bright as if her were listening to something. "Loshîth, come!" Eragon called again. He searched in his mind for an Elvish word Legolas had used to calm the horse, but found none.

Loshîth still would not move. He seemed agitated; he pawed the ground and stamped his hooves. Eragon was growing impatient and he yanked forcefully on Loshîth's rope. The horse reared back, neighing furiously, pulling away so hard that he snatched the rope from Eragon's hand and turned away, galloping off in the opposite direction into the night. Eragon called after him.

Murtagh came to see what all the commotion was about. when Eragon explained he shrugged his shoulders. "Well, he's long gone by now. Must of got spooked or something. A fine animal he is, intelligent by the looks of it too! Whose horse is he? The Dwarf's? Though I know not of Dwarfs who ride horses, in fact, I know not of Dwarfs travelling in such company!"

"No, Loshîth belonged to a dear friend of ours whom we lost to the Ra'zac back in Dras-Leona," Eragon replied, thinking sourly what this Murtagh would say if he knew of what race his friend came.

"Loshîth? Strange name for a horse. Strange name for anything ," said Murtagh.

"No!" Eragon said defensively. "His name means 'snow mist'. And my friend was a-"Eraopgn cut himself off. "-different kind of person. Not from my lands anyway,"

Murtagh nodded and mounted his grey war horse. "I am sorry for your loss," he said stiffly, clearly uncomfortable. "This is Tornac by the way, he is swift and a loyal friend," he patted his horse's neck. "He is named after the man who taught me how to fight."

Eragon nodded, glad of the change in subject. "We must find shelter or something until Brom gets well again. I know you have decided to accompany us, but I ask you to turn away now. You do not want to risk been caught up with us and the Ra'zac, we walk a dangerous rode and it is likely to get you killed," Eragon warned.

Murtagh considered this for a moment. "I think travelling with a Rider will be much more interesting than travelling alone. I stay by what I said before. You shall need someone to help while your wounds heal, though I do not doubt the strength of your Dwarf companion I think two against the two Ra'zac is fairer, don't you agree? And I too intend to kill the Ra'zac. You acting like a beacon to them makes my task a whole lot easier."

"it is your decision," Eraogn replied. He turned and rode away form the camp, Gimli by his side. He had many questions for this stranger, but thought better of asking them.

It was near dawn when Saphira contacted Eragon. She had to rest and had found a perfect place for them not two miles form where they were.

-:0:-

It was a perfect place to shelter. A cave, one of many that dotted a large sandstone formation. It was huge and could fit all of them inside, including the horses and Saphira. After an hour or so of pushing and pulling the horses up to it, they flopped down just inside the entrance, glad of rest and also to be hidden from unwanted eyes.

Murtagh looked around. "This is perfect. I'll go gather some fire wood and then we can eat."

Eraogn hurried over to Brom who was laid on a small rock ledge toward the back of the cave. He clasped the old man's hand and sat with him for a while, Gimli by his side.

-:0:-

Murtagh had made his way down from the cave to the base of the sandstone formation where a few sparse trees grew, battered by the elements they were little more than twigs. He gathered a bundle in his arms and turned to go back up to the cave. He suddenly heard the neighing of a horse behind him and the clip clop of hooves. Turning, he saw a horse silhouetted on the plain against the sun. a rider was seated on it's back, a hood drawn up about his face.

Murtagh placed the firewood down and drew his sword, concealing himself as best he could behind the trees, he waited as the rider drew nearer to his position. It maybe a spy of the Ra'zac, he thought, the Ra'zac did not like the sunlight. Though he could not be sure form this distance.

As they drew closer he noted the horse was while and had no saddle or bridle, it put him in mind of the horse that had escaped from Eragon earlier. Though still he could not be sure.

The rider dismounted at the base of the sandstone formation. He looked around him and his eyes fell on the spot in the trees where Murtagh was hidden. Murtagh's grip tightened on his blade. The rider reached up behind him and drew out a blade that seemed different from anything Murtagh had ever seen before.

The rider approached. Murtagh could take no more; the rider obviously knew that he was concealed here, so why not reveal himself now? Murtagh leapt from his hiding place, sword held high in the air he charged at he rider.

But the rider was just as ready for an attack and their weapons locked. The rider was strong; he had never encountered anyone who fought as well as this, Murtagh thought briefly bringing his sword up to block the rider's blow. the rider was quick and agile, and he did not seem to tire, though Murtagh noted with some slight confusion that the rider would not use his right arm.

-:0:-

Saphira's head leapt up. What she had just heard she did not believe. She exited the cave in a flutter of her wings. Eraogn, alarmed by her sudden actions followed, as did Gimli, following her to the base.

They stopped behind her, and were surprised by what they saw.

Murtagh lay on his back, his sword discarded and a knife pointed to his throat, peering up into a pair of piercing blue eyes.

A/N There you go. I'm really putting off writing the bad part aren't I? But I think it will definitely take place next chapter. It was meant to be this chapter, but the plot bunnies took over and I had to write the end part instead and it just seemed like a good place to stop.

So, a cookie to anyone who can guess who this 'rider' is! And go review. Until next time my friends.

Peace Out

Lolly pop