Chapter 5: A White Dragon

Marie breathed a relaxed sigh. She had one arm wrapped around Brom and a hand in her bag. She was stroking the top of the white egg, wondering aimlessly what her dragon was going to be like…if it was a boy or girl…or if she'd ever learn how to be as brave as Eragon.

She had managed to get on the saddle without cringing noticeably at Brom. They had been riding for about three hours after their stop.

To help her toughen up, Marie hadn't complained or asked to get off. She wanted to seem strong. While she was on Snowfire, she soon got comfortable (almost) enough to hold onto Brom with one hand.

Brom suddenly pulled back, making Marie loose balance and slam into the old man.

Brom groaned and shoved her back.

"Wow, hey!" cried Marie as she flew backwards barely managing to grab the saddle.

Snowfire shrieked and reared at the extra weight. Brom leaned forward, trying to stay on. Eragon whirled Cadoc around and stared at the picture.

Marie was hanging off the saddle, trying to keep her legs from getting caught under Snowfire's prancing legs. The horse was snorting and bucking a few, trying to throw Marie off. Brom was struggling to calm the horse.

"Marie! Let go!" yelled Eragon. Marie obeyed letting herself drop to the ground.

Brom quickly heeled Snowfire, getting the trampling horse away from Marie, who just rolled farther away.

She rose from the ground and yanked the egg close.

What happened? Saphira asked. I sensed panic from you. Is everything all right? Hurry now little one!

Everything's ok now. Brom suddenly pulled up and Marie was knocked off the saddle. She kept holding on so Snowfire wouldn't kill her but that put the horse and Brom in an awkward position. Eragon explained, leaping of Cadoc and willing the horse to stay put with his mind.

"Are you all right?" he asked walking over to Marie. She had been rubbing her left wrist but had quickly stopped once Eragon came over.

"I'm fine…it was nothing," she said. She braced herself with her right hand, pushing forward. She stumbled forward but shrugged off Eragon's attempts to help her. Clutching the egg, she began to walk quickly towards Brom and Snowfire.

The horse danced away from her and Brom tightened his grip on the reins. Marie looked down, guilty.

"I'm sorry Brom. I didn't want to get hurt underneath Snowfire but I wanted to let go too. I was stupid for letting myself go off guard but it won't happen again." Marie explained, trying as hard as she could to keep her voice steady.

Brom looked at her, a strange glint in his eyes. "I'm not angry with you Marie. I'm actually quite impressed. You weren't stupid enough to let go and risk your life and you showed pretty good upper strength, while holding onto Snowfire. You listened when orders were given, without hesitating and you still rolled out of the way even though Snowfire was under control. You have good instincts, Marie. That is why I'm pleased."

Eragon walked over, a small smile planted across his face.

Marie looked on at Brom, eyes wide. He was…proud of her? Wow…Brom was proud of her!

"Thanks…I don't know what to say…" she mumbled, now avoiding Brom's eyes. The man had warmed up quick and Marie enjoyed the praise. With a sigh she stepped towards Snowfire.

The horse pranced uneasily, laying his ears back and showing the whites of his eyes.

Eragon decided to help the manner. He reached out with his mind to Snowfire and the horse tensed even more. Eragon willed the animal to stay still. That Marie hadn't meant for any of that to happen.

He felt Snowfire brush against his mind and then felt slightly relaxed thoughts. The horse showed it too, muscles relaxing, and eyes turning back to their amber color.

Marie reached a confident hand out (her right), avoiding any eye contact. She was soon stroking Snowfire easily, unaware of the help the Dragon Rider had given her.

"Why'd you stop Brom?" asked Eragon. He had asked Saphira to find them another hidden clearing and they made their way to it. Eragon had noticed without mention how Marie was favoring her left wrist. It looked slightly swollen but still Eragon said nothing, wondering if Marie would.

Brom didn't answer until they got to the clearing. This one was just like the other one, the sound of a creek bubbling nearby, though it wasn't visible.

Saphira had already laid down, everyone having to pause as she stretched a wing the was about the entire length of the camp.

"I admit that I was worried about Marie's well being. She hadn't said anything and was wondering what was wrong. Obviously she was just trying to listen like any good student," said Brom.

"Anyway, it's darkening up now. I'll start the fire," he finished and got to work. Marie sat down tiredly and laid her pack down next to her.

As she stroked her egg aimlessly again…it felt oddly warm. Marie looked down and realized that the pearly whiteness appeared to be moving.

Suddenly a crack appeared on the egg.

"Eragon!" cried Marie. She set the egg down and backed away from the white egg.

Eragon immediately raced over and Saphira's head managed to snake by.

"It's hatching…Marie…this is your dragon," said Eragon. He looked at her, his beautiful brown eyes alight.

I remember when you hatched. Eragon glanced at Saphira.

So do I. The dragon breathed out, small puffs of smoking billowing past the white egg as yet another crack appeared on it.

Suddenly a piece flew up. It landed by Marie's feet who picked it up and grasped it in her hands.

Another piece flew to the side but no one paid attention. A small white foot popped out of the hole. Another kicked an entire side off and a tail swished out. It had little spikes like crystals-see through and hard. The dragon backed its way out of the egg, revealing two, 3 foot long wings.

Small squeaking noises slowly began to bubble form the small figure as it pushed again. A neck lined with crystal spikes popped out, followed by a head.

The little dragon stretched its wings as if waking from a long sleep. Its eyes were a shiny gold and it had tiny, metallic rainbows fluttering from white scale to white scale.

"Wow…" gasped Marie. Slowly, as if in a daze, Marie crawled over to the dragon, a hand stretching out.

Eragon smiled. He had felt exactly like her. Marie laid a hand on the dragon.

"Ahh!" she shrieked as she yanked her hand back and grasped her body. Pain was lancing up and down. Her vision became blurry. Feelings that she had kept long inside seemed to break in upon her as if what had caused them had happened again.

As soon as it had started…it stopped. Marie hugged herself, a tear dribbling down her cheek…or was that sweat? Marie didn't know.

Suddenly she felt another presence in her mind. She suddenly felt hunger, happiness and the will to be free. But it wasn't from her…who was it from?

The dragon squealed as if to answer the question that was lingering in her mind.

"Wow…" Marie said again, looking up at the dragon. After the pain she had gone through…she wondered if she was really supposed to be a Rider.

"It's hungry…" Marie said to Eragon, feeling a tad stupid. He had a dragon hatch for him before. He should know!

Eragon just gave her a smile and stood, walking over to the fire. The little white dragon took a step with wobbly legs. Its claws were pure crystal, also see-through. The scales beneath its spikes appeared to have a gold tint and two crystal spikes poked out of the tip of its tail, like daggers. It was probably going to turn into a large maize when the dragon grew.

"This is so amazing," said Marie taking 4 long strips of meat from Eragon.

"That's what I thought when I first got Saphira. She's my best friend now." Eragon stroked the large blue dragon, who snorted and curled up around him.

"This little guy's a feisty eater!" smiled Marie as the white dragon snapped 3 slices of meat out of her hand, chomping noisily.

She fed the last on to the mini dragon and the creature took to sitting in her lap and licking the remains and juice of Marie's fingers.

Marie's forest green eyes sparkled off the fire as she dragon began to make a purring noise, tickling the girl's legs.

"I wish this would've happened after Dras-Leona," said Brom. Marie looked up and realized that he was watching the whole time. The baby dragon glanced up and cocked its head at Brom.

Marie smiled slightly as she saw the look of joy in Brom's eyes. She snapped out of glancing at either old man or dragon and turned her attention to the upcoming news.

"Why are we going to Dras-Leona?" she asked and picked up the dragon, setting it by Saphira to stand

"Eragon…seeks to find someone," said Brom. Marie looked at Eragon who was leaning against his dragon with hard eyes.

Now it was Marie's turn to wonder. A reflection of her thoughts brushed against her mind. Marie smiled down at her dragon and bent to stroke its scales.

She looked back up at Eragon. Maybe he looked so angry because it had something to do with his family. Or maybe and enemy…whatever it was, it made him angry.

Eragon looked up, sensing eyes on him. He glanced up to see Marie, bent over her dragon, staring at him with confusion and worry. He sighed and gave her a reassuring smile. She smiled back and sat down, talking to her new friend. For some reason, he didn't want to burden her even more with his own problems.

Built swept over him as he realized what he was dragging her into. Brom he could understand but…he didn't know if he wanted to do this to Marie…or her dragon.

Brom had been right. It was unlucky for the dragon to be born a few days before they hit Dras-Leona. It was a horrid place and would frighten Marie.

You are troubled again, young one. What is the problem this time? Saphira twisted her large neck around and nuzzled the teen. He reached out a hand and stroked her smooth muzzle.

I don't know…I don't think we should take Marie into Dras-Leona…she could get hurt. She has the least chance of surviving and doesn't know magic or how to fight! Eragon blurted his feelings out to his dragon quickly, as if worrying about her was a crime.

Eragon…either way…Marie has a downside. If she goes in the city, she'll be in danger. If she stays out here with her dragon and me she'll be unhappy and her confidence will drop as well. Saphira snorted with a sigh.

I'll have to talk to Brom. In the mean time, we should train her. She needs to be prepared for anything…Eragon sighed, thinking about how he hadn't been prepared to go to his home and be swept away by his dragon, only to go back to his house and find one of his only family members be killed…by the Ra'zac.

"Eragon?" demanded Marie. Eragon shook his head and looked up again. Marie was staring at him again, worried eyes flicking around. She looked like she had been calling his name for a while.

"Huh? Sorry…just spaced out…whatcha need?" he mumbled.

"Brom said something about magic. Can I use magic too?" she asked. She was now cradling her dragon, who was making soft noises of pleasure that Eragon had recognized from Saphira.

"Yea, you can use it. Here…let me show you," said Eragon, walking over. They both sat down next to each other and Eragon grabbed a pebble.

Marie watched, her eyes widening. Eragon's face had become hard and determined. The rock suddenly lifted up- in mid air! It was amazing. Eragon looked like he was doing it with ease.

Eragon looked away and the pebble dropped immediately. Marie picked up a pebble and willed it to rise. Nothing happened. Marie tried again. Nothing.

She concentrated hard. It was just her and the pebble. Her dragon's presence lingered in the back of her mind, as if helping her. Energy pulsed through her and she suddenly felt a watery barrier in her mind.

Marie almost pulled back, uncomfortable with the feeling. Her dragon urged her on with feeling. Marie pushed forward. It was almost like an image of the pebble lifting into the air.

Suddenly the weight of the pebble was gone.

Marie's eyes shot open and the weight returned. Eragon smiled at her.

"You did it! You lifted it. Soon you'll be able to concentrate more," he said.

Brom walked over and they ate a quick meal before heading to bed.

Marie curled up with her dragon, wondering what events the rest of her life held for her now that she was a Rider…

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