Yuyogopoopy: I'm hurrying as fast as I can! Lol. I hope the suspense isn't killing you that much! I don't want to lose another reviewer!

A/N: Hey peoples. I know I'm kind of updating a bit fast for anybody to properly review, but I'm trying all at once to make this a great story…and finish it before Eldest comes out in what, 15 days? I have decided that I'm going to have a trilogy as well. Each of my stories are going to be just like Christopher's…just different because of Marie. Hope you like! Oh and give me ideas for what my second book should be called. Ttyl!

Chapter 16: Got You

Marie rose the next morning, rested up for the first time in ages. She hadn't slept under Oropher's wing that night as the desert wasn't that cold and was happy to see the sunlight.

She looked over at Oropher and saw that he was stretched out, wings and all, and half buried in the soft sand. The little crystals didn't stick to his scales but just blended in, making him look like one beautifully snowy white mound. The golden scales on his back neck and parts of his wings were glimmering brightly in the morning light. He was indeed a pretty sight.

The past days' events flashed through her peaceful moment like a sudden flood and she practically drowned from the agony she felt.

Why am I such an over dramatic freak? She demanded to herself. I just had to be rude to him! I just had to make him mad…Now him and Murtagh and that stupid elf…

The thoughts of Eragon being left with the elf made her glower. Murtagh's there right? Nothing'll happen…unless…Murtagh does leave and the elf wakes up! I'm sure if that does happen Eragon will enjoy and thank you kiss from Little Miss Amazing…

A weird sound voiced from her limp dragon.

Oropher? Are you awake? Marie asked and stood, eyeing her dragon suspiciously. The sound came from him again but it was silenced faster.

Marie recognized it as a laugh. Suddenly a thought came to her and she blocked Oropher out, just in case. We'll see who has the last laugh Mr. I Think I'll Listen to What Marie is Blabbing About in her Head!

With a sly grin Marie picked up a rock about the size of her hand. Reaching out with magic, she levitated the rock over Oropher's head.

"Wake up you little sneak!" she yelled.

Oh…so you noticed- Oropher was cut off as Marie let the rock drop on his large head.

The dragon sat there dumbfounded for a moment before he stood and arched his neck and wings menacingly. He opened his mouth and closed it, much as the big black dragon had done and he stalked his way over to her.

Marie suddenly fell backwards onto the ground as Oropher placed his diamond claws on either side of her. He bent his neck low and began growling loudly.

Marie, in a panic, reached out to him but was thrown back mentally but sharp blades. Oropher lunged his head down and Marie screamed and slammed her forest eyes shut, waiting for her best friend to kill her.

Minutes passed by and Marie opened her eyes to find Oropher sitting a few feet away from her, looking at her with innocent golden eyes.

Got ya, was his only remark.

The rest of the day they flew in silence, Marie feeling totally betrayed by what he did but secretly impressed. Dragons could bluff well.

That night they made up with a desperate and relieved hug. They still didn't feel that saying sorry was enough so they joined minds and went on farther through the night air, talking like they had been separated for years.

When they finally did the Beor's were finally close and they were in light plains just past the desert.

You know? began Marie as she lay on her back looking up at the stars. Oropher was stretched out beside her. I sort of like being away from Eragon.

Oh? Oropher asked, truly surprised.

Yeah, said Marie. I like having all this time…just you and me. We can talk and bond without anybody and we are finally making decisions on our own. Plus…there are no distractions.

Like…Eragon? Oropher questioned, daringly stepping into a resentment zone.

The dragon was relieved when he was met with a light comment. Yeah…like Eragon.

They stayed silent, listening to the sounds of the night. The wind brushing against the long grass, the sound of antelope's soft hooves against the ground, the clicks and squeaks of crickets and night bugs. It was all so relaxing. It was like the peaceful meadow Marie had found on her unfortunate walk. It was out of this world. Out of the whole, horrid world.

For the second time in two days, Marie and Oropher drifted to a sleep so peaceful, not a slightest dream tried to grasp them.

That same night, Eragon and Murtagh were in bed just inside the desert. Unlike Marie, Eragon hadn't stopped worrying about the fight since she left. He had done an excellent job keeping it from Murtagh as he pretended to still be sour about it anytime the subject was brought up, but a not so excellent time with Saphira, who he could hardly hide anything from

In hopes of her returning with a new fresh attitude, Eragon kept Cadoc. Murtagh had kept pestering the day before since the idle horse was taking up water but with a steely glare and a sharp retort finished it and the horse stayed.

But still…Eragon was beginning to wonder if she'd ever come back. He hadn't been that nice about it…then again neither had she. After she had flown away on Oropher, Eragon had sat there without saying a word to anyone, too stunned to talk. He wondered where her sudden attitude had come from and was definitely hurt by it.

With a burning in his heart, the Rider fell it into a troubled sleep.

The next day, Marie and Oropher took off quickly and they both immediately began reaching out, trying to find a presence in the Beor's that could let them in. They flew quickly, in and out of small valleys and large ones. Finally around mid-day, they began a flight down a very long one.

As Marie was dozing on Oropher's back, she felt him lift his head suddenly and sniff. She pushed her way into his mind and looked ahead through their eyes. A large lake lied before them. Water seeped through their nostrils and they eagerly flapped their wings forward.

They flew right above the lake and dipped their nose down. Almost immediately, they began their way down at a 90-degree angle.

Freeness in their heart, they flapped their mace tail with pushed them faster down. Exhilaration could be seen in their golden eyes as they hit the surface of the water without so much as a splash. Their sleek figure passed through the top quickly and smoothly, barely causing a ripple with the exception for their mace.

Their body curved upward and straightened out in the cool water. Their sore muscles appeared to reach out and the water grabbed them and massaged them, making them feel better. Their aching wings were spread in the lake. The water rippled against them too, soothing them.

As they broke the surface again, Marie was gently placed back into her own body. She found herself feeling light-hearted and relaxed, feelings she would probably never have around Eragon. As the rested that night on the right edge of the lake, Marie thought that no matter how happy she felt without him…she would never…ever feel that way about anybody else.