Ketta dragontamer: It's ok that you haven't. I'm just happy that I have another reviewer! The site is with all of the www crap before it, ya know? Anywho, TY for reviewing! Hope you like this chapter. It's kind of sad.

yuyogopoopy: Hey again! Thanks for reviewing! I hope you like this chapter.

( ): Hey there. I didn't catch your name but I appreciate your review. I have to admit that I was starting to feel a bit foolish about posting that much…interaction between them but I got this big thing coming up that kind of has to do with it. But I'll let you know one thing. Eragon and Marie aren't getting together in this book. I'm not sure about the second one…I have to read Eldest find out how she's going to fit and where she's going to be placed. I'm glad you like Oropher. He's a real character…but I can't place him with anyone I know. I can usually compare characters to my family or friends but him and Saphira and just out of this world. Anyway, thanks for reviewing! I hope you like this chapter…no romance. Just really, really sad.

Rittzi: Hey there. Well, I guess I'll see you after the week is over. Who knows? Maybe I'll have finished it by then? Glad you liked it. You might hit me after you read this chapter though. Ttyl! Have fun at camp.

Chapter 17: The Shade

Marie! We have company! A male voice rang inside Marie's sleeping head.

She shot up and looked around. Standing right in front of her was the Shade.

"You!" she yelled and moved to grab her sword, only to realize that her hands were tied behind her back. She stood but fell on her stomach - her legs were tied too.

"Yes, me…" his slippery smooth voice seemed to wrap it's way around her.

Panicky, Marie struggled. Oropher! Attack him! Make him die!

I can't…the dragon's solemn voice rose in her head. Marie gasped and twisted around. There was two Urgal archers pointing at Marie's heart. Oropher was growling and pacing on the other side of the lake. The second I take flight…you're dead.

It's just a threat! I'm a Rider! If he kills me, the king will have his head! Fly up as fast as you can the moment they look away. Marie demanded.

What makes you think they'll look away? Oropher shot.

You mean you don't know this? Urgals are stupid remember? They're bound to get bored! Marie was practically screaming. She quickly dropped her voice in case the Shade could understand her. Please Oropher…it's our only chance…please.

Ok…but just in case anything happens…I love you Marie. Oropher said. The bells in his voice had dropped and Marie glanced quickly to see him drooping his wings.

I love you too. You're my butthead, Marie said with a silent chuckle. Gratitude and love flooded from both Oropher and Marie.

"Now where were we?" asked the Shade. Marie eyed the whip in his hand. "Oh, yes, I remember."

He cracked it and Marie felt the familiar pain on her back. She struggled to stand when he cracked it again. It wrapped around the skin just below her wrist and he yanked forward. Marie was thrown to the ground again.

Marie ignored the pain and looked to where Oropher was. He had already taken off and disappeared into the night sky. Good boy…

"I think that's enough for now…don't you?" asked the Shade. He kicked her hard in the stomach and bent down. His horrible, crimson eyes bore into her soft, forest green ones.

Marie whimpered. If the king got his hands on her…she'd be in big trouble. And so would Eragon.

"Do you see this, my lady?" asked the Shade. Marie didn't reply but she could see it. It was a large bottle of bright orange and pasty red…fire? "This is called…in your language, Du Domia abr Hugin brisingr. It means…the dominance of thought fire. I think you know why I brought it."

Marie's eyes widened. No! He's going to control me! He's going to force me to become evil! Oropher, now!

She could feel him give a neck-breaking flap of wings and she knew he was hurtling towards them at that very moment.

"Now that we have that covered…" the Shade put on a wicked smile and opened the bottle.

The fire shot up into the air like a rocket and spun around in a circle. Terror struck inside Marie's heart. Oropher wasn't going to get there in time.

The string of flames twisted downward.

"No!" yelled Marie. Any second now…suddenly Marie was the flames were blocked from view from a gray shape larger than every creature there put together.

Oropher! Marie yelled with both mind and body.

I must leave you now, Marie. He said.

What are you talking about? Fly us out of here! Marie's mind swelled with panic.

I can't. If we fly up the flames will hit you.

But if we don't…NO! Don't stay Oropher! Go! Flee! Stay away! Please! Marie was crying now.

I love you Marie...The male dragon gave one last whimper as the flames struck him and engulfed him. Marie could see the flames wrapping around him as he moved away.

She sat up as he took off, screaming.

"OROPHER! NO!" she screamed. She spun to look at the shade but he and the Urgals had disappeared. She looked back as her dragon, screaming with terror and pain, flew away, out of the mountain.

"No…" Tears streamed down her face as she cried. She lost everything…her parents…her home…Eragon's trust…and now the closest she had ever had to a real brother. Gone…

"Get up!" Marie spun around to face two bald men, exactly alike.

"Why should I?" she demanded. No longer did Marie care if she was caught or killed. Oropher was lost and when the fire burned out he would become what the Shade had wanted him to become…evil. There was no more Oropher anymore…just an evil dragon.

"Because we'll kill you if you don't!" snapped one.

"I don't care! Not anymore…" Marie mumbled.

The twin on the left growled. "Just bring her."

A group of men behind then came and lifted Marie up. Silently, Marie wondered what would become of her now…