Chapter 19: Bless the Child, Argetlams

Eragon came by again in a few hours.

"Hey," he mumbled, not looking at her.

Marie glanced at him and looked away.

"Umm…ehm…Saphira misses you and I well she was wondering if we could maybe give you a ride to the pools…I went and it's nice to get clean and well…" Eragon's voice trailed off. Marie could hardly suppress the smile that wanted to leak out at his attempt to apologize. It was just too cute.

"Tell Saphira…I would like a ride to the pools…" Marie's voice trailed off as well as she looked at Eragon who seemed relieved. "If now is a good time…"

Eragon broke into a smile and reached out a hand. "Of course…Saphira's horrible inconsiderate Rider will be there too…if that changes anything at all…"

Marie smiled too as she took his hand and stood. "Well, that might be a problem, but if we need to, we'll just throw him over, sound good?"

"Sounds great," said Eragon. They walked out the door and went along the ground when Marie's eyes were suddenly overcome with blue.

"Wow…this is beautiful…" said Marie.

"Yeah…wait till you see Saphira on it," said Eragon. His face went blank and Marie knew he was calling Saphira.

Her heart pained as she thought of Oropher. It hurt so much she began walking back to her room when Eragon grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to Saphira. "Come on. It's either now or never."

Marie sighed but her heart soared when she saw Saphira. She raced towards the beautiful dragon and rubbed her scales, tears streaming down her face. "It's so good to see you."

"Saphira and I both say it's great to see you ok," said Eragon.

"She's gotten big," said Marie stepping back a little to marvel at the dragon's size.

"It's only been a few days, she says," Eragon said.

Marie shook her head. "It feels like forever…"

Eragon noticed the distant, sad look that planted itself on Marie's face and knew she was thinking of Oropher. He sighed as she swung herself up on to Saphira's back. He followed, wrapping an arm around Marie's waist and the other on Saphira's saddle, wondering what it was like to be a Rider with the closest friend in the world and the next minute…they're gone.

They flew down to the ground and leapt of Saphira.

"I'm going to go have something to eat. Meet me in the kitchens ok?" asked Eragon. Marie shrugged as he jogged off, avoiding people.

Marie turned to the tunnel the showers were supposed to be in and sighed. Where do I go?

"Hello…I can take you to the showers, if you want me to," said a voice. Marie turned to see Nasuada, looking at her with sad, considerate eyes. 200 yards away was Eragon, who winked and smiled before running off.

Marie shook her head at his back and then gave a light smile at Nasuada. She then looked down. "Nasuada…look, I'm sorry about –"

"No…it is I who should be apologizing. I know that you will be a big help to the Varden and I'm sorry for ever questioning you on your faith in Oropher," said Nasuada.

Marie looked down. "I just…don't know how to live without him…"

"I cannot say that I understand but…maybe you should talk about it with Eragon. It must be special to have someone share the burden of a Rider with you…" Nasuada said with admiration.

Marie gave a grim smile. "Well, let's go get me washed up."

Shivers were sent down Marie's spine as she stepped into the pool. She quickly got in, having to kneel for the water to get all of her. She rubbed the dirt of her body and after feeling around for soap, did the same thing for her hair.

Feeling clean was making Marie feel better. Making her feel like there was nothing…the fact that it was pitch black in the pool room helped too. But still…there was an empty, open feeling in her mind. She needed her dragon back.

Marie finished her bath and found and fresh tunic and leggings waiting for her with a band to tie her hair up. Marie smiled appreciatively at the fact that Nasuada wouldn't even consider getting her a dress.

Marie dresses and pulled up her hair with the decision that she would talk to Eragon about Oropher. She could even talk with Saphira. Nasuada was standing patiently for Marie in the tunnel.

"You hair looks nice tied back. It brings out your eyes," said Nasuada with an approving nod.

"Thanks," said Marie. They headed to the kitchens where Eragon and the little man that had taken Marie up to her room, a dwarf named Orik, were eating.

"Hey," said Marie as she sat down next to Eragon.

"Hey. Had a nice bath?" asked Eragon before he scraped some meat into his mouth.

Marie nodded as she began eating. Eragon finished his food and then plopped down next to her waiting.

Marie ate some veggies and then turned to him. "Can I talk to you privately up in the…"

"Dragon hold?" finished Eragon and Marie nodded.

"Yea sure. Does private mean me and Saphira?" he asked. Marie nodded as she forked her last mouthful.

"Ok, let's go," he said.

"I'll talk to you later, Nasuada," said Marie and she and Eragon walked off Orik leading the way.

While on the way, Orik told them about communicating with people on top of Tronjheim. Marie was intrigued but Oropher's absence bothered her wherever she was, whomever she was with.

Saphira landed 100 yards away as people and dwarves started leaking out towards her. Eragon and Marie watched the crowd uneasily.

"You two better go," said Orik. "Meet me by this gate tomorrow morning."

Eragon and Marie stared at him. Eragon said, "How will we know when it's morning?"

"I'll have someone wake you. Now go!" Marie leaped onto Saphira's back, Eragon right behind her. Before Saphira could take off, an old woman grabbed his leg.

Marie stared at Eragon helplessly as he tried to rip his leg away. "What do you want?" he asked.

The woman moved her arm and a baby's face appeared. "The child has no one parents-no one to care for her but me and I am weak. Bless her with your power Argetlams. Bless her for luck."

Eragon and Marie looked around, wondering what to do. "Bless her, Argetlams, bless her."

Eragon thought for a moment before pulling off his glove and placing the hand with his gedwey ignasia on the child's forehead. "Atra gulai un ilian tauthr ono un atra ono waise skolir fra rauthr."

Marie took off her glove as well and placed her hand on the baby's head. "Atra gulai un garjzla tauthr ono un atra ono ethgri celobra."

Saphira ten nuzzled the baby's head, leaving a star in the silver color of their gedwey ignasias.

Saphira lifted off as people went to hover over the baby while Marie and Eragon were left to think about how they might've changed this child's future forever.