A/N: Even though I'm not allowed to reply to reviews, I would still love reviews. I do read them. My apologies to Billy Bob. I met no offense. For those of you who don't know, I have been told that there is a new rule where you are not allowed to reply to reviewers. An author I don't know got their story booted from the site because they did and my sister got one thrown off the site too. So…I'm still not sure if it's real but I'm taking caution. Anywho, read on! Just so you know these chapters that I've been writing are kind of the catch-upy chapter.

Chapter 20: The Talk, the Witch and the Werecat

Marie sat on the pile of hay in a big cave with Saphira curled up next to them. Eragon was sitting on a stool across from her.

"So what did you want to talk about?" asked Eragon.

"Oropher…" Marie said quietly. Eragon nodded, seeing that she really wanting to get it off her chest. Marie stood and began pacing. "It's just that, I don't know what to do without him! He was my best friend and I don't know if he'll ever come back and I just…I feel useless without him…there's this empty space in my mind where he used to be…I need him Eragon…"

Eragon nodded and then his face turned stern. "Firstly, you are never useless. Take a look at what you did to that girl down there. I blessed her with luck, happiness and good fortune…you, you did more. You blessed her with light and honor. We just changed that girl's life, forever! Now don't you dare tell me that you are useless."

Marie looked at him, her eyes shining. A tear streamed down her face as she looked at him with a smile. "Thank you…your words are greatest ones I have ever heard."

Eragon's voice got low and distressed. "About you being without Oropher…I don't know what to do. Saphira and me have a large bond like you have with him…and I thought it could never be broken…but I guess some magic can. I can't imagine life without her anymore…"

Saphira hummed and then spoke with Marie herself. Marie welcomed the presence of a dragon into her mind, almost crying at how much she missed it.

Marie…that fire changes one's mind. Not one's heart. If you truly love Oropher and he truly loves you then your bond was never broken…just a dent that needs to be mended. Oropher's true spirit is fading away. Slowly but steadily. You need to be prepared to bring him back when you see him and do it with your heart, mind body and soul…he will come back…if he hasn't lost faith in you…

Thank you Saphira…Marie said and almost burst into tears as the dragon left her mind and the empty space came again.

"I don't know if I can get him back though…" Marie mumbled.

"Why? You haven't tried to contact him, have you?" asked Eragon.

"I did…" Marie said quietly and her face went ail as she remembered the moment when she touched minds with Oropher while he was attacking Eragon and Saphira. She had felt pain, loss, confusion, and anger and then he attacked her mind… "But he wasn't so welcome."

"We will get him back!" said Eragon determinedly. He hated seeing Marie like this. Her feisty personality was lost, her stubbornness-gone and her will and spirit were whittling away…it was almost as if Marie, too, had been replaced by some lost, confused spirit who was angry and sad…Eragon missed the old Marie. He liked this one too, just because it was her and not some different spirit but…he'd do anything to get the old one back.

Marie smiled at him but looked away.

"Hey…why don't you stay with me and Saphira tonight?" asked Eragon. "I know it's nothing compared to your elegant bedroom but-"

"No. It's fine," said Marie and she lay down on one side of the large hay bed. Eragon laid down on the other both not facing each other.

Marie couldn't sleep. In an hour she could hear Eragon's deep breath and Saphira's slight snore. Talking to Eragon had helped but she wanted more…she wanted her butthead back.

She held up her hand to look at her silver palm. How neatly it was aligned, how it was plain silver but it still looked watery and out of this world. It was Oropher's mark that he gave her. They belonged to each other. No matter what. Marie sat up. Eragon was right. I will get him back.

Marie sighed with new determination.

Marie rose the next morning to soft light and a jab.

Awaken, Rider. A voice said in Marie's mind.

Marie looked around and saw Saphira looking at her. Then she saw slanted, red eyes.

She backed away to the wall in fear and breathed hard.

What is that? Marie asked the voice praying it was Saphira.

The eyes suddenly leaped at her and the shape of a cat formed and slammed on her chest. The breath was knocked out of her. I am a-

Werecat! Marie cried with stunned eyes.

The cat but on a satisfied look and backed off her. Rude but correct.

Wow. I never thought I would be able to meet one. Marie said her eyes reflecting the awe she felt.

The other one didn't even know what I was. A bit stupid, that one. The cat licked his paws. How did you happen to recognize what I am?

My father said he met one, one time…before he was killed. Marie looked away. Why did she have to lose everything?

The werecat flicked his tail in reply and leapt out of the cave. Coming?

Marie looked to where Eragon was supposed to be and realized that he wasn't there. Marie looked back at the cat and she too leapt out of the cave, regretting it when she stumbled and her legs and head gave pain.

She had to hurry and keep up as the cat went down a flight of stairs to the many hallways. She could barely keep up with him and almost lost sight a few times until he stopped at a door and yowled. The door opened and the werecat went in.

Marie walked over as the door shut. She was about to knock when it opened for her. Marie walked in to feel and see an atmosphere much like Angela's shop. In fact there was Angela, right there, speaking with Eragon.

Angela looked surprised for a moment but then smiled. "My Marie. If I had just cast your bones some time during the years you were in Teirm I wouldn't have been surprised to see you here."

"You two know each other?" Eragon directed the question at Angela.

"We both lived in Teirm for 3 years together," said Marie in a 'duh' tone.

Eragon slapped himself mentally.

"Wow," said Angela. "Now I really want to know where both your futures lie. Two Riders…standing right here with me."

"What are you doing here?" asked Marie.

"I'm a witch. And I'm friends with the Varden. Plus Solembum-the werecat- would've come with or without me so…here I am," said Angela.

Marie nodded her head.

"So, when did you find your egg and where? I'd love to here if it were close. Maybe there was a nest there. Anyway, from what I heard his name is Oropher, correct?" Angela asked, her brown ringlets swinging.

Eragon frowned sympathetically as Marie winced. He heard her take a deep breath and begin. "Yes, his name is Oropher. I found him in a tsunami pit just outside of the city."

"That's a nice name…Braveheart. I guess he lived up to it didn't he?" asked Angela. "What in the world were you doing in a tsunami pit?"

"I got bored after I gave the money for the plant to Gareth, so I took a walk outside of town. I caught a glimpse of something that happened to be Saphira but after I couldn't find it, I fell in the pit while walking," Marie explained, ignoring the pity looks she was getting from Angela

"Ah…how did you get out? I heard those things are awful deep and slippery," said Angela.

"That's where I come in," broke in Eragon. Marie listened carefully because she too wanted to know what happened while she was knocked out. "Saphira and I heard a scream and went around inspecting. I got a bit bored after looking and I went into the tsunami pit. I was amazed at what I saw. A pretty girl holding a dragon egg!"

Angela smiled as Marie blushed crimson at the comment and Eragon continued. "So I tried to wake her when I realized she was probably knocked out. I picked up the egg and put it in my bag-Brom would've done it…and then I called to Saphira. She pulled Marie out and me. I picked Marie up and trust me, it wasn't easy getting her to Teirm."

Marie raised her eyes in horror. Was she fat? No. Eragon assured her as he continued. "She wasn't a weight problem or anything. She's as light as a feather. It was getting past the guards that was the problem. They thought I did something to you."

"What? But you didn't, right?" Marie asked.

Eragon gave her a disgusted look. "Do you really think I would do something to you?"

Marie turned red again. "No…"

Eragon shook his head and continued. "I told them the truth. You fell into the tsunami pit and needed medical attention. Luckily they were easy and drunk and let me pass. I took you to Jeod's and Helen fixed you right up though she caught me and Brom examining Oropher's egg."

Marie sighed. "I think I've had enough of this. Thanks anyway, Angela."

"Oh, Marie. I forgot to tell you about the Twins," called Angela. Marie turned.

"Somehow, when they entered your mind, the ancient words you know were blocked. If the Twins-two bald men-ask you to join their club…note that they might be trying to take advantage of you," said Angela. Marie gave a short nod to her and Solembum who flicked his tail in reply. Eragon stood as well and they went out the door in the halls. After a few minutes, Marie stopped and realized that they were lost.

I think I can be of assistance. A voice said and Solembum appeared around another corner. Coming?

Yes! Marie and Eragon said. Marie smiled slightly when she heard him in her mind as they raced after the werecat.