A/N: Hey peoples. I'm not telling you if Marie dies or not. You'll have to wait. Yes I am continuing this story even when Eldest comes out tomorrow. I'm planning on basing each of my stories of each story in the trilogy. So Marie's Dragon is Eragon to the Inheritance trilogy. I'll make a sequel based off Eldest. But the sequel is going to take a while to come out because I have to read Eldest and study it and find out where to put Marie…that is…if she lives in the first one. Hehehe…anyways, this is a short chapter but I think after this there will only be two chapters left so…enjoy!

Chapter 23: Sick

Marie woke up in the middle of the night, shivering cold. Her head was throbbing and she could hardly breathe.

Saphira? Marie asked. She reached out feebly with her mind and touched the sleeping dragon. Saphira's barrier jump-started and attacked.

Marie fell to the floor as her mind gave a lurch.

Oh, Marie. You frightened me. I am sorry…I sense pain from you. Are you all right? The dragon weaved her head over and nuzzled Marie's cheek with her large snout.

I don't know…I feel horrible. I think I'm sick…do you think there's a clinic around here anywhere? Marie asked clutching her forehead and holding back a loud cough.

A new voice entered Marie's head. I think I can be of service.

Marie turned to see Solembum sitting at the edge of the cave. He looked at her and then licked his fur.

Oh, yes…Angela. But I don't think I can get down by myself…should I wake Eragon? Marie looked over at his sleeping figure where his stomach was rising and falling peacefully.

I'll do it so you don't feel as guilty. I'm sure he'd be happy to help. Saphira said and with a snort, she took a step and bit the edge of the blanket that was covering Eragon and placed it over Marie. For warmth.

The sapphire dragon then nudged Eragon in the head. He gave a sleepy grunt and then flipped over onto his stomach. Saphira gave a sharp rap and he shot up. "What, what?"

Eragon. Marie is ill. You need to take her to Angela. Follow Solembum. Saphira said. Eragon got up quickly and knelt down beside Marie.

"Are you all right?" he asked, a hand on her shoulder.

"No…I think I caught something," said Marie. She broke out in a fit of coughs. Eragon moved swiftly, but gently and cradled her in his arms. He set her on Saphira and they flew out of the cave on to the Isidar Mithrim, Solembum leaping out by himself.

He lifted Marie off and carried her after Solembum. It seemed to take forever to get to Angela's room and Marie appeared to be getting worse.

Finally, they got to the door where Solembum yowled and they all went in. Angela was surprised indeed to see them there.

"What's wrong?" she asked rushing over.

"Marie is really, really sick. I can only heal flesh wounds. Do you have any remedies?" asked Eragon quickly.

"I first need to find out what's wrong," said Angela. She quickly got to work, doing all sorts of tests on Marie before finally stopping.

"She has a rare illness called Citsunbic. It usually only happened to Riders and people with special bonds with animals," said Angela. I can heal her but after I give her the remedies, she's not allowed to do anything for three days. Clear?"

"If you weren't here…would she have died?" asked Eragon.

"Considering how bad these Varden 'magic users' are…yes…if I wasn't here, she would've died," said Angela as she began to work. "Now I think you should leave her here on the bed and you head off to sleep yourself. She'll be fine." Angela said after seeing the disapproving look on Eragon's face.

With a sigh, the boy stood and set Marie gently on the bed. She had drifted off into a restless sleep by now and moaned softly as she slept.

He walked to the door where Solembum was waiting and heard Angela say before he left, "You really care about her, don't you?"

Eragon gave a small smile before leaving and said softly, "Yeah…I do."