A/N: Just a little one but no…there is one chapter after this one. Enjoy…and cry…and smile…and frown because this chapter will have such huge surprises…I was even surprised when I put them there.

Chapter 25: The Last and Final Battle

Marie was running fiercely now, her breath coming up short. Oropher was now diving and picking up men and dwarves, dropping some low to the ground so they were uninjured and occasionally snapping them in half with his now massive jaws.

Her side was aching in pain so much she could hardly bare it. Fatigue was creeping up on her faster than the speed of light and still the dragons' battle seemed miles away.

Marie reached out to Oropher again, pleading. Oropher! Please stop! Please! I'm here. It'll be ok!

Once again she touched the mind of her dragon. The hesitant break was longer now and while he was waiting, Marie began to beg. Please Oropher! Please…I can help you. We are one together. We feel together! I'm dying without you boy! Come back…please…

Marie looked up as she stopped and was amazed to see Oropher had stopped dipping and was just sitting there in mid-air, flapping his pearly wings with his crystalline claws tucked under his. But he was looking straight at her. His golden eyes were set on her figure as if wondering.

Suddenly, a blue bullet shot from the darkness of the mountain and Saphira tackled Oropher to the ground.

Saphira, no! Don't do anything to him! Marie cried. Oropher's connection with her had been broken the second Saphira hit him. He hadn't forced her anymore. He hadn't pushed her out. He had still been thinking.

Marie! What are you doing here? You could be killed! Marie burst into a run in the direction where Saphira had slammed Oropher. She could see their fighting bodies rise above the war.

Saphira stop! He was almost back to me! Why did you attack him? Marie was crying now as she ran. No one, not even I could explain the horrible pain in Marie's heart.

Tears were streaming down her face as she kept running, ignoring her throbbing body. Saphira answered back, You can't be out here. We had a mission Marie. I'm getting Eragon right away.

No! He'll pull me out! Saphira! Get off Oropher!

Marie was only a few yards away, now.

Eragon shoved his sword into another Kull. He hated being parted from Saphira, especially when she was fighting and old friend. He had seen Oropher stop and stare at something for a moment before Saphira came crashing down out of nowhere. His heart pained to know that the plan had been to kill Oropher. He wondered how he could ever tell Marie…accident or not she would hate him. Hate him forever.

Eragon! Saphira's urgent voice broke into his mind as he licked the head off a soldier.

What's wrong? Are you losing? Eragon asked, spinning to look towards his dragon. She had Oropher pinned. The pearl dragon was clawing at her stomach and was trying hard to break free.

No, worse. Marie's here! Saphira said.

Eragon almost threw up. What! She can't be here! She'll be killed! Or worse she'll see you kill Oropher! Where is she?

You need to hurry. She's running and is only a few yards away now. Please hurry. Oropher's fighting extra hard. I think he was looking at her when he stopped. Saphira broke the contact just as Oropher kicked up and threw her off him.

"Saphira!" yelled Eragon as he charged towards the main battle.

Marie had reached her dragon now who had slashed Saphira's face. He had a gash in his neck that was bleeding freely. He opened his wings and roared at the men who dared to come close. They scurried away. Oropher turned his attention to Marie.

Eragon was sprinting now, harder then he had ever done in his life.

Eragon…I know how to do it. Saphira said, her voice suddenly filled with pain. Eragon could feel regret and sorrow leaking from his dragon's mind as she spoke.

Do what? Eragon asked as he dodged a blow. Only about a mile now…

Marie reached out to him, mind, body, heart and soul. She showed him how much she loved him. How much she needed him, him to be good.

Oropher reacted with a cock of his beautiful head. His golden eyes no longer sowed the ferocity that they had when in battle.

I know how to kill Oropher. Saphira said. Eragon could feel her hating herself.

How? Eragon demanded. He'd do anything. The dragon had killed so many. He could see Marie now. She took a step.

Oropher please…I love you. Come back to me…Marie fell to her knees.

You have to kill…Marie.

Oropher please! Listen to me!

No… Eragon had stopped running now. He looked to his dragon with a incredulous look.

Yes, Eragon. It has to be done. The fire has changed him forever. If we kill him alone, Marie will just die in pain. Saphira said. She was preparing to leap on Oropher. She could feel Eragon taking in her words as if they were poison but…she could feel him knowing the truth.

Oropher!

Eragon wiped tears away from his eyes as he pulled out his bow and an arrow.

The pearl dragon looked down at Marie with a soft expression a sad, almost sorry one.

Eragon knocked the arrow and aimed. A tear streamed down his cheek as he set it for Marie's heart. I'm sorry…

The arrow flew from the bow with magnificent accuracy. It zoomed in between Urgals and men and dwarf alike. Eragon spun around and headed back towards Tronjheim where Saphira flew down to begin attacking with him again.

Marie turned as she heard a strange noise. Her senses had been sharpened since she became a Rider and immediately saw the arrow coming straight at her, too fast for her to think.

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Closer and closer the arrow got until Marie could see its shiny metal tip aimed for her heart.

Marie knew she was going to be killed. Her life began flashing through her eyes. Her parents…Oropher…Brom…Eragon…the arrow was so close and then-

A huge white form shot in front of the arrow blocking it.

I'm back little one. I love you. Marie could hardly believe her mind as she looked up to see Oropher standing in front of her, his beautiful golden eyes staring with such warmness and love, his mind sending out ashamed and sorry messages filled with undying love that couldn't be said in words.

My butthead…Marie barely whispered in her mind as she leapt onto her dragon's back and hugged his huge neck, sobbing uncontrollably.

Marie…I'm so sorry…I couldn't control anything I did…Oropher let out a mournful wail that would break hearts as he flapped his muscular wings and they disappeared into the blackness of the mountain.

I know…I don't care. I love you Oropher…I don't know how I lived without you…Marie was still crying and when Oropher weaved his head behind to nuzzle her leg, she could see the tears forming in his golden eyes.

As they dipped gracefully, walloping in the love that had mended together, they couldn't help but ignore the battles around them. They were together…forever.

An hour must have passed by and roars burst out from below them.

Let's go show everyone the real you. Marie said, stroking Oropher's scales.

They may never forgive me…Oropher said. I brought back the memories of when the Forsworn attacked.

I will leave the Varden and Eragon and everyone altogether if they do not accept you. Marie pledged.

I love you Marie. Oropher said quietly as he dipped. Marie sighed happily for the first time since the fire touched Oropher and felt the vibrations of his humming.

The two met a surprise when they flew down. The Urgals were killing each other!

Oropher shot down and began killing Urgals, saving the lives of some men and dwarves as well.

As they flew high, Marie pulled out her sword and hugged her dragon again. This is definitely a happy ending.