Chapter 4

Disclaimer: Not Mine.

This story is edited by Jessie a.k.a. Dark Princesses, the stalked part of Dark Princesses anyway. Jessie is the one who comes up with the sometimes brilliant but mostly insane parts while I come up wit the ingenious parts and plots. She got tired of doing it and was starting to feel underappreciated. Actually, she got mad at me for not mentioning that she basically reads and edits all my stories before I post them.

Story Starts Now:

Jessie moaned and stirred in her sleep. Eragon had reluctantly went hunting a while ago and Blaze looked at her worriedly.

DREAM:

A chubby two year old blonde sat in the garden laughing. Her hands and face were covered in mud.

"Horsey," she screeched and pointed at the passing horse and rider as she laughed hysterically and clapped her hands.

The rider smiled and waved at the young girl before moving on.

"Daddy!" the girl screamed when she saw her father walking up the path to the house. She got to her feet and tottered to him. She grabbed his pant leg and hugged his leg.

Her father glanced around to make sure no one was watching before he backhanded her. She fell to the ground and looked at her father with a confused face. Her father was examining his pants. He swore loudly when he saw the muddy hand prints. He glared at the girl from beneath his furrowed eyebrows and growled.

He grabbed her arm and dragged her into the house, ignoring the young girl's cries of pain.

"Tom," a young woman said coming out of the kitchen. "Let her go," she sighed.

Tom growled and looked at the sobbing girl. He pulled her to her room then knelt down on one knee in front of her, holding both her arms.

"Jessie stop crying," he ordered. Jessie tried to hold in her sobs but more kept erupting from her small mouth and silver tears slipped down her now damp face. "Stop crying!" he yelled and slapped her pale face. This brought a fresh wave of sobs as the red shape of a hand slowly turned to black. "God dammit Jessie, shut up!" he yelled and flung the small body at the wall.

Jessie hit the wall with a sickening crack then she landed on the floor unmoving. Tom stomped out of the room, locking the door behind him.

"Get up," a voice snapped and a five year old Jessie slowly sat up and rubbed her eyes sleepily. "I said get up," the voice said again and slapped her.

Jessie held back a cry as her mother's palm made contact with her face. She'd learned that they stopped hurting her earlier if she stayed quiet.

"Hurry up and get dressed," her mother snapped impatiently as she untied the rope that traveled from Jessie's right wrist to the leg of the wooden wood frame that supported a thin straw mattress.

Jessie didn't look at her mother as she left. When the door closed she slipped off the bed slowly and limped over to the small box in the corner of the room. She opened it and pulled out the only thing in the box: a brown dress. She heard a yell for her to hurry up and quickly slipped off her pants, being mindful of the bruises. She grimaced at a particularly nasty one on her shin that Tom had given her last night on yet another one of his drunken rampages. She pulled off her shirt quickly and exchanged it for the dress. She smoothed the bottom and winced at she brushed bruises.

The door opened and Tom stood there. "We're going out. Come on," he said and grabbed her arm tightly. He pulled her to the carriage quickly and closed the door. He locked it (from the outside) before he climbed to the front and urged the horses forward.

Jessie stumbled and fell to the floor as the carriage jerked forward. Her mother reached down and grabbed a handful of her grime covered blonde hair and pulled her up, only to throw her to the opposite seat. The carriage stopped about an hour later and she heard Tom opening the door.

He stepped in and passed a pile of rags to her mother. "Get her to change into these, Marian. If she doesn't, slap her until she does. Just make sure she puts them on," he said and stepped back, closing the door behind him.

"You heard your father. Now hurry up," Marian said coldly and threw the rags at Jessie. Jessie caught them and stared at them in horror. It was the clothes they made her wear when they really hurt her.

"No. Please Momma," she moaned and dropped the bundle of 'clothes'.

"Hush child," Marian said and slapped Jessie's face. "Put them on now."

"Momma," Jessie sobbed and she was slapped again. She fell to the floor and, sobbing, pulled the pants on under her dress. Her mother, growing impatient, wretched the dress off and pulled the shirt down over her head roughly. She then stood up, grabbed the dress and glided to the door.

Jessie sat on the floor rocking back and forth, loud sobs coming from her mouth. The door opened and Tom walked in. Jessie let out another choked sob and made a dart for the door. Tom caught her around the middle and threw her back in the corner.

"This'll teach you not to try and run away again," he hissed menacingly and advanced towards Jessie.

Fifteen minutes later Tom walked out of the carriage and climbed to the front to accompany Marian. Silently, he urged the horses forward.

In the back of the carriage, Jessie lay, wincing as the carriage went over bumps. Her hands were tied behind her back and her legs were tied together as well. A gag had been stuffed uncomfortably in her mouth. A separate rope ran from her tied hands to the leg of the carriage seat. She sobbed slightly and struggled but only succeeded in making her wrists bleed.

Sometime later the carriage stopped and Marian got in and untied Jessie then got out. Jessie followed her timidly. Tom grabbed her hands and retied them, only this time in front of her.

He gave the rope a tug and Jessie stumbled forward. She followed, staring at the many people who looked like they were in the same situation as her standing in a line.

Suddenly, Tom dragged her up on a stage. She looked fearfully at the many faces in the crowd, none of which looked friendly. But there was one face that looked different from the rest.

"This lovely little four year old," someone suddenly said loudly and Jessie jumped. She glanced at the man who's caring face was now contorted in anger. "Comes already disciplined. If encouraged she will be a good worker and in a few years," he let out a whistle and an approved chuckle rolled through the crowd. "The bidding starts at twenty crowns."

"Daddy," Jessie whimpered and looked at Tom. Suddenly there was a roar and the man stormed up on the stage, his eyes blazing.

"How dare you try and sell your daughter into slavery. Your own flesh and blood," he growled and shoved Tom.

Tom stumbled back several steps, dragging Jessie with him. She fell and, having no hands to catch herself with, her chin made contact with the rough wooden stage. Tom let go of the rope and lunged for the man.

He stopped suddenly and stood abnormally still. Jessie finally managed to stand and saw the man pointing a sword at Tom's throat.

"If I ever see you here with her again I will kill you," he snarled and sheathed his sword. "Now go down and get ready to go, I want to talk to your daughter for a moment," he said and took Jessie's tied hands and gently led her offstage and into a corner of the people filled room.

He knelt down in front of her and pulled out a knife. She flinched away and stared at it with wide eyes.

"Don't hurt me," she whimpered, her eyes darting from the man's face to the blade. The man nearly winced at the raw terror in Jessie's eyes. What had those monsters done to her? He wondered vaguely.

"I'm not going to hurt you," he said gently and cut the ropes bounding her hands. "Now can you tell me your name?"

"Jessie," she muttered to the floor as she rubbed her rope burnt hands.

"Do you know why your father was trying to sell you?"

"...because I'm a mistake and I wasn't supposed to be born. I'm not good for anything," she whispered then looked at the man curiously. "What's your name?" she asked shyly then flinched as if expecting punishment.

"My name is Brom, who told you those things?"

"Momma and Daddy."

"And did they do anything when they said it?"

"They...hurt me. Daddy yells and hits or kicks me. Sometimes he throws me and once he used a knife. He used the horse whip a couple times. He says that's all I'll ever be: an animal. When Momma hurts me she screams and hits me," she sniffed. "Do I have to go back to them? They scare me."

Brom smiled sadly and stroked her cheek. "I'm sorry Jessie but you do. But I'm going to try and get you away from them ok?" he said and Jessie nodded. "Until then can you hold this for me?" he asked and pulled out something covered in a cloth. He moved the cloth aside to revel a dark blue rock. "Can you look after it until you see me again?"

Jessie nodded and Brom gently shoved it in her arms. "Remember, don't show it to anyone."

"I won't," Jessie promised and hugged Brom. "Brom...are you my friend?" she asked.

"Yes Jessie," he said and she smiled brightly at him before running to the carriage and getting in the back. Brom frowned when he saw the glare that both Tom and Marian sent at Jessie before climbing to the front of the carriage.

Brom walked out of the auction house and mounted his stallion Tornado. Silently, he urged Tornado forward and he followed the carriage.

About halfway back to Jessie's home, a scream came from the carriage. Marian went in and checked on her and came out pale faced and whispered something to Tom. Wide eyed, he flicked the horse whip and the horse began to gallop. Brom became confused and worried.

He followed the carriage then he realized they were heading for Galbatorix's castle. He swore loudly and tried to catch up to the carriage. He should have realized this earlier. He was nearly caught up to the carriage when it reached the guards.

They passed through without a problem. Brom tried to get through the gates before they closed but the gaurds stopped him.

"It's him! The one who stole the dragon eggs!" one of them yelled when he recognized him. Brom decided that playing innocent would do him no good right now so all he could do was swear loudly, turn and gallop away from them. He stopped at the top of a hill and looked back.

"I'm sorry Jessie," he whispered and one lone but meaningful and sorry tear slipped down his face before he had to gallop away once again.

Jessie was nervous. She thought she was going to be hit when she screamed but her mother had taken one look at the dragon and left.

Jessie hugged the dragon tightly and it squeaked uncomfortably. She loosened her grip and smiled at it apologetically. It seemed to purr and rub against her. The carriage stopped and she heard Tom talking to someone.

The carriage door opened and an old man's face appeared. Jessie moved back against the wall holding the dragon. A smile developed on the man's face and he looked away from her and started talking to Tom.

"Get her out. I'll take you to the king," he said and Tom walked in.

"Come on," he grunted and grabbed Jessie's arm only to let go a moment later swearing and holding his arm.

The dragon's head retreated back into Jessie's comforting arms with what looked like a smirk on its face and Jessie could feel its satisfaction. The dragon had sensed Jessie's unease and had acted according; it had bitted Tom's hand.

Tom glared at her and she slowly stood up and walked out of the carriage.

The old man started walking as soon as she was out of the carriage so she followed hesitantly.

They walked to a huge room with an equally huge chair.

"My Lord," the old man said and bowed deeply. "These kind people," he gestured to Tom and Marian, "have been kind enough to bring their daughter to you."

"Why?" Galbatorix asked lazily.

"Because they recently found that she had a dragon," he replied and stepped to one side, revealing Jessie.

She glanced around confused and jumped when Galbatorix stepped down from his throne and stared at her critically.

"Fine. Morzan, take the parents and give them the reward, but take off one hundred crowns for the poor condition they left her in."

"Yes my Lord," Morzan said bowing and ushered the two adults out of the rom. Tom stayed back for a moment and knelt down by Jessie.

"Getting rid of you is the real reward here. Getting the money is just a bonus," he hissed before following Morzan.

Now, Galbatorix turned to Jessie who was trying to sink into the background. Galbatorix glanced at the dragon who growled and snapped its small jaws threateningly.

"How did you get the egg?"

"I found it," Jessie replied. She could feel the distrust radiating off her dragon and thought if he didn't trust him neither should she. She didn't want Brom to get in trouble either. She smiled on the inside as she finally referred to the dragon as 'hers'.

"You do realize that you are going to work for me," Galbatorix hissed. Jessie looked at him.

"I don't need to work for anyone," Jessie replied. All those years of being hit and holding everything inside were finally coming to the surface. And aided with the courage her dragon was giving her, she was feeling very rebellious. "Especially you."

"And why not?"

"Blaze don't like you," Jessie growled and hugged Blaze tighter.

"You will work for me," Galbatorix snarled and grabbed one of her upper arms. He slapped her across the face. Blaze growled and bit Galbatorix's hand, refusing to let go. Galbatorix shook his hand furiously and finally dislodged Blaze who flew into a wall and fell to the ground unmoving.

Jessie gasped and tried to run to him but Galbatorix still had her arm.

"If you won't work for me on your own free will, I will break you," he snarled and began to beat her.

It wasn't long before she slipped into unconciousness. Sadly, then, she didn't know this would be her life for the next nine years and the dungeon she woke up in the next morning would be her home.

Jessie shot up panting heavily. She glanced at Blaze who's leg twitched in his sleep, unaware of her inner turmoil. She smiled at him affectionally before slowly getting to her feet.

It was dark but not cloudy. Her eyes searched the makeshift campsite quickly. Eragon was by Saphira, both asleep and Murtagh was facing the other way but he was also asleep judging by the even rise and fall of his chest.

That's when she finally found what she was looking for. It caught the light of the moon and she quietly walked over to where it lay by a pile of skinned rabbits.

Her slender fingers curled around the handle and she carefully concealed it in the tunic that Eragon had lent her. Even though he was closer to her size then Murtagh it was still too big, especially since she was underweight.

She silently slipped away from the camp and walked until she could only barely see the shady form of Blaze. only then did she stop and slip behind a tree.

She slid to the ground, her back resting against the tree, and stared at the knife in her hands. It caught the light once again before she tilted it downward and found herself staring in her own reflection. They were empty and she knew it. They'd emptied years ago, when she realized no one cared...when she started this...right after Galbatorix...she didn't want to think about that.

She didn't understand though. Eragon, Saphira and Murtagh cared or at least seemed to and she still had Blaze who she knew cared. And now she was away from him. So why was she still doing this?

Her answer was simple really, this was her escape. This had always been her escape. No one, not even Galbatorix, could hurt her more then she could hurt herself. And that comforted her, knowing she had some control.

And these thoughts cast aside all her doubts that she what she was doing was wrong. She needed this.

With that in mind, she pushed her sleeve back with her fist and lowered the blade to her wrist. She hissed softly as the blade sliced through the skin but watched with grim satisfaction as the moon shone on the crimson liquid that seeped from her self-inflicted wound. The sight of her blood on her skin was enough as she began to cut her troubles away.

A/N: so how was it. I really didn't like writing this chappy. anyway, some people had questions so here's the answers. Sorry about not answering them sooner but every time before I posted I forgot then I remembered. Lol. anyway, here you are:

Random person number 7989

Chapter 2: the fighting between Blaze and Jessie was like the playful fighting you have with your friends sometimes. It was more affectionate then mean.

Chapter 4: I know he'd be in his earlier twenties but I have some ideas for it after I find out what happens in Eldest and I needed that to go along with it.

NyxShur'tugal

Cahpter 4: I won't tell you which paring it's going to be, but I don't want it to be an overly sappy fic either. You'll just have to keep reading and watch it all unfold winks.

Super-hero Fan

Chapter 3: hope that this chappy helped you learn more about Jessie's life. If this chappy goes over good I think I might do a few more dream/flashback things.

Chapter 4: you'll find some of that stuff out in the next chappy. I'm not going to say much because I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do but I hope it works ok when I do it.

Anyway, sorry for the long wait of getting those answered. Hope you guys liked the chapter an I hope it explained some more stuff. Remember: R&R.

nikki