Chapter 5

Disclaimer: I don't own Eragon or Eldest, which I have finally read so now I will be able to have this story done right, until the next one comes out and I have to beg Jessie for that one too. Jessie: Damn right you will!

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 not being thanked 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 so I had to write this in order to save my life.

Story Starts Now:

It was nearing morning when she woke up. Looking back, she didn't see Blaze's still form, it was now moving around the campsite and was replaced by two smaller figures.

One started waving their arms around and stalked off in her direction. She glanced down at the blood-covered knife then to her blood streaked hands. She rubbed the dried blood off her hands in the pants she was wearing(also borrowed from Eragon) and since it was dry it didn't leave any stains. Then she did her best to clean the knife.

Not getting much of the dried blood off it, she finally settled with concealing it with the tunic. She stood up and walked out from behind the tree.

Whoever had been walking was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, someone grabbed her shoulders and spun her around. She stifled a cry and found herself looking into Eragon's brown eyes. She nearly sighed in relief until she felt the anger directed at her.

She looked closer into his eyes and flinched back furiously as she saw the anger. It was the same anger that she'd seen in Tom, Marian and Galbatorix's eyes before they beat her. Unpleasant flashbacks flashed before her eyes, adding to the growing terror that started to show in her bright blue eyes.

"Where were you?" he hissed angrily, his hands holding her upper arms in a vicelike grip. She flinched again and shook wildly but Eragon was taking no notice. "We woke up and you were gone. Blaze really didn't know where you were this time. We thought you were dead!" he yelled, shaking her.

Jessie held back a sob as he glared at her. She bit her lip and averted her eyes, praying that he would just let her go. Finally his hands loosened and she backed up against the nearest tree quickly.

"Go back to the campsite," he growled and turned. "I'll be back in a few minutes. "

She watched his retreating figure and hugged herself tightly, careful not to stab herself with the knife that was still clenched in her hand.

She slowly walked back to the camp. Murtagh had his back to her and she cleared her throat. He turned and glared at her. She flinched although she was glad he had put down the stick that he'd been using to stroke the fire.

"Where were you?" he growled, advancing toward her. She took a step back and sighed, she didn't need this right now. Not when she was already feeling depressed, and so soon after having the dream, and being yelled at by Eragon.

"I went for a walk," she growled, trying to sound confident. And not tell a complete lie.

"In the middle of the night."

"Um . . . I couldn't sleep," this was not going her way so she tried to switch roles. "Why are you interrogating me? It's my life, let me live it will you?" she tried to walk away but Murtagh's hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. A dull pain stabbed through her arm and she inwardly winced.

"No, I won't let you live your life if you're going to keep running off. Do you have any idea how worried we were?" he was shouting now.

"Let go of me," she said quietly, her voice quivering with fear. "Let go please."

"No. And do you know why? Because the minute I let go you will run again and sooner or later running is going to get you killed," he snarled and pushed her against a tree. While she had been backing up she hadn't noticed that she'd walked into the forest.

"Let me go," she whispered. Her eyes never leaving Murtagh's angry face.

"No, I won't!" he yelled and raised his hand. Jessie snapped her eyes shut and flinched further back into the tree, panicked whimpers escaping from her. She heard a yell and Murtagh's grip on her wrist disappeared with a sharp tug.

She heard more yelling and she slowly crept around the tree before breaking into a run. Images of Tom, Marian, Galbatorix, Murtagh and Eragon merged together until she was confused and terrified.

After what seemed like hours she slowed down and fell to her knees by a river. She closed her puffy, tear streaked eyes and took deep breaths, trying desperately to calm down.

She heard a tree branch crack behind her and she flinched. She didn't move as Blaze settled down beside her. She didn't look at him but continued to stare at the water running over the rocks.

What happened? He asked after a few minutes.

Nothing Jessie answered, too quickly.

Then why did you run?

She swore. He always had a back up question. I was scared she answered after sometime. Blaze stayed silent, knowing she wanted . . . needed to say more. Blazey . . . do you think Eragon would . . . she paused.

No Blaze answered. I don't think he would. Is that all that's on your mind?

Murtagh was going to . . . hit me. And Eragon yelled.

Why?

Because I didn't stay in the camp last night.

Why did you leave anyway? Blaze asked looking at her for the first time.

I had a dream last night . . . actually, it was more like a memory or flashback. I saw the first time it happened . . . both times.

Blaze looked at her startled and gently nudged her face with his nose and blew out a breath in her hair. She smiled and huddled between his front legs.

"Do we have to go back? I don't want to," she asked sleepily. "I'm tired and I like it here. It's peaceful," she muttered, her eyes sliding shut.

Blaze smiled softly as she fell into a dreamless sleep. He still wasn't big enough to carry her long distances so he reached out with his mind and tried to contact Eragon. Once he found Eragon, he slipped past his defenses undetected.

Eragon he said. He heard a startled yelp and sighed.

Blaze? Eragon asked.

No. It's Galbatorix Blaze said sarcastically.

Did you find her?

Yes. But I can't bring her back. I need you to come carry her.

Ok. Where are you? Eragon asked. It made no sense that Blaze couldn't carry her. Wait . . . why would he have to carry her in the first place? What if she was hurt!

Blaze had told him they were near a river then he'd left the mind link. He'd seen a river when he was walking. Before he came back and found Murtagh about to hit Jessie. She was terrified when she ran off. What if she did something stupid and got hurt?

Eragon set off in a panicked run in the direction of the river. He didn't know how long he was running before he saw Blaze's frame.

"Where is she?" he panted as he rested with his hands on his knees. Blaze looked at him before looking back out on the river. Eragon gasped and fell to his knees. "She didn't . . . she's not . . . "

She's asleep Blaze rolled his eyes.

"Oh," was Eragon's intelligent reply. He looked around Blaze and saw Jessie curled up between his front legs, unharmed.

He sighed in relief and gently slid his arms under her and picked her up bridal style. She whimpered quietly–breaking Eragon's heart–then slowly relaxed and curled into his chest more.

Blaze shook his head and started walking back to the campsite. For the first time, Eragon noticed that he walked with a slight limp.

"What happened to your leg?"

What do you mean what happened to my leg? Blaze asked, a nervous edge in his voice that Eragon picked up.

"You're limping," Eragon pointed out.

No, I'm not Blaze snapped and stopped. Eragon raised an eyebrow.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?"

No.

"Why not?"

Because it is not any of your business Blaze hissed as he turned and glared at Eragon.

"And why is it none of my business?" Eragon asked as he shifted Jessie's weight so he could stand more comfortably.

...Because.

"Does Jessie know?" Eragon asked. He took Blaze's silence as a no. "Then I guess I'll have to tell her then," Eragon smirked and Blaze turned and growled loudly.

"Stop fighting. You're making too much noise," Jessie mumbled sleepily, not opening her eyes.

"Alright," Eragon said and Jessie went back to sleep. The rest of the walk was spent in silence.

When they reached the campsite, Blaze went and lid down on the far side of the campsite. Eragon didn't say anything to Murtagh–who he was still mad at–and took Jessie over to a pile of blankets and covered her up.

Suddenly, acting upon impulse, he bent down and kissed her forehead. She stirred and he thought for a moment that she would wake but she turned over and slept on.

Thankful, Eragon walked over to his sleeping bag and slipped in, thinking about her.


Jessie stirred and berily opened her eyes halfway. She moved her arm slightly and felt the blunt point of the handle of the knife dig into her skin. Se closed her eyes as she recalled the last twenty-four hours' events and as she held the knife so it wouldn't fall from the tunic.

"Jessie, are you awake?" she heard Eragon ask and shake her shoulder gently. Knowing that she wouldn't be able to talk so soon after being woken, if she was even awake yet. She nodded and groaned, opening her eyes enough to see his blurry figure.

"Argh," she groaned and Eragon smiled.

"You have to get up. We're leaving now," he said and stood up.

"Help," Jessie moaned and he held out his hand and she grabbed it, pulling herself to her feet with his help.

"We can't ride the dragons," Eragon said, "we can't risk them being seen," Jessie only nodded. "So we're riding horses," another nod. "But we only have two so until we get another one in the next town you'll have to ride with one of us . . . " Eragon said slowly and coughed, slightly embarrassed.

"Do I have to?" Jessie asked, lack of sleep making her whiny and complain a lot.

"Unless you want to walk," Murtagh snapped from where he was dousing the fire.

Eragon glared at Murtagh who glared back before turning his attention back to the glowing red embers which were the only remainder of the fire.

Jessie, who was still half asleep, wasn't paying attention to Eragon and Murtagh's silent dispute. In fact, she wasn't even there to witness it. By now, she'd wandered off in search of Blaze and since the two boys were currently locked in a staring match, neither noticed.

Jessie saw Blaze lying down in a small patch of sunlight a short way from camp. She crept up and jumped on his back and clung to the spikes with one hand as she stretched out and looped her knee around another spike, she then started scratching one of his favorite spots between two scales.

"Hey Blazey," Jessie muttered sleepily as Blaze arched his neck.

Still tired? Blaze teased.

"Yes," she snapped then sighed. "Eragon says we're leaving today. And I have to ride with him or Murtagh," she said sadly as she rested her cheek against his cool scales.

I know. I was speaking with him earlier. Does this decision upset you? He asked and turned his head to look at her. She nodded. May I ask why?

"I don't know . . . you remember what . . . he used to do to me right?" she asked quietly, hope evident in her voice.

Yes Blaze answered slowly, mentally cringing as he recalled the wreck that Jessie had always been left in after Galbatorix left. Jessie, they're not going to do that to you. And if they try, you can fight back this time . . . if I don't kill them first he growled and Jessie laughed, despite how depressed she was feeling.

"Promise you won't let them hurt me," Jessie whispered and buried her face in his scales, careful not to cut herself on the sharp edges.

I promise Blaze replied and pushed her head up so he could nuzzle her face. Jessie sighed contentedly and slipped off his back, landing softly on the leaf-covered forest floor. We should get back to camp.

"Ya, I guess," Jessie muttered, glancing nervously towards the campsite. Blaze stood up and started walking. "Blazey, what's wrong with your leg?"

Blaze swore. Why did people decide to notice his limp all of a sudden. Nothing he said quickly but he already his previous reaction had given him away. He really didn't need this right now. Jessie looked at him. Alright, it happened the first time Galbatorix threw me against the wall.

"Oh Blazey!" Jessie gasped and hugged him. "Why didn't you tell me?"

You had enough things to deal with. You didn't need my problems too.

"Let me fix it," Jessie said, reaching out but shejumped back when Blaze turned to her growling and snapping his large jaws. Jessie drew back as smoke rolled from his nostrils.

No he snarled. You are still too weak to do such magic. It would be suicide! He growled then his voice softened. I just don't want you to get hurt he said softly and Jessie could feel the guilt rising.

"I won't, don't worry," she said, mentally cringing at the lie. She really was pathetic, lying to her one true friend like that.

Blaze stared at her critically for a moment before nodding his large head. I trust you Jessie he said quietly and she fidgeted uncomfortably as guilt flooded through her.

They finished walking to the camp in silence and Eragon turned from where he was saddling Snowfire to look at the two.

"Have you decided who you're going to ride with?" he asked her.

Jessie glanced nervously from Eragon to Murtagh. She flinched back as she saw Murtagh's stone cold eyes . . . the eyes that reminded her of Galbatorix's. She tore her eyes away from Murtagh and looked into Eragon's warm, brown eyes. They shone with concern, something she had never seen directed at her in a person's eyes. She suddenly swore mentally when she realized he must have seen her flinch.

"I'll go with you . . . if that's ok," she said and looked at Eragon who nodded.

"It's fine," he said then walked over to her as Murtagh mounted Tornac who was moving restlessly. "You can go ahead. We'll catch up," he told Murtagh who nodded and spurred Tornac and galloped towards the road.

"Why did you tell him to go ahead?" Jessie asked nervously, despite the fact that she knew Blaze was close by.

"Because it looked like he was upsetting you," he said and shrugged. "Have you ever ridden a horse?" he asked suddenly, changing the topic.

"No," Jessie answered slowly. "Why?"

"Because it's time you learned," Eragon replied. Jessie stared at him before glancing at Snowfire. "It's easy, don't worry," he coaxed gently.

"Um," Jessie said and jumped when Eragon took her hands and slowly towed her over to Snowfire.

"His name is Snowfire. You have to get acquainted with him before you can ride."

Jessie reached out and touched Snowfire's nose. He snorted and she laughed nervously. Eragon watchedas she gradually worked up the courage to scratch Snowfire's neck.

"Are you ready to ride him?" Eragon asked quietly, not wanting to disturb the bonding between the two. Jessie looked at him in horror. "I'll give you a boost," he said and knelt down, clasping his two hands together.

Jessie glanced down at his hands nervously and tentivly lifted her foot and placed it in his open palms. He waited until she had her balance once again before preparing to lift her.

"I'm going to lift you up now so you have to jump in the saddle alright," Eragon said and Jessie nodded as she gripped the saddle tightly.

Eragon lifted his arms and she jumped into the saddle, barely startling Snowfire with the sudden weight. Then again Eragon thought angrily she hardly weighs anything.

"How are you feeling up there?" he asked, teasingly, looking at her.

"I'll feel better once I'm used to it," she replied drily and looked at him, for the first time taking in his features. Her breath caught in her throat as she found herself staring into the face of what looked like an elf hybrid.

Eragon's brown hair normally covered his ears was now blown back by the gentle wind circulating around the near deserted campsiteHis ears instead of ending in the blunt points like a human, continued up and joined at the tips to create points. His face was angled like an elf's but was too broad to be one.

"Are you part elf?" she blurted out suddenly then realized how rude it had sounded and started sputtering apologies until Eragon reached up and touched her lips, effectively silencing her as she searched his face.

"If you're traveling with me, you have a right to know. There's nothing wrong with asking questions," he said and moved his finger. "But I'm not going to tell you right now because you have to learn how to ride," he said and stepped back, explaining how to get Snowfire to move.

Jessie did as he instructed and soon knew enough to keep herself alive. He would teach her more when they stopped at night.

"You're a fast learner," he said approvingly when she stopped beside him. Jessie accepted the compliment with a nod and a small smile as she concentrated on keeping the trembling horse still.

Eragon could feel Snowfire's impatience to start and climbed on behind Jessie. She jumped at first and trembled as Eragon reached past her and grabbed the reins but she calmed down quickly as Eragon began telling her about how his appearance was altered.

Blaze and Saphira flew high above them and the four of them conversed through the mind link. Eragon had felt uncomfortable doing this a first Jessie convinced him that he was not invading her privacy and she would not look through her mind.

She told him choice parts of her past, being careful not to revel too much of her past self . . . or her present self.


It was nearing noon before they saw Murtagh and Tornac resting in a small grass clearing by the road. Tornac was grazing and Murtagh was resting in the shade of a tree.

"Took you long enough," he muttered, annoyed.

"I had to teach Jessie a few riding basics," Eragon said as he dismounted and landed gracefully. He held out his hand which Jessie grabbed and helped her off. "Where do you think we can get her a horse?"

"I don't know. Probably in the next town," Murtagh shrugged. Eragon growled and grabbed Murtagh's arm, hauling him to his feet, checking the road for any other travelers.

"We can't just waltz into a city right now. We're both supposed criminals with thousands of crowns on our heads! Not to mention Galbatorix probably has a reward offered for Jessie and Blaze's return," he hissed and glanced back at Jessie who had winced furiously when he said this. "So Murtagh, tell me your brilliant plan for getting a horse for Jessie!"

"Simple. We steal one," Murtagh said calmly and wretched his arm from Eragon's grip. "And if it makes you feel better, I will go and steal it," he said and walked over to where Tornac was picketed, mounted him and galloped up the road and out of sight.

Eragon stared after him then turned, shaking his head, causing his brown hair to sway and fall into his chestnut brown eyes.

"I don't understand him anymore," he sighed. "He's changed so much since we fought the Urgals," he said, his voice full of guilt and regret emitting from him in waves.

"It's not your fault. No matter what happens, none of it is your fault," Jessie said quietly, not looking at him.

"I have to go get him," Eragon said, seemingly not hearing her words.

He walked over to Snowfire, mounted him and galloped in the direction that Murtagh had went.

Jessie stared after them, terror beginning to overwhelm her. They'd left her, just like Brom had. She trembled furiously as she back up against the tree where Murtagh had been resting moments before.

She slowly slid down the tree until she was sitting on the ground. She glanced up at the sky and searched for the two shapes that had been following them. They had disappeared so she thought that they'd followed Eragon.

She wrapped her arms around her knees which were drawn up to her chest then she grabbed her ankles. She started rocking back and forth as she held back sobs and started whispering the broken verses of one song Blaze had sung years ago to help keep her spirts up, even if it only worked for a little while.

Finally, she felt her eyes slipping shut. She leaned back against the tree and slipped into a contented slumber.


Jessie woke with a start, confused as to why she'd woken so suddenly. She heard a twig snap behind her and she spun around, stumbling to her feet. A whistling sound was heard then she felt a sharp pain in her side.

She cried out and her hands grasped her side and felt an arrow protruding from her flesh. She felt a warm sticky liquid dripping from the arrow and was sickened when she realized it was her own blood.

She reached for her magic and found that it was harder to reach then usual. And her mind was slowing down and getting foggy.

"Jierda," she gasped as she saw her attacker's shady form at the edge of the forest. The spell sapped a lot of her energy and she had to fight to stay upright.

The spell hit a tree–shattering it–as her attacker sidestepped and Jessie finally collapsed to her knees. She bent over, breathing heavily and supporting herself with one hand as she tried to stop the blood flow with the other.

She closed her eyes as a choked sob escaped from her and she submitted to a coughing fit.

She heard her attacker walking towards her but she couldn't find the energy to lift her head.

She felt something warm coming up her throat and her vision started to darken around the edges.

"Slytha," she heard him whisper as he bent down. She desperately tried to fight the spell but it soon began to overtake her already foggy mind.

Finally the spell overtook her, but not before she caught a glimpse of her attacker's face.

A/N: so how was it? Was this chapter long enough? 11 pages. I finally got Eldest and I'm really sorry about not updating. It was so mean of me. Hope you liked the chapter and right now I won't bore you with my excuses for why I didn't update. Anyway, until next time. Leave a review and tell me what you thought of it. Peace out.

Nikki