Hello everyone.

This marks the beginning of the first book, on to the chapter. As always there is an authors note at the bottom, don't miss it.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

One week after our departure from Ellesmera we split up. The egg bearers would ride behind the rest of the party. We stayed a day ahead of them while riding slowly and quietly, making sure that no scouts saw us. There was someone reaching out and checking with Arya every 30 minutes to make sure none got behind us. Everyone was connected and constantly searching for any sign of urgals or the shade. We actually had no clue when or where the ambush would take place so we took every caution available.

Brom was the first to feel the urgal scout 3 days after we split up, he was about 70 yards off of the road in the woods. We stopped and immediately took a route around his line of sight and behind him, and set up camp with spells to nullify noise and no campfire. I was the one who reached out to the egg bearers and told them of our discovery.

After setting up a very basic camp, and warding against detection, we all sat in a circle and extended our minds passed his in the direction we assumed the ambush would take place. We found the urgal camp about a few hours ride from the scout, it took us around 5 hours of constant searching because we were going so slow. We didn't want to brush the mind of Durza because he would immediately feel the intrusion and most likely flee. We were searching for about five or six urgal minds to get the location of the camp and work off of that information.

The plan was to let the egg bearers pass the scout which he would then scurry off to warn of their approach. We would stay in the woods around the party on foot and constantly search for the urgal archers that killed Faolin and Glenwing in the books. As soon as they sprung the trap they were to take cover and let us engage the enemy, only joining when victory was assured and fleeing if it wasn't.

The day waiting for the others to join us had everyone anxious and no one rested while we waited. It was the longest 12 hours of either of my lives. Finally they joined us around the middle of the night, we estimated it would take us about 4 or 5 hours to reach the ambush and we made the decision to continue through the night as that is how the egg bearers traveled most of the time anyway and that is what Durza would expect.

On a side note, this was the first time since Shadowcat joined our party that I have seen her human form and its kinda fucking creepy. A little girl with black hair and her cat eyes with a dagger attached to her hip? I'll say it again, fucking creepy.

As we set off I was so happy about my physical changes that I made. I kept up easily with Vanir and Blodhgarm as we moved through the woods broadcasting our minds, we were the ones expecting to make first contact, Brom would be at the rear, we needed him alive at all costs to train the next rider and to also keep an eye over Arya and the others. Brom would have to supply himself with energy from Aren to keep up with the rest of us but it was a small price to pay for taking out Durza early.

3 hours after we set off from camp, I came across an urgal archer just as we planned and waited. Urgals were just as described in the book, about six foot six of pure muscle with horns protruding out of its head, luckily it wasn't a kull. I reached out with my mind and made contact with Arya, careful to not brush any minds beside hers and told her of the danger. Getting confirmation and deciding on stealth I drew my dagger out of its sheath, and waited.

It wasn't five minutes later that Arya, Faolin, and Glenwing came trotting into the line of fire. A horn sounded throughout the forest and I took that as my cue to strike, my blade stabbed into the neck and severed the spinal cord just as the sound of bow strings being let go and he dropped like a puppet. Not letting myself dwell on the fact that I had just took a life, I looked to make sure that the three of the egg bearers weren't killed and saw that none had fallen.

Then I was off like a bullet, warhammer in hand. Running through the forest and reaching out with my mind I found Vanir and Blodhgarm and joined minds with theirs, we went hunting. Another urgal found his skull crushed beneath my hammer as I moved through the forest, he never saw it coming. This continued for another 3 urgals before someone warned them of enemies in the forest. The next urgal I came across saw me and swung at me with a hideous looking sword. Ducking under the swing, I slid my dagger up into the bottom of his jaw and pierced his brain, just like the first he dropped immediately.

Durza has shown himself! I heard Brom say in my head as the whole party of us grouped minds together. All of us immediately turned and ran towards the direction of the egg. Before I could get there I felt an assault on all of our minds, we easily repelled it.

Don't forget, go for the heart. I said to everyone.

As I broke into the clearing I could see Brom and Faolin facing off against the shade. Brom was moving faster than I had ever seen a human besides myself move. They were surrounded by elves and urgals fighting. Each urgal that was cut down was replaced by two more coming out of seemingly nowhere. Luckily we hadn't experienced any losses yet although I could see an elf of Blodhgarm's party bleeding down his arm.

There seemed to be a wall of enemies between me and Durza, I would later look back and realize it was only six, all of them kull. Not breaking stride I parried the first thrust and swung my hammer with enough force to crush his chest, and that is exactly what happened. Not giving him any more attention I raced to the next and he fell to my dagger in his heart. The next two attacked me simultaneously and I was hard pressed to get my warhammer around in time to block both attacks. Noticing my disadvantage I dropped the hammer and drew my dagger and stepped into the firsts guard while also shielding myself from the others attack. He fell to the ground with his hands around his throat trying to stem the bleeding. The second didn't waste a moment and tackled me to the ground.

He must have weighed around 400 pounds because all of the air in my lungs evacuated as we hit the ground. Instinct seemed to take over as I used the momentum to flip myself on top and shove my dagger into his brain. As he went limp I stood up and tried to catch my breath.

The last two had been taken care of by arrows shot from somewhere behind me. I noticed that Brom and Vanir had been joined by Glenwing who was poking at Durza with his spear from behind the shade. He didn't seem deterred at all and seemed to be dancing around all of them.

As I looked around we all seemed to be finishing up with our enemies and no more urgals were coming in from the forest anymore. I started running over to help with the shade.

As soon as I was close enough, Durza grabbed Glenwings spear, pulled him close and tried pierce him through the chest, Faolin's blade deflected but left him open to counterattack. Panic overtook me as I thought I was going to witness his death and instead of going for a killing blow, he kicked both of them away and a horse as black as night rode beside him. He used the lull in fighting and jumped on the horse, whispered a spell and they rocketed off into the forest at a speed that should be impossible.

As Arya mounted her horse to pursue I cried out "No! Do not pursue."

"Why?!"

"None of us can keep up and you're no match for him by yourself. I doubt you can catch up to him anyway." I responded. Everyone had gathered by this point and were either listening to us or healing their wounds.

"He's right, at best he outpaces you and flees, at worst he duels you and you die. Leave him." Blodhgarm cut in as everyone started gathering around.

"Barzul!" Brom yelled as he took a seat obviously winded and verbally expressing the frustration everyone was feeling.

Logically I knew that it was possible we would fail but I never truly gave it thought, I counted on the fact that the spirits were looking for a way out of the body and would fight to the death, I was wrong. The contingency plan came to the forefront of my mind.

"It's alright, we know what happens now. We will carry the egg to carvahall and wait for the egg to hatch. We cannot be seen with too many elves, Vanir will come. Islanzadi initially wanted all of you to join us but we have convinced her that we need stealth. Sixteen elves cutting a path across Alagaesia will draw attention and that is not what we need. She left the decision of how many that will accompany us to Brom."

He stood up and paced around the clearing, stepping over bodies as he went. "Our cover says that we are visiting old contacts of mine. We can say that they wanted to see where you were from and get a feel of your character?" He seemed to pause after that. "With Vanir accompanying us… two more can come. Faolin? Arya? You are both most acquainted with humans the most and know how to blend in. Sorry Glenwing, but they will act as a couple."

"There will be no acting between them!" Glenwing jested in response. I thought it very odd considering the situation. "That is fine, we will meet in Farthen Dur."

I decided that we have waited enough, we are on the clock as it. "Right, everyone else do something with the bodies. We depart immediately."

We traveled another 6 hours before everyone agreed that we had put enough distance between us and the battle and we rested. It seemed as if everyone collapsed into their bedrolls, our exhaustion catching up to us, Brom especially.

Physically I felt fine, not even sore, but mentally I was drained. I had been avoiding dealing with the fact that I had just took ten lives. Ten sentient beings that were now on to the next adventure.

Sleep caught up to me before I could dwell on it any longer.

As I woke up the next morning, I noticed that I was the second to wake, Faolin seemingly beat me to it. Apparently I had forgotten to clean myself yesterday, so I remedied that problem with a few words.

"Yesterday was your first kills?" At my nod he continued. "How are you feeling?" Faolin asked me as I prepared my loyal horse for the day to come.

"I am not sure. I don't know how to describe it. I feel a slight amount of guilt but not an overwhelming amount. I thought I would be puking all over and wallowing in disgust but I as of right now I am calm, focused. Is that a bad thing?" I responded completely truthful.

"No, I have found that everyone reacts differently. Guilt is good but you shouldn't let it consume you. You seem to be processing it well. You have a strong head on your shoulder Roran, stronger than only a handful of other humans I have met, and I have met quite a few."

Silence settled amongst us after that. Death was something that I had given a lot of thought to in my past life and I had long since come to terms with my eventual fate. My transportation into this world only cemented my belief that there is life after death. I still wasn't sure if I died in my past life but it hardly mattered, if magic and other sentient life could exist then an afterlife didn't seem so far fetched anymore. Maybe it is just the next great adventure.

Dwelling on it won't change anything. I decided as everyone seemed to be up and ready to go.

It took us a little over a month to ride from Carvahall to Osilon the first time but we were planning on making it in under two weeks, our mounts would be pushed to the limit. Our reasoning was that Eragon already had Saphira by now and she would hatch in a week in the books and we were losing time with their growth. Nevermind the fact that Durza had likely already reported his failure to Galbatorix and would have soldiers looking for Brom and I. No doubt they think we would flee back to the elves and then to the Varden. This would also mean that it could speed their plans up to finish off the rebels in hiding, though we were hoping not. Logic dictated that we hurry up and get to the Varden to prepare regardless.

In the end it took us exactly two weeks to make it back to Carvahall. Arya, Faolin, and Vanir would be posing as a merchant couple that let his younger brother accompany them to take over the accounts with Roran. They would hide their elven features with magic. It wasn't an elaborate plan because soon enough Eragon and Garrow would know the truth and we would be on our way to the Varden.

I was to present the egg as a gift to Eragon who would then keep it and it would hatch, as soon as I found out then we would approach both Eragon and Garrow, tell them as much of the truth as is necessary and then leave.

When I arrived at the farm in the late afternoon I was alone. The others would stay at Brom's house and avoid the public eye, even with their ears round they would stick out with their otherworldly beauty. I had also left my warhammer with them to avoid suspicion, but I kept my dagger for last resorts.

Reaching out with my mind I felt four presences, Eragon and Garrow had just sat down for supper it seemed, the last two were Saphira and Cadoc. After putting my faithful mount in the barn and getting all of my valuables out, I walked up to the door and knocked.

"Coming!" Garrow shouted from inside and I swore I heard something about unwelcome visitors at this hour. That brought a smile to my face.

Soon enough I was brought face to face with my father. "Roran….." he said in shock, his face seemed to go through a myriad of emotions, recognition, happiness, and finally anger. "We were afraid ...Oh my boy!" Were his next words as he crashed into my chest openly weeping at this point.

It had never occurred to me that they would think me dead, although it made perfect sense as to why. I told them I would be back in a certain time frame and came back much longer than that. About a year and a half.

I stopped thinking and embraced him back after standing there awkwardly for a few seconds.

"Roran!" cried another voice as it joined us in the hug.

The cries of a rooster woke me the morning after my return to Carvahall. The three of us spent the whole night catching up over supper and I wowed them with tales of cities like Ceunon and Gil'ead, the latter stories I made up but was convincing. I gave Eragon his present and he had looked at the egg in wonder and asked where I found such a stone. All I did was laugh and tell him 'magic'.

After I whispered the spell to clean myself and my clothes I walked out to find everyone was still asleep. Deciding that I would cook breakfast I went to work on fixing up sausage, bacon, eggs, and biscuits. It was simple in my past life but to Garrow and Eragon it would be a feast.

"How long will you stay with us Roran?" Father asked me as we finished up our plates.

"I am not sure. I hope it will be awhile before we have to depart." I said suddenly feeling guilty about the fact that I was about to uproot our family and move them soon.

"Good." He responded and left it at that.

"I have been practicing with the bow you gave me." Eragon started as he found a way to insert himself in the conversation.

"Are you any good?" I asked in response.

"I rarely miss! I can prove it."

"Well then you'll have to after we finish our chores." I told him reminding him not to shirk his duties.

"You don't have to worry about any of that Roran, we can handle it ourselves." Garrow cut in.

"I think I need to do it more than you need the help father. I'll tend to the horses."

"That's ten bullseyes in a row….." I said dumbfounded as Eragon hit the center of the target at increasing ranges.

"I told you." He said beaming a smile in my direction. "I was always good but this bow is simply amazing."

I didn't know how to respond, so instead I took in his appearance for the first time since coming back. He was definitely taller, he must be going through puberty or coming out of it. He stood at about five foot 7 inches with brown hair that was cut close to his head, not really in any style at all. He also has a deep chocolate brown eyes that I could tell must have come from his mother because Brom had blue eyes. He also looked much more muscular than what was described in the books. Must be from an improved diet and doing more of the chores around the farm.

Part of me wanted to go find two sticks and tell him to defend himself but I knew Brom wanted to be the one to train his son so I stuck to giving him tips on his form with the bow, things that I picked up watching Vanir and the other elves.

"Roran, why did you leave?" Eragon asked as we left the area he had set up to practice with his bow.

Deciding not to lie to him I told him what I could. "You will know soon enough."

"You told me that last time! I am a man now."

Laughing I responded. "And it's still the truth, you will understand sooner than you know I promise."

"Keep your secrets then." He said as he stormed off.

I misread that situation, he must still resent me a little.

It was two days later that I woke up and discovered Eragon was up and already out of the house. Looking around I noticed that membrane seemed to cover some of the floor of his room. I've been staying in the family room to give him and Saphira the privacy they would need to make the bond. It seemed my plan worked.

I sat down at the table and began reaching out with my mind and found Eragon and the tiny dragon near a tree a little way into the woods past the farm. I then reached out to find my companions. Finding Arya first I told her. The egg has hatched.

Ok, I will let the others know. We are only a few days behind yes? She asked.

Yes, we didn't lose too much time. She hatched in a fewer amount of days but I am not worried about it, the big thing is she hatched. I responded as I found a profound amount of happiness emanating throughout our bond.

We have to wait until she is large enough to fly and hunt by herself. I told her smiling.

Aye, we will be ready to leave any day. I will let the others know. She said as she withdrew her mind from the connection.

I forgot about how long she must have waited, no wonder she is happy.

Three weeks seemed to fly by after that.

I fell into a routine, get up do chores and track the dragon and riders progress. Their bond seemed to be strengthening and I knew that they were ready, Eragon had already went to Brom and asked questions about dragons after he gave the same speech as in the books. I made sure that he did when Eragon was in the village. Now all I have to do is convince them to leave with me.

"Eragon, father, I must speak to both of you."

A/N:

Another chapter in the books! That was my first time writing a battle scene, how did I do?

We are officially into the first book! Exciting times ahead, I am really enjoying writing this story.

Review please, tell me your thoughts!