Well, another chapter up! You can't believe how excited I am to write the battle in Farthen Dûr next. I'm going to keep this short and sweet so you could all go on reading. :) I don't own Eragon. But still happy reading! RR!

As Ajihad had expected, a scout returned two days later, bloodied, wounded and speaking incoherently about a mass of Urgals traveling to Farthen Dûr. The Varden started preparations the same day; women and children were sent out to safety in the surrounding valleys. Oil and other flammables were collected and poured where he had directed. Large defensive stakes were made and placed at the tunnel entrances. During the preparations, Eragon found himself standing in a circle of three women with a dragon hatchling in their midst. Saphira volunteered to help with the stakes.

They stared at each other, Eragon finding the situation unnerving. With the revelation of Angela's prophecy, he studied Arya more carefully. Everything Angela had said fit her description, except for noble birth and heritage. Yet, when he had first met her, she had displayed such authority; he thought he was indeed talking to a princess. "But my lord!" Desdemona said indignantly, interrupting his train of thought. "How can we help defend you if we're guarding the hatchling?"

"You can help a great deal." Eragon replied. He did not understand why both women glared at him with such intensity. Despite being a Rider and a half-elf, he had never understood the ways of females. To try to interfere was to tread on alien matters that one could not hope to comprehend.

"Why not have Finny and Bard guard the dragon?" Rosalie asked. The woman, who normally was very kind and gentle natured, was fuming on the spot. Saphira — who had been watching from his eyes — let her amusement wash over their connection. You have much to understand of women if you ever intend to take a mate. They can be deadlier than the sharpest of swords.

Indeed. He had learned firsthand how odd women could be, by having a female dragon as a life partner. "You know as well as I do that Bard and Finny will sooner forget the presence of Arya's dragon than to protect it." For a reason unbeknownst to Eragon, their tempers only rose higher.

"My lord, what of your mother?" Desdemona challenged.

"She and Brom are going to remain in the Dragon Hold as well, so you may guard the three of them together."

"What of your own safety?"

"What of me?" he said. "I am fully capable of defending myself. Though I am grateful you are concerned for me." He bowed his head slightly at them. "It would please me for you to take on this task, for I trust only the two of you to do it competently."

When he lifted his head, they were standing there, quiet and resigned. Finally, Desdemona spoke. "We shall guard the hatchling with our lives along with Lady Selena." Arya, who had been quiet throughout the entire argument, spoke.

"I thank you for your assistance in this matter."

Rubbing his temple, Eragon thanked the gods that the ordeal was over. "I'll leave the three, no, four of you," he corrected as the green dragon let out an indignant half squeak, half roar at being forgotten, "to your own business."

Turning on his heels, he left their presence with relief. That was an odd event. Usually Desdemona and Rosalie were very agreeable with anything he could ask them to do. However, when he had instructed them to guard Arya's dragon, they went into a rage. He came to a stop by Orik, who was directing Finny where to put the stakes. The dwarf glanced up at his approach. "That looked like a rather nasty scene, those three women."

"Aye that it was."

"Your servants are very helpful, Argetlam." Orik said knowingly before gesturing to Finny. "His strength is unnatural."

Eragon nodded. "It is why I hired him. Finny is an unusual boy, despite his past." He may act idiotic as well, but Eragon held a small trace of respect for the boy. He had been through a terrible ordeal, yet was still able to remain whole and happy, unlike Eragon.

"Lord Eragon!" Finny said in his cheerful tone, spotting him. "Am I doing a good job?"

He nodded. "An amazing job, I should tell you. It seems you are being a big help to the workers around here." That was enough to send the boy flying back to work. Rarely did he ever bestow praise on anyone. Deciding that he should lend his assistance; he went to the armory, where he could help distribute armor and weapons to the soldiers.

Taking a piece of twine that was knotted together long enough to measure most any human's height; he busied himself measuring the warriors. He gave them armor that would fit them well and weapons that suited them. "You seem to have a knack for that." He did not have to glance up to know the voice belonged to Arya.

"Do you need to be fitted?" he asked, surely Arya had her own armor. She shook her head.

"I was wandering about and ended up here. A coincidence it is, to find you here as well." She said, leaning against one of the tables. He noticed that her dragon was not with her. When he voiced this, she said simply, "He was interested in Saphira."

A small flicker of irritation welled up within Eragon. It was not that he didn't want her to speak with her own kind, but the more Saphira and Arya's hatchling were in company, the more interested they each became. He was sure that soon, he would have to compete for the sapphire dragon's attention. "I see," he muttered, attempting not to crush the human soldier's arm as he laced the man's greaves together.

When he was done he turned back to Arya. "Is there something you needed?"

"An answer to a question," she replied. He raised a brow, giving her consent to ask whatever was on her mind. "Why do you look as you do? Most human Riders do not acquire such appearances after even a decade of bonding with their dragon. Even if they did, most never looked as close to my race as you do."

"I wondered why no one had asked me that," he said. "Saphira changed me. I needed to become stronger. She agreed and with her magic and Galbatorix's ugly spells, she granted me strength and power. An unforeseen effect was my appearance."

She nodded, deep in thought. While she stood thinking, Eragon moved on, fitting a dwarf next in line. It was not until he had finished fitting two more dwarves and a human archer that Arya spoke again. "Did Galbatorix not offer you more power when you served him?"

"That he did…but I refused. The way in which he acquired his power, in my opinion, is morally wrong." At this her eyes flashed as she turned to him.

"You know how he gets stronger as time passes?"

"I do and I'm sure that your Queen knows it as well." He replied, ignoring her scorching stare. A hand reached out and gripped his wrist forcefully, and he found himself staring into depths of never-ending green.

"What is it, Eragon?"

"I shall tell you when the time is appropriate. Not now, not here." Pulling himself free of her grasp, he turned to the soldier who was waiting to be fitted. He glanced from Arya's dangerous expression to Eragon's cold one with frightened eyes.

Measuring the soldier, Eragon asked questions pertaining to which type of weapon he preferred, returning with a spear for the man. Arya, who was leaning against one of the tables, straightened and with a piece of twine, assisted in helping him measure. He had to admit, her presence was overwhelming the dwarves and humans. Their apprehension was most apparent when she went to measure them. Their body tensed and their answers were spoken quickly.

When they were done with the last soldier, Eragon pulled himself up on one of the tables, letting his long legs tangle a few inches from the ground. Arya did the same and they sat side by side, their arms barely touching. Thoughts of the coming battle loomed over his mind. "Are you prepared to fight the Urgals?" He glanced at her curiously; it was a question he had already answered. She elaborated. "You said so yourself, you won their trust in a challenge of strength, and now you're turning against them. Does it not bother you?"

Eragon turned his gaze upwards, studying the ceiling for a while before answering her question. "Should I be? Someone who betrayed his Empire? Betrayed his people?" When she did not answer, he continued. "I've done many things in my life, things that would make any normal person go mad with grief and sick with sorrow. Betraying people, who I've never held true allegiance towards, would do little to move me."

"I see."

"Do you?" he asked, they sat there, letting silence wash over them. Neither of them spoke, nor showed any indication of speaking. "What will you do after this battle?"

She started to swing her legs in the opposite direction. "I will lead Murtagh to Ellesméra to complete his training, along with our dragons' training and my own. I expect you will accompany us." She replied, impishly.

"Do you think it wise for me to train in Ellesméra?"

"You fear it would not be?" Her green eyes turned to him, displaying curiosity.

"Four years, I've lived as Gabranth, and I've killed as Gabranth," he said slowly. "It would seem your kind has more reason kill me than train such a traitor of a Rider."

"You presume much," she said coldly, eyes flashing.

"Is it wrong to do so?" he went on. "I am sorry if I've caused you offence, but I am certain that I speak the truth. I believe I would not be easily welcomed into your forest."

"Queen Islanzadí would not allow harm to befall you, though it is true that trust will be hard to gain. There is the fact that you saved my life and allowed us to gain another — two — Dragon Riders." They fell silent again, then she spoke. "I have never seen such an odd group as your servants."

"Despite their oddities, they are kind-hearted, and they have the ability to protect my mother while I'm not around," he said. "All four of them have their own unique talents."

"They are very loyal to you," she commented.

"That they are," he agreed, knowing the extent of their loyalties. "But despite their disposition, do not take them for what they are. Like elves, their true natures are hidden behind masks." His brown eyes finally met hers. It was just for a moment, before he returned to studying the ceiling.

"Why did you serve Galbatorix?" His expression tightened and he clenched his jaw. Why did he? Was it his naïveté? Was it his fear? Not being able to withstand her piercing gaze, he spoke quietly.

"You may think it—" suddenly, loud voices interrupted them, and he turned to find Murtagh and Orik entering the armory. At the sight of his half-brother, he stood and turned to them. They stared at each other, brown eyes meeting gray eyes. For the few days that they were there, he had never been able to bring himself to speak directly to his half-brother. At every opportunity, he tried to avoid the other Rider, despite the fact that Thorn was often in company with Saphira.

"We've received word that the Urgals are near and everyone is preparing at the tunnel. You two should get ready as well." Orik turned to Eragon. "Saphira has already been fitted with her armor, your servants wished for me to pass this onto you."

He nodded. "Thank you." With one glance back at Arya, he strode past the two of them and out of the armory. He had refused to wear the armor offered to him by Hrothgar and had chosen instead to don his own armor, so as to confuse the Urgals. Pulling on the familiar metal, he tied the black cape about his shoulders and took hold of his helm, staring at it. As of today, he would fight behind this helm not as Gabranth but as Eragon. Tucking the metal helm underneath his arm, he headed to where his battalion was preparing.

Saphira was there, waiting beside Thorn. The two dragons were fitted with their armor. He had to admit; the sight of them would put fear into any sane person. She turned towards him, taking in the sight of him and his armor. I have already flown Desdemona, Rosalie and the hatchling to the dragon hold.

And my mother?

Thorn flew her and Brom there as well.

He nodded. You look frightening. Her sapphire blue eyes gleamed at his compliment, her tail twitching slightly side from side.

How sweet of you. He allowed a smile to flit across his face before it turned grim. I can hear their progress. They are far, but in time they will come through the tunnel.

Are you ready to fight the battle that you yourself had claimed the Varden would lose?

He smirked. A claim I made only because they did not then have us on their side.

At this, a deep choking sound erupted from between Saphira's maw. He grinned and reached out to gently stroke her blue snout, reveling in her happiness, even as they were about to step into battle. You should go speak to Arya. She will want to hear the answer to her question.

And you can speak with Thorn, he seems curious about you as well. A potential mate perhaps? At this she growled at his back, as he walked away in search of the elf woman.

Hundreds of lanterns were fixed atop poles and stuck into the ground. They provided a great pool of light that glowed like an evening sun. Fires blazed along the rim of the tunnel's roof, huge cauldrons of pitch heating over them. Rows of sharpened saplings were being pounded into the ground to provide a thorny barrier between the battalion and the tunnel. Eragon could make out Finny's form, clad in armor, digging the trench with ease, off to the side Bard filling it with pointy stakes. Eventually Saphira and Thorn wandered over to help and to his distaste, so did Murtagh.

As he turned to study the encampment, he found Arya sitting thirty feet away, her bow in her lap. Eragon's armor clanked together as he made his way towards her and she glanced up at his approach. "You wear the Empire's crest," she stated simply as he sat beside her. He placed his helm on the ground before him, the light from the lantern shining on the metal.

"So that I may confuse the Urgals," he replied coolly. His eyes studied the soldiers, dwarves and humans alike. They were tensed and some nervous. "It seems they haven't fought a battle in some time."

"The humans maybe, but the dwarves, no," Arya said turning her eyes back to him. They sat there comfortably, until Arya finally asked about her question from before, in the armory. "You did not answer my question earlier."

"That is owing to the fact I'd rather not Murtagh, nor anyone else know of my past."

"And yet you tell me." Her eyes became bright with curiosity. "Why is that?"

"I believe that you would not pity me." He watched as Finny fell ungraciously into the trench as he lost his footing. "You asked me why I served Galbatorix when he knew not my true name, nor cast any spells on me. Then I tell you; I was afraid."

Finny had quickly regained his footing and was being berated by Bard. "I was but a child when Saphira hatched for me. How was I to understand that something, which was both a miracle and yet at that time a curse, had happened?" His eyes traveled over to Saphira, who seemed to be conversing with Thorn. "Galbatorix would not permit us to be together until I gave my oath to follow him. He locked us away, and it was a highly... painful experience. Eventually, he came to realize that Saphira was the only female dragon left and his tortures relented. But he still demanded unswerving loyalty. And what could I have done but give it to him? My mother lived in Urû'baen and he had a dragon hatchling who was connected to me. I was at his mercy. I soon gave in, but I refused togive him my oath. At the time, he knew how afraid I was, how powerless I was. There was no way to run, no escape. Galbatorix eventually realized I had accepted my fate and knew not to push, for Saphira would rather kill herself than give her oath, and that would put her race to extinction."

He sighed. "You may call me weak, but that was the only path available for me to survive; for my mother and dragon to survive."

Eragon… Saphira spoke gently in his mind. But she said no more, for words were not needed to describe her affection and love for him. Her unconditional love was the constant that had kept him sane over the years. He turned to stare at Arya, to find an inscrutable expression on her face. "Perhaps, if I had not been afraid, I wouldn't have turned out to be who I am now."

"Even the strongest of minds would have fallen to such an onslaught by Galbatorix, and they have done," Arya affirmed. He felt himself snort. She had an odd way of comforting people, but he found it helpful nonetheless.

"Perhaps you are right." He turned to stare back at the tunnel. He could see from a distance that Murtagh and Orik had gone to sleep. Any seasoned warrior knew to rest whenever possible. There was nothing to gain remaining tensed up, waiting for the battle to start. "Do you think your Queen would be happy to know that at least one elf is a Rider?"

He saw her hands around her bow tighten. "I am not sure, but we both will know when we arrive in Ellesméra."

"If we live long enough to get there, you mean," Said Eragon. She favored him with a faint smile as she nodded. They sat in silence, not speaking but waiting. He did not how long they sat there, but his sensitive ears picked out the scrambling in the tunnel.

Eragon rose in a fluid motion and placing his helm atop his head, he turned to watch as Arya alerted the resting soldiers. They all rose, taking their places. Striding past them, with Saphira behind him and Bard and Finny guarding his flank, he came to a stop before the oil that separated the battalion and the tunnel, a good thirty feet in front of the rest of the warriors. The shouting of harsh voices reached his ears, and he could feel Saphira ready herself behind him.

If all went well, then not too many of their men would die in this battle. If all went well.

So, what did you all think? Good? I can't wait to upload the next chapter but until then, please review! And also, I have a question for all of you readers. How do you feel about a FF with the concept of Eragon traveling back in time? I've been thinking long on this subject and I wasn't sure whether or not I should write it. But I think it sounds rather interesting, don't you?