HI! I am not CP, so on, and so forth. I only own Tania and Ophelia. Not Thorn ;(

They made camp a day's ride away from Dras-Leona, agreeing that Tania and the dragons would stay in a nearby glen. The next morning, Eragon and Brom left, leaving Tania, Saphira and Ophelia behind, hidden. Tania smiled as she settled in for sleep that night. "Feels like old times," she commented to Ophelia, who snorted.

Unfortunately, she said.

The next three days passed uneventfully. On the third, Tania and Ophelia went hunting, leaving Saphira within telepathic conversing distance in the clearing. When they came back near sundown, carrying a deer and three geese, though, it was to find Saphira gone. Missing, without a trace. Tania frowned, casting about with her mind for their sapphire companion. Nothing. Not a single note of the azure dragon's melodious tones.

Ophelia's scales were darkening quickly to black with worry. If Saphira is missing, then either she was captured, or Eragon was, she said, concern and agitation clear in her mental voice.

Yes, and if we go after them, we could be captured, and even if we aren't, we'll be seen! Besides, if we go after them, and then they come back here, we'll all just end up on a wild goose chase, Tania replied.

Ophelia looked at her. Why should we stay here like cowards when we should be rescuing our friends?

Don't give me that.

Why? I am a dragon, and you, my Rider! There is nothing in this world that we won't be able to do, so why should we run like rabbits, when we can fight like the lions in our hearts?

Because I don't have a lion, came the bitter reply. I have a wolf. And sometimes, sneaking around and hiding is what wolves do.

Ophelia jerked her head down to look Tania right in the eye. We've done enough of that already.

And I'd rather keep an element of some slight surprise.

Why?! We can either work from the shadows and pull strings, or we can go out there and make a difference. The shadows may be your work area, but not mine.

Then explain to me the reason of color-shifting scales, if not to be able to blend into the background and do some good from the shadows, Tania countered.

Ophelia huffed. Alright, fair point. But that does not give you reason to want to stay here and wait. In many a person's and many a dragon's eyes, that would be seen as cowardice of the worst level.

What do wolves do best?

Be annoying little brats?

Ha bloody ha. They attack from the shadows, out of nowhere and everywhere. They come in the night, they come in the day, but they always come, whether in packs, in couples, or alone. They wear out their prey, always staying on it's tail, never letting it of their sight. Then, when the pursued is at it's weakest, they strike, said Tania, passion burning in her jade green eyes.

Ophelia frowned, her eye-ridges coming together and lowering like eyebrows. And you are proposing… what, exactly?

We do what wolves do. However, we will wait until tomorrow to set out.

Tomorrow morning?

Evening, to give them a chance to save themselves. They've done so before, after all.

Ophelia huffed with displeasure. FINE! But if we find them and they are killed, I assure you, I will set out for the Varden by myself, and you can meet me there on your own.

Sounds fair. However, if they are killed, I give you full permission to reveal yourself to them—when I get there.

Fair enough. Then, scales turning completely black, Ophelia sighed. I really hope they are alright.

The next morning, Tania awoke to a jet-black sky. She blinked, confused for a moment, and then realized it was Ophelia's wing. She sighed. "Morning worrywart."

Horrible morning to you as well.

Hnh… I guess it really can't be called a good morning, can it?

Not with your friends and comrades missing, no.

"Well, there's not much we'll be able to do now." Tania spoke aloud this time. Though she didn't mind conversing mentally, she definitely preferred a background noise. And, with the fire out, the wind dead and the surrounding forest empty, there was no sign of that.

Tania dosed fitfully against Ophelia's sides, dreams filled with images of hooded, beaked creatures attacking Eragon, Brom and Saphira; they were mauled and killed over and over again in front of her eyes, and, not for the last time, she wondered if it had been a bad idea to wait for them. But, seeing as she was a bit stubborn—and, admittedly, more than a bit prideful—Tania stuck to her decision.

Around midday, a dark shadow swept across the forest floor. Ophelia double-checked that her scales were hidden, but when Tania looked up and saw a glittering sapphire shape in the sky, her concerns were eased slightly.

Tania reached out with her mind, cautiously. Saphira?

It is me.

Good. Tell me exactly what happened, and why you flew off without notifying us.

Well, to start, you were a ways out of mindshot.

How?! demanded Ophelia.

You went behind Helgrind. If I can continue, I felt that Eragon was in danger, and flew out to rescue him. They caught me as soon as I landed, however. By then, Brom had come rushing to aid my Rider, and he too was captured. They waited until Eragon awoke, but before they could gut him as they clearly intended to, we were… rescued by a mysterious archer. As the Ra'zac fled, they threw a knife at Brom, and he is grievously wounded. Eragon wanted me to find you and inform you, and bring you to the cave where we are resting, if possible.

Tania pondered the news. Did you meet the archer?

Yes. He is waiting in the cave with Eragon.

Did either of you tell him about Ophelia?

We decided not to, seeing as you were quite adamant that she remain an element of 'surprise', which, apparently, has worked very well.

Ophelia let out a breath in a wooooosh of air. Good. I think both of us would rather that.

Tania looked at her companion in surprise. Ophelia answered her unasked question by saying, I thought about what you said last night. I may still be uncomfortable with it, but I understand your reasons a bit better than I did now. The wolf thing helped.

Tania smiled. If it makes you feel any better, I felt guiltier than the Ra'zac are last night. And your little lecture made me rethink the rules I've been living by almost my whole life.

Good. They needed to be rethought.

So, Saphira, Tania said, opening the connection again. I don't suppose you'd be willing to carry me?

I'd be honored, came the reply.

Before all of you start screaming that Tania was a coward, blah blah blah, she really isn't. Besides, I couldn't have her rescue them and then leave Tag (and, in extension, Thorn) behind, could I?

PLEASE REVIEW!

Falcon