Yo. I'm back, I could hardly wait to post this, and I don't own anything but Tania and Ophelia, as Chrissy P. owns everything else. And abuses it frequently.

Onwards.

In the hour and a half it took for Tania to get to back to the campsite, Eragon had, apparently, worried enough for five dragons and six Riders. As it was, when Tania dropped from the tree she had jumped to and entered the clearing, it was like getting hit with a runaway boulder when Eragon rushed at her and caught her up in an embrace.

He didn't let go for several minutes.

When he finally did, Tania playfully hit hit shoulder, gently. "I thought I already told you not to worry," she laughed.

Eragon huffed. "It's what friends do." Besides, Ophelia worried enough for both of us, he finished mentally.

Hmn. "So, what have you two been up to while I was on my way here?"

Murtagh looked up from the fire. "Cooking. Trying and failing to get the elf to eat. Sitting around waiting for you. Worrying. It's a long list."

Tania raised her eyebrows at him. "You worried too? Wow. Perhaps Saphira's right and I should meet more people," she said sarcastically.

The man snorted. "I worried because I did not want a whole portion of the meal to go to waste."

Tania chuckled. "Of course."

Eragon cleared his throat nervously. "If you two are done, perhaps we should eat."

Tania frowned at him. "Why did you wait?"

"Because seeing you eating would have made me hungry again," said Murtagh, loudly. Tania laughed.

Of course.

After eating, Tania and Eragon rolled into their respective sleeping spaces on either side of Saphira while Murtagh kept watch. When he finished his shift, near midnight, he woke Tania to take his place.

As Tania crouched silently at the base of a tall pine at the edge of the clearing, she heard the faintest rustle from her right. She stood impassively, and reached out with her mind. A grin spread over her face. Ophelia, she chided. You should know better than to think you could sneak up on me.

And you should know better than to think you could ever do something like that again on my watch. Do you know how much I worried?!

As a matter of fact I do. You worried just as much—if not more—than I did when Eragon was captured.

Fair point. Just don't do it again.

Ophelia. We are a dragon and Rider pair free from Galbatorix's control. Because of that, we'll either have to join him or the Varden. Since I don't fancy being friends with someone who killed my grandmother, I will probably join the Varden. Just as Eragon and Saphira plan on doing. And if we do join the Varden, I have doubts that we won't be putting ourselves in that kind of danger.

Then we should be doing it together, where I know I'll be able to keep an eye on you.

Perhaps. But what if I need to sneak down a tunnel you can't fit? You change color, not size.

Ophelia was silent for a moment. Then, Just so long as you are alive when this oncoming war is over, and preferably alive in one piece, then I will be content.

The same goes to you, missy.

Early next morning, Eragon—who had taken Tania's place sometime in the early morning—woke the other two, and they proceeded to eat and set out again. They tied the elf to Saphira's back for the journey, and Tania set Ophelia to watch her to make sure she didn't fall.

As Tania relaxed into Snowfire's saddle, she could see Eragon out of the corner of her eye, fidgeting worriedly. Is something wrong? she asked.

Eragon jumped in Cadoc's saddle. Yahh…!

Sorry.

Don't worry. I was… thinking.

Brom would be so proud. His little Eragon, evolving enough to actually think!

Oh you shush. Unless you don't want to know what I was thinking.

Hmn. Go ahead. I can always get Ophelia to ask Saphira.

There was a brief silence as Eragon gave her a bored look. Tania raised an eyebrow, a sly grin curling at her mouth.

Tania heard Eragon sigh. If I know you at all, you will most likely make very good on your threat.

Of course. It's my job to sneak around and gain information, isn't it?

If it is, have you figured our companion out yet?

Working on it.

Eragon had the audacity to look surprised. I was joking…

I know. But I am observing him… when I can. I don't like knowing nothing. And so far, that is exactly how much I know of Murtagh other than he's a loyal friend and an amazing warrior. He almost beat you! Left-handed!

I highly doubt he would be able to defeat you if you had a proper sword.

Hmn. That is still a dilemma. Like the reason for you guiding the conversation off track from what you were thinking about.

How do you always catch me?!

How can I not? Like I said, I have an aptitude for observance.

Hnh. Fine. If you have to know, I was worried about the elf.

Tania gave him a small smile. I think we all are, Eragon. She hasn't consumed anything for several hours. We'd all be crazy not to worry.

Hnh.

Tania smiled slightly, and started talking with Ophelia, losing track of any conversation between Eragon and Murtagh.

When they stopped for the night, they all dismounted wearily. Tania picketed the horses and sagged against a nearby tree. She barely registered that Saphira was in the clearing as well, instead turning her attention to an indistinct outline against the nearby bushes. Tania's mouth curled into a smile as she saw glimmering silver eyes blink in the dim light of the setting sun. Ophelia, not one to be left out.

A curse startled Tania from a doze. She snapped her gaze over to where Murtagh and Eragon were standing with the elf. It looked as if they had started to make a bed for her, but had stopped. When she saw the elf's injuries, she felt her garnet green eyes alight in anger. She stood up and came over just as Murtagh asked, "Can you heal this?"

"I—I don't know," said Eragon. He suddenly looked queasy. "There's so much."

Tania saw Saphira flick her gaze to her Rider sharply. Eragon! she said. This is an elf. She cannot be allowed to die. Tired or not, hungry or not, you must save her. I will meld my magic with yours, but you are the one who must wield the magic.

Tania gave the pair a look. Ophelia and I will help. Saphira looked to her gratefully.

Eragon gave his consent. Determinedly, he pulled off his gloves and said to Murtagh, "This is going to take a while. Can you get me some food? Also, boil water for bandages, I can't heal all her wounds."

"We can't make a fire without being seen," objected Murtagh. "You'll have to use unwashed cloths, and the food will be cold." Eragon grimaced, but acquiesced. He gently laid a hand on the elf's spine as Saphira settled next to him. Tania sat down and melded both her own and Ophelia's minds and strength to Eragon and Saphira's.

As the first healing words were said, a burn shimmered under Eragon's palm, and new, unmarked skin flowed over it, joining together without a scar.

Occasionally, Tania saw Eragon's ear turn bright crimson, and she carefully blocked certain parts of his mind. The thoughts of a male about a female's body wasn't something she felt she could particularly enjoy.

When they finally stopped, the sun was high in the sky. Eragon stood and stumbled over to the saddlebags. "Is it done?" asked Murtagh.

Eragon nodded, looking dizzy. Tania stood and helped support the arm that held up the wineskin, frowning. That was difficult, she stated. But a job well done.

I agree, said Saphira. You did well.

"Will she live?" Murtagh asked.

"I don't—don't know," said Eragon in a ravaged voice. "Elves are strong, but even they cannot endure abuse like this with impunity. If I knew more about healing, I might be able to revive her, but…" He gestured helplessly. His hand shook so much that even Tania couldn't stop a few drops from spilling. Another swig seemed to help steady him. "We'd better start riding again."

"No! You must sleep," Murtagh protested.

Tania raised an eyebrow at him. "We've both had practice sleeping in the saddle, Murtagh. Besides, we have soldiers closing in on us. We'd just have to ride close on either side of him to make sure he doesn't fall."

Murtagh reluctantly gave in. "In that case, I'll lead Snowfire while you rest." They resaddled the horses, stapped the elf to Saphira, and departed the camp. Eragon ate while he rode before he leaned against Snowfire's gently bobbing neck and closed his eyes.

Well, that was a long one. Took a few days to write.

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