Heellllooooo, TSD reader! I welcome you to this story, wherein I only own the OCs whilst Chrissy P. over there owns everything else. :D

A vast expanse of dunes spread to the horizon like ripples on a wind-blown lake. Bursts of wind twirled the reddish gold sand into the air. Scraggly trees grew on scattered patches of ground—ground any farmer would have declared unfit for crops. Rising in the distance was a line of purple crags. The imposing desolation was barren of any animals except for a bird gliding on the zephyrs.

"You're sure we'll find food for the horses out here?" queried Eragon, slurring his words. Tania winced; her own throat felt just as dry as his must have.

"See those?" Murtagh asked, indicating the crags. "Grass grows around them. It's short and tough, but the horses ought to find it sufficient."

"I hope you're right," said Eragon, squinting at the sun. "Before we continue, let's rest. My mind is slow as a snail, and I can barely move my legs."

They untied the elf from Saphira, ate, then lay in the shadow of a dune. Tania settled against the powdery grains, feeling more than hearing Ophelia coil herself, camouflaged, around the dune. This place… she said, it's wonderful. Wide and open, with mountains where I could roost undisturbed.

And the sun would light you up like its double, Tania agreed drowsily.

And the warmth! Ophelia continued enthusiastically. Cold doesn't disturb me, but this heat makes me feel alive.

Makes me tired, Tania said, yawning as she drifted off. Maybe… maybe when this is all over… we can come here, and just live wild, like we used to, together.

She briefly saw Ophelia's large silver eye flicker curiously. What about where you come from, up north?

No. I have no wish to return to my wintery exile; besides, if I hadn't left, you would not be here, and Eragon might be rotting in Gil'ead. Circumstance, you see.

Tania heard Ophelia chuckle at that. I am glad, I think. Even if you still refuse to say why.

I know.

I love you, little one.

I love you too, Tania replied, drifting away even as she spoke.

They slept just long enough to clear their minds and rest the horses. No soldiers could be seen from the rear—not even Ophelia, flying high above, had caught sight of them—but that did not lull them into slowing their pace. They knew that the Empire would keep searching until they were far beyond the king's reach. Eragon said, "Couriers must have carried the news of my escape to Galbatorix. He would have alerted the Ra'zac, and they're sure to be on our trail by now. It'll take them awhile to catch us even by flying, but we should be ready for them at all times."

And this time they shall find that I am not so easily bound by chains, Saphira said.

I certainly hope so, Ophelia agreed.

Murtagh scratched his chin. "I hope they won't be able to follow us past Bullridge. The Ramr was an effective way to lose pursuers; there's a good chance our tracks won't be found again."

"Something to hope for indeed," said Eragon as he checked the elf. Her condition remained unchanged; she still did not react to his touch. "I place no faith in luck right now, though. The Ra'zac could be on our trail even as we speak."

I can cover your tracks by using my wings to blow them away, Ophelia offered.

Hmm… we'll keep that in mind, Eragon answered her.

Perhaps if we meet a hostile group, you could create a sandstorm to cover us, Tania suggested. Ophelia hummed quietly in satisfaction at that.

At sunset they arrived at the crags they had viewed from afar that morning, the imposing stone bluffs towering over them, casting thin shadows. The surrounding area was free of dunes for a half mile. Heat assailed Tania like a physical blow as she dismounted from Cadoc's saddle onto the heat-baked, cracked ground; her face and neck were sunburned, which was new to her, and her skin felt feverishly hot, her head pounding with the glare of the sun in her eyes.

After picketing the horses where they could nibble the sparse grass, Murtagh started a small fire. "How far do you think we went?" Eragon asked while untying the elf from Saphira.

"I don't know!" snapped Murtagh. Tania jumped, surprised at his harsh tone, but couldn't really blame him. His skin was red, his eyes bloodshot. He picked up a pot, muttering a curse. "We don't have enough water, and the horses need to drink."

Tania blinked. Usually when either of her companions swore in her earshot, they apologized, which annoyed her to no end. I think he's more exhausted than any of us, she commented to Ophelia.

For a split second, Eragon seemed as if he were about to retort, but he held his temper in check. "Bring the horses," was all he said. Saphira dug a hole for him with her claws, then he closed his eyes, releasing the spell, his gedwëy ignasia glowing slightly as he did. Though the ground was parched, there was enough moisture for the plants to live on and enough for him to fill the hole several times over.

Murtagh refilled the waterskins as the water pooled in the hole, then stood aside and let the horses drink, the thirsty animals quaffing gallons, Eragon forced to draw the liquid from even deeper in the earth to satisfy their desire, obviously taxing his strength. When the horses were finally sated, he told the dragons, If you need a drink, take it now. Saphira snaked her head around him and took two long draughts as Ophelia, camouflaged, snuck her narrow snout in and managed to drink some of what the blue dragoness left.

Before he let the rest go, Eragon gulped down as much as he could as Tania kneeled and took a couple handfuls herself. That was harder than I expected, Eragon commented mentally. But at least it's within my abilities! he laughed.

You handled it very well, Tania reassured, chuckling as she remembered how he had struggled to lift a pebble.

It was freezing when they rose the next day. The sand had a pink hue in the morning light, and the sky was hazy, concealing the horizon—as well as Ophelia's shadow as she swooped over the campsite, acting as a lookout. Murtagh's mood had not improved with sleep, and Tania watched with faint amusement as Eragon's started to rapidly deteriorate. During breakfast, he asked, "Do you think it'll be long before we leave the desert?"

Murtagh glowered. "We're only crossing a small section of it, so I can't imagine that it'll take us more than two or three days."

"But look how far we've already come."

"All right, maybe it won't! All I care about right now is getting out of the Hadarac as quickly as possible. What we're doing is hard enough without having to pick sand from our eyes every few minutes."

They finished eating, then, while Eragon went to the elf, Tania excused herself and made her way to a more secluded spot. Ophelia was waiting for her, stretched out, her scales a shimmering metallic gold—brighter than the dull yellow of the sand—with streaks of violet and swirls of indigo. The undersides of her wings were tinted rose.

I miss being able to simply change color as I wish, Ophelia said tiredly. All of this camouflage, especially in this endless dull yellow-brown, is tiring.

And I miss seeing your colors shift into endless patterns and shades, too, Tania said, settling by her crimson-striped snout, but you know how I am. I don't want Galbatorix to find out about you; bad enough he already knows of Saphira.

I do know, Ophelia sighed. Perhaps when we reach… wherever we're trying to get to, I'll have freer restrictions.

I hope so, Tania murmured, leaning against her companion. All too soon, she knew she had to return to the camp, and with a sad sigh, Ophelia camouflaged her scales again. Tania already missed her bright colors.

When she returned, Eragon had already prepared the elf for travel. Quickly, she saddled and mounted Cadoc, and then they left.

So, yeah, little fluffy moments between Tania and Ophelia. Hope y'all like it!

Please review, please please PLEASE!

FF