Hey! I'm BAAAAAACCCKKK! I don't own anything but Tania and Ophelia, and they are all I need because they're amazing. *puts an arm around Tania's shoulders and a hand on Ophelia's shoulder* Best IC OCs ever.

Tania awoke to a growl. She opened one eye and looked to where the sound had come from. Saphira was still asleep, her eyes wandering sightlessly beneath her eyelids, and her upper lip trembled, as if she were going to snarl. Tania chuckled inwardly at the sight.

Closing her eye again, she suddenly felt alone, and tried to reach out for Ophelia. Stone, stone, stone, a mouse, more stone… but no colorful dragoness. Tania tried to stretch her mind further, but the effort made her head ache, and she pulled her mind back with a disappointed sigh.

Opening her eyes again, she gazed around the cavern. Stone, more stone, and—what a shocker—even more stone. I believe dwarves build with little else, she grumbled to herself.

She felt a pang of loneliness when no sarcastic quip answered her. Sighing, Tania stretched her arms out, arching her back like a cat, then stood from her position in the curve of Saphira's neck, fingering the messy braid in her right shoulder. She glanced at it distastefully. Damn hair, always getting tangled and messy.

Under Saphira's wing, she could just see Eragon and Murtagh, where they had sat, talking about their family, before going to sleep. Eragon was curled into Saphira's side, while Murtagh sat closer to her haunches, a peaceful expression gracing his features underneath his dark bangs. Tania watched them sleep for a while, before shaking herself and paced around the room, struggling to ignore the fact that it was far. Too. Small.

She hated small. Just to be clear.

Tania hadn't had a chance to notice it the previous evening, what with Eragon and Murtagh's relation revealed and the fact that they had just gone from Gil'ead to the Beors in a few months, so she wasn't exactly surprised, but that didn't make the smallness of everything any better.

As she paced, she suddenly felt a twinge in her thigh. She winced. Right. Arrow wound. "Urgals," she muttered. They'd bandaged the wound the previous evening, but it still throbbed painfully.

"What about Urgals?" a tired voice questioned. Tania jumped as Murtagh stepped out from under Saphira's wing. He raised his eyebrows at her. Tania snorted. "Leg," she said, gesturing at her thigh.

"Ah. It still hurts?"

"A bit. Only when I walk around."

"Well then don't walk around," he told her dryly. She grinned, relaxing, and for a moment forgetting her claustrophobia. Deciding that pacing probably wasn't helping anyway, Tania sat by Saphira's tail, smiling softly when Murtagh sat beside her.

"Has anyone entered?" he asked.

"Not since I've been awake," she replied. For a while they just sat, leaving each other to their thoughts. Finally Murtagh spoke.

"I wanted to say… thank you."

Tania tilted her head curiously. "For what?"

"For keeping my secret," he said wryly. "And then for asking about Selena. I think if you hadn't, I'd have never known about Eragon." He frowned. "Speaking of which, I don't really think proclaiming him as the second son of Morzan to the Varden would be a terribly wonderful idea."

Tania hummed in agreement, frowning at the far wall. She thought over what Brom had made her promise when he had told her that he was Eragon's father. "I won't tell him unless he finds out himself or is told by another…"

She sighed. No, that would be a terrible idea. Out loud she said, "I think you're right. Besides, the Varden only know of one child of Morzan; I'd hate to confuse them with two," she drawled sarcastically.

He chuckled. "You make even the most grim situations almost cheerful."

Tania smiled and gave a mock bow. "It's what I'm here for," she said.

"Daswa whozear for?" a still half-asleep Eragon asked from under Saphira's wing. Tania, managing (barely) to keep a straight face, told him, "Me. I'm here to up your morals by making everything seem like a joke."

There came a snort from under the mass of blue scales. "I actually don't find that very unlikely, given your nature to treat everything like a joke." The Rider carefully slid out from under the wing, standing and stretching once he did.

"Morning," Murtagh greeted quietly.

"How long have you two been awake?" asked Eragon in a hushed voice.

Tania shrugged. "Awhile."

"I'm surprised Saphira didn't wake you sooner," Murtagh added.

"I was tired enough to sleep through a thunderstorm," Eragon said tiredly. He sat on Murtagh's other side and rested his head on Saphira's tail. "Do you know what time it is?"

"I'd guess not too long before noon," Tania suggested.

Murtagh frowned at her. "How in the world do you make that assumption?"

She shrugged. "What? I have an inner clock. Go ten years sleeping, eating and living in the wild and you'll probably get one too." He raised a dubious eyebrow, but didn't question it.

Eragon's gaze flicked between their faces before he asked, "Has anyone come to see us?"

Tania snorted. "That's what your brother asked. And no, no one has."

For a split second, Eragon looked surprised—no, shocked, even—to be addressed as Murtagh's brother. Than he laughed. "I completely forgot about last night, didn't I?"

Murtagh chuckled, putting an arm around Eragon's shoulders. "Don't worry, I did too."

As they were talking, Saphira lifted her head and blinked to clear her eyes. She sniffed the air hopefully, then yawned expansively, her rough tongue curling at the tip. Has anything happened? When Eragon shook his head, she continued, I hope they give me more food than that snack last night. I'm hungry enough to eat a herd of cows.

They'll feed you, Eragon assured.

They'd better. She positioned herself near the door and settled down to wait, tail flicking. Tania frowned at her. Good morning to you too, cheerful.

Good morning, Tania. Have you been able to contact Ophelia?

No. There's too much rock in the way.

Ah. Perhaps I should try?

No; if me as her Rider couldn't reach her, I doubt you could. Unless she was blocking me, which I doubt.

I see. Well, have faith. I'm sure they have a place for me that is open to the sky. Ophelia is as clever as you; if any lone dragon can find it, it is her, Saphira told her confidently.

Tania smiled at her gratefully. Thank you, Saphira.

After a long while—too long, Saphira said—they heard voices outside the room. The door opened, and a dozen warriors marched inside. The first man gulped when he saw Saphira. They were followed by the dwarf who'd pulled her out of the lake and the bald man, who declared, "You have been summoned by Ajihad, leader of the Varden. If you must eat, do so while we march." Tania, Eragon and Murtagh stood together, watching him warily. The bald man noticed her, and leered, saying, "Ah, so the garm-hjart has regained her mind?" Tania glared at him, suddenly knowing exactly why the man's face had sent her into a panic.

"Where are our horses? And can I have my sword and bow back?" Eragon asked forcefully, drawing the bald man's attention to himself.

The bald man looked at him in disdain. "Your weapons will be returned to you when Ajihad sees fit, not before. As for your horses, they await you in the tunnel. Now come!"

As he turned to leave, Eragon asked quickly, "How is Arya?"

The bald man hesitated. "I do not know. The healers are still with her." He exited the room, accompanied by the dwarf.

Urgh, I can't write anymore. However… I couldn't help myself so all of you guys get a FREAKING TRIPLE POST. (I just hope my hard work is not in vain.)

Please, review!

FF