Arya was confused. Was it just her, or had she developed feelings for the Shade? The chains, now back on her wrists, were rubbing her skin raw and making her loose even more concentration. She remembered how she had felt for Faolin. How she was warm and fuzzy inside when he was around, how he made her smile on all occasions and how she felt slightly dizzy after an encounter with him. But her relationship with Durza... it couldn't even come close!

What is wrong with you, Arya? Of course you don't have feelings for this...this...this beast! It's just...the drugs. They're messing with your mind! When you are free of this place, you'll realise that properly. Do not dwell on it now. She told herself firmly.

But the thought was like an itch, just when she had forgotten it she would accidentally bump it and it would start over again. It drove her mad! She tried focusing on a completely unrelated topic, such as the new Rider. She hoped whoever he was, he would be able to help her. If not he, who else? She would surely rot in this gods forsaken place! Durza was leaning against the opposite wall, eyes occasionally flickering up from his scrolls and parchment to throw a concerned look on her. Each one was like a blanket, smothering her, making her world dark.

But they also symbolised some kind of hope he had for them, for her to escape that place and for him to save this relationship. If that was what it could be called...

She had suffered so much, and for what? A few friends, old in age, and a rebelious group of dwarves and elves who were to stuborn to accept that King Galbatorix would conquer all of them eventually. They couldn't hide from the truth.

Hey, i might be in love with this elf, but it does not mean i will join her side!

Arya's torso fell to the ground, closely followed by the rest of her. She was so tired...

She was walking through a long corridor, lined with books. Ornaments sparkled with dust and memories from the top most rows, and a dark figure sweeped forward from the last shelves. As it drew closer, she saw it was Durza. Her heart lept out through her throat at how glad she was to see him, like she needed to be rescued and he was the perfect person to do so. He pulled her into a tight hug and breathed in her scent. Pine forests and morning dew. She squeezed his hand and whispered the ancient language in his ear. What she said pleased him, and he lead her back to whence he had appeared.

Arya woke with a gasp. Her heart raced a million leagues and her cheeks were flushed. She twisted forwards to free her leg, which was trapped beneath her. Her hands fumbled and Durza approached to help her. She hissed and kicked out at him, but it was an empty threat as her foot couldn't be lifted abover her knee. She was panicky and scared, Durza could tell, as many of his prisoners had been like this. But never Arya.

He put a hand to her sweating forehead and felt it was boiling. He ran over and tore an old blanket into strips and soaked them in cool water. Arya refused to let him near her, so he handed them to her to put on herself. He watched nervously as she tied them haphazardly around her sweltering head. She looked ready to faint. "Arya, what is wrong with you?" She glared at him and answered faintly. "Nothing for you to be concerned about, thank you very much." He nodded sadly and turned his face away. What had he done wrong? He didn't have to treat her nicely! It was only because...well, it was pretty obvious he had intense feelings for her. He just wanted to see her happy, well as happy as she could be here with him. He heard a muffled thump as Arya turned herself around again, and taking this as his que he burst into silent tears. She wasn't happy here, now with him because of the circumstances, but what was saying she would be happy with him under different circumstances?

Arya heard his muffled sobs. She felt sorrow for him. He had not asked to be treated this way, and here she was being angry with him because she felt for him in ways she couldn't feel with Faolin. Why us?

Caribbean Blue 102- Yep, I'm still going! Thanks, but i personally think i'm quite bad at writing this type of thing. I can't believe everyone likes it! Galbatorix's...ummm...thing...will possibly be in the next chapter, or the one after that.

Blackrose305- Aww thanks!

Anda Faith- I'm hoping to continue until at least ten chapters

Flame Rising- This might have possibly worked, if it were not for the fact that a) it was funny and b) you've used it on everyone else too.

VampirexRikie- Thank you! I was in a dark mood too.

Durzas follower- Yeah, i'm a DurAry fan too! GASP!

neelaplushenko- Thanks so much!

Durzas follower- I promise i will!

javi8 15 47- That's so nice! Thank you! Yeah, Flame Rising is a baby.

Chaed- Lol the last sentence was practically the only one i wrote, Caribbean Blue 102 helped me so much! How do you MAKE c2s?

Twistedfire- Confusing? Must just be my brain coming through lol. Thanks!

VampirexRikie- lol but i can wait to write more! Stupid school...

Chaed- Thanks! I seriously forgot aaaall about them! heheh... my msn thingy is

Javi8 15 47- Yay! I feel special!