A/N: hi I updated just like I said I would. Aren't you proud of me, well anyway read and review.

Ch.4 Chapter 3

"I can't believe it Eragon. When you left you were just a boy. A young hunter and Garrow's son. But now you're a rider. You are as strong as the best of the elves and the Varden's only hope for successes. I haven't seen many a sword fight but it would be a wonder to see you fight an elf. And Roran, travels have changed you. What you did. You convinced all of Carvahall to leave. You saved our towns people. What I have been through is nothing compared to the hardships you have faced."

"I know I think we have all changed a lot in the past few years. You two engaged and everything."

"Tell me Eragon. Are there any special girls in your life?" Katrina asked. Eragon had a feeling she new the answer.

"Yes Eragon. Tell us but I have a good idea who you might fancy."

"Um… err... what are you talking about? I don't like anyone." 'Who likes me back.' He thought regaining composure.

"Sure?" She said with a sly glint in her eyes.

"Yes, why would you think I liked someone?" Eragon said keeping all emotion from his face.

"When you were telling me about your story" 'here it comes' "Something passed across your face when you told of a certain elf"

"What are you talking about?"

"Just stop denying it and admit you like Arya"

"I don't" He sad keeping all emotion from his face. Thank the gods Oromis had taught him how to properly conceal his emotions.

They gave him a look which clearly meant they didn't believe him and started talking together about something completely unrelated. Eragon rolled his eyes and began a conversation with Saphira.

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"Hold on Saphira is going to land'

"OK" Roran grabbed the spike in front of him and held it tight. I followed suit and quickly grabbed the spike in front of me. Roran was holding on so tight his knuckles were white this doesn't look good. I can tell this will be a memorable experience.

Saphira suddenly pulled into a vertical dive. I screamed and looked at the two in front of me. Roran looked scared but not too bad and Eragon was definitely a true dragon rider he was no longer concealing his emotions, his face had broken into a large grin.

They landed with a loud thump. I watched as Eragon jumped from Saphira's saddle and landed soundlessly on the ground. 'That is a 20 foot drop. How does he do that'

"How do I get down?"

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Eragon looked up and then spoke with Saphira.

"Can you lie down so they can walk down your leg or should I have a little fun and lift them down with magic?"

"I like the second"

"OK. But they are not going to be happy when I do"

Eragon whispered some words under his breath and raised his hand showing his glowing gedwëy ignasia. Katrina and Roran both screamed as Eragon lifted them off Saphira and hovered them to the ground.

The couple was scowling when they landed while Eragon failed at trying to conceal his laughter.

Roran went to punch him but Eragon grabbed Roran's fist before it hit his face without so much a sideways glance. But it had the desired effect. Eragon stopped laughing and began to set up camp.

"Cousin I think you should know that it is pointless to try and punch me. I am faster than I was when I ran from Carvahall."

They continued to set up in silence.

They sat around the fire eating their dinner.

"Why don't you eat meat? You did before you left."

"I was taught against it in my training." It was the easiest answer he could give it would be to hard to explain it properly.

"OK". Not inquiring any further she put down her plate and lay her head on Roran's shoulder. They sat for a while discussing what they would do when they got back to when they got back to Surda before rolling out their bedrolls and going to sleep.

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I screamed as a searing pain around my neck woke me. I tore open my shirt and looked at the white hot pendent around my neck. I'm being scryed.

I looked quickly around me Roran and Katrina were awake and looking at me worriedly. Saphira ran over and stood at my side.

"Is it the necklace?"

"Yes, someone is trying to scry me"

"Who do you think it is?"

One word came to my mind and it brought round a fresh layer of despair.

The pain subsided after a few minutes. With Saphira's help I got through it but I ached all over.

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"It's stopped" he panted.

Katrina and Roran exchanged worried glances.

"You scared me little one"

"What was that?" Roran asked.

Eragon ignored them and stared blankly into the distance. 'Why did he do it?' the question kept on repeating its self over and over again in his mind.

It was clear to Saphira that he was not going to answer so she explained it to both Roran and Katrina for him.

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Why had it affected him like this? Last night he was fine. He had gotten better but now just this small thing had started it up. I could tell all happiness had left his eyes and all that was left was hate, pain and sorrow. But why? A second later it clicked 'Murtagh'.

Who else would it have been? He had worked it out strait away. That is why he had ignored them. He was thinking. Worrying. The Empire was looking for them again. This was not a good sign. Oh well time to try and cheer up the depressed rider again.

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"Eragon are you OK." It is stupid why do people ask that when you are clearly not.

I don't want to talk now I need to think. I blocked out my dragon before she could ask any moor questions. I looked her in the eye and saw worry, but right now I don't care. I have my own problems.

My mind as usual drifted to my sorry excuse for a brother. The thing he'd done and said. His face filled my thoughts the evil glint in his eye when he told me about my heritage. The cruel smile as he took Zor'roc.

The events played over and over in my mind and I realized the cruel truth. He was beyond saving. He may have been taken by force but now, he loved it the power, and he enjoyed being Galbatorixes slave. He had enjoyed himself hurting Eragon, killing Hrothgar, there was no remorse as he killed the ones he had once called allies. The look in his eyes it was joy, he would never go back to the Varden even if the choice was handed to him on a platter. It sickened him to think it but if it came to that again there was no going back, it was kill or be killed.

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Eragon fell asleep with the grim thoughts playing at his mind. As he did Saphira put a protective wing over him. She would never let anything happen to her young grieving Rider.

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In the morning Roran and Katrina woke up to see Eragon on the edge of the camp staring into the distance and Saphira looking at him worriedly. It dawned on Roran what had happened. 'Not again' he thought. 'Oh well we will try to cheer him up when we get back to Surda'

The couple ate the night before meat while watching Eragon. Roran wondered one thing. 'What had triggered this?'

They all climbed onto Saphira and held on as she soared up into the clouds.

Through the rest of the journey Roran and Katrina talked a bit, but Eragon just stared into the distance.

A/N:I hope you enjoyed it and thank you to all of my reviewers I couldn't have done it without you.