A/N: He he. I feel naughty. I know it has been ages, but I can explain. I have been really busy with school. I love writing for fanfiction, it is my hobby, but there are other things that come first. I will try to update sooner next time, but I cannot make any promises.

Thankyou to all who reviewed, I really appreciated it. I'm sorry to you guys especially that I couldn't update sooner

Disclaimer: I will say it once more, I do not own the inheritance trilogy.

Now, on with the story…

Ch.22. Chapter 21

Eragon jumped onto Saphira, but Arya hesitated.

"Are you coming?" he smiled, reaching a hand out to her.

"I can't, there are some things I must attend to. Could you and Saphira drop me off at my home?"

"Of course. It would be our pleasure," Saphira replied, giving Arya a toothy grin.

"Thank you." Arya climbed onto Saphira's foreleg and accepted Eragon's hand, her small dragon nestled safely under her other arm.

Once they had dropped Arya off, they headed towards the smith's house. At this hour of the day she would probably be working happily in her forge.

Saphira couldn't help but do barrel rolls and loops in the air as she flew; it was such a beautiful day. The sun shone on her through the sparse clouds. She was born to fly, the ruler of the earth and the sky.

Eragon looked down at Edoc'sil as they landed, convincing himself that it was still there, that it hadn't been a dream.

Eragon jumped down from Saphira's back, greeting Rhunön as she walked from her forge.

"Atra esterní ono thelduim," Eragon said, brining his fingers to his lips.

"Mor'ranr lifa nin hjarta onr," Rhunön replied bringing her fingers to her lips, mirroring his gesture.

"Un du evarinya ono varda," Eragon answered, finishing the traditional greeting.

"What are you doing here?" she asked with her usual brusqueness. "I am very busy right now. The next battle is coming soon and I am making many weapons."

"I'm sorry to bother you, but I thought you might want to see what I found," Eragon smiled lifting the sword so she could see it properly.

"Edoc'sil," she breathed looking it over with amazement. "Where… Where did you find this?"

"Under the roots of the Menoa tree."

Rhunön didn't bother asking him to elaborate; she just took the sword from his hands and looked over it fondly.

She smiled down at the sword she had made almost a century ago. She ran her fingers over the symbol etched into its hilt. "As powerful as the day you were forged," she mumbled, as she examined the sword with a trained eye.

"This was the greatest weapon I ever forged. It held more power than any other rider's sword. I sensed a great power in Brom when I first saw him. There was something different about him. I knew he would be able to achieve great things. He was going to be the next leader of the dragon riders. But then his dragon died."

"And I sense a similar power in you. There is something about you that is different from the riders of old. You, and you alone have the power to defeat Galbatorix. Keep this sword. Brom would have given Edoc'sil to no other. Use it well."

"I will." Eragon was honoured. Rhunön wasn't the kind to give compliments easily. He took the sword back, bowing to her. "Thankyou."

Rhunön realised something as he began to turn away. "What happened to Zar'roc?" she asked.

Eragon turned back to her but kept his eyes down. He quickly told her of Murtagh and their battle. He looked up at her expression, expecting her to be furious and take back the sword. But she wasn't, there was just a depressed look upon her face.

"So once more my sword will be used by a traitor. Used to serve Galbatorix."

"I'm sorry. I did all I could, but he was so strong, and I was so tired."

"Yes, I know, but you must promise me this. You must promise that you will never let Edoc'sil fall into the hands of someone who will abuse it, and you must promise never to use it to do the work of Galbatorix, or any other being who wishes to destroy the lives of others. If my weapon falls into the hands of Galbatorix, it could mean a bitter end for all races. Do not let another of my weapons go astray."

Eragon repeated what she said in the ancient language without any doubt. He had already promised himself the same thing.

"Thank you for letting me keep Edoc'sil. I am most grateful," Eragon beamed as he gracefully jumped into Saphira's saddle. "I am in your debt. Farewell."

Rhunön gave him a small smile and bowed her head respectfully. "It was my honour Shadeslayer."

Eragon and Saphira flew back to the tree house to relax. They had training the next day and they were tired from travel. No matter how powerful they became, travel still left them fatigued.

Eragon quickly removed Saphira's saddle before settling into a nice warm bath. He washed the grime of travel from his hair and skin.

He lay in the bath thoughts of the upcoming battle going through his mind.

They finally had a chance. With a new rider they were stronger, and this time they had the element of surprise. They wouldn't be caught by surprise this time. Not again.

Eragon's mind slowly trailed to thoughts about the Shade. He said they would meet again. And when they did, he would be ready. It wasn't his strength that failed him. It was the sword. But now he had one that would hold out in battle. One with power.

Inevitably as he sat there, his thoughts trailed to the raven haired beauty he loved so much. Even after all she had said to him he still loved her with all his heart. She said not but he still wondered. They had been getting along so well recently, maybe… Eragon shook his head, ridding it of those thoughts. He couldn't, not now that they had finally become friends. He wouldn't ruin it. He valued their friendship, and he would not throw it away blindly.

"You have grown wise little one," Saphira's voice echoed in his head.

"No, I have just learned from my mistakes."

"Yes, but one less wise would have repeated them."

Eragon shook his head, he knew she was right. "Thankyou Saphira."

"Your welcome."

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"I love him," she whispered to the small dragon. "No matter how much I deny it, I do.

In the burning planes battle, I thought he had died, I felt so broken. It took me everything not to run up and embrace him when I saw him alive."

The dragon looked at her solemnly, as if to say he understood.

"I can't keep this up. I can't act cold towards him anymore. He makes me happy. He makes me feel like I'm worth something. It is getting to hard too keep denying him. But my duties… if I entered a relationship with him, it could be disastrous for both of us. But than again, if I don't… if I don't tell him, I'll be making the same mistake all over again."

"I couldn't live with myself if I never got to tell him. I never got to tell Faolin, and that hurt so much." Her hatchling rubbed up against her legs, comforting her as best he could. Arya laid a hand on his head, stroking his smooth scales.

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A/N: well that is all for now. I will try to update as soon as possible. The next chapter should be longer.

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