Eragon found himself walking down a path that lead to the famed silver waterfall. He'd read about it in several scrolls that tried hard to capture its beauty, but he sensed had failed. He still had an hour to go before his lessons with Master Oromis and as his thoughts were bouncing round his head like a demented kangaroo, he had decided to have a look. It was also written that this waterfall could calm even the most troubled mind and Eragon decided to see if it would work. The scenery around here is really beautiful, Eragon thought as he walked a little slower, here the trees were greener and had amazing vines growing up and down them. He heard birds trilling in the distance and the cleansing sound of water flowing down a rock face. He sighed, it was worth just walking down this path to help himself calm down and soon Eragon could feel the anticipation of what was waiting just around the corner build up. Filled with awe Eragon stood gazing up at the magical scene before him. A beautiful silver waterfall fell down a flat golden rock face and into the clear lake below. The tranquil water lapped at his feet and he looked down to see the lake bed was a huge assortment of pebbles, the air was musky around the base of the waterfall and tantalising smell of cleansing freshness reached his sensitive nose. He breathed in deeply and felt his troubles just melt away.

'It's beautiful isn't it?' said a voice softly. Eragon jumped and looked around, his gaze settling on the elf standing on his right. I must have just walked straight past her, he realised mortified, and ignored her totally! 'I could just sit down and stay here for the rest of my life, just watching the water flowing in a never ending cycle. Forgetting everything.' Eragon looked closer at her and tensed realising it was Sofia, what do I say, he thought desperately, without offending her. As though feeling his inner torment Sofia turned towards him and smiled. It was a smile of such understanding Eragon felt his breath being torn away from him. How could she understand? It felt and looked as though she understood everything about him, every single thing. 'Don't worry, I'm feeling much better. The waterfall has made me see what must be done, made me see that I am needed if Galbatorix is to be overthrown.' Eragon found himself nodding even though he had no idea why, her voice was so entrancing that he would have nodded even if she had asked him to dive off the top of the waterfall itself.

She smiled once more and walked towards him, recognition entering her eyes. 'Eragon it's you!' she cried joyfully, leaping over towards him and enveloping him in a warm hug. 'Aye, it's me.' He answered bemused as the beaming elf detracted herself from him and looked up into his eyes. 'I hoped to find you today to thank you for saving my life, must've been what? Three times?' she smiled gorgeously and pulled him along saying, 'have you been to the top yet? No? Well it's just the best view ever, you have to see it!' he laughed at her excitableness, she was acting just like a human child on their birthing day. She looked up and joined in laughing, her amazing laugh trilling in harmony with the birds that were singing all around.

They reached the top and found themselves unable to see over the edge because of the water flowing down. 'Still,' she sighed, 'it's an amazing view even from here.' Smiling she gazed out across the treetops, a look of contentment sitting on her face. 'Aye, you're right,' said Eragon breathlessly, 'it makes you realise how very small you are.'

'No ones small Eragon, especially not you.' She looked up the conviction obvious on her slim face. 'The small man is an actor Eragon, and you are not one of those.'

'What do you mean?'

'It does not matter,' she said smiling once more, 'all that matters is that which is here and now. For the moment at least.' She looked up at him and laughed at his quizzical expression. She span around and laughed once more, her long blonde hair dancing around her and her white summer dress fanning out beside her knees. 'I love it here!' she cried joyfully, 'I feel so free!' She sang stopping breathlessly and watching as Eragon walked slowly over to her. 'What is it?' she asked, tensing as he kept his gaze on her. 'Nothing,' he said laughing, 'it's just I haven't met anyone like you for so long I keep forgetting what to say.'

'You may say whatever you like, master Eragon,' she intoned dramatically, gracefully bowing at his feet. He laughed and grabbed her hand pulling her into a crazy dance along the riverside. The sun was hot and high above them as they frolicked in the water, having the greatest fun they'd had in a long time. Watching them master Oromis stood smiling as the two cavorted about, soon they would be needed for far more serious things, but for now they needed to act like the teenagers they were. 'Good morning Arya,' he said knowingly to the shadows.

Stepping out with a slightly disconcerted expression on her face, Arya said 'Good morning Shining Palm.' Her face was turned towards the sounds of Eragon's and Sofia's laughter and she watched as they danced and leapt around, a look of longing on her face. The look soon darkened as Eragon caught Sofia in his arms, swung her around and threw them both to the floor. 'Eragon should be busy with his studies,' she snapped, 'it's irresponsible of you Oromis to be watching him when he should have started lessons two hours ago!' She finished shouting almost loud enough for Eragon and Sofia to hear. 'You forget your place Arya-elda, I deemed it necessary for Eragon and Sofia to relax as things have been difficult lately and needed attending to.' He said shortly as she turned away with an angry flick of her hair. 'And Eragon forgets his!' She yelled back as she disappeared through the trees. Shaking his head Oromis left the waterfall leaving Eragon and Sofia to have the day off, Sofia would be joining him and Eragon at his lessons so he would be seeing them both soon.

Unaware Eragon pulled Sofia back up to her feet saying as he did so, 'you wish to see the edge of the waterfall? You really do?'

'Yes, why of course! But how?' she asked wide-eyed as he led her to the edge of the water and took her hand. Smiling he answered 'like this.' And a wonderful sensation crept along Sofia's body starting from the hand that Eragon held in his. 'What's going on?' she whispered in earnest, her face filled with open confusion and excitement. They gently floated over the water and towards the very edge of the waterfall and soon there was nothing below their feet as they gazed down the rock face below them. 'This is so weird,' she said laughing as they hovered in the air, 'but so wonderful.' She let go of his hand and with a laugh went to step at little farther over the edge when Eragon leapt forwards and grabbed her hand, crying out 'no! Don't let go you'll fall and I won't be able to stop you this time!' He yelled, irate at her foolishness when she turned into his arms and whispered calmly 'shhhhh. I'll be fine.' While gently prising her hand from his.

Eragon didn't want to let go, he was afraid she'd fall and he wouldn't be able to catch her and she was the only elf who'd talked to him because of who he was not what he was. But looking into her soft green eyes he knew he could never say no to her and closing his own he gently released her soft slim fingers waiting for her to fall from him. Nothing happened. Looking down at her he smiled in wonder, 'how did you learn to do that so fast? Have you been taught to do it before?' she smiled and shook her head laughing as she ran through the air away from him, 'you taught me,' she said simply. 'What?' he asked incredulous as she shrugged and smiled, dancing away from him. 'What do you mean?' he asked once more but she would say nothing else. Eventually he gave up asking her and they danced the day away, feeling the sun hot on their backs and the light breeze whirling around them. Tired but completely contented they lay staring at the night sky, watching as the stars that sparkled down on them. Soon Sofia was fast asleep and just as Eragon began to drift off, Saphira called out to him. Eragon?

Saphira?

Who else would it be? Anyway where have you been, I went to lessons and Glaedr told me that we had the day off.

Why didn't you call me earlier?

I did and caught a glimpse of a pretty young elf in your arms, I thought it best not to disturb.

Thank you Saphira.

No problem my little one, now who is she?

It's Sofia the elf we rescued. She's feeling better now and can't wait to see the rest of Ellesmera so I hope you don't mind, but I told her we'd show her around.

We? As in you and me?

Of course, who else would I take with me?

Don't you want to keep her to yourself?

It's not like that Saphira, we're just friends. Anyway she said she wanted to meet you again as last time she was a bit out of things. What do you say?

I'd love to. Goodnight little one and don't be late for our lessons tomorrow, Master Oromis requests you bring Sofia with you. I have no idea why.

Goodnight Saphira. Just as she began to fade to the back of his consciousness, he realised something. Saphira? You know this will be the first time we have slept apart for almost a year.

Yes, I did. But I can always sense you in my mind and heart and so Eragon we are never truly apart.

Thank you Saphira, sweet dreams. With a hum of affection Saphira pulled away but remained a still beating presence inside him. Eragon smiled and held the young elf closer in his arms feeling warmer than he had in weeks.