Chapter 5 (I think)
Eragon walked to Nasuada's tent. They were travelling further north. It had been months since he had last seen the boy. He now thought it a dream, but every time he saw a boy, his thoughts always returned to him. Like when he saw Jarsha. The two boys looked nothing alike except for the black hair. And that was all Eragon needed to be reminded of him. Little one, stop dwelling on your past and hurry! I can't bear listening to Orrin's stories to pass time. Eragon laughed. Alright , Saphira. Just don't do anything rash. he began to run to Nasuada's tent, not wanting to annoy his dragon.
He arrived in mere minutes. Saphira snorted as he walked into the tent. Her head snaked in behind him. "Ah, Eragon!" exclaimed Orrin. "you just missed the story of how I believe -" "Saphira told me all about it. She quite enjoyed it," said Eragon, laughing to himself. Saphira prodded his consciously with a hard force. That was not funny. That's what you think, he laughed. He was interrupted by Nasuada. "Eragon, we need you and the elves to scout ahead, and for Saphira to scout to the east." Eragon was about to accept this, but Saphira cut across. No. Every time I am away from Eragon, something happens to him. For the worse. Eragon shook his head. I shall be fine Saphira. It is only scouting. And I shall be with Arya and the other elves. letting Saphira see he could not be swayed, she accepted grudgingly.
"When do I leave milady?" Eragon asked. "Now. Arya and your guards are waiting at the opposite end of the camp." Eragon's mouth made an O shape before he bowed and hurried out. He was about to set off, but saw Roran, Katrina, and his young nephew. A grin spreading on his face, Eragon hurried over to them. "How is he?" asked Eragon. Katrina smiled. "He is healthy." Eragon patted Roran's shoulder. "Congratulations Roran." he smiled. Roran smiled proudly. "Thanks. We are calling him Garrow." Eragon nodded.
"He would be proud." Roran's face fell slightly, but he nodded. Katrina noticed, and quickly said to Eragon , " Err, so how is Saphira?" Eragon's eyes widened as he remembered Arya and the other elves. "oh, she is good. I'm afraid I must go now. I have to meet the elves, and they do not like to be kept waiting." He nodded to them, before hurrying away towards the further side of the camp. He was cheered by many people, and almost stopped by others, but he managed to get there. He stopped as the elves came into sight.
Arya stood at the front of his guard, speaking with Blodhgarm. Her eyes flickered over to him as he approached them. They were as beautiful as ever, yet showing no emotion. "Shadeslayer." murmured Blodhgarm. "Are you ready to depart?" Eragon nodded. "Let us leave." Blodhgarm frowned. "Where is your pack. You do not which to go days without sleeping?" Eragon's mouth dropped. "This will be for several days?" "Of course. Did Lady Nasuada not tell you?" Eragon scowled. "She failed to mention it."
"No matter. We have plenty of spare equipment," said Arya. Eragon nodded, feeling annoyed with Nasuada. They set off at that moment. Eragon walked a little behind the elves, feeling out of place. They spoke among themselves, not felling the need to include Eragon. But Eragon noticed Arya walking further to the left of the rest of them, not taking part in their conversation.
He remembered what he had said about Faolin, and how she had never been close to the other elves. Eragon made is way up beside her. "Arya Shadeslayer," he muttered. She smiled slightly at being called Shadeslayer. "Eragon." she replied simply. Eragon glanced at the elves. "They're very friendly, aren't they." She smiled. "Indeed. Elves do not feel the need the need to include others in their conversations." He cocked an eyebrow.
"Do they feel the need to include you?" She lifted her head high. "I do not feel the need to join in conversations I no nothing about." Eragon nodded. "Fair enough." They chatted quietly for most of the journey, until, they heard a strange , screaming sound. "What was that?" asked a wide eyed Eragon. "I don't know," muttered Arya. She squinted at a group of trees to their right. Eragon's guard surrounded him.
Eragon drew his sword and pushed past them, quietly sneaking towards the trees. "Where are you going?" hissed Arya. "To find out what that was. My guard can stay here, and you if you wish. If something happens, I'll contact you."
Arya rushed up beside him, walking beside him. "I see why Saphira dreads leaving you. You search for trouble." she hissed angrily. They walked into the small forest. Eragon heard more of the crying. He hurried his pace, Arya trailing behind him. He saw a clearing up ahead, and hid behind a tree surrounding it. He saw a figure on the ground, face in hands. Arya looked over his shoulder.
"Its only a human." she said, sounding relieved. Eragon found heavy barriers around its mind. Something was familiar about the boy. He made his way out into the clearing. "Eragon!" exclaimed Arya. At the word Eragon, the boy stopped crying. "Eragon…." He whispered , looking up. Eragon gasped at the boys face.
It was the boy from his dreams. A much more painful version of it anyway. The boy had obviously been through so much. "Alex," muttered Eragon, remembering his name. Alex stood up. He was about an inch taller than the last time Eragon had seen him. But it was his eyes that stood up. The happiness of youth had totally left them, only the scars of hurt remained. "W-what happened to you?" whispered Eragon. Alex shivered constantly. "Eragon….it all happened after you came….all of it…." "What happened?" Alex suddenly scowled, and dived at Eragon. Eragon sidestepped the crazed youth, and held him down.
Arya hurried over. Alex was screaming at them. Arya knelt down beside him. Eragon felt sorry for the boy as the screams soon turned to sobs. Eragon released him. "Alex , what happened?" Alex sobbed. "They died. They all died. Every last one. And I could do nothing. I'm all alone…" Arya placed a hand on Alex's shoulder. "Who all died?" she asked softly. Eragon answered for the boy, feeling the boy's pain.
"His brothers and sisters. And parents. " Arya's eyes widened. Alex shook his head. "P-parents disappeared." Eragon lifted the boy to his feet, supporting him. Arya contacted Eragon with her mind. How many siblings did he have? Six. Eragon felt Arya's sorrow for Alex and pity. No one should lose that many, she said sadly. No, especially not at that age. Alex trembled.
Eragon held the young teenager. "We should get him help." said Eragon. Arya nodded, trying to sooth Alex as they hurried back to Eragon's guard. They looked appalled at the sight of the boy. "What's wrong with him?" asked Blodhgarm. "He is suffering from depression." muttered Eragon. "We have to get him back to the Varden. He could hurt himself. And he also needs healers. He is too weak to stand for too long, and had not eaten I'd say for at least a week."
Blodhgarm nodded. "I'll carry him," said another elf. Eragon shook his head. "No. He might attack you if he comes to his senses. He knows me." Eragon had began running before they could stop him. He knew they were following him. Alex gave a cry. Eragon had never seen anyone so distraught.
They were back at the Varden camp in around a half of an hour. Eragon was weary of carrying the boy, but brought him to Angela's tent with Arya and Blodhgarm. Little One! Who is- Oh my god! The boy! said Saphira as her head snaked into the healers tent. Angela was desperately trying to calm Alex. Eragon watched helplessly. But an idea came to him. "I have an idea. Excuse me Angela."
Eragon knelt beside the squirming boy, and placed a hand on his brow. He crushed the boys defences, and put up the memory Eragon had of Alex' family in the "Airport". Alex immediately stopped wailing. He seemed mesmerized. Eragon got more memories of Alex' siblings and past and put showed them to the boy.
While Alex was quiet, Angela asked, "How did you do that?" "I showed him what he wanted to see the most." Alex' eye closed, and Eragon felt him fall into a slumber, walking amongst his memories.
Angela rubbed her brow. "Something must have happened. Not just his family dieing, but something else." Eragon nodded, gazing at the boys face. "We shall have trouble helping him." said Eragon. "Trouble? If he's like that the whole time, it'll be impossible!"
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A/N Sorry it took ages to update. I promise I haven't abandoned my fics, I'm just so busy at the moment. Please REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!