Chapter Six: Sorrow

You know what I really hate about posting? I have to re-italicize everything! Oh, well. Hope you like these chapters!

Miranda's fear when she woke up was that snow had fallen over her in the night. When she touched the white layer covering her, though, she felt a warm membrane with pulsing veins. That should have been obvious. Seraphina, can you let me out? I want to leave so we can warn Garrow if he's not...

You're not going anywhere Miranda, and I'm your mother at the moment and I'm saying no. Not happening. Uh-uh. Forget about it. Imposs-

I get the point!!

Don't even start with me, Miranda, I know what you're thinking. Miranda started anyway.

Seraphina, Eragon's uncle and the rest of the villagers are in mortal danger. You yourself said that they were murderers. I can fight as well as anyone, and you... You are a dragon! Even a Shade would run from you! Yet you cower in the mountains like a helpless rabbit. Seraphina's sides shook with a growl. Miranda hoped she hadn't gone too far. Very well, I will fight. But as soon as you're wounded, I'm going to imprison you in my talons and never let go.

I love you too. Can I get out? I don't want Eragon to get into too much trouble.

Funny. Us dragons are the ones that need to take care of both of you. You're younger than he is!

I know. Can I get out now?

You are relentless, aren't you? I love you. The wing lifted.

Thank you, Seraphina. I love you too. Seraphina hummed, and her wing lifted. Miranda saw Eragon hobbling about on a makeshift crutch. "Eragon, what on earth are you doing? I don't want you overexerting yourself. Not with those legs."

"I'm fine, Miranda. We need to get back to the farm!" Eragon protested.

"Eragon, I happen to know that half the skin on your legs has been torn off. I don't want your legs infected; if it got too bad you could lose your legs altogether. Now, let me get some antiseptic and bandage them." She smacked herself. "I should have thought of that last night. I need some sense knocked into me." Seraphina gave her a hard nudge. "Hey!" Miranda yelled both in her mind and out loud. Any there yet?

Funny. Eragon rolled his eyes and rolled up his pants so Miranda could do her work. She whistled. "Ouch. You need to brace yourself; this will probably sting." Eragon nodded and closed his eyes. Miranda poured antiseptic on his legs, and he immediately tensed, grunting. She did her work quickly, bandaging the wounds with strips of cloth from her inner cloak. When she had finished, he looked at her and said, "Can we go now?" Miranda laughed.

"You're just as relentless as I am. Yes, we can. Mount Saphira." Eragon looked at her skeptically. "I know it's unlikely, Miranda, but is there any way that you can make some sort of a saddle for her? I don't want my legs getting any worse…" he drifted off. Miranda eyed him carefully.

"Can I trust you, Eragon?"

"Of course you can, Miranda, you must know that."

"I'm talking about a different kind of trust, Eragon. Can I trust you not to treat me like some sort of deity after you know my... abilities?" Eragon looked at her in puzzlement. "Why would I do that? But you have my word; I won't treat you like a goddess." Miranda nodded, as if something had been confirmed. Doubt still clutched at her heart, though. I can trust Eragon, she told herself. Still, the doubt remained.

Eragon watched Miranda from Saphira's back in amazement. Her eyes were gray, so different from their normal twinkling brown, as though the wind dwelt there, and her hair streamed out behind her as the wind wrapped its graceful fingers around her. The wind that was around her shot toward Eragon as she held out her hands, yet it remained with her. He felt the wind force itself under his legs and bind him so he couldn't fall off. There was softer wind under his legs so as to prevent his scabs from breaking any further. Miranda quickly mounted Seraphina and the wind did the same for her. As the dragons took off, he asked Miranda, Why didn't you do this before? It would have saved-

You don't understand! Eragon stiffened. Miranda calmed herself. I know, Eragon, and I'm sorry. I was scared, being surrounded by so much wind. It was all I could do as it was to keep myself from becoming the wind… I am completeing my power's growth even now, and by dusk I will be able to control myself better, though the strongest wind will still be testy.

I'm sorry, Miranda. I didn't understand. That made Miranda laugh.

No, you didn't.How about a game of riddles?

Miranda.

I am always in mail, yet I never clink. What am I?

A fish.

Correct. I eat and eat and never stop, yet if I drink I die. What am I?

Fire. Do I seem like I'm five to you?

So be it, Eragon! The teasing in her voice was unmistakable. How about this: If you figure out this next one, I'll quit playing riddle games with you for a month. If I stump you...let's just say you're doomed. Deal?

Deal! Eragon said enthusiastically.

I run, I trample, I triumph. My partner rides with ease, defeating his foes. What am I? Miranda paused. I'm making that an easy one on purpose, just so you know.

Thanks. You're a warhorse. Miranda mock sighed.

I suppose I'll have to stick with exchanging riddles with Saphira and Seraphina. I'll still talk with you, don't worry.

Good. The journey passed quickly after that. Miranda heard Eragon let out a wounded cry as his childhood home came into view, torn to pieces. They landed abruptly and Eragon ran toward the charred remains. "Whoa, there, Eragon," Miranda called. "You're not digging through the wreckage. I'll find your uncle." Eragon ignored her. Miranda sighed. "Eragon, don't make me get you away from there." No reply. Miranda rolled her eyes and summoned the wind, which obediently picked up Eragon, who was tossing a cabinet, and placed him next to Saphira, who imprisoned him between her front legs. "Hey!" he yelled.

"Eragon, I told you; I'll get your uncle. Now don't stand around arguing with me; it'll give Garrow a lower chance of survival to stay down there any longer than he has to." That silenced him. Working quickly, Miranda moved aside the wreckage, with some help from the wind and Seraphina. When a severely burned man came into view, Miranda yelled, Seraphina! The noble dragon wordlessly moved aside the beam that was between her and Garrow. She picked the man up as though he were a child and brought him over to Eragon, who immediately rushed to his uncle. "Easy, now," Miranda said softly.

"We need to get him to a healer-"

"I'll carry him on Seraphina. Don't argue." Eragon silently mounted Saphira, who was still wearing the wind saddle, while Miranda mounted Seraphina. The dragons took off and soared toward Carvahall. When they were a mile away, Seraphina slowed, then landed.

What's wrong?

I can't carry you any further, and Saphira's tired, too.You and Eragon need to walk the rest of the way with Garrow.

All right. You and Saphira find a safe place to hide. I love you, Seraphina, she said, stroking the ivory dragon's scales

I love you too, Miranda, Seraphina murmured, humming.

The dragons soared off to the north. Miranda, still holding Garrow, walked over to Eragon. "Come on, we need to get you and Garrow to Gertrude," she urged, speaking of Carvahall's healer. Eragon nodded and started walking briskly. Before he got ahead, however, Miranda saw a tear shining on his cheek and a look on his face that Miranda knew well from her own experience; he was trying not to cry. "It's all right, Eragon," she said softly. He only walked faster. Miranda could have kept up with him, but she respected his feelings and stayed a few feet behind him. When the village came into view, so did Brom, who was shouting, "Eragon!" Miranda saw Eragon falling and swiftly adjusted Garrow so she could catch Eragon. He was heavier than he looked, and Miranda staggered. "Brom? I could use some help here."