This is a not so action filled chapter, read and review. Thanks to everyone for your comments

Chapter 2: Sorrows of the past vanquished

Sorrow and grief swept across the young man's mind.

"I am alone! Ebrith'l is gone, gone forever." These were the thoughts that the man dwelt on. He set there upon an earthen mound; his seat was so humble yet he maintained an aura of dignity and radiated nobility. His expression was one of unfathomable anguish. The man sat on this mound immersed in his own internal turmoil. Surrounding the man was picturesque scenery. The scene was the very personification of beauty. Water lapped at the man's feet, steadily, bringing the rhythm and music to this lively scene.

A gruesome scene filled the man's mind; an armored man on a red dragon flew towards him…

He heard angered voices and let out a roar…

Pain swept across his entire being as a red blade plunged between the ribs of the rider…

"Nooooooo!" the man uttered a cry of pure misery.

"Eragon, hush, do not disturb these woods. Do not mourn. Be strong Eragon. Now that (Quote from Stewart Alsop) 'A dying man needs to die, as a sleepy man needs to sleep, and there comes a time when it is wrong, as well as useless, to resist.' Do not mourn him, and forget all you're responsibilities. Carry on the torch of the riders, you are his legacy." A soothing voice spoke in his head.

"I can feel it Saphira, even you in pain for his loss."

"Yes, I did not ask to forget him, but be strong. You cannot see me sitting in seclusion and howling like a moon addled fool."

"But-

"Eragon a poet once wrote-

You just stood there screaming
Fearing no one was listening to you
They say the empty can rattles the most
The sound of your own voice must suit you

Hearing only what you want to hear
And knowing only what you've heard
You, you're smothered in tragedy
And you're off to save the world
Misery
You insist that the weight of the world
Should be on your shoulders
Misery
There's much more to life than what you see
My friend of misery" (Quote Metallica, my friend of misery)

"Saphira was the poet an el?" Questioned Eragon
"Nay, 'twas a human, James Alan, do you think I just sat there admiring my reflection, while Oromis painted those scrolls." Saphira questioned rhetorically.

"Little one, come now, you must fly with me." Saphira demanded.

"Yes, but where are you?" inquired Eragon.

Just then he heard a branch crack and he felt a something grip his shoulders. He felt himself being pulled up and out of the glade; he looked up to see Saphira grinning wolfishly at him. Just then he felt Saphira twist and let go of him. Fear gripped him as his stomach tied into a knot. He felt as though his insides were moving as he fell freely, plummeting towards the Earth.

"Saphira!" he yelled with all his might.

Just then he saw a flash of blue dart past him and with inhuman reflexes he caught hold of one of her neck spikes.

"That was fun, let's do it again" Saphira said teasingly.

"Are you insane?" Eragon retorted.

"You'll pay for that… Hmm… let me see, what the worst location possible to drop you is."

Saphira took a steep dive, just as Eragon adjusted himself onto her back. Eragon held on for dear life while Saphira gained speed rapidly. Eragon's skin was pulled backwards, due to the extreme speed. Saphira jerked without Eragon's anticipation, he lost his grip and plunged into a lake below.

He let out a scream of "AAAAAH!", as he fell head first into the water. As he reached the water it broke his fall and his fall seemed to slow down gradually as he floated towards the bottom of the lake, and with a kick of his legs he accelerated skywards, as he broke through the surface. Sunlight stung his eyes as he did so. The water was freezing; Eragon was completely soaked in the bitter cold water. As he swam towards the shore, he heard loud rich peals of musical laughter.

"Barzul." He cursed.

"Saphira what have you done?" scolded Eragon.

His only reply was, the sound of rocks scraping against each other, Saphira's laughter.
Arya stood on the shore watching as Eragon swam, towards dry land.

"Land Ahoy!" shouted Arya, mockingly, as Eragon reached the shore and pulled himself onto the shore.

"I am bound to get sick if I continue to wear these soaked clothes…" Then it dawned upon him

"Saphira you, evil bird-brained, twisted dragon." Eragon cursed at her, the pointed tips of his ears turned red.

"I love you too, little one", Answered Saphira.

Eragon shivered, he was cold and chilled. Arya was still laughing at his unfortunate dip in the river. Eragon was unable to take the cold anymore pulled off his shirt. Water clung to his shirt and hair in the form of droplets. Arya abruptly stopped laughing and eyed Eragon curiously. Eragon's brown hair was in complete disarray. He had acquired a slight tan; he was now a well built man/elf with rippling muscles.

"Ooh! She likes you're new form," Teased Saphira.

Eragon ignored her, and looked at Arya, "I am sorry for this inconvenience, but I did not wish to die of cold, and it was all Saphira's idea anyways. I am the victim." Eragon explained himself.

"Very well, and I must inform you that we are to leave for the funeral, tomorrow, at night fall." Informed Arya, she looked away trying to maintain a blank, face, the tips of her ears turning red. Eragon sensed another feeling as well as embarrassment in her, face. However he was unable to guess what it was.

"It seems you have gotten over the loss, of Oromis." She commented, betraying some contempt.

Eragon's expression changed to one of irritation, "Do not insult us Arya-Svit-Kona, we mourned the two for long, but if we remained, so in grief, what would we accomplish. Saphira and I are no strangers to loss; in fact death is a part of us. I have lost, my uncle Garrow, Brom, the father I never knew, Oromis as well, my mother left me when I was very young, Saphira did not know hers, nor did she know her father. It would be very easy to sit, holding my head in my hands, and crying, in the meantime somebody else will kill, Galbatorix, right? No I chose the harder path. Do not think I don't care about my loved ones."

"I apologize, for being, so haughty, I underestimated, you, Eragon Elda, for you are wise."

"He who dares to be a fool, that is the first step to wisdom (Quote, I do not remember who, I am sorry)" retorted Eragon.

Then a deafening roar was heard, Saphira swooped down gracefully, placing herself between, Eragon and Arya. She raised an ivory talon and placed it on Arya's shoulder. She moved her face closer to Arya's. She opened her mouth revealing razor sharp teeth, and let out a threatening growl.

"Do not underestimate him again, for you may be older than us, but that does not mean we both are fools."

Arya flinched, and then made eye contact with Saphira.

"I apologize, bright scales. It shall not happen again," Answered Arya.

Saphira satisfied walked back to Eragon's side.

"Saphira, did you at least bring me dry clothes."

"Eragon do I look like a laundry basket. Enough we will camp here; you can sleep under my wing, little one."

Saphira opened her mouth, and a blue jet of fire was released, Eragon, made himself comfortable under Saphira's wing, bidding Arya farewell. Saphira looked at the night sky as the stars twinkled.

"Good night, little one."

"Good night, mighty dragon," Replied Eragon.

Saphira curled herself into a ball, placing a wing over Eragon, protectively.