Hi guys! How are you all doing? I'm a bit disappointed I couldn't update sooner, but an eight year old and a four year old kept me well occupied this week. At this point I'm glad I have only one brother who is only two years younger than me... Anyway, tonight the second wave of guests arrive (ç_ç) and someone really should tell me how I can possibly entertain a thirteen year old in a town where there's virtually nothing to do.

Back to the story. Now I left you with Trianna being the spy and swearing to get her revenge on Arya uuuh Badass. To keep you company, I've left another surprise for you as I already stated in the A/N in chapter 14 that updates wouldn't be frequent over the next few weeks.

Thank you for all the reviews, alerts and for adding this to your favourites. I was shocked at the amount of emails, when I logged in today.

To the anonymous reviewer who pointed out the headband thing: a bit of imagination? If the elves can magically edit their clothes, I'm pretty sure they can magically enhance the size of a headband _

R&R!

Chapter 15

Arya and Eragon both stared blankly at the vacated spot where once stood the sorceress known as Trianna. She had just confessed to being the spy that was feeding information to the tyrant king Galbatorix and the more Arya thought about it, the more it made sense. The witch was one of Nasuada's personal advisors, nobody would have suspected her.

Power wasn't her only ambition. Since the day of Eragon's arrival in the Varden, Trianna had been infuatuated with the young Rider. But what the elf should have realized is that he would never willingly entertain her feelings in such a manner, especially when he had just declared his feelings for the Elven princess. Apparently even the most stoic of elves were prone to petty human emotions, such as jealousy.

Time passed rather quietly and slowly as the Riders processed the new information.

Eragon's expression darkened and it clearly did not bode well with his always so bright and juvial brown eyes. He left the tent without as much as a word, leaving behind a bewildered elf. Sensing that it was not the best time to apologize for her actions, Arya also left to inform Nasuada of current events.

Nasuada sat in her tent, looking over never ending scrolls. The Belatona siege was a few days away and strategies needed to be prepared, evacuation for citizens who would willingly surrender needed to be in order. A guard awoke her from her daze.

"My Lady" he said with a bow. "Arya Shadeslayer wishes to see you."

"Ah yes. Please send her in." It was of the upmost importance to coordinate with the elves and as ambassador and Shurt'ugal Arya needed to approve of the new strategies.

Arya confidently walked in and with a slight bow, greeted the leader of the Varden. "My Lady, there have been some.. developments regarding the spy." Nasuada quietly listened to her tale, taking in the new information. Arya appropriately left out her argument with the Blue Rider.

"Gods above! Trianna was the spy? This is indeed grievous news." said Nasuada after a few minutes.

"Indeed. We must treat this new information with caution; it would cause an uproar among those in the Council, not to mention the Du Vrangr Gata."

"I was meaning to call you here along with Eragon because I have a mission for the both of you. Since the deaths of Murtagh and Thorn I believe that Belatona will not put up much a fight, considering that the King has sent no reinforcements to the city. " she paused for a moment before continuing "I need the two of you to go on a scouting mission to Helgrind."

Arya nodded, incouraging her to continue. "As we both know, Islanzadì is sending her troops to Dras Leona as will we once we have secured Belatona. However, I am concerned about Helgrind. Various reports state there have been sightings of strange creatures making their way to the prison. I need the both of you to inquire into what these creatures might be, if they exist at all, and to free the prisoners. We have lost countless soldiers and good men to that mountain and I should like to see them safely returned to their families."

"Very well, My Lady. I shall inform Eragon and we shall depart in the morning." With that Arya left the tent.

Arya? said a little voice in her mind.

Little one replied the elf affectionately. It truly was amazing the bond young Eridor and Arya shared after only a day. Saphira? asked the princess, sending him a mental picture of the dragoness. She felt it would be safer to approach the sapphire dragon begore speaking to her rider. As the young hatchling could still only communicate by mental images, he sent her the location of the whereabouts of the dragoness. Apparently they were both in the clearing of the day before.

The rest of the day was rather uneventful for both the elf and her dragon. After informing Saphira and Eragon of their new mission, both dragon and Rider retired to their tent to bond. Eridor was excitedly explaining to Arya how Saphira had shown him to hunt small wild animals such as rabbits, much to the dismay of the elf who had to endure rather vivid images of their deaths, but still Arya was quite content listening and observing her dragon.

She taught him more words, what she knew of dragon lore and her life in Ellesméra.

In the dark castle of Uru'baen, an elf was walking cautiosly towards the throne room. Upon hearing of the discovery of the spy, the King had been furious. In his wrath, he had killed over twenty servants with his black sword.

The elf was granted entrance into the huge hall, decorated with few fairths of the King dawned in his black as night armour. Other than his two guards, only one other individual stood in the room: the witch. She had cost them information of great value by letting herself be discovered by the farm boy and the princess and frankly he was surprised the King had let her live this long.

"Ah Faolin. Come join us" said a most unpleasant voice. He walked the remaining distance, joining the witch in front of the great throne. "I have a mission for you." he said with a evil grin. Faolin quickly glanced at the witch beside him, who was shaking with fright. Rightly so he thought. He once again returned his gaze to the King.

"What will you have me do, Your Majesty." he said calmly.

"You are to take this wench" said the King, waving his hand at Trianna " to Helgrind and awate the two Riders. Fortunately this witch was not my only spy."

I know. Not a very long chapter, but still at least it's something. What will Arya and Eragon do? Mmh... Will Arya meet Faolin? Oooh that would be good. And most importantly: what will happen in Helgrind? ;)

Once again thank you for all the reviews, alerts and for adding this to your favourites list. I really do appreciate all the kind words you've said. R&R!