Sorry for such a long wait, I have been working on a Iron Man costume but now that its done hopefully the chapters will be more frequent and I will in fact be more active. 323 hits! Wow! (thank you everyone that has reviewed). And I am going to be editing the first few chapters and re-uploading them. I apologize for the delay with uploads, school has been freakishly difficult and I would like to thank my reviewer who showed me the errors and now makes me cringe when I read the chapters that I wrote a few months ago, hopefully the edited ones will be better.

Chapter #4 Rebuilt

The hallway was so silent you could almost hear the rock expanding and contracting. The four figures that lingered there barely made a sound, save for the heavy breathing coming from the blue dragoness curled outside the door. Saphira lay with Murtagh, who sat on the floor with his his back to the wall, her head resting in his lap. He gently stroked her neck and head, neither of them saying anything, but sharing thoughts and emotions through a temporary mental link. On the other side of the hall, Arya sat against the wall as well, her gaze directed at the floor. Eliot sat with his head at her feet as he rested in a shallow sleep.

Arya continued to stroke the smooth scales under her hand, the motion slow and steady, and she felt a small hum issue from Eliot's throat. He thought back to the battle, and the aftermath of what had happened. Ork had heard a massive explosion had come from the marble city, and shortly after that, a dark cloud of mist flew out of the stone walls and vanished into the sky overhead. Arya and Eliot gave the soldiers around them that were dieing new life and the Urgals then lost cohesion, and began fighting amongst themselves, which allowed the Varden and dwarves to regain the battle.

After the tide of battle had turned, Ork had ran through the gates of Tronjheim to find his friends. He came upon the main chamber where Eragon had fought the Shade and found Saphira and Arya amidst the ruins of the star sapphire, Eragon unmoving on the ground beside them. Saphira's face was taut with worry, as Arya examined her unmoving Rider. Kneeling next to the elf, Saphira sagged with relief when she told him that Eragon was alive, though injured. Together, the three of them had managed to get him to Angela, where the herbalist had set about tending to him and healing his wounds.

Arya entered the room, followed by Murtagh. Saphira and Eliot snaked their head in behind them, as their massive bodies were too large to fit. They found Eragon sitting upright on the bed, and his face broke into a smile when he saw his friends. Eragon felt a surge of happiness when Saphira saw him, and her chest vibrated in a deep hum. It is good to see you well, little one, she said tenderly.

You too. But how -

The others wish to explain, and I will let them.

You breathed fire, I saw you!

Yes, she hummed with pride.

Eragon started to speak, but was cut off when Murtagh stepped up to the bed and grabbed him in a rough embrace. Weak as he was, Eragon returned it as strongly as he could. "You've got to stop scaring us like that," Murtagh breathed.

"I'll try harder next time," Eragon whispered back, and the two let go of each other. Eragon favored Arya and Eliot with a weak smile as they told him of what had transpired after he defeated Durza. He shook his head in awe as Arya explained what she had done to the star sapphire in order to distract the Shade, giving Eragon the chance to kill him. Angela simply muttered that between the two of them, she would have reached the limit of her abilities trying to keep them alive if it had not been for Saphira.

It was then that Eragon realized the horror of what Durza had done to him. The wound on his back from the Shade's blade had not been healed completely. He now had a huge scar running from his right shoulder to his opposite hip. Murtagh tried to cheer him by saying it was a badge of honor, but Eragon was dismayed. He was disfigured. Then, he thought of the mysterious figure who had come to him in his mind, telling him to rejoice in what he had done. He had rid the world of a great evil, and Eragon felt a measure of peace wash over him.

Angela began to shoo the others out, stating that the Rider still needed rest. They complained, but a subtle threat of "certain ingredients" being forced upon them caused them to stop rather quickly. Saphira gave Eragon a quick lick and Eliot told him they would be by later. After they had gone, Eragon lay back in the bed and contemplated what the figure in white had told him. Come to me...for I have all the answers you seek.

Eragon nodded to no one but himself. I will come.

Commercial break!

Okay so that ends the first book, all following chapters will be what will transpire after Eragon. Now without delay ON WITH THE SHOW! (Oh and can I say that Saphira X OC will happen quite soon. Nothing graphic I swear! It will be in the next few chapters.)

Eliot awoke to a loud roar, within moments he could tell that there was a fight, he lept into the air and flew quickly around the corner.

The sight that met him was unfathomable, No...

Orik arrived soon after with the men that had followed, and then Jormundur and his reinforcements as well. Jormundur put his hand of his fallen friend's shoulder and mourned freely. Behind him, the ranks of men bowed their heads in reverence, paying last respects to the leader of the Varden. They then raised Ajihad on their shields and bore his body back towards Tronjheim, Arya, Eragon and Saphira in the middle of the precession.

Arya ran back down the tunnel after he promised to stay put.

Anguish gripped Eragon as he rose the next morning, the memory of Ajihad's death and Murtagh's disappearance weighing heavily on him. Arya had returned late last night with no good news, and only a few scraps of bloody cloth. Scrying their lost companion was also a dead-end, as the image only revealed a black pit. To distract himself, he turned his head and watched Saphira sleep. Her muscled sides expanded and contracted as her slumbering snores echoed throughout the room.

Because the great star sapphire had been shattered, the four of them was unable to stay in the dragonhold above it. The dwarves had given them quarters in an old guardroom on the bottom level of the city. It was a large room.

Her breathing quickened, and Saphira blinked groggily as a wide yawn escaped her. She looked over at her Rider and gave a small hum. Good morning, little one.

Is it? he asked, his tone dark. Ajihad and Murtagh, gone, slain by the beasts we should have driven off. It makes no sense.

We may never know what really happened, she said gently. For now, we must be grateful for what we have left; each other. She sent Eragon a wave of warm thoughts, and he smiled slightly, thanking her.

The dragoness then leaned her head down to inspect her still-sleeping partner. Saphira began to softly lick his face in order to wake him, small growls coming from her throat. Eliot stirred, and his breathing pattern changed, before finally rolling over to look up at her. Ice blue eyes locked with sapphire ones as they greeted each other warmly, Eragon smiled despite the dark mood.

Eliot picked up his head up off the ground. Good morning, he said, then extricated himself from her wing and stood. Stretching, he greeted Eragon as well.

Arya pulled herself off a cot in the corner. "What shall we do now Eragon?"

Sighing, Eragon pushed himself to his own feet. "We must discover what the Varden are planning in the wake of Ajihad's death. A new leader could be chosen within hours...and we need to be there." Yawning, Eliot nodded his head in agreement.

"Right. But would you object to finding some breakfast first?" said Orik who stood smiling in the doorway.

"Not at all," Eragon smiled and belted on Zar'roc. He bent over to grab the saddle, but was slammed to the ground as a line of pain shot through his torso. It felt as if he were being sawed in half. Saphira growled as the ripping sensation reached her as Eragon's pain bounced across their link. She tried to soothe him with her own mind, but she was unable to lessen his suffering.

The minutes it took for Eragon's fit to subside felt like an eternity, before the last throb faded and he was left gasping on the ground. In a flash, Arya was at his side, gently trying to help him back on his feet, and Saphira rubbed her nose against his arm. Oh, little one, she whimpered.

It was worse this time, Eragon managed to get out. He leaned heavily against her for support as he wiped the sweat from his brow with a rag, all of his companions radiating concern.

"Are you strong enough to go shadeslayer?" Arya asked gently, Eliot noticed that she seemed to be healing and acknowledged that.

We have to. The three of us have an obligation to the Varden to be present when they choose their next leader. We can't ignore the strength of our positions as Riders and dragons; we now wield great authority within the Varden.

Very well, Saphira said in a low voice. But that Shade should suffer a thousand years worth of torture for what he did to you.

Eragon laid a hand on her neck. I'll be okay...as long as I have you. She gave him a soft lick and hummed, wrapping his mind with hers for support.

Together, the five of them, including Orik, made their way through Tronjheim to the nearest kitchen. In the hallways, people and dwarves alike stopped and bowed to them, muttering phrases like "Shadeslayer" to Eragon and "Devel" to Arya, Eliot snarled when ever the remark was unkind. Finally reaching the kitchen, they retreated to a corner where they attempted to eat, but neither Arya nor Eragon found they really had much of an appetite. They sat in silence for a time, discussing with Saphira and Eliot privately about who might be chosen to lead the Varden. For a long while, they considered the issues facing the, until Saphira told them of someone approaching.

A young boy stood nervously in front of the table, looking at Eliot as if he was going to rip his head off, Eliot reached his head around and blew warm smoke in his face and smiled warmly. He shakily told the older youth that he had been summoned before the Council of Elders. Sighing privately to himself, they followed the boy through Tronjheim making their way to a large circular room.

"I will await you outside shadeslayer." said Arya nodding him inside. But then the Council motioned for her to enter. She crossed her arms and followed

Inside sat Jormundur and four others at a round, marble table inlaid with the crest of the Ingeitum. Jormundur introduced the members of the Council, then gestured for Eragon to sit at the table. Saphira hunkered down behind him, her warm breath drifting onto the back of his neck. The Council told him that they had already spoken at length on the subject of the Varden's new leadership and had come to the agreement on who they wanted as their new leader.

Eragon and Arya were slightly stunned to find out it was none other than Nasuada, Ajihad's daughter. Whispering to each other mentally, Saphira and Eragon argued over their surprise course of action. She was not much older than they were, and when this was mentioned, the Council heartily stated that, although inexperienced, they would be there to help guide Nasuada. Saphira snorted into her companions' minds that it sounded as if they were to use the young woman as a puppet to get what they really wanted; direct control over the Varden.

Another twist was thrown into the mix as the Council told Eragon and Arya that they were expected to swear their fealty to the Varden to further cement Nasuada's ascension. Without it, they claimed, Nasuada's leadership would be a hollow one if she could not garner support from the Riders, a handy helping of guilt to try and manipulate the one youth, Arya gave no sense of being phazed. Eragon debated with Saphira privately, much similar to what Eliot and Arya were talking about, over these circumstances, and what could be done. Unfortunately, the Council had seemed to back them into a corner.

They agreed with each other Eliot and Arya included, for the time being, to go along with the plan in the hopes that another option may present itself before Nasuada's ascension following her father's funeral. After informing the Council that they would comply, and after said Council let out poorly concealed sighs of relief, Jormundur sent for Nasuada to be brought in.

The young and vibrant woman Auron and Eragon had met days before had been replaced with one that displayed an air of uncharacteristic vulnerability. She sat shy and demure as the Council offered their condolences at the loss of her father, and she stoically accepted the offer to lead the Varden, her eyes never leaving her lap. Arya then stood with her back against the wall, observing the room silently. Eragon had told Saphira to inform her of what the Council had planned, as they had told Arya and Eragon that they were expected to keep silent. Saphira did not.

After accepting the offer of leader of the Varden, Nasuada asked to be left in peace. As the Council filed out, Nasuada called to the two riders, "Arya, Eragon? Could you stay a moment?" Puzzled, they settled back into their chairs as the room's doors sealed, leaving just the five of them inside.

They offered their own condolences at her loss and she merely inclined her head. Something about her demeanor changed then. Noticing this, Arya nodded slightly to Eragon, as she uttered a spell to keep anyone from eavesdropping on the following conversation.

As it turns out, Nasuada had been suspicions of the Council's plans from the start, and had no intention of letting them rule over her. She told them that she planned to follow in her father's footsteps, to continue of the path that he had laid down. Nasuada laughed at the Council's attempts to influence Arya and Eragon by making them swear fealty, stating that they could no more control the two of them than they could her. She told them that she meant for Eragon to travel to the elves with Eliot Saphira and for Arya to return to her people till the varden deemed it necessary that she needed to return, as Ajihad had originally wanted, to continue their training before returning to the Varden.

Conferring between themselves, Arya and Eragon formulated a plan that they believed might further circumvent the Council's ulterior motives and help solidify not only their position in the Varden, but Nasuada's as well. It was then their turn to surprise Nasuada by approaching her and swearing their fealty to her instead of the Varden. She smiled warmly at her newest vassals – her friends – pleased that they had quickly learned how to play the game of politics but not overly surprised by Arya. After agreeing to give their fealty again at her public ascension, she dismissed them, stating that there was much to be done in the next few days.

Saphira sat in the corner of their room, her mind filled with thoughts, Eragon and Arya were out with Orik helping wounded as they could and the two dragons were left alone in their room. Her mind buzzed with thoughts of the last few days, even though it had only been a few days they had been some of her best and her worst. The hours before the battle left both dragons subconsciously stronger and a lot closer. Saphira slumped down, watching his tail flick back and forth across the floor as he walked, he was a handsome dragon and he was incredibly distant but she could feel how much he cared for her, he brought her food when they were waiting on news of Eragon's recovery.

And ancestors help her she loved him. She decided it best she wait till a better time to admit her feelings for him.

(and yes that is this chapter remember the mead fest? A drunk dragon, go figure.)

The dining hall rang with the loud voices of many dwarves. It was the day after meeting with the Council and Nasuada, and already much had happened.

Arya was at first aggravated by their actions but after remembering what had happened she offered them all (including herself) slight praise at their actions but told Eliot privately she thought they could all do better, but reminded all of them of the debt they still owed to the elves, and that they were expected to journey with her to Ellesmera for training with the elves [A/N:Yes she will train as well]

Earlier that day, they had met with King Hrothgar who also wished to discuss the appointment of Nasuada to lead the Varden. After convincing the dwarven king of their faith in her, he relented and stated that he would support her as well. Saphira then surprised all present, by claiming that she intended to repair the broken star sapphire that had been sacrificed in the battle with the Urgals. For the first time, Saphira and Eragon saw pure joy alight the king's face and he proclaimed that no matter how long it took, the dwarves would rebuild the star sapphire so that Saphira would return and make it whole again.

It was this news that brought the four of them to the hall were the dwarves insisted on celebrating this turn of events, and honoring the riders and their dragons. Barrels upon barrels of mead were brought out as the drinking began. Even though Ajihad's funeral was the next day, both Eliot and Eragon agreed that this impromptu celebration may help to ease the distressing thoughts that had gathered the last few days. So both Saphira and Arya decided to join them.

As it turns out, Saphira had acquired a taste for mead, and the dwarves happily rolled out an entire barrel for her to enjoy. All present were treated to the humorous sight of a mighty dragon becoming increasingly inebriated.

As Eragon spoke with a cheerful group of dwarves, Saphira pushed Eliot into a corner, albeit with slight difficulty. The dragoness had developed a slight stagger in her gait, and her emotions began to become more pronounced over her link with her three companions. Eliot, she hummed happily, her eyes drifting up and down his frame, do you care about me?

Of course I do as a good friend, why must you ask? He was puzzled at the question. Unlike Saphira and Eragon, Eliot had not imbibed quite as much and were still very much in control of their faculties Arya was only slightly slow to react as a result of only having a small glass of mead. Admittedly, he was trying to keep all his companions from embarrassing themselves should they become completely passed. As such, he found it harder and harder to keep Saphira from showing increased amounts of affection towards him in the presence of so many others. She had been slowly becoming quite...forceful, in her actions.

She hummed warmly, her mind seemed quite detached, she moved closer.

Eliot blinked a few times the confusion ran off of him in waves, Arya began walking over to him, Saphira stop, you need to get a hold of yourself.

The response he got was a snarl as Saphira narrowed her eyes back at him. Are you are not even my friend, she said with a clear hint of venom in her voice. With that, she turned and stalked back to Eragon, not once glancing back at him.

Slumping into a nearby rug made with deer hide he put his head down with an exasperated sigh, Eliot tried to shake the tension from his face. He knew that Saphira was not in complete control of herself or her emotions due to the large amount of mead she had intoxicated with, and therefore tried not to let her Actions sink too deep. He truly had no idea of what to do.

A group of dwarves began to cheerfully sing Eliot could hear Eragon and Saphira join in. Despite his foul mood, he couldn't help but grin.

At least the week couldn't get any worse, he mused to Arya who gave a small smile and looked at him, "That you are correct about." Arya and Eliot instantly regretted their words as Saphira reared up on her hind legs, attempting to duplicate a bow Eragon had made. Unstable, she toppled over sideways and fell onto a banquet table, knocking both herself and Eragon unconscious.

The dark haired elf's head slumped in disbelief. And Eliot looked away shamefully Oh, boy…

Hopefully this chapter is somewhat better, I am going to be reuploading the previous chapters that now make me cringe to read after that one guest review (thank you again, I didn't see that error) They will be up in the next week or so. And I will probably have to insert a new chapter to cover what I have planned but hey who knows!