Annabeth POV

. . .

"Welcome to the Varden", Eragon said. I smiled shakily and gratefully started climbing off of Saphira. When my feet touched the ground Eragon grabbed my elbow to keep me from falling due to my weak knees. "Thanks" I mumbled, embarrassed.

"Don't worry about it," He said, releasing my arm. "It happens to most after there first flight."

I looked around in awe at the camp, men were everywhere, even some dwarves, on earth they were made to be fairytales for children but in reality they were tough looking little men.

Eragon tapped me on the shoulder and gestured to a walkway between some tents, "this way."

I followed closely behind him as Saphira took to the air again, it was obvious why, there was not enough room for her to walk without knocking things over, "the clearing we had landed in had probably been cleared for her' I thought.

Eragon were also followed by other figures that didn't blend in with the normal happenings of the camp. The figures darted in between tents, humans, and dwarves. I guessed that they were the elves, keeping just close enough to there charge to watch but not enough to be intrusive of his space.

As we walked through the camp people came towards us with hands grasping at Eragon, saying things like "Argetlam help me" "Shadeslayer save my child" and many other things. The elves mostly kept the beggars at a distance, one or two would get through the defensive ring but Eragon would just ignore them and keep walking his eyes straight ahead.

I sped up to walk beside him and asked "Why don't you help them if you have the power to?"

He paused for a moment then continued saying "If I help one then the others will expect me to help them also, I do not have the strength to help them all." He paused "Most of there pain is caused by Galbatorix and his men. If I stop the Empire I help them all. So I'm doing my best, I'm there last hope in the war."

"I'm sorry" It was the only thing I could think of to say, it clearly pained him to not be able to help more. He simply nodded.

After a few more minutes of walking (with me glaring at anyone who broke through the elves line to give Eragon space, most backed down, only the most desperate came close) we arrived at a large red tent. Saphira landed in a clearing next to it.

Before the door to the tent was two dwarves, two humans, and two of what I assume were Kull, just like Eragon said. All of them glared at me, I glared right back.

"We wish to speak to Nasuada." Eragon told them.

"Eragon Shadeslayer, Saphira Brightscales and an unknown woman wish an audience with your majesty." A human guard called out, his eyes not wavering from me.

"They may enter," A women's voice answered from inside the tent.

Eragon and I started for the tent but stopped when four loud thuds came from beside Saphira. I turned around and groaned in exasperation.

Staggering out of the shadows from next to Saphira was Nico, Thalia and Percy, Arya was on her knees shivering.

Nico looked around confused, when he saw me a huge smile split his face and he punched the air "It worked! Sweet!"

"What do you think your doing!" I yelled at them.

"Uh, not running like 50 miles?..." Nico answered scratching the back of his neck.

"Stand down, they're with me." Eragon told the guards who had drawn their weapons and assumed fighting positions. They reluctantly relaxed but didn't sheath there weapons. Then he turned to the others who had walked up to us, "How did you do that?"

"It's one of my special talents," Nico answered wiggling his fingers at Eragon.

"What did you do to Arya?" Eragon demanded, stepping closer to Nico, whom he towered over. I was no daughter of Aphrodite but it was obvious he cared for her.

"Oh, um, well, it was her first time…" He trailed off so I smacked him on the back of the head, Thalia and Percy snickered, and he looked at me sheepishly. "Well let's meet this Nasuada person, Arya will be fine once she warms up."

Eragon looked at Arya, an elf was kneeling next to her, "This way," he said sharply storming through the flaps of the tent.

The rest of us followed, to meet Nasuada, leader of the Varden.

Sorry, this one's a bit short