AUTHOR'S NOTE (PLEASE READ! THIS IS IMPORTANT!): Thanks to ALL the reviewers! I'll thank everyone personally in the next chapter. There's one thing I wanted to clear up real quick: Eragon and Julia are NOT blood-related. (It's all explained in the first chapter). You will see Julia calling Eragon her brother and Eragon calling Julia his sister, but that's only because of their brotherly-sisterly relationship. Hope that makes sense.

Ok everyone, are you ready? Julia's big secret will very likely be revealed in the next chapter. I was considering revealing it in this one, but I decided instead to have something happen between her and Murtagh. You'll see what it is. If it doesn't make sense for any reason, let me know, I'll do my best to clarify it.

Happy Reading!

(Sorry if the spacing is weird…for some reason when I'd upload it on fanfiction it would combine all of it into one paragraph :-s)

After the group left Bullridge, they followed the Ramr River for several leagues looking for a place to cross. Unfortunately, the large size of the river and its strong currents prevented crossing on foot. Saphira carried all of them across, one at a time.

Julia had never experienced a more magnificent feeling than that of riding a dragon. It came strangely natural to her and the height didn't scare her at all. Saphira sensed Julia's joy and flew several large circles before landing on the other side.

Getting Tornac and Snowfire across posed as a bit of a problem. Julia learned that Eragon could enter the horses' minds and calm them as they were carried by Saphira.

The group was almost into the Hadarac Desert, when Julia asked, "Eragon. If you can enter the minds of animals…can you also look into those of humans?"

"Of course."

"Then why not enter an opponents mind when you're fighting them, and find out what his next move will be?"

Eragon chuckled, "If only it were that easy. There are two problems to that. First of all, I've already explained to you that magic drains energy out of the body, right?" Julia nodded, "Well, if I were trying to enter someone's mind mid-battle it would weaken me immensely, and could even kill me. The second problem is that many people can put up walls around their mind and block people from entering it. But you already knew that."

Julia wanted to know more, "I didn't know that. How is it done?"

Eragon was surprised by her statement, "But…your mind…it's-"

-don't, little one! She'll tell you why her mind is blocked when she's ready.

Eragon heeded Saphira's advice, "Well…to tell you the truth, I'm not sure how it's done. Brom and I never got that far in my training."

Murtagh spoke up knowingly, "There are two ways to block one's mind. The first, and most common, is when you feel someone trying to enter your mind you concentrate on an object…any object; and that is all that person will see."

Julia wasn't impressed, "That doesn't sound too hard."

Murtagh laughed, "I knew you would say that. It's harder than you think. It requires immense concentration; if any other thought were to enter your mind, the wall would be broken, and your mind would be open for anyone to view."

"What's the second way?"

"The second way to block one's mind is very rare, and can only be done by the most gifted magicians. It's where you have a part of your mind locked up, in most cases, permanently."

Julia realized this may have something to do with her lost memories, "Can another person block your mind from yourself?"

Murtagh thought it was a peculiar question, "I guess that's possible, though I haven't heard of it. In most cases, a strong magician will help a person block parts of their mind from other people, but never from themselves. Why do you ask?"

Julia shrugged, "No reason. Um…you said that, in most cases this wall is permanent. Is there any way to break it down?"

Murtagh shook his head, "I've only heard of a few cases where the block was actually reversed. It's an extremely painful process and it usually ends with the person dying, or going insane."

Julia's hope vanished. Die or go insane!? How would she ever get her memories back? It seemed hopeless.

Saphira listened to their conversation intently, and it didn't take her long to put two and two together. She realized that Julia didn't block her mind intentionally; someone else must have done it…and without Julia's permission! As guilty as Saphira felt for it, she decided not to share this discovery with Eragon; she would speak to Julia herself.

Julia could feel the air getting hotter, and the ground under the horses feet turned into sand. The only thing she saw was desert, and in the far distance she could just make out the Beor Mountains. How would they ever make it there within two weeks?

That day, they got caught in a sandstorm and Murtagh pulled his cloak over both Julia and himself. Eragon insisted they keep riding, even when Saphira had to land and walk.

The rapid pace at which they were traveling, was not only exauhsting the horses, but also Saphira. As the sun was setting, Murtagh convinced Eragon that they would have to stop and rest. Eragon hadn't agreed until Murtagh jumped off Tornac and threatened Eragon with his sword.

As they were all sitting around the fire Saphira turned to Julia, Come with me.

Julia was worried, but she got up and followed.

Where are you going? asked Eragon.

I just want to have a talk with Julia, we'll be back shortly. Eragon then felt Saphira push him out of her mind.

Saphira lead Julia to a nearby hill and curled up her graceful body on the sand. Julia sat down next to her.

Why don't you tell me about your past?

Julia tried to remain calm; she shrugged and thought, There's not much to it. My parents died and then Garrow took me in…end of story.

Saphira looked at Julia with one of her big blue eyes, What about your childhood?

At this point Julia knew that Saphira was already aware of her missing memories, I don't really remember it…but… you already knew that.

Yes, I did. What I don't understand is why you thought it was necessary to hide.

Julia sighed, I don't remember who my real parents were. I've just always had a bad feeling about them. I lost my memory when I was fifteen and that's when my attacks started. I've never told anyone because…I'm afraid. I'm afraid that if anyone knows who I really am, they would take me back. Now I don't know where 'back' is, but my heart tells me it's not good. So I made up my past and started a new life with a new family.

Julia looked at Saphira and chuckled, Silly isn't it? To be afraid of something and not even know what it is…or if it's even worth being afraid of. I just want my memories back… at least then I would know.

Saphira snorted, Silly it may be, but it's also wise. Trusting your heart is something not many people do. I want you to know that I'm still very young and I haven't discovered all my powers, but I know there has to be some way to retrieve your memories; a way that doesn't leave you dead or insane.

Julia chuckled and then seriously thought, I don't want you to worry about that, Saphira. Your only job should be to take care of Eragon.

Saphira snorted and lifted her head proudly, I will not be told by a human what to do. You will have your memory back, and I will help you. Dragons are capable of multi-tasking, you know! Even better than puny humans!

Julia laughed and had to fight back some tears. It felt good to have Saphira care for her so much.

Both Murtagh and Eragon were watching Saphira and Julia.

"What do you think they're talking about?" questioned Murtagh.

Eragon shrugged, "I haven't a clue. Saphira pushed me out of her mind."

Murtagh curiosity grew and he came up with a plan. At a very young age, Murtagh was taught the ability to enter a person's mind…if he just entered the outer fringes of Julia's, he'd hear what Saphira was saying to her.

Closing his eyes, Murtagh began to concentrate. He had just touched Julia's mind, when she had an attack. He was too late to pull out and the attack began to affect him too. Both Julia and Murtagh were doubled over clutching their heads.

Murtagh was thrown into Julia's mind and could sense all of her emotions. He was shown how Julia was lost in the forest without a memory of how she got there. He saw Julia's life with Garrow and Eragon, her encounter with the Urgals, and the incident with the fortune teller. Finally, he sensed her feelings for him, and how scared she was of them. Within several seconds, Murtagh knew everything that had ever gone on in Julia's mind.

Saphira was trying to wake Julia, who had fainted, when she noticed Murtagh recovering from the same attack. Saphira immediately realized what he had done and let out a fierce roar. She unfolded her wings and flew towards Murtagh, pinning him to the ground under one of her claws.

You insolent human! How dare you enter someone's mind so deeply! You can't even fathom how much damage you've done!

Murtagh looked up at Saphira in shock, I didn't mean to enter her mind that far…the attack…it pulled me in. I tried to fight it.

What's going on?! demanded Eragon as he tried to get Saphira off of Murtagh.

What's going on?! snarled Saphira, still not releasing Murtagh, This idiot entered Julia's mind so deeply that their minds linked! Do you know what that means?!

Both Eragon and Murtagh looked at each other in confusion.

Saphira let out a growl and took her foot off of Murtagh, Dragons and their Riders share a mind link. For some reason, the attack pulled Murtagh into the deepest parts of Julia's mind and has linked them in a similar way.

Murtagh stood up and shook his head, Wait…what? I've never heard of this happening! It's probably only a temporary side-effect of the attack…I mean… it's not permament, is it?

Saphira began to calm down and slowly said, I've never heard of a link being broken. Then again, I'm only familiar with mind links between dragons and humans. I've never heard of one between two humans.

What exactly does this mean? questioned Eragon.

It means, explained Saphira, that Murtagh and Julia share the same bond we do. If one of them is in pain, the other will feel it, which is why Murtagh also had an attack; and, Saphira bowed her head, if one of them dies…it's likely that the other one will too.

Murtagh sat down and put his head in his hands. He couldn't believe what he had done. Two people who hardly knew each other would have to depend on each other to live! Julia's life was in his hands…and his life was in hers.

Murtagh looked towards Julia's curled up body. Their link allowed him to sense that she was starting to wake up.

Saphira pushed Murtagh to his feet, I think it's best if you tell her.

Murtagh nodded and walked to where Julia was laying on the ground. He kneeled down next to her and waited for her to wake up completely.

Julia opened her eyes and saw Murtagh looking down at her, "Wha-…what happened? I don't think I've ever fainted because of an attack before."

She sat up and laughed, "It must have been because Gretel didn't get her fish-oil."

When Julia noticed the serious expression on Murtagh's face she became concerned, "What happened? What's wrong?"

Murtagh bowed his head and slowly began to tell Julia about their mind link.

Julia listened contently and waited for him to finish. Once Murtagh was done, he lifted his gaze to meet Julia's and was surprised that she didn't look angry. She silently looked at him, with a thoughtful expression on her face.

Julia was still trying to sort out everything Murtagh had just told her, "If what Saphira says really happened and our minds are linked, then shouldn't you have fainted too?"

Murtagh shrugged and Saphira walked over to the pair, A mind link is a very complicated thing. Murtagh didn't faint because he wasn't the one actually having the attack; his mind was just affected by yours. This caused him to have a similar attack, only not as strong. It's the same thing when Eragon had broken his wrist several weeks ago. I could feel the pain, but since I didn't actually break it I felt a lighter version of it.

Julia began to understand, "But if one of us were to die, it wouldn't necessarily mean that the other one would, right?"

Saphira sighed, I don't think so. Look at it this way: If you feel pain, Murtagh feels it…only lighter. Unfortunately, that same principal doesn't apply to dying. Once one of you dies, there's no way for the other person to die lighter or not as strongly as the other person. Death is death…there's no way around it.

It was slowly starting to dawn on Julia how serious this mind link was. "Does having this link make us capable to view the other's mind at will?"

No, not necessarily. A mind-link mainly allows you to sense the other person's feelings and emotions. It would take you the same concentration to enter Murtagh's mind as it would take any stranger to do it. I believe that the reason Murtagh saw into your mind during the attack, was because the link was just being formed…it was a sort of side-effect of the attack.

Julia suddenly felt vulnerable. Murtagh had told her that he was pulled into her mind, but he didn't tell her what he had seen. She wasn't sure whether he was aware that Julia knew nothing about her childhood. Since Murtagh didn't question her about it, she decided not to bring it up.

Getting to her feet, Julia said, "I have to think about this…alone."

She went to walk away and Murtagh got up, "Julia. I'm sor-"

Julia cut him off, "Don't apologize. You didn't know this was going to happen. Although I have to say, I am upset that you thought it necessary to eavesdrop on me."

Murtagh bowed his head and Julia walked away.

As Julia was walking, her mind wandered back to the fortune teller: "I also see a man…he is part of your past, present, and future…" When Julia had first heard the revelation, she assumed it to be Eragon…but now she was starting to suspect that Madame Emily may have been referring to Murtagh.

He's part of my present, thought Julia, and now he's definitely part of my future. I just have to figure out if he played a part in my past.

Julia realized that she would have to find out about her forgotten past. For some reason she knew that her past had something to do with everything that was going on. She also had a feeling that it would reveal a way to break this mind-link.

As Julia returned to the camp, everyone was looking at her expectantly, "I don't know what you want me to say. What's done is done, there's no way to change it."

Julia could sense the sorrow and dread Murtagh was feeling. As everyone settled down for the night, Julia sat down next to him, "I don't want you dwelling on what happened. It's not your fault. We'll find a way to break the link…and if we can't, then we'll just learn to live with it," Julia laughed, "I mean…it can't be that hard to not die!"

Murtagh couldn't help but laugh, "You have such a carefree outlook on everything."

Julia looked down and smoothed her dress, "I'm sorry…I should be taking this seriously, but I-"

"No, no," said Murtagh, taking one of Julia's hands, "That was a compliment. You bring out the best in people, including myself."

Murtagh then brought up his other hand and ran it down Julia's cheek. She closed her eyes and savored the feeling of his touch. She could feel his breath inches from her mouth. Just as he was about to kiss her, Julia jumped up.

"I…um…I have first watch. I better go to make sure no…" the rest of her statement was lost as she quickly walked away.

Murtagh sat alone, damning himself for trying to move so quickly with Julia.

Julia sat down on a rock and thought about why she had pushed Murtagh away. She wasn't entirely sure, but part of her mind believed what the fortune teller had told her: "I also see a man…he is part of your past, present, and future. This man will betray and love you…By being around the people you love you are putting them in danger and you will eventually be the reason they die!" Julia could sense Murtagh starting to fall in love with her. And Julia knew she had deep feelings for Murtagh…although she wasn't ready to call it love.

Not only was Julia worried about Murtagh betraying her, but she would also be responsible for his death; and through that, her own death! Julia was starting to get a headache, All I know is that I have to keep him from loving me…at least until I get my memories back.

With that, Julia proceeded to keep watch; the whole time feeling as though Murtagh was sitting right next to her.

AUTHORS NOTE: Yes, I know this chapter was a bit long and slow, but I couldn't reveal Julia's big secret yet. Chapter 7 will be the big reveal and A LOT will happen. I hope you guys are prepared :p. Once again, the more you review the more I'll be motivated to write and post quickly. Thanks, once again, to all my readers!