AUTHORS NOTE: Here it continues! Make sure you read Chapter 7 before reading this one! Chapters 7 and 8 were both one chapter… but it was too long, so I split it into two. Here is where everything about Julia's past is revealed.

Happy Reading!

A bright light was shining in Julia's face. She blinked into the sunlight and sat up. She was sitting in the center of a large green valley. Large trees lined the outside of the valley and a nearby stream was gurgling pleasantly.

What happened? Where am I? thought Julia to herself.

She looked down at her hands and gasped in shock. They were hazy and transparent! In fact, her entire body was bright and translucent, much like a ghosts.

What has happened to me?!

Julia tried to speak, but her voice was gone.

All she could remember was the bald man breaking down the wall in her mind. A frightening thought crossed Julia's mind, Maybe I'm dead!

Relax! You're not dead. answered a familiar voice behind her.

Julia gasped, and felt overjoyed, Murtagh!

He was walking towards her, looking just as transparent as she was.

Julia stood up, Where are we? What happened? Did you die too?

Murtagh laughed, Didn't I just tell you that you're not dead?! Saphira sent me.

Saphira sent you? Sent you where?

Murtagh sat down on a rock and patted the space next to him. Julia took a seat.

When that man broke the barrier surrounding your lost memories something happened. I'm not quite sure what, but you fell into a sort of coma. Saphira said you're lucky, you should have died. She thinks it may have had something to do with our mind-link.

Julia was still confused, So you're saying that right now we're inside my mind?

Murtagh nodded, The only problem is that we have to find a way out…Murtagh grinned, and that's where I come in!

Julia was looking at the stream still trying to figure everything out.

Murtagh sighed, Remember what Saphira told you: When a mental wall is broken the person either dies or goes insane.

Julia nodded.

Well, luckily you didn't die.

I'm insane?! asked Julia shocked.

Murtagh laughed, No. Well…not yet at least. People that survive the breaking down of a mental block end up here, He motioned to the valley, in the deepest part of their mind. This is the place where people go insane.

They believe they're dead and end up wandering around this part of their mind forever, until their physical body dies. It's impossible for another person to enter someone's mind if they are trapped in this valley.

Julia slowly began to understand, But…then how come you're here? And why didn't you fall into a coma?

Ah! That's the beauty of it! No one has ever had a mind-link like ours! Our link allowed me to enter your mind and I'm going to help you exit it. As to why I didn't fall into a coma, I'm not quite sure. While you were in your coma, I had a nice chat with Arya and she told me how to get you out. She also said she knew why I didn't fall into a coma, but she'd explain that to us once I got you out.

Arya!? How long have I been unconscious for?

Almost two weeks now, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that we get out of here, and fast. There is an Urgal army approaching the Varden as we speak. The sooner we get out of your mind the better.

Julia wanted to ask more questions, but she could sense the urgency in Murtagh.

Alright, how do we get out of here?

Murtagh stood up, It's quite simple actually. We follow the valley to the very end until we find a large oak tree, then you say 'Reisa du rakr' (raise the mist) and we're out.

Julia thought it was a bit too simple, but she would trust Murtagh.

Both made their way down the valley.

After walking for a bit Julia noticed a small cabin to her left. Several people were sitting in chairs outside of the cabin, but none seemed to notice Julia or Murtagh.

Who are they? asked Julia.

Arya told me this might occur. These are you lost memories; we'll probably encounter quite a few on our way out.

Julia stopped and watched the people. Two women, who looked to be in their thirties, were sitting in rocking chairs talking happily.

Suddenly it hit Julia that one of them was her mother. She had the same brown curly hair as Julia, but her eyes were a dark brown. Behind the two women stood a tall, muscular man, whom Julia knew was her father.

Do you know them? asked Murtagh.

Those are my parents. said Julia, not taking her eyes off them.

Her father looked mad and troubled, and seemed to be waiting for something.

That, said Murtagh pointing at the woman sitting across from Julia's mother, is my mother. This must have been about a year before she disappeared.

Just as Murtagh had said this, two young children crawled out of the house.

And that's me! said Murtagh pointing at the little boy appearing to be about two years old.

Julia only nodded, and looked at the other child. It was a young girl who looked only about one year old. Her bright blue eyes could be seen all the way from where Julia was standing.

Is that you? asked Murtagh.

Yes…it is.

A flood of memories suddenly came back to Julia. Her mother's name was Alice and her father's was Carsaib. The two had met after Carsaibs nomad village was burnt down. Both moved in with a sorcerer named Haeg, who taught Carsaib about magic as Alice cared for Julia.

Murtagh was observing the two young children, This must have been the only time we met. I don't remember ever meeting you, or your parents.

Julia nodded, This was the only time. A couple months after this, my parents were convinced to become spies for Galbatorix and they forced me into hiding with them.

Murtagh began to understand, It was Morzan who convinced them to work for Galbatorix, wasn't it?

Julia was surprised, Yes, I believe it was, but how do you know that?

Just then, another man stepped out of the cabin. He had jet black hair and dark eyes. Julia immediately knew it was Morzan.

Because that, said Murtagh, pointing at the man, is my father.

A gust of wind swept through the valley, and the cabin, including its people, disappeared into thin air.

We better keep going, urged Murtagh and the pair began to walk again.

The deeper they walked into the valley the more memories came back to Julia.

As we were in hiding, my father became obsessed with spirits and magic. When he found out that Haeg, the sorcerer who took us in, was killed, my father became even more obsessed.

He would try to summon spirits day in, day out; eventually it took a toll on my mother and she became just as obsessed with them. It wasn't long before the spirits took over my mother and killed her.

That was the last straw for my father, he gathered as many spirits he could and let them take over his body. When I was five years old my father became a Shade.

Murtagh couldn't believe what he had just heard, A Shade! Whatever happened to him?

Julia thought about it, I'm not quite sure. He took care of me until I was seven…then… something… happened, and I never saw him again.

Both continued walking at a brisk pace. Julia hoped that the valley would fill in more holes of her lost memory.

They were now walking down a small path with many trees on each side. Just ahead of them Julia could make out several figures.

A seven year old version of Julia was standing next to her father…or at least what was left of him. His once dark hair was much longer now and had turned a maroon color. He had dark circles under his eyes and his skin looked pale and clammy. Across from Julia's father stood a tall man with thick gray hair.

The three people didn't notice Julia and Murtagh. They didn't even seem to realize that they were standing in the middle of a forest.

Julia's father spoke up with an eerie, raspy voice, "Take her!" he shoved the young Julia towards the man, "I can't bear to look at her anymore. Day by day she's starting to look more like Alice, I can't take it! Please King Galbatorix, take her! I know you will bring her to greatness and help fulfill her true potential."

Galbatorix looked down at the young Julia who had tears running down her face. He waved his hand, "Fine, Durza. I shall take her, but only because of the loyalty you've shown to me. Now go! I hear that Rider Brom is causing problems in Gil'ead. I will not be satisfied until he is killed, is that understood?!"

Julia's father took a bow. Another gust of wind came and the three figures disappeared.

Murtagh was shocked, Your father turned into the Shade Durza?!

Julia had to sit down. She had heard the horror stories of Durza and the many deaths he caused. Not only that, but he was still alive! Julia had always assumed that her real parents were dead, but she knew for a fact that Durza was still working for Galbatorix.

Come, Julia. We must keep moving.

Julia got up and they continued down the path. More of her memories came back to her.

I lived with Galbatorix for several years. I never saw much of him, but I was treated well. I had my own room in his castle and any material thing I wanted I was given. I'm not sure if he had any fatherly feelings towards me, but I had a good life with him.

Just then, two figures materialized on the path in front of them. One was Julia, looking to be about ten years old, and the other was Galbatorix standing next to her.

"Julia. As you know today is your tenth birthday, and it's time to see if you are destined for glory."

Galbatorix motioned for the young Julia to step up to a nearby table. On it were two round objects covered with a white cloth.

Galbatorix pulled away the cloth and revealed two dragon eggs, one red and the other silver.

Young Julia gasped and looked at the eggs with wonder.

"I had three eggs, but that stupid rebel Brom managed to get away with one of them. Don't worry though, he will pay. Now, my child," he nudged Julia towards the eggs, "Let's see if one of these will hatch for you."

Young Julia reached her hand out and touched the red egg, nothing happened. After several minutes Galbatorix ordered Julia to touch the other egg. She put her hand on the silver egg and immediately a crack appeared on it.

Galbatorix actually smiled, "I knew you were destined to be a Rider for me!"

The egg broke in half and a tiny silver dragon appeared. One word escaped young Julia's mouth, "Ladon."

Another gust came and the memory disappeared.

Murtagh didn't know what to say about what he had just witnessed. Julia was speechless. She was a Dragon Rider! A wave of memories suddenly hit her.

I named him 'Ladon'. Galbatorix trained us himself. I even remember some of the spells he taught us. After several years, both Ladon and I realized that Galbatorix would use us to destroy the Varden, and we decided that we'd have to escape.

We had just made it out of the castle when Ladon was captured by several Kull working for Galbatorix. He told me to run, and I reluctantly left him behind. I knew that Galbatorix wouldn't harm Ladon, since he needed the both of us alive. It was only a matter of time though, before he would find me and force me to work for him.

I had lost all hope, but then I managed to find Brom and I told him what had happened. He knew trying to rescue Ladon would be a foolish thing to do. We came up with the only plan that seemed logical at the time.

In order to keep Galbatorix from scrying me and figuring out where I was, I would have to block my mind from him and Ladon. Brom agreed to set up a wall around my mind, but something went wrong.

I'm not sure if Galbatorix assumed I might try to block my mind, but he did something to it. For some reason, when Brom put the block around my mind, it not only kept other people out, but it also kept myself from seeing into it. The spell must have somehow deflected back on Brom, because he didn't seem to know who I was either.

Murtagh was amazed, What about Ladon? Is he dead?

Julia shook her head, No, I believe that he's somewhere in Galbatorix's castle. They're torturing him, I know it.

Murtagh understood, So the attacks that you've always had…

Yes, I'm still connected to Ladon and every time he was tortured I would feel it.

Everything seemed to fit together. For the first time, Julia felt like she knew herself.

The pair made it to the large tree at the end of the valley, without encountering any more memories. The big oak tree was just as transparent as Julia and Murtagh.

Julia stood in front of it and thought, 'Reisa du rakr' (raise the mist).

A huge gust of wind came and blew the tree, Julia, and Murtagh into darkness.

--------

"Julia" whispered a voice.

Julia slowly opened her eyes. Her muscles felt sore and she had a throbbing headache.

She slowly sat up and looked around. She was in a small, damp room; with two cots and a wash basin. It took her several second to see the bars on one side of the room…

…she was in a prison!

Murtagh was kneeling down next to the cot on which Julia was sitting.

"Are we still in my mind?" asked Julia groggily.

Murtagh laughed, "No, no. We made it out. And we didn't die or go insane!"

For the first time Julia smiled, "But…what are we doing here?"

"Well, that man that invaded your mind saw that you were the daughter of Durza and ordered you be locked up. He later discovered that I was the son of Morzan and had me thrown in here too. But it's not as bad as it seems. The leader of the Varden, Ajihad, is a fair man and he promised to get us out of here as soon as possible. But he'll have to override the dwarf tribes to do that."

Dwarf tribes, the Varden, Durza, Morzan, Ajihad…all these words circled within Julia's mind. Part of her believed that she must have dreamt the entire valley experience and that her memories were still locked up somewhere in her mind.

She rubbed her eyes with her hands and caught a glimpse of something on her right hand. Julia knew immediately that none of it had been a dream, for she could see it in her palm.

It must have been hidden, along with her memories…but now it had appeared -

- the gedwëy ignasia -

- the symbol of a Dragon Rider.

AUTHORS NOTE (THIS ONE IS IMPORTANT!!): Tada! I hope everything made sense. Originally, it wasn't my plan to make Julia the daughter of Durza…but, as I was writing it just turned out that way.

I have some rather sad news for my readers. Unfortunately, I will be out of the country from the 7th of June to the 25th. Meaning that I will, very likely, have no internet connection. I'm almost positive that I won't get Chapter 9 out before then…I'm SOOO sorry. I'll write as much as I can while I'm gone and I'll post another chapter as soon as I'm back. You may think that everything has been revealed, but there are still more secrets to solve. For one, Madame Emily's fortunes WILL come true. You'll see how in the coming chapters.

Anyway, make sure to review and tell me what you think!

I'll post again when I'm back from my trip!