PLEASE READ

As some one said in the comments, so far Harry has just been tagging along and the story is not much is different, well that changes later in the story but I don't really want to spoil it.

As for the name of Harry's dragon I have selected Arasei (EHR-uh-say), suggested by Baltorigamist. I think it suits the character of Harry's dragon.

Anyway, they begin their journey to the Varden next chapter so it will not be far before we get some action.

You may realise that the order of the chapters are a bit muddled, a tea for two is before the chapter Miller to be, but remember that Nobody but Roran and Garrow know they have the eggs so things play out differently.

Anyway, thank you to those who read and a special thank you to those who reviewed.

-Death's Alien

Tell me about Dragons

The sun shone brightly on the fields of the old Farmhouse. The snow that had been blown onto the fields in the night had melted quickly under the heat of the sun.

Harry, Eragon and Roran pulled on their boots just after the sun rose and drank a cup of steaming tea in preparation for the day's work. It seemed like any normal day for the poor farmers.

The boys ploughed the field; cleared some more snow, gathered some more firewood and repaired some damage on the shed from a falling branch.

The day would have been like any other if not of the dragons tied in the forest. Whenever Harry and Eragon went close to the edge of the field, they could feel their Dragons minds. The Dragons were extremely worried and slightly panicked at prospect of being away from their riders.

What was more, Roran had announced that he was going to live in Therinsford so he could marry not long after midday, much to Harry and Eragon dismay.

So, all things considered, it had not been the best of days.

Love could do things to a man, and Harry and Eragon did not completely understand Roran's desire to leave. Eragon even told him so and Roran had laughed, "You'll understand soon. Eventually a bird must leave the nest at some point for some reason, my reason was love."

At this Eragon had glared at him and opened his arms, "Does it look like I have wings?" Roran laughed again and shook his head.

Roran had not announced his plans to Garrow yet, something Harry did not think wise. Garrow was a bit… clingy and he might deny Roran his blessing, and a man must always have his father's blessing for Marriage.

It was dinner that night, and Harry's thoughts were interrupted when Eragon spoke through the silence. "Garrow, I think Roran has something he would like to share with you."

Roran shot Eragon a dirty look as Garrow looked up from his dinner, "Is that so?" Garrow said.

"I have been offered a job at Therinsford mill… I plan to take it." Roran said, refusing to let his eyes waver from Garrow's.

Garrow laid down his fork and rocked on his chair, "I see." He said after a time. "When do you plan to leave?"

Roran was shocked; Garrow never made decisions this quickly.

"I am due to leave in two weeks, if I am permitted." Roran said.

Seeing Roran's bewildered expression Garrow said, "I knew this would come eventually, no point in stoping you. I was hoping you would move on soon. You hope to marry I assume?"

Roran nodded.

"Well then, maybe one day you can return to Carvahall and with a family of your own!" Garrow said, "But before you go, you may have my blessing."

Roran looked like the happiest man alive and he embraced Garrow with a hug. He could've hoped for better.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

The next couple of weeks were quite as Eragon refused to speak to Roran. Harry thought Eragon looked… Betrayed.

There were still reminders of Roran's leave even though they tried to make it as normal as possible, for Eragon's sake. The missing objects off shelves that had not been moved for as long as anyone could remember were a constant reminder that Roran was indeed leaving.

Harry felt that Eragon was being rather childish and decided to avoid him and let him come around on his own.

The dragons had outgrown their shelter, by several sizes. Harry no longer cared for wolves because his Dragon could easily beat them and he felt she had the sense to fly away. Oh yes, a she.

Harry had a great shock when, three days before Roran was due to leave; he was woken when he heard a feminine voice in his sleep. It took him a while to realise it was his Dragon speaking, for a while he thought he had gone completely mental, but he realised that the Dragon must have picked up something from the long conversations between Eragon and himself in the forest. The Dragon talked with difficulty and she stumbled over poorly constructed sentences, but the Dragon combined emotions and words so the rider and the dragon could communicate without mishap.

There was one word in particular that the Dragon was extremely fond of saying. Harry.

They talked about peaceful things whenever Harry visited the forest. The Dragon often spoke of the mountains in the spine. "Many secrets are hidden there." She said.

"Like what?" Harry asked.

"It is not mine to tell, Harry." She was like harry that way, cryptic.

Harry felt a twinge of guilt when he realised he didn't even know if Eragon's Dragon had spoken to him yet, but he blamed it on Eragon's childishness, he would come around when he felt the time was right. It was not Harry's place to ask why Roran's departure troubled Eragon so deeply.

The morning Roran was due to leave was a sunny one, few clouds in the sky but a crisp chill that made the air refreshing and made a person take a deep, long, calming breath as they went outside. However the cheery feel seemed to stop at the wooden doorstep of the farmhouse. It seemed glum and dark as Roran packed his bag. He did so quietly but he had a small smile playing across his lips, one that Eragon deeply despised.

Harry was getting sick of his behaviour; Harry knew Roran was excited, for he had never been far outside Carvahall.

"I am going into town to see Roran off, I won't be long." Harry said mentally to his Dragon. She really needed a name.

"Mind you step, little one." She said back. She must be hunting their connection was weak.

They walked slowly in silence, and Roran was humming the words to a tune that Harry did not recognise.

They had been walking for some time when Harry heard something from Eragon that he never thought he would hear. "I'm sorry, Roran."

The words were plain but the message quite clear. Eragon, like Harry, was a proud person and it was hard for him to admit he was wrong in. It seemed his love for his cousin was stronger than his pride and selfishness.

Roran grinned widely, as did Harry and once again it felt like a normal trip into Carvahall, if not for the bag that Roran kept shouldering as they walked.

They felt somewhat reluctant to reach their destination and Harry saw in Roran's eye that the old Farmhouse seemed a far more desirable residence then it had been before they had set off.

They could see the buildings close and they turned, as if synchronised and looked at the smoke from the old chimney that marked their house. "That has been our whole world." Roran said with a sombre expression, but the tone in his voice made it sound as though he could've been commenting on the weather.

"It was a good world too." Eragon said.

Roran nodded with exaggerated slowness then turned on his heel and headed for the blacksmith without a backwards glance.

XXXXXXX

They met the man who had hired Roran, a Mr Dempton. He was a middle-aged man with receding hair he smiled a lot and he seemed friendly enough.

Roran and Dempton talked for a time, mostly about how the Mill worked but in what seemed like no time at all, Harry and Eragon were saying their final goodbyes.

For some reason a deep sense of foreboding came across Harry and he felt he would not see Roran for a very long time.

XXXXXXXXX

Eragon and Harry slowly trudged their way back home, heads bowed and silent. They had reached the outskirts of town when Eragon grabbed Harry's shoulder. "I just remembered, I need to talk to Brom about something, I think you should come to."

"You mean about the-" Harry began but was cut off when Eragon shushed him sharply. Right, Harry forgot that having a Dragon must stay secret, an absolute secret.

Eragon lead the way to Brom's house and knocked three times.

"Enter." A raspy voice sounded from the inside of the cottage.

Eragon lead the way in.

"What do you want boy?" Brom asked, his throat dry and raspy. Clearly talking directly to Eragon. Brom sounded quite ill and he had a puffy eyes and a red nose. He was sitting closer to the fire than was safe and Harry thought the blanket he was using looked ready to catch alight.

"I want to know about dragons." Eragon blurted out.

Brom raised an eyebrow. "And why is that."

Eragon opened his mouth but Harry cut in, "Must you question another's curiosity?"

Brom looked at Harry for the first time, "Watch your tongue boy." Brom said.

"Please," Eragon said, "We have listened to your stories for years now but there is something more that you are not telling us, we only ask for your insight and wisdom."

"First they are not stories and second, flattery might work with fools, but it does not work with me." Brom said, then sighed, "But I suppose I have no choice do I."

(What follows next is exactly like in the book, and I am too lazy to re-write it all. The story picks up as Eragon and Harry are looking for a name.)

Brom blew a smoke ring and watched as it diffused in the air.

And now for a name

"I've been trying to recall the name of a Dragon the trader I mentioned earlier had talked of in one of his stories, but it eludes me. Can you help?"

Brom shrugged as he drew another long breath through the pipe and listed a string of names, "There are many dragons but the most well known are as follows; Juda, Hirador, Fundor, Galzra, Briam, Ohen the strong, Gretiem, Beroan, Arasei, Roslarb…" Many other names followed and the number of Dragon struck Harry. The force required to take down such a large number of Riders must have been immense. "… And Saphira." He added the last name quietly, as if as an after thought. "Was it any of those?" Brom asked.

"Afraid not." Eragon said.

"Well it is getting to late in the afternoon for my liking and we still have to plough the field." Harry said, who wanted to leave as soon as possible. He had many things to brood on.

"That is probably for the best." Brom said and held out his hand, which Eragon shook.

Brom then twisted his palm sharply so it pointed upward. The mark of the rider shone in the light of the fire and Brom's eyes glinted.

Eragon pulled his hand back quickly then said, "Well we must be going." And left hurriedly, leaving Harry alone with Brom.

Harry glanced at Brom then said, "Next time, just ask." And he held out his own palm.

Brom kept a poker face as he blew his pipe again and said nothing, there was nothing to say, but as Harry was about to leave Brom said, "Dark days are coming upon us Harry, and I fear that you and your brother will be in the thick of it."

Perhaps in time Harry would find out what Brom had meant.

XXXXXX

So there you have it, chapter 3. Sadly I suffered writers block for a few days but luckily a great idea came to me, so now story is branching down a different path. As you see I am focusing more on Harry then Eragon because Eragon's journey to the Varden does not change much.

I do not want to spoil to badly but I don't want people to think this will just be a story were you have Harry ragging along.

As you see I'm sort of portraying Harry as the underdog, but don't worry, he will be strong in his own way, which will be revealed later on.

NEXT CHAPTER

Eragon and Harry begin their journey perusing the Razac, but they discover that they may not be the hunter, but the prey.

-Death's Alien