Closer

Eragon's eyes flew open as Saphira dropped suddenly in the sky. He quickly scanned the horizon searching for any sign of Thorn in the distance. The skies were clear. Eragon sighed in relief, he hadn't really expected to see Thorn and Murtagh, after all he had seen Thorn's injury through Glaedr's eyes, Murtagh would have had no choice but to flee from the elves. When they had arrived at Gil'ead Queen Islanzadí had confirmed his suspicions saying that neither rider nor dragon had been sighted since the disastrous encounter in which Oromis and Glaedr had lost their lives. Still Eragon was starting to feel nervous; the battle had taken place almost two weeks ago now, that was plenty of time for either Murtagh or Galbatorix to heal Thorns injury.

They could be flying here right now, Eragon thought.

Saphira didn't say anything in reply but Eragon could sense anger in her. He knew that Saphia wanted Murtagh and Thorn to come, she wanted revenge.
He couldn't blame her, he was angry too, but at the same time he knew it wasn't Murtagh and Thorn who were to blame, it was Galbatorix. Eragon also knew that he wasn't strong enough to take on Galbatorix yet. If Galbatorix chose to possess Murtagh next time they were fighting then Eragon knew he would stand no chance.
All in all Eragon thought it would be best to return to The Varden as soon as possible. Nasuada would certainly think so. The Varden's leader had been against allowing Eragon to fly to Gil'ead for Oromis and Glaedr's funeral.

"It's too dangerous," she had said, "what if Murtagh is still there? You're flying right into trouble! And what of the Varden? You can't leave us, the closer we get to Urû'baen the more we need you, you can't just leave!"

The two had argued passionately, neither of them refusing to give in until Saphira had intervened. Saphira had convinced Nasuada to allow Eragon to fly to Gil'ead but only for two weeks, she had promised Nasuada that she would have Eragon back to The Varden well before they were due to attack the city of Belatona. Reluctantly, Nasuada had agreed.

Truthfully Eragon was glad that his two weeks with the elves were almost up. It hadn't been a very pleasant trip. The funeral had been emotional for Eragon. He felt as though he had lost a third father, first Garrow, then Brom and now Oromis. He also seemed to be living in a constant state of fear; for some reason he was expecting Murtagh to fly in and attack the elvan camp at any moment.

Adding to his misery was the attitude of the elves. Last time Eragon and Saphira had seen the elves they were always highly courteous to Eragon and worshipped Saphira like a goddess; now they completely ignored them. Eragon suspected that word of Saphira's attack on the sacred Menoa tree had already reached them. The only elves that seemed to even notice Eragon were his elf guards, Arya, Queen Islanzadí and much to Eragon's surprise, Vanir. In fact looking back Vanir's presence was the only good thing about the trip. Besides from flying with Saphira, sparring with Vanir was the only thing that took his mind off things. Eragon couldn't believe it but he was starting to consider the elf as a friend.

Worse for Eragon than the poor attitudes of the elves, were his dreams. When he wasn't constantly replying the death of Oromis, as seen through Glaedr's eyes, in his sleep he has having strange nightmares of being followed around by Murtagh. Every time Murtagh attempted to speak to Eragon his eyes would grow suddenly fearful and he would choke on his tongue. Galbatorix's voice would then come from Murtagh's mouth, Eragon...
Eragon jumped as Saphira's feet suddenly touched down on the grassy land next to the elves temporary sparring grounds, he had been so preoccupied with his thoughts he wasn't aware they had reached the camp.

"Shadeslayer!"

Eragon looked over to see Vanir sparring with two young elves and waving to him at the same time. Eragon laughed and waved back. Eragon watched as Vanir swang his sword at the two elves, knocking both their weapons from their hands in the same blow. Smiling to himself Vanir left the two awe struck elves and ran over to Eragon.

"Always the show off," Eragon said sliding down from Saphira's back.

"Ha!" replied Vanir, "you just wait till I get this thing off my arm," he said tapping the splint on his arm, "then you'll see me show off!"

Behind them Saphira chuckled. It had been Eragon who had broke Vanir's arm during their last fight in Ellesméra.

"Oh shut up Saphira," Vanir said still smiling.

Saphira took a step closer to Vanir. Quick as a flash her paw shot upwards, knocking him over and then holding him down tightly.

Dead, she mocked.

Eragon was still laughing when the leader of his elvan guard, Blödhgarm, approached.

Blödhgarm put his fingers to his lips signifying that he would not distort the truth and they exchanged the greetings of the elves.

"Greetings Shadeslayer, Bjartskular and Vanir-finiarel," Blödhgarm said after the elfish greetings were done.

"Greetings Blödhgarm," Eragon replied, another reason he wanted to get back to The Varden, normally he didn't mind the overly polite ways of the elves but they were really starting to get to him lately.

"The queen would like to see you," Blödhgarm said.

Eragon grimaced at Vanir and then he and Saphira followed Blödhgarm to the queens command tent. Of all the leaders of the free forces Eragon liked Queen Islanzadí the least, she quite often seemed cold and erratic.

The first thing Eragon noticed in the Queens tent was Arya sitting in the corner. Her raven hair was mostly pulled back off her face but was messy. Her emerald eyes were sparkling, Eragon was sure she had been crying. Eragon quickly moved his gaze to the queen; she was almost as beautiful as her daughter.

Eragon quickly touched his fingers to his lips. "Atra esterní ono thelduin" he said speaking first to honour her higher status.

"Atra du evarínya ono varda," Queen Islanzadí said. She seemed impatient so Eragon didn't speak the optional third line of the greeting, instead choosing to wait and see what she wanted.

"Eragon!"

Eragon jumped, he knew that voice but it wasn't Islanzadí's or Arya's. It was then he noticed the queen's scrying mirror propped up against the table.

"Nasuada!"

Not for the first time Eragon was surprised to find just how much he had missed The Varden's leader.

" I was just about to leave, I promise we'll be back soon," Eragon said, concerned Nasuada was scrying him to find out why he hadn't returned yet.

Nasuada smiled, "I know that's not an issue. I needed to talk to you because The Varden has had some problems." Nasuada must have seen the look of terror on Eragon's face because she added quickly, "not any serious problems, the clean-up at Feinster just took longer than we anticipated; we had to hold back our departure a week".

Eragon breathed a sigh of relief; glad that despite their set back The Varden was for the most part doing well.

"However that means that we don't need you to return for another week," Nasuada said.

"You want me to stay with the elves for another week?" Eragon asked. No doubt Nasuada thought she was doing Eragon a favour, he had after all begged her to let him come in the first place. Eragon knew that he couldn't tell Nasuada that he wished to return at risk of offending Islanzadí or Arya.

"I'm sorry Eragon but no, I would still like you to return as soon as possible but I think with more time you could perhaps fly back over the Hadarac Desert, it is sure to be a lot safer."

Trying to hide his relief Eragon remembered the terrifying journey over the empire. He and Arya had travelled together on Saphira while Blödhgarm and the rest the guards had marched. Never had Eragon and Saphira travelled so openly in the empire but they had had no choice if they had wanted to arrive at Gil'ead in time for the funeral. The Journey, which in reality had taken just two days, had seemed to take an eternity to Eragon. The path had taken them almost directly over Dras-Leona and far too close to Urû'baen for Eragon's liking. Eragon was constantly expecting Murtagh and Thorn to appear on the horizon as they were flying to Urû'baen. How they had missed each other Eragon didn't know.

"Yes, your right," Eragon said.

"Very well," Nasuada said, "I'll see you when you get back," she smiled goodbye and signalled to an unknown magician to end the spell.

Eragon stood up and faced the Queen. "Anything else your majesty?" he asked.

"Yes actually," she said, "I wanted let you know, Arya will not be returning to The Varden with you".

Eragon felt as though he had been punched in the stomach. He looked at the elf who was still sitting in the corner. Although he hadn't seen much of her in the last two weeks she was one of the most of the important people in his life, he had been looking forward to spending some time with her. He hated the idea of leaving without her, not knowing when she would return.

"Why?" he asked, addressing Arya.

Arya opened her mouth to reply but Islanzadí spoke before she could. "After recent events I have decided to spend some more time with my daughter, she will march back to The Varden in a few days with the rest of your gaurd."

Knowing that it would be pointless to argue Eragon nodded. "I understand, is there anything else?"

"Not for now," Islanzadí said, "I'll see you before you leave".

Eragon nodded and swept out of the tent to find Saphira.