Chap 9 Nightmare

Eragon and Saphira woke with a jolt. They heard two roars and the tree was shaking. Eragon crawled to the window and saw everything was shaking. What's happening?! he yelled.

Murtagh and Kali, Thorn said simply. He wasn't surprised that the ground was shaking. They are doing the life-and-soul sharing. Since they have the bond, Murtagh can give Kali his energy, power, etc. It's a bit painful but worth it.

A BIT?!! They're roaring loud enough to be heard from Surda! Saphira screamed.

It's not my fault! Thorn yelled back.

Well you could have given us a bit more warning!

WILL BOTH OF YOU STOP?! YOU'RE ACTING LIKE A BICKERING OLD COUPLE! Eragon roared. Saphira and Thorn stopped immediately and looked away from each other. The ground shook furiously as another roar was heard.

It continued overnight, the floor never stopped shaking and the howls and roars didn't stop, decreasing into nothing when the sky lightened and the sun rose. Eragon's eyes were drooping shut. He hadn't slept all night. Saphira and Thorn were tired but they could cope. Eragon, try to sleep. You're going to drop any second. Eragon nodded slightly and suddenly slumped and fell asleep.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Eragon woke up groggily. Saphira? How did I get here? He looked around the room. He was lying on a bed. From what he could remember from Kali's memories, he was on the third floor; a floor below from were Saphira and Thorn stayed.

The woman, Lisa and a man dragged you to the room when they found you up here, Saphira replied. They brought Murtagh and Kali. They are in one of the rooms at the bottom but Lisa warns that you shouldn't go in.

Why not? heasked.

I don't know. Thorn and I are going to go hunting.

Alright. I'll go and find something to eat. Eragon got up from the bed and made his way to the second floor. He knew that they had a small kitchen there and a bedroom, but he forgot if it was left or right from the stairs to the kitchen. He decided to take a right and came across a closed door. He knew that all the doors were the same so he opened the door to check.

Inside was a huge bed. The curtains were drawn and let no light in. He heard the rustle of the covers and a pair of icy-blue dragon eyes stared at him. He heard a small whimper. The blue eyes narrowed and it started to growl menacingly. Eragon closed the door quickly and backed away from the door. Nothing happened. The thing inside didn't come out.

Eragon ran to the other door and went in, closing it behind him. He looked around and found himself in the kitchen. Saphira? Do you mind asking Thorn what the heck is in the bedroom on the second floor?

The replied was almost instant, Kali and Murtagh.

And why is Murtagh growling at me?

Instead of Saphira, Thorn answered, It's the bond. They become weak, more so the person from whom it is done to. Kali is weak and in pain and their animalistic instincts take over. Murtagh won't let anyone near them because he is protecting Kali while she's vulnerable and thinks someone might harm her if they are near her. Murtagh knows what is going on around him as does Kali but it would be best if you don't go near them unless they approach you. Later today, maybe tomorrow at the most, they should be fine.

So you're telling me that I am stuck in a house with a brother that will kill me if I go to near his wife?

Basically? Yes.

Excellent! Eragon said sarcastically. Thorn left and he started to rummage through the cupboards and pantry. He found something edible to eat and made his way back upstairs. He lay down on the bed hoping to catch up with some sleep. It was only midday and he had only slept five hours, if he was lucky. Before he could do anything, he fell back asleep.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

It was mid-afternoon by the time Eragon woke up again. He smelt something coming from the kitchen. He slowly made his way downstairs slowly and turned to the kitchen to look inside. Kali's back was to him. He stood by the doorway not knowing what to do.

"She's not going to eat you." Eragon jumped a mile in the air with a yelp and turned around. Icy-blue dragon eyes met his. "It'll were off in a while," said Murtagh as he stepped into the kitchen. They both looked up as they heard something break. Kali's hands were shaking badly and there was a shattered bowl on the floor. "Kali-"

"No, it's ok," she said. She bent down to pick the pieces.

"Kali, leave it," he insisted as he made his way to her. He dragged her over to a chair and sat her down.

"I'm fine," she persisted. Her hands didn't stop shaking. He held her hands in his before looking at her in the eye. "Ok, maybe not alright but I'm capable of doing things by myself."

"You are not going to get up from this table," Murtagh stated, "And Eragon is going to make sure of that," he interrupted her protest. He looked at Eragon, daring him to say otherwise. He just lifted his hands in surrender and sat down in a chair placing both elbows on the table. "Good. I'm just going to check nothings burnt." Murtagh stood up and went around the corner.

"I'll kill him one day," she said quietly.

"I heard that!" Murtagh yelled.

Kali just made a face and clasped both her shaking hands. Her eyes were the same as in her dragon form. "Are you alright?" Eragon asked.

"Not really," she whispered, "but I didn't want to stay in the bed. And I was hungry."

Eragon chuckled slightly, "Why not? I'm sure Murtagh would get you anything you want."

"That's exactly the point," she hissed, "I love him but sometimes he's too overprotective and I can't stand it. Then again, I'm a bit the same but I didn't want him to be waiting for me, hand and foot."

"Have you ever thought I don't mind?" She looked up so fast her neck clicked. Murtagh raised his eyebrows.

"No, but...still!"

"That's not really an answer," Eragon stated. Kali looked at him and her dragon eyes clearly told him to shut up. Kali's stomach rumbled loudly.

"Food's done if you want it."

"I wouldn't mind eating. I haven't eaten since dinner first night Eragon came. Which was...?" Kali asked.

"Two days ago," Eragon stated as Murtagh rounded the corner to get the food. He came back with three plates and sat down, pushing both plates toward Eragon and Kali. She immediately got a fork and started shoving food in her mouth.

"You're going to make yourself sick," he stated without looking up.

"I'm hungry. That's all I care about right now," she replied, "So Eragon, any questions from last night?"

"Er...Why did Shruikan run after you in the forest?" he asked as he tasted the food.

"I stole his dinner." He looked up, "I was pregnant and peckish. I had a mad craving for boar and I knew he had managed to hunt one that night so I went to his hold and stole it. He realised later that he should not brag about how fast he can get his dinner," she laughed slightly, "Anymore?"

He hesitated slightly, "What curse does Luka have?"

Kali shook her head, "That's for her to decide to tell you; not me."

"Of course. Why did you spy in the Varden?"

"It was easy, I was angry and I could scare a few people."

"Why do elves, dwarves and humans hate demons?" Eragon asked.

"Well, it's a little complicated. You see, demons are a supposed extinct race. Have you heard of the grey folk?" Eragon nodded. "They are us; demons. The ones who created the Ancient Language. We hid because the elves attacked us. They knew we hid and, they convinced the humans and dwarves we were demons if they ever found one of us. Demons hid here because the dwarves did not know the mountains, they were too treacherous for humans and elves couldn't find us because there are too many animals. The animals know who and what we are, any animal that is on the verge of extinction may come here and the elves try to make sure that none come to us."

"Why would the elves do that?"

"Jealousy? They make the forest grow, animals mate so why not 'help' almost extinct animals as well? They would be the supposed saviours of that race," Kali shrugged, "I don't know. I wasn't born at the time."

"Although, some may beg to differ," Murtagh said quietly. Kali wacked his arm. He shook with silent laughter.

I have a very good question, said Saphira, Why did you forgive your father?

"I can't answer you that because I don't know myself. It just felt right even from what he did."

Even though he drove you to suicide?

"Yes. I'm not dead so I can forgive him."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Kali, Murtagh and Eragon decided to go around Aquila after they had finished eating. They showed Eragon the market, they introduced him to everyone they knew and they accepted him even though he was a human. A few had mistaken him for an elf but Kali had clarified the matter. They made their way to the werewolf territory. The werewolves were in their human forms, some just lying on the floor, resting from the full moon.

"Mummy!" Kali was thrown to the ground as Hunter ran and hugged her. A small little girl followed and hugged Kali as well.

"Hello you two. How are you?" Kali said as she sat up. Hunter and the two-year-old girl sat down in front of her.

"Ok. Winda's a little tired," he said as he hugged the girl.

"I'll be fine," said Winda.

"Eragon, this is Hunter's mate, Winda. Winda, this is Hunter's uncle." The girl looked at Eragon for a second before her eyes widened slightly.

"Shadeslayer?" she asked looking Kali. She nodded.

Murtagh sat down beside Kali. "You know what grandpa said?"

"That he doesn't want four wild dragons in the castle? Why am I not surprise," Hunter said, "Why don't you tell him that Thorn is a wild dragon? Then he'll have to deal with five." Kali burst out laughing.

"Thorn's wild?" Eragon asked as he sat down.

"Yes. You can't have a dragon if you can tell into one yourself unless that dragon is your mate," Kali stated, "I can't imagine Thorn being Murtagh's mate."

Neither can I, Thorn assured. All of them laughed. Kali yawned slightly.

"Bed," said Murtagh as he stood up, taking Kali with him. He picked her up before she could do anything.

"NO! Put me down!" she demanded.

"See you later Hunter, Winda," said Murtagh.

"See you," they replied in union. Eragon stood up and followed them back to the house. Kali didn't bother with screaming, knowing that no one would help her. Murtagh made his way up the second floor and turned to the bedroom. Eragon went into the kitchen and started to clean the dirty plates they had left, not knowing what to do. He repaired the broken bowl.

So Thorn is a wild dragon, Saphira stated, I would never have guessed. He acts very loyal to Murtagh.

Very true. So what are you going to do with that little bit of information? Eragon asked cheekily.

It's none of your business, Eragon.

But you're my dragon, he continued, I have to know if he's good enough for you.

ERAGON!! He just laughed and carried on cleaning. Why are you doing that?

For lack of a better thing to do? Honestly, I don't know. I distract myself when I have too many things going in my head. This is a distraction.

I know, little one. Too many things in one day, especially with lack of sleep. I am up here with Thorn if you want to see me. Do you want to go for a flight? Saphira asked.

Please. Eragon finished cleaning and when to the fourth floor. Saphira was lying down on a cushion and Thorn was eating a deer. He saddled Saphira and they took off through the opening. Have you ever thought that maybe I should have stayed human and not look like an elf?

Why do you ask?

Well, in the market, when they thought I was an elf, I was wondering if I should. I am human so why should I not look like one? I know that being a Dragon Rider will make me look like them slightly but people will still know I'm human. What I am, no one can tell unless they are told and even then I still look like an elf to them, Eragon stated.

You can't do anything about it Eragon. It was a gift from the dragons, something that now cannot be undone. They flew well into the night before Saphira headed back to the tree house.

He went down to the kitchen and found Murtagh sitting on a chair, elbows on the table holding his head with his hands and shirtless. He could tell that Murtagh hadn't had an enjoyable time in Uru'Baen when he was captured by the twins. His back had whip scars but they were not as bad as Kali's and he didn't have any brand marks. "What's wrong?" he asked as he sat down.

Murtagh looked up at him, "Nothing really. Just wondering why fate hates Kali and me so much."

"It can't be that bad. Ok, maybe it is bad," he reconciled after Murtagh gave him a not-even-you-believe-that look. "But if fate did that to you maybe it's for a good reason."

"What good reason?! Eragon, Kali almost died from the torture! She jumped of the canyon because she couldn't take it anymore! I almost followed her! And now she almost died because of the poison!" Murtagh yelled.

"If fate wanted you two dead, you would be!" Eragon shouted as he sat down, "How many people would have survived that fall?! No one!" Murtagh couldn't come back with anything better. He looked at Eragon with a helpless look.

"I just...I don't know what to do."

"Murtagh, it's late. Go to sleep," Eragon said as he stood up, "you need it and you need to stop thinking about this. You need to stop thinking about the past." Eragon left without a word, picking up a slice of bread on the way out. He climbed the stairs quickly and made his way to the room he had slept in.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Murtagh stared after Eragon as he left. He stared at the door for a full minute before standing up and going to the bedroom. He leaned against the doorframe as he watched Kali sleeping. He thought back to what had happened to them, the pain they had gone through. He had watched her suffer, be tortured, some of it by his hand, all of it because of him and yet she loved him. She was too good for him; she deserved better.

"You keep thinking that and I'll show you I don't," she mumbled as she opened her eyes. He smiled slightly and closed the door behind him. He climbed into the bed beside her, "You're good enough for me. I don't need anyone else," she stated as she turned to face him.

He smiled at her, "Sometimes I have to wonder," he whispered as he stroked her cheek.

"Well don't. I'm not about to leave you. I love you too much to do that. Now go to sleep," she said as she turned back to her previous position. He chuckled and draped his arm around her waist, spooning her into him. "Night."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"So when are we going to go back to Uru'Baen?" Kali asked, "Luka can only take so much before she cracks and spills."

Murtagh looked up from his breakfast, "I don't know but I wouldn't mind taking my time. I don't really want to go back."

"You think I do? I prefer my peace but Luka can't stay there and we agreed we would go back and help until...the war's over." Her hesitation caught Eragon's attention. He was sure she was going to say something else but let it pass. "If we go now, we'll get to the castle tomorrow night."

"Then we had better tell Lisa." Murtagh got up and got piece of parchment. He scribbled something down and whistled. A falcon appeared at the open window. "Lisa," he said handing it to the falcon before it flew away. "Let's get going."

They stood up from the table, Murtagh making sure that Kali didn't move from the kitchen as he collected their stuff. As Kali protested, Eragon got the small pack from his room and went up to saddle Saphira. She does like to protest, doesn't she.

She doesn't like feeling helpless, Saphira, Eragon stated.

But she is still weak! If someone can help her then let them! I wouldn't mind someone taking care of me if my life had been like that!

Well, either way we're going back to Uru'Baen. Wow, I never thought I would say that! Saphira chuckled as she bent down to let him climb up. She and Thorn flew through the opening and into the air. They circled around for a minute until they were joined by the amethyst and bronze dragons.

Shall we go? Murtagh asked as he flew high into the air, Kali, Thorn and Saphira following. They flew through the day, stopping only to drink and relieve themselves. They stopped when it got dark. Kali didn't even manage to pull out her blanket before she fell asleep. Murtagh smiled as he picked her up and placed her on his blanket. He joined Eragon by the fire, "She never lets herself rest."

"You don't exactly leave her alone either. Have you ever thought that if you didn't nag her so much, she would let you do some things?" Eragon asked, "People do the opposite from what they are told. If you don't tell her to do something, she'll do it in her own time."

"Since when did you become so wise?" Murtagh mocked as he sat down, resting his back on a tree.

"I don't know. Maybe since I cracked and lost my mind? Maybe since always and I haven't known until recently?" he shrugged, "I don't really care right now." He rummaged through his pack until he found his blanket. He placed it on the floor and lay down, "I'll find out eventually. Night."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Eragon woke up suddenly. The trees were silent, the sky was black, so what had woken him? Saphira, Thorn and Murtagh were asleep. Nothing was...wait. Where's Kali? he thought. He looked around and she was nowhere in sight. Slowly, he got up, trying not to make a sound and went into the trees. After a few minutes he came by a small pond.

Kali was wadding in; she was only waist deep. Eragon could tell she still had the leather top on and he guessed her underwear was leather as well. "What are you doing here?" she asked softly not turning around.

"I woke up and noticed you weren't there. I just came to look for you." She turned her head to look at him. "Why are you here?"

"Water calms me. Murtagh can too but I don't want to wake him," she stated as she was now up to her neck with water. She turned her whole body to face him though the dark water didn't let him see her properly.

"Why do you need calming?"

"Nightmares. I haven't had them in a long time and it scared me a little."

"Talking about it helps," Eragon said as he sat on the bank.

"You got that from my memories," she laughed slightly, "but, yes, it does help."

"I'm all ears," Eragon stated.

She hesitated slightly, "I was in the middle of a meadow; the grass was up to my waist, the sun was shining; everything was calm. Murtagh was beside me with Hunter and a little girl I think was River and we were all facing the same way. River and Hunter suddenly disappeared and I was left alone with Murtagh and there was blood on the floor where they had been. After a few moments everything became fire; the grass became ashes, the trees around the meadow caught fire and in front of us two armies crashed together. People were dying everywhere and I was moving forward with a sword and helping kill the enemy but first I was killing a Varden soldier, then an Empire soldier.

"Murtagh was beside me all the time doing nothing. You and Luka were in the sky with Saphira, Okapi and Thorn but they were just hovering above the battle. Everyone stopped fighting and started to stare at me and I just stood there, a bloody sword at my side, unmarked by any of the soldiers I fought against and...I wasn't doing anything! I was just staring at Murtagh while he did nothing but look at me! And I...I...I killed him," she whispered.

"What?"

"I don't know! I just stood there staring at him and my arm just swung upwards towards his head."

"Did you see if the sword killed him? Did you see it lop of his head?" Kali shook her head as she looked at the water, "Then that doesn't mean that you killed him. It's just a nightmare, Kali. No vision will come like that. Nothing will just suddenly disappear and I know for sure that the Varden and the Empire will not just stop when they're in the middle of a battle."

Kali nodded her head, "Thank you, Eragon," she whispered, "I just didn't want to tell Murtagh about it."

"Its fine but you should really get out of the water and back to the camp; dry. Murtagh will probably skin me alive if he found out I let you catch a cold," Eragon stated.

"I'm not going to catch a...acho!" she sneezed. Eragon looked at her. "Alright, alright, I'm going." She swam up to the bank and stood up. She cast a quick during spell and hurriedly put on her clothes. They rushed back to the camp where thankfully everyone was still asleep. Kali quickly made her was to Murtagh and snuggled into his warm chest. Eragon lay down on his blanket and quickly fell asleep.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"ERAGON!!! WAKE UP!!!" Eragon moaned and turned around trying to get back to sleep. Someone shook his shoulder roughly. He opened a blurry eyed and saw someone hovering a few inches from his face.

Eragon, we're leaving, said Saphira. He moaned again as he sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"Wow. That's the first time I've slept properly for a year," he stated as he got up. The packs were already on dragons. He climbed on Saphira as Kali and Murtagh turned into their dragon forms.

Why is that Eragon? Murtagh asked as they took off.

In Ellesmera, I was given a gift and became an elf basically. The elves sleep like in a sort of trance, feeling everything around them. First time that I've slept like a human again and trust me, I prefer to sleep normally, Eragon replied.

So you don't like to be an elf? Kali enquired.

Well, being an elf has it's uses like speed, strength and a few other things, but I prefer to look and sleep like the human I'm supposed to be. Sometimes the hearing is unbearable because my ears pick up too many things. Everyone thinks I'm an elf because of what I look like and I hate that!

I can help you with that when we get to Uru'Baen, Kali said privately to him, I can turn you back into a human but you can keep the strength and speed. Do you want that?

What about Murtagh?

He doesn't need to know until it's done.

N/A: A little on the short side but it does have important bits in it! REVIEW PLEASE!!