I do not own the Inheritance Cycle or any of the characters.

Useless Advice

"What do you mean, her memories are gone again?" Blodhgarm asked.

"Exactly what I said," Eragon said. "Murtagh found us on the way back and Thorn managed to hit Arya with his tail. When she woke up, she started to freak out again. I did what I could but..."

Blodhgarm rolled his eyes and turned to Arya, who he was hurt hadn't recognized him much. Arya nodded and Blodhgarm moved into her mind. A moment later he retracted, paler than Eragon had ever seen him.

"It's not reparable," Blodhgarm said. "It can't be fixed."

Both Eragon and Arya had already established that so they didn't react in any surprise at all.

"You knew?" Blodhgarm said.

"I already told you that the damage was permanent," Eragon said. "I know that human standards for permanent and elven ones aren't the same, but I still know what I'm talking about."

Blodhgarm seemed emotionless for a moment the threw a punch at Eragon. Eragon blocked it and shoved Blodhgarm back.

"This is your fault," Blodhgarm said. "You were supposed to protect her!"

"I'm sorry," Eragon said evenly. "I'm not Angela, I had no way of knowing that Murtagh would find us."

"I don't care!" Blodhgarm said. "You were supposed to keep her safe! Now she has no idea who she is, who I am!"

"So that's what you're mad about," Eragon said. "She doesn't remember you so you intend to take it out on me because she does remember me."

"Exactly," Blodhgarm said. "Deyj-"

He was cut off by Arya driving the edge of her hand into the side of his neck knocking him out.

"Thanks," Eragon said.

"No problem," Arya said.

Eragon used a spell to keep Blodhgarm from using magic and when Blodhgarm woke up, he and Eragon moved to an open field where they could duel in peace.

"I'm giving you one chance to give up," Eragon said.

"I'm going to kill you, just you wait," Blodhgarm said.

Eragon drew his sword and Blodhgarm charged. Eragon blocked his first swing then ducked under his second. Blodhgarm continued trying to kill Eragon for several minutes but Eragon avoided or blocked all of his attacks and made no move to try to fight back. Finally, Blodhgarm tripped and Eragon put his blade to Blodhgarm's throat.

"Give up," Eragon said. "It's my fault she lost her memory but there's nothing I can do about it now. I'm sorry."

Blodhgarm glared at him but let his sword go. Eragon let him stand and began to apologize again.

"Just so we're clear," Blodhgarm interrupted. "I will never forgive you and if you even consider trying to take advantage of her lack of memory by trying to be with her, I will kill you."

Eragon nodded and Blodhgarm walked away. Arya walked over and Eragon smiled at her then glared at Blodhgarm's back.

"How mad is he?" Arya asked.

"Let's just say, he's not going to forgive me any time soon," Eragon said. "You really don't remember anything about him?"

"I remember his name and that he's part of you personal guard," Arya said. "Aside from that, nothing."

Eragon nodded then turned and began to walk back to his tent.

"I'm going to go get some rest before we head out," Eragon said. "You should too."

"Where's my tent again?" Arya asked.

"Um..." Eragon thought for a moment. "It's about a half mile that way. Any elf should be able to give you more specific directions."

"Oh," Arya said. "Okay, goodnight."

"Goodnight," Eragon said.

They both went toward their tents and Eragon quickly changed into something he hadn't worn for days on end. Just as he was going to get into bed, Arya peeked in.

"I can't find it," Arya said. "There are too many elven tents."

"Did you ask anyone else for directions?" Eragon asked.

"Yes," Arya said. "No one knew."

"Figures," Eragon said.

"Can I just stay with you for tonight and find my tent in the morning?" Arya asked.

"Blodhgarm will probably chuck a fit but sure," Eragon said.

Arya smiled and walked in then sat beside the bed clearly planning on letting him use it.

"You can have the bed," Eragon said. "There's someone I have to talk to. Actually, I think you should meet him again too."

"Who?" Arya asked.

Eragon pulled out Glaedr's Eldunari and he and Arya both reached out to Glaedr.

"Hello again Eragon," Glaedr said cheerfully. "How can I help?"

"Well," Eragon said. "Arya's memories have been severely damaged. Me and Blodhgarm can't fix them and I was hoping that you could."

"Let me see," Glaedr said.

Arya allowed him into her mind and his reaction seemed a lot more surprised than Eragon had expected. His shock was so strong that Glaedr was having trouble keeping it supressed.

After a moment he said, "What happened?"

"Well," Eragon said. "When we were escaping Dras-Leona, a piece of rubble hit her in the head and damaged her memories. Blodhgarm and I were repairing them but then me and her were separated, and on the way back, Thorn managed to hit her in the head with his tail. Then her memories were in that condition."

"I guess I understand the damage," Glaedr said. "She's lucky to be alive. I'm afraid there's nothing I can do either. The person that knows her best could probably rebuild her memories but it would take centuries."

"I figured as much," Eragon said. "Thanks anyway."

"You're welcome," Glaedr said. "Do you require assistance with something else?"

"No," Eragon said.

"Very well," Glaedr said. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Eragon said.

As he withdrew, he caught a glimpse of a happy memory of Glaedr and Oromis flying around to relax. Eragon smiled and put Glaedr's Eldunari away. He was glad that Glaedr was starting to be able to cope with Oromis' death.

"How did he die?" Arya asked.

"He and his Rider tried to resist Galbatorix," Eragon said.

"I see," Arya said. "Are you sure you'll be fine on the ground?"

"I'll be fine," Eragon said smiling. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Arya said then lay down and drifted off to sleep.

THE END

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