I'm back, and here's part two, Changing Winds. Yes, it follows the Eldest storyline, and I hope you like it and review and all those things.

Disclaimer: No, I don't own this. Eldest belongs to Paolini. I do, however, own Thaw, Cassidy, and Miranda. And, um... yup, that's about it. Sadly.

Miranda Iceblade, fifteen-year-old Dragon Rider, was bored. Really, really bored. She was sitting in bed, two days after the Battle of Farthen Dur, not allowed to leave until Angela the Herbalist gave her the OK. And Angela was busy with Eragon in the next room over, so she was stuck alone in the room. Well, not quite alone. Her dragon, Thaw, was lying on the end of the bed, or attempting to, anyways. She had grown, and no longer fit, so she was also lying on Miranda, and her tail hung off the bed. Miranda sighed.

Baldy I and II are gonna attack soon, and I'm still stuck in here, she grumbled to herself.

Baldy is, Thaw corrected without opening her eyes. Singular.

What?

Baldy II died from… mysterious causes while you and Eragon were fighting.

What?! And you didn't tell me?

I forgot.

You FORGOT?! How can you forget something like that? That's wonderful!

Glad you're happy. At that moment, Angela returned.

"Right, well, you're free to go. Shoo. I have work to do."

"Thanks, Angela!" Miranda jumped up and hugged the herbalist. "See you around!" She practically ran out of the room.

Sorry about her, Thaw apologized as she followed Miranda. Angela just shook her head

Miranda found Cassidy in her room, reading Eldest. Miranda had finished it while in bed, and was about a fourth of the way through Brisingr. "Hey."

Cassidy looked up. "Oh, hey Miranda. How you doing?"

"I'm very happy. Baldy is dead."

"Yeah, I know. Wonderful news. People are worried."

"But not you?"

"Nope." They sat in silence for a moment.

"So are you gonna go to the elves?" Cassidy finally asked.

"I think I have to," Miranda answered. "I need the training, someone has to keep an eye on Eragon, Oromis'll want me to, Nasuada wants me to, and I want to. But what about you. Will you come?"

"I've been thinking about that," Cassidy said slowly, stroking Eldest. "And I believe I'll stay here. I mean, I'd love to go see the elves, but I think one of us needs to stay here, and I'll be more useful here. I can fight for the Varden, help us get to Surda, help Nasuada, and talk to Elva. I'm more useful here."

Miranda nodded. She'd miss her friend, her one connection to her old life, but she understood Cassidy's reasons for staying. "Stay safe."

"I'll do my best. No fighting a dozen Kull single-handedly, I promise." That caused Miranda to smile.

"Alright. And I'll do my best not to kill myself again while I'm gone." Cassidy nodded, and then went back to the book. Miranda wandered down to kitchens, where she got something to eat. Then she meandered her way down to the battlefield.

The ground was saturated with blood. It smelled like death, like rotting meat. Miranda wrinkled her nose as she carefully stepped over the contorted, headless body of an urgal. She spotted the shining, hairless crown of the lone Twin and the telltale dark skin of Ajihad by one of the tunnel entrances. She headed towards them.

"-by tomorrow morning." Ajihad was saying to Baldy. Behind them a group of ten men and ten dwarves were readying themselves to go urgal hunting. Among them was Murtagh. Miranda walked up to him.

"Where are you going?" she asked him, although she already knew.

"Ajihad and the… um, the Twin are going to lead one last expedition down to hunt some urgals. We'll be back by tomorrow morning," Murtagh answered.

"Can't you stay?" Miranda asked, even though she knew it was impossible. She didn't want him to go. She knew what would happen.

"I have to prove I'm not my father. I'll be back by tomorrow," he promised.

No you wont, Miranda wanted to tell him. But she couldn't. Instead she swallowed past a sudden lump in her throat and looked down momentarily.

"Just be safe, alright?" she asked, looking up again. Murtagh smiled one of his rare smiles in reply.

"Always," he said. Miranda hugged him impulsively. He looked surprised, but hugged her back.

"Be careful. I'll miss you," she murmured as she let go. He blinked, puzzled, but before he could question her, he had to follow Baldy into the tunnel. Ajihad brought up the rear. Miranda stood there, staring into the dark of the tunnel where they had disappeared, silently cursing Baldy, then turned and returned to the city.

Miranda spent the rest of the day thinking. She was trying to decide if she should go sit by the tunnel and wait for Murtagh and Ajihad, or wait with everyone else. It would be odd if she just sat there for hours. Then she'd have to explain why, and how she knew to wait. Plus is would mess up the storyline.

There's only one Baldy, Thaw pointed out, tired of her moping. So maybe he won't be able to control enough urgals. And you said yourself, we can't change the story.

I know, but… Miranda trailed off.

You love him, don't you? Thaw asked quietly. Miranda didn't answer the question.

I'm acting like an idiot. Why can't I just trust him to take care of himself? I know he can.

Yes, he can. It'll be all right. Let's go see Eragon or something. It'll take your mind off the impending doom. Come on, Kiddo.

R&R!