Disclaimer: Christopher Paolini owns the Inheritance cycle.

Author's note: HOLY CRAP!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M BACK TO WRITING FANFICTION!!! It's been like...what? 5 years since my last post here. I really can't believe it. But I guess the waiting for the final book of the Inheritance cycle pushed me to write this fic. So this is my version of the 4th book. This will probably be a looooong fic with gazillions of chapters. Don't tell me I didn't warn you. So in return for the gazillions of chapters, I want gazillions of reviews!!! I'm not asking for to much, no? ;)

Warm rays of sunlight slipped into Eragon's tent as he swept aside the flap to take a look outside. It was a bright, sunny day and everyone around their camp was particularly happy.

It has been almost a week since their capture of the city of Feinster. The remaining soldiers of Feinster joined the Varden's cause to Nasuada's great relief. They were able to convince Lady Lorana that the only way to save her people was to defeat Galbatorix and to end his rule over Alagaesia. Because of her oath to Galbatorix, she could not directly support the Varden in any way so she pronounced her son, Icarus, as the new leader of Feinster.

"I am bound by my oath but my son is not," Lady Lorana stated in front of everyone especially to the people of Feinster. "He is your leader now. Please be loyal to him just like how you were all loyal to me."

It was a good thing that Icarus was wise like his mother. He immediately declared his allegiance to the Varden and ordered his men to prepare for the siege of Bellatona.

Everyone was celebrating for their victory. Everyone except for Eragon, Saphira, and Arya. How could they celebrate if their mentor, their hope to defeat the Empire, Oromis and Glaedr, are gone? Images began to flash before Eragon's eyes as he remembered the events that occurred in Gil'ead. He remembered how Glaedr felt when he realized that he was alone.

And like Glaedr, he and Saphira were alone as well.

Little one, Saphira said, brushing aside Eragon's thoughts. You must not let your mind drift back to those memories. We must be strong for the Varden. For all of Alagaesia. We are the only hope that they have.

Eragon sighed. Are we? Can we really make them hope? How can a single dragon rider defeat two dragon riders? It is really impossible now that we are alone.

We've had this conversation before, Saphira said patiently. It is not true that we are alone. We still have Arya, Nasuada, Orik, Roran, Katrina, and the rest of the Varden with us…and Glaedr.

You are right. We still have our friends to help us get through this. We must be strong for them, Eragon said as he let his eyes wander to his bag at the foot of his bed that held the golden dragon's heart of hearts – Glaedr's Eldunari.

Glaedr still hasn't made contact with them through his Eldunari. Eragon would sometimes feel a flicker of different emotions coming from it – anger, longing, and misery. But it would immediately be concealed when Glaedr sensed Eragon's presence. He hasn't said a single word to them Eragon and Saphira decided not to force him to. They knew that Glaedr would be able to recover on his own.

Now that we've cleared things up again, Saphira said. I think that we must go now to Nasuada's pavilion. She wouldn't be too pleased with us if we arrive late again.

Eragon started preparing for the meeting to be held in Nasuada's tent. After buckling his sword Brisingr to his belt and after making sure that Glaedr's Eldunari was still in his bag, Eragon exited his tent, taking his bag with him. Blodhgarm and the other elves were already waiting for him outside.

"Greetings, Shadeslayer," said Blodhgarm, twisting his hand ovr his chest in the elves' gesture of respect. "Lady Nasuada and the others are already waiting for you in her tent."

"Thank you, Blodhgarm, I'm already headed there," Eragon replied.

"Do you wish us to accompany you?"

"There is no need. It is fairly safe here inside our camp. Please attend to your needs first. I will call for you if I need anything."

"As you wish." Blodhgarm bowed and he and the others left.

Everytime Eragon and Saphira walked around camp, people would always greet them. Today was no different as they walked towards Nasuada's tent. Shouts like "Hail to you, Argetlam! Brightscales!" could be heard anywhere the two of them passed. But today, Eragon heard a different voice in the crowd. A melodic voice that Eragon would be able to recognize anywhere.

"Good day to you, Shadeslayer, Saphira."

Eragon smiled to himself as he turned around to face the source of this particular greeting. He came face to face with the elven princess that he loves: Arya.

Good day to you as well, Shadeslayer," Eragon greeted her, giving emphasis on the last word while doing the same gesture that Blodhgarm did earlier. Arya smiled at this and mirrored him.

"I told you not to call me Shadeslayer, Shadeslayer," she said.

Eragon sensed that Arya was particularly in a good mood today. After the battle at Feinster, they both had tried to comfort each other, spending more time together to talk. Arya began to open up to him more and this made Eragon glad. She even started joking with him, dropping some of the elven customs she learned when she was with Eragon.

"Ah, I said the same thing to you and yet here you are, breaking our agreement, Shadeslayer." Eragon teased. Arya laughed at this, making Eragon's stomach do summersaults.

"Very well, Eragon Shur'tugal. I will keep that in mind." Then Arya saw his bag that was slung around his torso and her expression changed into a serious one. "How is he?" she said, gesturing towards the Glaedr's Eldunari.

Eragon shook his head. Arya understood and let it go. "Come," said Arya. "I assume that you are headed to Lady Nasuada's tent as well. We must hurry. They are waiting for us."

"Aye, Arya Drottningu."

Ix