Empire: The final Battle

Chapter one: Helgrind.

Eragon rose at dawn, as the first rays of light crept into the tent he shared with his cousin, Roran, and his sleeping dragon, who lay curled up outside, guarding her rider. His thoughts wandered back to the day before, when his new found brother had betrayed him.

Eragon attempted to sneak past Saphira, to reach Nasuada's tent, but to no avail. She opened one deep blue eye and stated:

I'm coming with you

Nodding, Eragon continued to walk on, through the maze of tents, the cool night air still blowing lazily around. Saphira walked steadily behind him, well aware of his riders' sorrow.

They slowed at reaching their leader's tent, hearing a heated discussion. Standing silently outside, it was apparent that Nasuada and Arya, an elf princess Eragon had befriended and fallen in love with, did not agree on something.

"…do you have no feelings for my people!" Came Nasuada's voice, clearly angry.

"The question is do you have no feelings for mine?" Replied Arya. Her voice was as quiet, yet full of venom and command.

Eragon decided this was the best time to enter, and doing so, he found Nasuada and Arya glaring daggers at each other. He cleared his throat. The two women turned, Arya still looking homicidal, yet Nasuada seemed surprised.

"Yes, Eragon" asked Nasuada wearily.

"Yes, I wish to discuss with you a certain issue that has arisen" Stated Eragon clearly, after greeting both women in their usual fashions.

"You wish to discus the mission on which you would like to place yourself that involves rescuing Roran's Fiancé?"

Eragon simply nodded. "I know full well that Katrina is almost definitely being used as bait, whether to capture me or Roran, but I also cannot bear to see my cousin as he is now."

Roran had been sulky and inactive since the battle on the Burning Plains, saying and doing no more than he needed.

"Yes, I have given this issue some thought." She sighed, sinking into her desk chair. "You have certainly made up your mind, and I see no way in changing it. Eragon, I know you carry a heavy burden, but please, keep yourself safe. The Varden have little hope, and it would not help if the last ounce of it was sapped up."

"I shall keep my self safe." Said turning to leave.

"But" Called out Nasuada, causing him to turn back. "The dwarf representatives and I have discussed this, and wish to have one of their own accompany you. Orik, volunteered, and has since been added to the rescue list."

Eragon bowed again as Nasuada spoke up "I also wish to have Arya accompany you as an added provision, but as she was so kindly telling me, she has been called back to her home, and cannot come with you"

The two women glared at each other until Eragon cleared his throat and said "I shall leave as soon as time will allow." Nasuada nodded fondly.

"I will go with you" said Arya.

The others turned to face her. "But your people?" Enquired Eragon.

"They will be fine, it was only family issues" She said, her face portraying no emotion, yet her eyes showed a hint of sadness, a major display of imotion for her.

He nodded. "We leave soon" And with that, he turned on his heel and left.

Outside the tent, he found Saphira. All went well? she smirked.

You heard what happened, I am not stupid said Eragon angrily, not stopping.

Not totally He heard her chuckle quietly. Grinding his teeth, Eragon decided to leave it there, he had seen one argument today already. People should be fighting wars, not making enemies on their own sides!

When Roran awoke, Eragon told him of his earlier discussion with Nasuada, and the tactic he had had in mind to rescue Katrina. His cousin's attitude went from glum to grateful.

"When do we leave?" He asked eagerly?

"It is your choice, brother. Do you feel strong enough to leave now?"

"Of course!" He crowed, reaching for his hammer and pre-packed bag.

Eragon smiled. "Then we leave within the hour. Meet me at the edge of the city" With that he turned to leave.

Arriving at the meeting point, he found Arya and Orik awaiting him.

"And I said you cant rush an elf" grunted Orik. "Which I have now proven to be applicable to half elves as well!" Eragon was greeted by Arya with her usual monotonous expression, once again making her mood undetectable.

He glanced around noticing one was missing. Saphira? Where are you? He called out.

Little one, I have had a discussion with Nasuada, and we have agreed that my coming along would alert the Ra'zac. Do not worry, you will still be provided with horses for Orik and Roran.

Do not worry! He exclaimed. Without you I am un-whole!

This is why Nasuada has sent Arya with you, she is as easily strong as you, if not stronger, her strength is all you shall need. Besides, I shall remain in contact with you throughout the journey. With that she broke the connection.

Looking up, he realized Roran had arrived. "Ok then," he stated. "We will have to reach Helgrind with nothing but horses and provisions I'm afraid. Saphira cannot join us for the possibility she could alert the enemy with her size." With this Roran looked slightly relieved, whereas Orik just nodded.

"Shall we proceed? Questioned Arya. He nodded.

"Orik, Roran, these horses are for you." He said, gesturing to two white and chestnut horses tied nearby. "Arya and I shall proceed on foot."

Roran looked skeptical. "How shall you keep up?"

"We just will" Better to let him find out for himself, he thought.

It was midday, and the small party had been traveling for almost four hours. Arya and Eragon had long since left Orik and Roran behind, startling Roran, much to Eragon's amusement. Arya had been quiet the whole way, and she seemed distant, as though she were pondering something. To Eragon, she seemed upset, but then, this was not unusual behavior for her.

"Arya?" he questioned. She flickered her eyes over to him briefly to show she was listening. "Are you, feeling well?" He asked, flinching. Great, he though, ask the elf who was homicidal just this morning.

"I am fine." She said quietly, quickening her pace slightly. Eragon, who was struggling to keep up already, had to use enough energy to catch her, that his breathing had quickened.

"Are you sure?" He gasped. "You… seem distant." He finished, panting.

"I am fine!" She said forcibly, running farther ahead. She stayed just ahead of him the entire journey, until she entered his thoughts sometime at noon and said:

"We rest here" sending him a image of a small clearing near several large trees. Pass this onto the others, I cannot reach them." She withdrew from the connection. Eragon did as instructed, then reached camp a few minutes later.

Eragon frowned, he could not see Arya. Then he saw her a short while up in a tree, spotting the area from above.

"Arya!" He called. She saw him and came down. "We shall need to build a fire, how far away are Roran and Orik?" He asked.

"A short while." She said, turning into the forest to collect wood. Eragon was starting to get worried. Something was definitely upsetting Arya; he could see it in her eyes, barely. He planned to talk to Orik about it.

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Author's note:

Well, that was pretty slow and short, but the next chapter will be slightly faster and longer. I do not have any Eragon books, I borrowed them from the library, so I cannot look up any words. Anyway, hope you liked it! R&R and tell me what you liked/didn't like to help me improve!!!! This is my first fanfic so no flames please!!!