A/N: Wow. I don't even know how long I haven't continued! I want to thank ALL of my reviewers. You guys rock, and if I could, I would DEFINITLY give all of you one huge HUG! Seriously. If you've totally forgotten the story, here's a recap on what happened: Eragon, Laena and Arya (along with the dragons) are on a journey to Urubaen to set the date war between the king and the Alagaesians. Laena and Arya hate eachother, and Eragon… well, he's Eragon. Anyways, hope you enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I'm not CP. I'm not the one who planned on writing four books instead of three. (Yay! FOUR books!)

CHAPTER 12

FREEDOM FROM HIM

Laena leaned her head against Izane's neck as they soared through the sky. The wind seemed as if it was humming a melody, and that made the girl's eyes droop heavily.

Sleep, Izane said.

No. Laena yawned loudly. It's still morning.

You didn't sleep a wink last night, Izane said, concerned.

I am not sleeping, Laena said stubbornly.

Izane sighed. Fine, then. But don't blame me if you fall off.

Fine.

Izane chuckled at Laena's sudden stubborn-ness. You always seem to amuse me, Laena.

After a few hours of flying, the party of five decided to descend into the nearest clearing for a rest. Laena stretched her legs as soon as she got down from Izane's back. Eragon came up to her, grinning widely.

"That was fun," he said. "Better than riding around boring old Ellesmera, huh?"

Laena smiled. "I wouldn't call Ellesmera 'boring' if I were you." She glanced sideways at Arya, who was busy rubbing her sore legs. "The princess might hear you."

Eragon smiled again, though his eyes held sadness. "Aye. Maybe."

The young girl walked back to Izane. Someone seems happy, Izane greeted.

It feels nice to be happy, Laena said. I have never felt this happy before.

When I was still in my egg at the castle, I constantly had visions of you, Laena, Izane said. In the castle, you never did once smile. It is very nice to see you smile now.

Izane touched Laena's head with his nose in a comforting kind of way.

"Laena!" Eragon cried, running up to her. His face looked scared. "There are enemies coming! Saphira said so!"

"Galbatorix's army?" Laena gasped, alarmed.

"No," Eragon replied, "but they are still dangerous!"

Let's go! Izane said, as Laena swung herself onto his back.

"So much for resting," she grumbled to herself. Izane heard this and chuckled.

He spread his wings and soared into the sky, following Saphira closely.

"You'd better be right, Eragon!" Laena heard Arya shout.

Hold tight! Izane warned.

Laena held on as Izane flew higher into the sky. The sky looked darker than it was before, and Laena had the suspicion that it was going to rain.

"Be careful, Izane!" Laena screamed, as lightning flashed nearby, narrowly missing the dragon's head.

We'll have to fly lower! Saphira said, diving down.

Izane followed suit.

"The enemies are getting closer!" Eragon shouted above the howling wind.

They're suspicious! Saphira said, alarmed. Fly faster, Izane!

Yes! Izane flapped his wings harder. Laena was practically glued to him as the dragon sped.

I haven't had much excitement in ages! Izane whooped, making turning upside down in the air.

At the same time, a strong gust of wind blew, making Izane lurch. Laena widened her eyes as her grip on Izane loosened.

"No, Izane!" she shouted, as the wind blew harder. Izane propelled backwards and Laena lost her grip.

She was falling.

Laena! Izane yelled. He tried to dive down after her, but his rather small size was preventing him to do so.

The wind was too strong.

Laena squeezed her eyes shut as she fell down. In just a few seconds, she was going to meet her death. If only I could tell Izane and Eragon how much I-

Suddenly, she felt two strong arms grab her from underneath. "Told you I'd be there to catch you," a familiar voice said.

Laena opened her eyes. "Eragon!" she exclaimed.

Eragon grinned at her. "This is one of the reasons why I wear a belt," he said to her, indicating towards the belt he was wearing. It was securely strapped to Saphira.

Arya snorted. "Enough with the flirting, Eragon!" she said. "We've got a king to crush."

Laena winced.

Laena! Izane's panicked voice fought into her head.

I'm alright, Izane, Laena reassured him.

I'm glad then, was Izane's relieved reply.

Thunder rolled above them and rain started to drizzle down. Laena clung awkwardly onto Eragon as Saphira flew faster. Izane was right behind her.

Oh no, Saphira said suddenly.

"What's wrong, Saphira?" Eragon asked.

The enemies! Saphira replied, her voice high in fear. They've seen us!

"We'll have to fly higher!" Laena called out.

Eragon stared at her. His hair was dripping wet. The rain had started to pour. "It's dangerous up there!" he said.

They're attacking! Saphira yelled. An arrow whizzed past Laena's head.

"We'll have to fight them," Arya said from behind them.

"But…" Eragon began.

"I'd rather die thinking that I actually fought to live," Arya said darkly. "I am not dying thinking that I ran away from death."

Eragon sighed. "Fine, then," he said. "Saphira! Bring us to where the enemies are!"

Aye, little one, Saphira dove to the ground. Be careful!

She landed on the ground with a thump.

They were still in the outskirts of the Du Weldenvarden forest.

They're coming! Saphira said.

"Saphira! Izane! Go!" Eragon commanded, jumping off Saphira. He gently let Laena down and turned to help Arya.

We will help, Saphira said.

"No! If the enemies know we're Dragon Riders, they'll take us straight to the king!" Eragon said.

"Umm… Isn't that what we want?" Laena cut in.

"They already saw the dragons," Arya said.

Eragon turned red. "Well, um…"

Saphira sighed. If you say so, Eragon, she said. We'll go.

Be safe, Laena said to Izane, as he followed Saphira into the air.

I will, Izane replied. You be safe.

"There they are!"

They was a ruffle of trees as figures stepped out of them. There were seven of them all of them were wearing cloaks with hoods to cover their faces.

Each of them had a weapon. Weapons Laena had never seen before.

"We saw you on dragons," one enemy said. "Where are they?"

"What dragons?" Arya asked coldly.

The enemy laughed, pointing a dagger at her. "Nice try, lady," he said. "Tell me, which ones of you are the Riders?"

"Riders?" Arya said softly. "I don't know what you are talking about."

"We're only trying to survive here, lady," the man said. "We won't hurt you if you answer those two simple questions."

Arya snorted. "Why should I answer if I don't have any answers?" she tested.

"Then I'm afraid we'll have to hurt you," he said, lunging at her.

The others followed suit, attacking the trio at every angle possible.

Laena drew her sword, slashing at her attackers. Her three attackers ducked easily.

One of them swung a fist at her head. Laena tried to block it with her sword. Unfortunately, the fist managed to hit the side of her face.

Laena growled, slashing her sword at him. He stopped it with his hand, managing to hold it without a hint of a scratch on his hand. "I don't think you need this," he murmured.

The attacker closed his hand over the sword's blade and yanked it out of Laena's grasp.

"Hey!" she protested. "That's not playing fair!"

"We don't play fair, girl," another attacker snarled.

"We don't play at all," the third one hissed.

Someone grabbed Laena from behind. "Let me go!" she yelled, struggling.

"Do you think we're stupid?" the person holding on to her asked.

"Yes!" Laena slithered out of her captor's grip and ran.

"Get her!" someone shouted.

"Laena! Behind you!" Eragon's familiar voice warned her.

Suddenly, the girl felt something bump into her back and she fell to the ground with a crash.

Her head knocked onto something rock-hard. She gasped as pain shot through her head. Warm blood gushed out, soaking her hair.

Someone above her choked and the thing on top of her rolled down from her back into the pool of blood beside her.

It was on of her attackers.

And, to Laena's shock, he lowered his head to the blood and licked it.

Laena felt her head spin as Izane's voice rang through her head. Laena? Laena? Are you alright?

He licked my blood, was all Laena could say.

The attacker turned his head towards Laena, his hood still pulled down to hide his face. Laena managed to make out the emerald-green eyes hidden under the hood.

"Sleep."

Laena's world closed over her and the last thing she could remember were the two sharp, pointed fangs gleaming at her…

O O O O O

Fallon stared out of her window, watching the two birds sitting on the tree outside. The birds were twitting excitedly at eachother, which made the girl smile.

"Fallon?"

The young girl turned around excitedly at the sound of his voice. "Murtagh!" she exclaimed, running to him.

Murtagh smiled sadly, patting the excited girl on the head. "I have bad news, Fallon," he said in a sad tone.

"Bad news?" Fallon repeated, her eyes wide. "Is it… bad?"

The man managed to chuckle. "Yes, it is," he said, crouching down to meet her eyes. "Fallon, your father is sick."

"Father? Sick?" the girl repeated, confused. "I'm sick too. What's so bad about that?"

Murtagh sighed. "Your father's dying, Fallon," he said gently.

"He's… dying?"

"Yes."

"He will be gone soon?"

"Yes."

"Won't that be good news then?"

Murtagh stared at her. "What?"

"If he dies, Alagaesia will be happy again." Fallon half-smiled. "And I'll be… free."

"Don't you care if your father's dying?"

"I don't really know him," Fallon replied, fingering her dress. "Why should I care?"

"He's your father, Fallon," Murtagh said. "You should care."

Fallon stared at the floor. "I'm sorry, but, I can't."

The girl looked at Murtagh. "If my father dies, you would be free too," she whispered. "Don't you want to be free?"

"I.." Murtagh trailed off. He then sighed.

"See?" Fallon said. "That's what everybody wants, isn't it?"

"Yes," Murtagh agreed. "Freedom from King Galbatorix."

A/N: Yay! Finished typing this at last! I really, really hope you liked it! Your guesses about Fallon were right! She's Laena's twin sister! Hope you review, and maybe I will continue!