Double Trouble: An Eragon One Shot

Memories flooded Eragon's mind as he gazed upon the woman. She had long golden blond hair with green eyes and fair skin. Her dress was black, something of a norm for her—typically black was worn at funerals, but she liked to wear it because she liked the color. Eragon had to admit the color suited her. As one particular memory crossed his mind he asked, "You are not going to push me in the Jiet River are you?" His eyes narrowed and he crossed his arms.

Joslyn cracked a mischievous smile. "Now why would I do something like that?"

"Oh, I don't know, maybe because you pushed me into the ocean when I was in Teirm." Eragon's sarcasm subsided as he began to laugh along with Joslyn. He stepped closer to her and embraced her. "I never thought I'd see you again."

"Well, now you have," she whispered into his shirt. Joslyn was Joed's daughter and while Eragon was visiting Teirm, she had the opportunity to spend some quality time with him. During their time together, they became good friends. When Eragon left, she had a heavy heart, but that weight has been lifted since she arrived at the Varden and saw the young Rider.

Joslyn was two years older than Eragon, but she was still a trouble maker. Growing up, she had caused her parents a lot of headaches. She was not intentionally bad all the time; for the most part, she happened to always be where there was trouble. Brom even noted that she was even worse than Eragon.

Jeod and his wife Helen waited for the friends to part before they greeted the Rider. "How fares you and Saphira?" Jeod asked.

"We have been getting by all right." Behind him, Saphira added a few of her comments regarding their situation.

Jeod nodded and then said, "Well, we have had a long journey and are in need of some rest as well. It was nice to see you again. You will have to tell me more of your adventures at a later time."

Eragon inclined his head. "Indeed." Before she left, Joslyn hugged Eragon once more. "Try to stay out of trouble while you are here," he whispered.

"I should say the same for you."

When Jeod's family left his line of vision Saphira said Her feelings for you have not changed. In fact, I sense that they have become stronger.

I noticed. Eragon sighed. What am I going to do, Saphira? I know that I like her as well, but I am not sure what to make of my feelings. Is it just an infatuation like I have with Arya, or is this more genuine?

I feel as if you are making this more complex than it has to be. Saphira snorted.

Eragon turned on his heel to face his dragon. This is complex, Saphira. I am a Rider and she is human. I will endure forever and she has a mortal life. Angela's fortune said that I would fall in love with a woman of noble birth, and although her station is high enough to be considered noble, how can I be sure she is "the one"? I mean there are so many other noble women in the world.

Eragon, disregard what the fortune said and live for you. If you base everything upon what Angela said then you will miss out on a lot of things. Only you are in control of your future. Make it how you want it. Now, do you want Joslyn in your future, or not?

Eragon pondered his dragon's words. You are wise and I shall heed your words.

Good. Now, let us find something to eat; I'm starving.

A week and a half passed before Eragon got to see Joslyn again. He was busy helping his cousin rescue Katrina from Helgrind. During that time, he thought a lot about Joslyn and what she meant to him. After much thought, he came to the conclusion that he cared for her a lot more that he had ever imagined and that he did want to be with her. One night, while he was sitting around a campfire with Roran, he vowed that he would talk to her as soon as he got back.