3rd post of 2nd book- Brisingr

Hello all. I think for this blog I'll try to conquer theme or at least attempt it...
"The morning after the massive battle on the Burning Plains- when the Varden were busy regrouping and preparing to march after the Empire's army, which had retreated several leagues up the Jiet River- Eragon had gone to Nasuada and Arya, explained Roran's predicament, and sought their permission to help his cousin. He did not succeed. Both women vehemently opposed what Nasuada described as 'a harebrained scheme that will have catastrophic consequences for everyone in Alagaesia if it goes awry!'
The debate raged on for so long, at last Saphira had interrupted with a roar that shook the walls of the command tent. Then she said, I am sore and tired, and Eragon is doing a poor job of explaining himself. We have better things to do than stand around yammering like jackdaws, no? ... Good, now listen to me.
It was, reflected Eragon, difficult to argue with a dragon.
The details of Saphira's remarks were complex, but the underlying structure of her presentation was straightforward. Saphira supported Eragon because she understood how much the proposed mission meant to him, while Eragon supported Roran because of love and family, and because he knew Roran would pursue Katrina with or without him, and his cousin would never be able to defeat the Ra'zac by himself. Also, so long as the Empire held Katrina captive, Roran- and through him, Eragon- was vulnerable to manipulation by Galbatorix. If the usurper threatened to kill Katrina, Roran would have no choice but to submit to his demands.
It would be best, then, to patch this breach in their defenses before their enemies took advantage of it.
As for timing, it was perfect. Neither Galbatorix nor the Ra'zac would expect a raid in the center of the Empire when the Varden were busy fighting Galbatorix's troops near the border of Surda. Murtagh and Thorn had been seen flying toward Uru'baen- no doubt to be chastised in person- and Nasuada and Arya agreed with Eragon that those two would probably then continue northward to confront Queen Islanzandi and the army under her command once the elves made their first strike and revealed their presence. And if possible, it would be good to eliminate the Ra'zac before they started to terrorize and demoralize the Varden's warriors.
Saphira then pointed out, in the most diplomatic of terms, that if Nasuada asserted her authority as Eragon's liegelord and forbade him from participating in the sortie, it would poison their relationship with the sort of rancor and dissent that could undermine the Varden's cause. But, said Saphira, the choice is yours. Keep Eragon here if you want. However, his commitments are not mine, and I, for one, have decided to accompany Roran. It seems like a fine adventure.
A faint smile touched Eragon's lips as he recalled the scene.
The combined weight of Saphira's declaration and her impregnable logic had convinced Nasuada and Arya to grant their approval, albeit grudgingly.
Afterward, Nasuada had said, 'We are trusting your judgement in this, Eragon, Saphira. For your sake and ours, I hope this expedition goes well.' Her tone left Eragon uncertain whether her words represented a heartfelt wish or a subtle threat (Paolini 13-15)."
In this passage Eragon is remembering a day past where he's trying to go save his soon-to-be-sister-in-law. This passage reveals part of the complex situation Eragon finds himself in. Not only does he have his family to take care of- Roran, Katrina and Saphira; but he also has his promises to the Varden along with fighting his enemy, Galbatorix. The main theme I think of this passage though is family, love and defending those that you love. Eragon seems to kind of be playing the hero here- he wants to go off and rescue his soon-to-be-sister-in-law and help keep Roran from getting killed. I wonder why though Saphira decides to help Eragon convince Nasuada and Arya to let him go? Throughout the book- Saphira rarely speaks to others (besides Eragon of course), so why did she choose then to speak up for Eragon? Of course Eragon gets to go on this adventure- but I wonder what will happen as a result of his adventure?

Questions: How does Eragon deal with his life being so complex? Supposedly, the Dragon Rider is supposed to be a being that's entirely separate from all the races in a sense that he has no particularly close ties with any one particular race. He's a being that supposed to be able to travel among the different races as a sort of peace keeper. I wonder if anything will happen between Eragon and Arya?
-katthegreat08

**Note: certain names such as Alagaesia, Uru'baen, and Islanzandi don't have the exact markings that they do in the book.