I do not own the Inheritance Cycle or any of the characters from the books.
Training
Eragon stretched and yawned but simply looked around and rubbed the sleep away. The Varden had stopped to make camp and Eragon and Saphira had played watchdog for three days straight. Both were running on empty and wanted nothing more than to sleep.
"Eragon, we need rest," Saphira said. "Fly with me."
Eragon didn't argue and had a few humans take his place. Then he climbed onto Saphira and she flew into the air. They soared slowly and calmly through the air enjoying the freedom. Finally Saphira landed in a clearing deep in a thick forest. Eragon slid down from her and lay against her. She covered him with her wing and they both quickly fell asleep.
Under an hour later, Eragon woke up when something collided with the side of his face with the force of Orik's warhammer but stung worse.
"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN!?" Arya screamed in anger. "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW WORRIED I-WE HAVE BEEN!?"
Blodhgarm raised an eyebrow but stayed silent.
"YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!" Arya screamed. "THE EMPIRE HAS SENT SHADES AFTER US!"
"I'm sorry," Eragon said trying to stand before she literally threw him across the field.
Eragon smashed through the trees and when he stood, he was shocked that there were no injuries. Arya turned and started walking away so the others all followed. Eragon made sure that Blodhgarm was between himself and Arya.
"You realize you can't hide behind me forever right?" Blodhgarm asked. "Literally or otherwise."
"No," Eragon said. "But I can prolong my life at least until we reach the camp."
"True," Blodhgarm said. "You should try to calm her down."
"I'm open to suggestions," Eragon said.
"You could start with trying to talk to me," Arya said suddenly behind them.
Eragon tensed expecting to get hit but turned to face her anyway.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell anyone where we were going," Eragon said. "Saphira and I hadn't slept in days and wanted to rest. We didn't tell you because we're not used to having a security detail to ask for permission for everything."
Arya punched him in the jaw and he flew across the plain they were in and bounced a few extra meters before finally stopping. When he got back, Arya forgave him but was clearly still angry.
"Why's she so mad?" Eragon asked.
"Not sure," Blodhgarm said. "I suspect it has something to do with her being worried. Maybe."
When they reached the camp, the elves took guard duty, except Arya, so Eragon went to his tent and collapsed. He was about to fall asleep when Saphira roared and the top of his tent lit on fire. He groaned and crawled out of his tent to see three shades ripping their way through soldiers while avoiding elves. Eragon drew Brisingr and darted into the fray. There were only about ten but they were strong. Even elves were dropping. Saphira had lit three on fire so they were ended by nearby elves. Eragon began to fight one and two more joined him. Every time he blocked one, the other two nearly impaled him. Finally he got enough of an opening to stab one in the heart but the other two reacted too fast for him to keep Brisingr and another shade joined the two Eragon hadn't killed. Eragon grabbed a sword from a fallen elf just as Arya arrived along with two more shades.
"How's it going?" Eragon asked.
"How's it look?" Arya asked.
"Looks like you're a better fighter than me," Eragon said.
"I haven't killed any yet," Arya said. "Blodhgarm is fighting the other one."
The shades all charged and Eragon and Arya began fighting back to back to cover each other. Each time one of the shades attacked, the target would block it and the other would attack. It worked well enough to keep the shades back but not well enough to kill any. Saphira crushed one with her foot being careful to impale him with her claw and a second branched off to kill her only for Blodhgarm to appear from behind her and stab him in the chest.
"Hope I'm not late," Blodhgarm said. "I dispatched mine as well."
"Then you're doing better than us," Eragon said.
Each of them chose one of the last three shades and attacked. Eragon blocked a slash from his shade and kicked him back at the same time as Blodhgarm blocked a slash and broke his shade's right leg by kicking him in the shin. Arya outdid both by ducking under her shade's blade and removed both legs. She finished her shade off and Eragon sighed at her skill. He blocked a stab from his shade and let the shade impale himself on Eragon's sword. Blodhgarm narrowly avoided a slash and drove his sword through the shade's chest. Then Eragon retrieved his sword and they began to go around healing those who could be saved.
Two weeks later, he and Arya were chained in the basement of the cathedral in Dras-Leona. After they had escaped and Eragon had done his best to heal Arya's hand, they were sprinting toward the main floor while the entire thing collapsed. Eragon had no idea what had happened but knew that they needed to get out fast. As they neared the exit, a chunk of rock fell and hit Arya on the head knocking her out. Eragon stopped and started to go back for her but Angela grabbed his arm.
"Leave her!" Angela said. "I'm not dying today, even for her!"
Eragon yanked his arm away and ran to Arya. Angela turned and left with Solembum. Eragon rushed after her and got out of the basement less than a second before it collapsed. He set Arya down in a pew then grabbed his sword from a freshly beheaded Laughing Dead. He helped Angela fight the rest of the Laughing Dead then retrieved his belt and Brom's ring from the head priest. Then he retrieved Arya and they all left the city. Saphira met them halfway and flew Eragon and Arya back to the Varden while Angela found her own way.
"Eragon!" Nasuada said meeting him at the edge of the camp. "What happened to Arya?"
"Long story," Eragon said. "Where's Blodhgarm?"
"Here," Blodhgarm said. "Give her to me."
Eragon did so then Blodhgarm carried her away.
"Come," Nasuada said. "The others wish to hear your report."
Eragon nodded and followed Nasuada to a large tent with a table four the four rulers. Nasuada took her place and Eragon recounted the events of their mission.
"We were captured and as we escaped she was hit on the head by a chunk of stone," Eragon said. "For my sake maybe now she won't hate me so much for saving her."
"I highly doubt that she hates you," Islanzadi said.
"You'd be surprised Your Highness," Eragon said turning to leave.
"Do you truly think my daughter so cold?" Islanzadi asked.
Eragon gave her a blank stare for a moment then turned and left.
"He doesn't care very much for your daughter does he?" Orrin asked.
"You're wrong," Nasuada said. "He cares very much for her."
"The problem is that she refuses to accept that she feels the same," Islanzadi said. "The easiest way for her to do this is to keep him at arm's length."
"I see," Orrin said.
Eragon went to the medical tent and found Arya awake and in the process of being restrained for everyone else's safety. She was freaking out and was trying to kill everyone.
"What's wrong with her?" Eragon asked.
"She started freaking out when I tried to heal her concussion," Blodhgarm said. "I don't think she remembers anything.
"For how long?" Eragon asked.
"At least a hundred years," Blodhgarm said. "She doesn't remember me at all."
Eragon switched to the Ancient Language and said, "Be calm Arya, we will not hurt you."
"I already tried the Ancient Language," Blodhgarm said. "She no longer understands it."
"Perfect," Eragon said. "I'll handle it."
He very carefully reached out to her mind and found it completely open. He carefully tried to communicate with her but she didn't react at all. Finally he decided to try to find the memories she had lost. All of them felt damaged so Eragon tried to repair them but all he managed to do was earn himself a black eye. As he left, he brushed a memory of Blodhgarm and all of the memories of Blodhgarm repaired themselves along with enough for her to remember her early life and the very general situation of Galbatorix being the evil king. Then Eragon retracted from her mind completely and sighed. Arya had calmed down when she remembered Blodhgarm and was staring at them both in confusion.
"Who are you?" Arya asked.
"My name is Eragon," Eragon said. "What's the last thing you remember?"
"It's really fuzzy," Arya said.
"Probably," Eragon said. "But you have to try to remember."
"No," Blodhgarm said smiling. "She's quoting something I said a few years back. We were out hunting and she found a rabbit that she was quite taken to. That was the only opinion I had."
"That sounds...fun," Eragon said.
"Not really," Blodhgarm said.
"Is he a friend of yours?" Arya asked. "I don't recognize him."
"He's a human," Blodhgarm said.
"Agaeti Blodhren, hm?" Arya asked. "Okay."
"You really don't recognize me?" Eragon asked.
"No," Arya said. "I've never met you."
"Yes you have," Blodhgarm said.
Blodhgarm spoke telepathically with Arya for a long time then Arya looked at Eragon like she didn't know what to make of him.
"You're a Dragon Rider and a Shadeslayer?" Arya asked skeptically.
"I am," Eragon said in the Ancient Language.
"Excuse me?" Arya asked.
"She still doesn't remember that language," Blodhgarm said.
"Yes," Eragon said.
Arya rolled her eyes then left to speak with her mother. Eragon sighed then sat down in a chair.
"What did you tell her?" Eragon asked.
"I left out the parts about your feelings for her for your sake as well as the number of times you've ticked her off," Blodhgarm said.
"Thanks," Eragon said. "How long do you think it'll take for her to remember?"
"I don't know," Blodhgarm said. "But I would start by asking her to train you to fight. Start by sucking and then progress rapidly. Get the picture?"
"Yes," Eragon said.
Blodhgarm wished him luck and he left. He started walking back to his tent, but when he was halfway there, an elven sword was pressed to his throat.
"First rule," Arya said. "Never let your guard down."
"Blodhgarm asked for me," Eragon said.
"He did," Arya said. "Draw your sword kid."
"Kid?" Eragon asked drawing his sword. "I'm a hundred years old."
"Bull," Arya said. "Blodhgarm told me all about how young you are."
"He's a little too dependable sometimes," Eragon said.
Arya lowered her sword and Eragon got ready to fight. Arya swung and Eragon blocked it, but, as per Blodhgarm's advice, allowed her to knock his sword away and beat him.
"You really are terrible," Arya said. "Stop acting pathetic."
"Observant," Eragon said. "Fine. Let's try this again."
He used half of his skill this time and Arya seemed less than impressed but seemed to accept that as his level of skill.
"You suck," Arya finally said after Eragon purposefully stabbed his sword into the ground and tripped. "How did you kill a shade?"
"A friend of mine rode my dragon down through the ceiling as a distraction," Eragon said. "She saved my life."
"Are you with her?" Arya asked.
"No," Eragon said. "She turned me down more times than I can count."
"I'm sorry," Arya said. "We're done for today."
"No," Eragon said picking up his sword. "I want to continue."
Arya smiled, respecting his determination. She nodded and moved to strike. Eragon rolled under her tripping her and put his sword to her throat.
"Impressive," Arya said. "Cheating, but impressive."
"Thank you," Eragon said.
He stood and helped her up just as Saphira landed beside them.
"Has she recovered her memory yet?" Saphira asked Eragon.
Eragon shook his head and Saphira looked at Arya.
"Hello Bjartskular," Arya said bowing.
"Greetings, Arya drottningu," Saphira said dipping her head.
"How do you..." Arya began.
"You've met," Eragon said. "Has Blodhgarm filled you in on the progress of the war?"
"He has," Arya said. "He said that I apparently killed a shade also."
"You did," Eragon said. "And you've kicked my butt so many times that I'm half surprised you don't remember me."
"Good," Arya said. "Now show me what you can really do instead of pretending to suck."
Eragon grinned and shrugged.
"If you say so," Eragon said.
Arya moved forward and swung at Eragon's head. Eragon ducked under it and swung at Arya's stomach. She jumped back then swung at his legs but he jumped over her blade and swung at the top of her head. She blocked it then shoved his sword away and attacked again. Eragon swept her sword aside and swung at her neck. She ducked under his swing and tripped him then moved to stab him but stopped when she felt the point of his blade press against her stomach.
"Impressive," Arya said. "But you're still holding back. Why? You could have beaten me much sooner if you weren't."
"I'm not holding back," Eragon said.
"You are," Arya said. "But you don't realize it."
"Arya," Blodhgarm said walking over. "Your mother wishes to speak with you."
"Okay," Arya said standing.
She helped Eragon up then left.
"Who won?" Blodhgarm asked.
"Me," Eragon said. "By less than a second."
"How much does she remember?" Blodhgarm asked.
"Not sure," Eragon said. "She knew I was holding back but that may have just been her perceptiveness."
"Maybe," Blodhgarm asked. "Are you going to try to win her heart?"
"No," Eragon said. "It would end the same way. Probably worse since she doesn't remember me saving her life."
"True," Blodhgarm said. "But I can see something in the way she acts around you that wasn't there before she lost her memory."
"You're imagining things," Eragon said.
Eragon and Saphira went back to Eragon's tent and Eragon pulled out a bottle of dwarven wine. He had tried it once before but it had resulted in him having a blackout a week long. The dwarves swore up and down that he had stayed locked up in his room hallucinating but he wasn't so sure.
Eragon poured some in a glass but before he took a sip, Arya appeared and took the glass.
"What are you doing?" Eragon asked.
Arya poured it on the ground outside his tent and it began to smoke and hiss.
"Acid?" Eragon asked.
"Yes," Arya said taking the bottle. "Not fatal but it will leave a human hallucinating for weeks. It has no effect on dwarves which is why all dwarven wines have it in them."
"Oh," Eragon said. "That explains a lot."
"You've drank some before?" Arya asked.
"Yep," Eragon said. "Can't remember anything from the following week."
"Figures," Arya said. "Here. It's elvish."
She handed him a bottle of wine and Eragon stared at it for a moment then at her.
"They just told me that Wyrden died," Arya said. "I'm going to empty that whether you help me or not."
"If you say so," Eragon said pulling out two fresh, non acid-coated, glasses and handed one to Arya.
She also grabbed the bottle of wine and poured their drinks. Eragon sighed and began drinking. After a little while his senses began to get screwed up and then he woke up the next day with no memory of the night before.
THE END
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