They had succeded. The Varden had finally captured the last egg. Eragon held the egg in his possesion, it was a bright green egg, with the same lighter viens running through it as had Saphira's egg, long ago. It was had to believe that only a couple short years ago Eragon himself had been a plain farm boy, out on a hunt when Saphira's egg had appeared to him.
Eragon sighed, almost lost in his memories. Saphira peered over his shoulder at the egg and blew a warm breath on it. My brother... She murmured softly. Since the egg's arrival she had taken over a maternal role for the egg. Saphira turned her ice blue eyes onto Eragon. [b]What is wrong, young one?[/b] She asked, his thoughts in turmoil.
Eragon set the egg on the makeshift nest on the table beside him. Its Arya... I just can't get her out of my head... no matter how hard I try! Eragon stood up in a slight rage. He had promised, made a vow to Arya, never to let his feelings for her show again... but how could he stand to be around her when all he wanted was to be with her? Didn't she feel anything for the young Dragon Rider?
Saphira gave a small sigh and placed a large claw on his shoulder. They were in their tent, somewhere in the Hadarac desert, hiding from Galbritixe's forces so they could recuperate. Youngling... Such as the heart yearns..it is not wise to dwell on it..Unhealthy in fact...
Eragon scowled and brushed her claw off of his shoulder. Don't you think I know that?! He raged in his mind to her. He sighed when he felt her recoil from his harsh words. I'm sorry Saphira... I just.. don't know... Eragon plopped down on his bed and fell back, looking up at the ceiling of his tent. Saphira pretended to ignore him, cleaning her scales as a soft knock sounded on the flap of his tent.
"Come in..." Eragon said, sitting up to see who entered. And would you guess it? It was the objects of his thoughts. Eragon stood up, clearing his throat and mind. Arya flashed a grin at Saphira then turned to study Eragon. "I was told to come get the egg and carry it around camp to see if any could make it hatch..."
Eragon pointed towards the table where the egg sat. Arya quickly glided over and picked the egg, a breeze, from out of no where, rose up in his tent and picked up and played with Arya's hair as the egg gave a small wriggle.
He likes you! Saphira exclaimed in her mind, loud enough for Arya and Eragon to both hear.
A swirl of green light wound itself around Arya, eveloping her in a huge swirl of light. Arya jumped back. "Eragon... What.. what do I do?" She asked nervously as the wind blew all around her.
"It's choosing you." He murmured. "Give it a second, it'll stop." Arya cast her nervous glance at Eragon. She had carried Saphira's egg along with countless others for long years and never had this happened to her. The wind died down and the light receded back into the egg.
Arya sat down. "Why me? One has never chosen me before..." She looked down at the emerald egg. She felt Eragon's weight sit down beside her; thoughts swirled in her mind. This shouldn't be her. There had never been a female dragon rider before, not even a female elf.
Eragon shrugged, Arya could tell he was trying to hide his feelings. "Maybe it's time for a change..." Eragon murmured, his deep, rustic voice conveying no emotion. "Maybe you can ask the dragon when it hatches..." Arya could tell he was conversing with Saphira.
Saphira's thoughts came as a welcome breeze to Arya's confused mind. Welcome to our ranks, Arya Elf-Wanderer. Saphira murmured. Arya sighed.
I guess I better go tell Nasuada... Arya muttered a goodbye and left Eragon and Saphira's tent. Where was the joy she was supposed to feel? The egg was still as she carried it. Arya kept her head bowed as she reached Nasuada's tent. Outside the tent were Nasuada's personal gaurds. The urgals were in in post now, two of them. They both muttered a hello and stepped aside to let her in.
Nasuada stood up from her chair when Arya entered. "Good. The egg is here!" She said joyfully, noticing the emerald egg in Arya's arms.
Arya lifted her head and looked Nasuada straight in the eyes. "It has chosen me. I am the last, the third dragon rider." She said, her chin lifting high. Suprise flittered over Nasuada's dark face, much like her father's had been. Deep scars were visible on Nasuada's arm, from her contest with her own peoples.
Nasuada studied Arya for a moment, before turning to one of her servants. "Have a tent set up beside Eragon's. As large if not larger than his. Honor your new hero and spread the news that Arya Drottingu is the first ever recorded female Dragon Rider." The servant bowed low and scurried off through a back flap in the tent. Excited murmurs could be heard from outside.
Arya waited for Nasuada to speak. "You sure it has chosen you?" Nasuada finally spoke after a few moments.
Arya nodded, her eyes hardening to steel determination. "If you do not believe me, which I think you do since you sent your maid to spread the news, then you may confer with Eragon. He will only attest to the fact that the egg chose me." Arya could see a flitter of some emotion cross Nasuada's face before she covered it. Was that jealousy?
Nasuada nodded. "Naturally." She murmured. "You do realize that Eragon is your master now? Or do you already know the ways of a Dragon Rider?" A hint of anger was directed in Nasuada's words. Of course Nasuada was angry the elves had hid the knowledge of Oromis and Glaedr to themselves.
Arya shook her head. "Though I doubt there is much more I need to learn, I will be thrilled to learn the ways of a Shur'tugal." Nasuada nodded.
"Is there anything else you will be needing then, Rider?" Cold indifference had entered Nasuada's tone the minute Eragon was mentioned both times. Arya shook her head. "No there is not. I shall leave you now..." Arya bowed low, almost mockingly before going back to Eragon's tent.
In the middle of the night, maybe a week later, cracking awoke Arya. She sat bolt upright in bed and looked around, grabbing her dagger from the bedside table. She slipped out of bed and picked up the rocking egg, setting the knife back down. Arya sighed in relief as she sunk back into her bed.
Arya could hear the stirring of Eragon moving around in the tent next to hers. A wisp, tendril of Eragon's mind reached out to her. Obviously he realized what was happening. Eragon said no words to her simply let the tendril of thought consume Arya's mind.
Memories flooded her mind, not hers, of a night much like this one. In a shack on the outside of Carvahall. A cracking startled a young farmer boy awake, who too, rose in alarm. A blue stone wobbled on a shelf along the wall as the boy got up, curious as to what was going on.
The stone fell off of the shelf, cracking, a chunk flying off. The boy stepped forward and crouched down, peering at the strange thing happening. Suddenly the egg tilted and out plopped a little winged creature. Not a bird. It was scaled.. and had spikes along its back.
Confusion swept the young boys mind as a wisp of thought, alien to him, grabbed hold of his mind, with one thought. Hunger. The boy, Eragon, left the room and came back with small chunks of meat and fed the creature until it was full. Then he reached out with his hand.......
[b]Happy birthday little one...[/b] Eragon's deep male voice filled Arya's head as the thoughts receded. Arya looked down on her bed. And emerald dragon had fallen out of the cracked egg. All that remained of the egg were broken shards.
A tear rolled down Arya's cheek once his thoughts left her head. So given with love, as was anything he did. Arya hesitated before sticking her hand out for the hatchling to sniff as she had seen Eragon's do. The emerald dragon immediatly nuzzled her palm.
An electrifying sizzle ran up her arm, if she had been weaker it would have knocked her out. Arya held her breath and clenched her teeth until the tingling subsided. The dragon climbed into her lap and pushed Arya onto her back. Arya gave a small grin through her tears.
Had she not been suspecting the electric shock, she would have been frightened and hurt. Eragon didn't deserve what Arya offered. He didn't deserve a simple friendship when he loved her so. Arya bit her lower lip as she caressed the dragon's head, hoping to be soothed.
The dragon lay against her bosom letting her think, listening to her thoughts. Arya hadn't even felt the difference in her head when the dragon took her thoughts. She gave a wry, sad chuckle as she turned her head to look at the tent wall that bordered Eragon's tent.
Arya choked and turned on her side, away from the thought of Eragon and cuddled the warm baby that cuddled back and blew warm breaths on her. Arya closed her eyes and slept, not peacefully, for she hadn't slept peacefully since Eragon rescued her.
Arya woke up slowly the next morning, the dragon gone from her arms. Arya sat up in alarm. What if someone had snuck in and dragonnapped her baby!?
Eragon was lounging in a chair, he sat up and the movement caught her eye. Her baby was perched on his shoulder happily eating a small rat he offered it. Eragon grabbed the dragon with his calloused hands and handed it back to the elf he loved.
Arya blinked in thanks, waiting for her new master to speak.
"It needs a name. Oh and.. its male.." Eragon gave a half-smile, trying as always to hide his evident feelings for her. Arya nodded in thanks.
Arya peered at the dragon, trying to hide her discord from Eragon. Elfric... Came to her mind. The dragon nibbled happily and gayly on her hair. Arya said the name aloud and the dragon gave a happy peep and Eragon smiled and nodded his head in agreement.
"Sounds good to me Arya..." Eragon murmured as Elfric tried to fly feebly. Arya caught him before he hit the ground and set the dragon back on the bed. Her troubled thoughts must have shown through her eyes for Eragon asked what was wrong.
Arya sighed. "Its just... How are we going to train and work together if Elfric is not going to be big enough to ride for a few months?" She asked as she sat down beside the dragon. Eragon looked back towards his tent, obviously listening to Saphira who poked her head through the opening to peer at her brother.
Eragon nodded at Saphira, obviously agreeing on something. Eragon gave a deep sigh and turned his blue gaze on Arya. "Well.. there is a way to make him full grown now... But... its not recommended..." Eragon looked back at Saphira. "Saphira will take Elfric now... if you want to do this..."
Arya looked at him. "Will it cause any harm?" She asked worriedly. Eragon shook his head and Arya stood up and handed Elfric to Saphira, who immediatly grabbed him and took off into the sky.
'Come with me.. We shall spar while they are..gone..." Arya nodded and followed him to the sparring feild where she grabbed her sword and gave it a few twists before blocking it and getting into her fighting stance. Eragon did the same with Brisingr and then twisted his body towards her, striking at Arya's side with lightning speed and no warning.
Arya dodged out of the way by jumping in the air and doing a small flip. Right as she landed she stuck out with her sword, Eragon just blocked it before it could hit his chest. Eragon's speed still surprised Arya at times. He was as fast as the best elf while still being human.
Arya stepped back and lowered her sword for a moment and looked curiously at Eragon. "What'll happen to me?" She asked curiously. Eragon relaxed his stance. They both knew she was good enough at everything without being a dragon rider.
Eragon shrugged. "I suppose you'll only grow smarter... we'll just have to see..." Arya saw Eragon looked down at a pouch around his neck. "Its a question for a master...." He looked around, seeing nobody even remotely near Eragon sat on the ground, pulling Arya with him and revealing a golden stone. Eragon's voice was hushed. "This is Glaedr's Eldunari... Remember?"
Arya gave a small nod, remembering the night he showed her. "Is it safe to ask Glaedr though?" She asked, taking the stone in her hand. Eragon nodded and Arya reached out with her mind to converse with Glaedr.