Introduction: It has been 6 years since Eragon faced Galbatorix and ended the time of despair and untold havoc that existed among the races of Alagaesia for more then a few decades. With the help of his friends and what was left of his family, Eragon bestowed a new age among the people. The boy had become a man, the man a half Elvin master of the sword and magical arts. Now, Eragon and Saphira strive to heal the old, deep wounds that were thrust upon the people by the evil king, and build up what was ounce prosperous and peace filled. Here is an installment on how I believe our heroes will do just that.
All characters except that of my own creation belong to CP. The world of the Inheritance Cycle does not belong to me, this is merely a fan fiction meant for loving fans of the captivating world Christopher has created. May you enjoy and R&R.
CHAPTER 1: Homeward bound
With his eyes closed and a cool night breeze on his face, Eragon felt all was right. Saphira entered his mind, "Ah little one, we are almost home." Sitting up, Eragon rubbed her neck and replied, "Yes, let us hope Arya is well enough at home. I will be sorry if my absence has caused too much trouble."
Saphira laughed her dragon laugh, a deep rough rumble that caused Eragon's whole body to shake. "I cannot protect you from her Eragon, be she displeased with you, for I have to grown to share the same feelings of love with her as much as our bond has allowed, and could not mettle with your arguments of expressed irritations."
"So she has encountered problems at home?" saidEragon with a sigh, he did not wish to return to an upset Arya. Glancing down he saw the night stars reflecting on the steady surface of the lake waters just below them. Saphira dropped altitude and came to a comfortable glide over its dark depths, her mighty claws scratching its dark mirror of the stars. Eragon too reached out to disturb its cool surface. The water was cold as ice. He noticed he could see his own reflection, he upon his magnificent Saphira with the stars in the background. He smiled at the picture and heard Saphira comment within his mind "home sweet home."
Glancing up Eragon searched with his eyes and sure enough found the smoke of a hidden home rising above the forest tree tops. Eragon undid his straps as soon as they were above the beach shore residing before the mighty trees. He instantly made impact with soft, cool sand. Lifting his head towards the sky, Eragon smelt the aroma of the burning firewood that still climbed up over the trees and into the night. "I'm going out to hunt. The young ones are expectedly asleep being as the hour is late and the moon is high." Eragon laughed and replied "If they we not we would both be in a heap of trouble." Saphira in return lowered her mighty azure blue head and huffed a plume of smoke into Eragons face, enveloping him in a smoky cloud that stank of her last meal. He waved away the dark cloud and shot her an annoyed look, wiping clean his face on the sleeve of his forearm. Saphira attempted to contain her hearty amusement but was unsuccessful. She let loose a stone scrapping sound equivalent to a dragon laugh. Eragon just rolled his eyes and said with a tone filled with irritation "oh just be gone wont you?"
Saphira continued her laughing as she crunched her legs and launched into the sky, soaring above the lake. Eragon shook his head and ruffled his hair as he took his steps up the beach and into the flourishing forest. At first Eragon just strolled through the mighty oak trees casually, reacquainting himself with the forest's blissful liveliness.
The plants surrounding him glowed with an almost unworldly essence in the moons light. Eragon went about admiring the scene when suddenly a breeze stirred the leaves among the ground and he was met with the scent of burning firewood. Instantly he remembered his family and could no longer postpone their reunion. Happiness filled him and he raced across the forest floor and in between the trees with all the stamina his Elvin abilities allowed. Thoughts of Arya drowned him in his mind and he smiled a great smile,
"Arya." He thought and put on another burst of speed, sending him almost flying through his surroundings.
Soon he came within view of his house, an artistic dwellers dream vision in smooth stone and intertwining green vines that stretched up and along the large and powerful trunk of the biggest tree in his forest. Its size was almost the equivalent to the Meona Tree that resided in Ellesm`era, the elves capital city. Eragon proceeded forward with silent steps, so as not to awaken any possible sleepers. As he crept up to the door he pulled out a key and after unlocking it walked passed and through the threshold, carefully closing the door behind him. The fire in the main room was glowing warmly and all was quiet except its crackle of flame. Eragon cast his eyes around the house, stopping when they fell on a shape occupying one of the couches. He smiled as he took notice of a tangle of long raven hair curving over the arm rest.
Slowly, Eragon walked towards the couch and looked over and down to find none other then Arya. She was resting peacefully under a small blanket that covered most of her long frame. A lump formed in Eragon's throat when he saw who slept in Aryas arms. There with her gentle face half covered by her hair, was their daughter Selena, So named after his mother. Eragon had never met his mother until he found her in the vault of souls, and felt her name was perfect for the little Elvin girl. Arya opened her deep emerald eyes and watched Eragon without comment as he admired their daughter. Feeling the power of her gaze he looked up and was momentarily frozen. Eragon had gazed into those green depths many times in his life, and he was sure he would for many more. But the pure essence of Arya was so moving he could never get over her presence, and he would have it no other way, he loved her.
Arya kept him in an intense gaze. As their interlocked eyes stayed looking into each others, time seemed to slow. Her musical mind was in Eragons then, as there bond so allowed without hesitation because of their trust.
"You were gone longer then planned, did you encounter unforeseen difficulties?"
"No, and forgive me for worrying you. We went to Carvahall as you know, and Roran insisted that we stay for a meal and pleasantries. Then the townsfolk spotted us and bombarded us with questions of our adventures and stories of old." Eragon shook his head and smiled a little at the memory, and then he added "time simply slipped beneath our wings." He looked for Arya's forgiveness and hoped she would give it.
Arya held him in her soul searching gaze and just blinked her acceptance to his words.
"She is very beautiful you know, almost as much as her mother." Commented Eragon, once again glancing down at Selena. Arya's face softened and she instinctively pulled her closer. "Come; let us rest in our bed. Help me." At her command Eragon reached down and gently picked up the little Elvin girl, careful to not wake her. As he pulled her into his arms Arya sat up and looked at him. He felt strange emotions coming from his link with her so he whispered "what?" Amusement gleamed in Arya's eyes and she replied in his mind "nothing Eragon, it is just good to have you home."
Eragon leaned down while holding Selena tight against his shoulder and kissed Arya upon the forehead, tasting her pine needle fragrance as he did. In response she tilted her head to the side and kissed his cheek. When he pulled away from her he smiled a great smile and said "thank you." Arya returned the smile and together they walked towards the staircase.
Taking each step slowly so he would not disturb his daughter's slumber, Eragon glided up the steps. Soon they were past them and walking down the great hallway located at the top. Eragon turned to his immediate left and Arya stepped forward to open the door belonging to their daughter. Once she opened it, he proceeded into the dark room with Selena's light breath warming the skin on his neck. Using his heightened eyesight, Eragon found her small bed and went to place her among the many pillows. However, as he attempted to do so he found himself unsuccessful.
Little Selena had grasped onto his shirt collar in her dream state, making release impossible without waking her. Eragon chuckled softly and set to removing her fingers as carefully as possible. As he bent down to place her upon the mattress, her head slipped from his shoulder and he panicked. Arya was by his side then, holding the sleeping girl's head tenderly underneath both her hands. Arya smiled and they placed their daughter down without disturbing her. To their amusement, Selena then rolled over and grasped a small pillow tightly to her self with a sigh of contentment.
Arya straightened up and motioned for their departure, both casting one last glance at the beautiful brown haired child. Eragon silently closed the door behind him and sighed, looking toward Arya who was leaning against the hallway wall. Candles dimly lit up the crescent hall and its little light made the atmosphere somehow quieter. Arya was looking Eragon over with a knowing eye and commented "you look tired, next time do not keep us waiting so long and we will all be in bed at a decent hour." All Eragon offered for a reply was a stiff yawn.
He walked down to the end of the hall with Arya behind him in silent steps. Coming to a stop in front of the last door in the hall, with a majestic Elvin inscription upon its frame which read "Atra gulia un ilian tauthr ono un atra ono wa`ise skoliro fra rauthr." Or "may luck and happiness follow you and May you be shielded from misfortune."
The inscription was courtesy of the elves who helped sing the house from the trees, whom were very glad to offer as many blessings of good fortune to him and Arya as possible. Eragon remembered how when Arya had become the new rider in the resistance against Galbatorix, her people rejoiced tremendously and sang songs of the new age to come; the morning of the riders had begun.
Opening the door Eragon stepped inside and breathed deeply, he was home. The wide room was big enough for Saphira to occupy and smelled highly of Arya and the forest that was just outside the massive window,on the right side of the room. Its long flowing translucent curtains moving in the night wind. Eragon walked over to his bed the second it caught his eye and set to untying his boots.
While he was concentrating on his task of tightly constricting strings, Arya walked behind a changing curtain to change. Eragon was still struggling with one of his shoe strings on the left boot when she reappeared. The sight before him caused him to forget his struggle completely.
Arya was walking towards him with all the grace in world, the trim of her long white night gown touching the floor in caresses. On her right leg the trim was cut to her thigh elegantly, so she could walk comfortably. Her black hair contrasted so nicely with her attire Eragon's breath caught in his throat, she was stunning in the moons light. It seemed to hug her lovely shape with such an adoring glare she simply glowed.
Eragon stopped trying to untie his stubborn boot and just stared at her. She was a heartbreaking vision incomparable to any other; she was Arya. She smiled as her eyes met his and Eragon was filled with a deep emotion of gratitude that ran pulsing through his blood stream. This woman was his; this strong, wise, Elvin warrior of royalty was his love.
He opened wide his arms in a gesture of welcoming and Arya laughed a melodious laugh and complied, Rushing into his warm embrace. Eragon held her tightly to him and just relinquished in their love felt reunion. He had been gone from her and Selena for two weeks to long, being as they lived in Vroengard and he had traveled to see Roran. Her hair felt soft against his face as he leaned his head against hers. Arya pushed him down and kissed his cheek like she had when he first arrived. The feeling of her lips was comparable to the softest flowers petal and it made Eragons heart race.
She smiled down at him and brushed a hand through his hair "yes, I did miss you. Tell me where the fault lies in that?"
"Who said there was one?" came Eragons reply, and he kissed her upon her lips. Eragon could feel her smile against him before she kissed him back. His heart was beating so strongly now he was sure she could feel it, if not hear it. The potent taste of honey was strong as his lips tasted hers. Eragon cupped her face when the kiss ended and looked into her eyes. All the words in the world fell short in describing how much he would give for this woman's happiness. He suddenly remembered a conversation long ago between him and Roran around the campfire outside of Helgrind.
("During one of our visits to Carvahall, I saw Katrina stop by the side of Loring's house to pick a moss rose growing in the shade of the eaves. She smiled as she looked at the flower…. It was such a tender smile, and so happy, I decided right then that I wanted to make her smile like that again and again and that I wanted to look at that smile until the day I died.")
Brisinger P.25 Around The Campfire
Eragon could now relate to Rorans words, and he too wished to see Arya smile all the days of his prolonged life. Eragon rolled so he was above Arya and bent down to kiss her. She placed her elegant long fingers on his shoulders and let her leg travel against his and removed him of the stubborn boot he had encountered problems with. He laughed and said "My thanks, Arya Shurtugal." Arya let loose a soft laugh and went for another kiss. Which Eragon happily complied too, but she surprised him by flipping them over so that she was on top, her petite frame hovering above his. Arya laughed at his face full of shock and he pulled her in for another kiss. Her lips were as soft as rain, and Eragon enjoyed every moment of their shared expressions of love. Putting how much he missed her into their kiss, he rubbed a hand down her back, letting her muscles loosen at his touch.
Soon Arya released his lips and Eragon said softly "Arya sivikona." He brought up his calloused hands and held her achingly soft face in them. "Yes Eragon?" she breathed as she closed her eyes and leaned her face against his right palm.
"Who would I be without you?" he asked
"dead." She whispered causing him to laugh for a moment.
He released her face and she looked down at him tenderly.
"But then again so would I be without you. I do not know who I owe my gratitude to being as I do not believe in gods, but I am eternally grateful fate has decided to bring me happiness."
She kissed him one last time then rolled off him and said "now go and change from your travel clothes so you may be comfortable enough to rest."
Eragon went with a sigh and cleansed himself clean of all the dirt and sweat from traveling. He tried to get a hold of Saphira as he dunked his face into a cool sink of water. But it was to no avail, worried he tried again "Saphira? How fairs the hunting?
She sent him a mental image of her devouring a herd of wild dear. The poor defenseless creatures he thought to himself.
"mmm,well that looks appetizing Saphira." He felt a ray of amusement from her as she replied.
"Yes it was leaf eater. You do not understand what you are missing."
"I don't like my food raw." He jibed back, to which she replied
"You don't like real food at all little one."
authors note: i chose to end it here because the original first chapter was very long,this is my first time acctually posting any of my writtings and i hope you all injoy it. may you r&r, and updates are promised to come as quick as they may. thank you for your attention