Book 4
Chapter 1
Three days had passed since the deaths of Shur'tugal Oromis and Glaedr and Arya spent those days by remaining in her tent and simply observing the rain. She spoke to her mother on the second day and expressed her condolences for she knew that the Immortal Queen Islanzadi was close to them. She dared not speak to either Eragon or Saphira for fear of what she might do or say.
During her last visit to her hometown of Ellesméra she'd grown close to him, she considered him to be her best friend, but when he admitted his true feelings for her she was enraged for some uknown reason and she broke his fairth.
Staring at the rain He was the one that was on her mind. Stop it she thought to herself. Her mind slipped back to one of her many memories concerning him: to when he was alone in the Empire after facing the Ra'zac. At the time she didn't even consider the consequences of her actions and ran after him, much to the dismay of Nasuada. She smiled. The leader of the Varden did order her not to go after him, but she soon realized that she had no hold what so ever over the Elven Princess.
iShe was running as fast as she could, she just wanted to know for herself that he was safe. As Eragon caught the first glimpse of her in the distance, his face lit up with evident joy and Arya marveled at the depth in his chocolate brown eyes. She saw the forbidden love he felt for her. Eragon mistaked her blank face for uneasyness and immediately locked away the feeling that continued to pain his heart. She shuddered at the thought. If only he knew/i. She sighed.
Her thoughts passed to the siege of Feinster, to the relief to know he was safe under her watch. iHis expression passed from excitment to be back with the Varden and eagerness to prove the worthiness of his new sword, to utter desolation and sadness. Soon after she discovered what was troubling him: the deaths of the ancient and powerful Oromis and his mighty dragon Glaedr. Her self-control vanished and she sank into his arms. Her heart fluttered being so close to him. How does he do that to me?/i
Suddenly Arya awoke from her daydream when she heard footsteps coming from outside her tent. Arya's tent was situated in the outskirts of the Varden camp, so any one who walked in that direction must have wanted to speak to her. It was ihim/i. She quickly threw up her barriers and tried to regain some of her composure by putting on a blank and expressionless face.
"A..Arya?" he said in a low voice. She turned around and allowed him to sit dow next to her on her bed. His eyes eyes were sad.
"Why are you here, Eragon?" she whispered. Her emerald eyes locked onto his and Arya felt like she was drowning in the dephts of them. Eragon felt her uneasiness "I'm sorry, Arya Svit-kona" he said and left her. A tear started to form and ever so gently made its way down her cheek. The Princess was overwhelmed by her feelings and voices kept whispering in her mind. iTell him!/i said her self-conscious. iThink of what it would mean!/i screamed her more reasonable side. Arya had no idea how long she just lay there on her bed. But before drifting into the dream state of the elves she decided that she would no longer act or think like a love-sick human girl. She was Arya, daughter to Queen Islanzadi and King Evandar, the sole heir to the Elven throne. She would not let her emotions rule her. iNot until the time is right/i was her last thought before she gently lost consciosness.
Eragon exited Arya's tent and ran as fast as he could. He could not bear the pain he felt in his heart. She was breaking it again. He just kept running, he had no idea where he was going. Eragon finally stopped in a clearing and could faintly hear the flapping of wings.
iLittle one?/i said the sapphire dragon iAh little one. I'm so sorry/i. Saphira let all of her love and compassion flow through their link in the attempt of lifting her rider's spirits.
iSaphira, how does she do this to me? I.. I can't do this anymore. Every time I convince myself I can let my feelings go, I see her and they just grow stronger. I love her with all my heart./i he cried
iGive her time. I'm sure she'll come around. At the moment she is overwhelmed with sadness over the Rider's death./i Eragon thought he felt a hint of jelousy coming from Saphira, but let it go. She was the one person that was always there for him, she always kne what to say.
iCome, Nasuada seeks our council/i. And with that Eragon Shadeslayer jumped onto his dragon's back as they flew back to the camp. The Rider was actually surprised at the distance he'd run in only a few minutes. He sighed. He knew he would see her again in a matter of minutes.