Hello everyone, this is my first fanfiction and was originally put in the wrong section. So glad to have found this under books. Enjoy and REVIEW!
This picks up from Arya and Eragon's conversation by the fire while traveling back from Helgrind after Eragon decided to stay in the Empire to deal with Sloan and Arya is sent to help him. (Brisingr p 198-199)
"Perhaps I am wrong," he said, "but you do not seem that close to anyone. Where you walk, you walk alone, even among your own people."
Arya's countenance remained impassive. Her lack of expression was so complete, Eragon began to wonder of she would deign to respond, a doubt that had just transformed into conviction when she whispered, "It was not always so."
Alert, Eragon waited without moving, afraid that whatever he might do would stop her from saying more.
"Once I had someone to talk to, someone who understood what I was and where I came from. Once... he was older than I, but we were kindred spirits, both curious about the world outside our forest, eager to explore and strike against Galbatorix. Neither of us could bear to stay in Du Weldenwarden- studying, working magic, and pursuing our own personal projects- when we knew the Dragon Killer, the bane of the Riders, was searching for a way to conquer our race. He came to the conclusion later than I- decades after I assumed my position as ambassador and a few years before Hefring stole Saphira's egg- but the moment he did, he volunteered to accompany wherever Islanzadi's orders might take me." She blinked, and her throat convulsed. "I wasn't going to let him, but the queen liked the idea, and he was ever so convincing..." She pursed her lips and blinked again, her eyes brighter than normal.
As gently as he could, Eragon asked, "Was it Faolin?"
"Yes," she said, releasing the confirmation almost as a gasp. The gasp came on its own accord, with the memory of Meera hitting her like a thousand Kull. She usually blocked it out, blocked everything out, projecting a cruel and aloof persona, but that was what it took to keep herself sane. But every now and then, she would slip, and a memory would come tumbling through the cracks of the fragile walls she had built around her mind. The ones that protected herself from herself, not an outside attack, no, those were hard as brightsteel, but the inner ones, not as much. Like a shooting star that captivated you, held your attention and made you cry with the sheer beauty of it, and cry again when it fell, Meera, her fellow warrior, her confident, her beloved sister, and Faolin's mate.
…
They raced through the leafy paths of Tialandi Hall, screeching with joy. She, Meera, and ran, leapt and flew along until they reached Oromis and Glaedr, waiting patiently on the other side along with Faolin and Alicante. Well, Faolin and Alicante look slightly bemused, but Oromis and Glaedr remained impassive as always. However, she did detect a hint of annoyance in Glaedr's voice when he said
"We little time to spare for such antics, you must come ready for studying tomorrow."
"Yes Glaedr-elda," Arya replied. As the Queen's daughter she had more equal standing with Oromis and Glaedr than any other elf besides her sister and the Queen herself.
"Very well," Oromis said, clapping his hands together, "We have little time to work, and even less time to talk. Let's get started."
And so they did. They got to work combining their power to create the most fantastical things. They explored some of the most unexplored branches of magic, multiplying power, harnessing energy from simple, ordinary objects, even mentally battling each other. All in the quest to stop the decline of their race, and, ultimately, defeat Galbatorix. Today they were experimenting with putting power in ordinary objects and hiding them from the mind.
"Well," Faolin said, "If we embed a mind spell on the object to make it unseen."
"Yes, but" she interrupted. As Faolin turned his head, his golden hair catching the light just so, and Arya's train of thought was suddenly derailed. Her voice trailed off.
"But," Faolin prodded her gently.
"But," Arya scrambled to gather her thoughts, "But putting such an enormous spell in a small object would require massive amounts of energy that it simply wouldn't be able to hold."
'Well you didn't let me finish," Faolin chided gently. "We could surround it with other objects, preferably gems, for more energy."
"But then we would have to disguise those too! It goes on and on!"
"Not necessarily," Oromis interrupted, "If we keep the spells energy efficient, then we should have enough stones to keep the spell going.
"Arya still has a point" Meera pointed out, "Are we just going to endlessly supply energy? Even we cannot do that."
"Not at all," Oromis replied, "We can make an energy link to Ellesmera, where energy could be drawn from all around. From willing participants of course." He added hastily.
"That's actually a really good idea," said Idris slowly.
…
And so, another project of the five elves and the dragon rider formed. They were some of the brightest minds of the elven kind, their ideas, cutting edge and risky. But if that was what it took to take down the Dragon Killer, so be it.
It was just another day of experimentation. They were sending objects set with energy and protection spells around, first to other elven cities, but that day they were going to try to send something outside the protective wards of Du Weldevarden. Not far, Idris and Alicante were just a few leagues outside the eastern edge of the wards around the forest of their home. Meera had been given the honor of transporting the object. It was nothing really. Just a simple weave belt, every elf must have at least dozens of them. It was surrounded by dozens of semiprecious gems, rubies, emeralds and such. But still, Arya had a sinking feeling in her stomach. Something was not quite right…
But she swallowed her fears and put on a smile for her sister. She was practically bouncing off the walls with excitement.
"I don't understand what you're so excited about," said Arya in the Ancient Language, with a slightly amused expression.
"I don't know exactly why either," said Meera, "But something feels different, the stars have shifted. Do you feel it too?"
Arya pursed her lips. Usually, she humored her sister when she talked about the stars, love, the world, about how maybe there was someone, something, or maybe a higher power, that could turn the tables on Galbatorix. Even through Meera was older, she often acted like an intoxicated elf during Agaeti Blodhren, and even that only occurred once a century. Although, Arya though darkly, she did have reason to be lovesick, after all she was madly in love with Faolin, and he with her. It was a wonder she hasn't had a child yet, she thought miserably. Hush, she told herself, no need to think such bad thoughts, especially towards Meera. She would say, "Cursing the cat makes the cat curse you, take it, nothing is without backlash." So she smiled, laughed and even drank some with Meera and Faolin. But the feeling in the pit of her stomach didn't go away. As they were leaving Tialandi Hall, she grabbed Meera's wrist, and before she could yank away, gave her as much energy as she could spare herself. Meera was startled by this, even more so when Arya murmured "Just in case," but she shook in off. Arya was just too serious sometimes.
When they got to the sight, everyone visibly straightened up. Oromis and Glaedr were waiting for them, but did not, for once, spare them a moment for a lecture. They quickly assumed their positions, and alerted Idris and Alicante outside borders through stones they had set up, which would glow and become hot when given the signal. Everyone was ready, Arya's stomach tightened once more, and it had begun. They formed a triangle around Meera, all pouring their energy into Meera, and her into the belt, while weaving a spell of protection and sending. Suddenly there was a bright flash, and a burning smell. Neither Meera, nor the belt were anywhere to be found.
"MEERA!" Arya screamed.