Authors note: For My Rider is the story of three warriors whose fates are forever intertwined. The beginning of the fiction rather narrowly follows the story of Arya, her realization that she does indeed harbor feelings for Eragon and her quest to rescue the dragon rider. However, as the fiction progresses the story widens and varies in POV. A rider will be born, a king will rise, a queen will fall, love will be found, revenge will be taken, and the limits of forever will be tested.
ExAxExA
Arya stared at the immense amount of paper work lying on her desk. I really do not want to do this right now. The elf could not concentrate, for some reason or another, thoughts of Eragon plagued her mind. She missed the rider, his companionship was something she held dear to her heart.
ExAxExA
Roran Stronghammer looked to his side to see Katrina, resting peacefully in his arms. It had been a short while since the Varden took Feinster, and in the relatively calm aftermath of the war, Roran tried to spend every moment he could with the woman he loved. However, as Katrina rested, Roran resolved that he wanted to meet with his cousin, Roran deeply missed Eragon.
ExAxExA
Nasuada sighed, Murtagh. Just the thought of his name sent chills down her spine. She missed his companionship, even though there time spent together back in the mountains was fleeting, she could still remember every second. Maybe I should talk to Eragon, he is always here for me.
ExAxExA
Gone...Gone...Gone...Utter despair was the only emotion Saphira's mind recognized as she sped towards the Vardens camp against her own will, under magical influence. Eragon, the partner-of-my-mind-and-soul has been captured, taken away from me by the cold clutches of fates cruel hands. Saphira's mind could barely fathom what had just transpired. It seemed so surreal, almost like a dream, yet the painful absence her heart felt was as real and emotionally raw as it gets. Every second that passed, every fleeting moment of time that elapsed felt completely void of happiness, for without her other half, life had lost its glory. Being completely engulfed by these anguished thoughts, Saphira did not realize that she was only meters away from the Varden, a short distance for her powerful wings. Saphira opened her mind and reached out, mentally searching for the one person in the entire Varden, that the dragon could truly trust.
Arya? Arya where are you?
An image flashed before Saphira's eyes of the woman Arya in her tent, working diligently on a seemingly endless supply of paper work. Half-heartedly, the sapphire colored dragon landed heavily in the forest nearby, not caring to control her movements.
Saphira what is wrong? I sense your distress.
Arya I have grievous news. Eragon has been captured by the empire, more specifically Murtagh and Thorn.
What? How is this possible?
Eragon and I were ambushed on a hunting trip, all of the injuries Thorn received at Gil'ead were miraculously healed and Eragon did not have Brisingr, nor did he have any other means of self defense. Eragon foresaw our defeat and forced me to fly back to the Varden with magic, insisting that my safety was more important than his own. He knew Galbatorix could not have control over me, the last free female dragon. This was the last thing I heard from Eragon before his spell activated, forcing me to fly here.
No, this can't be, I'll be right there Saphira. Hold on.
Saphira immediately felt worry, pain and disbelief radiating from the elf along with another emotion she couldn't quite place. However, the grief Saphira felt was so strong that she could name every single raw emotion that coursed through her body; misery, pain, sorrow, emptiness, worry and fear. Fear for her life partner Eragon. The only thing that kept Saphira from completely losing her mind and succumbing to her deep sorrow were the last words of Eragon, that of which she did not mention to Arya.
Saphira is...is Eragon still alive? Can you feel him?
Saphira turned her head and looked at the two-legs-pointy-ear-elf that had just arrived. Her head drooped and her hair was tangled wildly, suggesting that she had ran at a frightening speed. Not only that, but Saphira noted that the elf's usual facade of impassiveness had fallen, her face expressed an immense amount of worry and pain, among other emotions.
No. Saphira watched, as the elf crumpled to the ground, falling to her knee's, but he is still alive.
Arya placed her head in her hands, before speaking through a cracked voice. "This is horrible I..I can't believe it, this is a tragedy Saphira. We must tell Nasuada of what has happened."
Saphira let loose a menacing snarl. I must do nothing elf, I have sworn no oaths to anyone and I will move when I want.
A heavy silence enveloped the elf and dragon after Saphira's statement, giving both Arya and Saphira time to think to themselves. During this time Saphira was surprised and curious as to why Arya, hadn't left to inform Nasuada, by herself. Her curiosity halted however, when Arya began to walk towards her and laid against her underbelly.
The elven princess sighed, tears beginning to form at the brim of her eyes. "I'm so sorry Saphira, we will go when you're ready." She paused taking a deep breath then continued speaking. "He's my only true friend," Arya stopped again, as if she was struggling with her thoughts, before continuing in a hoarse voice. "He has helped me through so much in such a short time, I used to be so isolated in the Varden, but with Eragon around, I no longer feel so alone. I trust him deeply. He is a great man."
Saphira took note that all of this was said in the ancient language and began to wonder if the female elf before her harbored any more feelings for her rider, then she previously let on. Saphira decided to keep these thoughts to herself, as another moment of silence fell over the dragon and elf. Nothing could be heard as the pair grieved over their rider, as oblivious to the outside world as it was to their grieving.
"I will get him back; I promise you Saphira I will find him and bring him back to you."
No little elf, we will find him and we will bring him back to the Varden...together.
ExAxExA
Arya closed her eyes and relaxed against Saphira's underbelly, allowing her mind to be consumed by thoughts of Eragon. She just could not believe that he was actually gone. How could wryda be so cruel to her and take away the one person she cared for, who truly cared for her? First Faolin and now Eragon. Arya's mind reeled and her heart tore at the prospect of never seeing the dragon rider again. Ever since her rescue, Eragon had been nothing but the greatest of friends, even when she had pushed the rider away, because of her own selfish fears, he had stayed true to her. It was this friendship, that had allowed Arya to give a life of happiness another chance, no longer was she driven by only duty, but admittedly, she was driven by the hope that maybe, sometime after the war had ended, she could live a peaceful life, with Eragon by her side. It seemed the old cliche was true, she did not know what she had until it was gone, and at that moment in time Arya made a vow to herself. If she ever saw Eragon again, she was going to confess her true feelings to him, and never ever let him go.