'We Can't Hide Anymore'
This is my first fanfiction ever and it is for the Inheritance Cycle, although I think the series, whilst enjoyable, is certainly not among the best books I've ever read. In this story, I attempt to write what I think would happen in the event of Eragon and Arya reuniting. This isn't a very original premise but please judge it on its own merits, on which you can be as harsh as you like. I must apologise since my account has existed since late June and I've taken so long to publish a story!
Disclaimer = I own nothing of the Inheritance Cycle.
Chapter One – Reflection
The air was humid and the sun bright as it began to set over New Vroengard, situated in the remote Islaze Mountains. As the sun descended in the west, towards the eastern borders of Alagaesia, its course was followed by the eyes of an apparently young human-elf hybrid male, of fair complexion, lean, muscular build and chestnut hair and eyes. The man's action was a ritual which he had practised daily, at the same time every day, for the last 23 years.
Eragon Bromsson could not help but weep at the sight of the sun coming to closer to his original home than he himself had been for nearly a quarter of a century. Even after decades in a new land, the pain of his departure ran deep and ached in his chest.
How can it be true that I am here of all places? He pondered to himself. Every night I go to sleep half expecting this is a dream and I'll wake up in the Spine, in my room, in my house, in Carvahall, my home.'
This is our home now Eragon. Such was the reply from a huge, magnificent blue scaled dragon.
I know it is now Saphira but nothing will change what and where my true home is. I don't belong here, in mountains only the elves have known before, isolated with only a handful of young riders and their hatchlings as my students and yours. I belong in the Spine, with a farm and animals, with my friends just a short walk down a mud path, with Roran, Katrina and Ismira next door. By now Eragon's tone was one of frustration and self-pity
Then why did we leave Eragon? Saphira replied in a reprimanding tone. Why did we leave our home for this 'isolation' as you call it if we had so much left for us in Alagaesia. It was you who pushed for us leave, arguing it was for the best so WHY THE SUDDEN CHANGE OF HEART? Saphira roared as she spoke the last part, her roar sounding almost mournful to those who could overcome their terror to listen for it.
Eragon turned to look at his dragon, standing behind him, with an expression now regretful rather than self-pity. He sighed aloud, "Because back then I thought too highly of myself. I convinced myself that I was too large for Alagaesia Because I had so little faith in its people. I convince myself that there was nowhere within its borders that would've allowed us to raise the new generation of dragon riders in peace." He dropped himself to the ground to sit hopelessly, gazing at the dry earth. "Because I believed that these were signs that Angela's prophecy had come true. I would give anything for us to return any way possible."
Then why don't we return Eragon? What's stopping us, apart from your irrational fear of that prophecy? You can't seriously believe that all prophecies come true?
"All her others came true." Eragon retorted.
Well how do you explain her predictions for your epic romance then?
"That's cruel Saphira. You promised me not to bring this up before me again."
You have to confront this someday Eragon. By now Saphira's patience and sympathy had worn thin.
"Well clearly Arya and I weren't meant to be!" Eragon snapped, his patience also withering away. "For her an abstract duty to a people she barely knew for 70 years and a throne she never wanted or needed is far more important than any friendship, let alone relationship, and happiness she may or may not find with me or any other individual in this life other than Fírnen, and even with him she only allows herself to become close because she has no choice!" For once Saphira was stunned. Eragon had never talked of Arya in such a tone before now. Eragon ploughed on "And say we follow your suggestion and return to Alagaesia. Do you think Arya would be able to remove herself from her high horse and just tell me to my face how she feels about me instead of simply hiding behind her barrier of 'duty'. If that's the life she wants to lead, then she isn't worth my time or anybody's love!"
His pent-up anger now spent Eragon sunk back into his self-absorb state prior to Saphira's first words. Revealing long held thoughts to his soul mate in the way he had gave him some provided some relieve, if only from the loss of some stress. However he couldn't help but ponder on Saphira's earlier words. 'Why don't we return Eragon?' He had to admit that he would like nothing more than to jump on Saphira's back and never stop flying until he'd reached Alagaesia, if only to return to Carvahall and see Roran and his family again. Eragon had barely been able to contact him, even with magic in the years since he'd left. Most of his communication had been with Nasuada, Orik and Nar Garzhvog and on even rarer occasions Arya; such talks were mostly only to alert him of the discovery of a new rider. The talks with the others were warm – or respectful in Nar Garzhvog's case – and Eragon was even asked about how his life was in New Vroengard with his new students. Arya's conversation was, as it had been for most of their acquaintance, formal, reserved and concise. She only asked questions on the training and the facilities, never on Eragon's personal matters. It was if the emotional weeks they'd spent together before he left had never happened.
Let her be then. If she's decided that her suspicions that she would one day love were inaccurate than let her live the life she's chosen; the only life she seems to know.
Saphira could only sigh at her rider's thoughts and she began to turn around to leave him and return to her nest in a nearby mountain cave. In the corner of her eye however, she spotted an approaching blur in the sky to the west. By now the sun had almost set and the sky above had turned a light blue, providing enough light for Saphira to make out the blur's shape.
Eragon! Look to the west! Eragon replied with a quizzical look. Why? He asked only to receive an irate Just look you damn buffoon! Eragon twisted his torso to look over his right shoulder and see the blur moving closer. With his enhanced sight he saw the movement of wings on the blur's flanks and the small point of a humanoid creature seated on the blur's back. Only one dragon – since it could only be one – was living in Alagaesia and old enough and to be so large that it could make the journey from there to New Vroengard.
"It can't be . . . ." Eragon murmured.
Yes; Arya and Fírnen have come, Eragon. Arya has come to you.