Disclaimer: I own nothing. Christopher Paolini owns everything save a few characters of my making and the general plot line.
"That's it Üther good on your offense, but if you don't take care to guard your left side, she'll break through your defense."
"Yes Ebrithil," Üther grunted through his clenched teeth as he attempted to ward off his fellow Rider-in-training, Ílithia's, blows. Eragon took a step back from the duel to look more closely at the two trainees' growth.
They are progressing, Ílithia is becoming quite the master at swordsmanship, but I'm not quite sure that Üther understands yet that if he continues to stand there unmoving that he will not evade her blows any easier, Eragon thought.
Keep in mind little one that Oromis gave you that very same advice long ago, Saphira commented.
You are right Saphira, as usual.
When am I not?
However, it seems like so long ago that I was in the exact same position as they are now.
Yes, it does seem that way, however the time is made even longer as you are not the same boy you were back then.
Indeed I am not. It has been what, four and twenty years since I last was in Alagaëisia?
Five and twenty to be exact, but yes it has been quite a long time since we flew over those lands. What I wouldn't give to hunt a Nagra right now and to drink some of the dwarves' most delicious mead.
Their conversation was abruptly interrupted as the sound of clanging steel rang throughout the practice area, closely accompanied by the falling of Üther's sword to the ground.
"Dead," stated Ílithia as she held the very tip of her sword against the disarmed Urgal's exposed throat.
"Good job Ílithia on disarming your opponent, however your mind was not entirely focused on this duel. If you had just fought a real battle your opponent could have easily taken advantage of that and you would have ended up where Üther is right now. Try to maintain a greater level of involvement next time."
"Yes Master."
"As for you Üther, I am going to give you a piece of advice that was given to me long ago, do you wish to receive it?"
"Of course Ebrithil."
"He who stands like a pillar in battle will fall, while he who bends and sways like a reed will prevail. You would do best to keep that in mind if you wish to triumph over any opponent in battle," Eragon advised the young Urgal. "Now, I suggest that if either of you would like to eat tonight, that you would hurry back to your quarters and clean up before coming to the dining hall. You have given yourselves just enough time to get the task done so do not tarry!"
"Yes Ebrithil," they both replied before running off towards the cliff where Saphira was teaching Üther's dragon, a shining amethyst named Reina, and Ílithia's dragon, a deep scarlet named Rubin, how do complex aerial maneuvers used for battle.
Saphira, you should end your teaching for the day. These young-uns deserve a chance to wash up before supper, Eragon relayed to her.
Very well, but they will have to do one more run through of their learnings of the day, she relayed back.
Once their trainees had disappeared with their partners off to their respective abodes in order to prepare for dinner, Eragon and Saphira headed off to their own quarters to rest a small amount before they needed to return to the dining hall.
Saphira, Eragon reached out to her as they were making their journey back to their room, How do you think Arya's doing since the last time we contacted her. Unless I've become senile already, I believe that the last time I talked to her was about a month ago.
You are correct in that little one. It has been a little while since we last communicated with her. Though you have not gone one day without thinking of her.
Aye, that I have not, Eragon said and almost immediately thoughts of Arya began to overtake him. He could vividly see in his mind's eye Arya's luscious, raven black hair which only served to accent her fierce, emerald green eyes that much more. Her unmatched grace and otherworldly beauty seemed to put Eragon into a brief trance as he recalled her memories. And don't try and taunt me, for I know that Fírnen has not left your thoughts either. You forget that I can sense your feelings for him.
Our feelings for each other are nothing like your feelings, at least we confess to each other that we like one another, she snorted. Meanwhile, both you and Arya have yet to show that kind of affection for each other, even though many many years have passed since you met.
Their conversation ended as Saphira gently glided down and landed right in front of their room.
Here we are again, home sweet home, Eragon thought.
Well? Saphira inquired. Are you going to go find the courage to have a chat with Arya or am I going to have to pin you underneath my claws until you do.
I was just about to do so, there is no need for me to have to spend the night underneath your talons, Eragon assured her.
Good I am glad that you made the wise decision, she responded, licking her claws. For I was hoping that I would not have to do that all night, I would've missed dinner, and I am quite hungry tonight.
Saphira, you are always hungry.
Maybe, but even so I would have been sore to miss dinner, she replied.
It was as Eragon talked to Saphira that he walked over to the mirror which he used to communicate with the Queen of the Elves. He stood before it for a moment, working up his courage before muttering, "Draumr kópa," and watched as the mirror began to quiver as if it were a pool of water. Eragon's palms began to become sweaty, and he started to rub his hands against one another or, "polishing his palms" as his Uncle Garrow used to say. It took only a moment before the wavering mirror grew still, and Arya's face appeared in it. Her lightly tanned skin glistened and shimmered in the light, and it had an aura of magic about it. She was clothed in a flowing, forest green gown made out of satin with long sleeves that flared out slightly at the end. Gold embroidery accented the entire dress. Upon her shoulders sat the white, swan-feathered cape that her mother had worn when she was upon the throne so long ago. It gave her an air of nobility and power, though she had always had some essence of that about her. Eragon looked briefly at the silver circlet that graced her head, symbolizing her authority before turning his gaze back to her face. Remembering his manners he began by touching his fingers to his lips in the customary greeting of the elves, "Atra esterní ono thelduin."
She smiled at him with her warm smile before responding in the same manner, "Mor'ranr lífa unin hjarta onr."
"Un du everínya ono varda," he finished. "How are you on this fine day Arya Drötting? Looking as beautiful as ever I see."
Her cheeks reddened, and she delayed in her response, "I am well Eragon, and how might you be? It has been a while since we last spoke."
"I am pretty good, now that I am talking to you of course," he told her.
"When will your current trainees graduate from their Rider training? I understand that you and the other, older riders with you are currently schooling six riders along with their dragons."
"The group that is undergoing their training right now should graduate by this coming spring, only a few months away. That is when we will send out the six new eggs to all of the races in order to try and find Riders for the unborn dragons. So you should send the ambassador back then to pick up the new batch of eggs and return any unhatched ones."
You know, if you two just wanted to talk about dragons, I could have talked for you, Saphira communicated to Eragon, smirking.
Saphira! I'm trying to have a decent conversation with Arya, can't you see that!
If that's what you call a "decent conversation" Eragon, then you need to raise your standards. Try asking her about her life in Ellesméra, or if you won't do that at least ask her how Fírnen is doing for me. I do want to know.
Fine, fine. I'll try and attempt some more small talk if you wish.
Yes I do wish and hurry up, our dinner grows cold and my stomach begins to growl.
I know, I can hear it. If it were growling any louder, I would think that there is a second dragon behind me.
"So Arya Drötting, how have affairs been faring in Ellesméra since we last talked. Is there anything particularly new or exciting that you would share with me," he asked, hoping that she would not see past his facade to his desperation.
"Eragon, you don't need to call me that, we are friends. There is no need for formal titles between us. But, to answer your question, things in Ellesméra are currently going well. Not counting of course the many hour long council meetings to determine simple, ridiculous things such as whether or not to extend our city out on our Western border, or our Eastern one."
"Sounds amazing Arya Drött-, I mean Arya," he stammered. Saphira nudged his side with her snout in the midst of this sentence prompting Eragon to remember Saphira's question for Arya. "Saphira wants me to ask you how Fírnen is doing, as she cannot speak directly to him as you and I can communicate."
"Eragon are you implying that we share the same sort of relationship that our dragons do?" She asked him with a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"No! I mean, erm, no not at all, I was just asking on behalf of Saphira," he hastily said, fearing Arya's retribution.
"Fírnen is doing just fine, he is out hunting currently or I think that he would delight in seeing Saphira again though. Maybe the next time we talk, we can give Saphira and Fírnen a chance to talk directly to each other, like we are currently doing."
"I'd really enjoy that! So I'll talk to you again in the near future, hopefully in the next two weeks or so."
"I'd love that too Eragon," she said as she looked into his eyes and flashed her pearly white teeth. This look froze all of Eragon's movements for a moment, rendering him immobile and staring into her deep green, emerald eyes.
Are you going to stop staring and let us go and eat now? Or am I going to have to drag you away from this mirror with my teeth, Saphira chuckled as a deep hruffing noise being emitted from her chest.
"Well then, good bye Arya," he said one last time before dispersing the image with a wave of his hand.
Seriously Saphira, you could not have made that conversation any more difficult for me could you?
Ah, that is where you are wrong. Had she been here in person I might have just told her your continuing love for her and how you want her to kiss you.
Saphira! You know that she rejected me last time I told her of my love, I wish not to travel down that path again.
Eragon and Arya sitting in a tree,
Oh will you quit already, lets just go eat dinner.
At long last, it seems like it has been forever since I last dined, Saphira growled and licked her lips at the statement. As she did this, Eragon took one graceful leap from where he stood onto her back, and in another swift movement, Saphira brought them off of the ground and propelled them towards the dining hall.
Please leave reviews. I really appreciate any and all feedback that you guys have to give me. Next chapter will probably be a description of this conversation with Arya's POV, though any other suggestions for what I should do next are greatly appreciated!
