Disclaimer: We don't own the characters, the original storyline, or the world. We also don't really believe the characters are this, ahem, extreme in their personalities. We're just having a little fun.

Shurty: Okay people, time for introductions. I'm Shurty Arya, but you may call me Shurty for short. My friend Arya 4 ever and I wrote this story together, it's just posted under my name, haha.

Aryiz: You can call me Aryiz. Shurty and I are huuuge fans of Arya, and also E/A—

Shurty: Well, obviously, hence this fanfic!

Aryiz: …As I was saying, we love her and we love the ship, but mostly just Arya.

Shurty: Sorry, Eragon.

Aryiz: And since this is our fantasy, we're calling in Arya herself! Whoo!

Arya: *pops into existence*

Shurty: ARYA!! *faints*

Aryiz: We love you, Arya!

Arya: …Who are you? And where am I?

Eragon: *appears* I think the more important question is, where was I!

Arya: Ugh, not you again! Quit following me, you stalker!

Aryiz: *nudges Shurty* Hey, hey, wake up! This is too good to miss! Arya and Eragon are having a real live argument! Our dreams have come true!

Shurty: *wakes to find Eragon and Arya arguing* *gasp* Quick, get the popcorn! …Oh oh, and we should probably begin their story.

Arya and Eragon: *stop bickering* …OUR STORY?!?

Aryiz: Don't worry, my dears, everything's going to be just fine… *grin*

Eragon: *aside to Arya* Why does the brunette not assure me?

Arya: Ugh, get away from me!

Shurty: Aaand here we go!

Moment of Truth

It was a beautiful night in Ellesmera. The moon was full and round, and the stars sparkled brightly in the sky.

Arya glared up at them from her seat in the Agaeti Blodhren. Stupid festival. It's not actually like we're celebrating the Rider-elf pact from who-knows-how-long ago. All people do is dance and get drunk.

Hanging on to her last train of thought, her gaze roamed around and settled upon a feverishly giggling figure sprawled upon a bench across the clearing. Eragon ogled her with bright eyes and wagged his eyebrows.

Arya rolled her eyes. And there's the Rider; the last hope for all of Alagaesia. A young human boy with dirty clothes and an obsessive curiosity with everything. She sighed, and then continued after a moment's contemplation. Not to mention being extremely annoying when it comes to my privacy. I wonder why he's staring at me like that . . . . . Oh Barzul no. NO. That's why he's got that dreamy look on his face! Dammit, I know my beauty's irresistible and everything, but really!

She quickly glanced towards Saphira, hoping that at least she would have the sense to see the wrongness in the matter and put an end to it. To Arya's utter dismay, the dragon in question was sprawled on her back, white belly displayed for all to see, shooting flames out of her nostrils in tune to the elven music.

I'm doooomed! Even Saphira can't slap some sense into that Rider of hers! Save me, Faoliiiiin! Then upon remembering that Faolin was dead, Arya cursed. Where's a man when you need him?!?

As if hearing her silent cry, Eragon suddenly stood and began to stagger his way over to Arya. The elf remained perched on the edge of her chair, giving no indication that anything was wrong while on the inside, she fumed at the cruel humor of fate.

"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeey Arya," Eragon said as he came to a stop before her. "You sure do look perrrty tonight . . ." His voice trailed off as his eyes roamed unabashedly over Arya's body.

Arya fought the impulse to punch him in the gut.

"So anyways, I's wondrin', you wanna take a walk wi'me? I know this perfick little clearing where you can see all the stars, and there's a brook that . . . flows," Eragon finished awkwardly.

It was the last thing Arya wanted to do at that moment, but being ever so ambassadorial, she muttered, "That would please me very much," and stalked past Eragon towards the dark trees.

The flatness in her voice was lost to Eragon as he beamed like a happy puppy and scampered after her. He quickly caught her wrist and proceeded to recklessly tow her through the forest.

What the—What's he think he's doing? He's going to lead us straight off a cliff! The trees thinned ahead, and Arya couldn't help but cringe as Eragon barged through.

"Well here we are! Told you it was . . . pe-pr-perty," he slurred as he turned towards an impassive Arya. Eragon waited for a response, but it was not forthcoming. The awkward silence and Arya's ill-masked exasperation caused Eragon to fidget. Finally unable to stand it, he cleared his throat tentatively and sidled closer to Arya.

The dark-haired elf suddenly found herself wishing for a big rock that she could, ahem—accidentally—whack Eragon with if the need arose.

"How tall the trees, how bright the stars . . . and how beautiful you are, O Arya Svit-kona," Eragon began.

Yeah, like I haven't heard that one before, Arya scoffed, barely managing to put a stop to an involuntary eye-roll.

Meanwhile, Eragon had obliviously continued with his prepared speech, "…anything to win your hand. I would follow you to the ends of the earth—"

—As if I'd let you catch me—

"…build a palace for you with nothing but my bare hands—"

—Yeah, and by the look of the place I'd take it as an insult—

"…I would—"

"Eragon stop," Arya ordered, having had enough of his pleas. He peered at her in surprise, and she perceived a hint of hurt as well. Sighing inwardly and then resuming in a gentler voice she said, "This can never happen, Eragon. We both have our own duties, and such a relationship would distract us. You are young and do not yet understand the true depth of your feelings. In time, you'll find that what you feel for me pales in comparison to your feelings for another, one your age and in a more suitable position. Forget about me, Eragon. I do not want the same thing you do."

Having made her stance on the matter clear, Arya turned stiffly and began to make her way from the clearing, and the dazed Rider it held.

Just a few more steps, a few more steps until you're in the clear . . .

"Arya, wait!"

Barzul! The addressed elf ground her feet to a halt and closed her eyes in frustration, all the while fighting to suppress the urge to scream insults at the apparently deaf Rider.

"Eragon—" she began.

"I did hear you, Arya, really I did, but I think you've misunderstood me. You make it sound as if I only want your body—which is admittedly very nice—but it's more than that. I'm not just infatuated with you, as you and just about everyone else seems to think." Eragon pouted, and then took a deep breath before continuing, "I-I love you, Arya."

Arya's eyes fluttered open instantly. He LOVES me? What the . . . I didn't see that one coming. Slowly, she turned to face Eragon. Her emerald green eyes took him in as her mind reflected over what she saw.

Perhaps I could give him a chance . . . He does look yummy as an elf, and beard or not, his face isn't all that painful to behold. Arya focused on his strong jaw, which at the moment, was dusted with just the slightest shadow of a beard. Now see, regular elves don't have that. Her eyes flickered down over the rest of Eragon. Hmm, he's actually not that bad at all. He's got a nice body; tan, well muscled, and clean-shaven. Hell, when he's not covered in dirt, he's actually quite hot!

Finally, Arya returned her gaze to Eragon's face. "I'm sorry if I misinterpreted your feelings, Eragon. It was my mistake. As to our future, well, we'll just have to see, won't we?" And with a tiny smirk (because you just can't act cold to someone who says they love you), Arya pirouetted and sauntered off into the trees, letting the music from the Agaeti Blodhren guide her back towards the celebration.

Behind her, Eragon's eyes lingered until she was out of sight. Then, he leapt into the air with undisguised ecstasy and sighed dreamily as he collapsed in a heap on the ground.

Shurty: *wipes tear* That turned out beautifully, Aryiz.

Aryiz: I couldn't agree more. *high fives*

Arya: I PROTEST! THE THINGS THAT FAKE ARYA DID—

Shurty: Honey, that was you.

Arya: NO IT WAS NOT! I WOULD NEVER, NEVER LEAD ERAGON ON LIKE THAT. NEVER!!

Eragon: …I quite like it. You know, I change my mind about you guys. Shurty and Aryiz are awesome!

Aryiz: It's about time someone realized it!

Shurty: Great, you're going to love the next chapter then, Eragon! *grins sneakily at Arya*

Arya: I REFUSE TO BE A PART OF THIS! I—

Aryiz: Oookay, that's all for this time round. Thanks for reading!

Shurty: Don't forget to review! It's the little button that makes updates come faster.

Eragon: And add this to Story Alerts so you can find out if I finally get some the minute it's posted!

Arya: WHAT?!?

Aryiz: Don't worry, dear, it's all going to be okay. *eyes sparkle evilly*

Shurty: Heh heh heh…