Chapter 2

Intriguing, in love and… jealous?

When Eragon got to Iliria, he got off Saphira and he could tell it had changed a lot since he had last been there.

The castle was decorated with beautiful gemstones of all sorts and the windows with scenes of Galbatorix's defeat, he could see himself in the middle of the scene stabbing the enemy in the side with his powerful sword.

He walked around some more and in the end found himself standing in front of the castle.

He wasn't going to be expected for another hour, because the council had said that he was going to get there at 5:30 am, but he was there at 4 am he, didn't remember it any more but there was 15 minutes left until the potion took effect.

After thirty minutes he could hear an almost silent scream, which lasted for another 4 minutes after which all was silent once more (that was because she was shocked to see her mid-twenties body again).

At exactly 5:30 the gates to the castle which were also decorated beautifully suddenly opened and he saw both the queen of the elves (Arya) and the queen of the empire (Nasuada) standing 30 feet in front of him.

He came up to Arya first embraced her and said: I've missed you so!

He could feel her shiver and she replied: I've missed you too!

After that he came up to Nasuada and said: Nasuada you look so beautiful!

But he quickly corrected himself by stating: I mean your highness… I mean your majesty.

He could see her blush, but what he didn't see was Arya who had a very jealous face.

Nasuada quickly replied It's nice to see you too Eragon, come in we will talk inside.

So the three of them sat in the giant kitchen which was painted in orange and blue stripes, breaking the silence Eragon said: well, I had no idea that you were in such a good shape Nasuada.

This time Arya was feeling like she had to kill Nasuada to get Eragon's compliment, her face was as red as a tomatoe, Nasuada laughed in response and said: I didn't know either until this morning.

After breakfast they went to see more of Illiria, Arya accompanied them just to spend time with Eragon but he didn't even seem to notice her.

Nasuada proposed that they find a guide but Eragon protested saying: No one would be a better tour guide than you Nasuada.

A smile appeared on her face and she replied: Very well shadeslayer.

During their trip Eragon kept on complementing Nasuada, which drove Arya so jealous that one time Eragon asked: Is it too warm for our elf companion?

Arya just couldn't take it any longer and said: If you'll excuse me.

After that she finally appeared a minute before supper.

Just when the meal was coming to an end, Eragon came up to Nasuada and said in a delightful voice: My queen would you do me the honor of wearing this hair fastener? Nasuada looked at the beautiful diamond jewel for a moment and stated: I'd love to.

Eragon felt relief flowing through his veins, then he replied: That's good cause it has a secret function in it.

Nasuada asked: How so?

Eragon answered: I can't ruin the surprise, but I can tell you that if you don't find out till tomorrow than I'll show you.

Arya was terribly jealous because she loved Eragon, even though she couldn't show it because she was queen, now she truly saw what she pushed away.

Every one parted to their rooms and fell asleep.

When the sun rose Eragon, only then woke up and he, remembered that he was supposed to be in the large kitchen again for breakfast, so he walked pass the giant hallways for five minutes and then he got there.

Nasuada and Arya were already there, he joined them and they ate breakfast, Nasuada finally asked: So Eragon tell me what was the secret feature of my fastener?

Eragon replied: Nasuada maybe you didn't notice it, but my gift changes color depending on your mood.

red means love

blue means sadness

green means confusion

purple means desire

dark orange means jealousy

black means misery

grey means anger

brown means determination

yellow means happiness

Oh and no one but the people closest to you can see the colors.

Right now the gift that Nasuada was wearing displayed a mixture of yellow and green.

Arya noticed that she could see the colors and she was happy that Nasuada thought of her as one of her closest, but still she was jealous that Eragon gave the jewel to Nasuada and not her.

She prayed that they wouldn't propose her to wear it because they would see a terribly dark orange mixed with red and grey.

Nasuada was bewildered for a moment and then she said: Wow Eragon you really shouldn't have…

But that was where Eragon cut her off and said: No It's a premature gift for our… That was where he stopped as if he had already reveled too much information.

Now Nasuada's gift showed a pure green color, Eragon quickly responded by saying: Never mind that, let us talk about something different.

Nasuada and Arya both said at the same time: So what was reason of your visit?

(Only Nasuada said it out of curiosity and Arya said it out of panic for she suspected the answer, although she hid her worries very well with a fake smile)

They looked at each other and laughed.

Eragon replied: Well, that's also a surprise and you'll also know tomorrow.

This time he laughed.

The two ladies didn't suspect a thing and Eragon knew it, so he could just imagine how surprised they would be, he continued creating his surprise and went to sleep when he was done.