There You'll Be

There You'll Be

Chapter Two

A/n – okay, just to comment on something fAteD lOvE said. She is completely right. I am not delusional enough to think this will EVER happen. This is just a wild idea I came up with and decided to have fun with it. Unlike so many stories on here, it is not something I think could possibly happen in the future. I chose to start it after the second book because it was less for me to have to describe. BUT I have thought this through very thoroughly...complete with a 54 page detailed summary of the story. haha. I know…that's pitiful. Anyways, she commented that the elves would frown upon this. :D Trust me, I've already thought about that. Might as well give you a couple spoilers...the elves are NOT going to be happy. It wouldn't be accurate to have them accept this with no issue. Some of them weren't happy that Saphira hatched for Eragon and not an elf...how do you think they'll react when he gets their princess pregnant? lol. So yes, I have thought through lots of the little details and I am TRYING to keep it as close to plausible as possible...granted there will be some changes but I'm trying. I don't want to stray too far from the original books. I'm going to be incorporating unfinished ideas from the books into this story (as best I can) and I'll try not to get the characters too OOC. If one of them does something that doesn't seem normal for them, I'll explain it…which is why I have rewritten this chapter and focused it more on Arya then Eragon. Okay. Now that we got that said and done...

So, just for fun...I made a playlist of all the songs I listen to while writing this. I know I don't tend to read the lyrics posted in stories and I figure most people don't either but I still put them in. So I thought about it and decided to post the songs so you can listen to them if you like. I have the playlist playing the entire time I'm writing. I'll post the link in my profile because I can't get it to work in this...it screws up the link. Some are youtube links cuz the song wasn't listed in the playlist. Haha. And bonus points to anyone who can guess parts of the plot by listening to the songs!!

LALALA

Arya cautiously approached Eragon's tent in the early hours of the morning. She pulled back the flap and tiptoed inside, staying as quiet as possible. She glanced back outside briefly, wondering whether she should even have come, and then let the material fall shut behind her. Eragon was sound asleep, curled up under the heavy blankets. Settling herself onto the ground, she prepared to wait. If she left now she wasn't sure if she'd be back and she had promised to at least discuss the matter with him. She looked over at Roran, jumping slightly when she saw him sitting up, staring at her with a confused look on his face. He leaned over and shoved Eragon roughly. After a moment, Eragon rolled over and noticed her.

"Arya?" He was obviously confused. Arya stood up quickly and began heading for the exit.

"It's late. I shouldn't have come." She mumbled quietly. Eragon's hand reached out, grabbing her wrist.

"Wait." Arya cautiously turned around, glancing over her shoulder at the only exit. Finally she turned back to him and gave him a weak smile.

"We need to talk" she said softly. He nodded, already climbing out from under his covers. She looked away as he dug for a shirt and pulled it on. He nodded his head in the direction of the opening, glancing back at Roran who had already fallen back asleep. Arya followed him outside to where Saphira lay curled up, breathing softly in her sleep. Eragon settled himself against Saphira's warm belly, watching her intently. Arya slowly sat down, putting as much distance between them as possible. She knew he was confused. He knew how special children were to the elves and, though she hadn't wanted to be, she had been rather harsh in her last attempt to make him see that she would never take him as her mate. Her sudden suggestion must have confused him.

"I suppose you want to know why I'm considering this" she said flatly. He nodded and she watched him quietly for a moment. Finally she sighed, lowering her eyes. "There are a lot of reasons. I've been thinking and this may be our best option." She paused, observing him. "Eragon, if a human were chosen instead, would you marry her?" Eragon looked taken aback.

"I…I don't know. I hadn't thought of it. Why?"

"Because if you didn't marry her, the child would be born a bastard. You would have difficulty finding a woman who would bear your child out of wedlock. It isn't acceptable in your race. The woman's image would be ruined forever and the child wouldn't be recognized as your heir, even though it would be your eldest child." Eragon nodded in understanding.

"So your saying that if we-" he began to say, quickly being cut off.

"They can't expect us to marry if I do not believe in marriage. I believe they'd be more accepting of the situation." She paused and then met his eyes, her gaze growing fierce, "Eragon, whoever bears your child will gain a lot of power and respect in the Varden, especially if they marry you. I'm afraid that, if the Council realizes this, they will use it to gain power over Nasuada. Though I doubt Sabrae or Elessari would volunteer themselves, anyone on the Council could nominate a family member. They would still gain an unimaginable amount of power by being related to you. I can not let that happen. It could destroy the Varden."

"So…you'd do this to protect the Varden?" She nodded. He seemed to understand her reasoning. She looked at him for a few moments, debating with herself, and then smiled at him.

"And because you're my friend. I wouldn't want to see you forced to marry a woman who cared only for power and nothing for you or the child." He stared at her in disbelief and she was disappointed that he doubted her. She did care a great deal about him, even if it was only as a friend. Switching to the ancient language, she assured him, "I do care for you." He nods slowly, looking slightly defeated. She continued before he got any ideas, "This can not change anything between us. We will remain friends and nothing more. Once the child has been conceived, you must promise that you will stop pursuing me."

"I can not stop my feelings so easily." He mumbled. She shook her head, serious.

"I'm not asking you to. I know that one's emotions can not be turned off." She hesitated, lowering her eyes, and then whispered, "Faolin had been dead for a year now but my feelings for him remain strong." She looked back up, "I am only asking you to keep your feelings to yourself. If you can not promise me this, I will not agree to have this child."

"I will try not to put you into any more uncomfortable positions." He whispered. Arya smiled slightly, nodding. It would do.

"Then there are a couple things I need your opinion on before I agree to this. Will it matter to you whether the child is a boy or a girl? We will have no control over this so you must be content with whatever we get."

"Of course not!" he sounded slightly offended. "It'd still be my child and I'd love it if it were born a pig!" Arya muffled a laugh, not wanting to wake up anyone in the tents around them.

"Well I don't think we'll have to worry about that." She smiled for a moment longer and then grew serious again, "and what if the child doesn't become a Rider? There is no guarantee it will work." He shook his head.

"It wouldn't matter." He looked at her curiously for a moment, "Would it matter to you?" She lifted her eyebrows, amused.

"Dragon Rider or not, our child would have an important future." She smiles slyly. "One day my mother will step down and I will take her place as Queen. This child would be my heir." She watched him, still smiling slightly, as realization dawned on him. With any other woman, if the child failed to become a Rider, it would be considered a failure but, with her as its mother, they had a fallback plan. The child would always have a purpose in this world. He lowered his eyes, watching her out of the corner of his eye.

"So will you do it?" She nodded, making her decision.

"I will." Her voice became stern, "When the child's born, you can be as involved as you'd like but I won't hold you to anything. You are still needed in this war and that is more important than either me or this child. I will not let you neglect your duties because of this" She softened slightly, "…but I would like you to be there."

"I want to be there but I know that I have other duties that must come first." She smiled weakly.

"Then we should do this soon. The Varden should not need you for a few months at least." Eragon looks slightly confused so she explains, "I don't believe Murtagh will be sent out again for a few months. Galbatorix will punish him for letting you go and then he'll have to prove that he can be trusted again. Islanzadi has sent out the elves. The dwarves will not remain in the Beor Mountains for much longer. Surda has declared war on the Empire. The Varden are not alone in this war. Before you came along, we managed to hold them off for decades. As long as Murtagh remains in Urû'baen, the Varden will be able to handle this on their own." Eragon nodded but remained silent. He was obviously deep in thought. She watched him curiously for a moment and then he looked up.

"Roran still expects me to go with him to save Katrina." Arya considered it for a moment and then nodded.

"Go then. This can wait until you return." It would give her more time to figure this whole situation out.

"Really?" he asked doubtfully.

"Yes. Go with him." She insisted. She paused and then looked ashamed, "I told Nasuada about Glaedr." Eragon looked up at her in shock. "I did not tell her many details, only that we had hidden an injured male dragon in Ellesméra. When you go with Roran, I will return to Ellesméra. If I'm lucky, I may be able to convince Glaedr to mate with Saphira, at least temporarily." She laughed humorlessly, "If I can go against the elves customs and bear you a child, surely he could agree to mate with Saphira until the third egg hatches. The Varden is returning to Surda so I will meet you there. Nasuada will need to be informed of Glaedr's decision. Then I'll return to Ellesméra to birth and raise the child." She meets his eyes, "I'm assuming you'd like to come along as well?" He nodded.

"I swore to return and complete my training anyways." He paused and then asked, "Why are you returning to Ellesméra?"

"Eragon, I'll only be in the way if I remain here. It will be safer in Ellesméra, both for me and the child. Once I'm heavily pregnant I don't know if I will be able to defend myself as easily. I know you and I don't want you distracted by trying to protect me. I know you put wards around me during this last battle. I can only imagine what you'd do when I'm carrying your child." She paused and then looked him in the eye, "I don't want to raise my child in the middle of a war…and it may be best if no one even knows the child exists." He nods.

"I suppose it would distract me…" he admitted. She remained silent, reluctant to bring up the next topic. Finally she lowered her eyes, refusing to look at him.

"When we…conceive the child, I'd like it if we could remain somewhat modest." He looked confused.

"Modest?" She nodded, understanding why he sounded confused.

"Modest. As in keep your eyes up" she said, emphasizing the word 'up', "and leave on any clothes that don't need to be removed. I'll admit it. I'm not exactly comfortable with this."

"I don't want you to be uncomfortable." His eyes became distant as he considered it. The side of his mouth quirked slightly and she saw his gaze flicker down to her lips. She smiled as she realized what he was thinking.

"And yes, kissing is okay." If it would keep him distracted, she was willing to go that far. Eragon's eyes widened as she answered his unasked question. She just kept smiling and then changed the subject. "When we return to Ellesméra, you'll need to scry the Varden regularly. I'll help you with that. If another big battle is approaching, you must leave me and return to the Varden." He opens his mouth but she cuts him off before he can protest, "You must. They need you more than me. I'll be perfectly fine in Ellesméra. Promise you won't neglect your duties because of me and the child. Ending this war is the most important thing."

"I promise not to neglect my duties," he said in the ancient language, sealing his vow. Arya nodded absently, deep in thought. She could sense him watching her so she turned back, sighing quietly.

"I think I should already be pregnant when we return to Ellesméra. The elves won't be pleased but they'll have to accept it if I'm already carrying the child." She sighed again and Eragon scooted closer to her, laying his hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him.

"Are you certain you want to do this? You don't have to…I don't have to. We can just forget the whole idea." She smiled slightly at his concern.

"I'm certain." She leaned back against Saphira and they both sat in a comfortable silence. She soon found herself drifting off.

"Arya?" he called softly. She shifted slightly, unconsciously leaning closer to him.

"Hmm?"

"What will the Varden do without you?"

"I'll find someone to replace me. I have a few of the younger elves in mind. I'll tell Nasuada that I'm returning to Ellesméra but, for now, I'd rather not tell her about the baby or that I won't be returning." Eragon looked disappointed.

"You won't ever be returning to the Varden?" She lifted one of her sculpted eyebrows, staring at him.

"Eragon, I'll have a child." She said bluntly. "Until he or she is grown, that will be my entire life. Hopefully the war will be over by then but, if it isn't, I may consider rejoining the Varden. But that is still many years away and very unlikely." He nods and they fall into silence again, Arya's eyes drifting shut.

"Arya?" he calls again.

"What Eragon?" She kept her eyes shut, slightly annoyed with his constant questioning.

"How exactly does this happen?" She sits up, staring at him in disbelief. There's a trace of amusement there too.

"Please tell me I don't need to explain that to you." A grin spreads over her face as his face reddens, noticeable even in the dark.

"I didn't mean it like that!" he exclaimed, his face blushing brighter. "It's just…I don't know much about elf children or pregnancies or anything. I wanted to know beforehand." She's still grinning at his embarrassment but leans back again. She can feel her eyelids getting heavier and harder to keep open. Hesitating, she leans against Eragon, scooting sideways until she can comfortably rest her head on his shoulder. She shuts her eyes as she begins talking.

"Hmm…well, as you know, children are very rare. This child will be the greatest honor and responsibility I ever have and ever will take on. Even if the others are angry with us, the baby will be fawned over for years. We do mature slightly slower than humans but, because we're stronger, the baby will be able to crawl and walk at around the same time, though it varies depending on the child. Elves don't have any particular age when they reach maturity. There is no exact point in time where one suddenly goes from child to adult. What I can tell you though, is that you would still be a child and I am an adult." She sighs, "That alone will cause problems." She pauses and looks up at him, smiling slightly, "I'll basically be raising two children." Eragon looks offended and she smiles.

"I don't mean it like that. I mean this baby will tie you to the elves forever and, because of that, you have much to learn about our culture. I'll start teaching you when we reach Ellesméra." She laughs lightly then, "At least I'll have someone to practice on before the baby arrives."

"And what about the pregnancy?" Arya hesitates, trying to figure out where to start.

"You need to remember, I haven't lived with my people for most of my life. I was very young when I left and I've only been back occasionally since then. I can not even remember seeing a pregnant elf. I don't know as much as I should about the subject but I never expected to become pregnant so soon, if at all. This will be strange for me. I've never considered myself to be a particularly maternal person. When I'm in Ellesméra, I'll try to sneak into the library and find some books about what to expect. I don't want to draw any attention to myself though so I may have to wait until we announce the pregnancy. I can tell you the basics though. Elves are pregnant for twelve months, not nine." She pauses, frowning, and then continues hesitantly, "I'm pretty sure it will be twelve but since the baby will be half human we'll have to wait and see. It could come earlier I suppose. Otherwise, it is fairly similar to humans. I may feel ill during the first months and become uncomfortable as my pregnancy progresses. We are quite different from humans though so I'm not sure how to compare them." Eragon was quiet for a moment and then looked at her curiously.

"Do elves get mood swings?" Arya looked taken aback for a moment and then frowned.

"I'm not sure but we've always hidden our emotions so I don't think it'll matter." She paused, stifling a yawn. "Can we continue this conversation later?"

"Sure." He settled back against Saphira. Arya surprised them both when she decided to stay beside him rather than returning to her own tent. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders to make her more comfortable and she stiffened at the contact but allowed herself to remain curled against him. As they're drifting off, Eragon called her name again. She mumbled in response. He quietly said, "Please, let me in during the pregnancy. I want to help so if your ever feeling sick or tired or anything, let me know." She smiled slightly, relaxing into him.

"I will." She whispered so quietly he could barely hear her. They drift off to sleep, neither noticing that Saphira had turned her head and was watching them through half-opened eyes. She hummed happily to herself, gently placing a wing over the sleeping pair, before drifting back to sleep.

LALALA

A/n - And I just had to say thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter...and added me to their favorites or their alert lists. HUGS I got so giggly when i got all those messages. haha. So thanks to...hurting-angel, Euphora, Zmoe Anger, Evilness Surrounding, mystery writer5775, Lord Cornelius Ravencroft, ANGELOFTHEBLACKROSES, Ryder Blade, christina, Vaapad and fAteD lOvE!! lol. Also a thanks to Dronzer and Aya Myojo Kitsune (ok, that's fun to spell) who didn't review but did add me to their alert list. lol.

I'm looking forward to ya'lls reviews. And for those who I couldn't reply to, I plan on updating every Friday but there's a chance I'll update on Tuesdays some weeks. It depends on who quickly I'm writing.