(A/N) Welcome back readers, to another chapter of I Am With You Now Eragon. First things first, I started this story on spring break, so the updates will probably come slower than they will after this week. I play baseball for my school (yes I'm a guy) and have homework and everything else that goes with school. I'll do my best to write when I can, but updates will likely be slower than they are this week. With all that said, atra du evarínya ono varda, and enjoy the story.
Arya awoke to the sounds of a bustling military camp. The sound of metal jostling against metal was prevalent, but the sharp hiss of sharpening swords and the clang of swords meeting during a sparring match could also be heard. She changed into her usual black leathers and headed out of her tent to face a new a day.
Arya first headed for Angela's tent, looking for news of Eragon. As she reached it, she found the two Nighthawks still present. Knowing she would not be able to enter, she instead asked one of the guards to call for Angela. He did so, and the witch soon swept out of the tent,
"Arya, to what do I owe the pleasure of such an early visit," asked Angela.
"I am looking for any new news of our Rider," Arya replied.
"His condition is unchanged, though the wound looks slightly better, and his likelihood of survival seems higher than when I spoke to you last night."
"Thank you Angela, your news is very comforting."
"I cannot help the news that I deliver, be it good or bad, I give naught but the facts."
"Of course, goodbye Angela."
"May the stars watch over you, Arya."
At this, Arya turned from Angela's tent and headed to the training grounds. Reaching them, she looked for someone worthy to spar with. She spotted Yaela at the end of field, practicing her archery. Knowing that she would only be challenged by one of Eragon's elven guard, or Eragon himself, she approached Yaela.
"Yaela, would you like to spar with me," Arya asked, knowing that Yaela would not deny her Princess.
"Of course, Princess, let us find an open area for our duel." Finding an area of about 100 feet in diameter, the two elves drew their swords and blocked the edges with magic. Once both were blocked, they took their stances about 75 feet apart and began circling.
Arya made the first move, running towards Yaela with a yell. Yaela nimbly sidestepped Arya's stab, and took a slash at Arya's ribs. Expecting this, Arya blocked with inhuman speed and the two began a flurry of blows that were impossible to follow with human eyes. Eventually they broke apart, neither having landed a touch on the other. They spread apart again, and resumed circling.
This time, Yaela made the first move, running forwards with slash at Arya's legs. Arya blocked the slash with a flick of her wrist, and, seeing an opening, quickly stabbed at Yaela's ribs. She felt her dulled sword touch Yaela's skin, and pulled away, knowing she had bested her opponent.
"You have bested me, Princess, would you like to go again," asked Yaela, her breathing slightly labored from the fight.
"Of course Yaela, I have nothing else to attend to at this time." At this, a young messenger ran up, Arya recognized him as Jarsha, asking him what his message was.
"Lady Arya, Lady Nasuada requests your presence in her tent as soon as you can arrive," the young boy said, breathing heavily from his run.
"Of course Jarsha, tell Nasuada I shall make my way to her tent very soon."
"Thank you, Lady Arya," replied Jarsha as he ran off towards Nasuada's tent.
"It seems our time has been cut short Yaela, thank you for sparring with me," Arya said, turning back to Yaela.
"Of course Princess, it was an honor. May the stars watch over you."
"And you Yaela." With this, Arya set off at a brisk walk towards Nasuada's tent, wondering what was so urgent. As she rounded the corner to Nasuada's tent, Arya was surprised to fine the large form of Saphira outside of Nasuada's tent.
"Good morning Saphira, how is Eragon?"
"Angela says that there is a good chance that he will survive, this news heartens me immensely."
"Aye, living in fear of his death was not a good experience, even if it was for naught but a day."
"This is quite true, little princess. Do you have any idea why Nasuada has called us here?"
"I do not, perhaps Angela has more news?"
"Let us go in and find out," Saphira said, her head snaking its way through the windows on the side of the tent. Arya walked to the front entrance, and the Nighthawks let her in, obviously expecting her.
"Ah good, you are both here. I have good news from Angela on the condition of our Rider," Nasuada said with a smile as she saw Arya and Saphira enter the tent.
"Well, out with it Nasuada, will my Rider survive," Saphira questioned impatiently.
"Yes, Saphira, Eragon will be fine, and should awaken within the next day or two."
"This is indeed great news Nasuada, without Eragon, our hopes of deposing Galbatorix would again be destroyed."
"Yes, indeed. This was all I had to tell the two of you, you may return to your previous engagement."
With a nod, Arya left the tent, her emotionless mask never leaving her face. On the inside however, her heart soared. If Eragon had died just as she realized her feelings for the Rider, she would have been devastated. She walked towards her tent again, having no other obligations to fulfill for the day.
In her tent, Arya reflected on her earlier thoughts of Eragon. She now knew she loved him, but could she tell him that? She could not, it would only serve to distract him from their cause, and he could have no distractions. Perhaps after the war, perhaps then they could be together, but not before. She could become his weakness, one the Black King would certainly exploit. Her mind decided, she knew that she could not tell Eragon of her true feelings, as much as it would pain her inside, it was for the best.
The next morning, Arya awoke to a banging on her tent post. Rising from her bed, she muttered a spell to make herself presentable, and stepped outside her tent.
"Lady Arya, Nasuada wishes to inform you that Eragon Shadeslayer has awoken, and that you may see him in Angela's tent," Jarsha said.
"Thank you Jarsha, you have delivered your message well."
Jarsha said a quick thank you and ran off to deliver his next message. Arya's heart soared again as it was proven that Eragon would survive, but she quickly calmed herself, knowing she could not show Eragon her true feelings. She changed into her common leathers and a dark green shirt, matching her eyes. With this, she set out at jog for Angela's tent, wishing to see Eragon.
Reaching Angela's tent, Arya was met b the now common two Nighthawks. However, as she approached, they only stepped aside, allowing her passage into the tent. Entering, she was met by a tent in disarray, with books and scrolls open on tables all around. Many experiments were also obvious, some that seemed to be currently occurring and others that appeared to be over. Arya was not interested in Angela's experiments though, she searched for the Rider who had stolen her heart. Finding him on a cot in the far left corner, she approached. Eragon appeared to be sleeping, but as she approached, quite quietly, his eyes fluttered open.
"Atra esterní ono thelduin, Arya Dröttningu."
"Mor'ranr lífa unin hjarta onr, Eragon Shadeslayer," she responded, truthfully hating the formality, but knowing that she was still supposed to be angry with him from the Agaetí Blödhren.
"Un du evarínya ono varda," Eragon finished the greeting, propping himself up on his elbow. "How are you Arya?"
"I am well, better knowing that the Varden's Rider is going to recover. We were unsure whether you would survive the night that you fought the Red Rider."
"Do you know..." Eragon started.
"Yes, Saphira told me that the Rider is Murtagh. I am sorry that you had to be betrayed."
"If you know that, has Saphira told you the other news?"
"Other news? Saphira has not said anything about other news."
"Indeed. Murtagh revealed something to me during our fight, something I think the Varden will not like," he said with a grimace on his face.
"You need not tell me if it causes you pain."
"You have a right to know. Murtagh told me who my father was."
"Why would the Varden not like this Eragon, is this not great news," Arya asked, puzzlement written on her face.
"My father was Morzan, Arya. the leader of the Forsworn," Eragon said, a grimace again taking over his features.
Arya paused, this she was not expecting. "Are you sure, Eragon, that he was not lying?"
"He told me in the Ancient Language Arya, how could he lie? I promise to you now, though, I will not be like my father. I will kill Galbatorix, and return Alagaësia to peace. I will not become my father," Eragon stated with great conviction.
"I would never believe you to become your father Eragon. Who your father is matters not, you have a strong heart and a good soul. You inherited this from your mother, I would imagine," Arya stated, her heart breaking that Eragon would even think that he would become his father.
"Thank Arya, you have soothed my mind of its troubles," Eragon said, a slight smile gracing his features.
"Of course Eragon. I have something to ask of you however."
"Anything Arya, anything for you."
"I would like to be friends again, provided you give up this pursuit of me," Arya said, thinking that she truly did not want him to give up on his pursuit. She did think that she could be friends with the Rider though, being without him completely was just unbearable.
"Of course Arya, I wish for our friendship to continue more than you could know."
"Thank you Eragon, I will leave you to rest," Arya said, noticing the tired look of his eyes and body.
"May the stars watch over you, Arya."
"And you Eragon." With that, Arya left the tent. She went in search of Angela, curious how long it would take for Eragon's recovery to full strength again. Searching across the camp, Arya found Angela on an edge of the Varden camp, picking some sort of plant from the ground.
"Good afternoon Angela," Arya said, approaching her.
"Ah Princess, what can I do for you today?"
"I am curious as to how long the Rider's full recovery will take. Will it be weeks before he has regained all strength."
"That is how long it should take, Arya, but he is healing at an unimaginable rate. He should be able to walk by tomorrow, and be at his original strength within three days. Never before have I seen a wound so grievous heal so quickly. Eragon is, himself, an anomaly in the world."
"This is good news Angela, I think he will have to travel to Tronjheim for Hrothgar's funeral. He must also return to Ellesméra to complete his training with his masters."
"Of course, as I said, he will be at full strength within three days. I must return to my tent now Arya, goodbye."
"Goodbye Angela." With nothing left to do for the day, Arya set out for her tent. Once she reached it, she rested for the remainder of the day, knowing that she would travel with Eragon when he went to Tronjheim and or Ellesméra. She would go with him, not only to keep him safe, but because she wished for his company.
The next morning, Arya awoke unusually late, the sun had risen nearly three hours earlier. Guessing that there would be a council later that day to discuss the Varden's, and Eragon's, next moves, she prepared a bath.
Once she was finished, she got dressed. Just as she finished, a messenger knocked on her tent post. Muttering a spell to finish drying her hair, Arya exited her tent. She knew what the messenger was going to say, but let him tell her that she was expected at Nasuada's tent for a council in ten minutes.
She headed in that direction, already ready to fight to travel with Eragon. Once she reached the tent, she was announced by the captain of the Nighthawks, and was granted entry by Nasuada. Entering, she found Nasuada, Orrin, Angela, and Eragon seated at the table. Saphira was also in attendance, but with her head through the window of Nasuada's large command tent. The one leader who Arya noticed was missing was Orik.
"Now that all the leaders are here, minus Orik who has left for Tronjheim for King Hrothgar's funeral," Nasuada said, opening the meeting and answering Arya's unasked question.
"What is it that you need of me Nasuada, I am not a leader," Angela said quickly, annoyed that she had to come to some silly council meeting.
"Angela, I wish for your opinion on how long it will be until Eragon is ready to travel."
"I would say the Rider could travel tomorrow if need be."
"Thank you Angela, that was all I needed from you. You may go." With this, Angela quickly stood and left the tent, impatient to return to her tent.
"Now, we can return to the true matter at hand. Eragon is a member of the Ingeitum, and it is expected that he will be present at Hrothgar's funeral. I do not like the idea of our Rider leaving us open for an attack from the Red Rider, but I fear that the dwarves would be angered if he does not attend."
At this, Orrin spoke, "I do not think he should go, we need him in case the bloody Empire attacks again. If they come while he is gone, we will be massacred."
"I do not like this anymore than you do Orrin, but I fear that if Eragon does not attend, we will lose the support of the dwarves." This silenced Orrin, and Eragon took the chance to speak.
"I agree that I must attend Hrothgar's funeral, but if I could make another request?"
"Of course Eragon, what is it," Nasuada responded.
"I need to return to Ellesméra to complete my training, I promised my masters that I would do so as soon as I could." Arya was happy to hear that Eragon knew he needed to return, it meant she did not have to bring it up.
"I do not like you leaving at all Eragon, but must you return to Ellesméra as well. It will leave us open to attack for far longer than I would like to be."
"If I do not complete my training, then it will not matter whether we are attacked my Lady, we will be defeated at Urû'baen by the Black King."
"I do not like this Eragon, but I believe it is necessary."
Finally, Arya spoke, "Nasuada, I would ask that I travel with him."
"I do not like this either Arya, why do you need to travel with Eragon."
"I wish to travel Eragon to help to protect him. He is not fully healed yet, and will not be able to fight easily. I must also return to Ellesméra to speak with my mother, since I cannot from here because of the wards surrounding Du Weldenvarden."
"It seems as though I will not be able to sway you Arya, and though I do not like it, you may travel with Eragon to Tronjheim and then Ellesméra, as long as it is agreeable to Eragon and Saphira."
"Of course my Lady, Arya is a welcome addition."
"I can carry Eragon and Arya to Tronjheim with no issue, Nasuada, she is welcome to come," Saphira, speaking so all in the tent could hear her.
"It is settled then, can you both leave tomorrow?"
"Of course Nasuada," they both said.
"Very well, during your absence, I plan to move the Varden back into Surda, so the Empire are less likely to notice your absence. Is this plan agreeable to you all?"
There were mumblings of "Yes" and "Of course, Nasuada" all around, and with that, it was decided. Eragon, Saphira, and Arya would leave for Tronjheim the next morning, and the Varden would return to Surda until their return.
(A/N) That's chapter two, Eragon and Arya are off to Tronjheim. What will happen along the way, or maybe in Tronjheim? You all don't know, but I have a pretty good idea. I hope you enjoyed the chapter, atra du evarínya ono varda, and have a good one.