Chapter 2: At the Jiet
Eragon slept for the rest of that and the next day he rested and stayed off his feet still weak from the spell he had preformed to free Elva. On the day before he would leave with Roran to Helgrind he was up early that morning before the sun was even up and he went to the armory and picked out a sword for him to practice with, so he would be prepared for the battle he would face against the Ra'zac.
Saphira, he called, would you come over here. I am going over to Jiet to train. You should come too; we should practice together before we face the Ra'zac.
As you wish little one, I will join you shortly.
"Eragon," a familiar voice called and as he heard footsteps draw near he smelled the sweet aroma of freshly crushed pine needles.
He turned around to see Arya approaching him. "Arya Svit-Kona," he said putting his first two fingers to his lips. He then said, "Atra estereni ono thelduin."
She did likewise but instead replied, "Atra du evarinya ono varda."
"I was about to go to the Jiet to do the Rimgar and train with Saphira. Would you lke to join me?" Eragon asked.
"I would, I have not be able to do the Rimgar for many days now."
Just then they heard repeated steady thuds in the air and turned to see Saphira land beside them. Arya, Saphira said politely.
Saphira, Arya replied.
She will be joining us Saphira to the Jiet.
That is fine just, do not make a fool of yourself.
Eragon and Arya mounted Saphira and she took off steadily rising into the air and leaving the ground behind. They soared through the air to the Jiet River and when they reached it Saphira broke into a swift downward spiral and landed lightly on the banks of the river. They dismounted and lay their sword down o the sandy shore then they began.
I took them two hours to complete the four stages of the Rimgar and when they finished they were tired and decided to rest for a few minutes and they sat on the rivers banks in silence.
"Eragon, I have a favor to ask you," Arya said suddenly breaking the silence.
"What is it?"
"I would like to accompany you and your cousin on your trip to Helgrind," she replied.
Eragon did not reply immediately but sat there thinking about what he should reply. Then he said in a quiet voice, "It is not that I do not think you are a capable warrior, for you bested me in our duel. It is also no that I worried about your safety and am trying to protect you. The reason why I can not grant you this favor is because this trip is not just about saving my cousin's fiancée, but it is also about completing the reason we both set out from Carvahall. That reason is to seek our revenge and destroy the creatures that have destroyed so much of our lives. I am sorry but Roran, Saphira, and I must do this alone."
"I understand that you feel this way, but you are and Saphira are the Varden's last hope and you should have protection on a task like this. For you have no idea what you could be going into."
"I can handle myself. I have already told you that I respect you as a capable warrior, now respect me as one."
"I do, but I believe you are making a very foolish and naïve mistake."
"No, you do not. You have never respected me a warrior or have you ever respected my decisions. I have many people to please and I know I can not please them all. You have always expected me to do what you think I should do but I can not always please you seeing I serve the Varden not you. You have practically abandoned our friendship as soon as I have done something that displeases you and you have you have not stood by me as a friend threw any of this. The only reason I have tried to please you in the past is because you are my friend and I have feelings for you. Knowing you have none for me and that you can never truly respect me, why should I should I try to please you? Do you still think of me as the ignorant boy you met in Gil'ead?"
"No, I do not think of you as that boy. You have grown much since then and you have truly become a great rider."
"Then respect my decision."
"I can not," Arya said then ran off.
Saphira, do you think I have just ruined our friendship, Eragon said beginning to calm down and watching her run off.
No, I do not little one, but I believe you will have to try to work hard to mend it completely.
Right now, I'm not sure I want to.
Why is that little one? She only wanted to ensure your safety.
She should know by now that I can take care of myself. Like I said, I am not the child she met in Gil'ead.
I know that and she has just admitted to that. Eragon, she cares for your safety. Not just because the fate of the Varden rests in your hands but she truly is your friend.
Then I must heal our friendship.
Yes, you must.