"The Kingslayer owes me a debt. I am here to retrieve it"
Arya looked dumbly at the forest ahead as if to find the tree, forgetting that it was behind the palace.
"I know you heard me" the tree said, making a sound that Arya assumed was a sigh.
"What kind of debt?" she asked.
The Menoa tree showed Arya the memory of when Eragon had retrieved the brightsteel from under its roots to use it to make Brisingr. Arya held back a smile as she saw Saphira's impatience with the tree.
"Linnëa why are you showing this to me?" Arya said when the memory ended trying to think what a tree could possibly want. Endless sunlight and water? Animals to stop eating its leaves? To be protect from the harsh elements?
"Still your thoughts Rider. What I want is none of that." she said. "I want your sorrow to end" the tree said.
Arya started at the sunset, shocked at the tree's request. "You... you want my sorrow to end?" Arya finally said.
"Yes Rider. Your sorrow. You think that you hide this pain from everyone but you are wrong!" the tree said. "You may hide it from your dragon but we still feel your pain. We hear your cries for the love you have lost. We feel the ache of your heart when you lie awake in your bed thinking of what could have been. We have become your tears" Linnëa said.
Arya took her time in processing the information. Though she knew it was wrong, she couldn't help but to feel a sense of relief as she found out that someone other than Fírnen had understood her pain.
"I don't know what to say" Arya said leaning against the wall.
"The other trees are willing to tolerate this horrendous pain but I am not. You have disturbed my peace Rider. You have made me want to pull my roots from the earth in frustration as I cannot block out your pain" the tree said.
"What do you want me to do?" Arya said both with her mind and mouth.
"I am willing to give you what you want most Rider" it said.
"How can you bring Eragon and Saphira back? You cannot change the prophecy" Arya said closing her eyes.
"No I cannot. But I can give you time" the tree said.
"Time?" Arya asked refusing to believe what she had heard.
"Yes Rider, time. For all our sakes we will allow you to do what you must to end this sorrow" Linnëa said.
"What would happen to Fírnen?" Arya quickly asked as concern for her dragon started to spread within her mind.
"Your dragon would not be able to go with you. If you choose to go back, Galbatorix will have a green stone that he and everyone else believes to be Fírnen. If he finds out the truth, the future that you and so many have worked and died for will be lost forever" the Menoa tree said.
"How long do I have?" Arya asked.
"One week. One week to say and do what you must. To decide you have until the moon reaches its peak tonight. And Rider, if you choose not to, know that you are condemning you and all of my seedlings to death by this sorrow" and with that statement the Menoa Tree withdrew from her mind, leaving Arya alone with her thoughts.
Little one Fírnen said. Arya jumped gracefully from the balcony landing on her green dragon. She hugged Fírnen from behind.
Arya what troubles you? Fírnen asked, his voice full of concern as he felt his rider's tears land on his neck. Arya showed him the memory of her conversation with the Menoa Tree.
Fírnen let out a jet of green fire when the memory ended. Blast that tree! Saphira was angered by it and I too am! How dare she place the pressure of her seedlings' life on you! Fírnen said breaking the silent night.
Fírnen! Arya said trying to calm him down.
I will rip its roots out and burn it for daring to speak to you in that manner Fírnen said finally calming down.
But what she said was true. My misery, our misery is slowly killing us Arya said tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Fírnen could feel the battle taking within her. Arya wanted to go but she couldn't leave him.
Little on go he said.
I will not leave you! Arya protested.
I know it is hard little on but you must do it. If Saphira survived leaving her Rider for a week so shall I and so shall you as Eragon did Fírnen told her. Arya finally let her tears fall.
I love you Fírnen Arya said.
As I you he replied sending his love over their link. One week isn't that long. If your still not back by then, hear me well little one, neither Galbatorix, his army and magicians, nor time itself will keep me from coming to you. I will always find you. Do well little one so that we may never have to feel this kind of heartache again Fírnen said humming.
I will Fírnen, I will.
Thank you to all who reviewed my first chapter :) I have a plan of how its going to continue but it might change depending on what you guys think. Reviews are welcomed :D