A new dress and some food were given to Aryna when she joined the Varden that day. She took both gratefully and ate the small loaf of bread and wedge of cheese with in minutes.
Sighing, Aryna sat down on the ground next to a tent. For her, this tiny bit of resting was appreciated more than anything. After months of walking, the opportunity to sit and relax had never presented itself. As a direct result, her stamina was drained and the only thing she really wanted was sleep.
A girl around Aryna's age walked out of the tent she was sitting by.
"Good day," The fair haired girl said cheerfully when she saw Aryna.
"Good day," Aryna replied back politely.
"I don't think we've met before," The girl said smiling.
"I'm new here," Returned Aryna quietly.
"My name isÉadaoin, what's yours?"
"My name is Aryna," She replied.
Éadaoin held out her hand, "Welcome to the Varden Aryna."
"Thank you, I truly am happy to be here."
"We're all glad to have you. I've lived with the Varden for my entire life; my father and mother have lived with the Varden a long time too. I don't know what it's like to live anywhere else," Éadaoin said happily.
"I wish it was the same with me," Aryna sighed.
Suddenly noticing the new dress in Aryna's arms Éadaoin said, "You can change in my tent it you'd like Aryna."
"That would be wonderful," Aryna said happily.
Aryna changed into her new dress. It was similar to the old one except without the rips, dirt, and blood stains. The new bodice was dark green and the skirt was maroon. The rest of the ensemble went well with her cream white chemise.
"You clean up nice," said Éadaoin jokingly.
Aryna smiled, "This is probably the nicest dress I've had my entire life," she observed.
"I suppose you've worn your hair like that your entire life too," Éadaoin teased.
"I guess I have, why what's wrong with it?" Aryna asked stroking her auburn tresses.
"Nothing's wrong with it, but there's other things you can do with it you know?" Éadaoin laughed.
"I guess I've never thought of that…" Aryna muttered.
"Come with me, we'll get you looking like a princess," Éadaoin said tugging at Aryna's arm.
Aryna was ushered into Éadaoin's tent and sat down on her bed. Éadaoin sat behind her and began to brush out the twisting cascade of auburn locks.
"Aryna, where are you from," she asked innocently.
"I don't really like to talk about it," Aryna muttered.
"Oh…"
"It's not important anyways," Aryna said.
"Ruff start huh?"
"I guess," Aryna said quietly, "you could say that.
"Well then let's talk of happier things. Have you met Eragon yet?" Éadaoin asked, bringing lighter things to mind.
"Yes actually, I have. He seems nice enough," Aryna said, sounding lost.
"He is very kind, he seems, lost to me though," Éadaoin observed, slowly braiding Aryna's waist length mane.
"Well, he is a dragon rider, think of everything that he's been rushed into," Aryna noted.
"That is true; I wish I knew him better. He seems so interesting."
"I hope I get to know him well too," Said Aryna, shyly.
"There's not a girl in the Varden who doesn't," Laughed Éadaoin.
Aryna chuckled, "I'm sure."
Éadaoin finished braiding Aryna's hair and plated it up at the nape of her neck. She stood up and took a step back to admire her hard work.
"You look wonderful Aryna," She sighed.
"Do I?" Asked Aryna doubtful of her appearance.
"Of course you do! Here," Said Éadaoin, getting up and reaching into a drawer, she pulled out a small looking glass, "Look in this."
Aryna took the polished silver glass and held it up to her face. This was the first time she'd ever seen herself in a looking glass. Sure she'd seen her reflection in water plenty of times, but this was different.
She saw a young woman of 15 staring back at her, her crystal blue eyes shining up at Aryna. The girl's hair was twisted up in back showing her bare neck. Altogether, the image was a beautiful one.
"Is that, really me?" Aryna asked Éadaoin gasping.
Éadaoin laughed, "Of course it is Aryna. Now, come with me, let me introduce you to some of the people here at the Varden."
"Alright," Aryna said, hopping to her feet.
First, Éadaoin introduced Aryna to minor members of the Varden, including her own family. But then, more important people came into play. Roran, Eragon's cousin was introduced, as well as Arya, the Elf Princess. Aryna didn't like Arya much. She seemed to have a snobbish attitude, not one much like by Aryna herself.
As Aryna lay down on the floor of Éadaoin's tent that night, she was satisfied, satisfied that her life had taken her here, and satisfied that her life would continue to live with the Varden. But most of all, she was happy she'd met Eragon.