Thenks for the reviews. This is the first fan fic I've posted so I need the critique. Thanks again.
Arrival
Queen Arya sat on her throne of knotted roots, the four and twenty elf lords and ladies surrounding her all awaiting the arrival of Eragon. The sun had traveled through the sky five times since she scryed him. She had a great feeling of anticipation within her. It had been so long since last they spoke face to face. The last real words she spoke to Eragon were those of his true name. Words that described his very being, that told the depths of his feeling for her.
Arya was all but positive those feeling would not last very long and would fade with time as the human mind changed too often. Though he was a Rider he was still a human and with all her experience dealing with humans she personally viewed those changes too often.
Eragon had been too young. She could not believe his mind would never change and leave her wounded yet again. Her feelings concerning Eragon were so mixed up she did not know what to feel. Arya shared her true name with him, the ultimate bond of trust. She knew he would never betray that trust. He had helped her to heal in ways no one else could. The companionship they shared was one she doubted she would find again. Arya struggled many nights wondering if she had ruined it when she took the crown.
After the fall of Galbatorix and the hatching of Fírnen, Arya pictured herself helping to rebuild the Rider Order alongside Eragon. It seems fate had other plans for her as the Elders of her race made very well reasoned arguments on why she should take the throne. She had already sworn herself to duty as had Eragon. And so they parted ways for the good of many.
They approach Fírnen thought in Arya's mind, interrupting her musing. She could feel the subtle concussion in the air from the flight of dragons through their bond. She could also feel his anticipation of seeing Saphira after so many years. Fírnen sat behind her throne in the massive hall with his head stuck out the tear drop shape hole that granted him entrance to the throne room. As Arya liked for Fírnen to join her when she held court, the elves sung the opening so he could enter from behind without disturbing the rest of the hall.
Arya straitened on her throne and smoothed down the folds of her tunic. She wore a tunic of deep emerald that matched the color of the scales along Fírnen's back. Around her neck she wore a velvet cloak of a lighter green trimmed in silver that flowed down to the floor and rested in folds. The silver diadem with four emeralds encrusted on each side rested upon her brow. Her anticipation swelled at the thought of seeing her old friend again.
Arya could now hear Saphira's wing beats herself as the pair of Riders grew closer. She had meet Nyiain on several occasions over the years, though she liked the elf personally, she did not much care for the position Nyiain held next to Eragon. Arya could not help but envy her, for it could have been Arya at Eragon's side.
The thudding of wings grew louder and louder until Arya heard a ground trembling roar that shook the roots of the very throne she sat upon. She could feel Fírnen's astonishment but he seemed speechless so Arya had to look through his eyes for the reason. As she did she felt her own eyes grow wide and her mouth pop open at what she was seeing. While Fírnen crawled out of the hall to greet Saphira with a bellow of his own. Arya came back to herself trying to comprehend what she viewed through Fírnen and noticed the lords and ladies looking at her curiously. Finally she spoke "It seems we must travel outside to greet Eragon and Saphira. She seems to have grown."
Arya stood and made to exit the hall with her councilors in tow. Once outside she saw Fírnen racing to meet Saphira. She could feel his awe at the sight of what Saphira had become but most of all Arya could feel his joy from finally, after all these long years being with her once again. The feelings through their bond brought a smile to Arya's face.
Behind Arya Lord Däthedr spoke "How can it be that Saphira is too large for our throne room? Firnen has no problem accommodating himself and he is but a few years younger than Saphira." Arya considered this for Fírnen had not been too much smaller than Saphira when first they met. She had no answer but would inquire to Eragon on the matter and she voiced her thought in return.
Arya reached out to Fírnen and spoke. Where will Saphira be landing? Firnen replied with an image of the sparring fields. It seems as if his emotions were getting in the way of him answering with words. Thoughts of joyous pride, fierce devotion and never ending attraction ran through his mind so quick Arya could not keep up with them all.
The Queen started the short journey to the sparring field as three large shadows passed overhead. The canopy if pine trees blocked out most of the dragons bodies but she could still make out flashes of blue, green, and silver from the scales of each dragon. With her cloak swirling out behind her Arya strode into the empty sparring field and looked skyward. Saphira and Fírnen flew side by side, while Islingr trailed slightly behind.
Lord Däthedr gasped at the size of Saphira. With Firnen flying beside her the elves had a better understanding of how much bigger she was. Saphira was clearly bigger than Glaedr had been but she was not nearly as old as he was when he his body died.
All three dragons tilted into a dive hurtling downward towards the assembled elves. Two hundred feet from the ground Saphira snapped her wings open which caused a concussion in the air like a thunder clap. With three powerful strokes of her wings she came to a stop and hovered fifty feet from the ground then fell the remaining distance with a crash that caused dust and pine needles to fly in all directions. The elves had to shield their eyes and bend their knees to absorb the impact. Fírnen was right behind her landing only seconds later. Islingr flew in at a slower pace and landed softer than the others.
While all three dragons were magnificent to behold Arya searched until she found the deep brown orbs she so often thought about. For several moments she gazed into Eragon's eyes which seemed to have much more depth and a sort of wisdom and understanding that could only be found with years of study and experience. Eragon held her gaze even as she held his, Arya seemed to find deep seated relief as she watched the emotions swirl through his eyes. The moment was broken as Fírnen playfully snapped at Saphira's neck and she shifted to snap in return which broke Arya's eye contact with Eragon.
Eragon and Nyiain both started to unbuckle the leg straps on their saddles. Nyiain slid off the side of her dragon and made it to the ground first. She started the process of removing the saddle from Islingr even as Eragon jumped to the ground from Saphira's back. The force of the fall caused him to drop to one knee. He recovered quickly and also started the process of removing Saphira's saddle. Arya took no disrespect from not being greeted immediately for the comfort of a Rider's dragon meant everything to that Rider. Saphira stood on all four legs so to let Eragon walk under her and unbuckle her saddle. It was a testament to how big she really was for Eragon still had to stretch upwards to reach the saddle straps.
When both riders deposited their saddles Nyiain approached Queen Arya and initiated the elven greeting speaking first to show her lower rank then proceeded to greet the rest of Arya's court. Islingr followed next though only speaking first with the Queen as a gesture of respect for her station. When Nyiain and Islingr finished their greetings they both moved to the side to let Eragon and Saphira approach.
Arya noticed Eragon's hair was slightly longer than when last she had seen him and was tied back with a strip of sapphire cloth. He wore a black tunic trimmed with a vibrant blue to match Saphira's scales, black leggings and black boots made of the sturdy cloth the elves use completed his attire. Brisingr hung from his hip, Aren he wore on the third finger of his right hand. He also wore a necklace made of white gold that held another sapphire the size of her thumb. He looked to have an air of maturity about him that he did not have before. The thought of the last time she stood in front of him raced through her mind. The love in his eyes and the anguish that shone on his face that fateful night tugged at her heart strings.
Eragon snapped her back to present when he looked into her eyes and spoke "Atra esterni ono thelduin, Arya Drötting." Arya replied "Un du evarinya ono varda, Eragon Lead Rider." To which Eragon finished with the formal phrase "Mor'rana lifa unin hjarta onr." He continued to stare into her eyes as if to drink in the sight of her. It almost made her feel indecent until she realized she had been doing the same since Saphira first landed in front of her.
Saphira then lowered her head until it was level with Eragon and turned to look at Arya with one huge sapphire eye. Her eye reached from Eragon's waist to the top of his head, twice the size of any round shield Arya had ever used. She continued to stare for a few seconds until Arya realized she was waiting to be greeted. Arya easily bent her will and complied and started the greeting. Saphira responded as was proper and Arya finished. Saphira then turned to Fírnen and started to converse with him, Arya caught glimpses of the new home she was showing him, along with the hatchings of several of the wild dragons. Within moments the two mated dragons took flight to rest and have privacy.
After Eragon was greeted by the other lords and ladies of her court he turned to her and said. "It is likely we will not see them for several hours at the very least, we ran into a strong head wind on the third day of our journey so Saphira and Islingr both need rest."
Arya looked over at Islingr and noticed a slight droop in his wings, and his eyelids half covered his bright orange eyes. "Of course Shadeslayer. Your tree house is waiting and ready for you." She turned to Nyiain. "Nyiain we have made ready one of our guest houses just outside Tialdarí Hall. It is not large enough for Islingr to sleep inside but there is an opening where he may reach his head in so as to rest with your company."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Nyiain replied. She turned to Eragon. "Master, by your leave?" Eragon dipped his head and replied. "Be back here at dawn for our daily session. Otherwise your time is your own." It sounded strange for Arya to hear Eragon addressed as master.
Arya had a nearby elf escort Nyiain and Islingr to the house they would be sharing.
Arya then asked Eragon. "Would you like to put your things away? Perhaps afterwards you would see fit to dine with my court and tell us more of your new home?" He seemed to study her intently for several moments. This is not the same Eragon that I watched leave Alagaësia. She thought to herself. Well how could he be the same? He left everything and everyone he loved behind.
Eragon just opened his mouth to respond when a gruff voice cut him off before he began. "Well where is he? I don't leave my forge for just anyone." Rhunön announced walking up beside Arya, just a blunt and straight forward as ever.
Rhunön walked straight to Eragon and said "Well what is it Kingkiller? You requested a meeting and here I am. Out with it."
Eragon smiled. "Well met indeed Rhunön-elda. I see time has not changed some of us."
Rhunön barked out a laugh. "Indeed it has not. Tell me you did not call me out here just to show me you have not lost your sword?" She then reached for the hilt of Brisingr without so much of a second thought and drew the iridescent blue blade. "Ah. Just as perfect as the day we forged it, aye Kingkiller? It seems to have served its purpose after all."
She handed the blade back to Eragon hilt first as he replied. "Yes Rhunön-elda, Brisingr did finish the job." Arya watched as the blade covered itself with blue flames when Eragon spoke its name. He cut the flow of magic and sheathed the sword.
Rhunön frowned. "Still lights up like a camp fire I see." Eragon nodded turned and walked over to his saddle bags and pull free a velvet pouch and walked back towards Rhunön. "Can you identify this?" He asked her.
Arya watched along with the rest of her councilors as she opened the bag. "Ha! I assumed you found the last of it under the Menoa tree?" Rhunön exclaimed.
Eragon nodded. "Yes the last in Alagaesia was under the Menoa tree. My companions and I found more as we built our homes in and around the mountain we settled on, the area is very rich in precious metals and gems. I wanted your opinion on whether it truly is Brightsteel. If so, I wanted to ask if you would take up the mantel of assisting the Riders once more." He finished.
Rhunön seemed to draw in on herself at the idea. "You know of my oath Kingkiller. You know I cannot forge another blade." She seemed truly disappointed.
Eragon nodded his head slightly. "Yes Rhunön-elda. I have most of the blades you've made for the Riders in my possession already. I speak of armor. We need chain-mail, gauntlets, greaves, bracers, and helms, things of that nature. You are without a doubt the best smith in Alagaësia and we have several thousand pounds of Brightsteel that we do not know how to work with. Will you think about my offer?"
"I shall think upon this matter Eragon Kingkiller. Visit my forge after the Blood-Oath Celebration and you shall have an answer." Rhunön said as she turned to leave with a look of profound concentration on her deeply lined face.
Arya watched retreating figure of Rhunön for a moment before she turned back to Eragon and noticed him studying her intently once again. It seems as if he is trying to work out a riddle she thought. His brown eyes seemed to be searching her. She would ask him about it later, after their evening meal perhaps.
Eragon, after a moments silence said. "I would very much enjoy dining with your court this evening Arya Drötting and I thank you for the invitation. What time would you have me arrive at your hall?"
Arya wanted so badly to talk with Eragon openly without titles as they once did but she did not dare with all of her advisors and counselors so close at hand. She could see the questions in his eyes. She had so many of her own. They both wanted answers. Why did I wait so long to contact him? He could have come to the last Agaetí Blödhren but I convinced myself that he would be too busy. She thought to herself. She was so tense about speaking to him she was surprised the others could not see it but she had a feeling Eragon could.
Arya answered Eragon. "It is just past mid-day now, when the sun touches horizon will be perfect. It will you give you time to settle in and clean up before we eat."
Eragon kept his face impassive as he bowed his head slightly and started to make his way to his tree house. The urge to walk with him and talk was almost overwhelming but she let him go for she had three weeks until the Agaetí Blödhren and hopefully plenty of time to talk with him. It felt right to her, down to her core with Eragon so close once again.
