Empire: The Final Battle

Chapter Two: Pale and worried

A short while later, the four explorers, were sitting around the campfire. Roran had gone hunting, and had come back with three hares for the party to eat.

"Who wants some?" Roran exclaimed Roran, grinning.

"Aye!" Answered Orik, snatching one from his hand. Eragon looked at his cousin and said

"I do not eat meat anymore, cousin." He said, and glancing over at Arya, he saw she was to deep in thought to notice, so he answered for her too. "And neither does Arya." At the mention of her name, she seemed to come back to earth, and sighted the hares in Roran's and Orik's hands. Grimacing in disgust, she look away.

"Why ever not?" He asked. Eragon had always hunted for the family, and loved the taste of meat, now Roran found him turning down them both!

"The elves," started Eragon, trying to think of an easy way out. "Have changed my mind." He said simply.

Grunting, Roran sat and joined Orik cooking his meal. Eragon got to work preparing a vegetable soup for himself, and by the looks of it, Arya as well. She was yet again staring out into the forest, her mind a million miles away.

After preparing the meal, he touched Arya slightly on the shoulder, nudging her back into her own mind. She found Eragon in front of her, holding a bowl of soup and wearing a concerned expression.

"Arya," he said softly. "Something troubles you. Tell me, I wish to help you."

She stared at him then said "Nothing is wrong Eragon! Please, leave me alone!" She glared slightly at him. He grimaced and placed the bowl near her feet: He did not want to upset her more.

For the rest of the night, Eragon watched Arya. She continued to stare into space, and occasionally he thought he saw a tear in her eye. Not once did he catch her crying, yet she seemed unbelievably upset.

"Right," grunted Orik, standing up and stretching. "I'm out for the night". He headed over and took out his bedroll, and went to sleep.

A short while later, Roran stood and stated "I'm turning in, 'night Eragon." He said. He also leaned over to Eragon and whispered "Try to talk to her Eragon, she seems kinda, 'out of it', y' know" He then went and grabbed his bedroll and joined Orik on the floor.

Eragon pondered whether he should 'wake' Arya, or simply leave her in her dream-like state. He decided to leave her to her thoughts, but then he noticed her bowl. It lay untouched, where he left it.

Concerned, Eragon went over to Arya and touched her arm. "Arya, you did not eat your meal." He said. She looked at him then her eyes fell on the bowl.

"I apologize, I lost track of time." She stated, pulling her knees to her chest and resting her head on her knees.

"You must eat!" Eragon exclaimed. "We have seven more days until we reach Helgrind, and we cant afford for you to go hungry!"

She stared at him coldly, "it is my choice Eragon. If I wish to eat I will." She stood up and stated "I will scout."

"No you will not!" commanded Eragon. She glared at him before jumping up high into a tree, overlooking the plains. Eragon sighed. He hoped she would be better soon. With that he went to join his cousin and dwarf friend in sleep.

Eragon awoke at early sunrise. He surveyed his surroundings; the fire was burnt out, his two male companions asleep, and the horses grazing by the base of a tree. But what disturbed him was Arya, sitting exactly where he had last seen her, and was once again staring blankly.

He called out to her, breaking her trance, gesturing for her to come down. He then turned to wake the male sleepers.

"Wasgoinon?" asked Roran, obviously not a morning person.

"Come brother, we must leave soon" He said. That got Roran up, he went to join Arya cooking breakfast.

Eragon turned to Orik, shaking him "Arise friend, we must continue our journey." All that earned was a grunt and a roll over. "Arya, help me!" He exclaimed

She looked up, shook her head in disgust and threw him a sphere of water using magic. He caught it using his own brand of magic skills, and then directed it towards Orik, where it splashed over his face and torso.

"Argh!" He moaned, sitting up. "What in the name of (Ok there is supposed to be a dwarf gods name in here but I don't have the book) did you do that for!" He exclaimed.

"To wake you up" said Eragon simply, turning towards the rest of the group, leaving the dwarf mumbling curses and wringing out his shirt.

They sat quietly around the fire whilst eating breakfast, but eragons mind was anything but quiet:

Saphira, I'm worried about her. Said (er, thought) Eragon.

She looks well? questioned his dragon.

He glanced at Arya. A little pale, but yes I suppose so

Leave her and see if she improves she suggested. Excuse me little one, but I am needed elsewhere. She broke the connection.

Sighing, Eragon reached for his breakfast and began to eat, now becoming aware of the eating contest between Roran and Orik, from which Arya was watching with mild aggravation. He caught her eye and smiled, and to Eragon's relief, she smiled faintly back. He was also pleased to see she was eating.

During the travel that day, Eragon didn't manage to get a single word out of Arya at all. The trees through the forest became denser, and the climate became humid.

They stopped for camp near a pool, with a rocky ledge just behind. It was quite a beautiful place, exotic trees and clear skies. (I know this is a FOREST, but work with me people!) But Eragon was horrified to see that Arya had gotten paler, and even saw a tear slip down her cheek during one of her daydream sessions. Once again, she did not finish her meal, and once again volunteered to scout.

With Arya out of earshot, Eragon turned to Orik. "Arya seems a little of colour, doesn't she." He asked.

Orik's eyes glanced over to where Arya sat on a nook in the cliff face, and nodded; "Aye, she never seemed very sociable to start with, but now I feel she is not even there."

"Aye." Agreed Eragon. "If this goes on much longer, I shall ask her again what is wrong."

"Again?" Asked Orik, surprised. "You have asked before?"

"Aye, she told me nothing was wrong, but I know there is." He sighed. "You do not know anything of this do you?"

"I know not." Stated Orik sadly. "We dwarves rarely mess with them kind, too much magic, but I have grown rather attached to her. And I think you have too." Said Orik winking.

"She- she is my friend, nothing more." Stated Eragon.

"Of course, of course." He said, unconvinced.

!#$&()!#$&()!#$&()!#$&()!#$&()!#$&()!#$

Author's Note.

Once again: I do not have the Eragon book here so I cant look up the words, but I know most of the names. R&R… tell me your opinion! No flames, I'm allergic to fire!!! (lol)