The time before the trip passed quickly for Eragon, for Eragon was happy to see Arya, and Arya was happy to see him. Eragon tried to just enjoy the moment, but his mind was wondering. Every time he looked in her eyes, he remembered... "Arya, would you like to see my private garden? I sung it myself." He asks nobly. "Very well." He leads her to a spiral staircase and starts climbing. Arya is close behind him, staring at the fariths on the walls.
Halfway up Arya runs into something hard, and starts to fall down the stairs. "Letta!" Eragon yells, and she stops mid-air. "Risa!" She then rises up beside him. "Thank you Eragon." Eragon turns around to the wall and puts his palm on a small crack. The wall beside him fades away and reveals a beautiful garden , flowers blooming everywhere. "It is beautiful Eragon. You sung it?" "Yes, but it does not compare to Ellesmera." "If it compared to Ellesmera, you would be the most powerful being ever to live. Even Galbatorix couldn't do that." "Maybe, but this isn't it."
He leads her through a maze of flowers ,bushes, vines, and spices, until he comes to a small flowerbed with a stone bench in front of it. "Black Morning Glories." Arya gasps. "How did you get these?" "I sung them." Arya leans down and kisses his hand. "Thank you." She whispers. "Your welcome Arya Svit-Kona." "Eragon, I know this isn't the only reason you brought me here, and I don't want you to stay for me. I would rather leave my duties as the queen than have you endanger all of Alagaesia and what lies beyond." "So are you going to stay here? When we go back are you going to tell your people?" "Eragon, you know I cannot. I only meant to say that you would be unwise to leave here." "I see, you no longer feel as you did before, when you begged me not to leave, asked if there was another way, even offered me sanctuary in the forest. I understand now. I am leaving, and I recommend you do so also, for Saphira has just informed me they are leaving soon."
"Eragon!" She yells after him. He turns back around. "That isn't what I meant." "Then what did you mean, Arya Svit-Kona? That this was never meant to be, and you shouldn't have told me in the first place?" Arya approaches Eragon, shaking her head. She stands in front of him and stares at him. Look Eragon, I do not mean to offend. I simply need to imply that right now now be the best time for this." "Arya... I need to tell you something I didn't plan to tell anyone until i was over there because I knew it would cause commotion. The reason I requested a short vacation in Alagaesia was to come back and stay. Stay for you."
"Eragon! No!" "Eragon, why aren't you coming? Everyone is already on their ships and Firnen has arrived!" Saphira asks. "I am sorry to keep everyone waiting. Inform them that Arya and I will return soon." "Arya, you know how I feel. I am confident that Murtaugh can control them. He has already agreed to train them." "Eragon, are you sure you are going to stay? If you lied to me I would never be able to trust you again." Eragon recoils and says, "Do you think me as so low I would lie to receive your affection for a short period of time?" Arya is silent for a short while. "I think not, but I had to be sure. We should be leaving." "Very well."
