The next morning, Eragon awoke early to the sound of two voices arguing, he recognized both. Arya and Nasuada were speaking in harsh, low tones, but since Eragon's transformation, he could easily hear them as if they were shouting right beside him.
"No Nasuada, I can not tell him! I do not even know if he will accept me after what I have done!'' hissed Arya.
"Well he will find out eventually, weather you like it or not. And it maybe better if he heard it from you instead of someone else!'' replied his liege lord angrily.
There was an audible silence there after, but was broken by Arya," I shall tell him when the time is right, until then, I wish to keep the knowledge to myself."
Sighing heavily, Nasuada changed the subject," Fine then, let us not wake Eragon, you will be leaving in a few hours. You should get some sleep yourself, Arya."
Eragon lay still for a few moments, before he finally fell back into a restless slumber. His dreams were consumed by the beautiful elf, Arya. Though, it was memories of her rejection at the starry glade.
"Wake up Eragon; Eragon!" He fell out of bed at the sudden volume of noise in his head, which was soon replaced by a scratchy growl; Eragon then recognized the voice as Saphira. Growling, at the way he was awoken, he quickly got dressed.
Within moments, he was dressed in a light blue tunic with black leggings, and his navy blue traveling cloak. He wore his sleek, black boots and his temporary sword, he was borrowing from the Varden, belted aroung his waist.
Quickly, without paying any attention to his appearance, he rushed through the castle to reach the gates of Surda. Pushing past people of the court, and dodging servants. On the ground floor, he accidentally knocked into someone.
The force of the impacted sent both people to the floor. Eragon got back on his feet, frantically, hestarted to apologize, but when he saw who it was he imminently began to stutter. For there, on the ground, was the one who had captured his heart, Arya.
Slightly dazed, Arya looked around to see who had rudely bumped into her. When she looked up to see who it was, she imminently froze like a trapped deer. "Arya svit-kona, I- , oh I'm so s-sorry;here allow me to help y-you stand" Eragon quickly offered his hand to help her get back on her feet. Hesitantly, she accepted it, and stood. He quickly withdrew his hand, not wanting to ruin their already fragile friendship.
"Saphira said you were awake, I was just coming to get you Eragon-vodhr." Arya said in a monotone voice, though she offered him a polite smile.
Eragon returned the smile in earnest, wishing she would share his feeling; unbeknownst to him, she did," I am sorry Arya svit-kona, please forgive me?"
Bemused at his sincerity, she replied, "And why would I not forgive a friend? Yes, Eragon I forgive you, but we must be going."
"Of course Arya svit-kona, may I walk with you back to the gates?" praying she did not have some excuse. Thankfully she did not, so together they walked back to meet the others.
Upon arriving, Eragon was greeted by a very anxious Roran, Nasuada whom had a smug smile spread across her face, the dwarf, Orik, who looked rather tired, and a happy Saphira.
"Nasuada, wipe that look off your face." Growled Arya, across Nasuada's mind.
"Well what took you so long? You left some time ago; been having fun, have we?" mused Nasuada
Eragon apologized to everyone for being a little bit late, and began to tell his cousin how to ride a dragon. He stole a glance at Arya, and was surprised to she her slightly…………blushing?
"If you must know, Eragon and me, well he, ran into one another. Apparently he was on his way here; he helped me back onto my feet, and we walked back here. Nothing else happen, I swear!" Arya answered, a bit irritated.
Then, my dear friend, why are you blushing?" asked Nasuada happily.
Agitated, and embarrassed at her friend's acquisitions, Arya blocked her from her mind. She then noticed Eragon looking at her from the corner of his eye, and quickly hid her emotions.
When she veiled her emotions, Eragon knew she had caught him staring at her. Shaking his head, he adverted his attention back to what he was doing. After that had been
accomplished, they said their farewells, andthe three occupants were ready tomount up.
A young servant boy then came to them with two horses following him; one was a magnificent grey, war horse, and the other was the most dazzling pure white stallion. Both horses gave excited whines as they saw their old friend.
Eragon was giddy to see that Nasuada had kept both horses instead of selling them. He had missed both Snowfire and Tornac, having crossed hundreds of leagues with them, out ran armies of urgals, and the Empire.
When the horses reached him, Snowfire nuzzled Arya while Tornac nuzzled Eragon affectingly. Eragon wondered at why Snowfire was happy to see Arya; answering his unspoken question, Nasuada spoke," Arya has been taking care of Snowfire while you have been away Shadeslayer, and I Tornac."
"Thank you Arya svit-kona, for taking care of Snowfire, and you Nasuada for Tornac."
Nasuada gave a small nod, and Arya simple said it was nothing, though Eragon persisted that it was. Finally giving in, she said he was welcome; they then said their farewells and mounted their steeds. Before Saphire took off, Eragon strapped Roran into the saddle so he would not fall off her while they flew. Then he mounted Tornac, happy to see he was in shape, Arya was already atop of Snowfire. With a kick to the flanks, the horses were off. Saphira took to the open sky, as Roran gripped the saddle horn with all his might.
At dusk, Saphire found a clearing big enough for them tp made camp.The companions had traveled well into the night, and were only a few leagues to the west of Lithgow. She sent Eragon a mental picture of the location; he and Arya arrived there shortly after.
Roran was already setting up camp when the two arrived. Arya and Eragon picketed the two horses, and went about starting a fire. Arya made a vegetable stew, while Eragon gathered more wood for the fire.
After they had all eaten, Eragon grabbed two rather large sticks, and muttering something in the ancient language, turned them into wooded swords.
With out any warning, Eragon tossed Roran one of the sticks, but Roran was not paying attention, so it nailed him on the head. A trail of curses escaped his mouth, as he inspected his bump. Eragon found himself suppressing a fit of laughter, while Arya gave a small smile.
"Take up a fighting stance cousin, you must be prepared for the Ra' zac." Eragon said, still suppressing laughter.Not wanting to argue, he took up a fighting pose. Eragon lunged forward, striking at Roran's unprotected side.
It continued like this for one hour and only ended when Roran's legs gave out on him; clasping on the ground panting. Eragon had bearly worked up a sweat, a told his cousin he could rest until tomorrow; he tossed his fake sword into the fire.He watched as Roran sat in front of the fire grumbling about Eragon going too hard on him.
The unique sound of steel leaving its scabbard reached Eragon's ears. With out turning around, he drew his temporary sword, and ducked. Arya's blade swung past where his head had just been.
Quickly he jumped to his feet, and blocked his sword; Arya followed suite.A mischievous smile spread across her face, Eragon could see a glint of playfulness in her stunning emerald eyes.
"It has been a long time since I have had a good challenge; are you up to it, Shadeslayer?"
"Of course Arya svit-kona, I, too, need the practice," Eragon gave her his own smile.
Arya lunged forward, but Eragon parried her attack. Quickly, he struck at her legs, though she dodged the attack swiftly. Thus, they began the dance of blades; coming together, only to come apart once again.