Sorry for the wait. I tried to take it a little slower as mjplanet suggested. Thank you for reading. Enjoy :D

Closer Than You Know

"Atra esterní ono thelduin." Eragon kneeled down before the elf.

"Mor'ranr lífa unin hjarta onr." She said back to him.

"Un du evarínya ono varda." He finished the elven greeting rising to his feet. "Your Majesty, thank you for granting me entrance in your home."

"This is your home too, Eragon. You avenged Oromis and Glaedr; you killed the Red Rider and his dragon. We are in your debt. Tell me what happened." The queen said to him, sitting down on a chair.

Eragon began his tale of what occurred after the fall of Murtagh and Thorn, about what he found out in the time he had been imprisoned. He left out the parts he swore not to tell. He had to finish what he could tell before he could be in pain.

"I have left out some parts that I intend on sharing with you now, at the end." He stopped, took a deep breath and continued. "He has fourteen heart of hearts, but only one does not leave his side. The others are given to his most loyal servants. He has the heart that has the most power…" he stopped, for he felt like someone stabbed him through his heart. Trying desperately to breath, pain taking over his mind. "Bid'Daun… he has more power than… you could imagine." Clenching his teeth together, he did not want to voice his pain, but the healers where already surrounding him.

"No! Let me… finish!" he yelled, blinded by the pain coursing through his body. "You are betrayed. I heard him say it… in the ancient language." His whole body was trembling, unconsciousness threatening to take him.

"Who, Eragon? Who is betraying us?" he heard the queen's voice among other whispers.

"Do not know. I'm sorry…" with these words the world of nightmares swallowed him. He felt like floating, but he knew he was not, for the endless pain streaming through his mind and body. He could not find the connection to the real world.

How much time has it passed in this endless suffering? Maybe it had been hours, but he felt like it had been days, even weeks.

He heard a gentle whisper, but could not understand what it was saying. He felt his body burning, changing. Something powerful coursing through him. He did not know if this was taking his power and strength or if it was giving him more.

Then came the voices and the visions. He saw the most beautiful woman he had ever witnessed. He had only once glanced upon this person, the fairth he was given. But it could not be the same woman, for this one was an elf, the most beautiful one. And a man stood behind her, embracing her so tenderly like she was the most delicate flower. He looked like Brom, only he was an elf too. This was an illusion, he concluded. Nothing else came to his mind.

The vision changed. His mother was carrying a newborn, maybe a few weeks old. His parents were crying as they formed frantic words he could not understand, turning the beautiful baby elf into a human.

Another vision came to him. His mother's death by the hands of Morzan. The whips he had poisoned struck her back, digging in her flesh, slowly and torturously killing her

Brom standing in front of a castle Eragon had never seen before, blood dripping from his blade, tears coursing down his face, the blade of misery laid before him, struck in the ground, Zar'roc.

He wanted to cry for his mother, for his father, for his pain, but could not.

He saw his parents in front of him, lips moving, but could not hear the sound of the words. Slowly it became clear and he could hear them once again

"… do not be angry. We were trying to protect you. You have unlocked your true identity. You will be more powerful than any has ever seen. You were given the gift of seeing what has yet to come, my son. We are proud of you. You have to embrace your destiny; otherwise you cannot defeat the dark king."

"We love you, my boy. If you can get pass the pain, you will awake. You have to hurry, for they are waiting for you." The man and the woman slowly disappeared, pain taking their place. He felt his body stretching, changing.

He tried to push the pain in the back of this mind, slowly opening his eyes only to be blinded by the bright light. He opened his eyes once more to see his love, the most exquisite women he knew. He heard voices in the distance, leaves shuffling outside, but nothing mattered, just this elf that sat in front of him.

He felt like he was seeing for the first time, never had life been so clear and untainted before.

Arya's beautiful emerald eyes locked with his now blue ones. He did not know how he knew of this change.

He didn't care for his promise or the consequences of his following action, but he had to do it. He sat up, holding himself up by his elbows. Slowly and gently raised his hand to her face, caressing her cheeks, feeling the softness of her skin, feeling his love for her overwhelming him. Their faces were so close now, noses almost touching, holding their breath. Suddenly he leaned up, touching his lips to hers, passion rising inside of him, not having the power to contain it. He kissed her with all the love he could, to show her that they were indeed true.

She pulled back, a shocked expression on her face, but her eyes betrayed her, they were filled with lust. But he did not want lust, he wanted love.

His hand still resting on her slender neck pulled her to him, kissing her again, but this time more gently, tenderly, like she was made of glass that could be shattered in any fierce or strong hold. Moving his lips on hers, just staying locked together. He thought he was in heaven; this was too good to be real. And he was right, for Arya abruptly pulled away, rapidly stood up hurrying towards the door. She disappeared between the trees.

Eragon fell back in his bed, feeling full of life. He had just done what he promised he would not. But he did not regret it, and he was sure that Arya wasn't regretting it either now. Maybe later she will, but he knew that now she was thinking of him and their kiss. Just thinking about it brought a smile to his lips.

He quickly got out of the bed and hurried towards Saphira.

What have you done now Eragon? I saw Arya nearly running away from you. She asked him and he showed him what had transpired between them. After all, he could never keep such a secret from her.

I swear that I did not plan this, but I would not turn back time to undo it. Saphira, I don't know what is wrong with me. It's like I can't control my emotions, everything is so clear. I have to apologize to her. Eragon said to Saphira in his mind, walking away from her, following Arya's scent.

She was not far behind, sitting on a rock, looking in the river. If she had heard or sensed him coming, she did not show it.

Eragon approached her, sitting down next to her on the moss filled rock.

"Arya…" he said quietly, but could not think of anything else to say.

"It's fine Eragon, but please do not let it happen again. I know of your feelings for me and you know I have none other than friendship. Beside it would never work because you are a rider and half-human, I am a princess and an elf." Arya said, but did not look into his eyes. Eragon put his middle and forefinger under her chin, lifting her head up so he could look into her gorgeous eyes.

"I apologize for kissing you without your consent, but Arya Dröttningu you should stop thinking about what is the difference between us. I do not care that you are older or of royalty. You should know that I was never a human. I was always an elf. That is beside the point. Do you think that I did not try to alter my feelings of love for you in those of friendship? I do not even know how many times I tried. Arya, I know that your feelings are going to change, for I can feel it. And even if they wouldn't change, I could never love another. You ruined me for every woman and I wouldn't want it any other way." He let his hand fall from her face, stood up and walked away. Leaving her watching him with wonder in her eyes, probably asking herself when he grew so wise.

Eragon and Saphira were under the Menoa tree. Saphira was resting her head on her front legs and Eragon was in his dreamlike state, until different kind of images appeared in front of his closed eyelids. There was blood everywhere, it was a disaster. Everyone fighting. Elves, dwarves and humans alike. The earth tainted with crimson liquid. Many had fallen, but only one man stood out, blackness surrounding him and his black dragon, blood covered his dark sword. His lips were moving, looking directly at Eragon, but he could not hear the words he spoke. Then suddenly a bright blue light came towards Eragon. It was too late, he could not stop it… all was lost… nobody will survive… if he only could get to him…

He sat up with a start, looking around him. He realized that what he saw was the final battle and they lost… Saphira was looking at him now, she saw what he saw.

"It will not end like that!" he said to her forcefully.

I believe you. We cannot let the vision come to pass. Even if we will die, we will drag Galbatorix with us to death.

"Yes. We cannot let him live. Otherwise he will destroy each and every one who opposes. We have to find the one who will betray us." He stood up pacing in front of her.

Yes, but how will we do that? Everyone is looking for the one. How could we find him? Saphira asked, raising her head to look into his eyes.

"Mother said that I was more powerful. Let us put that into theory." Eragon began running towards their tree, and as soon as he got there he began searching through the scrolls of paper, under the bed, everywhere he could.

"What on earth are you doing?" he quickly turned towards the voice only to see Arya standing there in the doorway looking shocked at him.

"I'm looking for a mirror. It is important. Do you have one?" as he asked his question, Arya bent down by the door and gave him the mirror he was looking for. "Thank you."

"What are you trying to do?" she asked as she sat down next to him on the bed.

"I am going to see who is betraying us."

"No! It is too dangerous. If the magic is too strong, you will surely die." Arya grabbed his wrist, like it could stop him.

"Do not worry. Saphira is here. If I need help she will help." He looked away from her, looking at the mirror held in his hands. "Atra eka sjon du älfa sem wilae haina nosu." He whispered and felt the power of the spell draining from him, but he did not feel weak as he usually did. Then the face of a familiar elf appeared. He knew he had seen her many times before, but did not know where. "Do you know who she is?"

"Yes…" she whispered. Her eyes not leaving the face on the mirror. "She is the queen's personal servant. I did not think this was possible."

"We are going. I will see her memories, while you inform the queen. Is that all right with you?" Eragon asked. Saphira huffed loudly.

What about me? Are you going to leave me here?

No, you silly. You will distract…

Tama is her name. Arya said silently.

You will distract Tama so I can see into her mind more easily.

They ran quickly to the queen's chambers where they were sure to find her. They did not even knock, breaking the door; Arya went to her mother, while Eragon drew his sword and pointed it at Tama.

"What is the meaning of this?" the queen asked loudly. Eragon tried to penetrate her mind. Fortunately Saphira came and let out the loudest roar. Tama lost her concentration for a moment, but that was enough for Eragon. As he leaped from one memory to another, he was shocked to say the least at what he found. Disgusted even at her selfish reasons for betraying her people…

Translations:

Atra esterní ono thelduin - May good fortune rule over you.

Mor'ranr lífa unin hjarta onr - Peace live in your heart.

Mor'ranr lífa unin hjarta onr - And the stars watch over you.

Fairth - Picture created through magic.

Atra eka sjon du älfa sem wilae haina nosu – Let me see the elf that will harm us.

Hope you liked it. Review ;)