Advice from a Dragon
Shall we go then? asked a voice.
Saphira spun around to see that it was Arya. The elf must have come up behind her when she conversing with Eragon. Yes, we shall.
Arya gracefully leapt up onto Saphira's back and strapped herself into the saddle. With the elf safely secured, Saphira took flight with a powerful thrust from her legs and a quick beat of her wings.
It was true that she didn't normally allow people to ride her when she went hunting, however, Arya had seemed desperate to talk with her; so she made an exception.
Arya sat contentedly upon Saphira's back as they soared among the clouds, waiting until Saphira was ready to listen before she began to speak what was on her mind.
She didn't have to wait long, as Saphira quickly spotted a clump of deer in an open field.
With two short strokes of her wings, Saphira angled her body downward and caught one of the deer with her talons and killed it with a swift bite to the neck. As the remaining deer bounded away, Saphira landed and began to eat her catch.
Arya loosened the straps that bound her legs and easily dismounted the dragon. Sitting against a long, blue foreleg, Arya waited until she heard Saphira ask, Now what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?
About Eragon's feelings for me.
Why are you talking to me about this, Emerald Eyes, and not him? Has he begun to press his suit again?
No, no it's not that. Arya fell silent as she tried to organize her thoughts and summon the courage to tell Saphira.
Noticing her hesitation, Saphira prompted, Then what is it?
I wanted to know if he still has feelings for me.
Of course he does, you are the closest friend he has.
Saphira's hesitancy was beginning to worry Arya. She feared that perhaps she had waited too long. Perhaps Eragon had finally managed to shift his affections onto someone else.
No, Saphira interrupted. Arya had forgotten that their minds were still linked and Saphira could sense what she was thinking. You hurt him deeply during the celebration, but he simply cannot forget you. He loves you more than life itself. That much has never changed, and likely never will.
Then why does he avoid me, Saphira?
He does not want to ignore you, but when you are around him, he fears that he will not be able to control himself. He is afraid that you will become angry with him again. Also, because of his love, he hurts inside every time he sees you because he knows that he cannot express his love for you. I am afraid to say that it is a lose-lose either way for him.
These words were met with mixed reactions from Arya. On the one hand, she was ecstatic at the fact that Eragon still loved her, but on the other, she hated herself for putting him through so much pain. Finally, her ruling sensation became happiness; happiness that she still had a chance; happy that she was loved.
Dear Arya, said Saphira, once again interrupting her thoughts, you would be loved whether or not he had romantic feelings for you. He has loved you ever since he first met you in Farthen Dur. It is only recently that his feelings have surpassed those of a friend.
This last statement, as simple as it was, left Arya unsure of what to say. She could not believe that she was loved. Ever since Faölin had died, she had been convinced that she was doomed to a life alone, one without the comforts of a mate, or of true friends.
Wait, joked the dragon, you, Arya, princess of the elves are at a loss for words? Well, this is a rare sight indeed.
I just cannot believe that you think so highly of me.
Arya, you are as much my family as Eragon, remember, you carried my egg for nigh on twenty years. Even among the elves, that is not a short span of time. Now, back to the reason you came with me today, as I assume you did not come just to ask me about something you already knew.
Aye, I wanted to know if you approve.
Of course I approve, Arya. I want him to be happy, as I want you to be happy. And if that means being together, then I support you wholeheartedly.
Thank-you, Saphira.
Of course, Little One. Was there anything else you wanted to ask me?
Just one. I am unsure of how to proceed. Do you have any advice?
I am sorry. I have no more experience in this than a newborn. All I can say is follow your heart, though I would ask that you not tell him just yet. He needs to rest and it would not do him good to be so occupied before he regains his strength.
Of course, Saphira.
And with that, Arya leapt up onto Saphira's back, and she, having finished her meal some time ago, set off back to the Varden.
Hey guys, thanks for the reviews.
And, A Fellow Writer, thanks for the reminder about the eye color, but I was actually going to address that later in the story.
anyway, lemme know what you think.