A/N: Hey everyone, sorry this took so long! I was kind of busy, and I had a little bit of a hard time writing this one. This chapter contains some fluff, a new plot development, and I resolved a plot hole that I realized I created in the first chapter. Anyways, I hope you enjoy, and please review! Thanks for your support, and another special thanks to darkdruid01.
Arya sat at the foot of her bed, gazing around the room silently. The fairths that decorated the walls, the flowerbeds under each of the eight windows, and the simple furniture all reminded her of her childhood home in Ellesméra. Eragon stood in the center of the room, leaning against the railing of the spiral staircase while twiddling his thumbs nervously.
"So? What do you think?" Eragon asked with trepidation.
Arya beckoned him over to sit beside her. "It's beautiful, Eragon. The only detail that I would change is that it isn't in Ellesméra. Thank you."
"I sang the furniture out of a few maple trees from the forest," Eragon said. "I wasn't sure about decoration, so I just left the more ornate workmanship to the elves. Are you sure? We can change the fairths if you wish."
"Eka ástar thäet, Eragon," Arya said as she took his hands. Continuing in the Ancient Language, she said, "How have you been? It has been so long since we last spoke, and much has changed in that time."
Glowing at her praise, Eragon answered in the same tongue, "I am better now that I am not so alone. Blödhgarm and the other elves offer pleasant enough company, but my heart has yearned for you as time has gone on. I also found myself wishing another human were here; there were moments when I could have sworn that I was in the presence of a species unknown to me, especially whenever the elves began to get homesick. What about you, Shadeslayer? How have you fared since last we spoke?"
"Busy," she replied with a laugh. "With Galbatorix gone, Nasuada has been doing everything she can to spread unity. Trade between all four races is booming, raids are at an all-time low, and elves can be seen in almost every city in the Empire. Just because things are good doesn't mean it has been easy though; I think I slept more during the war than I have as Queen! It is because of this that I am surrendering my role as Queen. My place is here, helping to train new Riders as they arrive, and bringing eggs to the various leaders of each race as the eggs hatch."
Elated at her revelation, Eragon said, "That's excellent news! You're giving up the monarchy because you want to, not because someone else wants it more than you, right?"
"Yes, Eragon," Arya laughed. "The position holds no joy for me anymore, and there are others better suited to the task that will be more than willing to take my place."
"Then I'm happy for you," he said with a smile. "Although, ferrying eggs is no longer necessary. Once word reached us of the first egg hatching, Saphira and I devised a spell that will immediately alert us when an egg hatches. The spell lets us know to which race the egg hatches, and then I send a new egg to the leader of that race by using the same spell that brought Saphira's egg to me from you."
"Ah, so that's how you got the eggs out so quickly. I was away when Pïnor and Ävil hatched, but when I returned two days afterwords, two new eggs were in their places," Arya mused.
"Umaroth and Glaedr both agreed that it was a good idea," he said happily. "Not to change the topic, but what did you think of the feast?"
Arya shrugged and pulled her hands out of his. "It was as much as I expected it to be. I'm sure I would have appreciated it even more if I partook in the eating of meat; even I must admit that the Nagra looked and smelled incredible. Did you do all of the hunting? I would have a hard time believing it if you told me that any of the elves had helped."
"No, Saphira and I did it ourselves. I rather enjoyed testing my old tracking skills. I've become accustomed to using magic to help with everyday tasks; it was nice to face a challenge unaided by the arcane. Using the bow that Islanzadí gave me reminded me of both her and you. Hunting also reminded me of simpler days, when I was a simple farmboy with aspirations of being something greater. It's good to get back to your roots sometimes. On a somewhat related note, can you guess why I held the feast in the first place?"
After a thoughtful pause, Arya replied, "Was it so that you could see how the new Riders behave around one another?" When Eragon smiled and nodded, she continued, "What did you observe?"
"Harfind and Bran seem to be close, as do Cradic and Yilla. Everyone seemed friendly with one another, but I sensed that Bran might be hiding his dislike for Grishnal. How am I doing so far?"
"So far, you're spot on. Ever since Flint hatched for Bran a little over a year ago, Bran has had several instances during which he verbally abused Grishnal. To her credit, Grishnal chose to ignore him. After the third incident, I reprimanded Bran rather harshly, telling him that if he wished to continue his training, such behavior would have to cease. He apologized to me, though not to Grishnal, and hasn't had an issue with her since. Bran typically chooses to stay away from her, but when circumstances demand it of him, he works by her side rather well. If I might ask, how do you intend to test them all tomorrow?" she inquired.
"Ah, I'm afraid you'll have to wait and see. Speaking of waiting…" Eragon hesitated.
"Yes? Go on," Arya prompted.
"You once told me that we could never be. You said that our age difference was too great, and that I needed to focus upon my training so that I could defeat Galbatorix. I complied, albeit reluctantly. In fact, the only reason I stopped pursuing you was because I knew that if I continued, I would be putting our friendship at risk. Then, after we defeated the Mad King, things seemed to change between us. We evened out a bit, and I hoped that maybe we had a chance. Then you were elected Queen, and Fírnen hatched for you; once again you ranked far higher than I on the social ladder. Now though…"
"Now that I am no longer Queen and you are Head Rider, Kingkiller, and Shadeslayer, you hope that you have a chance at courting me?" Arya finished with a smirk. Eragon gave her a sheepish grin in confirmation. "Eragon…our relationship has been…strange ever since you first made mental contact with me after saving my life in Gil'ead. Before we parted last, we told one another our true names, an action that I do not regret. As an elf, that is the greatest act of trust and kinship I can perform; I'm sure Oromis told you that few elves divulge their identities anyone other than the individual closest to them. You are human, however, and that fact prevented me from telling you what I truly felt all those years ago upon that ship you sailed away on. Instead, I said that if you felt the same way the next time we met, then and only then could we try to have the relationship we both yearn for. Do you still feel as strongly as you once did?"
Eragon stood from his place on the bed, then knelt in front of her, clasping her thin hands in his and bringing them to his chest. "Arya, if my feelings have changed at all, then they have only grown stronger in your absence. Every single day since I left your side, I have wanted to fly back to Alagaësia on Saphiras back, just so I can be in your company again. There were, of course, days that Saphira wished to return as well, but we did as our duty demanded."
Knowing that he couldn't lie because of the fact that he was speaking in the Ancient Language, Arya let loose a tinkling laugh. "I've never been so glad to hear you say how you felt!" Arya exclaimed, pulling the Head Rider into a tight embrace. After a few moments, Arya released Eragon, then pulled his face toward hers. She then lightly kissed him upon his lips, after which she pressed her forehead against his.
"Really?" Eragon asked, seeming somewhat dazed.
"Yes, Eragon. I also have feelings for you, and have had them for quite some time. Those feelings were confused until Galbatorix was finally slain; with that weight finally off of our shoulders, I was able to realize that I felt the same way towards you as you felt towards me. But we both had duties we had to fulfill. Now though…well, we still have responsibilities, but I have surrendered the throne, and you have finished the construction of the new home of the Riders. An impressive feat, might I add; Galbagrind is an incredible fortress. Now, I think that we both are able to have a relationship without taking too much focus from each others' jobs," Arya finished breathlessly.
"Uh…great! That wasn't the answer I expected, but it is the one I wanted. Are you certain that you're willing to be open about it? If not, I would understand," Eragon stated.
"We'll need to remain professional when circumstances require it, especially around the students, but yes, I'm ready to give us a chance, Eragon."
Two loud, triumphant roars erupted from the floor above. About time! Fírnen declared mentally. Eragon pulled away from Arya, took her hand in his, then guided her up the staircase and into his room. Saphira sat at the foot of Eragons bed, licking the scales between her talons. Fírnen was lying next to her, his tail entwined with hers. He glanced at Eragon and Arya as they approached, then snorted loudly. I've been dealing with her conflicted emotions for over five years, Eragon. Don't make me regret convincing her to tell you how she felt.
Of course not, Fírnen. How was your…flight…with Saphira? Eragon asked as he blushed profusely.
We rather enjoyed it, Saphira cut in, fixing him with a pointed stare.
That's splendid! Arya said. Fírnen, did Saphira have time to tell you her news?
Indeed, she told me she gave her egg to the Riders. And I believe that it was a wise decision on her part; not that she needed my permission, of course, Fírnen replied as he flashed a toothy smile.
Eragon suddenly tensed, then relaxed as a surprised expression settled over his face. "Eragon? What is it?" Arya asked, expecting trouble.
"One of my spells just alerted me…another egg has hatched!"
Translation: Eka ástar thäet, Eragon. = I love it, Eragon
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