I'ts been so long! I was inspired to post again by a super sweet reader. I'm not sure how often I'll be able to do this but I hope to finish my story, I had forgotten how great it feels to write.

Chapter 7

Iris knew she was pretty terrible with a sword. She just couldn't convince herself that harming another person would resolve anything. But yet again she found herself at the hands of a teacher forcing her to learn this destructive skill. She and Cahan had woken and flown over to begin their lessons with Oromis. She soon found out that today he intended to test her and find what skills needed fine tuning and which were not even present. So far she had not passed many of his examinations; it had all begun with spell work.

Oromis had asked her a simple question, "What is magic?" She had no answer; he knew that all her training had come from books in her last days at the castle. She tried to describe the magic she saw around her. "Master I see that all that has life possesses some form and varying strength of magic but I know not where it originates or understand it's essence. I see it as a flowing and ebbing force that is shared, and in our case, shaped to do our bidding. I can think of no simple answer."

"Not everything is simple Iris. You have no training or education in this matter and I can see that your answer comes from personal experience, it serves you well. Not many see how you see. In answer: the essence of magic is the art of thinking. You can have a limited vocabulary but with logic you can achieve most any task. We will begin tomorrow working on the written ancient language, Liduen Kvaedhí. But for the moment I have a few more questions and tasks for you."

Next had been the art of the sword. Iris could answer his questions but putting the blows into action was not nearly as successful. She may have matched or surpassed Oromis in brute strength but she was loath to use it against him. Instead she dodged and moved with as much swiftness as she could manage while trying to block him. "Iris you must attack or I will be unable to assess your skills and you will not be able to improve." So he did notice her reluctance. She did as he said but the effort was halfhearted and both of them knew it. Their bout ended when Oromis used a burst of speed to get past her guard and flick away her sword. He raised the tip to her throat and at that moment she saw something in his face change. A spasm of pain contorted his features and he dropped his sword. He fell and Iris was able to catch hold of him and help him to a stool by his cottage.

She knelt down beside him and touched his shoulder both to steady him and send him a slow trickle of strength. Oromis was quiet for a moment and then looked down on Iris with thanks. "You now see why I call myself the Cripple Who Is Whole, why I am of no use in battle." She sensed a sadness in him but at the same time a strong determination to carry on despite his handicap. She did not show him any pity for she would not wish for others to show it if she were in his place. She only sent compassion and understanding his way. He rested for a minute more and began again with new questions, having Iris retrieve a stool for herself. He asked her of mathematics, history, politics, biology, botany, literature, and writing. She felt as if she were taking a very important test so she answered with as much clarity and lucidity as possible.

As she answered Oromis at last seemed impressed by her answers. They talked for hours of her favorite books and he in turn had her go into is cottage and retrieve a few of his own to share with her. Iris' heart swelled with happiness that she had at last been able to show him that she wasn't hopeless and that she had a capacity and a strong desire to learn. She was happy to please Oromis. The sun began to set and they finally had to end their talk of books and politics. Oromis bid her goodbye saying, "Bless you child. I do see that we have things to work on but you seem willing enough to learn and it will be easier to teach you than some of my past students. You see, they may have been more talented in some areas in the beginning but some were so full of arrogance there wasn't always room for my teachings. You my dear possess a sense of humility and kindness that I have not seen in ages. I hope you continue to have an open mind while our training commences." She bowed, misty eyed, in respect to her teacher. She climbed onto Cahan and they returned to their living quarters. She and Cahan spoke of their futures here.

We have a lot to learn…don't we?

I am loath to say it dear one but I sense that we are ill prepared for the task ahead of us. But Oromis and Glaedr are very wise and I feel confident, if not also very humbled, that of anyone they will teach us well.

Iris smiled. Cahan did not often speak without a sense of pride she assumed all dragons possessed. She was proud of him and told him so. Satisfied with the day's work, Iris dressed for bed and hummed a song for Cahan. As he fell asleep she felt her thoughts drift to Eragon. She knew it really hadn't been long since they had seen each other, and they hadn't even known each other for long at all for her to be so hopelessly in love with him. Her thoughts rushed to a halt…it was different to put words to her feelings. But she did ever so love the idea of being in love, even if she didn't know what all it entailed. She said the words out loud before she went to bed, "I love you Eragon." She was happy at her revelation, but the words seemed hollow without him to hear of her confession.

Days flew by under her tutelage with Oromis. Some days she excelled, speaking with her Master of plants and animals, politics and histories. While on others she felt hopelessly lost and insufficient as a rider. But her teacher was always kind, Oromis demanded her complete attention and energy each day but he was fair and as quick to compliment as he was to correct. Cahan was learning at the same rate learning from Glaedr. They had a mutual respect for one another and were able to become friends despite their difference in age and Glaedr being his teacher. She was amazed at how much they both didn't know about flying. According to Glaedr and Oromis Cahan's limited flying experience was showing. At his age he should have been faster and more agile. Cahan impressed her by not taking Glaedr's corrections personally but working much harder than she thought was possible. They were both exhausted by the end of each day which in all respects was a blessing. The constant work took Iris' mind from missing Eragon. Now she only had to deal with her aching heart just before she fell asleep and so she visited him in her dreams.

One morning, after an exhausting bout of swordplay, Oromis had her sit and recover. Oromis sighed, "Iris. I must make a confession." Iris raised an eyebrow in confusion but remained silent so he was free to continue. "Eragon will be here soon," Iris felt her heart speed up and made to stand but Oromis continued, "and I have kept this from you so that you may focus, because though you may not realize it, you are making wonderful progress. I'm quite proud of you and I hope that his coming will not be a distraction. Am I correct in thinking so?" Iris had trouble assessing her emotions. Her Master was asking her a serious question, and he didn't really know how deep her feelings were for Eragon. Quickly, she met his questioning gaze with a nod and a promise to be just as devoted to her studies. She really did mean it, she was happiest learning and improving herself. Though she did think she was in love with Eragon she was determined to continue in her progress. This was a promise she would keep. Could one not be in love and do other things? She wasn't certain but found herself feeling resolute in wanting to keep her promise.

Oromis decided to send her to train swordplay with another elf, they both knew this was the only area where she consistently failed to meet his standards of perfection. Gladr and Oromis wished to meet Eragon alone and so she left with a promise from him that he would send Eragon to see her at the end of the day. She only barely contained her excitement as she climbed on Cahan to fly to the training fields. For his part, Cahan seemed very content at the thought of Saphira coming with Eragon. She hadn't realized how attached he was with Saphira and was happy for the two dragons to be reunited as well.

They practiced in an empty training field most of the day with an elf named Vanir. Iris found him both arrogant and rude. He was quite brazen telling her that he found her beauty unappealing while at the same time flirting with her. By the end of their session she was tired of listening to his egotistical tones and he was so draining that she almost lost her excitement about seeing Eragon. They finished the day him saying goodbye and she barely containing her annoyance thanking him for his patience in practicing with her. She gratefully jumped on Cahan's back to fly to their rooms.

Iris stripped off her now sweaty clothes and showered so that she would at least smell decent when she finally got to see Eragon. She put on a light gown and found herself sitting on her bed nervously awaiting him. The longer she waited doubt crept into her thoughts. Perhaps he would be too tired from his traveling to visit tonight. Perhaps his feelings for her had trickled away during their time apart. Perhaps he had found someone else. Her thoughts were interrupted when Cahan spoke to her.

I see Saphira flying this way. We'll stay out here and I'll send Eragon in to you. Don't be nervous, doubt never looks good on anyone.

He sent her the equivalent of a mental hug but it did little to calm her frayed nerves. All too soon there was a knock on her door. She was too nervous to go to him so she called, "Come in" in a weak, high-pitched, voice. The door opened, revealing Eragon's strong, tall and sure frame. Iris felt a blush heat her cheeks as she remembered their last kiss, wishing with all her heart that he still liked her. A dazzling smile lit up his face as he walked swiftly toward her as she stood to greet him. Instead of the hug or handshake she expected, he took her in his arms and twirled her in the air. He set her down and she barely caught a breath before his lips were on hers. His lips were desperate against her own, crushing at first but then soft and gentle. She knew everything was going to be alright for her heart was whole once again, all self-doubt thrown out the window as he held her in his strong arms once more.

Eragon POV

Eragon had forgotten how breathtakingly beautiful Iris was. His dreams had not preserved the glow of gold from her long flowing curly red hair. Nor had his imagination remembered the softness of her skin against his rough hands or the perfect and gentle caress of her lips against his own. He had been so worried that she would find someone else while they were apart. She was just so special he thought for sure that someone else would have stole her from him. But after their kiss she clung to him so tightly that he knew that she had missed him as much as he had hoped. They didn't need words to express their happiness at being together once again, he simply carried her to the bed. Eragon held Iris close to him and she sighed contentedly and rested her head on his chest listening to his madly beating heart. Eventually she looked up at him with those emerald green eyes of hers. She smiled and he couldn't help but smile back. "I missed you so much Iris, I finally feel whole again." He saw her eyes get misty and reached to catch a teardrop on his finger, taking the chance to touch her soft cheek. "I can say I know exactly how you feel Eragon. I've thought of you so much, and more than anything I wanted you to be thinking of me." Her words touched his heart and he decided to tell her what he'd been thinking the moment she left his side. "Iris?" Her head was back on his chest and he heard her murmur, "Hhmm?" against him. He took a deep breath and told her, "Iris, I love you." He heard her intake of breath and her head turned upward to look at him and he found himself staring into her deep emerald green eyes and he heard her say, "I love you too Eragon, I'm yours." She smiled up at him and a deep joy welled up inside him. They kissed once more and eventually they began to talk about what they had done in their time apart.

Eventually Eragon noticed how tired Iris was. Her eyelids drooped and she sagged in his arms and he knew it was time to be a gentleman and bid her goodnight. He kissed her on the forehead and lifted her body to pull back the covers on the bed. She melted onto the bed and cuddled a pillow as he kissed her on the forehead and whispered goodnight. She made a contented noise and seemed to immediately fall to sleep. Eragon realized how exhausted he was as soon as he closed the door behind him. Despite his tiredness he felt as if he floated all the way to his rooms, assured that he was most likely the happiest man in all of Alaglaësia.