Chapter 9 – Painful Memories

The morning of the next day dawned clear and bright, bringing with it a dark line on the horizon.

Alagaesia! Thought Eragon. We made it! We have finally returned!

Aye, but what exactly have we returned to? Commented Saphira.

Eragon and the others rowed with renewed vigor and, aided by the immense power of the Eldunari, they rapidly approached the coast. Using Saphira's innate sense of direction and her memories, they realized they needed to travel south along the coast until they found the mouth of the Edda River. It took a good portion of the afternoon and, as a result, the sun was almost completely set before they found their destination. Nala and Lara skillfully manipulated the sails and the ship fairly flew through the estuary and into the Edda River proper. By the time the sun had fully set, they were fully enclosed on both sides by rolling hills and towering mountains. The air became frigid and they all had to bundle up in heavy cloaks and gloves.

Winter has fallen here. Saphira commented, eyeing dark storm clouds forming off to the west.

Aye. I know I asked you to wait two days before going to hunt but maybe you should go now, before those storm clouds hit us. If it gets too windy you will have a hard time in the air.

Saphira grunted in response. I won't be long.

She extended her wings and drew them back so far that they almost touched at the apex of their arc. The ship rocked violently as she jumped, launching herself twenty feet into the air. She drove her wings downward and the air vibrated with a concussion that hurt Eragon's ears and jarred his teeth. Three massive flaps of her wings later, Saphira was soaring over the river and she disappeared.

Since they were traveling against the current and there was very little wind at the moment, Eragon and the Elves had to rely on the strength of their bodies, aided by the Eldunari, to propel the ship. Granted, they could row nonstop for several years and not use all of the energy from the stores of the Eldunari, but it soon became a tedious exercise. So eager were they to be done with their journey, they all voted to work in rotating shifts throughout the night.

Saphira reappeared a few hours after the sun had fully set and landed on the deck, careful not to clip the mast, sails or rigging ropes with her wings.

I assume the hunt was successful? Eragon queried.

Is there any other kind of hunt for a dragon?

It wasn't until the wee hours of the morning, that special sort of pre-dawn where the sky begins to brighten but the sun has not yet breached the horizon that the snow began to fall. Their surroundings took on an eerie, ethereal visage, made all the more foreboding by the high walls of the steep banks of the river. The deck of the ship soon became slick with powdered snow and had to be cleared several times by means of a spell so they could walk without fear of injury.

Based on his previous trip through this channel, Eragon guessed they had one more day left before reaching Hedarth, making him right on time to meet Arya. Eragon didn't notice right away, but the closer they got to their destination the more agitated he became. Saphira did, however.

She nudged him lightly. Why so tense, Little One?

I'm nervous, I guess. I mean, you saw Arya when we left. I think we were both distraught, and it seemed like her distress was genuine, but how will she react to Nala?

Does it really matter how she reacts? Saphira asked.

Of course it does! Why wouldn't it?

What I mean is however Arya reacts – for good or for bad – has no bearing on your relationship with Nala. Whatever existed between you and Arya is no more and should remain that way.

Eragon was stunned. Never before had Saphira said anything like this about Arya. Throughout her speech, undercurrents of anxiety and even anger rippled through their mental link. You feel really strongly about this.

How can I not? Ever since you first started having those dreams about Arya, you were completely obsessed with her. Not once, not twice, but three separate times she denied your advances and you were rendered nearly inconsolable on all three occasions. I would not have you hurt like this again.

The third time was mutual, though. I was leaving and she couldn't follow. It was my fault, if any fault is to be had.

Eragon, you don't understand, though you should by now. What you feel, I feel. Whatever hurts you…

Hurts you too… Eragon felt a lump form in his throat. Saphira, I am so sorry. I never thought about it like that.

There was an awkward silence between them, broken when Saphira snorted, sending out a jet of flame from her nostril and vaporizing a vast swath of snowflakes before her. No matter. Like I said before, I want you to be happy and follow your heart. I see, and feel, how you are with Nala and I do believe she returns those feelings. Don't let your brain interfere with your heart.

Well, the heart is just a muscle and cannot actually feel, or think, but your point is well taken. He placed a hand on her leg. I don't know what I would do without you, Saphira.

She winked a great blue eye at him, her bony eyelids clacking together. I love you too, Little One.

Their conversation rattled around in Eragon's mind for the remainder of the morning. He was still a little anxious but he decided Saphira was right. Right now, Nala was the best thing for him and he was determined to see where this relationship would lead. Arya, while he was certainly still fond of her and counted her among his greatest friends, would have to be ok with it. Besides, it wasn't as if Arya would be making the trip back to Du Deloi Dramr with him when this situation, whatever it was, was sorted out. His thoughts were interrupted when Saphira lifted her head and sniffed the air experimentally.

What is it? What do you smell?

It smells like...home. She reared her head up, her long neck making her look like a snake – a really big, blue dragon snake – and she roared loudly.

Eragon's ears rang and he felt almost sick to his stomach until, in the distance, he heard a roar in answer. Though it had been many months since he had heard it, Eragon knew at once.

Firnen! Arya!

He sent out his mind in the direction of the roar, ignoring the plants, ignoring the animals still trying to keep warm in their dens, ignoring the cave bear who groaned and growled in displeasure at being awoken from his hibernation by the roaring dragons and ignoring the birds who had taken flight, startled from their roosts. He kept going until he felt them, their mind bright and vibrant with power and excitement.

Eragon! Saphira!

The two dragons roared once more and the elves cheered. Finally, their journey was over. Finally, they had returned home.

The two minds grew brighter and came closer in proximity until, from within the gloomy cumulonimbus clouds, Firnen came into view. The green dragon had grown much larger in their absence, getting both thicker and more muscular in the chest, legs, neck and back. Eragon grinned as Saphira roared once more, flaring her wings and sending a monumental torrent of fire into the air in greeting. The elves cheered and called out greetings to Firnen and their Queen.

Welcome home, Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Brightscales. Atra esterni ono thelduin.

Atra du evarinya ono varda.

Un atra mor'ranr lifa unin hjarta onr.

It is great to see you again, Arya Drotning. Why have you come so far south? We weren't supposed to meet up for another day yet.

We grew restless and Firnen wanted to explore a bit; it is the first time he has been in this part of Alagaesia.

Saphira rocked the boat as she stood and ruffled her wings, the sound of her scales rustling made the skin on Eragon's neck crawl.

I've been through here once or twice. I will show him around. Saphira didn't wait for a response, leaping into the air and taking flight. She circled above while Firnen dropped low and allowed Arya to drop from his back onto the deck of the ship, slowing her descent with a spell. As soon as Arya was clear of the saddle, Firnen flapped away, joining Saphira. The two dragons soon disappeared into the stormy sky.

Arya fell softly and landed next to Eragon and, as she put her full weight on her feet, she began to slip on the snow covered wood. Eragon threw out an arm to catch her and Arya landed full into his chest, one arm wrapped around his neck. His heart jumped and he hurried to get her to her feet. It might have been Eragon's imagination but it seemed like she was taking her time in doing so.

"I cry your pardon, Eragon-elda." She muttered, her voice barely a whisper. Eragon could only nod in response.

Once she was on solid footing, all of the Elves lined up to greet her, bowing, touching their first two fingers on their right hand to their lips and uttering the traditional Elven greeting. Once the pleasantries were dispensed with and the Elves resumed their duties, Arya took Eragon aside. She wasted little time in telling him of all the occurrences in Alagaesia that sparked his return. When she was done, he said, "I think you are right. All of them returning would be too much of a coincidence in of itself but none of them having any memory of it? Impossible. I don't like to say it but I think whoever is behind this is more dangerous than Galbatorix was."

"Nasuada and I are of the same opinion. All of the prisoners have been gathered in Ilirea and they await our arrival. We should question them without further delay and examine their minds. With any luck, we might be able to discover something the perpetrator, or perpetrators, missed."

"Agreed."

Eragon lost himself in thought until Arya said, "How have you been Eragon?"

He looked up and found himself staring into her impossibly green eyes. "F-fine." He managed. Steeling his nerves, he said, "How have you been?"

She smiled and absently brushed her long hair behind her ear, exposing the alabaster skin of her neck. "I have been well. Thank you. My duties as Queen have kept me busy but I still enjoy working for the good of my people."

"And what of Nasuada? Has she had any more troubles since I left?"

The whole while Arya talked, Eragon did his best to avoid making direct eye contact but he found he couldn't help himself. Her eyes entranced him and he found them too difficult to avoid. More than that, he wanted to look into her eyes. Those green pools had always intrigued him and, it seemed, their prolonged separation did nothing to diminish this. She spoke at length about Nasuada's accomplishments and her continued efforts to ensure peace between all of the races. Eragon was very surprised to learn that Nasuada had granted the whole of Furnost to Nar Garzhvog's tribe. The town, situated on the northern bank of Lake Tudosten, bordered the Hadarac Desert and would give his people plenty of room to expand and grow without fear of intruding on the human's land. The people who already lived in Tudosten were granted new homes in Ilirea though several families, Eragon was surprised to hear, decided to stay. The Urgals did not object but rather welcomed those families. Arya said Nar Garzhvog was so pleased by Eragon's inclusion of his race into the spell that bound Riders to Dragons that he would do anything at all to ensure the continued peace that reigned over the races of Alagaesia.

"You performed a truly amazing deed, Eragon. Even if you were to accomplish nothing else in your life, you would still be considered one of the greatest and most prominent figures in history."

Eragon blushed. "I don't know about all that…I mean I always had you to help me, didn't I?"

"That does not detract from the magnitude of your actions."

Eragon smiled and looked to the sky. The sun, though it must have long since reached its zenith and begun its descent by now, was still hidden by the storm clouds. Eragon shook his head, loosening the flakes of snow that clung to his hair. Arya reached over and lightly brushed another clump that had accumulated on his shoulder. When she touched him, Eragon stiffened. Arya didn't seem to notice, instead looking to the Elves.

"It looks like you and my kin have done well. If you would describe it to me, I would love to hear all about your new home and the land in which you have settled."

Before Eragon could begin, Arya flinched, grasping her arm. At the same time, Eragon felt a sharp pain in his side, along his ribs. At first he was confused but then cold fear gripped him, colder even than the air around them. It wasn't his pain he was feeling.

"Saphira!" he cried.

"I can't feel Firnen's mind! He isn't responding!" Arya said, her eyes wide.

Eragon had stared down entire armies with her and never before had he seen Arya look so afraid. Admittedly, he felt the same way. Though he knew it was futile, Eragon reached out with his mind but he could feel nothing of Saphira's, or Firnen's, mind. Nor could he feel that subconscious tingle in the back of his mind that had been there since the moment he had first touched Saphira, bonding him to her.

"They…They're gone." He said, his eyes filling with hot tears. He saw Arya's own eyes welling up and her mouth was working up and down like she wanted to speak but no sound came out.

"What do we do?' asked Nala.

Eragon whipped his head up and saw Nala standing behind Arya, watching them both. The other Elves had also ceased their activities and watched them all intently.

Arya did not, could not, speak; indeed she seemed to look to Eragon for the answer.

"What do we do, Eragon?" Nala repeated.

Eragon thought for a moment but was soon overcome by despair, a black, heavy feeling that weighed him down until he no longer had the energy to even move his head.

In the end, he could only manage three words.

"I know not."