AN: Hey folks! Sorry for the inordinate delay but I had to delete the chapter I had originally written after reading the reviews…Since so many of you wanted to see the dinner, I had to comply! This has significantly changed the plotline of the story. I hope you guys like it.
About Arya's mental abilities: CP himself had said that elves are naturally proficient when it comes to fighting with the mind, because of their self-discipline and rigorous upbringing…when you grow up, speaking a language where a misspoken word can cause chaos, you tend to be very disciplined in your thoughts. Eragon and Saphira have powerful minds, but they aren't nearly disciplined enough…that will change over the course of this story.
Anyway, read and enjoy!
Chapter 10: A Companion?
Saphira hummed softly as Eragon massaged her wing-sockets and the muscles on one side while Arya did the other…he scratched below the spot where her wings were joined to her chest, and her humming deepened…
Ooh that feels …so good….you should stop being a Rider, Little One Saphira murmured, her voice unusually relaxed…
And, then, what would he be? Arya asked. Their minds were still connected.
A masseuse ofcourse! You should open a parlor in the Imperial City, exclusively for the nobles, we would get filthy rich in no time!
Arya doubled up, laughing hard at poor Eragon who stood gaping like a fish out of water.
Eragon snapped at the females, why of course, and you, Saphira will be an amusement ride for children, won't you? While Arya would the most pathetic court jester…
Said females looked at Eragon, then at each other, then again at him before suddenly bursting into even more hysterical bouts of laughter, and this time, Eragon couldn't resist joining in..
A couple of hours later….
"You sure that I look good?" Eragon asked her for the umpteenth time.
Saphira chuckled, yes, I'm sure…stop fussing, you look fine, its just a dinner.
"With the King and Queen!"
Or is it the father and mother of a certain elf-maiden? She asked a bit too innocently.
"Yeah, well you've got nothing to worry about, all you have to do is lick your scales a few times and you're ready! Times like this I wish I had the body of a dragon in addition to the soul of one…" Eragon trailed off.
Murtagh chose to burst in upon them at that moment…throwing the door wide open and coming to a standstill right in front of his brother who was busy studying his reflection in the full-length mirror.
Eragon studied Murtagh's appearance and thought that he looked the part of a dashing Rider…with his red tight-fitting tunic with white detail work and black trousers. He always knew how to impress others. Then, he realized that said twin was staring at him, with something close to wonderment in his eyes.
"What?" Eragon barked. In response Murtagh laughed out loud before replying, his words mixing up with the laughter, "I don't believe this, my reclusive….antisocial brother….is actually….wanting to look good? HAH!"
It was true, Eragon mulled…. He had never really bothered with what he wore to any social event, provided that he even attended one..but then again, most social events do not have Arya.
Or her parents, Saphira chimed in.
Murtagh looked positively gleeful, Eragon groaned, he had heard Saphira…"Congratulations! You've finally began perceiving women as attractive. For some time, I was worried that my twin brother was a…Ow!" he couldn't complete his statement as he was tackled to the floor by a scowling Eragon.
Arya was nervous, very nervous. Her mother had given her a dress that she said was similar to one she had worn when her father had first asked her for a dance…For some reason that made her feel giddy with happiness…But now, approaching the treehouse, she hoped that Eragon thought that she looked beautiful…
Walking up the winding stairs to Eragon's room, she once again checked her dress, before knocking on the door…
A short moment later, the door opened and Eragon stood at the doorframe, his mouth agape and his eyes widening, quite similar to what Arya's expression was..
He was wearing a royal blue tunic with dragon runes stitched in gold thread on his shoulders and forearm; coupled with cream-colored trousers….the shirt had a deep V-shaped cut and was close-fitting enough to show his muscular build. Eragon, on the other hand stared at arya, who was wearing a forest green off-the shoulders dress woven in the pattern of vines…its neck was deep enough to give a tantalizing glimpse of the swelling of her breasts. She had put on black eyeliners and her emerald eyes seemed to blaze.
Eragon reached out and took both of her hands, "Wow…you look gorgeous Arya" he said softly. Arya blushed beautifully before squeezing his hands and whispering in equally soft tones, "thank you…you look rather handsome too. Shall we go?"
He nodded and they descended the stairs, pausing long enough for Murtagh to join them." Where are we going?" Murtagh asked the princess.
"To the gardens of Tialdari Hall, of course. Where else would there be enough space for two dragons as large as Thorn and Saphira?"
Murtagh spoke in his mind, now is the right time.
Eragon simply nodded. And as Murtagh had painstakingly taught him, Eragon gracefully bowed to the lady and silently offered his arm, not betraying his inner nervousness in the slightest. Arya seemed to be in shock, but she recovered and looped her hand through his.
The dragons arrived first and greeted him, bowing their heads ever so slightly.
He couldn't help but admire the beauty and grace of the red and blue scaled siblings. They had grown tremendously over the past two years, as far as Oromis was concerned… not just physically but also in terms of their skills and maturity… much the same could be said of their riders, Glaedr certainly was all praises for the pair.
Even after all this time, Evandar had still to come to terms with the power and authority the brothers wielded…He still remembered the grandness and majesty of old Uriel Septim…and the arrogance that came with it, but not so with Martin Septim and it seemed not so with the brothers. They were unbelievably modest, especially Eragon…and then there was the dream that said Dovahkiin had seen and it was a dire warning…he shuddered at the thought of facing Alduin. Evandar had seen enough blood and gore during the Oblivion Crisis to last him a thousand years…
Braking his morbid chain of thought, Murtagh arrived, his long legs loping gracefully…he greeted his mate first before approaching him…He smiled, Murtagh had a way with the women-folk, he could draw even the most cold-hearted woman into a pleasant conversation…he supposed that Murtagh had inherited that from his father.
Murtagh was a very interesting human… humorous, charming, smart, hot-blooded, extremely skilled in combat and battle magic but weak in more scholarly and subtle areas….as far as Oromis had opined. He, Evandar decided, would make a fine leader.
And then, the pair that he and Islanzadi had gone through all this trouble for…. Eragon and Arya, walking hand-in-hand obviously pleased with each-other's company, their faces beaming with happiness…he had never seen his daughter so happy in a male's company….come to think of it he hadn't seen his dear daughter in the company of a male who wasn't a teacher, an elder or a relative.
"They make a lovely couple, do they not?" Islanzadi asked from where she stood at his side.
"Indeed they do, and it makes me both happy and sad," he sighed, "happy that my daughter has found a true friend and sad because if things between them continue like this, then our daughter won't be ours for much longer."
"We both knew that this was going to happen one day…and I would prefer Arya having someone like Eragon…." She reached out to take his hand, "Oromis is quite pleased with the young riders, especially Eragon."
Said pair approached the contemplative father and Eragon bowed to him before intoning the traditional greeting…
Eragon was surprised to learn that the feast was solely for them and the Royal Family….no Lords or Ladies were in attendance…The next thing he noticed was the lack of servants…not that he had ever seen servants in his considerable time among the elves, but he had expected that the Ruling house would atleast have house stewards. He determined to query of it to Oromis-ebithril during their next lesson. The queen herself served everyone, aided albeit by generous amounts of magic.
The feast was sumptuous. The brothers enjoyed it immensely as did the dragons, even though meat was conspicuous in its absence. The conversation around the table was light hearted and Eragon found himself enjoying the company of the King and Queen.
Arya is clearly a mix of her father and mother, Saphira said in his mind.
Aye, the Queen's beauty and grace with the King's wisdom and wit…not that Islanzadi isn't wise or Evandar isn't graceful…you get my meaning., Eragon replied.
As the feast drew to a close, Evandar shared a meaningful look with his mate and she nodded…
Clearing her throat, the Queen spoke in her clear stern voice, "Eragon, Saphira and Arya… if you would stay behind…Evandar and I have something to discuss with you."
Eragon paled on hearing that had Arya said something against him? His throat dried up at the thought of facing angry parents. He nodded absentmindedly to the queen.
Saphira meanwhile was having a difficult time suppressing her laughter, on the outside, others would have thought that she was having a coughing fit.
After a moment, Arya and Murtagh started laughing as well and Eragon reddened in a mix of outrage and embarrassment.
Don't worry dear, you've given me no reason to complain. Besides, I think I can handle you myself…Arya replied slyly, brushing her leg against his under the table. Eragon raised an eyebrow on hearing that but didn't voice his thoughts.
Murtagh excused himself and after thanking the King and Queen profusely, retired to his home, but not before throwing a questioning look at his brother.
We'll talk later, once I'm done here. Eragon sent back.
Evandar took his mate's hand and gestured at Eragon to follow him. Confused, Eragon looked at Arya, but she shrugged before extending her hand towards him.
The residential chambers of Tialdari hall were palatial, but then again, they were meant to be so.
Eragon was in the outer room, meant clearly for receiving guests, but he could see three wide passageways leading further in.
The room, which was more of a hall, was painted a light blue, with gold and silver veins running in the corners, creating fantastic patterns. Fairths depicting various places and events hung on the walls. Eragon recognized some, High Hrothgar, Carvahall, Illirea, what he supposed must have been Doru Araeba and Tronjheim.
In the center of the room was a beautiful desk, carved from rosewood and enameled with ivory, off to a side was a glass table and additional high-backed armchairs…but they certainly appeared far more comfortable than the Knotted Throne.
Evandar sat near the table and clapped his hands. The chairs organized themselves in a circle around the table, surprising Eragon; he had expected the King to sit behind the desk.
The circle provides a semblance of equality, much like the round table in High Hrothgar. The king honors us with this gesture, Saphira noted.
Eragon agreed, the elves are very subtle with their politic, aren't they?
Aye, remember, you are Dovahkiin and therefore, should it come to it, you can afford to disobey a direct order, although I doubt it would come to that.
Let us hope not.
Eragon had hoped that his internal conversation hadn't reflected on his face, but as he sat by Arya's side, he noticed a gleam in the eyes of the Queen and he realized that she had probably made out what he was thinking.
"You must be terribly confused by this sudden development, I'm sure," Evandar began, "but at the outset let me make it plain that no matter what is the outcome of the discussion that is take place, it won't affect anything in any manner."
Eragon nodded, unsure of where exactly the king was leading to. In the back of his mind, he was aware of Saphira paying great attention to every word.
"I still remember the day when the four of you first came here, accompanied by the Lord Rider and Dragon. I remember wondering at that time as to what made you so special that Vrael himself accompanied and why had you even come here…then I got to see and was I surprised! Wearing the armor of Nocturnal, with the rings of the Blades on your fingers and branded with the Gedwey Ignasia…only to learn that wasn't all, you were Dovahkiin as well…Dovahkiin!" the king smiled ruefully and Eragon couldn't help but reminisce on that day two years ago.
"I still am shocked, sometimes over how much you are, when I pause to think about it…there was a furor in the Council the next day. Several lords and ladies were upset that your identities had been kept a secret for so long," he help up his palm to forestall Eragon, "Vrael and I tried our best to justify Paarthunax-elda's decision, but there is still resentment among some…"
Eragon wasn't too greatly surprised by this, he had encountered some hostility, but he had taken it in his stride. But he couldn't help but voice his thoughts, "its envy, isn't it? It has to be, only three Dovahkiin have ever been elves…"
Evandar nodded, taken by surprise by Eragon's insight. But then again, he was a dragon.
"Yes, but if you say so, they would deny it most vehemently," Islanzadi sighed.
By now Eragon was even more confused, "My lord, if I may be so bold, why would you even tell me this? If anything, I might develop a negative against the elven nation…"
Said lord laughed aloud and his mate smiled…"I like you a lot, Eragon, straight and blunt, just like Brom! Why do I tell you this? So that you understand the gravity of what I am about to propose…but we will get to that later…how old are you?"
Eragon blinked, taken by surprise by the sudden curiosity about his age, "um..twenty six…why?"
Evandar ignored the 'why', "and at what age did you start taking on military responsibilities?"
"When I was first knighted…that would be, yes since the age of sixteen."
Islanzadi's and Arya's eyes went wide. "Sixteen, isn't that too young?" the Queen asked.
"No, it isn't. Not for humans anyway. They live short mortal lives and therefore everything occurs at what we would see as an accelerated pace…but for humans, it is normal, am I right?" Evandar said.
Eragon nodded.
"Well, elves are considered adults at the age of twenty…but they aren't formally recognized as such until they have undergone a right of passage into adulthood." The king continued.
"Which is?" Eragon asked, curious.
"A young elf is sent to be apprentice to an elder warrior, or scholar, or craftsman, or mage…depending on the elf's choice of occupation…" he paused, before nodding once, to himself as if making sure of a decision.
"My dear daughter," Evandar turned to look at his daughter, "hasn't undergone this right of passage." He announced.
Eragon was now really confused, as was Saphira. Interesting as this is, why would you tell us about something so personal?, she asked the King directly.
"Because," the Queen spoke, "we want you, Eragon to become Arya's mentor."
Wouldn't it be great if I left it here?
"You would what?" Eragon asked.
"You heard her, we want you to become Arya's mentor." Evandar repeated.
Eragon didn't know what to do, so he asked a question, "I am honored that you would even consider me…but,why me? I mean, she is the Princess of the elven nation! You could have asked anyone else, Vrael-elda, Oromis-elda or even father! Why me?"
Arya meanwhile had turned red….she had agreed to Eragon being her mentor…but she was nervous that he wouldn't agree.
"All sound suggestions…but look at it logically….Vrael is the leader of the Riders, he barely has anytime to look after the order and deal with all the Monarchies…Oromis is more or less, stagnant here. He is a teacher and therefore spends most of his time in Du Weldervarden. Arya needs to see the outside world so that she can learn of other cultures and traditions…your father is the Protector of Carvahall and therefore limited to that one kingdom. You, my dear friend, are perfect if every way, you are Dovahkiin, between you and Saphira, few can harm her. You will, as young riders, travel all over the land and so will Arya, that is if you agree. Furthermore, the two of you are fast friends and I would prefer Arya to have a companion she can be open with during the next few years. Besides, you have been out in the world, leaving on your own for nigh on ten years, isn't that right? You can teach her so many things… swordplay, tracking, stealth, infiltration and even more….which time will only tell. So will you and Saphira accept?"
Eragon took a deep breath, thinking over all that the King had said. He makes valid points, you know. Saphira said. So you accept? He asked her.
Would be so bad to have her with us? Most likely, Murtagh and Thorn will be given separate duties from us and therefore we would be alone…Besides, you like her, don't you?
That's why I am hesistant about this…I don't want to force her into an uncomfortable position.
Then ask her if she is ready for this…
Aye.
"Before I come to a decision, I have two questions that need answering, first, will Arya hide her identity? And if so, what will I do if other recognize her? "
"Yes, she will. She will be plain Arya, not Drottningu…it is tradition for members of the Royal Family to forego their luxuries during their travels. As for what you will do when others may recognize her, don't worry. She will be wearing a ring marked with the Yawe, which will indicate to all other elves that she is undergoing the right of passage." The queen clarified.
"And your second question?" Evandar asked.
Eragon turned to look at Arya, "are you okay with this?" he asked his dearest friend.
She held his gaze as she answered firmly, "I am."
"Then we accept this responsibility and may the Divines punish us if we fail" Eragon and Saphira said together.
So what do you think? Tell me in a review!