With a determined stride Arya walked next to Eragon, who tried to copy her determination as he looked at her on his left. As they entered the dining hall, they saw Kundog exuberantly discussing how his lance would serve him in battle with Nurin and Díanel. Herna and Ismira were sitting on the other side of the table and were just discussing the childhood of Eragon.
At the side of the hall were the dragons curled up in a magnificent assembly of colors. Only Izar and Lokini were full of energy and wrestling each other. Saphira was lying next to Fírnen and they both stared at the door, even before Eragon and Arya entered.
As they did so, all heads turned towards them. Kundog went to speak, but once he saw the looks on their faces he quickly decided not to. Ismira's cheeks got a slight blush on them, embarrassed that she talked about his private life. Eragon didn't seem to notice and cleared his voice: "Herna, would you please follow us."
"And for you," he said as he let his eyes move away from Herna to the others, "please enjoy your dinner without us. This might take a while."
Herna stood up with a frown on her face and walked towards where Eragon and Arya were waiting. Leaving the others behind in confusion.
Eragon turned to walk towards his chambers again, when he remembered something "Meet me at dawn tomorrow at the platform. The second stage of your training will then begin," he said facing Díanel.
The walk was spend in an awkward silence, and Eragon loathed what he had to do. What Herna forced him to do. He still couldn't wrap his head around it. But he was done feeling sad and miserable. Arya was right, it was time to handle things. Herna was the first to experience his regained purpose.
When they entered his study, he went to stand behind his desk, with Arya next to him. Herna stood in front of them. She looked uncomfortable and didn't know where to look, her eyes shifting from Arya to Eragon and eventually resting on a spot on the ground in front of her. He recalled the times that she came here in his study to comfort him, she always knew what to do and what to say, she was his beacon in a stormy tide, but this time, she seemed like she was the one drowning, and depending on her answers, he might or might not save her.
"Why have you summoned me, Ebrithil?" Herna asked Eragon and this time her blue eyes were focused upon his.
"I think you know why, Herna. Why have you never told me that Arya scryed me?" Eragon's eyes stood unrelenting.
"I-, You told me you never wanted to talk to her again. I just did as you asked Eragon. She arrived just a few hours ago and already she caused lots of trouble. That's why she should never have come. We could have escorted Díanel and continue with our lives. We had it good Eragon, there was no need to listen to those in Alagaësia who just want your attention because you are the Head Dragon Rider, Eragon. We don't need them." Herna took a step towards the desk as she spoke. Her eyes showed a conviction that made Eragon doubt again.
"You are a Rider. How could you ever think that you should not listen to the Alagaesians, the sole purpose of our existence is to help them!" Arya replied with a look in her eyes that would have made everyone but a rider flinch.
Eragon looked to his right and he knew that Arya was right. Had he not sworn himself to defend Alagaësia, both before and after the war with Galbatorix.
"Herna, Queen Arya is right. Even though I might have strayed of the path, you should have informed me of whoever wanted to scry me. Your words reveal that is was not just Arya." Eragon said with a stern voice.
"I did it for you, Eragon. You needed the peace here on this island. Your whole life has been built on war and heartbreaks. You deserve to rest and be happy! We deserve to be happy!" Herna got tears in her eyes, but Eragon remained rigorous.
"Herna, instead of helping me, you've done the opposite. Only my family, the people I love, can help me get the peace I seek, the peace within myself."
"But I love you too Eragon!" Herna shouted, tears streaming down her face.
Eragon didn't know what to say. Never before had somebody told him that he loved him. He knew the love of a brother, a father too, but never had a female loved him. He had only ever loved one person in a romantic matter, the elf with the scent of crushed pine needles, that was standing next to him. But not Herna. He had first viewed her as his apprentice, and he recalled how happy he was to train her and Harnon, the first set of junior Riders. After they had spent every day together for years he started seeing her as a sister, someone who was always there for him. Yes, he did love her, but as he loved Nasuada or maybe even Roran.
"Am I not your family then Eragon? Am I not the one who cared for you when all the people who claimed to love you, ignored you?" Herna's tears formed a sad pattern on the floor.
He sat down. The air heavy with silence. A dragon's roar sounded loud over the water.
Before he could speak, Arya walked around the desk. And to his surprise, she put a hand on Herna's shoulder.
"Herna-Finiarel, I understand what you did, why you did it, I truly do. But it is not right to claim Eragon for yourself. The order of riders is built to serve Alagaësia. Never forget that. We should always put the fate of Alagaësia over our own desires, even though it hurts." Arya spoke with her musical voice, though the tones were sad and sounded of the same feeling of loss, but mostly, her voice carried a rhythm of understanding.
Eragon was astonished by the scene unfolding in front of him. The Arya in front of him was so different than the Arya he had last spoken to twenty years ago. He could only think of that she was more humane. She truly understood Herna and despite the loathing of Herna she just an hour ago, she was strong enough to overcome that in an open display of her emotions. Eragon silently thought that Arya was more like the Arya he always wanted her to be.
The scene was even stranger for it involved a woman who apparently loved him and the woman he still loved. The woman who eased his pain and the woman who caused it.
During all the time he spend with the eldunari, he never once learned how to cope with situations like this.
"Herna…" He started, not sure what he wanted to say. "You are my family. I did not wish to indicate otherwise. And I deeply appreciate for what you have done for me, I even love you for it." Herna glanced up, eyes still wet, "as family," Eragon added.
"But Arya is right. Whatever we do on this island, it should never be a reason to neglect our duty to protect Alagaësia. I failed in this, we all did. But for now, we must focus on whatever keeps the unhatched dragons in their eggs. Sometimes duty comes, Herna. But I'm sure that in time, you will find the love you seek." Eragon ended in a kind matter.
He felt sorry for Herna. He knew how it was to be disregarded by the one you love, as Arya had turned him away so many times before. It now occurred to him that is was nothing easier to be the one to break a heart.
Herna nodded as a child who received a lecture from her the meeting, all three ate separate and retreated in their own chambers.
Eragon curled up next to Saphira.
You did as you should've. Herna meant no harm but she wronged us all anyway.
Do you think I should've punished her? I can take her senior rider status from her…
I think you should talk more about what she feels Eragon. It may never again cloud her judgement, for it could be dangerous too all.
I do not think I am the right person to talk with her.
Maybe you are right.
A silence fell between them as they both recalled the events of the day, the most eventful one they had in over a decade and a half.
It's good to see you take back to the role of the First Rider, Eragon. I missed you like this, though I know I was not the mighty dragoness either.
I missed this too Saphira. I feel like I've opened my eyes again. We will fix everything.
We will, Shadeslayer.
They shared their love for each other through their connection until Eragon fell into his waking dreams and Saphira made soft snoring noises.
«»
I pity her. Arya told her dragon.
I do not think we've heard the whole story so far. It makes sense that she did it out of love for Eragon, but why turn away from Alagaësia?
I don't know, I will ask Nurin more about her past.
You should, little-one. But for now, rest yourself with knowing that you already accomplished a lot on our first day here. Tomorrow Saphira and I are going to visit some wild dragons, she has a surprise for me.
Arya smiled as the thought about how Fírnen was just as upset and mad as she was when Eragon and Saphira didn't seek contact anymore. But now it seemed that the emotional connection between Fírnen and Saphira was of more practical nature than that of her and Eragon.
I was mostly angry because Eragon-with-pony-tail had hurt you and Saphira didn't tell him of the errors in his way. But now Saphira-Brightcolored and I are fine again.
So what am I to think of this?
You know I have no desire to mate ever since that warning rushed through me, nor does Saphira or any other dragon.
I know, unfortunately.
And just as Eragon and Saphira, they too fell asleep curled up next to each other.
«»
On the lowest level of the residence hall, partly build underneath the platform, lay Herna crying in her bed.
Harnon gently padded her with his snout.
It's alright, heartstone. Eragon forgave you. As he should, you only ever did what you deemed right.
Then why does he not love me back?!
Ask yourself Herna, do you truly love Eragon? Would you want him as a mate? Or is this just the closest you ever got to loving someone?
I don't know Harnon. All I want is to feel loved. We were happy here, but it is all gone now that Arya arrived.
I love you, never forget that. You are born out of the hardest stone, no Knurla could've endured what you have. If I ever get the chance I will kill those traitors in Galfni for what they have done to you. Harnon was suddenly filled with bloodlust, as he gently put his snout on her womb, where the scars still burned.
They too, fell into sleep eventually, although it was a troubled and restless one, filled with memories of knifes and blood.
This was most of the drama part.
Let me know what you think of how i handled it. Does it make sense to you all?
Next chapter we'll get some character building on most of them as the story moves on towards a more steady pace and we'll get more discoveries on the big bad...