(A.N.) As always, shout out to you loyal readers that reviewed the last chapter (winking skeever, 1 guest, Elemental Dragon Slayer, xxPercyRoxxx, Dessert Maniac, DaniPotterLovesGod, and d-saintsation-b)! Good to hear that you all enjoyed the action scene I wrote. :P
Onward!
Disclaimer: Not now, not ever.
Ch. 10
Eragon
A cold, gentle breeze blew through Eragon's tent, rousing him from his sleep. Someone shifted beside him, and Eragon looked down to see Arya resting peacefully with her head against his chest with his right arm wrapped around her. Eragon smiled as he ran his hand through her raven black hair. Sunlight leaked through the tent flaps and Eragon slowly, and regretfully, sat up in his bed. He grunted slightly. The wounds inflicted upon him during his fight against Murtagh were nearly completely healed. Arya shifted again and a soft moan escaped her lips. Eragon chuckled and carefully shifted his legs from under the sheets and his feet touched the cold, hard ground. He grabbed his boots and once they were on he turned to check on Arya once more. He was surprised to see her suddenly awake.
"Feeling better?" Arya asked. She had pulled the thin sheets closer to her and was cuddled up in his bed, probably due to the recent weather change.
Eragon nodded. "I am. I would stay in bed a little longer, however I think it would be best for me to speak with Nasuada. I haven't seen her since we took down the gates of Dras-Leona." Eragon sat up from his cot and suddenly realized that he was not wearing a shirt. He blushed and took a quick peek at Arya's expression before running over to a wooden chair in the corner where a blue tunic was placed upon. He heard Arya chuckle and the bed sheet were thrown to the side as she got up.
"Is something funny?" Eragon asked, turning towards her now that his shirt was properly on. Eragon's heart stopped when he got a proper look at the female elf. She wasn't wearing the clothes he had expected her to. Apparently, the weather must have been rather humid before they went to bed, as Arya's long legs were clearly visible; as well her as her defined arms and shoulders. It was obvious sleep wear, but nothing Eragon would expect to see Arya wearing in front of him or anyone else for that matter.
His visible shock did not go unnoticed by Arya, and she grinned questioningly at her human companion before saying, "What? It certainly wasn't this cold when I got into bed. Besides, I figured your body would serve as enough heat if the morning proved to be chilly." She replied casually. Arya walked over to the opposite corner of the room and picked up her clothes. After she was fully garbed in her usual attire, she turned once more to Eragon.
"Well? We should not keep Nasuada waiting." Arya grabbed Eragon's arm before exiting their tent.
"Arya seems to be in a fine mood this morning, wouldn't you say so?" Saphira said as she followed Eragon.
"She does seem to be…happier." Eragon replied. He eyed Arya and her hand that was clasped around his arm.
"Indeed she does." Saphira said, a hint of amusement passed from her to Eragon and he sighed as she laughed.
Before Eragon could say anymore on the subject, someone called out his name. "Shadeslayer!"
Eragon and Arya turned to the direction of the voice to see Blodhgarm approaching them.
Arya
Her heart quickened as she suddenly realized that she was still holding onto Eragon's arm. She quickly let go of it before Blodhgarm got any closer, but as he walked over and greeted Eragon, the furry elf eyed Arya suspiciously. However he made no attempt to further press the matter as he turned and greeted Arya.
"It is good to see you among the walking, Shadeslayer." Blodhgarm said.
Eragon chuckled, but the grin was wiped from his face as the memories of the battle flashed through his mind. "I would have preferred to have seen an end to this quarrel between Murtagh and myself. Instead I find my head against a rock." Eragon replied.
Arya said nothing as she looked at Eragon. He hid his emotions well, but the disappointment and frustration that passed across his face did not go unnoticed by her. It bothered Arya to see Eragon so upset with himself. Eragon had thought himself to be weak, when she, and many others, knew him to be far from it.
"Please, forgive me for flying off with Saphira to confront Murtagh without telling you, Blodhgarm. I was suddenly aided with much needed assistance and could not waste any time." Eragon continued.
Blodhgarm raised an eyebrow and looked from Eragon to Arya. "Oh? And who might that have been?"
Eragon glanced at Arya momentarily before her replied. "We are on our way to speak with Nasuada as we speak. I would tell you both about it at one time, if you don't mind?"
Blodhgarm nodded. "Of course, Shadeslayer. Let us be off."
Eragon
Nausada looked tired, as was to be expected. There were bags under her eyes and her hair was tied back to reveal the dark features of her face and forehead. She sat in a large wooden chair, staring intently at a piece of parchment, surrounded by several people, servants and leaders alike. They were all speaking at once, and rather loudly too. Nasuada rubbed her temples, ready to burst at any moment, but as Eragon, Arya and Blodhgarm entered her spacious tent, her head jerked up and she greeted them immediately. King Orrin, who had been attempting to argue his reasons for some unimportant request (as he always had), looked flustered at being ignored, but he said nothing as and turned to greet Eragon and the others.
"Eragon! It is so good to see you well again!" Nasuada said brightly. All evidence of her previous tiredness had vanished at the sight of her ex-vassal.
"Thank you, my lady." Eragon replied. He bowed courteously and greeted the King of Surda after.
"Come, let us talk. Are you hungry?" Nausada asked. She motioned to a table covered in a wide assortment of breakfast items. Eragon thanked Nasuada and took a seat by the table, followed closely by Arya and Blodhgarm.
"I see." Nasuada said, finishing an apple. Eragon had retold his part of the battle and his fight with Murtagh. "So Glaedr was able to help you. That is joyous news indeed!"
Eragon nodded. "The help was greatly appreciated. I fear more training is needed, however."
"Of course, but I think now we have a slight advantage now with his help." Nasuada said, leaning back in her chair.
"I agree." Arya commented. She eyed Eragon for a moment but looked away when she noticed Blodhgarm was looking at her.
"What are our plans now?" Eragon asked.
"Winter is coming, and it will be difficult to move the army in the cold. We will have to stay here and rest until the winter months have passed." Nasuada replied.
"Is that wise?" Saphira replied. Eragon repeated her question out loud for Nasuada to hear.
"I understand the concerns you all may have. However the cold weather proves difficult for both sides. Galbatorix will not risk moving his army when supplies and provisions are hard to come by and retrieve." Nasuada replied. "Staying here will be ideal for the Varden as we are by the sea. Trade routes are open to us, giving us the advantage of having supplies and provisions without worry of being attacked or our people dying by the weather or his forces."
"I see, so for now we lay low and rest?" Eragon asked. "I like the plan. It will give me the chance to train." Eragon took another bit into his apple.
"I understand your desire to train more, Eragon. However I believe you should take some time for yourself." Nasuada said.
"I agree, Eragon. You should not push yourself so hard." Arya replied. Eragon was about to protest when Saphira cut in.
"Eragon, listen to them. You should take some time to rest. Perhaps you and Arya can spend some time together."
"Saphira…" Eragon replied, trying to hide the blush that threatened to cover his cheeks.
Eragon sighed and finally gave in. "Alright." He replied simply.
He saw Arya's lips twitch slightly into a smile and Eragon smiled back.
"Before you go, there is one more thing I forgot to mention." Nasuada spoke.
"Oh?" Eragon replied.
Nasuada looked at Arya. "I only just received the news, but Queen Islanzadi will be here within the week. She plans on staying for some time and I figured you two should be the first to know."
Eragon blinked twice. "The Queen comes here? Did she say why?" He asked, trying not to sound overly surprised.
"She did not." Nasuada said. "Only that her army is camped for the winter and she wishes to come. Perhaps because the distance is shorter than if she were to travel from Ellesmera."
Eragon glanced at Arya. She did not appear to be bothered by the news, but he knew better. He could feel her worry wash over him as their minds brushed each other. "Very well, I shall take my leave then." Eragon said as he stood up and bowed.
"Did you know about this?" Eragon asked Blodhgarm once they left Nasuada's tent.
Blodhgarm shook his head. "I did not, Shadeslayer. Did you wish not to see the Queen?"
"No, it's not that. I was just, surprised that she suddenly decided to come here." Eragon replied. Blodhgarm nodded but said nothing in reply. Arya, however, seemed to look more and more worried by the second.
"Please excuse me; I must speak with my mother." Arya gave a curt bow and left for her tent.
Eragon stood beside Blodhgarm, completely baffeled by her behavior. "What do you think that was about?" He asked.
Blodhgarm shrugged. "I do not know, Shadeslayer. You know as well as I that they do not have the best relationship when it comes to mother and daughter."
Eragon nodded and bid his furry friend goodbye as she ran to his tent. When he got there, he saw Arya pacing around nervously.
"Is…everything alright?" Eragon asked.
Arya
Arya turned to her companion. "We will have to tell her, Eragon."
"Tell her? About What?" He asked as he walked over to her.
"About us, Eragon! She did not take notice when we were last in Ellesmera due to the circumstances. However she will see that there is something different about us when she arrives. It is not easy to hid things from her."
Eragon looked pale, as though he had just seen a ghost. He cleared his throat before he spoke. "Do you think she will…disagree with our choice?"
Arya turned away from him and looked at the scrying mirror on the desk. "I do not know. Though you have been through much more than anyone of your age, the fact still remains that you are much younger than I am. On top of that, it is not thought of as wise for elves to seek humans as companions." Before Eragon could respond Arya turned and faced him. "I know you are not quite a human anymore, Eragon." She took his hands in hers. "But I fear she will not see it that way."
Eragon gave her a weak smile. "Whatever she says, we must promise each other that it will not change what we have, or how we feel." He gave her hand a light squeeze.
Arya nodded. "I agree. No matter what her opinion may be, my feelings will not change, nor will my decision to be with you." She gave him a reassuring smile before grabbing the mirror. Arya took a seat on the bed and Eragon sat beside her as she muttered the scrying spell.
Within seconds the mirror rippled and an elf could be seen. "My Lady Arya." The elf said as he bowed. "It is good to see you. And you as well, Shadeslayer."
Arya returned a curt bow before responding. "Is my mother around? I would like to speak with her if I may."
The elf nodded. "Of course my lady, she will with you momentarily. The elf left but it wasn't until several minutes later that the Queen finally showed herself.
"Please forgive me. I was attending to certain matters." She said. She looked from Arya to Eragon. "To what do I owe the pleasure of seeing my only daughter and the Rider Eragon?" She asked curiously.
"I have heard from Lady Nasuada that you plan to come here. Is this true?" Arya asked.
Islanzadi nodded. "It is. I wished to speak with King Orrin and Nasuada properly on our plans and where we all stand."
Arya raised a thin eyebrow. "What is the real reason?"
Islanzadi chuckled. "It is the truth, Arya. But I do admit that I wanted to see you as we have not had the chance to spend proper time together since last I saw you." She looked at Eragon next. "And how do you fair, Eragon-elda?"
Arya glanced at Eragon as he spoke. "I am well my Queen. Past events have made me tired, but I would tell you more about it when you are here."
Eragon's response surprised Arya. Gone was the boy who spoke nervously to her mother and Arya smiled internally at the man he became after each passing day.
Arya's first mistake was the look she had given Eragon, which did not go unnoticed by her mother. Her second was the response she gave her mother afterwards.
"I see that you and Eragon are growing closer by each passing day." It was more of an observation than a question.
Arya's face flushed. "Yes…we are good…friends."
Islanzadi looked from Arya to Eragon, and her lips began to form into a slight smile. "Is there something the two of you wish to tell me?"
Arya, who was now red in the face, closed her eyes and calmed herself before responding. "Nothing that demands your immediate attention; as Eragon had mentioned, I would tell more you upon your arrival."
Islanzadi frowned and narrowed her gaze, but she withheld herself from continued pestering. "Until my arrival then." She said, bowing before the mirror rippled back to its original features.
Arya sighed and looked at Eragon. "That was close."
Eragon frowned slightly. "Would it have been so bad to tell her now?"
Arya knitted her eyebrows. "I wish to speak with her properly on the matter, when we may both give her better attention. She must be busy now attending to more pressing matters. I would not have her distracted with such important news."
Eragon sighed and stood up. He stretched and looked at Arya. "You know, it's still warm enough for us to run. Shall we?" He asked.
Arya grinned. "It is never too cold for a run."
Eragon
He sat against a tree in the small wooded area outside the Varden camp. Beads of sweat fell down his face and he was breathing slowly, taking in deep breaths and letting them out. The cool breeze relaxed his tired muscles and he felt like he was back to his usual self once more. Arya had taken a seat beside him and she rested her head against his shoulder. Minutes went by as they both sat in silence, enjoying each other's company.
"What is on your mind?" Arya asked after several more minutes passed.
Eragon was silent for some time. He had a blade of grass in his hand and seemed content to play with it. "I was thinking, about what Solumbum had told me, about the Rock of Kuthian. Do you remember?" He asked her.
Arya nodded. "I do. The Rock of Kuthian, 'speak your name and enter the Vault of Souls'. I still do not understand what it means, nor do I recall ever hearing about the Rock of Kuthian." She replied.
Eragon sighed. "I have to find it Arya. I don't why but…I feel like our victory over Galbatorix depends on it."
Arya placed a hand over his face and turned it towards her. "Then we will do all that can to find it." She smiled at him and brought her face close to his, their lips centimeters apart. Eragon shivered at the feeling of her hot breath against his lips, and when he could take no more he leaned in and captured her lips with his.
It was slow at first, like all their previous kisses had been. But they were alone now, and no one needed them. Eragon slowly lifted up one of his hands and grasped Arya's face lightly. Arya deepened the kiss and Eragon moaned softly against her lips. After a few minutes, Arya broke off the kiss and Eragon groaned in disappointment.
Arya chuckled and took his hand as she stood up. "Come; let us go back to the encampment." Eragon allowed Arya to help him up and they walked back to their tent.
The week passed by slowly and as each day had come and went, Arya seemed more and more nervous. Perhaps she was afraid that her mother would not approve of them being together? Whatever the reason might have been, Arya was able to hide her anxiety from all other except Eragon, not that that was unusual or anything. Queen Islanzadi arrived by the end of the week as expected, and Arya went to greet her first. Nasuada also went to greet the Elvin Queen, but such was expected of the leader of the Varden. As for Arya, everyone assumed that it was her duty as an ambassador.
"Stop fidgeting Eragon! You're making me nervous!" Saphira said as she watched Eragon pace back and forth in front of her. He would occasionally sit down beside her, but after several seconds of restlessness he would stand up and continue to pace.
"What if she does not accept us together Saphira?! What if, after finally being accepted by Arya, we cannot be because he mother will not allow it?" Eragon replied.
The fearful possibilities passed through their connection and made Saphira even more annoyed with her Rider. "Please Eragon, you are acting like a child. And since when did Arya ever listen to Islanzadi as her mother?"
Eragon thought about Saphira's reply. "Good point…No! What am I saying?!" Eragon shouted. "That is just one more reason to bring them apart! I would not damage their relationship any more than what already has been done!" He replied firmly.
Saphira sighed and shook her head. "It's not up to you Eragon. If Islanzadi does not wish you two to be together, and if Arya believes that she still wants to be with you despite what her mother says, then you have to respect her choice."
"I suppose you are right…" Eragon replied.
"Of course I am right!" Saphira replied.
Eragon rolled his eyes and chuckled as he sensed hint of smugness in her voice. Several minutes later a familiar presence brushed his mind and Eragon smiled as he let his mental barriers fall.
"Eragon…" Arya spoke. She sounded neither happy, nor did she sound disappointed.
"Arya, what is it?" Eragon replied almost instantly.
"A little nervous are we?" Arya laughed. "Come, Nasuada prepares a feast for my mother."
"A little nervous? HA! He has been pacing around for the pa—" Saphira started but was soon cut off by a very embarrassed Eragon.
"Of course, where are you?" He asked.
Arya laughed again before she sent him an image of her location before ending their connection. Eragon took a deep breath before heading off in the direction of Arya and her mother. Before he made it three steps he was pushed forwards and almost fell face first into the ground.
"Hey! What was that for?!" Eragon asked angrily. Saphira had bumped him in the back with her snout.
"For so rudely interrupting me! Now come, we should not keep the queen and princess of the elves waiting." She replied.
Eragon rolled his eyes and resumed to walk.
Arya
It did not take Eragon and Saphira long to arrive. He bowed to Arya and her mother and performed the customary greetings while they replied in kind afterwards.
"Eragon-elda, it is so good to see you." Islanzadi said as she smiled warmly at him. "Do not think I have forgotten you, Saphira Bjatskular. It is wonderful to see you as well." Islanzadi bowed to Saphira and the great blue dragon snaked her head closer to Islanzadi.
"It is indeed a pleasure to see you so well, Queen Islanzadi." Saphira replied, opening her mind out to both the queen and Arya.
Eragon smiled in return. "You as well my Queen and you too, Arya Svit-Kona." Eragon replied.
Arya's lips twitched into a smile as she shook her head. "Please Eragon, as I have told so many times before, it is Arya."
Islanzadi's eyes widened at her daughter's remark. "Oh my, such informalities from a princess?" She chuckled as Eragon blushed. "Arya has already informed me of the situation between you two." She sighed before continuing. "I must say, this is not the most appropriate time for such things, and such bonds are not common between before humans and elves."
Eragon sighed and nodded. He had expected as much from Islanzadi.
"However, you are not quite a human anymore. Are you, Eragon?" She smiled at the leader of the riders that stood awkwardly in front of her. He looked up at her and blinked, shrugging in agreement.
"I suppose if my daughter were to be with anyone, I am happy to see her with you." She finished.
Eragon looked dumbfounded. Arya chuckled as the once nervous Rider now looked to be surprised beyond anything else. This was the Eragon she remembered, it was this innocence that she loved to see from him.
"Y-You mean…you are alright with this?" He asked, as if he expected it all to be a dream.
"I do." Islanzadi replied.
Arya smiled and took Eragon's hand. "Come, let us prepare for tonight's feast."
"S-Sure…" Eragon replied, still surprised by the unexpected reaction of Arya's mother.
"See? I told you there was nothing to worry about." Saphira said.
(A.N.) I know, I know. It's mostly fluff. But's let's be honest, E/A fluff is so good XD.
Hope you all liked the update! R&R please! XD
-Demonzmagic