Chapter 10-New Feelings?-

Eragon couldn't help but laugh as Elva screamed when Saphira took off. He then looked at a very sleepy looking Vanir and said, "I don't know about you but I'm going to bed."

Vanir grinned slightly and headed towards their tent. He turned his neck slightly to watch Eragon and asked, "Are you sure it's safe for little Elva to be alone on Saphira?"

Eragon laughed deeply, "If you only knew how dangerous Elva really was, you wouldn't be worried."

Eragon looked at his elven friend and smiled warmly, "Don't worry, Saphira will protect Elva with her life if it requires it. I am responsible for her curse/blessing and as Saphira and I share hearts, minds, and sometimes bodies she is as well at fault."

Eragon's feet sluggishly found their way to the tent. How this happened he wasn't sure as his eyes lids had heavy weights on them. Forcing his eyelids open once more he pushed the tent flap away from the entrance.

Vanir quickly followed he fell into his bed. He glanced at Eragon and seemed to try to say something but sleep overwhelmed him.

After bidding goodnight to the elves standing guard over their tent; Eragon slumped into his normally hard padded cot. He normally had to twist and turn in a reckless way until falling to sleep from exhaustion. But tonight the cot, feeling so welcoming, swallowed Eragon with strong jaws until he finally gave into sleep.

-ZZZZZZZZZZZ's later-

Eragon awoke to Saphira's wing flapping as she slowed down to land. He smiled from inside his tent and was about to head back to sleep when he heard voices. He shut his mind from Saphira to make her think he was asleep again.

"I don't understand Arya, if you think that why do you doubt him?" Came a voice that sounded like Mirana.

"Fool, he is in that tent in case you forgot." Arya's melodious voice came and even though her thoughts were condescending Eragon couldn't help but smile. Just because I don't love her doesn't mean I can't enjoy everything about her, including her voice.

There was a short pause then a voice that Eragon took for Elva's said, "Well Arya, Mirana, it's been a very full night for me. Thank you for your company as well Saphira. Good night."

He then heard a soft *thump* as someone jumped off Saphira. He guessed it was Elva because the elves wouldn't have been heard.

He then heard footsteps pass by his head and a head poke in his tent flap. He quickly shut his eyes to give the idea that he was asleep. He heard Elva's little footsteps fall to the ground slowly and then stop very suddenly. Eragon cursed in his mind. Fool, she knows I'm awake!

Elva gave out a small giggle as she walked to Eragon's bed and sat down on his cot near his waist and rub him to awaken him. He played along and groggily said, "..WHaa?" He squinted in the darkness and felt Elva's eyes on his own.

She laughed and said, "Thank you for allowing Saphira to give me a ride tonight Eragon. I had fun. Now go back to pretending your asleep." She then walked out of his tent and walked in the direction of Roran and Katrina's tent.

Eragon, figured he was caught so he opened his mind to Saphira and caught the tail end of a conversation. Very well Arya, I shall not tell him. Good night dear friend. Rest well, for tomorrow Eragon and I will need you at your best. This Nasuada incident is very disheartening. Eragon will have to explain more to us then. Good night to you as well Mirana. I hope I shared light on the subject you were confused about. You should sleep as well because Nasuada's banishment will not go without upraised voices and Eragon may be threatened. I can protect my rider fine, but you elves tend to strike fear into the men of the Varden so I'd like all the guards present when he addresses them tomorrow. Good night.

Eragon, you shouldn't eavesdrop. Saphira said as the two elves jumped off her.

I just woke up Saphira, I will not apologize for being woken up He said to her and sent an image of his face with his tongue sticking out of it.

Grow up Eragon. I shall join you in the land of dreams little one. Good night

I was just teasing Saphira, ugh...fine I'm sorry happy? Fine ignore me. Good night Saphira.

-Sunrise-

Eragon finally opened his eyes again. Immediately his eyes closed from the glare off one of one of Saphira's scales. Wait! Why can I see her scales? If I can see her scales that means the tent flap was left open. I thought I closed the tent? Oh well.. He then noticed another mind besides Vanir's in his tent.

So this is the reason for the flap being open, He turned and immediately closed his eyes. He regretted this afterward. For a particular, raven haired, green eyed elf was smiling at him. That wonderful yet rare smile. He couldn't help but question her sanity however.

Smiling? Arya's certainly lost it?

Not lost it, little one. She's in a good mood...please don't ruin it. I've seen her unhappy with Mirana and you...Happy Arya is much more pleasant.

Good morning to you too Saphira.

Eragon, speak to the elf sitting on your bed!

Eragon mentally slapped himself and thanked Saphira. He then opened his eyes again to see the elf...gone? He sat up immediately, and then saw her sitting over at his table looking at the flower Mirana sang for him.

He smiled at her softer side, then seeing her smell the flower he smiled. Why can't I wake up to her daily? he thought. He ignored Saphira's jests and was about to rise from his cot when he remembered he wasn't wearing a tunic.

Ah hell, and the one from last night is way over there on the chair she's sitting in. Well, it's a good thing I'm not embarrassed or anything he thought sarcastically.

Rising from his bed he stretched. Allowing bones to pop and sore, cramped muscles to relax. He smiled as his lower back had a rather loud *pop*. So loud in fact that Arya turned and grimaced.

Suddenly he felt her mind brush his. Confused as to why she would contact him this way in his own tent, he allowed her access.

That was de-gust-ting

Eragon couldn't help but laugh and as he turned his eyes to suddenly take interest to the ground. He heard her laugh as well, Arya certainly woke up on the right side of the bed this morning. Finding courage in her laughter, he then thought to her.

I apologize, shadeslayer. However, it happens involuntarily, it cannot be helped. May I ask why you have joined me this morning?

I wanted you to 'join' me for the sunrise but you seemed so tired, I watched it with Saphira. She and I were talking and we came to a conclusion.

He paused and waited for her to continue. When she didn't, he turned his eyes from the now uninteresting ground to her now piercing stare at his chest.

Embarrassed, he blushed and went to his bags and pulled out an orange tunic. He liked the way it felt as he pulled it on. Then he finally looked at her again. He realized then, what he had been missing by not looking at her.

She was still sitting but still held her elven posture, (he wasn't sure if it was her being an elf or her being a princess but he definitely knew he could never make that pose natural, or comfortable. But she seemed to do it with ease. Not only that but in a way that Eragon thought attractive.)

Looking past her posture he scolded himself, why did he narrow his mind to only look at the most distinct things. He closed his eyes again. In training, he had this problem as well. He wished he could broaden his mind to gaze at her beauty fully. Focusing on nothing, he looked at her again.

He smiled, he finally saw her in all of her glory. She was sitting there with a blank face but staring at him. He started at her feet and rose from there. He saw her bare feet, he knew how worn they had to be from all her traveling but still looked so soft. As if, if he touched them his hand would meet silk like skin. He knew however, that he probably would never be able to test his opinion.

He then raised his stare from feet to legs, her beautifully sculpted legs. So lean and strong. Thin and compact. He knew, but couldn't tell by looking at her legs that she could reach speeds that matched most horses. At a moment's notice she could jump over a person without even hesitation. Yet, when his eyes reached her legs they weren't covered with the usual black leather, but instead a green dress. The same she had when they traveled the empire together.

Her legs were long, with lean, hard, and noticeably strong. Yet, her honey colored skin had a touch of cream to them as his sight went from her ankles to her calves. Her calves, he noted, were normally covered by shin high boots that covered her gorgeous lower legs. Sadly, her dress reached her knees so his sight of her legs had to stop. He looked at her dress again, and remembered the last time she wore it.

He laughed at his idiocy as he remembered telling her to go first when climbing the poles they needed to climb to escape the town unnoticed. He laughed as he remembered how embarrassed he had been. He wouldn't have looked on purpose but he was glad she had said something. He certainly wouldn't have been able to get that image out of his mind.

His gaze continued up her body from her legs to her waist and torso. He noticed how the dress clung to all the right places, although he doubted Arya had any wrong places. That would mean her perfection would've been flawed. That wasn't an option with Arya and he knew it.

As his lustful thoughts turned to her face, he noticed she was grinning slyly. He felt his eyebrow raise as hers did as well.

Enjoying the view Shadeslayer?

If Eragon wasn't embarrassed by being caught staring then he definitely was by the fact she was in his mind the entire time he had been staring at her.

Arya! I'm so sorry..I didn't...Oh forget it. You know now what I think. No point in fighting it. You look beautiful this morning.

She grin turned into an innocent smile. You're forgiven but don't think I'll let this down easily. We have a job to do Eragon. Lustful thoughts can wait.

She rose from the chair and walked to the tent entrance. He would've rather her been angry. At least he knew how to handle angry Arya. Avoid her at all costs!

He was about to sulk when she turned and said to him in his mind again, I am going for a walk, and my mother says you and I should never wander alone for now. This fake queen escapade has worried her. So instead of asking one of the other elves, would you like to join me Eragon?

To say he was shocked, would be an understatement. But breathing like she and Oromis had taught him, he cleared his mind.

I feel as though I do not deserve a walk with you, Princess. I fear my thoughts have deemed me unworthy.

Eragon, just because you may be a rider, doesn't mean you aren't allowed to look at a woman. Lusting is wrong, you know this. However, you weren't trying to woo me into bed. Or lusting after me. You were just looking at my features. Very closely I might add! She laughed as she said the last part.

Eragon blushed even deeper at this. But looking at her gentle smile he couldn't help but smile and feel relief.

So Eragon, care to join me or should I ask Talin? Or perhaps...Van...

Eragon had cut her off, I'd gladly join you, Arya!

Saphira then closed Arya off from their mind link and thought to him. I pity you Eragon. If I was as jumpy around a male dragon as you are Arya then Thorn wouldn't be able to fight me as he would only be laughing.

Well, maybe you should've done that so we could've defeated them the first time! Eragon snapped at her.

Oh puh-lease Eragon, anyways, Arya needs to talk to you about last night. Please, don't say anything else stupid today? I'm going hunting!

Good-bye then Saphira...I love you.

And I you little one. Ten fold. And with that she sent him a flow of her love and he couldn't help but feel warm inside.

Arya had walked outside by this time, and he contemplated putting his boots on. Remembering her bare feet however, he neglected the idea. He walked outside to see a female elf with silver hair standing guard. He told her where he and Arya were going. Some trees where he had mourned for Oromis and Glaedr.

He left that part out, but he truly felt at peace there and thought it a good place to talk.

Then he ran to catch up with Arya who was about thirty feet away from him and heading away from the Varden. He ran past the tents and there disorder. He made a mental note, First order of business with the new leader, get some organization! Gez!

Arya turned to look at him as he ran toward her. She was still smiling and Eragon thought that it even hinted at a goofy grin.

As he caught up to her she looked at Eragon and finally for the first time that morning spoke aloud. He then heard her beautiful voice say something he wasn't exactly expecting.

"Eragon, you're probably wondering about the conclusion that Saphira and I came to this morning. Are you not?"

Eragon secretly had been doing everything he could to not think about it at all. But as she brought it up again, he decided to try and be more mature than he normally would. With as little emotion as he could make he monotoned, "I thought that if it was for my knowledge to know than you would share it with me in time. And if it were to remain between you two I would respect your privacy, Arya. Remember my oath to you at the battle of the burning plains. Your friendship is worth more to me than feelings that will never be returned."

Arya looked stunned but if she was it was quickly hidden. Then as if contemplating what to say she stated slowly, "Eragon, you have grown wise with time. This is good. I however, think my news shall hearten you."

They were walking very close while they spoke. Away from the Varden and the crowds that would surely try to follow them. Eragon noticed her face all this time while they spoke. It was her usual emotionless face, however her face had a certain lift to it. Her eyes seemed to be less weighed down. The normal dark rings and bags under her eyes were nonexistent. He lowered his gaze just a few inches to her shoulders. The strong shoulders normally sagged from all the pressure of her duties. Now however, they seemed to be lighter. He would've continued to stare at her but he quickly changed his gaze to the ground as she looked at him.

"Arya, please if there is something that will make my job any easier please tell me." Eragon's face still hugged the ground. But he stopped as he heard the soft padding of her feet stop. He didn't turn, didn't say anything. He wasn't going to pour hope into his heart that he still had a chance with her. He had all but abandoned that idea.

He continued to think the dark thoughts and didn't even hear her approach until she was crouched in front of him. Almost kneeling she looked into his soft brown eyes. Eragon wanted to tear his gaze from her but was magnetized to her eyes. Her emerald green eyes, normally emotionless, held pity in them. He was disgusted by the thought of Arya pitying him.

"Don't you dare pity me Arya. My life has had some sad times, but compared to others, my life is easy. Yes, I have lost many friends and family. But I have gained so much with Saphira." His eyes continued to stare in hers but he noticed his eyes were holding back the tears as he thought of his uncle, his father, his brother, his teachers. He refused to cry in front of her.

Arya however, didn't feel the same. Her beautiful green eyes held tears that flowed gently just like the creeks in the spine. Although she was rough and hard on the outside like the spine, she was soft and gentle on the inside. This was one of the reasons Eragon had been attracted to her. Even if the Spine was cursed and hated by many, it was gorgeous and home to him. He had the same feelings while looking in her deep green eyes.

"Don't you dare pity me; I have had Saphira through it all. Whenever I fell she lifted my spirits, whenever my head got too big she showed me how little I really was. And when I made the mistake of trying to win your hand she tried to save me from heartache. You have lost the same in this war as I have…if not more. You have lost your father, your friends, your companions. You lost them without anyone to help lighten the load. And although your mother is still alive, you lost her for seventy years. Only recently has your relationship started to mend. You have known Oromis much longer than I, so if anything I should pity you. Please, do not cry Arya. I can attack any enemy and win, but the tears you cry do nothing but cripple me."

As he finished he fell to the ground in shock. He couldn't believe what he had said. Where did that even come from? However big that shock was it was nothing compared to the shock that happened as Arya embraced him for the second time that week and in his life.