I own NOTHING. There. I said it. Moving on, this chap is set to, "I Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty. Enjoy!!!!!!

In the twenty-first day, of the month of Leaarla, in the year.573

"I will NOT sit and pout. I have far more important things to do than mourn over a love lost." This was what I told myself as I dressed this morning. I was determined not to pine for Faolin.

As I steeled myself to my door, a wave of overwhelming sadness engulfed me, but I pushed it down before it could grow. I was NOT a child, even if Faolin failed to notice it.

Last night I compiled a daunting list of tasks to be accomplished, in hopes of keeping myself busy. I have copied it out here for your benefit.

1.Visit the assignment commissioner and ask about the ambassador's post.

2.Apply for a post, any post to get me out of this city. There is nothing to keep me here anymore.

3. Call on Rhunnon and tell her of my visit to the commissioner.

4. Tell mother. Pray to whatever gods there may be that she does not lock me permanently in my chamber.

If all goes well, I should be away from Ellesmera and Faolin in a few months. My recommendations are excellent. Why should I be refused the ambassador's position?

An hour later, I stood before the entrance to the commissioner's office. My hands trembled slightly, but I clenched them together. If my twenty-nine years had taught me anything, it was to never show fear. People might deem you weak

I knocked firmly, emanating nothing but confidence. The commissioner, whose name is Rawlinu, answered.

"Princess Arya! What a pleasant surprise!" He looked at me knowingly, as if my coming to him was no surprise at all. I believe he sympathizes with my goals.

Upon his request, I stepped into his doorway. It smelled of fresh parchments and ink. I breathed it in deeply, as a desperate attempt to calm my building nerves.

"Well, well, Princess, what can I do for you?"

I cleared my throat and looked him straight in the eye. This was it. "I come to you today, Rawlinu elda, not as your princess, but as one of the people. As I present my request, will you swear that my social position will not sway your justice?"

Rawlinu looked at me for a long while, as if he meant to decipher my intentions. Finally he spoke, "Very well, as long as what you ask is legal."

I smiled. "Thank you. Now, as you know, I have desired for a long time to serve my people and I believe that I will be able to aid our cause in many ways. I am competent with weaponry, diplomacy, and magic. Also, I will swear to be dedicated and loyal to my queen, always putting the nation's interests above any others. To prove my devotion, I would be more than willing to bear the yawe. It would be a great honor, one that I would cherish immeasurably. I ask of you now, a position, no matter how insignificant, that will aid my people."

He regarded me for many minutes, daring me to hang my head. I stared him directly in the eye. For what seemed like ages he remained silentthen he spoke, "I am not surprised, Arya Drottningu. I always suspected that you would come to this point eventually. However, I will admit that I did not expect it to be so soon. Why do you wish to cast away your childhood, your innocence, so quickly? Why not enjoy a few more years of leisure, and then return to see me?"

I spoke with confidence, "I rush because, if I wait, the war may be over; and I fear that it will not be we who shall claim victory. Also, what is one person's childhood in comparison to the hundreds of other children who shall have to sacrifice their own if this war continues. I will not delay."

"You speak with wisdom Arya Drottningu. The defense needs like you. I am sorry to say that, because you are untried, I cannot send you on any dangerous missions. However, I have heard that Ambassador Sendvi is to retire. He is, as you must know, the emissary to the Varden and Dwarves. He means to train someone to take his place, though. I can perhaps arrange for you to be his apprentice."

An uncharacteristic smile burst out on my face. "Thank you, sir. I-"

He cut me off, "Understand that being an ambassador is difficult."

I nodded.

"It requires much time and attention. It is a very stressful business as well."

I nodded.

"You would be forced to live amongst complete strangers, some of whom are hostile. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I do. And I give my consent. When do I start?"

He smiled at my efforts to contain my enthusiasm. "The first step is to have the yawe tattooed on your shoulder. It is painful, trust me. Then you must be initiated and introduced to the other members of the Guard. You will be given your formal assignment, travel to Farthen Dur, and from then on, Sendvi is to instruct you in everything he knows. Now, since you are almost an adult, your age will be of no consequence. However, as the queen's daughter, it will be necessary that you travel with extra protection."

Despite my wish to protest this order, I decided that I had better exercise some show of obedience, else Rawlinu change his mind. "Very well. But who will guard me? I am sure that no one would willingly volunteer for that sort of project."

He cleared his throat. "Members of the Guard do not have any say in the assignments they are given. They neither like nor dislike them. Most importantly, they do exactly as they are told. You, regardless of your status here, shall be expected to follow the same standards. I tell you now that joining the Guard does not in any way mean a comfortable life. In fact, it often means that you will be sleeping on hard bedrolls while trying to fend off the rain. This commitment is not for the faint of heart, and once it is made, it cannot be broken. Do you still accept?"

I stared resolutely at him, "Yes, sir, I most certainly do."

"Excellent. We will be honored to have you join our ranks. I can already tell that you shall be successful. Meet me here tomorrow and you shall become one of us. We shall inscribe upon you the yawe. Bear it well."

"I will, sir." I turned to leave.

"Oh, Arya svit kona, might I suggest two men for the position of protecting you?"

"You may."

"Faolin and Glenwing, your current bodyguards, would be an excellent choice. You are acquainted with them and I thought-"

"No. I do not believe that they would be willing to undertake such an assignment. Perhaps it would be best for all concerned if you found someone else."

"Very well."

I left Rawlinu's office, my heart soaring. I could not believe that I would finally be free of this place, this beautiful prison. The one marring feature of my ecstasy was the nagging feeling of guilt at the back of my mind, my mother. I supposed that I must go to her and explain. I had no doubt that she would be displeased.

As I ran up the path towards the throne room, I thought of all responses, possible and impossible, that my mother could give. So lost was I in thought, that I barely had time to stop myself as I nearly collided with another person coming the opposite way.

It was most definitely a familiar face. "Princess!" Faolin cried. My insides squirmed. Seeing him was the last thing I needed. "Princess, what are you doing here? I've been looking everywhere for you! Don't you dare sneak off like that again!"

"I am not a child, Faolin," I growled. "Stand aside. I must see my mother."

"Why? What has happened?"

His eyes radiated such concern for me that I felt I had to tell him. "'I've just been to see Commissioner Rawlinu. He has given me the position of ambassador. I take the yawe tomorrow."

Faolin stared at me, dumbstruck. I was proud of myself for having startled him so completely. Surely he must realize my independence now.

Contrary to my expectations, Faolin reached over and pulled me into an embrace. I tried not to enjoy being in his arms, but it was no use. I adored him shamelessly. "I am so proud of you," he whispered in my ear, "so proud of what you've accomplished."

I smiled, and he did not let go for a very long time. "You must go tell your mother. She must know, of this."

Perhaps, in his perceptive way, he had seen the flicker of fear that had crossed my eyes, for he said, "I will come with you if you wish."

"No, thank you. This is something I must do on my own."

"Very well. But come to my home if you need anything at all, understand?"

I nodded, overwhelmed by his support. He turned to leave, then, as an afterthought, turned back to me and embraced me once again. "Whatever your mother may say to you, Princess, always know that I will support you." I nodded, and smiled at him.

"I will be fine."

"I know, Princess." But as he turned away, I could see his eyes grow bright with unshed tears. He knew that Mother would not accept my decision and, at the bottom of my heart, so did I.

Mother looked at me strangely as I came through the door. Her eyes seemed more keen and critical than usual; perhaps it was just my imagination running away with me.

"Arya, what brings you here?"

I stood a little straighter. "I have something to tell you, Mother."

She looked alarmed now. I thought it was best to simply continue. "Mother, as you know, I have long desired to serve our people in some way. I have searched for an opportunity and, finally, it has been given to me. As of this morning, I have accepted Commissioner Rawlinu's offer to become the elvish ambassador to the Varden. I take the yawe tomorrow."

She said nothing, so I continued. "It would be a wonderful opportunity for me, Mother. It would give me some much needed experience. Rawlinu has ordered that, because of my position as princess, I must travel with extra protection."

Still, Mother said nothing. A long, awkward silence ensued between the two of us. Finally I broke it by saying, "I would have your blessing, Mother."

Mother seemed to truly hear me for the first time. She stared at me as if I were a strange being that had killed and possessed her daughter. It pierced my heart.

"My blessing?" Her tone was incredulous. "You want my blessing?" Her face turned white and full of rage."You wish for me to turn the other way as you, a child, make your way into an unknown world with no skill but a fancy bit of swordsmanship? This is absurd! Why would you do something like this, Arya?"

I fortified myself. "Mother, you know that I have long desired a chance to serve my people. Why do you deny me? I shall be perfectly safe. You have capably ruled this nation for many years without my help. Surely you must understand that I cannot sit about and wait for Galbatorix to conquer us. I wish to do my part."

"How dare you defy me, Arya? What right have you to forsake all of your duties and run off for an imaginary dream of adventure? Your place is here!"

"My place, Mother," I said, annunciating my words carefully, "is with the defense of my people. I am old enough now to choose my own path in life. And it is MY life. MY choice. You have no right to infringe your wishes on me. I shall do as I please. Now will you give me your blessing or not. It is your choice, Mother."

Mother paused for a long moment, then looked directly at me. "You dare call me Mother?"

She stood. "You who have so openly defied me dare to call me by that title? You have not acted as a faithful and loyal daughter would, Arya. Under NO circumstances shall I ever treat you as such until you come to your senses. I tried to help you, tried to give you everything you needed, but it was not enough. Go to your chambers, pack your bags, you are leaving. I banish you from my presence."

My rage seemed uncontainable, but I shoved it down. It would not do to let her know she was getting to me. We locked eyes for a moment. I looked at her as fiercely as I could. I would not scream at her, I would not lose my temper, I would not show her how hurt I was. Still, I could not help but reply mockingly, "As you wish, Islanzadi Drottning." I twisted my arm in the gesture of fealty and bowed very low. In high dudgeon, I exited the hall.

Rain had begun to pour. I walked over to my chamber in Tialdari Hall. Emotion welled within me as I crossed the threshold. I realized that I may never come here again. I ran to my room. I looked upon my quarters, the space that had been the cradle of my existence. Tears welled within my eyes, but I would NOT let them fall. I vowed never to cry again.

I packed my things quickly, impatient, yet heartbroken to be gone from such a place as Tialdari. I took only one formal gown. I did not want to be accused of stealing from Islanzadi. The rest of my luggage consisted of the basic necessities. When I had finished, I took one final look around the room. It was time to go.

I walked quickly away from Tialdari Hall. I did not look back. As soon as I was on the main path, I stopped. I had nowhere to go. I sat on a bench, pondering my situation. Finally, Faolin's face swam before my head. Although all I had wanted yesterday was to be parted from him, he now was my only friend in the world.

I made my way to his rooms. Darkness had fallen by the time I had reached him. I knocked on his door.

Faolin poked his head out through the nearby window. Upon seeing me, he quickly ran to the door.

"Arya? What happened? What did she say?"

Faolin ushered me in, sat me on a bench, and listened as I relayed to him my tale. After I had finished, he looked at me with a blazing look in his eyes.

"Oh Princess, I am truly sorry."

He embraced me. When we broke apart, he said, "You will stay with me, yes?"

"Only until I leave for the Varden. Then we shall be parted for a long time."

"Who are you traveling with? Surely Rawlinu would not let you go alone?"

"No," I sighed. "He has ordered extra protection for me."

Faolin looked puzzled, "But why could not-" He stopped. "Never mind." He looked at me again. "Are you hungry?"

I shook my head. "Then you need to get some sleep."

I nodded. He led me to his room. Glenwing, who shared the upper apartment with his new mate Farice, had gone to a nearby town to visit some friends. It was just the two of us. I slid into the bed, Faolin set up a bedroll on the floor. He walked over to me, sat down on the bed, and embraced me. I dug my face into his arms, trying to bury my pain. I believe that we fell asleep in that same position, which was just fine with me.

How was it? I need reviews. When I turn on the comp. in the morning and login to seeing no new reviews makes me really sad. Did I do a good job on the Arya/Islanzadi fallout? Was Arya in character, and should I add more AryaFaolin fluff? The only way I can hear what you think is if you review!

Lots of love,

LA girl