Chapter 10: The Morning After

Eragon's eyelids opened slowly, tired and groggy. As he barely awoke, he felt something around him and all about him. After what felt like several minutes, his eyes were fully open and right in front of him rested Arya's beautiful face, sleeping away. They were lying on their sides, their arms wrapped around each other. So close was their embrace that the fronts of their bodies were connected. Their heads were laid against a pillow and warm translucent sheets covered them, for they had fallen asleep embraced.

Gently, Eragon removed his arms from her and simply watched her. In the new morning light, Eragon took in all of her form the way she was. Her beauty was perfect; she was strong, refined, gentle, soft, yet most of all she was graceful. Seeing her this way was like experiencing the excitement of battle and yet at the same time heartwarming tenderness. Forever he could have studied her features as he was in her arms, but the day had begun and it was time to rise.

Carefully he tried to escape from her embrace, but met resistance as soon as he moved. Still asleep, Arya held on to him tightly in place, pleading with nonsensical sounds when he tried to pry away. A couple more times he tried to back away from her, but he was unsuccessful. Both of these times Arya muttered nonsense again, her tone was pleading him to stop. She also sounded desperate and sad when he continued to break off of her. Eragon knew not how she did this asleep, but her subconscious behavior proved something of Arya. Deep down inside she wanted to be as close to him as possible, almost as if she needed him. Amazed at this revelation, Eragon abided by her wishes and waited for her to wake.

Words could not express his emotions at this point, he was exhilarated, relieved, satisfied, shocked, but most of all he felt absolute joy and a sense of accomplishment. He had done it; he had succeeded in achieving this one last task. One he had desired to complete since the first time he had seen Arya in that vision so long ago. Without any reservations, nothing held back, she had loved him with all her soul. Nothing could change that, not their duties or distances; they were one with each other as they were one with their dragons. Had he been alone or just with Saphira, he would have shouted as loud as he could to the heavens in his triumph.

As Arya lay there sleeping and wrapped around him, Eragon felt something barely tug at his mind.

Instantly recognizing the sensation, he thought So this was why you agreed with that actor and have us spar eh?

Saphira answered saying Yes, but we didn't think it would actually work.

Who's we?

Firnen and I

Unsurprised Eragon said And you are both satisfied?

Not quite yet, that will take years.Eragon mentally laughed at that remark, not wanting to wake Arya from her blissful rest.

How are things now?Saphira asked him. Instead of thinking an answer, he sent a mental image of the situation he was in to her.

Saphira said to him It seems you have gotten more love from her than you bargained for.

From Arya? Hah! Impossible! She can love me as much as she wants.

Indeed. Why did you not wake her?Saphira asked him.

Why would I? She is peacefully resting and shouldn't be disturbed.

Saphira said Then have fun in your prison then while I fly free.

The greatest of prisonsEragon thought back to her while grinning. He felt Saphira's presence fade away from his mind as she distanced herself from him. And so he resumed his study of Arya, waiting for her to awaken. Several minutes passed with nothing, then at last she began to gently stir. Arya's eyes slowly opened as Eragon's did before and in time she gazed at him.

Happily and amazed she said "Eragon."

In joy and wonder he said to her "Arya." Immediately smiles lit up their faces as they gazed at one another. For a minute or so they stayed like that, treasuring each other. However a question plagued Eragon's mind that he needed answered.

In a gentle voice he asked "Were you aware of what you were doing earlier?" Arya shook her head slightly, an expression of great awe on her face. Eragon explained her peculiar sleeping behavior as he tried to pry away from her embrace. Silently she nodded, her eyes never leaving his face and her expression unchanged since the start of his explanation.

Eragon laughed a bit saying, "You didn't hear anything I just said did you?"

"What?" she asked, still with the same look.

Now chuckling, Eragon said "I'm just wondering if we were ever going to leave this bed."

Comprehension spread all over her guilty face as she said "My apologies!" Quickly her arms left him and she scooted back from him. Both then stood up and began to clean themselves, their clothing and the room itself using magic. During this, one more burning question raged in Eragon's mind, one much more significant than the last.

"Arya?"

"Yes?"

Carefully he said "Arya, was this right?" For a few seconds she continued to cast spells of hygiene in silence, when she finished her last one she turned to him. With great difficulty he concentrated on listening to what her answer would be, distracted by her beauty.

This time she spoke in the ancient language, "We are a part of each other Eragon, just as our dragons are to us. No matter what we do, we will suffer when we leave. What we did was only common sense, we made the best out of the little time we had together."

Responding to her in the ancient language Eragon said "Thank you so very much for giving me a chance. Eleven years ago in Ellesmera, you told me no, but you did not give up on me. And these past years you still did not forget, you remembered us!"

Arya said to him "I am the one who should be thanking you Eragon, you proved yourself more than anyone could. You were my only friend then and are now my only friend aside from Firnen. And it was only half a month ago that you changed who I was for the better. Eragon, there really is no one like you."

Switching back to the common tongue Eragon said softly "And none like you." After saying this, Arya crossed her arms and gave him a sarcastic glare.

Using the common tongue she said "None like me Eragon? By my authority you can be punished in any way I see fit for that remark."

"You know what I meant Drotning!" Eragon responded to her, both laughed in glee. When their laughter faded, they again felt drawn to each other. Slowly they approached one another again with love and desire. Before they could do anything however, Arya looked down at the floor between them.

"We need to dress ourselves" she said to Eragon. He sensed the wisdom there; at this rate they would never leave the room.

"Absolutely," he said to her, reaching down and began to slip on his now clean clothes. As he did this, he thought of what Saphira had said to him in Mirandel. Of the possibility of his children riding her hatchlings. Now he understood the intensity of their desire as he began to play around with the idea himself.

Once they were both dressed and ready, Eragon opened the door for her and they exited the room. Contentedly they walked with each other, arm in arm and descended the curved staircase.

Eragon asked her "Have you thought of our dragon's wishes?"

"As if I had a choice in the matter. After what happened last night, Firnen would lick me if I didn't follow through." Eragon cringed as he thought of a dragon's razor tongue wiping itself all over someone.

He then said "That's good to hear, but how will this work out?"

"When that time comes, we will know" Arya said to him. Sounds of merriment and laughter met their ears as they continued to descend. Somehow Eragon could tell that great anxiety washed over Arya as they got closer and closer to the throne hall.

Everyone now knowsArya thought to herself, yet Eragon could hear her thought. It had seemed that she had let him in her mind just as she would with Firnen. Within a second, Eragon felt it only fair to let her in as well. So he lowered his mental barriers for only Arya and Saphira to enter fully.

To her he thought Does it matter? Everyone may know, but what will they do with this knowledge? People will only talk amongst themselves and not much else.

Perhaps, though I cannot shake this fear easily Eragon.At this point they had reached the door leading to the great throne hall where conversations between the other riders and rulers were surely taking place.

As Eragon pushed open the door for her he said "Everything will be fine Arya, you will see."

A large dark wooden table was set in the middle of the hall. Around it sat the other riders, Roran's family and the other rulers' families. Together they feasted on a wide selection of meats, greens and fruits. Initially smells of the roasted livestock and fresh vegetables met Arya and Eragon's nostrils as they realized their hunger. Though they were much more concerned about something else in the room.

As soon as Eragon and Arya entered, one of the children eating next to Roran pointed at them. Everyone stopped eating and gave their stares to Eragon and Arya with expressions of discomfort. Eragon froze where he stood, he had not expected the situation to be like this. With everyone looking at them the way they did, he felt so out of place and each second felt like a year. No one turned their gaze away from the two, heightening the nervousness, anxiety and embarrassment that overwhelmed Eragon. Fear soon took over him which evolved into panic as sweat began to leave his body.

You were absolutely right Arya, Eragon thought. I can see why you were afraid. Now what will we do?

Be calm Eragon, Arya said to him. Remember what I said to my mother before she died?

That everything we ever accomplished, we accomplished togetherEragon thought to her.

And together we killed the tyrant and his dragon. If we can do that, we can certainly get through times like these.

Eragon then felt much more calm than before, I love you Arya.

And I you,Arya thought back. Still everyone else stared at them in discomfort and disbelief, all except for Murtagh. He turned to everyone at the table, then quickly gave a concerned glance at Eragon.

"What's with the stares?" Murtagh asked them all. "It's not like the two are gods sent from the heavens to smite us! This is a joyous day! Way to go you two!" Looking at the rest of the people around him he said "Now are we just going to gawk at them all day or are we going to finish the food. Don't make me eat the rest myself, I will." And so they all resumed their eating and discussions as they were before. Nonchalantly Eragon and Arya took two open seats and joined in with them. The atmosphere of the table was merry again as Eragon and Arya joined in the talks of many different topics.

At one point in all of this, Eragon thought to Murtagh You are the greatest brother!

Why thank you! Murtagh responded back. I work hard to be so!

If there is anything you require of me Murtagh, I will do soEragon said.

Murtagh gave a mental sigh and thought to him Perhaps one day I will need your help with something.

Arya, who had been listening through Eragon's mind spoke to Murtagh next. If that day ever comes, you may depend on me if he is not around.

Thank you, sister Murtagh said to her, his lips curved to a slight smile of contentment. For the time being, Eragon felt more joyous than he had ever been in his life. He was among friends, family, sharing merriment times together as they ate. Though these joys were insignificant when compared to the fact that he and Arya were together. Both belonged to each other indefinitely, and they cherished every second of it.