Now if you follow the story on IF you would know I posted this chapter a day or two ago. I was hoping to get a bit of critique there before I posted it here, because on here you can't edit your posts to fix errors.

That being said, nobody was of any help in fixing the main problem that I had with this chapter: the emotions. I'm sure you'll notice that they don't quite seem right, so instead of posting that and telling me what I already know *points to the people on IF* maybeee tell me how I could improve them.

Anyway this is the real chapter 10, no more fakes.

Chapter 10: Arya's Heart

The campfire crackled loudly as Arya tossed another log into the flames. "Cold," she explained.

She and Eragon were sitting next to each other on one side of the fire and Saphira was on the opposite side curled up into a massive ball as she slept. Saphira was only sleeping at the insistence of Eragon, as he saw no reason for her to over exert herself after flying so far earlier in the day.

It also provided a perfect opportunity for her and Eragon to talk in peace. She had gotten over her anger about earlier in the day after his brief explanation of his actions earlier, but she still wanted a more details about what exactly had kept him away from her all day. "So, are you going to tell me about what happened with Tenga?" She looked away from the fire and towards him.

He gave a long, tired sigh, and then cleared his throat. "I think it would be easier to show you than to tell you. Do you mind?"

Arya nodded her approval and reached out her mind to touch his. Immediately after they made contact she felt Eragon's mind take over and begin to replay the events of the day for her. She saw herself in Eragon's arms while he was talking to Solembum. The reluctance to leave her more than satisfied her desire for an explanation, but she had him carry on.

She wasn't sure if he had purposely shown her his chat with Saphira regarding love or if he had just forgotten to remove it, but she knew now that they would have to have a talk about it after they finished with the memory.

A few moments later Saphira landed in what looked like elven ruins and Eragon cautiously approached the door. She heard his conversation with Tenga and felt his extreme puzzlement with the entire situation. Although she too was puzzled, she agreed with Eragon that what Tenga had said was logical and correct. He cut off the memory as he jumped onto Saphira's back and the dragon jumped into the sky.

Arya blinked three times, readjusting herself to the world around her. She felt disappointed that Eragon hadn't gotten more out of Tenga, but she figured that he would chase him down at Du Fells Nangaroth and get the rest of the information. It seemed strange to her, that Galbatorix would have suspicions about Tenga's knowledge yet he would wait until Tenga met with Eragon to finally pursue the subject. The only reason she could think of is that Galbatorix could have thought that by leaving Tenga alone he would lead him to the Rock of Kuthian.

She voiced her thoughts to Eragon and he frowned in response. "We hadn't considered that. Do you think Galbatorix might be following us?"

Arya shrugged. "I doubt it. Remember, we asked Blodhgarm to create and illusion of Saphira and yourself to somewhat cover your absence. Galbatorix probably doesn't even know we left the Varden, which means that if he were to pursue someone it would be Tenga."

"True," he sighed. "Well, at least we aren't in any danger…" his voice trailed off, unsure of what to say next.

Arya knew exactly what he was thinking. He was reluctant to bring up the topic of love that they would inevitably have to discuss. She gathered herself and began hesitantly, "Eragon, about what Saphira said-"

"You don't have to say anything," said Eragon. She smiled slightly. Even then, when all the pieces of the puzzle were laid on in front of him and he knew, he had to know that she loved him, he wouldn't pursue the topic. He stayed true to the promise he had made her at the Burning Planes.

Arya scooted over a few inches to be by his side, her leg slightly touching his. She could feel his tension lighten somewhat by her touch, and she was happy that she had such an effect on him. She laid her hand on his thigh, causing him to look her in the eye with a curious expression. "I know I don't have to tell you anything, Eragon. But," she hesitated for a moment, making sure for one last time that she was ready to come out in the open with her feelings. "I want to. I just don't know how to say it." She titled her head and rested it on his shoulder, unable to add the last three words that she so desperately wanted to say.

His expression softened and he whispered, "Saphira was right, wasn't she?'

Arya nodded, tears in her eyes at finally being able to tell Eragon the truth. She wrapped her arms around him quickly and he leaned down with his face his lips a few inches away from her own, allowing her to close the gap. Anticipation built up in her as she brought her lips to meet his, to finally kiss him for the first time. Their lips clashed with the passion that they both had for each other, the passion that they had kept bottled up for so long.

Arya felt like her entire body was on fire in the heat of the moment and she wished that it would never end. It felt like she was alive again, after hiding behind an emotionless mask for so long, to finally be able to show her feelings. She was free.

They had to break apart for air a moment later, each breathing slightly quicker than normal. Before she even bothered to take a breath she said with joy, "I love you, Eragon. I love you!" A massive weight lifted off of her as she spoke those words. She felt happiness, something that had been absent from her life until the past week, when she and Eragon had grown close.

His face transformed into a wide grin and he embraced her tightly, saying, "I love you too, Arya. You don't know how good it feels to finally hear that from you." He almost looked like he thought he had fallen asleep and was in a dream.

"Then show me," she whispered, locking her lips with his once again. Their inexperience was obvious to each other, and after a particularly strange tongue movement by Eragon Arya couldn't stop herself from breaking apart and laughing.

"What!" he asked, his face turning red.

She pecked him on the lips quickly and laid her head on his shoulder. "Nothing, we're both amateurs. That was just a unique tickling sensation that you made…"

He grunted, but he was still smiling when he said, "Oh yeah, well I think when you swirled your tongue around while the tip was bent upwards felt rather strange as well."

She laughed and slapped him gently, making sure that he knew she was just joking with him. "Well, practice makes perfect."

"Indeed," she replied, kissing him once again. He rolled to the side and they leaned back, lying on the ground together, him on top of her.

For a few more hours that evening, and for much longer than they should have stayed up, they spent the night exploring the others' mouth. Eventually, when they both burned out their energy, Arya laid her head on his chest as she had done the previous night and she snuggled up close to him as he wrapped his arm around her tightly.

"I love you," she whispered, her eyelids drooping.

"And I love you," he replied, just as quietly.

Together they both passed beyond the realm of consciousness and into their dreams, but their sleep didn't last for long.