Ch 11

A Fallen Rider

Arya had been watching the battles going on from a closer distance than the other elves were willing to go. Even though she could see Murtagh weakening during the fight on the ground, she still tensed with every swing and thrust. She was not exactly sure why she was reacting like this to watching Eragon fight. For once she was able to focus solely on watching and not have to fight others or break minds. Why am I acting like this? I am confident that Eragon will win. He has to win.

With a ground shaking crash Thorn found the unforgiving ground. Arya could hear the bones breaking from where she was, and winced. Why is Eragon just talking with Murtagh? He is unarmed! Why doesn't he kill the traitor now? As she finished that thought she saw the most terrifying thing in her life. Murtagh hit Eragon in the chest as he was about to strike, and Eragon flew backwards.

Without thinking Arya ran as fast as she could to where Eragon had landed, not caring if Murtagh was still alive or not. Just as she was nearing his broken body she heard Saphira let out a deafening roar, and feared the worst. She saw that most of Eragon's chest had caved in, and he was barely breathing. Again without thinking or considering the consequences of death, she started pouring her energy into Eragon and started to attempt to heal his wounds.

The decrease in her strength was staggering. It was a good thing that she was already kneeling next to Eragon cradling his head in her lap, for she would have collapsed at the loss of energy. Just before she passed out she could feel some of the bones in Eragon's chest start to pop back into place. She was about to collapse. Again! I am helpless to save a dear friend.

Saphira had finally made it over to where the two were and started to give some of her vast stores of strength to Arya so that she could complete the healing of her partner-of-her-heart. Saphira felt Arya's sorrow and said You are not helpless to save him. Look around you. Arya tore her tear filled eyes from Eragon's face and looked up. She gasped at the amount of people standing around the three. As this was being processed through her brain she felt the contact of each and every elf around her. All willing to give whatever was necessary to keep their rider, their hope alive.

Arya let out a small smile before realizing that Eragon was still struggling to breathe and half of his chest still needed to be healed before he could even think to regain consciousness. Come back to me, Eragon. I need you. You are the only person in my life that I have left. I... I love you.

As she came to that realization she had noticed that all of the elves, including her mother, that were connected to her had heard her thoughts. The tips of her ears turned red, but besides that she betrayed no outward sign of embarrassment. Most of the elves around her, had realized just how much Eragon had meant to Arya and redoubled their efforts of giving energy. Now with the full force of the elves willing to die so that both Eragon could live, and Arya could be at peace. For that kind of emotional connection between two people was so rare among the elves, who could leave their mates when they lost interest. Very few elves got to feel what they now knew Arya felt for Eragon, and because of their connection they realized just how much that type of bond between two people was sacred.

Eragon stirred. He was not awake, but he was finally breathing slow and steady, his chest wound healed. All of the elves cheered and sang about the battle they had just witnessed. Arya picked up Eragon's limp body and started the long walk back to camp. The elves that had circled around them parted without question or hesitation. Even the Queen stepped aside for her daughter.

Arya made it back to camp and found the tent that had recently been set up for the two of them. Many of the elves were awaiting her return to camp for some had run ahead to secure the once deserted camp. Arya looked around the tent that had been set up for her and Eragon. Two beds, at the request of the Queen, a table, mirror, a few chairs, and what they had come with from Feinster. Everything was a shade of blue, while both beds were the exact color of the scales on the back of Saphira's neck.

Arya gently set Eragon down on one of the beds, turned and grabbed a chair and brought it over so that she could sit next to Eragon. Saphira stuck her head through a specially made slit in the tent for her, so she could check up on Eragon. Arya noticed that Eragon was a little pale from blood loss and made sure to cover him well to keep him warm.

It was early morning, when the sun was just coming up, before Eragon showed any signs of life. Both Arya and Saphira were struggling to stay awake and watch over him. Arya was slouched in her chair, while Saphira's eyes were progressively getting more and more closed. They had been sleep deprived and emotionally drained for days now, but they did not care. The only thing that mattered to them was laying on the bed. Both women were extremely overprotective of him. They had chased away anyone coming in to check up on Eragon.

Eragon opened his eyes and gave an exhausted Arya a questioning look. New tears were forming in Arya's eyes, but this time they were tears of joy and happiness. "You're finally awake!" she exclaimed and moved closer to give him a hug. Now Eragon was completely dumbfounded. The woman he loved, who had rejected him twice and said they could never be in the ancient language, was watching over him like a hawk while he was unconscious and had hugged him tightly. He was the only one in the entire camp of close to fifteen thousand elves and a dragon who did not know of Arya's feelings for him.

"Arya, what happened? All I remember was that I was about to kill Murtagh when Galbatorix took control and then... nothing. What happened to me and how did I get here?" Eragon said while still having a dumbfounded look on his face. What has gotten into Arya? Where is the Arya that I know?

I am sure that you are going to figure that one out, little one. With that cryptic sentence Eragon filled with happiness.

Saphira! I am so glad that you are alright. Will you tell me what happened because Arya doesn't look like... herself.

With that Saphira laughed, her loud rumbling laugh and severed the connection between them. Eragon looked back at Arya, who had still not stopped crying. Her usual look forgotten, and was replaced by pure happiness. All exhaustion was gone from both of the women in Eragon's life.

Eragon sat up, but his chest filled with pain and flopped back down. Arya's look of happiness instantly disappeared and was replaced by worry. "Eragon what happened? You were healed you should be fine."

A grimace was on his face when he replied, "Healed? I struck Murtagh's heart why did I need to be healed?"

Arya relayed what had happened during the previous day, leaving out her feelings, still with a worried look on her face. Eragon simply said, "Thank you Arya, for being there for me and saving my life. I will make it up to you one day." To this she smiled and responded, "I'm sure we could work it out somehow." Eragon then thought to himself I killed Murtagh. I killed my own half brother. What am I becoming? These thoughts were washed away by Saphira who flooded his mind with images and memories of his time with Arya. Any previous thoughts were wiped away as Eragon lost himself into Arya's emerald eyes.

A few minutes of idle conversation passed and Queen Islanzadi came into the tent to see if Eragon had awoken in the night. She paused just inside of the tent and saw Eragon and Arya talking. This is the first time in a long time that I have seen Arya this relaxed, and smiling so freely The Queen announced her presence and Arya stood up while Eragon tried to sit up again and again his chest was filled with pain. Arya, ignoring the elven customs and her mother, crouched down next to Eragon and started to funnel away some of his pain. The Queen saw this and was touched. My Evandar would had done the same thing A rare smile came across the Queen's face as she looked at the soon to be couple in front of her.

After Eragon's fit of pain had subsided he half heartedly started the elven greeting for Islanzadi. Arching his neck to get a view of her. Islanzadi quickly interrupted him and told him that if it is in private, and not of serious consequence to just call her, Islanzadi, and to lose formality.

Arya was shocked. Only she had that privilege, and that was because of blood. Her mind drifted back to where Eragon was lying in her arms on the brink of death. She knows. A momentary flare of fear came up on her face. Then she realized what her mother was doing for her. She accepts my choice and will support me when I tell him. The fear was quickly replaced by relief, and then embarrassment.

The Queen started, "Now that you are awake would you like to tell me why you were in such a hurry to make it here?"