The Rise of The Dragon Riders Chapter 11: Heart Against Head, an inheritance cycle fanfic

Eragon waited for Arya upon a rock at the bottom of the cliffs that towered over Thrandurin while Saphira flew above. The sun was in the centre of the sky indicating that it was midday. Eragon searched in the distance for Arya but saw no sight of her. He lay down letting the sun seep into his skin as he slowly fell into a doze.

"Eragon." A voice awoke him from his day dreaming state. He sat up to see Arya upon Firnen's back.

"Arya." He jumped off the rock walking towards her entranced by her beauty.

"May we go somewhere private and away from prying eyes?" Arya asked.

"Yes I have a house near the top of the cliffs. Firnen you've been there with Saphira haven't you?" Eragon asked the enormous dragon.

Yes Eragon I know where it is. The dragon replied his deep voice ringing in Eragon's conscience.

"If you'd like to go there now I will call Saphira and can meet you both up there." Eragon said.

"See you soon Eragon." Arya said as Firnen took flight whipping a gust of air in Eragon's direction.

Eragon wondered what Arya wanted to discuss. He felt a little nervous.

Saphira, can you please take me to our house? Eragon called with his mind.

Yes I will be right there. Saphira replied.

Eragon looked up as he watched her descend from the blue skies above swift like a dart then pulling up to land softly before him. With a leap he landed on her back and she took flight in an instant.

Saphira landed in front of his cottage like tree house to find Firnen and Arya waiting for them by the dragon keep. Eragon jumped to the ground and made his way towards them as Firnen ans Saphira took off leaving behind a rise of dust and a gush of wind.

He approached Arya as she stood tall clothed in a black tunic embedded with green embroidery, black pants and boots. She wore her hair out as it framed her perfectly angled face. Her eyes appeared to be an intense emerald green captivating anyone she looked at. Eragon felt a strong urge to reach out and touch her.

"Would you like go into the house?" Eragon asked breaking the silence.

"Yes." Arya answered as she followed Eragon up into his tree house.

Arya inquisitively studied the inside of Eragon's house intrigued by all of the things that showed who he was. She studied the fairths on the wall, the books he kept and the little possessions that idly lay around. Eragon watched her with interest as he stood by the balcony doorway.

"Do you like it?" Eragon asked.

"Yes it's peaceful and very you… I think you can tell a lot about a person by seeing where they live." Arya spoke, her melodic voice drifting through the air.

"What does my house say about me?" He asked curiously.

"Well it shows that you're simple, by the lack of ornaments or furniture you have. You don't care to display much within your house. Possibly because you see it as a place to only retire at night, therefore you must busy yourself with other things during the day keeping you outdoors. The open books that lie around and the amount of dust on your bookshelves tell me that you have little patience for reading and that when you want to know something you find it directly not caring too much about the rest of the book. The fairths upon your walls of Thrandurin and Alagaesia tell me that you long for happiness but feel that you may never find it…" She trailed off.

Eragon looked at her in awe. She was absolutely right and it concerned him how easily she could read him. He watched her as she continued to walk around the room, still pondering his simplistic abode.

"Perhaps my house is just lacking a women's touch? Eragon joked but continued to watch her for a reaction.

She smiled for a second before turning around towards the window gazing to the outside world with her back to Eragon.

"Perhaps." Arya replied.

They stood in silence for a few minutes, Eragon still keeping his eyes on her and Arya still looking out the window. Eragon's feelings towards her felt as if they had tripled, he knew that she was everything he wanted in a mate. There was no other, only her. His desire for her burned within him as he tried to remain calm. He felt as though he could not control it as if someone was setting fires within him. There was nothing he wanted more than to be with the Elf that stood before him. Thoughts of uncertainty washed over him as he moved closer to her. What if she rejects me? What if she doesn't feel the same? Eragon was only half a foot away from her as he reached out and softly touched her arm.

"Eragon… We cannot…" she whispered her back still facing him.

Eragon reached for her hand and turned her towards him. He was startled to see that she was crying, translucent tears trailing down her fair soft cheeks. She looked down towards the ground as he lifted his hand up to cup her face bringing her eyes up to look into his. For a moment they silently stood, he looked deeply into her eyes they were teary but none the less enchanting.

"Eragon…We…" Arya started to speak but he forestalled her by placing his thumb over her lips.

He lightly traced it across her mouth, still looking into her eyes. His heart was racing, he knew that what he was about to do would either make or break his relationship with her but there was a feeling inside of him that told him it was right. Before doubt could creep into his mind he leaned forward and softly kissed her, her lips soft and warm against his. He slowly ran his hand down her neck and into her hair as jolts of passion and excitement rippled through him.

Arya pulled him closer to her and held him tightly as she kissed him back passion exploding from their years of unrequited love. Feelings that Eragon had never experienced before pulsed through him, his heart beating at an unfathomable rate. He had waited for this moment for so long. Her kiss felt like nothing he could have ever imagined.

After what seemed to be an age Eragon drew back and pulled Arya close embracing her delicate frame, holding her for a long while as she rested her head against his chest. They slowly swayed enjoying one another's presence. He felt right with her in his arms, he felt complete.

"Don't leave me again Arya." Eragon said softly. He felt her tense up as she withdrew from his hold.

"Eragon… We cannot be." She said regretfully her brow furrowing.

Those words cut into Eragon like knives it felt as though the breath had been knocked out of him. He did not want to believe it. The tips of his ears burned hot and he found himself pacing back and forth.

"Why Arya? Why can we not be?" He asked in a frantic tone looking at her for an answer.

"Because Eragon I am still Queen and your duties lie here in Thrandurin! Anything between us would be impractical." She said her words sharp. She turned away from him, looking out the window again.

"Will you not abdicate from your throne?" He asked desperately.

"I cannot. In most cases an Elven Queen or King can only can only abdicate from ruling if they have deceased or broken fealty in some sort of way." She replied.

He couldn't believe what she was saying. It should be her choice whether she wants to rule or not.

"You're a rider Arya! You should be here in Thrandurin." He exclaimed.

"I am also a Queen Eragon." She let out.

Eragon continued to pace back and forward. He had to tell her how he felt. If he didn't he would most definitely regret it later on. He felt nervous as he began to speak.

"Arya, it has been two hundred years since the last time we were together, my feelings towards you have not wavered at all. In fact they have strengthened; I have never felt like this for anyone. I will not settle for another woman nor will I bed another. It is only you…" Eragon said freely laying his feelings out plainly for her.

Arya stood silently as Eragon waited for a response.

"Arya!" He exclaimed.

"I'd rather be impractical than nothing." He whispered.

The Elf slowly turned around her face taunt and expressionless.

"Arya?" Eragon whispered looking for any readable thoughts across her face but found none.

His mind was racing. He had never felt so happy and so upset in such a small amount of time. His heart felt heavy as he realized he may never be with her. He stood there staring at her frustrated that he couldn't tell what she was thinking and that she showed no hint.

"I'm sorry Eragon." Arya let out with a slight tremor in her voice. She walked towards the stairs and made her way down towards the door.

Eragon stood motionless his heart numb and his eyes wet. He quivered as he fell to his knees, it was as if the life was sucked out of him and he was like a soulless body; mindlessly wandering a desert. His breath was short and his fists were clenched as he let out a cry. Tears streamed down his face, wetting his tunic. He let himself limply fall to the ground as he lay there not caring about anything else blocking off his mind to everyone, even Saphira.

Arya P.O.V

Arya stood next to Firnen as she waited for Eragon. She inspected the dragon keep and noticed that it was large enough to fit two dragons and quite homey and cosy like. She saw a bed inside there that she guessed was Eragon's. Looking up at his house, she marvelled at how the tree was so intricately woven surprised by Eragon's work and craftsmanship.

Firnen, when Eragon gets here could you and Saphira give us some privacy for a while? Arya asked as she stroked one of the Dragon's large scales.

Yes of course, but I will stay close by if you should need me at any time. Firnen replied.

Thank you. She responded.

Saphira came lurching over the cliff edge landing softly before her and Firnen. Her magnificent scales illuminating everything in a blue haze. Eragon sat tall and proud upon her back, his brown hair blowing in the wind. He leapt off gracefully as she watched him walk towards her. He wore a white button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up and his collar lose with brown leather pants and black boots. The shirt accentuated how broad and toned he was. Arya couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked.

"Would you like go into the house?" Eragon asked the sound of his voice surprising her as it broke the silence

"Yes." She answered getting up swiftly to follow him.

Arya looked closely to every detail of his house. It was fairly simple, completely Eragon she thought. She looked upon the fairths that covered parts of the walls, intrigued by them. They gave of a sense of longing for happiness. Most of them were the construction of Thrandurin and Saphira. Looking upon his bookshelves she spotted a few of her favourite books, wondering if Eragon had actually read them.

"Do you like it?" She heard Eragon ask.

"Yes it's peaceful and very you… I think you can tell a lot about a person by seeing where they live." Arya answered. Continuing to look around, feeling Eragon gaze upon her.

"What does my house say about me?" Eragon asked curiously.

She thought for a moment, collecting words to describe it as she took a long glance over everything again before answering.

Arya looked towards Eragon standing by the balcony door. She had a strange pulling feeling towards him, she felt drawn to him in every way as he stood there looking at her.

"Perhaps my house is just lacking a women's touch? He said in a jokingly tone.

She tried to smile, as she turned towards the window feeling nervous and unsure of what to say.

"Perhaps." She let out dazzled in thought.

They were both silent. Arya's mind was racing from thought to thought. Every part of her wanted to be with him but she knew that they couldn't because of their duties and different lives. How could it possibly work? Her heart began to pound within her chest as she felt overwhelmed, she wondered if Eragon could hear it from the other side of the room. Sadness clenched within her at the thought of them never being together. She felt warm tears roll off her cheek as she realized how much she loved him. Her heart was his, but she knew that it would never work. Not if she lived in Alagaesia and he in Thrandurin.

She felt his presence behind her but remained facing the window trying to keep her composure and dare not show that she was crying. She felt his hand touch her arm, warmth radiating from his touch as tears continued to escape from her eyes.

"Eragon… We cannot…" She whispered keeping her back towards him as sadness flowed through her.

She felt him grab her hand, turning her to face him. She stared back into his deep brown eyes for a moment before averting her eyes to the ground so he would not see her tears.

Arya's heart skipped as she felt Eragon's hand cup her face, slowly bringing her eyes to connect with his. His eyes so solemn and caring as he looked at her amorously. There they stayed for a long while, studying each other. She could see right into him, she saw everything she was to him, everything he felt. It warmed her, she wished she could tell him how she felt too but thought it best not to reveal anything because it would only make things harder.

"Eragon…We…" She started to speak but he forestalled her by placing his thumb over her lips.

He traced his thumb over her mouth and a series of emotions ran through her. Nervousness, anticipation and fear as she looked into his eyes. Her heart fluttered as he leant forward. Feeling his lips against hers sent tingling feelings throughout her whole body, almost making her tremor. She pressed harder against him as suppressed passion and desire rippled under her skin. She shivered as his hand ran down her neck. His body warmth was comforting against her skin, his scent washed over her, a scent that smelt of leather and dried leaves.

She could hear his heart racing which comforted her. She hadn't felt so passionately about anyone, even Faolin. Time seemed to stand still as she had no idea how long they had been kissing for. Before long Eragon withdrew as a soft sigh escaped her mouth. She let him hold her closely for this one time she felt content in his arms.

"Don't leave me again Arya." Eragon said softly.

Her heart fell. As she stood back realizing what had happened.

"Eragon… We cannot be." She said those very words making her heart sink even further.

She looked at him regretting she had ever said anything. He was white as the tops of his ears burned.

"Why Arya? Why can we not be?" He asked frantically looking at her for an answer as he started to pace.

"Because Eragon I am still Queen and your duties lie here in Thrandurin! Anything between us would be impractical." She answered sternly. She did not mean for her words to be so sharp. She felt tears welling within her eyes as she turned back towards the window.

"Will you not abdicate from your throne?" He asked but it sounded like a plea.

"I cannot Eragon. In most cases an Elven Queen or King can only can only abdicate from ruling if they have deceased or broken fealty in some sort of way." She replied.

"You're a rider Arya! You should be here in Thrandurin." He exclaimed.

She wished she could live in Thrandurin but it would not be possible.

"I am also a Queen Eragon." She let out.

"I'd rather be impractical than nothing." She heard Eragon say softly.

She stood in silence. Somewhat stunned.

"Arya!" She heard Eragon exclaim feeling numb.

She so badly wanted to turn around and comfort him, touch him and kiss him, say that she would always be there for him. But she couldn't. She knew she couldn't. Emotions were ripping within her. Her heart felt heavy like an anchor weighing it down but she had to be strong.

Taking one more glance out the window she cleared her mind and thoughts as she turned around to face him, keeping a straight face and using all her strength to fight back tears she looked upon him stoically.

"Arya?" Eragon whispered.

Arya's heart felt as though it had stopped, seeing Eragon so upset; it pained her so much to see him hurt. She could feel she was going to cry and quickly decided to leave as she walked towards the stairs.

"I'm sorry Eragon." Arya said as she quickly left. Her heart and head pounding.

As soon as she got outside she ran through the trees that surrounded Eragon's house at a fierce speed. Letting everything she had suppressed come flowing out. Tears streamed down her face as they fell to the ground below. Branches whipped against her legs and arms cutting her but she did not care, she only kept running. Her mind was adrift and she felt like she was losing herself. She came to a clearing and let out a scream.

"Why!" She shook her head in sorrow as she sat on the ground hugging her legs tightly, remaining still as she thought about what could be.