Hello everyone. Once again I must apologise for my tardiness in posting this new chapter. If any of my old followers and reviewers is reading this than I am hugely impressed you've stuck with me this long and haven't just given up on me. I hope to progress with this story much more quickly now that I have a base line for how long chapters will be, where the story is going and a writing schedule that is practical and productive. Please read and review this overdue chapter and let me know if it is adequate or trash.
Disclaimer = I do not own the Inheritance Cycle. It belongs to Christopher Paolini.
The Return
Less than half an hour after his and Arya's reconciliation with Redlyn, Eragon was standing on the threshold of the great hall. on his right stood Arya and on his left Illidor. Behind them Saphira and Fírnen stood silently talking between themselves. All the other students and elves were enjoying breakfast inside and their dragons were out hunting for theirs. Eragon considered having them all join them but decided against it. He was more than relieved that him and Arya had been able to settle matters with Redlyn in private and he wanted to extend the same courtesy to Illidor.
I'm glad you and I agreed not to make this a public spectacle. Saphira broke off her conversation with her mate to speak with Eragon privately. Illidor has been embarrassed enough for his dragon's follies, I've no wish for me and Fírnen to join him.
You're right Saphira. I'm only glad me and Arya were spared the same drama with Redlyn that you had with Falstan. A chill shimmered up Eragon's back as he thought of what would have happened had he turned on Redlyn in front of all of New Vroengard. Arya and Redlyn would never have forgiven him for such a display. And even if the others did, he wouldn't have either.
Speaking of Arya, she was silent and stoic as she stood by Eragon's side. If one were to look at her they would see the Arya of old; silent, stoic, and neutral in all details of her appearance. No hint of any emotion upon her beautiful face. The nostalgic look was completed by her black leather garments, which she wore now. It erred Eragon only a little that the woman who loved him, who had showed so much defiant passion and then so much forgiving care towards Redlyn earlier, was now replaced with the woman who decades ago had carved a gash into infatuated young heart.
But that was a long time ago. Eragon reassured himself silently, making sure his thoughts did not drift into his mate's. We're different people now. Arya loves me. I'm not a child anymore and I still love her. Although Arya was deaf to him Saphira wasn't and replied.
You're certainly not a child Eragon. Next week is your fortieth birthday.
"WHAT?!" Saphira's words shocked Eragon and his outburst shocked Arya and Illidor, both of them jumping at his shout. Saphira roared with laughter whilst Fírnen, who had been keeping to himself in brooding silence, looked on in bemusement.
"Eragon, what's wrong?" Arya asked, her voice panicked.
"In a week's time I'll be forty!" For a few moments both elf and human simply stared at the leader of the Dragon Riders of Alagaesia. Then Illidor began to struggle to contain his mirth and Arya began to glare.
"You're so worried about THAT? We're about to greet a dragon returning from exile - no offence intended Illidor - and the thing that worries you is your birthday?"
Illidor began to lose control, oblivious to Arya's words about Falstan, and what began as toothy giggle exploded into a high laugh at his master's expense. He was blissfully ignorant of Eragon's glare towards him before he turned to Arya.
"I'm not worried Arya I'm just . . . surprised." Eragon sheepishly argued.
"Really?" The tone of Arya's reply told Eragon not-so-subtlety 'I'm not impressed'.
"Well before I became a Rider I would have thought myself lucky if I got to forty. Then in the war I didn't know if I'd live another year. The last twenty-three I've been busy training the new Riders" he turned to eye Illidor reproachfully "who should be very grateful to me for my efforts and sacrifice."
By then Illidor's laughter had died down and he was calm enough to talk back. "Oh yes Ebrithil, we are all so grateful for your efforts. And even more so for your sacrifices. Why, to teach us, you've allowed yourself to reach the age of forty a maid."
"ILLIDOR!"
"You may have a thing or two to teach him Lady Arya. Apparently he never touched a woman in Alagaesia and all the time he's been here he has touched any woman here, not even the elf girls. Art least that's what he says." Before an outraged and bright red Eragon could respond an equally angry and slightly less flushed Arya made herself heard.
"Whatever experience my mate may or may not have is of no concern to you, young Shur'tugal. I find it somewhat distasteful that you seek to concern yourself with your master's life beneath the sheets and that you betray his trust by telling me without his consent. But if you would like to know what I think, I will tell you this. I feel honoured that Eragon Bromsson, the finest man I know and the one I love more than any other, has declined to feed his lustful appetite elsewhere."
Both men simply stared back at her, their eyebrows raised and their jaws stunned into stillness. Arya, retaining her earlier composure, simply breathed deeply and turned back to look out across the mountains for Falstan. All the while her mate and his student continued to just stare at her as if she had told them she was pregnant. As her anger dissolved and was replaced by a small sense of mirth, she counted thirty seconds of silence before she spoke again.
"You really must watch what you say Shur'tugal Illidor." She spoke in a sweet, almost patronising voice. "You can never know what response you'll get. Of all the things to mock your master for. I suppose you are far more . . . . learned than your teacher, shall we say?"
Both their reactions were instant. Eragon's high eyebrows lowered so that he now showed a deadpan face. Illidor began to struggle for words to answer.
"M-M-My lady . . . eh Ebrithil Arya . . I . . do I have to answer? I don't under . . ." Illidor's sputters were ended by a look from Eragon. He looked at his student bored with one sarcastic eyebrow raised, yet inside half of him was laughing with sadistic glee and the other half was exasperated.
"Leave it Illidor." There's no way you can regain your dignity after that. "Just take Arya's advice and watch what you say in my presence."
A silent, sheepish Illidor turned away and began looking out for his returning dragon. Eragon did so as well but soon decided on a more private conversation with his mate.
"I'm sorry about that my love." Eragon saw the faintest smile grace his mate's lips.
"I think you are owed the apology Eragon from your student here. He seems to have a knack for getting in trouble."
"He can be difficult company and it shows all too well sometime. But you've seen for yourself, he is a good student."
"Aye, it's true."
For all his bravado and arrogance Illidor did usually put his money where his mouth was when it came to sparring and the performance of physical feats. When it came to magic he was about as skilled as anyone else, though he could never match the elfin twins' natural talent or Redlyn's determination. Nevertheless he showed promise as a rider, as long as he grew some dignity and tact.
Before Eragon and Arya could continue their conversation they heard Illidor shout "I can see him!" and saw him point directly ahead of them. Both lovers and their riders craned their necks and squinted their eyes to see him. As he was returning from the west, the sun soon shone on the brown dragon, revealing the unmistakeable flap of his wings as he drew closer to home.
As Falstan came closer and the dark brown hue of his scales became more and visible, Eragon began to feel his nerves and those of Saphira return in a small but cold stream of anxiety. What if Falstan was too ashamed to stay in New Vroengard? What if Illidor was too ashamed of him? What if Falstan had not learned his lesson and continued his courtship of Saphira?
It was too late to ponder the future as it arrived abruptly with Falstan coming to land on the edge of the rocky outcrop in front of the hall, a respectable distance from the people greeting him. The great dragon remained on his ledge, apparently unwilling to close the gap, despite his apparent discomfort on the edge of the sheer cliff.
"Please come closer Falstan. So we can talk properly."
Eragon spoke with authority but in truth he was concerned not to make Falstan look foolish by struggling not fall off the rock, especially in front of Arya and especially Saphira. Fírnen did not concern him. Arya's dragon seemed to be one of the most clam, patient beings he had ever met. Perhaps years of living with Arya was taught him the value of patience. Eragon thought.
I heard that. Arya's voice surprised Eragon though he managed not to show anyone.
Falstan heeded Eragon's words and walked forward from the edge, his steps slow and placed gently, as if his master and his company were asleep and he feared waking them. He came to a stop around ten feet from Eragon. He spared a glance at Illidor. The young rider's face had lost all its earlier mirth and even embarrassment. Now it was blank slate, much like Arya's face and those of the two other dragons. The awkward tension in the air hang heavy and sent Eragon's heart into his throat. He counted ten seconds before he decided to speak.
"Falstan. You know how we have come to be here today." Eragon stayed silent until the dragon answered.
Yes, Ebrithil. To my deep regret, my actions have brought us here this morning. The dragon's voice was low and humble as he spoke, and his eyes now fixed on Eragon's feet.
"The last time we talked I had no time. I had to act as your Ebrithil and the leader of the Riders. I banished you from our home for ten days in order to protect both you and Fírnen from yourself. I had to act quickly and decisively in front of our community and our new arrival, lady Arya." Eragon sensed the smallest of flinches from Arya as he mentioned her. "Looking back it isn't how I wanted to resolve this. Now I can resolve this the way I wish."
Eragon took three steps towards Falstan, holding his hands out to the side with the palms facing backwards to tell the others he wanted them to stay back. He craned his neck to look directly in Falstan's eyes, whilst the dragon looked down at him, finally daring to make eye contact. When he spoke again Eragon blocked his mind from the others, even Saphira, and spoke on to Falstan's mind. He did not want to talk of the brown dragons' matters of the heart before an audience.
I can never condone your actions Falstan but I can understand the feelings behind them. Saphira's master Glaedr, when he was once whole, was the object her first affections and he rebuffed her quite strongly. When I first told Arya I loved her she left me a sobbing child.
Eragon felt the urge to smile when he sensed Falstan's surprise at his confessions. No matter how many times he mentioned his courting of Arya - though he made sure to reveal little that slandered Arya - his students were always surprised and amused at the image of their leader as a crying boy of only sixteen.
I know it's hard for you to accept Falstan but Saphira has her mate, and if I hadn't intervened I wouldn't be surprised if she'd ripped you apart for what you tried to do to Fírnen.
I understand perfectly Ebrithil. I was just angry. I knew Master Saphira's will from the one time I did court her but my feelings for her haven't changed. And then for a newcomer to suddenly fly in and treat her as his own, in front of all of us? I couldn't help myself.
The young dragon continued to hold Eragon's gaze, his look full of so much expression for a beast. It was clear in his eyes, at least to Eragon, what Falstan felt and knew. He felt anger still at Fírnen as a newcomer. How dare he come here, to Falstan's home, and within hours show himself to the world as Saphira's mate? When Falstan had spent nearly all his life in her presence, and Fírnen had only briefly know her as a youngling.
Is that how Redlyn feels? The thought struck Eragon's mind like a hammer blow and he felt a complete dunce that it had not occurred to him earlier. Perhaps in some way it made little sense that Arya could suddenly have his love after over twenty years of distance, whilst Eragon's student had been by his side for most of that time.
Eragon pushed the thoughts to one side for now. He resolved to confront them, and bring them up with Arya later. For now he turned his focus back to Falstan.
I understand. We've all done things in a fit of passion, for which we seemed to have no control. Yet it doesn't change the manner of the deed. What you did was wrong.
For a moment Falstan's manner seemed to become defensive, his shoulders tensing at Eragon's words. Yet when he spoke it was calm and humble. I know Ebrithil. My actions were unacceptable. I'm ashamed of the way I behaved towards Ebrithil Saphira's mate, as I was when I courted her years ago. There was a pause in his speech. Pardon me Ebrithil but, why can no one hear us? I can sense you've blocked them off from both our minds.
I wanted to talk to you about the motivations behind your actions. Everyone here needs to know why you did what you did.
Then surely it would make sense for them all to hear me at the same time?
Would you be comfortable confessing what you've confessed to me to everyone at once?
No.
Then I'll let you talk to Fírnen and Saphira alone but only then will I let you talk to Illidor. He is the one who has suffered the most for your folly but I think he'll be the most willing to forgive you. But first, it would be good of you to apologise to all of us together. Then you can speak with us one by one.
Yes Ebrithil. Eragon moved to turn away before Falstan spoke again. But I need to say sorry to you first. For attacking your mate's dragon and your dragon's mate.
Eragon made no comment in reply. He simply nodded and gave Falstan a small smile. He turned to look at the others who had waited patiently but expectantly throughout their silent conversation. Eragon walked back to join them and resumed his place between Arya and Illidor. He offered him a reassuring smile before giving Arya a look that said It's taken care of. I'll talk to you later. He turned back to Falstan and waited for him. He needed no sign to speak and did so clearly and with humble dignity.
To all of you - Ebrithil Eragon and Ebrithil Arya, Ebrithil Saphira and Fírnen, and to most beloved rider Illidor - I Falstan, proud dragon of Illidor and servant of Alagaesia offer my most humble apologies. For my actions ten days ago I was exiled from New Vroengard and that I understand and accept. I am sorry for what I have done and ask humble for your forgiveness.
And one by one, both at that moment and throughout the day again when he spoke to each them individually, all five of them forgave Falstan.
Live it? Loathe it? The latter would be more understandable though the former much preferred. Please let me know what you think and how I can improve. If you've got this far without giving up on me, you have my greatest thanks.
