Now for review responses! *FYI: I don't put these in the order of their receive date. I do them in the order I see them on the review display page. And also, this is my favorite part because I had so many to reply to.*
Nesquick11: I am glad to hear that. :) Nope. Already have one.
Bookworm73: :) Well thank you. You're a wonderful reader.
Alice Prince: :) It's nice to know someone actually anticipates you doing well.
Timewatcher: For reasons I can't mention that short of a review just made my day. :) :) :) :)
Prince of Madness 54: I didn't want to say werewolf cause that would just sound weird. She's the result of a human and a werecat in human form. :) Guess I failed epically at explaining that?
Obliterator1519: Then have I got a chapter for you.
Elvendiath: You are, and that makes you very special. I was planning on updating next monday, but I decided since you asked so convincingly to update tonight. *BTW to Timewatcher, that's the reason I appreciated a short review* Tell me how I did on keeping her in character in this chap, mkay?
Eragon's heart skipped a beat. As his pulse sped up he lost more and more power to think. He just sat there, opened mouth in shook.
Don't look so surprised, little one. She's felt like this since the battle with Varaug.
Wh-What should I say?
What do you want to say?
"Arya..." She raised a hand and placed it over his mouth. As soon as their skin came into contact his blood began to burn.
"Please, Eragon. Let me finish. When I first awoke in Farthen Dur and the Varden there told me what you went through to save me my feelings towards you were of gratitude. As we traveled the land to Ellesmera I began to feel my heart beat when I was around you for no clear reason. And then you told me that you felt the same at the Agaeti Blodhren. Wonderers joy and at the same time despair filled me. Joy that you should love me in return and despair that I could not act upon it. Because my statues and your responsibilities. But recently I have seen it in a different light. I am a Princess and you are a Rider. What better match is there? You are devoted to toppling Galbatorix as am I."
"But if you were to die..."
"If I were to die you would do all in your power to slay my killers and then move directly back to Galbatorix. You have proven that once before; with Durza. That convinces me that you will do so again. Now I ask you, Eragon: knowing full well that you are once again throwing a bit of your freedom away and knowing that many people in very high places, namely my mother, will look down upon it as a disgraceful abomination, will you accept me as I have chosen to accept you?"
Eragon's first reaction was to leap up on Saphira and accept with all his heart. But then he thought of what he would do if Galbatorix killed Arya. Would he really move on, as she had said he would?
Saphira?
Little one?
What do you think I should do?
You have earned this, little one. Your duties say nay, but they also said nay to accepting Hrothgar's offer of kinship. They said nay to you swearing yourself to Nasuada and to returning to the Varden while we were in training. And those events have only helped us.
But it will tie me down even more.
Sometimes, being tied down is the best thing for you. For then, when the storm of war comes crashing down upon us, you will not be swept away by the waves of maddens. This is your choice and no one can make it for you. My advice, however, is to listen to your heart as you did when you first laid eyes upon my egg.
Eragon looked back at Arya. Her raven black hair was lifted slightly by the wind. Even with the adverse affects of the wind he could still distinguish her smell. Then a gust of wind buffeted them and Arya's hair lifted to reveal her pointed ears.
"What about Islanzadí?"
"She will likely do nothing until the end of this war. Despite her pride she would never endanger the efforts of the Varden, if for no other reason than she wants every man in the Empire dead for cutting down the ancient trees in Du Weldenvarden."
Eragon. His name had been spoken by the far reaching mind of Glaedr. If Oromis were here, what think you he would say?
He would say to follow my duties, Eragon said in return.
Correct.
I don't care.
What?
I don't care what Oromis would say. And with that Eragon turned and placed his lips on Arya's. Sparks lit up in the back of his eyes. Her lips were softer than he ever could have imagined. When he pulled away he said, "I will." Arya took his hand in hers. Silently, she whispered four lines in the Ancient Language. Then she let his hand go and placed her head on his shoulder.
"What was that?"
"Roran and Katrina told me what you did with their rings and I liked the idea and I also added onto it. So as long as your right hand is on your body you and I will always be able to see where the other is."
"Thank you."
Eragon, Glaedr said.
Yes?
Well done. Even Saphira seemed surprised by his reaction.
For...what?
Since Oromis and I first touched your mind in Farthen Dur we have wanted you to be free of all influences possible.
But...how does that...
By accepting Arya you proved that you can choice for yourself. This war could lead to the death of Nasuada, Orik, Roran, or Saphira. Since you arrived at Ellesmera Oromis was concerned that you would not be able to function without them. But, by going against Oromis' will you have proved to me that you could survive and continue to make choices for yourself if every person you cared about was slain before you. This was the test given to each leader of the Riders in ages past. If they failed they began live over again as a pupil. If they succeeded they were raised to a position with authority that the Elven Lord would covet. You are now ready, truly ready, to take up the Rider's mantel.
Eragon awoke the next day with the dozy feeling one has when they first wake; when their mind wonders through time and space without being bound to the body. When his eyes came into full focus he remembered that Saphira had laid a wing over the three of them, shielding them from a drizzling rain. He looked to his right and saw Aesire sleeping soundly with a cloak around his shoulders. He looked to his left and saw Arya cuddled up beside him. Even as he watched her eyes opened and she stretched her arms over her head. Eragon raised an arm and tapped Saphira's wing membranes with two fingers. Rather than raising her wing Saphira stood and kept her wing over them so they were sheltered from the rain, which was heavy and fast. Thunder rolled in the skies above and flashes of lightning jumped from cloud to cloud.
"Can Saphira fly in this," Arya said, standing.
"If we cast a spell to dispel the rain from above her and cut the wind in front of her, then yes, I believe so."
"Shall we be going then?"
Eragon looked down at Aesire and tapped him with the tip of his boot.
"I'm awake," he said, gloomily.
"Get up, then. We have to get back to the Varden today." Aesire rolled over and stared up at him for a long moment. Then he shook his head.
"Using my power on you now would be a waste, I suppose and it would do more harm than good." With an irritated sigh he shoved himself off the ground and raised an eyebrow when he saw the rain.
"You're dragon can fly in this?" A deep throated growl came from Saphira.
"Saphira. Her name is Saphira."
"Duly noted. Answer the question."
"With a little bit of effort on my part, yes."
They all packed their respective belongings and pilled onto Saphira. "Letta du thringa un vindr," Eragon whispered. With a lunge Saphira took off into the air.
As Saphira burst out of a cloud the Varden's camp several miles outside Feinster came into view. Eragon sighed. "We finally made it back." He looked back at Aesire and said, "Hold on tight." Aesire rapped a cord around his right hand several times and braced himself. Go, he said to Saphira.
Dipping forward on folding wings Saphira plummeted straight downward. To Eragon's surprise, Aesire did not react much to the fall. Noting this, Saphira tipped her right wing and spun in a circle fifteen times and then thrust her wings open, slowing their descent before landing with a few steps forward. Aesire cursed loudly. He jumped off of Saphira and landed on his hands and legs.
"The next time that oversized lizard is going to spin like that, warn me!" Saphira's sharp eyes glared down at him and she raised her tip of her tail and flicked his head as he raised it.
"If I had known she was going to I would have," Eragon said, jumping off of Saphira. Like a pack of wolves running towards pray the twelve elves sent to guard Eragon ran up beside Saphira and positioned themselves on either side of her. Blodhgarm approached Eragon and flicked his ears, appearing rushed.
"Shadeslayers. Your trip was fruitful, I trust?"
"Indeed."
Blodhgarm leaned to his left slightly to see past Eragon at Aesire. To Eragon's surprise Blodhgarm did not question him. "The Empire sent a force of pain feeling troops to Feinster in hopes of regaining the city. Fortunately, the spell used to hide the dwarfs arrival from the King's eyes held and he was unaware of them and thus we were able to hold Feinster."
"How did you hide them from the spies in the Varden?"
"Nasuada told the main bulk of the Varden that the dwarfs had to make a detour to destroy a tunnel they had forgotten after the Battle for Farthen Dur."
"I see. You haven't asked about our companion yet."
"My place is to protect you from the Empire and all who wish you dead. You would not fly back with this man if he meant you ill." He raised an arm towards the Varden's camp. "Nasuada awaits you, Shadeslayer. I apologize, but she has news that must not be delayed in being conveyed to you. You are the only one with wisdom enough to handle it."
Blodhgarm turned and raised an arm, signaling for his brethren to follow. As they entered the Varden's camp many people attempted approaching him but in each case Blodhgarm lowered his ears and curled his lips, showing sharp fangs.
What's got him so agitated, Eragon thought to himself.
"Your cousin asked me this morning to send a message to Arya, but I was amongst those who fought off Galbatorix's group of solders."
"What happened," Eragon said, perking up at the mention of Roran.
"His wife announced to the Varden that she was pregnant with his child."
"That's all?"
"Hardly," Blodhgarm said, crossing his arms. "The attack of the solders must have frightened Katrina horribly. Not for herself. She wouldn't be frightened even Galbatorix stood before her as long as Roran was standing between them. From what she said I imagine it is for her unborn child."
"What did she say?"
"She has been asking around the magicians of the Varden if there is any spells known to speed up the delivery of her child."
"Isn't that dangerous?"
"Human's are weaker than elves but are more complex in terms of creation. It is not uncommon for an elven maid to deliver a child; what few we have, in a matter of months, maybe weeks. There are spells, yes. But they may cause problems for the child when cast on a human. She asked me, but I thought to ask you first."
"I'll look into it after I'm done here."
Blodhgarm stopped beside Nasuada's green tent and pulled the flap aside. Saphira sat down and slithered her head around the tent to stick into the flap held up for her. With Arya and Aesire behind him Eragon entered the tent.
Inside it was dark, darker than it should have been with it being almost noon. Nasuada sat at her desk, which was empty of documents of any kind. She stood and said, "Eragon, thank the Gods." Her voice was almost distraught with concern. He stepped forward and took her hand.
"My lady, what is the matter?"
"Sit, all of you." Aesire and Arya sat in the folding chairs, but Eragon stood beside Nasuada.
"Where is Elva," he said when he completed a full check of the tent and could not find the witch child's mind.
"On our north border. She has the farthest mind reaching abilities able to use; save for the elves and they were otherwise preoccupied."
"Why is she there and not here?"
"Because, I have something that is far more valuable than me." Before Eragon could respond she reached under her desk and took out a pouch that could have considerably held ten gallons of water. She placed it in his hands and said, "This was all I could think to do."
Eragon unfastened the cords used to keep the bag shut and looked into it. The bag, however, was so dark he could not see into it. Arya stepped up beside him and raised her hand. "Garjzla," she said silently. Soft light emanated from her palm. Both Eragon and Arya gasped. At the bottom of the bag, nestled with the downy feathers of snowy owl, was a silver dragon egg.
HAHAHA! There is nothing I like more than a nice litte mix of major effents and cliffhangers all scrambled toghther.
Reader: Wow, Tessa how many times have you used this chapter name?
Me: Well, I didn't want to give anything away, so I was forced to diverge from my usually chapter titles of epic-osity in more favor of a boring, stale and predictable one.
Reader: *whisperes* Yeah, you don't use epic titles for chapters.
That was a fun chapter. I had two things happen that will play major *and I cannot stress that word enough* affect on the remainder of the story.
Letta du thringa un vindr: Stop the ran and wind.
