A/N: Sorry it's been a while since I last updated! I just went back to school after study leave. Things have gotten a bit hectic because I'm starting A2s and it doesn't help that I'm, stupidly, I might add, writing about four stories at the same time. But I'm back now and here's the new chapter! As the last chapter was entirely from Eragon's POV, this one is all Arya's perspective. Anyway so the gang are finally leaving Ellesmera and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Arya's POV
I looked down for the fifth time to make sure that Lona was nestled safely in the sling that Eragon had used to carry Saphira's two eggs. Unfortunately that meant that Saphira's last green egg had to be left in one of her saddlebags.
"Arya, be sure to visit soon," my mother murmured so only I could hear. "I made a mistake once of banishing you from my sight, I don't want you gone from my presence too long."
I smiled as I replied, "I don't think we'll be able to stay away for long. Brom's become quite attached to you."
She followed my gaze over to where Eragon was unsuccessfully trying to coax Brom out of the tree he had climbed in protest. "So I see." I restrained my mirth as Saphira, tired with the arguing between Brom and her rider, leapt into the air, locked her talons around Brom and effortlessly lifted him out of the tall pine and after reaching an appropriate distance from the ground, dropped him unceremoniously.
Always respect and listen to your parents, Little One, she announced, broadcasting her thoughts to us all.
Brom picked himself up off the ground, his cheeks flushed, and went to Evandar, wrapping his arms around his neck, burying his face in the scales as he wept about leaving his grandmother after only knowing her for so little a time. I sighed, wondering what I would be able to do to keep him happy.
"Give me a moment with him?" My mother asked, sounding hopeful.
I nodded and turned away from her to find Eragon approaching me with Ilia on his hip. "Ilia left her waterskin at the tree house. I'm just going to take her to get it," he explained, continuing on past me.
I concentrated on readying Groenur and Jarla for our journey. I looked up in surprise as Aura flew overhead, her purple scales glittering perfectly under the morning sun. Normally Aura didn't stray too close to large gatherings of people. She was comfortable around Eragon and me and our family. Saphira had managed to impress upon her that we were friends; but as a wild dragon, Aura was not comfortable around other elves. Except of course for Vanir.
Their relationship was mind boggling. I couldn't understand it. Aura seemed determined to act like a bonded dragon, following Vanir everywhere, whereas the elf on the other hand was extremely uncomfortable around the excitable dragoness. In a way, it was sensible. She was a wild dragon after all, supposedly more fierce, although Aura didn't usually act very fiercely. Her behaviour was allowed by Saphira because she was still young, only five months old.
I watched carefully as Aura landed gracefully, despite her growing bulk, beside Saphira's monstrous size and bounded towards Vanir immediately. Seeing this Vanir attempted to take a few quick steps backwards, but was bowled over by the purple dragon.
"Again?" Eragon asked from beside me in disbelief. I jumped a little, shocked by his proximity. I hadn't even heard him coming. Either something was wrong with my ears or he was getting better at moving silently.
"Looks that way," I replied quietly, turning to offer him a small smile.
He nodded and set Ilia on the ground, put the waterskin in Groenur's saddlebag and peeked inside the sling to gaze at our sleeping daughter.
"Lona," he whispered and leaned down to press his lips gently upon her brow.
We both looked up at the sound of Brom returning, his small hand concealed inside his grandmother's.
"Sorry Dad," he muttered, looking at the floor in shame.
"It's okay Brom. You're forgiven," Eragon said, grinning lopsidedly and ruffling Brom's sandy hair. "Come on, we need to get ready to go. Race you to Evandar!" Eragon ran off at a speed somewhere in between a jog and a sprint, not going at his quickest in order to give Brom a chance.
"Hey! You had a head start – that's not fair," Brom shouted to Eragon, leaping after him in the longest strides his short legs could manage.
I smiled and shook my head.
"Boys will be boys," my mother murmured, a small smile lighting up her dark eyes.
"Well, mother, we'd better go. Otherwise we won't get to Urû'Baen in time."
She sighed and stepped closer, folding her arms around my shoulders awkwardly because of the bundle resting against my chest.
"I'll miss you, Arya."
"And I you." A small tear threatened to fall over my cheek, but using my willpower I stopped it.
I don't know why you're so stubborn about showing your emotions, Little One.
Groenur, I groaned. I'm not. But I don't want her to know that Eragon and I aren't going to be returning. It would destroy her. She's already lost my father. She doesn't need to lose me as well.
In response, my green dragon flattened himself to the ground as much as possible, his legs outstretched. But he was so big now that I still had to jump a bit to stand on his leg. I kept both of my hands on Lona in the sling, securing it, and leapt onto his scaly knee, then walked along his leg and seated myself in the saddle.
Hold on, he cautioned, and I gripped the ivory spike in front of me tightly, one hand still ensuring Lona's safety. Groenur soared into the air after a mighty leap, and flared his massive wings, keeping us air bound.
Around the clearing the four other dragons ascended, and formed a 'v', with Saphira and Eragon, as lead Dragon and Rider, at the head. Brom, Evandar and Ilia and Jarla were next, followed by Aura and Groenur and I at the rear.
I waved slowly to my mother and spotted Vanir saluting Aura, looking confused by his own actions.
We stopped after half a day of flying when Lona woke and began crying. We were planning to take things easy anyway so it wasn't much of a problem. We had covered a lot of ground, more so than we would have done if we had flown for the same amount of time on the journey to Ellesméra, because Jarla and Evandar had grown continuously throughout our stay. As a wild dragon, Aura was already more accustomed to harsh conditions like extended flight, and was stronger perhaps than our bonded dragons.
Brom and Ilia amused themselves playing tag, whilst all the dragons went to hunt. I wasn't sure how effective their hunt would be, with five dragons fighting over the game, although I was sure Saphira and Groenur would let their children eat first.
After feeding Lona I rocked her back to sleep in my arms, then passed her to Eragon who was now wearing the sling.
"You should sleep," Eragon mused, eyeing the dark circles around my eyes in distaste. I hadn't gotten much sleep the previous night because Lona was restless, waking every half hour or so. I nodded gratefully to Eragon and retrieved a blanket from one of the packs attached to the abandoned dragon saddles.
I fell asleep instantly as Eragon hummed a light, airy melody to our daughter.
A/N: Thoughts? Anyone have any suspicions about Vanir and Aura's relationship? A review would be greatly appreciated. :)