Here I am again, ready to torture you :D I decided to split this mainly because I'm evil and I like to leave you hanging. )

How many of you have seen or are going to see Harry Potter? I'm going to tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to it, although I hate voice actors, especially Italian ones. I'll be thankful when the dvd's out and I don't have to endure the badly translated jokes.

Anyway, I hope you like the next chapter like the last one. R&R!


Chapter 12

Arya was completely and utterly bewildered as she glanced down at the little green dragon whose head was tilted to one side and was staring straight at her with two bright yellow eyes.

"Touch him." said a voice from the back of the room. She had forgotten she was not alone, but she recognized the voice immediately. Her gaze switched from the curious little hatchling to Eragon. As the Blue Rider moved closer to Arya, already anticipating what was about to come, the young dragon growled menacingly at him. He clearly did not want anybody near his Rider. It sounded more like a squeak however than an actual growl and the elf let out a small laugh.

Their new hope once again fixed his eyes on Arya, entranced by the sound of her laughter. He cautiously took a few steps towards her and the princess reached out to to him with a shaky right hand.

As soon as they came in contact with each other, unbelievable pain coursed through her body and before she knew what was happening she collapsed into Eragon's arms, who was already prepared for such an event and lay her on the bed. The pain, eventually, began to dissipate, lingering only in the palm of her right hand.

Arya awoke a few minutes later and not to her amusement found herself for the second time in one day in a unfamiliar bed. She looket at her palm, seeing for the first time her gedwey ignasia. I am a Dragon Rider she thought.

Delight seemed to emanate from the green dragon, who was still staring at her. She tentatively reached out again to stroke him, wary that maybe she would be struck by the pain again. That was definitely something they failed to mention during the initiation. During one of her many journeys carrying Saphira's egg, she had watched many ceremonies where both humans and elves alike would step up and touch the egg, but not once had she seen with her own eyes a dragon egg actually hatch, except for now of course. My dragon.

Arya noticed that the hatchling was particularly fond of being scratched behind the ears and often let out squeals of happyness, causing laughter from both Eragon and Arya. As she continued to play with him, a new feeling crept into the back of her mind. Hunger. She sighed. He was hungry.

"Eragon, do you have any meat?" It was silly question to ask really, for she knew that Eragon only ate fruits and vedgetables, but maybe he had some stored for Saphira. Saphira. She had completely forgotten about the sapphire dragon, and she wondered what she would think of this.

"No, but I have already asked Saphria if she would hunt a few rabbits for him. She's anxious to meet the little one." he said with a smile.

"I never expected it to be this easy. I carried Saphira's egg for twenty years without ever encoutering its Rider and now after not even a week we discover this little one's Rider." she said, giving her dragon an affectionate smile as she picked him up and placed him in her lap. He seemed to appreciate this, as he could now keep an eye on Eragon who he did not seem to trust yet. Eragon let out a small chuckle.

"He is beautiful. You might want to create a fairth of him, he will not stay small for long." she thought of Saphira and how much she had grown in a matter of weeks. "Have you thought of a name yet? Well, names really. I had quite a few in mind for Saphira, but she turned them all down. I'm ashamed to admit that I did not know she was female." This last confession caused Arya to laugh again. Eragon blushed, but was rather pleased with himself that he said something that made Arya laugh, even if it was at his own expense. He vowed he would make her laugh more as he loved how the simple action of laughing triggered a lovely response in her face. She seemed lighter when either she smiled or laughed, playful even.

Arya was unsure whether she was ready to announce her becoming a Rider to the Varden; she saw all the attention they gave Eragon when he simpy walked through the tents and she did not want it. Eragon agreed that it was best to wait, and to seek out Nasuada before making any decisions.

As the dragon was small, she managed to hide him in her bag as she and the Blue Rider walked out of Eragon's room to find Saphira. Arya firmly told him that he was not to make his presence known; Eragon explained that he was not yet capable of understanding words, but he would understand the Ancient Language to some extent.

They found the sapphire dragon in a small clearing. She was clearly enjoying her meal. Arya's dragon was now perched on her shoulder as he took in his surroundings; he recognized Saphira from an image Arya had sent him where she stated that she was a friend. He jumped off and closed the distance between himself and the older dragon.

A name. I need a name that is worthy of him. she thought.

Once he had finished eating and had played for quite a while on Saphira's back as the latter hummed in amusement, he sat across from Arya and Eragon who he still glared at.

"He will know what his name is. All you have to do is come up with a few examples." he said, a grin starting to appear. "At least you know he is male." he added. Arya chuckled.

She easily found his presence in the back of her mind. How about Bid'Daum? she aksed as it was the first male name that popped into her head. He shook his little head. This is going to be a long night thought Arya.

Fundor?

Iormungr?

Glaedr?

Vanilor?

Eventually she had run out of dragon names and she even sought Eragon's help, but he could not think of any other. She had even resorted to a few words in the Ancient Language, but nothings seemed to spark the interest of the young dragon. She was about to give up when she finally found one worthy of him.

Eridor? The little dragon nodded and squeaked enthusiastically.

Eridor hummed Saphira. A fitting name.

The next day Eragon, Arya, Eridor and Saphira went to speak to Nasuada, to announce that the egg had hatched. Her pavillon was in the same location as last time, so it was not difficult to locate. No one seemed to notice anything suspicious about them as they walked quietly to see the Lady of the Varden.

"Eragon! Arya! Saphira! It is truly good to see you again. I trust that you are in good health after the.. accident?" Arya nodded and glanced in Eragon's direction.

"My Lady, I have very good news." he said

"And what might that be?"

"We have found the new Rider" he announced with a huge grin. Nasuada gasped.

"And who.." she stopped, noticing the smirk that Arya held. "You..?" Arya nodded again.

"This is a most joyous occasion! Two Riders! Thank the Gods!" Arya reached into her bag and retrieved Eridor, who glided to her shoulder to look at the new figure in front of him. He seemed to be delighted with all the attention and praise he received.

"Ah Eragon! Trianna mentioned at the last council meeting that she needed your advice on something regarding the Empire's soldiers. I suggest you go see her." With a nod, Eragon exited the tent leaving Arya alone to speak to Nasuada and Saphira who did not deem the witch worthy enough to be in her company. A comment which she referred only to Arya.

They talked briefly about any news regarding the spy and the Varden's preparations for the siege of Belatona, that was little more than two weeks away. They had decided that for now it was best to keep Eridor's existence a secret as it would only endager his and Arya's life as he was not old enough to protect himself and until he had grown he would stay in Arya's bag. She definitely did not want him to be left alone in her room in the castle.

She ventured out to find Eragon. She wanted to know what course of action he would take regarding her training; the elf did not deem it necessary to take Eridor with her, so she left him in Saphira's care, who was more than happy to look after the hatchling. Arya was surprised, however, at her reluctance to do so. Merely three hours had passed since he had hatched, but she already was very affectionate of him.

Trianna's tent was not far and if she arrived early enough, she might even spare Eragon the torture of having to endure the witche's company. She saw Angela and talked with her for a few moments until she abruptly left, claiming for an animal known only to her. iShe really is mad/i.

She reached the tent and knocked on the outside flap. When no response came, she tentatively looked inside and what she saw shook Arya to her very core.


So, what do you think? I know I promised you Arya having a go at Eragon, but that's for the next chapter that's most definitely going to have major drama. Please tell me what you think and what you think I might have done wrong. R&R!