A\N - A huge thanks to all those who reviewed my last chapter. Elvenlord, KRK the JRK, dominicthewise I tried my best to write this chapter quickly for you but its hard, as this chapter was one of the most difficult to write. Well on to the chapter I hope readers enjoy, please review to give me your thoughts, suggestions, and criticisms. Also another quick special thanks to SerpentTongueSorceror who has always helped with this story.

Disclaimer- I do not own the inheritance cycle or any of its characters.

Eragon gazed down into the striking emerald eyes of Arya, allowing a hint of confusion to show in his eyes. Of the many emotions that ran through the young rider's mind wonder was the foremost. Wonder at how the elf woman, who barely ever showed her emotions and always hid behind a mask of indifference, was now fully embracing him and admitting that she had missed him. Even more so, Eragon wondered if he heard Arya say the words he thought she said. Does she actually love me? The rider's thoughts were interrupted when his ears picked up the sound of a man grunting, not too far away.

It seemed Arya also heard the grunts because she quickly disengaged their embrace and looked over to where the voice originated. Alarm took over Eragon's thoughts as he followed Arya's gaze to find Bloodgharm on the floor a few feet away, clutching a flesh wound on his chest. Eragon wasted no time as he ran to Bloodgharm's side, kneeled down and began to heal the wound with magic. Luckily, for some reason or another Eragon did not feel the exhaustion he was expecting, on the contrary the rider felt a massive pool of energy in his reserves. He would have to ask Arya about how he felt so strong, among many other things Eragon thought somberly.

It took little time for Eragon to heal Bloodgharm's wound for it was not as severe as Eragon originally presumed. Moments after the healing was complete Bloodgharm slowly stood up, exhaustion clear in the elf's comparatively sloppy movements.

"Thank you Rider, I am glad to see you are ok."

Eragon smiled, relieved to speak to people other then Galbatorix. The feeling was indescribable. "Aye, I am glad to see you are okay as well."

"Guys, now's not the time."

Eragon's head whipped around to see Arya with her raven black hair held perfectly in place by her customary black head band, seemingly ready to run. Before Eragon could ask any questions Arya spoke again.

"I can feel the presence of soldiers only but a few leagues away, and I'm afraid Bloodgharm and myself are in no condition to fight. It is imperative that we retreat to a safer location to recuperate."

Both Eragon and Bloodgharm nodded their heads in agreement to the elf's statement. Eragon mused over how not even minutes ago, the elf was in his arms showing emotion, yet now she was the fearless warrior he had grown to love, giving out orders. Without wasting much time, Eragon executed a few brief stretches then gestured with his hands to Arya that he was ready to run. Nodding her head in return Arya took off to the south, running at an impressive speed, Eragon following behind her, with Bloodgharm bringing up the rear.

ExAxExA

The trio had been running for a few hours when they found themselves inside of a small, secluded cave only a few leagues away from the outskirts of Ura'baen. The furry elf Bloodgharm decided to rest right

away to replenish his drained energy, whilst Arya and Eragon Shadeslayer sat awake next to each other, side by side in the small cave, both bothered by the awkward silence that ensued. There was just so much to talk about that neither knew where to begin. Eragon finally decided to break the silence, addressing the one topic Arya felt she was not ready to discuss.

"Arya..." Eragon allowed his voice to trail off, seemingly gathering his thoughts before speaking again. "Arya, before I passed out did I hear you say, what I think I heard you say?"

The elvin princess sighed, she knew this was coming so why did she fear it? Arya knew for a fact she loved Eragon, it was undeniable. When he was not around the Varden, things were different in an unexplainable way. The elf could not sleep regularly nor act properly knowing that his life was in danger. Yet here he was, right in front of her, willing to talk things out and Arya found herself having a difficult time voicing her thoughts. Is this what regret feels like? No, this can't be, the princess thought defiantly. I made a promise to myself and I'm going to go through with it, no matter the repercussions.

Arya turned her head slightly, pretending to not know what Eragon spoke of. "What did you hear me say?"

Eragon looked at Arya with hope in his eyes. It was clear what Eragon wanted to hear, what his heart yearned for, and Arya knew what she was going to say.

"You said you love me."

The elvin princess sighed inwardly, this was it, the moment that would change her life, whether it was for the better or worse, Arya would soon find out. "Yes its true, Eragon Bromsson I love you."

Eragon's eyes lit up instantaneously at Arya's words, revealing a mirth similar to that of a young child after receiving a present. The young rider seemed to be bubbling with emotions, threatening to overflow, Arya watched as a questioning expression graced Eragons face.

"How? When did this hap..."

Arya cut him off by placing her index finger upon Eragons lips gently, shaking her head whilst beginning to speak. "Shh, allow me to explain." Arya paused, gathering her inner most thoughts, ready to confess them to Eragon.

"Ever since I first felt your presence, I've been becoming a different person, slowly changing, at sometimes unbeknown to myself even. You had given me a second chance at life by saving me from Durza, and for that I am and will forever be grateful. When I awoke from my coma I was an emotional wreck inside, although I did not show it. I had lost all those who I truly cared for, even my mother, in essence I suddenly found myself alone, more alone than I had ever been. So I hid behind an emotionless facade, to mask my inner turmoil, a skill all elves are very adept at executing. Of course I had to fulfill my duties nevertheless, I had to look past my own pain for the greater good of the Varden. I realized this quickly and buried all of my emotions, casting them to the side. One of my new found duties was to help you in any possible way I could, to ensure your safety. No one allotted me this task, but I felt it correct for myself to become something like a guardian to you, since I had protected Saphira's egg for such a long time. So naturally when I saw those damned twins trying to take advantage of your magical prowess I stopped it, and decided I would test you myself, by trial of arms."

Arya paused momentarily before resuming her speech. "Immediately I could tell there was something great about you, even though you were human your swordsmanship was impressive, and your presence was that of a man with a pure heart. I could feel it whenever I was around you. More and more I saw you, day by day, as we traveled to Ellesmera together, and more and more I began to think of you as a friend, something I desperately needed, although at the time I would never admit it. You would always try and talk to me, even when I offered little to no conversation and spoke curtly, you were there. Soon we finally made it to my home amongst the elves where you began your studies under Oromis. I proudly watched you develop in both mind and body at an astounding rate for a human rider, another feat that impressed me. Also, I watched us develop as friends, slowly but surely, as we would walk around the surrounding forest in companionship."

Arya gave a slight smile, remembering one particular moment. "Then there was the day I visited you at Oromis's and you made that fairth of me. I was so shocked it was near impossible for me to react correctly. I had a suspicion that you harbored feelings for me but that fairth made it painfully obvious, and at that moment I was not ready for such a thing, so I lashed out in anger. I thought we could be friends, something that I truly needed but I knew your feelings would make our friendship awkward, so I avoided you. However soon I found myself willing to give our friendship another chance, yet you once again admitted your undying feelings to me, except this time in words. I understood that it was the magic of the elves that rendered your reasoning skills void, it was an emotional night for every living creature, but I knew that those were your true feelings. So once again I over reacted and left Du welden varden immediately. Once I arrived at Surda I regretted leaving so early, I knew you needed to finish your training with Oromis but I also knew that completely withdrawing my friendship from you was wrong, and for that I'm sorry."

Arya sighed, voice wavering slightly before continuing her story. "Then came the battle of the burning plains. When I found out that the red rider had flown away and you were nowhere to be found, I feared the worst. It hurt to think that you were gone, it hurt far more then I ever thought possible and that's when I think I began to develop feelings deeper than friendship for you. Now, months later after we have been through so much more together, like defeating a Shade, traveling across the empire alone, mourning Glaedr's death, and your recent capture, I have fully realized how I truly feel. Eragon, you give me a reason to fight, and a hope that one day after this war is over I can finally be happy."

Arya looked at Eragon, who's face was riddled with both shock and what Arya could only guess was amazement, or perhaps even disbelief. Arya decided to allow the love in her heart that had been lying dormant for so long to show in her eyes, to ensure to Eragon that she was not playing some sort of joke.

"So does this mean that we can be together?"

Arya smiled at Eragon's innocence, even at a time like this the young dragon rider found a way to ask a question, he's always so full of questions, Arya thought quietly. "As of right now I am unsure. I do know that I want to be with you but I also realize that we are at war Eragon, you are the single most important man in all the land and your love for me must not be a liability to the Varden. If something is to exist between us it must be kept a secret to everyone, excluding Saphira of course."

Arya paused allowing her face to soften before speaking once more. "However, when we find that we both have spare time I would love nothing more then to spend it with you."

ExAxExA

Eragon gazed down into the eyes of the beautiful elf before him, the same elf who had moments ago confessed her feelings to him. Shock was the first emotion that coursed through Eragon, followed by a feeling of completion, as if his whole life he had been missing something, like there was a hole in his heart that was now filled.

"I...I can't believe this. For so long I felt anguish because I thought that you would never return my love, yet I knew I could never love another, but now I feel..." Eragon paused, still at a lost of words. "Its an indescribable feeling."

Eragon watched as Arya smiled, a sight that warmed his heart. Eragon loved to see Arya smile, considering it was such a rare occurrence.

"Eragon, I just need you to promise me one thing."

Eragon nodded his head, urging Arya to continue.

"Promise me if I cave in and break and leave myself open that I won't be making a mistake."

Wonder filled Eragon's mind as he pondered her request and saw the conviction in her eyes, then the realization of what Arya truly meant dawned on him. She had been through so many things over her many years, she had been hurt so many times both emotionally and physically, she was wary of being hurt again.

Choosing his words carefully Eragon spoke. "Arya, there is no limit on how far I'd go, no boundaries, no lengths I would not travel to make you happy. There is nothing I would not do for you, your the only woman I ever have and ever will love. I promise you Arya Drottingu."

A look of acceptance passed over the facial expression of Arya, who after Eragon's words moved closer to the young rider and rester her head on his shoulder. Eragon was not expecting her to do something like that but he soon found he loved the feeling.

Breaking the brief silence that enveloped the pair Eragon voiced a question that had been bothering him for a while. "What has happened in my absence in the Varden?"

It was a short while before Arya responded, Eragon assumed that much has transpired and she was simply gathering her thoughts. Arya shifted slightly against Eragon's shoulder before she began to speak.

"I'm afraid I have both joyous and terrible news Eragon. Murtagh and Thorn have fallen in battle, slain by... myself and Saphira."

Eragon looked down at Arya immediately as the words she spoke entered his mind. Murtagh is gone? No, he knew one day Murtagh would have to be defeated but deep inside Eragon did not want his brother to die, even if he was fighting for the wrong side. Eragon asked the only thing he could think of.

"Why? How did this happen?"

"After your capture Murtagh came back to the Varden with intentions to capture Saphira and in defense of the Varden I rode into battle with your dragon. Murtagh held back the whole fight, he knew he was going to die Eragon, he had made the ultimate sacrifice."

Confused Eragon asked another question. "Ultimate sacrifice?"

Arya sighed, before continuing. "Inside of Thorn's saddlebag was the last dragon egg in all of Alagaesia with a note attached that read, compensation. Murtagh knew he was going to die so he brought us the last egg to compensate for the evil he had unwillingly done."

Understanding filled Eragons mind, his brother had given the Varden the aid they would need in order to finally defeat the dark king, at the price of his own life. A lone tear formed at the brim of Eragon's eye, ready to fall, until Eragon felt Arya's hand gently touch his face, wiping away his tear while at the same time sending a thrill down Eragon's spine.

"Im sorry for your loss Eragon, I truly hope you don't resent me for what I have done."

"Nay, I could never resent you for doing what was necessary, my only regret was not being able to say good bye to my brother."

Arya moved closer to Eragon in a comforting way, as if to reinsure Eragon she was there for him. "Do not worry, soon this war will be over and you can finally live the life of peace you wish for."

Eragon nodded his head slightly. "Aye, how does Saphira fare?"

"She fares as well as can be expected, she misses you dearly and barely leaves your tent unless she is hunting or was with me. I know when you two re-unite she is going to have some words for you."

Eragon knew Saphira well, he was to expect a mix of anger, worry, pain and an astounding feeling of relief and love. The young rider smiled at the thought of his partner of mind and soul, how he missed her so.

While Eragon's thoughts were occupied with Saphira he did not notice that Arya was retrieving something from her pocket. Eragon watched, stunned, as Arya pulled out the necklace he had bought for her, but never gave to her.

"How did you get that?" Eragon asked, curiosity clear in his voice.

Not taking her eyes off of the trinket that hung from the necklace inscribed with her name Arya responded. "I found it while searching your tent for Brisingr. I know it was wrong for me to take it, but I was so touched I kept it."

As opposed to responding in words Eragon thought it would be better to respond by taking the necklace from Arya's hands, carefully placing it around her neck, latching the small lock to ensure it would never fall off.

Arya looked up into Eragon's eyes sending an indescribable feeling coursing through the rider. Eragon watched as Arya's face slowly came closer to his, closer and closer, time seemed to slow as Eragon realized what was about to happen. Nervous and unsure of himself Eragon closed his eyes and leaned forward, soon feeling the elvin princess gently pressing her, what Eragon found to be, soft and full lips against his own. At first Eragon's lips felt numb, but soon all he felt was bliss as he allowed Arya to lead, his lips on hers. All too soon it was over and Eragon opened his eyes to see an extremely embarrassed elven princess, her cheeks red at her own actions.

Deciding it best not to further embarrass or push Arya, Eragon simply wrapped his arms tightly around her, voicing his thoughts. "Arya if you are tired then sleep now and I will take watch, I can feel your

exhaustion."

Eragon heard Arya mutter thank you before watching the elf close her eyes, apparently Arya was intent on not leaving her position. Eragon too, was content in this position as well. Preparing his body to stay up all night watching over their small camp, Eragon began to think of all that has happened over the last few days, mostly what had become of himself and Arya.

Read & Review Truly yours, Elvin Blade