Shout outs!!!

Thanks to the wonderful Shadowleaf264 for introducing me to a dictionary sorting my punctuation and being an all round amazing Beta.

Daytime stars for our talks on Cannibalism, garden parties and religion.

Elvin blade for giving me an idea for the fight :)

Now go read their stories (but mine first :P )

I tried to fix the paragraphs....

…………………..

I leaned against Saphira's warm side and tried to push everything that had happened out of my head. Arya was no longer allowed to fight. The elves had
only just taken Gil'ead and were now sending small groups of to get control over the smaller towns nearby, while the Varden was heading north along the Jiet River in order to take Belatona. The dwarfs were currently in Surda. The plan was that they would attack Melian and at the same time the Varden would attack
Belatona, and the Varden camp was close enough that if any needed help it would take only a few hours to come to their aid, less on Dragon-back.
The strategy after that was vague; a lot depended on Murtagh and Thorn staying away for most the battles.

I'm going hunting, Saphira announced.

You're talking to me now? I asked, relieved.

No.

I snorted despite myself. Saphira had been blocking me from her mind since we had left Nasuada's tent, but continued sending me the strangest emotions.

You've just been hunting.

Saphira twisted her head so that her large eye was gazing into mine.We will be leaving in little over two days. If I go hunting now then I'll have more strength for the siege.

I stared back into Saphira's eyes, knowing that she was concealing something from me. After a few moments I gave up and she snorted, satisfied, as I walked
away to give her space.

I won't be gone long.

I ran my fingers through my hair. What was I going to do now? Saphira chuckled and launched into the air before answering my unspoken question.
Visit Roran, you haven't seen him in a while. She hesitated as she flew further away, then added, and Arya, she's upset. She then withdrew from my mind and
filled hers with pictures of deer running through the trees.

I sighed and began walking towards where the Varden had placed Roran and the rest of the men from Carvahall, nodding and returning greetings as I went. As I drew
closer, a thudding sound reached my ears. I placed my hand on the hilt of my sword, getting ready to draw it out quickly if needed. I knew that it wasn't anything serious but instinct kept me wary and I approached a little more cautiously than before.

I rounded a group of tents to find Baldor and Roran fighting with two wooden sticks whittled into the likeness of swords. I relaxed as Roran tripped over a stone and tumbled to the ground, laughing as Baldor whacked him over the head with the stick before pronouncing "dead." Pushing himself up Roran jumped round and threw himself onto Baldor, trapping
him underneath him before striking him in the chest. "Dead."

I smiled wistfully as the little group that had surrounded the fight laughed and clapped. This segment of the Varden was almost entirely made up of people from Carvahall, my family, yet they would never feel comfortable around me. I sighed and turned on my heel deciding to return to my tent and wait until Saphira came back from her 'hunting' trip.

"Where are you going?"

I whipped around expecting someone from the crowd even though I knew I could never mistake that voice. Arya stood in front of me, her hair held back from her
face and her sword strapped around her hips.

"I was going back to my tent. What are you doing here?"

She looked at me confused before understanding brightened her eyes. I waited for her answer, expecting another Varden meeting.

"Walking."

"Walking?"

She nodded but said no more on the subject. "Why were you leaving?" I shrugged, not wanting to talk about it. Arya looked at me, a strange
expression flashing across her face before she hid it behind her normal mask. She tugged at my arm and walked forward. I fell in step beside her curious,
but not wanting to be involved with the people whom I felt so alien around."What is his name?" She pointed to a man at the very edge of the crowd as
they stood watching another pretend fight.

"Albriech." Even from a distance, his strong build and honey blond hair stood out among the slight builds and dark hair that was predominant in
Carvahall. "Why?"

She smiled slightly before answering. "He met me last night while drunk and told me that, as a woman, I shouldn't carry a sword. I promised that as soon
as he had sobered up I would show him exactly why I carry a sword."

"Would you like to spar with me in front of him?"

A great shout went up as Roran defeated Baldor again by kicking his legs out from under him. Albriech stepped out from the crowd to take Baldor's place and 'defend the family honor.' Arya and I watched carefully as Albriech fought with Roran before using his height and build to his advantage to beat him. He then stood in the middle of the circle, hands held high, challenging anyone to challenge him. Arya turned to me and smiled. "He looks sober enough to me," and stepped out into the middle of the circle. I laughed out loud, drawing attention to myself and Arya in anticipation of the upcoming fight.

Everyone grew silent as Arya appeared; some were confused while others were in awe of the elf who stood before them. Her dark hair whipped in the wind making her appearance imposing as she waited for Albriech to accept her challenge. Roran chuckled before walking over to stand by my side, where me and Baldor were watching intently.

"I believe I have a point to prove to you, Albriech."

Albreich's face scrunched up comically as he took in Arya's leggings and form-fitting tunic along with the sword that she had drawn. He waved a large
hand at her sword. "We fight with these," he threw one of the wooden sticks at her which she promptly caught. "We wouldn't want anyone to get
hurt."

Baldor laughed as Arya's eyes narrowed and he ran in the direction of more tents before returning with a bemused Horst.

"This will break." Arya gestured to the stick but sheathed her sword.

"It hasn't yet." Albriech's smug smile gave the impression that he didn't think they would. "If it does we can use the swords."

I smiled at his patronizing tone while Horst muttered about them not being related. Everyone quieted as Arya and Albriech took ready stances. I used the pause to look around at the smiling people that surrounded me. My threw himself at Arya; she sidestepped while bringing the wood up to hit him in the chest. Only just managing to block her attack, Albriech went into the defensive as she hammered blow after blow at him. Arya stepped back, allowing him to take up the offensive. When he lunged at her she brought the stick down on his and smiled when they both snapped on impact and Albriech tumbled down on top of them. Drawing her sword she blocked it with magic while Albriech righted himself. By now those people who had underestimated Arya were staring in shock and awe while me, Roran, Baldor, Horst and a few others that had met Arya before were trying not to laugh at the shocked murmurs that rippled around the surrounding faces. Deciding to put Albriech out of his misery, I stepped out of the crowd and faced Arya.

"It has been a while since we sparred, Arya Shadeslayer."

Albriech smiled and sent me a look of gratitude as he merged back into the crowd.

"Indeed it has, Eragon Shadeslayer.

I blocked my sword, smiling at the formality only to find when I raised my head that Arya's face mirrored mine. I crouched into my ready position, inspecting my surroundings for away to gain an advantage. To my left was a large rock that looked stable enough to stand on. If I could lead Arya over to that direction I might be able to gain the higher ground.

Darting forward, we began to trade blows, our swords becoming a blur as they clashed together only to separate and whirl back towards the other. We parried each other's
attacks, fighting viciously, when Arya faltered; her blows weakened and the sudden decrease in strength caused her to lose her balance and stumble forward. I moved away, giving her the chance to come back with another attack while watching her carefully.

Anger flashed across her face only to be quickly replaced with determination. She danced away from my next attack before launching herself at me and pushing me backwards. We fought back and forth, unaware of our audience as we concentrated on the other.

Arya feinted to the right. Anticipating her next move I swung my sword from left to the right and intercepted it as she aimed it to my left hip. Panting slightly, I drew away only for her to continue battering her sword against mine. My concentration began to weaken as my strength waned. I lost ground and Arya continued pushing me back. We began a complicated dance as she slipped into the defensive, every blow I sent at her she would somehow block but I was still managing to push her back.

I renewed my attack and lunged at her only for her to leap backwards onto the very rock I had spotted before and was aiming for. Her attacks increased in speed and ferocity as she used the height to advantage. Desperate, I used magic to loosen the rock, causing it to wobble and Arya to teeter forward. I swiped at her legs, forcing her to jump off the rock but as soon as she was in the air, she flipped and twisted, landing behind me. I ignored the shouts of surprise as I fought to defend my mind from Arya's attack, cursing myself for using magic in the first place. I switched my sword to my left hand in an effort to confuse her.

She continued, unfazed, blocking, parrying, lunging and all the while an invisible attack occurred in our minds. It seemed like hours passed and neither of us managed to gain the upper hand. Both of us were exhausted. Neither of us was willing to give in. Our swords clashed together again bringing us face to face, our eyes met and Arya smiled. The smile shocked me. It was so carefree and beautiful, it caused my heart to ache and my blood to warm. Taking advantage of my distraction the smile turned mischievous and she flipped her sword forward forcing mine back into my chest, before I could even react she had sent my sword flying and raised hers to my neck.

"Dead."

The attack on my mind stopped as she walked over to Brisingr, picking it up and walking back she handed it to me.

"The empire won't fight fair and neither will I."

I smiled and accepted Brisingr and sheathed it, glad that she wasn't going to reprimand me for my actions. "I won't hear the end of this."

She sheathed her sword before looking at me questioningly, a ghost of a smile on her face. "Why?"

I smiled widely. "I just got beaten by a girl."

She laughed enchantingly before it turned into confusion as she looked at something behind me. "I'll be back in a minute Eragon." She disappeared into the crowd that gathered around us.

"Eragon, that was brilliant!"

I turned to see Roran striding through the throng of people and smiled as he clapped me on the shoulder. "Not as impressive as you defeating an Urgal single-handed."

"Yes, but what is?"

I laughed as I remembered my worries from earlier about not being treated the same. During battles I may be treated with respect and maybe even fear, but outside of the battles I was still treated the same and for that I was grateful. Roran steered me over to Horst and Baldor who were talking with some of the older women from Carvahall including Brigit, who Roran seemed to be acting wary towards. As soon as we joined the group Horst congratulated me while Brigit glared at Roran.

"Great fight, Eragon. I dare say Albriech has learnt his lesson regarding elves."

I smiled, surprised when a few of the women exchanged looks and tutted. Baldor glanced at my confused face and rolled his eyes.

"I wouldn't be so against her if she wasn't so young and didn't wear such… revealing attire." Tara shook her head disapprovingly as I burst out laughing.

"How old do you think Arya is?" I asked still shaking with laughter.

"She can't be a day over 20. Why-"

Roran joined in my laughter while everyone else stared at us uncomprehending.

"Arya is much older than 20, although I thought the same the first time I met her."

"How old is she then?"

I stifled my laughter as I thought about my answer, would Arya want me to tell them how old she was?

"I'm just over 100," Arya appeared beside me. "Eragon, I need to speak with you." She turned before adding, " and dresses are uncomfortable to fight in."

I left the group with Arya chuckling as Rorans booming laughter echoed through the Varden. My humor turned to confusion as Arya kept walking after we
were out of ear-shot and heading in the direction of my tent.

"Arya what-?"

"Just wait Eragon."

I frowned but followed her into my tent. She perched on the edge of my bed; I leaned against the small table facing her and waited for her to speak.

"Katrina wants me to teach her to fight."

I stared at her in shock. "Why?"

"She doesn't want to be defenseless." Arya shrugged and continued. "I said I would if you agreed because she doesn't want Roran to know."
I frowned. I didn't like the idea of Katrina learning to fight especially without Roran knowing but the thought of Katrina unable to defend herself plagued my mind. I sighed knowing Roran would hate me for this. "I don't have a problem with it but tell her that I think she should tell Roran."
Arya nodded her dark hair falling over her face while I watched confused.
"Is there anything else?"

She sighed, rose from the bed and walked over to me. She stopped beside me and picked up the flower from where I had left it. She lightly touched the petals. "Just that I-" She turned to face me holding my worried gaze for a moment before looking away, putting the flower back on the table and taking a step back. "Thank you, for sparring with me today. Nasuada was watching as was Blodhgarm. Hopefully my mother will see that I am perfectly fit and able to fight."

"I- you're welcome."

She nodded, "I need to get back to the healers tent. I have spent too long away from it." Without waiting for a response she swept out of the tent, leaving me staring, confused at the flower as the blue petals became dull and reverted back to the appearance of a bud.

Finis

The thing loaded weird....

As always read, review, inspire

Ciao x