Disclaimer: I do not own the Inheritance Cycle. All rights go to Christopher Paolini.

Arya stretched. She had been guarding for only a few minutes, but she was already bored. Angela, Elva, Murtagh, Eragon, Solembum, and the dragons were asleep. The elves were in the trance-like state her race rested in. Arya turned her thoughts to Eragon.

She really didn't know what to make of him. When they had first met so many years ago, she had been sure she understood him. But every action he took, every word he said only made her more confused. Arya groaned, and flopped back onto the ground. She stared at the stars, twinkling above her.

Arya remembered how she had felt when Eragon had left Alagaesia. The thought of never seeing him again had almost destroyed her, had it not been for Firnen and her duty. So she had masked her pain, gone along with her life. Although she was sure the other elves in her house and the Council wanted her to marry, she never did. She couldn't. Whenever her thoughts went that way, she immediately thought of Eragon, and that was too painful.

And now he was back. Which made Arya even less sure of herself. Eragon had confessed his love for her, but she had never reciprocated his feelings. At least she thought. Then they had exchanged true names, but Arya had only gone on instinct then. She didn't really know why she had done it, only that it was the right thing to do.

She hadn't even consulted her dragon, which was rather surprising. Then again, Firnen had been rather, ah, busy with Saphira.

Arya heard a rustling from behind her. The elf sprang up, and whirled around, blade ready, before finding it was Eragon. She sighed in relief, and was about to put her sword down, but Eragon grinned. This unnerved her. He also did not replace his weapon, which had been in his hands when she turned.

His conscience pressed against her mind, and he said,"Spar with me?"

Arya smiled, and as quietly as they could, the began the fiery dance they knew so well. Finally, only when they grew so tired their very bones hurt, and their swords grew leaden in their hands did they stop.

Arya and Eragon collapsed on the ground. They simply lay in silence, looking at the heavens before Arya spoke.

"You should get some sleep." Sh said quietly.

"As should you." Arya noted how his tone had changed since the first time they met, and even since when he left Alagaesia. Of course it has, it's been fifty years! She told herself.

"Arya?" Eragon asked. Arya had not said anything for a while.

"Yes?"

"I missed you." This took the elf by surprise. It was so unexpected, yet it was all Arya could do so as not to smile.

"I missed you too." Eragon sat up. Arya copied him.

Eragon's face was partially lit in the moonlight, but Arya could still see him because of her enhanced elven sight. He turned his face to Arya.

"I still love you." He said. Arya hesitated, and looked down. She didn't know how she felt. She knew there was something between them.

Arya looked up, and saw Eragon looking at her, his eyes filled with sadness. At that moment, Arya didn't care that they would have to go to different lands when they got back to their time. She didn't care what others would think. She knew that Eragon was made for her, and nothing or no one could change that.

The elf pulled Eragon's face towards her and captured his lips with hers. When they pulled apart, the elf clung to Eragon. Arya could go on like that forever without letting go, because she was afraid that if she did, this wonderful dream would end. That everything would go back to the way it was before, and she would lose Eragon.

A single tear made its way down her cheek. Eragon immediately began comforting her, and Arya wondered why she had been so reluctant to love him before. He actually cared for her, and Arya would gladly take a hundred years of pain and torture if it meant she could be with him.

After what seemed like a few seconds, but was probably a couple hours, Arya pulled away.

Eragon looked at her lovingly, as he had used to when he thought she wasn't paying attention. She had missed that look when he left Alagaesia.

"You should sleep." She whispered.

Eragon let out a brief laugh. "Arya, you had the first watch. You should be the one sleeping. I'll take the next watch."

"But-" Arya started, but Eragon was clearly not taking 'no' for an answer. He actually had the nerve to pick her up and deposit her next to Firnen.

Arya would have gotten back up, but she was simply too exhausted. The last thing she saw before she fell 'asleep' was her lover's smiling face.

The sun was already up when Eragon woke the others. Elva was still not happy with having to wake up. The only way she stopped complaining was when Laciana offered for Elva to fly with her on Nir'dien when they went back to Vroengard.

So here they were, flying to Doru Araeba. Most of the journey in the air was uneventful. But when they came down to rest at night, they decided to look at the scrolls Laciana had taken.

"These plans are so...intricate." Arya breathed.

"Yes, we must consider them well before attempting anything." Oromis said.

"Maybe we could..."And so it went, on and on, day after day. Each night, they would try to make up ways to fight against Rial and Vermund.

Finally, they reached the sea. Laciana contacted everyone with her mind.

"We can stay the night on the edge of the forest." So they did.

Vrael had the first watch, and he was drawing on the sand with his sword when he heard a sound. Immediately, he turned towards the noise, weapon at the ready, eyes searching the thick cluster of trees for any sign of movement. All was still.

But Vrael was not the leader of the Riders for nothing. He had had years of training, in every topic, from botany to woodworking. And he knew that no matter the slightest noise, in a forest the best thing to do is rouse all the company and be prepared for anything. When everyone had risen, they looked around.

Angela spotted the enemy just a second before he would have chopped off Arya's head.

"Duck!" She screamed, and stabbed at the foe. The creature hissed in anger or pain, they could not tell. As they all whirled towards Arya, there was another rustle from behind Solembum, who was in his cat form.

They all split up, looking either way, and were filled with dread at the sight before them.

For emerging from the shadows, were four pairs of bright red eyes, followed by the bodies of not one, but two Shades.

There's a nice cliffhanger for you. Cause I know how much you love them. XD And again I'm sorry for late updating. I'm not even going to make promises about the next chapter. And this chapter isn't very long either, so sorry about that. So anyway, please review!