-A-R-Y-A-

She watched him walk out of the room, grateful that she wouldn't have to be so close to him anymore. Even across the table, her heart was racing any time she looked his way. Remembering just how safe she'd felt in his arms. He was so gentle. . . . She shook her head and ran her hand through her hair. She needed to stop this. If she kept him in her head she would be tempted to get up and follow him out of the council hall. Instead, she waited patiently while the festivities continued and when people started to retire, she stood and walked to the other side of the room to where Cass was sitting. He smiled when she took the seat Eragon had vacated.

"Eragon said you would be by to speak."

She nodded.

"We need to discuss what you will do now. What are you good at?"

"Fighting."

She raised her eyebrows.

"Truly?"

He nodded and sat straighter.

"It's really the only thing I'm good at. My father was a master swordsman and he taught me some before he was murdered. If I was further trained, I could become so much better."

She nodded and thought it out for a moment.

"I can train you."

He looked surprised and then doubtful.

"No offense, but-"

Roran cleared his throat loudly.

"I don't think you want to finish that sentence. You wont have a body to wield that supposed skill."

She ignored the annoyance that shot through her and shook her head.

"It's ok Roran, I will show him tomorrow." She looked to Cassius. "I'll have a guard escort you to the beach and you may see for yourself."

"Why the beach?"

She smiled and stood.

"Because it makes it that much harder."

With that, she nodded and left to retire to her room.

She awoke barely rested the next morning and dressed in her leathers. She had thirty minutes before she needed to meet Eragon and as she decided to head down early just to rest a little longer. But when she arrived, she saw that he was already there, sitting in the sand with Saphira at his side. He flicked sand at the dragon and she retaliated by clawing a huge pile of it on top of him. He laughed and stood, shaking the sand out of his hair. Saphira snorted and then her head turned and one pale blue eye met Arya's.

Eragon turned as well and his smile widened, eyes sparkling in the sunlight. He waited till she had reached them and then sat back in the sand. He motioned for her to sit next to him. She hesitated, knowing that being this close to him wasn't the best idea, and then pushed the fear aside, sitting and pulling her knees up to rest her chin on. He didn't look at her as he spoke.

"Didn't sleep well?"

She frowned and kept her eyes on the crashing waves.

"I slept fine."

He was silent for a moment and then she felt his fingers link with hers. She stiffened but he just rested his hand on hers. He didn't move or speak. He just sat and watched the ocean. She should've pulled away but there was really no harm in it. And it felt. . . right. When he pulled back suddenly, she was confused. At least until she heard the four pairs of footsteps in the sand a hundred yards back. Immediately she was grateful for his swift reaction although it was probably Saphira who had pointed them out. Eragon stood and went to meet them while she continued to sit and stare out at the sea. It wasn't until Leo skidded to a stop next to her, sending sand over her leggings, that she shifted her gaze.

"Leo!"

Cass ran over and pulled his brother back.

"I'm so sorry. He was just excited to see you."

Looking at the boy, her heart softened. Leo was looking down ashamedly and fidgeting with his hands. She smiled and placed hers over both of his and waited for him to look at her.

"It's ok."

He grinned and looked back at his feet. Still smiling, she stood and walked a distance away. Cass glanced at Eragon.

"What are you doing here?" Right after he finished, he quickly added. "Um, your majesty."

Eragon burst into laughter.

"Just because you now know who I am, it doesn't mean you need to treat me differently. And Arya is training me as well."

Cass narrowed his eyebrows.

"Are you not very good?" Eragon's mouth dropped open and anger flashed through Arya. This boy assumed too much. To think Eragon a novice just because he was being taught by a woman. . . Cass' eyes widened and he waved his hands in front of him as if trying to take back what he said. "No, noo, I apologize. Again, I have judged too harshly."

Eragon looked at her, amusement replacing the shock.

"I'm surprised you haven't killed him yet, Arya."

Cass looked at her nervously but she just shook her head.

"His ignorance will be proven in time. No need to cause him injury." Cassius stepped back slightly. She looked to Eragon. "Test his skill. Let's see what he can do."

Eragon unsheathed his sword and stepped forward into position. Cass hesitated and then did the same. She stood off to the side and Leo joined her. Eragon studied Cassius' stance and then shifted his subtly to be more effective against it. Good. Cass struck first with a powerful blow that Eragon blocked easily. He didn't counter, only staid back and waited for Cass to attack again. He didn't disappoint, slashing down with good speed. Eragon knocked it away. Strike after strike, Cass swung and Eragon parried with ease. After ten minutes Arya intervened.

"That's good." Cass was gasping for air like he'd just run miles at a fast jog. She walked over to them and faced Cass. "You have some raw talent, yes, but you are from from mastery. And your endurance is pitiful. How is that so? I was told you were rather high in rank at one point. You must've been in shape to achieve that."

Cass dropped his sword into the sand and rested his hands on his knees.

"I was kept from duty after the stripping of my rank. I basically ran errands for the officers and tried to avoid getting thrown in the stocks. Besides, my stamina isn't that bad."

Eragon snorted although he was breathing quicker than normal.

"Cassius, your stamina is horrible."

She looked at him.

"You don't have room to speak yet, Eragon."

He made a face at her and then his eyes caught something in the distance. He grinned and then waved.

"Anna!"

Whatever emotion shot through her, she didn't try to understand it. Instead, she looked over to see Annabel walking towards them through the sand. Anna smiled at them both and then her eyes landed on Cass and Leo. She looked at Eragon questioningly.

"New additions?"

Eragon nodded.

"Yeah. What are you doing here so early?"

She shrugged.

"I wanted to watch you two fight. It's educational and just all around incredible."

Eragon smirked.

"Well of course. It's me."

Anna chuckled and Eragon joined in. She interrupted.

"Very mature, Eragon. Now step back and give Annabel your sword. It's time to show Cassius that he isn't as great as he thinks. And that women aren't just housemaids."

Cass opened his mouth to speak but Eragon cut him off.

"Just accept it Cass. You spoke out of turn and this is your punishment. Just feel lucky that she isn't kicking sand into your mouth."

Arya rolled her eyes.

"You started it."

He shook his head and passed his sword to Anna. She in turn, faced Cass and he got into position. Just as Arya had taught her, the girl watched until she understood the opponent's stance and then shifted her own as Eragon had. Immediately Arya knew the outcome of the duel. Cassius might be stronger, but Anna was quicker. And she had techniques that Cass knew nothing of. Annabel was the first to strike this time, quickly lunging and then reversing into a spin before slashing at his side. Stumbling backwards, Cass barely blocked before her sword struck him.

Immediately Anna hit again, this time her blow aimed at his head. He parried and countered but she'd already ducked and slipped behind him. He spun around and blindly stuck out his sword to block whatever was coming. Anna's sword glanced off his and skidded down the blade until it slammed into his hand. He yelled out and dropped his sword as bones cracked in his hand. Even as he doubled over, pulled his hand to his chest, Annabel leveled the blade at his throat.

"Dead."

Cass looked at her in awe and then winced as pain shot through him. Eragon waited a few seconds before stepping forward and placing a hand on Cass' wrist. Within seconds he'd healed the bone and Cassius was twisting his hand about making sure it all worked properly. He looked humbled.

"It seems I have misjudged on a biased opinion. I promise to not make that mistake again."

Arya nodded and then looked to Eragon.

"Now, since this is actually Eragon's practice time, you two may stand to the side and wait until he's finished."

Annabel nodded and stepped back towards Saphira. Cass looked nervously at the dragon and went the opposite direction. Saphira snorted and then rested her head on the sand to watch the practice. Eragon took his sword back from Annabel and brandished it at Arya with a grin. She unsheathed her own and got into stance, ignoring his playfulness. Sighing, he followed. She waited for him to strike but he stayed where he was.

She watched him closely. This was different than the other times. He was planning something. Instead of giving his position away, Eragon remained perfectly still. At least he thought he did. The problem was that she could see everything. His body was tense, preparing to block any movement. But it was also leaning slightly to the left. That told her all she needed to. She walked towards him and struck just as she knew he expected. He blocked and twisted his sword around at great speed, spinning to the left and striking at her calf. Arya simply placed her sword in his way and it collided before skidding his off and causing him to stumble. Immediately her blade was at his throat. He sighed and knocked her weapon to the side.

"Will I never land a blow?"

She looked to the side to see that Cassius was practically gaping and then she looked back to Eragon.

"On any human, it would be an impossible move to stop, Eragon. I only saw it and blocked because I am quicker."

Shaking his head, Eragon got back into stance.

"Never mind. Let's continue."

They continued on, her beating him each time. It seemed as if he was trying several new things because a lot of the moves and steps he was making were unique in a way she'd never seen. But every time he failed, he seemed to try less. He tried something again and she put him on his back for the third time. Shaking the sand off of him, he stood.

This time he struck fast at her head, his movements sloppy. After several moments of him swinging at her like a child with a stick, she grabbed his sword wrist and slammed her pommel into his jaw. She'd had enough of this and she wasn't going to contain her rage any longer. Reeling backwards, he tried to block her next strike, but she wasn't practicing anymore. He needed a lesson. She grabbed his wrist again and this time, she twisted until he gasped and dropped his sword. She then grabbed his collar and pulled him so that their faces were inches apart and her sword was pressed against his neck. His eyes were a mix of confusion and fear and he was trying to pull away from her. She switched to the ancient language and started to speak.

-E-R-A-G-O-N-

He was dejected of course. He'd really thought that would work against her. He'd been testing different moves and trying to figure out any that would surprise her. But of course, she would block all attempts. He turned and walked back, getting into position again. When he struck, he knew it wasn't with his greatest effort. And he continued like that. This felt pointless. He was striving to defeat an impossible opponent and it was beginning to wear at him. Still lost in his annoyance, when she grabbed his fist and slammed her sword into his face, shock was the reigning emotion.

He brought up his sword to protect himself but she grabbed his wrist again. When she started to twist he knew he was in trouble. He looked in her eyes to see what she was doing, but all he saw was a passive tenseness. Finally when the pain became too much, he did as she wished, dropping his weapon. She grabbed him and pulled him inches from her but for some reason, he knew it was not for a good reason, especially when the blade of her sword pressed against his neck, breaking skin. When she started to speak in the Ancient Language, he knew she was angry.

"Idiot!"

He switched too.

"What?"

She glared at him and finally all the anger that she'd been holding back was released into the open. He realized it wasn't just anger, but fury, and his fears heightened. She continued.

"You are given such great talent, and yet you let petty emotions bring you into a state of weakness. You relinquish effort in the face of failure and act as a spoiled infant. You are a King, Eragon, and you must act as one. So many people rely on your strength and your courage to guide them. Is this the example you wish to show others?"

He was shocked but he tried to defend himself.

"It was one little slip up."

"One slip up will cause your death and the death of others. And it wasn't just one. Each time that you failed you tried less. It was pathetic to see."

With that, she shoved him back and started towards the castle. He watched her go and then looked to Saphira.

"She's right you know, Eragon."

He consented.

"Yes. I know."

"What are you going to do?"

"Let her cool off. I'll talk to her tonight. Right now I figure that since they're here, Anna and Cass should be trained."

"Don't put it off for so long that it seems you do not care."

"I wont."

For the first time Eragon looked at Cass and Anna. They were watching him with different expressions covering their faces. Cass was shocked. Annabel on the other hand had a look on her face like, 'serves you right.' He rolled his eyes and she held up her hands.

"Hey, you can't blame her for getting angry. You looked like a flailing monkey."

Cassius looked at her like she was crazy.

"What are you talking about? That was amazing!"

Annabel smirked and patted Cass on the shoulder.

"If you'd seen him fight before now, you would've proceeded to throw rotten vegetables at him for how awful he was."

Cass didn't seem fazed.

"Well I think it was brilliant."

Eragon shook his head and went to pick up his sword. He turned to the two.

"Lets not waste any more time. Stances."

He walked through the castle until he arrived at her door and knocked softly. She didn't answer for so long he figured she was either gone or ignoring him, but finally, the door slid open. Arya was standing there, arms crossed, with annoyance plastered all over her face. She glared at him and he sighed.

"Look, I just came to apologize, ok? You're right. It was immature of me to react as such. I swear to you, it won't happen again." She nodded and made to close the door but he stopped it with a hand. "Arya wait." She did. Her face was now passive but her eyes were slightly tired and he realized then that he'd woken her. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize you had been asleep."

She shook her head and looked down for a moment.

"It's fine."

He narrowed his eyes.

"Arya, what is it?"

When she met his eyes again, they were clear of everything.

"Nothing. But I would like to be alone so if you'll please leave me. . ."

He shook his head.

"Something is obviously bothering you."

"But it is still none of your concern."

"Arya-"

"Stop it. If I wish for your thoughts I'll ask. Leave."

She closed the door and he fought the urge to kick it. She was continuing to shut him out and although he knew he didn't deserve her trust, it would still have been nice if she'd speak with him. As he headed for his room, a runner called for him.

"King Eragon!" He turned. "Lady Katrina asks for your presence in the old council hall."

He frowned.

"What for?"

"They didn't say. They just asked for you."

Eragon nodded and the runner went on his way. Walking swiftly, Eragon arrived in good time. He entered the room only to see what was lying about and turn away as quickly as he could.

"Stop right there."

He winced and turned back to Katrina. She was standing by a table that was filled completely by fabrics of all colors. With her was Angela and along the side of the room, several women waited. He looked about and groaned.

"Not today, please not today!"

Katrina smirked and shook her head.

"Eragon, your wedding is in less than a month. The proper attire must be made."

He glared at the rainbow of color.

"Why does it have to be today? How about tomorrow?"

Angela waved away his comment.

"Stop your whining and come over here."

Just then the door opened. Eragon turned to find Roran grinning like an idiot. His cousin snorted when he saw Eragon's face.

"I look forward to seeing you try on pretty clothes, Eragon."

"Shut up, Roran. You will do this too."

Roran nodded.

"True but I will not tell anyone when I'm going to be fitted. None will be able to see."

Katrina interrupted them.

"That's enough. Eragon, you have a wide array of options on how you wish this to look. It will of course, be dominantly blue, but the rest is yours to decide."

He held up his hands in defeat.

"I know nothing of clothing! How am I supposed to figure this out?"

Angela tilted her head and then grabbed a measuring tape from one of the lady's.

"How about this. I take your measurements and then you get to leave. Of course, this also means that you have no say whatsoever in what your outfit shall be. I have full authority and you must wear what I make."

Eragon grinned.

"Perfect!"

Katrina looked horrified and she held up her hands.

"Wait a moment. Eragon, you have no knowledge of what she will do! What if she makes you look a fool?"

Eragon shrugged.

"From what I've heard, she is always right. So who am I to say she cannot make my attire?" He turned and shoved at Roran who looked somewhat disappointed. "No show this time, brother."

Angela grinned and motioned for him to step up on the stool before him. Doing as he was told, they began the painstakingly slow process of measuring. When they'd finished he stretched out his arms and legs and jumped to the floor.

"Thank you all so much. I look forward to seeing the finished product."

With that, he walked out of the room and made for the Dining hall.

Microbat98: No, probably not but nothing's for sure right now. Yeah, for some reason that year is always hard.

Silverwing: Lol Arya isn't really jealous of anything at this point. She doesn't know what she feels so even though Anna might bug her, she's not scheming to get rid of her or something haha. I read Harry Potter up to book four and then I got bored. I've seen parts of the movies lol but I had no clue what was happening so I gave up. And I read Twilight but it made me want to vomit on myself. She's a horrible writer and Vampires don't effing sparkle. It's the stupidest thing ever.