Dedicated once again to Janika who never fails to inspire me.
Chapter 14: ApologiesThe next morning the group awakened pleasantly, smelling the magical air of the forest and enjoying it's scent and feel.
Marie stretched a catlike manner, suddenly feeling more than grateful for this long trip as it gives her relaxation from the stress at Farthen Dur and the still lingering feeling of the loss of her parents. Somehow, no matter how hard she tried to move on without them, they stayed with her, weighing her heart down heavily.
Good morning, my girl. How are you? Oropher was able to stick his head in but only that.
Marie admired the way his golden eyes and scales gleamed as the warm sunlight bounced off them and once again pushed her mournful feelings away as she felt grateful, now for having such a glorious and wonderful companion.
I am well this morning. Better than I have been in a few days, Marie answered stroking the dragon's muzzle. You are getting big.
Yes…soon I will be larger than Saphira, Oropher said, grinning in the dragony way.
Marie touched one of his three-inch long teeth with admiration. I think male dragons grow slightly faster than females. You are already almost as big as her.
I know. But I would never have competition with her, Oropher said, dipping his head.
Marie smiled. Why? Because you'd rather not hurt your lover?
No! Oropher snapped, just a slight growl escaping his lips. His eyes suddenly turned to her and Marie could see them dancing with mischief. Because I'd win.
Marie and Oropher shared a hearty laugh at the joke as Marie got changed and came out of her tent.
The forest was thick with the smell of the pines and the flowers and all other manner of living things. The forest was alight with lush green and flowers and the addition of five elves two dragons and two horses made it only seem more beautiful.
"Good Morning, Lady Rider," Lifaen grinned at her as he stood and bowed, then giving the normal elven gestures, Marie repeating them as well.
"Hello, Lifaen. When shall we begin our journey again?" Marie questioned.
"When Eragon Argetlam awakens, of course," Lifaen said a dancing smile on his fair face. Marie found herself blushing as she looked at the elf, almost as if he had seen inside of her.
Eragon finally did awaken and was not surprised to see Marie joyfully chatting with the elves as they began to pack up and get ready to leave to the river. Jealousy lingered slightly in Eragon but was immediately blocked as Arya stepped out of the trees, looking as gorgeous as ever.
"Good morning, Arya Svit-kona," Eragon said to her as she stepped lightly next to him.
"Aye, Eragon. It is a fine morning," Arya said and se almost smiled again. But when she looked towards the elves she actually shifted uncomfortably. Eragon wanted to ask her what was wrong, as she was never one to show her feelings but remembering what had happened before kept him silent.
"I think it is time we carry on," Lifaen finally said. Everyone nodded in agreement and they made their way to the river.
Marie raced to the edge of The Edda River and sucked in the smell of the smooth water. Grinning, she ran her hand through it and splashed her face.
Eragon smiled slightly at her joyful movements. Only he wished that it had been like before, when he had been the one to help it along. Marie stood, seemingly more calm and relaxed than before and stepped into the nearest boat.
"This is beautiful! How…" Marie's voice trailed off as she let her hand run across the firm wood that kept the white canoe together.
Eragon touched the side of that boat as well, admiring both of the two creations. "Are all your boats made this way?"
Nari stepped into the oat with them. "All except the very largest. For those we sing the finest cedar and oak into shape."
Eragon was still a bit confused on that part but Orik joined their group and Arya and Lifaen took the other boat. Celdin and Edurna stayed behind, to keep watch.
The tension between Eragon and Marie was high on the boat so they both busied themselves with rowing the canoe. But still frustrated with one another made them turn in circles so finally it was Nari and Eragon who worked with rowing and Orik and Marie and Orik.
Eragon on his break pulled out the rings he had gotten from Orik and began to fiddle with them, trying to figure it out. Marie mostly kept to herself during the breaks and periods but talked sometimes with Orik and Nari. And still there was horrible tension. Nari's eyes flicked from both of them every now and then and saw it in the way they moved and felt it radiating from their active minds. It was going to be a long trip.
The days on the river passed slowly and soundly more like a haze then anything else. They were nice lazy days with slight breezes, rowing on the river and relaxing.
Saphira and Oropher were perfect entertainers, diving in and out of the water and spraying it up. Their wet scales would gleam brighter than the sun, having the elves send hoots and glorious comments on their beauty and grace. They talked to the elves through their mind just like they did with Marie and Eragon, and were actually quite open.
Marie and Eragon asked questions like wildfire, though none of them were directed towards each other. They also switched boats, sitting with Lifaen at times, Arya with others but it seemed like the whole time the four other companions forced Marie and Eragon to sit with each other. The two stubbornly didn't talk to each other and annoyed each other by interrupting one when the other was speaking. The elves, Lifaen and Nari thought it was amusing. Arya thought they were being childish and Orik was just downright sick of it.
During one particular day Marie sat restlessly at the end of the boat. I can't believe the elves just became immortal…how it would be to live forever and see everything.
I think it would be a lonely life, Oropher responded from his spot, gliding along the river effortlessly. To live forever while everything you knew died around you.
We're close to immortal, Oropher, Marie answered. I am a Rider and you are a dragon. If I die…you die as well. And having you connected to me has made the rest of my years stretch on in comparison to everyone but Eragon and the elves.
But we may still die, Marie, Oropher protested. The elves may too but with such agility as theirs they are bound to live on past when even the Riders live.
How old…do you believe Lifaen is? Marie questioned slowly. She felt annoyance hit her softly from her dragon's mind.
I do not believe it matters. You are a Rider and have no need of any romance, Oropher growled.
Marie rested her arms on the edge of the boat and set her head down upon them. I know…
I just hope you do not get carried away like Eragon had. He is bound to still take rash actions with Arya. Luckily the elf has enough sense to keep him away, Oropher said. He raised his dripping head in the water to look at her. My girl…I just hate seeing you hurt.
I still hurt Oropher…it will always hurt as long as I see him with someone else, Marie said slowly. She looked behind her at Eragon's back as he rowed. His brown hair was only slightly long, flopping messily around his head. Marie blushed and turned away. She still cared and she couldn't help it.
That night Marie sat by the campfire when a noise interrupted the quiet night. Eragon and Marie exchanged glances, not at all in a bad way. Drawing their swords, they sidestepped carefully and pulled back a bush, to find a small ravine with a wounded gyrfalcon on the other side. It screeched and screamed when it caught sight of Marie and Eragon.
Should we help it? Marie questioned, reaching out to Oropher but hitting Eragon instead. Once again their alien minds touched and they both tried to hide their secrets and blushes.
I don't know if it can be helped…Eragon replied.
What a dreadful thing…Saphira said. Marie could hear the dragon as she was still in contact with Eragon.
Oropher growled and nodded in response. To be unable to fly…
Arya stepped in between the two Riders and they quickly tore away from each other, knowing Arya was bound to feel the connection.
Marie watched with sudden surprise as Arya strung her bow and shot the bird. Marie cocked her head, at first thinking that she had killed it for food but the elf made no attempt to retrieve it.
"Why?" Eragon voiced their question aloud.
"It was too injured for me to heal it and would have died tonight or tomorrow. I saved it hours of suffering," Arya replied.
Eragon nodded and sat down at the campfire. Marie glanced at the dragons and the elves and sighed, sitting down next to him.
"Look…Eragon," Marie began quietly.
Eragon sighed and faced her. "I do not want to do this any longer."
"I know…the tension…bothers me," Marie said, shifting her eyes uneasily.
"It bothers the rest of us too, Lady Rider," Lifaen's voice called lightly from a tree above. Marie blushed but kept a straight face.
Eragon's face twitched for a moment but he ignored the elf and continued. "May we please return to at least speaking to each other? I…think it would do us some good."
"It would do everyone some good," Orik growled from the tent.
Eragon's eyes flashed to the tent from the tree. "You know it would not hurt if we could get some privacy here…"
Lifaen and Nari chuckled from the tree and Orik just scoffed. Marie and Eragon shook their heads at each other and smiled.
I am glad you got that sorted out, Oropher called from his spot curled up near camp.
Marie watched as Eragon smiled at Arya and sat down. She sighed and went to her tent, wiping away a stray tear. It will never be sorted out when he still cares for her.