Chapter 21

After Arya finished speaking Saphira withdrew her head from the tent. Eragon could hear her taking off into the air. He rushed out of the tent while Arya followed, quickly scooping up the green dragon in her arms. Eragon looked up to see Saphira disappearing into the sky. He tried to reach her with his mind but she slipped out of his grasp every single time.

Arya put gently placed on of her hands on Eragon's shoulder. Eragon stared longingly into the sky for a moment and then looked down at the green dragon in Arya's arm. It had fallen asleep and he could see the rise and fall of its breath.

"Arya..."

"You can't take the green dragon because of Saphira right?" interjected Arya with a soft but knowing smile.

"How did y-"

"Every single Dragon Master in history never chose to keep both of their dragons. They usually let someone else; a close friend or someone they trusted, to raise the dragon in their stead. I thought you would do the same." replied Arya, simply.

"I was hoping that it would be possible." whispered Eragon as he glanced back at the sky.

"Who was the one you had in mind?" asked Arya with her head cocked sideways.

"You. Who else would I pick? You're the closest person to me and you've saved my life." said Eragon with a smile.

Had Eragon been paying more attention to Arya as he spoke he would have noticed a tint of pink flushed her cheeks at these words. However at this point Eragon continued to survey the azure sky hoping to see any sign of Saphira.

"I... would be honored." whispered Arya as she lowered her head, so that her raven black hair obscured her features. Her voice seemed to be choked.

"You should name him. A Dragon should always have a name." said Eragon as he gently scratched the green dragon under the chin. It growled gently in its sleep. "I have to go look for Saphira. Be safe, for me."

Arya smiled at him and gently nodded her head. Eragon grinned back as he took off running as swift and as light as the winds of Algaesia. Arya stared at the spot where Eragon had just left. Her thoughts turned to the time she had kissed him in Galbatorix's castle. She smiled as she walked back to her tent, lightly stroking the sleeping dragon in her arms.

Eragon ran far and wide searching for Saphira using whatever he could, he utilized his vast and formidable knowledge of the Ancient Language to try and find her but to no avail. She was obviously hiding her self with the dragon magic she could sometimes work at her whim. After searching for over five hours it became apparent that she did not and would not be found. Tired, weary, and foot sore Eragon returned to the Varden late in the afternoon.

He slowly made his way to Arya's tent to check on her and the dragon. As he walked he winced from the pain of the many blisters he had acquired from his search. He reached Arya's tent and entered. He saw Arya lying on her cot with the dragon tucked snugly between her side and her left arm. She smiled at him as he entered.

"Have you chosen a name for him yet?" asked Eragon as he walked over and sat down on the side of her bed.

"I've had trouble deciding. I though of several but then I realized I should just let him decide when he's older." replied Arya motioning at the sleeping dragon next to her.

"That's what I should have done." said Eragon as he laughed. "He seems to have taken to you quite nicely."

"Aye."

Eragon glanced around again at Arya's tent. Nothing seemed to have changed since the last time he was here. It was as sparse and simple as it ever was. He opened his mouth to say something when an awesome mental shout reached him. He fell off the bed from shock and pain.

"ERAGON!"

"S-Saphira?"

"We need to talk Eragon. Now."

"What do you need?"

"Choose now. Me or him."

"What are you talking about.'

"I'm talking about who is your dragon? Choose! Is it me or is it him?"

"Saphira I-"

"No! Are you my rider or not?"

"Saphira! Arya and I worked this out. She will raise him in my stead."

"Oh..."

"It's alright do not trouble yourself overmuch Saphira. We are always one no matter what."

"I will wait for you at the tent."

"What happened?" asked Arya as she sat up, Eragon realized she had been staring at him the entire time he was arguing with Saphira.

"Nothing. It was just Saphira. She need to clarify some issues."

"And?"

"And we sorted it out. All is well."

"That is good." whispered Arya as leaned closer towards him.

Eragon could feel his heart beat as Arya leaned closer and closer to him. he closed his eyes as their lips met. When he felt her soft lips meet his it felt like a jolt of electricity ran through his body. He had no mind for anything else. In fact he had no mind left to reason with. He surrendered him self entirely to her. Their lips stayed together for what felt like eternity to Eragon, neither of them taking any breath at all. Finally after what could have been a couple seconds to a couple minutes they broke apart. The two of them gasped for breath as they stared into each others eyes.

After she regained her breath Arya leaned in and whispered into his ear.

"I love you."