Disclaimer: I do not own Eragon.
Arya looked down at the emerald egg in her bag and then turned her attention back to her surroundings. The battle had turned Ellesméra into a mess—bodies littered the forest floor, the injured were moved so that their injuries could be healed, and the faces of those left behind to clean up; Arya could barely control herself. In the battles before control became easier, but Ellesméra is her home—she would make Galbatorix pay for the damage he caused. Saphira, how's Eragon?
As far as what I'm getting from our link; he wants you at his side, answered Saphira. He's unconscious at the moment.
If you can; speed up, ordered Arya. I can't stand the smell of blood and dead bodies. Saphira complied with the orders. She landed in a clearing by Arya's sleeping quarters. Arya jumped off and ran inside the halls. She looked around for any sign of Eragon. Do you know where he is?
I believe your room, answered Saphira. Do you mind me staying inside your head so that I can see him too?
Not at all, answered Arya. She ran into her room and sure enough Eragon lay unconscious on her bed. Islanzadí and Nasuada sat next to him and looked up at her. "How is he?"
"He lost a lot of blood," informed Islanzadí. "We did what we could for him and now if he's to survive; it's up to him. I'm sure he'll be fine though. Oromis is speaking to Roran and Katrina right now about what has happened."
"Arya—is it true that—Murtagh—is he really—dead?" cried Nasuada.
"He is," answered Arya hollowly. "Eragon killed him."
"Come Nasuada," said Islanzadí. She placed a comforting hand on the young ruler's shoulder. "I think it's best that we leave Arya and Eragon alone." Nasuada nodded and followed Queen Islanzadí out of the room.
Arya sighed and sat at the foot of her bed. Tears leaked out of her eyes and fell on her hands. "Eragon—please wake up soon," she cried. Her head hit his uninjured shoulder. She curled up there next to him and closed her eyes. Saphira, is there anything you can do to make him wake up?
I'm powerless in that, but I am lending him some of my strength, answered Saphira.
"Eragon, I love you," whispered Arya in hopes that the shock would cause his eyes to snap open. She looked up at him and could feel a fresh set of tears form when he did not wake.
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Roran looked at Katrina. Her clothes covered in blood and she received a few small cuts, but nothing Eragon or the elves couldn't fix. They waited in his cousin's room for Oromis whom they knew would talk about their stay in Ellesméra. "You fought well," commented Roran.
"It was either that or die," answered Katrina. "I wasn't going to let your rescue mission all have been for nothing."
Roran smiled at his fiancé. Before he could say anything the door opened. Oromis stood there with a solemn expression. "Where's Eragon?" Roran asked.
"Eragon was wounded in his fight against Galbatorix," answered Oromis. "He won't be able to do much for some time. I have done all I can for him. For now I have matters to discuss with you and your mate.
"The first thing I must ask is what you plan on doing now that she is awake."
"I'm going to fight in this war, but I need a safe place for Katrina," answered Roran fiercely.
"I'll fight too," said Katrina. She looked at Roran dangerously for suggesting such a thing.
"Neither of you are that well trained at fighting sword to sword," said Oromis. "You will need vigorous training and no elf here is willing to waste their time on two humans. The Varden will be leaving as soon as the dead are taken care of and Eragon might have another Rider to train in my stead."
"Another Rider?" asked Katrina. "In your stead; Roran, what is he talking about?"
"I used to be a Dragon Rider," answered Oromis. "I trained Eragon when he came here with Saphira. Gleadr, my dragon partner trained Saphira during this time, but now that Gleadr is dead and I'm not long for this world either Eragon will have to train the next Dragon Rider.
"I must say that you two are lucky that you were welcomed here with open arms. It did help that Eragon knows both of you and that we elves were in a tight corner with this war. Do not expect this elsewhere in Alagaësia.
"Roran, I would like you to take your mate to Queen Islanzadí. Do not worry about teaching her how to greet the elves. They will not judge her until later when all is back to normal here." He left the couple alone.
"What now, Roran?" asked Katrina. "Can we trust him?"
"He's Eragon's mentor," said Roran. He held Katrina close to him. "C'mon, we'll meet with Queen Islanzadí and then go and see Eragon. I need to beat him to a pulp anyways for all the trouble he's put us through."
"I'm sure he didn't mean for any of this to happen," said Katrina softly.
"Eragon's changed since he left Carvahall," said Roran thickly. "I barely recognized him when I first saw him after leaving Carvahall." He led her outside and became sick when he saw the elves, dwarves, and Varden cleaning up the bodies of the dead, but it was nothing compared to Katrina who let it out.
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Eragon could feel someone curled up next to him. He didn't dare move for fear of stirring that presence. It took him several minutes that Arya lay next to him. Saphira, what happened?
After you blacked out, Arya crawled next to you and waited for help to arrive as she weakened herself too much to heal you, answered Saphira. She healed herself after Queen Islanzadí took you away and then she used most of her remaining energy to heal me and I took her to see you. I'm guessing by how her mind is for the most part blank that she collapsed next to you.
She came—to see—me? Eragon asked to confirm it.
That's what I said, little one, said Saphira calmly. It might also interest you to know that she cried for you.
Eragon opened his eyes. He looked at Arya, who had curled up next to him and fell asleep. He smiled at her and moved a stray strand of hair away from her face. She twitched, but nothing happened. His pain of loosing Murtagh came back to him. He had suppressed it during the battle, but now—now he had nothing holding him back from missing his brother. Murtagh, may your memory rest in peace, Eragon thought to himself, feeling tears fall from the corners of his eyes. I will avenge your death, brother—I promise. He felt Arya stir. He tried wiping away his tears, but felt a small hand grasp his. He looked at Arya.
"Don't try to hide your mourning, Eragon," she said softly. Something about her voice had changed. It didn't have the usual authority or coldness to it; she sounded weak, tired, and hurt. "You lost your brother because of Galbatorix. There is no reason to hide your tears for this is a day to shed them."
"Arya—I—are you ok?" Eragon swallowed a lump growing in his throat.
"I'm fine," answered Arya in little more than a whisper. "I'm more worried about you though. Physically you were barely scratched, but mentally you're suffering from the battle. It hurts me to see you this broken."
"I've been worse Arya; trust me." He tried sitting up, but Arya held him down. She stared into his eyes and he stared back. "Don't worry about me. We need to start planning the next attack while Galbatorix and his army are still weak."
"You'll be doing nothing until you tell me what's bothering you," said Arya forcefully.
"There's nothing either of us can do about it!" His eyes widened. He could not believe he had just snapped at the woman he loved so much. "Arya—I'm sorry." He looked away and waited for her to yell back at him, when she didn't he looked back with a shamed expression.
Her face slowly came closer to his. Soon their lips touched and their tongues tangled with each other. Arya moaned while Eragon gasped as all his breath got taken away. I forgive you if you forgive me, she said calmly. Don't tell anyone of this. That goes for Saphira as well.
At least there's a suitable woman that loves him back, said Saphira.
Disclaimer: I am working hard to make these as good as possible. The next chapter will be long because I need to fill in some parts that I left out earlier and I left them out for a good reason.