Disclaimer: I of course own nothing.
Arya helped Eragon dig the hole for Oromis's grave. Many of the elves watched with tear-filled faces. Roran and Katrina watched along with some of the Varden. Only one dwarf showed to pay their respects, Orik stood to the side. The two dragons: Saphira and Galzra thrummed sorrow filled notes. Islanzadi lowered the body when the grave was finished. Eragon pulled Arya out of the hole. This is indeed a saddened day, he said to Saphira.
For this, Galbatorix will be lucky if we aren't the ones to kill him, growled Saphira.
Eragon watched as Saphira swept the dirt over Oromis's body with her tail. His jaw tightened. He could feel his muscles tense. A small hand firmly grabbed his right shoulder. He looked over and saw Arya looking at him with a determined expression. As everyone passed the grave he stood there, wishing that he would be alone. I won't forget anything you taught me, ebrithil, he vowed. The crowd thinned until it was only he, Arya, Saphira, Galzra, Islanzadi, Orik, Roran, and Katrina.
"What will become of the Riders now?" asked Islanzadi.
Katrina looked at the two dragons with a fearful expression. She got closer to Roran.
"We train each other," said Eragon after a moment of thinking. "Arya is already skilled with the blade and magic. All she really needs to learn are tiny things that shouldn't take long."
Galzra will begin his training tomorrow, said Saphira loud enough that everyone could hear.
Katrina jumped and looked around.
"Then it's decided," said Islanzadi. She looked down at Orik. "King Orik, I expect you and Nasuada in my hall in one hour." She smiled sadly at them all and left. Orik nodded to Eragon and Arya before following after Islanzadi.
"Eragon, would you mind explaining me what's exactly going on?" asked Katrina. "I only got that you're now a dragon rider from Queen Islanzadi and Roran told me that it's best that you told me."
"Right now is not the time," said Eragon softly, a sad hint hidden behind his voice. "We must all prepare for the war at hand. Galbatorix may launch another attack soon and we all need to be ready."
Little one, said Saphira softly.
I need to do what I can to ensure that we don't lose anyone else that's close to us, said Eragon. I just don't understand that dream I had that involved Oromis-ebrithil fighting alongside us.
Maybe you should tell Arya of it, suggested Saphira.
Later perhaps, agreed Eragon. He turned to Roran and Katrina. "If you wish to have dinner with me, meet me in the sparing field. Arya, do you wish to spar with me?"
Green eyes met his chocolate brown ones. "If that is your will," she responded.
"Excuse us then," said Eragon to his only remaining family. He departed with Arya, whom held Galzra in her arms. Saphira flew above them.
I'm going to hunt, little one, she announced.
Go ahead, answered Eragon. Just come back when you're done. "Saphira's going out to hunt," he said to Arya.
"Eragon," said Arya so softly that Eragon could barely hear. "Is something troubling you?"
"I'll tell you later," answered Eragon. "For now we must focus on sparing." The rest of the walk to the sparing field was silent. Arya set Galzra in a tree at the edge of the still bloodied field. Eragon faced her and placed a hand on his new sword. He waited for Arya to unsheathe her own blade. They both blunted the swords before circling each other.
In a flash Arya charged at him. She swung her sword at his head. Eragon parried the blow and before he could strike himself, he was forced to parry blow after blow. She's not holding back this time. She's giving it her all against me. Good. He smiled as he ducked a swing to his neck that would've surely killed him in battle. He rolled to the side, dodging a stab that a second later would've gone though his heart. He stood and swung as hard as he could at Arya's left shoulder.
Arya quickly brought her sword up to meet his, sending sparks flying. The two of them struggled for a second before Eragon pulled back. Neither of them seemed to gain the upper hand for more than a few seconds. Their movements were nothing more than blurs.
A crowd of humans circled around them, cheering them on. Both riders ignored them, for fear of being distracted long enough to 'die'.
Eragon planted his feet across from Arya. He stared at her with calculating eyes. She came at him quickly. Her sword came at his side. He blocked it and sent the sword flying through the air. Before he could bring his sword to her throat, Arya jumped back. He charged at her, but could not seem to hit her with his blade. She kept one step ahead of him. She dived at the ground and kicked the sword out of his hand. His eyes widened in shock. He felt a hard fist hit his face, sending him to the ground. Before he could get up, he felt a point of warm metal touch his throat. He dared not move.
"Dead," whispered Arya. She panted slightly. She removed the sword from Eragon's neck and helped him to his feet. "You fought well."
"As did you, Arya svit-kona," said Eragon, ignoring the cheers from the crowd. He looked around and spotted Saphira next to Galzra and behind her, Roran and Katrina. "It's later than I thought." He took his sword from Arya and sheathed it. He waited for Arya to retrieve her sword before the two of them made their way to their dragons.
You fought well, little one, commented Saphira. You are much stronger than when you and Arya first sparred.
She still beat me, grunted Eragon, though he smiled at the elf.
Only by luck, said Saphira.
That doesn't matter, said Eragon. If I were fighting for my life out there, I would've really been dead.
Lighten up, will you? Arya said teasingly. You forget that I was trained in a formal manner where you got most of your experience in battle.
Eragon smiled and patted Saphira's side. He turned to his cousin and Katrina. "Will you two be joining me for dinner?" he asked with a sad hint in his voice. The memories of everything that had happened over the past few months seemed to play in his mind in a never-ending circle.
"We will; if you're ready to eat," answered Roran.
"There's a feast tonight in my mother's hall tonight," said Arya.
Eragon looked between Roran and Katrina. "We could talk there. I have nothing to hide from the elves that I would tell you."
"When is this feast?" asked Roran. He looked intently at Arya.
"Just as the sun is about to set," answered Arya. "I suggest we all bathe now." She turned to leave with Galzra in her hands. "Eragon, I'll meet you downstairs from your sleeping quarters."
"Until then, Arya," said Eragon softly. "See you two in a bit then." He nodded to his cousin and his fiancé and walked away with Saphira at his side. I'll need your help tonight, Saphira.
Aye, little one, agreed Saphira.
Minutes later he leaned back in his warm bath water. The steam cleared his senses. He climbed out and dried himself. A dark blue tunic lay folded at his side. He pulled that and his breeches on. He looked at his face in the mirror. A short beard had started to grow from lack of time for him to shave. He quickly shaved with magic.
Arya and Galzra are here, little one, informed Saphira.
Tell them I'll be right down, answered Eragon. He felt his face grow hot at the thought of Arya. He hurried downstairs. At the sight of Arya in her bright green tunic, he flushed more than ever. Remembering his manners, he placed his two fingers over his lips. "Atra esterní ono thelduin," he said.
"Mor'ranr lífa unin hjarta onr," replied Arya calmly.
"Un du evarínya ono varda," finished Eragon. He smiled at her. She smiled back. She waited for him to reach the bottom step before turning to the door and walking through. "It's a nice evening."
"Indeed it is," replied Arya. She looked at him, concern written over her eyes. "Are you feeling ok?"
"I'm better," answered Eragon. He patted Saphira's side. "What about you? You knew Oromis better than I."
"He lived a long life," said Arya. "Even for elves. It was a miracle that he lived as long as he did with all that has happened to him."
Eragon placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I miss him too, Arya. He was a great mentor and friend."
They made their way to the feast silently. Arya found a small-secluded table in the middle. Roran and Katrina joined them moments later. Saphira and Galzra sat behind them. The elves looked in awe at the two dragons and gave warm greetings to the two riders, which were returned.
Eragon watched as Nasuada approached him. She looked much too pale for her dark skin. The Varden leader stopped at the table. "Is there anything I can do for you, Lady Nasuada?" asked Eragon kindly.
"No, I'm fine Eragon," answered Nasuada. "I just—wanted to thank you and Arya for all you two have done for me."
"Nasuada, if you would like to, you could sit with us tonight," offered Arya warmly. "There's plenty of room and you look like you could do without other politicians at your side for a moment."
Nasuada nodded. "Thank you, Arya. Yes, that would suit me just fine. King Orrin just arrived with some of his forces and Queen Islanzadi told me that he's looking for me." She took a seat to Arya's left.
"Why did he come here?" asked Eragon. "Shouldn't he stay in Surda in case Galbatorix decides to attack there? We can't afford losing any ground."
"Yes well, he isn't the best leader," said Arya coldly. "But let us not speak of any political situations tonight. I've had enough of that since returning to Ellesméra. I think that Queen Islanzadi is preparing for a speech." She looked intently at the front podium that had been set up. Everyone else followed her gaze.
Behind the podium stood Islanzadi. She looked at them all; elves, dragons, humans, and the few dwarves who had decided to show up: Orik being among them. "My fellow warriors, it is with deep regret that I should tell you that we have lost a dear friend and loyal rider to all who had the blessing to meet him. Oromis-elda died shortly after his dragon, Galbatorix and Shruikan killed Glaedr in battle while protecting Eragon-finiarel after they had fought with Murtagh and Thorn. We have then been blessed with a new dragon and rider. Arya and her dragon Galzra will begin training under Eragon-finiarel and Saphira in the morning. Sé mor'ranr ono finna; may your swords stay sharp!" She left the podium and walked to her table.
From then on through the night everyone dug into their food and drank all they could. Singing of both sorrow and happiness filled the hall that night while Eragon told of what happened in his travels to Katrina. Arya and Saphira filled in the gaps where his memory failed. They exchanged the stories and at times became serious about matters. Nasuada bade them good night some time after midnight, saying that she needed her rest. Roran and Katrina left shortly after, leaving Arya and Eragon alone with their dragons.
You two should get some sleep as well, said Saphira.
"Eragon, would you mind taking a walk with me?" asked Arya, ignoring Saphira.
"Sure—where to?" replied Eragon, startled. He felt his heart skip a beat.
"The Menoa tree," answered Arya casually. "Saphira, would you mind keeping Galzra company for a while? We won't be long."
Only for a bit, answered Saphira.
"Good; if my mother comes to ask where we've gone just tell her that we'll be back shortly," said Arya. She stood and waited for Eragon to do the same. She led him outside, sure to keep five paces ahead of him. They stopped minutes later at the trunk of the Menoa tree.
Eragon felt his stomach drop at the sight of Murtagh and Thorn's graves. He tried swallowing, but was unable to. "Why have you brought me here, Arya?" he asked finally, standing next to her.
"This is where so much has happened," answered Arya. "Good and bad they may be, but everything that you've done at this very spot may decide the future for Alagaësia."
"What are you saying?" asked Eragon, puzzled. He looked at her questioningly.
"You sought after my love even after I rejected you time and time again," began Arya. "I tried to push you away, to tell myself that I could not bring myself to love another for I feared that my love would die just like Faolin did. Eragon, I cannot deny you any longer. If you still have feelings for me, please tell me."
"Arya—I—are you sure you know what you're saying?" stuttered Eragon, deep in shock at what he was hearing. "Maybe you've had too much to drink."
Arya smiled at his idiocy and shook his head. "When will you learn, Eragon? I do not get drunk as easily as you. It would take weeks of nothing but drinking to get me as drunk as you are now."
"In that case, Arya svit-kona, I will allow my feelings for you to continue," said Eragon calmly. His eyes widened when Arya pulled him into a sitting position at the trunk of the Menoa tree. He regained his composure however and held her close to his chest.
"Just make sure to control your feelings while we're training," warned Arya coolly.
"I'll have you to control them for me," replied Eragon softly. She laughed softly at his comment. "Arya svit-kona, I can't tell you how—" He stopped as her lips met his. Their tongues locked into a battle of wills, each demanding more from the other.
Disclaimer: Lots more to come. Now click the little button at the bottom and review.