Disclaimer: I'm absolutely spoiling my readers this week cause school is going to start next week for me and it'll be harder for me to update if I want to graduate high school with all my friends. I'm a sophomore this year and I've heard it's hell year at my school.
This is Brom's old sword! Eragon cried in shock.
Indeed it is, said Solembum.
"Silbena garjzla, singing light," said Angela. "This sword I've heard hasn't been seen since the Fall. The color does match Saphira though."
"So it does," agreed Eragon. He stared at the blade in awe.
"What happened to Zar'roc, Shadeslayer?" asked Angela.
"I left it at the Menoa Tree where I fought Galbatorix," answered Eragon. "That sword no longer has any use to me. I would prefer to forget it."
"You should go and retrieve it and for the meantime let Arya use it until another, more suitable blade is found for her," advised Angela. She handed Silbena garjzla before turning to leave with Solembum close behind. "Until we meet again, Eragon Shadeslayer."
"Goodbye, Angela-elda," murmured Eragon before seeing her out of his room. He ran up to his study and pulled out one of Oromis' old scrolls and began to read it. Saphira swooped in moments later.
I didn't know that it was Brom's old sword that you had found, little one, she said.
Nor did I, admitted Eragon. What do you think about retrieving Zar'roc though?
The choice is your own, Eragon, answered Saphira. Though—I think it would be wise to give it to Arya until a better fitting blade is found for her.
Aye. Eragon rolled up the scroll and placed it on his desk. Wait here while I retrieve it then. I won't be long and I'll tell you if I run into anyone who wishes to speak to me.
I'll still be here, said Saphira, yawning.
Eragon smiled at her and ran down to the base of the hollowed tree. Once outside, he breathed in the fresh air. Arya—it's a shame that we can't spend our evenings together because of your training.
"Eragon?"
He turned around. Behind the trees stood Arya with Galzra perched on a nearby branch. "Arya is everything alright."
She nodded. "I'm fine. Galzra just doesn't like being in my room all the time. He likes it outside in the forest. As do I. I never really enjoyed my room, even as a child."
He smiled at her. "How are you on those scrolls?" he asked in a more serious tone.
"Fine," answered Arya. "I was wondering if we could eat dinner together though; in your room."
"That would be wonderful!" said Eragon. "First I would like to retrieve Zar'roc though. You could come with me if you want, or go into my room where Saphira is resting."
"I'll come with you," answered Arya. Galzra, glide up to where Saphira is and tell her that I'm going with Eragon.
All right, said Galzra. He spread his wings and flew up to Eragon's study.
"It's amazing how soon a dragon can fly," said Eragon in awe.
"It is," agreed Arya. They walked through the forest together, simply enjoying the other's company. "What did Angela want?"
"To see the sword that I acquired during my fight with Galbatorix," answered Eragon. "It used to belong to Brom. She said its name is Silbena garjzla."
"A fitting name," said Arya after a moment of thought.
They came to a stop at the Menoa tree. Eragon searched the forest floor until he found Zar'roc. He took the blade and handed it to Arya. "Only until we find you a better Rider blade," was his only explanation. Arya nodded and took Zar'roc's hilt. She examined the sword for a moment before satisfied.
They walked in silence to Eragon's room. Arya stood at the window, her back facing Eragon. "Eragon—what'll happen if one of us doesn't survive the war?" she asked in a scared tone.
Eragon wrapped his arms around Arya from behind and pulled her close to him. "Don't talk like that, Arya," he said softly. "We won't die. I promise you." He nuzzled her neck affectionately.
"How can you be sure though?" asked Arya loudly.
"I'm not," answered Eragon after a moment. "But fate is on our side; at least for now. As long as there isn't any chance that Galbatorix may have another dragon egg that has hatched, he doesn't stand a chance. You're much stronger than I and I couldn't be more proud of you as a mate and as your mentor."
Arya turned to him and gripped the top of his tunic with her hands. "Thank you, Eragon," she whispered.
They held each other for ten minutes before moving apart. "Do you want to eat?" asked Eragon, breaking the silence.
"That would be nice," replied Arya, giving him a small smile.
Eragon returned the smile and disappeared from the room. He came back five minutes later with a large bowl of fruits, lettuce, vegetables, and bread with two smaller bowls. He handed one to Arya and set the large one in-between them. They ate in silence. When finished, they set their bowls down.
"You said that you would tell me what is bothering you later and now is as good of a time as any," said Arya.
Eragon told him of the dream he had had shortly after finding out about Nasuada's pregnancy; particular about Oromis' role, Trianna leading the Elvin spell casters, and the apparent victory of the battle.
When he finished, Arya looked at him thoughtfully. "Oromis-elda is dead though," she whispered.
"I know, but I had the dream before he died," said Eragon.
"Think nothing of it then, Eragon," advised Arya. "I would tell Angela what you saw. She would know more than I do on this manner."
Eragon nodded, seeming satisfied with her answer. He leaned in closer to her and placed his hand on her own and brushed her lips with a simple kiss. He pulled back. "Arya—when you said that you would be my mate, did you really want to or was I pressuring you too much?" He looked at her with a hurt expression.
He doubts that I truly love him! Arya realized with shock, but did not let it show. Instead she lounged herself at him, knocking him down in the process and looked down at him with her green eyes. "Never doubt my decision to be with you, Eragon Shadeslayer," she hissed dangerously. "I had planned to wait until after the war, if we had both lived, but after seeing the last battle I realized that both of us may not have much time left."
"Arya—I," stuttered Eragon. He looked away for a second and when he looked back, he found himself battling Arya's tongue with his own. He heard her try to moan his name, but it came out muffled.
How could you doubt that she loves you, little one? Saphira asked accusingly. She chose you so be happy with it.
Eragon remained silent, as he was kept busy with Arya; the one love of his life. They stopped before they did something where there could be no turning back. Arya curled up next to him on his bed and laid her head against his bare chest. How she could've turned down this man, she did not know, but now thought that she had been being silly if anything. He wrapped his hand protectively around her waist and pulled her closer.
Eragon woke early the next morning to find Arya sleeping peacefully next to him. Saphira, did anything happen that I should know about?
Nothing happened between you that hasn't already, answered Saphira, laughing at his inability to recall the night before. You would do well never to second-guess Arya's love for you though.
Did I?
Very, answered Saphira. She didn't seem very happy about it either.
Do you still think that she's mad at me?
I don't think so, said Saphira. After she proved how much she loved you she seemed satisfied that she got the message across.
Are you and Galzra ready to start the day?
We'll wait for you two love birds to bathe and get dressed, answered Saphira.
No, I don't think we'll need you two for what I plan to teach Arya today, or in this case, it might be nothing more than a review to her, said Eragon. He opened his eyes and looked down to see Arya fully awake, looking at him. "Good morning," he said, smiling.
"Morning," replied Arya. "Were you talking to Saphira?"
"You didn't ignore anything," said Eragon. "We just finished the conversation before I opened my eyes."
Arya nodded. "And they're leaving early today." Eragon nodded. "Galzra just told me."
Two months passed quickly for the four. Galzra finally grew to riding size and Eragon and Saphira decided to give Galzra and Arya the old saddle Brom made for them as Saphira had completely outgrown it. So Eragon made a new saddle and made Arya pay close attention for when she would eventually need to make one. Each day, they would split in pairs and continue the training where they left off the previous day. During the evenings, Arya would go to her room to study the scrolls Eragon gave her while Eragon sparred with anyone he could. Each night, Arya would go to Eragon's room where they would eat dinner and simply talk about the war.
"Eragon," said Arya, one evening after finishing her meal of vegetable soup. Eragon looked up at her curiously. "How is Nasuada doing? You went to speak with her after our training session."
"She's doing better, but still as pale as ever," answered Eragon, setting down his bowl. Galzra peered at him with an interested expression. "I think that some of her advisers have suspected what is going on. She says that she plans to resign as soon as she gets back to Surda. The Varden and dwarves are leaving tomorrow as there is no more they can do to help repair Ellesméra."
That reminds me, little one, said Saphira, whom sat curled up behind him. We still have to repair the star sapphire and I would like to properly pay my respects to King Hrothgar. She made sure that her thoughts were loud enough for all of them to hear.
"We should go with the Varden," said Arya. "I think that Galzra and I are ready to see the battlefield."
Eragon looked deep into her eyes. "Very well, we'll leave first thing in the morning and continue our training on the road. There is little more I can teach you anyhow."
Arya nodded and kept a blank face, though her eyes lightened up at the thought of finally being able to do something useful. She stood and walked to the window to look at the view. Eragon walked up beside her. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" she said.
"It is, but nothing in comparison to you," said Eragon softly. He brushed a stray strand of hair out of his love's face. "You are the most beautiful sight I have ever laid eyes on, Arya," he said in the Ancient Language. She blushed slightly at his comment. "I just wanted you to know before we leave Du Weldenvarden. I do not know if we will live to see the next day, so I will leave nothing unsaid to you."
"I love you too, Eragon," whispered Arya. She turned to him only to be pulled into a tight embrace.
Eragon nosed her hair affectionately, taking in her usual pine scent.
Oh please, snorted Saphira. Could you two take that somewhere else?
You're only jealous Saphira that you now have to share your attention with Arya, laughed Eragon. Just wait until Galzra is big enough for you to mate with.
For that comment, Saphira let out a small jet of fire that landed on his legs. Eragon jumped and letting go of Arya, cursed loudly. He put the fire out with magic and glared at Saphira. The sapphire dragon glared back. "I'm going to bed," grumbled Eragon, crawling into his bed while still fuming. He felt Arya crawl in next to him and put her arms around him in an attempt to calm him. It did, and he felt himself dozing off in the usual trance like state he grew accustomed to call sleep.
Disclaimer: Sorry that Arya's training didn't go into full detail, but I would've grown bored writing it all out. I think you pretty much got the idea of everything that happened. Basically her training was similar to Eragon's, just quicker paced. Hope to see plenty of reviews since I don't think I'll be updating as soon as I usually do.
