Disclaimer: I now have over 9,000 hits on this story. Good work to all you readers who have made it this far. I'm having so much fun dragging this on, but there are some things that I have to fill in before I end it. I wish there was some way I could repay you all, but I can think of nothing right now.
Arya woke in the middle of the night. She looked up at Eragon's peaceful face and wondered if he was the same boy she had fallen in love with.
You would never think that he was fighting in a war by the way he sleeps so peacefully, said Saphira.
I feel bad for dragging him into this war, admitted Arya sadly.
Then you would've never met him and you might be dead by now, said Saphira.
Arya remained silent for a moment. 'I would never willingly sacrifice another's happiness for my own gain,' she thought to herself before saying to Saphira, Many things have indeed changed since the war begun and you and Eragon have brought us much hope.
Do not forget that you and Galzra have given your people that same hope, said Saphira.
Perhaps, agreed Arya. But my mother tells me that there are some who oppose Galzra and me and then there's the fact that Eragon and I are mates.
That will happen no matter where you go, said Saphira.
Arya smiled, taking comfort in Saphira's words. She felt Eragon stir beside her. She turned her attention on him as he woke. "It's still plenty early," she said. "You can still sleep."
"You're awake," replied Eragon drowsily.
"That's not the point," said Arya.
"I need to bathe anyway," murmured Eragon.
"I won't disagree with that," laughed Arya. "I need one too." She sat up and looked at Galzra who slept peacefully next to Saphira. She walked over to the spare little room that Eragon had used to bathe in and undressed.
Eragon followed her and took off his shorts. He walked into the warm water and sat next to Arya.
"This will be our last opportunity to relax for a while," said Arya, breaking the heavy blanket of silence that covered them.
"Aye," agreed Eragon. "The final battle draws nearer. There's no turning back now."
"I don't want to turn back," said Arya. "I've always lived with Galbatorix in power and I want to see him dead."
"As do I," said Eragon softly. He ducked his head under and came up seconds later to find Arya scrubbing his hair. He relaxed his muscles and allowed her to continue until she finished. They ducked under together and came up simultaneously. Eragon returned the favor by washing Arya's hair.
She relaxed, knowing that for that moment nothing could happen to her. 'How did I allow myself to be wooed by this mere child? Many of my kin don't approve of us and yet I allowed it, but what if something ill-fated does turn out in the final battle against Galbatorix?' She let out a long sigh.
"Something wrong, Arya svit-kona?" asked Eragon
"It's nothing," answered Arya. "I was just thinking about the battle before us."
"Don't fear the future," advised Eragon, remembering a conversation he had had with Saphira a year before. 'Has it really been that long?' he asked himself.
It has, said Saphira. Hurry up, will you little one? Galzra is awake.
We're nearly done, answered Eragon. "Has Galzra talked to you yet?" he asked Arya.
"Yes," answered Arya. She ducked under the water and rinsed the soap from her hair. When she came up Eragon pulled her close to his warm body. His arms shook, as if scared. "Eragon—what's wrong?" she asked, alarmed. Every morning they had bathed together since she allowed them to become more than just friends and he had never behaved so.
"I'll never let anything bad happen to you Arya, I promise," whispered Eragon in her ear.
Arya tried to push him away, but found him only holding her tighter. "Eragon, I won't stand for this! Nothing bad will happen to me. You know that . . .."
"All those times I've nearly lost you and I've been powerless to help you—I won't allow that to happen again!" cried Eragon. "Arya, I love you more than anything this world has to offer and it pains me to see you this way when I know that you can laugh. I enjoy seeing you smile and laugh. I want to see that again!"
'Eragon—he's frightened that one of us may not make it out alive next time we meet Galbatorix,' thought Arya. She reached for his consciousness with her own. I do not believe that I have a right to laugh in such dark times, Eragon. I'll explain everything when we're on our way to Surda and then the Beor Mountains, but I will not stand for you thinking that I'm some saddened princess who needs the comfort of a man to survive; cause I don't. I love you, but I have to draw the line.
I'll listen to whatever you have to tell me, Arya svit-kona, swore Eragon in the Ancient Language.
And quit adding the svit-kona, we're not in any formal situation so you can leave that out, said Arya. She pulled away from Eragon and was glad that she didn't have to fight his grip. Now lets get ready to leave. I'm sure Nasuada is ready and so we have to hurry up. Remember, we have to put the saddles on Saphira and Galzra.
Eragon smiled and followed Arya out of the tub. "I'm going to miss being in Ellesméra," he said softly. "I don't think I'll see it again before the final battle against Galbatorix."
"I'm sure it'll still be here when the war is over," said Arya, pulling on a green tunic and black leggings. She dried her hair with magic and pulled it into a ponytail.
Eragon slipped on a blue tunic and brown leggings. He pulled on his boots and tightened his belt. "Should we announce our departure to your mother?" he asked, looking up at Arya.
"If we must," answered Arya. "But I'm sure she'll be at the outskirts of Ellesméra to see us off."
Eragon smiled and taking her hand in his, led her into his room where Saphira and Galzra waited. The two dragons observed them closely before both snorting. Ready to be in the air again little one?
As always, answered Eragon, smiling. The two riders saddled their dragons and attached food and other provisions for the journey. They mounted their own dragon and flew through the air. The two dragons landed next to a large portion of the Varden warriors who had all woke early for their departure and awaited Nasuada. Two of them: a man and a woman made their way to Eragon and Arya. It took Eragon a moment to register them as Roran and Katrina. "You two are coming along?" he asked.
"Of course!" cried Roran as though he would rather do anything else. "I'm not letting you have all the fun of bashing away at Galbatorix!"
"Katrina, shouldn't you stay here with the elves where it's safe?" asked Eragon politely.
"My answer is the same as Roran's," she answered. "I want to repay the king for what he made me go through at the hand of the Ra'zac . . .."
I think you should let her fight, said Arya. She'll need some training though. Roran too. He's too loud when he fights and his movements are too slow.
I don't have time to teach them how to fight! Eragon cried.
You could teach Roran and I could Katrina, said Arya.
All right then! Eragon pretended to be irritated, but Arya could tell that he was pleased with her decision on training these two. "Both of you will spar with Arya and myself every evening before we reach Aberon and then you're on your own cause Arya and I plan to fly to the Beor Mountains with Saphira and Galzra."
"Why the Beor Mountains, Eragon?" asked Roran.
"That is something I wish to keep private," answered Eragon. "I will return to Aberon however." He spotted Nasuada riding a black horse over to him. "If you two would excuse us." Roran and Katrina nodded and walked away. "Lady Nasuada, how are you?"
"Better," answered Nasuada. "We take our leave!" she cried out to her soldiers. They yelled and began filing through the forest. "Fly close," she said before steering her steed to lead her subjects.
Saphira and Galzra took flight. She does look better, commented Saphira. But I fear for her safety if we should be attacked.
As do I, said Eragon.
I'm sure she'll be fine as long as she doesn't let Murtagh trouble her while she's fighting, said Arya. Nasuada is strong-willed. She will make it through this hardship even if she no longer leads the Varden.
Who else would likely lead them? Eragon asked.
It's possible that one of the members of the Council of Elders could take over, or I've heard that a lot of faith is put into someone by the name of Trianna could be a likely candidate if something were to ever happen to Nasuada.
We're all in a tight corner, said Galzra. Any way you turn there's enemies that bite hard.
We can all talk about this later, said Arya. Eragon, I owe you an explanation if nothing else.
Flashback:
Arya looked around her room, her father Evandar had promised to her that he would return from fighting Galbatorix as soon as the war was over. She turned as her door opened. Her mother, Islanzadi stood in the doorway. "Arya—I want you to walk through the forest with me," she said. Arya, though only a young child could tell that something was troubling her mother.
"What's wrong, mother?" she asked, walking up to her.
"Nothing of course!" cried Islanzadi, smiling down at Arya. "Just a hard day with the war and everything going on. Everyone is restless with the Wyrdfell at large." She led her daughter outside into the trees.
"When will Father be back from the war?" asked Arya.
"Arya—he—your father was shot in the neck by an arrow," said Islanzadi as tears came to her eyes. She watched as Arya ran through the trees and followed her at a walk.
Arya ran and ran. She didn't care where she went, as long as it was far away from Tialdarí Hall where so many memories of her father lie. She tripped over a root from the Menoa Tree. She landed with a soft thud and felt the full pain of her tears.
Islanzadi rushed to her side and embraced her only child. "You mustn't be so reckless, Arya," she cried. "You are now all I have left."
The memory faded Arya's mind, leaving her with a fresh set of tears. That will be all for now, she said to Eragon.
Arya—I—I'm sorry, replied Eragon softly. He didn't know exactly how to comfort her for he had never known his parents.
But you knew Garrow, said Saphira.
Aye, but once I knew the truth it just wasn't the same, admitted Eragon.
Idiot! Saphira yelled loudly. Garrow raised you and you can't relate to him as a father!
It's not that; look—Arya was only a small child when her father died, said Eragon.
The Varden are stopping, said Galzra.
They landed next to Nasuada on the outskirts of Du Weldenvarden. "We rest here tonight," she said.
Eragon and Arya nodded. The two of them worked to help set up a temporary camp.
Galzra and I are going off to hunt, announced Saphira.
Don't be gone for too long, said Eragon.
Disclaimer: There will be more flashbacks from Arya to come, but will Eragon be able to comfort her painful memories?
