Disclaimer: I do not own anything you might recognize here aside from my OC dragons. xD

Another disappointing filler, but I just wanted to address the aftermath of the fairth scene. Uhhh, it's a bit short and rushed, I know. I'm still sorting out my messy May schedule, but I might (MIGHT) start working faster once June rolls around. I hope.

Chapter 36: Everything in Moderation

Heat-passion-affection rushed through Saphira as a scene played in one corner of her mind. What started as lesson-work for the little Riders soon became a way for them to channel their own passion-feelings for each other. And while the dragons took pride in the coming of age that their little ones began to undergo, it also left the dragons lost in the fever-storm of emotions that they shared with their Riders.

It meddled with their own tutelage, keeping them distracted. Though Saphira and the other females were usually sufficiently distracted by two of their mighty mentors, Brand and Aegar, now they also began to think more of their male friends – especially the ones bonded to the Rider that their little ones had passion-feelings for.

More than a few times did their masters have to call their attention, just to take their mind off the events happening in the Crags of Tel'nair.

During the fifth or sixth time, Glaedr regarded them with those hard, glittering sun-melt-gold eyes that seemed very familiar to Saphira. I am aware of what is happening to your little ones, but rarely has such an event affected Skulblaka like so.

What do you mean, Master? Saphira asked. Her mind flickered briefly to Firnen, and how great it would be to just select him as the mate-of-her-life and get it over with. She quickly dismissed the thought as a ridiculous one. A mighty she-dragon as her needed someone with power and experience, like Aegar or Brand. It didn't matter if she felt a slight burning-passion-feeling for Firnen.

Brand regarded them with his midnight-sky-eyes. It is rare for Riders to fall in love with Riders, and it is rarer for their dragons to share a degree of this feeling and reflect it among themselves. Take Eragon and Arya, for example. I can see for myself that you, Saphira, and you, Firnen, share a portion of their passion-feelings with each other.

If Saphira was one of those two-legs, she would have cringed. She let out a smoke-breath-puff. That is ridiculous, she said, though she knew, deep down, that she was fooling herself.

The most glorious sunset bathed Ellesmera in a rosy hue when the Riders were dismissed for the day. Panic settled in Arya's belly – a sensation that was not very elf-like. Putting off her talk with Eragon until after their lessons felt like a good idea at first. She assumed that it would give her time to collect her thoughts and sort out what exactly she wanted to say to him. Now their lesson came to an end, and the dragons arrived to join them. Rider and dragon alike correctly answered the questions directed to them regarding their partners' lessons for the day.

Ash gave the Riders a speculative look as they prepared to leave. Shortly after the fairth activity, she left them to do some individual training sessions with Serylda to develop and hone their own fighting styles. It left them all aching and eager to rest for the night.

Firnen stood before Arya, his emerald eyes glittering in concern and confusion. Arya, he murmured.

How are you? Arya asked, putting a hand on his scaly neck.

Well enough. You are the one that we need to talk about right now, little pointy-ears!

Arya crossed her arms. What exactly are you implying? She clambered up the dragon's glittering back, and after a while, the dragons took off, heading back to their cluster of tree-houses in Ellesmera.

Meet me outside our homes in a while, Arya told Eragon before the dragons veered off to their respective houses.

When they arrived in their home, Arya almost threw a fit when she saw a pile of packages placed neatly on her bed with a small note from Niduen to use them well. She dreaded the elf-woman's presents. Arya was aware of her strange gift to see glimpses of the future every now and then. They were not as intriguing as Angela's apparent ability to sense or anticipate future events, but they were enough to keep her prepared for some things.

The young elf unwrapped multiple cloaks in different vivid colors, cloth belts, more tunics and socks, some undergarments – which made her turn red when Firnen inquired about them – and jeweled brooches.

Your race is quite wealthy, noted Firnen.

We use what the land gives us – and past trading with humans and dwarves before the blasted Fall also helped, Arya told him grumpily. Her lip twitched. "Use them well" – ha! Like I am trying to impress someone.

Well, it wouldn't be too bad for you to try looking… better. Amusement tinged Firnen's thoughts. His nose brushed ever so gently against a particular blue cloak. This one looks fitting.

Arya slipped into her favorite tunic – a soft, knee-length piece that exactly matched the shade of her eyes and Firnen's back scales. Intricate vine patterns – the Liani vine, to be exact – were stitched with blue thread. With a smile, she combed her hair using a brief spell while she laid out her new cloaks. The first she considered was the blue piece that Firnen suggested and made a face.

I am not wearing that with this tunic. It might give him certain ideas.

But you do adore him!

I have… certain feelings from him, but now is hardly the time for us to consider something more than friendship! Arya felt herself turn red. I will let him know as much as that.

Firnen curled up lazily on his nest, but he kept his eyes on her. Do not push him away.

I won't. How could I? Arya's lip twitched. She quietly considered a pale, rose-colored cloak for a moment before dismissing it. The next one was a soft gold hue. Arya appraised it with approval and smiled fully. "This will do," she said out loud, before finishing the look by strapping on the belt that she received from the dwarves for Ajihad's funeral.

Firnen watched her don the cape and hold it in place with a plain silver brooch adorned with tiny emeralds. For someone who does not want to give Eragon certain ideas, you did take your time focusing on your physical appearance.

Arya sniffed. I am only trying to look proper for once, she told him as she began to sweep out of her house.

Firnen took off and followed her to the blissfully quiet clearing. Eragon was waiting for her, dressed in the pale blue tunic that made his blue eyes seem brighter – the same one he wore for the entire day. It didn't matter, since it suited him well. He completed the look with the black cape and ornate belt he wore to Ajihad's funeral.

He touched a finger to his lips. "Arya Drottningu," he said formally. "May the stars watch over you."

Arya touched a finger to her lips in response. "May good fortune rule over you, Eragon Shadeslayer," she responded, a teasing tone creeping up her voice. She crossed her arms. "I'll have none of that formality."

Eragon smiled slightly, though it was evident that he was nervous. "So… you wanted to talk about what happened earlier today," he said. He was pleasantly nice and straightforward.

"Yes. Let's have a small walk. I hate standing around like so."

Eragon followed Arya through Ellesmera's leafy paths, wondering what it could be all about. His heart pounded nervously as he anticipated rejection. The only thing bolstering his hope was the fact that Arya did not yet decide to set him on fire. That was a good thing.

Naturally, Saphira said, clearly reading his thoughts and feelings.

Elves greeted and bowed to them. They stopped by a brook that ran through a small tree-house in the middle of a small meadow. A small group of elves were playing pipes, practicing a melody while a tall, fair-haired maiden began to sing a song of longing for a lover. Arya sat on a small boulder surrounded by roses of all imaginable colors.

She kept her green eyes trained on the bubbling brook. "Eragon, you are a very important friend to me," she began, sounding uncertain.

Guilt wrenched Eragon's gut. Why did he have to make a mess of everything by revealing his feelings through that fairth? "And you are important to me too," he admitted. "As a friend, and more than that."

"Would you believe me if I told you that I felt the same?"

"Won't lie. I won't," Eragon said, though a hint of a smile crept up his face. Hope bloomed, quiet and waiting. "Do you?"

"Won't lie. I do." Arya gazed at him, blue meeting green. "We are young, Eragon. Old enough to be considered young adults among humans, but we are young – children, even – among elves. Would it not be better for us to take it… slowly and see where it takes us? I am not rejecting you, Eragon. Far from that. But we are young, and so many things rest on our shoulders."

"We could… see where it takes us. Right." Eragon nodded. That way, he could openly show his feelings for Arya – as much of it as he dared to without pushing her away – while also retaining their friendship. And it will let them both sort out what exactly they felt. He smiled. "Thank you, Arya Drottningu."

Do not let that get into your head, Saphira commented.

Oh, do be quiet, snapped Eragon.

The two dragons laughed in their rasping way. Apparently, Firnen was listening to the conversation. "What is funny?" asked Arya, crossing her arms.

"Nothing," Eragon said with a grin.

"I hate it." Arya blinked and gazed at him, blue meeting green. "I do not want people to assume that I just became a Rider because I am a princess of the elves." She looked away, her eyes turning distant and dreamy. "Arya Shadeslayer would sound amazing, but I'd rather not take the title you already have."

"Arya Shadeslayer does sound good. You are amazing. I am sure that you will get a great title worthy of your achievements someday." Eragon snorted. "Murtagh and I received ours through sheer, dumb luck – and a lot of help."

The dragons chuckled behind them, and Arya shot them a glare. "If they can do it, why can't I?"

Didn't you listen? Firnen replied, broadcasting it so that Saphira and Eragon could also hear. They did it through dumb luck and help.

Saphira's amusement seeped through their link. Exactly! If they can, why not her?

Arya laughed – a beautiful, clear melody that filled Eragon's head dizziyingly. "Why, thank you, Saphira."

Nasuada lounged on her bed, scroll in hand. Outside, twilight slowly but surely enveloped Ellesmera which was suffused with the glow of flameless lanterns that shone in every color and hue imaginable. It didn't matter to her. She just wanted to concentrate on the scrolls that Oromis gave her to study. Many of them contained different espionage techniques that some Riders developed during unstable times, and she was quite interested to know more. She was just getting started, since she had to sort through and arrange the lavish cloaks and jewelry that Niduen deemed fit to give her as gifts.

Making a mental note to ask Oromis about them, she rose to her feet and strode to Solaris' nest. The golden dragon was lounging lazily, though her eyes still seemed alert. She gazed at Nasuada and her tongue flicked out like a snake's. Someone is coming.

Do you know who it is? Nasuada stood up, grabbing Gryning and ready to unsheathe it at any moment.

Without knocking or announcing his presence, Murtagh strode in. Despite the confidence of his actions, he looked hesitant as he faced Nasuada. He lowered his head. "Nasuada…" he began.

Body relaxing, Nasuada put Gryning back on its stand. She sat right back down on her bed, passive eyes fixed on the young man before her. She suppressed a chuckle. She thought him barely more than a boy at the start of their journey. Where has it brought them now? Making fairths of similar memories, told through their eyes.

What did it speak of them?

Solaris languidly uncurled from her padded bed. She stretched her maw open momentarily in an imitation of a yawn and spread her sun-gold wings slowly, as if enjoying the attention that the two Riders gave her. I am going for a short flight. Best if I leave you younglings to talk, she said in amusement. And I need to hunt. It's been quite some time since the last.

Nasuada silently pleaded with her, conveying her nervousness at being left alone with someone that she was actually quite fond of. Very well, she finally relented.

Murtagh watched Solaris take off before his eyes flitted back to Nasuada. "I meant to… apologize," he said, his voice catching at the last word.

"What are you apologizing for?" Nasuada demanded, crossing her arms. "It is I who should apologize for being so forward with that fairth."

Murtagh cocked an eyebrow. "Forward?" A mild smile touched his face. "It was actually quite beautiful! I am the one who was forward, revealing the extent of my feelings for you. I mean, I am fond of you, Nasuada."

Nasuada looked away, relieved that Murtagh did not realize exactly why she made that fairth. She threw caution to the winds, though. "I am also fond of you, Murtagh."

Murtagh scratched his head. "Where will this bring us?"

It was as if he knew what she and Solaris discussed during quiet moments in their tree-house. "Murtagh, we are very young. My father would wish for me to delve into my feelings, but we need to focus on our studies first. We can try… step by step. But we must not let this distract us from our studies. All things must be in moderation."

The Red Rider nodded, apparently contented. "That is a good compromise." He smiled. "I must go now. I need to catch up on my reading too."

Roran sat in his room, reading more about sword-fighting techniques, and the weapons of legendary heroes. He was distracted by the fairth-making that took place earlier that day. Katrina's cryptic comments threw him off-balance, and he did not know how to proceed.

Askanir watched him drowsily. The dragon just finished his hunting, complaining about the dull night. Why do you not ask her outright? When a female dragon shows the slightest hint of interest, a male dragon asks her about it.

We are not dragons, Roran said, rolling the scroll shut and reaching for another one. I have always assumed that Eragon, Murtagh or I would marry Katrina when we were of age. Now that we are, none of my brothers show any interest in her and she to them. But I do, and I do not know if she does. She is too difficult to figure out. Women!

Askanir snorted. A small jet of violet flame shot out of his nose, and Roran yelped. The dragon ignored him. You two-legs make things so difficult.

Roran glared at him. "We do not," he snapped. He sighed. "Maybe I could try getting it straight from her, bit by bit. I can take it slow, see what she does think of me and feel about me. I will try to be as nonchalant as I can so I don't make her suspect and push her away."

"Push who away?"

A shadow passed over the open top of the tree-house as Luneria hovered over them, Katrina riding on her back. The coppery waves of her hair fanned out behind her like a lush cascade of vivid color. A touch of amusement lit her silver eyes. "Good evening, Roran. Care to go for a quick flight?"

Roran blinked, surprised. The girl before him radiated quiet, beautiful confidence. She was so different from the beautiful, quiet girl from Carvahall, and he didn't mind the changes. He smiled. "I am sorry, Katrina, but maybe some other time. I need to finish a bit more of my reading. I look forward to enjoying your company, though."

The girl smiled. "Naturally. Some other time." She winked. "I look forward to enjoying your company, too. We haven't talked – just the two of us – for quite some time now."

"Of course."

Don't you just love manly purple dragons? Saphira, Thorn and Askanir are my current faves!

I've been listening to Fall Out Boy's new album while writing down this chapter (in five sittings, I swear. Daaang.) and while reading The Wheel of Time. That's another thing you could blame for the late chapters. Erk. Anyway, I'm upset that being in Asia means that I have to wait until tomorrow after my shift to watch the last 2 videos for the Young Blood Chronicles. (May 21, 9pm EST is May 22, 9am PHT and I'm at work during that time. Ugh!)

Anyway, just to address a few things! I do appreciate the reviewer who gave me a lengthy review regarding his suggestions about the Riders' specialties. Thank you so much for giving me a lot of ideas about the future! And our Riders will be having individual adventures once the war breaks out, and it might be fun in a manner of speaking.

Fairthing 101 is fun! You guys should all sign up soon! Our reference book shall be "How to Fairth Your Way to Conquest" by Murtagh, Eragon and Roran.

And Arya chucking a hissy fit in Eldest just weirded me out. For some reason it struck me as very OOC. Or that might just be me.

My brain went on autopilot last chapter, which was WAY easier than this. Though this follow-up is also fun, no?

Adventure! Romance! Hilarity! What is in store for our young Riders next chapter? Watch out for Vanir!

Sadly, I had to push Carvahall's chapter to the one after the next but I promise that it will be well worth the wait!

Askanir *eherm, the Great Purple Overlord* demands reviews!