Disclaimer: I am sorry for the delay. I just didn't know what I wanted to do with this chapter. But I had some crazy dreams the last couple days that gave me some nice ideas. I own nothing.
Eragon leaned against the starboard side of the raft with Arya leaning against his chest, appearing to be asleep. He twisted her raven hair through his fingers. The silkiness of her hair never failed to amaze him. He looked up at the high noon sun. Saphira and Galzra circled high above them.
"What will you do if the elves are facing an uprising, Shadeslayer?" asked Joed, who sat on the port side.
He looked up at his travel companion. "I do not know," he admitted. "My first priority is to keep Arya safe." He wrapped his arms around her protectively.
Joed nodded, understanding. "Do not lose her," he murmured. "Helen died of an illness last spring…shortly after the son of Morzan died."
Eragon cringed as he remembered how he had to kill his brother. His eyes darted to his nephew, who slept peacefully in a straw bed that Arya insisted upon making. He wondered if his nephew would end up like Morzan and Murtagh.
You did not end up like them, little one, said Saphira, sensing his worry.
True…but I still cannot help but to wonder what future is in store for Murtagh, replied Eragon. These are still dark times.
The times flow in cycles, said Saphira. Peace never lasts forever…treaties will always be broken. The only question that always remains is how long the peace will last before conflict breaks out again.
Well, the peace this time did not last long, growled Eragon bitterly.
I do not think that there was ever peace after the war with Galbatorix, replied Saphira.
Perhaps you're right, grumbled Eragon.
He leaned back and closed his eyes. There was so much to think about. He had never imagined that there would still be a band of elves that held ill feelings toward him. And he still had not decided Tasha's fate. All he was absolutely sure of was the fact that he had to kill Trianna. That thought did not disturb him…especially after remembering Elvira's death. He allowed his thoughts to wander throughout the day.
Arya stirred and opened her eyes. Eragon opened his eyes when he felt her shift in his grip. "You're awake!" he sounded mildly surprised.
A grin crossed Arya's lips. "I was never asleep," she chuckled. She frowned. I smell smoke, she said through their mental link.
Eragon frowned and sniffed the air. She was right. He cursed under his breath. Saphira, find out what has happened…but be careful, he ordered.
What about you? Saphira asked.
Never mind that…I am not about to leave Arya unprotected, answered Eragon.
Saphira flew away from them. Galzra flew closer to them.
"What's happening?" asked Joed, alarmed.
"There's smoke in the air," answered Eragon. "I sent Saphira to check it out."
"I smell nothing," replied Joed.
"That's because human senses do not compare with that of an elf's," explained Eragon.
"You are human too, Shadeslayer," growled Joed.
A mock smirk twisted Eragon's face. "Am I?" he asked rhetorically. "The elves have changed me since I became a dragon rider."
"Enough of this," grumbled Arya. "We can argue later…somehow I doubt that this fire is natural or an accident…the stench of smoke is too much for that."
Joed wrinkled his nose as the smoky air reached him. He covered his nose. "The closest villages are Daret and Yazuac…unless…Gil'ead…." His eyes widened with fear.
"We will have to wait until Saphira finds the disturbance," murmured Eragon. His hand clasped the hilt of his sword.
Daret was attacked, informed Saphira.
Eragon cursed under his breath. He looked up at Arya, who seemed to have received the same message. How bad?
This was done by a dragon, answered Saphira.
"Tasha," snarled Eragon.
"Excuse me?" Joed looked confused and curious.
Eragon sighed heavily. "A dragon attacked Daret…the only one that I am aware that is old enough to breathe fire is Amestat…Tasha's dragon."
"There's another Rider?" questioned Joed, surprised.
"Possibly two…including Tasha," grumbled Eragon.
Saphira…there is nothing that can be done…come back, ordered Arya softly.
"We have to keep going," she murmured.
Eragon nodded. He could not possibly disagree. There probably weren't any survivors of the attack anyway. He paced up and down the barge impatiently while he waited for Saphira to return to his line of sight. When she returned, he sat next to Arya while she fed the fussing Murtagh. "He's grown," he commented, trying to start a light conversation.
"He has," agreed Arya. She winced in slight pain.
What is it? Galzra asked as the weak sensation hit him.
Nothing, mumbled Arya. But we must reach Du Weldenvarden soon.
I can see the trees from up here, informed Galzra. It would be quicker if you could ride me.
You know why I can't, growled Arya, annoyed.
Well, as soon as you have had the child…you and I are going for a long afternoon ride, said Galzra. Just the two of us.
That sounds nice, murmured Arya. How far are we from Du Weldenvarden?
We will reach the shore by nightfall, answered Galzra.
Arya relayed the message, relieved that she would soon be off the barge. The forest was her home, not the water. She heard Galzra chuckling in her thoughts. It will be a relief to be back in the forest, she commented to Eragon.
That it will, agreed Eragon. I miss Du Weldenvarden. Yet he was also weary of this area of the forest. The last time that they had traveled this way, they had been ambushed by a group of rogue elves. His muscles stiffened.
Nothing will happen, little one, said Saphira, trying to reassure her Rider.
How do you know? Eragon snapped bitterly. Anything could happen. I've learned that ever since you hatched for me. I used to think that the stories Brom used to tell about the Shur'tugal were just that…stories of some long forgotten era. He sighed heavily. I'm just worried…Arya can't protect herself like she used to…and Joed would be no match for the elves if we are ambushed.
I know, little one, replied Saphira.
Eragon sighed irritably. He drummed his fingers impatiently against his ribs.
Nightfall could not pass soon enough. Eragon and Joed worked together to bring the barge up to the shore so that Arya would not have to step into the water. Saphira and Galzra landed next to them. Joed clambered on Galzra. Arya climbed onto Eragon's back.
"Welcome home," murmured Eragon as the two dragons took flight.
"We're not home yet," corrected Arya softly. She rested her head against the back of his shoulder.
Eragon grimaced before running off into the trees. He remained alert as he dashed through the forest, searching for any signs of a possible ambush.
They did not stop until noon that day. Eragon set Arya down carefully. Saphira and Galzra landed softly on the forest floor. Joed slipped off the saddle. "Its quiet," he commented.
"Osilon is nearby…we might be able to rest there for a day and then Ellesméra is two days away from there…with the pace we are keeping," informed Arya.
"Not with Falkor out there," grumbled Eragon.
"Eragon…you're exhausted," murmured Arya softly. "I can tell by the way you are breathing."
"I'm fine," growled Eragon.
Arya frowned. She waddled to Saphira and rummaged in the saddlebags. She took out a chunk of bread and chucked it at her mate. "Eat."
"I'm not hungry."
"Yes you are…you would not be so irritable if you weren't," replied Arya firmly. "You need to be thinking things through rationally."
Eragon took a bite so that Arya would quit badgering him. He found that once he did, he ate the entire piece. He looked up at Arya sheepishly.
"See?" Arya had a slight smug expression.
"Fine…you were right," grumbled Eragon. "Happy?" A smirk twisted on his shallow face to show that he was joking.
"Yes, I am," answered Arya.
Joed sighed heavily. "Shur'tugal," he muttered under his breath.
And what is that supposed to mean, human? Galzra snapped his jaws threateningly.
"I will never understand Shur'tugal," replied Joed truthfully.
Ignorant humans, grumbled Galzra. You are all the same…greedy and selfish.
"Is that so, dragon?" growled Joed, offended.
"Both of you, stop!" ordered Arya. "You can fight later…once we get to Ellesméra. You will have six months to settle your differences."
Galzra snorted a ball of smoke and went to settle down next to Arya. He curled around her. Get some rest, he said softly.
Arya curled up next to her dragon and closed her eyes. You should get some rest too, Eragon, she said. I do not know if we will be welcomed in Osilon.
Eragon curled up next to Saphira. "You get first watch, Joed," he grumbled.
He does not have the perception needed to keep watch here, said Saphira.
I will keep my mind open to finding life within this forest, replied Eragon. I want to see if he can really be trusted…something tells me that he's hiding something.
But you searched his mind.
There are ways to hide memories, Saphira, Eragon reminded her.
What are you suggesting?
Brom's death, answered Eragon. It happened shortly after we left Teirm…would it be coincidence if Joed just happened to let slip that we were hunting the Ra'zac? And remember…when they stole your egg…Joed suddenly disappeared.
I will keepmy eyes on him, replied Saphira softly. Get some sleep.
The next morning, Eragon and Arya were the first to rise with the dragons. Arya fed Murtagh while Eragon started a fire. They woke Joed and ate their bread and berries. Joed scowled at the lack of meat. "Will there be meat in Ellesméra?" he asked.
Eragon chuckled. "No…but when we get there…I could have Saphira share her catch with you."
"No thank you," murmured Joed. "I'll survive."
They packed up their belongings and prepared to set off. Arya rode on Eragon's back while Joed rode on Saphira, since Galzra refused to have him on his back. Murtagh was safely tucked away in Galzra's claws.
--
Three days passed. Arya slept more and more. Eragon stopped at the gates of Ellesmera. Saphira and Galzra landed next to him. Joed looked in awe at the capital of the elves domain.
Welcome home, Arya, said Eragon.
Arya opened her eyes, relieved to see the city that she had grown up in. She cast out her senses, and felt no hostility…she felt relief from the other elves that they had returned. I want to rest in my room, she pleaded tiredly.
Saphira…lead Joed away until I explain to the elves the situation…and maybe I can get some answers, ordered Eragon. "Joed…follow Saphira." He watched Brom's old friend walk away with his dragon.
Are you sure that its wise to leave Saphira alone with that scum? Galzra asked, growling.
She can defend herself, replied Eragon. And he is only human after all. A crooked smile twisted his face.
Disclaimer: Well, there you go. Sorry that this took so long. I had major writer's blocks all week. Please review…I enjoy knowing what people think and it helps me pick up more ideas.