Disclaimer: I don't own the Inheritance Trillagy, Eragon, or any of the characters.
Eragon rested his head on Saphira's scally neck. Saphira, wake me when we land will you? he asked.
Go ahead and rest little one, said Saphira soothingly. Eragon smiled and did so, knowing no more of his surroundings.
How is he? asked Arya.
Exhausted, I'm afraid, answered Saphira.
We shouldn't go too far then, said Arya. At least until he recovers fully from that poison.
We should still go three or four leagues each day, said Galzra.
That would put us in the Beor Mountains in a little less than a month, said Arya. We mustn't take quite that long.
What else would you have us do? asked Saphira. I won't have Eragon too exhausted to fight if we meet Galbatorix and Shruikan.
I know, replied Arya. She gripped Zar'roc unconciously. Never, she vowed would she ever let Galbatorix harm Eragon. 'Father--Faolin--I was unable to protect either of you from your deaths, but I swear that I won't let the same fate befall Eragon.' Two tears silently fell.
Arya--you have naught to worry, growled Galzra. Galbatorix may be strong, but he has two Shur'tugal to fight against with no ally rider. He would be foolish to come out of his castle alone.
Galzra--its--thank you. No way could she bring herself to tell him the truth of what she thought.
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Eragon sat proudly on Saphira. Together, they flew over the battle. By the looks of it, Eragon could tell that it was within the empire. He looked around to find Arya slashing her way through the enemy soldiers. A ally horn blew. He turned his attention to Galbatorix's castle. Shruikan and Galbatorix were flying directly at them, releasing flame wherever possible, burning everything and everyone in their path.
Galzra and Arya flew up next to them. Arya had three arrows in her right shoulder.
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Eragon groaned in his sleep. He twisted himself out of the saddle. All he heard was Arya's scream and a dragon's roar. He opened his eyes and screamed. He was falling rapidly toward the ground. Saphira was diving after him, racing to save his life.
Galzra flew closely behind. Arya laid against Galzra's body to permit him to dive faster. Tears flew past her face.
Saphira caught him just before he would've landed. She landed and waited two seconds for Galzra to land beside her. Arya hopped off Galzra and ran to Eragon who had slipped off of Saphira. She slapped him across the face. The sound echoed through the air. They stared at each other for a few moments before Eragon said softly, "I'm sorry, Arya svit-kona."
"You'd better be more than that!" cried Arya angrilly. "If Saphira hadn't been as quick as she is, you'd be dead!"
What happened, little one? asked Saphira. You were moaning in your sleep and then you slipped out of the saddle.
It was only a dream, murmured Eragon. Nothing more.
I don't believe you, said Saphira.
Arya closed her eyes and turned away. She then ran into his chest and began sobbing uncontrolably. Eragon embraced her and looked up at Saphira. He asked somberly, Have I really upset her?
She has a right to be upset, replied Saphira softly. Will you two be alright while Galzra and I check out the area to make sure it's a safe place to camp?
Go ahead, answered Arya. And Saphira--thank you for saving him.
Saphira nosed the elf gently before taking off with Galzra behind her. They dissapeared as two dots in the sky.
"Eragon--what was troubling you so horribly in your sleep?" asked Arya softly, finally calming down. She looked up at him with puffy red eyes.
"It was only a dream," he answered stubbornly. "Nothing more." He felt guilty for lying to her, but what more could he do. He couldn't tell her the truth, for he was afraid if he said it, it would be true. His arms shook as he took her into a sitting position.
"Eragon--why do you lie like this to me?" cried Arya.
"I don't want you to fight in the final battle against Galbatorix," murmured Eragon. "After we leave the Beor Mountains you're going back to Ellesmera with the other elves and waiting there for my return. I will go back for you once I kill Galbatorix."
"Is that what your dream was about?" cried Arya. "Eragon--as a woman and as a warrior, I cannot leave you to fight alone. How many more times must I tell you? I will fight until Galbatorix is dead."
Eragon pulled her closer to him. "And how many times do I have to tell you that it's too dangerous to fight the way you do? I can't always protect you. What happens if you're captured and taken to Galbatorix?"
"I would die before going to that bastard," hissed Arya.
"Arya--I couldn't live with myself if something were to happen to you," whispered Eragon slowly. "I need you to live." He moved in to kiss her, begging for entrance. She granted it to him, moaning slightly.
Eragon, how do you think I'd feel if you either die or get taken to Galbatorix? she asked.
I know that you'd be driven mad from misery and go out to kill Galbatorix--though I may not like it, answered Eragon. He explored her mouth and slowly they pulled apart. Eragon laid kisses up and down her neck, gently bitting down in her senditive areas. She moaned loudly now. I missed this.
Yes, but lets wait to do anything too far until we at least get a private room, pleaded Arya.
I know, laughed Eragon. He bit down at the base of Arya's neck, leaving a massive hicky. He pulled apart and looked at her with such compassion that Arya pulled him into a laying position. "Saphira and Galzra should be reporting back to us any minute now."
It's safe, said Saphira as if on que.
"Speak of the devil," laughed Eragon. Ok, when will you be back?
Soon, replied Saphira. Be patient little one.
I love you too Saphira.
I wouldn't say that while you're arround Arya, teased Saphira.
You think that I'm the type to get jealous when Eragon simply tells you he loves you dragon, Arya implied. If that's what you think; you'd better get your facts strait.
See what I mean little one, Saphira continued to tease. She's a jealous one; Arya.
Yea, you remember when all I did was mutter Trianna's name, said Eragon, catching the hint.
Keep talking, Eragon Shadeslayer, dared Arya coolly. I have blackmail too.
Try me, snorted Eragon.
The way you tried to woe me, you were a complete idiot, laughed Arya. She grinned at him. Though most men are total idiots when it comes to seeking women. I remember my mother and father used to tell me how it was when they were simply courting. My mother told me that my father once tried to blackmail her to try and win her heart. It backfired on him and all the other elves laughed at him for his stupidity.
You know that I would never have resorted to blackmail! cried Eragon, offended that she would say or imply something like that.
"I never said anything like that," said Arya quite coldly. "I chose to be with you; not because I was giving into your desires, but because I truly wanted to be with you and I wouldn't have our relationship now be any other way; except for the war, everything is perfect." She leaned against his chest. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better," he answered. He wrapped his hands around her waist. Can we stay like this? At least until morning?
We're going to have to eat and I wish to spar with you if you're feeling up to it, but once that is all done we can continue where we left off, answered Arya. You must remember that I must love you as both a woman and a warrior.
No matter what--know that I will always love you, said Eragon. He looked up as both dragons landed. Kissing Arya gently, he got up and helped her prepare a soup dinner.
"Now that you're feeling better, we should be in the Beor Mountains in two days if we travel through Surda, which is probably the safer route," Arya infromed.
"How far out of Aberon are we now?" asked Eragon. He looked in the direction of King Orrin's castle sadly. He liked it there, not as much as Du Weldenvarden, but it was one of the few places he felt safe.
"I think we made two or three leagues today," answered Arya. "Tomorrow we should be ten to fifteen leagues south of a city called Lithgow. I'm not too sure; I haven't traveled within Surda as much as the Beor Mountains. At least our route has no settlements along the way. While you were ill I looked at a map of all of Surda's settlements and we're clear."
Eragon nodded. He stirred the soup carefully. "I think its done," he said. Arya nodded. They served themselves their dinner and ate in silence.
"I forgot to pack bread," said Arya sadly.
"Its ok," said Eragon. "We all make mistakes. I'm sure the dwarves will replenish our supplies. Orik is the king now, so we should be welcomed greatly."
"Sure, Orik will welcome us, but what about the other clans who ressent us Shur'tugal," said Arya as she finished her soup. "You must remember that many are probably still enraged at Hrothgar's death."
Eragon grunted and stood. He unsheathed Silbena mor'ranr and used magic to protect the blade. Arya followed suit with Zar'roc. They circled each other, waiting for the other to make the first move.
Arya, with great spead and ferocity came at him. Their swords clashed and echoed throughout the air. Eragon parried the blow and pushed her away. He attacked next. The two circled with their swords shaking at the force both of them were putting into their fight. They jumped apart.
Saphira and Galzra watched with mild interest. They had each watched these two spar many times and it didn't surprise either to see the two have their sparing matches last for hours.
Eragon ran to the right. Arya followed. Their swords occationally clashed before moving apart again. "Thrysta deloi!" cried Eragon.
"Malthinae!" cried Arya.
The earth compressed, forming small mounds. Eragon found that he couldn't move his feet while Arya was free to move as she pleased. He opened his mouth to speak, but Arya quickly cried, "hljodr!"
Nothing came out. He couldn't use magic now. He paniced. You can still think the words, but you must concentrate, informed Saphira.
I thought you enjoyed to see me struggle, growled Eragon.
If the ancient language has come into your sparing matches with Arya, I feel now is a good time to help, replied Saphira. She hasn't ordered you to be silent with your mind and that will be her downfall in this fight.
Eragon smiled, realizing the full error in Arya's magic. With all his concentration he thought, 'Moi iet malthinae eom sem vanyali koma.' (Basically he's implying that he wants Arya's hold to backfire so that she can't move.) Arya stood still. Eragon could tell that she tried to move, but couldn't. Still though, he couldn't move.
"What have you done now Eragon?!" cried Arya angrilly. "I can't move." Eragon looked at her, dumbfounded because he couldn't speak.
I tried to make it so that only you couldn't move, he explained with his mind. Should we call it a draw?
Arya murmured a few words in the ancient language and broke free of the spell. She ran at him and attacked savagely. Eragon barely had time to block Zar'roc with his own sword. He continueously blocked her blows and sent them back before having to block again.
Saphira leaped over to the fight and smashed her tail where Arya was moments before. She growled ferrilly at Arya.
Arya jumped back, unsurprised by the dragon's sudden attack. She whistled for Galzra to join the fight.
Saphira, what are you doing?! cried Eragon.
If this were a real fight, this is how it will be, growled Saphira. You and Arya both need to realize what a real battle will consist of. Its time that you two quit acting as if dragons won't be a part of the final battle.
You don't have to be so hard on her! Eragon protested.
"Shut up, Shadeslayer!" cried Arya savagely. "I wanted Saphira to join in!"
Why? asked Eragon.
"If something happens and I end up having to fight Galbatorix and Shruikan alone, I want to be ready; the same goes for you," answered Arya. She held Zar'roc to the side and charged forward.
Saphira opened her jaws and released a jet of fire, only to be blocked by flame from Galzra. Arya swung at Eragon's shoulder. Already exhausted, Eragon closed his eyes, allowing to be defeated, but Saphira blocked the sword with her tail and ripped it out of Arya's arms.
Never give up little one, she growled. Think if Galbatorix were controlling Arya or if you were fighting Galbatorix himself.
With newly found vigour, Eragon struck Arya's side; not hard, but hard enough that she wouldn't ever underestimate him. Dead.
Arya smiled and released a sigh. Galzra, we lost.
I know, he said softly, walking up next to her. But it was a great fight nonetheless. We're all ready to fight Galbatorix and Shruikan.
Not yet, said Arya. Galbatorix wouldn't have lost his sword that easilly. With a few words from the ancient language Arya released Eragon from both spells.
"You fought well," he said softly.
"You too," replied Arya.
Galzra, when did you learn how to breath fire? asked Eragon.
That was my first time, replied Galzra proudly.
Disclaimer: Ok, I want some votes now to know how you readers want this all to turn out on who lives and dies, what happens to the Varden, and anything else you felt that I left out. Oh, for those of you who left me names, they will be used later on in the story. The underlined words are ones that I couldn't get the symbols for. I'm using an older version of Microsoft Word for now, but I will go back and edit.