Chapter 51 – Twisted Tongues

Arya glanced back to where Däthedr's tent was illuminated inside by a candle.

"So you're saying he's been lying to me?"

Eragon looked at Elva for support, and they both nodded.

"I wouldn't say lying exactly, but definitely omitting. How much of a liar someone can be under the magic of the Ancient Language?" Elva pondered.

Arya felt anguish. She could not walk on stable ground anymore. Her own advisor and friend was someone who participated in the coup against her. That could not be.

"And he can't even feel bad about it," Elva added.

"Why are only telling me this now?"

Arya watched Eragon fidgeting uncomfortably. He kept quiet while Elva spoke.

"Eragon just came to me with this idea. It was something he and Saphira realized on the way here."

"But you already knew he was bad." It wasn't a question, and Arya questioned Elva's loyalty. Well, to be fair, she never said she would be loyal to Arya.

"No. I can't say he is bad solely on the way he feels. Däthedr is a blank page. He feels nothing, no empathy, no regrets, no love. He only feels bad when something goes wrong for him and he is the one who's harmed."

"He is not my friend then."

"He has no love for you, Arya. Only for himself."

Arya didn't even know she needed to be loved like that, but it hurt to discovered she was not. Not that she thought Däthedr loved her the way Eragon did, but she always thought he was a loyal friend, someone to have her back when in need. It requires love to do that, to be there for a friend. But he wasn't her friend, now she knew that.

How could I be so oblivious?

You were in desperate need of an ally, so you overlooked his reasons to betray you.

I guess. But it was so obvious.

Not to someone who doesn't want to see.

Again, she glanced back, just in time to see the elven lord exiting his tent. He had a piece of parchment and a quill in his hands. He strode to where they were sitting, and Arya heard Eragon whispering the counterspell to end their acoustic protection.

Elva and Eragon resumed the preparation for their dinner as nothing had happened, but Arya felt uneasy. She felt her emotions gurgling up inside her. And as soon as Däthedr sat down beside her, immersed in his writings, her tongue was quicker than her rational thinking.

"Who did you tell it to? About Eragon and I?" They all looked at her with surprise in their eyes. Surely, they weren't expecting her to confront him that way.

"I don't understand the question, my queen."

"You told people about my relationship with Eragon, and I want to know who. And don't call me your queen."

Her words were severe, and she saw him flinch a little. Then she remembered what Elva said about him not feeling emotions the way other people do. She diverted her eyes to look at Elva. She had a blank expression when inspecting Däthedr, which meant he wasn't afraid of hurting Arya's feeling, he was probably thinking of a way to come out of that bad situation unscathed.

"Tell me, Lord Däthedr. Who knows?"

Däthedr licked his lips preparing to speak.

He's coming up with a good story I bet, Fírnen said.

"Niduen. I told your aunt Niduen."

"Why?"

"Well, she asked me. Said she was worried about you and wanted to know if the rumors were true. I couldn't lie to her, and imagining that your own blood wouldn't want to hurt you, I told her what you told me."

"And Niduen is the one orchestrating the coup," Eragon finished his line of thought, but Arya could notice he didn't believe the elf.

"Yes, she even tried to kill me." Däthedr pointed at the spot on his back where he had been hit by a spell. Eragon had told her that it was a harmless attack, that even a first-year student Rider could have treated. In fact, Eragon let Hope take care of that, which she did brilliantly, as expected, being a fourth-year already.

"You claim your innocence then, Lord Däthedr? Of conspiring against me?" Arya asked.

"I do, my… Your majesty."

"Very well." Arya stood up and started walking to her tent. "Elva, please, follow me. I'm sure Eragon is capable of preparing our supper by himself. Right?" She turned to look at him, who nodded in response. She still could see his suspicion, but all he could see was her coldness.

Arya wished to tell him that she believed him, that she trusted his judgment but didn't.

She was followed by Elva into the woods. The trees were lifeless, barely holding a couple of branches each, but Arya thought they were beautiful that way under the moonlight.

"What did he feel just now?" Arya asked and paused her walk to face Elva.

"He was anxious. He felt cornered, then relieved you bought his story."

"Do you think he was lying?"

Elva shook her head and looked away.

"I don't know much of the Ancient Language, but I know one is always forced to say the truth. There was truth in his words, but not all of it."

"There's more to the story than he let us know."

"Yes."

He said he told Niduen about you and Eragon, but he didn't say he only told Niduen.

"Fírnen has a point."

"What point?"

"That he could've told more people because he didn't say he only told Niduen."

"It is a good point."

Saphira noticed it.

"Saphira noticed it," Arya repeated.

"Then Eragon knows it too. He should try to get a confession from Däthedr. Would that be good enough to convict him?"

A confession in the Ancient Language was enough to convict anyone by the elven law, including royalty and nobility.

Fírnen, can you ask Eragon to try, please?

I don't have to ask, my darling. I believe he is already trying. And you will like to hear this.

Arya realized that Fírnen included Elva in their shared consciousness, and together they watched and heard what Fírnen observed near the campfire. He was side by side with Saphira a few feet away from the pair. Eragon was still preparing the stew as Däthedr explained something to him.

"You see," he showed the parchment to Eragon, that Arya saw it was a map, "SÍlthrim is on the way to Ellesméra. We can stop there and gather more supporters for the cause. My people wouldn't let me down."

He retreated the parchment and traced a path going over his city.

"Don't you think we will be too exposed if we go there, with the dragons and all?"

Däthedr's eyes flickered in their direction.

"They will stay hidden in the forest… You, you all stay hidden in the forest while I go inside the city and do what I must."

All half-truths, Arya commented inside their minds and felt their agreement.

"What will you tell your people considering they already know about the treason by Lord Falael and Niduen?"

"To follow me, of course."

"To Ellesméra?"

Däthedr smiled with pride.

"To Ellesméra."

"To fight in Ellesméra?"

"If it comes to that, which I believe it will."

Why is he doing that? Elva asked about Eragon's obvious questions.

He's setting a trap, Fírnen explained. Saphira is aiding him.

"Are you sure they will follow you to fight in Ellesméra?" Eragon creased his forehead, to appear less capable than he was. Däthedr seemed to find that amusing, so he kept a smug smile on his face.

"I am sure, Shadeslayer. My people are loyal."

"Loyal to you?"

"Well, of course. I'm their leader."

"How about Queen Arya? Are they loyal to her?"

"Why wouldn't they be?"

Eragon shrugged.

"I just want to make sure we will have more supporters than opposition when we get there."

"Do not worry. My people will follow me, I'm sure."

"To fight in Ellesméra."

"Yes, Shadeslayer. They will come with me to fight in Ellesméra," Däthedr's patience was running low, still he kept the smile.

"Right. Good." Eragon stirred the stew watching it boil. "You will tell them to follow you, but for what reason? I have the impression that the elves are a rational people, not easily persuaded."

"To fight for the crown."

"Oh, right. To keep the crown or to conquer it?"

Däthedr appeared confused. An amused smile made its way to Arya's lips. Eragon really was an unusual thinker. She rested her head on the tree where she was leaning on. Suddenly, she felt calm, for she trusted Eragon completely.

"What difference does it make?"

"Not to me, of course. But it might, to your people. You better have strong arguments."

"I guess… We will fight to conquer the crown."

Eragon nodded.

"From whom?"

"From those who wish to have it."

"It's a vague answer if you allow me to say. Arya wishes to have it. Lord Falael wishes to have it."

"It's true."

"So, you wish to fight to conquer the crown, from whoever holds it. And then you wish to keep it."

"What?"

Arya could laugh aloud. Eragon was digging Däthedr's grave without the elf even noticing it.

"You will fight to conquer the crown then the intention is to keep it, right?"

"It would be all for nothing if we didn't have such intention."

"We?"

"I will not be fighting alone, will I?"

"I'm sure you will not. But what about Arya?"

"What about her?"

"If you keep the crown for yourself, what will be of her?" Däthedr's panicked eyes glanced at Fírnen and Saphira once more, before staring at Eragon.

"I never said I would be the one keeping the crown."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I understood it all wrong. I apologize, my lord. Arya keeps it all hidden from me, as you know by now. I'm just trying to understand how elven politics work."

Then Eragon motioned his head toward Saphira and Fírnen, signaling them to move away. He would never get a clear answer if Däthedr thought he was going to be exposed to their judgment. Saphira linked them all together as they took flight, so Arya and Elva could still watch the conversation, this time through Eragon's perspective. It felt so familiar to Arya, it made her heart warm.

"You have a great interest in it, don't you?" Däthedr asked maliciously.

"In politics? None. I was just wondering if Arya would be free to be with me when it's all done. But if she keeps her crown, then I fear we will never be together again. You see, when you said the intentions were to keep the crown, you gave me a little hope." Eragon's faked innocence started to annoy Elva, who rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"If you wish her to lose her crown for good, then what is it that you are doing here?"

"I have other business in Ellesméra. Politics ended us, so I have no interest in it, as I said before."

"You won't fight for her crown then?

Eragon shook his head as he was disgusted by the possibility of joining a civil war.

"But I wouldn't mind if she was free to be with me if you know what I mean."

He was just as good in twisting his tongue to tell half-truths as Däthedr, if not better. Eragon was creative.

"So tell me, Lord Däthedr, will you fight for the crown?" He then looked around and lowered his voice. "Just between the both of us, will you fight to keep the crown for yourself? To be king? I just need to know. My future depends on it. And depending on your answer, you might gain a new friend."

Däthedr seemed like an enchanted man, seduced by the sweet words of a demon.

"I like you, Shadeslayer," he said slowly and cautiously.

I cannot believe he would be so dumb to the point of confessing, Arya said mentally without any confidence in her words.

Elva scoffed. You would be surprised. A person in love with themselves can only see ahead, not around. Eragon is offering something he craves, which is attention.

Eragon smiled and extended his hand to Däthedr.

"What do you say, my lord? Which side are you on?"

Däthedr hesitated but his eyes were shining. He was pleased to have an unexpected ally.

"I promise to keep Arya alive and well to be with you while I keep her crown. You have my word."

The elf grabbed Eragon's forearm and shook it.

"You have been planning this all along, haven't you?" His tone was flattering as he was impressed with the plot of having Arya's crown.

Lord Däthedr beamed at him. His pride was pouring.

"I had other plans, but you became her mate, so I had to adapt."

"I like this one better, that's for sure."

It was clear to Arya now that Däthedr only wanted to be with her so he could manipulate her. To be the queen's mate, even if it didn't mean he was going to be king, would elevate him to a position of absolute power. Arya would be inclined to trust him more and more until their decisions would come as one. He would rule through her. A difficult and complex process, but Däthedr seemed willing to go to any lengths for power, even organize a group of traitors.

"Dinner's ready. I will go get them."

Eragon stood up and left a dazed Däthedr behind, so Fírnen cut the connection that tied them all together.

Arya and Elva stood in the dark woods in silence. They were lost in their thoughts when Eragon came to them.

"So? What do you think? Can you use it to convict him?"

His expectant eyes were all she could see under the pale moonlight.

"That was perfect. Thank you, Eragon."

"Great! Yes!" He punched the air in celebration.

Indeed, getting Däthedr to confess his betrayal was a great achievement.

"Wait," Elva started. "How his confession to Eragon would prove anything?"

"I can testify. My words in the Ancient Language will prove he confessed."

"Our words too. The conviction is certain since I will be the one passing the sentence, but I need the council to witness and express their opinion as well. We do everything we can to stray away from a dictatorial ruling."

"The same council that's stealing your crown?" Elva questioned.

Arya started to walk back to the campsite, and the others followed her.

"When I take back what's mine, a new council will be formed and my traitors with be judged accordingly."

"We won't make him our prisoner?" Eragon asked.

"For now, let him believe he is safe."

A silent agreement hovered in the air between them.

Just as the campfire was in sight, Arya put a hand over Eragon's arm to stop him. Elva went ahead without them.

"I am grateful to you, Eragon," she said low.

He nodded and gave her a little smile.

"I said how many times now that I would do anything to keep you safe?" She smiled back, her cold façade cracking by his warmth. "And I want to make sure you know that I do not wish you to lose your crown. I tried to say it so Däthedr would believe me, but I couldn't. The words didn't come out."

"So you got around it."

"Aye."

"I know."

"Also… I am sorry."

His look fell to the ground making her wonder why he was apologizing.

"For what?"

"For not being there when you needed comfort." Eragon looked at her again with shimmering eyes. "I should've been there to tell you it was not your fault you miscarried our baby. And to comfort you. I am so sorry."

Arya froze. It still hurt to think of that. Less each day, but still strong enough to paralyze her for a minute or two. Good thing he was within the reach of her hands to warm her, so she raised her fingers to touch his face very lightly. Then almost as it didn't happen, she retreated her hand.

"You are here now. Even if we are not mates anymore, we will be forever bound together by the child we lost. A bond impossible to break."

His eyes squeezed a lonely tear that fell down his cheek. That was when she realized that tears had already tinged her face without her even noticing it.

He nodded and cleaned his face with the sleeve of his coat. She wiped her tears away as well and readied to go back to the campfire.

"Shall we?" He pointed the way, and they didn't speak again for the rest of the night.

It was strange. She felt more connected to him now than before. The truth seemed to create a common ground where they both relished to stay on. It was bound to last forever.


The idea of letting Lord Däthedr have the feeling that he was safe with his secret plan of betrayal was good, but also dangerous. Eragon didn't like the feeling of walking blindly into Du Weldenvarden in the company of a traitor. Even so, he would have to trust Arya's judgment. She was the queen and Däthedr her subject. The entire conflict was Arya's to solve, and he was there to retrieve the Eldunarí and the egg, it was all.

After a quiet and uncomfortable dinner, Eragon carried a blanket to where Saphira was lying. She lifted a wing for him, and he gladly crawled underneath it. Her scaly body was cozier and warmer than any magically changed tent.

You look exhausted, she commented.

Not as much as you.

Well, I did fly all day.

She went quiet for a while before startling him from his waking dreams.

We are in Alagaësia, little one!

Eragon grunted a little and turned to his other side, so his back could be in touch with her side.

And we have been for an entire day.

I know! Isn't it amazing how much it changed without changing at all?

What do you mean?

I mean that now we have magic flowing underneath the ground and through the air, but betrayal and war still rule. We haven't missed much while we were gone.

Her sarcastic tone made him chuckle.

Anyway, I keep thinking about Angela's prophecy since we left, she added. It's unbelievable you haven't mentioned it yet. I thought you would be nervous about that.

Eragon suddenly was fully awake and crawled out to the cold air.

I think I pushed it too far in my mind not to dwell on it. Do you think she was wrong?

Saphira rested her head on her front legs and stared at him.

You know she is not.

But how can I be here?

You will have to ask her.

Eragon snorted. If you think she will answer any of my questions about the prophecy, then you are sillier than you believe you are.

Fine. Don't ask.

Oh, I will ask. You know I will.

They laughed together. Then Eragon took a last deep breath, feeling his lungs protesting the cold air that entered them, and went back under her wing.

When he opened his eyes again, he felt like he had overslept and missed his watch. He tapped on Saphira's side so she could free him and was shocked to realize it was morning already.

"Why didn't Däthedr wake me up to take his place?"

Eragon went to the campfire to see that there wasn't anybody on the watch. So, he walked to Däthedr's tent to ask him why he left the campsite unattended, but he found it empty as well.

Saphira, he is not here.

She didn't even open her eyes, only grunting a sleepy response.

Eragon worried that maybe Däthedr had done something bad to Arya and Elva right under his nose. It was a terrible idea to let a traitor tending to their safety after all. But they had to pretend everything was fine not to alarm the elf.

He hurried to Arya's tent and called loudly for her. It didn't take long until her unphased face emerged from the tent's flaps.

"Yes?"

"Where is Däthedr?"

Arya looked around the campsite and shrugged.

"In his tent, maybe?"

"He is not there. And he should've awakened me hours ago to take his place on the watch."

"What is happening?" Elva walked out from her tent to sit by the fire that was only half-alive.

"Däthedr. He is missing."

"Missing? I doubt it. Maybe he had a bad case of bellyache and went to take care of that. Far away from us, I hope."

Eragon alternated his look between Elva and Arya.

"Are you sure you want him wandering around?"

Arya sighed and exited her tent, attaching her sword to her hip.

"I will look for him," she said but sat down by Elva's side.

Eragon understood she was extending her mind so she could perceive Däthedr's consciousness. It didn't take long until she creased her forehead in a sign of great effort. Then she snapped back to herself and looked at them.

"He is gone. I can't find him anywhere near us."

"Saphira!" Eragon called. When she finished stretching her back and wings, he added. "Take Fírnen, see if you can find him from above. He could not have gone too far."

The dragons took flight, so Eragon sat down by the fire, now more intense from Elva's work on it.

"I can't believe he escaped us. Under our noses."

"He must've been alarmed by something," Arya said. Her apparent calm was betrayed by a twitch on the corner of her lips.

"Like what? We were on good terms last night."

"Something you said. Something I did. I don't know. And it doesn't matter now."

"If we don't find him, he will never be held accountable for his actions," Elva said in a bad mood.

"But we already have the confession."

Eragon tried to see the silver lining, but the truth was that they missed their chance to imprison a traitor.

"We have the confession but not the prisoner," Elva argued.

Arya's eyes seemed lost, wandering around, not seeing the trees or the gray sky.

"I said it already. It doesn't matter."

"How can you say that?" Eragon questioned her apathy.

"I knew deep down at the moment you two told me about Däthedr that I would never be able to bring him to justice. It is somehow my fate."

"I thought you didn't believe in fate."

"So did I," she said, then she shook her head and reached for the bread Elva was offering her. "We have other things to think about now. We are only two days away from Ellesméra. A plan is what we need."

If he was supposed to trust her judgment when it came to her subjects, then starting now would be a good idea. If she had decided to let it go, to let Däthedr go, then he wouldn't oppose. In the end, they wouldn't walk in the forest with a traitor by their side, and that was a good thing, he hoped. He could also feel the dark cloud that followed them since they left Mount Arngor being pushed away and the air becoming easier to breathe.


A/N: Hello, hello!

I'm sorry guys! I was supposed to post this chapter yesterday but I had a crazy day and couldn't stop what I was doing to finish editing it so I could post.

Some of you seemed concerned about ExA and if they will be together again, being this story heading to its final chapters. I don't want to spoil anything, so all I can say is, relax. I will take us to a nice ending. And it's been plotted out since day one.

See you next week, on schedule this time, I promise.