Chapter 39 is here
Thank you to everyone who reviewed and favorited the story!
Manofsteel: Thanks for the review as always! I really hope Christopher does ExA justice in book 5 because it would be disappointing if he doesn't. Although you will soon see that not everything is quite as perfect as it seems…hehe
Thisonebetternotbetaken: Thank you for the review and feedback! I really enjoy it when people point out mistakes or when things seem off! Please continue to do so as it makes me a better writer! I actually have plans to go back and make some changes to the story once I have finished it. I have a list of things I want to improve so if you catch anything else let me know so I can fix it later.
I can't believe that we are nearly done. I think you guys will really enjoy the ending I have planned.
Enjoy the chapter!
Eragon's POV
Eragon shook his head vigorously as he tried to shake the exhaustion from his mind. His dreams had been growing steadily worse over the last few weeks and it was taking a toll on him. Every night he would see Arya being killed in the throne room with bodies lying all around her. Eragon hid this from Arya of course but it was beginning to wear him down
"She has enough to deal with without worrying about me"
A loud snap of a twig brought him back to reality as he cursed himself for being so careless and losing focus. Eragon glanced around and refocused his gaze on the building in front of him.
Eragon was crouched low in the foliage as he studied their target. Although the building had been called the palace by Folir it was unlike any king or queens palace that Eragon had ever seen. It was not grand or visually stunning although it was large. Like every building in Ellesmera, it blended in with its forest surroundings seamlessly. The wooden walls built out of trees was standard of elven design. The only unique qualities the building possessed was the garden on the flat roof that grew many varieties of plants and fruits and the fact that the roof of the building was a flat stone of marble which Eragon had never seen from the elves. This is what Eragon had been told at least, he couldn't see any sign of the roof due to the dirt from the garden covering the top of the building.
According to the elves, when Arya had been presumed dead, Niduen had no interest in taking the throne and only wished to remain in her ancestral home. Dathedr had granted her request and erected this building when he became king to serve as his personal chambers as well as a replacement for Tialdarí Hall. Eragon assumed it was the only good thing that he had done as king.
"Dathedr is in there somewhere" Eragon thought to himself as he imagined Dathedr sitting on his throne with a knowing smile on his face.
Eragon focused on the small clearing around the building. Eragon could see several elves walking the parameter and again Eragon wondered if they were living or dead, but he didn't dare get close enough to find out.
Eragon spent several more minutes studying the movements of the guards before disappearing back into the forest. The building was slightly secluded from the rest of the city and it took some time to reenter the heart of the city.
Eragon took this time to battle the constant fear and paranoia that had followed him ever since Arya had told him she would retake the mantle of Queen until Dathedr was dead and then forfeit the title to another when the time came.
Eragon trusted Arya more than anyone, even himself, but he also knew Arya incredibly well. She was not one to shrink from her duty.
"What if she decides to remain on the throne?"
The thought terrified and concerned him so much that he stumbled slightly as he continued toward the city. He had thought about it many times in the last few weeks and the prospect of once again going back to a life where Arya remained on another continent made him feel weak and cold.
It was growing dark as Eragon weaved through the forest paths of the city
"The attack must be soon" He thought as he quickened his pace
The elves were a slow-moving race that preferred peaceful resolutions to conflicts but when they were provoked or angered as they were now, they moved with an effectiveness that almost scared Eragon. Elves hurried back and forth around the council chambers that were serving as a meeting center for the attack preparations. Eragon entered the building and found Arya and several other leaders going over maps of the interior of the palace building.
Eragon had not seen Arya since they had left the tower that morning and although he had prepared to see her as leader of the elves again, he wasn't sure he was ready.
Eragon took a moment to observe as she calmly relayed commands to elves as they passed. Every order she gave was followed without hesitation and Eragon felt an odd mix of pride but also fear as he saw how naturally she had reassumed the position of Queen.
"She certainly slipped back into her old ways quickly" He thought miserably
Fears and doubts that had lay dormant for years resurfaced painfully. He had thought he was prepared to face this but now he wasn't sure.
Arya's circlet was once again resting upon her brow and Eragon felt a conflicted set of emotions battle within him at the sight of the circlet once again upon her head. He felt miserable as he moved next to his mate.
Arya glanced at him briefly and a look of concern crossed her face before her stoic look returned and she turned away.
Eragon felt a pang of pain at this. He hated that they couldn't show any affection beyond friendship while in the public eye. He distracted himself by looking down at the maps of the building. He already knew the layout by heart as he had spent the morning memorizing every inch of the building, but it gave him something to focus on.
He pretended to study the map for several moments before an elf entered and after a quick bow to Eragon, spoke to Arya
"My queen, our soldiers are in position and await your command"
Arya thanked the elf who hurried off
She turned to the other elves and spoke quickly
"Are we certain that Dathedr has not escaped?" She asked in a hard tone to the group
One of the elves inclined his head at her and gave her a thin smile
"We are certain my queen, every exit has been carefully monitored and no one has reported anything out of the ordinary."
Arya nodded
"And do we all know what we must do?"
She glanced pointedly at Eragon who scowled
"I despise this plan and she knows it" He thought to himself
Nevertheless, he nodded and said in a tight voice
"I do, Drottning"
Arya's face looked pained for the briefest moment before she turned away
"Then let us hope that fortune smiles upon us"
The other elves turned to go and Eragon made to follow them out of the room, but Arya grasped his arm and pulled him back in a clear indication to remain behind
Eragon reluctantly stayed back as the rest of the elves hurried to prepare for the upcoming assault. Just moments ago, he had wanted a moment alone with Arya but now he felt it was the last thing he wanted,
Once they were alone Eragon watched as the queenly façade dropped from Arya's figure. Her shoulders slumped some and her stoic expression was replaced with concern and anger but there was a softness in her expression as well.
"Eragon, I know you are against the plan I have made, but it is the good plan for success"
Eragon turned to face her and spoke tightly
"I feel we have differing opinions about what would be considered a success"
He paused and looked across the room in the direction of the palace
"You know I have good reasons to despise this plan"
He looked back and Arya wore an understanding yet discontented smile
"I know you do, more than anyone, but they are personal reasons, not tactical ones and I cannot change my strategy based on anyone's personal feelings about the mission…even yours"
Eragon sighed deeply. He knew she was correct
"But if I was with you-"
He stopped when he saw Arya's look of annoyance
"You have your own mission that I entrust only to you and Folir. Besides, if everything goes to plan you will meet up with me in the throne room"
"When does anything we do go as planned" Eragon thought to himself sourly but he decided not to argue farther.
"I can't lose you" he muttered more to himself than anything, but she heard him all the same
Eragon leaned over the table as he shut his eyes and breathed deeply. He suddenly felt incredibly tired and ill. Eragon felt like at any moment he could pass out.
Eragon could feel Arya's eyes on him and heard her slowly make her way over to him.
"Eragon, can I ask you something?" She said quietly
He nodded without opening his eyes
"Are you well?"
It was said softly but the concern was evident in her voice. Eragon detected no trace of the anger or frustration that had been there moments ago. Eragon remained silent, He was not willing or even able to outright lie to her
He felt her warm breath on his face and slowly opened his eyes. She had moved next to him and her concerned face was merely inches from his. Her hand reached up and brushed the back of her hand with his cheek. Such a slight contact shouldn't have had such a profound effect on Eragon but he felt his legs grow weak and he slumped slightly into her. She caught him in an embrace, and held him tightly. Eragon had never felt so vulnerable and yet loved at the same time as the smell of crushed pine needles overwhelmed him. He was surprised to find his cheeks were wet. He was grateful they were alone at that moment as he allowed Arya to comfort him in her arms.
When Eragon's shoulders finally stopped shaking and he felt he had regained control of himself once again he pulled back somewhat. Arya's hands remained on his shoulders and her eyes were focused on him.
"I'm sorry" he said softly as he looked down to the wooden floor below him
Arya reached out and gently wiped a stray tear from his cheek before grasping his chin and pulling his eyes level with hers. Her expression was fierce as her emerald eyes gazed at him.
"You have nothing to apologize for"
Arya gave him a short smile before her eyes narrowed and her voice grew stern
"You are going to tell me what concerns you…. now"
Then in a gentler voice she said
"I want to help you"
Eragon sighed deeply and tiredly
"Arya, we don't have time for this"
Arya shook her head violently and her eyes flashed
"There is an old elven saying that goes "Only one who regrets, fears what lies beyond". Do you know what that means?"
Despite all his studies Eragon had never heard the saying and so shook his head. Arya stared intently at him
"It means that only a person who regrets something has a reason to fear death because they will never get the chance to undo their mistakes."
Eragon nodded in understanding but remained quiet
Arya pulled back from him slightly and her face had grown tight and withdrawn. Her emerald eyes seemed to look past him into blank space.
" I never did tell you how I was able to resist the poison for so long, did I?"
Eragon shook his head cautiously. He didn't know where she was going with this. They tried not to speak of their experience if they could help it, even to each other.
"As the poison continued to assault my body and mind, I began to contemplate using magic for a quick and painless death. It seemed the logical choice, an escape from the torment."
"Why didn't you" Eragon asked quietly, feeling slightly sick at the thought. He had believed Arya had shown and told him everything that had happened while under the poison's effects but apparently not.
"I was afraid to die and permanently end any chance at fixing my greatest regret."
Arya caught sight of his expression and chuckled softly before answering his unasked question.
"I regretted not spending my life with you when I had the chance." She said in explanation
Eragon felt himself smile unconsciously at her words but Arya grew serious
"I have been incredibly lucky that I have had the chance to fix my mistake. Most people who lay dying do not get so lucky. I had a direct choice to either endure or die, but as we both know in battle you don't always get a clear choice."
Arya met his eyes
"If you are going into battle tonight. I urge you to release whatever you are hiding from me. This world is fickle and cruel, and you may never have the chance to do so again."
Eragon took a deep breath and tried to calm his nerves. She was right as always although he had really hoped to avoid this. Her words did help his worry, but he still felt nervous.
"Funny how I am more scared of this than facing Dathedr" He thought as he breathed
Eragon spoke quickly as he knew they were running out of time. In an emotionless voice he outlined his dreams and how much worse they had gotten. He also expressed his intense fear and concern for her in the upcoming battle and his reasons for hating the plan as much as he did. She seemed unsurprised by much of what he told her and several times Eragon saw a flash of pride in her eyes that told him she had guessed much of what was bothering him.
"She can read me so well. Even when I try to hide things from her."
The thought made him both glad and a bit unsettled
When he finally reached how he felt about Arya being the Queen again, he hesitated, and Arya leaned forward.
"I am only here to help" She said softly "You do not need to hide anything from me Eragon"
Eragon nodded and spoke while choosing his words carefully. Even for Eragon this was hard to admit.
"You being Queen again… it scares me"
For the first time Arya's eyebrows raised and she looked genuinely surprised, but her voice was calm but controlled as she asked
"How so?"
Eragon shifted uncomfortably
"I said before I won't lose you. I didn't just mean in the battle."
Arya eyes still seemed like they were calculating but nodded for him to continue.
Eragon reached forward and traced where the Yawe symbol was tattooed on her shoulder. He spoke softly to her
"The five years that we did not speak were the worst of my life. I should have been happy. The mad king was dead, there were riders to train and dragons to raise. It was all I had hoped for and more."
He sighed and added
"But I wasn't happy, not truly…. not until you returned"
Arya's calculating eyes studied him and Eragon got the sense she was reading his very soul
"I am terrified" He said at a whisper "That despite what you have said in the past that after this ends you will remain on the throne, and I will lose you again as I did all these years ago."
Silence hung in the air at his words and Eragon studied Arya's reaction closely but for the first time in years Eragon couldn't tell what she was thinking.
"Arya?" Eragon said in a nervous voice. Arya pulled away from him and turned his back to him
"After all this time, you still doubt my promises?" Arya said. Eragon cringed at this, disappointment and bitterness was evident in her tone.
"I am many things Eragon, but a liar is not one of them"
Eragon winced slightly at this. This wasn't how this was supposed to go
"I know that." He said soothingly. Eragon took a moment to collect his thoughts before speaking
"I believe that when you said it you believed it to be true, but the circumstances have changed. The threat has grown exponentially in that time and even if we beat Dathedr it will take years or even decades to undo the damage he has done."
Eragon felt his nerves grow as he asked the all-important question
"Arya, can you honestly tell me that if you were asked to be Queen permanently once again that you would decline? Do you really think you could turn your back on your people in their time of need?"
Eragon already knew the answer. Arya truly did not want to be queen again. He knew she wanted to be with him on Mount Arngor. But if she was asked he had no doubt she would agree even if it sacrificed her happiness to do so.
Arya's mouth started to move but it stopped and the resulting silence was enough of an confirmation for Eragon. He felt an ache in his chest that threatened to overwhelm him again and he sat and stared off as he tried to battle his emotions. The joy and peacefulness of last night seemed so far away now.
Arya finally broke the silence
"I would agree until a proper successor had been found" She said although Eragon was sure even she knew how hollow her words sounded
Eragon sighed, she must have truly believed it as she said it in the ancient language and yet Eragon felt his sorrow grow at her words
"But you would never find one." Eragon stated sadly "You would never believe that anyone could do the job better than you could."
It was the truth and even Arya didn't refute him.
Eragon knew that Arya truly did not want to be queen again. He knew she wanted to be with him. but if she was asked, he had no doubt she would agree even if it sacrificed her happiness to do so.
Arya finally turned back and moved toward him. Her eyes were watery, but no tears had fallen. She crouched next to him and cupped his face with her hands.
"I am sorry Eragon, I do not mean to hurt you." she said softly
Eragon smiled sadly at her
"Do not apologize for being yourself. I would not have fallen in love with you otherwise"
She leaned in and kissed him. It was a kiss that was powerful and painful all at once as though they both tried to prolong the moment. Arya pulled back after a short time and Eragon's lips tingled as though trying to savor the feeling.
No words were passed between them. Despite the grief that they had caused each other in the last few minutes she still leaned forward and embraced him tightly all the same. The unspoken words between them were as clear as if they had been shouted from the top of their lungs.
They remained locked in the embrace for several moments before Eragon slowly allowed his mate to pull away and open the door into the dark night.
Hey everyone!
I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I know that it wasn't the battle you were expecting but I promise it is coming in the next chapter!
Hopefully this wasn't a disappointment! Sorry this took so long to get out! The next chapter is about half done at the moment so expect it to be out Monday or Tuesday depending on how much time I have!
As always stay safe guys!
Lawld01