I'm so sorry for the delayed wait but I was busy this entire week and I just couldn't find the time to sit down and let my hands take me away. Anyways, I'm going to keep this A/N short so you can all get to reading this chapter.

The following morning as he sat before Nasuada, he tried not to let his agitation show at her silent disposition. Two hours before, Eragon had waked to a slumbering Arya and during the few minutes he took to admire her countenance did it finally come to him. The opportune moment to return to Du Weldenvarden to fulfill his promise to Master Oromis had finally presented itself to him. Defeating Jeremiah and retaining his soul again, Galbatorix would be unable to disturb the Varden for the while. And even if he did leave, Murtagh and the others would still be present to prevent another attack.

He'd thought that Nasuada would agree to his proposal but she was taking a longer time to contemplate than he would've thought. She didn't object to his idea at first but she didn't take to it immediately either. Frowning as he sat before her, he watched as her eyes flickered down to the open map before her. The Varden was preparing to cross the Jiet River and march on Feinster to procure the city before marching on Uru'baen. It would take the Varden at best two, maybe three weeks to march there and recuperate before laying siege to the city.

The drumming of Nasuada's fingers against the surface of the table caught his attention again as the sound seemed to float about the tent. "Why do you need to return to the Du Weldenvarden again?" She glanced up at him for the first time after he told her of his proposal.

"I need to speak with my teacher," Eragon said watching as the gears turned in Nasuada's head as she contemplated his words for the second time.

The gap between her brows narrowed as she observed him and he could distinctly tell that she not on the same line of thinking as he was. "That would be a problem for us," Nasuada sighed at his expression which was not favorable. "We need the support of the dwarves but with the death of Hrothgar, they've withdrawn to Tronjheim to deliberate the new successor of the throne. And you know as well as I do that their politics, like elves, are lengthy."

He stared at her. Matters that involved the dwarves had nothing to do with him, not in the least. The only thing that connected him to the dwarves was the fact that Saphira had promised to restore the Star Sapphire that Arya had smashed. And seeing that Arya was his mate, it seemed more so important to see Saphira's promise to the dwarves through.

"I understand that you are wary of the precarious position that the dwarves are in but you must understand, Nasuada that I am not a part of their clan meets or anything that involves them for that matter," said Eragon as he straightened slightly in his seat. "Hrothgar had adopted Murtagh."

"And Murtagh is your half-brother, therefore by law, you are also part of the dwarf's traditions and you are, by law, a dwarf. I can send Murtagh and I know that he will be willing to go for the good of that Varden but I need to see that your authority as an influence in the dwarfs' decisions for the new king."

"Will you listen to reason?"

"Only if you can convince me that your point of view is more important or efficient than mine."

"Then let me try," already a dozen or so reasons were forming in his mind to combat Nasuada's logic. She may be his liege lord but there were other ways to approach an idea. "I promised my teacher that when time permitted, I would return to Ellesmera and see what more of my training that I can see through. And Murtagh has no doubt promised the same if you send me on this overseeing mission of the clan meets it would not do us any good with the Varden ready to cross into the Empire and lay siege to one of Galbatorix's city. If you let me leave now I'll be able to make it back to the Varden before we reach a critical position."

Her expression was beginning to show her small inclination towards his idea. But as ever, she glanced back towards the map to judge the distance. "If you were to leave now, you'll make it to Ellesmera by dragon back in a good three to four days time if you traveled lightly and slept regularly. How long do you plan to spend in Ellesmera? I need you present for the coronation of the new king to show our support and do not say for me to send Murtagh. He is not my sworn vassal, you are Eragon."

"I did not forget."

"Good. But back to my original question. How long will you and Arya stay within Ellesmera?"

He blinked at her. He had never said anything about Arya accompanying him. Whenever had she thought of such a notion? "I beg your pardon?"

There was a faint smile upon her lips, "It's obvious that Arya will accompany you isn't it? With your current situation, putting distance between the two of you will not do you any good. And I doubt that she will let you return to Ellesmera without her company."

Her reasoning did make sense. Though he had never been apart from Arya since the intertwining of their souls, it wasn't hard to sense that the greater the distance between the two of them the greater the effect of their absence on one another. Trying to ignore the gleam in Nasuada's eyes, he forged onward. "I would say that the most time that we have in accomplishing anything is at least three days within Ellesmera. No less and hopefully no more."

"And what is it that you are trying to accomplish?"

"That even I am not sure, but there is one thing that I need,"

"Which is?"

"A rider's sword."

The lines in her forehead seemed to crease even more as she stared at the powerful blade strapped to his waist. "Is there something wrong with the one that you have currently?"

"No, it's just," he glanced down at the blade that had followed him faithfully throughout his time as a dragon rider. "Unlike a Riders blade, my blade can break at any point in a battle if I were fighting against a warrior like Jeremiah or Galbatorix himself. I need the reassurance that a Riders sword can only offer."

"Who will forge you these swords?"

"A master smith," he said simply. He did not feel the need reveal her name.

"And you believe that you will accomplish this all in the time allotted?"

He nodded. Nasuada stared at him for a long moment; her gaze unwavering as she silently calculated his proposal. After a moment her posture relaxed, relieving him. She had taken to his suggestion. "Very well, we will go with your plan, Eragon. But make sure that even if events do not proceed as you wished it to, you must travel to Farthen Dur for the coronation of the new successor."

"I will." He paused for a moment, "Do you believe that we would have any influence towards the clan meetings? I find it hard to see any politics outside of our own being weighed down by current happenings."

"They may be a powerful race but they also need our alliance if they want to return to their golden ages," said Nasuada leaning back into her high chair. "But other than that I don't believe we'll have much hold of their proceedings."

"Once Saphira fulfills her promise to King Hrothgar, I am positive that it will help to sway them over to our side."

"Promise?" Her expression became one of urgency. "What promise do you speak of Eragon? And when have you made this promise to the dwarves?"

"After the battle in Farthen Dur when King Hrothgar had called me to visit him, Saphira had promised to restore the Star Sapphire to its original state before Arya had shattered it in rescuing Murtagh."

"Can she do it?" Her expression became one of awe.

Eragon nodded with a slight smile. "She is sure in her abilities."

This news seemed to relax Nasuada even farther than his proposal. Whatever that was going through her mind, he could not divulge, but he could take a rather good assumption. Nodding more to herself than to Eragon, she remained silent until there was a call from one of her guards outside announcing the arrival of King Orrin.

Quick to avoid the king, Eragon stood at the wave of Nasuada's hand dismissing him from her pavilion. Just as he turned to leave, he could feel the stirring of emotions from Arya signaling that she was just waking. Exiting the tent from a secret flap behind Nasuada's chair, he took a roundabout route to Arya's tent satisfied at his quick thinking. He was positive that if he remained there than another round of questioning would be imposed over him. And if Arya didn't take too well to it, he was certain that his temper was going to be short as well.

As he neared Arya's tent, he could feel the growing awareness that was flooding her. She was close to waking up. Quietly moving the flap to the side, without making any noise, he moved towards her cot where she laid underneath the white sheets, her hair billowed out next to her to prevent the strands from tangling, her milky white skin glow in the light that pervaded the tent flap. He must have really worn her out. Usually she was up by dawn but it was already three hours since.

Watching the rise and fall of her chest, he gently brought up a finger to trace the outlines of the sheets against her body. Gliding over her arms, he traced her collarbone taking in the red mark he'd left after biting her rather roughly last night. Though she didn't seem to object to his aggression. Down her chest, under the swell of her breast, over her flat and toned stomach, over her thighs and legs. She stirred but barely.

He grinned, for the first time in what seemed like a long time since he'd known Arya she was tired beyond known belief. And it usually took extreme conditions to force her to sleep past dawn. He must have really worn her out. But she didn't seem exhausted last night. Then again that was before he had worn her out. Feeling slightly contrite, he gently stroked her hair. She stirred again but remained in her sleep.

Look at that, Saphira said with amusement, you should receive an award. To think the day would come that we would see Arya sleeping so late into the day.

There was bound to be one day in a year that she wouldn't be able to uphold her rigorous schedule, Eragon said defending his actions, besides I also think this has something to do with the fact that she out drank herself last night.

More like outdid herself.

Can you get any more vulgar?

Don't get so offended, he could practically feel Saphira's amusement rolling off of her in waves. Besides, when do we leave for Du Weldenvarden?

As soon as tomorrow afternoon, Eragon turned away from Arya for the moment before moving to her table taking a seat on a stool as he glanced at the many scrolls and texts that she had laid out. What was one to do? He glanced back at her. She would be upset if she let her work go unnoticed because she slept in. Are you and Eridor ready? Or do you need some time to hunt?

If we leave now to hunt we'll make it back before noon of tomorrow, Saphira said the calculations rapidly going through her mind. He nodded moving to pick up the scroll that Arya was working on that showed a compilation of the Varden's movements. Staring down at the elegant and beautiful lines of her glyphs in the ancient language, Eragon moved to pick up a quill dipping it into the ink bottle that he opened.

Where is Eridor?

Training with Thorn, the two of them seem to be rather competitive at the moment. It reminds me of you and Murtagh at times. Speaking of which, how is he? I haven't seen him since you and your family had sat down to speak of your condition.

Better now that all of the secrets are out, he thought back to their reaction. His father had been devastated and for once, Eragon had reached out to comfort him. His mother had entered what seemed to be the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance. Murtagh's reaction was beyond contemplation. He had punched Eragon outright, smashing his nose much to Arya's displeasure. But Eragon had let him be, knowing that his actions deserved retribution. I must admit though, my nose still feels slightly odd since that attack.

You're just imagining it, your mate has made sure that all of the bones were healed, Saphira said teasingly as an image of Eragon hunched over with Arya's hands running over his newly broken nose surfaced in her thoughts. The strength of his punch must have been formidable. I never thought I heard your bones crack any louder.

Eragon laughed sarcastically, rolling his eyes at Saphira. Leave it to her to laugh at him in his time of pain he thought dully as he began to write out the report for Arya so she didn't have to still late into the night reading and studying it up. One would've thought that since she became a dragon rider, the title of ambassador would've been given to another instead.

Has she spoken with her mother yet?

He paused, stilling the quill in his hand mid-stroke. No, seeing as her first report with her mother didn't turn out so well I have not disillusioned myself into thinking that she would accept our bond with open arms.

Look at the evidence, Queen Islanzadi believes that you and Arya are not on par.

He growled softly, I know that. It's just that…I would prefer to be there next time when she decides to speak to her mother again.

I do not think that would be of any more help to the situation, said Saphira.

There's only one way to find out, he was momentarily sidetracked when there was a soft rustle of movement behind him. Arya had just turned lightly in her sleep; he smiled fondly at her before returning to the attention at hand. There's no point in being alone in anything with our souls intertwined.

Hmmm…if you plan on doing so, be careful it will not gain us any favours if we insult the most powerful being amongst a race so ancient and powerful. I would like to live though bring my wrath down upon Galbatorix.

Noted. You and Eridor should go hunt, Eragon said after a moment. But can you send for some soup for Arya?

She conceded, withdrawing from his mind to leave him to his devices. Returning to the scrolls on the table, he continued to compile the report letting it ease his mind. It wasn't until a runner knocked on the post that held Arya's tent up did he remember that he'd asked for something for her to. Going to retrieve the soup, he promptly ignored the runner's awed expression before returning to Arya. She was still sleeping judging from her emotions, he could estimate that she would wake in another ten minutes or so.

And he was right.

As he was compiling her report, he paused when he felt a hand reached out to slide about his shoulders from behind. Leaning back into her warmth, he tilted his head back to be greeted by her sparkling emerald eyes. A soft smile was spread across her face something that he'd grown used to. "Good evening," Eragon said with a smirk watching as she frowned slightly before letting the matter wash over her entirely. "You slept for quite some time."

"I was tired," the look she gave him made him grin. "When have you waked?"

"Near dawn," he answered with a thoughtful expression. "I haven't been tired lately."

"I can tell," said Arya dryly as she scratched his scalp.

Returning to her original question, he answered her in a rather bright voice, "I've been with Nasuada to talk about my next course of action."

"And that would be?"

"To return to Du Weldenvarden," surprise emanated from her but she didn't voice it. "It would be impossible to leave the Varden once we cross the border between Surda and Alagaesia. With the dwarfs retreated in their mountains to choose the next processor of the throne, Nasuada has been becoming rather anxious. If Murtagh were to travel to Farthen Dur to participate in the hall meets and we travel to Du Weldenvarden, we can easily make it back to the coronation and before the Varden reaches Feinster."

She stared at him for a moment her eyes looking but not seeing as she contemplated his words before speaking, "And when will you leave?"

"We leave tomorrow afternoon," Eragon said as he stared up at her. "Meaning that you will have to rest well tonight if we want to make good time."

Arya's lips parted to reveal her strong, white teeth as she bestowed upon him a smile that was so bright and beautiful that he felt momentarily dazed. It was as if she was…dazzling him without knowing that she was. His thoughts muddled momentarily, he stared at her at a loss for words. What was he saying again?

After a moment of thinking, he blinked, "You don't mind do you?"

She shook her head, her hair moving about her face in a cascading waterfall. "Not at all," pulling away from him, she smoothed her hair away from her face. Taking this opportune moment, he reached forward to hand her the bowl of warm soup for her to eat.

"Mushroom soup," Eragon said as she took a sip of it. She nodded her eyes moving to glance at his report that he'd compiled for her.

"Oh, you did not have to," Arya said as she stared at the quill in his hands.

He shrugged, "It was either that or sit here and watch you sleep," he added quickly, "Which I enjoy but I thought I might as well be productive."

"Indeed," she took another sip of the mushroom soup. "Would you like some?"

He politely declined instead returning to the report, Arya hovering behind. "You're writing is rather elegant," She commented.

"Thank you," Eragon said with a grin.

"Though I must say, it looks as if you paused quite a lot," she pointed to the difference in ink darkness. "Having some trouble thinking?"

"You're rather merry today,"

She disregarded that and continued to sip her soup, opting to watch him and that was how he spent the rest of the day, compiling the report underneath her watchful stare.

I know its short but there's nothing much to write here. Anyways I'll update soon enough.