This IS a new chapter, sorry if there was any confusion.

This is a free update, meaning no one gave me any fuel to want to update, i just did it...well hopefully someone else wants to hear more...Please leave comments, they help a lot. Thanks to all those that do...and with no more rambling cuz I know its boring on with the story...

Chap 3- The Queen's meeting

After the meeting Eragon left, Arya assumed he left to go talk with Oromis about the meeting.

"Arya, may I speak with you."

"Surely mother, of course."

"What is on your mind right now, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Nothing mother, not that of importance anyway."

"I hope that is the truth, meaning that you know that what you are thinking of, more of less that of whom you are thinking of, is forbidden."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about a human and an elf can not be", "Especially not one of noble birth!"

"Mother, what are you trying to say?" Arya struggling to not let her mother get a rise out of her.

"I'm saying I noticed how you two looked at each other and I felt the "aura" between you two even after the Agaeti-Blodhren."

"Mother, I have spoken with Eragon and anything that we believe between us is in a standstill and will not be touched until graver issues have been handled. He has matured so much since he first arrived, surely you at least have noticed that."

"Rider, or not, he is not fit for you. Wether you agree with me on this, it is my final say until I can see differently."

"Then mother we shall not talk as mother daughter until then. For you are just the queen to me now." Arya bowed scornfully to get the full effect of her purposefully paining words. She turned and stalked out of the meeting room with a figure left speechless and motionless in the throne chair.

Arya went straight to Saphira. How she knew where Saphira was is beyond her. She slowly approached the resting dragon. Arya did not know if Saphira was just resting or deep in slumber, so she made sure to not rouse her unless she knew for sure.

'Arya, what is the matter?'

'Saphira, I'm sorry to bother you but I must tell someone of this painful decision I have to make and I only feel as if you are the only one I can tell. I cannot even tell Eragon, though this doesn't make sense can I trust that you will not tell him of this conversation until I give you word to do so?'

'You have my oath as a dragon Arya.'

'My mother doesn't understand. I don't know how to explain it because I don't understand it myself.'

'Please, speak plainly, you have an avid listener, but a simple one at that.'

'Sorry, well my mother does not approve of Eragon and I, but well we aren't...I mean, we haven't...well you know, we both understand the postition of things and know better.'

'Yes, I know that and I agree with you and Eragon's agreement to each other. What does Queen Islanadi's view on this?'

'I don't think she understands that both of us agreed that there are bigger things to worry about and are not at all distracted on each other, well most of the time. She also does not think he is fit for me, but I think that is just a mother believing no one is fit her daughter. It does not help that I am royalty as well.'

'Hmm, I see...', 'and what did you think I could help you with?'

'How could I tell him without hurting him, that just for now it cannot be? How do I tell him no and make it seem like I mean no even afterwards without letting him know that I don't mean it? Because lying is something I don't happen to do, well, a lot.'

'Arya, is it so bad to let him know how you feel? Is it bad to feel good to know he feels this way regardless of how harsh you are to him about these feelings? I know that you have priorities and apparently anything that is personal to you is not in the top oh lets say top 50, but have you thought about how this might make Eragon stronger?'

'No, I haven't been able to think clearly lately, or at least I believe I haven't been thinking clearly. I feel blinded with my emotions controlling me and this is not how I normally operate.'

'Arya, go think about this long and hard and if you feel what you need to do is hurt your heart and break his I have to allow it, but I will make you feel as guilty as if you took a blade to it yourself. I cannot help that, I am going to be just as heartbroken as he is if you choose it.'

'I'm sorry Saphira, my intention is actually to not hurt anyone...my mother, Eragon, or you.'

'I know, but what must be done, is what must be done.' With this Arya took her leave and strolled back up the street and towards her tree. She was deep in thought the rest of the night thinking of what had to be done.

The next morning...

Eragon walked up the street going to get something to eat and walked into a distracted Arya.

"Oh, Eragon...um well I've got to talk to you..."

"Well, good morning to you too."

"This cannot be,..."

"What are you talking about?...oh...that..."

"You know why it can't happen."

"Is that because you can't or you won't?"

"I...both.", "I can't deny, accept, or give anything, Eragon."

"Is that what you want?"

"It's not my decision, if I did make one it would hurt someone either way."

Eragon takes a deep breath

"Dang it lady! Stop thinking of everyone else for a moment and think of what you want. What do you want? I don't care what you choose as long as its you who wants it that way. I can live with that if you can live with that."

"You know why I can't."

"Then you choose no, I can live with that. There wasn't really ever much there anyway right? So I can deal with that. Its not like I'm losing a lot anyway. I was the only one really trying . So long as this is what you want it's what I want."

"..."

Eragon looks into her eyes.

"Now we have that settled, at least could we have breakfast? That's all I ask, a little tiny friendship. Nothing more, nothing less. Can I at least have that from you? Just that?" She looks away, and then finally she answered in a soft voice almost inaudible and in strain as if it pained her to speak, "yes." Eragon turned on his heel as he said over his shoulder, "Thank-you". She waited until he was out of sight. Arya turned towards her room and instead of steady walking she sprinted. She ran as fast as she could making it impossible for anyone to question her and ask what is wrong. She couldn't stop, she wouldn't stop. Never had she felt so much emotion and she wanted desperately to forget what had happened.

'It's done, I've made sure that nobody else gets hurt...right? I did the right thing' Almost trying to convince herself.

'He didn't get too deep and I stopped him before he could get too attached. I had to, I had to before I slipped up and showed him how deep I was. This has to be this way, it must be...'

'Why can't I have what I want?' She sobbed a little but held back her tears.

She stood up, took a deep breath,

"I want this, this is needed and will let us accomplish more without distractions", "His being distracted on me and I encouraging it is being greedy."

'I wish to be there for him, but it must be business only. I must support him, but not where he thinks much of it.'

'Support him as council, as follower, as a leader, as nothing more than that.'

'This person you have built up in your mind, Eragon does not exist.'

Late afternoon

Eragon strides up to his tree with a stern face and distant eyes as if in deep thought. He did not notice Orik's presence sitting in front of his tree waiting patiently.

"Eragon? Are you alright lad?"

"Huh? What-oh, yeah I'll be alright."

"That was not my question, but nevertheless there was an answer in that...","What is troubling you my friend? I wish to understand what has gotten one such as yourself so down as if you lost something dear to you."

"My dear friend you are more right than you should be or even meant to be and that makes me even more sadden."

"I believe I know to what you mean, and I then give you my sympathies, also my ears for you to have someone to listen to and release any utterance you need to vent out."

"Thank you, I really appreciate your concern, but it is not for you to worry. Good night Orik."

"Good night Eragon."

"Wait!"

"What is it?"

"Is there a reason you had sat here all day?"

"Morale support my friend, morale support...now get some sleep."

"Thank-you again Orik, you are a dear friend and I appreciate all you do." Orik took his leave and Eragon made his way up to his study. Saphira appeared to be sleeping soundly in the bedroom chamber. Eragon crept on past her as to not and wake her. He took the steps up and continued on towards the study. He sat down at the desk, not really knowing why he was there and slowly faded into a slumber.

A/N:I think my next chapter will be pretty good, actually i have it here, not finished, but most people that sneak a peak are excited. If you want another chapter, leave comments, ask questions...promise to get in your advice and also leave recognition to those that do. Thanks!