Hey guys! I'm back for Chapter 4
Hope you guys are enjoying this as much as I enjoy writing it. Leave reviews to let me know what you think of the story!
Quick note I have been updating 2 or more chapters per day and that pace will not be sustain forever as I do have school and other things going on. I expect once I get busy I will be writing less. I will let you know how the update schedule will change once I get busy
Now onto chapter 4!
Arya POV
Arya stood atop a tall mountain; the wind was blowing all around creating snow flurries that sprinkled around her. Firnen lay next to her snoring softly and below her she could see the entire city of the riders. She looked around and noticed a hooded figure standing several feet from her with his back turned to her. She turned back toward the city only to find it was in flames. Buildings collapsed and smoke poured out endlessly. She needed to help them! She turned toward Firnen only to find nothing but a skeleton where her dragon had been. In horror and fear she was forced to turn back toward the figure who was still standing, observing the flames of a now ruined city. He began to laugh softly; A cold and unnatural laugh that shot fear through her. She froze as the figure slowly turned toward her. She saw a flash of blue and then….
"Little one! AWAKEN!"
Arya woke with a gasp and sat up on her dragons back. Light from the west signaled it was late evening. She took a moment to control her racing heart and looked around. They were in a small meadow with several small trees and bushes. To her right was a small stream and to the right was Firnen eye looking back at her.
Arya spoke still slightly shaken
"Why have we stopped? We are only a day's flight away."
Firnen looked at her closely "You began to shake and scream while we were flying, I tried to contact you but you were blocking me from your mind. I feared something was wrong and landed. We are fortunate that their was a small island below us or it would have been….wet"
Arya looked around again and realized they were indeed on a small island
"Was it anther one of your dreams?" Firnen asked softly
Arya nodded but didn't respond as she was trying to control her thoughts again.
"Do you wish to show me the dream? I caught glimpses as I attempted to contact you but not enough to truly understand it"
Arya nodded again and sent him the memory of the dream through their link.
"I wish I understood it myself" Arya said more to herself
"This is the same dream you have been having for a while now correct?" Firnen asked after viewing the dream
"yes, and each time I feel as hopeless as the last"
Firnen was quiet for a few minutes as they sat in peace, watching the sun slowly set
"Do you wish to continue through the night or wait until morning? We are around eight hours of flying from Mount Arngor"
Arya considered going through the night as it would save them a day of travel but ultimately decided to wait until morning
"We should stay the night. There is no guarantee we will have a spot to land before we get there and even a dragon has its limits. We can leave early tomorrow morning"
"I could still do it" Firnen replied grudgingly but Arya sensed he was relived to take a break.
"Of that I have no doubt" smiled Arya as she hugged Firnen tightly
Arya spent a few minutes gathering wood for a fire and when she was ready Firnen blasted a small amount of fire at the wood and it blazed instantly into a roaring fire.
Arya sat and ate some nuts and berries while starring at the fire. Her thoughts wondered to Eragon as it normally did when she had free time. She remembered many of the great times they had shared together from slaying shades to sharing Faelnirv after Wyden's death. The sharing of their true names was her most cherished memory though even if it was tinged with sadness. She could still remember the day with perfect clarity. Arya had refrained from saying his true name since th fateful day he had left. It was a protective measure to ensure no one knew his true name but also (and Arya would not confide this to anyone except Firnen) She was terrified that she would one day mutter his true name and there would be no special ring to it, no shiver would run down his back and it would be proven that he had truly changed as she feared he would.
"You should sleep" Firnen spoke finally
"I should…..but I cannot" Arya replied still starring at the fire
"Is it the dream or… nerves for tomorrow" Firnen asked slowly
Firnen knew and there was no denying it no matter how much Arya wished she could.
"Both" Arya replied shortly
"Do you really think he will be unhappy to see you?"
"I don't know what to expect and that is worse"
Firnen remained quiet so Arya continued
"I haven't truly spoken to him in five years" Arya said with regret "Other than formal meetings each year to discuss progress and news; we have said next to nothing"
Arya was quiet for a moment and then said quietly
"And its all my fault"
Firnen wrapped his body around Arya to comfort her
"If you explain to Eragon I am sure he will understand your reasons"
Arya wasn't so sure but let the topic drop. Firnen fell asleep quickly after that but Arya stayed awake simply starring at the fire wondering if Eragon had changed and what tomorrow would bring for both of them.