Hey Guys! Chapter 6 is here! Hope you enjoy!
This chapter will have a POV switch in the middle of the chapter FYI
Symbolism: Notice how Firnen and Saphira have opposite views of each other in regard to an ExA relationship?
Enjoy the chapter!
Eragon's POV
Eragon was frozen, staring into Arya's emerald eyes, feeling content to stare into her eyes for the rest of his life, he wasn't sure how long it was until Arya slowly looked away and spoke
"Atra esterní ono thelduin, Eragon Shadeslayer" There was a slight tremble in her voice that Eragon doubted anyone but him noticed
"Mor'ranr lifa unin hjarta onr Arya Drottning" He responded with a small smile
"Un atra du evarínya ono varda" she finished the greeting still staring at him intently
Eragon nodded and repeated the process with Firnen who, after finishing the greeting spoke to Eragon
"I am glad to see that both you, Eragon Kingkiller and you Saphira Brightscales are well"
Eragon smiled and spoke aloud
"Thank you Firnen, I am very glad you and Arya can finally see all of our hard work in person"
Saphira rumbled in agreement
Arya nodded in response and turned to greet his students who she was familiar with as she had trained them for several months before they made the journey to Mount Arngor.
Once all the introductions were finished Eragon spoke to Arya
"I will show you where you will be staying for your visit" Eragon continued
"Saphira will show Firnen where the dragons stay. There are large caves at the base of the mountains that he will enjoy. He may pick any one of them he wishes"
"There is only one cave he will be staying in" Saphira said to Eragon and Firnen
This caused Firnen and Saphira to mentally laugh as they took off while Eragon laughed with a mix of humor and embarrassment.
To his surprise he heard Arya laugh next to him as well. It was a rare thing to hear from the elf and Eragon loved the sound. It was almost musical in nature and filled Eragon with so much joy he felt he could listen to it forever and not get bored.
"Follow me Arya Drottning I will show you where you will be staying"
They met eyes for a moment, both with smiles on their faces, before Eragon looked away and when he looked back her face had gone back to the stoic expression she wore so often.
They spoke little on the walk to the housing tower where both Eragon and Arya would be staying as head riders. They walked in silence for several unbearable minutes until Eragon couldn't take it any longer and began to speak about many of the buildings as they passed explaining their purpose and how difficult it was to build. Arya wasn't speaking much but it was clear she was interested and attentive so Eragon kept talking.
When they reached the tower, they climbed the steps and when they got to the landing there were one door on either side. On the left was Eragon's room/study and on the right was Arya's untouched room. Magically etched into the wooden door was the words "Arya Drottning" in the ancient language.
Arya turned toward him, and he spoke "The elves felt that the lead riders should each get their own rooms. I tried to explain I would be just as happy at the common area, but they had insisted. They said that my room should reflect my title as lead rider. I told them I would only agree if you were given the same treatment so that is why you have such a large room" he finished with a smile
Arya seemed to think for a moment before speaking "Thank you for this, I am grateful, but I feel it is a fruitless gesture as I will only be here on occasion. You should repurpose this room for one of your riders who will be here more often.
Eragon shook his head somewhat disappointed she didn't expect to be here more but still answered " You deserve this and besides the elves would never allow it, you know more than anyone how stubborn they can be" he finished with a grin
"There is truth in that" She responded with a small smile that turned his legs to jelly
"Well I don't want to keep you, Go and get comfortable, we will start the celebrations in about two hours' time"
Arya nodded and turned toward the door but stopped for a moment
"Celebrations?" She asked, "what for?"
Eragon looked at her surprised
"Today marks the day we defeated the mad king"
"Huh… I have lost track of time"
"Indeed you have" Eragon muttered
He thought he heard her mutter something back as the door closed but couldn't tell what she had said.
ARYA'S POV
Arya lay in the bath allowing the warm water to flow around her as she attempted to console herself. The hope she had felt just an hour ago was gone, replaced by pain. Firnen was off with Saphira and she refused to ruin his happiness to comfort her.
Upon entering her room, she had found a large, comfortable bed with a nightstand much like the one in Ellesmera. There was a door to her left that led to a balcony that overlooked the city and to the right a bathroom that had the tub she was now laying in. She recounted the day in her head, going over every detail attempting to rationalize her feelings and learn as much about Eragon as she could in the short time, she had spent with him.
Several hours earlier
As Firnen prepared to land Arya couldn't help but gasp at what Eragon and the elves had accomplished in five short years. A small town lay before her with glistening towers of marble in each corner and a small building in the center that was surrounded by water. She found it hard to believe Eragon had coordinated all of this, but it was true. As Firnen landed he sought him out amongst the crowd and found him walking toward her with Saphira flying above him and Blodhgarm and an elf Arya didn't know on each side of him.
As Arya dismounted, she found her gaze focused on Eragon and Eragon alone. He looked the same as she remembered with brown hair and eyes and a kind smile,
She stopped several feet from him and stared at him unable to look away.
Arya, noticing his reluctance to meet her eyes, spoke softly so that only Eragon could hear
"Eragon, look at me"
She had to know if this man was the same one that had left her all these years ago. He looked up at her and her heart raced as for just a moment something flashed in his eyes, but she couldn't tell what it was. Anger? Frustration? Joy?
She grew frustrated as she could no longer read him like she used too.
"He has grown" Firnen commented
Firnen's comment shook her out of her trance as she looked away from Eragon and started the elven greeting, A small tremble in her voice was the only thing betraying the emotional roller-coaster flying around in her head. She hoped he didn't notice it.
As she watched Eragon speak to Firnen and then to the crowd she took the time to study how he acted. She noticed a new aura of confidence he possessed when speaking to others. He also seemed to have more control over his emotions or at the very least had gotten better at hiding them.
She greeted Folir and Moroth as well as their dragons who all replied "Ebrithil".
She was only vaguely aware of Eragon speaking about where everyone would stay and returned to the conversation right as Saphira quipped
"There is only one cave he will be staying in"
Which drew out a laugh from Eragon and herself as their dragons took off to spend "Quality time together"
Eragon had turned slightly red but asked her to follow him
Arya was again awed by the progress made as they walked through the town but refrained from saying much as she wasn't quite sure where they stood now.
Arya was just glad he didn't seem mad at her although she couldn't be sure as she struggled to read this new Eragon.
As they entered a tall tower and climbed the stairs he stopped on a landing and motioned to the right where a wooden door with the words "Arya Drottning" engraved into it. They spoke some more and she was surprised but glad they were right next to each other. Arya took her leave and entered her room for the first time and her resolve broke. She had to know.
She whispered his true name to herself and felt
Nothing
No tingle or special vibration in the air
"He truly had changed"
OHHHHHHH! His name changed!
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! It was longer than normal but I felt it was important to see both sides of their meeting as well as see where their minds are at.
Stay safe guys
Chapter 7 will be up later today or tomorrow!