Hey guys!
Jeez its already chapter 10! I have been writing like a mad man the last few days as I have had some extra time on my hands!
Thank you all for your constant reviews and continual support! This story started as just a silly thing that I decided to do because I was have really wanted more ExA and I have alread read most of the good fanfics out there so I decided to make my own. I never expected people would read and enjoy my work! So, thank you again!
User IDK- I am mostly a natural writer. I have a outline for the main plot and have some specific scenes that I have wanted to include from the beginning (The pond scenes from last chapter for instance) But a majority of the time I am just writing about how I feel characters would react to different situations or events. I enjoy the flexibility it gives me so if I suddenly have an idea, I can incorporate it quickly into a chapter. Thanks for the question!
Once again let me know what you think and if there is something I can improve!
THIS CHAPTER HAS A POV CHANGE FYI
Onto Chapter 10!
Arya's POV
Arya awoke to the sounds of the forest coming alive. She could hear birds chirping and small animals scurrying around nearby. She blinked several times trying to shake the exhaustion from her mind. As she did this she became aware of the position she was in.
Eragon lay next to her in the grass snoring softly. He had clearly rolled off his blanket and onto the grass at some point during the night and now lay only a foot or so away. His arm rested on her shoulder and with a start she realized her head rested against the side of his chest.
Trying not to wake him she started to roll over but almost instantly she heard him begin to awaken. With a small groan Eragon opened his eyes. Arya watched as he realized their positioning and immediately scrambled backward before getting to his feet and apologizing profusely.
Arya stood up herself and waved him off
"You were asleep Eragon don't worry about it"
Eragon looked like he was about to apologize again but halfway through his gaze switched to an object directly behind her. His face paled somewhat as she turned around to see Kayla standing near the entrance to the clearing and from her expression, she had seen everything.
Kayla had always acted nice to Arya, although a bit formal, from their few interactions together but as she approached slowly there was no kind expression on her face this time.
"Ebrithil" she said addressing Eragon in a voice of forced calm "Queen Nasuada requests you immediately for an urgent matter"
Eragon responded "I will be right there" and glanced at Arya
Arya nodded her head as if to say
"Go on I'll be fine"
Arya could tell Kayla wanted to say something to her and she saw no point in avoiding it.
With a backward glance of concern Eragon left the clearing
Kayla walked directly up to Arya and spoke
"What is the nature of your relationship with Eragon?"
Arya was taken aback by how calm she sounded. She expected her to be angry
"Its…. complicated"
Arya said cautiously unsure where she was going with this.
"Tell me Arya Drottning. You are still queen, correct?" She said with venom dripping from every word
"Yes?" Arya was still unsure of where this was going
"and you are bound by the councils wishes, correct?"
"Yes" Arya stated again, an idea forming about exactly what Kayla was getting at, Arya knew Kayla had feelings for Eragon but there was no way she would be that cruel and petty…. Right?
"Now, what happens if the council discovers that you are in a relationship with the lead rider?" Her voice was calm but there was an edge of a threat hidden in her words
"We aren't in a relationship Kayla. We are friends"
Kayla smiled slightly
"That's not what I saw. Friends don't sleep together"
"Nothing happened, we simply fell asleep that is all"
"The council won't see it that way, you know what could happen if they feel he could impact your decisions as queen.
Arya did know and the thought was so horrible that she refused to think about it.
"All I am saying is to…. tread carefully…. otherwise my tongue might…..slip"
Kayla left the clearing giving Arya much to ponder.
Eragon's POV
It was almost dinner time by the time Eragon got out of the meeting with Nasuada. Her supplies she had planned to send to Mount Arngor to help them throughout the winter had been destroyed by severe weather on route to them. They worked most of the day exploring alternatives and eventually they were able to settle on a deal to get more supplies from the return they the dwarves requested a dragon egg be brought to them so they could get a chance at the first Dwarven rider. Eragon explained that it was no guarantee that the egg would hatch but Orik had smiled and said
"The opportunity is worth the cost"
Eragon then arranged for an egg to be carried back by Arya when she left the following day and given to the dwarves.
Eragon walked around trying to find Arya before dinner but was unsuccessful so he headed to dinner without her.
When he walked in, he saw Arya already at the table mindlessly stabbing at her food
Eragon grabbed his food and sat down next to her.
She seemed to tighten slightly as he sat down but he made no mention of it.
After several minutes of silence where he observed Arya, trying to discern what was wrong.
He finally leaned in and whispered into her ear so no one else could hear
"Is something wrong Arya?"
She seemed to ignore him for a moment before Eragon felt her presence at the edge of his mind asking for entrance. His eyes widen in shock. Arya and Eragon had not linked or melded minds for her entire stay. He figured she wasn't comfortable doing so and he didn't press her into it. Eragon lowered his barriers cautiously and asked
"What's wrong Arya?"
Eragon could sense her emotions through their link. She was scared, nervous and angry all at once. Eragon cursed believing that his actions this morning were the cause.
"No, Eragon, you have done nothing wrong" She spoke in his mind
"We need to speak privately; can you meet me in my room an hour from now?"
"Yes, but why not just go now?" Eragon asked confused at her secretive nature
"We are being watched"
"By whom?"
Arya sent an image of Kayla through their link
Eragon had a hundred questions but before he could ask Arya stood and made to leave. She spoke once more in his mind before withdrawing
"Remember Eragon, one hour, make sure you are not followed"
Sure, enough an hour from that moment Eragon stood outside Arya's door and knocked softly
Arya opened the door and pulled him in quickly
"Were you followed?" Arya asked nervously
"No" Eragon replied
"Arya what the hell is going on here? Why are you being so secretive?"
Arya spoke in a soft and controlled voice as she explained all that had transpired in the clearing that morning.
Eragon grew more and more shocked the longer she spoke. He knew that Kayla had a crush on him but to openly blackmail her own queen seemed impossible.
When she finished Eragon didn't speak awhile trying to digest everything.
He spoke, still pondering their options
"What happens if the council does find out?"
Arya sighed looking as though she didn't want to answer.
"Well there would be a hearing first to decide if you distract me enough from my duties to require the council to intervene"
"But I don't-" Eragon started
"You do" She responded gently "Me being here with you is proof of that"
"But you are a rider!" Eragon said incredulous "Of course you must visit occasionally!" His voice was beginning to rise in frustration and anger
Arya spoke gently trying to calm him "I know that Eragon, but the council sees me as a rider as well as queen. Any action I take is both as a rider and as queen of the elves, even visiting the home of the riders"
"And if you are found to be distracted?" Eragon asked fearing the answer
"Then I would be forbidden by the council to come here" Arya spoke gently but there was pain in her eyes
"If you ignore the order?" Eragon asked wondering if it could be any worse
"They would force me to vacate the throne"
Eragon nearly cried as he knew she would never leave the throne of her own free will
"No, I can't lose you again"
"You won't" Arya suddenly spoke firmly and with confidence
Eragon really wanted to believe her.
Hey guys! If you enjoyed, it let me know!
Next chapter should be up later today!
Stay Safe