Hey guys I am back for chapter 13! Thank you all for the reviews!
User IDK- A part of me really considered making Eragon do much more than just push her against a wall but at the end of the day I felt Eragon was too moral to hit a woman even if she deserved it. I will say this though, 1. Arya does not hold the same ideals and 2. If Kayla's plan ends badly for Eragon welllllllll…. All I am saying is if you want Kayla to truly pay for her actions… I think you will like some of the upcoming chapters!
Thanks for the review!
Chapter 13 here we go!
Arya's POV
Arya sat in her room in Ellesmera. Sunlight shone through the windows signaling the start to a new day as Arya glazed at her Fairth of Eragon she had made so long ago.
"It has been two and a half years and I still cannot go a day without thinking of you" she thought sadly
Eragon and Arya had kept in contact throughout this time just as Arya had promised. Arya cherished these meetings that happened every two months or so even though they rarely lasted more than an hour. Although Arya enjoyed these meetings, she sometimes felt it was almost harder than not speaking at all because after every meeting the longing and pain swept over her, each time stronger than the last. Although they never spoke of it, Arya could tell Eragon felt very much the same. In these meetings they seemed to speak of everything imaginable from how the new students were faring to how Arya was faring as queen too what they wished for the future.
The first dwarf rider had been hatched several months after Arya returned. The dwarf who was named Bargin along with his brown dragon Jakkia had trained with Arya for several months before leaving for Mount Arngor to finish training with Eragon.
A knock on the door woke her from her thoughts. An elf spoke from behind the door.
"My queen, the council is awaiting you so they may begin for the day"
"I will be there shortly" she said wishing she could do anything else
Arya had come to despise these meetings. They were slow and tedious, but the worst part of the meetings was the elven Lord, Däthedr. He had slowly been taking over these meetings ever since she had returned from her visit of Mount Arngor. He routinely questioned her authority with subtle jabs at her decisions and abilities and there was very little she could do to stop him.
"All because of that elven coward, Kayla" She thought savagely
Arya had gone from disliking the elf to flat out hatred once Eragon had told her that Kayla had told Lord Däthedr all she had seen in the clearing that day. Arya suspected Eragon wasn't telling her everything but she decided not to press him as he had enough on his mind at that moment. He had said she was properly punished although Arya wasn't sure what the punishment entailed.
Arya sighed as she remembered her first full day home.
Lord Däthedr had visited her in the evening just before sunset, Arya had been at her desk pouring over the many scrolls she had neglected in her absence when he had knocked on her door and asked to speak with her privately. They had sat in front of Arya's small fireplace quietly for a few moments. Arya was nervous about where this conversation would inevitably lead but she would not be the one to push it there.
They spoke pleasantly for a long while before the topic that Arya was dreading had come up.
"I heard from Kayla several weeks ago" Lord Däthedr spoke softly, his face carefully hidden behind a mask
Arya spoke in a voice of forced calm as panic began to spread throughout her body
"Oh? Regarding what?" Arya asked knowing full well what the answer was
"She confirmed to me several rumors that had reached my ears throughout the years" He replied still calm
"You know as well as I do not to put stock into rumors" Arya said nervously
Lord Däthedr looked at her with a small smile
"I normally wouldn't, but Kayla is a reliable source and I tend to think it unlikely she is lying"
"What exactly did she say?" Arya replied still unwilling to admit anything to him
"That the lead rider and the queen of the elves were…. romantically involved"
"and you believe her?" Arya tried to sound incredulous
"I do" Lord Däthedr "It confirms some suspicions I have had for quite some time"
Arya sighed, finally convinced she could not escape this, and simply stated
"My relationship with Eragon is complicated but we are friends"
Arya had to choose her words carefully as she was speaking in the ancient language
"Only friends?" Lord Däthedr asked questioningly
Arya tried to say yes but the ancient language stopped her mid word so instead she spoke
"I don't know"
Lord Däthedr looked as though this was the confirmation he needed as he spoke sharply
"You understand what could happen if the council discovers this relationship?"
Arya was about to protest it wasn't a relationship, but she stopped. It would change nothing so instead she asked in a tone of calmness
"Will you be the one to tell them?"
Lord Däthedr stood and began to exit her home.
"I will not."
"Thank you Lord Däthedr" She replied relieved
Lord Däthedr bowed respectfully before leaving
It was not until late that night that Arya thought back to their conversation and realized
He had spoken his last words to her in the human tongue. He was not bound to them.
Arya sighed as she shook herself out of her memories and began the journey to the council chambers. Lord Däthedr had still not told anyone to Arya's knowledge but this was hardly surprising. Arya was sure he was biding his time until he knew he had the support he needed to take the throne. Arya was particularly nervous about this specific meeting because Eragon had invited her back to Mount Arngor to witness Folir and Moroth become riders in full. Being former students of hers she very much wanted to go but was unsure if the council would allow her too. She also had Däthedr to consider as he would be in prime position to act with her gone.
She entered the chamber and took her seat on the Knotted Throne. The meeting lasted hours as they spoke of the harvest and how Du Weldenvarden was particularly prosperous this year. Finally, Däthedr spoke
"If there are any no other matters the council would like to discuss I believe we can call an end to this meeting"
Arya spoke for one of the few times that day
"There is something I would like to ask the council" She directed the words at the entire council, but her eyes stayed fixed on Däthedr.
"What is it my queen?" He spoke politely but his eyes showed impatience
Arya took a deep breath before responding
"I wish to go to Mount Arngor to witness my students become riders in full"
The entire council shared disapproving looks
Finally, Däthedr spoke
"You were just there several years ago my queen. We cannot afford to lose you for two months so soon after you returned. Surely you can simply wait to see your students when they come to visit?" Däthedr spoke with a knowing smile on his face
Arya wondered why he was against her leaving as it would be a great opportunity for him
"He has to play his role to the others on the council. He can't support me then backstab me" She thought before responding
"It is important for the Riders that both of the lead Riders attend the coronation. Besides I won't be gone two months this time. I can be there and back in a month and a half."
Lord Däthedr responded "My queen correct me if I am wrong but didn't it take you almost three weeks to reach the rider stronghold? How would you plan to be there and back in such a short time?"
Arya responded "Firnen has improved with the help of proper training"
Arya said this because it made her earlier trip seem more worthwhile but in truth this was only partially true. Although Firnen had improved significantly from training with Saphira, the real reason that they could arrive so quickly was the three eldunari that Eragon had given her before her departure. With their power they could move faster and fly longer but Arya couldn't say that as the secret of the dragons was only known to a select few.
"Very well, let us debate" was Däthedr's reply
The council debated for almost an hour. Arya was forced to argue every point against her but in the end, they relented and would allow her to go.
Arya and Däthedr were the last to leave the chamber once they had decided.
"Say hello to Eragon for me" He said coldly with a small laugh as he walked out
Arya decided not to let him trouble her and she rushed to speak to Eragon.
Eragon was ecstatic to hear the news and asked when to expect them
"In about three weeks, we need some time to prepare"
Eragon nodded and smiled
Arya was about to ask how Saphira was when a loud bang could be heard from Eragon's mirror as he looked past his mirror to a person out of Arya's view. They said something to him and Eragon swore loudly
"I must go, Veres has picked a fight with one of the wild dragons. I must go help break it up unless you intend to arrive to a city of ashes.
"Why am I not surprised it was Veres" She said with a small laugh
Eragon responded "He certainly has a temper" Eragon paused before leaving
"I cannot wait to see you Arya Drottning"
"Nor I you, Eragon Shadeslayer"
The image of Eragon vanished
Arya laid down in her bed and the last thing she thought before she fell into waking dreams was
"See you soon"
Hope you guys liked it!
This chapter isn't the most interesting but it serves an important purpose as it sets up several other storylines I have planned!
This will most likely be the only update today as I am getting this out later than I would have liked
Let me know what you think of the series and where I can improve
Stay safe everyone!