Hey guys I am back for Chapter 18!
I decided to take yesterday off and chill for a day so that's why there was no update yesterday.
User IDK- No Elf is bound or has jurisdiction by/over anyone, they follow who they wish and support who they wish. The elven queen/king is more a representative of the people than a true queen/king. They are followed because they are respected not because they hold true power over the people. Blodhgarm refers to Arya as Queen as a sign of respect not because she has power over him.
Hope that makes sense!
Onto the chapter!
Arya's 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. Arya groaned
"I am getting sick of this stupid dream"
But try as she might she could not wake herself up. Arya knelt onto the snow-covered ground and looked up. The figure stood several feet in front of her, watching the city as always. Arya watched as the city burst into flames, unfazed and unsurprised as it slowly became rubble. She whimpered slightly as Firnen was thrown into the wall and slowly died in front of her. But she did not move. She would not give the figure what they wanted. She would not give into fear.
The figure approached and like always she attempted to see its face, but she found she was unable to look up.
"You have grown stronger" The figure stated calmly
Arya knew something was familiar about its voice but couldn't place it.
She heard a dagger being pulled from its sheath as the figure put its lips next to her ear and whispered
"So, have I"
The figure lowered the dagger to her exposed arm and slowly cut a thin line down her forearm. Arya gasped in pain and
She woke with a start
"Its just a dream" She thought as she rubbed her eyes slowly
Arya felt a burning sensation on her arm and looked down in shock
A thin cut along her forearm was slowly healing itself and as she watched, it closed completely, leaving the arm as smooth and soft as ever.
Arya stared at her arm in shock. She had seen some odd things in her life, but she had never seen a dream interact with someone in the real world.
She was still processing what she had just seen when Firnen entered her mind.
"You had another dream, didn't you?" He said concerned
Arya sent the memories of her experience to Firnen
Firnen was just as stumped as she was
"This is a branch of magic I was previously unaware of. To my knowledge this is should be impossible. We know you can contact people in dreams, but I have never heard of someone actually affecting the outside world"
"When I speak to Eragon next I will ask him about it. Perhaps he knows something we don't"
Arya looked around for the first time and realized they were only a few minutes from the entrance to Ellesmera.
They had left Mount Arngor about two and a half weeks ago and Arya already wished to return. She had dreaded returning home the entire trip. She was not looking forward to the Council meeting later today as she was sure it was going to be long and brutally intense. She knew the council was unhappy with all that had transpired at Mount Arngor and she wasn't looking forward to returning and trying to sort out such a mess.
They finally arrived in Ellesmera and Firnen landed outside her home. Arya entered and dropped her stuff off at the foot of her bed. Arya would like nothing more than to go to sleep and rest her tired eyes, but she refused and instead bathed. Once she had sufficiently cleaned herself, she changed and prepared for the meeting that would start in about an hour.
Once she felt mentally prepared for the arguments that would inevitably come, she made her way to the chamber.
Once inside she found all other members of the council seated and speaking softly to each other.
They grew quiet as she approached the throne and sat.
Arya looked around at everyone seated. Däthedr sat to her right and Mulain sat to her left. Across from her Farinis sat along with Trenus.
Arya studied each of them slowly. They each seemed nervous and were avoiding her gaze apart from Däthedr who had a small smile on his face.
"They know!" She thought quickly
She wasn't certain but it seemed likely that Däthedr had spread the word of her relationship with Eragon
Arya tried to calm her racing heart as she spoke
"Shall we begin?" she asked the group
One by one they nodded and Däthedr began to speak
"Of course, he is the first to speak" She thought annoyed
"I think I speak for the entire council when I say we are glad you have returned to us safely my queen"
Arya nodded in thanks although she had a feeling Däthedr would have not lost sleep if she died tomorrow
"However, some tragic events took place during your visit to the rider stronghold. I am aware that you have already told the council your story of what happened but I would request you to recount it so it may be fresh in our memories before we precede"
Arya sighed, knowing she would have to recount the story again.
She told the elves everything she had done the day of Kayla's death. She told of how she had known to go to Nala, what Nala had told her, Why she had suspicions of Kayla's actions and had checked her house, How she had found nightshade and faerniv at her house as well as Eragon's memories (Or lack thereof) of the night. She finished with how she had confronted Kayla and how they had dueled. She told how Kayla had attempted to kill her and how Eragon had saved her and how Kayla had met her last moments. She finally said that Eragon would make a full recovery.
Arya purposefully left out as much as she could to protect Eragon as much as possible. She also didn't reveal what Kayla had told her in the clearing.
The elves were silent for a few moments as they digested her story for the second time.
Finally, Trenus spoke
"I am very glad to hear that Eragon Shadeslayer will make a full recovery and you are unhurt. It would have been a great loss to the world if he had fallen into the void. I do wonder why you cared so much of Kayla's actions enough to look so deeply into the night Eragon and Kayla shared together.
Trenus spoke calmly but Arya could tell he already knew the answer to his question and judging by the rest of the council sitting up slightly as his question was asked, they knew the answer too. They wanted to see if she would admit it.
Arya sat for a moment considering her options. Finding no other avenue, she decided to tell part of the truth
"Eragon and I have grown close over the time we have known each other. I felt concerned that Kayla was manipulating him for her own wants and desires. I ended up correct, didn't I?"
Däthedr spoke
"Your guess was correct my queen. However, let me ask you this, Is your relationship with Eragon in any way romantically involved?"
Arya held her steely gaze at Däthedr as she replied softly
"It is"
The council began to speak amongst themselves for a moment before Arya spoke.
"ENOUGH! My relationship with Eragon is not relevant to this conversation. we have more pressing matters to attend to"
Däthedr spoke again
"On the contrary my queen, I think your relationship is at least in part, one of the reasons Kayla has entered the void."
"The main reason for you looking into Kayla was clearly because of your feelings for Eragon"
Arya tried to deny it, but she could not lie in the ancient language
Arya found this really annoying at times
"Does it matter why I decided to get involved? Are suggesting I should ignore the fact that one of our own was taking advantage of the lead rider of the order!" Arya said outraged
Däthedr spoke again "I am saying no such thing, only that your feelings for Eragon influenced your decision making"
"Tell me my queen, if another elf had found this information do you think the result would have been the same?"
Arya froze about the respond
"He is correct, another elf would have certainly handled it differently"
Däthedr took her silence as confirmation
"You were influenced by your feelings for Eragon and in doing so directly led to the death of one of our own. I call for a vote of emotional ineptitude upon Arya Drottning!"
Arya grew slightly pale at these words
"Do you have anything you wish to say in your defense my Queen?" Däthedr said smiling
"I would only like to remind the council that It was not I who drew the sword first and neither was it I who delivered the fatal blow even if I had the chance too."
Arya said before both Arya and Däthedr were forced to leave
The remaining three council members would debate and come to a verdict. Arya would only be punished if all three voted guilty
Arya waited and contemplated her opinions if she was convicted
She would most likely no longer be allowed to see Eragon or have contact with him. A prospect Arya found near unbearable. She decided if this was the case she would begin the search for her successor as soon as possible.
Finally, she was called back into the room along with Däthedr.
All three voting members remained seated as they retook their seats.
"What is your verdict?" Arya asked hiding her nerves behind her normal stoic look
"My queen, given all the evidence we have ruled that your decisions made on that day were indeed influenced by your personal feelings of Eragon that directly influenced your actions" Trenus spoke
Arya's blood grew cold at these words but Trenus continued
"We however find that although your decisions were made for personal gain they did not lead directly to the death of Kayla. Kayla had many chances to concede or avoid the fight and when it was clear she had lost, acted most dishonorably. Because Kayla's actions were of her own accord you will not be punished for the incident.
Arya let out a gasp of relief and looked at Däthedr who looked livid
However, it should be noted that the council disapproves of your relationship with Eragon Shadeslayer. We feel he is a distraction to your duties and urge, although we cannot force you too, to reconsider the relationship.
Mulain spoke softly
"A queen finding love is not frowned upon Drottning however if the love continually effects the decisions they make and the subjects they rule. The council must get involved.
Arya nodded understanding her warning behind her words "If you do not prove your relationship doesn't effect your ability as queen we will have to act'
"I will consider your words" She said stiffly
Arya called an end to the meeting sighting tiredness from the long journey.
she made her way into her home and laid down, looking forward to finally sleeping in a bed for the first time in almost a month, Arya heard a knock on the door and got up to open it. There was no one there but there was a small note on the ground.
She opened it and read
"How is your arm?" was all it said
Hey guys!
Hope you liked it!
Manofsteel—You mentioned something about lots of scheming when they returned to Ellesmera, trust me things are in motion! Elves take ages to get stuff done
As always give me feedback on what is and isn't good!
Hope everyone is safe with all the snow coming down! I am in New York and we are sitting at about two feet right now!
Stay safe!