I am back for Chapter 33
Thank you to everyone who has viewed and reviewed the story! We are nearing the end now so hopefully everyone enjoys!
Thanks to the multiple people who favorited or followed the story!
XxxghostriderXxx- Thank you for the compliment! I wish IC got more notoriety as I feel it is a fantastic series and my personal favorite of all time! I can't believe I missed that detail about Arya's skin tone! Thanks for the heads up I will go back and change it when I get the chance!
If you guys catch any errors like that let me know so I can fix it as I go back and reedit the story.
Manofsteel—To the elves he was risking his life for a 1 in a million chance to save Arya and he went against their guidance, so they are not happy!
Thanks for the kind words! That was my first mature scene so hopefully it was decent. Really happy to hear you have a story planned! Let me know when you get around to writing the story so I can give it a read!
Thanks to you all and enjoy chapter 33
Arya's POV
The second Arya's connection to Eragon broke, Arya felt herself jolt slightly as she was once again in the small cell in Gil'ead. She began to breathe short, panicked breaths as her fear began to overwhelm her
"Did I never escape?" she thought with horror
Her flashback only lasted a moment, but Kayla clearly noticed her sudden jolt and looked at her questioningly. Arya waved her off quickly, it was expected things would grow worse when they separated.
Kayla clearly wasn't convinced that she was as ok as she seemed as she started a conversation which made Arya grateful. It allowed a distraction from her dark thoughts
"What exactly is the plan once we arrive" She asked as she shouted over the wind that was starting to pick up around them
Arya glanced at Kayla and quickly cast a spell so that the wind would bend around them and allow them to speak normally.
"There isn't much of one. I do not know if it truly was Dathedr who orchestrated the attack or if he has the support of the people behind him. I will not be able to openly confront him until I know these truths."
Kayla frowned as she thought
"If he truly is behind the attack then it would be foolish to simply walk into Ellesmera. He would kill you on sight"
Arya had already thought of a solution to this potential problem
"I will enter the city in secret. There are passages I discovered during my youth that is only known to a few. Once inside I have several friends in Ellesmera that I can trust to hide me for a time."
Kayla nodded but seemed confused
"If you are entering Ellesmera in secret then what is my role in this plan?"
Arya smiled slightly
"There is a reason I have chosen you to accompany me Kayla. Everyone who knows you were a part of the assassination attempt is either atop Firnen or dead. No one knows you betrayed the others and saved me. You will enter Ellesmera and go about your days as normal and observe your surroundings and report back to me. Should Dathedr become aware of your presence and make a move then we will know he was behind the assassination and can plan accordingly."
Kayla gave her a grim smile
"It's dangerous, any number of things could go wrong"
"Did you expect it to be easy?" Arya asked incredulously
Kayla shook her head
"I only expected a more detailed plan than that. We are talking of treason and if we are not careful then we will be exiled or worse"
Arya was well aware of this and was becoming annoyed
"I have done what I can with what I know"
Kayla looked as though she was going to respond but thought better of it. She took a deep breath and spoke again in a calmer tone
"What happens if Dathedr is innocent? Will you once again take up the throne?"
Arya shook her head
"If Dathedr is innocent and proves to be a good king then I will leave him be. I have no wish to return to the throne."
Arya saw Kayla's shoulders slump slightly at her words and got the sense Kayla was disgruntled with her response, but she kept quiet and so Arya did the same.
They spoke little as Firnen continued his flight over the sea as the sun began to set. The shadows upon the waves began to grow as the sun began to set into the sky. At Arya's request, Firnen landed upon a small island for the night.
Arya and Kayla worked together and quickly set up a makeshift camp on the soft sand overlooking the ocean. Kayla went off to find some firewood and Arya was left with a sleeping Firnen as she sat lost in thought.
"Am I doing the right thing?" She wondered to herself as she stared across the endless sea
She knew her reasons for returning were sound, but it didn't stop the doubts that crept into her mind. Doubts of her intentions being nothing more than spite at Dathedr, Doubts that the risks were worth it
She shook her head vigorously
"The decision is made, there is nothing you can do about it now"
She pushed the thoughts from her mind and tried to distract herself.
Her thoughts dwelled to Eragon and a pang shot through her. The one decision she was not doubting was him. She thought back to the night before, it felt like it had been a lifetime ago. She smiled at the night they had shared. She was still trying to understand the feelings she had experienced in that clearing. Joy, pleasure, love and devotion were all clear and distinguished but above all there was a feeling of rightness and connection. It was a feeling that Arya struggled to put into words. It was something she had not remembered feeling with Faolin. It was as though they had become one being for a brief time, connected by mind, body and soul. It had been a surreal experience and one Arya knew she would cherish for the rest of her life.
Her thoughts were interrupted as wood was thrown onto the small pit Arya had dug and a fire suddenly sprang to life. Kayla crouched by the now roaring fire and warmed her hands. Her face remained a mask as she glanced at Arya. Arya could tell she had been bothered by something. Arya spoke in a casual manner
"Are you alright Kayla?"
Her response was brief and controlled
"I am fine"
Arya studied her for a moment and shook her head slowly but didn't respond
"If she doesn't wish to tell me, I can't force her"
Kayla sat next to her as she stared at the fire
Arya's eyes wondered and caught a glimpse of her bag. An idea struck her, and she pulled out the flask of Faelnirv Kayla had given her.
Kayla watched as she unstoppered the flask and sniffed it cautiously. She trusted Kayla but it was still important to be sure.
Despite her mood Kayla cracked a rare smile at her movements and said
"No nightshadow this time, I swear"
Arya nodded and took a small swig. The familiar liquid tickled her throat and she felt warmth spread throughout her body. The sweetness surprised her and she offered the flask to Kayla who hesitated before taking the flask and drinking a slightly larger amount.
They traded the flask back and forth several times until they both felt a comfortable buzzing in their heads and Arya stoppered the flask and put the now half full bottle back into her bag.
Neither of them had drank a large amount but Arya hoped it would be enough for Kayla to loosen her tongue.
Arya laid back onto the soft sand and enjoyed the effects of the drink as Kayla sat closer to the fire. They sat in silence for some time before Arya was compelled to speak.
"This was sweeter than I am used to. What did you add?"
Kayla crouched in front of the fire as she prodded a piece of wood into place.
"Moonberries and chestnut, it was an old family recipe"
Arya sat up slowly, Kayla had never mentioned a family before
"Did your parents teach you that recipe" Arya asked curiously
Kayla's face tightened and the twigs she held snapped in her hands as she shook her head
"My parents died during the fall when I was young" She said in an emotionless voice
Arya felt sorrow and an odd sense of friendship in that moment.
"Something else we have in common, we both lost our parents far too soon" She thought
"I am sorry"
Arya didn't say anything more but put a hand on Kayla's shoulder. Kayla allowed the comforting hand for a moment before shaking her off softly.
"The recipe was in one of the few books that they carried with them." She explained
"An elf by the name of Eltreir returned them to me when the army returned. They are the only things I own from them"
Kayla seemed lost in memory as she stared into the darkness around them. Arya waited a moment before speaking gently
"I think they would be proud of you, not many can say they are helping rebuild the dragons"
Kayla turned to her and Arya could see a sad smile upon her face as she spoke
"Thank you for your kindness and forgiveness, something I still wonder if I deserve" she said in a doubtful tone
Arya responded kindly
"I have forgiven you, Eragon has forgiven you, perhaps it is time you forgive yourself?"
Kayla gave her a look and said
"You know as well as I do that forgiving yourself is the hardest of all"
Arya nodded in response and stared across the water. She understood her sentiment completely, she still had not forgiven herself for her companions' deaths all these years ago.
Kayla asked a question that surprised her
"What will you do once this is over?"
Arya thought it had been obvious but responded anyway
"I will return to Mount Arngor for good and aid Eragon in rebuilding the riders"
Kayla seemed to expect that answer and Arya responded back to her
"What will you do?"
To Arya's surprise she responded
"I don't know"
Kayla hesitated for a moment and seemed to come to a decision
"You said before that you and Eragon have forgiven me for my actions and I am immensely thankful for it, But it is not just the both of you that I need forgiveness."
"The elves are not as forgiving….. are they?" Arya said with sympathy
Kayla kept her eyes locked on the slowly dying fire as she shook her head.
"When I first volunteered for the mission they treated me as one of our own, as an equal, as family….."
Her voice broke and she took a moment to collect herself
"When I returned, things had changed. They were distant and cold. They were never openly mean or disrespectful but I could feel the difference, I was unwanted, an outsider….."
She swallowed hard and her voice lowered as she continued bitterly
"Your relationship with Eragon doesn't help matters. I was forced to watch Eragon nearly kill himself to save you. Then to see the both of you grow closer and closer in the last few weeks has been… painful"
Arya shifted guiltily at her words. She suddenly regretted such open displays of affection in front of Kayla. It seemed cruel in retrospect.
Kayla seemed to read her thoughts for she said
"Make no mistake I am happy for the both of you. You both deserve some peace after all you have gone through"
Arya nodded in thanks
"Do you think you will return?" Arya asked questioningly
"Kayla sighed and shrugged
"I don't know. I enjoy my work with the dragon's immensely but….. I have had an odd feeling since I took this mission that I won't see Mount Arngor for quite some time"
Arya was surprised to find she was disappointed at this. She hoped that Kayla didn't mean the worst when she said that.
"Just know that you will always be welcome, no matter your decision" Arya said kindly
Kayla nodded and threw a new log on the fire and it was quiet for a while as Arya could still feel the effects of the Faelnirv. Finally, Kayla spoke
"It is getting late and we have a long way to travel. We should rest"
Arya nodded and spoke
"I have found this night quite enjoyable despite the topics at hand. Thank you for trusting me"
Kayla didn't respond and Arya had thought the conversation was over until she had laid down to sleep and she finally responded
"Not as enjoyable as last night, I gather"
Arya couldn't help the slight blush that crept across her features as she turned her head in Kayla's direction.
To Arya's relief, she was smiling in a teasing way as she too laid down nearby.
Arya laughed softly and responded
"No, not quite"
Kayla laughed and nothing else was said as they both slowly fell into their dreams
The next few weeks of travel were surprising enjoyable. Arya still missed Eragon terribly and the nightmares of her memories remained a nightly occurrence, but Arya found she enjoyed Kayla's company more and more as time went on. Kayla had very similar views on topics and they spent their time discussing and debating a large array of topics such as religion, ethics and politics. Arya was pleasantly surprised to learn that Kayla had a fairly good understanding of elven politics and they discussed the many problems that had arisen during her absence.
Arya finally glimpsed the trees on the outer layer of Du Weldenvarden and knew the moment she dreaded was coming. She instructed Firnen to land in a small grove about a mile from the entrance to the forest. She slid off her dragon and rubbed his snout comfortingly.
"I hate this" She said to him plainly
"I know, but it must be done"
Arya nodded while blinking rapidly
"Stay high in the air and avoid flying directly over Ellesmera or another city. If you are spotted there is a good chance my cover in blown"
Firnen snorted
"I know this already Arya"
"I know"
She deepened the connection, savoring his mind mingling with hers as he spoke again.
"I will try to stay close enough to speak to you if necessary, but it may not always be possible. If I hear nothing from you for a week I will come regardless of your cover!" He said this boldly as a challenge to her to try to argue but she didn't take the bait
"Very well, I shall ensure that I send a message to you somehow each week"
Firnen grunted in agreement
Kayla motioned at her to hurry and Arya reluctantly withdrew her hand from his snout.
"Fly well, my dragon" She said sadly
"Stay safe, little one" He responded
He turned to Kayla and said something to her that Arya didn't catch before he launched into the air and within minutes was nothing but a speck above them.
Kayla and Arya jogged across the small field and they were soon standing in front of the massive trees of Du Weldenvarden.
Kayla turned to her
"Are you ready to return home?" She asked questioningly
Arya nodded
"I am"
Arya drew her hood over her head and with one more glance back they disappeared into the forest.
I hope you guys liked it!
I really enjoyed writing this chapter as although it doesn't advance the plot tons it really builds on Kayla's past and her relationship with Arya.
Due to the longer chapters and with school becoming more and more demanding I will be updating every other day or so from now on. It makes it easier for me Hopefully you guys understand!
As always let me know what you think!
Stay safe y'all!