A/N: Sorry this is so late everyone! I've been busy, but I finally finished the third chapter. It's slightly longer than the other two, but I guess that doesn't make up for the tardiness of it... Well, please tell me what you think of it and I'll try to update a bit faster. Sorry for the delay!
The Princess and the Rider
Chapter 3: Something Lost
"Well…" Arya paused, "I would like to know more about this dream of yours." Eragon flushed red when he thought about the dream, but luckily Arya turned away as if hiding something also.
"What do you want to know?" Eragon asked, trying to buy time and try to figure his way out of his predicament.
"What were we exactly…doing in this dream of yours?"
Eragon knew better than to say the truth. He was sure he would just be shot down again like last time. "Uhh…we were…just flying on Saphira, and then…umm…you fell. Aye. You fell off and I jumped after you and I woke up after that. Yes, that it what happened," He said, trying to convince himself as much as Arya.
Arya looked at him suspiciously, though she didn't press him any further. She felt a little disappointed in Eragon not telling her the truth, but she couldn't blame his actions after what she did to him before. "Alright, Shadeslayer, if you cannot bring yourself to tell me the truth, so be it, I will not pursue itany more." She got up and left Eragon sitting there pondering on what she said.
Eragon thought about what Arya said all morning. Did I really make the right choice, deciding to lie to the one I care so deeply about, the one I love? He called out to Saphira. Saphira, help me,I need your wise words.
I'm sorry little one, I cannot help you with such matters. This is something you will have to figure out by yourself. With that, Saphira blocked him from her thoughts.
Eragon wandered around Ellesméra until his lessons with Oromis. Saphira and Eragon arrived at Oromis's hut and greeted their masters. Saphira flew off with Glaedr, while Eragon stayed behind with Oromis. As they proceeded through their training, Oromis could see something disturbing Eragon. He decided to question his pupil about it after Eragon's meditation in the forest. Eragon came back shortly thereafter, telling his master all he could. Good, good, he is still able to concentrate. He is to become a great rider one day…
"Ebrithil?"
"Hmm? Yes, Eragon?"
"You just had this far-off look to your eyes. Were you thinking of something?"
He has always been curious, this one. Oromis thought to himself. "Yes, Eragon, I was thinking about how you are to become a great rider one day and surpass me."
"Could I really become greater than you?"
"You have come so far in such a short amount of time, and you have yet to truly start your life. You will become the leader of the riders, Eragon, and I sense that you will lead the riders to their former glory. Now then, onto more pressing matters to discuss, I noticed that you were slightly distracted, almost nervous during your lessons. Will you explain why?
Not wanting to reveal the entire scene to his master, but still bound by the ancient language, Eragon paused to think. Finally, he sighed, before saying truthfully, "I lied to Arya, but she saw through the lies, and now I fear I have lost what I valued most, her respect."
Oromis nodded sagely, "Yes, respect is a splendid thing, but you must respect yourself also. The answer need not be explained, for it is within you. Trust in your feelings, Eragon, because sometimes the simplest gestures can mean a great deal. I feel that the respect you so much desire is not yet lost, lest you disregard it, and through your inaction, lose something else as well, something far greater than her respect."
Eragon sat, staring pensively at his master. Deep in thought, he considered what Oromis had said. However, the answer eluded him and before he could ask Oromis any more questions, the old elf dismissed him. Even more confused than before he talked to Oromis, Eragon spent the time riding back to Ellesméra thinking about all that had occurred that day.
Arriving at his lofty accommodations, Eragon plopped onto his bed, staring into the ceiling. He had yet to come up with the answer, but he was relentless. What did master mean when he said I could lose something far greater than her respect.His thoughts then changed to Arya. Such a beautiful piece of art, he felt calm yet excited every time he saw her. His attraction was not mutual it seemed, but he'd be damned if he gave up so easily.
All he could really think about was the elven princess. Her beauty, her grace, her voice, her laugh, her smell; all the things he loved about her. However, the more he thought about it, the more he realized, I don't love individual aspects of her, I love her for who she is. I loveArya, not parts of her. This must be what true love feels like. For some reason, it just clicked within him, unconsciously sealing his love for her with these thoughts.
"…far greater than her respect."
Greater than her respect? Could it be…her love? No, master is wrong, there's really nothing between us at all. She even said so herself. However, the optimistic portion of his mind, his conscience, battled against these negative thoughts.
What if she lied to you, as you lied to her? What if she feels the same way you do, but she is too afraid to show it?
Could she?
Why not? You know she hardly shows her feelings towards you, whether it good or bad. She may say something, but her heart says something else. You cannot always trust words.
That's right…but what do I do now? I can't possibly just ask her.
Saphira touched his mind with a tendril of thought through their constant link.
Time will tell, little one. Be patient.
Eragon looks out to see the sky dark already. The last of the sun had set long ago.
I will go see Arya tomorrow. I hope by then, time tells me what I need to do. Good night, Saphira.
Sleep well, little one.
As Eragon drifted into unconsciousness, he found himself in a dark forest. He thought, at first, he was in a mysterious part of Du Weldenvarden, but he dismissed the thought as he realized this was not the woods he had grown accustomed to. The forest carried a spooky aura, as did every sound he could hear with his improved hearing. The chirp of a cricket, the hoot of an owl, the scuttle of a mouse, the rustling of the leaves all contributed to the eerie nature of the wood.
Unfortunately, his eyes had yet to adjust to the darkness, as no light would reach past the canopy of the trees. Even the night sky was shrouded; the waning moon had passed a few days earlier, giving way to the dark side of the moon on this night. The stars had a cloak on them, like something was trying to surrender to eternal darkness.
In the dark of the forest, he wandered around, trying to find his way out. It had not occurred to him to use magic, nor call Saphira. He wandered for what felt like hours, panting and sweating profusely from running around this maze. What was worse were the dank and foggy atmosphere and the cold, muddy ground, hindering every step he made. Although he could not feel it, he heard the constant patter of rain hitting the high canopy above. The amount of foliage let no water drip through onto the undergrowth. He also heard thunder, the roaring of it almost deafening to his heightened hearing.
Trudging through the murkiness of the woods, many cuts, stains and bruises covered his body, the results of doing so. Suddenly, a loud, piercing scream permeated through the air, but ended as quickly as it came. Eragon raced through the forest, his senses keen to every obstacle in his way. Dodging the trees, leaping over bushes, running faster than he ever had before. He knew what, or rather who made that screech. He knew that voice, and he was afraid. Afraid of what he would see as his legs kept running forth. Just seconds later, a small clearing came into view, and he spotted someone on the ground. He gulped, trembling at the sight before him. He let out a piercing scream of his own as he cried into the body's lifeless form.
The cause of death was obvious-A single arrow through the heart. Bloodied up and wet, even more so due to his crying. Numerous cuts and bruises obscured her beautiful form, signs that she put up a struggle. Who would do that? Who would forever take away the one he loved the most?
Eragon heard a sound and looked up from his grieving. The flash of lightning brightened the sky, and there he saw the person who took his love away from him. He couldn't believe his eyes, but when another flash of lightning came and he saw the figure notch an arrow at him. An arrow with white swan feathers.
That archer was himself.
The arrow was released and flew at him, though he had no reaction to move, or do anything at all. He was in shock, and the arrow hit him; pierced right into the heart. Instant death. He fell face first into the muddy ground, next to the person he loved, and would forever love.
The figure that shot them fled into the darkness that had surrounded the clearing, silent tears streaming down his face.
The storm continued, rain still pelting the lifeless forms. One last bolt of lightning came down from the heavens, illuminating the whole area, to see the two lovers forever looking into each other's eyes.
A white raven flew up into the night sky; a high-pitched squeak erupted from the tiny being. From its eyes, it saw the two figures lying down, just mere specks from high in the sky. It slowly flew away as a loud peal of thunder sounded throughout the land, a cry for the tragedy that had just occurred.
