Secrets Revealed
The remainder of their trip to Du Weldenvarden was uneventful. The days were spent in silence, and the nights in peace. Each day, the sky was just as perfect as the last, and Saphira made wonderful time. It was a blissful time for Xïzor as well, who flew everyday. The young Dragon had reached the size of a large horse, and his growth had slowed to a normal rate. Elva rode him for a short time each day, but couldn't do so for a substantial amount of time at once because they didn't have a saddle. Even though the flights were short, it was a grand experience for both of them.
Once they reached Du Weldenvarden, they left Katrina in the care of a healer Elf in the city closest to the boarder. Her condition was growing worse and she wouldn't have survived the trip to Ellesmera. The Elf said that he could heal her wounds and also that he would send her back to the Varden with the next messenger. They told no one of Elva and Xïzor in this city, or any cities elsewhere. They wanted to wait to reveal them till they reached Ellesmera.
Having resumed their trip, Eragon and Saphira decided to travel the remainder of the way on foot. They were glad to be home in Du Weldenvarden, and wanted to soak in the splendor of the ancient forest. Arya was also glad to be home as well and more so to be traveling on foot. Elva and Xïzor, however, did not share the same love for the endless green of Du Weldenvarden. When Eragon realized this, he offered to lend the pair Saphira saddle, to which they accepted and thanked him greatly.
Eragon, Saphira, and Arya didn't continue the previous silence, and talked a lot as the walked the paths of the ancient forest. It was as if the world was just the three of them, Eragon, Arya and Saphira. While Arya listened to Eragon talk, she realized how much he had grown up since she first met him. She caught herself staring at him, feeling her heart rate increase. Am I really starting to love him? She thought, confused at her feelings. Eragon noticed her stare, but said nothing, he greatly enjoyed the attention.
They soon reached the Elvin capital of Ellesmera. They were met with looks of shock and astonishment as the two Dragon and their Riders walked the streets. Elva was amazed at the buildings, and mystified by the Elves. They are such graceful creatures! The girl thought.
They soon reached the palace, and were greeted by Isianzadi's handmaid. "The Queen will see you now." She said, gesturing for them to follow. She led them into the palace, where they soon came into a very large room, where the Queen was sitting on a throne. The aged Elf gracefully came down off her throne and hugged Arya. "Good to see you again daughter." She said sweetly. She then went turned Elva and looked at her in astonishment. "Is this the new Rider?" she gasped, seeing the Gedwëy ignasia on her palm.
"Yes, that is Elva." Eragon replied.
"But I was told she was a child by the Varden's messenger!"
"She is by age, but strange magic flows through her. She grew because she needed to, as did Xïzor, her Dragon.
"Amazing!" the queen mused. "There is to be a feast morrow next in honor of the new Rider, and both your trainings will begin immediately. Now may maid will show you out." With an aire of finality, the Queen turned around and went back to her throne. They were lead out of the palace by the maid, who then said; "Should I show you all to your Quarters?"
"Yes, that will be good." Eragon responded. The young Elf first took them to a tree close to where Eragon and Saphira had stayed on their previous visit. "This is where the girl will be staying." The maid said, "Need I show you to your house Eragon, for it is the same one as the last time."
"No, I remember the way." He responded. The maid then left.
Arya had been tagging along, and once they reached Eragon's house, he offered for her to come inside with him.
"I will join you, Eragon." She replied.
Saphira had already flown into the house as the two entered. They walked slowly up the stairs talking as they went. Once they had reached the entrance, they quickly made for the study, where they sat down and continued talking. The conversation continued deep into the night. They talked of many things during this conversation. The pair avoided eye contact, but when their eyes met they both flushed red. Saphira had already gone to bed by the time Arya had said that she had to leave. Eragon followed her to the door, and bowed saying; "It has been an honor Arya, as always."
When he stood up from bowing, Arya looked him in the eyes, and then started to turn around. But mid-turn she stopped and looked again at Eragon. The Rider was somewhat confused at her behavior, but remained silent, wondering what the slender elf would do.
"I do not know what has come over me Eragon." She began, "I have to say this before I leave, I know what I said at the Menoa tree, just after all the time we spent together.." she paused for a second, then softly said, "I love you". She slowly approached the baffled Rider and when she reached him, she sweetly kissed him on the lips. Eragon grasped Arya and kissed her back. They stood their, thinking of nothing but each other, locked in a glorious embrace.
Arya broke out of Eragon's grasp and sheepishly said, "I must go."
Eragon stood there, trying to gather his confused mind enough to say something, but before he could utter a word, Arya was gone.
The Rider went over to his bed to lie down. He lay awake for hours thinking of the moment, the kiss. All the time I have spent imagining us together, and now… His thoughts trailed off as a joyful sleep enraptured him.
Saphira awoke before Eragon and peered outside. Aiedail was just starting her trip through the sky. The fog that falls over Du Weldenvarden each night was beginning to be removed by Aiedail's bright rays. How beautiful this forest is! The Dragon thought. She stayed looking outside till the pink and purple colors of the morning had faded, then she aroused Eragon.
Wake up little one! Saphira said as she let a roar bellow through the small house.
I am up Saphira. Is it the time for training? Eragon asked, forgetting the events of the night last.
Not quite, but I thought you may like to talk about last night. The Dragon said lovingly
"Last night…" Eragon said musingly. Then he remembered, and a look of joyous shock overcame the young Rider's face. "Wow" he said, "that was amazing. She really loves me."
Yes, but be sure not to rush into things. And tell no one, I do not think Arya would like this event broadcast.
Shall I tell Orimis?
No one. Saphira said sternly.
"You are right as always, Bjartskular. It is time for sparring, come, we must wake the girl."
Eragon hoped on Saphira's saddled back and the swooped down to the ground. The walked over to Elva's house and found the girl and Xïzor sitting outside. "We were waiting for you two." Elva said.
"Well we are here now, and it is time to go to the sparring fields. I will begin training you with the sword for the next hour." Eragon said with an air of authority.
"Yes Eragon-elda." The girl replied hopping on to Xïzor back.
Do not harm my human, Rider. Eragon heard a booming voice say in his head.
I will do my best not to skulblaka. Eragon replied, realizing it was Xïzor speaking
Your response is acceptable. Xïzor replied, taking off.
Eragon also jumped on Saphira's back. I wonder were Arya is? He thought as Saphira took off.
Do not trouble yourself with thinking on Arya, just focus on training; she will reveal herself when she is ready. Saphira said, as if reading his mind.
I will try.
Eragon and Saphira had landed at the sparring field, followed shortly by Elva and Xïzor. Eragon started walking, gesturing for Elva to follow. The two dragons leapt into the air, leaving a cloud of dust behind. "They are going to hunt, Elva." Eragon said, noticing her confused look.
"That is what I thought." Elva replied.
Eragon walked with a joy in his step that confused Elva
I guess he is glad to be training. She thought, not knowing the occurrences of the previous night.
After about a minute of walking, Eragon stopped in front of a large tree-building. It had a sign above the door in a language Elva couldn't read.
"What does that sign say?" Elva asked.
"It says armory. This is where we will be getting our swords." Eragon replied happily.
The two went inside; Elva was amazed at shear amount of weapons packed inside the building. There were axes, spears, maces, and swords of every size. Eragon lead her to a rack of wooden training swords. "These are what we shall be using, until you are ready for a real sword at least." He then continued to retrieve two swords from the rack. "Here", he said passing her the shorter one, "put the tip on the ground in front of you."
She did so and the pummel came to mid-torso. "Aye, this is the proper size." He muttered, and then gestured for her to follow as he left the building.
They soon arrived at a level patch of ground, where there were white patterns and rings painted on the ground. Elva thought that these must have something to do with swordplay.
"Attack me." Eragon said, assuming a defensive stance in the middle of the field.
"Aren't you going to teach me how to first?" She asked with a confused tone.
"No, I must see if you have any natural talent, so that I know were to start your training. Now, attack!"
She didn't hesitate the second time. She rushed him and swung as if to strike Eragon's head, then the moment before she hit, she twisted her blade, attempting to strike his right arm. The girl cringed as she felt vibration flow down her are, and through out her whole body. Her swing had been gracefully blocked by the older Rider. "Good, you tried to catch me off guard. That shows ingenuity, now, attack again."
It went one like this for quite some time. Elva would strike, and Eragon would parry. Through out the training Eragon would bark out tips like, "Keep your elbow up!", "Move your feet with your swing!" and such. After her last blow had missed completely when he said, "Good job Elva, we are done with the sword for today. Now we will continue you training else where."
Elva was breathing heavily as they walked back to the armory. She was exhausted! Sword play was one of the hardest things she had ever done, and it wasn't even with a real sword!
"You did very well for your first time." Eragon said, "Strength will come in time. Now I have called Saphira, they will meet us where they dropped us off."
"You can talk to Saphira from this distance?" Elva asked baffled.
"Yes, the distance you can communicate with your Dragon will grow with time." Eragon replied.
They soon met up with the two Dragons, hopped on their backs, and then simultaneously, both Dragon's leapt into the air! Eragon and Saphira took the lead, as Elva and Xïzor fell back. They soon landed in a clearing were the Queen and a group of important looking Elves were waiting. The queen approached Elva and said, "Are you prepared to swear in the ancient language to never divulge what you are about to observe?"
"Yes." Elva said, knowing it must be something of grave importance. Eragon the instructed the girl in the proper words and pronunciation, and when Elva had made the vow, a soft thud was heard in the distance, soon followed by another, and another, each time louder then the last. The noise grew till the very the air seemed to be shaking from it. Then it stopped and a golden streak swooped out of the sky and landed with an Earth shattering BOOM! There, standing before Elva and Xïzor, was an enormous golden Dragon, with an aged Rider sitting on its back.
Okay guys, the first time I published this chapter, um, I forgot about poor Katrina. So I fixed this, and if you thought I rushed certain things in this chapter it was for a reason. But for that, you will have to wait and see! Hope you guys like it. Keep Reviewing!
-ejendres