Part 18 – Choices We Make

Khariaya sat under a tree far away from the Magnolia tree or where see had heard Eragon's procalmation of his love for the elf Arya. She sobbed into her hands that covered she face with Eviothx body curled around her, as her back rested against his warm stomach. Eviothx nuzzled her lightly with the tip on his snout to comfort her, the priestess's snobs soften as she moved her arms to wrap around his neck as she cried.

Time slowly passed as Khariaya slowly stopped crying and began to sniff every so often, her grip held fast onto his neck. Eviothx didn't mind he could sense her distress and sadness wash over him in waves.

Everything will be fine Khariaya. Eviothx cooed softly to her offering her the comfort. Khariaya barely shook her head, she could feel her heart breaking everytime she thought about Eragon.

What do I do? I can't face him like this. Khariaya said barring her face against Eviothx's coal black scales, a sigh came from Eviothx as he thought about it.

You could not go back and see him you could run, but is that what you really want? He asked her quizzedly. The grip Khariaya had on his neck slackened and she pulled back slightly, she blinked a few times as she thought it over. Grimmly she shook her head defeated.

No. I want to see him, I just…don't want to fell this pain. She replied sadly her eyes cats down too the ground. The black dragon nudged her gently getting her to look back up at him.

Then what will you do? He asked proding her to consider what was best for her. He would not tolerate her heart to be broken everytime she looked at that boy. He knew he would have to talk to Saphira later about this, secretly he and her had been watching the situation between them and both knew how eahc felt, but they would not step in unless nessescary. Now seemed nessescary.

What will I do? Khariaya asked herself. Eragon had proclaimed he loved Arya she couldn't change that. But could she really stay with Eragon and continue? She had too so many peoples lives rested on her shoulders, there was no leaving. The more she thought about it she knew she would have to stay even if it hurt she had to be strong.

Roy. She thought by chance. Eviothx growled lowly as that thought crossed her mind. Eviothx didn't think very well of him but he knew how important he was to Khariaya. Khariaya knew Roy since they were toddelers and knew he never menat to hurt her that night, she knew it would take time to get over it but she could never stay mad at him. He would always be there for her and protect and when she needed him the most.

"I…Love you Khariaya…" "I hope you may marry me" Roys words went through her mind along with the tender memories of playing with him in the temple, climbing the sacred tree together and learning to read together. He was a true friend to her no matter what, maybe he could love her the way she was told she was told she should be.

Eviothx sighed deeply as he tuned in on the young priestesses thoughts, he knew the boy was not true heartedly bad person, but he did try to cause harm to Khariaya and to Eviothx he would not forgive that easily. But if that's who Khariaya wanted to gibve her heart too even if she loved Eragon he had no right to stop her.

I'm tired…we should head back…she said sadly and stood up slowly Eviothx rose behind her and allowed her to mount him, the priestess gripped with her knees around the saddle as Eviothx pushed off and rose steadily into the night sky.

Eragon paced in the entrance room of the double suite he and Khariaya were given to stay in for the night. Though they had planned to return to Osilon that night and depart early next morning, Arya had become busy with entanglements with her mother and her duties that forced them to stay.

Once he had finnished his in depth talk with Saphira about his emotions regarding a certain priestess amoung other things he went back to the Magnolia tree to tell Khariaya how he felt for her but found she was not there and neither was Eviothx. He reached out for her aura with his power but found it was blocked, she had made sure he wouldn't find her or for some reason or another he couldn't sense her. After a while he began to worry about her but with out knowing where she went and unable to find her all he could do was hope she would be back soon. But minutes slowly turned to hours and hust when Eragon was about to explode with worry and go search for her, she came back.

She walked through the door her head hung down and Eragon could sense her sadness, but about what he didn't know. He rushed to her in case she was hurt and needed his help.

"Khariaya! Are you okay?" she asked and reached out and lightly touched her arm. The priestess's head upturned to look at him and stared at him with big sad eyes that made Eragon flinch back with guilt. She walked by him as Eviothx entered for the dragon entrance above and landed ear where Saphira was watching the two intently and gave the black dragon and glance to accknowlage his pressence.

"Khariaya?" he asked he voice strained with guilt and sadness as he watched her back move farther from him. He knew she was hurt on the emotional levelsomething he may not be able to heal. It hurt him deeply in such a state of disstress and he couldn't help her when she walked away from him.

"I…I'm okay…Just tired…" she said and quickly went to her room and closed the door firmly. Eragon flinched as the door closed and hung his head defeated. He would wait for her to deal with what ever hurt her, he couldn't help her unless she let him. He sighed sadly and walked to his room glancing at the two dragons who stared at him intensly, Eragon dissapeared into his room and made a beeline to his bed. Falling onto the welcoming sheets he buried his face into his pillow and cried.

Soon after Saphira and Eviothx went to their Riders rooms and both found them in the same state, face down cring into their pillows. Sadly they lay beside them to comfort them. It will be okay little one. Saphira told Eragon but he either ingnored her or was too upset to respond.

Authors note: Wow I had a hard time writing this it was so sad! TT Well there it is I know some are cursing me right now that Eragon hasn't told her yet but all in due time. Lol. Please don't hurt me! XD Anyways I want reviews now! I need 5 reviews for this chapter or O won't be posting anytime soon if i get more than 7 reviews i might be nice and give you some hints to what is going to happen later, I MIGHT. Lol. Please review it keeps my writing spirit and this story alive.