"Hey." Eila said softly as she tugged on Arya's sleeve. "Are you alright?"
The Elf hesitated before nodding. "Yes. I just… wasn't expecting some of the comments I received regarding… the baby."
"Were they bad?" Eila asked softly.
"No… just… descriptive and…" she paused and shook her head. "A little too much information was received on my end."
"Is it okay if I ask for more details?"
Arya smiled internally at the level of comfort Eila had achieved around her, but the weight that existed within her mind caused the positivity to remain within. "They, um… labor complications and how to prevent them." She looked down at herself and laid a hand gently across the swell of her abdomen. "I just wasn't aware of how many ways both of us can die while I'm in that… position. That's all."
Eila's hand slid to hold Arya's after making sure they were mostly alone and that the crowds had left. "You have so much aid here. I can't see much going wrong, and if things do get serious in a bad way, Alagaësia's most skilled magicians are around you, and three dragons. With Eragon and Saphira, four dragons. It'll be okay, I promise, and I make that promise with confidence."
A warm smile spread across Arya's features. "Thank you, Eila."
The half-Elf nodded and took a step back. "Of course, Arya Ebrithil." She looked to Elva and Orik, who seemed lost in conversation.
"I'm hoping he's not trying to get her to marry somebody." Arya sighed and Eila laughed quietly.
"Is he known for that?"
"He's a Dwarf, and Dwarves are very proud of their bloodlines. The best way to secure a bloodline is through marriage, consummation, and procreation in their culture. Elva is human and humans practice marriage, so naturally he would be terrorizing her about it."
The Elf looked over to find Eila observing the conversation, though her eyes were on Elva with fondness. Arya nudged her, causing her to jump. "What'd I just say?"
"King Orik may be discussing marriage matters with Elva because she is human and has grown rather drastically over the past month. She looks of age to marry in human society. Securing bloodlines and whatnot."
Arya chuckled. "Okay. Just making sure."
"You told me to not get distracted." Eila smiled. "I'm doing so productively so I don't miss any of the important things."
"Oh, is that it?" Arya raised a slanted eyebrow. "Well, I can't say I'll blame you. Elva is beautiful and I understand what it's like being in a new relationship."
Eila smiled and nodded sheepishly. "Yeah…" she rubbed the back of her neck. "Hey… how are you and Eragon?"
She watched the smile fade from Arya's lips. "I haven't spoken to him in over a month. I need to scry him. Maybe this evening I will."
"You also need to rest, remember. Be careful with how much you're working yourself. Standing here for two hours is uncomfortable to begin with, and even more so when pregnant. If it were me and I had the freedom to choose how my schedule looked, I would reschedule the meeting with Orik today for tomorrow and perhaps do sword fittings then as well." Eila gestured to her own sword belted at her left hip. "You're still recovering from that respiratory infection too. Let yourself rest." Eila stressed as gently as she could without offending her cousin.
Arya's head bowed in thought. She could speak with Fírnen about it, but she knew he would side with Eila on this one. He and Eylörís left to hunt once they were sure they met everyone who had attended. Now they were in those moments of transition. "Would you be agreeable to go with Elva to the forge to see Rhunön while I attend that meeting with Orik? If we are to speak about lesson plans, I can fill you both in later. Besides, I think it would be good for you both to get out and explore a little bit."
Eila straightened with a frown. "Just me and Elva?"
"Yes." Arya nodded. "I'm curious about that sword of yours and I think it would take the stress off of Elva if it were just you two. I understand that she is sensitive and as a new Rider, her own abilities have shifted in ways none of us understand yet. She needs to keep them under control."
The half-Elf nodded. "She isn't… fragile."
"I know, but it's more a matter of keeping her abilities in check. The less stress, the better. That's usually how things go, right?"
Eila nodded again but didn't say anything.
"Are you worried about going out?" Arya asked tenderly.
"A little…" Eila spoke quietly as she gazed down at the floor.
Arya gave a sympathetic look. "You don't have to tell them anything about your past or your family if you don't want to. Remain vigilant to what you feel is right. You are your own person here." She smiled and reached over to rub Eila's back, and through her tunic, Arya could feel the braided scar that ran down her cousin's spine.
With a sigh, Eila's shoulders sagged. "Alright, so… I'll… go with Elva to see Rhunön, and you will talk with King Orik about lesson plans."
"That's the intent. Once you're finished with sword fittings, you and Elva should visit Angela. I think it would be good to tell her about an interesting and budding relationship. Angela has become sort of a mother figure to Elva. It would be good to tell her about what's going on."
Eila's cheeks instantly went red and a quietly strangled sound made its way up her throat. "Yes ma'am…" her gaze fell to her hands and she messed with her fingers.
"I have a question, though. A little off-topic." Arya said calmly and Eila looked up.
"Yeah?"
"Mhm." The Elf hummed. "Your gloves. Are they… special leather?"
"Uh… no… no they're not. Just um… worked deer hide." She tried to hide her left hand so Arya wouldn't comment on her shortened ring finger. So far she hasn't noticed it.
"How long have you had them?"
"This pair…" Eila paused to think. "I think about three years. I've never seen the sun until a few months ago and I wasn't always allowed a device for timekeeping, so that's a very rough estimate. May I ask why?"
"I just wondered." Arya said gently. "Would you consider taking them off from time to time? It's an exercise that'll help you build confidence, and I don't mean this disrespectfully. I don't mind it if you kept them on, but the world also has a lot to offer in terms of touch and I'd like you to know those pleasures as well." She smiled. "Give it thought."
Eila smiled, then hesitated before slipping her right glove off, then the left. She rolled them together and worried them in her fists.
"You did well with your burn." Arya reached out and gently touched the smooth skin that resided along the back of Eila's right hand.
"Thank you. I have a lot of experience with healing burns. Never on myself, though. I'm happy with the way it turned out, despite the places that weren't injured enough to restructure. Thankfully, my nerves are all still intact."
"That's part of the reason I told you to not burn yourself again."
"My nerves?"
"Yes." Arya said with a slight smile, then gestured with her head towards Elva and Orik. "Come on, let's go tell them of the plan."
"Okay." Eila said softly and followed.
Upon approaching them, Elva's eyes instantly went to Eila's. She was holding her dragon in her arms as he seemed to desire closeness. In fact, he might actually be asleep, she realized.
"Ah, Lady Eila!" Orik's booming voice caused the half-Elf to jump.
He laughed splendidly. "Oh forgive me as it was not mine intention to startle you!" He smiled and bowed to her.
She smiled nervously and nodded. "It's okay." She said quietly, unsure of how she should behave around him. She looked to Elva who smiled at her and Eila felt her concentration disappear.
"Orik, I have proposed to Eila that she and Elva go to Rhunön's forge while you and I discuss what is needed. It'll give us a chance to catch up and my apprentices need to familiarize themselves with their surroundings. What say you?" Arya offered right away and Orik smiled.
"I am flexible to what is needed, I'm indifferent as to what we do." He smiled up at Arya.
"Fantastic. The plan has been changed, then." Arya smiled pleasantly, then looked at her students. "Eila, Elva, Rhunön's forge is due West of where we stand now. It shouldn't be too hard to find. If you do need help, just ask." She looked more pointedly at them. "No funny business until after you both speak to Angela once you're finished with getting fitted with a sword. The time you have in excess is yours until supper."
Elva looked confused and Eila gave her a reassuring look. "Yes, Ebrithil. Of course." Eila bowed.
"Yes, Ebrithil." Elva nodded her bow as it was hard to bend while holding a sleeping dragon. She couldn't help the pink flush that danced along her pale features.
"Good, now off you go." Arya smiled and shooed them away, leaving her with Orik.
A/N: Hello again! It's been a while! I've been busy, forgive my absence. Trust me, I tried my hardest to write productive chapters for this fic and every single time I found my inspiration to be exhausted, which is terrible. Gotta love that Writer's Block. Well, time for the good news. I found my inspiration again and wrote two whole chapters for you lovely ladies and gentlemen (this chapter included), and I've already got the 38th chapter going as well, so that's cool.
As always, I hope you all enjoyed this fic as well as this chapter, as mundane as this particular one is.
I love you all!
-Lady Arlo