PRE. INFO:
In this fic, Eragon never told Arya or any other person of the Eldunari. The vault of souls actual contents was also hidden. Instead of creating a pocket of eldunari, the dragons had made a pair of twin gems. They had been bestowed with the ability to share internal energy. They were also larger than Isidar Mithrim. These gems were instead put in the pocket and then the dragons used this as a vessel for their power to give to Eragon, instead of their consciousness, which also had the ability to hide their identity. Inside the vault of souls, there were two other protectors. Eragon's parents.
In addition, more so you don't get confused later, I also work on the assumption that 99.9% of the actual rider education was cut out, and will be adding some details that I think I have just put into words, but is written in-between the lines in canon. Glaedr "is" also a jewel bestowed with a gift of dragon magic. Planned by Oromis, created by Glaedr and Saphira, or at least that is what the necessary people are told.
In the story, I have also made and worked on the assumption that with his visit to the vault, a certain clarity has emerged and his leadership skills and individuality has come out and matured him. Which means he will not plunge himself into Arya if she gives him the slightest opening, and will oppose her, more than once.
I think that there is too much correlation between the elves and the riders and have thought out ways for them to individualize without breaking canon.
-X-
"Wonder what Arya has planned? It is a pretty specific time to meet. But why out of Ilirea? We could get some hot food, and we undoubtedly have to be there as soon as possible." Eragon said more to himself than to Saphira. It was one of those times where one could get so nervous they need to say something, even though they would never expect responses.
And there in the sky was a dark green dragon. A fierce roar erupted from it and Eragon's eardrums violently blew and slowly he felt blood pour out from his ears. The dragon flew closer to him, and he was surprised, he'd thought he would be elated or at least happy that the green egg finally hatched. He was, however, seething with anger. It was dripping off him like a physical liquid. His anger was so intense that flowers and plants around him began to sizzle and burn as if a small ember had landed in their roots.
Saphira was even more confused than he was. Elation, lust, impatience, and an unexpected sense of treachery. She felt as if someone had kept her out of a decision that was by right hers, and of course Eragon's.
When Eragon finally realized who was riding the Green Dragon his anger vanished. He had trusted Arya to notify him immediately should the egg have hatched or for simple questions towards the dragon egg. Even an egg bearer should not know that they could converse with the dragon. In the past, the dragon riders would simply fare the egg themselves or tell the designated bearer what the riders were looking for in a new rider, perhaps a person who was just curious about the world, a person who just had a good heart. Then it was a simple system that worked because of the trust and awe of the riders. But in seconds Eragon realized that he was a bit hasty in his decision making, a habit he would have to grow out of.
Eragon still had the most furious expression on his face when Arya landed and Saphira weren't much better. She was growling so deep and loud that Eragon normally would have been incapacitated from the volume and power to his sensitive and already wounded ears. But he didn't care, he was furious for Arya's betrayal of his trust and weighed down from even more duties to attend to since an egg had hatched.
"Atra esterní ono thelduin" Arya muttered low, clearly affected and intimidated of Saphira's growling and Eragon's furious expression.
Eragon didn't answer, he just stared at her, and for the first time, he could remember it wasn't a stare filled with longing, affection, misery or hope. It was fury.
The green dragon roared and began to take and offensive stance while staring at Eragon, all the while it completely ignored Saphira. Something that she had noticed which made her even more furious.
With a single glance from Eragon, the dragon whimpered and cowered a little behind Arya by the intensity of rage and fury in Eragon's eyes.
Arya tried to initiate the Elvin greeting once more before she fell silent and looked down. After nearly half an hour where neither Eragon nor Saphira had spoken or released their claim of fury, Eragon pushed aside his emotions, they would not diminish, he just focused on the dragon in front of him.
"To whom may I be speaking? Princess, Queen, Ambassador or Rider?" Eragon asked mockingly polite. Arya muttered her answer clearly still affected by their reaction "Queen". With clear disappointment in his voice, he responded "I see… And your companion might be?" gesturing to the green dragon. "Fírnen," Arya said with thick barely flowing pride. Eragon began to slowly circle Arya and Fírnen while making comments about the dragon "Weak wings. Weak tail and narrow shoulders. Too large and unused talons. No scars or marks of living. All in all a spoiled dragon." Saphira sent her agreement to them.
Arya's only reaction was of shock. "Has he been fed by kneeling and overexcited elf's?" An almost imperceptible nod was all Eragon received. "Well, this is going to put a block in my plans. For now, you shall rest from your journey." Eragon said honestly. The day had passed to evening and Eragon was famished.
Eragon turned and began walking away but Saphira told him with great amusement to glance at Arya again. She had completely dropped her usual façade and stared at Eragon with shock as did Fírnen.
"What? You expect me to set up camp alone?" Eragon responded with a hint of irritation before turning away again.
This is not exactly a fair treatment, little one Saphira said sometime after he had sprinted away to gather rocks for the campfire. You know just as well as I that this wasn't at all the reaction they had expected. We should probably hear their story tonight, and set ourselves out for a night of questions and debating, before we discuss of think of duties again.
I know Saphira. But when I saw them all I could think was how betrayed I felt while scolding myself for getting so angry. Then I began to wonder how Ebrithilar felt when they saw us in Ellesméra and how they would expect me to act. I am on my way back now, could you contact Nasuada and tell her we will be away for a few days? If she asks, its rider business. Eragon responded with and confused but an affectionate mental hug.
As Eragon entered the clearing he saw that two logs had been brought in and two bedrolls set up next to each other in the middle of the distance between the two dragons. Eragon strode in and gathered his supplies from his saddlebags then arranged the rocks in a circle for the campfire and began to boil some water for vegetable stew. He completely ignored Arya who had situated herself on the sitting logs along the campfire he was using to prepare their dinner.
When the dreaded time came where the stew had to simmer, Eragon positioned himself across from Arya and observed.
-X-
At first, Arya began to fidget under his gaze, feeling both uncomfortable whilst also working up her courage to speak her mind. But as the minutes grew to nearly an hour, she relaxed and was content to just wait for Eragon to react. Most of her secrets he could easily gather from observation, not that she would admit that to him while she was still breathing.
With intense irritation, Fírnen spoke in her mind Wonder how long the not-human-not-elf-rider will force us to wait. I have nothing to prove to him. I could rip his limbs off as if they were wings on a Pigeon. Fírnen's irritation grew to animosity as he spoke.
Calm down Fírnen. Eragon is a noble rider, and we have been lucky to have him. Secretly she added in her mind I just hope he has not read all the riders' rights decree's. It would be an inopportune time for a throne rights transfer.
-X-
Eragon was not surprised when Arya eventually relaxed under his gaze and was content on waiting. If there ever was one quality the elven folk never lacked, it would be patience. Though he could see that was a virtue being immortal. Arya had never seemed like the type who could eventually lose her patience, temper probably but not patience. He kept considering his residual anger towards Arya and Fírnen and eventually gave a small almost inaudible chuckle, something he had not meant to sound. Arya's head flew up, but before their eyes could make contact, Eragon had risen and begun once more, to attend their stew. More time passed as he added ingredients to the stew and went into the forest for more wood. As he returned to their camp, he grabbed his carving knife from his saddlebags and began carving them some bowls and cutlery, all the while silently observing and judging Arya and Fírnen. He considered her heritage, her upbringing, heartache, issues, and choices. Saphira did the same considerations for Fírnen. His pompous attitude, growing up with attention to his smallest movement and praise for drinking water. When he finished his carving, he stood and poured them some stew and ate, again while considering their duties, both their own and those they were expected to handle. Arya and Fírnen's training as true dragon riders, the new home for the riders, his choice to add the Urgal and Dwarven race to the pact for dragon riders. After he took his second serving, he vowed to consider the most immediate, and leave the rest for contemplation and scrutiny another day.
"As I expected you have acquired the gift of patience. I would have expected nothing less. You must first tell me what you sought me out for before I tell you about the choices, I have made for you." Eragon said with a kind but authoritative voice. As he finished Arya's face displayed her slight surprise and a determination to see things her way. An expression Eragon would have expected of Orrin and maybe Nasuada, but not Arya.
"What choices have you made for me?" she said voicing her concerns of being controlled against her will. As Eragon raised his hand as if telling her, she should begin, Arya sighed and looked at the ground.
"I planned this trip the day I left Ilirea for Ellesméra. But duty once again forced me to do what was necessary rather than what I wanted. During our journey home I held onto the egg, to which I apologize for taking without your direct consent, with a fierce determination. I showed it to as many as I could. Even when we reached Du Weldenvarden it wouldn't hatch for anyone. When we finally reached Ellesméra I was contemplative. Why wouldn't the egg hatch? I thoughts as if it had to hatch for an elf since only a human rider was currently alive. I even asked Rhünon for help, but you can guess how that went. For a day or two, I left the egg in my quarters and tended to my mothers funeral. It was a heartbreaking task, but I'd like to think I did it valiantly. Then the day after my mothers funeral the noble's were asking about my considerations for the throne, to which I told them they should be ashamed for even asking me the day after my mothers funeral." She ended with a small smile. "But they were right, we could not continue through the aftermath of war without a regent especially since it has been over 100 years since the last elf died in conflict or war, excluding Fäolin and Glenwing. They approached me several times the coming weeks as I juggled with attending meetings with the noble families and faring the egg to as many elves as I could reach. Then one day after another attempt to get me to accept the throne, Fírnen hatched for me. I was elated and surprised. I've dreamt of carrying the Gedwëy ignasia my entire life, and now he hatched for me! I immediately and secretly carried him to the Crags of Tel'naeír and began raising him quietly. In secret, an elf loyal to my house observed me head for the crags, even though I tried to make sure I was alone. He cornered me and told me I had to accept the crown because of the sorrow they felt for my mother's death could not be defined and they wanted her heir to lead as valiantly. I would like to stress I did not know he knew I was a rider, but I gave in to the pressure. At the time I did not think anything of it, but immediately afterwards he swore absolute service to me, not the crown, and pledged to help with my duties. Which I foolishly accepted in my blinded state of elation, pride, and sorrow. Sometime after I was sworn in I broke the news that I was a rider, and people began to crowd around Fírnen wherever he went. The first couple of weeks I had been supplying him with the food he needed and expected him to start hunting afterwards, but foolishly he gave in the pressure and allowed the few who could stand it, to hunt for him. This behaviour continued until he was large enough to ride. I then wrote to you and went on my journey. And… here we are." Arya concluded with a wry smile. She looked at Eragon with somewhat pleading and if Eragon was not wrong, longing eyes.
"And with all of this going on, with you being a dragon rider, pleads from your people to accept the throne it never occurred to you, to contact the one person who could give you advice? Am I still not worthy to bear the Gedwëy ignasia in your eyes? Am I too clueless to realize the issues you face?" Eragon said, with the same intonation as if it was his former master, a fact that pleased greatly. With an understanding smile on his face, Eragon listened to Arya's reply. "At first I didn't want to trouble you with my issues, then it became a point of pride," Arya said. At first, she had looked outraged at the words Eragon had said, also being perplexed they still used the common tongue, but something in the way he had said them, made her think about what he said and how he said it.
"Have I ever given you the impression that I cared why you wish to see me?" Eragon responded still in that overbearing and understanding voice. "Nevertheless, you have sought me out and for that, we can be thankful. I won't lie to you Arya, some choices I have made will go against your very being. Some you won't agree with, others you will refuse to accept, to which my reply is who is our ancient order's, leader?" Eragon said, not with frustration but that annoying tone some use when debating or explaining simple things to children. "Yes, I am pulling rank on you. No, not even you being the queen will make a difference. Remember my responsibility is to you as a rider, and by tradition and certain elven laws, I can object to your decisions and force your hand in others. This is not something I will draw use of regularly but in this instance, I fear I must." Eragon concluded. He began to stare at her and ponder how he would train and move forward, this was a situation he dreaded and had hoped for. He reached out to Umaroth to check with their progress and for the council, he could provide.
Umaroth? I need your counsel. This situation with Arya troubles me. He spoke in the ancient language as was due. I am unsure whether I should accept that she betrayed me and move on, as if nothing is different or if I should tell how what she has done, what position it has put me in. He talked for a while discussing his ideas for the remainder of Arya's training and the issue of her being queen. Umaroth agreed with most of Eragon's ideas but one of them he strongly urged them not to adhere to.
"Your training is lacking," Eragon said simply, he looked at Arya who had remained silent for most of the night. Saphira and Fírnen had long since entered the dragon slumber. "I knew you'd say that. I had hoped that what you told me of the vault of souls was true, but your manner seemed to suggest that something else was in it too. You seemed to self-confident returning. Am I allowed to know your secret now?" Arya said one half irritated the other was pleading. Eragon's only response was a wicked smile and a probing stare towards Arya, he wanted her to figure it out. "Well? Spit it out already? Since you came back, I haven't been able to read even the slightest emotion from your fac-" the last bit was said out of frustration and by the look in her eyes she immediately regretted it. With an even more understanding smile, Eragon answered "No. What I told you about the vault of souls and the gem, was a lie, though at the same time it wasn't." He told her, not really revealing anything. "I will tell you this though," he continued as his face grew serious, "I talked to my parents. They said they were proud of me, what I had done, what I would do. That is why I seemed more confident, I didn't know the future, but I knew whatever I did, there were at least three people whom I could count on, when I made the biggest mistake possible, or when I failed." Eragon finished he had seamlessly switched into the ancient language when he spoke of his parents, and then switched back.
-X-
Arya was shocked. Talking to his parents? That was supposed to be impossible. But, yet here Eragon was, claiming to do the impossible. If there ever was a time where she had to be completely honest, Eragon was the only person whom she could count on never to be able to tell something is impossible. She'd hinted at the colossal task he had fallen into, and been angry but also understanding when Eragon first wanted to run and live his life.
"I know you killed Galbatorix, something even the elves had begun to believe was impossible, but talking to the dead? While I trust you Eragon, even you have to see the impossible in what you said, are you sure you didn't eat something you shouldn't have?" Arya said, slightly exasperated that he seemed to expect her trust in what he said. "Who are the three people?" she added timidly. When Eragon smiled a knowing smile at her, she felt weak in her knees and confused at the same time.
"My mother, father and the better half of my soul," Eragon politely answered, in a tone that said this really isn't your business, but you're my friend. She shouldn't really have expected to matter that much, or really more expect him to admit it. She had taken his heart; broken it, dropped it and the thoroughly obliterated it with force. She felt ashamed at what she'd then presumed and judged necessary when in hindsight, his pain was probably more distracting than whatever battle he'd just fought or however many men he'd slaughtered.
It was these thoughts that Arya continued, down a long and windy road.
-X-
"Have I lost your attention?" Eragon said, with curiosity, he was tired and just wanted to end the conversation. When Arya smiled apologetically, he returned it with understanding. "Then let's retire for the night, we shall speak and again two hours after dawn." He said turning away, but quickly added with a sway of his head "And you're on breakfast duty." Then he went to sleep.