This chapter is another filler chapter everyone and the start of the battle for Belatona will be the next chapter. Now, there was a question about strategy when capturing the city. I've thought of one but I'm not sure if I want to write about it. Anyways apart from that, I've decided that I would start working on my spin-off for this story possibly tomorrow or on Monday. Apart from that I wish you all happy reading. RR!
Sitting atop a boulder along the riverbank, Eragon was rather bored as he stared out at the flowing Jiet River taking a look at the reflective blue surface of the water. He, Arya, and Murtagh—as well as the dragons and Blödhgarm and the other elves—were lounging on the bank next to the road that ran towards Belatona.
Thousands of men, Urgals, and dwarves milled about on the road in the same place they had started. The dwarves had arrived a week after the Varden had successfully taken Feinster and joined their ranks. He stretched slightly on the boulder, maybe he would take a nap in the shadows that the object casted. He would just close his eyes and sleep and then when they started moving Saphira could wake him. A loud shout drew him attention. Arguing and shouting, the Varden tried to organize itself into a cohesive unit. In addition to the ragtag blocks of warriors on foot, there was King Orrin's cavalry—a mass of prancing, snorting horses. And strung out behind the warriors was the supply train: a mile of carts and horned cattle. The noise coming from their movement annoyed him. He snorted slightly, if he was annoyed he was sure that Nasuada was losing patience for she had to direct the movement of the Varden every day.
Folding his arms across his chest, he thought about the past few weeks. His mother had given birth to Ella nearly three weeks ago. A few days after going through labor, his mother with the many concoctions that Angela gave her was back to health. He was suspicious of the many different colored drinks that the witch was feeding his mother and was about to drink some himself to see if it wasn't poisoned stopping only after Rosalie convinced him that it was best that he didn't. Later on, he found that it was a potion to stimulate the glands within the female breasts to provide the best nutrients to the baby. He had an inkling that Angela was secretly hoping he would drink that particular concoction of hers. Thinking of Ella, Eragon smiled faintly. Ever since she was born, it seemed as if his family was coming together. On a daily occasion, he and Murtagh stopped by to eat dinner with them so they could possibly see Ella and hold her. She was spoiled beyond belief thought Eragon as he thought of his baby sister. She ate the best food, slept in the arms of various people never put down, sung to in various tongues, and visited and blessed.
He thought about the gift that the dragons gave to Ella, he wasn't sure what it was exactly but Saphira had tried her best to explain what it was that they gave to his baby sister. They wanted to protect her, they wanted to shield her from the war because Eragon and Murtagh as well as Brom and their mother had given their lives to fight for the freedom of the races and save the last of the dragons. It was that feeling that they harbored when they gifted her. It was, as Saphira had said, a way to repay his family. Knowing that Ella would be protect eased his mind. She was too innocent to be tainted by the war. As he thought of Ella his eyes wandered over to Arya as she stood with the others looking for all the world as bored as he felt. She was pulled in by Ella thought Eragon not intentionally but more instinctively. It was like a distraction to her.
He didn't question it but he was worried about Arya. That too he didn't voice to her but he was waiting for her to tell him what it was that was going on through her mind. Besides it wasn't like he had anything better to do than sit on a boulder for hours and wait until the Varden marched. While he was thinking, he blinked when he smelt a floral smell near him. He turned his head to find Rosalie making her way towards where he sat.
He raised a brow at her as she stopped before him. What was she doing here? He hadn't called for her. At his stare, Rosalie immediately explained herself, "I have agreed to help Murtagh spar for the time being since we are waiting to march on to Belatona," said Rosalie when she said that he noticed that she was indeed equipped with a thin sword.
"Did Angela give you that sword?" asked Eragon curiously. He hardly trusted what Angela gave him but it appeared as if Rosalie had no problems accepting the witch's help. Then again, he had heard that she had a history with the Angela.
"She did," Rosalie answered him with a nod pulling him out of his thoughts. Eragon's eyes traveled over to Murtagh as he was busy conversing with Thorn as the red dragon laid on the riverbank lazing underneath the sun.
"Has he made any progress?" asked Eragon curious as to how well Murtagh's fighting has become. Rosalie merely inclined her head opting not to tell him. He didn't say anything for he understood her since she had been the first to follow him without question. Instead, he watched as she made her way over to Murtagh tapping him on the shoulder. Interested, Eragon turned to watch as Murtagh and Rosalie made their way to a relatively flat stretch of grass. Rosalie was not someone to be taken lightly thought Eragon as Murtagh drew Zar'roc looking rather confident in his abilities. She had decades to perfect her skills with a bow and sword. Not only that but she had determination. He had sparred with Rosalie countless times and had learned her way of fighting, adapting it for his own uses. He could not say the same for Murtagh.
"You look rather amused," Arya had made her way to stand by where he sat. Eragon glanced at her trying to discern her true feelings behind her emerald eyes. After a moment, he turned his eyes back to the sparring match.
"Murtagh should never go into battle confident that he will emerge as the victor without seeing his opponent," he said simply. Combing a hand through her hair, Rosalie with a flourish of her sword faced Murtagh lifting the blade up easily. He watched as she murmured underneath her breath no doubt dulling the edge to prevent any fatalities. The two of them bowed to each other before Murtagh began to inch his way towards Rosalie as if to flank her. It had been some time since he was able to see a good sparring match. Then abandoning all caution, Murtagh instantly ran forward his ruby blade shining in the light. Sensing his actions, Rosalie turned rapidly on the spot and then to surprise Murtagh she began to backtrack moving away from him as he kept moving towards her. Not letting him land a hit on her, she dodged from side to side often times using her elegant acrobatics to flip out of the way. She had gotten better thought Eragon as he watched them spar.
He heard Murtagh let out a yell as he swung Zar'roc down his earlier grace in battle diminishing slightly with his anger at being led about the open space by Rosalie. Rosalie was no match for Murtagh in strength thought Eragon concentrated on the match but she sought to even the field with her agility and endurance. Not only that but she knew how to keep calm when fighting and that mindset let her see the holes in Murtagh's guard. He swung again as if to knock her blade from her hand. The two blades made contact and rather than parrying the attack, Rosalie released the hilt of her blade letting the weapon fly skyward. Then before Murtagh could expect it, she had unbalanced him with a swift kick to his legs and using her arms threw him to the ground as her sword came falling downward into her hands. With a simple flick of her wrist, she held the blade to Murtagh's throat.
"The fighting style seems to resemble yours," commented Arya with a serious expression as she watched Rosalie back away from Murtagh to allow him to regain his bearings. Eragon lifted his shoulders slightly in a shrug.
"I have sparred with her quite often for the past four years. If our fighting style resembles one another's it is only natural," said Eragon. "In any case, Murtagh has to learn how to properly protect himself and close all the holes in his guard."
They continued to watch as Murtagh and Rosalie once more sparred. Out of the few matches they had, Murtagh managed to emerge victorious twice. Sitting on the boulder, Eragon sighed. It was clear to him that Murtagh needed to feel threatened enough to grasp that he should not feel too comfortable with his strength and speed. Easily jumping down from the boulder he sat on, Eragon reached up and undid the strap on his chest sliding Vrangr from his back. "Will you hold onto Vrangr for me?" Eragon asked of Arya. She didn't question him but merely nodded her hand coming out to grip the scabbard of the blade a faint smile was on her lips as if she knew what he was planning.
"Do not overextend yourself too much," taking that as a form of encouragement, he made his way over to where Rosalie stood from Murtagh ready for another bout.
"That is enough Rosalie," Eragon stopped beside her, his boots crushing the grass underneath his feet as he turned to Murtagh with a raised brow. "Let me spar with Murtagh now. You should rest and then return to my mother."
"Of course," sheathing her sword, she made her way to stand by Blödhgarm and the other eleven elves to watch the match. Now that the open space was cleared Eragon turned his attention to Murtagh as he slid Brisingr from its sheath. He twirled his sword in a half arch. Never before had he sparred with Murtagh and that was because of the resentment he had for his half brother. He was sure that others were afraid that if they pitted the two of them together, they might actually end up injuring each other like the time they wrestled with their hands out of their frustration.
"Are you up to spar with a new opponent?" asked Eragon raising his brow slightly, "I shall only use one blade and if you would like, I can give you energy to replenish the supply you used to spar with Rosalie."
As he expected, Murtagh nodded. Reaching into the belt about his waist that Oromis had gifted to him: the belt of Beloth the Wise, he found the supply of energy he stored in the gems. Extracting a decent sum of energy from the diamonds hidden in the belt, he channeled it to his half brother watching as Murtagh's stance became straight and his breathing returned to normal. Returned to how he normally was, Eragon watched as Murtagh raised Zar'roc, the ruby blade gleaming in the sunlight. In response, Eragon merely held Brisingr at his side leaving himself open to Murtagh. He may not have sparred with Murtagh before but from their interactions, he understood how his half brother acted. He was always quick to attack and defend without analyzing his opponent. He was going to draw Murtagh out and see if he could beat it into his head that he needed to pay attention. He waited as Murtagh inched forward, cautious of Eragon. He inched forward again.
Then without hesitation, Eragon leapt forward and rushed at Murtagh, as he reached Murtagh he slid on his feet on the grass and directly underneath Zar'roc. Following up with his evasive maneuver, he twisted and slammed the pommel of Brisingr into Murtagh's chest sending him flying backwards. He landed on the ground with a thud. Well, that was quick, said Saphira from the side as she observed them. Eragon straightened as he watched Murtagh get back to his feet with a growl after having been beaten so easily. At least he had spirit thought Eragon as he brought Brisingr up to meet Zar'roc. Not minding the challenge, he continued to spar with Murtagh. Murtagh's strength was great but Eragon was stronger and faster than Murtagh. He met his half-brother blow for blow. Twisting and jumping backwards, he dodged every blow only to jump back with double the speed and catch Murtagh by surprise.
Kicking him in the gut, he watched as Murtagh hit the ground once more. "We should rest," said Eragon as he sheathed Brisingr. "The Varden looks as if it shall move soon." He glanced at Murtagh for a moment before returning to Arya. To his surprise, she moved away from him and handed Vrangr to Blödhgarm to hold before drawing Támerlein from her sheath. He raised a brow at her as she made her way back to the open grass. Tossing her hair to the side, she beckoned to him with a finger a slight smirk on her face. Not one to ever deny her, Eragon drew Brisingr from its sheath once more and went to stand opposite her.
Bending his knees, he kept his eyes on Arya as she slinked to her left Támerlein gripped tightly in her hand. She was trying to draw him in thought Eragon with narrowed eyes as he studied her. He responded to her movements by moving right so that they could not gain on each other. She paused making Eragon pause. He did not spar with Arya often since they left Ellesmeŕa for they did not need the extra experience, however it appeared as if she wanted him to prove something to her today. Whatever it was he was going to show her and possibly understand what it was that was bothering her.
They circled each other with short, smooth steps, moving like dancers over the grass. It was intimate thought Eragon as he stared into Arya's dark emerald eyes, without blinking, without wavering, and she stared back at him with the same degree of focus and intensity. Arya initiated the first attack he met her head on. Their blades clashed sapphire against emerald as they pushed against each other. After a few seconds, Arya pulled back. She knew when it came to strength Eragon was the better. It was smart of her to retain her endurance thought Eragon as she danced away from him. He chased after her refusing to let her dance out of his reach. Their blades met as Eragon followed her, Arya pulling back and dancing away from him once more. As their swords came together, he reached out with his free hand and gripped her about the wrist trying to tug her forward and she surprised him by springing with his hand causing him to fall backwards with his own momentum acting against him. When he felt her free Támerlein, Eragon turned as they flew mid air and the two of them went tumbling to the ground refusing to let the other gain the upper hand. They rolled about the grass their swords flying from their hands. Surprised by Arya's determination, the two of them continued to roll about until they fell into the Jiet River. The cold water engulfing the both of them.
Glancing around, he saw Arya righting herself in the water beside him. She was beautiful thought Eragon as he stared at her feeling his eyes sting slightly. Still feeling his adrenaline pumping in his blood, Eragon swam towards her and gripped Arya by the wrist and pulled her towards him before roughly meeting her lips with his more air escaping their mouth. Something was bothering her and he was going to try and draw it out. She responded to him just as passionately and when they needed air they broke away bubbles escaping from their lips and rising from the water. Still holding onto her hand, he broke the surface of the water gasping as Arya came up beside him spluttering and gasping for air just as much as he was. He turned his head to her.
"Are you feeling better?" asked Eragon as she shifted her wet locks from her face, the current moving them along. Her emerald eyes caught his and she inclined her head slightly. It was an answer but not the answer he wanted. With ease, the two of them climbed out of the river and onto the ground drenched to the bone with water. Their blades laid on the grass where they had been knocked from their hands in their tumbling.
He made his way over to Brisingr and picked up the sapphire blade sheathing it as Arya sheathed Támerlein. She appeared better thought Eragon as he accepted Vrangr from Rosalie strapping his sword onto his back. Just then the horn sounded signaling for them to march. The mass that was the Varden that stretched on for more than a mile on the main road shifted creating a thunderous storm of noise as thousands of feet, carts, and cattle moved forward. He stared at the procession for a moment before turning to Arya. They did not move to join the Varden in the march since they could easily catch up with the main body with their speed.
"Has something been troubling you as of late?" asked Eragon as he stopped before her, the two of them still wet from falling into the Jiet River. He knew Arya could not deny his question. Ever since he had returned to the Varden, the two of them shared a tent together and he could tell from simply watching her that something was bothering her whether or not she meant it to. "Is it Ella?"
At the mention of his baby sister, Arya turned to him her lips curled into a slight frown. And to his surprise, he saw her cheeks were faintly red. Was she embarrassed by something? Eragon, he heard Saphira's laughter in his head, all mothers are women and Arya is a women. What else could be plaguing her?
Now is not the time for riddles Saphira, responded Eragon as he stared at Arya. He could tell that she looked slightly uncomfortable. What was there to be uncomfortable with him about? They had shared the most intimate of moments together, beyond that there shouldn't be anything that was uncomfortable between them. After a long moment of staring at Arya and her turned head, realization washed through him so hard that it felt as if he was hit in the stomach by Saphira's tail. He cautiously turned her head to face him.
"Is it the idea of children Arya?" asked Eragon quietly. Her emerald eyes were wide as his words left his lips and he knew then that his guess was accurate. So she was bothered by the idea of children. Ever since Ella was born, he found Arya quietly contemplating to herself as days passed her by. Her eyes lowered to the ground.
"More or less," her answer was a low whisper as she tilted her head back to stare up at him.
"What is it about children that is bothering you?" his brows furrowed as he tried to think of the possible reason why Arya was acting rather odd for the past three weeks. She sighed, her eyes closing for a moment. Taking in a deep breath, she opened them to stare up into his brown ones.
"I find myself unable to think clearly for the past few days," more like weeks, thought Eragon but he did not dare say that out loud least Arya would abandon her explanation. She usually did when she was offended, "When I saw Ella…I thought about what was to become of me. There is a war going on about us Eragon, a war that we can possibly die in. And even then, after this war we have our duties to Alagaësia to perform as dragon riders—duties that can last for decades, even centuries. Our whole life will be devoted to fighting, rebuilding, and peacemaking. I'm afraid that…" She trailed off hesitantly but she didn't need to finish for he was beginning to understand what it was that she was trying to tell him.
"We can always runaway and live somewhere up north," said Eragon reminding her of his dream. She glanced up at him with a hard expression as if offended that he would even suggest such an idea but when she saw his slight smile, her expression softened.
"Running away will not solve anything," said Arya softly. "Even then I would never be able to live with myself," her hand reached up stretching over her shoulder to touch the area on her back where her yawë was. "I devoted myself to my people and now I find myself thinking of my family…or the possibility that I will never be able to have a family even after this war. You will have to take up the role as the leader of the new order of Dragon Riders and I shall have my own duties to my people and Alagaësia."
She was afraid of losing herself thought Eragon as he stared at her. When he thought he understood all there was to Arya, she always surprised him in the end. Slicking his wet hair back from his face, he let his clothes continue to drip as he smiled at her, "You will still be you Arya and even if you had devoted yourself to your people and I have my own duties as a rider, we can always find time for our dreams…" he paused feeling his face flush as he thought of his words. For the first time during their bond Eragon was acutely reminded of their difference in age. Arya was nearly a century old despite her youthful and beautiful appearance and he barely lived a fifth of her life. It was obvious that she would desire a family. "Even if that dream includes a family."
Her eyes were wide as she stared at him and than a smile that was so beautiful stretched across her face. Though Arya was an elf, she was still a woman thought Eragon as Saphira's words were tossed about in his mind. She had the same desire as every other women: to have a family. He continued feeling his face grow warm. He was not used to speaking of family, everyone knew that. To even consider himself starting his own family with Arya made his face sting even more as he tried to grasp for words in his muddled mind. He felt like he did when he first held Ella. This was alien territory and he knew that if he did not convey himself correctly Arya might react unfavorably.
"Though I doubt I shall be any good at being a…" he stopped unable to finish his sentence. The tip of his ears burned as he stared at Arya and her smile. He felt young and a boy despite the many acts that made him a man particularly the ones that involved Arya.
Seeing his slight panic, Arya reached forward to wrap her arms around his waist embracing him on the open grass. "I believe that when the time calls for it, you shall be a good father," she'd gone and said it thought Eragon never before feeling so flushed as he was then. Father? He hadn't even closed the final gap between him and Brom. How could he even consider becoming a father?
Who knows? Eragon's eyes darted to Saphira as she studied him and Arya with sparkling sapphire eyes, When this war is over and everything is settled, you may find yourself desiring a daughter to dot and spoil over like who you spoil Ella.
He refrained from replying to Saphira as Arya pulled away to study him. "We should dry ourselves else we might catch a cold," she suggested as she reached for her magic. He watched as her left palm glowed green before the water that was drenched in her clothes fell to the grass leaving her dry and looking as if she never tumbled into the Jiet River. Mimicking her, Eragon too dried himself with magic before turning to Arya.
"Is that why you sparred with me?" asked Eragon curiously feeling a growing suspicion form in the back of his mind, "To let out your frustration?" She thought about his question for a moment not offended. After a moment, she answered him.
"Part of the reason," Eragon a raised a brow at her answer. Arya elaborated, "We rarely are given the chance to cross blades nowadays. I wanted to see how I might fair against you know that we are on evening footing Shadeslayer." He shook his head at her. Calling the match a tie, the two of them continued to relax on the riverbank, Arya seemingly returned to norm.
He was glad thought Eragon as he studied Arya as she spoke to Murtagh. It was rare when Arya wanted something for herself. She was selfless and always devoted to the greater purpose of the Varden and her people. Duty meant everything to her. After seeing Ella, she was no doubt contemplating her personal life outside of her duties. She like every other woman desired children. Eragon was positive that it was a combination of how elves cherished children and how Arya lacked a childhood due to Galbatorix coming to power and the fall of her father. She had always been bent on vengeance thought Eragon. She had told him before that when she ferried Saphira, she hoped that one day she could become a rider. When this was over thought Eragon, she was going to devote herself to the tasks that needed her afterwards. Then when that was finished, she was no doubt going to want a family. He loved her greatly, he knew that himself in mind and heart. They were connected by their souls, the greatest evidence of their love for each other. And when the time came that Arya would want a child, he would give it to her. He was just hesitant that he would be a poor father. He lacked any experience with his own father and doubted that he could raise a child that Arya might gift him with well.
"Someone looks as if he is very deep in thought," said a bright voice startling Eragon from where he sat by the Jiet River. He glanced up to find Angela hovering over him. He stared wondering if she had come to possibly unsettle Arya anymore. It was the witch's pastime thought Eragon wryly. "Oh, don't give me that look. I have come in peace Shur'tugal."
"I find that hard to believe," snorted Eragon.
"You would think that after being with Arya for some time you would learn some mannerism from her," commented Angela lightly. He did not know what Angela did that demanded such respect from the elves but Eragon was not falling for it. Rosalie may be an old friend of hers but he was cautious and outspoken with Angela more often than not.
"Is there something you needed?" asked Eragon from where he sat, "Should you not be marching with the Varden?"
"Loosely speaking I am not a part of the Varden," Angela corrected him, "I am merely here because so far I find events rather interesting. Very much so." He could tell from her tone of voice that she was getting ready to go off in her bright stories once more. But as she opened her mouth, she caught herself, "I didn't come here to torture you Shadeslayer, I was only a guide to you."
"A guide?" he blinked noticing the figure that stood off to the side. It was Elva. He was surprised that he did not sense her chilling presence. He must have been deeply in thought. What could Elva want with him?
"In any case, I see Arya with Murtagh," said Angela already starting to move away. "I shall leave her in your care Eragon. After all, I hear that you are very caring with children." Watching as she left Eragon shook his head wondering how on earth Angela seem to know what was bothering him. Instead he turned his head to Elva and motioned for her to join him. When she took a seat beside him, Eragon glanced at her.
"Is there something you needed my assistance with Elva?" asked Eragon. He never really thought much of the girl before him and he was glad for a moment that Murtagh did not open his mouth to cast a blessing on Ella. He could only think of how much anger he would have for Murtagh if such a curse was placed on Ella as it was on Elva. Now that he thought of it, their names only differed in one letter. She shook her head.
"It just felt different here," said Elva quietly her adult voice out of place in such a childish body, "There is not as much pain here as there is with the Varden." He could only speculate why thought Eragon as he sat beside her. She was quiet for a moment, "Your child will be loved by all the races of Alagaësia."
At her words he turned to her in surprise. His neck turned so fast that he winced reaching up to rub the muscle. He stared at Elva and it appeared that she didn't want to speak anymore but just wanted to sit there in silence. Unable to give words to how grateful he felt to her, Eragon sat there in silence with her as he heard Arya's conversation with Angela float over and how strained she sounded. As always, Angela knew how to unsettle Arya thought Eragon more at peace than amused. Staring into the river he thought of Elva's words and the possible future that he could have with Arya. He never thought much past defeating Galbatorix.
All of his time and energy was spent on thinking of plans and tactics to defeat Galbatorix and he was sure that Arya was of the same mindset until Ella was born. Now, he found himself thinking of a possible home with her—a home he never had. He saw her than in his mind's eye. She was dressed in a skirt unlike her regular leather and in her embrace was beautiful young girl with pointed ears and dark emerald eyes.
He turned and caught Arya's sparkling eyes and felt himself faintly smile. Yes, maybe one day after this war…
It was important to me that we had this chapter so that we could understand Eragon's mindset when it came to children and see some of Arya's self doubt that we rarely get to see in the original. It gives Arya's character more depth in my opinion when speaking about family and children. Anyways, this will be the last filler chapter I hope and I shall start writing the next chapter soon. But I was very surprised that one of the reviews told me that my story is updated in the middle of the night. I usually update them around 7pm but it seems that you're all living in very different time zones! That's very nice to know in my opinion, it makes me feel great to know that people all over read this story. Haha, anyways hope to see you all soon!