Here is another chapter for you guys! The reunion that you have been waiting for! I hope you enjoy it! As always please feel free to leave me any comments you have. Thanks again for reading.
Eragon was anxious to meet his new students. He had never before attempted to teach anything in great detail to any other person before. Saphira being ever present in Eragon's mind tried to reach out to him to calm his nerves.
Peace little one for you have no reason to fear. The hatchlings will arrive soon enough, and all will be well when they do. You have the combined knowledge shared with us by Master Oromis and Master Glaedr, the knowledge of the elves that accompanied us, along with that of all of the eldunarí.
You always do know what to say don't you Saphira.
Indeed, was Saphira's only reply clearly pleased that Eragon had come to accept her wisdom in situations such as these.
Eragon had left the Great Hall that morning with Saphira, Murtagh, Thorn, Blödhgram, and Naya to journey back to the grassy bluff that stood up on the western edge of the lake and allowed the group a spectacular view of the Great Hall and the living quarters that lie below them as well as a glimpse of the sea beyond and the vast forests that populated the isle.
Eragon had experienced many mixed emotions when he had returned from his walk with Naya 3 weeks ago and had been informed by Murtagh that he had spoken with Arya. Eragon had at first been disappointed that he had missed an opportunity to speak with Arya, but he also felt relief for he doubted that his heart could stand another conversation with her without it being shattered irreparably. He had felt elation at the prospect of the 4 new dragon riders arriving so soon but was nervous that the burden of their education now lay squarely on his shoulders.
Murtagh had informed Eragon that the 4 new dragons and riders were due to arrive within a few weeks, and so it had become habit that Eragon and Saphira would keep watch on the sky from their bluff every day, and the elves would help watch the sky from the bluff every night. Occasionally Murtagh, Thorn, Blödhgram, and Naya or some combination would accompany them to the bluff. They did not know when exactly to expect the new riders, so they had been keeping this watch schedule for the past 3 days and would continue to do so until they had arrived.
It was just after mid-day and the company had just enjoyed a pleasant meal together when Saphira and Thorn had pointed out dots on the horizon. They appeared no bigger than black specks against the cloudless blue sky. As time drew on they gradually grew larger and larger until the different hues of color could be seen.
Arya and Fírnen had been leading the group of hatchings for just over 2 days when Fírnen touched her mind and turned his snout towards an indistinguishable dot of land in the distance.
Is that it Fírnen? Arya asked excitedly to her dragon knowing that Fírnen, or any other dragon for that matter, had a far better sense of direction than she did.
I believe it is. We should arrive within an hour. You should alert the others. Arya could tell that the dragons were growing weary and she was glad that their journey was nearly complete. This also meant that she was only an hour away from being reunited with Eragon, and the nervousness that she had managed to keep at bay sprung up once again in full force.
She reached out with her mind to the four dragons and their riders and pushing back her excitement she forced an even, calm tone to enter her mind before she spoke to them, look to the horizon, for our destination draws near. She could feel the relief and excitement from her students as she made her announcement. Stay near to us and we shall soon be able to rest and eat properly again. The dragons seemed the most excited at this prospect for most of them had never been forced to fly for such a long period of time without any respite.
Returning her mind to herself and Fírnen she spoke to her dragon. Fírnen was also weary from the journey but less so than the other dragons so Arya felt she could converse with her dragon freely without fear of exhausting him further. Fírnen I feel as though we should surprise Eragon and Saphira what do you think?
Fírnen laughed briefly at her idea before he responded slyly, I think you have a mischievous side to you that Arya dröttning did not possess.
Arya allowed a playful smile to sneak its way onto her face, perhaps you are correct my partner. I feel free again for the first time in a while, and I want to see the look on their faces when we arrive.
As you wish so shall it be. Fírnen replied chuckling again at his rider's antics and this new care free side to her that he had been aware of hidden deep within her mind but had never before seen her express.
Arya quickly went about chanting a few lines in the ancient language that bent the air in front of them rendering her and Fírnen invisible from any looking directly at them while also leaving the air behind them unscathed so to allow the other dragons to follow them towards their destination.
Being an elf Orrianna was the most alert to magic around her and she noticed a change in the air while the others seemed to be oblivious to this or they were aware, but they simply ignored it. She reached her mind out to Arya and asked, "Master what is this spell that I detect?"
Arya laughed briefly before she responded to her, "It is a surprise I have worked out for Eragon and Saphira. You shall see the results shortly."
Orrianna accepted Arya's explanation and smiled inwardly to herself. She spoke to Solus, it appears that our teacher has had a change in personality since she has discovered love within herself and has been freed of her burden as dröttning.
Her link with Solus was then filled with a hearty laugh and the booming deep voice of her dragon, that it does my dear I daresay that she will be a completely different elf than the one we saw in Ellesméra.
I believe you are correct, it shall be interesting to see how this plays out. Orrianna responded before receding slightly from Solus to allow him to focus completely on the remainder of their journey.
Eragon marveled at the sight before him. He saw four beautifully colored dragons approaching. The first dragon that caught his eye was the royal purple dragon, following behind it was a silver dragon that appeared to be equal in size to the purple one, then came a dragon that looked surprisingly similar to the sun behind it and appeared to be significantly smaller than the first two, lastly came a pure black dragon that looked magnificent against the blue sky. Everyone stood there marveling at the image before them. It seemed like a miracle to Eragon that he was standing there observing so many dragons in one view. If you had told him a few years ago that he would be standing here now seeing the sight before him he wouldn't have thought it possible.
They were all drawn out of their individual thoughts when Blödhgram vocalized what they had all been thinking, "after The Fall I never thought I would be fortunate enough to see such a beautiful sight again."
Without looking away from the approaching dragons Naya said, "aye, we are indeed truly blessed."
Eragon could feel the excitement rolling off of Saphira, and when he finally pulled his gaze away from the sky in front of him to turn towards his dragon he saw that both Saphira and Thorn were physically shaking with excitement.
Eragon let out one of his rare laughs as he went to put a hand on Saphira's massive scaly leg. "Oh, go ahead you two I know you want to," he said smiling at the two anxious dragons before him.
Eragon stepped back as Saphira and Thorn leapt into the air shooting streams of fire from their jaws without another second's hesitation.
Just be sure to ground yourselves again before the hatchings arrive Eragon added to Saphira as she let loose a mighty roar that was immediately echoed by Thorn.
Arya saw the forms of Saphira and Thorn take off in front of her, saw the brilliant streaks of fire flow out of them, and heard their trumpeting welcome. She felt the elation grow inside of Fírnen and his steely calm resolve from the previous days was completely abandoned at the sight of Saphira.
Arya was barely able to get through the excitement that seemed to encircle Fírnen's consciousness, but when she did she was able to stop him before he let loose a jet of his own flame, Peace Fírnen I know that your desire grows stronger but try your best not to betray our surprise.
Fírnen let his annoyance be known at Arya's comment but reluctantly agreed to remain quiet as he watched Saphira and Thorn loop through the air in a brilliant display of acrobatics. At this he increased his speed along with the hatchlings behind him, their exhaustion seemingly forgotten at the sight of the two dragons ahead of them.
As Eragon watched the four new dragons get closer and closer he called up to Saphira, come now Saphira and join us so we can greet our new students appropriately.
If you insist was her reply as she flipped herself once more in the air before she settled herself into a steep dive towards Eragon's location with Thorn close behind her. The two dragons landed and settled themselves next to their respective riders as Eragon and Saphira moved to place themselves in the middle of their small welcoming group with Murtagh and Thorn on their right and Blödhgram and Naya on their left. They arranged themselves with their back to the lake allowing room for the new arrivals to land.
The dragons were now close enough for Eragon to make out the riders on their backs. Those present on the ground were buffeted with wind as the dragons settled themselves onto the ground. The purple and yellow-orange dragons landed on Eragon's right side in front of Murtagh and Thorn while the silver and black dragons were on his left arranged in front of Blödhgram and Naya.
Eragon thought their positions rather strange as they had left a large empty space immediately in front of Eragon, but this thought was quickly washed out of his mind as he became filled with joy and awe at the sight before him. Blödhgram and Naya fell to their knees as they were overtaken with emotions at the sight of so many magnificent dragons before them.
"Greetings," Eragon called out loudly as the riders dismounted from their dragons, "welcome to your new home! My name is Eragon and this is my dragon Saphira" he said while motioning to Saphira who had positioned herself just behind Eragon's right shoulder. Saphira seemed to straighten herself out a little more and snaked her neck slightly to show off her freshly cleaned scales an action that causing Eragon to hide a smirk. "While you stay here with us we will be teaching you everything you need to know about becoming a dragon rider. Beside me is my brother Murtagh and his dragon Thorn."
Murtagh waved hello and smiled at Eragon taken slightly by surprise due to Eragon's use of the word "brother," despite them becoming closer and closer over the years he was still astonished at Eragon's friendly acceptance of him and the actions of his past.
Eragon continued with his speech, "On my other side is Blödhgram." Eragon paused for a moment allowing Blödhgram to bow to the new arrivals by way of introduction before continuing, "and this is Naya," pausing again for Naya to repeat Blödhgram actions. "They along with the 21 other elves on the isle will be helping us to teach you. Now please let us know who you are as well."
Orrianna being the most familiar with formal greeting stepped forward gracefully and bowed to those assembled in front of her. She began by speaking the formal elven greeting to everyone. Once the greeting had been spoken six times she bowed again and said, "My name is Orrianna and this is my dragon Solus." Eragon, Murtagh, Blödhgram, and Naya bowed in return to both Orrianna and Solus while Saphira and Thorn snaked their necks towards Solus. While Eragon spoke his welcome to Orrianna and said he was glad she was here Saphira and Thorn likewise greeted and welcomed Solus.
"Where is it that you call home Orrianna?" Eragon asked politely.
"I come from Osilon Shadeslayer" she responded, "it is an honor to meet you all."
As Orrianna stepped back beside Solus Alyss stepped forward. Like Orrianna Alyss initiated the elven greeting with everyone before she spoke, "I am Alyss and this is my dragon Victoria." Eragon, Murtagh, Blödhgram, and Naya bowed to Alyss and Eragon spoke his welcome as Saphira and Thorn welcomed Victoria.
"Where is it that you call home Alyss?" Eragon asked again.
"I grew up on a farm between Daret and Lake Fläm" she responded proudly before again taking her place beside Victoria.
Next came the dwarf Hundin. Bypassing the elvish greeting and in typical dwarf fashion he hammered a fist to his chest before raising it in the air and saying, "Hail Shadeslayer. Mine name is Hundin and I hail from Farthen Dûr. I believe you are familiar with mine grimstborith Orik. This here is mine dragon Opal." Hundin ended his greeting with a bow and a hello to the rest of those assembled.
"You know Orik" Eragon inquired, "and you are of Dûrgrimst Ingeitum?"
"Aye" Hundin replied with a broad smile as he puffed out his chest a little, "mine mother is the sister of Hvedra."
"Well welcome dear brother of mine" Eragon concluded.
Hundin stepped back next to Opal with the smile still on his face while Yarvotek took a massive step forward and barred his throat to Eragon. "Greetings Firesword, my name is Yarvotek and this is my dragon Shadow. I am from the Bolvek Tribe under the rule of Nar Garzhvog."
Eragon barred his throat in return as was a sign of trust and respect among the urgals. "Greetings Yarvotek. Nar Garzhvog is a dear friend of mine and a great ram." Yarvotek then exchanged greetings with the others before he too stepped back next to Shadow.
Arya had watched the proceedings before her with a desperate longing. She was impressed by Eragon's calm and sure demeanor and by how well he interacted with each of the riders and dragons. He certainly isn't the immature farm boy that rescued me from Durza is he she said to Fírnen who, like Arya, was barely suppressing his excitement.
No, he certainly seems to have become a man in full since his departure. Fírnen replied before he turned his gaze on Saphira and marveled after her and more to himself than Arya he said, look at the way her scales sparkle and her claws and fangs are magnificent.
Arya returned her focus to the scene in front of her in time to hear Eragon finish his greeting to Yarvotek. She decided now was the time and she ended the invisibility spell she had placed upon herself and Fírnen as she stepped down from his back, her heart hammered inside of her chest.
Eragon had opened his mouth to address the new riders once more when Arya ended the spell. His gaze traveled back over the once empty area in front of him and she was there. Arya was standing there before him smiling broadly with a twinkle in her beautiful eyes that seemed to ensnare Eragon every time he looked into them. He blinked hard as he was sure that his mind had betrayed him, but when he opened his eyes she was still there in front of him.
Saphira, recognizing Fírnen, jumped onto her hind legs, flapping her wings forward to retain her balance, and let out a triumphant roar before she took one massive leap and landed besides Fírnen as she looped her neck around his. Fírnen returned her sentiment by nipping playfully at her ears and snout.
Eragon was almost knocked to the ground by the force of Saphira's flapping wing, but he did not seem to feel it at all, nor did he hear her roar or notice when she leapt over him and landed beside Fírnen. His attention was focused entirely on Arya who was still standing in front of him.
Arya bowed deeply to Eragon and simply said, "greetings Eragon" with a broad smile on her face. She was here at last standing in front of the one she desired most in this world. Finally, she was where she wanted to be, where she needed to be.
Eragon's mouth was still slightly ajar and he stood rooted in place, but no words came out. It was then that Saphira's voice echoed inside his head, Eragon. When she received no response, she yelled into his consciousness, Eragon!
What. What is it Saphira? Is it really her? It can't be, can it?
It is indeed. Now close your mouth or you'll catch flies Saphira said clearly amused by Eragon's lack of ability to retain even his most basic motor and sensory functions.
How is this possible? I have wanted her with me for so long and now she is here! What do I do? What am I supposed to say to her? What if she rejects me? I don't think I can handle that again. He blurted out, his mind moving so fast that he was unable to focus on any single thought for any period of time.
Well you must say something Eragon you cannot just stand there frozen like a statue. Talk to her! She would not have come all this way to reject you Eragon. Saphira said to him. Speak Eragon! It was this last shout in his consciousness that finally seemed to galvanize him into action.
Eragon shook his head slightly before he again returned his gaze to Arya and those beautiful emerald green eyes, her flowing raven hair, her chiseled, angular features, and that smile that made him want to melt. When he spoke his voice came out as slightly more than a whisper, "Arya? Is it really you?" He asked her, barely able to breathe. His heart felt like it might burst at the slightest movement.
Taking a step towards him she continued to smile as she looked into his deep brown eyes. She was marveling in his presence, since she had discovered her love for him she had wanted to be in this moment so much that it hurt, and now here she was. "Thäet er eka (It is I)" was her response.
As Eragon looked at her and heard her words he saw nothing but love and desire in her eyes. He took a step towards her before he responded. "I missed you Arya." He was still trying to recover from the shock of the one person in the world that he loved appearing in front of him.
Arya continued to smile at him a sight that filled Eragon with such delight that he wanted to be the reason she smiled every day for the rest of his life. "I am here for you Eragon."
Eragon was so taken aback by her words that he stopped dead in his tracks. Could this be true? This was what he had wanted for so long to hear her say. Does she mean what I think she means he asked Saphira desperately hoping that he wasn't imagining the entire situation.
Yes, Eragon now go to her before you make her change her mind Saphira chided back.
They now stood only a few yards away from each other. Both had stopped moving forward and were simple looking at the other with all the love and compassion they shared for one another. Eragon held his arms up in front of him and opened them slightly. This was all the invitation Arya needed. She closed the gap between them in a few swift steps before she was wrapped tightly in Eragon's embrace.
Eragon wrapped Arya in his arms and held her tightly to him not wanting to let her go. He ran his fingers through her long raven hair and reveled in the fresh pine scent that he had always lovingly associated with Arya.
Arya couldn't remember the last time that she had felt as content as she did while Eragon was holding her. She didn't know if he still felt as strongly about her as he once had, and she decided that she had to know. Arya pulled back slightly, just enough so that she was still held in Eragon's arms but was able to look into his eyes. She looked deeply into those deep, kind, compassionate brown eyes she loved so much and in a whisper that could only be heard by Eragon and herself she recited his true name just as he had told her so long ago. The moment that the final word left her lips a slight shudder ran through Eragon and Arya knew that he was still the same Eragon that had left her over 4 years ago.
Arya looked again into Eragon's eyes and she wondered at him, "its still you. You haven't changed. You still," she faltered over the words she so desperately wanted to hear from him, love me.
Fortunately for Arya she didn't need to finish because Eragon seized the opportunity to say what he had intended to tell her before they parted 4 years ago, "I still love you Arya. I told you that I always would. There is no other that I could love as much as I love you." There it was. He had said what had been eating away at him for oh so long. Now he waited with bated breath for her response hoping against hope that she would return his feelings.
"I can't believe that you could still love me after all these years, after everything I have done to you, after all the hurt I caused you." Arya chocked this out in a hoarse whisper as she was overcome with the guilt of ever doubting him and the love that was now blossoming inside her. "Eragon, I love you too. I'm sorry that it took me so long to realize it, but I love you."
Eragon knew that had never herd sweeter words before in his life. Still oblivious to the many onlookers arranged around them Eragon picked Arya up as she wrapped her legs around his body and he kissed her.
