A/N: YAY I updated in less than two weeks. Aren't you proud of me?

Mpro1 – I'm glad you like it. I hope you like this new chapter as much as the others.

AryaSvitkona – I'm happy that you enjoy the way I'm slowly bringing in their relationship. I don't like it either when they suddenly decide they like each other. I'm not saying anything. You will find out who the new rider's are later (was it that obvious? (I know it was)).

Emerald Tiara – That's great. You will find out if he is king later.

Shurtugal jonathan – I will try to update more often. I did this time. It has been less than two weeks. Anyway it's kind of funny. I'm the one who generally tells people to update more often. Oh well. I don't like the ones where Arya suddenly decides she wants to be with Eragon, they annoy me. That is why I am bringing it in slowly.

Parisian Chick – Do I really manage to stay Paolini style? Thanks that is a really great compliment if you love his books as much as I do.

kira – I'm really glad you liked my story I will try to update again within the next two weeks. I can't make any promises though. My holidays are really busy.

I would also like to thank anyone that read my story or reviewed the other chapters I couldn't have done it with out you.

Disclaimer: I don't own the inheritance trilogy. If I did I would not be writing a fanfic.

Ch.9 Chapter 8

"Arya."

"Wake up." Arya stirred slightly in the saddle but remained asleep.

"WAKE UP!" Eragon screamed. "Who knew elves were such heavy sleepers." Eragon added to Saphira.

Arya awoke looking into a pair of brown eyes.

"Arya," Eragon said impatiently. What did it take to wake up an elf?

"What's going on?" asked Arya immediately alert, "Where are we?"

"Calm down," Eragon said doing a poor job trying to hide his amusement. "I woke you to say we are almost in Farthen Dûr. You fell asleep a couple of hours ago. I didn't think you would want to be asleep when we landed."

"Thank you," Arya said, fighting down the heat that was rising in her cheeks.

"When we land, we will have to find Orik. He can tell us what is happening."

"OK."

"Hold on," Saphira said to all of them.

Arya grabbed onto Eragon tightly as Saphira pulled into a vertical dive. Saphira smirked as she plummeted to the ground. Arya buried her head in the back of Eragon's shirt as Saphira continued her descent.

Once Arya got over the initial shock, she put her arms out like wings, copying Eragon. Eragon looked behind him when Arya let go of his shirt. He smiled at the look on her face. She was learning to enjoy flying almost as much as he did.

Saphira pulled out of her dive, spreading her wings. She landed lightly on the ground despite her great bulk. Eragon and Arya jumped from Saphira landing silently on the ground.

Arya, Eragon and Saphira looked on the gates of Farthen Dûr. Arya and Saphira stood still as Eragon picked up a small rock and knocked on the rock, shouting the password at the top of his lungs.

"How are we going to find Orik? Farthen Dûr is huge. He could be anywhere." Arya said as they stood waiting for the gate to open.

"I don't know. We will find a way, but we will need to find him soon so we can find out exactly when the funeral is."

The 3 stood patiently as the gate slowly opened. When Eragon, Arya and Saphira walked into Farthen Dûr, they were immediately greeted by Orik. He wasn't happy as they remembered, but who could blame him. He had recently lost the closest thing he had to a father.

There was still sorrow in Orik's face but there was also pride.

"Hello. I was wondering when you three would arrive, the funeral is in a few short hours and you don't want to be late."

"Sorry, but there were a few things I had to do before I came here that could not be delayed," Eragon said.

"Yes, Eragon had to go and save his cousin's fiancée from the Ra'zac and avenge both Garrow's and Brom's deaths." Arya added nicely, giving Eragon an encouraging smile.

"Good, I am glad those rotten beasts are gone. They did much for the Empire. They were dangerous enemies."

"Where are we staying?" Eragon asked. "We need to prepare for the funeral."

"Someone is going to be here soon to take you up." Orik looked at Eragon closely, "How have you been faring since the …battle." Orik chose his words carefully so he would not cause his friend so much pain.

"Better," Eragon said bitterly. He remembered the nights he had spent awake, the days he had spent thinking about the battle, replaying it in his head. "How about you?"

"Better," Orik said, it still hurt him to recall his lost king.

"How will the new king be chosen?" Arya asked, it was one of the few things that she had not been taught.

"We keep that amongst the dwarves, but I can tell you that the new king will be chosen from the clan chiefs."

"But who will be the new chief of our clan now that Hrothgar has left us," Eragon asked though he was sure he already knew the answer.

"It's me. Hrothgar made me his heir since he had no children."

"Congratulations Orik," Eragon said.

"That's wonderful. Good luck with it."

"It's good but whoever is chosen will strive to be as good a king as Hrothgar," Orik said loyally, "but if I am chosen, I will do my best to lead them well."

They stood in silence for a moment before Eragon remembered something. "When are you to be married Orik."

"This coming spring," Orik said happily, "to the prettiest dwarf maiden I ever laid eyes on."

"That is wonderful, and what of the Star Sapphire," Eragon asked. "Saphira and I will be ready to fix it whenever the time comes."

"It is being put together as we speak, though it will not be ready for a long time."

As soon as Orik had spoken a dwarf came up to Eragon and Arya and led them to their rooms. Eragon walked into his room and Arya into hers which was next door.

Eragon looked around his room before calling Saphira. In his room there was an open area where Saphira could sleep. On the far wall, there was also a huge window that was large enough for Saphira to fly in through.

Eragon remembered when they had first come to Farthen Dûr. They had given Eragon a nice room and Saphira the Dragon Hold. Eragon had ended up having a cot dragged into the Dragon Hold so he could be with Saphira. Clearly, they had learned the two did not sleep apart unless by force.

Eragon waited silently for Saphira to join him. When she arrived, Eragon walked to the bed and collected the suit that lay there for him. Eragon got changed into the suit and looked in the mirror. As he did, he realised it had been a few days since he had last shaved. Eragon whispered the words in the ancient language and watched the stubble fall of his chin.

Eragon looked at himself properly in the mirror. His face hadn't changed since the Agaetί Blödhren, and he doubted it would. He almost looked like a full elf, though he could easily be distinguished because his features were rougher than full elves.

Eragon turned to face Saphira. "Can you wait here while I get Arya?"

"Of course just try not to take too long."

"When she is ready we will come back here and you can take us to the funeral."

"Yes little one."

Eragon walked to Saphira and quickly patted her scaly nose before leaving the room. Eragon waited for a few minutes before knocking on the door.

"Are you done yet?"

"I'm almost done. I will be out in a minute."

True to her word, Arya emerged from her room almost exactly a minute later. She was wearing a floor length black dress. She had also taken the leather from her hair, allowing her ebony locks to fall down her back.

Eragon stared at her. Even in a simple black dress, she still looked as stunning as she always did.

"Shall we leave," Eragon asked holding out his arm.

"Sure," Arya answered happily, accepting his arm. As they walked, Arya wondered to herself why she was doing this. Why was she holding his arm and – though she wouldn't admit it – enjoying herself. She had told herself many a time that she would not fall for him. He had his duties and she had hers. She shouldn't be doing this and yet … she couldn't help herself.

Saphira looked up as the pair entered the room. "Hello," she said to both of them.

"Hello." They answered simultaneously. Saphira looked at them critically before raising an eyebrow. The two still arm in arm rolled their eyes. Saphira shook her head as Eragon patted her sapphire nose.

"Where is your saddle?" In response Saphira lazily flicked her head to the corner of the room where the saddle lay in a pile on the floor.

Eragon put her saddle on. As he adjusted the straps, he realised it was clearly getting too small. It barely did up on the loosest link as Eragon tightened it on Saphira's bulky figure.

"We are going to have to make you a new saddle when we get to Ellesmèra."

"I know. This one is getting a bit tight."

"Maybe we can get Oromis to make us a better one." Suddenly a feeling of depression came over Eragon.

"What is wrong little one?"

"It's just, it feels like we are forgetting Brom. He made this saddle when we first left Carvahall. It feels like, by getting rid of this saddle, we are losing a part of his memory. It feels like everywhere I go, we lose another part of his memory. He doesn't deserve that."

"Don't think that. Brom will never be forgotten. You don't need to worry. He is the reason the Varden had a second chance."

"I know, but it still feels like that. I want to keep the saddle but there is nothing we can do with it."

"We can keep it and when the time comes, we can give it to a new rider."

"OK."

Eragon finished putting on the saddle and got on Saphira's back. Eragon turned in his saddle to lend Arya a hand but she was already in the saddle behind him. She was riding side saddle because it was almost impossible to ride normally in a dress.

Arya wrapped her arms tightly around Eragon's waist; he was all the support she had to hold herself on.

Saphira took off carefully, knowing that the clothing Arya wore was not fit to ride in.

A/N: Well that is it, I hope you enjoyed it. The more reviews I get the faster I will update (hint hint). Well tell me what you think. If I have something to improve on please tell me, that way I can fix it.

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