Ch. 5 Letta
Arya stared out to the entranceway of her cave. Everything around her was almost like a dream. She did not know how many days it had been since she had found Eragon and Saphira; however despite her uncooperativeness they were treating her kindly.
The little dragon had provided company for her, and she had even named it- Emerlad. But Arya knew that she needed to leave now, or decide to stay. Everything was beginning to come into focus. Either she helps the Varden now, and dies doing so; or helps the world later, and lives while doing it. Arya didn't know what to do. Maybe the other reason why Emerlad waited to hatch would solve her question.
"Eragon!" she finally called, praying that he would answer her call.
Eragon called back, "I am busy!" and left it at that. Arya was shocked. Never before had Eragon rejected her cry. Arya stared at Emerlad.
"Do you think that I should give in? That I should help Eragon bring peace to Alagaësia?" Arya asked.
The little dragon chirped, jumped off of Arya's lap, and glided around in the air.
"Hmm," Arya sighed, "Since you aren't helping me… oh I don't know what to do!"
Suddenly, a small voice chirped in her head.
Arya… Arya…
What?? Who is this?? Arya asked, about block the presence out of her mind.
Arya, it is I, Emerlad. I am here to give you the advice you plead for, Emerlad had an amused tone to his voice.
Oh, Arya felt relief wash over her; do you like the name I picked out for you?
Yes, it suits me well. Now, back to business, Emerlad sat down in front of Arya, seeming to have grown to the size of a dog in a minute.
It is time for you, Arya, to realize your place in the history of Alagaësia. Eragon is right, Alagaësia will fall and be destroyed thousands of years early if you decide to go back now. However, if you stay by Eragon's side, then you will ensure Alagaësia a long life.
How long? Arya demanded.
100,000 years, Emerlad chuckled.
And if I don't help, what am I condemning it too? Arya continued.
The world will end, then, within this year.
Arya sat back, closing her eyes. The fate of an entire world rests on my shoulders, she thought privately.
"Maybe… maybe I should," Arya whispered.
Stay? Yes, yes you should, Emerlad chuckled.
Arya nodded, "Yes, yes I will stay."
EEE
Eragon walked in, carrying Emerlad and Arya's meals, deep in thought. Arya took the food he offered, and just as he turned around Arya decided to tell him.
"Eragon!" she called out. Eragon spun around, awoken from his reverie.
"Yes, Arya?" Eragon asked; his tone bitter.
"I was going to tell you, that I have decided to stay," Arya whispered.
"What?" Eragon raised his eyebrows disbelievingly.
"I'm going to stay, and help you save Alagaësia," Arya said loudly.
Eragon closed his eyes and mumbled something under his breath. Arya could not hear what it was, but she could guess by the shocked tone of his voice.
"Very well," Eragon had composed himself and looked Arya straight in the eye, "But swear it in the Ancient Language.
"I swear that I will stay with you until Alagaësia needs us to bring peace," Arya said strongly in the Ancient Language, her brow furrowed and her look determined.
Eragon continued to stare at her as she finished.
"Well, then… good," Eragon nodded, and suddenly the bounds holding Arya to her room were lifted. Arya stood up from her bed, stretched, and sighed.
"I am sorry for the way I acted, Eragon. Do to my own meditation and additional counseling from Emerlad; I have learned that you are right. Can you forgive me?" Arya put two fingers to her lips.
"Yes, I can," Eragon laughed, "Now, do you wish to know why Emerlad waited?"
"The second reason? Yes, yes I do wish to know," Arya nodded eagerly.
"It is because he knew that you wouldn't reach us unless he waited. So he did wait until I or Saphira was near to hatch, so that the fate of Alagaësia was sealed Imagine Saphira and my panic when we thought you were going to condemn Alagaësia to an early death! But all is well now," Eragon laughed and sat down, then directed his gaze to Arya intensly, "Now, what has happened to you these past ten years?"
"It is a long tale, but I can go into it," Arya nodded, "You see, Eragon, after you left the Varden came into a crisis. They had no hope of defeating Galbatorix now, what with all their principle members gone and no Riders to help them. However, I and two of the spell casters came back a year after you had gone- we were weak, but alive, and carrying a dragon egg. I'd rather not relive what happened when I was in Galbatorix's confinement, thank you," Arya snarled suddenly, causing Eragon to recoil briefly.
"Anyway, so we came back. The Varden were practically screaming in praise. I began what I had done with Saphira's egg, I ferried it across Alagaësia. Danger laid waiting for me at every corner. My two fellow Elves, Mimringr and Jonündo, died within one trip where Galbatorix himself came to retrieve his egg. I managed to flee away to Du Weldenvarden, but I had to stay there for years before it was safe to return to Surda. Then my usual trip resumed, until last year where things in Alagaësia became bad. The Urgals were all but extinct, and the Ra'zac had matured into full Lethrblaka. They were terrorizing everyone, them and their parents, and not following anyone's rules- not even Galbatorix. The land is a wasteland; the only healthy places remaining are Du Weldenvarden and the Beor Mountains. Everywhere else there are just plains and… well, nothing. I was on my usual ferrying trip, and I was almost at Du Weldenvarden when I knew something was chasing me. I ran, ran as far as I could, to the North. The creatures chasing me- I'm so sure they were Lethrblaka- stopped when I reached the Northern Forest. I continued to run, to get away from the creatures, when I ran into you- and you know the rest," Arya shrugged.
"Yes, I do know the rest," Eragon nodded, smiling sympathetically at her.
"Well, I suppose I should go out and get some exercise. Do not worry, I shall return," Arya reassured him nervously.
"You are bound by the Ancient Language to do so," Eragon chuckled as Arya ran outside.
Perhaps everything is different now, Eragon commented to Saphira.
Just do not let your heart be broken again, little one, Saphira soothed.