Why was she feeling so troubled?
Why was she feeling so broken, incomplete?
Why could she no longer think without his face popping up in her mind?
And why could she no longer say that she had no feelings for him in the ancient language?
Why? Why? Why?
Arya simply didn't understand what was going on with herself. Never before had she felt this way or experienced this uncontrollable emotion. She just couldn't explain it. Nothing she'd ever dealt with could have prepared her for the pain that she was going through now, a pain that had all started with Eragon.
Eragon.
Just the thought of him made her heart beat faster.
Ever since she'd shut him down during Agaetí Blödhren, she hadn't felt the same. There was a whole in her heart, a deep, passionate longing for him.
Eragon.
She couldn't go on like this. Nasuada and the Varden needed her counsel.
Eragon.
What in the name of Alagaësia was she thinking? She was almost a century older than him. He was a mere child compared to her, a foolish one at that.
Eragon.
She'd desperately tried to get him to stay, put up a veneer of concerns for the Varden to try and convince him to abandon Roran and Katrina. He'd brushed her off and said that he had no choice, that Katrina's predicament was his fault. As she watched him walk away, it felt as though her heart had been torn in two,
Eragon.
Arya looked over her shoulder. One of Nasuada's messengers was coming into the gardens to find her. Nasuada needed her; the Varden needed her. She could not be like Eragon and abandon them for an emotion as fickle as love.
Was she just admitting that she loved him? No, impossible.
"What is it?" she asked the messenger girl. "Why does Nasuada send for me?"
"Pardon me, milady," the girl said shyly. "Lady Nasuada says she's just received a messenger from Queen Islanzadí."
Arya was immediately interested. "Take me to her," she ordered, and the girl obeyed.
There was a blazing fire in Nasuada's room. Since the Battle of the Burning Plains, Surda's climate seemed to have shifted. It had suddenly become colder and a time where they wished for the cold seemed so far away. Now, they wished for the warmth that they had rejected just weeks earlier.
The fire cast shadows on the three figures in the room. Nasuada sat in her armchair by the fire with the cursed girl Elva at her side. The girl had been doing surprisingly well since Eragon's departure. She was able to sense pain and misfortune sooner and a few more assassination attempts on Nasuada and King Orrin had been foiled since Eragon left.
Eragon.
She quickly threw him from her mind.
Her eyes fell on the third figure. He was an Elf; she could deduce that much from the girl's message. He was cloaked, but removed his hood when he saw her come into the room. He bowed his head in respect for the Elven princess and greeted her, "Greetings, Arya Svit-kona." Arya smiled as she recognized his voice. He put his fingers to his lips and they exchanged the traditional greeting.
"Nari," she whispered. Nari was one of the elves that helped guide them to Ellesméra. Eragon had been there then.
Eragon. Why could she not keep him from her mind?
"Nari comes with an important message from Islanzadí," Nasuada said. Arya looked to Nari, silently begging him to deliver his important message. He obeyed.
"Queen Islanzadí sends her best wishes, Arya Svit-kona," Nari began. "And she wishes that Lady Nasuada and King Orrin know that the elves will once again rise up against the Empire and join with the Varden. She regrets withdrawing her support earlier after Princess Arya's capture. She hopes that it is not too late."
"Certainly it is never too late," Nasuada assured him. "Is there more?"
"Yes," Nari nodded. "Queen Islanzadí says that she is assembling her soldiers and spellcasters. She plans to attack Galbatorix from the north as soon as she is ready. That should at least draw his attention from the Varden for some time."
Arya nodded her head pensively. "Seems like a well thought out plan," she said in approval. Let's just hope it works."
Nasuada nodded in agreement. "Are you going back to your queen, Nari?"
Nari nodded. "I hope to return to Ellesméra in time to march on Urû'baen with my kin."
Nasuada told him, "Send Islanzadí my good tidings and tell her how grateful I am to hear from her. I wish her luck in her endeavor. Everyone knows we'll all need it."
"I'll be sure to tell her, Lady Nasuada," Nari replied.
"I appreciate it, Master Elf," Nasuada smiled. "I wish you well on your return journey. My servants will give you any supplies you may need."
Nari bowed Nasuada. "Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Nasuada," he said and turned to Arya. Bowing, he said, "Farewell, Arya Svit-kona. I shall tell Queen Islanzadí that you are well."
Arya nodded and smiled at Nari. "Say hello to her for me," she said. Nari bowed again and left the room. "I told you they would join us," Arya she told Nasuada with a smug grin.
"And I did not doubt you," Nasuada replied. "Just their timing."
Elva stirred next to Nasuada. The poor girl was shaking. Arya looked alarmed and frightened, but Nasuada knew what was happening. She was sensing misfortune. "Who is it, dear?" she asked gently. "Tell me and we can help them."
"Eragon," she whispered.
Arya froze.
"Something is going to happen to Eragon. He is in great danger. He will experience great pain by nightfall."