I'm back! And with me I bring a brand spanking new chapter (not a story cancelling Author's Note). The last few months have been absolute hell for me (writing wise). I've had the most severe case of writer's block (something that has never happened to me before). So as a shock to me and probably to you guys I got a sudden burst of inspiration and typed this chapter up in a few days. So Enjoy!
White fluffy clouds swirled round Roran and the loud beat of wings filled his ears, tough scales rubbed against his knuckles and his cloak was tossed around by the prevailing winds….
Roran snapped abruptly out of his daydream when the door swung open. He sprung up in surprise and let his dragon bounce down to the floor from his arms.
"Is he in here?" came Arya's voice from just beyond the doorway.
"Yes," said the exasperated disembodied voice of Nasuada.
Roran tugged at his shirt nervously as Arya strode into the room. He smiled tentatively at her, and she returned with an unemotional quirk of her lips.
"So?" she queried.
Roran, surprised with her impatient upfront behaviour, blushed and quickly turned to find his little dragon cowering behind his rucksack.
He bent down and coaxed the dragon into his arms. He had this sudden rush of sympathy and love for the scared little dragon. He'd never noticed how small he was – with his larger than life personality usually shining through and making him seem much bigger. But when he was scared… he looked like the 3 day old hatchling he actually was.
Cradling the little dragon in his arms and whispering encouraging words to him Roran slowly looked back up at Arya and Nasuada.
He was surprised to see them smiling warmly and blushed again at the happy looks on both of the women's faces.
"May I?" asked Arya hesitantly, as though she thought she would offend Roran by patting the dragon.
"Oh, of course" he replied and offered the dragon towards her, thinking of the exact same behaviour Nasuada had shown him and the dragon. It was mind boggling for the 'farm boy' part of himself to have the two powerful women asking him for permission on matters as small as these.
"Good colour, seems to be healthy enough, male…" Arya looked back up at Roran after her brief inspection. "You are extremely lucky that the dragon is in such fine condition after the ordeal that Nasuada has explained his egg went through." Roran dropped his head from her penetrating gaze and stared back down at his dragon.
"I've informed Eragon of the events – but have not mentioned the name of the new rider. I feel that it is your right to tell him."
Roran felt thankful for her thoughtfulness – Eragon had been able to share his events with Roran and Roran would have felt awkward if he had not been able to share his experiences with Eragon. Eragon would understand his feelings and thoughts to the dragon and be able to help with his queries and worries.
Arya continued with an onslaught of information, "Unfortunately you will not be able to complete training with the elves, when the main battles are soon to be upon us and Ellesmera, as well as our other cities, will be empty of my kin as they begin their attacks on the Empire. Eragon however should be able to teach you the adequate amount of information in our time of need. Of course you will not be able to battle with your dragon yet, or for another few months."
"Please, uh, Arya when will Eragon arrive?" Roran only wanted his cousin, the training and what-not could be dealt with later.
"He is leaving immediately – I would not be surprised if he is not already in the air. I would think it would take him a week, or less, to arrive here."
"Thank you. And thank you for not revealing my uh, situation to my cousin, I feel he has the right to hear from me the events."
"Of course," she gave him a stiff smile and curt nod then said excused herself from the room on account of 'important business'.
As the door shut behind Arya, Nasuada gave a Roran a quick smile then lead him to the door.
"I'll set you and the dragon up in one of our old rooms," she called over her shoulder, "The ones where the Riders would stay in Surda."
Taking him up a flight of stairs, then right along a landing of rich wooden doors she stopped beside a richly embellished door at the very end.
"I hope you find yourself comfortable in here" she said while opening the door, onto a majestic room with a sliding window opening out onto a spacious deck.
Roran's jaw dropped. Never had he seen, or been offered such amazing accommodation. He noticed a huge four poster bed with dark red hangings and a gigantic royal blue pillow, which he assumed was for the dragons to sleep on. He noted also a door into a bathroom and a small room with a desk and bookshelves.
His little dragon skipped ahead and jumped onto the dragon pillow where he snuggled himself in then looked up at Roran with excited eyes.
Nasuada smiled at him then turned to Roran once more. "If you need anything at all just ring the bell and it will be attended to. I'll see you again soon after I organise the coming events - with the dragon here now it changes our plans hugely." She smiled and left through the door.
"Well it seems it's just you and me again eh little one?" Roan smiled at his excited little dragon. He laughed as the hatchling sped around the room, burning off his un-limitless supply of energy.
Roran leant back on the rich, plush pillows adorning the bed with a frown on his face, thinking of how to explain the events to Eragon. Hopefully he'd understand.
Gosh, the months of no writing has really caught up with me. I am extremely sorry for this low standard of work. Hopefully the next chapter won't be as rusty as this one. I was thinking of a bit of Eragon POV in the next chapter so should I or shouldn't I? If anyone has any ideas or ways they would like this story to progress there is a little button right under this message with your name on it. Of course it would be nice if you all reviewed (hint, hint). It's not like you have to do it very often (my fault!). Well it's the holidays at the moment for me (two weeks!) so I will be writing the next chapter (I've already started!) but may not publish. Well hope you enjoyed and please (please) Review!!! See you next time dappled sunlight