Ok, before I officially leave you for the next few weeks, i wanted to leave you with a present. That's right! A brand new chapter! And as most of you have requested, I uploaded this after editing it of course. Since I won't be able to update as frequently as I'd like I've left you a surprise ;)
Moving on, I'd like to address the anonymous reviews. It is not my intention to demean Eragon's character, nor do I have any intention of doing so. They are both proud and stubborn people, but eventually one will apologize to the other. And of course he has pride, for crying out loud! He walked out on a yelling Arya! Mind you I wouldn't do that, I pictured her rather scary while I was writing that lol
Next one. I believe Arya is in love with Eragon even in the actual books, she either hasn't figured it out yet or she's waiting for the end of the war. Either way, I think they're going to end up together. Anyway Arya, like everyone else has emotions and is it that hard to believe that once in a while it is possible for her to act, well human? I mean she's lived with them for seventy years. So, she's jealous.
I'm done rambling. Enjoy the next chapter! And please review guys! Let's see if we can get to 50!
Chapter 14
Insufferable, impertinent, arrogant, stupid boy. Such an offence was not to be tolerated by an elf, much less the Elven princess. How dare he offend her in such a proposterous manner? It was unheard of.
Eragon had left the tent a few minutes earlier, storming off in anger, but still Arya noticed with her ever so attentive emerald eyes that he held a peculiar expression on his face. His chocolate brown eyes seemed somewhat distant. It was not until she had vented out her own rage that she herself remembered.
No matter where his thoughts lay at the time. I shall not stand for such an affront! How dare he say that she knew nothing of pain! Once again memories swarmed through her mind. Gil'ead, Durza, Faolin, Evandar and even Islanzadi.
Arya suddenly sensed a soothing presence in her mind, calming her.
Arya! said a small voice. She looked around, searching for the source of the sound, but found no one except for her little Eridor. He sat on her cot, eyeing her with two very bright yellow eyes that shone even in the dim light of the flame of a candle.
Her anger was soon forgotten, replaced by affection for the young hatchling who was still staring at her with concern.
"I'm quite fine, little one. Thank you" she said with a small smile, while stroking him gently behind his ears. Apparently he enjoyed the attention that his Rider was showing him as he glowed with all the exuberance and happyness of a young being.
As the elf was falling asleep, she vaguely wondered whether Saphira would consent to watching Eridor the morrow. There was a certain witch that required her immediate attentoin. Of course their little chat would not bring any harm to the human spellcaster, but Eridor seemed very aware of the fact that Arya would engage her in combat if Trianna offended her in any way, awakening her fiery temper.
Arya now understood Eragon's position more clearly and more importantly she realized her mistake. She marvelled at how observant the little dragon was, even at his young age; he pointed out the mistakes in her reasoning and helped her overcome her pride to put her relationship with Eragon first. Afterall he was her ebrithil now.
She yelled at Eragon because of her own jelous reaction. She held no true claim to him and if she had to be perfectly honest with herself it was no business of hers who the Blue Rider kissed, even if it was Trianna. The princess fell asleep thinking of ways to apologize to him.
Arya awoke bright and early the next morning, ready to face Trianna. The sun had not yet risen, but she could tell that sunrise was fast approaching. There was not much movent in the Varden camp: just a few soldiers performing their usual patrols of the area, scouting for enemy troups. They seemed much more at ease as the news of the death of the Red Rider had reached the people, earning more praise for both Eragon and Arya. But apparently they always seemed to forget that Saphira plays as much a part as Eragon in all the feats they accomplish; very unwise to upset a dragon, but the dragoness did not seem to mind the lack of attention for once.
Deciding it would be best to wait a little longer, she walked through the camp, taking the long route to the witch's tent. It was rather unfortunate, however, that she ran into no other than the herbalist, Angela. As always she was accompanied by the werecat Solembum as she happily skipped through the dirt. Arya did not want to see her; her conversations with Angela always left her with a headache or with some brand new information that she could not reveal to anyone. Of course Eridor was the exception to that rule, as she could not hide anything from him.
"Good morning, Arya" she said with a bright smile as she approached the elf. Solembum walked more slowly behind her. Curiously enough, his eyes were emerald this time.
"Angela" said Arya stiffly. She really was not in the mood for the fortune teller.
"And what may I ask is a princess, a Shadeslayer AND a Shurt'ugal such as yourself doing out his early in the morning?" asked Angela with a smirk.
"No need to answer, my dear. I know what you are about to do and I know what shall be the next words that escape your lips. No need, no need." There was absolutely no possible way that Angela could have stumbled upon Eridor. Only Eragon, Saphira, Nasuada and herself knew of his existence.
Angela answered Arya's questioning look with a wide grin.
"Now before I leave on my excursion, I believe I ought to give you this." said the witch, while handing a small waterskin to the elf. She opened it and smelled its contents; it was awful.
"What in Alagaesia is this?" asked Arya.
"It is for that blockhead of a Rider. Quite the escapade last night, eh? You cannot honestly think that he would willingly kiss that wench, can you? Back to business, give that to the blockhead when you see him and it should ware off any effects of whatever potion Trianna gave him" With a wink, went back to skipping towards her previous destination.
"And watch out for red-eyed rabbits" called Angela as she disappeared. Arya simply shook her head, once again wondering how in Alagaesia did the Varden come across such a peculiar being.
The sun quietly rose, to signify the dawning of a brand new day. Arya found Trianna's tent quite easily as it held the symbol of the Du Vrangr Gata on all three sides. She lightly tapped on a wooden plank, attached to the front flap.
The elf was granted permission to enter with a simple "Enter". The tent was purple and was throughly decorated from head to toe in. But for the most part on every piece of furniture there were mountains and mountains of scrolls. The witch sat a table with her head in her left hand. She was wearing a purple dress with a V neck that plunged dangerously low. Her dark brown wavy hair lay untamed upon her shoulders.
"Trianna" greeted Arya cooly.
"Ah! Shadeslayer! What a pleasant surprise! To what do i owe the pleasure of your company this morning?" said Trianna with a grin. She knew exactly why the elf was there.
"I have no time for your false pleasantries. You are quite aware of my reasons for being here." replied Arya, already starting to lose her already worn out patience.
"On the contrary! I am unaware of the circumstances that brought you here to my humble domain, Shadeslayer."
"Enough! Your acquaitance with the Rider has far exceded the limits of mere friendship, Trianna. Is he aware of the fact that he is under a spell?" Arya was beginning to enjoy herself, but of course it had nothing to do with the expression on the witches face.
"And who are you? Mother-elf? The Rider is perfectly capable of making his own decisions and if he has chosen me over you, there is obviously a reason" she answered with a sneer.
"You forget who you are speaking to. You do not wish to make an elf your enemy, especially one whose magical abilities far exceed your own. Choose your next words carefully, seithr."
"It is you who should be on your guard, elf. He shall be mine and there is nothing you can do to stop me!." shrieked the witch.
"Are you suggesting that I am unable to make my own choices, then?" said a voice that came from behind. It was Eragon. Trianna's demeanor quickly shifted to seductive.
"Of course you are, Shadeslayer. I was merely pointing out to the elf that you are quite capable of chosing for youself. I do not know what people find so mesmerizing about the so called fair folk. There is nothing fair about them." she purred as she walked towards him, swaying her hips. Arya looked at her with distate. The same repulsion was on Eragon's face. Apparently the potion she had given him had worn off.
Another offence to her people and Arya was sure to to slit her throat and Eragon would not be able to stop her. He looked at her with both amusement and comprehension in his eyes.
"Trianna, I am quite able to choose for my self, but unfortunately I do not love you, nor could I ever love you. I love another." he shot a quick glance in Arya's direction, but it was an action visible only to those possessing elf-like qualitles. Strangely enough though, the witch seemed to notice it.
"You love her, do you not? she yelled. The situation was getting way out of hand. Trianna was dangerously hovering towards a dagger on the table. She was quicker than the Riders expected as the witch picked up the dagger and thrashed at Arya. Thankfully, Arya managed to get out of the way, avoiding for the second time in two weeks, death.
"You shall be mine, Eragon Shadeslayer" she said in a malignant voice. "The King shall destroy the Varden and all those who support the filthy rebels, but you shall be mine." she glanced at Arya. "He has promised me that you shall die a most painful death for all the pain you have caused his majesty, Drottingu!"
Trianna muttered a few words in the Ancient Language and suddenly she disappeared.
So, what do you think? I know you must hate me for leaving you like this, but unfortunately I love cliff hangers! You've definitely not seen the last of Trianna ;)
I'll try my best to get a few updates in over the next few weeks, but as I've said in the previous A/N in the previous chapter, I really don't know if I'll have the time. R&R!