Empire: The Final Battle
Chapter Five: Little Girl
That night they camped back at their last camp, Eragon staring forlornly at the spot where Arya would have been keeping watch. He stood silently, and headed towards the others. Katrina and Sloan were wrapped in thin blankets, sitting around the fire. Roran hugged Katrina tightly whilst Sloan growled protestant.
He sat down between Roran and Orik, and reached for a carrot, moodily biting into it. He started to daydream, until he realized he must have looked like Arya had before he had intruded into her mind. Eragon set down his food, angry at himself. He could not forget the look on her face as the Ra'zac had hit her, it read clearly; No one cares.
"Who are you?" Growled Sloan, breaking the silence. Katrina looked towards Eragon and Orik expectantly.
"I am Orik, adopted son of King Hrothgar of the durgrimist clan." Stated Orik Proudly.
"I am Eragon" Said Eragon quietly
"Eragon" sneered Sloan. "Eragon died on the road, and last I checked, he wasn't an elf.
"Check again" He suggested.
"Eragon!" Said Katrina, surprised. "We thought you were dead!"
"Aye, along with that old fashioned storyteller."
"Do not insult Brom!" Yelled Eragon, standing. "He was a great man." He did not want to uncover Brom's secret.
Sloan sneered. But Katrina asked: "Eragon, why did you flee Carvahall?"
Eragon opened his mouth, and then closed it. "You shall see when we reach Surda." There was silence. Then:
"Who was, that other woman." Asked Katrina Cautiously. Eragon looked at her with sad eyes.
"She was Arya, Elf Ambassador, Dragon Egg courier and member of the Varden." He answered quietly. Katrina Looked to the floor and said nothing else, the tone in Eragon's voice said he did not want to pursue the subject.
Several days later, the group reached Surda, and the Varden's Camp came into view. All five of them had traveled together for protection, and Sloan and Katrina had recently been healed.
When they arrived, Nasuada and her guards were there to greet them.
"Welcome." She said, smiling. "I am Nasuada, leader of the Varden."
Sloan grunted, whereas Katrina bowed. "I am honored to meet you." She said.
"Very well," said Nasuada. "Roran, would you mind showing these two to your camp, I wish to speak to Eragon and Orik." They then followed her into her office, where she lost her smile.
"Where is Arya?" She asked, concerned. Eragon and Orik lowered their gaze to the floor.
"She isn't…?" Asked Nasuada, frightened.
"I know not of her condition." Said Eragon, speaking up. "She was taken by the remaining Ra'zac and adult, after they let Katrina and Sloan go." He quickly recounted the whole story, from the moment they entered to the moment they left the cave. Nasuada dropped into her desk chair and cursed. She held her head in her hands.
"You may leave." Se said quietly. They looked at each other, then left.
Eragon had not sooner arrived at his lodging when he was pounced on by a gigantic sapphire blue dragon.
Where were you! She exclaimed. When you entered the Ra'zac lair, you blocked me out! I could not contact you for the longest time… I was worried! Don't EVER do that again!.
Eragon sat stunned, then realized he had not taken his mental barrier down since he had been too preoccupied in other matters.
What happened? Why did you block me out? She asked.
I am sorry for not contacting you, but I was preoccupied with other matters." He then recounted the entire trip's events. Saphira jumped off him in shock.
She was… she asked. Eragon nodded. Saphira hung her head. We must find her. She stated.
Yes… but where would they take her. Eragon walked moodily into his room and fell asleep on his bed.
Eragon awoke the next day to find a pair of small, bright green eyes staring at him.
"Waa!" He jumped out of bed, surprised. A small girl, no older than five years old with ivory black hair and fair skin looked back at him. She wore a fine silken dress, adorned with embroided flowers. She held a large doll in her left arm, and a black belt lightly encircled her waist. To Eragon's horror he noticed a small silver dagger hung off it.
"Who – who are you?" He asked uncertainly. She seemed slightly familiar, yet he could not remember where he had seen her.
The girl stared at him with a slightly sad expression, unmoving. Just then a courier came in. "Eragon, sir?" He asked.
"Yes?" asked Eragon wearily.
"Lady Nasuada wishes to speak with you in her office."
Eragon nodded. "Go, now I shall lead myself." The messenger bowed then left. Eragon tuned to the girl.
"Who are you?" he asked again. She did not move. Saphira poked her head in.
Eragon, we must lea- who is that? She asked, noticing the girl.
I do not know. He answered. She turned up in my tent.
No matter, Nasuada wishes to speak with us now. He agreed and headed outside. The girl followed. Eragon stopped, kneeling down to her level and said:
"You cannot follow us." She stared at him with sad eyes. "Where are your parents?" Eragon asked. Her eyes grew even sadder. "Are you an orphan?" She continued to stare at him. Eragon sighed then said "You cannot follow us, this is important business." She didn't say a word. Eragon stood and left, glancing towards the girl. She had not moved.
Eragon breathed a sigh of relief, she had been creeping him out. He turned to the front.
The girl was standing directly in front of him. He yelled in alarm, then stared at the girl. She did not move. He shook his head and continued towards Nasuada's room, the girl scurrying next to him.
When he arrived, he was greeted by Nasuada, Orik and Roran.
"What kept you?" Asked Nasuada when he arrived. He nodded his head slightly towards the child who had just entered. She stood next to Eragon, clutching her toy. The rest stared questioningly at her.
"Who is she?" Asked Nasuada.
"I know not, she was in my cabin when I awoke, and has not left me since." Saphira stuck her head into the door to listen.
"She cannot be here for this," Said Nasuada plainly. "We shall be discussing things not meant for outsider's ears." Her eyes fell upon the dagger strapped around her waist, eyes widening on surprise. "She carries a weapon!" Her surprise quickly turned to anger. "What kind of parent lets their child carry a weapon?" She strode towards the girl and plucked it from her waist. She stared at her, eyes shining with tears.
She then lifted the girl up, who flailed in her arms, reaching out for Eragon. Nasuada placed her outside the door. "Come back to Eragon later, and bring your parents, I wish to have a word with them." She said flicking the dagger. She then closed the door. Sighing, she headed towards her desk, only to scream in alarm and surprise. The girl sat upon her desk chair, staring silently at her.
Nasuada gaped at her. She stared silently back. Then, she lifted up a small slab of stone, upon it was a picture. They all moved closer to see it. The picture depicted two people, obviously a couple, standing together holding hands. One Eragon identified as the Elven Queen, Islanzadi, the other elf similar to the one he had seen on the wall of Arya's bedroom in Ellesmera, the one he had though of being King Endevar. They all looked at the girl, who seemed quite pleased with herself, though she still did not smile.
"What is this?" Asked Nasuada, confused as to why she had brought this to her.
"I do not know." Eragon said. Then a thought hit him. He reached for the girl's hair, pulling it back to reveal pointed ears. Nasuada gasped and Orik swore. Roran only stared at them, confused.
"Your and elf." Eragon breathed. Then he looked at the fairth. "And these are your parents!"
She looked at him, almost smiling.
Eragon turned to Nasuada. "She has brought you her parents! Just like you asked!"
"You are daughter to the queen? Asked Nasuada hastily. The girl nodded.
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Author's Note
Whooooo! Who is the girl? What does she want? Why isn't she speaking? What is going to happen to Arya? Find out later in Empire: The Final Battle. Now READ AND REPLY!!! PS: Arya is not an EMO. And this is NOT! i repeat NOT an AryaxRoran fanfic
AlinaAnila
AKA: The backwards Forwards Girl.