Empire: The Final Battle
Chapter Seven: Parlim
Later that night Eragon sat upon his bed, gently stroking little Arya who lay in his lap. She still had not awoken.
Saphira, what can I do? He moaned. Arya is to meet Galbatorix tomorrow, and there is no way for me to get there in time. I also need to retrieve the egg from Parlim. I know I have to do what is needed to win this war, yet how can I leave Arya to be killed by Galbatorix.
Little one, she sighed. It is true, you can not reach Arya in time, and until her spirit child dies, along with her, she is still alive, and with you. She sighed again, I am certain Arya would wish you to forfeit your duties for her, especially for this fruitless situation.
I cant do it Saphira he sobbed. I can not travel all the way to Parlim knowing somewhere in Uru'baen, Arya is being tortured. She could well reveal the secrets of Ellesmera and the Varden.
Eragon, you know that Arya would die before she betrayed her side, as she has demonstrated before. Think of it as a blessing, and that she shall die in honor.
Eragon sobbed, hugging Arya, who was hugging her doll in her sleep. Eragon could not believe he was going to say this. I shall go to Parlim.
Saphira nodded softly in agreement. Well chosen.
Arya stirred slightly, and her eyes flickered open. She looked at Eragon and smiled sleepily, eyes half open.
Eragon smiled sadly at her. "How are you feeling?" Another cut appeared across her brow, though it appeared she felt no pain. She grinned sleepily to show that she was alright.
She needs rest. said Saphira. Eragon nodded, and laid her down on her bed, where she went to sleep.
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The next day, Eragon awoke at usual time, stretched and sat up. He glanced towards Arya and confirmed with happiness that she was still there. She was sitting on her bed, as she had done previously, wearing a long blue dress, laced slightly at the bottom of the short sleeves and the hem. Small embroidered insignia's of the three elvish symbols for peace, strength and wisdom rested on the right side of her chest.
She stared at him calmly, it clearly obvious she had acquired several new scars through the night, on her legs, arms, feet, face and neck. There was also a painful looking scar across her right ear. Eragon had long since decided that she could fell no pain from these inflictions, and that they were merely to show the bond between spirit and body.
"I need to talk to Lady Nasuada." He stated. She nodded, and followed him out the door. Eragon also noticed she once again carried the confiscated blade around her waist.
After being admitted by the guards, Eragon once again stood before Nasuada.
"Milady, I request permission to voyage to Parlim retrieve the dragon egg." Nasuada sighed.
"Permission granted, Eragon. But stay out of strife."
"That I will. We must leave immediately in order to retrieve it before Galbatorix."
She nodded. "Be safe." With that he left.
Saphira, we leave for Parlim immediately. Meet me in the open area.
It is done.
Eragon retrieved food and supplies for his voyage, then headed to Saphira.
Reaching her side, Eragon realized I do not have a blade. He felt a slight tug at his elbow, and turned to see little Arya. She held Arya's sword in her hands. He knelt down to her level and stared at it. She presented the blade to him, urging him to take it.
"Thank you" he whispered, grasping the blade. She let him take it, and he belted it to his side, along with the jeweled belt Oromis had given him. He fingered it fondly,
I do not know where she got that, little one, said Saphira. But it is as I told you before; as long as she lives, she shall care for you. Eragon bowed his head, then jumped onto Saphira.
Eragon.
What is it? Saphira nodded her head towards Arya. She stood below, gazing up at him with pleading eyes.
Eragon blinked "You wish to come?" She smiled pleadingly. "You could get killed!" He exclaimed. She gestured to several scars on her body pointedly.
She cannot be harmed, said Saphira. Eragon thought for a moment, then said
"You can come." She grinned and jumped onto Saphira with an elf's speed and grace. She giggled with delight.
"Hold on tight." He urged as Saphira took off into the skies.
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That night they stopped to rest just outside Aroughs. Eragon had noticed with dismay that Arya had acquired more bruises, cuts and lacerations than countable. She seemed un affected, yet he knew the real Arya was suffering. He was also glad to see that she had not disappeared, or died, which meant Arya lived on.
She seems happy. Snorted Saphira, as they watched Arya flit through trees, laughing as small insects brushed past her.
Aye, that she does.
Silence took them. She is not gone, Eragon.
Not yet.
Aye, but she has survived longer than I hoped. A shrill scream rang through the trees, and Eragon and Saphira jumped up in alarm. They soon found Arya sitting on the ground, clutching her arms in surprise. Eragon knelt to her level.
"What is it?" He asked, alarmed. She looked at him with wide eyes, then held out her right arm. The cuts and bruises were rapidly healing, and when all were gone, the ones on her left arm began to disappear too, then her legs, feet, back and finally, her face. Eragon looked her over. Not a scar remained, leaving her skin unblemished. They all looked bewildered.
"What happened?" Eragon breathed. She looked to the ground and shook her head. Eragon picked her up, bridal style and carried her back to camp, where she instantly fell sleep.
That was odd.
Aye, but not entirely unwanted.
That it was, Eragon.
What I want to know is; who healed her, and why?
Perhaps she is rescued.
Maybe, but by who?
It could possibly be that they are planning something else for her. They shivered.
It is late, we shall talk of this later. Goodnight Eragon.
Goodnight. He whispered.
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The next morning, they awoke to the usual image of Arya sitting staring at him, still wearing the same dress as yesterday. Eragon quickly went to serve breakfast, but was stopped by a small hand on his thigh. Arya shook her head, then pointed to Eragon, then to a small water pool.
"You wish for me to bathe?" he asked. She nodded. "I need to make breakfast so we can be on our way." He argued. She shook her head again, then pointed to herself, then the fire.
He understood her. "Can you do that?" He asked. She nodded confidently, then headed over to Eragon's pack and retrieved some vegetables. He watched her for a second before shaking his head and heading over to the pool.
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When Eragon had finally climbed out of the water some ten minutes later, he was greeted by the soft simmering of soup. He threw on his clothes, then headed towards the campfire.
The food sat in a bowl above the fire, suspended by magic. Arya was sitting nearby holding her arms.
She has been looking a little troubled, Eragon. Said Saphira, turning to him. He went and sat down next to Arya, noting this was how Arya started out on the trip to Helgrind.
"What is troubling you?" He asked. She shook her head. "Do not tell me nothing. This is how you started out on the way to Helgrind." She looked at him sadly.
"What was wrong when we went to Helgrind?" he asked. She averted her eyes. She reached behind her back and produced four fairths. Eragon took them, as Saphira leaned over to view them.
The first one showed a picture of the silver haired, green eyed man in Arya's memories.
"Is this Foalin?" He asked. She nodded sadly, and then took the fairth from him, where it disappeared. The next Fairth showed a plaque, written in elvish symbols. It acted as a tombstone. Arya pointed sadly to a particular rune, it showed the month; May. Eragon was confused, but she took the fairth from his hands.
The next Fairth showed King Endevar, followed by a silver and gold plaque. Arya once again pointed out the month; May. Eragon was still confused.
They both died in May? Inquired Saphira. She nodded sadly.
"But what does that have to do with anything?" Asked Eragon.
Eragon, it is May this month. He gasped with realization.
"This is the time of mourning for you and your people?" She nodded sadly.
Flashback
"I will go with you" said Arya.
The others turned to face her. "But your people?" Enquired Eragon.
"They will be fine, it was only family issues" She said, her face portraying no emotion.
End
"Family issues…" He pondered.
Ah yes, I remember now.
They sat in silence. Saphira hummed as Eragon stroked her brow.
"Why did I let this happen?" He asked quietly.
Saphira pondered for a while. Arya would have been killed if you had tried to save her.
Aye, but what of it? She shall be killed now.
Maybe.
Certainly.
Saphira sighed. Get some rest little one, tomorrow we reach Parlim, and enter Otho Forest.
Aye, what does Otho mean?
She though about it. It is a dwarven word. It means faith.
"Faith Forest…" he wondered, letting sleep claim him for the night.
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Rise, Eragon, said Saphira, breaking him from his sleep. We must leave soon. Eragon sat up and stretched.
Aye, he said, yawning. That we must. He headed towards the campfire where he found Arya quietly eating her share of bread. Of course, thought Eragon with a slight chuckle, she was quiet because she was mute; could not speak. Eragon sat down next to her and started devouring a second piece while Saphira gnawed at the mangled body of a deer, evidently caught recently.
Directly after breakfast, Eragon and Arya packed up the camp, careful to leave no trace as to alert Galbatorix's men. They climbed onto Saphira and flew up into the early morning sky.
The flight that day was a pleasant one, though none could really enjoy it; Eragon and Saphira kept expecting Arya to disappear, and Arya seemed a little preoccupied. To lighten the mood, Saphira performed several loops and swirls whilst crossing the sea between Aroughs and Parlim, much to Arya's delight.
She seems a good rider, yes?
Aye, that she does.
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They landed just outside Otho Forest on Parlim a little after daybreak. They stood in front of the wood thinking; where to start? The forest covered almost the whole of Parlim.
Eragon sighed. "Anyone have a way to find the egg?" he asked.
Arya looked at him, then pointed to her head. Saphira looked at her curiously.
I have it! She exclaimed, you can use your mind to detect the frequencies of magic throughout the forest, that is what she means. Arya nodded.
Eragon nodded his head also, satisfied. "I'll start here, and then you can carry us farther in." So they started. Eragon scanned the surrounding area whilst the other two watched. After three attempts at three different locations, Eragon cried "I found it!"
They followed his senses through the forest a few leagues, until they reached a seemingly normal patch of ground. Eragon knelt down and smoothed the soil "It is here" He confirmed.
How far down?
Eragon thought. "About three meters."
I shall dig for about two, then you can do the rest, as to not damage the egg. Saphira clawed away the dirt for a short while, then let Eragon remove the rest by hand. His knuckles brushed something hard. Heart beating wildly, he pulled it from the earth.
They all stared at it. There it is, the fate of Alagaesia, said Saphira. A bronze dragon egg.
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Authors note.
Mwahahahahah. Arya hangs in there, and woo hoo! They found an egg! Will it be male or female, and who shall it hatch to? Will it hatch at all? And what of Arya and the mysterious disappearing scars? Find out later! But now, R&R!!!!! PS: YOU CAN REPLY IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN ACCOUNT!!!
PSS: If I make any grammatical errors, please don't bother to point them out.
AlinaAnila
The Backwards Forwards Gal