A/N: I don't own Eragon or anything that goes with it.
Again this is my first fic Please r&r. Flames accepted.
Eragon sat in the throne room which was surprisingly bare. Three large tables lie through the room with candles being the only decoration on them. The throne was probably the most outstanding thing there.
"Saphira?" He asked.
'Yes little one?' She replied tiredly.
"What should I do for the Festival? I had my hand at poetry…..but am no longer inspired to write as I once did." He told her.
'Well your gift must come from your heart Eragon. Do that and the Elves will be pleased.' She replied, 'Now I am going to rest I am very tired.'
"Of course. Thank you Saphira." She hummed pleasantly before heading to the dragon hold.
"Lord Dragon rider? I was told you wished to see me." A young man in his late twenties walked over to him.
"Hmm? Oh Jerald thank you for stopping by on such short notice. I called for you to let you know I will be leaving soon for Ellesmera." Eragon said.
"I….was not aware you had business there. Thank you letting me know." Jerald replied.
"Of course. I still owe fealty to the leader of the Varden and since…..she is no longer here you have my fealty. You are her son after all." Eragon said.
"You don't owe me anything. You saved us by defeating Galbatorix, we all owe you our lives." He said bowing to Eragon, "You owe us no fealty."
Eragon was stunned that Jerald declared that he had saved them when it was in fact his mother, Nausada who'd consoled him from his alter ego's suggestive thoughts.
"Jeral-"Eragon was cut off as another memory assaulted him, this one more pleasant them the last.
Eragon was sitting down beside a fire place, eyes glazed over as his two egos's warred in his head.
"Love will weaken you." A toneless voice said quietly.
"You know that's a lie. All who love are stronger then before." An emotional voice responded with a louder voice.
"And what if the one your love dies? Then the pain will destroy you, fool" The empty voice called.
The other voice didn't respond this time. It seamed to recede deeper into Eragon's mind as the emotion-less ego toke over his thoughts.
"Eragon are you there? It's me Nausada." She called while knocking on the door to his chambers.
Eragon, his mind now locked in an emotion-less state, was slow to react to the call. He got up and answered the door with no words as he stared down at his liege lord.
"What is wrong Eragon?" Nausada asked concernedly.
"Mi'lady." Eragon responded, "I am fine. Did you require my assistance?"
"No. I was concerned about your well being." She said, "I heard you and Arya had an…….encounter……"
Eragon, with his new impassive ego, didn't even flinch. "Aye we did have a disagreement. Don't worry yourself, we will get over this. I have, and now she must."
"Eragon the soldier said you and Arya had a…….emotional conflict." Nausada persisted. "Surely you and she can- no MUST repair your friendship! Its no command Eragon but advice from a friend."
Eragon looked at Nausada critically, "If I take this advice, Mi'lady, if I make her a friend again, I will simply make a attempt to gain her love. That would ruin our friendship all over again, and put us both in uncomfortable positions."
Nausada simply returned his stare and said, "And where are we without love? You love her yes? Then be happy to remain her friend and pray one day she returns your favor."
Eragon's eyes betrayed him for but a second, "I will never love again." He stated simply.
"What has happened to you?"
"Nothing."
"Where is the Eragon I knew and looked to for advice?" Nausada said more to herself then to Eragon, though he heard all the same.
"He died along with the love for Arya." He stated.
"Who, then, are you?" Nausada asked.
"Eragon still though with more rationality." He said. "I will not attempt something that isn't possible."
"So does that make you a liar or a coward?" Nausada asked. "I will leave you now Dragon Rider." Then, stormed off.
Eragon, at the time, was reminded off the tale of the menoa tree, and almost immediately regretted all he had done.
'I've been a fool' He thought.
'Yes but at least it was for something you believed in' Saphira added returning from her hunt.
After hours of consul from her, Eragon went to mend things with Arya.
Eragon awoke then, to see dozens of guards and nobles gathered around him.
"Yes, what do you require?" He asked, to which everyone sighed.
"We thought ye were in trouble." A noble stated.
"Off with ye all now. I still hold counsel with Eragon." He heard Jerald shout out, dispersing the group.
"Thank you Jerald." Eragon said when they were again alone, "For telling me. I feel like a weight was lifted."
"It was my pleasure. But I must be off, good day Eragon." Jerald said.
Eragon eventually ended up at the dragons hold. After saying his goodnight to Saphira, he told her 'I have decided on my gift'
'Good' came her reply 'then you will be ready.'