A/N: Hm, I was not happy with the number of reviews I got for last chapter especially when it was a Gelmir and Luthien chapter and the last one too. I do thank te ones that did review, though. Please review for this one. It is the longest chapter I have ever written and it's important too. Enjoy!
"Here we are, Leona! The Varden! It has been a while for me," Oromis said as they flew over the forest that Leona had missed. She breathed in the fresh pine air she was so used to. She looked down and she saw her waterfall or their waterfall. Leona tried to forget about Eragon but the thought of him stayed there. They flew over the horse field and landed there. The horses in the field ran back in the stable except for two horses she particularly missed.
"Olbae! Haeko!" Leona exclaimed as she climbed off of Galron and ran to the horses. They neighed happily especially Olbae who muzzled her happily. Leona laughed and said,
"Aw, I missed you guys!" Oromis smiled as well and said,
"Sorry to break such a happy reunion but we must tell Nasuada that we're here. Especially me so I could get assigned a room." All four of them headed up the stairs toward the inside of the Varden. Glaedr hesitated and said in both Oromis's and Leona's heads,
I cant fit through that tiny entrance. Oromis looked at the entrance and then back at Glaedr and said,
Sorry. You'll have to stay out here, Glaedr. But I will visit you every day, don't worry. We'll explore the land when I'm signed in. Glaedr nodded his giant head and headed back to the field. Galron could get through the entrance and followed Oromis and Leona down the hallway. Just then Oromis stopped Leona and said,
"How about I tell Nasuada we're both here and you can just go to your room and unpack, alright?" Leona shook her head and said,
"That's okay, Oromis. I can . . . "
"What I am basically saying is go catch up with Eragon," Oromis said interrupting her. Leona looked down and then back at Oromis and nodded her head quickly and turned away. She walked down the familiar hallways until she got to her room. She opened it as Galron just put his head in his room since he was now too big for the doorway. She put down her bag and her sword on her bed and took a look around her room. Nothing had changed. All of a sudden she heard a bunch of howls coming from outside.
Wolves, don't hunt this early, Leona thought. She looked out her windows and there were no wolves but there sure were animals.
"Gelmir! Luthien!" Leona exclaimed as she ran out of her room to greet them. She was just about to go outside when she saw Eragon at the top of the stairs. Her heart stopped or at least she stopped breathing. She couldn't talk to him this soon. She just stayed inside and sat against the wall until she was sure he was gone.
--
"WOOOOO! YEA! Man it feels good to be home!" Gelmir yelled out as they left the stables after they finished tacking up their horses. Luthien smiled ad said,
"Yea. So many people probably missed us, like Aldir. Right buddy?" Luthien said as he passed by a person walking toward the stables.
"That's not my name," the man replied. Luthien sighed and said,
"We all know that you cried when we were gone, Aldir. Don't lie!" The man turned around and said,
"I don't even know who you are!" Luthien and Gelmir kept on walking as Luthien continued saying,
"Poor guy. He's afraid to admit the truth. He doesn't even know his own name." Gelmir laughed and Luthien did too. They were headed up the stairs until they saw Eragon at the top and Gelmir yelled,
"ERAGON! Oh my god, how have you been?" They raced up the stairs as they saw Eragon slightly smile. Gelmir and Luthien pummeled Eragon to the ground as Eragon laughed,
"Alright, I have missed you too. Just get off of me please." They got up and Gelmir said,
"So where's Leona, huh? Or should I say what happened with you and Leona, eh?" Gelmir and Luthien chuckled as Eragon said,
"What are you talking about? All we did was go to Ellesmera to get our swords that's it." Luthien and Gelmir looked at each other and laughed more than they needed to as Luthien said,
"Yea right!" and Gelmir said,
"Come on Eragon! Give us the goods! We know a lot more than just two swords were involved if you know what I mean." Luthien and Gelmir laughed again but Eragon had a stone cold face as he said,
"You want to here the goods? Fine! She's in love with someone else! She is there in Ellesmera if you want to go get her, but don't bother doing so because I am sure that she is happy there." Eragon was about to leave but Gelmir caught him by the arm and said in an angry voice,
"She's pregnant isn't she? With your baby! And your just trying to blame it on someone else aren't you? Well that's real cold, Eragon. Real . . .
"No! Just . . . shut up! I don't want to deal with this right now!" And Eragon finally walked away. Luthien and Gelmir stood in silence until Luthien finally said,
"Man, what's up his butt?" Gelmir chuckled and said,
"Come on we better get inside and get that map to Ellesmera to get Leona. Hm, wondered what happened between them." Gelmir and Luthien walked right through the entrance and Gelmir felt something tug at his feet and say,
"I missed you guys so much!" Gelmir looked down and saw a woman by his feet almost sobbing. Then they realized it was Leona. Gelmir shouted out,
"Leona! Oh my!" He lifted her up like she was a little girl and embraced her tightly.
"I missed you so much!" Luthien hugged Leona as well causing the two to squeeze Leona tightly. They finally let go and said,
"First thing I want to know is why are you here? Eragon said . . . "
"Don't listen to anything Eragon said. He was wrong and I made him think that way." Gelmir and Luthien listened closely and said,
"Well tell us what happened." Leona went through the story and Gelmir and Luthien actually listened. Once Leona finished with her story there was a long silence until Luthien finally said,
"So . . . your not pregnant." Gelmir smacked him in the back of the head as Leona said in an angry yet surprised voice,
"No, I'm not pregnant!" Gelmir saw that she was about to cry and he stopped glaring at Luthien and went and embraced Leona. Gelmir finally said,
"I suggest you talk to him." Leona nodded in his chest and said,
"Yea, that's what I'm going to do right now." Gelmir let go of her as she said goodbye and went down the hall. Gelmir and Luthien picked up their things and headed down another hallway down to their room. When they got there the door was slightly opened.
"This cant be good." Gelmir said. They heard rustling in the room and they knew for sure someone was in there.
"Alright when I kick the door open we are going to beat up whoever is in there, okay?" Luthien nodded. Gelmir kicked the door open and said in a powerful voice,
"Varden soldiers! I wanna see your god damn hands!" But they didn't go to beat up the man who was in there for they knew who it was.
"Oromis?" Gelmir and Luthien questioned at the same time. Oromis sighed and said,
"Oh no you two aren't my room mates are you?" Luthien and Gelmir laughed and pummeled Oromis to the ground and yelled again,
"Oromis! Oh man aren't we all going to have fun." Oromis sighed and muttered,
"Oh no."
--
Eragon entered his room furiously and Saphira became alert.
Eragon, what's wrong? Eragon calmed down a bit as he said,
Luthien and Gelmir. They were just really annoying and got me angry. That's all. And I should tell you I'm going out to the waterfall. Saphira became concerned and said,
Do you want me to come and keep you company? Eragon slowly shook his head and said,
No, I want to be alone. With that being said Eragon took Boltrem and went out the door before she could say anything.
--
Leona looked at herself in the mirror before she left her to go find Eragon. She was just about to tell Galron where she was going until she could not see. Everything went black. She did not faint though. She stumbled to her bed and tried to lie down to see if she would get her sight back but instead she was welcomed with a soft warm light and entered the forest she recognized from the heavens. She saw Galron, her dragon, right next to him. But he was not looking at her. She turned her head to see what she was looking at and saw her father and his dragon standing in front of them. Leona smiled and ran to her father as he embraced her warmly and laughed,
"How is my girl?" Leona chuckled and said,
"Great! This is the happiest I felt in a long time." Galron chuckled and put her down. They saw the two dragons eyeing each other and Galron said out loud,
"Galron, this is my dragon, Vervada. And Vervada, this is Sariana's dragon, Galron." When Leona heard Vervada's name she turned to face her and ran toward her with her arms open wide.
"Oh, Vervada! I have missed you!" Leona heard a chuckle in her head as a strong feminine voice came in her head,
I have missed you as well, little one. And you turned out to be a beautiful young woman like your mother. Leona smiled for that was the greatest compliment anyone could give her right now. Galron chuckled and said,
"Alright. Now you know the real reason why you are here, yes?" Leona turned to her father and nodded faintly as she said,
"My training for the war." Galron smiled and said yes enthusiastically which reminded her of Brom.
"Now climb on your dragon. We will start with flight fighting. Are you ready?" Galron was already on his dragon as Leona climbed on her own. She nodded and said,
"Yes, I am."
--
"Come on, Oromis. Be badass for once in your life." Gelmir said as he tried to make Oromis poor oil on the marbled floor so whoever would walk on it would fall right on their ass.
"No! This is completely idiotic! I don't even know how I let you two drag me down here." Oromis tried to walk away but Luthien and Gelmir grabbed him as Luthien said in a parent voice,
"Your attitude is unacceptable!" Oromis bickered at him saying,
"What do you mean my behavior in unacceptable? Your behavior is unacceptable! I cant believe you two have not been kicked out of the Varden! I sure would if I were in charge." Gelmir smiled and said in a tainting voice,
"Come on do it . . . old man." Oromis looked at him in rage. He knew that he was old but he didn't like to be reminded that he was old. Oromis took the oil bowl from his hands and said,
"You want this oil to be on this floor then here!" With that being said Oromis emptied the whole bowl over Gelmir and said,
"You can roll around the floor!" Luthien laughed hysterically but Gelmir did not laugh. This caused Luthien to stop laughing until Gelmir said in a calm but angry voice,
"Oromis, that was . . . totally badass! What a great idea! Ha!" Gelmir fell to the floor and started to roll around. Luthien started to roll around as well even thought he did not have oil on himself, he was just being a fool. Oromis couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of this but he said,
"You two are completely foolish! Why am I even here?" Oromis started to walk down the hall but then slipped on the oil. Gelmir and Luthien laughed so hard that they almost wet themselves but Oromis did not find it funny.
"You do not know who you are messing with! Don't ever mess with an elf!" Oromis said trying to get up. Gelmir and Luthien got up quickly and Luthien said in a sad voice,
"Oh so now we cant mess with dwarves and elves? This is no fun!" Gelmir laughed as Oromis tried to get up and he yelled to them,
"Well help me!" Gelmir and Luthien made there way to him as Gelmir held out his hand but Oromis said,
"I will need both of you to help me. I'm old." Luthien held out his hand too and Oromis grasped tight and got up as he said,
"Thanks." Gelmir nodded and was about to say something until Oromis pushed them both down and ran down the hall and yelled out,
"Ha! Suckers!" Gelmir and Luthien hit hard on their asses as they watched Oromis run down the hall. Gelmir looked at Luthien in shock and said,
"Man, Oromis is like . . . an awesome badass!" Luthien nodded slowly and said,
"This is not good for our reputation." Gelmir widened his eyes and said,
"Your right." But then he narrowed them and slammed his fist against the floor and said,
"This means war!"
--
Leona fell hard to the floor after her father threw her in the air by a spell. He came to her and helped her up as he said,
"Sariana. Block my spells! I know you can fight better than this, you were doing so well before but now you just don't seem to care. What ails you?" Leona shook her head and said,
"I am just tired. That is all. We have been fighting for several hours and my strength is starting to drain from me." Galron looked at her and said,
"Sariana, you and I both know that you were able to block a spell at the age of seven. This should be an easy task for you." Leona sighed and got a little angry with him and said,
"Yes, I know, but when you have been fighting nonstop it gets tiring after a while." Galron stepped back and opened his arms and said,
"Look at me. I am at least thirty years older than you and I am not even breaking a sweat. And when you are fighting in a battle you will have to fight nonstop. Also, it seemed like you let me throw you in the air. You had plenty of time to block it. Sariana, something else is wrong." Leona looked away from his marvelous green eyes that she inherited and said,
"Nothing. I just told you I am tired." Galron took her chin to make her look at his face as he said,
"I can see it in your eyes. This is not from your tiredness. I know it isn't so don't try to fool me. What is wrong my child?" Leona looked down and back at her father. He had on a sympathetic look instead of the angered one he had on. She embraced him as he held her warmly. She thought it was so great to hug her father again after all the times when she wanted to she couldn't. But now, just seeing her father was heaven for her. She finally felt strong enough to tell him her story.
"Sariana, you did the right thing. You should not hate yourself for what you have done." Galron said after she finished. Leona nodded slowly and said,
"But I just didn't think that he would react that way. He is such a sweet boy but I guess he inherits his anger from his father." Galron gritted his teeth when he heard this and said,
"Sariana, don't compare Eragon to hid father. He is so much better than him. Now why don't you do yourself and Eragon a favor and talk to him." Leona smiled and said,
"Well I was on my way before you brought me here, but I am so glad you brought me here, father. It feels like my soul is cleansed here. I feel so good." Galron laughed and said,
"That is because you are supposed to. It's heaven, dear. Now go. You have done very well today." Leona hugged her father for the last time until her vision faded to black. She opened her eyes and the light seemed to be brighter than she expected. Once she got used to the light she found Galron's head in the doorway as he was waking up as well. She looked out her window to fid t was still light outside.
We were gone for hours. How could this be? Galron raised his head a bit and said,
Maybe some heaven thing. Leona shrugged, but she was quite happy that it was still day. She would have more time to talk to Eragon. She quickly got up and said to Galron,
I am going to talk to Eragon. I don't know when I will be back. Galron got out of the doorway. She looked up to him and she saw him smile a bit.
Good luck, little one. Leona smiled and hugged him and said,
Thanks, Galron. I'm really lucky to have you in my life. Leona heard him chuckle in her head and said,
You don't know how lucky I am to have you. I would still be cooped up in that egg if it weren't for you. Leona laughed and said goodbye to him. She went down the hallway to Eragon's room. On her way there she thought of the things to say even though she practiced a million times before. She finally reached the large door. She didn't know what to do. She just stared at the door until instinct kicked in and she knocked on the door quickly. A soft feminine voice came in and said,
Come in. Leona smiled for she knew it was Saphira. She opened the door slowly and found Saphira lying on the ground with her blue eyes wide open.
Leona! What are you doing here? I thought you were in Ellesmera. Leona came over to Saphira and quickly embraced her and looked into her eyes and said out loud,
"Saphira, you must tell me where Eragon is. It is very important." Saphira was still shocked to see Leona but she managed to say,
He is by the waterfall, but Leona tell me. Why are you here? Leona got up and said,
"Saphira I will explain later. I just need to see Eragon immediately. And don't tell Eragon I'm here, please. I want it to be a surprise." Leona quickly rushed out of the room. She ran down the hallway and ran outside. It was warm outside but the breeze was cool. She quickly ran down the stairs and across the field. She finally reached the forest and she did not stop. She ran until she heard the water o the rushing waterfall. She slowed her steps and walked steadily toward the edge of the forest. She finally saw the waterfall she had missed. So many memories with him from this place. She entered and the se almost lost her breath. There he was sitting on a rock, turned and looking right at her. But he turned to his head away from her as if he never saw her.
--
Now you're seeing her. O you have really gone crazy this time, Eragon. Eragon said to himself. Just then he heard her soft voice,
"Eragon?" Eragon looked back and there she was again. In that beautiful green dress and her hair long and wavy just like he remembered. Here piercing green eyes were glassy. This was a complete shock to Eragon that he stood up and said,
"Le . . . Leona? He saw her smile the made him almost fall to his knees but he kept his balance. She stepped closer and tried to say something but Eragon beat her to it and said,
"What . . . what are you doing here? Go back to Ellesmera with your love." Leona shook her head and said,
"Eragon, that's what I am hear to talk about." She came closer but Eragon stepped back. Leona lost her smile and slightly frowned as she said,
"Please." Eragon slowly shook his head and said,
"Why?" Eragon wanted to hug her and hold her there forever but he knew that she was here just to explain why she left him for the other man. To tell him how superior the other man is but those were not the words that came out of her mouth,
"Please, Eragon, just listen to me and you will understand, please." Eragon tightened his jaw and slowly nodded his head and said,
"I'm listening." Leona looked down and then back at him again and walked to a rock that was right next to the one Eragon was sitting. She sat and Eragon followed.
"Let me apologize to begin with," Leona said softly. Eragon slowly shook his head and said,
"Why? Its not your fault that you fell in love with another man. You had to. You couldn't stand being with me anymore. I . . . "
"That is not true!" Leona said almost yelling. Eragon was startled but relieved. Leona took a deep breath and said,
"The only man I have ever been in love with is you, Eragon." Eragon's heart felt like it started to beat again. He couldn't speak. He wanted to say so many things but all he could manage to say was,
"You do?" Leona looked at him with gleaming eyes and nodded innocently. Eragon did not understand no matter how much he wanted to,
"What was that about then? Why would you say those things to me? Do you know how much you hurt me?" Leona nodded and said,
"Yes, Eragon I realize that, but you have to know that I was like that too." Eragon really didn't understand now and became frustrated and said,
"Then why would you do that to both of us?" Leona looked at him again and said faintly,
"For you life and Saphira's life." Eragon became angry now,
"What do you mean, Leona? You ruined me when you told me that you did not love me anymore! What good would that do to my life or Saphira's!" Leona shook her head and said,
"You don't understand. Murtagh threatened to kill you if I didn't say that to you." Eragon couldn't believe it. He was sick and tired of Murtagh's actions, he wished that Murtagh had never been dragged into this.
"When did he say this to you?" Leona said,
"The night before. That's why I was so quiet and alert our whole night flight." Eragon shook his head in disbelief and said softly,
"Tell me exactly what he said to you." Leona looked down and said slowly and quietly,
"If you want Eragon alive, you will listen to every damn word I will tell you. That's what he said to me except his cold hands were around my neck and he yelled at me as he pushed me against a tree. Then he told me what I needed to do and I had to Eragon. He would have killed you! I am sorry that I have caused you this much pain but you must know that I was hurt as well. And I am so sorry Eragon. I still love you, I always have. I just hope you still feel the same way about me." Leona was now holding his hands tightly in her cold hands looking up at him. Eragon faintly smiled and said,
"Of course I still love you. I never stopped loving you, Leona." Leona smiled and quickly embraced him which caught Eragon off guard and they both fell off the rock and onto the ground. Eragon laughed and Leona laughed as well. Eragon wrapped his arms around her as she leaned against his chest and softly kissed the edge of his jaw. Eragon felt alive again. He was so grateful to have her in her arms again he never wanted to let go of her. Leona moved a little closer to him and moved one hand across his chest and one running through his hair. Eragon couldn't wait to meet her lips so he gently put one hand to her chin and led her to his lips. Eragon moved his hands down her back and to her waist and slightly lifted her slim body on top of him. Leona moved her hands to his face and held it gently. When she came up to break the kiss Eragon did not want it to end. He gently kissed her down her neck and stopped at the base of her throat. He looked at her but she was just smiling and looking up to the sky as she simply said,
"Sunset." She looked at him and moved her hand slowly down his chest and down his arm to his hand. She got up and Eragon followed and she led him in the forest but not where he thought they were going.
"A new place?" Eragon said, Leona looked to him and said,
"No, you will know it quite well." Eragon smiled. She began to run but she never let go of his hand as they ran together. They finally reached a small open space with a cave. She turned to him and said,
"Remember now?" Eragon smiled and said,
"Of course. How could I not remember this place." The cave was now uncovered with snow and icicles and it revealed a brown and red color that held the sunset's rays beautifully. She led him up the slope to the cave. Then he saw something on the floor of the cave. He picked it up and it was a blanket that they had left there last time. Eragon chuckled and said,
"Look at this, still here after all of these months." Leona smiled and took it from his hands and placed it on the cave floor and sat down. Eragon followed and they both watched the sunset. Saphira came into Eragon's head and said,
Eragon, it's getting dark soon. You should come back. Eragon looked to Leona who was smiling at the sunset and he said,
Saphira, Leona came back from Ellesmera and she does not love another man! She only said those things because Murtagh threatened to kill us if she didn't. She still loves me Saphira. There was silence until he heard Saphira say,
Eragon, that's great but think about it. Murtagh made Leona say those things. He is probably setting up a plan so be careful, Eragon. You should come back. Eragon slightly shook his head and said,
Please, Saphira. Let me stay with her longer. Please. There was another long silence until Saphira finally said,
Fine, just don't do anything stupid that you will regret Eragon. Eragon chuckled and said,
Saphira would I do anything like that?
Yes. Eragon slightly laughed and said,
Well Saphira don't worry. We will be alright. And tomorrow we can have the whole day to ourselves, okay? Eragon heard Saphira hum and then say,
Have fun but not too much fun. Eragon let the conversation end there. He looked to Leona and she still had a slight smile on her face. Eragon smiled too and grabbed her hand gently and they watched as the sound went down into the ground and the stars appeared in the velvet night sky.
"Let's set the blanket a little closer to the ledge so we can see the stars," Leona said as she got up. Eragon got up as well and they both pulled the blanket out. Leona lied on the blanket as Eragon followed. They lied there looking up at the stars in silence as Leona was wrapped in Eragon arms. Leona finally looked up to Eragon as he looked down to her. She reached up to kiss him and he met up with her. This time Eragon moved her to the floor gently and rested his hand on her hip without breaking the kiss. Once the kiss was broken he kissed down to her throat again and leaned his head against her chest. He smiled for he heard her heart thump loud and clear.
"I can hear your heartbeat," Eragon said softly. She smiled and stroked his hair. Just then Eragon could not contain himself. He seemed to forget about the warning that Saphira gave him. The mood was perfect, the weather was perfect, she was perfect. Eragon reached up to kiss her again but this time was more urgent and passionate. He moved his hand up her hip and to her chest. Eragon felt Leona's lips hesitate a bit but she continued to kiss him. She moved her hands around his neck as he moved gently on top of her. He moved his hand off of her chest and down to her skirt and started to lift it up. This made Leona stop and say,
"Eragon, wait. Don't," Eragon stopped and looked at her and said in a soft voice,
"Why?" Leona looked away and back at him and said,
"We're not supposed to . . . "
"Not supposed to what? To love? Please Leona don't say that because that is all I believe in now." Leona faintly smiled and lightly kissed him and nodded giving him permission to go on. He smiled and kissed the edge of her jaw and continued to kiss down as he moved her skirt up more. Eragon stopped kissing her as he lowered his pants down. He saw the look on Leona's and she looked worried and he moved and lifted her to his chest as she hugged him tightly and said softly in her ear,
"Don't worry, it's only me. It's only me."
A/N: Now I didn't want to have things get too far so sorry if this much might have grossed you out . . . but it shouldn't have, I mean come on we all know how it works and what happens, yes? Damn! This chapter was 17 pages long! Holy Christ. Alright, hey you know what you can do now?
REVIEW!