Thanks everyone for the reviews. To those that believe I made Eragon is over-powering, I am making him look this way for a reason which will be revealed in due time, hopefully it will play a factor for the whole elven race. I wont be able to keep up the speed in which I have been up-dating, the first two chapters and half the third were already witten when I posted the first but ill try to keep posting as much as possible. Thanks again and please R&R.
A Delicate Matter
Eragon was standing in the clearing looking at the Menoa Tree, wondering what it was that she had taken from him. The tree was a slight bit bigger than when last he stood here. He and Nyiain were waiting for the queen.
After sparring Eragon told Arya that he had brought more eggs. She was supposed to meet him here after they had washed the sweat from their bodies due to the morning exercise.
Yaela was even now making her way through Du Weldenvarden towards Ellesméra with the two eggs she still carried. So with the five Eragon brought and the two Yaela carried, seven eggs would be in Ellesméra. Never had so many eggs left the Silent Forest at one time.
Eragon did not like the thought of so many eggs traveling the land for fear of an ambush. Certain people out there would still do anything to get their hands on a rider egg, if only to trade it to the highest bidder. The thought sickened Eragon and he would not see it happen on his watch. Yaela wore a necklace of her own that he had presented her when she stepped forward to ferry the eggs.
Eragon asked three of the Eldunarí if they would be willing to give energy to better protect the eggs. Those three flowed so much energy into the necklace they almost slipped into the void and would have had Eragon not stopped them. That event showed Eragon how much the eggs meant to the dragons of old. The Eldunarí were always casting their minds out to check on Yaela, to be sure no misfortune befell her.
One of the eggs Eragon carried was special to him and Saphira for it was her own. The egg was a bright yellow with white veins and slightly smaller than Saphira's egg. She laid it eight months after they arrived in the Silent Forest and she forbade Eragon to tell anyone other than Arya and Fírnen. Eragon tried many times to get a private audience with Arya to inform her but always she had another advisor around so he could not speak of it. Then he and Arya stopped speaking all together. Until a week ago that is.
That was another mystery itself, why Arya stopped contact with Eragon. For a while he assumed she was busy with her duties, rebuilding the race of elves, healing the wounds caused by the war. He did not know exactly but one thing she was not doing was rebuilding the riders. An old resentment welled up inside Eragon, yes she was a queen but she was also a rider and he remembered that day by the Ramr river when she told him not to worry, that she would not neglect her duty to the Riders.
Eragon thought of a visit from Vanir a few years back, he asked after Queen Arya and Vanir told him that that Arya rarely left the forest or Tialdarí Hall for that matter. Anger sprung up in Eragon at the thought, and then he calmed himself. Ander and resentment were old foes that he fought for many years after leaving Alagaësia and all it ever caused him was greif. It did no good to dwell on that which he could not change.
Eragon was a touch apprehensive about revealing the information to the bonded pair but not a force in Alagaësia could convince him to go against Saphira's wishes.
They will be upset Saphira. Eragon thought to his partner.
They should be upset with themselves for never visiting our stronghold. Many times you tried to speak to Arya in private and never did she give you the chance. Saphira said in his mind with a touch of anger.
Eragon then turned to addressed Nyiain.
"Nyiain, I want you to ready yourself for a trip when we are done here." He said.
"Where shall Islingr and I be going Master?" She asked.
"You will find out shortly." Eragon replied shortly.
Eragon continued to converse whith Saphira while they waited on Arya.
I should not have been able to defeat her so soundly; she and I were at one time a perfect match, have I really changed so much? Eragon asked Saphira.
Well you do clash swords with the younglings every day, perhaps she does not spar as much as you do. She thought.
No, it was different than that. My speed was a lot more than hers, as was my strength. The elves are not what they once were before the Fall. As I have said before, I think these wards are preventing new magic from entering. You have seen me spar with Blödhgarm, he is of the same level as I am and yet he does not practice with his sword daily. What about Vanir? He spends most of his time roaming Alagaësia as ambassador. We sparred during his last visit and though I bested him it was still a close contest. Eragon thought in return.
Well she did get you once. Though how you were so mesmerized by the image of her feet and the water in the small-bathing-hole I will never know. Saphira laughed.
It was not what I saw that hindered me; it was the fact that I knew what she was doing. He snapped back at her as he blushed. Saphira just chuckled even more.
Back to the point I was trying to make, if the elves are to ever reach their full potential again they must either leave the forest or release the wards. He finished.
Eragon was brought out of his conversation by the sound of approaching footsteps. Arya with half of her court in tow walked into the clearing.
Does she ever go anywhere without them? Eragon asked Saphira with aggravation. She just sent him calming thought in return. They both knew a confrontation was in the near future and neither wanted to go into it with anything but calm and clear thoughts
Here we go. He thought as Arya said to him.
"Greeting Eragon, Saphira and to you as well Nyiain, Islingr." She smiled
They all greeted her in return. Eragon opened the coming conversation.
"How many elves are in the city that want to touch the eggs, Your Majesty?" He asked.
To which she replied. "We have four and ten that would like the honor."
"We have brought five with us and Yaela is approaching with two more. We should wait until she arrives before anyone is presented to the eggs. That way we only have to go through the process once. Do you agree?" Eragon asked Arya.
"Yes, that would be best. Would you like to store the eggs in our hatchery until the presentation?"
Eragon just nodded and made his way over to Saphira so he could remove the eggs from the point of space where they were stored. He muttered a few lines in the ancient language and the eggs appeared just behind where his saddle usually rested.
He then grabbed the drawstrings connected to each of the velvet bags and made his way back to where Arya stood waiting. Eragon set four of the eggs gently down at his feet. He took a deep breath and said to Arya.
"There is something you should know about this egg in particular." He paused. "Saphira is the egg's dam and Fírnen its sire."
Both Arya and Fírnen seemed too shocked to respond. Then finally Arya and said to Eragon, with anger simmering in her voice.
"Why have we not heard of this until now? Why would you keep such a thing from us?"
Eragon just held her eye and said. "We did not wish to keep this information from you Arya."
"But you did!" Arya nearly screamed at him. Everyone in the clearing stood motionless with wide eyes as the Queen continued. "You betrayed us! You betrayed my trust! You should have never withheld such a thing from us. And to think I trusted you beyond all others. I see now it was misplaced trust." She finished turning towards her dragon.
Eragon felt anger rising within him but it was not his own. Saphira was getting terribly angry.
Fírnen let loose a menacing growl and shouted in Eragon's mind. How dare you keep such a thing from me Rider? I have been a Sire for close to two hundred years unknowingly! I agree with my rider. That is nothing short of betrayal. Count yourself lucky that I do not tear you limb from limb!
This was Saphira's breaking point. She let loose a roar that shook the trees and caused pine needles to rain down upon them as she thundered in both Arya and Fírnen's minds.
How dare you speak to my rider in such a way! He who sacrificed everything for our race! We hid nothing from you except that in which you did not wish to see. Five days! It takes five days to reach the Silent Forest on dragonback! Did either of you visit us? No! How many times have you even left the forest? You could have had this information long ago had you made any effort at all!
Saphira then swung her head down to look at Arya, still snarling she said. And you elfling will never speak to my rider in such a way again. Never again! You speak of betrayal. I forbade Eragon from telling anyone about my egg except for you and Fírnen. How many times in those first years did Eragon seek a private meeting with you? Too many for me to count, then you cut contact completely with us. How then was he supposed to tell you? What duties have you yourself preformed for our order over the years? Do not speak to us of betrayal ever again. Saphira finished her tirade.
Arya and Fírnen both had the grace to look ashamed. As one they bowed, Arya even fell to one knee while Fírnen bowed so low his snout nearly brushed the ground.
Arya spoke first. "I beg your pardon Eragon-elda, and yours Saphira-elda, my shock caused me to jump to anger and we spoke out of turn without knowing the all the facts. You have my word no such thing will happen again."
I ask your pardon as well. Fírnen said.
Eragon accepted Fírnen's short apology. Dragons were not prone to apologize; it showed much that he even said what he did.
To Arya he said. "It was an apt reaction Arya, Saphira and I both longed to share this information with the two of you but were unable to do so. Let us move past this and take the eggs to your hatchery so we may carry on with our day. Saphira wants to take both Fírnen and Islingr to the Stone of Broken Eggs to speak of their histories."
Arya nodded. "Thank you Eragon and you as well Saphira."
Eragon turned to Nyiain. "Now for the journey I spoke of. When Yaela arrives I want the two of you to travel to Carvahall and test the young ones there. On your way back I want you to stop at Ceunon and also Osilon. The journey to Carvahall should only take three days, if you stay a night in each city to present the eggs you should make it back here in eleven or so days and well before the celebration, unless an egg hatches. If one does hatch contact me immediately. Will you accept this task?"
Nyiain replied. "I will Master. It would be an honor."
Eragon smiled at her. "Good. I know you will do everything within your power to protect the eggs."
After Eragon finished assigning the task to Nyiain all three dragons took to the air. Eragon, Arya, and Nyiain all stood watching the majestic sight before turning. They made their way out of the clearing and towards the hatchery to deposit the eggs.
Well that was not nearly as bad as I imagined. I need to speak with Arya though and assure her I think no less of her. Eragon thought as they left the Menoa Tree behind. Perhaps I will invite her to dinner at my tree house. Maybe we could actually talk as we once did.
Perhaps you should. Saphira thought in his mind. So with that Eragon had an extra spring in his step at the thought of having a night alone with Arya.