I hope you enjoy the chapter! Sorry for taking so much longer than I usually do to upload these days but it's unavoidable due to multiple reasons, I'm truly sorry and I hope that you all understand, for a formal apology, please read through the chapter and it will be at the bottom of the page.

Laughing, the sound of laughter had awakened her, Liotha bolted upright in her bed as she heard a knock on her door. Groggily she walked over to the door and opened it to see two figures in front of her, rubbing her eyes clear of sleep she saw the figures clearer.

"Morning cousin!" Blodhgarm exclaimed "Eridor mentioned you had a note for me and I was coming to wake you anyway... we're going on a trip!"

"Four of us!" interjected the second voice, turning her attention she realised it was Kuldr stood just to the right of the door

"Questions first however! Who is the fourth? Are we leaving now? Is Eridor joining us? And where are we going?" Liotha asked them, curiosity causing her to become interested

"The fourth is Vanir; we are leaving within the hour! Eridor is remaining here, we have a small boat and we're going to explore the surrounding lands for two weeks, see if there is any hint of civilisation other than our own and to get used to the area and how to use it to our advantage" Kuldr explained, bidding her farewell he left with Blodhgarm to attend to final arrangements. "We have finally time to explore cousin!"

"Aye Kuldr, we have time to freely roam the lands around us!" Blodhgarm "I hope my students don't forget my teachings!" He added, laughing

"True, they shouldn't do... what does the note say from Aunt?" Kuldr asked him

"It's a general note saying nothing in particular, she asked how we were and how you were, she's not happy that you didn't come visit!" Blodhgarm explained

"It's not wise to have family upset with you Kuldr" Eragon interjected "Roran usually resolved our problems by fighting it out with me, from what I've heard your Aunt has a way with magic!"

"Aye, that she does, her punishments were usually severe and memorable!" Kuldr replied "She once managed to make me and Blodhgarm turn blue whenever we told a lie for a week... in those days we told a fair few lies and we tended to speak in the tongue of man in order to gain a better grasp for the language and the emotions it threw across... needless to say we were practically blue for the entirety of the week!"

Eragon began to laugh "I couldn't ever imagine such punishments when I was younger... although not much younger than I am now was when I had my fair share of punishments! Brom scolded me a lot during our travels and before them, Garrow was never afraid to punish us, although my aunt was the kind one!" He sighed "Oh how I miss them... family is important but it's nice to have such caring and considerate people such as the two of you to call my brothers"

"I... That's very kind of you to say Eragon; we have shared in so many important and life-threatening moments together... It would be an insult for me to call you anything else than my kin!" Blodhgarm told him "I'd love to speak more but unfortunately we're setting off soon and I'd like to see that Vanir is ready with the boat... Give my best to both Queens and King and of course to Roran and Katrina! It was pleasant to see them again! Shame they're leaving in two days..."

"Aye... it truly is! It was excellent seeing Lifaen again and of course to meet Queen Nasuada and King Orik, I must say though... your cousin is a most brilliant man!" Kuldr added "We shall see you soon!" he said, embracing Eragon before the two of them walked away. Eragon walked inside to the halls, he had yet to eat and the sounds of his stomach could be heard echoing through the halls. He entered the halls to see the Queen of the elves alone at a table, a platter of berries and fruit in front of here. Eragon went into the kitchen and collected the same, although adding some bread and cheese to his meal. "Atra du evarínya ono varda" Eragon said to her, taking the seat opposite to her.

"Atra esterní ono thelduin, Eragon" replied Arya, a mixture of expressions littering her serene face "To what do I owe the pleasure of you company?" she continued

"Well" Eragon started, before he could answer her, yet another echoing sound came from his stomach "This beast needs to be fed" he answered, chuckling as he pointed towards his stomach.

She laughed, a smile appeared on her face "We haven't really spoken much since I've arrived here... although I must take most of the blame for that matter" Arya told him "I've missed you" she added, blushing slightly, turning her head away from him, a frown appearing on her face.

"It's not your fault, you ended up being swept away by politics and by your duties, accompanied by love" Eragon began "I don't blame you for us not speaking, we have both been kept away by our own affairs, adding to that you know I can never return to Alagaesia, and I am not fool enough to try... how is life with Lifaen?"

"Pleasant, unique, he cares for me, he truly loves me and I enjoy his company and the time he spends with me" Arya replied

'That is interesting... Arya speaks fondly of his love but refuses to mention her own... is she trying to protect my or herself?' Eragon mused 'Either way it is no concern of mine anymore' he thought, Eragon took a bit from his food before looking up at her "Are you enjoying yourself here? We've made tremendous progress in such a short time and those that chose to accompany me were skilled and talented in their own rights"

"You must be proud of your accomplishment... I am enjoying myself, thank you for taking an interest. I've taken time to sit in a few of the lessons and occasionally I've taken a few lessons... as have all of the guests you've invited, Roran teaching battle tactics... something which he has an astounding mind for, Katrina teaching various useful things in the region of treatments and care without magic, Nasuada taking lessons on judgement and carrying out trials, Orik teaching blacksmithing along with Rhunon, Lifaen teaching lessons on boatmanship and proper etiquette, and myself teaching lessons on politics and helping with dragon training... at times." Arya told him, a slight look of happiness befalling her before quickly disappearing away.

"A... Are..." Eragon started, waiting for Arya to look him in the eyes, once she raised her head he continued "Are you well... you seem to be both here and not at the same time, both distant and near? Most people wouldn't have noticed and if they have it's not something they wish to discuss but I think that I know you better than most people even though it may not be for a long time... "

"Eragon, I'm sorry but I must go see Glaedr… I have not spoken with him in too long and I must speak with him about urgent matters." Arya exclaimed, leaving Eragon at the table as she scurried away from him.

"What did I do Saphira?" Eragon asked

"Nothing little one, this isn't a problem you can solve" Saphira replied.

Well... Where do I begin... I am sorry. It was very insensitive of me to vanish for a year like that, I should've been more thoughtful and I should've been a lot more considerate. There is no excuse to how rude it was of me to stop writing without any updates all of a sudden like that. This past year has been the most important year of my life so far. I've applied to Universities, Sat A-Levels, done work experience, panicked over results day, stressed through my last year of school and had a lot of problems happen in my family. I'm really sorry, I'm not writing this to give you any sense of pity, those were my problems and those don't excuse the fact that I really, honestly should've said that I wasn't going to be writing for a long, long time. This isn't a regular return, once a week is difficult for me at the moment. I'll try and post biweekly or at least once a month, I won't promise anything but I'll try, I've matured and my writing style has done the same (very slightly). I apologise for the quality of this chapter. I wrote this in very short segments over the past month as I've found more and more time to write and draw.

Sorry again!

Animesh

Tell me what you think, where I could improve and if you like the story remember to REVIEW, FOLLOW and FAVOURITE!

P.S. Feel free to message me with ideas, hints, tips etc! I apologise for my absense and hope you all forgive me!

Thanks for reading!