A/n: This was insanely hard to write, I wanted it to be perfect but I fear that there is still room for improvement. May not get another chapter up for a while, I have a softball tournament and I have to go back to school Monday, so be patient!
Ch. 15
Aris stiffened in her brother's embrace. She was happy to see him but the contact made her very uncomfortable. Orrin didn't seem to notice. He pulled back and looked at her in joy, his face lit up; he pulled her back in for another embrace. This time he squeezed her, sending a ripple of pain down her spine as he pushed on the bruises. That he noticed.
"What?" He asked in concern. His eyes finally looked at her and noticed the state she was in, "Who did this to you?" Anger was now plain in his voice.
"They're dead." She answered; he flinched at her dead tone.
"We'll get you new clothes at once and your room is still untouched of course." He nodded thinking to himself, "What else, what else…." he murmured.
"A bath perhaps Orrin, her hair looks mangled and I daresay she'd like to wash of all the dirt. Katrina as well of course." Nasuada spoke up.
"Yes! A hot bath for the two of you, and plenty of soap!" He smiled again.
"That isn't dirt is it Aris?" Arya stepped up to her cousin and looked closely. Orrin looked at Arya in confusion then back at Aris, studying her skin this time, he gasped.
"No." Aris answered. Arya nodded a tear sparkling in her eye.
"I understand what has happened to you, I would like to hear the full of it." Arya said placing her hands lightly on Aris' shoulders.
"Might I see father first?" Aris asked quietly to Orrin. Orrin gaped at her, a sudden pained expression flashed across his features.
"I guess you wouldn't know, there is no way you could…Aris, I'm sorry that I have to tell you this when you're so sad already but father…he died two years after you went missing." Orrin breathed in a low voice.
It hardly seemed possible for Aris' eyes to become deader than they already were but Arya looked upon her in shock as her face became blank. On the inside Aris' body went into a lockdown, no emotion passed through her. She shut off everything at that moment.
For a moment nobody said anything, and then Katrina stepped forward. She gently wrapped Aris in a hug, "I'm so sorry Aris, and it isn't fair I know." She whispered. Aris let out a small gasp of pain audible only to Katrina's ears. Aris felt like a child in desperate need of her mother's comfort, only she had no mother to give it. Her hands clutched to the back of Katrina's dress for a second, before she pulled back and nodded to Katrina, not trusting herself to speak. She didn't want to lose control now.
Katrina stayed next to her as Orrin cleared his throat. He didn't understand why she would respond to Katrina's hug but not his. He now clearly saw that something was wrong with his little sister, "Both of you can follow Arya, she'll heal you, and I'll have a maid bring some clothes, a bath will be drawn immediately."
"Thank you my lord, I'm already healed however. Do you think it would be all right if I got some food for the two of us instead?" Katrina asked politely unsure of how to address the King.
"Certainly, I'll have someone escort you to the kitchens and you can choose what you'd like." He smiled at her warmly. Aris followed Arya and Katrina followed one of the castle page boys. Nasuada left to address the bath and Orrin went to find the castle dressmaker. Only the riders were left standing there unsaddling the dragons.
"A princess huh? I can't believe it…" Eragon muttered to no one in particular.
"Katrina was reluctant to talk about where Aris had come from, I just never expected this. Why did Arya talk about Izlanzadi scrying her though? And she has elfin weapons, which are apparently hers…" Roran sounded confused.
"Katrina probably knew Aris would tell people in her own time, it was Aris' business to tell." Murtagh shrugged.
"Yes, but she lied, about the weapons and how she knew about the dragon egg, she obviously knew Arya and what Arya's job was. She made it sound as if she had merely heard stories." Eragon was slightly distrustful of the girl now.
"No Eragon, she never said truly either way, I don't understand how she has an elfin accent though if she is Orrin's sister." Saphira interjected.
"Perhaps she is both Arya's and Orrin's sister." Inarkien mentioned. Everybody froze then shook their heads.
"No, that's impossible, but somehow she is related to her, whether it be through family or friendship." Eragon said.
"I agree with Murtagh, let her tell us if she wishes." Rahzin spoke up finishing the conversation. The dragons flew off the hunt as their riders walked to the rooms they kept while here.
A--E
"What other injuries do you have?" Arya asked after she had healed the skin on Aris' face. Aris hadn't spoken all the while, she merely held out her legs for Arya to heal. The atmosphere wasn't tense just sad and calm. Arya worked quickly trying to get rid of any discomfort her cousin had as fast as she could. "Anything else?" All Aris' exposed skin was flawless once more, but Arya had yet to see her back.
Aris stood up from the bed they were sitting on. She pulled her dress up over her head and ignored Arya's sickened gasp. Arya regained herself and stood quickly placing a cool hand over the largest injury and working quickly. Several exhausting minutes later she had finished. All injuries gone now, Aris pulled her dress back down and sat next to the now tired Arya.
"Thank you, that was a lot of healing." Aris finally spoke. Arya smiled sadly.
"I was tortured once too, four years ago when I was attacked by a shade. I was captured and held in the prison in Gil'ead. Eragon rescued me as well. I know how much pain you must have been in." Arya said.
Questions were buzzing through Aris' head but for some reason she couldn't bring herself to ask about anything. She kept her mind focused on controlling the pain her heart was feeling. Just then a maid came through the door.
"Scuse me your highness, you're bath is ready now. You're dresses will be brought to you're room if that pleases you." She said sweeping into a low curtsy, "And, if there is anything I can do for you Lady Arya."
"That's fine, thank you." Arya dismissed her gently.
"Yes of course milady. Lady Katrina wished me to tell you, Princess Aris, that she would bring a dress into your bath if you so desire." The maid continued walking back towards the door.
"Very well." Aris said. She felt awkward being addressed so formally and respectfully after so many years of degrading insults. After the maid left Aris stood and paused. "Where are the baths?" She asked, she couldn't remember.
"I'll take you." Arya stood as well leading the way out the door. Aris walked in her wake for a few moments before stopping before a door. "Here it is, I'll be back to check on you later okay?" She said. She walked away heading off to find the herbalist Angela, perhaps she would have an antidote to the poison in Aris.
Aris walked through the door, closing it securely behind her. She faced the room and saw a deep blue dress draped over a chair that sat in the corner. A note from Katrina was resting on top of it.
I thought the color would bring out your eyes. One of the maids is taking food and a russet dress to your room as well. -Katrina
Aris nodded to herself and discarded her ratty dress throwing it into a corner. She was about to step into the water when she noticed a mirror in the opposite corner of the room. She hesitantly walked over to it and stepped in front of it. She stared blankly at her body. She looked malnourished, an improvement without all the injuries but she still looked tired and gaunt. Her ribs were very visible and her legs were tiny. Her hip bones stuck out at an odd angle and her head looked too big for her body.
She walked away quickly stepping into the warm water and sinking up to her neck. She let herself go. She closed her eyes as the pain from her fathers' death consumed her. Tears that she had held back for years left salty streaks down her cheeks. She sat there and cried, racking sobs ripping their way out of her chest. She continued crying for hours, she cried for her mother, her father, for all the years of suffering, for her lost childhood, for Katrina's and Arya's pain. Mostly though she cried because she could, because for the first time in years she was releasing emotion, because she didn't have to hide it from evil men that would use it against her. She cried because deep down she knew that smiles wouldn't show on her face for a long time, she cried because she couldn't show her family and loved ones the proper affection, she cried because she know felt awkward in a life she had been so used to. She cried for herself.
Finally her eyes ran dry, the water now cold and the sun long fallen beneath the horizon. The aching in her chest hadn't left, but it was manageable, she wouldn't break down now. Aris laid her head back into the water and let it soak. She grasped a bar of soap and scrubbed her skin until it shone in the moonlight that was peaking in from the vent in the roof. Then she attacked her hair. She scrubbed and scrubbed watching as the mud and blood trailed away from it through the water. Again and again until the soap had shrunk in size and her hair was cleaner than it ever had been. She climbed out of the water shivering as the cool air caressed her skin. She dried off quickly and pulled on the dress. She laced up the back as far as she could reach then noticed the delicate blue silk slippers sitting on the chair. She slid her small feet into them and walked a few steps quickly discovering that she preferred bare feet.
She almost removed the shoes again when she remembered where she was, and how improper it would be for the princess to walk around barefoot. Aris walked out of the bath room and back to her childhood bedroom. Inside was a plate of food, cheese, bread, fruit, tea and even a little wine. Aris stared at it, her stomach growling loudly. She sat down at the table in the corner with the food savoring every bite she took. She saved the wine for last sipping it slowly as the sweet taste coated her tongue.
When Aris had finished she moved the empty tray outside the door, knowing someone would be by to pick it up. She moved to the small table she had with a mirror attached to the wall above it. She picked up a brushed and slowly worked through the tangles in her hair. After many strokes her hair was soft and untangled once more. There was so much of it though; it waved all the way to her waist. She began to braid it, her hands moving deftly as she mimicked the movements her mother used to make when braiding Aris' hair. She looked in the mirror as she did so, the moonlight from a small window reflecting on her face. "I look like a ghost in this light." she sadly realized.
When she was done she held the end and walked to the closet in the corner, opening it with her other hand. All her old clothes still hung there accompanied by her new russet dress parted for riding. She pulled one of her daggers from where her belt hung in the closet and sliced the bottom of one of her old traveling shirts. It was leather and very small, Aris almost couldn't believe she had ever been that small. She took the strip of leather she had cut off and bound the end of her braid with it, flipping it over her shoulder. Her hair still reached to her lower back.
She sheathed the dagger and closed the closet walking over to her bed and laying down. She marveled at how comfortable it was, all her muscles relaxed and she sank into an easy sleep.
A--E
"Lady Nasuada!" A runner came quickly into her office. He was panting heavily and holding a message out to her. "A message from Lady Alarice of Dauth! Addressed to you and King Orrin!"
Nasuada looked up at the man calmly, "Very well, leave it here and fetch King Orrin at once, I assume there is trouble there?"
"I believe there are Empire ships approaching." The runner breathed, calmed by Nasuada's composure.
"In that case, Elva?" Nasuada turned to the girl with violet eyes who sat in the chair beside Nasuada, "Would you mind fetching Eragon for me?"
"Of course not Milady." She spoke. Her voice was no longer that of an adults, Eragon had removed the curse he had accidentally placed on her as an infant stripping her of the impulse to save others from pain. Elva was an almost ordinary girl aside from the fact that she had retained the ability to see danger, Nasuada kept her by her side. Elva could sense when an arrow was about to strike and warn Nasuada but she no longer tried to throw herself in front of it. She stood up and ran from the room quickly followed by the runner.
Moments later Eragon arrived followed by Elva, "You asked for me my Liege?"
"Yes Eragon, I may have a task for you and Saphira, we must wait for Orrin though." Nasuada spoke tiredly, the night was growing late and she was ready to sleep. Eragon nodded and stood against the wall, talking to Elva.
After a few minutes Orrin swept into the room, "What is going on?" He asked confused as Nasuada rose.
"Sire we have just received this letter from Lady Alarice, it seems urgent."
"Let us read it then." He motioned for Nasuada to read it and she obliged. Opening it carefully she began to read it aloud.
To his Royal Majesty Orrin and High Lady Nasuada,
Today I received reports of three empire ships passing Aroughs and heading toward the Jiet River, please send assistance in destroying these ships at once.
With respect
Lady Alarice.
Nasuada finished looking up at Orrin as Eragon rolled his eyes to himself. It irritated him that despite the urgency Lady Alarice was trying to convey she still wasted time with formalities.
"Can you handle this yourself Eragon or should Roran or Murtagh come with you." Nasuada asked.
"I can take care of it. Saphira and I are more than a match for them." Eragon assured her.
"Are you sure? I doubt Galbatorix would be there with only three ships as a cover, they more than likely want to catch Dauth unaware. I would saytake Arya but I don't think she wants to leave Aris at the moment." Orrin said.
"It's fine, she can stay with her…"
"Cousin." Orrin answered Eragon's unspoken question.
"Yes, she can stay with her cousin, Roran can spend time with Katrina and Murtagh can relax. Saphira and I can be back within two weeks." Eragon replied.
"Then be on your way." Nasuada nodded and Eragon bowed to the nobles calling out to Saphira as he ran to his room to pack.
A--E
Aris awoke early the next morning stretching and flinching out of reaction before realizing it didn't hurt. She stood up and smoothed out the wrinkles of the dress, she had accidentally slept in it, forgetting that she was supposed to change into a nightgown. She was slipping on her shoes as someone knocked on the door.
"Yes." She spoke, disappointed that even after spilling so many tears she still sounded flat. Arya came in followed by a red haired woman that looked vaguely familiar to Aris.
"You probably don't remember me honey, but that's okay, I'm Angela the herbalist, I met you when you came to Farthen Dur. I remembered what a sweet girl you were, I decided that I could spare a few moments to see about getting rid of that poison in you."
Aris remembered now, "You have the werecat."
"Oh! So you recall! I don't really have him though, he comes and goes as he pleases, mostly I follow him actually, he always knows what's happening where and I love to be where everything is happening." Angela said as she approached Aris. "Now do you remember what the drug looked like?"
"Opalescent." She murmured.
"How did it taste?"
"Awful, it burned as it went down my throat."
"It was liquid then." She stated instead of asked, "What did it do?"
"Fogged my mind for a minute then cleared but my mind locked within me."
"A hard burden to bear for a practiced magic user. Sounds exactly like the simplest drug, it incapacitates the mind. It's not used often for it takes patience and magic, and you only have to administer it monthly or so because it is so effective."
"They gave it to me every four days." Aris interrupted. Angela gaped at her.
"That's…that's a lot…I'm surprised it didn't make you go mad or kill you…I daresay that your magical abilities were so strong it took a lot to suppress them though. Drink this, it will counteract the potion, it's not a permanent drug, like a said, simple only incapacitates the mind."
Aris drank the purple juice and coughed once as it seared her throat.
"Better than most, many people cough and splutter for minutes at the feeling." Angela chuckled. "Now, try to extend past those walls up there."
Aris closed her eyes and tentatively pushed against the barriers in her mind. She pushed harder when she realized they felt flimsy. She became excited and rammed against them and they shattered releasing her consciousness as the glasslike walls fell away and disappeared. She opened her eyes and looked at Angela in warmth that she hoped her eyes showed.
"Thank you."
"Not a problem, I do love curious things like this, do mind telling me what happened?"
"Your juice changed the walls from diamond to glass, they shattered beneath my touch."
Angela nodded gathering her things, "Good, good, I hope that fixes everything, I would suggest taking it easy on magic until you know you can still do what you used to. Come by and talk with me later, I'd like to hear about your experiences." Angela babbled unabashed to admit that Aris' torturing fascinated her. She got up to leave and motioned for Arya to follow her for a moment.
Once outside Angela whispered to Arya, "I really would stop her from attempting magic. Not only does she look weak but that much dosage of the drug may have affected her mind beyond repair."
"Is that why she speaks she's dead?" Arya asked.
"No, that is simply her self defense I think, it's amazing how people survive things isn't it? I mean some people probably would have died others maybe cried themselves to sleep every night, but she hid her emotions. Truly fascinating." Angela mused.
"Perhaps she has hid them for so long she can't remember where she hid them." Arya thought to herself, "Thank you Angela I know you were working on something."
"I'm always working on something and if I'm not then I'm moving because the place I'm in has obviously gotten boring." Angela laughed as she walked away from Arya.
As Arya reentered the room Aris was standing and pulling Eragon's cloak from the bedpost, "I need to return this." Aris said.
"He left to take care of something for Lady Nasuada; you can give it back to him later. Right now Orrin wants you to get ready. He wants to present you to Aberon, announce that you're alive and well that is."
Aris looked up at her and put the cloak in her closet, "Fine." She followed Arya from the room.
A--E
A/n: Okay so it sounds like everyone is cool with romance, good cuz according to my friends I have a disease called obsessionw/mushynessoitis, yes my physco friend Jordyn came up with that. In other words I love fluff and there will be plenty of it. Also, please help with Murtagh's surname! I have one good suggestion but a selection would be nice!! XD