Ellesmera

Aris walked, enjoying the cool stone floor on her bare feet. She was following the guard to her brother's quarters, but her mind was elsewhere.

'Eragon Shadeslayer.' She mused. What was it about him that made her feel so different? She hadn't felt so much at ease around anyone so far since her rescue. She'd been so talkative, it had been a real conversation, no awkward moments, and even the silences had felt comfortable and relaxed.

She entered Orin's chambers with a calm serenity in her expression, it slipped into its old stoic mask for a moment however at the tortured look on Orin's face. "What is it?" He winced slightly as he looked at her, slight chagrin paling his face.

"Well…I saw you outside, in the garden…" He licked his lips nervously, like he didn't want to say what he needed to.

"What Orin? You said being in company with a rider meant no guards." Her tone was wary.

"It's just…a private walk in the gardens…I want you to be careful." His tone became firm as he walked towards her hesitantly.

"Of what Orin? Stop this elusiveness." Her smooth brow furrowed slightly, surely if Eragon couldn't be trusted, nobody could.

"It's simply that…Eragon had been trying to court Arya for some time, I would not want you to hope for something that cannot be." He laid one hand on her shoulder.

She remained silent for a moment then let a tiny smile grace her lips, "Do not worry brother, Eragon is merely a friend, we were discussing returning to Ellesmera." She gently stepped away from his hand and retreated towards the door.

"So you mean to leave with them?" Orin asked, nodding absentmindedly. "I suppose I could arrange for a few men to go along…" He mumbled to himself, looking down and rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"Orin, I will be in company of three riders and their dragons, in the sky. I will be safe, and arrive faster without your men." Her eyes were amused.

He looked up at her with wide eyes, as if he hadn't thought about that, then he broke out into chuckles, "You're right." He held up his hands as if to admit defeat. "Just promise you'll be careful until you leave, and when you do, you'll say goodbye." He smiled at her.

She nodded, "Of course, we leave in a few days." She smiled slightly once more then left the room.

It didn't matter, Eragon courting Arya, she desired a friendship that was all…or was it…

o0o0o0o

Several days later Aris belted her swords and daggers around her leather clad waist. She turned to the mirror and adjusted the leather shirt, it had been her mothers, as had the boots and pants, and she was pleasantly surprised that it would fit perfectly once her form filled out again. For now, it would do just fine a little loose. She tucked an escaped strand of hair from her braid behind her ear and shouldered her bag. It was time to go home.

She walked swiftly towards the courtyard, anxious to begin their journey, her knee high boots padding softly on the stone. Turning from the hall her eyes were met with bright sunshine as it reflected of the light dirt and the colorful dragon scales.

"Aris!" She heard Katrina call, stepping quickly she met her in the middle of the courtyard and embraced her. "I'm so glad you're coming! I'm unbelievably nervous though…Roran says they have permission to bring me in…but I'm going to be the only human female there…it's all very nerve racking!"

"Do not stress yourself, you shall love it." Aris replied calmly, beginning to walk once more towards the dragons.

"You're right, I know." Katrina smiled, falling into step beside her as they approached Saphira, Inarkien, and Rahzin.

"Brightscales," Aris bowed her head respectively to each dragon, "Thank you Saphira, for letting me burden you on this trip."

"Think nothing of it hatchling, you're feather weight will not hinder anything, your company however, will be appreciated, by both Eragon and I." The great sapphire dragon bowed her head and touched Aris' cheek with her nose. Aris bowed again and turned as she felt Eragon and Murtagh approach from behind.

"Roran is ready for your bags Katrina." Murtagh said and Katrina nodded, walking around to where Roran must have been. "Are you Lady Aris, ready?" He grinned at her.

"Indeed, I have said my goodbyes early this morning; I'm ready whenever you are."

"Are you still riding with me?" Aris met Eragon's eyes for the first time.

"Yes Shadeslayer, I just thanked Saphira for the extra work I am causing her." She nodded and looked away quickly.

"I'm sure it is no burden." Eragon said, watching her curiously, desperately trying to remember if he had said something offensive the other night that had made her distant once more.

"Yes that's what she said." Aris suddenly looked up and pulled a slight smile onto her lips. Eragon blinked a few times then grinned, mentally shrugging off whatever her mood had been a moment ago.

"Your pack?" He held out his hand and she slid the pack from her arm, handing it to him. He turned to hook it onto Saphira's saddle and Murtagh grinned and walked away as Nasuada entered the courtyard. Aris relaxed for a moment, she had sensed Eragon's confusion. She would simply have to be friendly without letting herself believe he meant anything other than friendship. Not that she wished for anything more than that.

"All right, we're all set." Eragon approached her again, smiling a forced smile, a touch of his confusion still lingering in his eyes.

"Then let's be off." She nodded and turned towards Saphira, anxious to leave.

"Yea…right…" He shook his head and jumped up, settling in front of her. With three massive pushes of three different sets of wings the dragons ascended and turned towards the north, taking off as their riders waved departing waves.

o0o0o0o

They flew through the night, and the day after, stopping only for food and relieving themselves. All three riders were afraid of an attack and were determined to keep everyone safe. Finally the exhausted dragons slanted down towards a distant fringe of trees.

"Du Weldenvarden…" Aris sighed, "Bein amar dor."

Eragon twisted in his saddle, "You remember the ancient language."

"Mm, of course, you do not forget something that is a part of you." She ignored the fact that most of their trip had been in a very formal silence with short polite conversations; seeing the magnificent forest for the first time in seven years erased all tension from her mind.

They flew sharply downwards now, headed directly at Ellesmera at a rushing speed. Aris gripped Eragon tightly around his waist and his hand settled over hers calmingly.

"We'll be let in, relax." He told her. The ground came rushing up beneath them and she leaned back instinctively. The dragons landed heavily taking a few running steps to slow; coming to a stop right before the queen and her advisors.

Aris' chest constricted as she gazed upon her aunt's face, it seemed tired, far more tired than Aris could ever remember.

"Riders." She called, "Welcome back." All three of them dismounted, Katrina helped down by Roran but Aris jumping down herself.

"Atra esterni ono thelduin." The rider's simultaneously twisted their hands over their chests.

"Mor'ranr lÍfa unin hjarta onr." She replied.

"Un du evarÍnya ono varda." They replied together once more then straightened up.

"I see that you have been successful." She inclined her head towards Katrina.

"Indeed IzlanzadÍ Dröttning, this is my fiancée, Katrina." Roran guided her gently forward; Katrina was keeping her eyes firmly on the ground and sank into a deep curtsy.

"Please rise, you are welcome here." Izlanzadi spoke gently and Katrina obliged, daring a glance up and a shy smile.

"Thank you your majesty." She spoke faintly.

"But I see that you have a fifth in your party, who is this?" Her tone stiffened slightly.

"My Queen," Eragon stepped forward, "I realize that you said we could bring Katrina and nobody else new into the city, but this woman has already been here, we found her at the slave camp with Katrina, you know her." Eragon turned slightly and gestured for Aris to approach.

She had been standing by Saphira's haunch, taking in the surroundings she had longed for with such passion for so long. She was keeping her mind blocked; knowing that it's expansion would frighten or at least alarm someone. She walked forward now, keeping her gaze level as she approached her aunt.

"Atra esterni ono thelduin," She twisted her hand over her chest in respect.

Izlanzadi was staring at her with the oddest expression, "I know you…" Her voice was soft as her eyes traced Aris' face.

"Yes, I know you as well," Aris lips lifted slightly, "my aunt."

A collective gasp ran through the gathering of elves and IzlazadÍ's eyes widened.

"Impossible…" The queen murmured, "Aristianna er freohro…"

Aris shook her head, "No, not dead. Captured, drugged, and weak, but not dead."

IzlanzadÍ took a step forward, "Aristianna had blue eyes," She stopped in front of Aris and stared unbelievingly into Aris' gaze, "And human ears…" She slowly lifted a hand and tucked a fallen strand of hair behind Aris' ear, revealing the rounded top."Oh!" She gasped, pulling her shaky hand to her mouth. Her gaze fell downward and she flinched suddenly as she saw the swords at Aris' side, "Forsythia's swords! Oh my! I can't believe it! Elves of Ellesmera, Aristianna-elda has returned to us!"

Chaos erupted; cheers and shouts, and laughter and tears were dancing around Aris. Her mind shut down, she dropped her chin and backed up, she didn't know which way to look or who to answer, she didn't want to dance with the elven man before her, she wanted to go to her house, and relax, to be allowed to rediscover her home in peace. She jumped as she felt someone grip her shoulders from behind her firmly.

"Relax Aris, it's all right, just one night of feast then it'll calm down." Eragon's voice came soothingly in her ear and surprisingly her tense shoulders loosened.

The night did calm down rather quickly, not from lack of excitement but rather the elves picking up on Aris' lack of openness. They bombarded her with question upon question for a full hour before they realized that nobody got more than one or two words from her at a time.

Aris ate quietly, observing the people around her with perceptive eyes; they weren't as she remembered them. For some reason everything felt different, as if she had to look through someone else's eyes to see them as she had as a little girl.

She could tell they were watching her too. The smiley little princess who had the sharp tongue and rapid questions was gone, leaving a silent young woman with a blank face and reclusive thoughts. Finally it came to the point when nobody approached her any longer, they ate and conversed with each other but left Aris to the company of herself, sipping the strong wine of the elves and watching.

Nobody could tell from her face how relieved she was when IzlanzadÍ stood once more. "My people, the night has arisen and it is begging for its peace, let us leave it for the comfort of our beds." With that the elves rose and dispersed, disappearing in the trees like a snowflake in a blizzard.

"I'm sure you are tired, so I will wait until you are rested to ask my questions…would you like a new room or the house you shared with your mother?" The queen watched her carefully as Aris thought for a moment.

"My old house will be fine." She finally answered and IzlanzadÍ nodded gravely.

"Of course, I shall walk you to it."

"I remember its location, but thank you." She forced her lips to turn upward.

"Then goodnight Aristianna, welcome home." IzlanzadÍ gently kissed Aris' forehead then strode away.

Aris turned, only her traveling party remained. "Goodnight to all of you as well." She made to walk away but paused when someone gently touched her wrist.

"I'll walk with you." Eragon smiled and fell into step beside her. They walked in silence for a long while, listening to the still laughing elves around them. Finally Eragon spoke up, "Do you not live in the gardens where Arya and other royals do?"

"No, my mother preferred a house within a tree." Aris gestured to a large tree ten feet to their left, "That one in fact."

She slowed slightly, apprehensively opening the door when she reached it, then pausing, "Thank you Shadeslayer, if I may, I would ask you to gather me when you go to see master Oormis."

Eragon nodded, "Of course, sleep well Aris."

Aris inclined her head then walked inside, shutting the door behind her. Carefully she made her way up the stairs that spiraled in the tree's trunk. Pausing once more before entering the room she stepped into the common area. She stopped abruptly, nothing had been moved or changed, and she bit her lip, fighting the wave of emotion that threatened to wash over her. She forced herself to walk forward, passing the table they had always eaten at, past the door that led to the bathing area, then stopping at the door to her mother's bedroom. Her bedroom was connected within; she would have to go through it.

She slid the screen back and gasped, even her mother's smell still permeated here. The tunic she had changed out of the day of their departure was still lying upon the bed, the wardrobe drawer slightly open.

The first tear escaped, then the next, and another after that. Soon Aris' cheeks stung with wetness as she stood immobilized in ancient pain. Her eyes fell closed as she tried to control it, but all that did was squeeze out more tears. She sobbed, gasping breaths taking over her lungs as she tried to stop. There was a knock on the door, but she couldn't move to go to it.

She heard the gentle opening of the door and knew she should stop crying to face whoever had entered but she still stood, salty tracks stained on her cheeks.

"Aris?" She heard his voice and cursed the tears, "Aris, are you awake?" She heard his boots gently walking across the floor until he reached the door she had passed through. "Oh, sorry about this but I forgot that your pack was with mine, here…are you all right?" She had turned her cheek to the side slightly and Eragon had seen her tears.

"F-fine, thank you Shadeslayer." Her voice was quiet and weak.

"Aris…what is it?" He stepped forward and dropped her pack, gently spinning her to face him. She looked down but he placed his fingers under her chin and pulled up, forcing her to look him in the eye.

Any control she had disappeared and she broke down once more. Instantly Eragon pulled her into his arms, hugging her gently.

"What is it?" He asked quietly.

"Eragon, be careful…" Saphira warned softly in his mind before, withdrawing to give them privacy.

"My mother, she remains here." Aris mumbled, ignoring the warning that flashed through her mind as her head rested upon his shoulder.

"Ah…painful memories have resurfaced." She felt him nod, his chin brushing her hair. She made no reply just simply closed her eyes and let them run dry. Finally she pulled back, meeting the slightest of resistance from Eragon's strong arms.

"I'm terribly sorry Shadeslayer; my intention was not to burden you with my past." She pushed slightly and took a step back.

He let his arms fall to his sides, he hadn't minded letting her tears soak his shoulder, in fact he feared he liked the feel of her slightly too much. Her form was frail and he couldn't think of anything at the moment but supporting it for as long as she lived. "It was not a problem Aris, everyone has a moment of weakness, I am merely glad I was here for yours."

Aris looked down and away, "Watch your words Shadeslayer, they are easily misconstrued."

He blinked a few times, "I'm afraid I don't understand your meaning…"

"Eragon, I don't understand why you address me in such a way when you are courting my cousin; it will not do your reputation justice." Aris met his eyes with a firm stare.

"Courting your…your cousin?" His brow furrowed, "What?"

o0o0o0o

A/n: Sorry about the abrupt cut off but this chapter was getting long, so please review and I'll get to work on the next part!