Thanks to all the reviewers.
Disclaimer; Christopher Paolini owns all the characters, etc…
Chapter Eleven
This time I've done it.
It can't have been that bad.
You didn't see her face.
Eragon said and showed Saphira a mental picture of what had taken place between him and Arya the previous night.
Well, honestly Eragon what were you expecting. A blessing?
Of course not! But I didn't expect any reaction, really. Are you telling me you're not surprised?
Saphira hesitated.
Not really.
What do you mean, Saphira? Do you know something I don't?
I know as much as you do, Eragon. Although I think if you want to save your friendship Arya you can.
How?
Eragon sat up in his cot, alert and waiting for Saphira to continue.
Arya is not unreasonable which is why I am sure that if you apologize-
Why should I? She was the one who over-reacted.
Even as Eragon said these words he knew how childish they sounded.
Very well, I shall apologize tomorrow.
No, today. It does not do anyone well to leave matters the way they were left. And I shall give you some advice though you have not asked for any; end your relationship with Megiltura.
What? Why? You were the one who told me to follow my heart.
I do not see how your relationship can prosper when you do not love each other.
She knows and she doesn't care. I feel like she really understands me, Saphira. I don't know what it is but it just feels right.
Saphira let out a sound Eragon knew she only made when she was irritated. She had flown out on the balcony.
Whom do you love, Eragon. Arya or Megiltura?
Saphira asked, bluntly.
I don't know. My heart can't seem to forget Arya but I feel completely at ease with Megiltura. What am I going to do, Saphira?
Eragon had not up until this moment realized the depth of his predicament.
Are you certain what you feel for Megiltura is not love?
I think so…I just don't know anymore. I can't really explain what it is, but lately; these past few days actually I've been feeling strongly to Arya. I thought I'd discarded those feelings but it seems like they've come back again.
Eragon, I still think you have to end it. At least until you've got your head sorted out.
Saphira advised.
Eragon agreed and stroked Saphira's neck. She hummed in contentment. Eragon found a bowl of wild berries outside his door and a bowl of fruit left for Saphira.
That would not even fill the belly of a hatchling dragon.
Saphira said, moving the bowl to Eragon with her snout. Eragon finished the berries and the fruit and then got bathed before changing his clothes.
Today is going to be a long day.
Eragon said as he walked through Ellesmera. He was going to Tialdari Hall where Megiltura lived as did certain other elves. He found her outside Tialdari Hall. She was talking to Blodhgarm. Both elves turned when they saw Eragon.
"Eragon-elda," Blodhgarm, "An honour, as always." he said before leaving.
"What was his hurry?" Eragon asked Megiltura.
"Matters that required his attention. This is a surprise; you visiting for change." her grey eyes shone, she smiled.
This is going to be hard.
"The reason why I-" Eragon started.
"Let's not talk here. We have the whole of Ellesmera to explore." Megiltura said and started walking.
Eragon followed, wondering how he should tell her.
"When are you planning to return to the Varden?" she wanted to know.
"Two days from now. Alagaesia needs a new ruler; and that won't be me. Also Saphira and I were planning to go away for a while."
"If I may ask, where to?"
"We're not exactly sure yet, but surely you must believe there are other places away from Alagaesia."
"I do, though where they are and how to get there is something I don't know."
"Perhaps the Queen would know."
"Perhaps," agreed Megiltura, "What were you going to say? The reason why you visited…"
"Yes, that. Well, I feel that we should take off."
Megiltura raised her eyebrows, "Take off?"
"I mean take some time off from each other." He said quickly, and waited for her reaction.
"I agree."
"You do?" Eragon asked, amazed.
"Yes. The elf you have feelings for is Arya, is it not? The Queen's daughter?"
"How did-"
"The night she saw us. She obviously didn't like what was happening."
"You really think so?" Eragon asked, taken aback.
"Even the best of elves cannot hide their emotions all the time. We slip up and she did. Although I do not know if Queen Islanzadi would approve."Eragon sighed, "She would never get the chance to disapprove for it will not happen."
"What do you mean?" she sounded confused.
"Arya does not return my feelings. She has made it clear on several occasions."
"Why?"
Her question startled him to a certain extent.
"Our age difference. I am a Rider and she is a princess. I am half-human and a half-elf when she is a full-blood elf."
"There should no limitation when it comes to love."
"I agree I only wish she would see it that way. Yet she is so stubborn."
"Fight for what you want, Eragon. If this is a love worth fighting for, then do it."
"I thought I was done fighting." Eragon said, with a morbid small smile.
"I know you can do it. Change her mind; only you can. Do it tonight."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Understanding."
Eragon's heart thudded uncontrollably as he stood outside Arya's room. He was not sure if he should knock or abandon the task he came to do in the first place altogether.
Eragon, if you could handle Galbotorix you can handle this. And remember not to lose your temper.
Exhaling deeply, Eragon knocked lightly on the door. There was no answer and after waiting for ten minutes Eragon entered. Arya's room had not changed much since he had seen it last. This time however something struck him. The fairth of the one elf on Arya's wall made Eragon think that perhaps it was Faolin.
This is a hopeless task, Saphira. She's not going to listen to me. I might as well leave.
Be patient.
At this time Arya entered her room, she stopped in the doorway. She looked alarmed if only for a few seconds before covering it up behind a blank expression.
"Eragon, we have cleared up all matters already. So why are you here?" Arya asked, she moved inner but not by much.
She was still close to the door.
"I came here to say sorry."
Again.
Eragon thought miserably to himself.
"I have already accepted your apology."
She's not going to make this any easier.
"I just wanted you know that I ended it with Megiltura."
She looked shocked, but only nodded casually.
"It…wasn't love and I realize that. I just thought you should know. That is all."
Eragon turned to go.
"Wait."
He turned around to see her staring at him, uncertainly in her green eyes.
"I would like to tell you of what I thought of Brom's message; if you have the time."
Eragon smiled, pleased with himself. He stood whilst Arya sat on the stool beside a table.
"I thought about it; frequently. And I think that maybe Brom was talking about the truth about your parentage."
Eragon felt rather disappointed. He thought she might have had a better explanation.
"No, I don't think that is it. For one, Brom seemed to know much about what was currently happening around me. He told me how to defeat Galbotorix. Surely he would have known that I had told you he was my father."
"I don't see what else it could mean. You said he put a particular emphasis on the word 'reveal'?"
"Yes. Which is why I think it has to be something bigger? He knew I would know what it would be. He said I had to 'reveal' it to you."
Eragon stroked his gedwey ignasia distractedly as he spoke to Saphira.
Saphira, where are you?
Beroan. I shall not be long. Beroan-
That's it! I know. But I have to check!
Eragon's face lit up.
"What? Did you figure out what he meant?" Arya asked, staring at Eragon's face.
Without hesitating Eragon grabbed Arya's hand and examined it closely.
"Eragon, what are you doing?" Arya demanded.
"I don't understand," Eragon, he did not release Arya's hand though.
He compared her hand with the hand upon which his gedwey ignasia rested.
"Oh," Arya said, understanding, "He didn't mean that."
"Reveal. Reveal! Arya what is 'reveal' in the ancient language?"
"This is a waste of time, but if you insist."
Arya said 'reveal' in the ancient language and as soon as she said this a gedwey ignasia appeared on her left hand palm.
The Queen's daughter; a dragon rider.
Beroan is the princess's dragon.
What will the Queen do? Her only daughter; a Rider.
These were what the elves of Ellesmera discussed as the news had leaked that Arya was the last dragon rider. Queen Islanzadi had been shocked to speak. She requested a few moments to let everything sink in. She expressed her happiness for she was glad an elf could share in being a dragon rider. However the fact that her daughter was that elf she did not approve of. She had wanted Arya to take over the throne from her once she had gotten too old. Most of all Arya; herself was stunned. Eragon was to instruct her, as Oromis trusted him with all of his knowledge. Oromis had instructed Eragon to teach the new Dragon Riders. Thus Eragon was told to teach Arya immediately. Arya knew enough maybe even more about the history of Alagaesia and magic so this made the training easier. Luckily Saphira had helped Beroan get over the shock.
"One of the many important lessons Oromis taught me was meditation." Eragon said to Arya.
Saphira was teaching Beroan private flying lessons whilst Eragon taught Arya by Oromis's hut.
"I have practiced this many times before." Arya said.
"Be that as it may, practice secures perfection. You should attempt this in a private place and listen to nature and report back to tell me what you heard."
Eragon smiled inwardly as he said this. He was certain Arya would struggle as he had. She nodded and then left. Eragon took this free time to read through Oromis's old scrolls. He read the history of elf and human couples again. He came to the same conclusion as before; they were rare and never lasted. Eragon fell asleep in the sun but woke up abruptly after a dream of Murtagh interrupted his sleep. He saw Arya approaching and stood up.
"Well, what did you hear?" Eragon asked, managing to sustain a yawn.
"Everything. If I could give you a detailed report we'd be standing here all day." she said.
Eragon raised his eyebrows, impressed.
"Very good." he said, "That's all for today. We've made progress for you basically know everything else. Tomorrow we shall begin on joined training sessions." Eragon explained.
"Very well. I shall see you tomorrow." Arya said and then left with Beroan who had just landed next to Saphira.
How'd it go?
Eragon asked Saphira.
Quite well. Beroan is a fast learner.
Saphira said as she and Eragon walked in the direction of their quarters.
I hope you got some training done.
Eragon said. Saphira understood his meaning.
Beroan is glad you approve. He feels once again frustrated though.
Why?
Because now he has to ask Arya for permission as well, she is after all his true rider.
I'm sure she'll have no problem with it, she likes you after all.
As she likes you.
Most of the times.
You only make things difficult for her that's all.
How so? You're the one telling me what to do!
Eragon said angrily. He climbed up the steps to his quarters. Saphira flew up to the balcony and laid down.
I know, but I mean doing the right thing isn't always easy for both persons involved.
At least we get to go back to the Varden I think I need a break from Ellesmera. My head feels too full, so much so that I get distracted most of the time.
You don't need to tell me, I'm in your head enough to know what goes on.
Eragon sighed as he laid on his cot. He fell asleep fully clothed that night.
Eragon was awoken by Saphira.
Eragon, Megiltura has come for you. She is just outside your door about to knock.
Eragon's eyes snapped open and he went quickly to the door. Just as Saphira had said Megiltura was at the door. She wore a flowing dark green dress embedded with a pattern of golden embroidery. Her hair hung loosely, her face was expressionless. An expression Eragon was used to seeing Arya having.
"Megiltura, do come in." Eragon said, "Is something wrong?"
"No. I only wanted to hear the news." she said as she entered.
"News?" Eragon asked, baffled.
"Arya. You have spoken to her, haven't you?"
"Aye, I have. We are friends and I am teaching her all I have learnt about being a Dragon Rider from Oromis." Eragon informed her.
"And what are your plans for the future, concerning a mate."
Her straightforwardness alarmed Eragon.
"I have not decided yet." Eragon said, truthfully.
"I trust you to make the right decision." She said, touching his arm.
She left before Eragon could say anything back. Her behaviour was odd, Eragon noted. She was not normally that possessive and she had seemed tense.
It is good then that you are taking your time with this, Eragon. You have the rest of your life to decide. I have already made my choice and I am committed to it until the day I die.
Saphira's comment amazed Eragon. He had no idea she felt this strongly about Beroan.
Now hurry, up. Beroan and Arya are already waiting.
Alright but I have to bathe first.
Eragon adjusted the water temperature and felt the tension drain from his body as he bathed. Afterwards he dressed as fast as he could and climbed onto Saphira. In a few minutes they reached Oromis's hut where Arya and Beroan were waiting.
"Fly up and we can start off there, first." Eragon called out to Arya and Beroan as Saphira reached them.
Arya handled Beroan well while they were flying, Eragon noted. It looked as though they already had that special Dragon and Rider connection, Eragon thought. Overall Beroan and Arya went through the training exceptionally well. They learnt the flying and fighting techniques fast and worked well as a team. After an exhausting three hours both dragons and their riders stopped to rest outside Oromis's hut. Beroan and Saphira laid under a tree a few feet away from their riders.
"I miss him, sometimes." Eragon admitted to Arya.
"Oromis?" she asked.
"Aye. After Brom died he was the closest father figure I had."
Arya's face softened.
"Brom would've been proud of you," she said, "As would Oromis."
Her words meant much to him. Eragon gave her a meek, tired smile.
"Is there any water inside Oromis's tent?" Arya asked.
"We can check." Eragon suggested.
Arya followed Eragon inside. On Oromis's table was a beaker filled with water; only enough for one person.
"You have it. You've hard for it." Eragon said, sliding the beaker to Arya.
She shook her head and said,
"I am stronger than I look. You are still part-human Eragon; you need it more." Arya pointed out.
Eragon didn't argue with her instead he finished all the water at once. Before he could even set the beaker down it smashed to the floor as he collapsed…
The following chapter will start with Murtagh's POV. Don't forget to review.