Thanks again to everyone who reviewed. I hope this chapter is what you were hoping for! Sorry if the time shifts are a little confusing!! On with the chapter!
Two weeks earlier.
"What do you mean gone?" Galbatorix screamed at the girl before him who had shifted her dark brown eyes to the floor. "Your Majesty. It was the dragon rider Murtagh," She spat the name in complete distaste. "He and his brother, the other rider, had come disguised. No one could tell-"
The tyrant King roared loudly, cutting her off abruptly before eyeing her down with his world famous glare. "How? How could they have found it without your help? It was hidden securely and guarded with the most complex magic this world has ever known. They couldn't have just slipped onto the trap door, it was in the middle of nowhere!"
"Majesty. I-"
"No Jaslyn, I have heard enough of your petty excuses. If you weren't so important to the empire I would see to it myself that you wouldn't see another sunrise," Jaslyn flinched at the words, but remained calm. "But because you are, see to it immediately that both eggs are found, else you wish for death."
She nodded her head weakly and looked the King in the eyes. "Of course your majesty, I will not let you down again." She inclined her head slowly.
"Good. See to it you don't. Now be gone, and return with both eggs swiftly, daughter, else the fate of all we know be destroyed by those renegade traitors the Varden."
"Yes sir." She turned quickly and made her way to the door, the Kings glares still boring savagely into the back of her neck.
Jaslyn rode with a fierce determination out of the castle walls and into the desolate barren lands that were the outskirts of the kingdom. Her bright red cape billowing in the wind behind her majestically, she held her gaze forward, spurring the white stallion below her forward, his ears flicking back and forth as she spoke.
For hours she rode without stopping, not knowing where to even begin her search. The dark clouds that hung over the empire sinisterly were beginning to lift, revealing the blue skies that were a rare sight within the Kingdom.
After a short time, she came across a row of large trees with a foreboding air around it. She smiled and turned towards them spurring her horse faster than ever, darting through them at a flying pace. As the trees grew ever thicker and harder manoeuvre around, she dismounted, deciding it would be safer to continue on foot. She grabbed the horses reigns and directed him slowly through the tall trees, soon losing sight of the bright sky above them to the canopies that loomed overhead.
Within a few hours, the trees became thinner and less consistent, giving way to a few loose rays of the darkening sun, revealing it was near dusk.
Wanting to be out of the forest by the time the sun set, she broke into a sprint, dodging through vines and over logs. After running for what felt like hours and not seeing the end of the trees, she became fatigued and slowed slightly. Deciding to continue, she closed her eyes for a second before a large object collided with her foot, throwing her immediately off balance. She plummeted to the forest floor, landing with a dull thud.
Back to the present:
Zyana. The small voice repeated itself once again, becoming slightly louder and more urgent than before. Zyana gasped loudly, drawing the attention of Murtagh and Eragon towards her, questioning expressions written on their features.
"She just said my name." She whispered, not taking her eyes from her dragon.
"What? That is wonderful!" Murtagh enthused, pulling her into a hug which Ohrana joined seconds later.
Zyana! Ohrana projected her thoughts to all who were in range, small smiles finding their lips. Zyana. Zyana. Zyana. Ohrana.
"Yes, Ohrana is your name." She said with a large smile. "I didn't realise how quickly she would grow."
"Yes, I know what you mean. Before you know it, you'll be flying with her." Eragon smiled. Ohrana lifted her head at the mention of flying and began to flap her wings slowly, stirring the dust on the ground.
Fly? She asked curiously, still staring at her rider. "Yes Ohrana, flying. You still need to grow a little more before you will be able to though." Zyana smiled at her dragon warmly as she slowly made her way towards her rider and rubbed against her legs. She was now about the size of a small dog, making it hard for Zyana to keep her balance.
Zyana. She said once more before Arya approached with Ilian strutting proudly behind her. Ilian! Ohrana jumped at seeing the other hatchling who responded with an equal amount of enthusiasm.
Ohrana! He yelled in response, projecting his thoughts so everyone could hear him clearly. The two began playing eagerly as Zyana smiled at Arya. "He spoke too?"
"Yes, just this morning." Arya beamed proudly at her dragon. "His first word was my name."
"Ohrana's too. It is absolutely amazing!" Zyana enthused, turning towards the two larger dragons who were watching the hatchlings wrestle with curiosity.
"I better leave them, Saphira and Thorn would like to train Ohrana." She said to Arya who nodded.
"Yes. I'll leave Ilian as well. The sooner they start learning and training, the sooner we can get rid of the tyrant king."
They turned and bid their dragons good bye, but got no response, the hatchlings being too absorbed in each other. Rolling their eyes, the elves walked to where Murtagh and Eragon were standing, deep in conversation.
As they approached, the two riders ceased talking and turned towards them, large smiles plastered on their faces. "I am going to start packing, no doubt we'll leave in a few days, and it would probably be best if we were ready in advance should we have to leave sooner." Zyana said as she passed them, obviously eager to return to Ellesmera. Murtagh watched intently as she disappeared into her tent, the flap closing elegantly behind her.
He turned his gaze back to the other riders and coloured slightly at seeing their questioning expressions before hiding his face behind his hair, their low chuckles barely audible.
"I think I'll go find Thorn and fly for a while." He said, taking off in the direction of Zyana's tent, his dragon watching him curiously.
"Er, Murtagh. Thorn is that way." Eragon retorted pointing his thumb behind him, a large smile on his lips. "And he is busy helping Saphira train the hatchlings, or have you forgotten already."
Murtagh glared at his brother half heartedly. "No. I was just... um, going this way." He said hurriedly before running in the opposite direction.
Arya and Eragon exchanged small smiles as they watched him disappear into his own tent, and began walking in the direction of the lake, talking idly, enjoying the pleasant day ahead of them.
Hours passed as Eragon and Arya sat beside the lake, talking and laughing happily, singing flowers and enjoying each other's company. As the sun was slowly beginning to settle down behind the horizon, a swirl of colours following it in its trail reflecting off the normally clear water of the lake, a blissful silence enveloped the pair as they watched on, listening to the birds chirping happily overhead.
"What a beautiful sunset." Eragon whispered quietly, almost as if he didn't want to disturb the life around them. Arya nodded in agreement, but remained silent. Eragon blushed slightly and stared at Arya straight in the face, the golden light illuminating her features perfectly. "Arya." He started. She turned and looked him straight in the face, slight puzzlement in her expression. "Yes, Eragon?"
Eragon wanted nothing more at that moment to tell her how much he loved her, how much he had always loved her, since that very first dream, but he remembered all his other attempts at winning her affection and sighed deeply. Yes, it was true she had been more at ease and happier over these past few weeks, and that had only made him grow to love her more, but he couldn't bear rejection yet again. He shifted his eyes to the flower they had sung together and said that they should probably return. "The feast will start soon and we need to get ready. Nasuada expects it of us to look our best." He stood and glanced at Arya again and was confused to see disappointment written on her face. Seeing him watching her, she quickly smiled, all trace of it vanishing as she did so. "Yes, I agree, but I do not relish the thought of putting that... thing back on."
Eragon laughed loudly and began walking back in the direction they came, happy just to be close to the elf at his side.
The riders arrived at the feast together, all smiling and clad in their best clothes, Zyana and Arya's of elven make while Murtagh and Eragon wore silk fit for kings. Upon their approach, the large crowd stood and cheered loudly as Nasuada smiled and formally introduced them. Ilian and Ohrana walked proudly in front of their riders, releasing small bursts of smoke from their nostrils with every step, earning awed expressions from those they passed while Saphira and Thorn followed up the rear majestically, seemingly lost in their own conversation.
As they approached the large table that was at the head of the congregation, Nasuada greeted them warmly and bade them sit where the crowd could see them clearly. They did as she bid, slightly self-consciously, and smiled nervously out to the crowd.
"People of the Varden," Nasuada cried. "I give you our riders!" the crowd cheered again as the riders waved slightly. "Now that the guests of honour have arrived, let the feasting begin!"
Several dwarves emerged from the neighbouring tent carrying trays of the finest food and sitting them on the table in front of the riders and Nasuada, then made their way around to the others. Murtagh grabbed a plate the second the food was laid on the table and piled it high with roasted duck. Eragon, Arya and Zyana all stared at his plate in distaste and began filling their own with the fresh berries that the chefs had picked earlier that day specially.
Zyana, who was seated between the Varden leader and Arya began to speak to Nasuada, asking the details of the coming trip. Nasuada laughed loudly and told her everything was being taken care of and they would be able to leave within the next few days. Zyana smiled at her then looked over at Ohrana who was showing off, creating small bursts of wind, leaving everyone gobsmacked. "Nasuada?" She began.
"Yes Zyana? Is there something on your mind?"
"Actually, I was wondering, and I hope you don't mind me asking, if you were disappointed when Ohrana chose me. I mean, when she first hatched, she went straight to you, not even giving me a second glance, and afterwards, I felt as if I had stolen her from you." Zyana whispered.
Nasuada laughed heartedly at the question and answered, "No, I was not disappointed in the least! When she first came to me my first thought was 'please not me.' I have too much responsibility as it is and becoming a rider would just add to the pressure. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I wouldn't like to be a rider, but not with everything that is going on. My place is beside my people, not the skies." She smiled at Zyana. "And believe me, I think Ohrana is very wise to choose you. I knew you were special the second I saw you, and no doubt there is much in your future."
Zyana smiled at her warmly and thanked her before turning her attention to the dwarves who were clearing a space on the floor for music and dancing. The second the music began, Eragon grabbed Arya's arm and whisked her onto the dance floor, her bell like laughter echoing through the crowd. Zyana smiled at her sister and watched them dance while talking with Murtagh and Nasuada. As the music grew louder, more of the congregation began to dance as well.
"Ahem, er, Lady Zyana?" A deep nervous voice came from almost out of nowhere. Zyana turned quickly to see a man around Murtagh's age with blond shaggy hair that covered his bright grey eyes standing beside her, uneasily shifting the ground below his feet. "I... My name is Ahnon. I was... wondering... if, maybe... you would like to.... dance?" He stammered quickly, not meeting her gaze. Zyana blushed slightly at not having noticed him, and smiled as she stood, saying that nothing would give her greater pleasure.
Ahnon's face lit up at her acceptance and eagerly led her to the floor, placing her hand in the crook of his arm. They waited for the next song to begin and as they twirled and spun in large circles, Zyana couldn't help but laugh at the freedom she felt. She glanced back at her table and took sight of Murtagh who was red in the face with rage, and... jealously? She was so startled she stepped on Ahnon's foot and tripped him, falling to the ground with him. She laughed nervously and waved off his many apologies saying it was her fault. "I'm sorry, Ohrana distracted me." Zyana stood and glanced at the table quickly, only to find Murtagh's seat empty. She looked around hastily, but found no sign of him.
"Lady? Are you alright?" Ahnon asked, his voice thick with concern. Zyana nodded. "Yes, I'm fine. Just eager for the next dance. Are you ready?"
Murtagh stormed out of the clearing swiftly, too full of rage to stay anywhere near the celebrations. She probably won't even notice I'm gone. He thought bitterly as he found a secluded log and made himself comfortable. That Ahnon will make sure of that.
Child? Thorns concerned voice entered his head and he groaned in annoyance.
Not now Thorn. I'm busy.
I can see that, sitting on a log wallowing in self pity when the rest of the Varden is celebrating at the feast Nasuada held for you. What troubles you this much?
Murtagh stopped suddenly. What was troubling him? There was nothing between him and Zyana. He didn't have any romantic feelings for her and even if he did, he didn't control who she saw. Nothing Thorn. He replied shaking his head.
It isn't nothing. Tell me. Thorn pushed the connection deeper into his riders mind and saw the scene.
Thorn! Murtagh protested, but his dragon ignored him.
Ah, Murtagh. Jealousy is as green and deadly as a snake. Don't let it envelope you.
I'm not jealous. I don't care who she sees and what she does. We are only friends and that is all.
Thorn sighed loudly. Then why are you out here and not at the feast? He asked.
I... It was getting crowded. I needed air.
Thorn chuckled quietly at his answer. Murtagh, the crowd was nowhere near you and the feast is outside where there is plenty of air. Now if you don't have any interest in Zyana, this shouldn't bother you.
It doesn't bother me.
The large red dragon sighed again. Then that brings us back to the beginning. If it doesn't bother you, then why are you out here?
I don't know. I just am.
Murtagh, go back to the feast and have a good night. No one will remember a thing in the morning, a lot of rum is being consumed. I suggest you have one yourself.
Murtagh smiled. Alright, but only because I like the rum.
Thorn chuckled. Mmm. If that's the case, you better hurry, it's going quickly.
I am so sorry about this chapter!! I just proof read it and I think its my worst by far!! I had so much trouble writing it you would not believe, with writers block and extreme tiredness!!
The next chpater will be better. Please review and tell me what you thought, it will help improve the next one.