Chapter 8:

Paradise

Arya stretched, and then flinched as her injury stretched. She looked down at her left arm and found that it was wrapped in a bandage and was in a sling. It looked to be broken and she scowled as she remembered what had transpired. A magician had caught her by surprise and put her to sleep. She guessed that she had been delivered to Murtagh as a hostage and as leverage to get to Eragon.

She swung her legs onto the side of the bed and was startled to find a figure sitting on her stool, obviously asleep. She tilted her head and stood up. She moved towards him slowly, and craned her neck to see his face. It was Eragon. Was he up all night watching me? She smiled at his devotion to her and put an arm around him. "Eragon," she said, "Awaken. I am well." She shook him and he suddenly sprang to life.

"Arya? Wait, what are you doing up? Lie back down, you're hurt." She laughed at him.

"I'm fine. Remember we elves are fully able to heal, and quickly too. Don't worry about me, I am in no pain. I will heal soon."

"Good idea." he said quickly. He raised his hands and held them over her arm.

"No Eragon-," But he stopped her with a quick spell.

"Waise heill." He murmured. He heard her bones take their original place and felt his strength ebbing away from him. It took a little longer than it usually did and it took more strength than healing muscles and skin did. When he finished, he took the bandages and sling off her arm. "There you go. All better."

"Thank you. I feel much better. Um…I was wondering…what are you doing today?"

"I'm glad you asked. I have someplace to take you to today. Saphira agreed not to come; she's hungry and would like a day to herself. She's taking Glaedr's Eldunari, she's going to try and coax him out of seclusion." He smiled and took her hand. He led her out of the tent and through the camp, arriving at a cluster of trees. He glanced at her and grinned, obviously amused by some fact that she wasn't aware of. He led her into the grove and she gasped at the sight.

Before them was a small waterfall that fell into a stream. The water gurgled over the rocks, creating a pleasant, peaceful air. It was a beautiful sound that relaxed the mind and lifted the soul. There was a meadow on the other side of the water and squirrels and chipmunks occasionally chattered to each other. Birds chirped and raccoons flitted throughout the trees. Best of all was the beautiful Black Morning Glory that stood before her. Its black radiant petals absorbed the Sun's rays so that it almost glowed. It had a bright green stem and a starburst of blue in the middle. It was a foot tall and she bent down, caressing its blossoms.

"Here is my paradise to you, for this is what you deserve." She looked at him then kissed him. He smiled and she giggled, because she loved it when he smiled. His eyes glimmered and he gestured towards the ground. He lay down, and she followed suit quickly. She put her head on his shoulder and he put an arm around her waist. She felt sensitive to his touch; it tickled her inside, threatening to burst with excitement. She enjoyed the contact; it was what she yearned for every time she denied him after the Agaeti Blodhren.

"I love you, Eragon."

"And I you." She looked up at his brown eyes, and he looked down at her green ones, and she kissed him again. The passion, the love she had for him was indescribable, irrevocable, and eternal. He was all that mattered to her, and if anything happened to him she would tend to him and care for him as he always had for her. She would stay with him, even when he took on Galbatorix, and then a thought occurred to her.

"Eragon…."

"Yes? What is it?"

"Do you remember how you were told that among the elves, they aren't married, but they do choose mates, am I right?"

"Aye."

"Would you be mine?" He laughed and looked at her with a wide grin upon his vibrant face.

"Forever and ever." She smiled back and then looked at the sky. There were barely any clouds and it was a perfect temperature. She looked back down at her flower and her stomach blossomed with a happiness that could not be described with words. This was her life. This was where she was meant to be. She loved being with him and she was content to lie there for all of eternity. He was hers.

Eragon's point of view:

Arya was laying on him, gazing at the sky. He looked too, happy that they had escaped their duties to be with each other. Then he saw a spec appear in the sky. Hello little one.

Hello Saphira. Will you come and lay with us?

Alright. She circled the perimeter a few times, and then descended. He could see a limp doe in her jaws as she came closer. When she landed Arya looked over and greeted her. They talked for a while and all three of them had a conversation for a few hours. He was with the two people he loved most and he couldn't think of anything that could make him any happier. At the end of the day Eragon and Arya became hungry, so he picked some berries, and found a group of apple trees. He gathered water from the stream and they both ate the fruits, enjoying the relief of their rumbling bellies.

They soon became tired and as sleep became inevitable they lay back down. He was faintly aware of Saphira waddling over to them, and just before he went to sleep, Saphira covered the two of them with one her giant blue wings. The last thought that he had before drifting off was of Arya.

Hey everyone, I needed to ask you something, do you think Saphira should appear more? I've been wondering and I need your opinion. I'm also gonna take a poll on who should die of these four people:

1. Eragon

2. Arya

3. Roran

4. Saphira

I need 4 reviews before the next chapter. I know it's small but not many people review when I ask. Thanks guys!

Eragon