Hey, I'm back again! Thanks for the two new reviews, guys. Well, my meeting is over so I'm going to write more. This is an all-Arya chapter. Review people, review!
To Northwing: Yes, he's the only one she actually befriended in the books anyways.
To Elvendiath: Thanks for reviewing again! And I agree, it's a bit fast, but it's going to get deeper.
Disclaimer: Chris Paolini needs to give Arya to me. NOW.
Arya didn't leave Eragon's side very many times in the next few days. She continued to stay in the treehouse, continued her new queen duties –normally with him right there beside her- and continued to sleep with him. She felt her love for him every time he came into view, and over and over in bed. They had even begun to hold hands in public, announcing that they are in a relationship without even having to say the words.
She had visited her mother's grave every day after she was buried. Eragon was usually right there beside her, making sure she could hold herself together. Today he had to fly with Saphira the perimeter of this area of Du Weldenvarden, to make an appearance and not seem like he was settling down or anything, not getting lazy. He also had to assist with the training of young elves, so he would be gone for a week. She was worried about the dragon and her Eragon's relationship. The two seemed not to talk very much, and weren't together as often since Arya had began living in the treehouse. So she went alone, for the first time in her life she felt some part of her missing. Well, Eragon had been sleeping with her for about two weeks now, so she guessed she should feel alone without him here.
At least I don't have nightmares anymore, She thought.
Arya approached the gravesite and felt a pang in her stomach. It's going to be that time soon, anyways… She sighed. That would mean she wouldn't be able to enjoy herself with Eragon at night for a bit over week. She sighed and knelt at the grave, muttering her usual saying in the ancient language. She then kissed the gravestone and stood. Another pang. This wasn't normal for cycle. She didn't want to complain about it to Eragon, but she knew she'd have to tell him when he got back.
She decided to visit Oromis and Glaedr again, and began the trek. It took longer than normal; she had been pretty tired lately. She knelt and payed respects to the Rider first, and went over to the dragon's grave. She thanked Glaedr for the gift of his Heart of Hearts to Eragon, and stood. Something shiny caught Arya's eye and she stepped cautiously into the small cave where it came from. She looked to the right and saw it: a green dragon egg. She moved swiftly to recover the egg. It was still alive.
--
After skirting the whole of Ellesmera to bring the egg to the treehouse safely, Arya was exhausted. She sat down, putting the egg on her bed to observe it. She delved into her magic and put her hand upon the egg. She felt its consciousness, and knew now it was a male.
What is your name, youngling dragon? Arya asked the egg. She felt rather odd about asking an egg its name, but dragons are intelligent beings.
I am Bhronnë. And you are Arya, the new queen. Your thoughts are rather interesting. The unborn dragon paused. Ah. A female dragon, and male rider. You and he are related now, are you not?
Arya's cheeks got warm at this thought. Not related, really. Just… She let the dragon probe her night memories.
Ah. I understand. How old is the female?
Fully grown.
Ooh. I'll have catching up to do. Will you tell her rider about me?
Of course, I'll have to! Arya paused. Would you like the female dragon to come see you?
Yes. That would be nice.
Alright. I have to go now, Bhronnë. I will talk with you later.
Alright. Goodbye, Queen Arya. The dragon's egg went silent. Arya put it under her pillow and started to climb down the stairs. She had a meeting to go to.
--
A few days passed, and Arya got to know Bhronnë a little better. For example, he had been one of Glaedr's offspring, and that he was the youngest. And the only unhatched. That he would be a rich, emerald green color and will somehow –as the dragon egg had prophesized- would be related to her. She smiled at that thought, knowing that this dragon would be a nice mate for Saphira. She had told him about the sapphire dragon, and he was very interested in her. She liked hearing the humor in the unborn dragon's voice.
But Arya was also very worried. Her cycle hadn't begun yet, and was supposed to two days ago. Eragon would be back in a matter of three days, but the elf thought everything would be fine by then.
--
Two days before Eragon was due to return, and Arya remained in her worried state. She need not let anyone know this, however, and continued to keep acting as if nothing was wrong. She was supposed to hold a banquet, and decided to hold it tonight at the palace. She was preparing everything, and sat down to take a break. Her stomach had been hurting recently, but now the pain was gone. It was as the worst times when the pains started and the oddest times when it ended. She rested for a moment longer and then got back up to finish the preparations. I don't like living in this fear. Something needs to be done about it.
--
Later on that night, she held a toast. Now Arya was not one to drink wine, but being a queen, she held it up to her lips and then put it down. The liquid didn't enter her mouth. She sat back down, and began to eat with her elves. The seat on her left was empty.
Somewhere through the dinner, Arya decided it wouldn't hurt to taste the wine. She lifted the glass to her lips and opened her mouth, letting the liquid pour in. She swallowed some, and she gasped, her hand moving to her abdomen. She didn't let the extreme pain show upon her face, she knew someone must have seen. So she went on with her dinner, pretending as if nothing had happened, and didn't taste the wine. She left early, claiming that she needed sleep. The elves didn't mind and began to talk more freely as Queen Arya left and then began to run to the treehouse.
The elf removed her silver crown and threw herself upon her bed, and began to sob. The pain wasn't as great as before, just after she drank the wine, but it still felt like being stabbed in the gut. The dragon egg reached out to her consciousness.
You fool. You should have known not to drink wine. Bhronnë muttered through their newfound mental link.
And why is that? Arya snapped.
Wait… you didn't know? The dragon seemed confused.
No, I don't know. Now if there's something going on with me, then please say it. As Arya thought these words, the meaning sank in. The pangs. The late cycle. The exhaustion. The wine….
No. It can't be. The words were of desperation.
Arya. The day Eragon is expected to be back, you will be three weeks pregnant. Bhronnë's words sounded final.
Arya's head fell onto the bed once more. No… I can't be. I'm an elven queen. No, I'm a disgrace to the elven race…. She began her racking sobs, one hand on Bhronnë's egg, but the dragon had withdrawn into his own mind, leaving her utterly alone.
--
When Arya would not unlock the door to the treehouse the next morning for breakfast, a forty-year-old elf named Kinja went to the royal guard, delivering the news upon them. Kinja was given a message to carry to Eragon, and he began to run. His new queen wouldn't worry his race much longer, seeing as he was the fastest runner the elves knew. The time it took to arrive where Eragon was, half a day, still pained him. He approached Eragon, who was speaking to younglings.
"Eragon Shadeslayer, I have an urgent message for you." Kinja looked at the younglings. "Very urgent."
Eragon looked at the messenger skeptically for a moment, then stepped away from the group. "What is the message?"
Kinja didn't know where to start. "Queen Arya left her feast last night quite early, and I went up to the treehouse to give her breakfast. The door was locked and she wouldn't speak, let alone let me in. I ran to tell the guards right away and they told me to summon you to her right away."
Eragon's stomach dropped. His fear must have shown on his face, because the messenger looked extremely worried.
Something is wrong, Saphira murmured though their link. Something is terribly wrong. Arya…. Eragon, what are you standing there for?! Get on my back and go to your lover who needs you!
That snapped Eragon out of his stare. Saphira had thought his worry, and he immediately jumped onto her, and she sped away.
As soon as Saphira landed, Eragon was off of her back. "Arya!" He called. There was no answer. His fear overtook him like a black shadow. He rushed into her room.
Arya was laying there, halfway on her bed, dried tears on her cheeks. She was either asleep or unconscious. Eragon ran to her, positioning her so that he was holding her. Arya's hand slipped from under her pillow. "Arya, wake up." Eragon's voice shook and he felt tears stinging his eyes once again. The elf in his arms moved her head, then opened her eyes.
"E…Eragon? Is that you?" Arya realized it was, and she began to cry again.
Eragon tried to soothe her. "Shh, Arya, it's alright. I'm here. Just tell me what's wrong." He whispered.
She looked up at him. "Eragon…. As of tomorrow, I will be three weeks pregnant. I found out yesterday when Bhronnë told me."
Eragon stood in shock. His mouth hung open. "It can't be…."
Arya hung her head. "I know. But it is. All of the signs are here…" She lifted up her shirt. "Does it look different to a week ago?"
If Eragon didn't have the sharp eyes of an elf, he wouldn't have seen anything. But he did notice that her abdomen was the slightest bit more round, and not gain-weight round either.
Who's Bhronnë? Saphira asked.
You must have sensed him by now. Arya motioned for Eragon to put her down, and he did, his face still frozen in shock. He didn't move after that. Arya put one hand against her abdomen, knowing that there was a life inside of her now, and lifted the emerald dragon egg from under her pillow.
"I found this nearby Glaedr's grave. He has been talking to me. His name is Bhronnë. He seemed very interested to hear about you, Saphira." Arya held the dragon egg up to the sapphire dragon, whose head entered the room. Eragon noticed the egg but was still frozen. Saphira sniffed the egg, and opened her mouth. Arya gently, and uncertainly, put the egg inside her maw, and then Saphira curled up in her dragon's nest. Eragon crumpled, and passed out.
Okay, guys. The next chapter will be on Eragon and Arya, but the chapter after will be all-focus on Saphira. So, review, and then tomorrow I'll have the seventh chapter up. I gotta catch up on sleep tonight, so goodnight readers! Review while I sleep!