*peeks out of hiding place* Hello, readers! I'm back! With another chapter! This one's on the formal ball, as I mentioned in the last chapter. The splinter from my hand is feeling better today (thank you over the counter painkillers) so I can type a long chapter now! I probably will… maybe. Okay, guys, I hear that mark with Arya is an interesting idea... thanks so much! Review, people, review!

Disclaimer: Arya (sadly) is not my property. Neither is the Inheritance Cycle, but… who really cares about that? All I want is Arya!

Arya and Eragon walked the smooth grass of Ellesmera, heading to the palace hand-in-hand. Some elves they passed by congratulated the couple, others just twisted their hands in greeting, and the rest stayed silent or, in one case, stared. Eragon murmured to that one elf, "It is impolite to stare, is it not?" He had quickly turned around, heading away from them.

"It isn't proper to do that to your elves, King Eragon." Eragon jumped when Arya said this, quite calmly actually.

"Wait…. Oh, yes, I guess I am king of the elves now." Eragon smiled at his mate. They walked up the palace steps and through the open doors, sitting next to each other as usual.

Blagden flew in, once again, and placed a crown upon Eragon's head. He flew away, returning with Arya's and placing it on her head. The white raven placed his feet on the table, looking at the two elves. "You are a good couple. Master Islanzadí would be proud." He stretched his wings and flapped away.

Arya glanced at the table they should be sitting at. She stood, and Eragon followed her movement. They gracefully made their way to the two seats in the middle, and sat next to each other. The palace doors closed. She looked into Eragon's eyes. "Are you ready, my king, to perform your first service as your title suggests?"

Eragon nodded. "Yes, my queen. I am." He leaned over in his chair, and kissed Arya lightly on the cheek. When he removed himself from her, she waved at the doors, and people filed in to sit down in the great hall.

As the elves of Ellesmera were seated, the plates of food were brought out, along with the wine. Arya made sure to get a kind of juice instead of alcohol, and Eragon sipped his wine rarely. He preferred human ale to this, but he drank anyways. Many elves came up and questioned why Saphira wasn't present, and Eragon just kept with the same answer: she was tired after hunting so she was resting. It wasn't a complete lie, as Saphira had hunted and was tired and resting.

The dessert course replaced the food, and the talking became a bit louder, as elves were loosening up to the drinks. The hall began to empty out, and all elves knew where to go: the Menoa Tree clearing.

Eragon stood as the people to his side began to leave, and grasped Arya's hand and shoulder, helping her out of her seat. She followed him along the row of leaving elves and soon were out in the crisp, night air.

Eragon and Arya held their hands in public again as they followed the lumbering crowd to the clearing. A pathway was lit with red lanterns hung from trees. A few elves with instruments began to play soft music. The atmosphere was light, and Eragon realized what time of year it was; springtime, when the elves sang to keep Du Weldenvarden healthy. He recognized the tune from many years before, when he had been a human and taken into the elven forest for the first time.

Arya smiled when she looked into Eragon's eyes. He had such a peaceful look about him, it almost covered him like a cloak would. He began to hum along with the music, and other elves also did. Once in the clearing, Arya began to sing. Her voice enchanted Eragon, and he felt a pull to sing along with her. So he opened his mouth and somehow, he already knew the words. He and Arya stood in the middle of dancing and singing elves.

Eragon held out his hand to Arya, and they began to dance. Usually when they danced together, they were moving, always moving, rapidly and giving no time for breath. But today they slowly danced, weaving a pattern with their bodies and voices. The forest thrived around them, saplings growing and leaves appearing, vines twining around their support; and the animals. Wolves walked between elves, howling with the song and trying to find mates. Insects buzzed wildly. The forest was alive.

How are you doing Saphira? Eragon asked through their connection, which was weary seeing as Saphira was resting.

I am fine, Little One. Bhronnë and I are sleeping; he is exhausted. We are together and just being with each other is enough.

Alright, just checking. I love you Saphira.

Mhmm. Saphira fell back asleep.

Arya noticed the sudden distant look in Eragon's eyes. She prodded him, and eventually he came back to this moment. She had a questioning look in her eyes. "Just making sure Saphira was alright."

Arya nodded, and they continued to dance. The singing subsided after a few long hours, and the elves were content with just dancing.

Little by little, they left. Numbers in the clearing dwindled until there was only Arya and Eragon left, as was proper. They stopped dancing as the music had subsided, and Eragon kissed Arya. She kissed him back, and all was gentle in this kiss so as to hide their true nature. Eragon pulled back to find Arya smiling with her eyes closed. She opened them and ushered Eragon back to the treehouse.

--

That night, Eragon and Arya began to kiss again, but with more intensity than they had ever before. Eragon's hands ran through Arya's soft hair, and Arya's through Eragon's mop of hair. Their tongues caressed the other's, and Eragon had taken care of Arya's earrings with no hands.

It was not long before the kiss landed them in bed. Eragon pulled up Arya's dress, removing the unneeded garment that resided on her waist; while Arya slipped off all of Eragon's attire. The kiss they started never broke, nor did the intensity falter. Arya was on top of Eragon as they had sex, both of them sighing with pleasure and moving with passion.

The elves didn't know how to get tired that night, continuing and continuing with no intention of stopping. Of course they knew they would have to sleep, but it wasn't their top priority at the time.

Arya moaned through the tangle of lips. Eragon sighed loudly. They would never tire of this.

--

When Arya awakened, she was still on top of Eragon in the same exact pose as last night, except it wasn't a pose. The elves had tired so quickly that they fell asleep as they were. Minus the fact that her head was on his chest.

She lay there, enjoying memories of last night, when Eragon woke. He yawned and Arya sat up, kissing him with passion. Neither of them would mind if they did it again.

--

Arya unzipped her dress, which surprisingly hadn't been damaged through everything that happened. She was standing naked in the treehouse, but the dragons were gone, so Eragon and Arya were alone. She went to slip clothing on, taking a glance at the gedwëy ignasia that marked her skin before pulling her tunic all the way down.

She found Eragon similarly dressed, in his usual attire. She knew in her heart that she and him would never dress as proper monarchs. She opened the door to the treehouse and noticed that breakfast was left outside, with a little note saying it would from now on due to Eragon and Arya announcing that they were mates the night before with their dance. She brought it inside and a small, emerald dot appeared in the air beside a larger sapphire one.

"The dragons are returning." She murmured to Eragon.

Eragon turned to see Bhronnë and Saphira land. Bhronnë had grown excessively overnight, his shoulder at Arya's waist and he was easily, if not longer, than she was tall.

She patted the golden eyed dragon on the head fondly. "I guess having a role model make you grow faster, squirt." Bhronnë rolled his eyes at the nickname.

Soon I will be much bigger than you. Then we'll see who's calling the other one small. Although he had sounded immature when he spoke, Bhronnë still held a mature pose. Arya smiled at the comment.

"That's later, not now." She picked up a peach and bit into its flesh. When she was finished with it, she asked Saphira about Bhronnë's first hunting. Saphira had much to report, telling Arya that the baby dragon was very adept when it comes to hunting, and was a natural at flying. Arya was pleased at the news and left to go about her duties as queen. Eragon had a short conversation with Saphira before he also left.

--

Arya was speechless. There was no way that this would happen. She wished she could swear right now, but it would not be proper to do in a meeting, especially when she was queen.

When she recovered, she looked into the mirror, where Nasuada stood. "Is this really necessary?"

Nasuada nodded. "It's the only way we can launch an attack. You seem worried… is there something going on between you two?"

Arya was dumbstruck. She turned to her head guard. "Shouldn't the message have reached her by now?" The guard nodded.

"I'm sorry for overhearing, but… what message? And where is Islanzadí?" Nasuada was looking thoroughly confused.

Arya then swore. "Islanzadí died over a month ago. And... not only am I the queen, but Eragon is my mate." Her hand slipped to her abdomen unconsciously.

Nasuada was astounded. "Good for you! How far along are you, Arya?"

"A month." She said through her teeth. "Nasuada, our messenger was intercepted. And I think we all know exactly who intercepted them."

--

An elf cowered before Galbatorix, sweating. He was in great pain, but would not give up his message even if he were burned t death by Shruikan, the massive black dragon that sat in the corner of the room, glaring at the elf with red eyes. He hissed threateningly. Saphira was just as big as Shruikan, but Shruikan was obviously more powerful.

"So, young elf, will you share with me your message to the Varden? I will be happy to send it along to them." Galbatorix said, fingering his black blade.

The elf shook his head, knowing it would bring pain, but he had been trained to withstand even the pain of death before letting his message leave his lips.

Galbatorix let out a sigh. "Well at least tell me your name, man. Your mind barrier is too strong for even me to break it."

The elf took that as a compliment, but didn't let his guard down. He thought up a false name. "I am Delmur, a Shrrg slayer." He spat at the evil king.

The king slid his tense fingers across his sword's edge. He was nervous that the elves could be this strong.

Even if half of them are as strong as this, Sire, then we are doomed. Shruikan thought to his Rider. Of course he was being sarcastic, as he wasn't as twisted as his master. He wished to be free of Galbatorix once and for all.

Do not tell me what I already know! He snapped at his dragon, whipping his head to the big, black creature. He looked back at the elf he believed to be called Delmur. "I have never met an elf as competent as you, so I will give you a choice. Delmur, you may pledge yourself to me, or leave this place barely alive."

"I'll never join you, you snake!" The elf hissed.

"Very well, have it your way. Shruikan, get him." Galbatorix smiled, but Shruikan didn't move.

Do your own dirty work. He hissed. He made sure the elf could hear him also, which surprised the elf.

Galbatorix threw his blade, embedding it into the wooden wall. He hissed at the elf, "Leave before I retrieve my sword and you may escape unscathed."

He stood up and walked slowly to where he was just thrown his sword. When he ripped it out of the wall, the elf was half a league from the dark city. He was still in pain, as one of the soldiers who had intercepted him had shattered his anklebone, but the elf would not stop.

Try to weave a spell if you please, Galbatorix, He thought, But my name is Valein, so don't waste your meek energy.

How about that? Anyways, it took quite awhile to write this, I hope you all appreciate this chapter. I just figured out the reason why the pages look so short on the fanfic site: the size of the letters is the smallest you can get in my Word program. Anyways, this is five Word pages long, so… it's not short, people. Review, review, review! …Please?

If anyone wants pronunciations on names, here they are:

Bhronnë (BHRON)

Valein (VUH_LANE)

Shruikan (SHRU_KAN)

Review!!!!