Renewal
Disclaimer: I don't own Eragon or Eldest, just Arianna and Nolan
Chapter 3: Unknown
In the healers' area, Murtagh mulled over what Arianna said earlier. He knew by her expression that she knew his choice. He wanted to leave here but they were hunting him, all the soldiers knew he had gone against the king. Thorn was outside the tent seeming to wait for him to leave. She was right; he had the choice to and she wouldn't stop him. However the next time they meant, her and Eragon would be strong enough to beat him. He saw that dark place in her, how much disdain she held for the king. For what he did to her. Thorn looked at him with the same look. He shook his head indecisively. Either way he had an impact on who would win this long battle.
No, we have to stay here. As loyal as I am to the king, the Varden is turning out to be our best bet to stay safe.
They had all healed to a degree; Arianna and Eragon were able to fight each to similar levels despite the girl's disadvantage. Eragon had elected himself to continue the girl's training while Saphira had taken Codas to the skies to train harder. He had noticed that she had a strong bond with her dragon that when they both fought, they had a fire in their eyes that was unstoppable. He looked at the girl fight against the scar on her back thinking about how many times she had refused to go through the Blood Oath ceremony. She said she didn't mind the pain and it reminded her to fight against her limit. They had now reduced themselves to panting and sweating which meant it was time to stop.
"I expected more from you." Eragon said. "What did Murtagh say about his decision?"
"He hasn't said much about it." She replied. "I don't think he wants to say anything to us. You know how he is."
"Right. And I think tomorrow calls for harsher training." Eragon said.
"On someone who just got out of Angela's care? You're cruel." She replied. "Looks like Codas is holding his own against Saphira."
They looked up, seeing the blue and green creatures fight in a choreographed movement. They laughed for a minute then headed towards the camp, seeing Roran and Katrina walking in pleasure. He nodded, acknowledging their presence. She hadn't known his family since they were always so private and lived on the edge of the village. Her uncle had taken the same except with more interaction. Her and Nolan were always the ones running the errands. Solembaum came out and grabbed Arianna by the shoulders.
"It looks like Angela wants to see me." She said."Do you mind coming with me? Since Codas is busy..."
"Fine." Eragon replied.
They trekked the hills, silent with the sternest look in their eyes. Angela looked up, taking Arianna back to where Murtagh lay while Eragon stood there. He looked at her face for a moment, she was worried about something. He heard the whispers from them.
"You know if you stay here, you will be risk everything."She said.
"I know that. But I want to stay." He replied.
"Then when you get better, Eragon will be our commander." She said. "You get some rest."
She came out looking less worried, more relaxed. But she knew they heard him and they exchanged a worried glance. With Murtagh staying, they were worried about what to tell Nasuada and the rest of the Varden. The statuesque leader of the Varden came in, smiling at Arianna. She talked to Angela briefly then went over to Arianna.
"So he's staying?" She asked.
"Yes and I know the Varden won't be so trusting of him." Arianna said.
"Don't worry about that, your part of the job is done for now." She replied, reassuringly. "Just take it easy."
Arianna nodded, leaving soon after. That left the three of them alone, Nasuada looking as worried as the girl was but it soon left as she left with guards trailing her. Angela turned to Eragon, seeing a look of indifference in his eyes. She knew that they weren't talking and he left. Angela went on as usual.
"Those three. Their fates intertwine somehow." She said. "Eragon, Arianna, and Murtagh. How it does I will not know."
Arianna felt her body plead for sleep now as she walked to her tent. Codas followed her, skirting the ground with a gracefulness that no human being had. He looked exhausted all the while his eyes gleaming with intense happiness. She didn't look at him, now feeling dead on her feet. The hills of sands stopped now and left her to her quarters. She went in, seeing nothing had been touched. Her brother sat there, looking at her with concern. He held a few pieces of bread and some odd drink courtesy of Angela, forcing her to eat.
"I have to keep my promise to uncle; I'm not going to have you starve to death." He said. "Ari, you look like the undead. What happened?"
"I couldn't sleep much when I was under her care." She replied. "I keep having these nightmares. Like I'm remembering my past or something."
"Is it that night?" He asked.
"No, I keep thinking I'm in Uru'baen and a woman is taking us away." She replied, sleepily. "Merritt never said anything about her."
"He never wanted to but we were born there." He said. "Our mother lived with an abusive man. When you were born, she took us away to live with uncle."
She nodded, now feeling the need for sleep even more. Her brother understood now and helped her to bed, then sitting there wanting to stay. He wanted to make up for the time he missed with her. He flashed back to the day he left and how she seemed so different then. He then remember when he found out about her fleeing and how much anger he felt. But it wasn't at her but at the person who did. Who caused her to go and his uncle to die. Back then, he was out for revenge. Now, it was different. He was there to do what was right for him to do. That's how he felt now.