The Welcome Feast…
By the time her tour was complete, Arya could see what Eragon had meant about the island being "even more than (they) had initially hoped"…
Much of the outer part of the island was sheer cliff – rising straight up out of the sea, and far too steep to climb without magic: Any normal magic- user who attempted the feat would have been so exhausted on reaching the top, that their presence would be discovered long before they would have regained even a fraction of their strength…
The few places where boats could safely land were within easy view of at least one of the half- dozen watch- towers that had already been built and manned by Elvin sentinels…
… It was almost as though the island had 'known' that – one day, it would be needed for this purpose, and had shaped itself accordingly…
But it did not stop there: Approximately fifty miles away from the far side of the island, there was a chain of smaller islands – the largest of which had an active volcano… Over time, and between eruptions, the land above had shifted – resulting in the formation of a chain of 'safe' islands – pockmarked with caves of varying sizes: Free for taking by any dragon who wanted a cave of their own. As the years passed, more islands would form – and more caves would form with them…
As they were returning to the Stronghold itself, Arya noticed how hungry she had grown – especially compared to Firnen; who'd eaten and was now dozing in the sun – Saphira and their younglings curled up around him…
By the time they arrived, the others had gathered, and ready to eat…
Over the course of the meal, the conversation ranged over a wide variety of topics. Eragon talked about how he passed his time – whenever he wasn't absorbed in the construction of one building or another. (Including his habit of spending an hour or two every evening in the Great Library, the contents of which having finally been reclaimed for The Riders… – Arya carefully filed this piece of information away…).
When the meal had finished, everyone parted ways – to rest, and prepare for the following day…
Arya returned to her rooms, though only long enough to make a few changes to her attire… Then she made her way back along the streets and pathways, until she arrived at the Great Library.
After some searching, she found the book – and page, that she was looking for, and – careful to mark the correct passage, set it down on the table by the window… During their tour, Eragon had told her that the view from that window was one of his personal favorites, and that it was where he always sat – so long as the space was free…
With everything in place, Arya drifted back into the rows of books – to wait…
Soon after…
Eragon was still trying to wrap his head around the fact that his first students were here – as was Arya… – He knew that he was prepared for the task ahead, even though his own education had been… 'Untraditional', but still…
He entered the massive library, and made his way to his usual spot. Somewhat to his surprise, he found a book lying on the table, though nobody seemed to be nearby…
Than he noticed that one of the pages was marked… Curiously, he opened the book, and began to read…
He thought he'd heard the term before – somewhere, though it was harder to pronounce in its written form…
The passage described a ceremonial- belt, "… worn by elven women – though infrequently. It is of no functional significance, and its purpose is symbolic: For an Elvin woman to unfasten this belt, and hand it to a male, is an indication that she is willing to engage in sexual activity with the one to whom it is entrusted…"
Eragon was pondering who might have left the book there, and why… when he heard the soft sound of footsteps behind him…
He turned around, and saw Arya – emerging from the rows of bookshelves. The first thing he noticed was that she'd changed into a loosely- fitting green gown… The second was that – fastened around her waist, was the very type of ceremonial belt of which he'd just been reading…
Her bright eyes never leaving his, Arya reached down and unfastened the belt – rolled it into a tight loop, and held it out to him…
Hardly able to believe what his senses were telling him, Eragon reached out with his left hand, and grasped the belt…
Arya smiled, and took his free hand – her expression one that Eragon never thought he'd see on anyone's face – least of all hers…
Still without speaking, Arya lead the way back to her rooms…
A short while later…
Once the doors to Arya's rooms closed behind them, Arya let go of Eragon's hand, and took several long strides into the room…
Then she turned to face him, and – as she did, her hands rose to unfasten the intricate silver chain that wound behind her neck, and held up her gown…
A moment later the gown fell away, and Arya stood – naked, before Eragon…
Eragon wasn't sure what his expression must have looked like, but it seemed to amuse Arya – who let out a trill of bird- like laughter… As the sound faded, she tilted her head – slightly, towards the bed in the far corner…
Eragon felt his face redden, but he needed no convincing…
A moment later, they slipped between the sheets… and – seconds later, they felt the minds of their dragons: Both of whom seemed to be radiating a strange combination of surprise and… Inspiration? …
Then Eragon and Arya sensed Saphira and Firnen rise into the air– and a little ways to the east...
After that, things got a little… 'Confusing' – What with Eragon being bonded to a female dragon, and Arya to a male dragon. Once they'd managed to… 'Disentangle' their shared emotions, they separated their minds slightly – so the bond between the Riders and their respective Dragons grew slightly more distant.
Than things grew a little more… 'Settled'.
Each of them lowered the barriers around their minds, and their consciousness mingled…
Neither Arya nor Eragon had spoken aloud since their conversation during the feast: They didn't need to…
After a time, they simply lay there… side by side – a feeling of contentment between them, as they each slid into their waking dreams…
To be continued…