(A.N.) (Dessert Maniac, Elemental Dragon Slayer, blackwind2254, srade9779 and 1 guest) I thank you all for reviewing chapter 11. Also, thank you to those who reviewed my update, I hope everyone enjoyed it and are glad that it has been cleaned up (for the most part, lol).
Something new that I would like to add; I'm not sure how much longer this story will go on for. In my head I can see maybe four or five more chapters, or maybe a little bit more, but nothing beyond that. Unless you all would like a long fic, then I will do my best to make it longer. There will be a sequel to this story, but it will not be posted immediately after this one is finished, I still have a lot of brainstorming to do.
Welp, I hope you like this update! Some fluff, some action and some plot development XD.
R&R please!
Ch.12
Eragon
Solumbum ran through the campsite, forcing Eragon to do the same; no doubt the werecat was leading him wherever Angela was. Did she want to speak with him? Or did she have no idea that Eragon was coming? Eragon saw Solumbum run around a corner of large tents and, rounding the corner himself, he found a single tent secluded in the corner, away from the many others that littered the area. Eragon slowed down his pace and approached the tent. A flap was open and tied to a poll outside, allowing light to leak out. Eragon could hear someone humming and the occasional pot clanging.
"What took you so long?" Angela said before Eragon could even open his mouth.
"How did you know I was here?" Eragon asked as he walked further into the fortuneteller's tent. "And since when was your tent so far away?"
Angela turned, from a boiling pot, to Eragon. "To answer your first question; Solembum told me, of course. And your second question; since I couldn't stand the racquet and stench of the Varden soldiers, I had my tent moved out here. I like my peace and quiet. I thought you already knew that? Honestly Eragon, how long have we known each other?" Angela huffed.
Eragon laughed. "I feel as though every time we meet like this, I know less and less about you."
Angela grinned and raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Well you would be right to think so…what do you they call you now? Oh that's right, Eragon-elda."
Eragon shook his head. "You don't have to call me that."
Angela nodded. "Well good, because I wasn't going to." She turned back to the pot of boiling water that rested securely over a small fire.
Eragon took the time to look around Angela's tent, which was rather large. How she managed to procure such a large tent was beyond him, but he decided to not question it. Piles of books were spread out on a nearby wooden table and there were racks piled with bottles of various colors and sizes. Eragon noticed one book was opened up to a page that talked about a mineral that he had never heard of before. Beside that was another book opened to a page that talked about charcoal and yet another book about a mineral that had something to do with salt. There was a sheet of paper beside the three books that looked to be in Angela's handwriting. All three items mentioned in the books were scribbled down, along with other notes that Eragon did not really understand.
"It's a new project I'm working on." Angela said, causing Eragon to look over at her. She had taken the pot off of the fire and was pouring the contents into two small cups. "Tea?" She asked him.
Eragon nodded and took a cup. "Thank you. Whatever happened to the toads?" Eragon asked with a grin.
"Oh that's all in the past." Angela waved her hand and then took a sip from her cup. "Mmmm, now that is good tea." She placed the cup down on a saucer and grabbed a biscuit.
Eragon had to agree, the tea was delicious. It was different from the traditional Elvish tea that he had become accustomed to drinking. "But what is it, exactly?" He asked her.
"Well it's nothing right now, but I'm on to something." Angela sounded excited, as if it was her greatest find yet. She was always working on strange experiments, and Eragon was one to never pry any farther then he could. "I am more interested in you."
Eragon looked up from his tea cup to see Angela smiling back at him. "Me?" Eragon asked, as if he was the most uninteresting person in all of Alageasia. Of course, he was never one to flaunt himself.
"Yes, you! I can still remember the day you walked into my little shop. You were so innocent and naïve, I liked that about you." Angela said before talking another sip.
"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" Eragon asked.
"Take as you will. Regardless, I was so interested in your fortune. It was one of the reasons why I left that city, if you remember."
Eragon nodded. "I do, you wanted to know my story, and how it would unfold."
Angela's eyes flashed. "That's right. I've only met three people who talked with Solumbum, and you're the only one left. Besides all of that, yours was the most interesting, and what exciting events have transpired in your life so far."
Eragon smiled for a moment. It was true, his life had been full of excitement, but the tragedy and all the deaths that filled it could not escape his thoughts. "It is not as exciting as it would seem." Eragon whispered.
Angela sighed. "Of course, forgive me Eragon. You have lost much to this war. But…" She grinned at him and stood up. "I certainly did not see your romance to be with Arya, of all people."
Eragon blushed. "How did you…"
Angela snorted. "It's pretty obvious for anyone to see. Of course, I knew long before that you harbored feeling for the elf. But then again, you never really made an effort to hide them."
Eragon blushed heavily. "Yes well, it took a lot of work but I think we've figured it out."
Angela gave him a knowing look and reached for an apple. "Well, I've never been much of a fan of her. She's much too reserved, but then so are all elves."
Eragon wondered if Angela had thought him to be too reserved now that he had changed, but he didn't press the issue. "So, enjoying watching how my life unfolds are you?" Eragon asked, smirking.
"Indeed. Of course, many of the questions I had before are now all answered, but a few still remain. Will you be the one to defeat Galbatorix? Is there some hidden power in this land you must find; and what about the last egg? Will Galbatorix find someone for it to hatch to? So many questions unanswered, all of which I am sure are weighing down on you."
"It's a lot to think about. I ho—"
Solumbum suddenly brushed up against Eragon, and when he looked at the werecat, its large eyes locked into his. "Have you found what you are looking for?"
Eragon furrowed his eyebrows. "You mean the Rock of Kuthian? No, I have not. You didn't really give me much to work with." Eragon replied, sounding annoyed with the large cat. "No one has even heard of it! So you tell me how I am supposed to find the Rock of Kuthian, or the Vault of Souls?"
Solumbum licked his paw before saying. "The answer will come to you soon enough." He replied.
"What does that even mean?!" Eragon yelled, but the werecat had already left the tent.
Arya
Eragon dodged an oncoming blow to his side by rolling to the opposite side. He switched sword hands and tried to hit Arya's flank, but Blodhgarm stepped in. The elves were working as one to take down the rider.
It had been almost a week since they had sparred for the first time. Snow had now fallen and most of the ground was covered in white frost, save for a large circle. Arya watched as Eragon circled Blodhgarm and herself. He eyed each of them and watched to see if they gave, willingly or unwillingly, any clues as to their next move.
"He has the power, he can do it…" Arya thought to herself. "But I cannot give him the victory, he must claim it for himself."
Eragon suddenly ran towards her, Brisignr by his side. Blodhgarm lunged forward to meet him, but Eragon's lips twitch into a smirk as he spun his body laterally around the elf. Blodhgarm blinked twice as Eragon rolled over the elf's back and delivered a two fold blow to his side. Blodhgarm yelled out as he was thrown to the edge of the circle. Eragon straightened himself and, without pausing, ran towards Arya. She took a defensive stance and prepared herself as Eragon neared and his first blow was easily blocked. However, Eragon was no longer in front of her. Arya blinked as the sudden realization hit her, and she spun around to just barely block a strike to her back. The force of his attack pushed her back a few inches and Eragon took advantage. Arya sliced her blade through the air, attempting to strike Eragon in the neck, but he ducked and swept Arya's right leg off the ground sending her falling down. Her back hit the ground with a loud thud, and she released a grunt.
Eragon followed her descent and ended with the tip of Brisingr resting at her neck. They were both breathing heavily and their eyes remained locked. Arya swallowed and, very gently, pushed Brisingr away. Eragon did not stop her, and he slowly stood up straight and sheathed his sword. She gave Eragon a weak smile and slowly extended her hand out to him. Eragon looked momentarily surprised, but he shrugged it off and clasped his hand around her forearm, helping her up.
"A job well done, Eragon. You are improving fast." Glaedr's voice rumbled with approval as he extended his voice out to the three warriors.
Eragon gave a weak smile. "Thank you, master. It is all due to your guidance that I am able to best two of the finest elven warriors on my own."
"Nay, Eragon. It is because of your strong will and determination to succeed that drove you towards victory, I only but showed you the way." The satisfaction and praise in the golden dragon's voice was incredible.
Eragon mentally bowed. "You honor me, master."
"And you honor us all, Eragon-finiarel. Continue along this path, and I believe that very soon you will be ready."
Arya watched and listened silently as the student and master talked. On the outside, she showed no visible emotions. But on the inside, she was burning with happiness and pride. Eragon had conquered yet another task set before him. Though the journey was still long, he was improving greatly. In the back of her mind however, she still hoped that there was something left of the boy she had first meet in Farthen Dur.
Eragon
The long winter months had finally passed, and Eragon was more than happy to once again enjoy the comfort and relaxation that came with running. Eragon steadied himself against a nearby tree as he caught his breathe. He slowly sat down and decided to meditate. It always helped to calm him down.
He repositioned himself and, sitting cross legged now, he took in a deep breath. The many voices and thoughts that had normally troubled him began to vanish, leaving behind a sense of total emptiness. One thought, however, tugged at the back of his conscience. It was the dream he had the previous night, the same one he had a few months ago when Solumbum had awoken him. It was so vivid that Eragon could remember details that did not even seem important.
Flashback
Eragon woke up as sunlight poured down on him. He sat up and looked around. He was not in his tent…nor did it seem like he was anywhere near Dras Leona for that matter. Furrowing his eyebrows, Eragon quickly sat up, instinctively reaching for Brisingr, but it was not at his side. Confusion and worry took over Eragon as he called for Saphira, but she did not answer, nor could he sense her at all. The same was for Arya. Calming himself, Eragon studied his surroundings. The ground beneath his feet was that of lush, green grass and he could smell the ocean. He slowly walked around and soon noticed that there were large towering structures around him, but of what he did not know. Large walls of rock and stone stood a few miles ahead of him and he was starting to get the feeling that he was no longer in Alageasia. So the next question was…where was he?
Eragon's exploration soon took him away from a grass covered ground, to that of dirt and rock. As he continued to walk, something caught his eye. Eragon looked to his right to see a black cloak disappear behind a large wall of rocks. "Wait!" Eragon cried out as he ran after the person. Each time he got closer, the cloak slipped behind another corner. Eragon gritted his teeth in frustration as he ran faster. The path soon turned into a valley and it became increasingly complex.
Finally, the cloaked figure stopped in front of the entrance of a large cave. Eragon caught his breath and stood up. The person had their back turned to him, and he could not tell whether it was a man or a woman.
"Who are you?" Eragon asked. The figure did not reply. "Where am I?" He asked again. Still, the figure did not answer. Eagon clenched his fists and looked around. The entrance was large, very large. So large, that Saphira could have easily fit inside. Eragon decided to advance on the person, but he stopped as the person turned to him.
Their face was covered in a tangle of long dark black hair. "You are almost there Eragon…"
End of flashback
Eragon slowly opened his eyes. That was the last thing he had remembered. It was the same as before; the dream had always ended with the woman speaking. By the sound of her voice, Eragon knew it was not Arya. So who was she? The fact that the dream was so vivid had scared Eragon. Not only that, but he was sure that he had never met this woman before, so how could he be dreaming about her? The memories of him scrying Arya in his sleep resurfaced, but Eragon was not sure if this was the same thing. After all, Arya had never spoken to him; in fact she hardly knew he was scrying her. So maybe he wasn't even scrying at had been trying to figure out where he was, but that too had evaded him. The scenery and landscape were both completely foreign to him.
Sighing, Eragon stood up and, brushing the dirt off from his butt, made his way back to camp. Eragon received the looks of many women in the campsite, as well as soldiers (who bowed and greeted him with words of respect). The women, however, all looked at him with a certain glint of temptation in their eyes. Eragon awkwardly waved back at a group of young women. They all giggled and one of them walked up to him, she was blushing madly and did not keep eye contact with him for more than a few seconds.
"E-Eragon Shadeslayer…" The young girl finally piped up.
She stood a few inches shorter than Arya, and she had long, golden blonde hair. Eragon noticed that he continued to compare the girl to Arya, whose beauty could not be matched in his eyes.
"Hello." Eragon said as he bowed slightly. "I do not believe we have met. Please tell me, what is your name?" He asked politely.
"I-It's…Elena…" The girl replied shyly.
"Elena…that is a good beautiful name." Eragon complimented. The girls' cheeks grew redder and the group of girls behind her continued to giggle.
"T-Thank you, Eragon Shadeslayer." Elena said, giving him a weak smile.
Eragon smiled back and absently glanced over the young girls shoulder. His eyes widened slightly as he caught sight of Arya looking back at him intently. Eragon swallowed and looked back at Elena, who was shifting uncomfortable in front of him. Arya started walking towards him and she was only a few feet away he gestured to her. "Have you met Arya Svit-Kona?" He asked Elena.
Elena turned her head to see the elf walking up to her. Eragon noticed Elena's expression had changed to something of slight distaste and he frowned slightly. All the men in the area stopped what they were doing and looked at the beautiful elf as she passed Elena and stood beside Eragon.
He had almost forgotten about Elena as he found himself staring back at Arya. Her face held no emotion, as usual, but he wondered if perhaps she was a bit jealous? No, Arya was not the type of person to feel such trifling emotions. Or was she? As companions, the two of them had started to walk a path that was unknown to either, and so new emotions might arise, jealousy being one them.
The girls discomfort grew when Arya took Eragon's hand in hers and looked back at them, not in a threatening way, but not in a friendly way either. Knowing that she would get nothing more from the dragon rider, Elena bid Eragon fair well and walked towards her friends. As they left Eragon heard one of them say, "The elf has probably enchanted all the men with magic."
Eragon sighed and turned to Arya, who still wore a blank expression. "Pay them no mind." He said to her.
Arya chuckled. "Their words do not bother me."
"Good." Eragon replied, he leaned in closer and whispered. "Besides, I am the only man that you have enchanted that you should be thinking about."
He could feel Arya flush and it made him laugh internally. She leaned closer to him, her face only an inch or two away from his. It looked as though she might kiss him, but she suddenly grinned and wrinkled her nose. "You need to bathe." She said, laughing lightly. Eragon chuckled and nodded.
Eragon entered their tent with Arya close behind. He began to grab fresh clothes and whatever else he may need to bathe with, and when he noticed Arya doing the same he stopped and looked at her.
"Arya?"
She looked up at him as she pulled out a green tunic. "Yes?"
"What are you doing?" He asked.
Arya laughed lightly. "What does it look like I am doing Eragon? I am going to bathe." She smiled at him and then proceeded to pull out other clothes.
Eragon couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was Arya really about to bathe with him?
"Are you just going to stand there? Or are you coming?" Arya asked him. She was standing by the tent flap, waiting for him.
Eragon blinked twice, and then nodded. "C-Coming!"
Arya
She found Eragon's nervousness amusing. While taking a bath in the river with him seemed more than appealing to the elf, she was not sure if she was ready to show him her naked body; so decided that she would keep her undergarments on. Upon reaching the river, Eragon turned to her and blushed as she began to slowly disrobe herself.
"I-I will go downstream." He quickly said.
Before he could run off, Arya grabbed his hand to stop him. "It is alright Eragon." She said reassuringly.
He said nothing as she dropped her clothes to the ground, leaving herself in only her undergarments. She turned and slowly entered the cool water, her hips swaying gently. Turning back around, she faced Eragon. He was still in shock, and his clothes were still on.
She smirked at him. "Well, are you coming or are you just going to stand there all day? Or is the great Eragon Shadeslayer afraid to enter the water with a lady?"
Eragon blinked twice and, blushing deeply, took his clothes off and entered the water with his underwear still on. Arya wondered if he had felt the same way she did, and so did not feel it right to come in the water naked. Or maybe he was too embarrassed to do so. He trudged through the water, stopping only a few inches from her. He stared at her, unsure of what to do next, and the awkward silence was making Arya uncomfortable. So she splashed Eragon with some water.
Eragon half laughed, half yelled as he raised his hand to block the oncoming water. Arya grinned widely and continued to attack him with the river water and Eragon finally retaliated. Arya yelped as he grabbed her, lifted her up and threw her back into the water. She stood up properly and just stared back at Eragon, and after a few seconds they both began to laugh.
"What has gotten you in such a fine mood?" Eragon asked, laughing lightly.
Arya pulled her hair back and out of her face. "Must I need a reason?" She asked.
Eragon shook his head. "You do not. It's just that…you don't normally act like this very often. It makes me happy to see you smile so much." He brought his hand to her cheek, and Arya released a breath of air as she leaned her face into his hand.
It was warm, and his touch made her heart flutter. "Eragon…" She whispered.
Eragon walked closer to her and moved his hands to her hips. "Arya…"He replied.
Their lips were only centimeters apart, and Arya's heart began to race as his warm breath touched her lips. Eragon leaned in and Arya closed her eyes as their lips met. Every time he kissed her, or touched her, she felt as though he had not seen her in a hundred years. The sensation was indescribable. Arya placed her hands on his muscular chest as their kiss deepened.
Eragon
It was by far the best bath Eragon had ever taken, and the memories of Arya's wet figure burned in his mind. Arya was resting peacefully beside him, with her head in his chest and her arm draped over his body. Now that the winter season had passed, they no longer needed to sleep with heavy blankets. The nights began to grow humid, and after seeing each other in such a small amount if clothing, neither Eragon nor Arya found it strange to sleep in their undergarments. Eragon hoped that Arya would continue to act as playful as she had that day, it made him happy to see her so jovial. He sighed and gently closed his eyes, quickly falling asleep.
Eragon woke up feeling well rested, as he normally did. But something didn't feel right. As he shifted his body around, he noticed two things. The first being that Arya was not by his side, and the second being that he was no longer in his tent. Eragon did not bother to call Saphira as the sudden realization that he was dreaming took over his mind.
Without even thinking, Eragon jumped up and sprinted towards the canyon where he first met the cloaked figure. Just as before, she was there. But as fast as he could run, Eragon could not catch her. And just like that, he once again found himself standing before her as she stood in front of the large cave. He yelled and shouted at her, demanding to know who she was and where they were.
And just like before, she turned to him and said. "You are almost there…"