Here is chapter 2, Changes! I hope you like it! The mother-daughter relationship will be going a bit more slowly than at first.
Disclaimer: I am not CP if I was I wouldn't be on fanfiction would I?
From Chapter 1: Just Because
A soft beam of moonlight fell across her face, lighting up a single tear on her cheek and empty eyes that finally closed as all the mental and physical exhaustion since she had left Ellesmera a year before caught up with her.
As these thoughts lay jumbled in Islanzadi's mind she sadly accepted that her lost little girl was gone forever.
Changes
Just because
She comes off strong,
Doesn't mean she doesn't
Go to bed crying.
And even though she acts
Like everything is fine
Maybe
Just maybe
She's really good at lying
Arya POV
The night gently faded into morning as the dawn came and the sun rose. In her rooms in Tialdari Hall Arya stirred and opened her bloodshot eyes. She lay still in her bed as the light began to enter her rooms and rose quietly a few minutes after waking. As the sun drifted low in the morning sky she meditated and stretched in her small, private garden. Returning to her rooms she bathed and dressed in a soft, green tunic with white leggings and her normal belt. She checked the cupboards where she stored food and was pleased to find some fruit that was ripe. As she ate she scryed her mother and saw her getting ready. A few minutes later Arya slipped her sword onto her belt and left her rooms.
As she walked to Islanzadi's rooms she wondered how Islanzadi would react when she discovered that Oromis and Glaedr had known that Saphira had hatched, and that Arya was indeed alive but had not informed the Elven Queen. After Arya had awoken in Farthen Dur she had sent a dove with a letter to Oromis explaining that she was alive and that Saphira had hatched to a farm boy from Carvahall.
Once Arya had fully recovered from the silka briagh she created wards around herself that stopped anyone from scrying her, the only exception being Oromis through a mirror that he had given her shortly after her mother had disowned her. Arya and Oromis had kept in regular contact and when they entered Du Weldenvarden she had contacted him every night. Oromis was one of Arya's few close friends that she had left. After her father was killed and her mother became more and more withdrawn she had spent all her time with Oromis, Rhunon, Faolin or at the training grounds.
Islanzadi POV
Islanzadi did not return to her rooms until the night started to fade. She had fallen asleep on the soft grass beneath the Menoa Tree and slept until a loud squirrel woke her. She glided through Ellesmera, and savoured the peace and quiet that dawn brought. Soon she knew Ellesmera will be full of the sounds of morning as the elves began to rise and go about their daily needs. When she reached her rooms she bathed and dressed in a deep blue tunic and a white cloak. As she was fastening her cloak she heard a soft knock on the door. Casting out her mind she discovered Arya waiting outside her door and called out "Come in".
Arya entered and looked around the rooms that she hadn't laid eyes on for over 70 years. "Atra esterni ono thelduin" Arya greeted her "Atra mor'ranr unin hjarta onr" Islanzadi replied in kind and continued "The Lords will be meeting us soon as will Orik. We shall wake Eragon and introduce him to Oromis and Glaedr after he and Orik take the vows." Arya dipped her head in acknowledgement and followed Islanzadi from her quarters.
When they reached the base of the tree they found the other elves there and Dasien informed them that Orik had gone to get Eragon and Saphira. As they descended Islanzadi wondered how accepting they would be- a rider of old whom they had no knowledge of. If they refused the oath how would they be properly trained? Other elves could train them in magic, fighting and the ancient language but what about the secrets of the riders?
Islanzadi watched as Saphira and Glaedr leapt into the air and flew together towards the Crags of Tel'naeir. She composed herself before turning to the lords and saying in a strong voice "Now that Eragon's training has begun we must move on to other important matters. We shall gather in the campaign room in one hour to plan for the upcoming battles. Arya and Orik have news from the Varden that we must hear." And with that the Queen swept past them and into the forest.
An hour later Islanzadi was listening to Arya and Orik explain the situation of the Varden with the twins and Murtagh presumed dead, Ajihad dead and his 19 year old daughter in charge. Nasuada was moving the Varden from Farthen Dur to Surda in a plan to attack the Empire as soon as the Varden settled. Islanzadi allowed herself a small smile when she heard that Nasuada was resisting all of the Council's efforts to control her. Maybe Nasuada will be a good leader despite her young age.
As she listened to Arya and Orik it became clear to her that the time for hiding was over so when they fell silent she stood and said "The Varden are moving, the dwarves are preparing and the Empire is starting to gather its armies. Now it is our time to fight as well. Few elves have left Du Weldenvarden in the past 100 years but that shall soon be changing. The winds of luck are on our side and we must prepare to strike the Empire and move towards the false king! It shall not be easy but with luck and the Varden, Dwarves and the members of Surda we stand a higher chance than ever before!"
The Lords were surprised at her words and several frowned and looked troubled. Arya and Orik looked pleased and Orik exclaimed "Good, we have needed assistance from the elves for a while! Nasuada and my King will be very pleased at this news!" Islanzadi nodded at him and said "Very well, you may inform them that we are preparing for war. You may leave us now." Orik replied "Of course your Majesty" and he left with a small bow.
Islanzadi looked around the room and spoke again "All for the gathering of our troops and the march to Uru'baen? Speak now." Gradually in turn each Lord nodded gravely and a grim silence took the room, they all knew that by voicing their consent that many lives would be lost. "Very well. Nameir, find all the remaining generals and ask them to come to Ellesmera without delay.
Seialr and Daethr, contact all our smiths and ask them to start making swords, shields and other necessary equipment and weapons.
Treian and Lenar, find anyone willing to sing bows and arrows for the archers and have them start as soon as is possible.
Dasien and Nuinen, find and create a record of the all battle weapons in Ellesmera, I want specific numbers of weapons that need to be made including spares.
Arya, you may rest for 2 days but no more. Once you are rested I want you to join the Generals and plan our next move. You have the most recent experience with the Empire so I am giving you full authority to prepare the army.
I shall announce that we are preparing for war in two weeks. Until I have formally announced it take care to tell as few people as possible. We shall meet again at 3 hours past sunrise in 3 days. Until then please start the preparations and take in the last days of peace that we shall have for a long time."
Arya POV
The moon was high in the sky, midnight had passed not long ago and the elven princess sat, curled up on a small chair by the window in her sitting room trying to settle her thoughts. She had just returned from the Menoa Tree where she had taken Eragon. Even after she told him the story of the Menoa Tree and its fateful end he still did not understand! She had told him the tale mostly as a warning. Arya had felt his eyes on her almost constantly and heard the sounds in his voice when he talked to or about her, so she took him to the Menoa Tree and gave him the warning. He had indeed recognised why she told him the story of Lienna but paid her no heed! He actually thought that they could have…something.
Finally she decided that she would act as a friend and nothing more and hopefully in time he would either meet someone else or his youthful crush will fade. With these thoughts she stood up and crossed the room and entered her bedroom through a small, inconspicuous doorway in the corner next to a small bookshelf.
Arya's bedroom was lit softly with the glow of a small fire in the fireplace and several small lamps. She wandered over to her bed and slipped between the blankets grateful for the warmth that they gave to her chilled body. She lay there in thought until, like the previous night her eyes came to rest on the fairth of Faolin and the precious morning glory. Her eyes slowly filled with tears against her will and before long they overflowed, trickling down her cheeks as almost-suppressed sobs shook her small body. Eventually sleep took her and she drifted into a dreamless sleep.
Islanzadi POV
As Arya was lying in her bed Islanzadi was rising from her seat on the roots of the Menoa Tree. The breeze was soft and quiet through the ancient trees. As she returned to Tialdari Hall she found herself near the rooms that Arya had been given when she had been banished- As far away from Islanzadi's rooms as possible while still being in Tialdari Hall. There was no one around and her feet carried her to the doorway of Arya's rooms.
She had never been inside Arya's rooms and had often wondered what they were like. Whenever Arya left Ellesmera she had created wards around her rooms that prevented anyone from entering them until she returned and removed the wards. Through the screen Islanzadi could see the dim glow of lanterns indicating that Arya was still awake so she knocked on the door. After a few moments it became clear that Arya was either out or had fallen asleep.
Hesitantly she reached out and slid the door open and entered closing it gently behind her taking in Arya's rooms. The entrance opened onto a large, airy living room, on one side there was a closed door- probably a study and on the other side an open door that seemed lead to a bedroom. In another corner of the living room was a small kitchen-like area and a bay window that looked out to a private garden and a small clearing. The walls held many different fairths, one of Evander and several others of Oromis, Glaedr and Rhunon. There was also a fairth of a young elf that Islanzadi recognised as one of the guards that had accompanied Arya to and from the Varden before she was captured by Durza. A few fairths had no-one in them, pictures of Du Weldenvarden and other places that Islanzadi could not identify. The floors had thick, warm cream carpets and the furniture was elegant, dark wood. A long sofa with cream cushions and several blankets in green, red and blue sat in the centre of the room next to a low table.
She walked over to the open door and stepped inside, discovering that it was a bedroom and Arya was asleep in the large bed in the centre of the room. A fire was dying down in the small fireplace in one wall next to another closed door. An open door next to the window showed a neat study. Arya's covers had slipped down to her waist so Islanzadi moved to the bed and pulled them up over Arya's shoulders. As she did she saw tear marks on her cheeks and discovered that the pillow was damp as well. Troubled, Islanzadi extinguished the lamps and dropped a soft kiss on Arya's brow before gliding silently out of Arya's apartment, leaving a note on a small table near the door.
So how was it? Please review and tell me… after all, reviews are lovee =D
