Eragon calmly stood by Saphira as he looked at the newcomers. Roran, was dressed in the traditional armor, though instead of using a sword he preferred a hammer. Hence his nickname 'Stronghammer'. Roran was gapping like a fish at the unexpected reunion between brothers.
Arya was… gods, even with maturing more and learning greater patience the elf still took his breath away. She was stunning, as usual. She wore her armor as well, but even the chainmail did nothing to hinder her beauty in all its perfection, her sword was held at the ready. But what surprised Eragon the most was her face. Arya was always known to be more stoic and cold, but his presence seemed to have cracked her icy exterior. She was looking at him in shock, an emotion he could not place sparkled in her eye but it was gone before he could recognize it.
"Eragon!" Roran exclaimed.
"Roran!" Katrina shrieked as she ran away from behind Saphira in her haste to get to her beloved. Roran's facial features went blank before he dropped his hammer on the rocky ground and quickly ran to the approaching Katrina. Once she was in arms reach he grabbed her and pulled him close to his body. A strangled cry of laughter and relief came from Roran as he spun her around in a circle.
"Katrina, y-you're. You're-," Roran stumbled out, tears streaming down his tanned cheeks and into his beard. "Oh thank the heavens you're safe!" he quickly kissed her and held her even closer.
"You grew a beard!" Katrina exclaimed as she tenderly stroked the bristled hairs, all the while gazing into Roran's love-struck eyes with her brown eyes alight with love and passion.
Eragon chuckled at that. Roran's attention snapped back to Eragon, his eyes wide in shock. "How?" he quickly asked.
Eragon smiled. "Well if I remember correctly when we last met on the Burning Plains you might have mentioned how Katrina and Sloan were kidnapped by the Ra'zac and were in Helgrind."
"Eragon…" Arya whispered but he could hear it due to his enhanced hearing. Just the sound of her voice made Eragon's inside twist and churn, he was glad that it was dark so Roran and Arya couldn't see the faint blush on his cheeks.
Eragon smiled at her, "hello Arya. It's been far too long since we've last met, hasn't it?"
"You… where were you?" Arya demanded, a lone tear trailing down her flawless cheek, surprising Eragon. "You disappeared. I had no idea where you had gone, not a trace left. And with the Red Rider, I was so afraid you may have been taken. But then I heard that you left of your own accord. But you're here…. Why did you leave?" she whispered the last part.
"Arya… it's a long story."
"What of the Ra'zac?" Roran asked the Rider, glancing around the cavern as though the Ra'zac would appear at the sound of their name.
"Dead." Eragon said simply as he shrugged.
"Dead?" Roran questioned. "How, you killed them all by yourself?"
I'm right here you know. Saphira snorted as she leaned closer as she spoke to Roran and Arya. Are you thinking I would let Eragon fight those monsters by himself? Obviously I helped as well.
Everyone heard stumbling behind Eragon and Saphira. Roran tensed when he saw Sloan stumble out of Saphira's shadow. "You!"
"Roran… is that you?" Sloan asked bitterly, he stepped forward so they could see the tattered remains of Sloan's eyes. Roran stepped back in shock.
"By the gods, what happened to you?" Roran whispered, his anger gone due to the shock of Sloan's disfigured features.
"The work of the Ra'zac." Eragon explained, "I hope you aren't planning on trying to kill Sloan, Roran… I'll have to stop you if you do so." He quietly threatened, though the thought of harming his surrogate brother tore at Eragon on the inside.
Roran looked at him in surprise. "He's a traitor! He killed Bryd and all the others. He betrayed us to the Ra'zac!" Roran yelled at the Rider.
"He did it for love, I won't say that he isn't guilty of his crimes. But I do believe in second chances, Roran." Eragon said to his cousin. "I've learned while during my self imposed retreat, I am aware of the fact he betrayed our people, but would you not strike down any man or creature that dared try to harm me? Katrina? Sloan did an awful thing, yes I know, but he just wanted to protect Katrina, would you not protect her with all your heart and ability, even if it meant making the hardest choice in the world?"
Roran merely stood there as he heard Eragon's words. He of course would strike down any man or being that would harm his loved ones. But would he betray the people of his village for one person? Roran didn't know the answer, nor did he wish to know.
Arya stared at Eragon with her age-old eyes, but Eragon did not flinch aware from the gaze, he instead stared back levelly. "You've grown, Eragon." Arya stated as she gazed at the runaway Rider, and she wasn't just speaking about his physical appearance.
Eragon shrugged, "it was that or get killed." He cracked a small smile at the elven princess. "And we both know that I wouldn't go down without a fight." Arya smiled slightly knowing that Eragon was correct.
"Eragon, what happened at the Battle of the Burning Plains?" Roran questioned the young Rider, his eyes and tone curious to know the reason why Eragon had left the Varden.
"Like I said, it's a long story."
Roran scowled. "Bah, you're as stubborn as Brika when she got stuck in mud." He said referring to the stubborn old roan horse that had been one of the few large animals in Garrow's farm. "Blast it Eragon, just tell us."
Eragon sighed again. "Fine, but I cannot tell you all of it, and when I am done I want you to promise me that you will try and keep calm."
Roran raised a brow at that but said nothing and merely nodded his head. Arya continued to stand there, her mere presence making Eragon as nervous as a love struck fool, but he had to get rid of his emotions now, it wasn't good to lose his wits when time was so short.
Eragon then told them of the events leading up to and after the Battle of the Burning Plains, the entire time nobody spoke but just listened in shock and disbelief.
When Eragon finished his tale after his meeting of Murtagh at Argoughs he looked at the two with an unreadable expression.
Roran's face had turned a radiant shade of red and purple, he seemed to be quivering, Katrina held him close as though to make sure he wasn't about to lose control.
Arya… Arya's entire face and posture was one of shock. Her beautiful forest green eyes had dimmed and seemed to glint in the pale sunlight, the unshed tears were swirling in her eyes making Eragon think of the ocean. But then Arya's expression turned murderous, the air around her started to tremble and quiver as her temper, for once, seemed to get the best of her, the cavern seemed to heat up from her fiery temper, no doubt being aided by magic even if it wasn't her intention.
Katrina's face was set in a scowl of both anger and pity. Anger at the Varden for plotting to murder Eragon, despite all he had done for them, and pity for Eragon that he had been betrayed by those he thought he could trust.
"The next time I see any of those grub-bellied scoundrels, those worm-brained idiots, those rotten-fleshed creatures, I'll, I'll," Roran snarled as he tightened his grip on his trusty hammer, Katrina clung to him as though to hold him back if he decided to charge all the way across the Empire to whack a couple Varden leaders in the head with his hammer.
"I don't believe it. After everything you've done for them, for everyone, they wanted to stab you in the back the second you had done all the work for them," Arya stated with a tone as cold as ice. "Orik and I… we knew that something had happened, that we weren't being told the whole picture. But never in all my years would I have ever thought…"
"Trust me, I was more surprised than you. I hope you two understand my reasons for leaving. How is Orik?" Eragon asked curiously, thinking of his clan-brother with fondness. "I've been, I guess you could say, off the grid. I don't know enough things that I would like, I haven't dared tried to contact anyone with magic, due to the fact I didn't want my signature to be traced back to my location, which I would much rather have not known to anyone outside of two other individuals aside from Saphira and myself."
Arya's entire posture was rigid, her hands clenched into tightened fists. "You should have tried to contact me, I would never have betrayed you, didn't you trust me? Orik? We could of helped you!" she retorted, her anger surprising Eragon, seeing as Arya had always been the one to rein in her temper and treat every situation with the same icy coldness she possessed, but apparently that had been thrown out of the window, or Eragon guessed you could say cave entrance seeing as they were in a cave.
Eragon blushed in embarrassment, "I didn't know what to do! We had just basically found out that my leaders, one who I had sworn my fealty too mind you, had decided to stab me in the back and either kill me or banish me, I was a little low on trust at that moment!"
Roran was still scowling, reminding Eragon of one of the gargoyles located in the cathedral in Dres Leona. "I don't get it, it makes no sense. Orrin, I can see him being the yellow-bellied scoundrel who'd stick a knife in your ribs without hesitation if it would benefit him, but Nasuada? Sure she can be a bit cold, but for good reason. She doesn't strike me as a woman so cold-blooded, though I must admit her punishments," he winced slightly and his left hand twitched near his back, "can be rather severe." Roran looked at the Rider and dragoness with confusion evident in his brown eyes, "but I would never think of her as a backstabber, I felt like she at least had a bit of honor, seeing as all the other higher ups are a bunch of snobs who either like to preen themselves and lick each others boots if it helped them."
Eragon sighed and rubbed his temples as the impending headache was soon to come. "I was surprised as well, but at least her proposition was better than Orrin's." Eragon looked at the two with seriousness in his brown eyes, "I hope to let you know that I hold no hard feelings towards Nasuada."
"What!?" Roran gapped at the Rider. "Did the Ra'zac hit you on the head during your fight, have you gone daft? She was willing to backstab you!"
"No, Orrin was willing to backstab me." Eragon pointed out. "Orrin wished to simply kill me, Nasuada knew that even if she stopped the attack Orrin would just continue to try and kill me. She felt that the safest course of action, for both me and Alagaësia, was to simply banish me. In a way, she was protecting me."
Roran snorted. "That's one way of looking at it. Still doesn't make it right."
"I'm afraid I agree with Roran, Eragon." Katrina said to her future cousin-in-law, "you didn't deserve what happened to you. To think you would become another Galbatorix, obviously that foolish king of Surda was kicked in the head by a mule when he was a baby."
"And dropped on his head repeatedly," Roran added in. "Possibly didn't get enough oxygen during his birth."
"He was probably given bitter and musty ale when he was still suckling," Eragon added in with a small grin as they continued to insult King Orrin of Surda.
Arya rolled her eyes at the banter, but a small smile graced her lips as she listened towards the three former residents of Carvahall insult Orrin, who was now exactly at the top of the people she hated, the only one above him was, of course, Galbatorix.
Eragon's smile turned sad, Roran stopped laughing while Katrina looked at her friend with concern in her warm brown eyes. "You two have to go…" Eragon whispered to the soon to be wed couple.
Roran's eyes seemed to bulge out of their sockets. "Go?" he repeated somewhat dumbly, not understanding what he meant, and not wanting to understand, because he had a feeling on what was going to happen.
Eragon sighed and gave the couple a forlorn smile, as though he wished nothing more for them to come with him. "It's not safe to come with me. I'll only get you hurt, all of you." He glanced at Arya as he said this. The elf tensed as she saw the implications, she narrowed her eyes.
"Katrina, you're pregnant. Aren't you?" Eragon asked softly.
Katrina looked at him in shock, her hand instantly resting on her stomach, which had yet to bulge. Roran looked at him in surprise, knowing full well he hadn't told Eragon that during their brief encounter at the Battle of the Burning Plains.
"How-" Katrina stuttered out. They all heard a strangled cry and saw that Sloan was being held in the air by Saphira's tail. Judging by his beet red facing and bulging veins he had heard Eragon's statement. "You! I'll stab you in the guts with a cleaver!" he snarled in what he assumed was Roran's direction.
"Slytha!" Eragon spoke in Sloan's direction, the butcher's head sagged forward as he fell unconscious. "Probably should have done that earlier." Eragon muttered to himself. "Don't worry he's only asleep," he told the concerned Katrina. "As I was saying, I could feel the child's energy inside, of course."
Katrina and Roran looked at him in shock, "you did?" Katrina asked with a whisper, her hand placed on her stomach lightly.
"Is it…" Roran asked before trailing off.
Eragon grinned, "the child is strong, the fetus hasn't been damaged at all despite what happened to you Katrina. I'm afraid it's still to early to determine the baby's gender."
Relief flooded Roran and Katrina's face. "The gender matters not, as long as our child is safe and healthy," Roran said with Katrina nodding, a small tear of relief and joy streaking down her pale and dirty cheek.
"While I'm happy that our family is growing, you won't be safe with me," Eragon explained. A pregnant woman living in the middle of the desert surrounded by Shrrg and dragons, all the while with the threat of Galbatorix discovering them and sending Murtagh and Thorn or, gods forbid, Galbatorix himself decided to come and capture the Riders, a pregnant woman wouldn't be safe there. While Eragon knew that Katrina was made of tougher stuff, Eragon didn't want all the stress and fear to hurt the baby.
"Then where are we to go, if not with you?" Roran demanded his surrogate brother.
"The Varden."
Roran's face turned bright red whilst Katrina looked at the Rider in shock. "Have you gone mad?" Roran demanded. "Do you honestly think I will take Katrina back towards that army of traitors? Not to mention if they find out you told us what happened, they'd probably execute us without hesitation!"
"No they wont." Eragon said with steeled eyes. "The Varden knows that if they killed you and Katrina, they would have burned down every bridge that would place them back in my good books. They know if they killed you two, it would bring the full fury of both myself and Saphira, as well any of our allies that we have made. The Varden has grown weaker in my absence, with fewer people joining their cause now that I've left, not to mention they are already fighting two other Riders, one the King himself, they don't need another enemy Rider, one that could effectively destroy them better than Murtagh or even Galbatorix ever could."
Arya's eyes lit in understanding. "You would shatter their spirit." She murmured, her soft voice still able to reach everyone's ears. "If any soldier saw the Varden's greatest warrior, though now gone rogue, attacking the Varden, and leaving it in shambles, they would know that the Varden had in someway betrayed you. They would all desert, leaving the Varden undefended."
"The Empire could easily crush them. The Varden, at least the soldiers, pretty much idolizing you, will desert Nasuada and Orrin, they would have effectively been the main factor of the Varden's downfall, and not even the Empire could cause so much damage. Sure the Empire could kill the leaders and the majority of the soldiers, but few would escape and spread their tale, have others join them. And in a decade or so the Varden would be back with the old soldiers and new alike. But if there is no one to spread the idealology, because the soldiers would have abandoned it if they realized how corrupted the Varden leaders are, to kill their champion just to make things easier, even if there was the miniscule chance of Eragon become like Galbatorix or worse," Roran's facial features turned annoyed and his tone angered, "which is as soon as I were to kill Katrina or someone of Carvahall, or if Saphira were to become a vegetarian and swear off meat forever."
Which will never happen, mind you. Saphira announced with an annoyed puff of smoke erupting from her nostrils. While I understand the elves way of thinking, a dragon cannot survive on lettuce, I am a dragon not a rabbit.
"The soldiers won't just simply see it as them taking a precaution. It was a backstabbing of the highest degree. Eragon is the key, the symbol, the very virtue of freedom itself!" Roran exclaimed. "And for Orrin and the others to try and kill, no, to murder! To murder him, the soldiers would see that as an attack on every thing they are fighting for, the very reason they are fighting. Freedom. If they killed Eragon on just the thought of him betraying them, what would stop the leaders from killing them, simple soldiers? Nothing! The only one who isn't a commander in the Varden and still held power was Eragon, but if he were dead… there would be nobody to protect them, the common folk. Especially if Orrin were to take charge, with how he acts and reigns, he would become a new, yet less powerful, Galbatorix. Some may even try to take action, try to have a mutiny. Which would lead to more deaths, and more anger and paranoia will grow in the soldiers and common folk. People would try and leave, the Varden would effectively be destroyed by the people who made it strong."
Eragon was impressed that his farmer cousin had managed to figure it out so quickly, though he was a bit embarrassed with the thought of people thinking of him as the symbol of freedom itself. Despite being a bit hot-headed, Eragon was quite modest of himself, no doubt because of his humble beginnings. "I see fighting in a war and having men under your command has made you quite the strategist, Roran."
Roran shrugged it off, though Eragon quickly noted the pained looked that flashed in his cousins eyes, he knew that look as well. It was the same look he had when he remembered of all the men he had slain, Eragon grew angry and bitterly thought for the thousandth time that Roran shouldn't have been dragged into this war, he should be safe back on the farm in Carvahall, but Galbatorix seemed dead set on destroying everything in his life and those around him that he loved dearly.
"It was that or get stabbed with a sword or pike, good thing I'm a fast learner," Roran joked as he tried to lighten the mood, Katrina looking at him in worry. She too had see the brief yet settling flash of pain that had come across her beloved's eyes, she held him closer, if possible, and Roran seemed to relax as he inhaled her scent and her familiar touch.
"Saphira and I will drop you off south of Feinster," Eragon finally said after a long silence, he refused to meet Arya's gaze, wincing when he could practically feel her eyes burning into him. "It's the closest we can get to Surda without attracting attention from both the Varden and Surda. I'm afraid I can't let my brother and future cousin-in-law who is with child, walk halfway through the heart of the Empire, especially with a ransom that would make even a wealthy noble out for your blood on your head, Roran."
Roran snorted, "as though some sniveling noble could bring me down, they would meet the face of my hammer before they had the chance to taunt me." Roran suddenly turned somber, "We can help you, Eragon. We are family, and family will always be loyal to family, we look out for each other."
Eragon smiled softly but shook his head, "and that is what I am doing. Looking out for you and Katrina. Please," he whispered but they could hear the desperation and pain laced within his tone. "Please don't make this harder than it has to be. If I let you come and one of you died… I'd-I'd," he seemed to choke at the thought of Roran or Katrina being taken from this world before it was freed by Galbatorix. "I would never forgive myself."
Eragon glanced at Arya, who had surprisingly stayed quiet. Her eyes were sad and somber, as though she understood everything he meant. She probably did, Eragon mused, she always did have a knack for knowing everything about me, even when I myself didn't know.
We must go. Saphira's deep yet feminine voice rang in everyone's heads. The Empire will be here soon, best we not linger.
"Aye." Eragon agreed.
Roran still looked like he was about to protest but before he could speak Katrina placed her pale hand on his burly arm, she gazed into his eyes and even though neither were magicians nor had the ability to read or project thoughts, Eragon could tell they were having a conversation with only their eyes. Eragon knew better than to invade their privacy, nor would he ever think of doing that to his family.
Whatever conversation the two lovers were having seemed to end as Roran sighed wearily. Roran Stronghammer looked at Eragon with weary acceptance and nodded his head. "Very well. We will listen to your request," though judging by his tone he wasn't happy about it.
Katrina didn't look happy either but she knew Eragon enough that when he made a decision he wouldn't budge. She would abide to his wishes, because he was family, and she loved him as though he was a brother, she knew that he wished to keep them safe, but Katrina wished there was more they could do. Perhaps in the future they could help him as he has helped them more times than ever, Eragon saved her from the monsters known as the Ra'zac, he saved her father and gave him a second chance, he was –as he liked to call himself- her knight in shimmering armor, though he was a bit of a bonehead and stubborn if Katrina was honest, and despite being as stubborn as a mule, he was Eragon. And she would always hold him dear to her heart, he was her family and her beloved's brother.
Without another word Katrina, Roran and Aya followed Eragon and got onto Saphira's back, Eragon had muttered a spell that would make Sloan hover slightly above and behind them, seeing as there wasn't that much room on the saddle. Roran sat in the back, his arms wrapped securely around Katrina's slim waist. Eragon tried not to blush as he realized Arya was sitting behind him.
Even after all this time you are still the love-struck fool, Saphira muttered with a snort, her limbs tensed as she got ready to leap out of the cave and fly away from this evil place.
Call me love-struck, but I am no longer the fool.
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There were no problems when they left Helgrind, they could see a large dust cloud rolling towards the Gates of Death, knowing that it was Dres Leona's cavalry Saphira flew higher until she was covered by the clouds.
As they headed south Eragon turned around to look at Roran, who was looking slightly nauseous and refused to look down. Eragon slowly and gently sent his consciousness into Roran's. Roran immediately tensed when he felt a different conscious enter his head but relaxed when he realized it was Eragon. Roran… I'm sorry.
Roran knew what he was talking about. Eragon was basically apologizing for everything. Finding Saphira's egg, bringing it back home, raising Saphira in secret instead of telling Garrow and him, leading the Ra'zac to Carvahall and killing Roran's father Garrow. Leaving before Garrow was even buried with only a note from Brom telling Roran to be careful and watch his back, the Ra'zac returning and Carvahall's destruction.
I know… and I forgive you.
Eragon's eyes widened, shock coursing through his body. He had expected when Roran had gotten over the shock of his reappearance a punch in the face at least… But Roran had forgiven him? Not even Eragon himself had forgiven himself for the misfortunes he had caused to his family and people, nor would Eragon probably ever forgive himself and come to terms with what occurred.
Roran seemed to sense Eragon's inner conflict. When I first learned everything, yes I was mad. But over these last couple of months… not knowing if I was going to see another day or die in battle like so many of the men I have slain, it makes a man think on what really important in life. And that is family. Your family will always be there for you, through thick and thin. I know you didn't mean for what happened to happen, and I know that if you could turn back the wheels of time you would try and prevent it from happening. You're my brother Eragon, and Garrow was as just as much a father to you as he was to me. And after helping me in my time of need, saving Katrina, how could I possibly hate you? You saved Katrina when I couldn't, so you have my eternal gratitude. Roran told the young Rider truthfully, his tone warm as he regarded his surrogate brother.
Eragon felt his eyes water (and it wasn't because of the wind), never would Eragon have believed that Roran would have ever truly forgiven him, Eragon had always believed himself to be Garrow's true murderer, for if he had not hidden Saphira from them Garrow may have been able to live thanks to that knowledge. Not to mention the fact that Eragon never got to warn Garrow of the Ra'zac as Saphira had basically kidnapped him and taken him far into the Spine, safe from the Ra'zac but dooming his uncle to death and torture. And with him being inside Roran's mind he could knew Roran was telling the truth one hundred percent, Roran had forgiven him despite everything that had happened due to his idiocy and carelessness.
Thank you. Eragon said to his cousin gratefully, Eragon felt as though a large weight had been lifted from his already burdened shoulders. A small bit of the guilt he carried with him had dissolved knowing his brother didn't hate him for what happened and that he had forgiven him. While the guilt was still there, trapped in his heart and mind, at least it no longer sent him crashing to the ground by its sheer weight, while it wasn't an actual physical weight, the problems of the mind were always worse than problems outside the body. At least if the problem isn't in you there is still a chance to fight and beat it, but in your head, there was no respite, no hesitation. Your mind was your worse enemy, and you couldn't defeat what you really were. But now Eragon felt as though the pressure the little voice in the back of his head reminding him of all the wrongs he had done, how he had betrayed Carvahall in way, be silenced.
By the time they were south of Feinster the sun was beginning to set. Saphira landed on a small hill tucked in a forest, allowing the giant dragon to land without any chance of any human seeing them.
"Well I guess this is goodbye," Roran muttered as Katrina stood next to him.
"For now." Eragon said as he held out his hand.
"Aye, for now." Roran agreed as he shook Eragon's hand and gave the younger man a quick hug and a slap on the back. "Don't get yourself killed out there brother, eh? Wouldn't want you to die before seeing your niece or nephew." Roran tried to lighten the mood.
Eragon smiled, "aye indeed. No doubt your child will be as curious I am, as strong as you are, and will probably get Garrow's stubbornness as well." Eragon grimaced, "it seems to run strong in our family." He said wryly.
Roran chuckled, "let's hope not." He said as he fondly remembered his father and his stubborn as a mule attitude. Something both he and Eragon shared to an extent, though Roran doubted anyone could be more stubborn than his father had been.
Eragon gave the saddened Katrina a quick and soft hug. "Stay safe," Eragon murmured in her ear, "and make sure Roran doesn't do anything stupid."
Katrina's mouth curved into a small smile, "I'm afraid its easier said than done." She told Eragon who chortled knowing she was right.
Eragon fished for something in his pocket before revealing two gold rings. While looking plain to the unassuming eye if one were to look closely they would notice the faint tracings of runes engraved into the soft metal.
"Here, consider these a wedding gift," Eragon pressed a ring into the hands of the couple. "While its is not the most lavish gift in appearance I created them for a more practical use than mere jewelry. These rings will do three things. First, if either you, Roran and Katrina, twist the ring once around their finger and say 'Help me, Shadeslayer or help me, Brightscales' we shall hear your message immediately and rush to your aid. If, gods forbid such a thing to happen, one of you is near death, it will immediately alert Saphira and I as well as the other one who wears the ring. Finally, as long as the rings are touching your flesh, we will always be able to find one another." Eragon held up his right hand to show Aren, Brom's ring, I put a spell on this ring so it will do the same for me. I will know immediately if you need help, and I hope I will be able to come in time."
"Thank you, we do not care for its appearance but that you have given us the chance to know if one of us is in danger," Katrina said as she looked at the simple band of gold and looked at the faint markings of runes with interest. A soft smile grazing her lips as she looked at Roran lovingly.
Roran took Katrina's ring and slowly put it on her left ring finger, Katrina did the same thing to him. Eragon laughed, "so are you two married now?" he asked jovially seeing the rings acting as wedding rings.
Katrina smiled warmly, "I guess so. Maybe when this is all over we can be married with a ceremony. I will not have you not able to come to our wedding, you of all people deserve to be there."
"Well until then, I pronounce you man and wife." Eragon said jovially. Whereas Roran and Katrina laughed at Eragon's announcement.
"Good luck and stay safe." Eragon told the two with a soft smile before slowly turning to Arya, who had stayed silent for much of the time, allowing Eragon to bond with his family. Roran and Katrina started to walk down the hill in the direction of the Varden.
"I'm going with you. Don't try and fight it, I won't have you gallivanting in the Empire without someone besides Saphira to watch your back." Arya told the Rider, her green eyes gleaming as though challenging Eragon to refuse.
"And what made you think I was going to refuse your offer?" Eragon questioned. Seeing Arya's brow raised in a silent question Eragon continued. "I'm happy that you are going to come with, it'll be like old times." He said warmly, not mentioning that 'old times' meant always running into trouble and having Arya drag him out of said trouble.
Arya smiled, Eragon tried to ignore the butterflies in his stomach but it was useless.
As I said, love-struck fool. Saphira said in amusement as she saw the nervousness of her young Rider.
Eragon ignored her as he used his elf speed to quickly climb into Saphira's saddle, he looked down to see Arya walking closer. He held out his hand. "Shall we?" he asked.
Arya grasped his hand and he pulled her up, she sat behind him, her small hands wrapped tightly around Eragon's waist. Eragon couldn't help but relax as the familiar scent of Arya hit him. The smell of crush pine needles, clean rainwater, and thousands of wildflowers mixing together in an intoxicating scent.
Are you going to tell her about Ronan and Bjartkoü? Saphira asked as she launched herself into the air, with a couple of powerful flaps of her mighty wings she was already gaining altitude.
Eragon internally grinned. Nah, it'll be funny to see her expression. Ronan and Bjartkoü should be on their way back home by now. Saphira hummed in amusement.
Saphira flew over Roran and Katrina, who waved them goodbye. Soon enough for the lovers Saphira's form slowly started to disappear as they headed further and further north to the Hadarac Desert.
Seeing as there is a debate going on in my reviews I thought I should answer this, though I gotta admit Rue Bladesinger and the Werewolf Assassin pretty much explained most of it. Though I think I should address this, people have been saying that Ronan is extremely powerful and pretty much invincible… NO HE IS NOT! Sure he is a Rider with a dragon to protect him, but Ronan would easily lose to Eragon in a true fight, he would lose to Murtagh, and he would lose to Arya. But that doesn't mean he isn't strong, he is just what I would expect someone to be. Remember, Ronan has been trained by Eragon nonstop for six months, HALF A YEAR. Eragon only had training in swordmanship with Brom for around that time, and Brom barely taught him anything else besides a couple of spells and how to read. Ronan was already pretty strong, he is the son of a blacksmith so he is pretty broad, and he is like Eragon in personality. Meaning he is a very good student and soaks up information like a sponge. Sure Eragon hasn't technically finished his training in CANON. While my Eragon has a dozen Eldunarì who are more than happy to help train both him and Ronan, they are pretty much the last hope, so of course they would train them. Eragon isn't invincible either, but at least he can give Murtagh a run for his money, but neither Eragon nor Ronan can defeat Galbatorix (I have mentioned that in my story). And when I said he was a good swordmaster I meant that he wouldn't get killed by a common soldier.
Also concerning the Eldunarì (this is how they are spelled for those wondering), I understand why people are wondering why Eragon decided to tell Ronan, my answer is this, WHY WOULD HE NOT? I personally think that Oromis dropped the ball in not telling Eragon about the Eldunarì before he left for the Battle of the Burning Plains, Eragon nearly died and would have been captured had not Murtagh given him mercy, so I find it really dumb that Oromis didn't tell him to prepare. This is why Eragon told Ronan, because he needed to know it! I understand that the Riders before them would have forbid it, but they are dead, and it's only Eragon and Ronan left, so that rule doesn't really matter seeing if Eragon were to die, Ronan would have no clue and would easily get captured (He is the only Rider who wouldn't have been aware of Eldunarì had not Eragon told him). Eragon doesn't want to keep anything from his student, especially something so important like that, Ronan needs to know it, what if he ran into a magician with a dozen Eldunarì? He could get captured and Alagaesia is pretty much screwed with Galbatorix having two Riders and dragons at his command, not including Shurikan and himself. And Eragon does technically have the power to break that rule, seeing as he is the Leader of the Riders, despite it only being him, Ronan, and Oromis (who Eragon has not told Ronan about yet).
No offense to CP (if you are reading this, which would be awesome, you are one of my favorite authors), but Oromis should have told Eragon about the Eldunarì beforehand, what if Murtagh hadn't given him mercy? He would have been taken to the king and enslaved. Eragon is preparing Ronan for everything that will be thrown at them, and now Ronan has a better chance at survival with a dozen ancient dragons helping him and knowing that the enemy side has even more.
For the Sethir Oil, Rue is correct on why I had him keep it. He will need it later on, well someone else will but Eragon hasn't meet him yet (spoiler *archer*), and no the person is not a torturer so get that out of your head. Eragon pretty much has nothing, only the resources around him and the Tribes, so he needs everything he can get.
The reason Eragon told Sloan about Ronan and Bjartkoü. Sloan can't betray him, he knows his True Name. Sure Galbatorix could break into his mind, but do you really think Eragon is going to let him roam the Empire without keeping an eye on him? And soon enough it won't matter that Sloan knows, here is a spoiler. People will find out about Ronan and Bjartkoü! They will not simply sit on the sidelines, they will be helping and people will know about a new Rider going around. And also Rue no Ronan isn't stronger because Bjartkoü is a white dragon, would be cool though but I didn't think it would be realistic.
I'm truly sorry if this isn't realistic for you, I am trying the best as I can. Though to be honest it's a little hard to be realistic when you're writing a story about magic and dragons… and here is a tip on my writing style. When I write something I do two things…. I either tell what's going on straight up or I will hint at something, make you think you know what's going to happen, and prove you wrong. Some things may be mentioned but won't be proven until further into the story, this is the beginning of the story.
I'm not mad at anyone who complained, I'm happy that you brought your thoughts to me so I could address them, I hope this clears things up and if not please PM me and I will try to explain more, please note this is Fanfiction and the Canon can be made redundant.
Hope you like my portrayal of Arya, I've never written her so I'm probably not great at it, though I've noticed that in the actual book we don't really see that much of her personality so I will try the best to get her character right. I know I didn't add her in the chapter that much but that's because I wanted Eragon to talk to Roran and Katrina seeing as he won't see them for awhile. Don't worry there will be some Eragon/Arya bonding soon enough, I'm not going to have them immediately fall for each other because that's not how they were in the book, but they will get together sooner or latter.