A/N, I am going to be travelling the next week so it might be some time before the next chapter is posted.
The doors of the throne room were large enough for Saphira to fit through comfortably. She was pleased at this. The room itself was enormous. It did not look like it did in Eragon's memories. Ten towering trees were melded into each other to form the walls. Their bark twisted together, creating intricate designs. Flowers of white, gold and silver adorned the walls at regular intervals. The ceiling of green foliage cast ever-shifting shadows on the ground. Eragon gazed up in wonder, taking it all in. But while the walls and ceiling were impressive, they weren't what drew his attention. On the back wall there was a large tapestry. Though it was quite far away, Eragon could clearly see it depicted a great battle. The ground was full of warriors. Elves, humans, werecats, and urgals were all battling fiercely. There was even an enormous black dragon locked in combat with a single elf. In the sky two dragons were circling each other. One of them was a fiery red and the other a startlingly bright blue…
"Eragon." The voice came from a large throne in front of the tapestry. Eragon sank down into a deep bow.
"Please, rise." He did as he was told. Arya had risen from her seat and was gazing down upon him. She looked different from how Eragon remembered her. There was something more distant and fixed about her expression. She was wearing a long dress of flowing green material. Resting on her brow was a circlet of gold. Eragon could not help but feel like everything from the circlet to the throne was a barrier between them.
"Eragon Shur'tugal, Saphira Bjartskular. What has brought you back to Alagaësia? When we last parted I was under the impression that you did not intend to return."
"I did not at first intend to ever return to this place." Eragon admitted. "But, after ten years of isolation from the land I grew up in, I have decided that I can stay away no longer. However, this will be but a short visit. I have left the elves in charge, but I cannot stay away for too long."
"If that is the case, I welcome you back. I hope your visit is a pleasant one. Please know that you will always be welcome here in Ellesmera, as well as in any of the other elven dwellings."
"Thank you Queen Arya. That is most generous."
Where is fírnen? Saphira wondered. Eragon could tell this had been on her mind from the moment they stepped into the hall.
"Fírnen is out hunting at the moment." Arya's voice sounded warmer than it had before. "He will be with us shortly. He is very pleased to know that you are here Saphira." Saphira was delighted. Arya made a move as if to say something, but refrained at the last second. There was a moment's silence.
"I look forward to hearing all about your adventures over dinner tonight," she said finally. "And I am sure there is much you would like to know about the happenings of Alagaësia."
"That I would." Eragon replied.
"Then I will see you in the dining hall in an hour's time. In the meantime Cereiltar will guide you to your chambers."
"Thank you. Your kindness is most appreciated," Eragon bowed and followed the elf, Cereiltar out of the throne room. This time the beauty of the forest did not strike him as it had before. It all seemed more dulled. Eragon sighed. This did not escape Saphira's notice.
Eragon, are you all right?
Yes, I am fine Saphira. Nothing's wrong.
If you say so Little One.
Eragon felt a surge of warm gratefulness to Saphira for not pressing the matter at that moment.