Disclaimer: Sorry that my last chapter was so short. This one will be longer.
Eragon and Arya climbed back down into the cave where they had left Tasha and the dragon hatchling. Tasha looked up at them from where she sat, scratching her dragon's chin. "When will we get to our destination?" she asked.
"We are going to the capitol of Du Weldenvarden," informed Arya. "It is a four day flight from here. As of now, your training has begun."
"What do you know of melee combat?" asked Eragon.
Tasha flushed angrily. "Very little, sir," she murmured.
"Not anymore," replied Eragon, smiling. "Go down the side of the cliff and fetch some long, thick sticks."
"What are the sticks for, ebrithil?" wondered Tasha.
"They will be used for your training," answered Eragon. "Each night when we stop, you and I will spar. Your muscles must develop to some extent before we reach the elves." He sent her away.
Don't you think that you're being a little too harsh on her, Little one? asked Saphira.
No, answered Eragon. She needs to learn now that the road will be difficult for her and her little dragon.
Arya stared out at the scenery before them. "You said that Murtagh took you and Brom here after he rescued you from the Ra'zac?" she said.
"He did," answered Eragon softly. He walked over to the stone where Brom had died. "And this stone is where Brom held his last breath."
Arya walked over to her mate and pulled him close to her. "Brom can rest in peace now," she whispered. Tears slid down her face. "He would want you to continue his work in making certain that the Shur'tugal return to this land." She pulled him down to the ground and there, they held each other close.
Eragon bent down and kissed her with such passion as he hadn't felt since he had loved her. In the bliss of the moment, he brought her down to lying in the dirt with him. His hand traveled low until it found her entrance. He toyed with her.
Arya moaned in pleasure. She moved however her partner willed it. Her nails dug into the skin on his back. She felt a large lump above her entrance. She looked down and smiled as he removed her tunic and threw it aside. She unbelted his sword and set it aside. Their nude bodies tangled in frenzy.
He thrust into her hard. She moaned in both pain and bliss. Soon, their bodies went into a rhythm. "Eragon . . . faster . . . harder," moaned Arya helplessly. He obliged and soon lost control. They both neared their climax. Arya pushed him further into her. Her insides burned like fire. She released him and he pulled out.
Eragon rolled on his side and pulled Arya to him so that their warm bodies touched. "We should go find a stream and bathe," he panted.
"But first we must wait for Tasha to return," replied Arya softly. She twirled his blonde hair with her fingers. 'It's so fine,' she thought. 'Who would dare imagine that my mate is human? No--anyone who did not know him before he became Saphira's rider would think him an elf.' She snuggled closer to him, allowing for that one sweet moment to last them.
Little one, we are nearing the cave, warned Saphira.
Eragon sighed. "Shall we get dressed then?" he asked in a diplomatic tone. Arya nodded. They slipped on their tunics and belted their swords just as Saphira and Galzra landed. We need to find a larger cave, Saphira, he said.
I know, replied Saphira. There's a clearing in a glade not far from here, or shall we continue flying once Tasha has returned?
"The child has been gone for a long time," said Arya, slightly worried. Galzra, did you see her on your hunt?
No, answered Galzra. Do you wish for me to go looking for her?
Arya nodded. I will come with you, she said. She turned to Eragon. "Stay here Eragon," she said to him in her usual cold voice. She mounted Galzra and moments later the two took to the air.
Saphira dropped a chunk of meat next to the dragon hatchling. Do not grieve so, Little one, she growled.
I am not grieving, Saphira, replied Eragon. Arya is still a hard one to understand, even after I have known her for nearly four years.
Aye, Little one, agreed Saphira. Arya is a mysterious elf, but does that not make everything more interesting?
It does, confirmed Eragon. He sighed and watched as Galzra disappeared from his sight. He sat down and leaned back to Saphira like he did in the days of the war. Tasha's dragon squawked and looked up at him.
I think that you should feed him, said Saphira.
So--this dragon is a male huh, stated Eragon. Too bad.
Why is that so, Eragon? asked Saphira.
I was hoping that this one would be a female so that we could have a head start in ensuring that your race survives, confessed Eragon. He took out his hunting knife and cut up pieces of meat and fed them to the dragon.
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Tasha looked up at the cave. She could not believe that she had been able to climb down without falling. 'How am I going to get back up though?' she thought to herself. She walked toward a meadow where she had spotted several trees during their flight to the cave. A rabbit darted from its hole and away from her. She walked down an old, beaten down path.
All the time that she walked, she wondered how she would be trained. As a child she heard stories of the Dragon Riders of old. Back then, she did not believe any of it was true, but now she knew better. She did not trust Eragon and Arya and felt weary toward the two dragons. 'Damn you, Galbatorix!' she thought furiously.
Why do you condemn me, Tasha? asked Galbatorix from within her mind. I have made your speech more understandable.
You did so too soon, growled Tasha. Now Arya is suspicious of me. She kicked a nearby rock into the bushes. Crows flew up into the sky. I don't need you.
Oh, but you do, replied Galbatorix, chuckling.
I was better off without you, you bastard! snarled Tasha.
That kind of behavior won't do.
Tasha felt a searing pain throughout her body. She gasped in pain and held her sides tightly and writhed on the ground. Her muscles burned painfully. She wanted nothing but death at that moment. The pain stopped, leaving her exhausted to the point of not getting up.
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Galzra flew above the plain. I don't see her, he growled.
Arya looked around. Her excellent eye sight caught a glimpse of a young girl collapsed on the ground. There, by the bushes, she said. I think that's her.
Galzra landed next to Tasha. She's unconscious.
But how? wondered Arya. She dismounted and walked cautiously to the young pupil. She knelt down and felt for a pulse. She's alive . ... Arya lifted her off of the ground and put her in Galzra's saddle. She mounted and held the girl tightly. Eragon, I've found her.
Why did she take so long? asked Eragon.
I don't know, answered Arya. Galzra took flight. She's unconscious.
Do you think that she was attacked?
Physically, no. Mentally, yes. I think that the first lesson we should teach her is to keep her mind closed from intruders.
Agreed, replied Eragon.
Galzra landed inside the cave. Eragon helped Arya get Tasha out of the saddle. He set her down on the pallets that he had prepared. "We need to continue moving," he said.
"I agree," replied Arya. "Yet I am curious to know what befell her when you sent her on her little errand. It is rare that even a magician would attack anyone like this."
"Unless they know that she is a Rider," added Eragon.
"No one at this point should know. Apart from us, there is Roran, Katrina, Nasuada, Orik, and Gloned." Arya hid her worry as best as she could. "This is all very strange. None of us knew that Galbatorix had an extra egg. He apparently named Tasha as his heir when he knew that she was an agent of the Varden. In a very short time, she got rid of her silly accent and talks normal. None of it makes sense."
"Time will only tell how these events will turn out," said Eragon. He sighed heavily. "We should bathe and wash off all this grime."
Arya nodded. Galzra, will you stay here and watch Tasha and her dragon?
They will both be well protected, replied Galzra. He lowered his head. Arya rubbed his nose. I love you, Arya.
Arya giggled. I love you too, Galzra, she responded. Thank you.
Do you two need a ride? asked Saphira.
The two riders exchanged glances. Eragon smiled. That would be nice, Saphira, he said. He and Arya climbed into the saddle. Saphira jumped down the side of the cliff and just before she would have crashed, she spread out her wings and flew away. Eragon enjoyed being in the air once more. He smiled as Arya's dark hair flew into his face. Much has changed from our first battle, he said.
It has, agreed Saphira. We are so much stronger now than we were then.
Back then I could barely wield a sword and perform magic, and you couldn't control your flame, said Eragon.
Much will still change, Eragon Shadeslayer, said Arya. You were never weak to begin with. You have only learned to control yourself more. That is where your true power comes from.
Saphira landed next to a stream. I will fly overhead.
Ok, but don't go too far, said Eragon. He watched her disappear in the sky overhead. When he turned back to Arya, he found that the elf had already undressed and threw her tunic over a low tree branch.
Arya wrapped her arms around Eragon's neck and pulled him into the water. She screamed, delightfully. Water splashed all around them. Eragon surfaced and dunked Arya's head under water. They wrestled playfully, fighting for dominance. After a few moments of their game, they stopped. Eragon walked out of the stream and removed his drenched tunic. He turned an evil glare onto his mate. "Did I not teach you to never look on me with those hateful eyes?" teased Arya.
"I suppose you haven't," replied Eragon. He waded in the stream and began to wash the grime of travel off.
"Then maybe I had better teach you now," said Arya. She dived under and pulled his right foot. He lost his balance and went under.
After that, they washed each other. The dirt washed away. "My tunic is wet." Eragon looked down at his mate with a sheepish expression.
"Eragon, even a child would know that what you said is pathetic," chided Arya. "You know the ancient language and can speak it more fluently than most elves."
"We should wait until it dries though."
"Love, we must return," insisted Arya. "You must look after your charge and we need to continue moving if we are to make it back to my people. Tasha has training that she must complete and you have tasks that you still have to see done. We have many lifetimes together now and I am bearing you a child. I'm not sure if you understand, but I remember telling you once that it is rare for elves to have children because we are immortal. This is the most precious gift anyone has ever given me, or could ever give."
"How long will it be before you lay in bed?" asked Eragon seriously.
"About ten months," answered Arya.
Eragon dried his tunic with magic and they waited for Saphira to return.
Disclaimer: I'm sorry that I'm late on this update. I worked hard day and night to write it as best as I could so that you readers may be pleased enough with it to continue.