Disclaimer: Sorry about the long wait. I have limited computer access and my classes are only getting more hecktic.
Eragon hid in the very back of the cave. His heightened scenses told him that all the guards that Roran had sent with him were dead and the soldiers that had remained loyal to Galbatorix were searching for him. He gripped his sword tightly, ready to fight for his life if it came to that.
A group of ten soldiers spotted him. They charged wildly toward the cave. Eragon cried out fiercly as he fought them. He quickly killed three of the men. A rouge sword caught him on his right shoulder, wounding him. Eragon muttered in the ancient language, sending the men flying back. He used that opportunity to kill two more of the men. The five remaining soldiers proved to be a much more difficult challenge.
His vision began to blurr. 'Damn,' he thought. Saphira, where are you? He blocked a sword and rolled to the side.
I'm coming little one, assured Saphira.
Another sword caught him in the left calf. Eragon growled in pain. He stumbled forward. Damnit Saphira! I need you!
A blurr of raven hair flew past. The red glint of Zar'roc hacked through the men where they stood before any of them had time to react. Arya's face swam in and out of focus. She looked at Eragon, concerned. Eragon fell foward, exhausted and wounded. Arya caught her mate and supported his weight. "Eragon . . .Eragon?"
Eragon closed his eyes and fell limp. "Eragon! ERAGON!!!" Arya cried out desperately. She cursed under her breath.
A band of archers surrounded the two Riders, hidden behind rocks. A cloud of arrows flew at them.
Saphira dipped down and took most of the arrows herself. She roared out in anger and pain. Some of the arrows pierced her thin membraned wings. Fire errupted from her mouth, scortching the archers. Screams filled the air. Arya felt sick. 'What a horrible way to die,' she thought. Saphira, we need to get away from here before we can heal Eragon.
Get him strapped to my saddle, replied Saphira quickly. She landed carefully next to them.
Arya heaved her mate into the saddle and strapped him down so that he wouldn't fall. She began to feel the full toll of her pregnancy, and knew that it would only get worse until the next winter. Fly safe, Saphira. She stepped back and watched Saphira fly off with the man she loved so dearly. She walked back to her horse and spurred forth as fast as the horse would gallop.
It became a race against time. The mountains filled with Old Empire soldiers by nightfall. Arya and Saphira stopped a league from the mountains in a large den that had formally been used by slave traders. Arya healed Eragon first at Saphira's request. Eragon opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but Arya insisted that he remained lying down. "Save your strength," she murmured.
"Arya . . .what are you doing out here?" asked Eragon. He waited while Arya healed Saphira. When his mate snuggled up next to him, he repeated his question.
"I . . .I thought that Tasha was going to come and suduce you," admitted Arya weakly.
Tell him what happened . . .and Galbatorix, ordered Galzra. Warn him.
Eragon chuckled. "Arya, you are the woman I love." He kissed her lightly on the forhead. "But you must trust me . . .and for once in your life stay out of danger. I couldn't live with myself if anything were to happen to you because of me."
"Eragon," murmured Arya, starting to get a cold edge to her voice. "Quit being a hypocrite." Tears fell down her cheeks.
Eragon gently wiped them away. "What's wrong?" he asked softly.
"I just . . .don't want you to end up like my father," answered Arya. "I want our child to have a father. I never had that."
Eragon held her tightly. "I'm sorry, Arya. Will you forgive me?" Arya nodded. "What will we do about those soldiers though? We cannot defeat them ourselves . . .."
"We should wait for Roran's calvary," advised Arya. Saphira . . .Tasha is being controlled by Galbatorix's spirit.
How is this possible? growled Saphira.
I am not sure, admitted Arya. I do not even know if she is alive. If she is alive, she cannot be trusted.
Will you end her training then? asked Saphira.
I will speak to the elvin council, replied Arya.
The two Riders drifted off into their trance like state. Saphira curled around them protectively. She kept one eye open.
The next morning dawned to the sound of battle horns. Eragon and Arya both bolted in an upright, sitting position. Saphira stood to her full height. Roran is here, she announced unnecessarily.
"Arya, go back to Du Weldenvarden," ordered Eragon clearly.
"I will not!" cried Arya. Her green eyes narrowed. "I will fight at your side, same as always!"
"Arya, I am not requesting you to leave," stated Eragon calmly. "I am only thinking of the strain this will have on you. You need to be more careful right now . . .think of the child we will be having." He pulled her into a careful embrace. "I will be fine. I have Saphira."
He speaks the truth, murmured Saphira.
"Tell your . . .no, our people what tretchery has happened here," Eragon said, attempting to coax Arya into obeying him. "Get them to take action if that is really necessary. Let us put an end once and for all to all of this madness."
"I will go to Du Weldenvarden then," announced Arya. She frowned though, not liking the idea of leaving Eragon. "Come back when it is over, my love."
"You will see me come time for our child to come into this life," swore Eragon. He kissed Arya lightly on the lips. They walked out to meet Roran. "King Roran!" greeted Eragon.
Roran pulled his horse up to Eragon. "Eragon, what happened?"
Eragon frowned and lowered his head shamefully. "There was indeed an ambush," he murmured. "Soldiers that remain loyal to Galbatorix reside in the Beor Mountains. What upsets me though . . .is that they seem to know the terrain better than I." He frowned and looked up to his cousin. "I am sure that the dwarves that remain are hiding in the caves, or are regrouping to take back their land. The latter is the more accurate assumption. Saphira and I are ready for battle. Arya will go back to Du Weldenvarden and ready the elves in case that is really necessary." He turned to acknoweledge his mate.
Roran nodded thoughtfully. "I doubt that the elves will have to interfere," he replied. "But anything is possible. How many soldiers do you think are in the Beor Mountains?"
"Anywere from ten to twenty thousand," answered Eragon.
"It could take months . . .possibly years to stomp out these loyalists." Roran looked back at his men. Most of them looked determined and even ready for battle. He turned back to Eragon, Arya, and Saphira and smiled ruefully. "And yet . . .we have something that they do not . . .a dragon and her Rider. Verywell. Arya, go and tell your people to block them in from the north. We will set up camp here and wait. We will surprise them with the full force of our alliance."
Arya nodded. Galzra, let us go home.
I thought that you would never agree to it, teased Galzra.
Do not push me into changing my mind, warned Arya. Galzra chuckled in the back of Arya's mind as he landed.
"Arya," murmured Eragon. Finish Tasha's training.
It will be done, replied Arya. She mounted Galzra, her movements seemed more careful than usual to Eragon. He stepped back as he watched Galzra fly off with his love.
Fly safely.
Come home safe.
Disclaimer: Ok, I know that this chapter isn't that long, but it at least gets things really moving. I will try and update sooner next time.