Sorry for the late update... I was a bit busy recently, preparing for an upcoming exam. Anyhow, thank you for the awesome reviews. It seriously makes me happy when I hear that I have accurately depicted the characters. It's one goal that I constantly strive to achieve. And again I hope you enjoy this one :)

Chapter 7: Something

"Ebrithil? Master Eragon…?"

The voice echoed into his thoughts and the last image of Arya's back vanished. Eragon raised his head, eyes regaining focus. He felt slow and clumsy.

"My apologies. Continue…"

The students exchanged looks but raised their swords. Once again, the ringing of metal filled the air as Eragon resumed walking. He took care not to walk too close to the radius of combat as it could distract their concentration. From his position, he could immediately pinpoint the flaw in Halgrez' counterstrike. The young urgal swiped at the air after a hasty parry. Eragon shook his head and folded his arms.

"Halgrez, that move is much too obvious. Moreover, there is a slight hesitation before the attack. Make it more of a flick, or perhaps a cleaner strike."

The ram nodded his horned head and tried again, but failed. Finally, he growled in frustration. He turned his yellow eyes to Eragon.

"It's no use. Urgralgra rely on strength, not fancy elvish tricks."

Lidvi- his opponent- frowned at the comment. "They are not tricks, Halgrez. It is an elegant technique that allows us to deliver effective attacks."

"A technique that does me no good," snorted Halgrez. He sheathed his sword and pounded a fist into his hand. "I would settle this with bare hands."

Eragon thought for a moment, a hand on his chin. The urgal's words had some truth to them. He could see the raw style of movement, the bluntness of attacks and heaviness of blows. After pondering this, he nodded.

"I see what you mean. Then perhaps we can change something for you. Bring your shield and axe, Halgrez."

The two looked at him in surprise, but then Halgrez moved to fetch them. Once he did, Eragon indicated for them to continue fighting. Lidvi launched the first attack. The urgal raised his shield against the flurry of blows the elf unleashed. They were complex, weaving motions that Halgrez could never hope to match. This Eragon knew. However, after the series of movements, Lidvi paused. The urgal used this gap to bear down on the elf's sword with his thick, brutish arm. He had neither the speed nor creativity that Lidvi had, but his strength put the elf off balance.

"Very good," Eragon said with a slight smile.

Halgrez flashed him a grin but Lidvi's brows knit together.

After he was satisfied that the two could proceed without him, he moved on to watch others.

But his mind was not at ease and eventually wandered from the task at hand.

Try as he might, the ghostly form of Arya roamed his mind continuously.

It is the only way, she had said.

"It can't be the only way," he murmured under his breath as the students waved their weapons about. The sounds of reality became the sounds of a dream- distant and muffled. Yet her voice was as clear to him as the peal of a bell.

I must leave Firnen.

The emptiness of her gaze as she spoke, the subtle tremble of her voice. His chest seemed to constrict as he recalled these.

"What must I do to nail it in your mind? I must leave and Firnen must stay."

But why? Why must you deny yourself even Firnen? What will that achieve?

Then he remembered the desperation rising up in him as he felt her slip from his grip.

"Wait for what?"

"For you to move on, to forget me."

And the world tilting as she delivered the lines of a script he knew so well…

"But you are not, and this can never be."

Just as in the days of Ellesmera, under the clear sky and the ancient pines of the forest.

A bitter laugh escaped from him. So this is it. After so long a time, I must let you go.

The distraction was too great.

Without a word he left the hall, leaving students staring after him in concern. Their whispers travelled the corridors of the castle.

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It was futile, Eragon had concluded. Futile to fight against his emotions.

Let them come to me, he thought. Let them flow through me and destroy me if they must.

The pounding of his footsteps echoed through the corridor and his boots slapped the stone steps leading down to the entrance.

Even if you must go, I cannot let you fade away through the ages without Firnen.

He flung open the great doors with both arms. The guards standing outside jumped as the doors admitted Eragon, his face wild and determined.

Saphira, he called her.

Yes, Eragon I am in the middle of a… are you alright? She asked, sensing his roiling emotions.

Where's Firnen?

He could sense her puzzlement. He is over at a cave a few miles west of the castle… why?

Take me to him.

Across their link he could feel her concern, but she did not question him. For the moment.

I will be with you shortly.

Eragon waited impatiently, his feet aching to move. To run. Anything to relieve the pressure building up in him. After a while, she appeared above him in the sky, her long veins accentuated by the translucency of her wings. Saphira touched down, eyeing him suspiciously.

I can tell you're impatient to be gone, so I won't ask you now. But you owe me an explanation.

He nodded, already climbing onto her back. Saphira straightened, spread her wings and tested them. The gust of wind she created unsteadied the guards.

Oops. Sorry.

"No need to apologize, Bjartskular," one said, coughing slightly.

With a great flap, she took to the air.

There was a cold stinging on his face, and Eragon vaguely realized that it was raining. More than anything else, he was simply glad to be flying again. Somehow, the icy wind on his face and the needle-like rain helped ease some of the mental turmoil. The rhythmic rise and fall of their flight gave him a sense of rightness. This, at least, would never change.

For the whole flight, the two did not speak. And when they reached the mouth of the cave, Eragon slid down Saphira's side, his legs strangely weak. It had been an emotionally taxing morning.

"Firnen!" he called out to the darkness.

There was no reply.

"Firnen!" he tried again, but received only the sound of rain and wind.

Perhaps he has returned to DragonsNest.

Blast it! I need to-

Eragon stopped as he felt an unmistakeable tremor in the cave floor. There was a snort and a low growl. Firnen's green eyes glowed in the darkness.

Eragon-friend-Shadeslayer. You have come at last.

Yes… you know-?

Firnen's pupils seemed to constrict, but it was hard to say. She has told me.

Then you have accepted this? Eragon asked incredulously.

He jumped as the dragon suddenly slammed his tail on the ground.

Not accepted, he rumbled. Wouldst thou thinkest that I would leave her?

Eragon relaxed a little. Ah, so you will accompany her?

The dragon turned his head to the wall. I have decided to let her have her way.

Wait, you will let her go? He asked, confused.

For now. Let time and absence teach her meaning.

Eragon hesitated. Her decision seems immoveable.

I trust that she has enough sense to realize the foolishness of this.

Which is why I have come, he said stepping forward. Firnen, is there something I don't know?

Firnen regarded him with expressionless eyes.

I cannot imagine what would be so important to cause Arya to leave this way. To leave you behind.

Still the dragon remained silent. Saphira took the opportunity.

Alright, I know you two are in a deep conversation but could I please at least know the situation?

Eragon sighed. Arya is leaving Firnen.

What?!

This drew a wry smile from him. Her response mirrored his exactly. For the first time, Saphira was speechless. In the shadows, Firnen shifted.

She believes that my place is here, with others of my kind.

But, Saphira started after finding her voice. To leave you for good? I don't understand this!

That is exactly what I said, replied Eragon dryly.

Firnen eyed the two for some time before speaking. There is… something.

Eragon's pointed ears pricked up.

Something that I cannot divulge. Do not mistake me, for it is not a question of trust. You are both worthy of it. However… it is not for me to explain. You must hear it from Arya herself.

Something about the way Firnen had spoken brought an inexplicable chill to his limbs. Eragon swallowed the lump in his throat.

And if she does not change her mind? If she never reveals it?

Firnen hesitated. It is my hope that she will. There is a limit, even for an elf.

But what if she does not? You know her obstinacy as well as I.

That is why I put my hope in you.

Firnen, we can't let her do this!

I agree with Eragon, added Saphira. This is madness! To isolate yourself from your dragon forever? Unheard of!

Exactly, Eragon nodded. It would be like cutting off my own arm. She cannot survive it!

I am sorry Eragon, Saphira. I must respect her wishes. But do not worry more than you need to… I will wait only as long as I see fit. Then I will storm Tialdari Hall with all the rage of a dragon. I will not leave her forever.

The last statement gave Eragon some measure of reassurance. However, none of them could be certain that Arya would change her mind. And one other question dug into his mind like a thorn.

Firnen... she… told me we cannot be together. Is this related to that 'something' you could not tell us?

Yes.

Does she feel nothing for me?

The dragon blinked. Whatever makes you say that, Shadeslayer? She cares a great deal for you.

But she can live without me. I cannot live without her.

Firnen seemed as if he would say something, but stopped.

Saphira sighed. Eragon… we will talk about this later.

I needed to ask it.

The green dragon shook his head. No, I am glad you did. But once again, I would advise that you ask Arya.

She did not answer me.

Then there is your answer.

Eragon frowned.

There is one thing I would ask of you, Kingkiller.

And what would that be?

Do not give up on my Rider.