3. Flight

Arya pressed even closer to Fírnen's neck, willing herself to shrink so she wouldn't feel the wind rushing around his shoulders and blasting over her body. She wore layers of thick clothing, complete with a heavy cloak pulled close around her face, and she had cast every spell she could think of to ward off the cold, split the stream of whooshing air, and preserve her body heat. But her shivering was uncontrollable and her body was so tense from it, Arya thought it would shatter into pieces.

She and Fírnen agreed that the best course of action was to fly as quickly as possible to the Isle of the Eldunarí, since flying slowly didn't decrease her sense of freezing to death. The sooner they could get there, the sooner her pain would be over. Fírnen's worry engulfed her, and he felt completely helpless to alleviate her suffering.

You're taking me to the one place and the one person who can alleviate my suffering, Arya weakly thought, so you are helping me.

It is my only consolation, little one, Fírnen fiercely replied. I will fly you there as swiftly as any dragon ever flew.

Arya knew this was true. Right before they departed Ellesméra, Fírnen had hunted enough for him to go weeks without eating. The Eldunarí Eragon left in her care were providing Fírnen with strength, so Arya didn't think it would take weeks to get to the Isle, but Fírnen wanted to be sure. Her weight was so insignificant compared to his immense bulk that he was able to fly tirelessly day and night. They had already been in this pattern for three days, stopping only long enough for Arya to relieve herself or attempt to warm up under his wing. She ate and rested as well as she could while Fírnen flew.

The relative ease with which they arranged their parting had shocked Arya. She had approached Lord Däthedr with her dilemma and learned that the elves had long suspected that she was unwell. Arya confessed that she was constantly cold and lonely and, without mentioning anything about Eragon, had explained that she felt it was due to her isolation from the dragons and Riders. She had honestly told Däthedr that she wanted to be with the Riders but was loath to shirk her duties as queen.

Lord Däthedr, who was always like a kindly father to Arya, had taken her cold hands and spoken soothingly. He told her how he had noticed her unhappiness and suspected the very reason she gave, even her desire to be with the Riders. Däthedr admitted that he regretted pressuring Arya into accepting the crown. He wished to do something to help but feared approaching her on the subject lest it seem like he wanted the throne for himself.

The leaders and elders of the elves had met in Council and, contrary to the usual complexities and lengthy politics of establishing a new ruler, had appointed Lord Däthedr as her successor at her request and wholeheartedly supported her desire to seek out the Riders and remain with them, as seemed likely, forevermore. Arya shook her head incredulously as she thought about it.

If I had known it would be so easy to leave, I might have tried years ago, she said to Fírnen.

Indeed, he agreed. They wanted what was best for the queen they loved. With the relative peace in the land they are happy to remain quiet and unchanging. You, however, are not as satisfied with such things. Being bonded with a dragon inevitably brings longing for adventure in the great open skies. And yet it seems the time is right. You have just come to realize the extent of your true feelings for Eragon and that he might be the only solution to the endless cold. I think that was the crucial revelation you needed before following through with your plans.

Yes, Arya hesitantly agreed. I love Eragon. I love him. She made herself think the words several times. Then she even went so far as to say aloud, "I love you, Eragon." She trembled as warmth rushed through her, however fleetingly. She clung to it and the hope that when she was with Eragon again, his presence would banish the unbearable chill from her bones and she wouldn't feel as empty anymore. She wanted to be sure that when the time was right, she would be able to tell Eragon with words strong and certain the true reason she had done what would seem impossible to him and come to him.

Arya had no difficulty remembering the detailed instructions Eragon had once given her of how to reach the Isle of the Eldunarí. Since Eragon had never made the trip by dragon, he wasn't sure how long it actually took, but Arya had a vague recollection that Murtagh may have mentioned that the journey took roughly a fortnight at a leisurely speed. With Fírnen's dogged pace, she hoped to make the trip in a far shorter time.

She and Fírnen had just passed the bend in the Edda River where she last saw Eragon. Arya had no idea how much farther the wilderness continued before ending in the sea, but they followed the silvery strip of the river far below them, knowing it flowed unerringly toward the ocean.

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Days later, when Arya was certain she could bear the cold no longer, Fírnen let out a tired roar of triumph as he spotted the Isle of the Eldunarí in the distance. As they flew over the majestic, crashing waterfall where the Edda River terminated, Arya felt renewed determination. They would reach their destination, and she would soon see Eragon.

I want to surprise Eragon, Arya said to Fírnen. I think we should try to contact Saphira and before she—and therefore he—realizes who she's talking to, implore her to keep our thoughts from Eragon's mind. Then perhaps she would be willing to fly him to meet us on the outskirts of the island where we can be alone for a time.

Yes, little one. I wish to see them alone at first too. As we get nearer, we will cast our minds in search of Saphira.

It took another hour and the sun was beginning to set behind them when Arya was finally able to recognize Saphira's mind among the many minds on the island. She and Fírnen were overjoyed to sense the presence of so many dragons, but as excited as he was to meet others of his own kind, Fírnen's thoughts continued to focus primarily on Saphira.

Do you think she has forgotten me for the dozens of other male dragons she has surely met now? Fírnen uneasily asked.

Certainly not! Arya reassured him. I have never seen a handsomer dragon than you. You were her first mate, Fírnen, and though she may have asserted that dragons do not mate for life, I feel certain that her affections remain strongest for you.

I am one of only two, no, three male dragons you have ever seen, if you include Shruikan, Fírnen grumbled, but he seemed slightly more cheerful nonetheless.

You're forgetting Black Thunder and Blaze, Arya patiently reminded him of the black and yellow dragons who had hatched for Varhog and Knilf.

True, he reluctantly allowed.

Arya breathed in deeply to steady herself before reaching toward Saphira's mind. Saphira?

After a moment of stunned disbelief Saphira responded, Can it be!

Yes it is, but please Saphira, I want to surprise Eragon. Will you please keep this from him, if he hasn't already heard?

Arya felt deep sadness from Eragon's dragon. Saphira's consciousness shuddered as she said, Eragon is barely aware of me at all at the moment, so deep is his pain, Arya Svit-kona. You have come in his darkest hour. If you mean to do anything to deepen his grief, I warn you, I will not let you see him. To prove her words Saphira shared with Arya's mind a moment of the unbearable torment Eragon was feeling.

Arya gasped, her face tightening at the agonized emotions. As she had feared, Eragon was suffering. And from what Saphira implied, he was suffering because of her. I mean him no harm, Arya gravely responded. Indeed, I hope to offer him some comfort if I can. I don't know what to expect, Saphira, but do you think you can bring him to meet us? Will he come with you?

Saphira must have noticed the desperation in her thoughts because she said, I will try, although I am not sure I can reach him right now. Where would you have us meet you?

We are flying toward the island from the west and are almost to the outcropping of cliffs along that side, Fírnen replied in his impossibly deep voice. Is there a suitable place for landing atop the cliffs?

Saphira's whole consciousness changed, and Arya thought she sensed a fluttering, nervous excitement from her at the sound of Fírnen's thoughts. Yes, the top of the cliffs is suitable for landing, Saphira verified. We are on the other side of the peaks at a small lake. We will not be long.

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