Sorry again. I've discovered that work AND school together take up a shit ton of time. But I'm adapting slowly but surely and soon I'll find more time to write. This chapter is somewhat fillerish so I apologize for that. Hope you still enjoy.
-A-R-Y-A-
She rolled on her side, groaning into the pillow. No matter what she tried, sleep would not come. It took almost an hour more before her eyes finally began to drift close. In such a state, when the door opened to her room, part of her believed it to be a dream while the other remained alert. As Eragon walked through her senses relaxed and she felt her eyes drifting closed again. She was dreaming then. There was no way he would be foolish enough to just come inside her room. She turned away, putting her the thoughts aside and letting sleep overtake her.
The next morning she woke feeling somewhat rested and stretched out her body, moving to slide off the bed. She froze just before she hit the sleeping form on the floor. Shit! It hadn't been a dream and now here she was, Eragon on her floor completely sprawled. She winced at what she would have to do, knowing it was partially her fault that she hadn't told him off when he came in. Part of her, the subconscious and emotion-driven part, had wanted him there for some odd reason. It was better to get it over with now. She jabbed her foot into his ribs, causing him to flinch and roll, grumbling something in his sleep.
"Eragon!"
He jolted upright, looking at her with this expectant and apologetic look.
"Before you yell, can I please explain?"
He was holding up his hands in submission, ready for her wrath. She just kept silent, waiting for him to continue and hoping he had a reason that didn't involve feelings. He did, hesitantly.
"I, for the life of me, couldn't get to sleep. After hours of just lying there I figured out it was because I had become accustomed to having somebody in the room next to me. I didn't want Saphira to stay up all night for nothing so I did the only thing I could. I'm sorry, alright?"
She could see the half-truth in his eyes and sighed, deciding to allow his reasoning. It was easier to accept than the other half. Shaking her head, she stood and walked over him to the bathroom.
"Get out and relieve Saphira. She can sleep until it's time to leave."
He muttered one more apology before slipping outside. As soon as he was gone she rested her elbows on the sink, holding her head in her hands and trying to forget the tremble that had gone through her as his tired, gravelly voice had seeped into her. She dug her nails into her palm and grabbed her toothbrush, preparing herself for the day.
It turned out there was only one thing to do until that night and that was watch television. But, because of what'd happened before, the Henders weren't exactly on good terms with any one of them. Eragon had tried to talk to Firnen when they unlocked their door but the boy had all but spat in his face. She sighed as she glanced at the family, all sitting on the couch, successfully ignoring the outside world. Eragon was next to her at the kitchen table, awaiting the call from Varden, while Saphira was out cold in her room, having been exhausted from the night before and all the emotional stress she'd been through. Finally the tone sounded, alerting them to an incoming call. To her chagrin, it was her mother again.
"Arya, I hope you are well."
She nodded, her face passive.
"I am." She didn't bother asking it back, proceeding immediately to business. "So what's the plan? I'm tried of waiting here and I want to change my clothes."
Her mother tsked and picked up a piece of paper, holding it in front of her.
"You complain much more now than you did back at DuWeld. I think maybe it's time for you to return."
Her blood broiled but she ignored her.
"Mother what's the plan?"
Islanzadi relayed the information.
"There's an airstrip three hours from your position that is under our control for the next day. Get there and get home. Waiting on the jet will be clothes and weapons just in case. Along with a mission briefing."
Eragon crossed his arms.
"We're just getting back. Is there no reprieve?"
Her mother shook her head.
"I apologize for the rapidity of these missions but it is necessary. You two are our best and so your skills are in high demand. Get a move on."
She disappeared and Arya groaned, picking up her pack and slinging it over her shoulder.
"You get them loaded up in one of the cars, I'll get Saphira."
He nodded and headed for the living room while she made her way to Saphira's door. Opening it she found the girl curled on her side, breathing slowly. Arya wished she didn't have to wake her because she had no doubt the girl's grief would return as soon as she opened her eyes. But it was time to leave.
"Saphira."
The girl shifted but didn't wake. Arya walked over and sat on the bed, resting her hand on her shoulder. She squeezed slightly and spoke her name again. The girl stirred and rolled over, her bleary eyes taking in the situation. Almost immediately, the confused, blissful ignorance was replaced by turmoil and sadness. Arya instinctively pulled her into a hug, surprising even herself. Saphira just chuckled, a sad undertone to the sound.
"You are getting pretty good at this comforting thing. Anything to do with Eragon?"
Arya tensed and skipped over the question, letting go and picking up Saphira's gear.
"It's time to head out. I'm going to ride with you, and Eragon will be in the car with the Henders."
The girl shook her head.
"No you should ride with Eragon. I can go alone."
Arya frowned.
"Why?"
Saphira stood, shoving her hands into the pockets of her jeans.
"Because I just want to be alone to think for a while. That and it'll be three against one if they're stupid enough to try anything. You need to back him up."
Arya nodded, allowing her decision to be final as she walked to the living room and out to the driveway. Eragon had pulled both of the cars out of the garage and the Henders were already sitting in the back seat of one. She stowed Saphira's gear into the other car and then walked over to Eragon as he waited patiently by the driver's door.
"She wants to ride alone."
He sighed.
"Why?"
Arya leaned against the car and closed her eyes, her shoulder brushing his. She was becoming worn out from the whole thing.
"Probably to think or maybe she just wants to be alone."
Calloused fingers slid into hers and she couldn't help the reactionary small smile that graced her features. He didn't push as she feared he would, she'd given him ample reason to press the matter. But instead, he settled with grasping her hand a moment longer before letting go. He took her bag from her shoulder and carried it to the trunk with his own. Before closing it, he took both his own gun and hers, passing it to her when he approached.
"Better err on the side of caution."
She nodded and walked around to the passenger side just as the front door opened, revealing a stern face that held no emotion. She sighed as Saphira strode past the car, not even looking at the people gathered in back. Glancing in the car Arya saw Firnen watching Saphira's movements with an angry yet longing look on his face. It gave her hope that he might forgive the girl in time. Arya slid into the seat and looked over at Eragon.
"Let's get out of here."
They'd been driving for an hour in absolute silence when Eragon finally spoke.
"So we have another mission? Do you think it will be as involved as this one?"
She shrugged.
"I hope not. That means more months on end being away from home."
"Your home. I'll never be able to go to my home again."
She looked over to find him smirking slightly, but there was also a sad lilt to his face. She decided to go along with the smirk, wanting to keep the conversation light.
"I'm sure the remains of the building are still standing. You could bring a cot and set it up in the ashes."
He chuckled.
"No thanks. But there was stuff that you and Saphira blew up that I would've liked to keep."
She shifted in her seat, making herself more comfortable.
"Like what?"
He shrugged.
"I had about ten guns in that house that all were special in meaning to me. There were also these pretty epic comic books that I stole when I was twelve. Oh, and my feather pillow. I will never find its like."
She laughed softly.
"I think you should elaborate on those items. I'd like to know how on earth ten guns had meaning to you. Oh, and the story behind the comic books must be pretty interesting."
He gave her a look.
"What about the pillow? You don't want to know about the pillow? I think that is the most interesting story of all of them."
She shook her head in amusement.
"I don't really care about your pillow, Eragon. Comic books or weapons. Go."
He seemed to think for a moment before nodding.
"Alright so I was in this store, right? And I was walking about with Roran" His voice stumbled over the name, obviously as he remembered something. Wait. . . .He didn't meet Roran unti- "and we both jumped on this display bed, causing it to snap and fall with our weight."
She laughed, smacking his arm.
"I said I didn't care about how you found the pillow."
He grinned mischievously at her.
"But that is by far the most exciting story of them all."
She rolled her eyes.
"There is no way that's possible."
He nodded.
"I swear. None of the others hold a candle to it. I'll even bet you."
She pondered for a moment.
"What are we betting?"
"If I'm right, which I am, you have to tell me something about yourself that you haven't ever told anyone."
She tensed, dread filling her. Sharing wasn't her thing.
"And if I win?"
He snorted.
"Like that'll happen. But, if you win, I will. . . . hmm, well what do you want?"
She smiled.
"If I win, you have to double your training."
He looked somewhat horrified.
"What?! That's ridiculous! I work every day for hours when we aren't on mission."
She nodded.
"True, but your skill is still not nearly as good as it could be. And you've been slacking for months now."
He scoffed.
"Yeah because we were undercover. And my abilities are still what they were."
She shook her head.
"No, but don't worry, Eragon, we'll get you up to my level."
He smirked, amused as he thought about the bet.
"You know what, you're on. I'm the one who knows the story anyway and it is obviously the best."
"Then stop stalling and get on with it."
He grinned.
"So we broke this bed right, and I was almost seventeen at the time. Well Roran just takes off, leaving me with the screaming floor manager. I tried to follow but he grabbed my shirt and was hauling me towards this security guard. I flipped out, knowing I couldn't really afford to get in trouble again and wrenched out of the dude's grip. I started sprinting the opposite direction, looking for a different exit to the store. Not seeing anything, I ran into the bedding section again and there's an isle of fluffiness. I went to the lowest shelf and burrowed behind all these awesome feather pillows. I laid there for over twenty minutes before I got a text from Roran telling me to come out of wherever I was. The instant I did, a security guard grabbed me and started tugging me to who knows where.
And then suddenly I see Garrow, looking all official in his suit, pushing Roran towards us. The guard stopped and shoved me towards him. Garrow spins me and handcuffs my hands behind my back while grabbing Roran and my collar and pulling us toward the exit. He thanked the manager and told him that he'd been trying to catch us for months. That plump old dude just beamed like a dumbass. Later that month, I put on a fake mustache and wig and bought a pillow from that section."
She chuckled.
"That's a pretty good story."
He nodded.
"I know it is. The other two consist of, I took a bullies comic book collection and I have a lot of manly-man friends who think buying people guns is cool. You have lost. I look forward to that secret."
She quirked an eyebrow.
"I don't think you won. The rules were never really established. Is it what you think is more interesting, or what I think is more interesting? Because guns are my thing and I find any story about them just fascinating."
He made a whining noise.
"That is soooo cheap! Unfair play. Foul on the court. Penalty!"
She couldn't help but laugh at him.
"Fine! How about neither of us win."
He shakes his head.
"No, we'll take a vote. People in the back, although you hate us and want us to die, which story do you think is the best?"
There was silence for several seconds and she glanced in the rearview mirror to find them glaring. She sighed and looked at Eragon. He just shrugged and grabbed his phone, dialing.
"Hey, say I win."
Arya lunged for the phone, snatching it from his hands.
"Don't listen to him. You can't make an educated decision because you don't even know what we're talking about."
Eragon tried to grab the phone but she was much too quick, having already expected it. Instead, he wrapped his fingers around her wrist and pulled the phone toward him that way. His hand burned deliciously against her flesh and she found herself not wanting him to let go.
"You blew up my house when you brought me into the Varden, you have to say I win." He frowned after several seconds. "Hello? Saphira?" He looked at her. "Now look what you did."
For the first time since the night before, Firnen spoke.
"You were forced to join the Varden?"
And suddenly, Arya realized exactly what Eragon had been doing with this conversation. The brilliance of his plan gave her a whole new respect for the man. He'd bared the fact that he had once been in the same boat as the Henders, goading them to ask questions. Eragon nodded.
"Yeah completely. I was F.B.I. and I got sucked into this case. Garrow, basically a father to me, died and I went batshit, going after the guy who'd done it. Arya had been captured by him and I killed tons of this bastards guys until they subdued me, basically putting me in the same position as her. Of course, being that brat that she is, she acted all weak and innocent. My guys saved us but kicked me off the force. Her and Saphira showed up at my house, rescued me from these monstrous guys, blew up my house, and brought me back to Varden."
Firnen crossed his arms in the back seat.
"Why didn't you run? How do you know you weren't brainwashed?"
Eragon snorted.
"Because I had nowhere to run to. I stayed and I became friends with so many of the agents there. Oh, and Arya never let me out of her sight. She was like a ghost, everywhere I was. And who can blame her? I am rather sexy." Arya rolled her eyes but she saw Firnen's light up in amusement. He still looked beyond pissed though. "She trained me, pushing me past limits and making my entire existence miserable. She was such a bitch, too."
At that Firnen snorted. Arya on the hand, shook her head.
"Enough of these lies. The reason I was around all the time was because I was the person training you. And I was not a bitch, you were a sniveling little child who complained about a single muscle ache. But you grew up finally and I didn't have to be as strict."
Beside her Eragon was giggling.
"Whatever. You just realized how cool I was and decided to be a better person." Getting somewhat more serious, Eragon glanced in the mirror at Firnen. "I want you to know right now that no matter what, you will always have your own choice. I decided to go along with Arya in her training because deep down I knew the Varden were good, even though I thought they were loons in the beginning. If you want to get out, live a normal life, you can do that. You will just need our help. Oh and you'll probably be living somewhere like Switzerland. But nobody is forcing you to do anything at all."
Firnen sighed.
"There's no way to know if you're lying. You spent months with us and nobody but my mom expected anything. And still you convinced her. You could in truth be the one's trying to destroy the world. The fact that you could be around people so much and not form a connection shows that you all lack conscience and empathy."
Eragon snorted.
"Are you kidding me? I sure as hell formed a connection with you and several of the people I spent time with. Dude, you were awesome to hang out with. And you know Devon? I became best friends with that guy."
Firnen continued.
"But you just left and you'll never see him again. Did you even say goodbye?"
Eragon sighed sadly.
"I sure did. As I left him on the ground of your father's office." The three in the back looked startled. "It turns out he was the enemy agent that had been watching your family. I fought him to save your dad and get him out. His real name is Murtagh and he works for Galbatorix. Pretty shit day yesterday was. As for Arya, I don't like to speak for her, but she actually became friends with you, Mary."
The woman narrowed her eyes.
"Sure."
Arya felt a pang of guilt and backed him up.
"He's right, you know."
Eragon nudged her arm and looked back at Mary.
"Yeah, you became friends with her quicker than I did. Although that isn't saying much considering I still can't tell sometimes if we're friends. But let's just say we are."
Arya titled her head, looking back at the woman.
"You suspected something?"
Mary nodded, a small bit of pride in her eyes.
"You guys were so integrated into our lives in such a way that seemed impossible. That's really the reason I suggested that you bring him in to kiss you. It would show whether you were a liar or if that light in your eyes whenever you talked about Chase was real." Arya felt her cheeks burn and she looked out the window. She could almost feel Eragon's eyes boring into her skull. She had faked the excitement for Eragon, at least that's what she told herself, and she was truly worried about how this conversation would proceed. "So then he came in and I watched and I seriously was stricken of all doubt. You two did a brilliant job. Or maybe you just lived out your feelings."
Arya wanted to clap her hand over Mary's mouth. She was obviously enjoying making the two of them squirm. Arya assumed it was the woman's payback for lying in a way. Eragon cleared his throat and chuckled.
"I think we're just epic actors."
She nodded and looked in the mirror to find the woman watching her closely, a small smirk on her features. She rolled her eyes and looked at the scenery around them. Eragon continued to talk to them about Varden and all the cool stuff there. He told Firnen about the food, which seemed to be a favorite of Eragon's. Very slowly, so much it almost wasn't noticeable, the Henders began to believe them. She really wanted to hug Eragon right then. He'd so quickly made them feel comfortable, even after all that had happened in the past two days. She reprimanded herself. Idiot. Calm yourself. Don't fall into that.
As they were getting close, they turned into a forested area that seemed perfectly blocked off. An uneasy feeling washed over her and she could tell that Eragon felt it too. In front of them, Saphira's car slowed to a stop. When the girl exited it she had a worried look on her features. Eragon rolled down his window and Saphira spoke.
"Something's wrong."
He nodded.
"I know. It doesn't seem right. There's no noise coming from the forest. There should birds and animals about."
Arya picked up her weapon, checking that it was ready. She got out of the car and walked over to Saphira.
"I'm going to check ahead, you two stay here with them."
Eragon shook his head adamantly.
"No." She ignored him, already having started walking. A door opened and his footsteps were stealthy as he raced towards her. Gripping her arm he turned her around. "Arya I said no."
She glared at him.
"Since when do I take orders from you?"
But she knew it was from his fear for her that he was reacting this way, not out of some sense of betterment. Her eyes softened and she sighed, resting her hand over his own on her arm.
"Eragon you have to stop hindering me from doing my job. This is who I am, alright? You can't change that just because you worry for my safety."
His jaw clenched.
"It doesn't mean you have to take unnecessary risks. Let me go with you."
She shook her head, motioning back towards Saphira.
"That would leave her with the people who severely dislike her. Not the brightest idea. I'm just going to look. If it's all clear I'll come back."
He sighed, releasing her arm and turning his hand in hers, linking their fingers for a brief moment. Arya's heart jumped excitedly and she cursed herself. Why was she reacting so comfortably around him?! She was bringing it all on herself.
"Fine. But be careful."
Turning back, he released her and walked to Saphira. Arya pulled out the girl's pack and attached the silencer to the gun. She grabbed binoculars and slung them around her neck while also hooking a knife to her belt. Grabbing two loaded clips and shoving them into her pockets, she started off. As soon as she was off the road, she took care to muffle her feet as they trodded through the leaves and branches. Moving quietly, she kept her ears open and eyes vigilant. She hoped this was just a coincidence of some sort.
Those hopes were completely dashed as she caught movement to her left, closer to the road. Freezing instantly, she listened for several seconds and then brought the binoculars up to her eyes. A woman was hunkered down expertly behind the brush, a radio at her belt along with a handgun. She dropped the binoculars to her chest and moved towards the woman. When she was just a few feet from her she looked for any identifying signs that she may be under Galbatorix. Finding none, Arya instead focuses on the attack. Lunging forward, she wraps her arm around the enemies throat and puts her other hand over her mouth. Grunting and thrashing are all that are heard as she tries to escape.
Arya winces as an elbow is thrown into her side repeatedly. Finally her opponent stops moving and Arya releases her. Setting her down she frisks her, finding a pack of cigarettes and a lighter but nothing else. The walkie statics and then a man's voice is ringing through at a whisper.
"Any sign of them, Mo?" Arya grabs at the walkie. "Mo? Everything alright?"
Arya pushes the button and disguises her voice as she talks into it.
"Not yet."
The man sighs.
"Dammit. Thorn better be right about this or he and Murtagh are going to get their asses thrashed."
She doesn't respond again, instead aiming the weapon at Mo's head. She couldn't risk her waking up and revealing their position. Wincing inwardly, she pulls the trigger, successfully ending the woman's life. A deep sadness fills her as she hooks the walkie to her own belt and runs back to the cars. Mary's judgement of her was correct. She had killed so many and each time it was just a bit less disgusting. That wasn't right. Nobody should ever become numb to taking a life. She pushed the thoughts from her mind as she exited the woods and slowed in front of Eragon.
"They're here."
Guest: I hope you slept in the past like, month or however long it took me to get this up! Lol I'll try to get the next chapter up sooner. Thank you :)
A Dark Noon: Ha yeah that sounds like a fun time :D Thank you and I'm glad you thought it was funny.I'm sorry it took so long to update! Life is so crazy for me right now!
My Generation: Hehe I am always worried I don't write out the emotions right so reviews like this make me very happy! And yeah I know Firnen was irrational but I was forced to think about his situation and emotions. He hasn't been trained on the same level as Saphira and he wouldn't be capable of that self-control or intellectual distance. He'll figure it out soon though, he's already started. And his parents just didn't tell him Saphira was there. Lol I like that metaphor and thank you so much! And I'm still at the same place. I'll be transferring next year.
TheeRoyalJester: Lol I wont fail you. And yeah I completely agree about the past thing, it lets you understand why people do the things they do.
Flyflyaway: No we haven't forgotten lol but we haven't gotten around to writing the next chapter. We'll try to soon though. I'm 19 yeah but I'm at a community college so it's different because I still live at home. I'll be going through the transfer next year though. What are you stressing about?
Prince Xylux: Thank you!
Microbat98: Well saying that you get annoyed that there is attractive companions is kind of the same thing. Who cares if they're attractive or not? And I completely agree with the fact that it doesn't matter if the Doctor is hot or not. I didn't say I wouldn't like him because he wasn't, I just said I would've preferred. I'm going to love him as the Doctor. Yeah but he proved them all wrong and it was awesome. Like, the underdog beating the giant. I actually think Matt Smith is attractive in a super weird way :D Yeah that kind of sucks for him but I do think he overcame.
Roxasixx: Lol thanks and I'm going to try and write a lot more than I have the past month so I can update more frequently.
Taeyeon: Yeah I've already taken three quizzes in my accounting class. BLEH. Haha yeah I'll make sure to make it awesome when they do get together.
pie6013: Lol it's not annoying :P I like your reviews.
Elemental Dragon Slayer: I think you deserve many slaps, bitch.
Morzan's Elvish Daughter: Lol were you like flipping out and squealing? Because that's what I was doing. I was supposed to be babysitting and the kids were trying to get me to take them to the pool. I was like, shut your faces I'm watching! Those actually sound fricken awesome. I definitely need to go check them out. I'll probs go get the first from Barnes and Noble today.
Ocadioan: Ha yeya you were basically right. :) Idk I'm pretty evil. . . . Yeah no nobody's dying. Yet.
funnelwebs: I thought it was pretty funny lmao. I'm just going to assume you're brilliant. Lol he is that. (eugh, complimenting his is so hard. Our conversations involve us constantly insulting each other lol). Yeah no ExA action just yet. Yeah I don't even have a twitter so I've never hashtagged anything. Yeah I write emotion mostly just because that's what I like to read most of. I mean, obviously it needs action, but I really like emotional writing. Hahaha you crack me up XD
Gazamidori: Lol that interests me, actually. What were the reasons you thought I was a guy? I used to assume it would be a lot of girls that read fanfiction and I was pleasantly surprised to find out it's predominantly guys (in Inheritance FF at least). :P And I don't want to ever keep things too serious because then it's just no fun. I used to do that as well.
Tinker: Well there's a reason he goes to Vroengard. But yeah the ending sucked majorly. I was really upset with it. I think the most annoying thing was the fact that Paolini kept writing from Roran and Nasuada's perspectives. I've probably said this before but I don't really give a crap about them. If he really wanted to do a different person's perspective, he should've done Arya's.
Renaissancebooklover108: Lol it's ok! Everything will be awesome again soon.
burning book: Lmao he basically is.
highheel1144: I hope this met expectation. I was debating how to have her react and I wanted it to be less volatile than she usually acted towards him. Thanks :D