Here is chapter 8. This will be the longest chapter so far for this story. It took a while to get it written. I kept deleting what I wrote and trying different ways to go with the chapter. I want to thank everyone who has reviewed so far.
Eragon was over looking the villiage he grew up in. He was sadden to see it all fortified and the people looking scared because if the soldiers camped outside the villiage. There was not many of them so Eragon figured they were waiting for reinforcements.
Saphira walked up beside him. 'You could take them and not even break a sweat.'
Eragon gave a small chuckle. "Yes I could but lets find out what is going on first. We don't know how long the standoff has been going on. There maybe reinforcements close by. I need you tonight to check the rest of the valley."
'What will you be doing?' asked Saphira like she didn't know.
"Sneaking in to Horst home and healing Garrow." answered Eragon.
E/A
Later that night Eragon and Saphira flew low over the village. Eragon jumped off Saphira and held his hand out "veoht". He landed quietly on the roof. Working his way around he looked in the widow of the room that he knew Garrow would be in.
Looking in he saw Garrow laying in the bed with Elain and Katrina watching over him. "Slytha". The two woman fell asleep. Eragon opened the window and approached his uncle.
As he approached his uncle Garrow woke up. Seeing a man who's face was hidden in a cloak scared Garrow.
"Who are you? What did you do to them?" asked a defiant Garrow.
Eragon lowered his hood. "Hello Uncle. I came as soon as I discovered you were hurt. I came to heal you."
"Eragon."
"Yes Uncle. Sorry I had to disappear but it was for your safety. If I had stayed word have might have gotten out about some things and the Empire would have come looking for me." explained Eragon. "I know you have questions but they can wait. Lets get you healed up first then I will answer what I can."
Eragon notice Garrow past back out. While Garrow was out Eragon unwrapped his injury so he could see it. Working on healing from the inside to the out Eragon was able to heal his Uncle with using just a little energy from his sword.
With his Uncle healed Eragon snuck back out and waited on the window. He waited on the roof for Saphira to return.
E/A
Saphira was checking the country side when she felt a familiar presence brush up against her mind. 'Hello Emerald eyes. What are you doing here?'
'Looking for you and Eragon. I was not leaving him to deal with this on his own.' answered Arya.
'Does Oromis and Brom know where you are?' asked Saphira.
'I did not tell them I just called Firnen and took off after you two. I'm sure they have quest.' replied Arya.
Saphira just chuckled. 'Eragon will be surprised. He was afraid you would not speak with him for a long while.'
Arya just rolled her eyes. 'I am still upset with him but I would not abandon him. Where is he at?'
'If all went as planed he is waiting on the roof of the blacksmith for me to pick him up." answered Saphira. "I am looking to see if there are any more soldiers in the valley.'
'We will get him and meet you over Carvahall' replied Firnen.
E/A
Eragon sat low on the roof and tried to pick up any information on what was going on. He knew he would need to leave soon as the spell that put Katrina and Elain asleep would wear off soon. His Uncle should sleep till morning.
He sat there a while waiting when an individual dropped from the sky much like he did. He jumped and pulled his sword ready to attack when he saw who it was. Putting his sword away he turned to the raven hair elf with emerald eyes that had owned his heart for years.
Sitting back down "Arya what are you doing here?" asked Eragon.
"Did you think I would let you go off on your own and possibly get yourself killed." stated Arya with a little bit of heat in her voice.
Eragon was trying to hold his anger in as he spoke. "I am more the capable of taking care of myself."
Arya detected the underline tone in his voice. "My apologize, I didn't mean you could not but you also did not know the full extent in what is going on here when you just left."
Taking a deep breath Eragon changed to the ancient language "No I apologize. I didn't mean to take my frustrations out on you. Truth is I am still not all that sure what is going on. My Uncle was not any shape to answer before I healed him. He passed out after waking for a minute."
Arya asked "By the presences of the Imperial soldiers camped outside the village things are not good here."
"No the villagers have put barricades up all around the village. I have tried listening in on conversations but have no idea why the soldiers are here. Gallbatorix can not know of me yet." explained Eragon.
"I assume you don't want the village to know you are here."
"No, that would not be good. To many questions would be asked and if they discovered there was an elf her. They would never be able to keep that quiet." explained Eragon.
"What of your family. Surely you can trust them to keep your presents a secret." asked a concerned Arya.
"Yes, Come on we need to make our way to the ground. Elain and Katrina should have woken up by now and checked on my Uncle." explained Eragon.
Both made it around the house to were they could safely jump to the ground with out being seen. Once down they made their way around the front. Eragon used a few words in the ancient language to listen in the house. He heard Elain explained that she checked Garrows injuries and they were all healed. Eragon ended the spell and turned to his companion. Taking a deep breath he knocked on the door.
E/A
"I don't know Horst. I fell asleep when I woke up Katrina was also just waking up. I checked Garrow and his bandages were gone and his wound was healed." Elain told all those that were there.
She had left Katrina with Garrow and came down stairs were her husband and sons were. Roran was also there. Horst and the others were shocked at the sudden healing of Garrow.
They were all startled by a knock at the front door. "You all wait here I will answer it." stated Horst.
Horst reached the door and call out. "Who is it?"
"A friend. I nor my companion mean you no harm."
Horst looked to his two sons and Roran. Once they were in position to support Horst if needed Horst opened the door. When he opened the door he saw two hooded figures.
The taller of the two spoke. "May we come in. I do not wish for the whole village to see us."
Horst thought the voice was familiar but it was Ronan that made the connection "Eragon."
Lowering his hood. "Hello Roran, Horst may we come in. I don't need everyone to know I am here."
A shocked Horst moved out of the way and Eragon and Arya stepped in so horst could close the door. Once it was close Eragon turned to address everyone when a fist connected with his face.
Eragon got knocked back but it was Roran that ended on the floor with an emerald sword at his throat. "Touch him again and I will kill you where you stand." said a female voice laced with a lot of venom.
Eragon moved next to Arya and place a hand on her arm. "Arya, it's Ok. Let him up so we can explain a few things."
Arya nodded to Eragon. She stood back and sheathed her sword. Everyone got a good look at the armor she wore even if the hood still concealed her face.
"Now if we can all sit at the table I will explain what I can and I have a few questions of my own." suggest Eragon.
Roran got up and gave Arya a wide berth. Eragon stayed a minute to have a word with Arya.
Speaking in a whisper. "Touch him again and I will kill you where you stand?"
"You are my friend." said Arya in a matter of fact tone.
"That's one of the things I lo.. like about you. You are always willing to stand by those you care about." said an embarrassed Eragon at his almost slip of the tongue.
Speaking in the ancient language. "It's OK Eragon. I own you an apology. I reacted badly to what you told me. I also understand why you never told me before. I have had time to think about what you said and we will talk about it later but now. Now we have other things to worry about."
Eragon gave Arya the sign of respect before they joined the others. When the got there Baldor asked.
"What was that language she spoke?" asked amazed Baldor.
Eragon turned to Arya who lowered her hood. Turning back to the others. "It is called the ancient language. It is the language that the elves speak. Arya as you can see is an elf and my most trusted friend. Use caution when speaking to her or about her. Elves have long memories when insulted and I would take it badly if she was insulted." relied Eragon with an edge to his voice none of them ever heard before.
Horst decide to lead the discussion as it was his house. 'Eragon could you explain what happen to you and were have you been."
Eragon looked at them all before speaking. "Maybe you should get Katrina so I only have to tell you all once." Elain looked at Horst before fetching the young woman.
It was a few minutes later Elain lead a shocked Katrna down stairs. When Katrina saw Eragon she approached him and gave him a hug which he returned. Arya eyes narrowed which didn't go unnoticed by the others.
Arya felt a new feeling she never felt before seeing the young human female hug Eragon. She tried not to believe what it was but deep down she realized it was jealousy.
Roran seeing the look the elf was giving Katrina stepped close to her and pulled a confused Katrina to the other side of the table. When Katrina looked at him he whispered something that had her look between Eragon and Arya.
Eragon decided it was safer to ignore the glare Arya was giving Katrina and the knowing look Katrina was now giving him.
Taking a deep breath Eragon looks at every one at the table before starting. "Understand I can't tell you everything at the moment." Eragon held his hand up to forstall the complaints. "It's not that I don't want to it's just safer this way."
"Tell us what you can Lad." Eragon nodded to Horst.
Eragon continued. "While hunting I found something in the Spine that changed my life and very well could change the lives of all the races in Alagaesia. I have been off learning and training. Arya is one of the one I have learned from along with Brom and another elf. Brom it turns out is my father. Because of who he is has had to hide that fact and I need you all to keep it quiet for now. If Galbatorix was to learn this it would be bad."
Katrina asked "Why would the King care?"
"Brom was a rider. Morzan killed his dragon during the fall. He met my mother years later while spying on Morzan. They fell in love and when my mother became pregnant she came her to keep me safe. My father learned of this and hid here to watch over me."
"I did not want to disappear and let everyone think I was dead but to keep you all safe it had to be that way."
"Why come back now then?" Roran asked with a lot of anger in his voice which made Arya step closer to Eragon and glare at Roran.
"He came back to save your father. When he discovered is injury he made his way here to try to save him. Which he was able to do." Arya explained.
Elain gave a gasp. "You healed Garrow."
"Yes, one of the things I learned was magic. With what I learned I was able to heal him and save his life."
"Some of the other things I learned was how to read and write in basic and the ancient language. I also can speak another two languages a little. I learned the history of out land. I have also been trained with a sword."
"Now could you explain to me why the soldiers are here? Why Carvahall is barricaded and what happen to my Uncle."
Horst explain that they had a warning the Empire was sending soldiers out and taking all those who they felt could fight. The village decided it was best to hide all the young men. The soldiers started to tear the village apart looking for them and how one day several tried to take Katrina which lead to Garrows injuries and the current state to the village.
Eragon was glad that it had not been him for the reason for the mess the village was in and his family was not being targeted. The problem was he knew Galbatorix would not take the village defying him. He would make an example of them. The problem was getting them to safetey, either in Surdan or with the Varden in Farthen Dur.
He knew they made it to Surdan on their own the last time but Jeod did not know Eragon this time around. He needed to talk with Arya.
"The way I see it, because you stood up to the soldiers you can stay here and take your chances. I will tell you that that way will lead to your deaths or enslavement. The other option is to flee to Surdan or to join the Varden which is currently with the Dwarfs. Both Surdan and the Varden would welcome you. Getting there is the problem. I need to think about how I can help you. Arya and I are suppose to leave for the Varden in around 3 weeks." explained Eragon.
"How much time do you think we have?" asked Elain.
"I don't know. Arya and I have the valley being watched for more troops. If Galbatorix has a magician with these soldiers he will already know of your defiance and troops will be on the way. If he does not, which I believe he doesn't then someone will need to ride to Ceunon or Gil'ead. That will take time. At least a week if the rider rides hard. Then a few days if your lucky for them to organize some troops. Over a week for them to make it here. I would say at least three weeks from when a rider was sent. Arya." Eragon explained before turning to Arya.
"I would have to agree. Best guess the rider will head to Gil'ead. I doubt Galbatorix will waste a magician in Ceunon. When did you kill the soldiers?" asked Arya.
Horst answered "I would say about 4 days ago. I didn't see anyone ride out, boys."
Roran replied "I thought I saw someone leave a couple days ago."
"I would have to agree I was on guard duty the first couple days during the day. There was not a lot of movement in the soldiers camp and I thought I saw a rider head south a couple days ago." replied Albriech.
Eragon thought for a minute. He needed a map. He had one but it was with Saphira. He turned to Arya and spoke in the Ancient language.
"Arya do you think you could sneak out to the north of the village and meet the dragons. I have map in my saddle bag." asked Eragon.
Arya was a little surprised. "Yes I can be back no later then an hour if not sooner. It would depend on where the dragons were."
"If you go out the back door you should be able to avoid any villagers. Please go and be careful." Eragon said.
Arya got up and gave Eragon the elven sign of respect before leaving. Everyone was surprise by her sudden departure.
Eragon seeing their questions "She has left to get me something. Horst, Elain it is getting late. I hate to ask."
Before he could finish Elain spoke. "Eragon you don't need to ask. You have always been welcome here. Your friend Arya is also welcome. We have a spare room that the two of you will need to share if that is not a problem."
"Thank you Elain. We can make a single room work." replied Eragon.
"While we wait for your friend, tell us some more of what you have been up to." Ronan requested.
E/A
It was a couple hours later that Arya was able to sneak back. The dragons had been away so it was a while before Arya was able to contact Firnen. When the two dragons arived she explained what was going on and that they would probably be here a little while. She then got the map and some cloths and other thing her and Eragon would need. Including a mirror that was spelled to connect with a mirror in Oromis's hut.
When she got back she could see the relief in Eragon's face. Eragon explained the sleeping arrangements. She could sense Eragon's nervousness. She figure he would be worried she would be upset. She was now sitting on the bed in the room while Eragon went to check is Uncle before turning in for the night.
Eragon walked in a few minutes later and put wards up on the door. "He seems to be doing OK. Still asleep but I expected that."
"I am glad that you were able to heal your Uncle and he will be fine. I brought a mirror that we can use to contact Oromis and Brom. We should do that soon." explained Arya.
"We can do that first thing in the morning. They are both asleep by now. Plus your Mother will probably wish to speak with you." replied a tired Eragon.
"We are both tired ourselves. Let us get some sleep. I brought clothes and other things we will need for a few days." Arya informed Eragon.
"I will take the floor, you can have the bed." Eragon told her.
"I am not some week human female that has to have bed while the male sleeps on the floor. Plus the bed is big enough for both of us to sleep on it comfortable." Arya answered while glaring at him.
Eragon gave a small laugh before replying. "Arya I can take..."
"Eragon either we both sleep on the bed or on the floor." stated an annoyed Arya.
Eragon knew it was useless to argue with her on this. They both got changed and climbed in bed. After wishing each other good night Eragon turned off the lights. Both were asleep shortly after that.
So Eragon and Arya are in Carvahall and now have to figure the best way to save the village. Also the green eye monster has shown up in Arya. What will Oromis and Brom think when Eragon and Arya contact them. Hope you all enjoy this chapter.