For Alagaesia: 6. Darkness gathers

Eragon and Saphira had been flying for about an hour when Blodhgarm contacted Eragon mentally and informed him that Islanzadi had asked him to meet her. Eragon relayed the message to Saphira who rather begrudgingly started to descend to the ground. Once they reached the ground the four of his 12 guards who were in Gil'ead surrounded them protectively. Eragon was a little irritated. He didn't think that it was necessary to have guards in a city administered by the elves themselves. But he didn't want to have any disagreements with his guards who were completely loyal and friendly towards him and Saphira. So he let them go with him. Upon reaching the mansion where Islanzadi lived, Eragon was admitted in the court room without any delay.

Eragon entered the room where the elven royal council was meeting. Almost immediately the tenseness in the air caught his attention. Saphira was listening in keenly. It seemed to them that something important had occurred. Eragon said to Saphira, 'I only wish this thing isn't bad' He scanned the room once and found that most of the elf-lords and ladies were present and most were tense. Arya was present too and she too looked uneasy. 'The signs aren't good, Saphira', he said to her as he walked toward the elven queen. When he reached a respectable distance from the seat of the Queen, he bowed and twisted his hand to touch his lips and recited the greeting words. The queen followed suit and then asked him to be seated. Eragon was allotted a seat next to Lord Dathedr who was seated to the right of the Queen. Arya was to the left of the queen. Once he was comfortably seated, the queen said, "Shurtugal, I have news from Nasuada, leader of the Varden." Eragon became alert. It was not always that the Varden contacted the elves and certainly not common for the elves to conduct such extensive meetings over news from the Varden.

"The little girl, Elva has been missing.", the queen said. Eragon was shocked. But he didn't show it on his face choosing to be more elven, taking in the news casually. 'That little trouble-maker', Saphira commented. "I asked Arya about the little girl and what she had to say about her wasn't good.", the Queen said a bit hardly which seemed to Eragon like he was being accused by the queen for creating someone like Elva. He didn't say anything in response though and the queen continued, "We discussed the matter thoroughly for the past one hour and we believe that it isn't good for the elves and the Varden to have her out of our grasp. I believe you accept this." Eragon didn't say anything. He just nodded his head in acceptance. The queen went on, "A group of elves have been assigned to find her and Arya has accepted to lead that group." Again Eragon nodded his head. But it occurred to him that just nodding his head for everything that the queen had to say may look disrespectful and so just said, "Yes. Arya Dröttningu is the best person for such a job." Islanzadi now nodded her head and said, "In view of these developments, Nasuada has asked for your early return to the Varden." Eragon wasn't surprised by this because it was expected that Nasuada will want him to be at her side when things were this bad. It was for the good of the Varden. "I too believe that I should go to the Varden. Elva is a potential threat to the Varden's safety.", Eragon said.

The queen then looked around and asked all those who were present in the meeting, "Is there anything more that you would like to add?" Arya raised and said in a formal tone, "Islanzadi Drottning, If Eragon Shurtugal is to depart to the Varden shortly, then we have to choose somebody capable enough to protect him from imminent dangers to be sent along with him." Eragon wanted to protest saying there won't be any dangers in the route they were to take but restrained himself because the matter wasn't directed at him. Islanzadi answered with obvious authority, "Such a person is already arranged, Drottuningu. Eragon's chief guard, Blodhgarm will accompany him back to the Varden." Arya nodded her head in approval. It was then that Eragon noticed many eyes were upon him. They were expecting his approval too. Saphira said, 'Blodhgarm will do, Eragon' and Eragon relayed his acceptance to the council and the council was then dismissed shortly.

Eragon was packing his things. There wasn't much to be carried anyway because of his simple lifestyle. Glaedr's eldunari, a few blankets, his sword and some food was all he had to pack and he did so very quickly. He also wanted to revitalise his energy resources and so went to the forest covered area around the Isenstar lake and started taking little amounts of energy from huge trees and wild animals. When the 12 diamonds in the belt of Beloth the wise and the blue gem in Brisingr's pommel were sufficiently filled, he stopped the work. They seemed to be capable of storing much more. But he didn't have the time needed. It had already taken about two hours to do this. He scanned the area of the forest he derived energy from; it looked grim and lifeless-although no deaths had been caused-which made his mind heavy. He sighed, turned around and started to make his way back to the city.

Eragon had walked for about ten minutes, when he came across the banks of the Isenstar lake. He could see the city far away now that the trees didn't obstruct his view. Everything was tinted black as the sun had set just minutes ago and the last tentacles of light was what held on the view. A lone figure was visible a little way ahead of his position seated on the sand watching the tiny ripples in the water. Eragon didn't have to examine to know that it was Arya. He was happy that he could get atleast a few minutes to speak to her before they were to be separated. But he wasn't sure what he should speak to her at such a time. The inexperience-he had never before wished her "good bye"-and his uncertain relationship with her didn't help his cause either. But when he neared her all his discomforts vanished as she turned her head around and on seeing him smiled a little. "What are you doing here, Arya?", he asked. "I wanted a few minutes of peace, Eragon",she answered him. "Oh. Then am I disturbing?", he made to go but Arya stopped him, "Its nothing, Eragon."

Eragon settled himself near Arya at right angles to her and started watching the water like her. Soon he was fascinated by the beauty of it and he started enjoying the view especially because Arya was by his side doing the same. After a few minutes, Arya shifted herself to a more comfortable position and Eragon was brought out of his reverie. "What do you think of Elva?", Eragon wanted to know what Arya's thoughts were on the issue. "I can't say anything Eragon. We don't know where she went or why she went. But it isn't good for us having her out of our reach. That is why I decided to search for her myself" Eragon couldn't respond to this because he felt like he was responsible for all of this. He kept silent and gazed at the water. After a few moments Arya said, "Don't feel responsible, Eragon. You have done everything you can to correct the mistake that you committed out of ignorance. Whatever happens hereafter is Wyrda" "But I did it. I was the one who created her. I made her endure so much pain and unusual growth. If not for my stupid blessing we wouldn't have had to go through such difficult times.", blurted out Eragon. "Look at me, Eragon.", Arya said. When Eragon continued murmuring under his breath persisting with his gazing of the water, Arya forcibly said, "Eragon. Look at me." He looked into her face hesitantly. She said, "Wyrda is strong, Eragon. It does many things to our lives. If you feel, you are responsible for Elva then so is Vrael for the fall of the riders." Eragon looked at Arya with respect and thankfulness for the trust she had in him and silently vowed to himself that he would do everything possible to live upto her trust and expectations.

Both became silent then preferring to watch the rise and fall of little waves on the lake's surface. Eragon revelled in the presence of Arya as the air wafted in a direction that it brought her scent of crushed pine cones upon him. He imagined how it would be if he could hold her in his arms in this situation and speak sweet words in her ears. His face might have given away his happiness of such thoughts because Arya asked unexpectedly, "What are you so happy about?". Becoming aware of his surroundings once again because of her question he turned red in the face and managed to say, "Oh...Its... the situation ...Its peaceful" "Yes. It is. I wish it were like this always.", she replied. Eragon was so happy that she wanted this as much as himself. 'Its the environment she is talking of, Eragon. Not the company.', said Saphira from somewhere far away. 'Saphira?', asked Eragon. 'Yes. Its me. It is getting late, little one. We have to go. Finish your farewell soon and give her mine too.', she said. Eragon wanted to be in this peaceful place for all his life. But he knew he had his duties and foremost of them now was to leave this peace and the one responsible for it and head for the Varden.

"How will you search for Elva?", Eragon asked suddenly remembering that Arya was to do the searching. "We can't risk going into the Empire. So we will try a mental search at first. Preferring to scry places where she may be likely to go" Arya said with an air of hopelessness to her voice. "But she will defy our attempts. She can read our fears so easily.", Eragon's voice conveyed even more hopelessness and a sort of fear that was born out of Elva's easy attack at his core values when he tried to remove her abilities. "Yes. That will be a problem. We have to invent spells so that our fears can't be read by her at first", Arya's voice started getting a professional edge to it. Eragon was sure that if there was one person who could search Elva, it was Arya. The more he knew about her the more sure he was about her abilities, determination and devotion to the greater good. He was proud of himself for loving such a person even if his love was unrequited.

"Aren't you leaving for the Varden today, Eragon?", Arya asked him going out of the uneasy discussion about Elva. "Yes. And it is about time we started moving. In fact, Saphira just contacted me and asked to give her parting wishes to you.", said Eragon. "Yes. Convey my greetings to her too, Eragon. And be careful. Both of you. Keep Blodhgarm with you always. He is well trained and experienced.", Arya advised. Eragon nodded. He wanted to tell Arya to do the same. 'Be careful, Arya' was on his lips but the fear that such words may alienate her from him stopped him from saying so openly. He just nodded and said, "We will. Good bye, Arya." "Good bye, Eragon.", Arya said with a slight smile and Eragon although used to seeing her smile at him now-a-days felt his heart stop to take in her lovely face.

Eragon rerunning the most recent conversation he had had with Arya in his mind, left the banks of the Isenstar lake for the city of Gil'ead. When he reached the city the sun was well below the horizon and night had fallen. Saphira was waiting for him. She had been conversing with Glaedr all the while when Eragon had gone to store his diamonds with energy. They had decided that Glaedr will close his mind off completely during their travel as the travel involved Blodhgarm who wasn't aware of the Eldunari. Eragon too accepted the view without question because he knew well that information about Eldunari shouldn't be common knowledge.

After double checking his packages, Eragon and Saphira went to Queen Islanzadi to take a formal leave. She came in person and bade them farewell and good luck. Blodhgarm joined them at the mansion of the queen. So they set off without wasting anymore time. Within ten minutes they had left the safety wards laid by the elves around the city of Gil'ead.

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"Were you acquainted with any dragons before the fall, Blodhgarm?", Eragon asked eager to know if Blodhgarm who was a living member of the people from before the fall was accustomed to dragons. "I had two friends who were riders, Shadeslayer. We were all born in the same city at the same time-which as you know is a rarity for elves-and so were inseparable friends. When they were selected as riders, I was very proud. It is from them that I learned a lot of rider-specific things.", said Blodhgarm in a dazed way. Eragon had expected Blodhgarm to have known some dragon; but in no way did he expect him to have been this close to riders. "Their dragons? Were they your friends too?", Eragon asked a little hesitantly for he knew elves protected their private life rigorously and didn't say things about their life to mere acquaintances. "They were. Very dear to me. They took me on rides across Alagaesia when they were free of duties. Those days... ", Blodhgarm stopped there not wanting to continue. Eragon guessed Blodhgarm didn't consider Eragon friend-enough to say anything more. Nonetheless, Eragon's respect for Blodhgarm increased many-fold having known that he was a close friend of the riders of the old.

"What was the state of the elven nation when Galbatorix launched his attack, Blodhgarm?", Eragon shifted to a more generic topic. "We were all heart-broken. Having a rider as an enemy was new for us. We respected the riders for all they had achieved. But when we knew that a rider had turned dark, we felt betrayed. Galbatorix and the Wyrdfell's actions were cruel. They burned whole cities. Killed every other rider and dragon. There was total chaos. However, fast and strong we were, we couldn't match those maddened dragons and riders who seemed to have unending energy. But our greatest tragedy was our King's death. He died just days after our princess was born. Those days are better left buried in memory, Shadeslayer.", replied Blodhgarm. Eragon's heart turned heavy. 'All because of one mad man. Arya didn't even get to know her father.', he said to Saphira. 'And you didn't get to know your mother. And I didn't get to know my parents.', Saphira finished bitingly for him.

After that their flight was more subdued without much talking done. Eragon felt himself falling into his waking dreams late at night. But his dreams were dark and disturbing. He constantly shifted from full wakefulness and dream state because of his dreams. Saphira tried to block out his bad dreams by sending into his mind all the love she felt for him. Her actions finally seemed to keep the bad dreams away and Eragon murmured in Saphira's mind, 'I love you, Saphira.' Saphira hummed deep in her throat contented as she kept flying at a steady pace towards the mountain of Utgard which was just ahead. It was then that she noticed a flash of red coming fast at her from the ground. She woke Eragon hurriedly and said, "Little One! Thorn is after us."

Author's Note:

This was sort of hard to write. A good-bye to Arya was all I had in mind.