Hey pplz, sorry I couldn't be bothered to update for ages, it's not exactly encouraging though, I mean how can nearly 1500 people read my story and yet only 40 ppl actually bother to review? Okay anyway… I'm wondering whether to only write about Eragon and Arya, or write about the events going on around them as well, eg, Nasauda/Murtagh and Orik.
Disclaimer: Yeah yeah we know, we've been through this a couple hundred times already…but anyway, so that Chris P won't sue me…I don't own any characters used in my fanfic…I've talked long enough…on with the reading!
Chapter 4: Start of Rivalry?
Arya fought through the tangled vines and foliage towards Tronjheim. She broke off the last stubborn tendril of a plant that stuck stubbornly to her tunic and slipped quietly through the secret passageway that allowed spies of the Varden to come in and out of the stronghold without causing much attention.
She noticed with a start that she had stayed out much longer than she had planned, even though it was fairly early, the night had fallen and many had already retired to their homes to have the last meal.
Dodging random wanderers, mostly couples out for a stroll, she arrived at the spot which she had left Eragon.
She looked around, eyes searching for his familiar form. Shadows were everywhere, and even with her elven eyes, she could not distinguish silhouettes of people from the shadows of the buildings.
Where is he? She thought frustratedly on the inside though she kept up her blank face, after searching for more than an hour.
She looked around her one more time before seating herself on the edge of the fountain next to her.
The rushing and splashing noise calmed her frazzled nerves and she let out a huge sigh.
As she rubbed her temples with the tips of her fingers, and slowly the sound of a person talking found it's way to her ears. The voice was so quiet, she could barely hear it. Shutting off the other noises, and concentrating on the particular noise, she found it easier to discern the speaker.
Trianna? What was she doing out so late? Came Arya's suspicious thoughts, she had always been cautious of the witch and usually avoided her if possible.
She stood and crept towards her voice, as she got closer, the footfalls of only one pair of feet were heard. Her eyebrows came together in confusion. Could Trianna be talking to herself?
Then she concentrated even harder and a soft padding was apparent. Arya frowned, no-one in the Varden could step so lightly, excluding her, and to her knowledge none of her people were currently residing here.
She reached a dark alley and could tell that she was very close to the two people.
Wending her way around discarded weapons lying on the floor and empty wine bottles, she cautiously looked around the corner.
Two beings were coming towards her position. One was very tall and had a muscular structure and was decidedly masculine. The other was a head and a half shorter with curves and a tread like a females'.
Arya could have slapped herself, how could she not recognize Eragon? After all he had learned from the elves, it was only obvious that he would pick up their traits, including elven gracefulness and light walking, besides, he had also been changed to part elf at the Agaeti Blodhren.
She stepped out and the couple's talking ceased when they saw her.
Arya ignored Trianna and spoke to Eragon directly.
"May I have a word?"
She looked into his hard eyes and inside, she shriveled up in fright at the coldness radiating from him. She looked, but no emotions escaped the metal barrier Eragon had set, making his face inscrutable.
For a moment, Arya though he was going to refuse and yell at her, but then the moment dissipated and his shoulders seemed to sag slightly in defeat.
Eragon bowed to Trianna, whose eyes were narrowed at Arya. "I shall wait here for you." She told him. He nodded in understanding.
Arya took his hand, which was unresponsive and reluctant and led him away from the other woman.
Setting magical barriers that did not allow them to be overheard, she dropped his hand and looked up at him again.
"I…" This was harder than she had thought.
He stood slightly impatiently, waiting for her to speak.
The silence stood between them and the faraway gush of the fountain was barely heard from where they were.
Arya pulled herself together, who was she to crumble and be afraid to speak to a man nearly half a century younger than her? She took a little breath in and straightened her back.
"Eragon…vor, I wanted to apologize for my outburst earlier on, it seemed I was too stressed. Now that the war is over, I dread when my mother will bring up the subject of the Elven crown with me yet again."
He looked away to the left, seeming to gather his thoughts and appeared to be trying to calm his conflicting thoughts, then his eyes went blank and Arya was concerned for a moment before she remembered that he was probably speaking to Saphira.
After a while, his face contorted into a face of anger and annoyance but then resignation flashed across his features.
He suddenly returned his gaze to her, so sudden that she was startled for a moment. She was glad to see that it had lessened its' ferocity somewhat.
"Your apology is accepted, Arya Svit-Kona, I was also wrong in not answering your question, I realize you were just concerned about me, but some things, I'm just not ready to tell anyone."
She sighed inwardly in relief, "I understand, I shouldn't have pushed you so much."
He nodded, still acting slightly frosty towards her.
It's better than nothing. Arya thought to herself, but was annoyed at the thoughts of having to again build up their friendship.
She nodded to herself.
"Would…would you want to go for a walk?" She asked a little tentatively.
Eragon hesitated and glanced back to where Trianna was glaring suspiciously at them.
"Trianna is waiting for me." He replied.
Arya felt a sudden urge to drop all politeness and formality and just do what she wanted.
"Come, forget about that wily snake." She said, grabbing his arm and guiding him away.
As they started to walk off, Eragon craned his neck around at the witch behind them, but then gazed forward again.
They hadn't taken even a dozen steps before a females' voice rang out.
"Wait!"
There was the sound of footsteps, and suddenly the pair were wrenched apart.
When Arya next looked at Eragon, Trianna was hanging off him, practically sucking up towards him, half her body balanced on his.
Arya closed her eyes for a moment, praying to any forsaken gods the elves had ignored over the centuries of existence. She calmed her anger and got ready for the confrontation.
Yes, I know, Arya is supposed to be around 80-100 at the end of the second book and Eragon around 16-18 but I decided to make him grow up a little to 24 and I've reduced Arya's age a little, to make their relationship seem less…creepy, now she's around her 70's.
Well, this chapter is shorter than the others, but I guess better than nothing. The plot is just getting started so be patient!!! And I ask again, if there is anyone willing to collaborate with me for this story, writing all the not-romance parts (although what the hell would non-romantic people be here anyone, since this is a romantic fic).
REVIEW ALERT! REVIEW ALERT! Okay, I raise my expectations, last time I got 19 reviews, so I'm expecting at least 20 for this chapter please…