The moment we have all been waiting for...R&R Everyone.
Change was neither good nor bad.
It was a mere accumulation of knowledge that differed from the norm and it was in the power of the observer to decide what to do with it. He understood that fact now more than anything. And that was why he saw this change in his life as good—it was a miracle that was given to him. Had anyone told him twenty-two years ago that he would end up changing the world and his own life in the process for the better; he would have thought them ridiculous and crazed. But it was true for here he was in a city he had helped to create, leading an Order that would safeguard the peace of the world. More importantly, he was here with Saphira, Arya, and his daughter.
"Father," he glanced over at his five year old daughter who was much too intelligent for any other child her age but then again, Arya seemed to be impressing on her the importance of knowledge lately.
"What is it Evanthe?"
Having taken up the task of naming their daughter, Eragon had wanted to find a way to honor Arya's late father. The man had sacrificed his life for his daughter and in that one moment, Eragon understood. Though Arya had been young since the death of her father, she understood his sacrifice. Evandar wanted her to live in a world without fear, tyranny, and death. He gave his life for her and Islanzadí and in doing so; he relinquished his time with his only daughter. In that one moment, he felt as if he understood Evandar more than he ever could as one father to another. Looking down upon their daughter at that moment, the name had struck a chord in Eragon. It was a way for them to honor Arya's late father and reinforce the fact that every daughter was beloved of their parents.
Evanthe blinked up at him with her wide doe eyes and he knew instantly that she wanted something that he would be hard pressed to give her. Usually, Evanthe could ask anything of her parents and they would give it to her. But when it was something difficult or something that Evanthe knew her parents did not particularly agree on she would use her 'persuasiveness' to get what she pleased. Eragon blamed Arya for that particular trait in their daughter.
"When will I be able to learn how to fight with a sword?" she asked, her innocence tinged with a hint of curiosity. Eragon blinked at her question before frowning. He had deliberately kept Evanthe away from weapons of any sort. She wasn't going to wield a sword until she was older. He did not want her to learn how to fight at such a young age. It was one thing that he and Arya both agreed upon when she was born. They would teach her about the ways of the world and until she was old enough, they would hold off teaching her how to wield a blade. Though he was sure Evanthe would be able to pick up on the skill naturally he would like to be given the benefit of the doubt just this once.
"When you are older," said Eragon leaving no room for argument. She looked like she wanted to plead more but Eragon merely shook his head directing her attention back to the parchment she was writing on. "If you do not finish, your mother will be upset with you."
"But father," Evanthe peered up at him with her imploring expression, "I have done the same exercises all day. Can we finish my lesson here?" And that is why Arya should never ask me to teach our daughter, thought Eragon torn. Evanthe was right. They had spent the better part of the day working on her handwriting which was beginning to take an elegant form but far from the masterful lines that Arya or even he could produce. But she was only five! He certainly did not learn how to write when he was five. Peering down at the parchment, Eragon nodded. They had done enough for the day and if Arya was going to scold someone for slacking it would be him for allowing Evanthe to slack away from her lessons.
"We have worked enough," agreed Eragon as he stroked his daughter's hair, he slid the paper away from her and placed it on his large maple desk in his study. His daughter only beamed at him as she began to pile away her inkwell and quill. "What do you want to do today, Evanthe?"
Her legs swung from the cushioned armchair she sat in as she thought about his question seriously. After a moment, she turned her wide emerald eyes onto him with a hopeful expression, "Can I watch mother teach the students today? I promise I will not interrupt her." The last part she said earnestly and seeing as she was speaking in the ancient language he knew his daughter was not lying. Eragon thought for a moment. Arya had decided to see to the students today so that he could watch over Evanthe but he didn't see the harm of not allowing their daughter to observe her mother whilst she was teaching.
"Of course," he reached down and picked up his daughter allowing her to wrap her legs about his waist and her arms about his neck. Since he was unnaturally strong, Evanthe weighed nothing in his arms. She was as light as a feather and therefore he never really complained about carrying his daughter about. He was not looking forward to the day that Evanthe grew too old for him to carry or too independent. His daughter, however, was unlike Arya in that aspect. She clung to her parents wherever they went and though she was independent it did not stop her from wanting to be held or cuddled by either of them.
Making his way out of his study, he continued through their chambers until he reached the door to the actual staircase that led down to the ground floor and the hall that would lead into the city where he would be able to take Evanthe with him to where Arya was training their students. Descending the stairs, Eragon was content to merely reveling in the closeness with his daughter but Evanthe had other plans.
If there was one thing that could describe their daughter, it was that Evanthe was very curious about the world. "Father?"
"Hmm?"
"Why do we live so high up?"
Indeed, thought Eragon amused. Oftentimes, they would descend from the citadel on dragonback but seeing as Eridor and Saphira had left earlier with Arya, he had to take the steps down. "Well, it is to give your mother and I a good vantage point of the city."
"Why?"
"So that we may see what happens below us," he smiled as he took in the sparkle of her emerald eyes.
"Why?"
"So that we can guard against any sort of threats that might come our way," answered Eragon truthfully. Though Evanthe was young, he never liked to lie to his daughter. If there was a question that he felt that he could give an answer to, he would without hesitation. She blinked up at him once like an owl, her brows creasing. Instead of asking more about the subject, she turned away from it altogether bringing forth another subject. It was in these rare moments when her intelligence shown.
Halfway down the staircase, an amused question suddenly occurred to Eragon as he turned his brown eyes to his daughter's verdant ones. "Evanthe," his daughter waited for him to speak. "How come you never ask your mother to come visit me when I am teaching?"
"Because mother doesn't let me," said Evanthe simply, her emerald eyes sparkling as she smiled prettily up at him. Eragon merely raised a brow at her answer before he continued.
"Oh I see how it is," said Eragon feigning a hurt expression. "You love your mother more than me?"
Evanthe merely giggled her arms tightening around his neck. "You're being silly again," she said shaking her head. "I love you very much." To cement her words, she kissed his cheek to which Eragon couldn't help but smile. He continued down the stairs with Evanthe in his arms when he reached the end, he turned to the hall on his left and continued down the long stretch of marble to the double doors at the end that swung outwards at his approach.
"Father?"
"Yes little one?"
"Do you think I can be a Rider like you and mother?" her eyes were serious and hopeful as she stared up at him. Eragon frowned slightly. He did not want Evanthe to be a Rider. He wanted her to have the freedom to do as she pleased without being dragged to the forefront of politics and whatnot. He did not want her to feel pressured to be anything but herself. Knowing Evanthe, however, he had a feeling his daughter would one day outshine both him and Arya. Children tended to do such. He was most afraid for that time to come.
"Perhaps," said Eragon uncertainly. He shifted her against his hip, "Why do you want to be one?"
"Because both you and mother and Uncle Murtagh and Aunt Ella are Riders," she insisted.
"And that does not mean that you have to be one," said Eragon softly as he kissed his daughter on her temple. "You do not have to prove anything Evanthe. Do not be afraid of simply being who you are. Never wish to be anyone else if you can live happily as Evanthe."
She seemed to contemplate his words and he was unsure if she understood or not but she nodded. Glad that that particular topic was out of the way, he continued their journey towards where Arya was teaching the students. Then suddenly, Evanthe spoke once more. "Father, can I have Blagden?"
"Blagden? You mean your grandmother's raven?" asked Eragon in surprise as he stared at his daughter incredulously. He could not imagine even trying to broach the subject with Queen Islanzadí. Of course she loved Evanthe but there was a limit to what her granddaughter could ask of her particularly when it came to Blagden. Though the raven appeared to be borderline asinine he was positive Islanzadí had a fond spot for the white bird. Evandar had gifted it and it had continued to serve Islanzadí after the late elf-king perished in battle. He cringed at the conversation if it were to ever take place. No, he could not ask Islanzadí to give Evanthe Blagden and nor did he want to. Blagden was irritating and Eragon was afraid one day he might end up skinning the raven to feed to Saphira or the wild dragons.
Evanthe nodded, "If I can't have a dragon can I have Blagden?"
Eragon blanched at her request and once more she was looking up at him with her large doe eyes and he fought to retain his reason. He was not going to get Blagden for her. If he did, he would have Islanzadí's wrath down on his head along with Arya's. "Blagden is your grandmother's raven, we can't take him from her," said Eragon as his daughter pouted sadly. He backtracked immediately trying to think of another solution. "Perhaps another animal, Evanthe? I can get you any other animal apart from Blagden."
Immediately, her expression brightened as she began to tell him the different animals she wanted. Never had she said that she wanted a common house pet like a dog or a cat. Instead, she began to tell him about the animals she'd read about or that she'd seen in her time spent with Blödhgarm and Rosalie or the other elves when Arya and Eragon were simply too busy to be with her. Eventually after she had listed all sorts of animals from wild wolves to eagles, they had decided to settle for a stallion for her—a white stallion. Now the only problem was finding one for Evanthe. What was more was that she insisted that her stallion be special like Blagden and practically pleaded with him to use his magic to transform the steed when he found one for her. She had insisted that he could do anything and never one to disappoint his daughter; he was roped into promising her such a stallion.
Eragon could only think of one thing as he neared the field where Arya was teaching the students in the art of magic. Arya was not going to be happy with him.
He inwardly sighed. He had promised not to spoil Evanthe too much. But what constituted too much? He thought that giving his daughter a stallion was perfectly acceptable for a parent. He saw nothing wrong with that. He was not going to back down on this one. Turning a corner the two of them emerged onto a large and wide field. On the field were seven students. In the last five years, two more students had joined them: Ella and Nyssa. His sister had become a Rider when Evanthe was only three years old. She had insisted to Murtagh that she be allowed to touch the egg that was given to humans and within a few days her dragon, Elessar, hatched for her. When the news reached Eragon he had been shocked. Even his younger sister fate would not relinquish, it angered him but he could do nothing about it.
What he did do was extend Ella's training more so than the other Riders under Murtagh. He did not want it to seem as if he favored his blood relation over his other students and as such, Ella had ended up studying under Murtagh for two years rather than one. He knew that his sister no doubt resented that particular decision of his but he did not. He and Murtagh had spoken of the arrangement for some time and the two of them could only agree that what they did was for the best. At the same time when Ella went to join Nyssa, an elf-maiden, had also been made a Rider. If the elves, who had had decades' worth of studying and experience could continue learning and training like the others, he was positive that Ella had the patience to weather one extra year no matter how unfair it may have seemed to her.
Stopping thirty yards away from the teaching, Eragon gestured with a nod of his head in the direction of Arya and the students. "There is your mother," said Eragon as Evanthe turned her head to study her mother with bright eyes. Eragon could only copy his daughter. Ever since Arya had given birth to Evanthe, there was a different aura about her. Despite her fierce nature, there was a gentle air to her at least when Eragon saw her, especially with Evanthe. She was so tender and affectionate without any reason to be with her daughter that it was endearing to watch.
"Can we move closer father?"
He was about to do as she asked but immediately backtracked when Arya drew Támerlein. They were starting their sparring lessons. She divided the students up into two pairs, the more experienced ones coming together while the less experienced were paired up. However, since there was an uneven number of students, that left one student out and that student was Ella. He watched worriedly as Arya rotated on the spot to face his younger sister as she pulled out her sparkling silver blade. "Not now," said Eragon as he moved to give the sparring students as well as Arya and Ella a wide berth so that they could practice together.
He shifted his daughter on his hip and lifted his hand to Arya to catch her attention. She paused, her eyes darting to him and Evanthe. At the sight of her mother's eyes on them, Evanthe raised her hand in a wave and Arya spared her a small smile before it quickly turned into a frown as Ella sprung forward. Though his sister was strong, Arya was faster than she was. She used her agility to dodge out of the way of any attack and when it was clear that Ella had an opening, Arya used it against her and within a few minutes had his sister on all fours, the edge of Támerlein against her neck, the warded blade resting coolly against her skin.
After watching a few more rounds of a frustrated Ella trying to land a hit on Arya, Eragon had decided that perhaps, Evanthe should not be watching her mother and aunt batter each other. "Are you hungry Evanthe?" he began to turn away from the scene but the moment he did his daughter shook her head and then gave him a look that was a mix between a glare and a plead. Sighing, he turned back to the match. Both females were prideful, almost too prideful. He was going to have to ask Rosalie if she could possibly translate what was going on before him. He wanted Ella and Arya to be on good terms but it didn't seem possible. Particularly in this case as he watched them spar. Arya seemed determined not to lose before her daughter while Ella appeared she wanted to prove something.
Eventually, Eragon had decided to place Evanthe on the ground seeing as she was squirming within his grasp to keep a close eye on her mother as she flitted about the field, her match with Ella spanning a hundred yards in diameter. He was careful to keep Evanthe far away from the fighting but it seemed as if they were moving closer and closer no matter how many paces he called his daughter to back away from the scene.
He watched as Ella, ran forward dodging out of the way as Arya twirled to meet her blade with her own. They missed each other only to circle about and with a furious clang their blades met. There was a flash of silver light as Ella's blade was knocked roughly out of her hand and it went sailing through the air. He watched the blade sail their way with enough momentum to severely cause damage. Watching as it sailed in his direction, Eragon easily plucked the sword from the air before it could fly past him.
"I think that perhaps it is time to call an end to the lessons today," said Eragon as both women turned to him. With long strides, he made his way towards Ella while Evanthe flitted to her mother's side telling her excitedly how she was in her match. Eragon merely smiled at their daughter as she hugged Arya's leg making it difficult for her to sheath Támerlein. Instead, he turned his eyes back to Ella and held her sword out to her which she took with a rather stiff expression. Even though his sister had been training under him and Arya for the past month, she was still having trouble adjusting it seemed. He could tell that she missed Alagaësia and those that she had left behind but it was something she was going to have to come to terms with herself. She had wanted to be a Rider and she was chosen.
"You fought well," said Eragon as she sheathed her sword.
"Not well enough," she said softly her blue eyes darting to Arya and Evanthe momentarily before rounding on him. "Why were you not teaching today?"
"I wanted to spend some time with Evanthe," said Eragon motioning to his and Arya's daughter and Ella's only niece. She nodded. "Are you hurt anywhere?"
"I have a few bruises but I can heal them later," said Ella brushing her chestnut hair from her face revealing the silver lining on her wrist momentarily before she lowered her hand. "The biggest wound would be to my pride."
"I can only imagine," said Eragon with a smile. "But it is only as it is. While you are strong in your own right, Arya has had a century to perfect her skills. It would be a wonder if you could land a hit on her. Murtagh was of the same when he first sparred with her. She'd beaten him black-and-blue."
At his words, his sister's lips twitched upwards. "And what of you?"
"Well, let us say that Arya was not used to losing," said Eragon as Arya walked towards them, Támerlein successfully sheathed on her hip while Evanthe held her hand walking beside her. He couldn't help it but he felt his heart soar at the sight of mother and daughter. While Arya was regal and dignified, her beauty incomparable to others, Evanthe on the other hand was innocent and radiant. Her beauty was unlike her mother's; there was a sweetness to Evanthe that made her seem to glow.
"You fought well Ella," said Arya as they stopped before them.
Ella's eyes darted from Arya to Evanthe, who was smiling up at her aunt, and nodded. "Thank you for your praise…Master…Arya." The words were awkward on her lips but she had to endure it all the same for Arya as was Eragon and Oromis was her teacher and she had to use the title with her like she had to do with Eragon. The formalities were painstaking but they were needed.
Arya nodded and gestured for Ella to rejoin the other students as they came to a stop in their sparring. Tomorrow, it would be Eragon's turn to teach them about several observations made by the Riders in the olden days. He was looking forward to it but he only hoped that Ella would not be so stiff and resentful. When Ella was out of earshot, Arya turned to him still holding their daughter's hand.
"Did she finish her lesson today?" asked Arya sternly. Eragon and Evanthe shared a look and his daughter appeared somewhat guilty at once more subjecting her father to her mother's scolding. But her emerald eyes were sparkling brightly as she watched her father flounder on the spot.
"Well, Evanthe already has a talented hand," Eragon tried to defend their daughter while Arya's brows furrowed. She had no doubt come to understand that he indeed did not enforce the lesson as strictly as she had asked of him. "There was no purpose to keep her doing the same process repeatedly. Once was good enough in my opinion."
Overhead, he heard the roars of the dragons and then their shadows blocked out the evening sun. He glanced up at the myriad of colors and he heard Evanthe gasped at the beauty of the image above them. The dragons had returned from their training looking both prideful and majestic. While Evanthe was distracted by the return of the dragons, Arya turned to him with hard eyes and a displeased expression. He cringed inwardly. He was in for it now.
Sighing quietly, he turned his eyes to their daughter as she stood with her head tilted back to stare up at the dragons, her emerald eyes sparkling in awe and he knew just how much she wanted to be a Rider then. There was nothing more beautiful than the flight of a dragon. Smiling at her, he reached up to place his hand on top of her head watching as her eyes flickered to him before they moved back to the sky. Least she wanted to be a Rider for a reason different from him or Arya. She was not needed to fight for freedom against an oppressor. She was not needed as a Rider at all. It was her choice whether or not she wanted to be and whatever she picked, he would support her.
"Stay here with Evanthe," said Arya as she began to move away, "I shall speak with the students before I dismiss them."
"Of course," said Eragon. He shot her a look over their daughter's head hoping she would understand his plight as a father. He just couldn't stand not giving their precious daughter what she wanted. And hadn't they agreed that they would love Evanthe unconditionally? Arya merely frowned at him before she sighed and with a light caress of her hand on Evanthe's shoulders, she moved away and towards the students.
From above, he felt a torrent of wind buffet him as Saphira alighted on the ground beside him. She turned her sparkling blue eyes to Evanthe before reaching out to gently touch her on her brow with her snout. Good morning little one, said Saphira affectionately while Evanthe laughed and sought to hug the sapphire dragon in greeting.
"Good morning Saphira," Evanthe greeted her with just as much affection. "How was your lesson?"
Eventful, said Saphira showing them an argument between one of her students and the wild dragons that lived outside of the city. There was some threat to territory and for a moment I had thought a battle would ensue. But alas, it was merely all bark and no bite.
Eragon snorted while Evanthe's smile widened as she stared up at the blue dragon that she absolutely adored. Perhaps more so than Eragon. Feeling his thoughts, Saphira turned to him. Jealous Eragon? She teased him gently.
It is only because you can fly, said Eragon. Her only response was to let a deep rumble form in her chest and Eragon knew she was laughing for a moment later she gave him a toothy smile. Then he reached out a stroked her snout. Did you have an eventful day?
One could say that, said Saphira blinking. Teaching has certainly brought more surprises than I could remember in the past two decades…and it is simply amazing to see the dragons flourish once more. It has only been twenty-two years and yet the life we led before feels like a different one entirely.
It makes me speechless sometimes too, said Eragon with a smile as he felt her feelings. Twenty-two years ago they were the dragon and Rider that served Galbatorix. They had gone through an entire lifetime it seemed to get to where they were today. Now, he had his own family. He had Arya, Evanthe, Saphira, Eridor, and their unhatched egg. He also had Murtagh, his parents, and Ella. He had come a long way indeed. They both did. The journey they started together was not an easy one but they had endured and they had won.
It was a glorious feeling.
I know I do not say it often Saphira, said Eragon as he stared at her deep azure irises feeling a wave of peace and contentment wash over him. But I love you.
And I you, Saphira replied just as affectionately. She turned her head and busied herself with Evanthe as the little elf girl scurried about her trying to tickle her.
"Sometimes I wonder whether or not she is more like you or me," Eragon turned to find Arya walking towards him with a smile on her face, when she was close enough, he reached forward to envelope her in his arms noticing that they were alone except for Eridor, Saphira, and Evanthe.
"I would hazard a guess and say that Evanthe is more like her mother," said Eragon as he reached forward to press his lips against Arya's glad that she didn't deny him. He was about to press deeper but her hands on his chest kept him at bay reminding him that not far off was their daughter.
"And I would say that she is far more like her father," said Arya her emerald eyes sparkling akin to the way her daughter's did. The only difference was that there was more depth to Arya's showing her age. "When I was younger I always finished my lessons no matter how tedious they could be."
"I will admit that Evanthe's lessons are tedious," said Eragon, he grinned, "But they are rather mundane for our daughter."
"Do not excuse your spoiling of our daughter," said Arya with a shake of her head but she did not pull away from his arms and instead turned to train her eyes on Evanthe, watching as she danced between Eridor and Saphira calling for them to catch her as best as they could.
After a moment, Eragon continued. "How was Ella in her lessons today?"
"Difficult," said Arya honestly causing Eragon to frown. She waved it away. "It is only because she is in a new environment. Give her some time and she will adapt perfectly well…and you can use this time to try and reacquaint yourself with your sister."
He grimaced at the word 'reacquaint' that only served to reinforce the fact that they were no better off than strangers who shared the same blood. But she was right; they had all the time in the world to work on their relationship. There was no need to rush.
"Mother! Father!" the two of them turned to stare down at Evanthe as she gripped their legs, tugging at the fabric of their clothes with excited eyes. "Can we fly with Saphira and Eridor?"
He and Arya shared a look and his mate extracted herself from him to place a hand on Evanthe's head, "I cannot see a reason as to not doing so," said Arya smiling as their daughter smiled brightly. Eragon wanted to point out that she was spoiling their daughter at that moment but was unable to say anything that might ruin the good atmosphere.
"Come Evanthe," said Eragon as he held out his hand to her. She wrapped her small fingers over his middle and forefinger and trailed behind him as he led the way to Saphira. Seeing as she was not wearing a saddle, he floundered on the spot for a moment before he glanced at Evanthe. It would be uncomfortable for her to ride without a saddle. But it was something that magic could not fix. Warding his daughter against the rubbing of the scales and whatnot, he reached down and gently lifted her up as Saphira crouched so that he could place her on her shoulder.
"Grab onto her spike little one," Eragon instructed her. Evanthe had gone flying with Eragon before. But she had always flown with him or Arya, in the safety of their arms. This time, he would let her fly by herself. Eventually, she would grow her own wings and he knew that giving her this moment would only help her find herself in the process.
"Will you not fly with me father?" she asked almost anxious when he made no move to climb onto Saphira's back with her. He shook his head.
"I shall fly with your mother," said Eragon watching as she blinked in trepidation. He smiled at her warmly and reached out with his hand to cup her face. "Do not worry Evanthe; if you fall we will be there to catch you. Just think of flying and let Saphira take you to the heights of the world for this world belongs to you."
"Do not be afraid," Arya said softly as she reached up to brush their daughter's hair back. "We will be beside you atop Eridor."
Evanthe stared at them for a moment before nodding, and just for extra care he placed another spell on his daughter to keep her from falling from Saphira's shoulder. Then warding himself and Arya, the two of them climbed atop Eridor, Arya situating herself between his legs. He glanced towards Evanthe. She nodded timidly to them and with a smile, Eragon called out to Saphira.
Let us fly!
Letting out a tremendous bellow, Saphira took flight and Eragon watched as Evanthe's grip on the spike before her tightened as the sapphire dragon climbed the skies and seconds later, Eridor joined her. He could see the fear in Evanthe's eyes as they climbed into the sky but when they leveled out side by side, and she turned to make sure that her parents were still beside her, that fear began to ebb away and when Saphira took flight about the city, he saw a beautiful and radiant joy fill their daughter's face.
Perhaps one day she will be a Rider, thought Eragon as he watched Evanthe. He could only hope that day would be far off for the moment she did become one, if she did, Evanthe would no longer be a young child that came running to her mother and father. She would be independent, strong, and intelligent and most of all she would have her own wings to fly wherever it was that she wanted. She would no longer need him to help her. He felt Arya squeeze his hand and smiled. But that time will be far off. She is only five after all.
And so they flew. Though Eragon admired the scenery, he only had eyes for his daughter as she laughed with joy at the sights before her. They circled the city three times before Saphira had veered off towards the large lake, descending until she flew just above the water to let Evanthe take in the sparkling surface of the lake. Then she pulled up and began to flying high above in the sky. They followed her and like Eragon had promised, he and Arya flew close by to the two and when Evanthe ever had any doubts of where they were she merely had to glance to her left.
He had never thought he would enjoy seeing his daughter fly so much but he did. However, he did nearly have a heart attack when Saphira took a steep plunge looking like she might hit the ground before she pulled up, earning more laughter from Evanthe while Eragon merely growled.
I would never crash with your little one, said Saphira as she circled about the forest near the city where the dragons hunted for food if there was not enough livestock for them to feed on in the city. Eragon merely grunted in response. They flew for another ten minutes before Saphira landed on the outskirts of the lake so that she could drink. Eridor landed beside her and moved to stand near her as he dipped his head forward nudging her head as he did so.
Play nice, said Eragon as he and Arya slid from his back.
Of course, Eridor returned jokingly.
"How did you like your first flight by yourself?" asked Arya as Evanthe came running towards them, her short legs carrying her as fast as she could go. She immediately hugged Eragon about the waist; one hand coming up to grip her mother's to pull them into the group hug.
"It was amazing," she said happily, her emerald eyes bright showing her excitement. "I want a dragon too! I want to be a Rider!"
"Remember what I said Evanthe," said Eragon, "I will find you a horse first and then we can think about you becoming a Rider."
"But I can?" asked Evanthe hugging him tightly as Arya raised a brow at his words.
"If you have potential, you will have to work hard though," said Eragon watching as she nodded brightly. Meanwhile, Arya mouthed to him, horse? He cringed and she sighed quietly understanding what it was that he had said before shaking her head in exasperation. It wasn't his fault their daughter was so adorable!
"Let us take a walk and let the dragons rest for a moment," said Arya as she took Evanthe by one hand and Eragon took her other. They began to walk away from the dragons towards the outskirt of the forest on their left. Evanthe oftentimes tried to swing from their hands and they would indulge her, laughing when she tried to do a flip.
"You will master it when you are older," Arya reassured her when she could not manage.
"But you can do it mother," said Evanthe with a frown.
"Because I am older," said Arya easily showing her logic to their daughter. "I will teach you one day if you wish to learn."
She nodded and they continued to walk with Evanthe often chattering about without a care in the world and Eragon would have it no other way. He did not want his daughter to grow up somber and worried about her reality. He wanted her to live in this dream-like state that her innocence provided for her and the fact that they were away from Alagaësia helped to keep her unaware. It was only temporary but he wished he could see Evanthe like this every day for her sweet smile was so beautiful. He did not want her to be the resentful child he was nor the child that sought her father's revenge like Arya. He wanted her to be happy and he knew that in this moment she was.
They continued walking and he blinked, his free hand instantly flying to Vrangr when Evanthe gasped. Arya exchanged a worried glance with him before turning her attention back to their daughter, "What is it Evanthe?"
"That wolf…"
Wolf?
Eragon turned and immediately caught sight of what she was saying. Lying on the outskirts of the forest was a dying wolf. It was not dying from a wound or such but rather from old age. He wanted to turn Evanthe away from the sight but she pulled them forward. "Heal it father," she told him as they reached the dying wolf's side. It turned its amber eyes on them but did not rise from its position for it lacked the strength to do so. Instead it merely whined at them and Eragon watched as Evanthe withdrew her hand from theirs and made her way to the wolf before crouching on the ground beside it and reaching out with her hand to stroke its fur.
When Eragon made no move to heal it, she turned to him in confusion. "Father?"
"I cannot undo time Evanthe," said Eragon gently as he crouched beside her, Arya lowering herself to the ground on Evanthe's other side. He reached out to stroke her long and dark hair. "As much as I want to help it, it is its time."
"Is it…is it dying?" Evanthe asked quietly and Eragon winced inwardly at the word she used. She was too young to understand what death was and he didn't want her to fully comprehend it yet.
"No," said Eragon softly and Arya shot him a look but he paved on, "It is merely returning to the land."
"Returning?"
He nodded, smiling gently at Evanthe as her verdant eyes returned to the wolf. She continued to stroke its fur as it heaved in deep breaths. "When we are born, we are born to the land," Eragon said softly letting his fingers run through her hair. "We live our days out and eventually we will have to return to whence we came. It is true of all things Evanthe."
She did not say anything but continued to stroke the wolf's fur until it let forth its last breath, its eyes closing and its breathing stilling. Did she really understand death? Eragon could only watch the sadness in his daughter's eye and knew that even though she was staring at it right in the face, she did not truly understand what death entailed. And he was glad.
"So it is not called dying?" asked Evanthe her eyes shining up at them brightly. Eragon shook his head catching Arya's eyes before he smiled at Evanthe.
He had once thought it was called death too.
But if one thought of it, it really wasn't death. They were born to the land and from the land they lived. There were those who ate the plants the ground gave life to and then there were hunters who ate those that ate the plants. And when those hunters died, their bodies returned to the ground and their spirits with the land. It was not dying. It was merely a borrowing of time and then a returning to the greater whole. He thought of his own life and how he had borrowed from others. He had borrowed their strengths, hopes, and love to find his own. And when he had found them, he had returned theirs. He had fought against the death and the desperation for a world that he could give to their daughter. He had fought for this world and now it was hers.
His eyes wandered to Saphira and Eridor watching as they drank together and a deep welling of emotions overcame him in that moment. Saphira, who had allowed him to borrow her wings, only so that he could grow his own. He turned to Arya and she smiled at him. Arya, who had given him her love, so that he could find love in himself. She had given him half of her soul so that he could find his own once more. Then his eyes turned to Evanthe's and he smiled at her watching as her red lips parted as she began to smile back up at him. With a hand, Eragon reached out to take Arya's while his other remained on Evanthe's head.
"No, it is not called dying nor death," said Eragon as his eyes flickered to the wolf before taking in their surroundings. The world was so large and now Evanthe would inherit it. He had done what he could and he would continue to do so until his daughter was ready to grow wings of her own and make what she will of her own life.
His eyes darted to the emerald eyes of the person whom he loved dearly before they rested on the matching ones that shined up at him with such youth and innocence that he could not help but wish to cement time as it was. He loved Evanthe and would continue to love and cherish his daughter with Arya. Until the ends of the earth—the end of time alongside Arya and Saphira and his loved ones.
"It is called the Inheritance Cycle."
And that is the end of Reversed Life, the rewrite of the end of Eragon up to the end of Inheritance and then some. It feels odd to say that it is the end since I've been mentioning for a while that the story is finally going to come to a close. Notice I did not put "THE END" right after. I'm keeping this open to the possibilities of a sequel but that will probably not happen in some time. In any case, this has been some ride. This is no doubt the longest story in the IC section of FF I believe (112 chapters). A lot has happened in this and it makes me sad to know that I will no longer be writing about Eragon and Arya in this story anymore. I have always loved doing ExA moments in Reversed Life. But there will definitely be opportunities to write more ExA I believe.
Evanthe: Why did I name her Evanthe? Her name means many things that pertain to Eragon and Arya. Evanthe in Greek means "Fair Flower" and to ExA, Evanthe is a flower and in her life she will blossom into something greater. Also, "anthe" stands for flower while "Eva" is in honor of Evandar. And if you all know your moons, there is a moon named "anthe" and so if you think about it, a flower and a moon represented Eragon and Arya's love and so it also represents their daughter, Evanthe. And that is why I choose this name.
Thanks: I would like to thank all of you readers and reviewers for taking time out of your day to read over this story. To those that find it in their time to review almost every chapter to motivate me to keep writing, thank you. And to those who have added this to their fave or follow list, thank you. Honestly, if it weren't for you all I would have abandoned this story long ago and it's all thanks to you that I've made it this far. Thank you and I hope this story has been worth it for all of you.
New IC FF— I am already working on the first chapter of the new IC project of mine. It will be a spin-off to this story but it will not be a sequel. I repeat, it will not be a sequel. I plan on writing a Time Travel IC story of ExA. Mostly it will be with Eragon as he is during the final battle sent back in time due to some magical workings (will be touched on in the new story). I have not upload it but I will within the next week or so. If you're interested just pay attention to my profile for any updates. Or you can search this title To Move Forward.
Final A/N: I hope that this story has been as fun to read as it was to write for you all. And I also hope that you were able to understand the difficulties that Eragon and Arya faced and were able to-on some level-relate to them. And I also hope this story helped to fill the some of the emptiness left behind by Inheritance and was in turn able to portray the epic romance between Eragon and Arya. I want you all to know that I had enjoyed writing this story very much and I'm glad that you have all come to read it and enjoy it as well. If you have any last thoughts don't forget to review since this is the last chapter. I am proud to say that Reversed Life is finished and I hope to see you all again soon.