A/N: Hello all. I'm new to Inheritance trilogy, though I have written some fics before. My writing skills are still mediocre (by my standards) but I hope that you guys still like my story. Note: As you may notice, the first few paragraphs are directly from the book. Well, I only used that as a starting point and I will diverge from the original story line later on. Okay, enough of me talking, enjoy the story and review!
The Princess and the Rider
Chapter 1: Feelings in the OpenThe result left him speechless.
The fairth depicted Arya's head and shoulders against a dark, indistinct background. She was bathed in firelight on her right side and gazed out at the viewer with knowing eyes, appearing not just as she was but as he thought of her: mysterious, exotic, and the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. It was a flawed, imperfect picture, but it possessed such intensity and passion that it evoked a visceral response from Eragon. Is this how I really see her? Whoever this woman was, she was so wise, powerful, and so hypnotic, she could consume any lesser man.
From a great distance, he heard Saphira whisper, Be careful….
"What have you wrought, Eragon?" demanded Oromis
"I… I don't know." Eragon hesitated as Oromis extended his hand for the fairth, reluctant to let the others examine his work, especially Arya. After a long, terrifying pause, Eragon pried his fingers off the tablet and released it to Oromis.
The elf's expression grew stern as he looked at the fairth, then back at Eragon, who quailed under the weight of his stare. Without a word, Oromis handed the tablet to Arya.
Arya took it and beheld the fairth in front of her. She saw herself, looking so majestic and beautiful, she almost didn't recognize herself. She stole a quick glance at Eragon, who avoided looking at her, lest he make eye contact. Her eyes gleamed for a second before giving it to Orik and quickly taking her leave.
Orik gaped at the fairth that lay in his hands. He knew that Eragon had an infatuation with the elven princess, but never thought he would openly show it, especially now, in his training. He looked up from the fairth to Eragon, Oromis, and then to the direction Arya had left. Eragon looked somewhat relieved that Arya wasn't here anymore but disappointed in what had transpired, though he tried to hide it. Oromis still had the stern, though calm, look upon his face and he stared at Eragon with a disapproving eye.
Eragon continued his training with Oromis, while Orik just watched as a bystander. Arya went for a walk in the peaceful forest-city, trying not to let a smile creep onto her lips due to the thought of a certain rider. However she could not think of such. She was a princess, an elf, and nearly a century older than him. But she could not deny the feelings she was having.
She decided to go to her mother for guidance again. For soon after arriving in Ellesméra, she had confided in her mother, trying to strengthen the bonds that had weakened between them. Queen Islanzadí was a good listener and gave sound advice to Arya, even if she was judgmental.
"Atra esterní ono thelduin," Arya said, touching her two fingers to her lips.
"Mor'ranr lífa unin hjarta onr."
"Un du evarínya ono varda," Arya ended. After a few moments of silence, Islanzadí spoke up.
"What brings you here, my dear daughter?"
"Mother…" she hesitated, avoiding her initial question, "I need to leave again, to help the Varden."
"What? You just got here. At least wait until the Agaetí Blödhren."
"I will. I was planning to leave right after the celebration ends."
"Arya?"
"Yes?"
"What is really on your mind, my child?" Arya sighed. It seemed that after all these years, Islanzadí still had her motherly instincts.
"I have found out that Eragon has feelings for me…" Islanzadí gasped, but regained her composure.
"So how do you feel about this?"
"Um, well…" Islanzadí cut her off.
"You have feelings for Eragon too, am I right?" Not trusting her words, Arya just nodded dumbly.
"Well then," the queen said with a cheerful smile, "you have my consent."
Arya just stared at her mother in disbelief, surprised that she would allow such a thing.
"Why am I doing this, you ask? Simple, love knows no bounds, for it is the most powerful force in this world. Therefore, it is not mine nor anybody's right to interfere with love's work."
Arya smiled at her mother's explanation and thanked her, while so many thoughts were going through her head. The foremost was to tell Eragon, but how? Unable to think of the right way, she dismissed it for the moment as she left to attend toher affairs.
It was late in the day when Eragon and Saphira arrived at their room. Eragon, what was the meaning for that?
He sighed, knowing full well she knew the reason already. Because…I love her, and I can't hold it in anymore! It's too stressful, especially when she's here.
We can discuss this tomorrow. Now sleep for you are too tired to talk.
All right, good night, Saphira.
Sleep well, little one. And so, Eragon drifted off to the world of dreams…
A/N: Well, how'd you like it? Please leave a review! I might be getting a new chapter up soon, but schoolwork might interfere with that. Tell me if I gotten anything wrong with the characters or any grammatical errors, I'd like all the help I can get (though some things about me can't be helped…) Well, bye for now and sé onr svedar sitja hvass!