I wanted to say that I really appreciated this story's attempt to explore Arya's trauma and healing in more depth (something that I wished CP had done). It was well-written and felt very authentic. Unfortunately, we never really get to see Arya's POV in the original books, as she is only ever seen through Eragon's perspective. I've wondered if some of her behaviors in book 2 which were not well understood by Eragon (as he doesn't understand her well at all until book 4) were meant to reflect her post-captivity trauma, such as being easily irritable and shooting the injured falcon so it wouldn't have to continue suffering.

I've also had trouble believing that Arya could have not been sexually assaulted at some point during her time at Gil'ead, both because she said Durza was doing "the most horrible things he could imagine" to her and because, even though she repelled the guards mentally, she says she was often unconscious.

Really amazing work

Huh. I have RAD as well. I must say, it's rather odd.

It's Barst by the way, lol. (Blart reminds me of the Paul Blart: Mall Cop, watch it if you haven't)

To be clear, no, Arya was not raped. She did deny it in book one. I don't even think he had the opportunity. Durza spent all the time with her torturing her for information on the Varden, the locations of elven cities, her Ancient Language vocabulary, and most importantly any information she had about Saphira's egg. By then he was called to Uru'bean to report on his progress. By the time he got back, Eragon was already in custody and Durza had shifted all his attention to him. I don't even think Shades are capable of rape, keep in mind, they're just evil spirits. Honestly I never understood why they never tried and exorcism on them. Seriously where's Constantine when you need him. Anyways, I'm pretty sure that I've read somewhere that Shades are incapable of feeling pleasure. All that in mind, I doubt it would have been worth the effort, cause you know Arya would have fought the whole time. Both physically and with her mind. Besides, she said she wasn't, why would she lie? I realize rape can be traumatic, but then again so is being beaten, whipped, and mentally assaulted. And she had no problem recounting those experiences. Furthermore wouldn't she have gotten pregnant? She prevented the soldiers from raping her, and I doubt she could have gotten pregnant from a spirit. She wouldn't have gotten an abortion since elves treasure a child's life above just about everything else. Again he was literally multiple evil spirits, I don't see how they could rape someone. She may have been stripped and tortured, but she wasn't raped.

absolutely amazing. one of the few A&E fics that are true to arya

Great story! Wish there were more fics like this.

*cough*Star Wars Referance in the last lines of dialogue*cough* omg I almost mispelled cough.

Angela runs in: I TOLD you, no hugging UNTIL your ribs are completely healed! Do you want me to have to heal them again? DO YOU?

*dabs*

GIVE THAT MA-er.. no... That's sort of rude... DRAGON A COOKIE!

Wow. I really love this story. For me, one of the major downfalls of the Inheritance Cycle is Eragon and Arya's relationship. Not only does Paolini build it up with the exchange of true names and the drop it, but he also shows Arya as such a one-dimensional character - I often feel that he included her just as a love interest and gave her a tragic background in an attempt to give her character some depth. While I do love the books, Arya irritates me every time I read them, because she shouldn't have been able to recover from the trauma of being tortured by herself, and yet we are given no indication of PTSD or if she receives help from anyone else. So I think that this story addresses those issues really well, and I think it's great. :)

Like this story so far very good. :D

Sequel in the future? I'd like to see what happens afterward.

I've noticed something just now. In the first few chapters, you used 'Elvin', now you use 'Elven'. Why'd you change?