Hayden (An Eragon Shadeslayer love story)

A/N: Ehem, new fan fiction! I am honestly so fed up with all my original stories, on and off Wattpad, that I decided to go with fan fiction. Now I'll be writing in the beloved world of Alegaësia. :) Do enjoy.

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I sat in the pub, looking fierce as ever but feeling very small inside. I downed another shot of the burning alcohol, fully aware of the fuzz in my brain. I had turned sixteen today, but I was not celebrating. No, today was not a day to celebrate.

"You want another, sweetie?" Rowan asked sympathetically. I smiled at the lovely bartender. Rowan had known me for my entire life, since I was just a small child. She knew that today was not a happy day for me. She was also the only one other than myself who knew why.

"Nah, I think I'd better head home. Last time I showed up late, he was very upset with me." I said honestly, knowing I could trust Rowan. She gave me a disapproving scowl.

"He's so horrible to you...you know you're always welcome in my home, right? My husband and I would welcome you with open arms." She offered. But we both knew that wasn't possible.

Believe me, if it were, I would've taken her up on it long ago, when she first proposed it.

"You know I can't. I'll stay until I make enough money to leave." I told her, sticking to the plan I'd had since I was seven. Admittedly, it wasn't a very good plan. But it was all I had.

"What if he forces you to stay?" Rowan had that pleading look in her eyes. She was very over protective of me, but I liked it. It made me feel like I had a mother again.

"I'll sneak away while he sleeps." I winked, and she smiled despite herself. "But really, I must be off. I still need to visit her grave."

I held up the flowers in my hand to make my point. Just then, Tristan made a typically audacious entry, shouting at someone about something and brushing off is shirt before he came to sit next to me on a barstool.

"Get me drunk, Row, and do it quickly." He said, smirking characteristically. He slapped some money on the bar and turned to face me while Rowan walked the other way, rolling her eyes as she went.

"Hayden," He addressed me kindly and softly, as he always did. He knew about my...situation. That's why he treated me differently than everyone else. Gentler.

I wished he'd be this careful with everyone. Maybe then he'd keep himself out of trouble.

Tristan was a year older than me, but acted much younger. He had a way about him, though. A charisma like no other. He drew people to him like moths to a flame, but I was sure it had nothing to do with his tactfulness. Or rather, lack thereof.

"Hello, Tristan. It's late, what are you doing here?" I asked, standing up to show I didn't plan on staying very much longer.

"Oh, just having a drink after a hard day's work." He grinned, then took the drink that Rowan set in front of him.

"What hard work?" Rowan interrupted, "The part where you sat on your ass or the part where you came here to get drunk?"

Rowan didn't detest Tristan, but there was a certain motherly part of her that Tristan seemed adept at bringing out.

He laughed, knowing she disapproved but meant no real harm. I smiled, wishing I could stay longer to see the end of this dispute.

"I really must go. Goodbye Rowan. Good day Tristan." I said politely.

Tristan gave me a disappointed look. "Going so soon firecat? The party just got here."

I smiled again at his silent attempt at keeping me from my home. "He will be angry if I do not return soon. Believe me, if I could stay, we would have a real party."