Lover of the Legacy: A Hidden Desire

Chapter 5

Eragon walked down the long corridor. It was late evening and he was heading back to his chambers after another grueling day of packing last minute supplies. In the morning he was heading out with the Varden to the Burning Plains. He was quite sure he was alone in the hall until he heard distant sobbing. With each step the sad noise became louder until he rounded the corner to find Satine sitting alone on a bench. Her eyes were red and puffy as she quickly wiped away her tears.

"Eragon, I didn't expect to see you. What are you doing here?" She took a deep breath before finally facing him.

"Satine, are you alright?" He hated to see her in such ill temperament.

"I'm fine." She knew Eragon did not believe her and when he stood silent, giving her the I-don't-believe-you stare. "It's just that I am unsure how to tell you."

Eragon's gaze softened. "Do you think you can try to tell me what is wrong? You know that I will not tell anyone."

"I do not doubt your trust, Eragon." She sighed. "Things are so hectic these days and the stress has really weighed me down. I find it hard to keep up with everything."

"I understand." Eragon sat down on the small patch of vacant bench. Next to Satine made him feel more jubilant and alive, a sensation that no other has made him experience; only Saphira came that close, and at the thought of his dragon, he smiled. His affections towards Arya were a foolish fancy, although falling for Princess Satine, an engaged woman, was not much better, but at least she was his age and they had a common interest. He felt satisfied just being a close friend.

"We argued tonight; the first time in months." Satine's voice cracked, but no tears streamed down her rosy cheeks. "He is scared for me and had the sudden desire to keep me here, but I told him to stop treating me like a child. I didn't mean to make him mad; I was only stating how he made me feel at that moment. I told him that I was going with you and Nasuada. I told him that either way I would be in danger and that my skills are most needed with the Varden. Of course, I failed to realize that he wanted me there to be by his side. What should I do, Eragon? I don't know what path to take: should I stay here with Orrin, or head to the Burning Plains with you and the Varden?"

Eragon remained silent and pondered her words. At long last he spoke, "Satine, I am sorry, but you have to make the decision on your own, however, here is my opinion on the matter. You should go to the Burning Plains. As a political figure, the men look up to you, and when they see you fight alongside them, they will not lose hope."

"Am I really that significant? I am only a Princess…"

"The Princess of Alagaesia is no meager position. You have the power to make a difference just like me, Nasuada, and Orrin. When your father is slain, the people will look to you as their new leader?"

The thought of actually ruling a country seemed daunting for Satine. "But I am to marry Orrin and his kingdom is here in Surda."

"True, but who's to say that the two of you might also rule Alagaesia as well?"

Satine finally understood what he was saying and then proceeded to say, "You are very wise, Eragon. I will accompany you to the Burning Plains as planned."

Eragon nodded. Silence followed and for an entire minute, the two of them sat there fidgeting on occasion. Finally, Eragon broke the awkward silence. "You really love Alagaesia to marry a man that you do not love." Until that moment, Eragon had never mentioned her relationship with Orrin in such a bold manner. At each instance when they broached the topic, one of them would change it to avoid the conversation.

Satine's alarm vanished as quickly as it came. After a nervous chuckle she said, "There is no fooling you, is there?"

"I noticed your disconnect with him the night of the banquet. I never really understood your intentions for it, even now I am a bit confused."

"Then let me enlighten you. I am sure you are well aware that a part of my intention to marry him is for the people of Alagaesia, but there is more to it than that. I am really marrying him because at the time…" she faltered suddenly aware of what she was about to disclose.

"Satine?" Her blank face puzzled him. He looked into her eyes as an urge to be closer to her surged through his veins. What is this feeling, so sudden and new, I feel it the moments she lays eyes on me. O, her eyes that sparkle like a stars…

Eragon! Saphira's intrusion swept away his reverie.

"Sorry, I was just having a random thought, please continue. You are only marrying him because…" he prompted.

"I am marrying him because at the time he proposed I was unsure that anyone would come into my life the way he did. He is a good friend and I know that we can make it work. I scarified love to be with a man who loves me and can take care of me. I did not know that there would be anyone else who could be that close, until…"

"I came along?" He finished her sentence, hoping that it was true.

"Aye." She looked down and stared at her hands. "Eragon, this can never be."

"Why not?" Eragon lifted up her chin. "I have never felt this way about anyone."

"What of Arya?" She gently pushed his hand away, not because she did not want him touching her, but because she was uncertain of his motive. When she saw the hurt in his eyes, she panicked. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to open an old wound."

"No, it's ok Satine, we should talk about my relationship with her. Yes, I thought I loved her, and on several occasions, I tried to express my love for her, but to no end will she have me. The pain stabbed at my heart, and each time I saw her, the pain became more severe. Yet, with you, I feel my heart begin to mend, and at times, skip a beat. I do not want to pressure you, but I cannot ignore me feelings."

It heartened her to hear him say those words. "I never knew you felt that way about me."

"I should not feel this way about you. Like you said, we can never be."

"Yes, yes it can. I can tell Orrin…" She was cut off when Eragon's lips pressed against hers.