Probing with his mind Eragon found a herd of deer and some other choice animals that would be useful when raising the small dragons. Including squirrels, ferrets, and other small animals that could be easily caught for the young hatchlings to eat. Searching even farther Eragon found that the ground below the island was excellent for tunneling according to the information he had learned from the dwarves and to his surprise the mountains and hills also could easily be made into caves and rooms. This is perfect! exclaimed Eragon as he continued to search the island with his mind. He didn't sense the presence of any of the evil creatures he had encountered on Vroengard, however he did find, to Saphira's delight, a hoard of snalgli living near the stream winding through the land in the forest.
Soon they were landing and docking the ship. Quickly they set off to work. Saphira and Eragon accompanied by Cuaroc, who was still guarding the eggs that followed close behind Saphira, went to inspect the cave they had spotted. This really is perfect! Exclaimed Eragon yet again his excitement growing. Yes, this is an excellent spot to put the nursery, agreed Glaedr. The cavern was high up in the mountain, but not so high that it would be hammered by too much harmful or cold weather. To that Eragon was relieved. The cavern was large as well. There was enough room for Saphira, Thorn, Firnen, and even Shruikan to easily manuver in the cavern all at once. Quickly Saphira and Eragon set about clearing the cavern by knocking away stalactites and stalagmites. They left the larger ones that had formed into columns though, for they had a feeling that they would be useful. Eragon could sense the elves in the forest searching and finding suitable places for themselves to live and he could feel that they and the Eldunari were pleased with the island.
Blodhgram can you have the elves meet us on one of the hills in about an hour? We need to discuss what all we plan to do to prepare the island. Saphira and I have already found a perfect place for the nursery and are at the moment clearing away debris.
Of course Shadeslayer, replied Blodhgram. And with that they set off to work clearing the cave yet again.
Despite their strength and agility it took them the whole of the hour to clear the rest of the cavern, because of its immense size.
After meeting with the elves, Saphira and Eragon returned to work on the cavern, while the elves were given the mission to establish homes for themselves and to build a barn of sorts for the animals they had brought with them.
Spell after spell Eragon cast with the help of the Saphira and the Eldunari. Spells to protect the cavern from weather, spells to protect it from erosion, spells to strengthen the stone around the cavern so as to avoid cave-ins, spells to capture and stop thieves or anyone who might mean harm to the inhabitants of the cavern, spells to keep the temperature at a good level for the eggs, and even a spell that would help the eggs begin to hatch faster if they had lain in their eggs to long.
Once, Eragon and the Eldunari were satisfied that the cavern was well fortified (they also set multiple traps for enemy magicians) Eragon set about putting alcoves in the back walls so that each egg could rest there as they waited to hatch. He enchanted the alcoves so that it would alert him if any of the eggs were in danger or about to hatch, and he also made it so that thieves would die the moment they tried to steal the eggs.
Then, with the utmost care they laid each egg in its own alcove. Saphira was at the time preparing even more holes and spots for the Eldunari. They would have eight Eldunari around the perimeter of where the eggs lay at all times they decided, and every six months they would switch out these eight Eldunari with another set. There would be six old and wise Eldunari along with two of the younger untrained Eldunari. So Saphira began her tedious task on one end of the cavern while Eragon, who had finished settling in the eggs, did likewise on the other side of the cavern. After settling in all the Eldunari from Vroengard that were still sane Eragon and Saphira made even more holes and pockets farther away from the eggs for the ill Eldunari that Galbatorix had tampered with. In this area Eragon put a bubble of sorts around these Eldunari to keep them from reaching out and causing havok in their crazed states. We'll find a room to put these Eldunari, so that we can help them heal, Eragon thought to himself. Once all the Eldunari were put in their respective alcoves Eragon cast even more spells to protect the Eldunari should anyone attempt to steal, attack, or use them for selfish purposes.
Basically, unless you were one of the trusted among Eragon's group you would have to ask the Eldunari permission to take it out of its alcove. The Eldunari seemed immensely pleased with that.
In addition, to these spells Eragon placed wards to keep any and all spells from harming any of the eggs or Eldunari. They then erected a throne for Cuaroc in a shadowed corner of the cavern near the eggs, like the one he had in Vroengard which satisfied him. By this time Eragon, Saphira and almost all the Eldunari were worn out, so they decided it was a good time to check in on what the elves were up to.
To Eragon's and Saphira's amazement they had worked a whole day and not even noticed the time passing by. And thankfully the elves had finished making the houses and rooms. All of the elves had decided to live in the forest. Most of them were near the hills but others were spread far and wide.
Blodhgram, did you happen to make a room for Saphira and I as well?
Of course, Shadeslayer. It's in the hill in front of the largest mountain.
Curious about their new home Eragon clambered onto Saphira and flew down to the hill Blodhgram had indicated. At first Eragon did not understand, then upon closer inspection Eragon saw the door that was his size. He entered the strange little home and saw that it was actually quite spacious. The elves had cleared out the whole little hill to form one large room. And when he looked at the ceiling he realized that the top of the hill was fake and that it was actually a flap that opened enough for Saphira to glide in and lay down. Astonished Eragon and Saphira thanked the elves who were pleased that they liked it. The ground just like the walls were made of dirt, and the room in general was dome shaped because of the hill. Eragon and Saphira were to tired to do anything with their new home after having worked so hard and for such long hours, so they went straight to bed. Saphira fell asleep immediately, but Eragon stayed awake a little while longer before he too fell into his waking dreams.