Eragon woke suddenly in the middle of the night with an ache in the very back of his mind. The eggs! Eragon realized, they must be in trouble, as he remembered the enchantment he had put on the alcoves. Thankfully he didn't have to wake Saphira because she had felt his alarm and was already up. He soon tied the saddle to Saphira, mounted and she flew straight through the flap atop their hill.
Flying swiftly Saphira climbed higher and higher. Quickly trying to compose himself as to prepare for intruders Eragon thought of many spells to kill, capture, or ward off a thief.
Eragon! Saphira! Come quickly! Exclaimed Glaedr once they were close enough to hear the golden dragon's thoughts. To Eragon's dismay Glaedr seemed to be in a panic. The same was for all the other Eldunari old and young.
What is the matt- Eragon broke off as the cave entrance came into sight, and he froze. Saphira did as well and they stared. Shocked and overcome with emotion Saphira lightly landed in the cave's mouth. On the ground littered everywhere were the shells of at least three dragon eggs. Eragon slowly got off Saphira and went to inspect the eggs. In the back of his mind he could feel Saphira alerting the elves, but it was all very far away. Kneeling down Eragon picked up a piece of the shell and slowly began to despair. What happened? He asked himself. Then suddenly just when he felt as if he might weep something wet hit his head. Springing to his feet Eragon drew Brisingr and looked up. He saw a wet substance trailing down from one of the alcoves above and he slowly rose to see what was the source of it. In the alcove lay no other than a sleeping baby dragon! He quickly checked the others and found the other two dragons. His heart began to leap with joy and Saphira roared a mighty roar waking the hatchlings. Now Eragon understood the emotions churning within all the Eldunari, because he too felt the excitement and joy. Seconds later the elves arrived.
"Shadeslayer! What is the matter? Are the eggs safe?" Multiple elves began asking questions at once and Eragon had to raise a hand to stop them so he could reply. "No the eggs are not safe." He stated and saw their looks of despair before he quickly added, "But the hatchlings are." Eragon said with a great smile as he held up one of the hatchlings. This one was a beautiful purple color and its scales sparkled with the light of a newborn. The elves cries of despair turned to ones of joy as they beheld the sight.
"How many have hatched?" Inquired one of the elves.
"Three." Replied Eragon smiling even wider. Saphira roared once again to emphasise the statement and the little dragon in Eragon's hands fluttered its eyes open. Soon he heard the wails of the other two. One was right above his head and the other was somewhere off to the left.
Tucking the purple dragon securely under his armpit he gathered the other two dragons in his arms, and he saw that one was a pale orange while the other was a bright vibrant yellow, as well and leaned close to whisper, "Hello little ones I am Eragon and this is Saphira. We are here to protect, raise, and teach you. These are elves," he said gesturing toward the group of elves who were slowly shuffling forward admiration in their eyes. "They are also here to protect and teach you. Treat them with respect." Then with a smile he laid the little dragons in front of Saphira and she ducked down to their level and said, Hello. I am very pleased to meet you. For now you should rest. In the morning everything will begin.
"No Saphira," Eragon said with an impish smile. "It has already begun."
At that Saphira gave a toothy grin and even the elves, who usually tried to be unemotional, were crying with joy.
It truly has begun. Eragon said to no one in particular, but Glaedr responded, That it has, youngling, that it has.
