*HIYA! Have you ever heard a Blonde joke? Here's a good one;

How do you confuse a Blonde?

"I dunno"

Put them in a round room and tell them to sit in a corner.

Nasuada was very confused. Arya had just left. No "Excuse me, I have to go do cryptic, mystical elf things", no reason or explinaton.

Thud. What?

Thud. That's not the sound of Fírnen's wings.

THUD. Wait... It can't be... Is it?

THUD. Is it Eragon and Saphira?

THUD. Nasuada saw Fírnen and Saphira circling each other, and, if she squinted, she could barely see the golden speck that was Eragon. The two dragons glided down into a clearing, and she heard someone walk up behind her.

"Ah, yes, the great Shadeslayer has returned. I knew there was a reason I should visit the elves, but Auntie said it was codswallop. "Divination is the most imprecise branch of magic," indeed. Humph. Shows what she knows, old Auntie with her pointy hats and high, tight buns." It was Angela.

"Auntie? You have an aunt?"

"Yes. More than one, if you can believe it. Mummy had two sisters." Angela was usually so vague about, well, about everything! Nasuada was shocked that she finally got a straight answer out of her.

"Close your mouth dear, you look like a gaping Plimpy."

So much for my straight answer.

*A Few Months Later*

Eragon had decided to stay in Ellesméra until the child was born. When Arya told him, he was sorting through Oromis's scrolls. He had been planning to leave in a few days, once he had gotten the necessary scrolls. Needless to say, he was a bit confused.

"You mean I'm staying in Ellesméra for nine months?"

"Elves do not have to hold their children for that long. The minimum we can wait without damaging their nervous and respiratory systems is two months."

"Two months?! How is this possible?"

"Any pregnant elf can choose when to initiate birth, but it is very difficult, nigh on impossible unless you you truly do not want the child. There are almost no historical records of this, as children are highly prized in our society." Eragon marveled at this new information.

"I will wait the length of time that is proper and healthy for our unborn child."

^14 Weeks Later^

This was nerve racking. The constant pacing, the worry, sitting down at the table outside Arya's room as he waited for news. Trying to read a scroll and failing miserably. Staring at Saphira's four newly bonded eggs. There was a silvery white one, a teal and gold one, a purple-ish blue-ish speckled one, and a sandy, orange one. Eragon reached out and traced the veins of gold on the teal one. Shaking his head, he sat down at the table.

Everything will be fine. There were countless blessings put over the child, the birth will be completely safe. Saphira was right. A myriad of elves had approached Arya during her pregnancy, hoping to whisper spells and blessings of strength, easy passage, intelligence, and Eragon even overheard a few blessings of beauty and grace. He sighed, crossing his arms and putting his head down in them.

To his left there was an enchanted mirror the Nasuada had left with Arya after leaving Du Weldenvarden. They had gotten permission from Gilderien the Wise to use it for communicating. Though Eragon could not see it, the surface of the mirror rippled, and a face peered at him from it. Seeing only Eragon's arms and the top of his head they tapped on the glass and said, "Pssst!"

Eragon looked up and locked eyes with the man in the mirror. Shock spasmed over both of their faces. Eragon was most definitely not expecting to see him.

"Murtagh?"

"Eragon?"

"What are you doing here?"

"I was just going to ask you the same thing!" For some reason, there was joy in Eragon's heart at seeing his half-brother alive and well.

"There's a lot you need to know, Murtagh."

"Then by all means, spill the beans."

"I'm in Ellesméra to wait for a, a new arrival, so to speak."

"What does that mean? Who's arriving at Ellesméra?"

"My child." Murtagh was stunned for a second, but his face split into a huge grin. He laughed.

"Well congratulations! Who's the lucky lady?" Eragon cleared his throat, looking away uncomfortably. He shifted in his seat, slightly embarrassed.

"Arya." Murtagh's laughter grew louder.

"Took you long enough, Eragon! Honestly, I remember you two being so awkward."

"Yes, yes, haha we're all so very amused. What've you been doing anyways?" Murtagh's laughter abated enough for him to speak.

"Oh, you know, traveling here and there. Mostly far, far to the north in the Spine. I must say, the mountains continue for a long time. They also get much taller the farther north you go. I built several castles and met some very strange people." They lapsed into a comfortable silence.

They waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Finally, after a few hours, an elf walked through the door. Eragon immediately stood, clenching his hands. The elf turned to him, and said,

"It's a girl!" Eragon couldn't speak, his throat clogged with joy. Tears streamed down his face, and Murtagh cheered in the background. He even heard Thorn roaring, the sound mixing with the roars of Saphira and Fírnen.

Eragon rushed into the room, eyes instantly going to Arya, then searching the room for his daughter. She was in Arya's arms. Arya looked into his eyes, and said,

"Hold her." It was simple, but encompassed so much emotion, With trembling hands, he held his daughter, gazing lovingly into her face. Her eyes were shut, and she stirred slightly, cuddling closer to him.

Her hair was golden, a trait she probably got from her grandmother. He stroked her hair, kissing her tiny head. Tentatively, he reached out to her mind, and saw that it was bright, soft, and cozy. He showed her that she was loved, so loved by her mother, father, and the whole of Alagaësia. He looked up at Arya, and asked,

"What should we name her?" Arya thought, their minds mingling, sharing ideas and emotions.

"Vaerla. Vaerla Dröttningu."