The sun was just below the horizon, bathing the desert in a dull twilight when Eragon bolted upright. Something was wrong and he knew it but his mind had always been slower to wake up than his body. He looked to Saphira who was still asleep, oblivious to Eragon's worry.

She looked bigger to Eragon than she did the night before but he knew she wasn't. She had stopped having explosive growth spurts and although still growing she was only slightly bigger than she was at the battle of the burning plains.

It suddenly dawned on Eragon as his mind kicked in gear that he no longer had claws, wings or anything dragon like for that matter. He quickly ran to the water trough, his mind reacquainting itself with his human muscles. He peered into the trough and saw himself in the reflection of the water. He was human again, with all his clothes and equipment, except something was different.

His eyes. They were more narrowed like Saphira's and they were no longer their usual brown colour but the same colour his scales were, a shimmering light blue. Now that the initial shock was gone he also realised that he could still see as a dragon with all the benefits and hindrances.

Ah you have roused yourself Eragon. I've been waiting for you.

Eragon spun around in all directions looking for the thing he knew the voice belonged to but he could not see the Master anywhere. Do not bother Eragon, I am not there physically only in your head.

Eragon stopped looking only after he had a brief glimpse at the sky, just to make sure. He then relaxed a little and sat down to converse. What has happened to me? I thought I was to become a dragon. He looked over to Saphira feeling strangely jealous of her form.

Ah, about that. Eragon thought the voice sounded slightly embarrassed. I seemed to have stretched my limits with turning you into a full dragon in one go. It took a lot of energy.

Then why did you change me back? Eragon asked, watching as Saphira stirred in her sleep as if searching for the warm bulk that was lay next to her during the night. He laughed as he thought he saw her shiver.

It was taking me all my power to sustain you in that form. Eragon, in order to make the transformation complete you needed to be in that form for a time so that it would not reverse once I had stopped feeding you energy to keep you that way. Unfortunately it was taking far too long and I had to stop, causing you to revert back to your human self.

Eragon was confused he thought that the transformation had already been completed. But I don't understand, I still have dragon eyes.

Yes. The only way for you to become a full dragon is if I build you up gradually. At the moment I am focusing my power on your eyes and soon they will not be able to revert back to human. After that I can refocus my power on another aspect of your body and so on until you have become the dragon you were last night.

Eragon understood now. How long will the transformation take?

Obviously it will be a while but I estimate about a month maybe less depending on how well your body absorbs the energy fed into it and how many aspects I can change in you at once. As you have probably already noticed, I have given you back your weapons and equipment. Saphira began to stir again. Eragon tried to talk to the Master again but he had left his mind. Saphira woke up.

She yawned as she looked around for Eragon. When she turned to see him she cocked her head to the side and emitted a worried growl. Eragon what happened to you?

Eragon sighed as he explained what the Master had said to him. To Eragon's chagrin she seemed to understand this much more than Eragon did and accepted it quite well. All right then, I'm fine with this, as long as you become a dragon again I don't care how long it takes. I'll wait for you. Eragon felt uneasy at the glint in Saphira's eye as she said that. Without his dragon instincts he had no idea if there was anything hidden in those words.

He chose to ignore it and began to drink from the trough. It took him a few seconds to realise he was lapping at it with his tongue. He heard Saphira chuckle at him as he stopped lapping and cupped his hand to drink. So Eragon, what do you plan on doing now that you have temporarily regained a human body. Do you still wish to leave the desert?

Eragon thought to himself. He supposed that he should still leave, if at least to tell his friends of his predicament. He also came to the conclusion that they would eventually leave the desert anyway due to the obvious lack of readily available water. He didn't really feel like flying the span of the desert just for a drink. He came to his conclusion. I plan on leaving, Saphira. We should tell Nasuada, Orik and Arya of what is happening.

Saphira snorted. Then we are agreed. I thought I was going to have to persuade you to tell them but it seems we know what the other is thinking today. Eragon laughed at her little joke and began to pack his bags.

--

The guard ran through the halls, eager to relay his message. Several onlookers showed their distain as he sprinted into Tialdari hall.

"Queen Arya." the elf guard panted delivering the proper greeting for the queen. Arya looked up from the conversation she was having, obviously displeased at the interruption.

"This had better be important for you to come barging in like that." She calmly stated, her raven black hair blowing in the breeze from the open window.

"It is Eragon, my queen, he approaches Ellesméra."

--

It was midday as the barren sands of the desert gave way to the fertile soils of Du Weldenvarden. With the change of scenery came a change of temperature. It was still hot but without the reflected heat from the sand below it was much cooler. Eragon revelled in the cool breeze, it was so much better than the warm, sand riddled breeze of the desert.

Are you going to be all right when you see Arya, Eragon? You're not going to start an argument again are you? Saphira asked, amusement clearly showing in her voice. Eragon's face grew red and he wished he had his scales again to hide it. The last time he had seen Arya was a week before he left Ilirea. She had approached him romantically and he turned her down.

There may be a little tension between us but I don't think we will begin arguing again. Although, I suppose you would prefer it if we did, you always seem to enjoy it. Saphira chuckled and began to swoop down so that her talons were trailing through the tree tops.

It amuses me, little one, to think that she once repelled you whilst you craved her, now she craves you and you repulse. Your roles have reversed and soon you will not be available to her at all. I've never heard of an elf being mated to a dragon before. Eragon laughed at this. He had to agree. It would be very difficult for Arya to pursue him once he had scales and wings.

He was wondering how she would take the news. He was hoping he would be able to tell her gently but his skin was already starting to become blue so she would notice something was amiss immediately. With his dragon eyes Eragon could see the buildings of Ellesméra nestled between the branches of the trees. They were approaching fast and Saphira began to head towards a clearing in the middle of the trees.

As she circled, preparing to land Eragon could see a small group of elves waiting on the outskirts of the clearing. Arya was among them, dressed in white with her mother's swan feather cape. As they landed the elves began to approach Eragon but stopped when they saw his strange appearance.

Arya stepped forward as Eragon dismounted Saphira, staring at his blue skin and his dragon-like eyes with her own piercing green ones. They greeted each other accordingly and Arya began to speak. "What has happened to you Eragon?"

--

It took awhile for Eragon to explain to Arya exactly what was happening to him but she seemed to understand it, well as far as turning into a dragon could be understood. They also agreed to Arya's offer to stay in Ellesméra but only for as long as it took Eragon to explain things to Glaedr and Oromis.

"So does this mean that you plan to be Saphira's mate, Eragon?" Eragon looked up from the floor and focused his attention on Arya. Saphira also looked towards the two but was focused on Eragon, awaiting his answer. Eragon shifted under the gaze of his dragon and grew uncomfortable.

"I do not know Arya, many things have happened over the last two weeks and I do not know if Saphira would even want to...or I for that matter." Saphira looked away from Eragon as though satisfied with his answer but Eragon felt that she wasn't. He was sure he was going to be asked many more questions when Arya wasn't present.

"I understand Eragon but keep in mind that you and she will be the last dragons and that there will be nobody else able to...satisfy you." Eragon grew hot again at her choice of words and Saphira chuckled at his discomfort. "You can stay in your usual accommodation. I do hope that you will be present for dinner but I feel that you crave more than your usual sustenance. Please remember that no animal shall be killed within Ellesméra. If you do feel that you must have meat you shall have to eat in the forest."

"I understand Arya but until dragon instincts are bestowed upon me I can resist meat for the time being. I shall be present for dinner." Arya bowed to him as he to her and left to attend to matters elsewhere. She regretted the fact that Eragon was now 'unavailable' to her but she would remain civil and not interfere, after all, he was given this...gift...for a reason.

--

Dinner was held in Tialdari hall and consisted of many dishes and idle conversation. Saphira had gone hunting and Eragon sat to the right of Arya, secretly wishing meat was on his plate instead of quince pie. He had received a few odd looks and questions from the other elves around the table about his looks but other than that his transformation into a dragon was not discussed.

After dinner Eragon bid farewell to Arya and returned to his tree house. Saphira was already there, cleaning her claws in her dais. Did you enjoy your dinner, Eragon? She asked as he walked to the window. The sun was setting and he enjoyed the look the trees attained at sunset with his dragon eyes.

Not bad, he replied Although, I did wish that I had gone with you. Ever since I had that goat I have had a tremendous urge to eat deer again. Saphira chuckled.

Maybe next time, little one. Besides I thought you said that you would be able to resist the urge due to your lack of dragon instincts, she mused, eying Eragon suspiciously.

Yeah me too, I think the Master might be progressing much faster than he anticipated. I think he is giving me instincts along with the physical transformation.

Well he did say your mind, body and soul will become a dragon. Maybe he is changing one thing from all three at once.

Perhaps. He turned from the window to catch her staring at him. Something wrong?

Your skin, it has patterns to it. Eragon looked at his blue skin and sure enough there was a pattern emerging. He rubbed his hand along his arm. It felt smooth and rough at the tips. He scratched at the end of a pattern and winced as it lifted up revelling tender blue skin underneath it. Saphira had been watching this with interest and laughed when she realised what it was. They're scales, Eragon.

He glared at his laughing dragon and gingerly stroked his scales. Why is the skin sore underneath? He asked wincing as his finger stroked the soft flesh.

Think about it. The top layer of your skin is being peeled from the one beneath it; of course it will be sore. When the scales are fully formed the skin underneath will just feel sensitive rather than painful.

I hope your right-

Of course I'm right, she interrupted, I have scales too you know, here. Saphira carefully placed a claw underneath one of her shiny sapphire scales and revealed a patch of dull blue skin. Eragon stared at it and gently touched the skin causing Saphira to shudder, Ooo that tickles. There's nothing better than standing your scales on end in a rushing stream, it's very relaxing. Eragon stopped and Saphira replaced the scale to its original position. See?

All right then. He looked out of the window again. The sun had gone and had been replaced by the moon slowly rising over the tree tops. It's getting late; we have an early day tomorrow, we should probably get some sleep.

Agreed, Saphira said through a yawn. Eragon began to walk towards his bed when he was suddenly caught by Saphira's tail. And where do you think you're going, scaly one. She growled with amusement as he tried to struggle against her. You're sleeping with me from now on, Eragon. You are to be a dragon soon so you must become acquainted with sleeping like one. She placed him in the dais and held him close to her with her tail so that he could not escape. He struggled for a while longer but soon gave up with a sigh. That's better. She said as she draped her wing over him, smothering him in darkness.

Eragon lay there defeated. It wasn't uncomfortable though and he soon found himself snuggling against Saphira's side for warmth. The steady rhythm of Saphira's breathing drifting him off to sleep.

People, I need feedback on my story. I know where I'm taking the story but I need to know what you lot like and dislike(ofcourse I'm assuming others are reading the story apart from my one consistant reviewer and I am very grateful to him - DragonFireOKN) Please can people review and tell me if anything needs changing or tweaking or if im going the wrong way with something.