Authors note: Yep, this is where the EraxSaph relationship starts. Even if it does start a little rocky (hint,hint), Saphira quickly warms up to Dragon Eragon, so please read and keep in mind...................................I forget.

Disclaimer: (for the eighth time) I do not own the Inheritance Cycle


Chapter 8: Human no Longer

Saphira was coming out of her undisturbed slumber, and she felt strangely warmer than usual-as in warmer than her own body heat could put forth. She thought nothing of it and kept her eyes closed; savoring the warmth that soothed her stressed mind and body. Hunger soon raked her stomach, and she did her best to smother it, not wanting to leave her comfortable position. She reluctantly opened her eyes, and was met with the sight of a large silver dragon lying against her body. His wing was wrapped tightly around her in a warm embrace, and his scales shimmered in the immense amount of light that flooded into their dwelling. His face was far more defined and muscular than Saphira's, as was his body, and tail-which was wrapped around Saphira's, and to Saphira, The dragon was quite handsome. She had experienced many dreams like this one, and was fully content, regardless of how hungry she felt. Saphira carefully lifted her head off of the ground, as to not wake her sleeping mate, and looked around. What she saw shocked her. The floor was covered in blood and the light was coming from a large hole in the ceiling in a room made from stone blocks. It was then, when Saphira realized what was going on. She was still under the control of Galbatorix, and was still his captive.

Wait if I'm not dreaming then…, she gasped and quickly jumped up. She spun and angrily brought her tail down on the silver dragon's snout. He roared in pain and gripped his snout with his front talons.

What was that for? The male demanded. He bounded to his feet, and his upper lip receded showing a large set of ferocious teeth.

You were trying to take advantage of me! The dragoness yelled in his head. Her anger was un-paralleled to anything the male had seen, I don't know who you are but I am not about to submit myself to you, and what did you do with Eragon.

What are you talking about, Saphira? The dragon was hopelessly confused as to what was going on but he soon found himself pinned on his back, facing the angered female who had pinned him.

How do you know my name? Saphira demanded, tell me, or I will gut you like common prey.

Please calm down, Saphira, The silver dragon pleaded; fearing his life, I don't know what you are so angry about. I've slept with you multiple times, and you never lashed out at me then.

Saphira brought her claw down on the male's face creating a gash. The silver dragon wailed in agony and Saphira let him stand. The wound began dripping blood, which made the silver dragon look ferocious and blood-thirsty. He stood to his full height and stood to his full height. He looked down at Saphira in confusion.

Saphira? He said as he walked around Saphira, Did…you shrink? You are no bigger than when you were a hatchling.

Saphira stared at him in a deeper confusion then he was in. Then her eyes went wide when she finally recognized the male's voice.

Eragon?

Who else? Now, why are you suddenly smaller than me?

I didn't shrink Eragon, You grew.

That's not possible. Even if I grew I could never be taller than you.

Than, look at your self through my eyes.

Eragon felt his consciousness being separated from his body and pushed into Saphira's. He looked at himself in shock and then retreated from Saphira's mind.

I'm…a d-dragon?

Yes, and I apologize for the gash I gave you.

H-how did this happen?

I'm not sure but, I think it had something to do with that orb that Galbatorix cast on you last night.

Eragon turned away from Saphira, and sat on his haunches, great, now what am I going to do. I can't live as a dragon, Eragon let out a depressing roar into the sky.


*in Galbatorix's throne room*

"I guess the transformation was a success," Galbatorix chuckled as a loud sound-like the crack of a whip echoed into the throne room.

Shruiken and Thorn came into the throne room laughing loudly and nearly tripping over their own feet.

"What is so funny?" Galbatorix asked.

Shruiken had recovered from his laughter-sort of-and responded through a slight giggle, Saphira woke up to Eragon…and, well…they had a little…"disagreement" at the thought Shruiken was hit with another wave of uncontrollable laughter.


*Okay back to Eragon and Saphira*

Being a dragon isn't a bad thing Eragon, Saphira said in a comforting voice as she sat on her haunches next to Eragon, look at the bright side of this situation.

What bright side? Eragon retaliated. This question threw Saphira off-guard and Eragon saw her in deep thought as she tried to find the best answer.

Well…uh-

Saphira, if you have nothing to say that will cheer me up, please leave me to my misery.

Well… at least Galbatorix made you a handsome dragon.

If dragons could blush Eragon's scales would have become a brighter red than Thorn's. He pondered Saphira's answer for a long while, but was cut short when Saphira nuzzled his neck.

Eragon retreated, Whoa... lets not get ahead of ourselves here. Saphira blatantly ignored his comment and began to inch closer. Saphira began chasing Eragon around the confines they were in, and she tackled him in one quick leap from her strong hind legs. They rolled into the wall in a heap of claws and wings. Eragon had his back pressed against the stone wall and Saphira kept him in place with her foreleg.

"Am I interrupting anything in here?" The two dragons tuned their heads and were met by the eyes of the guard they encountered the other day.

"Saphira quickly separated from Eragon, who rose quickly and faced the guard. No…Nothing at all, both dragons said unanimously.

"Well if you two love birds are done 'wrestling,' the king has requested your presence in his throne room."

Very well, Eragon answered, lead the way.


*In the Varden War Tent*

"Wait, what do you mean…dead?" Nasuada was in a state of shock. The strongest asset the Varden had was just extinguished in one night.

"I mean that Galbatorix killed him," The messenger replied, "he wanted to make sure we would be unable to stop him in the coming days."

"What do we do Lady Nasuada?" Arya asked.

"Yeah," Roran agreed, "do we continue with our plans?"

Nasuada glanced down at her plans and then faced the party, "abort all plans, we hold refuge here and wait for the coming battle."


*Back in Galbatorix's Throne Room*

You mean you not only turned me into a dragon but you told all of Alagaesia that I was DEAD, Eragon's maw was mere inches from Galbatorix's head; teeth bared.

Galbatorix was un-amused. He put his hand on Eragon's snout and muttered some words in the ancient language. Before Eragon could pull away, his snout exploded and his teeth were revealed at the absence of his mouth. Eragon roared in agony, and fell to the ground, his mouth, and chin covered in blood. Galbatorix kneeled down and healed Eragon's wounds.

"If you ever defy my methods again I will blow your entire head from your shoulders, am I clear?" Galbatorix grew increasingly more menacing with each passing day. Eragon nodded his head and stood up with Galbatorix.

"Now, the reason I turned you into a dragon was because I need to bring back the dragons and build up my army," Galbatorix added to his earlier statement, ""and since Saphira would never mate with Shruiken or Thorn, I enlisted you for that role."

I guess that makes sen- WAIT, WHAT?!

"You and Saphira are to bring back the dragons-and to extension, my army," Galbatorix sneered, "now, be gone from my sight."

Eragon lowered his head in a bow, and left the room. He turned the corner to head back to his dwelling, when he saw Shruiken batting around Saphira. Normally he would have kept back, but his instincts took over and he plowed into the black dragon with all of his strength. Shruiken stood up and Eragon stepped in front of Saphira, his body forming a barrier between her and Shruiken.

Fine, you can have her, Shruiken spat at Eragon, She deserves to be stuck with scum like you. Eragon bolted toward Shruiken again and lifted the black dragon in his enormous maw. Then a sickening crunch was heard as Shruiken's body was thrown into the adjacent wall. Eragon walked over to him and met his eyes with Shruiken's. The black dragon's blood around Eragon's mouth and teeth, made him look much more menacing than usual.

If you so much as touch her again, Eragon said in disgust, you will not live to regret it.

Eragon walked back over to Saphira, who wrapped her neck around his affectionately. Eragon, reluctantly, allowed this contact to continue but still had much to think about, concerning their "relationship."

They began to walk back to the dungeon together, and Eragon looked at Saphira, What is happening to you Saphira? He asked, this morning you were trying to kill me and now you are acting…well…different.

I guess it is just instinct, She said, does it bother you?

Well…no.

Then why did you ask me about it?

I…I'm just…not used to it…I guess.

You will grow accustomed to my affections in time.

That is what I'm worried about.

How come?

Huh…oh no reason.

Eragon, Saphira stopped and wrapped her neck around his. He was surprised but returned the affection. They stayed like this for a short while, until Saphira broke the connection, I know what you're nervous about, and trust me, its fine. She leaned in and licked his cheek, then walked off; leaving Eragon to wrestle with his emotions. Eragon watched her go. Did she just…? Does she…? He started about twelve questions in his head but never finished one of them. He then walked off to join Saphira. She was lying on her side; facing the door, as he walked in.

Eragon's eyes met Saphira's, and he felt something deep in his gut. Like he saw Saphira in a whole new way now that he was a dragon, were you waiting for me? He asked.

Of coarse I was, she answered; her voice soothing and gentle. She beckened to Eragon. He was hesitant but, he soon laid his body against his dragon. They just stared at each other for what seamed like hours; emotions free to flow between them. Then they soon became overcome with exhaustion and laid their heads on the ground. Eragon instinctively wrapped Saphira in his wing and fell asleep in the mid-day sun. Saphira continued to stare at the handsome dragon before her. after some time she slipped her head beneath his.

Then, she whispered to Eragon Sleep well, my mate, before joining him in peaceful slumber.