Here's where most people would thank the ten people who followed them, but seeing as I wrote like, sixteen chapters before I started uploading and have done so in bulk, I'll thank all zero of you. But when I finish uploading, I'll be uploading at roughly the rate I write, and I'll warn you guys that I tend to procrastinate if I get bored. Let's hope that doesn't happen, but if it does, you can spam me if you care. Otherwise, well, you don't care, so why are you here?

Disclaimer: This isn't a disclaimer. Not really, but it was a nice paradox. No, I don't own this stuff, even though I wrote it. Legally, I don't even own my OC's. Also, doing this on iPhone is terribly buggy. I do not recommend it.

X

Wind lashed out at Eragon, roaring in his ears. It hurt to ride Saphira this fast, but he couldn't slow down. He had to get to Arya and Fírnen before they left.

Please don't be late. Please don't be late. Please don't—

Little one, if you repeat that one more time, I'll leave you fifty paces from the shore, and when you reach the shore, you'll still have to hike home.

Okay, okay, I'll stop. You could have just asked.

It wouldn't have been as satisfying, Saphira hummed.

A blur of tan and navy-blue, streaked across Eragon's view. Saphira slowed, surveyed the beach for Arya and her dragon, then dove down.

"Arya! Wait! Saphira—"

Sand filled his mouth as Saphira skidded, waiting for friction to overcome momentum.

Once the dust settled, Eragon spotted Arya strolling towards him. After he'd coughed the remainder of sand, he slid down the dragon's side, accidentally tackling Arya on the way down.

"Sorry," he mumbled, pushing himself off the ground. When standing, he offered Arya his hand, but she ignored him. Eragon sincerely hoped the disappointment didn't show on his face.

"What was so important that you had to crash into the beach to get to me for?"

"Where's Fírnen? He'll want to hear this as well."

Hear what?

Eragon whirled around to see the green dragon land gracefully along the the drag-marks from Saphira's landing. Grinning, he announced, "Saphira laid an egg!"

Arya's eyes shot up in bewilderment. "Fírnen's work?"

I haven't mated with any other dragon, Saphira confirmed, shaking sand off her scales.

Where is it? May I see it? Fírnen craned his neck over Arya, as if trying to glimpse the egg.

"Aye, you may see it," Eragon said, turning to Saphira. He jogged to the sac hanging from the saddle, removing a turquoise egg roughly the size of his head. Cradling it in his arms, he walked over to Arya and Fírnen.

The four stared at the egg, the silence finally ending with Eragon, who looked up at the elf.

"Arya, Saphira and I have something we'd like to ask of you."

The queen looked up, expectant.

I wish for you to carry it as you did with me. While you may not have the freedom you used to, I would trust nobody else with this task. I want it to be bonded.

"I am honored, Saphira, but do you really trust me with your offspring?"

I am sure. It is as much Fírnen's as it is mine, but I cannot carry it between the races.

"Arya?"

She looked up from the egg into his eyes.

Sighing, Eragon said what is courage would allow. "Scry me, okay?"

She nodded, and Eragon handed over the egg. When secured in her arms, the elf recited the spell Eragon had used to store the Eldunarí.

"Goodbye again, Eragon."

Tears began to collect in the corners of his eyes, overflowing down the sides of his face. "I wish you could stay."

"I wish you could come."

Eragon grabbed her hand. "Be weary about the Ra'zac." The distance would be too great to protect her with wards, and he couldn't bear it if something happened to her.

"I am not one of your helpless women, Eragon, and I'll certainly be more weary than you were."

He stepped forward, but Arya didn't back away. He pulled her closer, whispering, "I'll miss you."

"Me too."

Eragon wasn't sure when it happened, but when he realized they were kissing, several emotions filled him, and among them was hope. He told himself it could work out. Somehow it would.

Arya stopped, drawing breath. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her forehead rested against Eragon's.

He kissed her again, though it lasted quite a bit longer than he'd intended. Unfortunately, they couldn't stand there forever, and Arya, as if acknowledging this, reluctantly stepped backwards, avoiding eye contact. Eragon watched Arya run to the ship, and with her, part of him.