Chapter 26: Star and Rose

When the celebrations of the night were over, Raya had to climb all over Tunivor's body to make sure each child made it home alright. She had found one gently wrapped in each of his claws and another was curled up on his tail. She handed off the last elf child to his mother, kissing the sleeping child on the head, and cajoled Tunivor to take them up to the dragon hold. He flew easily, having relaxed the entire evening.

Upon entering the cave, Raya dismounted easily and watched as Tunivor curled into a sleepy ball. His spines were exposed to the world, making him look like a giant urchin. Eragon and Saphira had gone up earlier, feeling exhausted, and both woke up to look at the White pair. Raya patted Tunivor's side and disappeared into a corner to change into an overlarge tunic. Saphira fell asleep, but Eragon propped himself up on an elbow.

"They are going to be a nightmare in the morning." Raya said, looking at the two dragons. Eragon looked confused. "All that praise will have surely gone to their heads." Eragon chuckled.

"They've quickly become heroes, when once they were at war with the dwarves." Eragon said sleepily, leaning back into his pillow. Raya sat down on the edge of his bed. "I heard some interesting gossip about you while at the party tonight."

"Oh. What sort of gossip?" Raya asked, leaning back against the bed frame. Eragon didn't know how comfortable he was with Raya sitting there. His stomach flopped when he thought of her sitting on his bed. What if she kissed him?

"Well, there was some gossip about you and Lowven. Supposedly, you were very good friends." Eragon didn't feel like repeating all the gossip he'd heard about Raya's relationship with the dwarf. Some of it was nasty, other gossip was just crude.

"We were more than friends," Raya replied with a lazy smile. "Lowven taught me the dwarf tongue when I was starting as an apprentice. It wasn't until I was confirmed as a Rider, that he and I interacted on a more romantic level."

"So I heard." Eragon said, glad that Raya's answers were said in a very neutral tone, and oddly, did not embarrass him. He listened to her talk.

"What else did you hear?" Raya asked him.

"Something about him learning the sword from you, and you two acting as a couple for purely political reasons." Eragon repeated some of the more innocent gossip.

"Well. That's a nice way of putting it." Raya closed her eyes and leaned back, inhaling and exhaling slowly.

"What happened to him? To Lowven." Eragon asked, shuffling around so he could see her better.

"He died. Accident." Raya's voice was hollow and she did not open her eyes. "One of the men in his clan pushed him down Volturin. The winding tunnel."

"Why'd he push him?" Eragon asked, finding it weird that someone would be pushed down Volturin.

"Never quite understood why he did it. I'm sure there was some clan issue that couldn't be explained to me. It happened while I was away, when I came back, he was already dead. His family let me see his grave, but that was it." Raya opened her eyes and looked at Eragon. "I missed him for a while. But then Galbatorix came to power, and things changed. I worried far less about my heart."

"How practical. You said there was one other man. A Rider. Was he before Lowven?" Eragon asked.

"Yes." She whispered, her eyes going foggy with memory.

"Who was it? Did you love him?" Eragon sat up in bed, looking at Raya. Her answers had quickly gotten shorter.

"He was a good man. And yes, I loved him. But he changed before the Fall." Raya's voice cracked, and Eragon noticed she looked sad and upset.

"Anyone I might know?" Eragon joked, trying to lighten the mood. He knew very few of the other Riders personally. And only a handful of others by name.

"Yes. Mind you, he was a good Rider, once upon a time." Raya looked away, into the cave. "He changed a lot. He ended up joining Galbatorix, but not because he believed in what he was doing: he was hoping to help his own apprentice, a young man he had learned to love like a brother."

Eragon could feel his stomach fall. It couldn't be. No. It's not possible. "He became one of the Forsworn, didn't he?" Eragon could feel his stomach clench with the fear of it.

"The First, and the Last," Raya replied with a whisper. Her eyes turned to Eragon and his stomach dropped through the floor.

"Morzan." The word came out of his mouth in a hollow whisper. "You knew my father, before he killed another Rider. You knew him, while he was changing the history of the Riders." He was in shock. She had known Morzan. Loved him. And now she was here, with him. He was Morzan's son.

"Yes." She could practically see the thoughts flying through his head. "You really are nothing like him. You don't act like him, you don't think like him, and you don't talk like him. You don't even look like him."

"You don't think I'm his son." Eragon said, pouncing on the thought. "How? How do you know? What makes you think so?"

"I knew Morzan." Her answer was so simple. "I knew Morzan's life and family and history. I know things about him, that Galbatorix would have killed to know. And I know you. You are not his son."

"But what if I'm just acting like my mother? How do you know?" Eragon could only stare at her.

"You were born entirely human, correct?" Raya asked, whispering. Eragon nodded, Raya leaned forward and whispered something in his ear that made Eragon's heart not only lift up, but soar entirely. Not only did it exonerate him as Morzan's son, but it might also save Murtagh.

"You're sure?" Eragon asked, practically leaping from the bed in joy. Raya nodded. "I'm relieved. Really relieved." Eragon leaned back, flumping back into the pillows. "When he was younger, before Galbatorix, was Morzan a good Rider?"

"Yes. He loved his dragon. And he loved his apprentice. He had a lot of love." Raya smiled and drew the covers over herself on her side of the bed.

"Brom was his apprentice." Eragon said, remembering quickly that Brom had learned and fought his master.

"That's right. When Brom's Saphira died, Morzan was there to pull Brom out of it. So he wouldn't die as well." Raya relaxed a bit. "Give me a pillow." Eragon tossed her one. "When Galbatorix asked for another dragon, Morzan listened to the Council's responses. He figured if Galbatorix could get another one, then maybe Brom could too."

"So when he and Galbatorix tried to take the dragonet from its Rider?" Eragon asked, leaping into the story.

"He was inquisitive. He wanted to see if it would work. To tell you the truth, I think he thought it possible." Raya looked sad. "I also don't think he wanted to kill the other Rider. They were hoping to get to the egg, while the Dragonet was hatching. But, you know the story. Morzan ended up joining forces with Galbatorix. Once he started, there was no going back."

"And then he became the bearer of Misery. The one who killed Anhuin's clan and everything." Eragon's brain was quickly putting pieces of the puzzle together. "He learned dwarf from you, didn't he? That's how he was able to write that letter for Anhuin. He learned it from you."

"That's right. Now that I see what it's done, I feel as responsible for the Tears of Anhuin as if I'd done it myself. If I hadn't taught him, you'd never have been caught in that mess. Morzan loved to learn. He thought, at the time, that the dwarf tongue could be as beautiful as the elfin."

"And Zar'roc. His sword. You said you knew that blade as well as you knew Dorev." Eragon was quickly remembering anything Raya had said about Morzan.

"It was once called 'Mor'ranr.' He laughed, because it was only a few letters different from his whole name. Morzan'r. He dropped the ending when he entered the Riders. His blade was once called 'peace.'" Raya spoke and Eragon's mind reeled.

"And me?" Eragon asked.

"I like you as much as I liked Morzan, or Lowven, but for very different reasons. You are so much more compelling." Raya said and Eragon felt part of his stomach drop away again. If it keeps doing that, I'm not going to have a stomach tomorrow morning.

"But you do like me? And not because I remind you of Morzan?" Eragon asked quickly. Raya laughed. She shifted and threw her pillow at him.

"You're being silly. Of course I like you. I kissed you, didn't I?" Raya chuckled at him and Eragon felt his loins twist. Now there's an odd sensation.

"People do odd things with mead in their system. Saphira tried to stand up on hind legs once. She had four barrels of mead at Ajihad's funeral." Eragon said, holding onto the pillow, which he had unsuccessfully tried to duck. Raya's chuckled turned into a full on laugh.

"Give me back my pillow," she said, reaching for it.

"No." Eragon teased, putting it behind his head, as far away from her as possible.

"Now who's in a playful mood?" Raya asked, sitting up under the covers. "Give me back my pillow." She commanded. When Eragon shook his head 'no' one more time, she leapt towards him, like a cat, landing a hair's breadth from him. Eragon felt confined as she pinned him down and removed her pillow forcefully from behind his head. She leaned over and brushed her nose against his. Her tongue sneaked out and licked his nose.

Eragon twisted her sideways. She fell onto her side in a fit of giggles. "Now why on earth would you lick me?" Eragon said, brushing his nose with the back of his hand. Raya kept laughing and Eragon leaned over and tickled her. She kept giggling and laughing, trying to turn away from Eragon. He stopped for a second to let her breathe. She gasped for breath, trying to catch enough air before Eragon tickled her again.

"You tasted yummy earlier," Raya said, answering his question. "Just checking to see if it wasn't a fluke." Eragon flumped down and relaxed at her side. She realized he wasn't going to keep tickling her. "You still taste yummy."

"Raya, what happens to you and me, should Saphira and Tunivor mate?" Eragon leaned on his elbow, looking at Raya. "I only partly understand how I feel about you, and I have only the foggiest idea how you feel about me. But Saphira's and Tunivor's feelings are more solid. What happens?"

"Well, the actual mating is rarely seen by the Riders, though there are some interesting accounts of what happens. Supposedly, dragons can mate both in the sky and on the ground. The in-flight one is more impressive. As for you and me. Tunivor's never mated, though he has competed for a female's attentions. Vrael said the actual mating is so highly charged that it reminded him a bit of an Agaeti Blodhren ceremony."

"I've been in one," Eragon said, reaching out a hand to clear the hair from her face. "You go blissfully mad. Three solid days of bliss and madness."

"Well, supposedly, if you can imagine all the bliss and madness, and compress it into several minutes, that's what it feels like." Raya said, stopping his hand and brushing her hair away on her own. Eragon felt the brief touch of her skin on his hand.

"Intense." He said, not really thinking about the dragons anymore. Eragon put his palm against Raya's neck. It was instinct ripping through him. After being denied the chance to touch her hair, he wanted to touch her skin.

"Ease up, Eragon. Instinct is good, but it tends to move too fast." Raya whispered, putting her hand over his. "You and I still don't know each other that well. We are pulled together by their love," Raya said, looking out on Tunivor, who was humming as he slept.

"That scares you, doesn't it? Him wanting her as a mate, that scares you." Eragon looked into her eyes and realized he'd hit the proverbial nail on the head. It did scare her, almost as much as it frightened Eragon.

"I want him to be happy. I want him to find a mate, one that will satisfy the love I cannot give him. But yes it scares me. The Rider's guard their dragons' hearts obsessively." Raya's voice was small and quiet, like saying it aloud only compounded her fear.

"I know, Saphira's mind is my sanctuary. Her love has become my one constant. I would do anything to protect her from worry or pain." Eragon whispered, understanding her fear in the way only another Rider could understand.

"Imagine feeling only her mind for a century. I remember, there were times we argued, in that sleep. But we always managed to make up somehow. He would take me into the deepest recesses of his mind and show me the ancient memories." Raya looked at her dragon, her eyes warm and happy. "Memories that the dragons only share with each other. We are so close, Tunivor and I. We share our souls, too much. I know that should his heart break, mine would too."

"You didn't learn to separate your souls?" Eragon asked, wondering. Glaedr had said that all Riders and dragons were taught it. It was absolutely necessary.

"Oh we learned. But a century of being together like we were, and it gets hard to tease them apart. We tried several times on the journey. But we can't. The final separation is too hard. It hurts too much," she brought his hand to heart, "Here." Her eyes were liquid, her tears almost spilling down her cheeks.

"Easy" he whispered, pulling her into a hug. It was awkward because they were both lying down, be he tried anyway. "Saphira likes Tunivor as much as he likes her. She isn't going to break his heart any time soon."

"And you, what do you feel?" Raya said, pulling back to look into his face. Eragon couldn't answer her in words, so he answered her in feelings, thoughts, and images. He knew that his answer was like bearing his soul to her, but he did it anyway. He let her feel his thoughts first, the let his affection for her, his more-than-friendly affection resonate through their mental link. His thrill at seeing her, at knowing she was both like him and like the elves he so admired. Both young and old, naïve and wise. Caring, but strong, beautiful but different. She was an enigma and he expressed any and all thoughts and feelings he'd harbored for her. Even the confusion. Raya's eyes went slowly wide until Eragon could see them fill with tears.

She cried quietly, the tears making her eyes red, and the evergreen color practically illuminated the room, becoming a brilliant emerald. When he stopped projecting his thoughts, she blinked, letting the tears just roll quietly from her eyes. She let down what was left of the wall around her mind and Eragon moved his thoughts closer. He didn't rifle through them, just let her show him. If she didn't feel like sharing, for there were several thoughts, several memories she simply could not share with him, he didn't push at her.

He saw parts of her childhood, how she had longed to fit in, fit in yet still be someone special. She showed him Vrael, and Eragon was surprised by the appearance of the leader of the Rider's. He was older than he'd imagined. Than the pain of a century of sleep, a century of wondering why her kin had not come for her. A century of desperate loneliness and the worry that she had indeed forgotten her, or simply wished never to see her again. He felt the painful jolting sensation of himself, brown-haired, dark-eyed, pointy-eared Eragon who looked Halfling and was a Rider to boot, the shock of him waking her up. Her intense desire to know who was he? What was he?

When her thoughts switched to her more than friendly appreciation of his looks, his skill, his strength, his courage, his heart. Her awe at his very name, Eragon Shadeslayer. Shadeslayer!! And the way he smiled. She enjoyed his smile, and he saw himself through her eyes. Her delight at speaking to another person, another Rider; both learning and teaching, and showing, and teasing. Her playfulness was as awkward as his own. His feelings for her were returned with equal attraction and equal fervor.

He pulled back from her mind, and she released him. Eragon smiled at her and she looked back up at him. "Feeling better," he asked her, "Less afraid?"

"Much less afraid." She replied, snuggling into his side and he wrapped an arm around her waist to hold her close.

"Now what?" Eragon asked, liking very much how she felt against his side.

"We sleep. It's late and I'm tired." Raya said, very matter of factly. Eragon chuckled.

"Sounds good to me." He pulled Raya closer and readjusted the pillow beneath his head, and let sleep and her warmth envelop him. Part of his mind registered that he had just done something very taboo: shared his mind, and his memories, with another individual. One who was not his dragon. What would happen now?

"Don't worry about it so much," murmured Raya, and Eragon turned to looke at her. She pulled his mouth to hers for a brief but tingling kiss. "Turn your brain off, Eragon. You'll only hurt yourself." She whispered again, and Eragon put all thoughts of it out of his head.

When he woke the next morning, Eragon grumbled. Raya's warm sleeping form was gone, and it was irritating to wake up and not have her there. Where's she gone to? He stretched his mind and opened it, reaching for whoever was closest. He felt Saphira talking mind to mind with Raya.

I see. Well, I am more than willing to help you should you need it. Saphira said, pondering something Raya had said.

You'd have to accept the mark of the Star Rose. It's not one that is borne easily. Raya said, her mental voice warning Saphira of the risk she might be taking.

I am a dragon. It would be an honor to bear it. What duties does the mark imply? And why is Tunivor not helping you? Saphira asked, checking to see what she was getting into.

As far as helping me today, he's too big. Secondly, he and I are one pair. There needs to be one other individual, in case disaster strikes. Raya explained, pulling Saphira deeper into her mind, speaking to her privately. As for what duties are aligned with the title, I will have to tell you later. Good morning, Eragon.

"What is Saphira helping you do?" Eragon asked, rolling out of bed, a bit wobbly on his legs, especially after dancing the night before.

"Just get a few things. And helping me by keeping something secret." Raya said, patted Saphira's nose, and turned to face Eragon. "Nothing absolutely horrible."

"Why is it that everyone tells Saphira secrets, and I don't hear anything?" Eragon grumbles, hauling himself to a water pitcher where he can wash his mouth.

"Because; no one can force a dragons mind. Not even with magic." Raya said, leaning against Saphira's side.

"Where's Tunivor?" Eragon asked.

"Around. Probably acquiring admirers. Saphira, I'll speak to Wodin about marking you, and I'll meet you by the Star Sapphire later. The dwarves brought up a breakfast tray, Eragon. When you're done, take it back downstairs will you?" Raya patted Saphira one more time and disappeared.

"What was that about?" Eragon asked Saphira.

Like she said, she needs me to help her get something. But also to keep a secret. I can't tell you much more, Eragon. Don't worry, it's nothing awful or binding. Saphira nuzzled him with her nose.

I still don't understand why I can't know things like this. If it's a secret about the Riders, shouldn't I know? Eragon asked her, wishing he could be treated like an adult.

When I find out, I'll ask Raya if it is alright that I tell you. I think its silly that you aren't being told. But, for now, what can I do?

You can tell me what the mark of the Star-Rose is meant to signify? Eragon asked, grumpily. Not a good way to wake up in the morning.

Much like the Yawe is a mark of extreme loyalty to the elves, the Star-Rose symbolizes an extreme loyalty to the original races of Alagaesia: the dwarves and the dragons. Raya represents both, I would represent the dragons. Do not fret, Eragon. I'll tell you as soon as I learn more. Saphira nudged him again and Eragon hugged her head: he really couldn't wrap his hands around her face anymore.

"Saphira? Have you grown again?" Eragon asked, measuring her face by comparing it to himself. She stood up to her full height and Eragon measured her with his eyes. "You are bigger. That overgrown white lizard just keeps bringing you food. You're going to end up as roly-poly as a ball."

I beg your pardon!? I will not get fat! Saphira, turned up her nose and Eragon laughed at her. He sent her a mental image of a Blue ball with Saphira's face and wings, so fat she couldn't fly. I resent that.

I'm just teasing you. I don't think it's awful that you've grown. Just be careful you aren't so big that I can't sit in the saddle, and you can't walk through the dwarves tunnels. Eragon changed and walked out onto the ledge which overlooked Tronjheim. He rammed right into the White Dragon.

Hello, Eragon. Tunivor said, pausing while Eragon straightened himself out. Good morning, Saphira. Brightscales, if I may say it, you look the picture of health this morning. Tunivor looked over her wings and turned his head to the side. You've grown. Good. I do believe it's time you learn a hardening spiral. You're certainly old enough, and I've seen your flame control.

You think so!? Saphira turned her head to him excitedly, Eragon could only stare at his dragon. I mean, ahem, thank you Diamondhide; it would be an honor to learn from you. I'm almost a third of your size now. Saphira offered, taking a step closer to Tunivor.

I never got the chance to mention it, with all those dwarves admiring you, but you shone like Aiedail yesterday. Not even your fair mother could have looked that beautiful. Tunivor's voice rasped huskily and he realized that Eragon was still standing there, listening to them talk. Forgive me, Rider Eragon, but it seems that in the presence of this shining star, I have forgotten you.

It's fine. Eragon replied, and choosing not to feel the dragon's emotions first-hand turned to speech. "I only want to hear you praise her. Chastise her, and I shall be fully upset with you." Eragon felt that, with his relationship with Raya getting more complex, it was okay to tease the giant white dragon.

There is nothing to chastise: Saphira is perfection. Intelligent, athletic, beautiful, and a true dragon. She is the epitome of a dragon female. Tunivor's compliments were said with such sincerity and honesty that Eragon was surprised.

Your words are too kind. Eragon could feel Saphira's flush at Tunivor's words. I am the only dragon female, you are supposed to say that.

You think I have not seen my share of beauties? You forget, I knew Vervada. I can say with complete honesty, that you are more fair than even she was. More beautiful than any I have ever seen. Forgive me, I speak too candidly and it unnerves your Rider.

"No, no. I'm just flushing because I fear all this praise will turn Saphira's lovely blue head in. And yours." Eragon grumbled and readjusted his shirt and sword.

What is not to praise? Why shouldn't the dwarves worship and admire the prince of dragons? Saphira said, turning her vivid sapphire eyes on Tunivor. Eragon felt the flush rising in him. Powerful, a hide even I envy, intelligence, ferocity, and the list goes on. And you are kind and gentle with those who are smaller than you. I saw how you played with those dwarf children. It is easy to see why there is such admiration for the white dragon. I admire you.

Eragon put his head in his hands with the hypocrisy of the situation. Had he spoken like that with Arya or Raya, he'd have been smacked silly. Saphira, he said privately, keep it private. No need to broadcast feelings like that. We should also go speak to Wodin: I want to leave tomorrow.

Sorry, Eragon. Saphira apologized with a sheepish woops! My apologies, Diamondhide, but I'm afraid I have some business to finish. I will see you later. Come on, Eragon. Saphira turned and she and Eragon flew off toward Tronjheim.