Eragon – Oops! – Chapter Twenty-Five

Author Note: I'm pretty excited about this chapter. The story itself might speed up a bit so just tell me if I'm going too fast. Also, I've started another story; some of you have already seen it. I think it's pretty kickass so go and look at it! Aaaand now you can read.

The return flight to Ellesmera was awkwardly silent. Payton knew it was her fault. Vanilor's flying capabilities had increased in not only endurance but grace as well. A small smile crept upon her lips when she remembered Thorn's clumsiness, which made her appreciate being with Vanilor again even more.

I missed you. Payton led her hands along his smooth scales but Vanilor elicited no response. As Payton sat in the saddle, she noticed how much bigger Vanilor looked. You've grown. She made another attempt at talking but it was in vain. Why can't you just talk to me? She growled at him, trying to provoke him into speaking with her, even if it was yelling.

Why must you insist upon speaking so much? He growled in return.

I am your rider and you are my dragon! Aren't we supposed to speak? Her temper rose, as did her tone.

If you say it that way I do believe we should give and receive one another's advice as well.

Yes! Payton pleaded, I have managed to fuck up again. I get it, I know I fucked up but you learn from your mistakes is that not what life is about? Her statements only caused Vanilor more annoyance.

It has become apparent to me after your recent venture that you don't learn from your mistakes and any learning you may do, you throw out as if it has no relevance.

Why are you so upset? I'm okay! Nothing bad has happened to me!

No thanks to you! Vanilor huffed haughtily. You must consider that people and animals alike perform certain actions for specific reasons, you cannot simply take an action simply for what it is and is not and that goes for both Murtagh and myself. Vanilor immediately cut off all connection, only infuriating Payton more. Eragon and Saphira had been watching the exchange confusedly. It was as though they were watching a muted soap opera. Payton felt a familiar tugging at her mind and looked around to see Saphira gazing at her from the corner of her eyes. Payton opened her mind to let Saphira in.

Many events are about to unfold, forgive us for forcing you to return but you are direly needed. Payton could feel Saphira's warmth and it eased her. Payton ran her hands along Vanilor's scales once again, although he tensed at first, he soon relaxed. Once Payton was sure that Vanilor was no longer mad at her she prodded him gently with her mind.

It was the elves that took you so long, wasn't it? Payton had noticed that they were making excellent time.

Perhaps. Vanilor faked a cough as though he had nothing else to say on the matter. We should arrive by late tonight. Payton decided upon staying quiet for the rest of the ride.

As estimated, they did arrive late at night, but Payton thought it later than Vanilor had originally thought. Vanilor landed softly outside of Oromis' hut and Payton hugged him goodnight. She opened the window quietly and snuck into her room. She found her bag by her bed and changed into her pajamas. It was such a relief to finally have a change of clothes and to not be stuck in a skirt. She sat on her bed and stretched back only to notice a 'small' pile of scrolls that appeared to have been slowly but surely piling up. Payton decided to ignore it for tonight and actually get a decent rest. She lay on her bed and stared at the ceiling. She continuously rolled over, praying for sleep, which refused to come to her. She rolled onto her side, the pile of scrolls catching her eye. She walked over and picked up the three scrolls that sat on top. She sat on her bed and leaned her back against the wall and unrolled one of them.

The Evils Within. She read the title with contempt. Although a person may not mean harm to others, they often place others in danger in their attempts to protect them. She tossed the scroll to the side of the pile. Everyone was so set on lecturing her about her previous actions, it was either that or they were intent on proving to her that Murtagh was terribly evil and he could do nothing good. It was true that Payton had never considered Murtagh to be an angelic figure who would rise above and triumph but he had proven to her that most of what he had done was due to Galbatorix's control over him. Payton's stomach suddenly rumbled. It's been forever since I've had anything to eat.

Ignoring the pang in her stomach she grabbed a second scroll. The subject of this one interested her, Fortune Telling. She read every detail about the uncertainties of telling as well as all of the certainties. She desperately wanted to try fortune telling herself, that is until she learned that the most accurate form of fortune telling was through the use of a dragon's knuckle bones. She shuddered at the thought of what she would have to do to attain some. She set that scroll upon her bedside table and picked up the last of the three.

Aspects of Dragon Mating. She hadn't entirely understood why Oromis would give her this scroll but she didn't mind. She smiled at the thought of being… wait… what would she be if Vanilor had a baby dragon? Well, he wouldn't actually have it, but it in a way it'd be his. Would I be an aunt? Or a grandmother? Vanilor isn't technically my child. The way Oromis explained it; he's a part of me. Her face contorted oddly. Would I be a mother? Would it be like my child? She searched the contents of the scroll only to find nothing on the matter. One sentence did manage to catch her eye though. It is tradition that if the parent dragons decide to keep the hatchling for a rider, that a female rider, if present, should cast the spell that would bind the hatchling in the egg until the time came. She smiled at the thought. Feeling as though sleep had finally prepared to overcome her, she set the scroll next to the other on the table and settled herself under the covers.

The next morning, Payton was still asleep, but she could vaguely feel something. It wasn't touching her, but it was near her. Her eyes shot open and she rolled off the bed, grabbing her sword and holding it up to protect herself.

"Welcome home, your training starts now." Oromis turned his blade and smacked Payton on the side of her knee with the flat edge of the sword. "Get dressed and meet me outside." Payton looked at the red spot on her knee sourly before changing. She found herself once again ecstatic over clothes. She had never cared that much for them before but they really were comfortable. After putting her weighted boots on, she found it much harder to move around than she remembered it being. She met Oromis outside with her bow around her back and her sword in hand. "I see you've noticed the extra weights." He laughed to himself.

"Yeah, it's hard not to." Payton wasn't about to admit her ignorance. She got into a fighting stance in front of Oromis.

"Oh, you won't be fighting me." He stepped aside to reveal Arya standing behind him. "You are once again behind in your training things must go by much faster now." Arya wasted no time in confront Payton in a full on onslaught. At first Payton struggled, it had been far too long for her to go without handling a sword but she quickly regained her skill.

She must be holding back. Payton rushed forward with all that she could but Arya swiftly blocked it. "Fight like that all of the time." Payton smiled to her and Arya returned the smile.

"As you wish." Arya returned Payton's attack with several powerful blows of her own. Payton found herself struggling against Arya but she enjoyed it.

This is what I need. Payton found herself drawing strength from the depths of her body. The two danced around one another for what seemed like endless hours. Oromis had been watching both of them and jotting down notes occasionally.

"That will be all for today." Oromis set down his notes and waved to them. Both Arya and Payton stopped their swords in mid-air and bowed respectfully. Although Payton had managed to keep up with Arya, she did not do it with ease. Fatigue was visible along all of Payton's features. Her shoulders were slumped, her knees weak, and sweat dripped from every pore on her body. Arya dismissed herself, although fatigued she refused to show it. Payton sat down, slumping against the house.

"What will we be doing next?" Payton knew she wasn't going to be getting any rest from her training anytime soon.

"You have many scrolls." Oromis rolled up the parchment he had been taking notes on and handed it to her. "This contains notes on your fighting, take notice of your mistakes and think of ways to correct them." Oromis began to head inside until he heard Payton's stomach growl. "For now, let us eat." Payton sighed thankfully and followed Oromis in. She ate so quickly she thought she was going to be sick. "No matter how much energy the food has, it will not be going anywhere."

"Sorry." Payton set her plate down in an attempt to slow herself.

"Did you learn anything valuable while in Uru'baen?" Payton's cheeks turned a pink hue. She realized that she hadn't really gathered anything that would be of use to anyone.

"Not really." Payton lowered her head.

"You say that but not all things valuable must be solid unknown information." Payton bit her lip uncertain of what Oromis meant, gathering this he continued. "Did you find anything out about yourself?"

"I want Galbatorix dead. I know that much."

"So you've gained a firm resolve? You are certain that this is the path you want to lead?" Payton nodded her head affirmatively.

"Yes."

"Is there anything else you've learned?" Payton thought vaguely of everything she had done in Uru'baen.

"I can now clean floors efficiently!" Oromis looked at her blankly.

"That was not quite what I was looking for. I want you to look deep within yourself and compile a paper of everything that you have learned." With that Oromis left to his study. Payton finished her meal and went to her room to wage a battle with the large pile of scrolls. Payton read a multitude of different writings, varying from the customs of elves to an extensive history of Alagaesia. She sighed as she had only made it through half of the pile and the sky was beginning to darken rapidly.

Vanilor? Payton found herself missing the connection she used to have with him.

Yes? His reply came softly as though he were a distance away.

Where are you? Payton's heartbeat increased slightly as she worried for him.

In waiting. Payton noticed that his tone was different and gave up on questioning him any further. She lay on her bed thinking about everything that was happening around her. She felt so distant from everyone. She hadn't seen Eragon at all since they landed in Ellesmera. Payton was actually surprised that Islanzadi hadn't confronted her yet. Deciding that it was better to not worry about what the queen would say when she saw her, Payton cleared her mind and reached out for all of the life forms around her. She enjoyed Ellesmera much more than Uru'baen. Not only for the fact that Ellesmera lacked a certain man named Galbatorix, but also for the fact that it was so peaceful and full of life. Even with all of the people that had been packed inside of Uru'baen and Galbatorix's castle, they all appeared lifeless.

I want to change that. Payton's eyes closed slowly as she lay on her bed, a scroll lay in her left hand until her grasp on it slowly slipped away. The next day Payton woke up to the oddest sensation she believed she had ever felt. It felt as though all of Du Weldenvarden was glowing, vibrating it seemed with energy, each leaf teeming with spirit. Payton felt as though her soul had been renewed overnight. She dressed quickly feeling that something was going to happen very soon. Walking into the living room, she saw Oromis sitting at the table anxiously as though he were waiting for her.

"Are you ready?" He appeared very impatient.

"For what?"

"I assume you have read a majority of the scrolls I have given you" His expression appeared to be a mixture of annoyance and impatience.

"Of course, I've finished nearly half of the pile."

"Then let us be off." Oromis walked outside and two horses were awaiting their arrival. Payton couldn't figure out what exactly was going on. She could speculate, yes, but not all of the facts seemed to fit.

"Could you please tell me where we are going?" Oromis smiled mischievously.

"No," which only served to distress Payton more. "I believe you've received plenty of hints. If you cannot figure it out then you will simply have to wait." The horses led them to the heart of Ellesmera where it seemed as though every elf had gathered, in the center of the elves Vanilor, Glaedr, and Saphira sat. Upon Oromis and Payton's arrival, the elves made a pathway and Oromis led Payton through. Queen Islanzadi stood in front of the three dragons along with Eragon. As they neared the center, Oromis ushered Payton forward, taking his place alongside Glaedr, Islanzadi bowed to Payton and stepped out of the way to reveal a dragon egg, shining a brilliant orange. She took a deep breath, tears in her eyes. Payton wanted to run to Vanilor but something in her heart stopped her. Looking down at the egg, she realized that they wanted it to be an egg for a rider. She smiled up to both Vanilor and Saphira but her smile faded quickly and a blush stained her cheeks. It wasn't that she didn't remember what she had to do but it was one specific detail that she did remember. She recalled exactly what the scroll had said about the ceremony: It is tradition that if the parent dragons decide to keep the hatchling for a rider, that a female rider, if present should cast the spell that would bind the hatchling in the egg until the time came. Once the binding spell is complete, both dragons would bathe the egg in flames while each rider exchanged the elven greeting and vowed upon one another's lips. Payton desperately wanted to hide at that moment but she knew how much it meant to not only Vanilor and Saphira but every one of the elves as well. Kneeling down before the egg, Payton placed her gedwey ignasia upon it and spoke.

"Sé wyrda ono varda." At that moment spindly white fibers began to make their way over the egg as though encasing it within a spider web to keep it from hatching. Payton could feel the toll it took upon her body, as well as see it. She looked down at her hands, which were shaking uncontrollably, stood and faced Eragon. Eragon brought his fingers to his lips and spoke first.

"Payton-elda, Atra esterní ono thelduin."

"Atra du evarínya ono varda." Payton returned, her blush fading and tears in her eyes but not out of sadness.

"Un atra mor'ranr lífa unin hjarta onr." He finished and took her hands in his.

Let's just pour salt on the wounds. Payton thought grimly. If it isn't bad enough that he doesn't like you, let's force him to kiss you! Payton looked up at Eragon who's cheeks looked just as red as hers felt. As their lips neared one another, Payton could feel the fire from both Saphira and Vanilor enveloping the egg and permeating the atmosphere. Their lips touched, softly at first but then firmly. Payton had wished desperately that they had been given time to talk about this in some way. Was it supposed to be a long kiss? Just a peck? Am I kissing too much? Am I a bad kisser? Is he a bad kisser? Does this technically count as my first kiss? Before Payton could find any answers to her questions, it was over and all of the elves were cheering. Desperate to get away from the awkward scenario as well as hide her red face, Payton ran over to Vanilor and hugged him. At that moment she didn't care that he hadn't told her about it. She didn't care about her training. She didn't care about the stupid kiss her and Eragon had just shared. She knew the dragons had a chance of survival and that was what was truly important. I want everyone to see the beauty of dragons; I want every generation to be able to share their lives with dragons. Thank you for giving everyone that chance. Payton felt tears fall from her eyes and Vanilor's comforting words in her heart.

I love you and thank you for blessing the egg. It was then that she understood all of the hints. Vanilor wanted her back for this ceremony and Oromis had placed that scroll on top for a reason. It was as though fate had made everything possible.

Author Note: Yaaay!! It's a little short but it's perfect. At least I hope. If you find any errors, do share. I made up the entire dragon egg bit myself but it seemed logical and it seemed to flow. A little note about the Payton/Eragon/Murtagh thing. I refuse to have a story where it's love at first sight, they both see each other and happily ever after. Payton still likes Eragon if you hadn't noticed. Trust is something that grows, something that Murtagh will have to earn from Payton. It doesn't grow on trees people!! Anywho, pretty please review!

P.S. You would have had this yesterday but decides it hates me TT Wouldn't let me upload anything. But now I can! So yay.