Sexual themes in this chapter, you have been warned.

Three hours after Roran had paid them a visit, Saphira finally got off Eragon. The missing weight on his back also caused Eragon to wake up. I was comfortable. Eragon complained.

So was I, but we can't sleep all day. She stretched, yawning as she did so.

The yawn transferred to Eragon and he rose and stretched alongside her. Who said we can't? We're dragons, we can do whatever we feel like.

True, and if we were in our cave then I would have been content to lie on you all day but whilst we're here, we can't. How are you feeling anyway?

Better, my headache has died down. Dragons really do recover faster than humans.

Yes we do, but our hatchlings are still young, I can wager they won't be feeling well.

Let's see shall we? Eragon moved over to Selena, who was still lying on her back, drooling profusely. Selena, Selena, it's time to wake up, little one. He nudged her stomach and she twitched, her tail whipping up to clout Eragon's snout. Ow, fine if you want to be like that… Eragon then gently gripped the tip of her tail in-between his teeth and lifted her in the air.

Selena yelped as she was lifted off the floor. She tried to swipe at her father but he was out of reach. Put me down. She roared in protest.

For someone who loves to get up early you didn't seem like you were going to get up. Eragon explained and dropped her carefully back on the ground. She looked up at him as she stood up and growled quietly to herself. You wouldn't be feeling like that if you had listened to us when we told you not to drink that liquid.

Selena yawned and then tasted her mouth. Eurgh I need water. Saphira laughed and directed her to some fresh water that the dwarfs had sent up sometime when they were sleeping. Saphira then proceeded to the other two sleeping dragonesses and nudged them awake with Eragon.

After all three had woken, drank some water, relieved themselves, and after a minor case of vomiting, the three younglings sat on their haunches, looking up at their parents. How do you feel? Eragon asked them.

Tired. Vervada replied.

Sick. Serafina said.

Sore. Selena answered.

Well that's what you get for ignoring us. Saphira told the three, who lowered their heads. But now that you have experienced the effects it will be less painful for you the morning after. Your body is use to it so it should recover faster in the future.

Well we did have fun drinking it. Vervada said the other two nodding in agreement. When can we have more? Eragon and Saphira looked at each other and then laughed.

We didn't expect to hear that. Eragon replied. The first time your mother drank she declared a pox on all mead.

I suppose we could let you. The only time you will ever get to drink is either here or if you go to Ellesmera, the rest of the time you'll be in a cave with nothing but water. Enjoy it whilst you can, but only when your father and I are drinking. The hatchlings flashed their teeth at this , obviously happy about it.

Until then, your mother believes that we should be doing something, that is the reason why you have been woken. The hatchlings glared at their mother.

Why couldn't we just carry on sleeping? Vervada asked. I'm sure the dwarfs wouldn't mind.

Because it isn't our home. The dwarfs will be wanting to begin their preparations for the wedding up here soon and us sleeping here won't help them. Saphira defended herself.

Fine, we'll sleep in one of those caves. Serafina declared, taking off for the largest and highest cave in the hold. Two seconds later, Vervada and Selena followed, quickly entering the cave and leaving the sight of their mother.

Unfortunately I agree with them, my mate. Eragon then spread his wings to follow them but before he could take off he found himself pinned down on his back, underneath Saphira.

And where do you think you're going, my mate? She growled playfully. Eragon growled back at her and flipped her over, so that he was pinning her.

I was going to go back to sleep but it seems you have something else in mind. Saphira quickly nipped at his neck, throwing him off guard and managed to flip him back over on to his back, reasserting her dominant position.

Yes I do. For the first time in three months we are free to do what mates are supposed to do and I say we take advantage of this time. She gently nibbled on his neck, whilst he lay motionless beneath her.

I'm sure we could find a dark enough place to do so, a place where we won't be seen or heard. Saphira stopped her treatment on his neck and let him up.

Then what are we waiting for? She spread her wings, slowly, for Eragon's benefit. A quick thrust of his mind into the cave that the hatchlings had entered told Eragon that they were sleeping, and would be doing so until the effects of the beer and mead left them completely.

Nothing, let's go. He said as he took off, Saphira following closely behind.

--

Amora gazed down from the throne room at the hundred men that had volunteered to fight for her. She had held a small competition to discern the strongest and each one of the men had proven themselves. "The mages are in place, Amora. The platoon is ready to leave." Trianna said from the phoenix's side.

Did you give them their orders. She asked Trianna.

"The mages were told to cast wards over the group to stop the arrows and the soldiers have been told to fight ruthlessly once they reach the dwarfs to provide a greater distraction." Amora nodded.

Good. A quick thrust of her mind later and the men began their march towards the Boers. Soon I will have my mate. She said. Trianna poured some water into a bowel and set it before Amora.

"Would you like me to scry the dragons?" Trianna asked. Amora only nodded and Trianna used the necessary spell. Once the water showed the image of the two dragons flying together, Trianna left the room. Amora watched the dragons, curious to where they were flying to.

--

Eragon and Saphira left the dragon hold and the city of Tronjheim. The sun wasn't above the summit of Farthen Dûr, meaning the inside of the mountain was cast in darkness. Nobody could see where the two dragons were going and so they would not be disturbed by anyone.

So how will we be doing this? Eragon asked as he reached the far wall of the cavern, furthest away from the city. Saphira landed by him and rubbed along his side.

Well we can't do it whilst flying, we'll hit something. We'll have to do it on the ground. Eragon wasn't entirely sure of what to do. Unlike during his mating season, his instincts weren't taking over, all he knew was what Glaedr had told him, 'One is in the air, and the second is on the ground, with the male mounting the female from behind.'

Well are you going to get started? I'm waiting. Saphira said, a little impatiently. Eragon couldn't see her in the darkness but he knew she was nearby, he could smell her scent, which had vastly increased.

I can't see you, where are you? He asked into the darkness. He heard Saphira growl, growing more impatient.

Right in front of you, feel around for me. You better not mount me in the wrong direction; my mouth is for food nothing else. Eragon gulped at the prospect of putting something so important to him into something with so many sharp teeth. He swayed his head out in front of him in a large arc until it came into contact with her side. He then moved his head along her back to discern which way she was facing.

He found where her tail end was and positioned himself behind her. Are you ready? He asked as he rose up on his hind legs and placed his forelegs on her back.

Yes, Eragon. She replied, shuddering with anticipation. Although she couldn't see it, he nodded and then entered her.

--

Amora looked away in disgust as the two dragons began to mate. she had no intention of watching them do so. She returned to her roosting spot and looked out at the soldiers in the distance; they were just about to vanish behind a line of trees. As she looked out of the hole in the wall, Trianna returned to the room.

She was carrying a large jug, a glass and a bowl. She placed these on the table and poured, into the bowl and glass, some wine from the jug. "I thought that you might like a drink." She said to Amora as she walked past the scrying bowl. "Oh my…" She whispered as she saw what was happening in it.

Oh my indeed. Amora said, sounding rather perturbed. Yes, I would like a drink of wine, thank you. The phoenix said as she turned to face Trianna, who was struggling not to look at the images in the bowl out of curiosity. Oh come now, it's not that interesting. Amora said to her.

"I never said it was. I'm not looking am I? Trianna said in defence as she placed the bowl of wine on a stand near Amora, where she could drink it without having to stoop down.

No, but you want to. The phoenix countered as she took a few laps from the bowl, drawing the wine into her beak. I'm sure you yourself have mated before, I am aware that you humans don't take mating as seriously as most other species.

Trianna's face grew red. "Well that maybe so. It's just that I have never seen dragons mating before and I was just curious. Aren't you?" Trianna asked, trying to shift the situation onto Amora.

Amora laughed. Once upon a time, yes I was. Since then, however, I have seen it many times and I am not as curious as I once was. Enough of this talk. Amora declared as she savoured the wine.

Trianna took a seat that faced away from the bowl of the two mating dragons. She sipped the wine as she looked at the body of the phoenix. No matter how long she gazed at it Trianna could not make a guess to how old Amora was. "If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?"

Amora took several moments before she answered. I do not mind you asking. It's hard to explain, the body you see before you is roughly a year old. However, my mind is much older, at least five centuries I would say.

"I don't understand."

As a phoenix I have a special ability. Dragons are immortal, time does not kill them. Phoenixes however, age and our bodies grow weaker. At a certain time in our lives we burst into flames and our bodies are reborn from the ashes as chicks, with our minds still intact.

"So…can you die?" Trianna asked, slightly confused.

Oh we can die, if enough of our bodies are destroyed so that there won't be enough ashes for a new body to rise from. If our ashes are scattered after we have burned a new body will also be unable to rise.

"If that is true then why do you need a mate?"

Because new phoenixes can not be created through our deaths. A new phoenix comes from its parents, like all other creatures.

"But how will a dragon be able to give you chicks. You are a bird, whereas a dragon is a lizard, you can't honestly tell me that you are compatible."

You forget that both dragons and phoenixes are creatures with an extremely close link to magic. We, along with a few other species, are capable of breeding together. The female always produces offspring of her species, so if I mated with Eragon, he would give me chicks, and if a male phoenix mated with Saphira, he would give her hatchlings.

Trianna rubbed her temples. "Logically, that doesn't make sense, but if magic is involved, I guess I won't full understand." Amora chuckled lightly as she took another drink of her wine. A few moments of silence passed. "Are they done yet?" Trianna asked.

Amora looked towards the bowl and the image of the two dragons. No ,not yet. They look like they have only just got started.

Trianna's mouth hung agape. "What? They've been going at it for fifteen minutes already!" She exclaimed.

Dragons have incredible stamina. Amora explained to the mystified Trianna.

--

The small group of armed elves and humans left Du Weldenvarden and headed towards the magic infused boats on the Edda river. Arya and Nasuada had left it a little close to get to Farthen Dûr for the wedding but they had confidence in the boats that the elves had made.

To make up time, they brought along several Elven horses, so that they could travel on land when the river turned towards Hedarth. They would then board more boats when they reached the river as it turned back and began towards the Boer Mountains. This would save them a day, and with magic powering the boats they were confident they would reach their destination in time, perhaps even with a day to spare.

Nasuada boarded the boat and immediately set about to find herself a place for her to hold her pack. Arya did the same and they each picked a compartment built into the side of the boat that would remain dry if water came up over the side. "Do you think Eragon and Saphira will be present at the wedding?" Nasuada asked as she sat down.

Arya sat down opposite her as the boats began moving against the current up the river. "We both know that he had visited Farthen Dûr before he transformed fully. Orik was bound to have mentioned it to him and as they both share a close friendship I have no doubt that he will be there." Nasuada nodded.

"And word of this wedding would have travelled far, I'm sure the phoenix would have heard about it and she probably knows that Eragon will forsake his hiding place to be there. She will see that now is the best time for her to make her move for him."

Arya nodded. "Hopefully we will be able to persuade Eragon to leave as soon as the wedding has ended, otherwise his relationship with Saphira may come to an end."

--

Eragon and Saphira made their way back to the dragon hold. They were both tired and decided that they wanted to get some sleep, despite Saphira's earlier thoughts. As they descended on the hold they noticed a small group of dwarfs discussing on the sapphire. They held measuring sticks and pieces of rope and were placing the rope in various different patterns, obvious preparation work for Orik's wedding.

They ignored the dwarfs and entered the cave that the hatchlings had chosen. We'll have to do that again and soon. Saphira said as she nuzzled Eragon's neck.

I'm sure we will be able to find things to occupy the hatchlings whilst we do so. Eragon replied as he looked at the three that had piled themselves into a corner, a mix of blue, black, and white.

Do what? The voice of Selena chipped in. Saphira and Eragon froze in place as they heard their daughter. Why what did you do? She asked again as she untangled herself from her sisters, waking them up in the process. Well? Selena questioned further.

Well what? Vervada asked as she yawned and stretched.

Mother and father have been doing something but they won't tell me what? Selena explained to her siblings.

Why won't you tell us? Serafina asked the two dismayed dragons.

Eragon and Saphira looked at each other and closed their minds from the three young dragons. What do we tell them? Eragon asked Saphira.

What else can we tell them? They know what mating is, they know how to do it just as much as we did before we actually did it, and they certainly know that we have already done it before.

I know, but still, I would prefer them not to know what we were doing just then.

Me too, but they're not stupid. Saphira then opened her mind to the hatchlings again. We were mating. She said as she lay down, dragging Eragon down next to her.

Oh. The three hatchlings said before they started laughing. Eragon's and Saphira's heads grew hot as the blood in their bodies rushed to their heads in embarrassment.

Well why didn't you just say so? Vervada said. We can look after ourselves if you need some time alone. She said through a laugh.

You're a pair, don't let us get in your way. Selena laughed.

Just don't do it in front of us, seeing your parents mating isn't on my list of things to see. Serafina finally added.

Oh shut up. Eragon and Saphira said together, causing the hatchlings to fall into another fit of laughter.

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