38. Ideas

Arya and Eragon were already busy when they heard Willow call out her farewell. Arya had immediately begun her experiment involving the chair, which led to some new and amazing experiences. When they were done, Arya incredulously murmured, "That was long, Eragon."

"The longest," he agreed. "It was . . . epic." Then he laughed breathlessly at his choice of words. "Thank you, Arya. It felt unbelievable."

"Why so long this time?" she wondered.

Eragon shrugged, slowly gaining control of himself. "Maybe it had something to do with the chair. I'm a fan. It's my new favorite."

Arya laughed. "Let's see. We have done this on the ground, with you on top, with me on top, while standing, in cold water, in a bed, on dragon back, and now on a chair. Perhaps we are not as uncreative as I feared. But I will be the one to come up with the next new scenario. Help me think. Where else can we experiment?"

"I like the sound of this," Eragon said, "and I'm happy to help you come up with some new ideas, but let's get more comfortable first. I can tell that you want to relax now, but that's difficult sitting up in this chair." He stood, carried her to the bed, and sat down, scooting back and shifting around until they were both warm and comfortable. "Any better?"

"Mm-hmm," Arya mumbled, snuggling into him and running her fingers along his chest.

"So, as far as innovative ideas go," Eragon said, returning their thoughts to her suggestion, "we could try hot water, though that isn't very novel. How about in a tree?"

Arya smiled. "Good idea. Both of them." Then she contributed, "In front of everyone?"

Eragon chuckled. "But not here in the Urgal village. I'm not sure I could handle the humiliation. Maybe in Ellesméra. There we might earn some properly scandalized expressions."

Arya giggled in delight. "Can you just imagine them all witnessing their former queen making love with her human husband while seven or eight months pregnant?" She laughed more loudly, and he joined her. "The sight would be so priceless that it's almost enough to get me to consider it."

Eragon assumed an expression of mock disappointment. "You needn't feel bad," Arya comforted. "That one was my idea."

"But the location was mine," Eragon reminded with a dismissive laugh. "Very well, what else? How about while falling through the air? That would be thrilling. We could start on Saphira or Fírnen then just let ourselves tumble off into oblivion, pretend we can't use magic, and hope our dragon would catch us before our imminent deaths."

Arya laughed again. "It would surely make for an even more exciting climax. Hmm, how about in the snow? Looks like it will start in earnest soon."

"Yes, that would be interesting. We would have to try that one right before the hot water one. Maybe Varhog knows of a place that would serve our purpose. I'll ask him."

"I wonder what Willow meant by having to try more experiments," Arya mused.

"All you need do is ask her," Eragon assured. "She is sure to tell you directly, with no embarrassment or delicacy."

"Yes," Arya agreed with a rueful smile. "That she is. I love those two. I sometimes wish I could be more like Willow. She's so open and unpretentious, but it's so hard. Too many years as an elf, I suppose. Give me a few more years as your wife and her sister, and I just might have a chance."

"It if means you'll stop blushing, then you had better not," Eragon warned. "I couldn't live without that every few days."

Arya playfully pushed at him. "Even with this every day?"

"Aye, even then. I love seeing you blush. Your skin is so beautiful and fair, but it takes on the most exquisite glow when you do. It's one of the things I love most about you along with . . . hmm . . . let me see. . . . Oh yes! Everything else."

"Thank you, darling," Arya breathed with a weary laugh.

"You're starting to get tired, and I'm feeling quite content myself," Eragon commented. "I had a couple more ideas. Would you like to hear them now?" Arya nodded against him. "They're nothing amazing, but they're different. While dancing. On a table. With me behind. With our mouths."

"You're just a wellspring of creativity, now aren't you?" Arya said in amusement. "Have you always had all these ideas?"

Eragon shook his head, smiling. "No. I only started thinking when you asked. Apparently it didn't take much for my fantasies to start flowing. I'm also looking forward to the increasing challenge once that baby gets bigger." He stroked softly over her lower back, unable to reach the area of her abdomen that was still for the most part—at least outwardly—completely unchanged.

"Well, I'm looking forward to trying all of them," Arya insisted. "But I feel so comfortable and sleepy right now. How about a nap?"

"Perfect," Eragon said. "I feel exactly the same, and our rest these last few nights has been far less than satisfying. Sleep well, my love." And with that, they drifted off.

-:-:-:-

A/N: If you are reading according to the Eragon/Arya track (which is explained in detail at the end of Part One), you will find your suggested chapters for Part Three at the beginning of Chapter One. That story is entitled The Cycle Continues Part Three: Full Circle. To find it, search that title or go to my profile and click on it in my listed stories.