"What is wrong, Little One?" Saphira asked as she sat, curled up on the ship's deck under the light of the waning moon. Eragon's back was to her as he sat on the railing, his feet dangling over the water.
"I'm worried about her, Saphira. She didn't look well when we last spoke despite her reassurances that she was fine." His shoulders seemed to droop in defeat.
"Perhaps she was telling the truth, Eragon. She must be tired if she's carrying your child." He heard her snicker behind him and he turned around, clearly unamused.
"Saphira, you know how she is. I fear she's overworking herself. At least she's going back to Ellesméra and they're already about a week and a half into their trip. She says they're a little less than a week away from Marna, but that doesn't mean she has been easy with herself within that span. I'm just happy they're meeting up with Angela and Elva. That way someone aside from Eila, Eylörís and Fírnen can look after her. I know you weren't there in person with us physically, but you can see my memories and you were there mentally throughout the entire conversation too. The areas under her eyes have grown dark with exhaustion and from a lack of sleep. She just looks so tired and I feel awful because it's my fault." He said remorsefully.
"It's not your fault Eragon. It takes two to create a hatchling, and from your memories, the decision to indulge in your more primal sides were not entirely your own. That being said, it's just as much my fault as it is yours. The same can be said for Fírnen and Arya."
"Yes, but she has to bear the brunt of the consequences." He said aloud and quickly with fire on his tongue. "I never wanted to hurt her and I have. I've chained her to myself inadvertently and we both know she didn't and probably still doesn't want that. It just makes it so much worse that I can't be there with her to help her through this. I don't think she's being entirely honest with me either. She's not telling me everything, most likely because she knows I'll worry, but that in itself is making me worry anyways." He held on tightly to the railing and leaned back, gripping the siding with his legs before allowing his back to touch the deck. He relaxed with a sigh. "I just hope she's okay, even though she probably isn't." He whispered aloud, tilting his head back to look at the azure dragon.
He stiffened when he heard soft footsteps approach him to his left.
"Why the long face, Shadeslayer, and may I ask who you speak of?" Blödhgarm raised a questioning eyebrow, his yellow eyes burning with the desire of knowledge.
"Arya, to answer both questions." Eragon sighed, knowing it was unwise to lie. He was a terrible liar anyways. He sat up, turned, then leaned his back against the railing, contemplating on whether or not to tell the cat-like Elf of Arya's pregnancy. She did warn him to not say a word until they had found a place to stay, just in case Blödhgarm took it badly.
The Elf sat next to him and observed Saphira, who pretended to be asleep. "What about Arya? She's unwell?"
"Yes and no." He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "She… she's pregnant and I worry for her. The last time we spoke she just looked… drained. It's comparable to the way she looked when we rescued her from Durza." He said softly, awaiting Blödhgarm's reaction.
"How long have you known about this?" He said rather darkly.
"Three weeks." Eragon answered quietly.
"How far along is she?"
"Three months. She's twelve and a half weeks, to be more exact."
Blödhgarm straightened. "She was pregnant when we left…" he trailed. "Who sired the child?"
Eragon looked up at him and swallowed thickly. "I did. The only time we had… relations was about a week before we set sail. We were still in Ilirea. We used wards to prevent this because our dragons… our dragons were incredibly influential in our pairing" he sighed. "The wards, though. They… they didn't work." His look became forlorn. "And now I can't be with her to help her through this. The closest thing to being there is to scry her as often as we can, but it's just not the same. I was just speaking to Saphira about this. I was simply expressing my desire and longing to be with Arya at this time. I'm worried about her."
"Are you two mates?" Blödhgarm asked, his demeanor had become calm, but Eragon knew better than to believe his external mood.
"Officially? No, we're not. We weren't mates when we joined either. Neither of us were prepared to experience what Fírnen and Saphira felt when they joined. Part of it, I think, was… how glad they were to have each other, knowing that they were the only two male and female dragons in existence to have the ability to mate with one another. Thorn was completely out of the question, as you know, and none of the other eggs had hatched. It proved to be overwhelming for both me and Arya, and you and I both know Arya is stronger than myself in a lot of ways. It is believed our dragons may have negated our wards as well. That or simply being in Ilirea could have countered them as that place is full of strange magic. With everything aside, though, she has my full and undying dedication, but she's made me promise to focus on the dragons firstly. I can't help but worry about her well-being. You know how she is…"
Blödhgarm growled, his lips raising into a snarl. "And pregnancy is hard on Elves. I understand your worries. Though I'm not necessarily happy about the circumstances surrounding this predicament, it isn't my place to push that opinion on you. You seem like you're doing the best you can, given the situation, which I am glad for, more for her sake than yours." His eyes softened and he seemed to present kindness and warmth. His anger fell away as well. "How is she? I know you said she seemed exhausted, but otherwise?"
Eragon leaned his head back and looked to the sky of sparkling stars, pausing for a long moment to gather his thoughts. "She's… she's scared. She admitted to that only once, but I can see it in her eyes too, even now. I know that she's not entirely ready for a baby, which I can sympathize with. I can only hope our talks are helping. She's in the process of trying to convince me that she's fine, but at this point, I've known her for too long to believe that she's legitimately fine… I know I'm not fine." He admitted quietly.
"Have you told her about your anxieties?" Blödhgarm asked matter-of-factly.
"Not entirely. I've mainly tried to focus on lending my support because I feel she needs it more than I do." He looked over at the Elf and observed the side of his furry face.
"Perhaps you should. It'll help her to realize that she's not alone in feeling the way she does. To put it simply, if you only show her your support and none of your vulnerability, it only reinforces that she's overreacting… in her mind, that is. I'm sure she isn't, though. She usually thinks even a slight loss of control leads to overreacting. It's hard to imagine exactly what she's feeling." He seemed sad for a moment. "Islanzadí had a hard time with her own pregnancy. I can see potential similarities between them while Arya makes her way through her own."
Eragon reached up to his chest and rubbed the pain that shot through him. The way he was trying to help was actually… hurting her. How had he not seen that before? "Thank you for pointing that out to me. I fear I wouldn't have realized it until it was too late." He sighed. "She's allowing me to return three months before she's due to give birth, so long as we've found a suitable place for the dragons and Eldunarí to live. That is my duty and I must attend to it to help secure a bright future for the next generation of Riders. It's just hard when I know we have a baby on the way… Blödhgarm, I'm about to be a father." He stared down at his hands as the realization hit him just as hard as the first time he realized it.
The Elf simply hummed. "Will you and Saphira return alone? I would prefer to be there to aid her when she goes into labor. I suppose she told you the survival rate of a natural birthing process in Elves is far lower than that of Humans?"
Eragon's eyes widened. "No… she didn't…" his gut twisted with pain. Of course having a baby would bring her to the edge of death if she insisted on going through it naturally and without aid. That seemed like something Arya would do as well. "Will she be okay?" He asked nervously.
"It's hard to tell when it's still so early. I haven't spoken with her either, which means I can't judge her state of being. I would urge you to speak with her soon. I would stress that you attempt getting her to open up to you. I know that, at times, can seem impossible, but she will eventually. It may take some prying, but you both will get there." Blödhgarm said, shifting slightly. "Perhaps try opening up first to show her that it's okay. She is strange when it comes to sharing her feelings with others as her early life was spent keeping things in." He acknowledged.
"I'll do that, thank you. We haven't been able to speak as often as we would like because they are traveling. She tells me Eila and Eylörís are doing well, though. I have yet to meet Eila, because Arya tells me she's incredibly shy, and Eylörís wishes to do the same, probably to help support her Rider. I don't blame either of them, especially Eila. She grew up under Galbatorix' tutelage and has spent her entire life within the castle walls. There's no telling what she's been through." He said sadly. "Arya told me the last time we spoke that she got to see Eila's first time outside the city walls. She also got to see Eila's first interactions with nature, which she thought was entirely beautiful." Eragon smiled at the memory of how passionate Arya had gotten.
Blödhgarm chuckled softly to himself. "I'm eager for your first meeting. Eila sounds like an interesting individual. Has Arya said anything else to you about them?"
"Only that Eila is very sweet and that Eylörís is quiet yet kind." He raised his hands, exposing his palms. "Her words." He smiled. "She told me of a few other things about their personalities and how they're adjusting to their new dynamic. That's all, really."
"Hm." The Elf mumbled. "Let me know when you get to meet them. I'm curious."
"You have my word." Eragon promised.
"Would you keep me in the know when it comes to Arya's well-being? Children are of a high value in Elvish culture, as you well know. I simply hope she is proud to be expecting a child, despite the surprise, and I mean that in the best way possible." He offered a smile and Eragon smiled with him.
"I will." He nodded.
"Good, now come here." The Elf stood and gestured for Eragon to stand as well.
He nodded and pulled himself up, straightening his clothes and his posture just before Blödhgarm's fist connected with his face.
"Ow! What was that for?!" Eragon practically yelled, holding a hand over his left cheek after staggering backwards. He would at least have a bruise there in the morning.
"For getting Arya pregnant." He said matter-of-factly, then smiled and held his hand out. "But I also want to congratulate you both."
Eragon straightened and grasped Blödhgarm's forearm. "Thank you." He managed through his throbbing face. It felt like his nose might be broken.
"Mhm. I simply wanted to inform you that the Eldunarí have sensed potential and suitable land to the east and that we will be setting a course when Dawn breaks in a few hours. I must say, you're up early." He noted.
"I couldn't sleep because I'm worried about her." Eragon responded, tenderly feeling his nasal area. "Thank you for letting me know about our plan. I'm keeping her updated on our course, so I'll relay this information to her as well." He said, wincing slightly.
"Oh good. I had plans to scry her soon, just to check in, but it seems you have that covered." The Elf flashed his sharp teeth and bowed. "I hope you gather some rest before daybreak. I smell a storm in the air."
Eragon nodded. "I suppose this is goodnight, then."
"Right you are. Sleep well, Shadeslayer."
"You too." He called just before Blödhgarm turned his back and left, casting aside Elvish customs of greeting and departing.
"Ugh, I think he broke my nose, Saphira." Eragon complained once the Elf was out of earshot.
"He did not. He simply bruised you." Saphira lifted her head and observed him with one large blue eye.
"I deserved it, though." He said simply.
"That depends on your perspective." Saphira corrected. "He may not entirely understand what we felt when you and Arya were together."
"You mean what Arya and I felt when you and Fírnen were together?" He corrected with a raised eyebrow.
"No. You two simply helped enhance the experience." Saphira chuckled when she saw her Rider grow red, even through the darkening bruise under his left eye.
"I could have gone my entire life without knowing that."
"Yes, the same could be said for me and your dreams. Your feelings for Arya are interestingly powerful to say the least."
"She's carrying my child, that thought alone is doing strange things to my mind, you know that." He scowled. "I don't understand it half the time and I don't want to disrespect her." He sighed as he spoke softly.
"It's because you're an animal too, Eragon. Despite how sophisticated, manner-oriented, polite, or what have you, you're still an animal. She's probably going through similar… issues. Perhaps talk with her about that too? Perhaps speak with her devoid of a shirt and see her reaction? I would not be surprised if her stoic nature slips a little more than you're used to if you did that." She responded cleverly, causing Eragon's blush to reach his ears.
"Again, I'm not trying to disrespect her." He said pointedly.
Saphira raised an eyebrow. "You two did the most physically intimate thing two people could do. I don't think keeping your shirt off would be considered disrespectful. If she has an issue with it, just put a shirt back on and apologize."
"No." He grumbled. "I'm not doing that."
"You're no fun. I really wanted to see that." She offered another smile, grinning with all of her teeth this time. "How's your bruise?" Her voice softened.
"Fine. It'll heal." He said sourly.
"Oh, don't be angry with me."
"I'm not angry with you. I'm angry that I'm actually contemplating your suggestion, though I know I won't do it."
"What if you had a bad sunburn?" She suggested and Eragon snarled, then winced before walking over to her.
"Goodnight, Saphira. I'll see you in the morning." He said, changing the subject as he embraced her long face.
"Goodnight, Little One. Sleep well." She nuzzled her snout against him in her way of affection. "I hope you feel better."
"Thank you. You too." He offered a small smile before heading down below deck to his small room that consisted only of his few belongings, his scrying mirror and his hammock.
Once there, he made himself comfortable in his sleeping space and tried not thinking about how peaceful Arya had looked when she was curled up and sleeping soundly beside him, her smooth, tanned skin seemed to almost sparkle in the moonlight, or maybe that's just a trick of his enamored mind. Either way, he knew he loved everything about her, and that wouldn't be changing any time soon.
For now, he would just have to live with the torment of being separated.
11-20-2020- I will be doing edits to everything after this chapter rather soon, so if you are currently reading this, just know the story is changing in the coming days :)
Original A/N: It's Eragon and Saphira!
I know this one is short as well, but it's also hard to write long chapters when, again, not much is going on. Things will pick up soon. We just have got to get there. Initially, I was just going do a chapter to cover one week like I did last time I had Arya and Fírnen in travel mode, but I think I'm going to change it up a little bit.
Again, I know it's short, but here you go! I hope you enjoyed this one. It's the first time I've dedicated an entire chapter to the Blue Rider and his dragon in this fic, so lemme know what you think. I think they're going to have a few more chapters to themselves, because Saphira is fun to write for in all honesty.
Thanks for reading!
-Lady Arlo