Yes yes I know its been ages since I updated Ive been lazy about it and Im sorry but Ive been busy with college and new foster babies so here are the next two chaps

CHAPTER FIVE: A HATCHLING

"About time you two came back. Eragon after supper I'm going to teach you how to use magic. Essora you've done good you can spend the rest of the evening resting," said Brom handing them each a bowl of stew.

Little one I sense confusion and joy inside you. What's has taken place to bring this about?

After our duel I kissed her. I can't believe I kissed my best friend. And she returned it with all of her soul. What have I done Saphira? I only think of her as a friend. Oh what am I to do?

Well obviously she doesn't. And if you only think of her as a friend then what you did was wrong because now her hopes are up and I know she loves you by the way she looks at you.

You still haven't told me what to do.

I was getting to that. You should tell her in the most tender way that you only think of her as a friend and that you want to keep it that way and apologize for the act on your part.

Thank you Saphira. What would I do without you?

Your life would not be what it is now. He asked her to let him alone for the time being so he could think and she gladly did so. The rest of the meal he spent it in silence trying to decide on how to confront Essora. After he finished Brom set to work with teaching him magic.

Essora sat against the trunk of a tree stroking her egg fondly while she ate. After she finished she walked around the camp gathering the dishes and washed them in the stream, drying and putting them away afterwards. She settled back down under the tree with a book of legends that her grandfather wrote for her, all of the stories he knew he wrote in a book so she could always take them with her.

After the sun went down she noticed that the egg was glowing and that a soft squeak was coming from it. She watched in silent wonder as it started to glow golden and rock violently.

"Eragon, Saphira, Brom come quick its hatching."

"What's hatching?" asked Eragon sitting down beside her.

"Her dragon egg," said Brom in a 'duh' tone.

They all watched as the egg began to crack and pieces of shell went flying everywhere. Even Brom awed as the little black dragon with indigo eyes emerged. Essora put her hand out to touch the little dragon bracing herself for what was to come as she embraced her future as a rider.

She made contact with the little dragon and a stabbing pain shot through her hand engulfing her entire arm. She shut her eyes not wanting to scream in pain. The pain subsided as quickly as it had come. She looked down at her right hand tears of joy coming to her eyes as she felt a new conscience in her mind.

"You just got your mark and you didn't even moan," said Eragon in awe and new appreciation for his friend. At least he wasn't alone.

Brom went to a bag and retrieved four strips of dried meat and handed them to Essora. She fed the dragon with love and affection in her eyes as it snarfed down the strips of meat in less than a minute. Saphira nudge the dragon that was the size of a medium sized dog (male dragons are bigger than females) and it touched her nose with a little squeak.

Brom walked off to bank the fire and lay down to sleep. Eragon laid down facing her so he could watch her with her dragon. Essora laid down and the little dragon curled up in the crook of her arm laying its head on her elbow making noises that sounded like the purring of her barn cat Mya.

Essora fell asleep felling happy about the past few days minus Garrow's death and being sought by the empire but other than that it was good.