Chapter 13: A Dream, a Wedding, and a Dance

The forest was ablaze, sending bright orange sparks into the night sky. Eragon quickly grabbed Saphira by her arm and pulled her beside him, fighting hard through the smoke to escape.

"There is no way out!" Saphira cried to him. For once in his life, he saw fear in her eyes.

"Stay calm," he said, jumping over a burning log. "We'll find a way!" Eragon looked up to see that the leaves on the trees were burning, illuminating the night. "We must hurry!" Saphira cradled something tightly to her chest with the hand that was not being held by Eragon, but she tripped and tossed the object into the air. She watched with tears in her eyes as the stone fell down a cliff into the leaping flames below. Eragon winced and was forced to turn away.

"There is nothing we could do for our son now!" he forced himself to say. "We have to go!" Eragon pulled her behind him and continued navigating through the burning forest. The trees were too close together for Eragon to shift into dragon form, and Saphira was too weak to fly from smoke inhalation. There was a loud crack behind them, forcing the two lovers to stop in their tracks and turn to face it. What they saw sent them into a trembling fear. A tree was unable to bear the weight of the fire and was leaning over in their direction.

"ERAGON!"

Eragon awoke with Saphira staring at him worriedly.

Eragon? She asked. What was wrong?

I…I had a terrible dream, he exclaimed. Saphira cocked her head back to get a complete look at him. Eragon jerked violently in his sleep and moved a few twigs in the nest. He was spread out on his back with his wing covering Saphira's body. Eragon rolled over and stepped out of the nest, still trembling slightly from the horrible nightmare.

What was it? Saphira asked innocently, craning her neck to follow his movements.

We were in human form, he explained. The forest was on fire and we…we were trapped! You had an egg with you and you tripped, tossing it into the fire. I remember saying 'There's nothing we could do for our son now,' and taking you by your hand through the fire. Something else happened, but I woke up.

It sounds terrible, Saphira said, although thinking to herself that him being a father wasn't that bad of an idea. Do you think it was a premonition?

I know not, he muttered, shaking his head ruthlessly. It felt so real.

Hush now, Saphira cooed, rising up from her nest to comfort him. She leaned in and rubbed her snout against his neck. All will be fine as long as we are together.

I don't want to lose you, he cried. I can't live on!

You must, Saphira said, flicking her tongue just below his chin. Eragon hummed and lowered his head to where his chin rested on her forehead.

I can't, he whispered softly. I won't leave you and you will never leave me. If we are destined to die, we die together! Saphira let out a sigh and padded over to fix her nest.

Just out of curiousity, Eragon asked. Did we do… anything last night?

You went to the nest and fell asleep, Saphira stated, picking up a few sticks to place them back into place. You were hurt and needed your rest. Eragon lifted up his hind leg to scratch underneath his belly where he was bruised.

It is still kind of sore, he explained. I'll change later and heal it. In the meantime, what should we do? Saphira padded past him and sat at the exit of the cave. The sun was just beginning to rise, creating the beautiful colors of blues, reds, and oranges.

We can talk, she said cheerfully. Come sit beside me. Eragon snorted and slowly made his way over to her. He wiped his muzzle against her neck and then lay on his paws.

What would you like to discuss, dear? Eragon asked. Saphira cocked her head and blinked.

I may have horns, she said, but I am not a deer! Eragon chuckled and lifted his head up to gaze at her.

I didn't mean it that way, Eragon laughed out. 'Dear' is something you call someone who is very close to you. Saphira blinked again and bobbed her head.

I see, she said. So you wish to call me 'dear' because I am close to you? Eragon nodded his head in agreement.

It works a lot like 'Love,' he explained further. Both mean practically the same thing. Now what would you like to talk about on this gorgeous morning?

I did some thinking while you slept, she said, facing out towards the sunrise.

What about?

Us actually, she replied. What are our plans for the future ahead? Do we plan to live in a cave or settle down in a home?

Whatever you desire, Eragon said. We can live in the air if that is what you wish.

You are sweet, Saphira said growling happily. What I am trying to say is this: Eragon, can we start a family together? Eragon was speechless. He looked up into her bright eyes and froze in place. He tried to say something, but nothing would come out. Saphira suddenly turned her head away.

I apologize, she said in a hurt tone. If you don't want…?

There is no need to apologize, Eragon finally said, craning his neck out to bring her face to his. I love you and I have told you that my goal is to make you happy, did I not?

Yes but…?

Would children make you happy? Eragon asked, never looking away from her eyes.

I do not know, she replied uneasily. Perhaps, but younglings must be wanted by both. I do not want you to do this unless you want to become a father.

I would love to be a father, Eragon said happily. My only fear is that I would turn out like my…?

Don't you dare finish that sentence! Saphira roared. You are already two hundred times greater than that monstrosity! You would become a loving father, and a loyal mate.

Saphira?

Yes? She replied with her eyes twinkling. Eragon looked away.

May I have your hand in marriage? Saphira scooted closer towards him and lifted her neck up to gently lower it down across Eragon's body.

I do not know what marriage is, she replied to his question. Will you tell me before I answer?

Of course, Eragon said. You already know about 'husband' and 'wife,' correct? Well, marriage is a bond a man and woman make together saying that they would love each other in sickness and in health until death do they part, making them husband and wife. I already have told you about my plans if I lose you, so we would be together forever!

Why should we get 'married' if we already are together? Saphira asked. Human traditions are very strange. Eragon chuckled at her comment.

Very good point, Eragon mentioned. If you do not want to then I guess we could...? He was interrupted by Saphira's gentle laughter.

If you want to do this 'marriage,' she said. I will gladly do it with you. When should we?

We must decide on how first, Eragon said. The sun had risen fully now and the forest began singing with life yet again. There are certain customs we must follow. Perhaps the Elvin priests would do the ceremony.

What about after the marriage? Saphira asked. Her eyes were wide in wonder as she laid across Eragon. What happens then?

Well, Eragon said. It is called a honeymoon.

A what? Saphira asked, lifting up her head to rest it next to his.

It is the first night that the couple spends together…?

To mate? Saphira asked. Eragon lifted up his head slightly to nod it. She closed her eyes briefly and showed her teeth. I do not want to wait that long. Eragon popped his eyes open and held his breath as the beautiful dragoness beside him shifted positions to lay more comfortably against him.

We have another beautiful day in front of us, she said, changing the subject. Let us not waste it! Come let's bathe in the lake! Saphira quickly rose to her feet and stretched out her wings. Perhaps we may catch breakfast along the way?

No trees this time! Eragon groaned, getting to his feet as well. Because his chest and stomach were still sore, it took him a few more seconds to get situated. Saphira looked beside her and growled playfully at him before leaping off into the warm spring air. Eragon roared as loud as he could, rattling the cliffs like a giant earthquake before he leapt off after her.

Do you think you could beat me there? He asked, just above and behind her.

I was hoping, she replied cunningly. If you want a challenge…you have one! Eragon watched as Saphira tucked her wings in to dive towards the ground. She quickly opened them and flapped just two times in gentle strokes, pushing her across the air as if she was an arrow. Eragon did the same technique and found himself flying right beside her.

Are you going easy on me? Eragon mocked. I know you can do better than this!

You are asking for it! She warned jokingly. Eragon watched as she lifted up a wing to do a quick barrel roll to the right, giving her another large speed boost. The lake was approaching closely and Eragon found himself only focusing on her and every gentle movement she made in the sky. It was truly mesmerizing.

You are fast, Eragon huffed, catching up to her yet again. It looks as if we will tie this bout. Saphira snorted and rolled onto her stomach. She suddenly positioned herself underneath Eragon to where her claws tangled up in his.

What are you doing? Eragon asked in a worried tone.

If we are to tie, she replied huskily, we should enter the lake at the same time! Eragon felt her tighten her grip and tuck in her wings to where Eragon was supporting her weight. Suddenly, he had this strange instinctual feeling to dive straight into the water, but pull out just before entering. Before thinking twice, he found himself falling straight towards the lake. He had no idea why, but he held on tightly to Saphira's claws while they fell. Surprisingly, Saphira was holding on with the same force. Something chimed into his head as the water drew near:

Wait for it…

Wait…

Steady…

NOW! He suddenly released his grip on her at the same exact moment that she let go, causing both dragons to swoop in opposite directions, just missing the water. Both opened up their wings and climbed back up into the sky to meet one another.

That was incredible! Saphira said breathlessly. I have never experienced anything quite like it before!

What was it? Eragon asked, floating gently down towards the lake.

That, Saphira explained cheerfully, was the courting dance. I do not know how you knew it!

I do not know how I did either! Eragon exclaimed. It was incredible, was it not? Did you know what you were doing?

I was just playing with you, Saphira replied. You turned it around…not me! The lake was close again and Eragon dove into the cool water head-first. Saphira followed close behind and swam underwater with her new official mate. They came up after some time of underwater frolicking and decided to splash each other on the surface.

This is what freedom feels like, love! Saphira said enthusiastically. You are to thank for all of this.

Where would I have been without you, darling? Eragon shot back slyly. Saphira's eyes widened again at the strange nickname he just called her.

Is that similar to 'dear?' Saphira asked. Eragon laughed and splashed her in her face with his left foreleg. Suddenly, there was a loud noise as if someone was clearing her throat. Eragon turned in the direction of the noise to see Angela standing on the shore with Solembum beside her in human form.

"I trust all is going well for you two?"


PEACE!