You guys get a 2 for 1 today! Two chapters in one day (I had a bit of inspiration for this one). Hope you enjoy and find this one a little humorous.
Chapter 23: Family Reunion
The sun peered its head over the mountains and shone brightly on the water, bouncing its rays off and into the eyes of Saphira. She was lying in human form with her head propped against Eragon's side while he lay on Draken's egg. Saphira opened her eyes slowly and smiled, realizing that her mate had taken on such a fatherly role over the night.
He is such a good mate, she thought to herself. I only wish that trouble would not pursue us so much. She lifted herself up off of Eragon's side and stretched her arms out.
"I suppose it is my turn," she said out loud, grabbing his sword that was left next to a small fire they created just before they fell asleep. She tossed it around playfully before settling it in her right hand. "I will fetch the breakfast this time." Saphira looked up to see the charred cliffs above them, and then looked back over to her beloved mate. He was snoring pleasantly with his forelegs resting on Draken's egg as if he were clutching a pillow. She silently stepped over to him and placed a gentle kiss on his scaly forehead, making him growl slightly in his sleep. "Rest love. I will fetch enough for the both of us."
- - - - -
You know we are not supposed to be here, dear one! The dark red dragon exclaimed, looking down at his rider. Murtagh shook his head and let his black hair bounce on his head (A/N: guessing from the movie….shoot me if you wish).
That island was going to be the death of us! He exclaimed back. I will take our chances and avoid being seen.
It will happen eventually, Thorn pointed out. We must suffer for our mistakes.
I know, Murtagh muttered. Still, I wish to make one last apology before we return.
To who? Thorn asked, lowering himself down onto his paws. Murtagh lifted up his marked palm and placed it on his dragon's bro.
"My brother."
- - - - - - -
"Okay," Saphira told herself. "I have seen him do this many times so it cannot be that difficult!" She raised the blade high and prepared to bring it down on a doe that was resting underneath a redwood in front of her. She attempted to swing it down, but the sound of cutting air awoke the deer and caused it to run deeper into the forest. She attempted to catch up to the deer, but was forced to give up.
"Blast!" she swore. "I have had enough! Where is Eragon's stick thrower? That would be far more helpful than this…this thing!" She grew too frustrated and tossed the sword down to the ground, sticking it into the dirt below. "I would rather throw stones at these deer than attack them with that!" Realizing that she had mistreated something that did not belong to her, she sighed and picked Eragon's blade up from the soil. She blew the dust off and wiped it against her blue tunic. "I suppose that I should do this the easy way." Saphira chuckled to herself and looked around the forest. When she was confident that she had enough room, she whispered the words to change her into her true form.
Now, she said to herself. Where is that lousy stag! Saphira placed Eragon's sword in her mouth and slowly padded through the forest, thankful that it was a lot less dense than the previous ones she had been it. She snaked her body around the trees and, only occasionally, got a wing or two stuck in the branches above. Amazingly, the deer that she gave chase to appeared right in front of her.
Hello breakfast, she said cunningly, licking her chops with her barbed tongue. I hope you taste as good as you smell. Saphira gently set the sword down and turned her attention again to the stag.The deer perked its head up and stared at Saphira, almost as it was mocking her. Saphira growled lowly and sunk to her haunches, ready to pounce on the prey. She jumped up after it, but the deer simply did one side step to avoid certain death.
You sly little devil! Saphira taunted. I will eat you yet! This time, Saphira stuck her neck out and chomped down on the deer's hind leg. The doe squealed in pain and kicked her, but the scales on her cheek prevented her from getting hurt. I told you! Saphira tossed her head up and threw the deer up into the air. It flung its legs wildly before coming to rest in between her clamped jaws. Saphira sniffed in satisfaction of outsmarting her prey, but she caught a strange and familiar scent.
It cannot be!
- - - - -
Thorn shot up and sniffed the air, causing Murtagh to worry.
What is it? He asked. Thorn shook his head.
I know that scent, the dragon replied. Saphira is near.
No, Murtagh said. We must flee, if they discover us, we may not live to go back to Sharktooth!
I know little one, Thorn replied. We will leave now…?
Thorn! A female voice chimed inside of the dragon's head, causing him to shake it violently. What are you doing here? You have been banished! If Nasuada catches either of you here, you will be executed on the spot!
Do not tell, Thorn replied as if he were a teenager begging his younger sister not to tell his parents. We are here for good intentions.
Prove it. The voice said. Thorn rose to his feet.
Show yourself first, he commanded. There was a loud rustle behind them and when they turned, Saphira padded out with a dead deer resting in her jaws. She turned and let out a muffled growl to Murtagh.
I held up my end of the deal, she said. You prove yours.
Very well, Thorn said. We are here to converse with your rider, Eragon.
On what grounds? Saphira asked. Thorn turned as if asking Murtagh.
He wishes to give a more reasonable apology for our…actions.
He has already forgiven you, Saphira pointed out. Why are you really here? Murtagh stepped up.
We wish to prove our trust to the country of Alageasia, he told her. If you do not believe us, we will leave and go back to wince we came.
No, Saphira said. We have a matter that I wish to discuss with you both.
What would that be? Thorn asked. Saphira opened her wings and flapped them.
Follow me back and we will discuss this.
- - - - - -
Eragon woke and gently licked the side of Draken's egg as if he were telling his son good morning.
What a night, he exclaimed to himself. I can still taste the soot in my mouth. He stood to his paws and looked around the makeshift campsite. His sword was missing and so was his mate.
Saphira? He asked calmly through their mental link. Where are you?
I was hunting, Saphira chimed in, but I found someone you may want to meet.
Who? He asked curiously. He heard the sound of her wings beating in the distance, but it was followed with another strange pattern.
You will see, she replied. Suddenly, she came into view, sparkling brightly against the sun with every gentle beat of her velvety wings. But there was something else that was behind her that sparkled a strange ruby red color. Seeing this, he changed quickly into human form and tossed his tunic on around him.
"Murtagh!" Eragon exclaimed. He watched as Saphira came in for a landing on the soft sand in front of him, dropping his sword from her forearm. Murtagh and his dragon, landed directly behind her, smashing down hard against the sand.
"Hello brother," Murtagh announced, dismounting Thorn. "How are you this morning?" Eragon walked over to his sibling and extended out his hand for him to shake it.
"You realize that I have full authority to kill you for stepping foot outside of your boundaries, yes?" he asked. Murtagh shot him a sly smile.
"We mean peace, brother, "he said, placing his left hand on Thorn's side. "Saphira told us that you have something to discuss. What would this be?" Eragon turned and looked at Saphira, who was showing her teeth in a strange smile.
He needs to know, she told him. He will be an uncle in due time.
This is going to be very hard to discuss, Saphira, Eragon protested, but he sighed out loud and shook his head. "Saphira, get our child."
"What?" Murtagh asked. "What do you mean by 'our?" Saphira hummed at Murtagh's question and reached down to scoop up Draken's egg in her arms.
"Murtagh," Eragon said as Saphira approached. "You are soon going to be an uncle." Murtagh's face turned ghost white as his eyes met the shinny shell of Draken's egg.
"How?" he asked breathlessly. "It is impossible!"
"Me and Saphira are mates," Eragon explained. "This happened after Angela gave us the gift of transforming into each other's species. I know this is a confusing matter but we have a lot more that we need to talk about." Murtagh took a seat against Thorn's belly and wiped his brow.
"I knew that you two loved each other," he said mockingly, "but you…and her….made it? I am speechless."
Good, Saphira told Eragon. That means he will not dwell on it much longer. Eragon laughed at her comment but quickly shook it off.
"Murtagh," Eragon said. "Did Galbatorix ever mention having a brother?"
"Yes," he replied. "He said that he lost him in the first battle. His name was…Stave I believe."
"Yes," Eragon said. "Stave is very much alive and he is after the throne. Because he is Galbatorix's blood he has that right, but this man is mad! He is trying to take our child from us and plans to kill us if necessary. We need to know that if anything was to happen to us, would you take care of our young?" Murtagh gave him a quizzical look.
"I betrayed you," Murtagh said. "Yet you still want to trust me?"
"Yes," Eragon replied. "You are the only true family I have and I can think of no one more to deserve this honor."
"What do you plan to do about Stave?" Murtagh asked. Eragon shook his head.
"We are merely running now," he replied. "He has a group of men at his command and I heard some mumble that he had offered them royal positions for completing his tasks. We want to head to Surda where we know that we will be protected, but we are not quite sure."
"If you ask me," Murtagh said, smiling slightly. "You should talk to Nasuada about this matter. She needs to know that there is someone plotting against her."
"Wise idea brother," Eragon said. "You should return to Sharktooth before you are seen. I shall handle the matters on this side."
"I will come along!" he persisted. "At least until we reach Nasuada. Where is she now?"
"Three days ago," Eragon explained, "she was in Ellesmera, but a lot has happened since then."
"Well," Murtagh said. "I will go to Gil'ead and search for her while you go to Ellesmera. One of us will be bound to find her eventually."
"If you get seen they can kill you!" Eragon exclaimed. "I do not like this idea."
"Nasuada will not kill me," Murtagh said with a grin. "If she didn't during my trial, I am quite safe now."
"True," Eragon muttered. "Very well, get on and ride quickly. Stay safe brother and trust no one. It is dangerous yet again here."
"I can see that," Murtagh said, climbing up into Thorn's saddle. "You take care of yourself brother. Perhaps we may meet again soon."
"Perhaps," Eragon replied, placing his hand on Saphira's side. "Good luck." He watched as the two jumped into the air and flew out of the mountains to Gil'ead.
"I do not like this," Eragon told her. Saphira hummed sadly and lowered her head.
I understand, she said. Will we be leaving again?
Yes, Eragon replied. We must reach Nasuada. She may be in more danger than we think!
Hahahaha! 2 chapters in one day what a treat huh? What's going to happen next?
PEACE!