Just a repost. Thank you to Marcus for reveling a few lovely typos that I, being the grammatical guru that I claimed to be, am really ashamed of. Here it is, and thanks to those who have reviewed my friend's fic. I told ya it was worth it!

Chapter 24: Those Bright Eyes

It was dark outside of the Elvin city and the storm clouds covered the moon to make it even darker.

"This feels different," Nasuada said to herself, as she stared out the window of her makeshift palace window. There was silence around the entire city. "Why has no one conversed on this evening?"

"My lady," a guard clothed in a green tunic approached respectfully. "We bring bad news."

"Regarding?" she asked. The guard placed his head down to avoid her glare.

"Murtagh has been seen," he replied. "A messenger reported seeing him just outside of Gil'ead."

"What actions have taken place?" she asked. "Did you execute him?"

"Nay," he replied. "He informed us of a very strange matter involving Eragon and Saphira…?"

"What would this matter be?" Nasuada asked, annoyed with the soldier's method of explanation.

"Apparently," the guard said, raising his head to lock eyes with hers. "They have discovered a sibling of Galbatorix. His name is…?"

"Stave," Nasuada finished, gritting her teeth slightly. "My father told stories of those two back in the old times. Does he pose a threat?"

"Murtagh told us that he had attacked Eragon and his family," the guard said. Nasuada shot back.

"Family?" she asked. "I thought no one was left besides Roran, and he is here with us!"

"My Queen," he replied. "Murtagh tells us that Saphira and Eragon…have laid a dragon egg. Stave is after their child."

"In three weeks time they have laid a dragon egg?" she asked. "How is that possible?"

"I have that answer," a familiar voice chimed in behind her. She turned to see Solembum standing nude in front of her with a smile on his face. "You see, the spell that took place between them altered the cycles of child birth as well as their physical appearances."

"Go on," Nasuada asked. Solembum nodded his head and ruffled his mane slightly.

"The time between labor has decreased thanks to this potion they took. An egg usually takes four weeks to lay, but with her reproduction cycle out of order, she produces it and lays it in a matter of days instead of weeks."

"How do you know of this?" Nasuada asked him. The child shrugged.

"It is only common sense, my Lord," he replied slyly. "Dragons and humans have different cycles during reproduction, do they not?"

"Yes," Nasuada said. "Will their children be affected by this?"

"That I know not," Solembum replied with a slight grin. "We will see in the future, that is if Eragon can…?"

"Can what?" Nasuada asked. Solembum shook his head and let out a mischievious chuckle.

"If he can keep his child alive," he replied bluntly. Nasuada placed a hand to her temple.

"Where is Angela?" she asked. The ware cat looked up and grinned at her.

"She is not here," he replied. "I merely came to pay a visit to Maud."

"Well then," Nasuada sighed. "I suppose that there is no more use for you anymore. Thank you for your explanation, Solembum."

"I know," he said, turning away slyly. "Stay close to your guards, your Highness. Something strange is happening and I know not how to describe it. Even Angela has failed."

"What do you mean?" Nasuada asked.

"The prophecy needs to be finished!"

"What prophecy?" Nasuada asked. Solembum stopped and sighed.

"A rider and dragon," he explained, "destined to be bound together by love but broke apart by disaster."

"What does that mean?" she dug deeper. Solembum shook his main.

"I have told too much already," he said. "If you find Angela, she will explain further."

"You will tell us now!" she demanded.

"It was a prophecy that we found in some scrolls a short time ago," Solembum said. "She is still working on deciphering it." Before letting her ask any other questions, the ware cat morphed into his other form and padded out of the hall.

"What is going on?"

- - - - - - -

Eragon? Saphira asked. It is late and I am hungry. May we stop for the night? Eragon turned his large head and gazed at her while the two flew into the night sky.

If you wish dear, Eragon told her. He turned his attention to Draken's egg that was nestled snugly against Saphira's forearms. There is a town called Bullridge just ahead before the river. We may be able to rent an inn for the night. Saphira flapped her wings against the cool air.

It sounds lovely, she replied kindly. Eragon looked down at his forearms that were clutching his tunic and his sword.

I enjoyed the time we spent in freedom, he said. I only wish that it could have lasted longer.

It will eventually, Saphira replied with a gently sigh. We must focus on what is ahead of us, my love. Our enemy may be close by.

I know, dear, Eragon said. If we stay here in this city, we must avoid giving our names out.

Just like old times, Saphira sighed. What names should we go under?

It is going to be even harder to fool these villagers after defeating Galbatorix, Eragon replied. Besides, how many elves walk through their town? Perhaps luck would be on our side and we may find no trouble tonight.

I hope, Saphira muttered. I want to see what it is like to rest on one of those mattresses you talk so fondly about. Eragon laughed and shook his head.

A bed does sound good right now doesn't it? He asked. Well, I see the river ahead and the town is just off to the right. We should land in the shadows and change to avoid gaining unwanted attention.

Very wise, mate, Saphira replied. Eragon swooped down and headed off to the town ahead with Saphira not far behind him.

What do you think that traitor Stave is thinking right now? Saphira asked, as they prepared to touch down on the cool soil. Eragon let out a muffled snort.

I hope he is conjuring up an apology, he growled. We trusted him and he does this! He almost took you from me, and if I do see him again…he paused to shake his head. I will make sure that he will not run off again by breaking off his legs. He will suffer!

Save a piece for me darling, Saphira joked. Keep in mind that he wants to take our son from us. Eragon was about to roar at her comment, but Saphira quickly brushed against him to signal silence. He looked into her sapphire eyes that were shining brightly in the night. The clouds above covered the moon making it pitch black outside, but her eyes were still shining so brightly. How?

Saphira? Eragon asked. Why do your eyes shine like that?

Hmm? She replied. Eragon morphed into his true form and slipped on his tunic. She watched as he slid the bronze sword through the belt wrapped around his midsection. What do you mean? She widened her eyes as Eragon approached her. Her eyes were glowing brighter than a thousand fires on a hillside, and the intensity was entrancing her mate.

"They are so beautiful," he said breathlessly, reaching out his hand to rub it against her cheek. "Why are they so…bright?"

I have no idea what you are talking about, love, Saphira said. Eragon gently grabbed her muzzle and led her to a small puddle of water.

"Look in and you will see," he explained. Saphira sniffed and crouched down to have a peek at herself. She inched her head over the water and looked down into it, only to see a crystal clear reflection of her with her blue eyes glowing so brightly that she was able to see the reflection of them on the scales on her cheek.

They have never done this before, Saphira said, leaning in closer to the water. They are as bright as lanterns!

"A million of them," Eragon exaggerated, placing his hand on her side. She shivered at his touch. "What can that mean?"

I know not, she replied. Perhaps this has to do with our relationship?

Perhaps, Eragon said. But what does this have to do with it. Why would love brighten your eyes up so much? Saphira pulled her head away from the water and turned to look at him.

Maybe my love for you is so strong that I cannot simply show it in my heart, she replied softly. I mean, it is a possibility. Eragon laughed and scratched her side.

I love them, he told her. Now I can see you just as clear in the night as if in the morning. Saphira muttered the words to change into human form and reached out to embrace Eragon. Her eyes were still glowing, but not as intensily as when she was in her true form.

"Shall we find a place to stay?" Eragon asked. Saphira gave him a soft kiss on his lips and reached down to pick up Draken's egg.

"Yes," she replied with a small yawn exiting her mouth. "I am hungry and tired."

"I will find you the finest meal available," Eragon promised with a wide smile across his face. Saphira took her left hand off of her child's shell and slowly inched it over to her rider's right one. Eragon reached out and gently grasped her hand in his and started walking towards the town.

"I knew you would tell me eventually," Saphira said with a smile, causing Eragon to shoot her a quizzical look.

"What?" he asked.

"Remember?" she asked. "Before Roran came to fetch us, what were we doing?"

"I am confused," Eragon replied. "We were…eh…well." Saphira looked up at him with her shinning bright eyes. "I cannot lie to you. We were doing what we are doing now. Before I did not know if you felt how I did and grew frightened." Saphira released his arm and leaned up against him and pressed her head against his shoulder, wrapping her hand around his waist. Eragon did the same with his hand and rested it on her hip.

"I love you," Saphira whispered into his ear, causing him to shiver slightly. Eragon turned to look down at her while they continued to walk.

"I always will," he replied kindly, stroking Draken's egg with his free hand. "When will my son hatch?"

"I still have not figured out how he was ready so soon," Saphira pointed out. "He was ready in only two weeks. I hope that he is okay in there." Eragon pulled her in tighter to him.

"Hopefully he will have the heart like his father," Eragon comforted. "I do not think that he would give up too easily."

"Remember," Saphira shot out, "you wanted to when we first became one."

"This is after the fact," Eragon chuckled, causing Saphira to giggle. "We will have our answers in time, my love. Let us just find a place for the night before asking anymore questions."

I guess that I have a few little bugger-ups on this story so instead of doing the right thing and going through it to fix the mistakes, I am just going to do it the lazy way and apologize! Lol. Anyways, there is another story similar to mine (but not quite) that I want to see go somewhere. Believe me, it deserves it a lot more than I do. Therefore, I am not doing an update until my fellow author, Fallen Dragonfly gets at least 75 reviews on his story Gedwey Awlei. After reading his last chapter, I couldn't help but shout at the fact that he only has 40 reviews (give or take) compared to the many that I received. So, if you want me to update, send him a review. Thanks and

PEACE!