Graphic action in first segment, but it gets better further down. Enjoy. (Pretty long to with 6 pages!) Yeah! 207 reviews!!!!!!

Chapter 26: Father and Son

Saphira and Eragon slowly crept up to the egg, as the muffled cracks grew louder.

Come on, youngling, Saphira urged, rubbing her hand against its shell. Eragon wrapped an arm around her waist and placed his head against hers. She smiled at his warmth and continued to caress her child's egg.

You can do it, she continued to coax her child. Come on. The noises were becoming more frequent until a large crack formed along the left side of the purple egg.

"That's it, son," Eragon said out loud. "Just a little further!" They could hear the sound of chewing and scraping inside of the shell, and grew anxious on when their child would emerge. They watched with bright smiles across their faces as a large hole appeared at the top of the egg, with a tiny snout poking out from it.

"Almost there," Eragon said, pulling Saphira closer to him. She took her hand off of the egg and placed it on Eragon's chest.

"Your son is almost here," she said to him, causing him to grin widely. The small farm boy from an unknown city, Morzan own son; was now a father to the first wild dragon. A small tear fell from his cheek, but Saphira reached up to wipe it away.

"I am proud of you, my mate," she told him, as they watched their child break away at the shell. "You are going to be a great father."

"I know," he replied. Nothing more was said between the two while Draken continued to break free. More cracks and splits formed along the sides of the purple egg, until the shell burst open into tiny pieces. A royal purple scaled dragon emerged from the casing with emerald green eyes and shinny polished white spikes along its back. The dragon was only the size of a small dog, but it's velvety wings made up for his size. Saphira and Eragon both smiled at the beautiful creature before them, both astonished that this was their own young.

Welcome home, son, Eragon said to him. Draken tilted his head and flicked his tongue curiously. Saphira broke away from Eragon and reached out to embrace her first child, but Draken shied away.

"What is wrong, my darling?" Saphira asked. Draken began squeaking and hissing, thrashing his tail every time when Saphira would approach him. She watched as Draken opened his jaw in defense. "Do you not know who I am? I gave birth to you! We are your parents." The dragon cocked his head at her words and cautiously inched forward to her. Saphira smiled and reached down, placing her fingers underneath his small belly. At first, Draken hissed, but then simmered down into a gentle hum. "That is right," Saphira said. "You recognize your mother's touch?" Eragon got to his feet and moved over to her, as she scooped up her youngling and held him in her arms as if it were a human child.

"He is beautiful, my love," he said to her, reaching down to stroke his son's head. Draken hummed louder, realizing that he was safe with his family. "He certainly has the color of royalty does he not?" Saphira laughed softly and adjusted her hands underneath her son.

"He does," she said with a bright smile. She gently lifted him up from her arms and handed him to his father. Eragon looked over him, examining every trait and color on his body. Draken's scales were purple, but emerald green on the tips of them that were the same color, if not brighter than his eyes. His talons were small, but polished white just like the horns and spikes on his face and backside.

"The first wild dragon is in our arms," Eragon exclaimed, while the dragon leaned into his chest seeking warmth. "Listen to me, son. I will always be there for you. I know that you are not human, but I will not fail like my father did with me." Saphira walked behind him and placed both of her hands on his shoulders.

"I only wish he hatched in a nest rather than in a hotel room," she sighed. "At least he is safe." Eragon chuckled as his son leaned up toward his chin to nibble gently at it.

"I think our youngling is hungry," Eragon pointed out, yelping silently at his son's bites. Sure he was small, but teeth still leave marks. "What would you suggest is right for him?"

"Something small," Saphira replied. "Maybe a rodent, perhaps?" Eragon gently sat Draken down on the mattress beside them and watched as his son sat down on his haunches to watch them intently.

"What?" Eragon asked, jokingly. "I know. We look strange don't we?" Draken bobbed his head slowly and flicked out his tongue. Saphira chuckled again and covered her mouth.

"He agrees with you," she said. "I think we should leave the hotel and show our son. He needs to know."

"Yes," Eragon sighed. "But now we have a problem. How are we going to sneak a hatched dragon out of here without being noticed? The egg was passed along well as an odd stone, but we cannot call our son a sick puppy, can we?"

"I do not think so," Saphira replied. She walked over to the window and looked down. "It is not a far fall from here. Shall we jump?"

"What?" Eragon asked. "Absolutely not! What if we trip when we jump and hurt our child? I do not want to have that shame on me!"

"Then I will hold him," Saphira explained. "What grip is stronger than a mother's to her own youngling?"

"Fine!" Eragon agreed. "Just be careful." Saphira walked past Eragon and reached down to pick up her child. Draken attempted to roar, but only a minor squawk escaped his throat. He tried again and still had no luck.

"Easy, my Draken," Saphira assured. "We are just leaving. Hold on to your mother." Draken looked up at her and clung on to her sapphire blue tunic with his small claws, while Saphira wrapped her arms around him tighter. She stepped over to the window and opened it. "Here we go," she said, placing one foot out of the window. She moved the other out and sat on the window seal. Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door behind Eragon. He turned and opened the door, only to meet a large fist.

"We are here for your dragon!" a large, bulky man ordered, bringing his fist back to his side. Eragon quickly jumped up to his feet.

Take Draken and get away from here! Eragon told Saphira by mental link. I will be fine! There is only one of them! Eragon leaped forward to attack the large man, but he simply sidestepped, which sent Eragon crashing into the wall in the hallway. He got up and noticed that there was a lot more than one person who was after them. Eragon pulled his sword from his belt and stood ready to fight those who were willing to attack him.

"Did Stave send you?" Eragon scowled. In the hallway were ten men, all wearing armor and wielding swords.

"Perhaps," one said. "If you give him now, we will be merciful."

"He has already hatched," Eragon pointed out. "I will be a fool to relinquish him to you!"

"So be it!" The man said with a smirk. "I was hoping that the mighty Shadeslayer would know if he had been defeated."

"I will not be defeated until I am dead!" Eragon spat. "Soon, all of you will perish!" The men screamed and charged at Eragon, who quickly used magic to toss them away. Before they had a chance to get up, Eragon dashed back into his hotel room and prepared to leap out of the window, but he realized something very important: if he left these men alive, they would track him and his family. He could not let that happen.

"If you want to kill me," Eragon yelled to the soldiers now standing in the halls, "I am waiting right in here!" Eragon placed his sword to his side and smiled evilly.

Anytime Saphira, he told her. He watched as the men converged into the room, all screaming and yelling fowl obscenities. Eragon shot his sword up and brought it down, slicing two men across their chests. Two down, eight to go.

I am coming! Saphira chimed into his head. Eragon smirked as he parried a blow from another swordsman, kicking him square in his gut. Suddenly, Eragon slid the blade back in his belt and leapt through the open window. Just as he jumped out, Saphira rose upward and opened her maw, sending a massive stream of flame into the hotel. The men screamed as their flesh was being seared, but finally gave in to their fate. Eragon looked up from the ground to see flames licking up through the window of the now burning hotel.
"I hope the innkeeper would forgive us for this," he said out loud, climbing up to his feet. He turned to see Saphira touch down beside him. "Where is Draken?" he asked. Saphira showed her teeth in an odd smile.

Safe, she replied. I hope that Stave prefers his soldiers 'extra crispy.' Eragon laughed at her comment and placed his hand on her side.

"I need to find the innkeeper and let him know that this was our doing." Suddenly, Saphira growled lowly and nudged his shoulder.

I found him, she said mournfully. Eragon turned to see the body of the innkeeper hanging from an oak tree with a noose tied around his neck and a knife through his chest. They killed him. He was such a nice man too.

Do you still have the blade he gave you? Eragon asked. Saphira bobbed her head.

Of course, she replied. It is with Draken. Do you wish to fly on your own or astride me?

I have been human for quite sometime love, Eragon said. I think I will fly beside you instead of on you.

Fair enough, Saphira said. We must be cautious. Stave is getting more ruthless everyday.

I agree, Eragon said, stripping off his clothes to prepare to change. If it weren't for you, I may have really been forced to break a sweat.

We have fought hundreds before, Saphira said. How could you have such trouble against a mere ten?

Notice that I said 'may have,' Eragon shot back with a grin. He muttered the words to change him into his dragon form. Saphira chuckled to herself and turned away from him to lead the way. Where did you place him?

On the other side of the river, she replied. He is hidden in some tall grass on the banks. Eragon flapped his wings and took flight.

How was Draken's reaction when he saw you change? He asked her. Saphira She laughed gently and banked over to the right.

He was rather impressed, she explained. He has stopped attempting to roar at me now, so that is a good thing. We should have known what to expect with him.

Do not despair, love, Eragon said. Yes, he saw us in human form, but now he sees the truth. Any child would have reacted the way he did.

I still feel guilty, Saphira said. His first view of his mother was frightening to him. Saphira sighed and prepared to touch down in the sand on the riverbank. Eragon followed close behind her.

You can come out now, young one, Saphira cooed gently, moving down to lie on her paws. Eragon remained standing. They both watched as Draken waddled out from a nearby shrub. His hind leg caught a root and caused him to tumble in front of Saphira. Draken came to a stop with his limbs spread out and his snout buried in the sand.

He is about as clumsy as you, mate, Saphira shot out mockingly, reaching over with her muzzle to pick him up to his feet. Draken squeaked playfully and flapped his wings against his side. We are lucky to have such a fine colored dragon.

I suppose this is what we get when one gorgeous creature mates with another, Eragon commented slyly. He lay on his paws as well to watch Draken "attack" a small firefly that was buzzing around on the shore. The young dragon crouched on his paws and leapt into the air after it, only to fall face-first back into the sand. Instead of giving up, Draken attempted the feat again…and again…and again.

He is as persistent as you are, Eragon joked, causing Saphira to snort. What are we going to do now? We cannot move to Ellesmera with him…can we?

I can carry him, Saphira explained. If you still wish to move on, we can go.

I honestly worry about my brother, Eragon said. I hope everything is all right with him and Thorn.

I am sure they are fine, mate, Saphira said lovingly, rubbing her muzzle against his. Draken gave up chasing the lightning bug and moved to sit in front of his parents. Eragon showed his teeth in a smile and leaned in the rub snouts with him. Suddenly, Draken jerked back and reached out to snap his jaws shut on the tip of Eragon's nose.

OWWW! Eragon roared, both mentally and physically as he lifted his snout up with Draken dangling comically on it. He shook his muzzle in an attempt to get his son off, but the young dragon had a jaw made of steel.

He just would like to play, Saphira said between laughed. Eragon snorted and placed his head down in the sand, which forced Draken to release his grasp on his father.

How do you play with a dragon? Eragon asked. Saphira sniffed and widened her eyes.

How did you and Roran play when you were younglings? Saphira asked. Eragon snorted again and shot out a small plume of smoke.

Okay son, Eragon said. If this is what you want to do, so be it! Eragon leapt up to his feet and pounced right behind Draken, forcing the young dragon to squeak in surprise. Draken tried to run away, but Eragon positioned himself in front of him so there was no escape. Draken ran forward and head-butted his father's right foreleg in attempt to make him move, but Eragon stood as still as a statue. Come on son, Eragon taunted lovingly. I know you can do better! He looked down to see a strange, mischievous glimmer in his son's eyes. Oh don't you dare! It was too late. Draken suddenly leapt forward with his jaw open. Eragon attempted to move, but his son was too small to avoid. He roared as Draken's jaws clamped down on his underbelly.

Why you must be my child, Eragon said between huffs. Eragon tucked in his wings and rolled to where he was belly-up with Draken gnawing on the scales on his stomach. Eragon craned his neck and positioned himself over his son. Gently, but aggressively, he grabbed Draken by the back of his neck with his teeth and pulled him away from his stomach. Time to fly boy, Eragon joked, gently tossing him to the right side and into a small puddle before the river. Draken sputtered in the shallow water for a second, making Eragon feel guilty, but he watched as his son dashed out from the water and back onto him.

He is as persistent as me, is he not? Saphira asked, laughing hysterically at the sight before her of a father and son playing like children.

If I remember correctly, Eragon joked back, that was the reason why we had him in the first place. Saphira laughed again and continued to watch as the two fought against one another. Eragon would toss Draken into the river, but he would quickly emerge and lock his jaws on either a limb or a part of his scaly torso. Neither was willing to back down and admit defeat.

I know how to end this, Eragon said. Saphira shot her head up and gazed at him.

Do you have to? She asked innocently. I am enjoying such a sight. You are being such a good father to him right now. Just a few more moments, please? Eragon practically melted at the sound of her pleading voice.

For you, dear, he managed to say. He turned to see Draken showing his teeth and hissing playfully. Okay you little bugger, he joked to him. Show me what you got! Draken pounced on him with such force that he almost knocked Eragon down. Eragon stumbled a little bit in the sand and reached out with his foreleg to grasp Draken, who was attached to his chest. He gently reached down and grasped the top of Draken's head with his claws. As he pulled Draken off, the young dragon still continued to lurch forward and snap his jaws.

You keep doing that and you are going to catch your tongue between your teeth, Eragon warned. Draken let out a high-pitched chirp and shut his mouth. Eragon sat him down on the sand and lay beside him. Are you finished, son? He watched as Draken bobbed his head. Come, Eragon said. We have a day of travel ahead of us and we all need our rest. Let us go to your mother. Draken got to his feet and wobbled off after his father.

That was a cute moment, Saphira said, rubbing her muzzle against Eragon's side. He hummed at her touch.

I did enjoy it, Eragon mentioned, as he watched Draken fit in between the two of them and flop against Saphira's stomach.

Not as much as I did, Saphira replied, lowering her head down to gently lick the dirt off of her child's head. Draken kicked and squirmed slightly, but gave in after a time.

You get some rest, Eragon said. I will stand watch tonight.

Eragon?

Yes, Saphira?

You were great.

Sorry for no post over the weekend. A lot of stuff has came up that I'm mowing through right now (homework and studying for college is twelve times harder than H/S work…I guarantee it!) Anyways, I tried to make this chapter a little less actiony and more on the lines of comedy. Hope ya'll like it. Also, Fan Fiction has buggered up and will not let me know if I have PM's or even reviews so if you have any questions, you will have to email them to me. Please review because I can check that, no problem.

PEACE!