Chapter 30: Homecoming

Eragon led the way to Ellesmera with Thorn and Saphira flying beside him. Draken was still in Saphira's teeth and Murtagh was astride Thorn.

Are you sure that this is a good idea? Murtagh asked Eragon. He snorted and banked to the right.

We will find out soon enough, brother, Eragon replied. 0silon is not far from here. We will land and converse with the elves there to permit us to enter further. Suddenly, Eragon groaned. I forgot my tunic at the inn! He shot out to Saphira. She shook her head and wiggled Draken by doing so.

I shall go in and buy some clothes for you, she said. Eragon sighed with relief.

Where would I be without you? He asked.

Naked in Ellesmera, Saphira replied smugly. Eragon laughed and began to decend into the small town while the other dragons followed. They touched down in a covered part of the forest and watched as Saphira changed to human form after releasing Draken. Her son decided that he wanted to accompany, but Saphira gently placed her hand in front of him to signal that he could not go.

"Stay here little one," Saphira said. Murtagh was in complete shock over the sight he just witnessed.

"First you can turn into a dragon," he tried to comprehend. "Now she can change human? This is madness!"

Peace brother, Eragon said, lying on his paws next to Thorn. She is a beautiful human though is she not?

"It is not me to judge," Murtagh replied. "I noticed Elvin ears on her. It is strange that she would be a blonde elf, isn't it?"

'Tis, Eragon said happily. I like her that way. It makes her more…unique should I say.

"What is more unique than shape-shifting?" Murtagh asked.

Good point, Eragon laughed out. They both turned their attention over to Saphira as she made her way into the town.

- - - - -

"Hello," Saphira said politely, issuing the greeting to a Elvin man who was just a little bit shorter than she was, with jet black hair and soft brown eyes. He repeated the gesture with a bright smile.

"You are new here," the elf laughed out kindly. "The strange thing is that you are an elf like me. How is this so?"

"I am Saphira Brightscales," Saphira explained. "I am Eragon's dragon…and his mate." The elf stared wide-eyed at the title she had given herself.

"Eragon Shadeslayer?" the elf asked. "How?"

"It was a spellcaster's doing," Saphira went in further. "We have a family now and despertly need to reach Ellesmera to converse with Nasuada on an important matter."

"Where is your rider?" the elf asked nervously, still unable to understand that the large dragon that fought in so many battles was standing in front of him in human form.

"He is in dragon form," Saphira said, chuckling at the look of the elf after she finished. "He left his tunic, so I have come here to get him some new clothes."

"Where is he?" the elf repeated again.

"In the forest with Murtagh…?"

"Who?" the elf yelled out. He quickly lowered his voice, remembering that Saphira still deserved his loyalty for her and Eragon's duty to them. "He is a…?"

"Part of our family," Saphira finished. "He has saved us and is seen as a trusted family member."
"I see," the elf said with a hand on his chin. "What is it you need?"

"Clothes for Eragon," Saphira listed, "and someone who can give us permission to go farther in."

"There is a hut not far from here that has some nice tunics," the elf explained. "I will pass the message on of your return. You will be free to enter into Ellesmera."

"Thank you," Saphira said, inclining her head respectfully, turning away to head towards the hut he pointed out.

"Oh, Saphira," the elf suddenly called out. She turned to look at him. "You must be careful around here with Murtagh. Many here despise him for such treachery. You may find him as family, but we see him as a deadly traitor."

"We know," Saphira replied. "That is one reason why we need to speak with Nasuada."

- - - - -

Eragon watched as his son rolled around on the forest floor in front of him.

"He is rather active is he not?" Murtagh asked, stepping beside Draken to scratch the top of his head. Draken growled playfully and attempted to pounce at his hand.

Yes he is, Eragon muttered, still watching his son with unwavering eyes. He is not human, but I love him with all my heart.

"I know brother," Murtagh sighed. "It must hurt to know that he has to go through so much."

It does, Eragon sighed as well. Saphira and I have protected him well so far, but we are only two people. There is no army to fight on our side over him. You and your dragon are our only reinforcements. Murtagh laughed softly and got to his knees to knock around his nephew a little bit.

"Do not worry," Murtagh said, in between grunts. "I will fight beside you until death knocks at my door."

I certainly hope that it never comes to that, Eragon muttered again.

What is it like? Thorn suddenly asked Eragon, who lifted up his head to gaze at him.

What do you mean? Eragon asked back. Thorn lifted his head off of his paws and turned to face him. Eragon watched as a ray of sun peered through the leaves of the trees and splashed across Thorn's scar to make it shine brightly.

What is it like to have a family? Thorn went deeper. To have something that belongs to you by more than fate?

It feels as if your heart is burning, Eragon said cheerfully. You wish never for it to be put out.

Oh, Thorn said, lowering his head back down. Eragon sniffed.

Your time to find a mate will come soon, Eragon comforted. Do not lose hope, friend.

Who said I have lost it? Thorn said. I just may have to wait for a time for it. Eragon nodded at his wise words.

There is no need to hurry into it anyways, Eragon said. If you love someone, it will all come out for the best…like with me and Saphira.

I will never see any couple happier than you two are, Thorn replied kindly. You are very wise, Eragon. Are you sure you are related to this stone head? Thorn lifted his head up and tossed it towards Murtagh, who shot him an evil glare. Eragon let out a hearty laugh and leaned out to clean his son up with his tongue. Saphira appeared with a few tunics in her hands.

"Is all going well here?" she asked with a wide smile. Eragon lifted up and nodded his head.

How did it go, love? Eragon asked.

"We can move in," she explained, setting a tunic in front of her mate. They both watched as Draken dug himself into it and attempted to hide, but his large purple tail was sticking out.

Little one, Eragon chuckled. Those are for humans! Murtagh and Thorn both laughed at the cute sight, but quickly hid their emotions. Eragon quickly changed into human form and pushed Draken out of his tunic so he could get into it.

What would be wise for us? Thorn asked.

"Walk beside us," Saphira said. "Many still do not trust you, but they may think otherwise if they see you with us."

You are wiser than your mate, Thorn complemented.

"I may look human," Saphira laughed, "but dragons are meant to be smarter than their riders."

I resent that, darling, Eragon said with a chuckle as well. Let us go!

- - - - -

"You failed!" Stave exclaimed, unsheathing his saber. Before the man could explain, Stave thrust his blade through his chest and out the other side. "It was a simple task. He should have crumbled like a stone after you hurt Thorn! That was how my brother was able to gain his loyalty!"

"He…?" the man struggled to say between dying breaths, "was willing (cough) to die for his…family!" With that said, the man's eyes rolled back and he hung limp on the sword that Stave was holding.

"Curses!" Stave spat out. "How can I get that dragon? I am running low on time here!" He pulled his sword out of the dead man and cleaned the blood off with his shirt. "I must do this the hard way." He turned to one of the other men he hired. "I need three men and horses for them to ride on," he yelled. "We are making a small journey this afternoon."

- - - - - -

"ERAGON!" Roran screamed joyously, leaping up into the air to tackle his cousin. "Where have you been? It has been almost three months since you departed. Are you and Saphira going to start a family? Am I asking too many questions?

"I have been all over," Eragon answerd. "Yes, we have started a family, and yes you are asking too many questions." Eragon gave his cousin a tight hug. "We have a child now."

"What?" Roran asked excitedly. "Let me see the little bugger!" Saphira approached, holding Draken firmly in her arms. He was sleeping peacefully with his claws clinging to her tunic.

"Meet Draken," she said. "He is our youngling." Roran slowly reached out and pet his brow.

"What colors," Roran exclaimed. He looked over to Eragon. "And I was hoping that me and Katrina would have been the first to start one."

"I bet you, cousin," Eragon laughed. From there, he went on to explain all of the problems that he and Saphira have faced outside of Ellesmera, including Murtagh's confrontation that resulted in Thorns vicious scar.

"You were willing to die for them?" Roran asked quizzically. "But you betrayed them."

"What?" Eragon asked, winking at his brother. "I am sorry, he has never done that."

"No he hasn't," Saphira came in. "He is a trusted member of this family, much like yourself."

"Have you two gone mad?" Roran asked, placing a hand to his brow. "So be it. I do not know if you have been told, but Arya has just arrived back from Surda this morning. She still refuses to believe in your 'abilities.' I think she is going to kill over when she sees that you have a child now." Eragon sighed and nodded his head.

"Where is she…?"

"Argetlam!" A familiar voice called out. Eragon turned to see Arya in front of him with a bright smile. "It has been quite a long time has it not?"

"It has Arya," Eragon said, performing the Elvin greeting. Instead of waving it off like the last time they met, she mirrored the gesture.

"Is it true?" she asked. "Are you and Saphira…?"

"Yes, Arya," Eragon explained. "We have a family now."

"I see," Arya said sadly. "Where is it?"

"In Saphira's arms," Eragon pointed out. Arya turned to see Saphira smiling behind her.
"You…?" Arya stuttered. "Are human?"

"Yes," Saphira said cheerfully. "It is nice to see you again, Arya." Arya inspected her carefully, noticing her pointy ears and light blonde hair.

"You are beautiful," Arya said. "Eragon is very lucky to have you."

"I count my blessings with him," Saphira replied kindly, inclining her head. "This is our child." Draken shot one eye open and let out a large yawn for a creature of his small size. "Draken is his name."
"He is the first wild dragon," Arya said breathlessly. "Do you know what this means? You two can bring them back!"

"We know," Eragon stepped in, "but there are some matters we need to work out first."

"Like what?" Arya asked.

"Well besides talking with Nasuada," Eragon explained, "I have a vow that I must keep."

"What are you talking about?" Murtagh came in. "What vow? You never mentioned that?" Eragon turned to Saphira and gave her a sweet smile.

"Saphira," he said, walking over to her. He gently kissed her on her lips. "Do you remember what I asked on our first night in the cliffs?"

"How can I forget that?" Saphira said with a wider smile. "You explained it all to me word-by-word."

"Before anything else gets in the way," Eragon exclaimed, removing one of her hands from Draken's hide and placing it into his own. "I want us to be married here."

"Oh my!" she exclaimed back. "I…I am speechless."
"Roran, find a Chaplain," Murtagh joked. "It looks as if we are about to have the first Elvin Wedding!"