I CAN BET NO ONE SAW THIS ONE COMING!!

Chapter 31: The Talking Dragon

"I cannot believe this!" Roran shouted in the Elvin hallway, resting his hand on his cousin's shoulder. "First a dragon hatches for you, and now you are marrying one!"

"It is rather awkward is it not?" Eragon asked with a smile, walking beside him down the hallway. "We love each other more than life itself."

"I had a feeling you two were going to go far together," Roran chuckled out. "I think it was the way you two acted when you were together."

"Possibly," Eragon replied. He remained silent while the two walked down the hall to see

Nasuada and Islanzadi.

"Greetings Eragon," both queens said in unison. "There has been word that you have something very important to tell us."

"There is," Eragon replied. He watched as Roran turned to walk out of the room. "Nasuada, Galbatorix's brother lives. He is after the throne and may try to kill you to get to it."

"So it is true," she said under her breath. "Murtagh was right?"

"That is another matter I would wish to discuss," Eragon cut in. "He risked his life for our family earlier. We would recommend that his exile be lifted for his act."

"So be it," Islanzadi chimed in. "At the way that this is going, we will need help. What has Stave done so far?"

"Last I heard," Eragon explained, "he has gone from town to town in search of those willing to fight with him. I do not know if his followers are a large threat, but Stave is more powerful than any rider I have ever encountered…?"

"Including Galbatorix?" Nasuada asked. Eragon nodded his head.

"He may not have a dragon, but there is something far more powerful inside of him."

"What would you recommend?" Nasuada asked. Eragon placed his hand on his chin in thought.

"This is a place where no one can get into without permission, am I correct?"

"Yes," Islanzadi replied. Eragon took his hand off of his face and snapped his fingers.

"Allow no one to come in," he said. "We can keep you here safe until we discover what he has planned. That way, Ellesmera would be safe, and so would you."

"Eragon," Islanzadi spoke up. "Stave trained with Oromis here. He may know how to get in without our knowing. There are some areas that are not bound by magic."

"Hire bodyguards," Eragon snapped. "As many as you can spare. Never go anywhere without them."

"I appreciate your concern, Argetlam," Nasuada replied. "I shall do so. In the mean time, may you fetch Murtagh and bring him hither?"

"Yes my Lady," Eragon said, inclining his head. He turned and walked back out into the hallway.

- - - - - -

What are you doing little one? Saphira asked her son, who was playing in some clothes that were lying in the floor of their old tree house. Draken looked up from underneath one of the tunics and let out a playful growl. Saphira, who was in dragon form, showed her teeth lovingly towards him and shot out a small plume of smoke.

Life is good with you in it, she said to him. Draken slowly backed out of the tunics, but the spikes on his hide caught the fabric and attached to him. He yelped and rolled over, only to tangle the tunic around his body. Saphira let out a gentle laugh and lay her head down on her paws on the floor. She thought about moving over to the large bowl, but she would feel more comfortable being in there with Eragon instead of by herself.

Am I interrupting? Thorn's voice asked inside of her head. She lifted her head up and looked toward the exit of the home to see Thorn standing in the doorway.

Not at all, she replied with a smile. Come. Make yourself at home. Thorn snorted and padded over beside her. Is everything well?

Yes, Brightscales, Thorn replied kindly. I just would like to watch your youngling as well. Saphira hummed and lowered her head back down to her paws.

You may if you wish, she granted him. He thinks that Eragon's tunic is an enemy. Thorn laughed out inside of her head as he watched Draken pounce on the tunic, ripping it with his claws.

Your father will not be happy with you, Saphira joked at her child, who whimpered softly before attacking once again. So, she said, turning her attention back to Thorn. How are you?

Well, he replied. Murtagh is content right now. I left him when Nasuada asked for his presence.

Do you think it is going well? Saphira asked. Thorn hummed deeply.

I feel a strage emotion that is coming from him, he explained, it is hard to explain, but it is not bad or threatening.

It must be love, Saphira said with a chuckle. I had a feeling that he and Nasuada were going to be mates soon, it was just a matter of time. Thorn snorted.

What made you think that? Thorn asked.

Why else would Nasuada keep you two alive? Saphira asked back in hopes of answering. It is quite obvious that she has feelings for your rider.

Hmm, Thorn sighed. You two are quite the lucky ones.

How so? Saphira asked, nudging Draken's backside with her snout to bowl him over.

You have a family, Thorn explained. You have that and a loving mate who is willing to give everything to you.

Thank you, Saphira said, lifting her head from her paws while Thorn lay on his. Your time to find a mate will come soon. Do not lose hope.

I have not, Thorn replied calmly, lifting up slighty to brush his snout up against Draken, who was wandering around him. I would just prefer to take on the fatherly role sometime in the future.

Do you not consider Murtagh as your own? Saphira asked intently.

Of course, Thorn replied. But I want a child by blood.

It is understandable, Saphira muttered, climbing to her paws to chase after her child. Come here child! Saphira called to Draken. It is time for your bath. She watched as Draken dashed away from her and hid beside Thorn's belly.

You need to mind your mother, little one, Thorn told him, but Draken only huddled closer. Very well, Thorn murmured. Saphira watched as Thorn rose to his feet to stop hiding him. Draken squeaked and darted quickly down into the study.

Well I have to go after him, Saphira said to Thorn. You are welcome here anytime…?

"I thought you were watching Draken!" Eragon cheerfully broke in from the study with Draken tucked underneath his arm. "Must I do everything in this house?" Saphira cocked her head and growled, but suddenly stopped when Eragon started laughing.

"It is merely a joke dear," he said, reaching out with his hand to rub Saphira's brow. "How was your evening?"

I have been watching our child attack your tunics, Saphira said, looking down at the thrashed clothing on the floor. Eragon sat Draken beside his mother and laughed again.

"I am willing to wager that it was a fun experience?" he asked, still with a wide smile.

It was entertaining for a time, Saphira replied. Thorn stopped by to watch him as well. Thorn padded over to him and inclined his large head.

"You are a good uncle, Thorn," Eragon said, patting his head. "Thank you."

Always welcome, Thorn replied kindly. Now I have to be off. Murtagh calls.

"Very well," Eragon said. "We will see each other later on, yes?"

Of course, Thorn replied, stepping out of the home and into the air. Eragon sent him a brief wave and turned to face Saphira.

"Tomorrow is going to be a glorious day," he said. "Orik is going to perform the ceremony for us and we will have it down at the stream where we carved our names in the tree."

I remember that day, Saphira said, leaning down to bath her son, who was squawking loudly in protest. How is Arya? Eragon took off the tunic that he was wearing and transformed into dragon form.

She is hurt, Eragon admitted. Saphira sighed.

It was expected, she said. She loves you dearly…?

But my heart will always belong to you, Eragon interrupted her. Tomorrow will be great.

Saphira released Draken and watched as he dove again into Eragon's clothes.

Of course it will, sweetheart, Saphira replied, rubbing her snout against his. What are we going to do with our youngling until then? Eragon looked down and met Draken's gaze from underneath the tunics. He lowered himself down and gently scooped him up with his teeth. Surprisingly, Draken remained silent while being carried. I have an idea. Eragon carefully set Draken on the mattress and lay down in front of him on the floor. Saphira lay beside Eragon.

Who are we, son? Eragon asked his son, making sure that the answer had to be voicedThey watched as Draken moved his jaw back and forth in strange patterns, as if he were forming the word on his tongue, but then something unexpected happened.

"Parents."

I am evil!! I have a reason for making him speak and that is this: Watch Dragon Heart and notice that the dragons speak openly with their mouths, and considering that this is before that time, it would just make it more realistic wouldn't it? If you don't like it tho, I have an alternate ending to this chapter that I can put up. Till next one

PEACE!