I want to thank my friend Marcus for being my editor per chapter. You are a lot of help buddy.

Chapter 33: Thank You Father

Eragon carefully leaned down to pick up Draken with his teeth.

Listen to me, son, Eragon said kindly, setting his son on the mattress. Yes, you are quite different, but that is not a bad thing. You are what our outcome was of breeding a human with a dragon.

"But you and mother are both dragons," Draken protested. "How…?"

Saphira is a true dragon by birth, Eragon explained. I may have the appearance of one, but I am human on the inside. It was how I was born.

"So," Draken attempted to comprehend. "Me talking is the effect of you?"

Yes, son, Eragon said. He watched as Draken circled around on the bed and flopped on his side to lie on his wings. I am sorry that this has happened…?

"I am not, father," Draken said sleepily, yawning. "It makes me more…unique."

That it does, son, Eragon chuckled out. I would not have it anyway. Eragon looked around the room and muttered the words to change into human form. He quickly grabbed a green tunic that was lying next to the bed and slipped it on.

"Does it hurt to change?" Draken asked, watching him with one open eye.

"No son," Eragon replied. "It tingles a little, but there is no pain involved."

"How are you able to do that?" Draken asked. Eragon chuckled again softly and sat down on his bed. Draken stretched up to his paws and climbed up into his father's lap, humming deeply.

"I have a spell caster to thank for this," Eragon explained. "She found a spell to change me and your mother." Draken looked up at his father and growled happily.

"I am glad to be your child, father," he said, tucking his head into Eragon's chest. He reached down with his hand to scratch his son's chest.

"I am glad that you are my son," Eragon replied softly. "Where else will I get my exercise playing with you?" Draken's eyes widened as Eragon suddenly flipped him over onto his bed. Draken growled and leapt up at Eragon's hand, but he avoided him.

"Come on son," Eragon laughed. "Study the target and follow it from the beginning to the end."

"Is this a hunting lesson, father?" Draken asked respectively, crouching on the bed. Eragon laughed and held his hand out.

"Attack it, son," Eragon ordered. Draken flapped his wings once and leapt at his hand, striking his palm with his muzzle.

"Smart idea not to bite the one who feeds you," Eragon chuckled again.

"You have raised me well enough to know," Draken growled out playfully, lunging again. Eragon gently sidestepped to avoid him and reached his arm out to catch him underneath his belly.

"Gotcha," Eragon whispered to his child's ear.

"NO FAIR!" Draken shot back, squirming. "You have hands."

"So be it," Eragon laughed. He quickly released his grasp on his child and watched as Draken used his wings to float safely to the ground.

"Father?" Draken asked, waddling towards him.

"Yes son?" Eragon replied with a wide smile.

"When can we go out together again?"

"Soon, little one," Eragon said, kneeling down to scratch Draken's head. "We have the wedding tomorrow and afterwards, Thorn and Murtagh will take you on your very first hunting trip."

"I do not think that I am ready," Draken replied in a saddened tone. "I am still small."

"You are as big as you feel, love," Eragon comforted. "Thorn is a great hunter. He will teach you all you need to know."

"I would rather learn by you, father," Draken retorted, rubbing his head up against Eragon's marked palm. "You have given me such wisdom already."

"I carry no wisdom, child," Eragon said. "Only common sense."

That is a lie, Eragon, Saphira's voice chimed in angrily. You are wiser than Nasuada herself, and you know that.

Will you ever let me be right for one moment? Eragon chuckled to her. She giggled softly.

That would take away all of my fun, she replied. Eragon turned towards the exit to see Saphira drop off a large amount of jackrabbits on the floor. Sorry, no deer out at the moment.

We will be fine, love, Eragon replied. He took off his tunic and changed again into his dragon form.

"Greetings mother," Draken said, running up to brush against her forearm.

Hello again, my little one, Saphira said kindly, leaning down to lick his brow.

"Stop," Draken groaned, trying to escape her tongue.

You cannot not clean yourself yet, can you? Eragon asked. Draken craned his neck over his backside and attempted to lick his tail section, but his tongue was too short to reach it.

Point proven, Saphira laughed, pressing Draken down to continue to clean him.

You must wash up before supper, youngling, Saphira advised, cleaning his wings off. You know that you need one bath before a meal and another one afterwards.

"Yes mother."

- - - - -

"This way!" Stave whispered to the horsemen behind him. All dismounted and followed him deep into the forest. "I know a way to get in unnoticed."

- - - - -

Dinner was eaten quickly between the family, and Eragon volunteered to dispose of the bones left of the jackrabbits while Saphira could spend time with her child alone.

I love you, young Draken, Saphira told him. Draken cocked his head and then placed it to his paws as he lay beside his mother.

"I love you too mother," Draken replied lovingly. "Mother? Why did you hatch for father?"

Hmm? Saphira replied. Oh. Destiny really. I knew that he was going to be my rider and I hatched for him. Neither of us expected for this to happen though.

"What was it like when you were small?" Draken asked intently, lifting his eyes to meet his mother's.

Well, Saphira replied. I did not know as many words as you do.

"Thank father for his many lectures," Draken replied with a yawn. "He has taught me much over these past days."

And he will continue to teach, Saphira replied. He took good care of me when I was a hatchling. He took me with him on hunting trips, kept me company, and provided me food until I was mature enough to receive my own nourishment.

"No different than me, right mother?"

Correct, little one, Saphira mentioned, bobbing her head slightly. Father loves you with the same passion that he loves me with. He feels that it is his duty to never fail you.

"I do not think that is possible," Draken said, yawning and shutting his eyes. "He has done so much for me already."

Now you see why I mated him, Saphira spoke softly, craning her neck down to nuzzle her child. He is a good father and a loyal mate.

"You made a fair choice, mother," Draken whispered, drifting off to sleep. "I love you, mother."

We will always love you too, Saphira assured, until the end of time, little one.

Aww, Eragon suddenly chimed into her mind. Is he asleep?

Yes love, Saphira replied. She turned her head to see Eragon fly into the home.

Tomorrow is going to be a good day for all of us, Eragon explained. Draken will go with Thorn and Murtagh for a hunting lesson after our wedding.

He will do very well, Saphira sighed out. He is wise and thanks you dearly for giving him such wisdom.

I know darling, Eragon said, nuzzling her with his snout. She hummed in approval. Tomorrow will be the day that we will be labeled as husband and wife.

I cannot wait, love, Saphira replied with a large yawn. Eragon showed her his white teeth.

I believe that it is a good time to call it a night, don't you?" He asked. Saphira growled lowly.

There is room in the bowl for one more, she chuckled, scooting over to give him room. Eragon stepped inside and pressed against her, placing Draken comfortably in between them.

I love you, my beautiful bride, Eragon cooed to her, gently licking her cheek. She sighed happily and licked him back.

Good night, my handsome husband.

Chapter 33. Tomorrow is going to be one heck of a chapter…long and surprising. It should be great. Before I forget, I am heading to a political trip into Washington D.C to support my military friends serving in Iraq and Afghanistan (I have very many friends that are fighting overseas). If any are religious, please keep them in prayer because times are very tough over there and they need encouragement. Thank you…and

PEACE!