Many are going to like this one!

Chapter 37: The Morning After

Eragon slowly opened his eyes as the sun shown into their home. His arms were wrapped around Saphira's as the two lay nude against each other. Saphira was snoring with a smile lit across her face.

You are so beautiful, Eragon thought, stroking her blonde hair while she slept. She did not stir or make any noises while he did so. Eragon leaned down to place a soft kiss on her forehead, which made her smile brighter. She slowly fluttered her eyes open.

"Good morning," she sighed happily. Eragon kissed her forehead again and smiled at her.

"I did not wish to wake you," Eragon replied in a whisper. Saphira groaned slightly and turned over to where she was on her back.

"You did no such thing," she shot back, never dropping her grin. "I am a little sore from last night, my love." Eragon chuckled and placed his hand on her thigh.

"We both are, darling," Eragon said, still laughing. Saphira turned her head to place her lips against his.

"I actually hope that I am not with child," Saphira said softly. "I like being with you in this form."

"Well," Eragon replied, rubbing his hand up from her thigh to her chest. "Only time will tell us. Do you need to change and see?" Saphira sighed again and shot up from the mattress. She stood to her feet and slid on her sapphire tunic.
"Honia," she chanted. Eragon watched as she transformed into her true form and smiled at her.

"Well?" Eragon asked, getting up to walk over to her. Saphira lifted her head up and snorted.

I feel nothing unusual, Saphira replied. I do not think that we were successful this time.

I am sorry, Eragon muttered, lowering his head. You wanted a daughter…and I failed you.

Perhaps it is just too soon to tell? Saphira comforted. If I am not with child, then we should rejoice! It means that we can have more…'fun'…together. Eragon laughed heartedly and placed his hand out for Saphira to press against his palm with her head. Draken shall be back in the afternoon, Saphira said, lifting her head up from Eragon's palm. I wonder what our youngling has been doing?

- - - - - - -

Draken was sleeping against Thorn's side along with his uncle as the sun rose up to greet them. He shot open his eyes and then quickly squinted at the bright light. He felt strange this morning; taller…older. He felt awkward and could not explain why.

"Good morning," Murtagh said, stretching his arms and setting them on Thorn's side. The large dragon snorted and opend his eyes.

Sorry, Murtagh told him with a snicker. I always thought you were a hard sleeper.

Only my hide is rough, Thorn replied with a chuckle. Murtagh laughed out loud and reached down to rub Draken's head. He suddenly stopped and stared at him.

"You have grown!" Murtagh said enthusiastically. Draken slowly climbed to his paws. What Murtagh said was true: he had grown to where his head stopped at the end of Thorn's chest. His wings were larger as well and his claws have curved inward at a steeper angle. "How old are you again?"

"About four months," Draken replied, craning his neck to get a good look at himself. "I do not recall being this tall last night."

"That is because you weren't," Murtagh said, reaching out to scratch his nephew's head. "Your mother and father will be very pleased." Thorn turned his head to look at Draken as well.

My word, Thorn exclaimed. You are a giant, little one. In a few more weeks you may size up to me. Thorn was actually the youngest dragon compared to Saphira and he was just a few inches shorter than she was.

"It feels strange," Draken said, reaching around to lick some dirt off of his tail; a feat in which he could not do when he was a little hatchling. "I had to have grown over a foot in one night!"

"Dragons do that," Murtagh said. "That was how Thorn grew, and it was how your mother did as well. The odd thing is the fact that they hit a growth spurt between five to six months and you are only four months old." Draken looked down at his sharp talons and dug into the soil with them.

"I feel powerful," Draken muttered, scratching the dirt away with his longer claws.

"You are still young," Murtagh said. "Remember that Thorn and your parents are stronger. Always respect them." Thorn nodded his head in approval to his rider's wise choice of words.

"I shall, uncle," Draken replied humbly. He bowed his head to show further respect. "What else are we to do? It is morning and I am hungry."

"Do you want your father to teach you how to hunt?" Murtagh asked. "If so, you may have to wait to eat a meal." Draken groaned and tucked his wings tighter to his form.

"I suppose we shall begin our lesson."

- - - - - - -

"Anything yet?"

Nothing, Saphira replied, lying inside of the bowl with Eragon pacing in front of her.

"I know you wanted another child…?"

Eragon, Saphira pleaded in a long drawn out sigh. Do not take this so badly. She lifted up her wings and snorted. Come hither, my love. Come inside and relax. Eragon sighed and stepped into the bowl. He lay down in it and placed his head to her belly. There, Saphira said. Do you feel better?

"I always do when I am close to you," Eragon said softly, patting her side with his marked palm. "I feel bad for Thorn."

Why is that, dear?

"He has no dragoness who can take care of him," Eragon replied sadly. "Imagine having to wait for that chance, possibly doubting if it would ever come."

Why do you think I wanted a daughter? Saphira asked. Every being needs a companion and because I am bound to you, Thorn must wait for his spouse to arise. If I had no feelings of love…and lust…for you, I would have been his mate, but I love you and not him. Eragon chuckled and took his hand off of her side.

"I feel bad still," he said. "We want to raise a daughter and force her to mate with him. What if she does not like our decision."

It is either Thorn or her brother, Saphira chuckled, for her to decide on. I surely hope that she would choose Thorn instead of her own sibling. We will not force love onto her if we bear a daughter. It will be her decision.

"Wise idea, my darling," Eragon said. "If we had a daughter…what would we name her?"

Savanna? Saphira asked. I heard that name when we were in the Varden and I liked it.

"What about Verenessa?" Eragon asked. Saphira shook her head.

It reminds me too much of my mother's name, Saphira said. Jasmine?

"I do not think that it fits," Eragon muttered. "We should wait until we bear one before deciding a name for her."

Wise choice, Saphira said. I wonder what color she would be?

"Any color will be fine," Eragon said. He suddenly laughed. "Just as long as she does not come out ruby-red like 'T-h-o-r-n." He drew out the name with a wide grin.

Are you accusing me of adultery? Saphira asked, growling lowly. Eragon smiled and pet her side again.

"A girl has needs," Eragon joked. "If you want…?" He was suddenly bowled over by her snout.

I will never do that to you! She hissed. I love you! Eragon continued to laugh, which made Saphira turn away from him.

"I am sorry," Eragon said between laughter. "I was only acting foolish. I suppose that you were not amused."

You will pay for what you said! Saphira said menacingly. Eragon looked up at her large wings as they came down above him, covering him in complete darkness.

"Saphira!" Eragon exclaimed. "I apologized! I know you won't…Ouch!" He felt a soft, but forceful bite against his leg.

I will make you pay for that, Saphira taunted. Eragon scooted away, but she quickly snapped again to gnaw on his foot.

"You are asking for it!" Eragon yelled out laughing. "HONIA!" Eragon changed into dragon form and pushed Saphira's wing away. Now you are the one who is in trouble.

Good! Saphira shot back, showing her teeth. Eragon roared and pounced on her, forcing her to yipe slightly at his weight. She craned her neck and gently bit down at his throat, just below his chin.

I actually like that, Eragon admitted, as he used his forearms to hold the dragoness down.

I hoped that you would have, Saphira huffed out, struggling under his weight. Now, how must I pay for my rude behavior?

How must I for what I said to you? Eragon asked. Saphira's eyes widened as Eragon released his grasp on her. She showed her teeth again and brushed her snout against his.

How long until Draken returns? Saphira asked lustfully. Eragon sniffed.

Long enough, he replied. Suddenly, Saphira shot her head up and growled. She looked down at her side and snorted.

Eragon, she whispered. I believe that we were successful! I feel the burden again, and it is a little lighter than Draken's. It is a girl!

FANTASTIC! Eragon shouted, as he roared loudly into the air. Saphira nuzzled him lovingly.

You just can never let me down, can you? Eragon showed his teeth in a wide smile.

It is not what I promised, he said, still showing his teeth. Now, where were we? Saphira rolled over onto her back.

It is your turn this time, dear! Saphira said huskily. Make me proud.

You know I have already done that, Eragon joked. You told me so last night…?

Be quiet! Saphira joked back. We are wasting time dilly-dallying. Draken could arrive any…?

"Greetings mother and father!" Draken's voice chimed inside of the room. "Why are you two on top of each other?"

We are merely playing, Eragon lied wisely. Did you enjoy your time with your uncle?

"Yes," Draken replied. "I caught my first meal!" Eragon turned to see his son and was surprised at how tall he had gotten.

What has happened to you, child? Eragon asked. You are almost as tall as Murtagh, if not taller! Saphira craned her neck to look as well and sniffed in satisfaction.

A fine young dragon, she said in a sad tone, possibly upset that they had missed their opportunity together. We have something that we need to tell you. Draken…you will have a sister soon.

"A…sister?" Draken asked. His voice had became stronger and more manlike also. "This is great news! But that means…?" He paused and looked outside. "That was what you needed the home for!" Draken shuddered and shook his head. "You two are not playing are you?" Eragon sighed and looked down at Saphira, who lowered her head to avoid his glance. Busted.

Well, Saphira said. No we were not. We were not expecting you back until later in the afternoon,

Your mother is right, little one, Eragon said. I am curious on how you know about mating, though.

"I am not a human, father," Draken chuckled. "Some things are etched into my mind before I could even speak. Mating is one of them. I will leave you alone if you wish. After all, with Stave gone I will be safe to do as I chose right?"

Even if he is not gone, Eragon said, I think that you are too old for him to do anything to you anyways. Look at you! You are a true dragon instead of a hatchling! You are grown up.

"Not quite father," Draken replied. "I am not as large as you, mother, or Thorn."

That is not the point, Saphira cut in, still underneath Eragon. You are mature, and that means that you have grown up. You may leave if you wish, but be careful!

"As always," Draken said, flapping his wings. "I shall fly with the scarred one for a few hours. You two enjoy the time alone." They watched as he jumped out and soared away.

He is wise, Saphira said to Eragon mentally. He chuckled. Shall we continue where we left off?

Draken is safe…but what about the other child? I am so evil huh? I do not know if I portrayed Draken busting his parents well because I know that if it happened to me I would have stabbed my eyes out with a butter knife. That is capital nasty right there lol. Then again, perhaps he understands nature a bit more than I do. What do you all think?

PEACE!