Fan Fiction buggered up royally yesterday and wouldn't let me post this…so today you will get two chapters. 1 now at 7:30am today and another sometime this evening if all goes well. Very long chapter here. MurtaghxNasuada fans will like the end. I tried my hardest to be descriptive on the building scenes so I hope that it all works out. Small humorous areas too. Enjoy. Definitely read the chapter title to get the humor in the ending.
Chapter 39: If You Build it, Kings Will Come
"So," Murtagh said, with his hands resting on his waist. He, Draken, and Eragon were both standing beside each other looking at the beautiful scenery that the hillside had provided for them. "How should we start this thing? Most importantly, how long will this take us?"
"We first need to build a foundation," Eragon explained. "We need to find out where we want to build it and level off the ground to make it easier."
"That is a lot of shovel work, brother," Murtagh groaned. "Especially for how big you want to build it!"
"You have forgotten something," Eragon said with a smirk. "We are riders. What can truly make our work easier? First we must find out where we want to build."
"What about there, father?" Draken asked, lifting his snout up to point at a clearing just beside a large oak tree, where Saphira and Thorn were lying under. "It would provide shade during the summer and we will still have a nice view of the forest."
"Excellent idea little one!" Eragon exclaimed, reaching out to rub his son's neck. He was a lot taller than him, but only when Eragon was in human form. "Let us get started then! Murtagh, we may finish this quicker if we combine our powers." They both walked over to the clearing and were greeted by Saphira.
Have you decided? She asked, lifting up her head from her paws. Thorn was asleep beside her. Eragon motioned for Draken and Murtagh to grab the supplies while he walked towards his wife.
We plan to build here, he explained. The tree could provide shade in the summer months and there are no others on this hill except for this one.
The view is breathtaking, Saphira admitting. It is not a bad idea.
How are you feeling? Eragon asked, as he placed his hand onto her belly. She hummed deeply at the touch of her husband.
Our daughter is growing well, she said, bowing her head to look at his hand. I am tired, but I will manage.
Just like our first child? Eragon asked. Saphira growled and nodded.
Aye, she replied. She may be laid early too. As you said before, only time will tell us. Eragon chuckled and brushed his other hand against her brow.
Rest well my darling, Eragon said. It is cool here and you can watch us build…?
I would prefer to help build it, Saphira protested. I may be tired, but this is going to be my home as well. She widened her eyes and gazed at Eragon. Please? Let me do something?
Eragon chuckled again.
Fine, he muttered. I do not want you to do too much though. You can bring us water now and again to keep us hydrated. It is only spring, but the sun still is high and hot. We will see what else you can do.
Thank you love, Saphira said. She suddenly turned her snout to Thorn and nudged him hard on his belly.
Wake up! She said loudly. You are not sleeping if I can't. Thorn swished his tail and shot open his eyes.
Must you be so persistent? Thorn asked. Saphira growled and nodded her head.
That is why Eragon loves me, she replied in a sweet and tender tone, letting Eragon hear her comment. Now we have work that has to be done. GET UP!
Alright, Thorn groaned, climbing up to his feet. He turned to Eragon.
You may have this to look forward to every day of your life, he groaned, turning to growl at Saphira. Eragon chuckled again.
Good, he replied. It will keep me on my toes. Now you heard my wife, friend. If Murtagh is helping, you should too.
"Over here!" Murtagh called out to Eragon. He turned to see that all of the boards, tools and other utensils were laid out on the ground. He smiled as Draken padded over to the middle of the hill and marked where he wanted the home to be built with one of his large talons.
"This would be a wise place to build it, father," Draken said, tucking in his wings proudly. "The tree is not too far away, and the view of the forest would completely surround us." Eragon rubbed his wife's stomach again and turned to walk towards Murtagh.
"We want this whole area to be flat," Eragon advised. "If we combine our powers, maybe we could sink the earth down into a more level area?"
Murtagh chuckled and shook his head. He reached out his marked hand and so did his brother.
"Deloi moi!" They both commanded. They watched as the grass on the spot that they planned to build on wilted and began sinking into the dirt. They also noticed that the soil was evening out in front of them. It took several moments for the ground to settle into a flat foundation, and the task would have killed Eragon if he attempted to do it himself.
"Okay then," Murtagh said breathlessly. "Now that I feel as if I did all of the shovel work, what else should we do?" Eragon wiped some sweat off of his brow.
"We have to build a frame," Eragon explained. "This will be where Draken can help." Draken cocked his head and snorted. "We will build the frame, but we are not tall enough to hold it up. You can hold it while me and Murtagh hammer it into the ground." Draken snorted again.
"As you wish father," he replied, bowing his head. "I will do as you command of me." Eragon laughed and pat his shoulder.
"Just be as you are now, son," Eragon advised. "You have made me proud to be your father."
"And you have made me proud to be your son," Draken replied, padding away. "I wish to converse with mother for the moment. Fetch me when I am needed."
"Just come back after you are finished," Eragon said. "It is still good to have the company of my child."
"I shall father," Draken replied. Eragon turned away and smiled at his brother.
"Have the hammer?" Eragon asked. Murtagh held it up and a steel bucket that was full of large nails.
"I am ready when you are, brother," Murtagh replied kindly. Eragon grabbed a bunch of boards and began setting them into a strange pattern, finally resembling the side of a wall after he had finished.
"Nail all of the boards together," Eragon ordered. "I shall put together the next wall. We will have eight walls total to make the frame of the home. Inside there will be more, but this is just to set out the complete design."
"Okay," Murtagh replied. "I guess I should get started."
- - - - - - -
Saphira was sitting on her haunches underneath the oak tree with Thorn standing beside her.
I need to fetch them some water, Saphira said, turning her head towards the stream. I wonder how I am going to do that.
There is a large bucket that I saw next to a well in Ellesmera, Thorn explained. Perhaps you can borrow that.
"Mother?" Draken asked as he approached her. "May I speak with you?"
Of course, my young one, she replied. What ails you?
"Mother," Draken asked, "when is the appropriate time for a dragon to leave the nest? I feel that I am old enough to thrive on my own, but I fear leaving."
We will never let you leave if you do not wish to, Saphira replied. Yes, you are old enough to leave, but we would not mind sheltering you here until you are ready to make that move on your own.
"I worry about father," Draken said. "I fear that he would be heartbroken if I leave."
We all would be, Saphira replied again, padding forward to brush her snout with his. It is the cycle of parenthood, my child. You conceive, give birth, nurture, and let them go to start their own cycle. It is a hard task to watch your own young leave the nest, but it is as nature intended it to be.
"I understand mother," Draken said. "I do not wish to go…at least yet."
Then do not, my child, Saphira said soothingly. Stay as long as you wish.
"Son!" Eragon's voice screamed out. "We are ready for you. Bring Thorn!" Thorn shot up his head and hissed.
Great, he groaned. I always get thrown into these things!
Stop bickering, Thorn! Saphira commanded. You help while I fetch some water for them.
- - - - - - -
Eragon and Murtagh looked at all eight completed walls. Six were all the same size and were four times taller than Eragon, but the two remaining walls were slightly shorter.
"So what do you have planned?" Murtagh asked.
"We are going to put them up two at a time," Eragon explained. "Two walls beside each other, and two more a distance in front of them. It will take two more walls to seal off the back of this house, but the other four left are going to create a smaller room on the other side. Do you see what I want to do?" Eragon shook his head.
"Honestly," Murtagh groaned. "I have no idea!"
"Just help me lift up these walls!" Eragon exclaimed as Draken approached. Murtagh grunted and crouched down, picking up one side of the wall while Eragon got the other one.
"1…2…3…NOW!" They both lifted up and set the wall straight up on the foundation. "Draken!" Eragon called. "Can you hold this up?"
"I should be able to," Draken replied, padding over to support the wall with his body. Eragon and Murtagh let go and grabbed their hammers.
"Do not let it slip," Eragon ordered. Draken nodded his head and lifted up one of his wings slightly to provide more comfort for him.
"I have it," Draken assured. Eragon looked at Murtagh and nodded his head while the two placed the nails at the right positions. They both hammered away at the nails until they penetrated the wood and broke through into the tough soil below. Within moments, the first wall was put up.
"Okay," Eragon huffed. "You take Thorn and handle the walls in front of us, while me and Draken will take care of these."
"Sounds good," Murtagh replied, moving away to the other side. Thorn met him there and the two began working on their own.
"Okay son," Eragon said. "I will need your help. You can lift this up with your snout to give me a hand." Draken nodded and lowered his head to dig his nose under the wooden frame. Eragon grabbed onto a side and counted down until they lifted.
"NOW!" Eragon huffed. They pushed up quickly, setting the frame in the exact same position as the wall beside it. Eragon let go and hammered in the nails while his son held on to the large frame with his body. After twenty minutes, all eight walls were set up and attached together to form the outline of the home Eragon had envisioned. Suddenly, the familiar sound of beating wings filled the air.
Saphira? Eragon asked, searching the sky. He was hot and thirsty, and Murtagh was probably feeling the same.
I'm here, she replied. Eragon looked up to see Saphira flying above them with a large steel pail latched between her claws. It is fresh from the stream, my love. I see that you have been busy while I was away. Eragon turned his gaze from his beautiful wife to the unfinished home that they were building.
Well now we have a problem, Eragon said. I must attach the roof to the frame, but it is too tall for me to get on top. Maybe we could take the wood and make ladders out of them?
Why? Saphira replied. It would be no problem for me to set you there. Why must we waste wood if we do not need to?
You're right, Eragon sighed. Okay then, we will take a break and start building the roof. He watched as Saphira touched down beside him on her hind legs, gently setting the large pail down in front of her.
It should still be cool, Saphira mentioned, placing all four feet onto the ground. Eragon smiled and reached out to brush the scales on her side.
"Let us drink!" Eragon called out. He watched as Murtagh dropped his hammer and came running towards him. Draken was padding up slowly with Thorn beside him.
"All of the frames are set," Murtagh reminded him. "Thorn and I went through and double-checked the nails in them. What else needs to be done?"
"We have to get the roof up," Eragon sighed. "After we get the roof, we have to go inside and section off the two levels." He paused to look at their creation. The building was at least forty to fifty feet high and possibly 5000 square feet in length. In all, it was the perfect shape to raise a family of dragons and humans alike.
"It seems like a lot of work for us," Murtagh said, dipping his hands in the pail to form a cup with them. He pulled his hands out and quickly brought the water to his mouth to drink. "We have no ladder either. How are we going to make this roof?"
"Saphira will help me," Eragon said. "I will do it alone. She will fly me to the top and Thorn and Draken could deliver the wood and tools that I need." He stopped talking to drink as well. Saphira was right. The water was chillingly cool, and it felt good against his parched throat. "Thank you, love," he told Saphira. "I suppose we need to get started again?" He walked away from the group and grabbed a very long board. "This will have to be my platform," he muttered. "We can set it in the middle and cross the other boards with it to create the frame."
"Good idea, Eragon," Murtagh said.
"I actually would like the roof to be higher," Eragon said, dropping the board beside Saphira. "It would be nice to have it at an angle instead of flat. Why not set this plank up first to provide stability, use two small boards boards, hammer them to where they are aligned with the walls, and place another long plank on top of them? From there I could angle the other pieces and make the home taller…what do you think?"
"I think it is a great idea, father," Draken clicked in. "I do not like the idea of you being up there though. It is high and you could fall."
Young Draken is right, dear, Saphira said, bobbing her head slightly. That board does not seem wide enough to support you comfortably.
"Fine," Eragon agreed. "Murtagh could join me up there…?"
"I was afraid you were going to say that!" Murtagh groaned. "If I fall, I will take you with me!" Eragon snickered and grabbed the board again.
Take me up, Eragon ordered Saphira politely. She growled and lifted off into the air, grabbing Eragon by his shoulders gently with her claws. Thorn did the same with Murtagh and both were placed at the edge of the far walls. Eragon struggled to turn the very long board to where it was facing Murtagh's direction, but he succeeded and dropped it down at the correct spot in front of him.
"Hammer it in!" Eragon yelled to Murtagh. He nodded and hammered the piece into the frame. After his side was situated, Eragon sat his part of the board down and knocked it into the wall as well.
"Now what?" Murtagh asked. Eragon looked around and whistled to his son.
"Bring us two of those small pieces of lumber beside you," he ordered. Draken turned and looked at the pieces. He scooped both up quickly in his mouth and leapt into the air.
"These?" he asked; his voice muffled by the wood. Eragon nodded his head as Draken dropped one piece into Murtagh's hand and another into his father's.
"Hammer these straight up on the platform," Eragon explained. "You must place the nail at an angle or else it will not work." Eragon set up his piece and hammered it into the wood, listening as the nail splintered the lumber as it penetrated through it. He wiped more sweat off of his brow and turned to see that Saphira was sitting beside the bucket of water with her eyes lovingly fixed on his every move.
You hurt yourself and I will kill you, Saphira joked to him. Eragon smiled at her sly comment. Suddenly, there was a very harsh wind that flew by him, causing him to lose his balance. He struggled for a moment before regaining control.
"Too close," Eragon huffed. Murtagh decided to sit on the frame when the breeze struck them and cautiously climbed back to his feet.
"You are going to be the death of me, brother!" he yelled. Eragon smiled again.
"Was it not you that told me that you seek adventure so long ago?" Eragon asked. Murtagh shrugged.
"I want to die having fun!" Murtagh exclaimed. "Dying while laboring is not a fair way to pass into the afterlife."
"I could not agree more," Eragon replied. "We need another long board to place on top of this. From there we could complete the roof."
"The sooner the better," Murtagh complained. "I am starting to fret heights, and I think that Thorn would be rather angry if I refused to fly with him because of it." Eragon turned he hear Saphira snicker in a low choppy growl. Draken flew up again with the large piece of wood in his forearms and gently sat it on the two upright pieces that Eragon and his brother had hammered in. Eragon took some nails and hammered the piece into the wood below it while Murtagh did the same thing. In moments, the piece of wood was strong enough and sturdy enough for one to stand on the middle of it.
"Bring up those slender pieces, Draken!" Eragon called down to his son, who was watching him with unmoving eyes. He snorted and scooped a few 2x4 planks into his forearms and handed them all one-at-a-time to Eragon and Murtagh (A/N: two feet by four feet for those who don't know). He would wait until after the lumber was set before delivering another piece to them.
The roof took almost two hours to completely finish, but it was done and no one wanted to complain about it. Eragon's idea worked and the roof was set in a large 'V' shape, just broader than the roof of a church. Saphira casually padded around the large framed home to inspect their work and had the look of satisfaction on her scaly face. The windows to their home had been planned out and were formed into the wooden frame. Also, the foundation for their home was flat and firm.
Are you happy with it? Eragon asked her. She walked through a large cutout that resembled a door and looked up at the roof. The 2x4 planks were fit together tightly and no sunlight was able to show through from the cracks between them…meaning that they were watertight and would not leak in a heavy rain.
You have outdone yourselves, Saphira said with a pleased sigh. I have room to move throughout the home and there is plenty of space above me for the other level. Eragon, this was a wise idea indeed.
We are nowhere close to finished yet, love, Eragon replied. He and Murtagh were just catching a lift down from the roof by Draken and Thorn. We must place in the panels on the sides and build the second story too. It may take awhile for this to be fully finished. Saphira grunted and gently hit one of the wooden frames with her tail. She snorted with satisfaction at the fact that nothing broke or fell down.
Take as much time as you need, Saphira said, turning around to exit her home-to-be. It is coming together beautifully. Eragon stepped beside Saphira and placed his marked palm on her side, making her shiver slightly by his touch.
It will be spectacular, Eragon announced. He turned to Murtagh. "You realize that this will be your home as well, correct?"
"What?" Murtagh asked. "But…?"
"That is what the smaller room is for," Eragon explained. "It is large enough for you, is it not?" Murtagh lowered his head at a loss for words. How was he going to tell him.
"Brother," Murtagh started. "I have something I must say."
"What?"
"Nasuada has asked me to move in with her," he sputtered out. "It seems that there was a reason to why we were not executed. She…loves me and I feel the same for her."
"So that is where you have been?" Eragon asked with a bright smile. "My brother, this is nothing to be ashamed of. Rejoice my friend. If she is queen…that makes you King of all Alageasia!" Saphira growled in agreement.
King Murtagh has a nice sound to it.
7 full pages of typed work! Time to breathe a little bit now.
PEACE!