Here you go, just as I promised. Arya haters will love me…Arya lovers may want to tie me to a tree and burn me. Read and find out. More tomorrow if all goes well.
Chapter 40: Killer Love
Eragon stood admiring the finished exterior of his new home. Draken and Murtagh were resting underneath the tree, enjoying a nice break while the sun began to set. Saphira padded up to him.
You have put a lot of work into this, she told him. It has surly paid off.
It is not finished yet, Eragon explained. We have completed a lot for one day though.
I concur love, Saphira agreed. It is getting late, do you wish for me to provide supper for us? We have been working straight without a single meal.
You are right, dear, Eragon said, placing his hand on her side. I would rather get it. I do not want you to overdo things in your condition.
You should not worry for me, Saphira said with a loving growl. I am stronger than you think.
That is not the point, Eragon argued. I know you are stronger, but I just…I care about you.
I know my darling, Saphira cooed, lowering her head down so Eragon could nuzzle it with his hands. He pulled her close to him and gently kissed her forehead. She let out a soft growl of pleasure at his touch against her scales.
I love you, Eragon told her as he let go of her head. She growled again and sunk down to the ground, setting her head on her paws. Suddenly, she shot her head up and looked behind Eragon. Another person was approaching. Eragon turned to see.
"Arya?" Eragon asked, tilting his head. Sure enough, the beautiful elf was walking towards him holding a very large tray in her hands.
"I thought that you all need nourishment," she replied, lowering the tray onto the grass. On the tray was a mixed assortment of steamed vegetables and fruits. "I suppose this will work."
"For me and Murtagh, yes," Eragon sighed, "but Saphira and Thorn need to have a larger amount. Thank you." Arya smiled grimly and turned towards the home they had built.
"So this is it?" she asked. "It is very large. Big enough to hold a family of dragons?"
"I hope so," Eragon replied. "Saphira went inside and was content with it."
"Good," Arya sighed. Eragon turned to see Thorn lying in the grass, just a few feet from Draken and Murtagh.
"Thorn?" Eragon called out. "Can you come hither?" He watched as Thorn crawled up to his feet. Draken did as well.
Yes? Thorn asked to Eragon.
My wife is hungry, Eragon told him. I do not wish for her to hunt on her own, especially because she is gravid…?
What? Thorn asked. She never told me! How could you hide this from us? Is it a male or…?
Female, Eragon explained. I apologize for not informing you, but we plan to raise her to be your spouse. For that to happen, we may have to conceal her from you for a time until she is older.
I do not wish for you to do that, Thorn scorned. I would prefer to see her as many times as my rider will. No more discussions!
Easy Thorn, Eragon calmed him. We are just trying to help you, but if you want to see here daily, we will have no problem with it. Now can you do me a favor?
What is it? Thorn asked with a hint of aggravation in his voice. Eragon shook it off.
I need you to take my son and go hunting for her, Eragon explained. If possible, can you provide more for Murtagh and me?
I shall try, Thorn replied, lowering his head into a bow. He turned to Draken. Come child, he called to him. We must hunt for our families. Draken let out a deep, satisfying growl and leapt into the air with Thorn right beside him.
"Where are they going?" Arya asked. Eragon had forgotten that she was next to him.
"They are going to
hunt for Saphira," Eragon explained. He looked to his other side to
see that Saphira was lying down on her paws beside him. "I do not
want her to hunt until after she has laid…?"
"Another one?"
Arya asked with pleading eyes. Eragon slowly nodded his head.
"A daughter," he explained. "Expected sometime in the next month or so."
"I am happy for you," Arya told him. "I still wish that it were you and me to raise the family, but I suppose fate had other plans." Eragon suddenly grit his teeth.
"Arya," he tried to say calmly to show her respect. "Saphira and I are married now with no plans of changing spouses. I beg of you, do not bring that conversation up again."
"I speak the truth, Eragon," Arya said teary-eyed. "I have tried to get you out of my heart, but you refuse to leave! I can never be content, Eragon. Not until you leave her for…?" She was suddenly cut off by Saphira's loud roar.
ENOUGH! She screamed. Arya, you need to think about what you are about to say. You are being more of a fool than Eragon at the ceremony. The reason? During the ceremony he was drugged, but there is no spell to control your actions. If you wish to continue this petty plea, do it alone and avoid my husband and me. I think it would be best if you leave now.
"But…?" She was cut off once again by Saphira's loud roar. She watched in horror as the blue dragoness rose to her feet.
Must I repeat myself? Saphira asked impatiently. If you do not leave, I shall roast you where you stand! How dare you come here and try to take my mate from me?
"I meant nothing by it," Arya replied with her head bowed. "I just…just wanted to show gratitude to him."
I want you to say something, Saphira growled. Tell me…in the ancient language…that you have no intentions on taking Eragon from me. Tell me that you respect our vows and will never try to break us apart. TELL IT! She roared again, causing Murtagh to jump up from the tree and rush forward.
"What is going…?" He was silenced by Eragon's hand.
Quiet brother, he told him by mental link. This is Saphira's fight.
"If it pleases you, brightscales," Arya bowed again. She attempted to say the whole statement in the ancient language, but faltered horribly and slurred it all.
You have lied! Saphira snapped. Be gone from my sight!
"Wait," Eragon said out loud, causing Saphira to jerk her head over to his direction. "Arya, I know that you still love me, but this has gone way too far. I do not wish to see you again until I am sure that this lust for me has passed. Did you even bring us food for the reason you gave me? Or was it just to see me again?" He watched as she nodded her head. Tears streaked her eyes.
"I have been a fool," she told them. "I apologize. Goodbye!" Saphira watched with an angry snort as Arya covered her face and ran down from the hill.
How dare she do that to you? Saphira hissed, turning to lick his cheek. I do not want anyone to take you from me.
It takes two for love to truly exist, Eragon explained. My love is devoted to you, not her. I will never leave you for another…EVER!
Your words bring great comfort, Saphira sighed, placing her head on his shoulder. Eragon smiled and pat her brow.
I have given you everything, Eragon soothed, my love, our children, and even a home. I never will give you a broken heart. A sad, but proud emotion rocked Eragon straight in his heart as Saphira began to shudder in his arms. She was crying, but it was of joy. Just then he realized that every word he told her was in the ancient language.
"I hate to interrupt the moment," Murtagh said after clearing his throat, "but we still have a lot of work to do and Thorn is on his way with some food." Eragon gently pushed Saphira's large head off of his shoulder and held it in front of him to where he could look her in her sapphire eyes.
"Know that I meant every word," he said out loud, adding "upon my word as a rider" to her in the ancient land. It looked as if a tear fell from her eye.
I love you, mate, Saphira cooed tearfully in his thoughts. I know that you will never give your love to another.
It would be a costly mistake, Eragon laughed, because I could leave you…but you would still be my dragon. I do not want to suffer that much guilt.
Wise choice, Saphira chuckled. You have made me very happy, Eragon.
You always make me happy, Saphira, Eragon said, sighing out loud. He turned over to Murtagh. "Well," he said to him. "How should we complete the inside of the home…oh King Murtagh?" Murtagh smiled and gave Eragon a soft punch at his shoulder.
"Well peasant," Murtagh joked back. "If this is the case, you can work alone as my slave and I shall return back to the tree." It was Eragon's turn to place in the punch as both laughed hysterically at each other's comments. They walked towards the home and inspected the paneling that they had put on just after they had finished the roof. The paneling in the inside was working too and they had constructed the second floor with a winding staircase to connect the floors.
"This here will be our dragonhold," Eragon explained as he looked around the large main room. "We could construct a few nice sized beds for whatever wishes to sleep here. I enjoy the elves' bowl idea and I believe that it would be a great idea to use." Eragon stepped forward and began to measure the room with his footsteps.
"Where should we place them?" Murtagh asked. Eragon sighed and shook his head.
"I would say that we need at least three," he said. "Side-by-side. One for Draken, another for our next child, and the last…?"
"Next child?" Murtagh asked. "What next child?"
"I never told you either?" Eragon asked. "Saphira is gravid…again. It will be a daughter."
"You are really pushing them out aren't you?" Murtagh joked, as he scuffed up his brother's hair. "That's my brother. Try to get a human one though next time. I get tired of holding conversations with dragons…they are smarter and tend to argue a lot."
"We will, brother," Eragon laughed. Suddenly, Saphira's large head poked inside the home.
How is everything? She asked anxiously, stepping inside completely. Eragon and Murtagh were both shocked at how much room was still left over with Saphira inside.
"We are planning the beds for our hold," Eragon explained to her. He walked over to one of the finished walls and propped himself against it.
"We want three comfortable bowls here: One for Draken, one for our newest child, and one for us."
Just like in the tree house? She asked. Eragon nodded.
"I want to add a few things."
"What would that be?" Murtagh cut in.
"What about adding mattresses in the bowls?" Eragon asked. "It would provide even greater comfort."
"I will talk with the weavers after we get this built," Murtagh assured. "Let's get started." Eragon reached over to grab a large saw that was left on the windowsill and crouched down to the floor.
"Three even cuts," he explained, tossing the saw to Murtagh, who caught it perfectly at the handle. "Instead of having it sink into the ground, why not raise it up like a standard bed?"
A wise idea love, Saphira replied. I like it. She looked up to the second level and hummed. What shall we do with the top level?
That is for us, Eragon said. Up there will be our bedroom…when we are in human form of course. Our clothes and other things will be stored there along with a nice bed.
So we will have two places to sleep? Saphira asked. Eragon nodded. I love the idea. She walked through a large hallway and noticed a very empty room that had a window that had an amazing view of the forest and Osilson down below. What will this be? She asked curiously. Eragon and Murtagh walked over to her.
This will be our kitchen…?
K..kitchen? Saphira asked intently. What is that?
This is where we can prepare our meals, Eragon told her. We are waiting for a stove to be built in Ellesmera right now. You have seen me prepare food over an open flame, yes? Well this will improve the taste of what we catch.
If you say so, Saphira hummed. She walked back out into the main room and studied the large winding staircase. It looked strong enough to support her, so she climbed upwards with Eragon and Murtagh snickering behind her.
Wow, she said breathlessly as she emerged on the top level. There were three windows on the level that overlooked the forest, Osilson, and Ceuron. There was a smaller room to the right, but it was too small for Saphira to get into.
"It's our closet," Eragon informed her. "It is where our tunics and other things can go. Do you like it so far?"
It is a dream come true, love, Saphira exclaimed happily, backing away to stick her head out of the large window on the southern side. She snorted happily and let out a pleasing roar.
My mate is a genius, She shouted as she roared. Eragon watched as she pulled her head back inside to set it on his shoulder again. He reached his hands around her large neck and embraced her.
"I am glad that you are satisfied," Eragon told her. She showed her teeth, but Eragon could not see her do it.
I always am when I am with you, she replied, turning her scaly head to lick his cheek again.
"Your son and Thorn are both her," Murtagh suddenly said. "They have food prepared. Who shall prep the meat?" Eragon smiled.
"Start the fire," Eragon ordered him. "I have no problem doing it."
- - - - - - - - -
"How could he do that to me?" Arya sobbed. "He has never lashed out at me like that." She had ran out of Ellesmera and was sitting with her knees to her head at the edge of Ninor River next to the town of Yazuac. "I suppose that I deserved it. Saphira was right: I want him to be mine…and only mine." She suddenly jumped when she heard the sound of a large group of men snickering.
"Come out!" Arya screamed, reaching for her sword, but realizing that she was unarmed. She swore and put her fists up.
"So elves can cry," a familiar voice rung out. The snickering had ceased, which made Arya feel even more uneasy. "You want Eragon, do you not?"
"That is not yours to know!" Arya shouted. "I know that dreadful voice. You should be dead! You fell to his blade!" The familiar voice just laughed.
"I have powers, Arya," the voice replied. "Tell me what I want to know, and I can even grant your wish."
"No," Arya said. "I will not ruin their love for one another. Especially if it is what you want…Stave!" She watched as the man appeared from the weeds at the bank of the river. He pulled out his saber.
"I must know," Stave said calmly, "are they having any other dragons?" He placed the saber to her throat. "Tell me!" he ordered. She stood silently, watching as Stave withdrew his sword from her neck.
"Very well," he said. "I suppose…?"
"Can you really make him love me again?" Arya asked. Stave showed a sadistic grin.
"Whatever you desire, fair lady," he replied. "Tell me what I want to hear, and it will be done."
"He is expecting a daughter," Arya blurted out. "Draken is almost the size as Saphira. Please, give him to me! Let him love me instead of her!" Stave chuckled again.
"Elves are so foolish," he said, raising his blade. Arya stood in horror as the tip of the blade went down across her chest, slicing her open and splattering blood on the cool white sand while the sword cut through.
I betrayed you, she thought as she fought to keep her eyes open. Eragon, forgive me. Stave watched with a grin as the Elvin Princess fell dead at his feet; her blood flowed freely from her body to the river beside her. He pointed to one of his followers.
"Take her knife," he yelled. "Stab her in her heart and make it look like she fell on her own blade. I will heal the surface of this wound." The follower nodded as Stave turned the dead elf over.
"After Eragon sees this, it will all be over."
A rider and dragon…destined to be bound by love, but torn apart from disaster
Remember that with Solembum and Nasuada in the early chapters? For the Arya lovers, I am sorry, but she was the only 'unneeded' character in this story and it provides a wicked awesome plot!
PEACE!