I know I promised to have this posted around 6:30ish, but I failed that one. This was difficult and I certainly hope that I kept them all in character. Let me know.

Chapter 42: Harsh Reactions

"Mother!" Draken shouted as he sprinted towards her. She and Eragon touched down in front of their home and turned away from each other, both upset over what had transpired earlier. "Mother? What is wrong? Where did you go?" Draken began to get irritated and raised his voice. Suddenly, Saphira roared at him and padded away while Draken stood in hurtful shock.

I was such a fool, she said to Eragon. Please, leave me be. Eragon nodded his large head and turned over to Draken.

Your mother is not feeling well, Eragon explained. Forgive her for that.

"What happened, father?"Draken asked.

We made mistakes, Eragon replied. Hers was a bit harder to accept.

"I understand," he said, bowing his head respectfully. He suddenly turned over to Arya's body and growled. "What shall we do with her?"

We must take her back to Ellesmera, Eragon told his son. Queen Islanzdi will not be pleased.

"Why…?"

Arya was her daughter, Eragon interrupted him. Go to your uncle, son. I shall take Arya to her mother.

"What about mother?" Draken asked, turning to see Saphira lying underneath the tree with her head on her paws, obviously sulking in her thoughts.

She has asked for space right now, Eragon replied. We must respect that. Now go to Murtagh and keep watch with Thorn. Stave has been seen in the forests.

"You…?"

He did not die, son, Eragon muttered. Cockroaches just seem to keep alive no matter what you do to them! Do as I say boy!

"Yes father," Draken replied, bowing respectfully again at Eragon. The young dragon quickly rushed over to Murtagh while Eragon padded over to scoop up Arya.

I must tell the queen, he told Saphira gently. He turned to pad over to her while Arya dangled lifelessly in his claws. Please do not dwell on your mistake, love. He looked her in the eyes. They were not glowing like they used to and this concerned Eragon greatly. He hissed and dropped Arya to the ground.

Get that thought out of your head this instant! Eragon screamed to her. I know what you are thinking and I will not have it! I love you and you love me…do you not? Saphira let out a loud whimper and looked up at him. Her eyes began to shimmer in the moonlight and started to glow faintly.

I do not know what to think, Saphira replied in a very saddened tone. I almost ruined everything by listening to the enemy. The glow in her eyes faded out again and she stared at him with cold sapphire eyes. I love you, but I cannot leave this thought. I am sorry…?

No! Eragon cut her off. Saphira, you cannot do this! He crawled up next to her and nuzzled her snout with his own. Tell me that you do not wish to keep our fire burning and I will extinguish it for you.

I do not want it to end, Saphira replied as Eragon licked her cheek. If anything, I want our flames to grow…together. She shuddered and Eragon knew that she was sobbing.

Then let it be so, Eragon whispered delicately into her mind. I never want you to question our love again.

How were you able to tell? Saphira asked, looking into his eyes with her now shinning sapphire ones.

Your eyes shine when we are together at night, Eragon explained. When I approached, they were dull and cold. Was I not right?
You were, Saphira chocked out, lowering her head in shame. I just feel so ashamed.

Do not be, my love, Eragon told her. I want you to think of us and all the joy we have had being together. Nothing else…except our child of course. Eragon gently nudged Saphira's belly with his nose, causing her to let out a soft chuckle. Now I must return Arya to Islanzadi. She must know.

I will come with you then, Saphira replied softly, climbing up to her feet. Eragon?

Hmm?

I truly am sorry that this happened, Saphira said, bowing her head to him.

I know dear, Eragon told her. I know. We have to hurry. Eragon quickly scooped up Arya again and flapped his wings. He turned over to Murtagh and Draken who were lounging around a small campfire with Thorn behind them.

Stave is still alive, he told them. Stay awake and use caution. We will be back soon. They watched as Eragon and Saphira leapt into the sky.

Eragon, Saphira turned to face him while the two flew away. How will she react to this?

Imagine discovering that our child had been murdered, Eragon explained, and magnify that feeling. We may have to watch a queen fall to her knees in sobs. Eragon looked down at Arya's dead body. He shook his head and turned back over to Saphira. What did Stave tell you?

Arya betrayed us, Saphira said bluntly. He told me that she explained every detail from Draken's size to our newest child which is soon to come. If I were to guess, we should have only weeks left and we have no name.

We will talk about that afterwards, my love, Eragon said. He watched as Saphira shuddered again in mid-flight.

It feels good hearing that from you, Saphira sighed out happily. Eragon showed her his teeth.

It feels good to say it, he replied slyly. Ellesmera is ahead. He suddenly swooped in low and touched down on the soft soil in front of the Elvin hallway where two guards were standing watch. They saw that Arya was in his forearms and quickly rushed forward, but Eragon stopped them.

She is gone, he told them as Saphira touched down. Queen Islanzadi must know. Fetch her and tell her to meet us out her. Both of the guards nodded and quickly took off into the hall screaming for her as they ran.

Brace yourself, darling, Eragon told her. This may be a hard sight for us to see. Saphira padded over to him and rubbed noses.

I am ready, she replied. Are you? Eragon looked back down at Arya and gently lowered his head down to press his snout to her forehead as if he were kissing her goodbye.

Yes, he finally said, turning away from Arya's body. She was a good friend.

Aye, Saphira sighed, as Eragon gently set the dead elf at his feet. You loved her dearly…not like mates…more like siblings…?

Like friends, Eragon finished, sliding down to lay on his paws. Saphira did the same.

Yes, she replied. I see that now. Eragon turned his head over to her and showed his teeth in a soft smile.

She will be missed, Eragon told her softly. I believe that death would be perfect for me if this was you lying at my feet instead of her. I could not bear to see it.

I am flattered, Saphira cooed, scooting in closer to him. He growled lovingly as she placed her head against his side.

I promise…?

No more promises, Eragon, Saphira chuckled. You have made enough already. If you wish to know, I think that it was Stave that forced my heart to break…not you. What does that mean?

I never broke your heart? Eragon asked. What about when I yelled at you when…?

I was angry, Saphira replied with a soft laugh. I forced the heartbreak on myself when I flew, comparing myself to her…? She paused to look down at Arya. Stave just added the final ingredient. Eragon laughed and gently snaked his head over to press his chin on her forehead.

You amuse me, my dear wife, he said lovingly. I am glad that I did not hurt you…but you did give me quite a start.

"What is it, argetlam?" Islanzadi's voice suddenly broke the moment. They turned to see her standing in the hallway in a bright green tunic.

My Queen, Eragon said, bowing his head respectfully. Saphira mimicked his move. It pains me to do this, but you need to come hither. It concerns your daughter. Islanzadi sighed and walked out towards them

"Oh Gods NO!" she suddenly screamed, falling at the limp form of her daughter. She gently sat Arya up and cradled her in her arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

You were right, Eragon, Saphira told him. It is painful to bear.

"Where did you find her?" she asked between sobs, stroking Arya's blood soaked hair.

She was found with her dagger in her chest, Eragon explained. The warrior who found her thought it was a suicide, but Saphira and I think that more was involved.

She reeked of magic, Saphira clicked in to assist her husband. Stave is alive and had talked with her. I ran into him a little while ago and he told me that she betrayed us. There was no mention on if he was involved, but I can only figure so.

"My daughter?" Islanzadi asked vigorously. "Betray you?"

She told him everything, Saphira explained further. She told him that we are expecting a female dragon in a few weeks, and she also described Draken's full size to him.

We are just as shocked as you are, my Queen, Eragon said, bowing again.

"She loved you, Eragon," the queen replied harshly. "What would make her do such a thing? You should have accepted her! If you did…she would still be here."

Please, Eragon begged. Do not mention that. Arya was a friend and nothing more. I am bound to my dragon now and I refuse to let anything get in the way of that. He heard Saphira snort in satisfaction with his words. Arya made the mistake…not us.

It is true, Saphira said. You should not chastise us for her wrongdoing.

"Can you not bring her back?" she asked. Eragon nodded.

Oromis had already told me, he explained. Death can never be brought back to life. I am sorry…she is no more.

"Very well," the queen sobbed. "I will make the arrangements for her funeral. Eragon, I hope that her death haunts you." Saphira roared loudly, startling her.

I beg your pardon! Saphira shouted, but what did we just tell you? Her death is not on our heads, but her own. She was a fool.

"She was my daughter!" Islanzadi screamed back. "That is enough. I want you both out of Du Weldenvarden by tomorrow morning. You will never be allowed to return until I have decided to forgive you for…this!" She pointed down at her daughter and cried again. Eragon jumped to his feet and roared himself.

NO! He protested. We have a home built just on the edge of Du Weldenvarden. If you banish us…all of our work would be for nothing! Think about this…you are truly being unwise.

"How dare you tell me that?" Islanzadi roared.

He speaks true words, Saphira jumped into the fray. We have spent quite a long time on our home on the hillside. Please do not force us to leave. We have been ever so loyal to you during Galbatorix's reign; do we not deserve the same leniency? Arya's death had nothing to do with us. We did not provoke her into falling on her dagger…if that is what she did. Like we told you, we feel that she was murdered and that the blade was a cover-up of it. Please, I have grown to love our home and would be devastated if we were forced to leave without it even being finished. Islanzadi sat back and recoiled in her thoughts.

"I do this only because of your past loyalty," the queen replied. "My heart still aches and I believe that punishing you two will not end my suffering. You may stay here, but be warned: next time I will not be so easily convinced." She paused to look at her daughter again. "I must choose an heir to my throne now," she said. "I bid you good night." She pointed to her guards. "Take her and get her ready," she ordered. Instead of staying to watch her daughter be carried off, Islanzadi walked back into the hallway.

That was close, Eragon huffed. Saphira nudged him.

Death makes people do strange things, she replied. I am glad that she changed her mind.

Only because of you, my love, Eragon replied kindly. You saved our home with your quick tongue.

It is good to have a smart mate, is it not? Saphira replied, cuddling up next to him. He growled pleasingly.

Always, darling, Eragon said, getting to his feet and flapping his wings. We must head back. We have caused enough.

I agree, Saphira replied, climbing to her feet as well. I feel sorry for her.

We both do, Eragon said as he leapt into the sky. Imagine how we would feel if we discovered that Draken had passed…especially if it was his own intentions?

I cannot fathom it, Saphira shook her head and leapt off after her loving husband. What does tomorrow bring for us?

Well, Eragon said. Hopefully our beds are finished. Tomorrow we might place the fence around our property.

Sounds great love, Saphira sighed happily. I am glad that we are one again.

PEACE!