And now the moment you all have been waiting for. What's going to happen?
Chapter 45: Covin'thra and Equinox
"It is finally finished," Eragon and Murtagh said together as they admired the finished home. Murtagh turned to face Eragon and chuckled.
"Not bad for just one day," he laughed out. Eragon pat his older brother's back and smiled.
Is it complete? Saphira asked, lying on her paws behind them. Eragon turned and smiled at her.
"It finally is," he replied. "The woodsman at the shop told us it would take months, but I suppose he did not realize that we had dragons to assist us."
I suppose not, Saphira said, climbing to her feet. It was mid afternoon and the sun was high and bright in the cloudless sky.
"Father?" Draken chimed in, as he touched down next to him and Murtagh. He was practicing his flying and returned to check in with his parents. "I am hungry. May I be excused to hunt?"
"Of course," Eragon replied. "Be careful though." Draken jumped into the air again and flew away once more.
"So," Murtagh sighed. "What do we do now?"
"You can leave if you wish," Eragon said. "I am sure that Nasuada will want to spend time with you after not seeing you for an entire day!" Murtagh chuckled and jokingly slapped his brother across his chest.
"Why you," Eragon muttered, as he brought his fist back to slug Murtagh in his shoulder. They both erupted in laughter.
Are you two boys done? Saphira joked. She padded closer to Eragon and rested her head on his shoulder. He placed his hand onto her brow and scratched it.
"Yes," he chuckled. Murtagh shook his head.
"Well," he said, "I suppose it is time for me to get back. I promised Nasuada that I would visit after completing the home."
You do not want to keep your mate waiting, Saphira clicked in with a hint of amusement in her voice. I suppose that this is goodbye for now?
"Yes, Saphira," Murtagh said. He called over Thorn, who was resting underneath the tree. "Come say goodbye, Thorn!"
Goodbye, Thorn projected to Eragon and Saphira, although he did not move from his spot. You can come to me, rider!
"Lazy…good for nothing…?" Murtagh began. "I should turn your hide into a belt, you overgrown lizard!"
"Easy, Murtagh," Eragon laughed out. He and Saphira watched as Murtagh walked away after Thorn.
So what should we do? Eragon asked Saphira, who still had her head on his shoulder.
It is hot, Saphira replied. Perhaps a nice refreshing dip in the stream? Draken is away and Murtagh will be leaving as well.
A nice bath does sound good, Eragon admitted. I know that the stream pools a little while after the forest at the base of a large waterfall.
I remember, Saphira sighed. I am willing to wager that the water is quite cool. Eragon snickered and stepped forward to get Saphira off of his shoulder. She whimpered softly, but quickly turned it into a pleasing growl as Eragon looked at their home.
"It was done by noon," he chuckled out. "Before we leave, do you wish to explore our house? Everything is in it now."
That would be lovely, Saphira said with a quiet snort. Then we will leave. Eragon led the way into their new home with Saphira close behind him, waging her tail like a puppy would when it follows it's master. As soon as they entered, Saphira's jaw dropped. The interior of the home was painted sapphire blue with emerald green lining base of the walls; Eragon had no idea of this one.
This must have been Murtagh's idea, Eragon told her. She still could not answer him and held her mouth agape in shock at how beautiful the home was. The floor was made completely of hardwood and the lumber on the ground was spaced perfectly to where the dirt underneath it could not be seen. In the main room were three large bowls, but they were above the wood as opposed to inside it like in the tree house. Inside of the bowls were soft cushiony mattresses. They journeyed through their home in silence and Eragon could feel Saphira's excitement for claiming this as her own…their own.
Their next stop was the kitchen, where the new stove was placed in. There was a small stack of firewood beside it and a few plates and bowls were stacked inside of the cupboards. In the middle of the room was a large table Murtagh received from a trader that was selling in Ceunon. It was made completely of oak and was quite heavy too. Thorn carried it back to Eragon's home to make it much easier for Murtagh and the other rider.
Eragon, Saphira finally said. It…is…amazing! This is ours?
Every inch, Eragon replied softly, as he journeyed upstairs with her behind him. This…is ours! Eragon opened a door that was in their bedroom that Saphira did not notice before.
We figured out how the elves had running water, Eragon said as he led her into their bathroom. We mimicked it and added it this morning after the messenger came by. He walked over to the bathtub that was formed just like the one in Ellesmera and turned the lever. To Saphira's surprise, steaming hot water began to pour out of the faucet.
Unbelievable, She gasped. How did you…?
Murtagh went over to our other home and examined everything, Eragon explained. It was made exactly as the one before it.
I see, Saphira said happily. This…is our home.
Yes Saphira, Eragon replied. Every inch of this belongs to us…and only us. Saphira snorted in satisfaction and licked Eragon's cheek.
You remember what we talked about earlier? Saphira asked. Eragon nodded.
I will never forget your words, Eragon replied. Do you still feel 'undeserving'?
No, Saphira said back. I believe that now I feel more like a spoiled princess.
Queen would be more like it, Eragon joked. He reached out and embraced Saphira around her neck. He leaned into her ear and whispered something that sent a tremor down her large form:
I am at your service, oh beautiful queen. She shot her head back to show him her teeth.
You do treat me like one, she said joyously. I do not even think that Nasuada receives this much attention…and time devoted to her. It was her turn to lean to his ear. She got really close and snorted, sending her warm breath against Eragon's ear and up through his hair. Never stop. Eragon smiled at the words that resonated through his mind.
"Shall we go now?" he asked. Saphira took one more glance around the home and nodded her large head in agreement.
We must be back before night, Saphira explained. Our child will be laid this evening. I can tell that it is ready.
"Are you sure that you do not want to stay here?" Eragon asked. Saphira looked at him with pleading eyes and let out a small whimper.
Please, she said to him. You have worked so hard. We need a time to rest. You do not even need to transform, dear…I will take you if you wish.
"Can I ever say no to you?" Eragon groaned jokingly. "Fine! Let us go!" Saphira let out a pleasurable growl and crouched to where Eragon could mount her. He got to his position and held on while Saphira padded outside.
Are you ready? Saphira asked.
Yes, Eragon replied. Should we tell Draken?
He will find us, Saphira replied wisely. He has a far better scent than a human does.
Sorry, Eragon muttered, I forgot about that. Saphira bobbed her head and leapt into the sky. She beat her wings elegantly and climbed higher towards the sun.
"I love flying with you, dear," Eragon told her. "You just seem so…free! No worries, no cares; it is just shear freedom up here."
I like flying beside you, Saphira replied. You make it more amusing somehow. Perhaps it is entertaining to see how far you came from your first…experience? Eragon laughed heartedly and pat her on the side of her neck. There! Is that not the pool you were talking about? Eragon looked down to see a fairly large lake in the middle of the forest. At the lake's mouth were large hills and a massive cascading waterfall. It was a beautiful sight from the air. Suddenly, Saphira tucked her wings in and dove for the water.
"This is not really my idea of relaxing!" Eragon screamed to her over the wind. She growled and continued to dive.
You know that you will thank me for this, Saphira replied to him. Just let go…and trust your wife. Eragon released his grasp on one of Saphira's spikes and held on by his legs. When I tell you to, release your grip altogether and let me do the rest. Eragon nodded his head. The lake was getting closer and Eragon was starting to worry.
Now Eragon! Saphira ordered. He placed all of his trust in her and stopped holding on. His legs fell away from Saphira and he was falling on his own, but Saphira was right beside him. Suddenly, Saphira turned inward and dove underneath Eragon and grabbed him by his tunic with her large talons.
Time to get wet, Saphira joked. The water was too close for Eragon's comfort, but he knew that Saphira would cause him no harm. She quickly pulled herself out of the dive and leveled off at the surface of the water. From there, she lowered herself down until Eragon went through the water's surface and was completely submerged. Saphira then released Eragon in the water and allowed him to resurface, just before diving in herself.
"That…that was incredible!" Eragon sputtered to Saphira's enjoyment. "Can we do that again?" Saphira, who was beside him in the water, lifted up her head to point to the large waterfall.
I will see if there are any rocks at the bottom, Saphira explained. If not, you can get the same feeling by sliding down this. Before Eragon could say anything, Saphira dove under the water and swam effortlessly over to the end of the waterfall.
You are in luck, love, she told him. It is clear and deep. Do you want a ride up? Eragon looked at the falls and cringed. The drop had to be at least fifty feet! Once again, he had faith in his wife.
Yes, Eragon told her. I will try anything once. Saphira suddenly leapt out from the water and tossed open her wings, spraying the area with the water that was attached to them. Eragon held out his hands as Saphira grasped them with her talons. She pulled him up to the top easily and set him back in the water, just before the falls. Fear gripped Eragon as the water began to move faster. He cursed and swore, kicking violently to fight the current, but it was no use. Over the falls he went, flipping head-over-heels while going through it. Saphira watched with her head cocked sideways as he splashed into the water…stomach first. He emerged and screamed at the painful burning sensation on his front side.
Eragon! Saphira screamed! Are you hurt?
"What do you think?" Eragon snapped, holding his beat-red chest. Saphira laughed as he climbed out of the water. "I want to see you do it now! Do not use your wings either!"
If you want dear, Saphira replied, still holding on to her gentle chuckles. Stay here…and tend to your wounds. Eragon groaned and rubbed his swollen stomach. She was right: he should not have worried. Now look what he received for his mistake. She chuckled lightly and flew up to the top once more. Eragon moved over to the shore to sit down, and watched as she dove into the water.
All you had to do…was this, Saphira explained as she fell off of the falls. Eragon watched as she dove straight in with her wings tucked in tightly to her form. For a large dragon, the splash was tiny. Did that look too difficult? Eragon laughed.
"Showoff!" he yelled to her jokingly. She emerged and splashed some water at him with her tail. Eragon suddenly dashed into the water and began splashing her as well.
"Adurna!" he chanted, lifting up his hand. Saphira watched as a small wave formed next to him and crashed against her.
No fair! She argued. You used magic!
And you used your tail, Eragon replied. No fair!
Well, Saphira said, turn into a dragon and fight fairly. Suddenly, her eyes grew wide. Eragon! She said dramatically. We must return home…it's beginning! Saphira quickly leapt out of the water and grabbed Eragon with her talons. He climbed up her shoulder and took his place while Saphira literally raced against time to return home. The sun had begun to set and they were at the river longer than they had expected to be.
Draken! Eragon tried to reach his son. Meet us at home! Your sister is coming!
What? Draken asked. Where are you? Are you close?
Almost, Eragon told him. He paused to hear Saphira bellow slightly. I need you to get a bucket of water and wait for us in the house.
Yes father, Draken replied. With that said, he cut off the link.
"Hold on, darling," Eragon replied. "I see the hill, we are almost there!" Saphira pushed herself harder and touched down quickly next to the home. From there she rushed inside and lay in the furthest bowl, while Eragon took the bucket of water from Draken.
It is not as bad as our first, Saphira painfully admitted. It is sore, but bearable.
"I wonder what color my sister will be?" Draken asked. "I can't wait!"
"You are going to have to," Eragon advised. "She will be laid now, but it takes over a month for her to hatch." Draken let out a depressed sigh.
It is…ugh…okay Draken, Saphira said between contractions. You will…ouch…see her soon. Suddenly, a silver egg came out of Saphira and landed softly on the mattress in the bowl. Eragon quickly picked it up and examined it. The shell was metallic silver, but it had sapphire veins spider webbing around it.
"Covin'thra," Eragon whispered. He showed it to Draken, who snorted in satisfaction. Suddenly, Saphira groaned again.
I think there is another one! She roared painfully. Sure enough, a second egg fell out, but this one was a magenta color with emerald green veins pulsing around it. Eragon…they are twins.
"Wow," Eragon whispered. He picked up the second egg and inspected it. From there he turned over to Draken. "Equinox shall be her name. Do we agree?"
Absolutly, Saphira replied, exhausted from her task. Covin'thra, and Equinox; daughters of Eragon and Saphira. Eragon smiled and walked over to his tired wife. He placed one hand on her belly and the other was on her brow.
You had to just double my asking didn't you? Saphira joked. I just wanted one daughter, but you had to do better.
I told you, Eragon retaliated to her humor, I aim to please. She snorted and lay her head down on the comfortable mattress.
You were right, Saphira said softly. They were laid in our home. I love you, Eragon.
I do as well, Eragon replied, placing her clutch (A/N: kin…or children. Compliments to Tallacus for using that word and refreshing my memory) next to her side. She lifted her head up and lovingly nudged both of the eggs.
Rest well my younglings, she told her new children. She turned to face her first son. Draken, I am proud of you. You created the names of both our children, and they were chosen well.
"I know mother," Draken replied. "You must rest now. You should be exhausted from birthing two eggs."
I am, Saphira sighed, as she laid her head back down. Eragon? Would you care to sleep here as well? Eragon quickly removed his tunic and transformed into dragon form.
How can I say no to you? Eragon replied lovingly, as he entered into her bowl. They squeezed in together with Covin'thra and Equinox's eggs between them while Draken went to the second bowl and attempted to sleep as well.
"I am truly blessed," he whispered to himself. "Instead of one sister…I have two!"
So it's a family of five! Eragon, Saphira, Draken, Covin'thra, and Equinox! Awesome huh? Next chapter, Trianna will come into play.
PEACE!