Here is chapter 52. It is meant to be a bit fluffy, with a bit of action from different perspectives. It should be nice. You may catch some humor early on involving Saphira and a merchant. Hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 52: Oh Deer
It had been two days since the two daughters had hatched. It was morning and Eragon had just woken up to hear his son call for him.
"Father," Draken called out. "What should we do today…with them?" Eragon let out an annoyed sigh and walked down the stairs, only to be greeted with his daughters' emerald and sapphire eyes. Upon seeing him, the two dragonets began chirping loudly, wagging their tails like playful puppies.
"What should we do?" Eragon asked with a slight smile. "You enjoyed fighting when you were a mere hatchling, but I do not know what female younglings would prefer."
"Perhaps the same thing?" Draken asked, showing his teeth mischievously. "They have been fighting with each other all morning!" Eragon laughed and reached down to pick Covin'thra up. She squeaked and squirmed slightly, but quickly gave in. "Where is mother?"
"She is out for the morning," Eragon explained. "No dragon deserves to be cooped up in a home, so I allowed her to fly on her own for a little while."
"Why did you not fly with her?" Draken asked. Eragon cradled Covin'thra and scratched behind her ear, causing her to hum pleasantly.
"I would have," Eragon stated, "but I have to watch over our daughters. Besides, she needs time alone."
"Any clue where she has gone?" Draken asked, as he leaned down so Equinox could nibble on his snout. It was not painful, but it was a bit annoying.
"Our link is still open to each other, son," Eragon said, rocking his child in his arms. Covin'thra opened her small mouth to growl. "She tells me everything and everywhere she goes."
I will do it always, Saphira clicked in. I have returned from flying around Gil'ead, my love. How are our daughters?
Well, Eragon replied. We are actually searching for something to do. When will you be home?
In awhile, Saphira chuckled. How are you holding up with them? Eragon sat Covin'thra back into the bowl so she could fight with her sister once again.
Wild, Eragon muttered. I think they may kill each other before they mature. He could hear Saphira laugh.
I doubt it, she replied. Maybe you can take them outside. The sun would do well on their scaly hides.
Okay then, Eragon said. I love you.
I love you too, husband, Saphira replied. I shall return in a few minutes.
"Well Draken," Eragon huffed. "Which one do you want to take? We are going to let them play outside for a little while."
"I claim Equinox," Draken said proudly. "I wonder if they will talk like I do?"
"More than likely son," Eragon chuckled. He reached down again to pick Covin'thra up. "Come on."
- - - - - - - - - -
"This is madness!" Murtagh shouted, as he swept the map off of the table with his left hand. "How could this mad man just vanish? Why have we not managed to locate him?"
"Our apologies," an Elvin warrior said, humbly bowing his head. "We have searched the battlefield and the city of Ceunon, but nothing remains." Murtagh huffed and placed the map back on the table.
"Okay then," Murtagh explained. "Take two horsemen and explore Darat. Eragon has told me that Stave owned a small pub in that village. Perhaps he is hiding."
"This is not our place to wage war, sire," the warrior replied. "We can only do so here in Ellesmera, unless it is ordered by the queen herself."
"Did she not order for us to bring Stave to justice?" Murtagh asked. The elf nodded his head.
"Very well," the elf replied. "We shall mount up and move in the morning."
- - - - - - - - -
"Covin'thra!" Eragon shouted. He watched as the silver dragonet darted underneath the fence and began waddling off down the hill. "Daughter! Come back here!"
"I will get her," Draken muttered. "She has done that two times so far!" Eragon groaned as Draken took off after Covin'thra…again. He turned to see that Equinox was nibbling on a large blade of grass, kicking at its base while she chewed.
What is wrong? Saphira suddenly clicked in. Eragon sighed.
Covin'thra keeps sneaking off, Eragon explained. She has crawled under the fence two times so far. Saphira chuckled.
Have no fear, my love, she replied. I am almost home.
Good, Eragon murmured. I do not know how much more of this Draken and I can take!
"I have her," Draken called out, touching down beside his father with Covin'thra held tightly in his mouth. She tried to wiggle herself free, but Draken refused to let go.
"Covin'thra," Eragon cooed to her, lifting his hand up to scratch underneath her chin. "Why do you want to venture off?" The silver dragonet began whimpering as she widened her sapphire eyes in an apologetic look. "You scare us when you do that." Draken sat his sister back down onto the grass and watched as she charged towards Equinox. Both dragonets collided and rolled along the ground, growling and chirping all the while.
"I never thought I would say this," Eragon huffed, "but I cannot wait until they grow up." Draken chuckled slightly.
"Yes," Draken agreed. "One dragon can be handled easily, but two takes twice the work, yes?"
"Uh huh," Eragon replied. He looked up into the sky to see Saphira flying in from her brief trip. She touched down beside her two daughters and they immediately stopped wrestling to rush over to her. Saphira slid down to her paws and began licking the dirt and grass off of Covin'thra, while Equinox waited patiently beside her.
Father tells me that you are becoming an escape artist, Saphira told Covin'thra. She squeaked and looked up at her mother. Just make sure that you stay close to our nest, okay child? It is vital that we stay together. Covin'thra nodded her small head and leaned in against her mother's snout. That's my girl. Saphira then turned to Eragon and showed him her teeth lovingly. What have you two been doing while I was away?
Entertaining them, Eragon laughed out. It seems that they are more interested in each other than us. Saphira laughed heartedly.
They have been fighting quite frequently have they not? She asked. Eragon nodded and walked over to her, placing his hand on her warm stomach.
Did you enjoy your flight? Eragon asked, as he slid his hand up to rest it on her brow.
I did actually, Saphira replied.
Anything interesting?
A few things, Saphira stated. They demolished the fortress in Gil'ead this morning.
Really? Eragon asked. That is quite a surprise.
I also walked through one of the many markets in that village, Saphira explained. I found something that struck my eye, but I did not have any money to buy it. The man behind the table was very kind…?
What? Eragon asked. What did he do?
He gave it to me, Saphira replied happily. When I told him that I had nothing to pay him with, he smiled and told me that I had given him enough already. When I accepted it, he asked how much I cost. What does that mean? Do I have some type of price on my head? Eragon laughed and shook his head.
What did you tell him? Eragon asked.
I told him that I have no price, Saphira explained, but I have a husband who may know. Amazingly, the man stopped asking any more odd questions after that. Saphira looked up at Eragon and showed her teeth again. Do you want to see what I received today? Eragon nodded and gently pushed his daughters out of Saphira's way while she transformed into human form.
"Here it is," she explained, as she reached into a small pocket on the right side of her sapphire tunic. She pulled out a beautiful necklace that was laced with solid gold. At the end was a silver image of a dragon, with gold specks representing its eyes. "I saw it and could not look away. Do you like this, my love?" Eragon gently took the jewelry from her and examined it. He unraveled the chain and unhooked the back end.
"I want to see it on you first," he told her, as he stepped forward. He tossed the chain around her neck and latched the two ends together to where the dragon emblem rested on her chest.
"What do you think?" Saphira asked. Eragon nodded his head.
"It suits you well, my dear," Eragon exclaimed, taking his hand to brush her cheek. "Now, what should we do with these little buggers?" Saphira looked down at her children, who were trying to climb up her leg to gain her attention. Saphira smiled and reached down to scrub both of their scaly heads.
Go get your father, she told them with a smirk. Suddenly, both dragonets lost interest in their mother and turned to face Eragon.
"Oh no you did not!" Eragon exclaimed. He looked down to see Covin'thra lick her chops with her small tongue while growling playfully. "This is going to hurt!" He began to run, and his daughters took chase, waddling happily behind him and snapping their jaws when they came close to his flesh.
Two on one is no fair! Eragon told them. Someone go after your brother to make it even! Eragon sighed with relief when he saw Equinox peel off behind him and change course directly to Draken.
"Father!" Draken groaned. He looked down to see Equinox gaining on him. "Okay sister, you are going to ask for it, aren't you?" Equinox rushed madly towards her sibling, but Draken countered her attack and gently locked his jaws on the back of her neck. "Time to fly, girl!" Draken exclaimed; his voice was muffled by Equinox's scaly skin in his mouth. He suddenly tossed his head to one side and released her, watching with a satisfied sniff as his sister rolled on the grassy floor.
Eragon was having a more difficult time with Covin'thra. Since he was in human form, he was in no position to reach down and throw her like Draken did.
"Saphira!" Eragon yelped. "You're going to pay for this one!" He heard Saphira laughing behind him, but he did not dare to look for fear that Covin'thra would leave a nice bite mark on his rear end. Sadly, Eragon tripped and fell face first into the grass. Covin'thra squeaked with glee as she jumped up and clamped her jaws shut just below Eragon's thigh.
"OOOOOOWWWWW!" Eragon shouted, as he climbed back to his feet. "Okay, daughter, that is it! Honia!" Eragon began changing while Covin'thra continued to hold on with her sharp teeth.
Let us see if you can hurt me now, Eragon teased, as he craned his neck down to snap it gently on the back of Covin'thra's neck. She squeaked fearfully as Eragon dropped her to the ground. It is my turn to get you! Covin'thra chirped in terror and leapt up to her paws. Before Eragon had the chance, his daughter began galloping back to her mother. In human form she would have been considered fast, but she was a lot slower with Eragon in dragon form.
Oh no you don't! Eragon exclaimed jokingly. We are not finished, youngling. Eragon sprinted towards his child, gaining closer with each step. By a few feet, Eragon was running…or should I say walking…beside his daughter. She yelped as Eragon tossed his head over to scoop her up, and instantly stopped to reverse her direction. Eragon quickly skid to a halt and turned to pursue Covin'thra again.
"How are you holding up over there, father?" Draken asked. Eragon looked to see that Draken was holding Equinox away from his body with one of his forearms comically resting on her small head.
Not as good as you are, son, Eragon replied, as he turned to cut across Covin'thra's path. The young hatchling stopped again and turned to change another direction.
"Do you need my help?" Draken joked. "It looks like you are having some bit of trouble!" Eragon ignored him and continued chasing his daughter, until the familiar sound of dragon's wings filled the air. Eragon watched as Saphira snatched Covin'thra up from his view.
That is cheating, Eragon called to her. She laughed and adjusted her grip on her child.
If I did not step in, she joked, you would have never caught her. Eragon shook his large head and watched as Saphira came in to touch down beside him, with Covin'thra resting comfortably in her claws. Covin'thra climbed down from her mother and ran up to brush herself against Eragon.
I suppose she forgives you, Saphira mocked. Come, it is late and I am sure that our children are hungry.
Do we have food for them? Eragon asked. Saphira nodded.
Some are stored in our spare room, she explained. It should be enough for tonight. Eragon flapped his wings and turned to see Draken padding over with Equinox in his mouth.
I am famished, mother, Draken said mentally to Saphira.
You know, Eragon suggested, a nice hot seasoned deer would taste great, would it not? All of the dragons around him bobbed their heads.
I shall help you prepare it, Saphira replied.
Have you cooked before?
I am a dragon, Saphira said proudly. We know everything about fire and meat. What can possibly go wrong?
- - - - - - - - - - - -
"I cannot do it!" Trianna protested. Stave slapped her across her cheek.
"Do not tell me what you can and cannot do!" he exclaimed. "It you want to be one, you must be able to do this!" They were both on the ground in Darat with Slide next to them. "If you fall, I will catch you to stop you from making a crater. The training for this will not be complete until you can walk the length of Slide perfectly…blindfolded. Place all of your trust in him and he will not let you fall."
Stave speaks the truth, Slide replied to her. If you do fall, I will be right there to get you.
"Very well," Trianna sighed. "Let us begin."
- - - - - - - - -
"Brisingr!" Eragon chanted, holding his marked palm out over a stack of logs that were lying in the stove of his home. The logs immediately caught fire. "Saphira, bring the meal hither, please?"
"Of course, my husband," Saphira replied happily. She picked up a large tray that had thinly cut chunks of deer sitting inside of it and set it inside the stove, just above the fire. "This is quite simple, isn't it?"
"Not necessarily," Eragon joked. He watched as the fire began licking the bottom of the tray, heating the deer meat on it. He turned to see Covin'thra and Equinox both sitting on their haunches, licking their chops in anticipation of a hot meal. Draken was laying down next to the table.
"I see," Saphira replied, as she stretched out her arms to wrap them around his waist. She smiled behind him and placed her lips to his neck. "I always thought that the wife was the one who made the supper."
"Things change, dear," Eragon replied, placing his hands on hers that were wrapped around his hips. "Besides, you have never cooked a meal before." Saphira laughed and kissed his neck again.
"How do you know when it is finished?" Saphira asked. Eragon gently broke free from her grasp and walked over to pat his daughters on their heads.
"It will take a few moments," Eragon explained. It was not long before the aroma of fresh cooked deer began to fill the room, forcing Covin'thra and Equinox to literally drool over the tasty scent. Draken was in the same state as his small sisters.
"Patience, family," Eragon laughed. "It needs a few more moments." Eragon looked out the window of the kitchen to watch the sunset in front of him. From there, he turned back over to his loving wife and took her hand.
"Have I not been a loyal husband," he said lovingly to her. "We have a complete family now…and the dragon race has been rebuilt. I want you to know that I have never had a doubt in my head about anything that we have done." Saphira let a small teardrop fall down her cheek, as she leaned in to press her lips passionately against Eragon's.
"I know," she told him, after she broke the kiss. "You are utterly the perfect man…and dragon." Eragon smiled at her and placed his hand to her cheek.
"Will you ever tire of our romance, love?" Eragon asked with a wide grin. Saphira placed her hand over Eragon's that was resting on her face.
"Never," she replied, staring lustfully into Eragon's eyes. "It intensifies the fire we have between us."
"Speaking of fire," Draken suddenly asked, as he lifted up his head to take in a deep sniff. "Is something burning?" Eragon quickly removed his hand from Saphira and looked in on the deer meat, only to see that the food had caught fire.
"OH NO!" Eragon shouted. He reached in without any gloves or padding to pull out the tray, but it burnt his hand terribly and forced him to toss the flaming hot meals into the air. Eragon watched as the burning meat smashed onto the hardwood floor, splattering hot juices in every direction. Covin'thra cautiously padded over to the hot piece of meat and sniffed at it. She looked up at her father and then suddenly opened her mouth to take in a bite.
"No Covin'thra!" Saphira warned, but it was too late. Covin'thra took a huge chomp out of the hot meat. She yelped and squeaked painfully as she quickly spat out the bitten chunk of deer. Refusing to worry about his own wound, Eragon reached down quickly and picked Covin'thra up. He rushed her over to the small sink and sat her inside of it. Saphira held her daughter's mouth open while Eragon began pouring cool water into her mouth. Covin'thra was still whimpering.
"Is she okay?" Draken asked, climbing up to his feet. He watched as Equinox headed over to the same chunk that her sister had spat out. It was cooler now, so Equinox quickly devoured it. Eragon turned the faucet away from Covin'thra's mouth and began trying to comfort her by rubbing her neck with his own burnt hand. Covin'thra lifted her hurt sapphire eyes up to Eragon and let out a soft whimper.
"Her sister just ate the rest of her meal," Draken pointed out. "I think we may need to make some more."
"My poor hatchling," Saphira cooed, stroking her child down her back carefully. She easily avoided the spikes that lined Covin'thra's hide. She gently placed her hands around her daughter's belly and scooped her up into her arms.
"I suppose that I must re-season some more," Eragon sighed. "I am sorry, family. "
"For what?" Draken asked. "It was not your fault."
"Our son is right," Saphira interjected. "Accidents are bound to happen. I was surprised on how quickly you reacted to Covin'thra. Now, are you going to do anything about that nasty burn on your hand?" Eragon looked down at it and cringed. It was at least a two-degree burn, and it hurt like a cut from a hot blade.
"I suppose I should huh?" Eragon asked with a soft chuckle. He held his marked palm over his injury and chanted the phrase to heal himself. Within moments, his hand was normal again. "Draken, take your sisters into the other room. We will have to do this again."
"Of course father," Draken replied, bowing his head. "Come my brethren, we must wait for supper." Equinox chirped and waddled off after her brother, while Covin'thra stayed in Saphira's arms. The silver dragon looked up into her mother's sapphire eyes and squeaked happily.
"Run along, my little one," Saphira said, as she took to her knees to release her. Covin'thra jumped away from her mother, but turned back around to face her with a pleading look on her face. "Go on, dear," Saphira continued to urge her. "Supper will be ready shortly. You are lucky that you did not burn your throat."
"Can her throat be burnt?" Eragon asked. "After all, dragons do breath fire." Saphira chuckled at her husband's statement.
"I think it was just the heat that hurt her," Saphira explained. "She is going to be okay. I suppose hot food may taste awkward after having a fresh kill or two."
"Perhaps," Eragon chuckled. "Well, Draken will watch those two. Care to help me…again?"
"Just as long as you do not burn your hand again," Saphira commented. "Even though, it was rather humorous."
"Saphira," Eragon muttered, shaking his head. "Let us just get dinner ready. If we take any longer, Draken may actually begin thinking about eating one of our daughters!"
"They do look rather tasty," Draken exclaimed from the other room, as he watched Equinox bowl Covin'thra over with her snout. Eragon and Saphira both started laughing.
"I suppose we must get started…again."
Hope this one is better. I can't post it in the M rating. For my belief on the ExM pairing (being completely nasty), they will tear this fic to pieces. Yeah, I have gone in and did some experimenting on what is there, and it is nothing good. Avoid M ratings! They are evil!
PEACE!