Okay, there is a part in here that I am not so sure if it works or not, but it has to do with Lunalese and Draken down a bit in the chapter (it involves mind reading). Let me know and make sure to read the A/N at the bottom to help me write the next chapter out. Thanks!

Chapter 65: Speak Your Mind

Draken? Lunalese asked, as she padded towards the home. May I have a word with you? She could not see him, but she knew that he was listening.

Of course, he replied shyly. She watched as he walked out of his home with his father walking beside him.

"Thank you again father," Draken whispered to him.

"It is only my job as a parent," Eragon replied. "Remember what I told you, and you will succeed." He tossed his hands around his son's neck and embraced him tightly. "I am proud of you, my boy." Draken snorted and broke away from Eragon to pad over to Lunalese.

Would you care to fly with me? Lunalese asked.

"Where?" Draken replied curiously. Lunalese showed her teeth and fluttered her wings.

Remember what I made you promise? She asked. Well, there is a wonderful place I have discovered there in the Spine that I would like to take you to. It is…my nest.

Oh good one, Lunalese, she heard Saphira chuckle in her mind. Now, just lure him in and you have him!

"Your nest?" Draken asked. "Why do you wish to go there?"

I want to talk to you, Lunalese stated. Please? She gazed up at him and widened her ruby eyes to show more affection. Draken let out a pleasing growl and padded up closer to her.

"Is that not your own private dwelling place?" Draken asked worriedly. "Are you sure you…?"

I am, Draken, she told him. There is something I must tell you there. Suddenly, Draken smirked and briefly turned to look at his father, who was standing in the doorway of their home.

"Is it not dangerous though?" Draken asked. Lunalese chuckled gently in his mind.

If I remember correctly, she laughed out, you were the one who said that you would protect me. Are you going to flip this wager around, Draken?

"No," he chuckled out. "I just do not want to place you in that sort of trouble."

I know a safer way to get there, Lunalese sighed. It is a long flight, but you seem strong enough to handle it.

"I should," Draken replied. "Shall we go?" Lunalese growled softly and leapt into the air as Draken followed close behind. Eragon watched as his son flew away with the yellow dragoness and smirked.

Do you realize that we have just…? Eragon attempted to say, but was quickly stifled by Saphira's warm laughter.

I know, she chuckled. Our son is no longer a hatchling, but he has become a dragon. I can see young ones approaching soon if all goes well. Lunalese is very interested in him.

So is Draken, Eragon laughed. I figured that Lunalese wanted to converse with you over this matter…and Draken had a few questions of his own.

Remember our first time, love? Saphira mentioned. Lunalese is feeling the same way. There is an empty egg sitting in her womb and she keeps fantasizing over Draken being the father of her clutch. I went through that too, but it only occurred once, except for my…thoughts.

You still have them? Eragon asked with a smirk. She emerged from the hillside and padded over to him confidently.

Doesn't every wife dream of her husband now and again? Saphira pointed out. Ever since our first experience as mates, these lovely dreams have remained.

I am glad that I did not disappoint you, my love, Eragon chuckled.

You never can, Saphira chuckled, as she brushed her cheek against his shoulder. Eragon reached up and gently stroked her brow with his marked hand. I love you.

I do too, Eragon said lovingly, as he stroked his hand across her scaly forehead. Let us head inside. I think that our daughters may be ready to fly today. Have you heard anything from Thorn and Murtagh?

I know that Murtagh is engaged to Nasuada now, Saphira said, as she sat on her haunches. Thorn told me two days ago. They are expecting to stop by and visit soon.

Great, Eragon said cheerfully. Let us teach our daughters how to fly and then we can make arrangements for them later.

Agreed.

- - - - - - -

The flight to Lunalese's nest took two hours, and it was a very silent trip. Both dragons were swimming in their own thoughts of worry, regret, and anxiety; they were too focused to start up random conversations. When they arrived, Draken was surprised to see a stack of bundled up leaves and branches that were spread out sloppily against the rocky soil as if a homeless peasant created it.

"You sleep here at night?" Draken asked worriedly. "Luna, why?"

Remember that I was not as privileged as you were growing up, Lunalese pointed out. I created this just before I learned how to fly. In time, I expanded it to fit my size. Draken placed his nose to the sloppy bed of leaves and snorted.

"What do you wish to discuss?" he asked. She shook her head slowly and swiped the nest that she had been creating since she was a hatchling away with her tail.

I want to start my life over, Draken, she said firmly. I want to have better for myself, and the first thing I need…is you.

"What?" Draken stuttered, stepping back shyly away from her. "Why do you need me? What can I give you?"

You already have given it to me, Lunalese murmured. Draken, you have given me hope that I can become a dragon as trusted and honored as one like your mother.

"I am confused," Draken admitted. "Why do you need me for that?" Her nervous laughter fluttered about in his head.

Draken, she sighed. You have pushed me out of hiding and away from certain disaster. If I did not meet you then I could be dead.

"I do not wish for that," Draken said, stepping closer to her. "Lunalese, you are already as honorable as any other dragon out here…including Thorn."

Thorn? Lunalese asked. Draken looked up to the sky and sighed.

"He is a dragon of my mother's age," Draken explained. "His rider is my uncle."

Uncle?? Lunalese asked, obviously confused. What is that?

"It is just a human term that I grew up to," Draken explained. "You need not worry about it."

Very well, Lunalese said with a soft growl. You know that I have brought you out here for other reasons, yes?

"Not really," Draken said, as he padded around her. She watched his movements ever closely and growled pleasingly at his sturdy posture.

Draken is so elegant, she told herself. His wings are tucked so proudly behind his back, and his talons are nicely curved and polished whiter than the snow on these hills in the winter. My child will look just as lovely as him. She realized that she was daydreaming again and quickly shook her head.

"Is something wrong?" Draken asked. She looked up at him with loving eyes and nodded her head.

I must tell you something, she said worriedly. Please, no matter what happens…may we still at least stay as friends?

You are worrying me, Draken said mentally. What is the matter? Why are you looking at me like that? Lunalese took her gaze away.

It is hard to say it to you directly, she murmured. Do you know how to search minds?

My father has explained it, Draken pointed out. You do not want me to…?

Please, Lunalese sighed. I shall hold nothing back from you.

But my father said that it is quite painful, Draken explained. Are you sure…?

Draken, she said impatiently. I want you to know. He sighed and stepped forward to her. Draken focused everything on entering her mind and was shocked to discover that he did not have to break through any barriers to get into it. As he broke through, he heard Lunalese bellow in immense pain. He tried to withdraw from her mind, but she beckoned him to proceed.

You are in pain, Draken said. I do not wish for it.

Just keep going, Lunalese panted. You are almost there. Draken pushed inside harder, as she groaned in agony. Suddenly, images and thoughts rushed into his head. He saw the black wyvern standing up on his two legs overlooking a tiny yellow dragonet.

That is I, Lunalese said breathlessly. Now that you are inside, the pain is not as bad. Draken pressed forward and stopped to another image of the wyvern teaching Lunalese how to fly. He chuckled as he watched her fall and crash down against a twig, shattering it on impact.

I did the same thing, Draken laughed to her. Do not respond to me anymore. I do not want to cause any more pain to you.

No, Lunalese said. I shall explain everything you see. He continued to see the images of her life and was shocked at how true Lunalese was to her word of not hiding anything from him. All of the wyvern's plans for revolting against the humans were revealed to him almost instantly, but something was different. He went further until he hit a black void and a small barrier.

What is this? Draken asked her.

This, she replied nervously, is what I wanted to show you. These are my memories and thoughts after I met you.

If I break the barrier, it will hurt you, Draken said. Are you sure you wish for me to see this?

You must, Draken, she sighed. I will drop them. Please know that these are my most cherished moments. As soon as she ended the conversation, the barriers dropped. Draken was suddenly swarmed by images and thoughts pertaining to him. The first image was of Lunalese presenting Equinox to Draken.

That was a very cute moment, Draken chuckled. Suddenly, an odd thought snapped into his head.

I wonder how good of a father he could be? The thought rang out. Draken pressed further to the image of her lying in Draken's bowl with him in the bed beside her.

He creates such great names, came another thought.

Luna? Draken asked.

I shall explain all of this later, she came in. Draken pressed on to the moment in the Spine where Lunalese forced him to promise never to return.

He must care for me to do this, the thought came in again, why must he be so hardheaded, though? If he gets himself killed, how can I bear his hatchlings? This thought caused Draken to almost lose his concentration so he forced himself to move on. Soon, he hit another image, but it was more like a dream. He saw himself sitting on his haunches in a nicely knitted nest with three young hatchlings around him. From there, Lunalese stepped into it and brushed her cheek against his own. He had thought that he had seen it all, but there was another dream that smashed into him, but it was far more graphic. He saw Lunalese and him flying in the air high above the Boer Mountains, intertwined and connected at their talons as they flew. Suddenly, the two dove down, still holding on to each other, and broke off seconds before impact. When he thought that it was all over, the two dragons flew straight at each other and collided stomach-first into each other, connecting again, but at their midsections. After that, Draken was forced to withdraw from Lunalese's mind.

What are you doing? An unfamiliar voice asked.

It is him! Lunalese cried. Draken, get out NOW! He quickly pulled out of her mind and turned around to see the black wyvern standing underneath an ash tree and staring at Lunalese.

So this is how you repay me, Slattern? He asked. Draken stepped forward to place himself in front of her.

She is no slattern, Draken hissed. If you call her that again, then you will have a problem with me.

This must be your mate, the wyvern said menacingly. He clawed his way forward and inspected Draken with his golden eyes. He is quite the fool though.

"Watch yourself," Draken warned out loud. "I can take an overgrown crow a lot easier than you think."

Draken, Lunalese said, stepping beside him. We should just go.

You are not going anywhere, the wyvern shouted into their minds. Insulting me will only lead to your downfall, lizard. Draken roared out loud and fanned out his wings.

"This lizard is not phased by threats,"Draken shouted. "Leave us or you will be roasted like a chicken."

Well then, he growled, snapping his beak shut to give out a cringing crunch. What are you waiting for? Draken turned and looked to see Lunalese trembling.

I hate him, Lunalese muttered, but this fight could be saved for a later date.

I want to finish it now, Draken muttered to her. She nudged him and faced her master.

I am leaving the Spine, she told the wyvern. Draken has shown me things that you could never imagine and I wish to start over with him. She turned to face Draken, who was anxiously nodding his head. My life here…is over.

You have made a horrible decision, the wyvern grunted. Draken stepped forward closer, causing the birdlike creature to step back.

"Oh really?" Draken asked sarcastically. "I believe that this is the wisest one she has ever made. Do you have a problem?" The wyvern hissed and turned away.

Your death will come soon traitors, he growled, as he walked off.

You are very brave, Lunalese commented Draken after the creature walked off. I am sorry…?

"Do not be," Draken said to her softly. "There is no need for apology. I suppose that it is my turn to tell you how I feel, if I do not get interrupted again." Lunalese growled pleasingly and padded closer to Draken.

I am waiting, she said anxiously. Draken turned to her and brushed his cheek against hers.

"That was not meant as a formal greeting," Draken said with a nervous chuckle. Lunalese's eyes brightened up and she leaned in to brush against him.

Tell me anyway, Lunalese said to him. I want to know how you feel and what you think of me.

"Then it will be a long day, Luna," Draken chuckled. "I shall shorten it then. Lunalese, I love you, and all I ever think about is you. Nothing else has crossed my mind except you ever since the day that Royan and Ebath got lost. I count my blessings for meeting you. I actually was planning on telling you first…tonight…but it appears that you have beaten me to it."

You are not embarrassed about my dreams and thoughts? Lunalese asked. Draken growled lovingly and licked the side of her cheek.

It proves how you truly feel, Draken said mentally. Why should I get upset about that?

- - - - - - - - - -

Hours passed by as Saphira and Eragon watched their two daughters fly about in the sky above their home.

I hope our son is happy, Eragon told Saphira. Both were in dragon form and were lying on the cool grass on the hillside.

He truly loves her, Saphira pointed out. I am sure that he is content as long as she is beside him.

Just like how I was, Eragon said with a chuckle. Suddenly, Saphira turned to face him and nudged his cheek with her own.

Our children are preoccupied, she said with amusement in her voice. Can we go upstairs and sleep?

It is not night yet, Eragon said.

That is the point.

Okay, next chapter not graphic so don't worry on that, unless you all want it that way (let me know by reviewing…but I have a great idea to clean it up). Just a hint…no dragonets are expected (possibly not even regular kid).

PEACE.