Okay, this is another depressing one (sorry, but I was listening to Guns n' Roses song November Rain when I typed this. Those who know that song can see why). I do have a little humor involving Solembum, so I hope you all like it. For the last time: THIS IS A DRAGON HEART CROSSOVER!
Chapter 78: Spirited Away
Saphira continued to fly away, beating her wings faster with ever sob she made. Everywhere she looked reminded her of Eragon, so she began flying with her eyes closed. Saphira was almost four thousand feet in the air, making it impossible for her to hit anything in flight. She shook her head and opened her eyes.
My dear Eragon will never forgive me, she told herself. I am alone without even the company of my rider. She banked to the right and flew towards a small chain of mountains that were all too familiar to her. Saphira's body was sore from crying, but she refused to stop. All of the past memories of her and Eragon raced through her mind as if they were fighting to keep her from leaving. Despite her efforts, every memory stuck into her head. She began remembering their first intimate encounter at Lake Isenstar and the feeling that her husband gave to her. He made her feel special and she just ripped all of it away from him. Memory after memory flooded into her mind, causing her to lose her concentration. She chuckled as the memory of Eragon and young Draken passed through her mind's eye. So much passion was in Eragon as he played with his child. Another tear dropped from her sapphire eye as she shook her head once more.
Eragon, she whimpered. You were such a good father. You gave me all I could have asked for and I still left you. Here I am, my love, crying and broken by my foolish actions. Now, I can never return because I know that you will never love me again like you used to. I threw it all away, my precious rider. I only hope that this sacrifice would save our children. She bellowed and shook violently. If only I could tell you! The mountains grew closer and Saphira could recognize a very special landmark at the top of the highest peak. She took a glance around to realize that she was in the middle of the Hardarac Desert. Eragon, my heart hurts. She flapped her wings to hover and set her paws down next to a crystal shaped tomb. Inside of it was the face of the early mentor Brom. Saphira lowered her head in respect and then slid to her paws in front of it.
Brom, Saphira sighed. It was not Eragon that was three part's fool, but it is I who deserves this title. If anything I am four parts of it. I left the only mate I will ever have…the only good life I can ever live…to save my children. Eragon will never forgive me and I am doomed to be separated to keep my offspring safe. I can feel his heart breaking now, dear mentor, but his pain is nothing compared to my own. Saphira growled painfully and lay her head on her paws. A sandstorm was approaching from the far East, but Saphira did not care. Let the wind come, she muttered. Let it blow away my agony. Saphira turned to see a single white rose growing on the side of the hill. Just like Eragon, she sighed to the flower. No matter what surrounds you, you still remain precious. She craned her neck and carefully bit the flower of by the base of its stem. The thorns provided little comfort in her mouth, but she did not have a plan to keep it there long. This…is for Saphira. The sapphire dragoness climbed to her feet and dropped the white rose on Brom's tomb, resting it on his covered chest. The storm was approaching quickly and the sand could be heard scrapping up against the hard surface as the wind carried it closer to her position. Eragon, I am sorry. She spread out her wings and closed her eyes while she waited for the storm to end the pain that she was feeling. I love you. The winds grew more violent as the grains of sand smashed up against her scales. It hurt, but the pain in her heart burned even more. She opened her eyes to see the wave of sand approaching her. There was no turning back and nowhere to hide. If she took off to fly away, the wind would just bring her back down. This was it. Saphira bowed her head again and waited. The wall of sand smashed with full force against the hillside, sending the sharp grains of sand against Saphira with so much speed that they drew blood. She remained standing erect as the full fury of the storm converged on her. She flinched as the sand ripped into her, but the pain suddenly stopped. Saphira opened her eyes to see that the storm had circled around the hillside, as if she was in the center of a giant vortex that separated her from the swirling sand. Saphira bellowed and turned to examine her wounds.
So this is where my rider lays? A very familiar voice asked inside of Saphira's mind. Oh, my precious Brom, I miss you. Saphira was dumbstruck. She turned around to see a ghostly figure of Brom's dragon lying on her paws with her head resting on his chest where the rose lay. The spirit suddenly looked up at Saphira with hurt eyes.
What happened to you? She asked. Saphira turned away and whimpered. The storm was still surrounding her, but no grain of sand entered in the center.
How are you here? Saphira asked.
I am not quite sure. I just appeared after you placed in this beautiful flower. Why are you bleeding, Saphira?
I got caught in this storm.
Saphira, the dragoness sighed. You could have avoided it. Why didn't you? Where is Eragon?
That is why I rest here, Saphira explained. I have left him.
What? The spirit asked worriedly. Saphira, how could you do that?
I want what is best for my children. If we separate, then they would not be forced to endure such cruel fate. The ghostly dragon laid her head back down on her rider's chest and whimpered.
For decades I have waited to see my true love again, the dragoness explained tearfully. It hurts to not feel his warm love. Saphira, You may find it a wise decision now to sacrifice yourself, but, in the end, you will see how large of a mistake you have made. Every night you will crave for his warmth, and every morning you would cry for his voice. Saphira, it will eat you alive.
That was why I never left, Saphira muttered. I was hoping that this storm would have…?
Saphira! The dragoness snapped. How can you do that to your mate? Could you imagine how heartbroken he would be to find out that you took your own life? It is only by the gods' graces that I had arrived here. I would have traded lives with you if I could have had Brom as my mate, Saphira. You are the one whom every dragon who hatched to a rider envies, and you go and do this? You are mad!
I already know that! Saphira snapped. Her wings were ripped and her body was bloody. If she had taken the full impact of the storm, she would have been killed. He will not love me for leaving him and, if I do come back, all I will face is more pain.
Do not say that! Eragon loves you and he always will. He went to the afterlife to fight for you, Saphira! I am sure that your mate will always take you back into his arms. I know that if Brom did something like you did, I would do the same thing. Please return to your kin, Saphira. I do not want you to turn out as distraught as I am over my lost one. Saphira turned her gaze back into the brown sky. The storm had died, but Saphira's pain still remained.
How will I explain this? Saphira asked the dragoness. The spirit laid her head back down on her rider's chest and growling lovingly. In an instant, the baby blue dragon began to dissipate.
Your mate will always understand.
- - - - - - - - - -
It was a long walk back to the home. Eragon was in human form and was too depressed to even walk on his own. Angela helped him and sat him in a chair once they got inside.
"Father?" Draken asked. "Where is Mother?" Angela sighed and ordered all of the dragons to step outside so she could explain. Eragon watched as his family retreated outside, and he broke down into tears after the door was shut.
I told you it was bound to happen, a smug voice entered Eragon's mind. He turned to see Solembum sitting at the windowsill, licking his paw lazily as he sat. It is simply understandable on why it never worked. Eragon covered his face in his hands and shook his head to get the ware cat's voice out. Like it or not, I actually am here to try to cheer you up.
My wife has left me, Eragon told him, what could cheer me up after that?
Good point, Solembum chuckled as he leapt down from the window. Well rider, you could mope around this house all day until you die, or you could do something about it.
Like?
You are here in Ellesmera! What Elvin woman would not want your courtship? Have you tried Arya…?
She is dead.
Okay, scratch one off of the list. Eragon cursed and grabbed at his shoe, aiming carefully at Solembum's head.
I do not want a woman, Eragon cried into his mind, I want my wife. Eragon tossed the shoe with all of his strength, but he missed his target by inches.Solembum chuckled again and slyly padded up next to him.
I know that you loved her, Eragon, and it is good to see that you still have loyalty for her.
I will always until we die, Eragon muttered.
Still, she was the one who left you.
You know that you are failing to lift my spirits, Eragon pointed out with a scowl. Solembum snickered and jumped into Eragon's lap.
Listen to me Rider, Solembum said, I have something that will work. Your wife has to come back sometime. She is your dragon and it is her duty, is it not?
Not any more, replied Eragon. We were seen as mates only…no duty holds either of us anymore.
Then I guess I did fail, Solembum chuckled. It is not as if you can die over this.
I will.
What?
I promised Saphira that, if we were to separate, I would die so we would still be together in the afterlife.
For a rider you really are not wise.
"Shut up!" Eragon yelled out loud. He quickly tossed the ware cat up from his lap, forcing Solembum to let out a subtle hiss. Eragon reached out for his second show and tossed it once more at the creature, hitting him on his hind leg.
I was only trying to help. Eragon placed his head in his hands and sobbed again.
Eragon? A subtle, saddened voice asked for him in his mind. He quickly shot up and wiped the remaining tears from his eyes. Eragon, are you there?
What are you going to tell me now? Eragon asked worriedly. Are you not coming home at all? Just tell me and end my pain.
Eragon, I have been a fool. I let one simple obstacle stand in the way and I cannot apologize enough for my stupidity. I only worry that you do not love me anymore because of my mistake.
Where are you? Eragon asked.
I do not want you to see me. Just tell me if I have put an end to everything we started.
You are worrying me! Where are you?
Tell me, Eragon.
You almost did, Saphira, Eragon explained, but if you were to ever come back, I would do everything over again. A bright image of the desert flashed in his mind's eye.
Eragon, I am hurt.
How is this going to work out?
PEACE!