The only warning: Grab tissues (and pitchforks)

Chapter 87: The Pain of a Rider

Eragon quickly morphed into dragon form and motioned for Saphira to hop onto his back. After gathering a fresh tunic for her husband, she climbed up to take her seat. Before anyone could ask, the two leapt off into the sky.

Something is not right, Eragon said worriedly to Saphira, who shook her head. Katrina was only seven months pregnant.

So? Eragon shook his head and touched down quickly in Osilion, where the couple was staying. In front of their home were two Elvin healers of medium build with looks of sadness and depression on their faces.

What is wrong? Eragon asked them upon landing. Both shook their heads and turned to return to their homes.

"Shadeslayer," one said, "we have done all that is in our power. I am sorry." Saphira quickly dismounted Eragon and wiped her blonde hair from her eyes.

"What does he mean by 'sorry'?" she asked. Eragon shook his head worriedly and morphed back to his original form as Saphira tossed him his tunic.

"Saphira, this may not be good." He took her hand and walked into the room where they were greeted by two more elves.

"Where is my cousin?" Eragon asked.

"It is best that you do not see him…?"

"Tell me, damn it!" Saphira shuttered at his sudden anger and turned away. "Where is Roran?" The two elves turned to look at each other and nodded their heads in unison. They stood up and walked over to a curtain that separated two parts of the room. In one quick motion, the two pulled the curtain apart to reveal Roran crouching beside Katrina, who was motionless on a bloody bedspread.

"Roran!" Eragon shouted. "Oh Gods no." He rushed forward to his cousin, dragging Saphira behind him. Katrina opened her eyes after hearing the rider's voice and turned to look at Roran.

"Let me see her," Katrina asked. Roran broke down in tears and sulked to the far end of the room. "Did you not hear me, husband? Where is my daughter?"

Eragon, what is this about? Saphira looked up to Eragon worriedly as fear and sorrow flooded their emotional link. Why was Katrina bleeding?

"Eragon," Roran mouthed hurtfully. He approached his cousin with a bloodstained bundle in his arms. Eragon and Saphira both gasped as a limp hand of a stillborn child fell out of the rag to flop against Roran's wrist. "Shadeslayer…bring her back." Saphira shuttered again and covered her mouth in shock while Eragon released his grasp on her to see the child. Roran unwrapped the cloth from the child's body as Eragon inspected it. Her body was pale blue with strangle marks on her throat that were so tight that they caused small cuts. Eragon reached out to stroke the dead child's brow, but Roran suddenly pulled back.

"Can you heal her?" Roran cried. "She is my first child, Eragon…bring her back for me!" Eragon turned to face Saphira, who had a look of confusion on her face.

What is wrong with the hatchling? Saphira asked. Eragon took the child from Roran's arm and cradled it, letting a tear slip from his cheek as he held it.

Saphira, it is dead. He wiped the child's brow with the bloody cloth and turned away. "Roran, I am sorry."

"Do not say that…you can heal her, Eragon. You can bring her back…?"

"I can't, Roran."

"Yes you can…you're a magician! Heal her!"

"Roran!" Eragon screamed. "I cannot pull others back from death's grasp. She is gone. Your child cannot be resurrected no matter what you think."

"You bastard!" Roran tried to swing at Eragon, but he avoided the blow with a quick sidestep.

"Roran you must listen to me. I may have powers to heal, but when their spirit leaves, I can do nothing more. I am truly sorry, but she is no more." Roran broke down into tears as he took the still child from his cousin's arms. "If I had that power, Roran, I would use it gladly."

"I know, Eragon." The rider placed his hand on Roran's shoulder and scooped up the child with his other hand. "I waited for years to bear the title of a father, but fate has ripped it away."

"Everything happens for a reason, Roran," Eragon comforted. "Usually, the mother is taken with the child…be glad that she is with you." Roran stepped away from Eragon and walked over to Katrina.

"What is wrong?" she asked breathlessly. Roran knelt down beside her and took her hand.

"Katrina, she was born still." Her face contorted as tears began flowing from her clamped eyelids. "I am sorry."

How did she die? Saphira asked Eragon. He turned and took her hand.

It is hard to explain, he sighed. Saphira, human birth is the most risky in a relationship. Sometimes the child can be born healthy, and sometimes problems can come up to cause this.

What do you mean? What problems?

Saphira, human babies are born with a chord that attaches them to their mother's body. Sometimes, that chord can wrap around them and strangle them. He lowered his head. That was how Katrina's child was lost. She was lucky; usually the mother also dies with the child.

Why did you not tell me of these risks? Saphira asked worriedly. Will I suffer the same fate? Will our child?

It is all by chance, my dear. Roran and Katrina were not as blessed. Saphira placed her hand to her swollen stomach and shuttered.

I do not want to lose Bowen, Eragon.

Neither do I, Saphira. He was forced to look another direction while Katrina painfully arose to embrace Roran in tearful mourning. "Roran, I cannot think of anything to say."

"You must go, cousin. We will inform you of the burial." Eragon and Saphira both cringed and turned away again to head out the door.

"Poor man," Saphira murmured to Eragon as they walked outside. "His only child was taken from him." She looked down at her stomach and shook her head. "Does it hurt?"

"Hmm?"

"Does it hurt when the child comes out?" Eragon wrapped his arm around her waist and placed his cheek next to hers.

"I am afraid so," Eragon replied. "Saphira, what was I thinking to put you through all of this?" They stopped walking and Saphira turned to face him where they were nose-to-nose.

"Did I not tell you that I am stronger than you think?"

"I do not want you to hurt," Eragon muttered. "It hurts me to see you that way."

"Things happen, Eragon. Sometimes we can be blessed, other times we can be cursed. Either way, we must accept the fate that was assigned to us. Who knows, perhaps it will feel just like when I laid Draken…?"

"Did you not see all the blood?" Saphira lowered her head, but looked up at Eragon with her sapphire eyes.

"I am not much of a bleeder…if you noticed." Eragon snickered at the memories of all the arrows and spears that penetrated her scales during battle, but he then straightened up to look her in the eyes.

"You were a dragon then," he warned. "Perhaps it will be opposite when the time comes."
"Just have plenty of towels and water close by," Saphira replied with a soft laugh. She reached out to embrace Eragon, placing a soft kiss against the side of his neck. "I am scared." He placed both of his hands to the back of her head and cradled her as she held on to him.

"So am I. Losing a child is bad enough, but I could not stand losing my dear wife along with him."

"Has Draken left our home yet?" Saphira asked. Eragon nodded and began stripping down to get ready for the flight back.

"Saphira, I do not want you to lift one finger until that baby comes out."

"What?" Eragon shifted forms and motioned for her to get on.

You heard me little one, he remarked slyly. Perhaps less stress would create less problems.

Was it not you who said it was a matter of chance?

I am not taking the 'chance' of you getting hurt, Saphira. From this point on, I shall be the housewife, and you will be the lazy husband.

I never called you lazy…?

Who said I was referring to myself? Saphira chuckled and wrapped her hands around his neck as they took off.

So how are you feeling? Saphira asked, gently tracing her fingers down the side of Eragon's scaled neck. He craned his neck back to look at her. I am sorry the most for you. I know that you were very happy to have a nephew.

He was my cousin…?

But you consider him a brother, yes? Saphira's question caught him off guard. I apologize, I should have said 'nice' yes?

Niece? Eragon chuckled. Yes. Saphira, I was looking forward to spending time with his child. Being a father is good, but the nieces and nephews also get the spoiling treatment.

Being an aunt would have been very enjoyable too. Aunt Saphira…it does have a good ring to it.

So does Uncle Eragon. Maybe we can convince Murtagh to mate with Nasuada? Eragon laughed heartedly and continued to fly back home. Eragon?

Yes?

I am sorry.

I know, he replied. I was very happy for my cousin when I got the news; he really loves that woman. Now, I fear they will never have a child again. After losing one, it becomes impossible to ever want another.

I understand. Eragon gently flapped his wings to drift in the warm air current while Saphira clung tightly astride him. I cannot imagine the heartbreak they must feel right now.

Imagine laying Draken only to discover that his shell was cracked during the process. It would tear your heart out, Saphira. He banked softly and flew towards the hillside where their home was located. If you could promise me anything, promise that you will live if our child does not. Losing both offspring and mate would kill me on the spot.

Then why have me promise?

I have seen eternity and, even though I like it, I want to continue our lives here. Saphira chuckled and brushed her hands down his spine, twisting them around every horn that lined his back.

If I do fall, Eragon, please follow me.

To the ends of the Earth, Eragon replied lovingly. That was our vow together.

- - - - - - - -

"I hope everything is alright," Equinox said to Guardian, who was standing right beside her. "Father left in a great hurry."

Equinox?

"Yes?"

Would you like to fly together tonight? I wish to show you a few things…things that only I have seen.

"I suppose so," Equinox muttered. "I trust you."

Well I am still planning out a final plot so read tomorrow to see what happens. To all RoranxKatrina fans, I am really sorry, but how else would she have realized the dangers of pregnancy without experiencing it first hand. Don't worry, Eragon and Saphira will become aunts and uncles soon so have patience.

PEACE!