Chapter 92: Enough is Enough

Eragon smiled as Saphira stretched her arms out in front of her.

"Are you ready?" she asked anxiously as Eragon nodded his head. He casually spun his sword around his hand and slid it into its sheath.

"It has been quite awhile," Eragon muttered. "Maybe we should take a practice run?" Saphira smiled and placed her hands to her hips.

"I was a dragon before I was human, Eragon. I cannot forget how to use my wings and claws." They both stepped outside and stared at the large Elvin army before them.

"Hail Rider!" they shouted in unison. Both Eragon and Saphira bowed humbly as Murtagh approached with Thorn and Covin'thra.

"Ready to go back to work?" Murtagh asked with a snicker.

"As long as we all will make it back." Murtagh chuckled and pat the side of Thorn.

"We should, Eragon. The country has declared war here and we are to strike the first offensive." Saphira shook her head and placed her hand on Eragon's shoulder.

"It's time, dear." She stepped back. "Honia." Within moments, she was back to her elegant dragon form with Eragon staring lovingly at her. What?

I forgot how beautiful you looked in that form, he replied as he stroked her left shoulder.

It feels good to be back, Eragon. I did enjoy sleeping together in human form though. Let us not stop that.

We will always be together, Saphira, Eragon assured. Are you ready? She stood on her hind legs and fluttered her wings.

I always am, rider…?

Husband, Eragon corrected. I shall bear the term of your rider no more. She touched back down to the ground and craned her neck to place her snout against his nose.

Really? She asked, widening a single sapphire eye to look at him. What if I like calling you that?

It makes me feel as if I own you, Saphira. We have four children now and have bonded together on numerous occasions. The mark tells others that I am your rider, but I beg to differ. She snickered and drew her head back.

You do own me, she replied in a singsong voice. Not that I mind…?

Saphira, Eragon called out as he jokingly slapped the side of her shoulder.

I am still calling you my rider, Eragon. Fate drew us together for this purpose. Besides, calling you my rider brings a pleasing sense to me. Eragon chuckled and turned to face Murtagh.

"When you are ready, brother." Saphira crouched down.

Well rider? Saphira mocked. Are you ready to ride me 'again'? Eragon did not catch her vulgar humor and withdrew his sword to admire it. The color was sapphire blue and it shinned almost as bright as his wife's eyes.

"I never thanked the elf that gave this to me," Eragon muttered.

You can thank him by returning home, Thorn shot back. Come on, there is little time. Eragon climbed up to Saphira's back and gently pet the scales on the right side of her face.

Don't do that, Saphira chuckled. It tickles. Eragon shot his head back and shook it.

"Saphira?"

Yes?

"We must talk." Murtagh overheard him and quickly motioned for him to remain quiet.

"We must take these troops to the boats, Eragon," Murtagh explained. "We cannot fly and leave them to walk, so you can talk all you want on the way there."

Do you want me to walk beside you? Eragon asked Saphira. She shook her head and snorted.

No, she replied simply. I miss the weight of you. This brings back memories. Eragon tried to get off, but she baulked to keep him on. What did I say?

Sorry. She turned her head to look back at him.

Eragon, we may be mates but our duty has to come first. Like it or not, you are my rider and my job it to carry you. He lowered his head in embarrassment.

I just do not want you to be uncomfortable. After all, you just birthed a child less than two days ago.

I know, Eragon, she replied. That is why I love you. No matter what happens you try to bring me pleasure.

It is my job as a husband. The army began marching as the dragons all brought up the rear. Covin'thra padded alongside Thorn as Murtagh held on astride him.

Eragon? Saphira asked. Not that it means anything but, if our lives were to end today, would you happy with the way our life went?

What?

Are you happy on what I gave you? Eragon growled and muttered a swear. I want to know.

Saphira nothing has been done by you to anger me. You should know that, dear. I love crawling into bed with you beside me and I love waking up to hear you whisper my name inside my mind. You must not talk like this, darling. We will make it back; we have to! Who can take care of Bowen if we were to die here? He snickered. I see. You're nervous.

Nervous? Saphira asked, cocking her head at the question. No.

I can feel it, Eragon dug deeper. You…are nervous.

I am not nervous, she said firmly. I just worry for Bowen, Eragon. He shuttered at the slight fear that entered their link. I do not want someone else to take care of our younglings. I know this will not be our last battle, but I could not take the heartbreak of leaving our human child alone to grow without a parent. Eragon nodded.

I understand your concern, Saphira, Eragon explained, but we must stay focused to return home. In battles, I always rely on your courage to get through them. If you are afraid then I become scared too. We will make it, my love. I still have so many promises to keep.

Like? She paused to step over a log in the forest.

Too many to list at the moment, Eragon chuckled. I love you, Saphira. If you are scared, then let me be your courage this time. She growled pleasingly as Eragon stroked the side of her cheek. I do not want to lose you when we have gone through so much. Arthur suddenly ran up next to Murtagh.

"Sire!" Arthur called out. "They have crossed, my king. Hundreds of them are waiting for us." Eragon sighed.

Here we go again, Saphira, he muttered. Jut like old times. Eragon smiled as the tangling sensation in his stomach subsided. You finished being nervous?

I have you to help me. Eragon laughed and pat her side again. Let us finish this and return home so Bowen can be fed. They both laughed and trotted forward.

"Brother!" Eragon called out. "Take the men west and bring them up to the right flank. Saphira and I will distract them while you make your own assault."

"Lancelot is down there already, Eragon!" Arthur explained. "Regroup with him and see if we can push them into a corner." Saphira turned and faced Eragon.

Are you ready? She asked. Eragon nodded and tightened his grip with his legs. Eragon, no matter what happens today, you will always be my noble warrior. He nodded his head and gently rubbed the scales on her hide.

You are everything to me as well, Saphira. She growled and leapt off into the sky, beating her wings frantically to gain altitude.

I have missed this, Saphira said happily as they flew towards the sea. Eragon?

Yes? He replied kindly.

Let this be our final battle. I want to live without war from now on. Eragon sighed and held out his blade.

It is my promise.

The beach could be seen from their height and the hundreds of soldiers were also seen running about in the sand to hide their boats. The ships that the elves had planned to use were on fire and the hapless souls left to guard them were seen lifeless next to the fires.

This is not going to be easy, Eragon admitted. He looked to see a circle of soldiers around two other men. That must be Lancelot.

Hold on, Eragon! Saphira suddenly tucked her wings in and dove with blinding speed towards their endangered friend. As they grew closer, Saphira outstretched her talons and raked through the circle with them, knocking several of the men down before scooping up Lancelot in the process.

"Eragon?" Lancelot asked while clutching one of Saphira's bloodstained talons.

"Need a ride?" Eragon joked, as he reached down to help him up. Saphira lifted her paw to aid further in the rescue. "Don't get used to this friend. We are going back down."

"Why?"

"The elves are flanking their right flank, but we must create a diversion until they strike."

"There are many down there, Eragon. We would not do well with only three."

You forget that I am a dragon, Lancelot, Saphira snickered. A mother dragon at that. No one wants to fight a mother dragon. They flew down and dismounted, unsheathing their swords as they got off. To their surprise, every villain had left, creating an empty beach with only a few bodies and burning boats to show their presence.

Keep calm, Saphira urged them. I smell them.

Where? Eragon asked. Saphira turned her head to the entrance of the forest.

They are everywhere, Eragon. Fight bravely…for me. Eragon nodded his head.

"Lancelot," Eragon whispered. "Saphira can sense them. Stay sharp." Suddenly, Saphira cocked her head back and opened her maw. She exhaled and tossed out a liquid stream of fire towards the forest, scorching every tree that it splashed against. Screams could be heard in the forest as the fires intensified. All three fighters watched as soldiers from the opposing country emerged from their hiding with their swords raised. Eragon gasped to discover that they had countered the flanking idea by repositioning themselves in a different direction.

Were you expecting this? Saphira muttered to Eragon. He shook his head.

Pretty smart for some malicious villagers, Eragon commented with a scowl. Saphira stood on her hind legs and released a roar so powerful that Eragon felt himself tremble.

"Do you wish to fight a rider?" Lancelot taunted the soldiers around them. "If so, you might as well slide your swords into your own hearts."

Not helping, Lancelot, Saphira muttered as the group closed on them. They were outnumbered three-to-two hundred, but the three were more than willing to stay and fight. Eragon pointed his blade at the advancing group as Lancelot continued to threaten.

"What are you waiting for?" Lancelot mocked. "She doesn't bite…much."

Lancelot, remind me to eat you after this ordeal. Saphira growled annoyingly before opening her maw again to shoot out a single intimidating flame. She turned to Eragon. Murtagh and his forces cannot help us, Eragon. What should we do?

"I don't know, Saphira." The three began backing up while the opposing force continued to drive them back.

"Come on, ingrates!" Lancelot continued to taunt. "Stop pushing us and jump right in!"

That is it! Saphira roared. She suddenly scooped her head up and latched onto Eragon's collar. In one swift motion she hoisted him up and went back down for Lancelot. If no one else will make the decision, then I shall do it! She took two steps back and quickly turned around to run down the beachhead with the soldiers giving chase behind him.

"What are you doing?" Lancelot asked angrily. "We could crush them!" Eragon groaned and turned to face them.

No, Saphira growled. If you would have continued to provoke them, then it would have been us who would be crushed. You certainly talk much for being a wise knight.

"I resent that!" he yelled back as Saphira continued to run. Her pace was slow so the soldiers could still keep up and this greatly bothered Eragon.

What are you doing? Eragon asked. One soldier got too close and she smacked him back with her spiked tail.

Just hold on, she replied kindly. Tell Lancelot to continue taunting them.

Why? He suddenly realized that Saphira was running towards Murtagh and his troops. "Saphira, you are a genius!" As he said those words, the Elvin soldiers emerged and smashed into the hostile warriors, leaving Saphira with a perfect escape. She slid to a stop next to her daughter and crouched to let her riders off.

You can go and continue taunting now, Saphira growled at Lancelot. Eragon, can you stay behind with me? Eragon nodded as Lancelot leapt off of Saphira to engage the enemy once again. He swung his sword and sliced all within his reach, avoiding the elves on his side as he sliced through. Eragon fought the temptation to get involved until he felt the touch of Saphira's snout against his back.

They do not need us, Saphira pointed out. These warriors are the ones outnumbered now and the last thing I want to happen would be seeing you killed by our own troops. She slid to her paws and cringed as the injured and dying screamed in pain. Eragon?

Yes?

I know that I am supposed to be a warrior dragon, but I have lost that…?

What do you mean?

I mean that I do not like fighting anymore…for any cause. Eragon shook his head. I want to place our past behind us and live like a normal family.

I know, Saphira, Eragon replied as he turned to rub her snout. I want that too. Suddenly, one of the warriors broke through the Elvin defense and rushed towards Eragon. The rider lifted his blade up to parry the blow and kicked the opponent in the gut with his right foot. Before the warrior could regain his balance, Eragon shoved the sword through his chest. "Well?" Eragon asked Saphira, who shook her head admirably.

You still have it, she snickered. Very well, Eragon. Let us get in and help. After this…no more war. Eragon shook his head and wiped the blood off of his blade. He turned to see Murtagh fighting alongside his dragon while Covin'thra stood next to Saphira. Covy turned to face her mother and showed her teeth.

Guess what? She asked innocently. Saphira cocked her head. Me and Thorn are going to be parents. Saphira's eyes widened as she stepped forward to embrace Covy by wrapping her neck around her child's.

Eragon, did you hear that? She turned to see that her husband was right in the thick of the battle, swinging his blade just as strongly as Lancelot. That's my rider.

The next timelapse will be quit a few years ahead so I can quickly get to the ending…yes the ending. It should be the 100th chapter but there is a chance that it will fall below. Don't worry, I'm thinking of doing a smaller one afterwards.

PEACE!