Disclaimer - The characters do not belong to me; however, the scenario does. Credit to where credit is due.
Notes - This is my first ever fanfic, and as of such, it has not been betaed. If there are any mistakes, please point them out. I tried to stay as true to the book as possible. I've been very inactive with this story since the second chapter, so this is a longer one to try and make up for it. I just hit a dead end on how to make Murtagh appearing be more plausible. Why he has come so quickly will be revealed later on in the story.
Eragon groaned. The hatchlings were adorable, of course, yet the mess they made was subject to none. Already, his favourite tunic had been ripped to shreds in a tug of war competition. In only a few days, the hay he had so carefully placed inside the hall had been strewn about in every bush nearby. He hurried over to reach into one of the tall patches of grass, lifting out one of the grey dragons. He squealed with indignance, wriggling until he was placed down to promptly run over to the other grey one. If he hadn't known better, Eragon would have sworn the two were related.
He found it interesting to see how their personalities were already coming through. The grey pair were definitely the most mischievous of the six, whereas the blue male was mainly curious and tended to stray too far from the hall's safety. The green and brown males appeared to have bonded and spent a lot of their time playing in the hall, and the purple female basically dogged Eragon's every move.
Even now, she shoved her snout against Eragon's leg for attention, small tail flicking from side to side.
Saphira!
Yes, Eragon?
Where are you? I think this one is ready for feeding. He showed her an image of the purple hatchling, and could feel her hearty chuckle through their link.
She's not hungry. She has grown attached to you. I do hope you're not replacing me.
Never.
He sent a warm emotion to her, and was glad when she responded in the same way.
To answer your question, I'm hunting for deer. I won't be able to go far from my chosen nest soon, so I'm helping Blödhgarm and the others hunt enough meat to have a store.
Eragon wished her speed and safety, kneeling down to run a hand over the purple female's head and scratching behind her ear gently. At first, he had treated the hatchlings with reverence, but had soon come to realise that they were just as young and playful as Saphira had been. The elves were still very serious around them, but Eragon had let himself become more relaxed.
"What am I going to do with you, hm? It's a pity that you won't have a Rider." She preened beneath his fingertips, curling around to settle at his thigh, a pleasant sound coming from her.
He chuckled, looking around the peaceful plain. He needed no company apart from Saphira, and though he missed Arya immensely, he was able to live here. The thought of spending the next few centuries did trouble him a little, so he pushed that to the back of his mind.
Eragon, I and the other Eldunarí have come to a decision. The eggs are safe, and the hatchlings inside can be kept for many more years safely. We will only hatch eggs once a month, or we risk being overwhelmed. Umaroth didn't mention that having dragons all of the same age might cause complications in the future, though Eragon had already thought of that.
He wandered out of the hall, having just cast magic to make sure that the meat for the hatchlings wouldn't spoil, and picked up Saphira's saddle. It would be the first time since the eggs had hatched that they would go flying together; Eragon trusted the elves, but he hadn't liked the idea of leaving the dragons without Saphira or he there. However, it wouldn't be long before Saphira wouldn't be able to carry him, just out of safety. She was due to give birth in only a couple more weeks.
He made sure the straps were fitted properly, elegantly leaping up onto her back with a grin.
Show me what it's like to fly again, Saphira.
With pleasure.
She propelled herself into the air, wings spreading to catch a current to take herself even higher up. Eragon yelled out with the sheer joy of being with her like this, throwing his arms out beside him.
Dive!
She consented, tucking her wings in and banking steeply down, causing the hatchlings, who had all been sat staring at her, scattering in different directions. One rolled over his own feet while two others bumped together, but it was clear it was out of excitement rather than fear.
Eragon, join with me.
Eragon gladly let their senses become one, blinking at the colour changes. The streams dotted around the valley seemed so much more vibrant, the trees paling in comparison to the way that Saphira's scales sparkled in the sunlight. She let out a great roar, showing off her own happiness.
He couldn't imagine a better feeling than being connected with her like this, and if it hadn't been for the sudden sound ringing out in both of their minds, he would have stayed like that for a long time.
One of the wards had been breached.
Eragon quickly pulled free from Saphira, mind searching out for Blödhgarm's. When he found it, he pressed until he was allowed the freedom to speak.
Something has passed over the mountain on the eastern side. Take the hatchlings inside of the hall until we say it is safe.
Shadeslayer, one of us should go with you, the elf protested, but Saphira joined the conversation.
You are more suited to protect the children, not us.
They both cut contact with the elf, Saphira flying towards the ward that had resounded. It was clear to see what the cause was once they got closer. Another dragon with scales of blood red had landed at the base of the mountain after going through a gap between two of them.
Murtagh and Thorn. What are they doing here? He said that he wished for some time alone when we last saw him.
I don't know, Eragon.
He frowned lightly, dismounting from Saphira when she landed a few hundred meters away.
Go back to Blödhgarm and the hatchlings.
I won't leave you, you cannot expect-
Saphira, the hatchlings take precedence. Please.
If he hurts you, little one, I shall gut him like a fish.
She took off, soaring away after growling at Thorn mistrustingly. Eragon placed his hand on the hilt of Brisingr, tilting his chin up proudly at his half-brother.
"What is your business here, Murtagh Morzansson?" he questioned. He regretted using the last name as Murtagh twitched a little at its use, placing a hand on Thorn's foreleg.
"You told us that we would always be welcome at your hearth, Eragon. We want to know whether that offer still stands." Murtagh took a step forwards, lifting his hand to stop Eragon from speaking just yet. "We do not want to become teachers. We do not feel that we are ready for that just yet. Thorn and I… We expected to be on our own for at least half a century, not just a few mere months." He ran a hand through his raven hair, looking defiant.
But the solitude did us no good, Thorn continued, obviously not expanding on that sentence, one of his large eyes fixing upon Eragon. If you will accept us, we will build a home here, away from you and the eggs if you so wish. We don't want to cause any trouble.
Murtagh nodded at this. His proud streak had been something ingrained in him before he came to be under the king's rule, and it appeared that it had come back in full force now that they were free of him. Eragon hesitated. He had extended the offer to the pair, but with his duties, he could not just say yes without talking to the Eldunarí and the elves. Murtagh seemed to sense his indecision, and moved over to draw Za'roc out of its sheath, placing it on the grass in front of Eragon.
"I understand that we do not have many friends within your group, and we will accept any decision that you all decide." Eragon relaxed slightly, though did not lean down to pick up the accursed blade. He had lost all taste for Morzan's sword.
"I do not require your fealty, Murtagh. I do require the time to discuss it. Will you stay here for the night? You can hunt the deer, but don't come near the hatchlings until I say so." Murtagh nodded, and Thorn extended his neck to give his answer. "I will return in the morning, then."
He turned and ran back across the valley, opening his mind to Saphira and Blödhgarm. Unsurprisingly, it was the furred elf who reacted first.
Eragon! Why do you insist on leaving your guard behind every time something dangerous happens?
Don't worry, it was just Murtagh and Thorn. We have much to discuss.
Little one, are you certain that they do not mean the hatchlings harm?
No, he answered Saphira honestly. But we can ask to search their minds to find any treachery planned. We did offer them a home when they needed it, and I am loathe to go back on my word. He made sure that the elves and the Eldunarí could hear his words. As he expected, Umaroth responded less warily, but another voice joined the discussion.
Since arriving at the valley, Glaedr had been silent, barely lending his voice to anything. Eragon understood that now his duty was over, he would mourn his fallen rider for many a year, and relive their memories together. It wasn't until that moment that he heard the familiar voice of their teacher.
He slew Oromis, the other half of my life. Can you really expect me to lend my ascension to this idea?
It was Saphira who answered him, due to her sympathy and pity for Thorn.
Their minds were twisted by Galbatorix, and it was not their choice to-
Silence! Glaedr roared, the force of his mental words causing the blue hatchling to dive until a pile of hay. I understand what they went through, yet they will never be forgiven by me. I will accept your wishes to let them live here, Eragon and Saphira, but I warn you now. Do not turn your back on them for one minute. With that, his consciousness disappeared from the conversation, their link with him broken.
For a few seconds, there was only silence as his words were taken in. Blödhgarm was the first to breach it.
"If you believe that it is safe, then I will also accept them here. I will not be a friend to them, however." The other elves nodded in agreement with him, leaving fluidly. Eragon and Saphira were left alone with the Eldunarí.
I suffered loss at the hands of the oath-breaker, not at your kin, Eragon. I will accept them, as will the other Eldunarí. We just hope that you know what you are doing. Umaroth too broke the link, retreating back into his heart of hearts.
Eragon bristled in annoyance. He did know what he was doing, and he would honour the promise he had made Murtagh and Thorn. Moving over to Saphira with a frown on his lips, he settled down against her side, taking a deep breath. The purple hatchling pattered over and shoved in against his side, curling up into a ball and promptly going to sleep.
He couldn't help but smile a little at that.
Do you think we are making the right decision, Saphira?
I do not think we are making the wrong one. Sleep now, Eragon. The elves and I will watch over the children while you rest, and tomorrow we can tell the two that they can stay.
He nodded silently, curling up against the heat of her belly and closing his eyes.
