Settling In
The next morning when Eragon and Saphira were waken by an extremely loud,
"Helloooo!"
Startled by the sound they quickly rushed out to the platform to see who it was that found them. It only took them a moment before they looked over the edge and saw Blodgharm and a few other elves, Eragon and Saphira looked at each other questionably.
"How'd they find us?"
"Well the ship is stationed a few leagues from here, they must have been exploring."
"What should we do?"
"I say we go and greet our guests." Eragon finished with a smirk
"Very well, shall I fly use down or will you take the elevator?"
"No, I'll go with you."
Eragon climbed on Saphira's back and braced as she leapt off the platform and glidded down to the elves below.
"Shadeslayer! Where are we, what is all this."
"Hello Blodgharm. Welcome to Welden Abr Du Skulblaka, and as for how, well I made this."
Eragon saw the elves eyes shoot wide open.
"You, you made all this?"
"Yes Blodgharm, I made all this last night. I used trick that Oramis had taught me."
"But why?"
"I did this for my mate, Saphira."
He finished by putting a hand on her side witch made her hum in response.
"Wait you two are…"
"Yes Blodgharm, we are, and no we haven't."
"How big is it all?" Blogharm was now looking around at everything he saw.
"We'll all the trees surrounding this one have been made into shops and living courters. There are eight levels four on the top and four on the bottom. The main tree behind me is for the riders, elves, and nobles for all the races; each room has all the amenities as the one in Ellismera."
"What are those pullies for?" he pointed at the elevator behind him.
"Those are one of my making. The platforms are connected to an enchanted counter weight. The enchantment makes it heavier or lighter, so you can travel up or down at will, I call them Elevators."
"Truly amazing Shadeslayer."
"Now if you'll join me we'll give you the grand tour."
Blodgharm and his elves quickly followed Eragon and Saphira as they walked towards the citadel. Eragon could see the elves excitement as they walked into the main lobby, much like Saphira last night they stared at the life size statue of Saphira. They slowly approached the statue and read the plaque, Eragon had enchanted it so it would be in the language of the reader, so for the elves it was in the ancient language, after they finished reading it they looked back at him then to Saphira.
"You are truly blessed to have one who cares for you so."
"I know I do."
She brought her head down and nuzzled his shoulder.
"Love you too Saphira."
"Shall we continue onward?"
"Please lead the way."
Eragon lead them from the main lobby and to the council chamber. The elves were blown away at the craftsmanship that was evident it the room, the balconies elegantly carved, the floor was polished, and on the wall behind the council desk was a massive carving of a dragon in flight. Eragon then took them to the mess hall, then he took them over to one of the massive platforms and he issued them all on it and even Saphira.
"Shade slayer, are you sure the rope will be strong enough?"
"Fear not Blodgharm, I made every platform with the strength to lift three fully grown dragons."
Blodgharm nodded but Eragon could see his trepidation. Eragon smiled and placed his hand on the up arrow, carved in post next to him. He could hear the elves gasp in surprise as the platform rose from the ground and ascended upwards at a moderate pace. He explained to them that the first two levels would be for dwarves, the next four would be for humans and Urgals, and the next two would be for the elves, all levels after would be for the riders and dragons. He also explained that he made each level with the architecture and design that the resident race was used to. It wasn't long until they reached the first of the elven levels. He issued them to follow him, they walked down a small hall before coming to two large wooden doors, on the doors the name "Elves were carved in the ancient language. He pushed them open and led the elves into a large central chamber with several hallways branching off with hallways crossing in between them, creating a spider web like design, the chamber walls were decorated with vines that were covered in flowers of every color, around the outside of the room were benches and book shelves spread out in between them were small apple trees, in the middle of the room was a fountain sung out of the wood. Eragon walked in the room a little bit and turned to face the elves, he started laughing at the shocked faces that they wore.
"Is this acceptable?"
Blodhgarm didn't reply right away still surveying the room.
"You weren't exaggerating what you said you designed it for the resident race."
"No I wasn't."
"I must ask, what did you do with the Dwarven levels?"
"They were a little tricky, but I managed to cot the walls in a thin layer of stone, creating a cave like appearance, I than decorated the walls with various stones and gems with Dwarven designs. I made the rooms resemble those in Farthen Dur and if this is your reaction to your levels then I am more than confidant the dwarves will be the same."
"We are honored with your generosity Shadeslayer."
"Thank you, it is the only thing I can do after the treatment Saphira and I received when we visited Ellesmera. Now there's one more thing that needs to be done."
"What is it you require of us Shadeslayer?"
"I need you to go and get the others, it's time to make home. And please let me reveal this to the Eldunari."
"Of course Shadeslayer, we will be off right away."
Eragon led the elves out of the room and back to the elevator. This time Eragon touched the down arrow and they descended, as they descended something occurred to Eragon.
"Blodhgarm how did you and the others get up here without the elevators?"
"We used magic to get from branch to branch, then jumped on the lowest bridge."
"I see, well we don't need to do that. I made elevators capable of reaching the ground, they will be needed when others arrive."
"That they will, now would be so kind as to tell me how did you get enough energy to accomplish all this?"
"It was an ancient rider secret that Oramis taught me, even Galbatorix didn't know of it. It is too dangerous for anyone to know especially here."
"I understand."
Eragon continued talking with the elves about everything he did, he told them about the humans and Urgals levels.
"The human's area was easy but the Urgals were a little trickier but I think I got it right, I used the influences that I heard in their stories about their village life."
After they reached the main chamber Eragon led them outside and down a set of stairs and over to an area were six elevators waited.
"Go get the others and the Eldunari. If they ask tell them I found a place for the riders and nothing more I'm going with Saphira for more energy, there's one more thing I need to do before the city is complete."
"Shadeslayer, how do you operate this elevator?"
"It's simple, you see the up and down arrows on the post?"
"Yes"
"Just place your hand on the down arrow and you'll go down and up for the up arrow."
Eragon then turned to Saphira and walked over to the edge of the bridge and climbed on Saphira's back, he braced as she leapt off the bridge and started to fly in to the forest.
"Eragon?"
"Yes Saphira."
"I never thanked you properly for what you did for me."
"No need Saphira, I already know how much this means to you."
"Still, thank you Eragon, thank you so much for everything you've done for me."
"What I did for you I did out of my love for you. You've experienced as much pain as I have in much the same ways. You've went through your entire life thinking you'd be alone, and when you finally someone to love he was ripped away from you. I did what I did not only to give the dragons or riders a future but to show you that I will always love you and that I'll be with you for the rest of our lives."
Saphira was quiet for several moments taking in his loving words, and loving him in return.
"Thank you Eragon. I would never have expected to be fortunate enough to have a mate as caring as you."
"Your welcome Saphira"
Eragon then bent over and wrapped his arms around her neck in a loving embrace; they let their minds merge as one flooding them with their love for each other. After flying for a little while Saphira landed on a Branch and let Eragon down so he could gather some of its energy.
"What are you planning to use this energy for?"
"I plan on making a canal from the ocean to the city, I'll hollow out one of the trees close by to make a port for ships."
"Well aren't you thinking of everything."
"Only for you my love."
Saphira leaned down and nuzzled his arm gently wrapping his mind in her affection.
"Love you too Saphira."
Eragon returned her love with a tender kiss on her snout.
"Now as much as I would live to spend the rest of the day with you unfortunately there's things that need to be done."
Saphira let out a disappointed snort.
"I guess your right. But latter on your mine."
Eragon let out a small chuckle.
"Alright, but we can't take this too far."
"And why can't we?"
"I might get hurt, I know how a dragon gets while mating and it's too risky."
Saphira hung her head, she knew that Eragon was right dragons do get rather rough when mating and she didn't want to hurt him. Eragon took her jaw in his hands and lifted her to his eye level.
"Later on I'll talk to the Eldunari, maybe they might know something about our predicament."
"Alright"
Saphira finished by giving him a loving lick on his cheek. Eragon patted her neck and climbed back on her back, when he was settled she jumped to the closest branch where Eragon drew more energy. Saphira repeated this with him seven more times before Eragon had enough energy to accomplish what he wanted.
"There that should be enough energy. How about we go see the others, I'm sure that the Eldunari would like to know what I did."
"I'm sure they would." Saphira replied smugly.
Eragon climbed on her back and she took flight heading back to the city. The entire way Saphira had her mind wrapped with Eragons enjoying the time alone. Finally Eragon and Saphira arrived back at the city, Saphira hadn't even fully landed before the Eldunari burst into their minds.
"Eragon, where did all come from. We asked the elves but they only said that you wanted to tell use yourself."
"This is my gift to Saphira."
Eragon could feel Umaroth's confusion.
"I made this city for Saphira, so that her and her race may have a proper start."
"So does this mean you and Saphira are…"
"Yes Umaroth it does. I made this city out of my love for her."
He got off her and walked next to her
"Eragon what you did here, not only for Saphira but for the Dragon race, we are most grateful to you Eragon Shadeslayer. Now if I may ask have you given this city a name?"
"Yes I have, Welcome to welden abr du Skulblaka."
"Forest of the Dragons? Yes that is a fitting name."
"Thank you Umaroth-elda"
Eragon could also feel the approval of the other Eldunari.
"Umaroth, there's something I need to ask you."
"You wish to know if there's a way for you and Saphira to overcome your mating curve."
"Ye..Yes….but how.."
"Your not the first to fall in love with their dragon. This has occurred many times before, we once knew of a way that allowed rider and dragon to mate but that knowledge was lost to us before the rise of Galbatorix."
Eragon could feel Saphira's disappointment, he comforted her by placing a hand on her neck and sending her loving emotions.
"Don't lose hop Saphira, if there's one thing you should know it's that fate is unpredictable. Before we left Alagaisia you were both very depressed, and now your in love with Eragon and he just built you a city to demonstrate his love for you, don't lose hope Saphira."
"Yes Umaroth-elda"
"Umaroth, do you know where Blodhgarm is?"
"He is with the other elves settling in. Oh, and what you made, I think Blodhgarm called it an elevator, that was an ingenious idea. That would have been useful on Vroengard when it still stood."
"Thank you Umaroth-elda. Have the elves unpacked you and the other Eldunari yet?"
"No we are in the main chamber, in front of the statue of Saphira."
"In that case let me show you where you'll be staying."
Eragon could feel the Eldunarie's interest peek when he said that. Saphira followed close to Eragon central he went into the central chamber where he cast a spell that would cause the space where the Eldunari were in to follow Saphira. He then led them down a large hall at the end of the hall was a massive solid maple door, on the door were carving of all the different races circling a dragon. Eragon could feel the Eldunari looking through his eye's, and a sense of approval soon followed, He continued to show them what he saw as he pushed open the massive doors and walked into the massive circular chamber, the walls had vein like impression covering the wall.
"it's meant to resemble the veins found on dragon eggs"
Eragon could feel the Eldunari connecting the two and agreeing on it. In the center of the chamber were desks with chairs, off to the sides were small sitting alcoves, and lining the wall directly in front of them were hundreds of different sized circular alcoves. Eragon could feel all the Eldunarie's sense of satisfaction as they watched through his eyes.
"I enchanted the alcoves so that you will float inside it, the energy is taken from the tree so you need not worry about energy drain."
"Thank you Eragon. This is most impressive, where are you going to put the eggs?"
Eragon smiled and walked over to the far side of the room where many of the veins like impressions met to resemble a Gedwey ignasia, Eragon placed his palm on the design and spoke his true name. Eragon stepped back and let the Eldunari watch as the section of wall slide out of the way to reveal another large room circular room. Much like the other room the only difference was there were no desks or anything else, and the alcoves instead of circular were oval, the air was also much hotter and dryer.
"there's a private elevator off to the corner that leads directly to mine and Saphira's chamber so we don't have to use this entrance. Also as long as your Eldunari are present in any alcove you will be constantly aware of all that happens in this room."
"Thank you Eragon, yet again you demonstrate you devotion to our race, and we are much grateful."
Eragon could feel all the Eldunari agree,
"Well What are we waiting for, let's get you all settled."
Saphira walked out followed closely by Eragon when he was out he put his hand on the wall next to the opening, and saying his true name again close it, leaving no trace of the opening that was just there. Eragon summoned forth the pocket of space and released the Eldunari from it, leaving them in a small pile on the floor, before he started he put on leather gloves so his mind wouldn't be directly connected with the dragon when he picked up its Eldunari, he could sense their gratitude for that, even without bodies everyone is entitled to their privacy. It took little over two hours to find and place the Eldunari in, it took another three hours to find and place all the eggs in their alcoves, they too floated in place.
"There all finished."
"Thank you Eragon, Thank you again for all you've done for use, We are forever in your debt."
"No Umaroth, no debts. I only did what I had to, if not many, many more would have suffered. I only regret the dragons had to suffer the most of all."
Umaroth didn't say anything, the only thing he felt was gratitude that emanated from all the Eldunaries.
"Now we are home, Now we can rebuild."
Eragon turned to Saphira.
"We've been at this for hours would you like to go to our chambers now? If I recall you said earlier that tonight I'm yours." He said with a smug expression.
"That I did, very well let us retire."
Saphira started walking toward the opening that led out of the egg room.
"No Saphira."
She turned around and saw him open a pair of hidden double doors which reveal a private elevator.
"Umaroth you and the other Eldunari also have the ability to open and close the door at will."
"Thank you Shade slayer."
Saphira walked over to him as the opening slid shut, the room remained lite because of a continues weer light at the top of the chamber. Saphira followed him onto the elevator and waited as he closed the doors and got on with her, he activated the elevator to bring them up, a few moments passed before she saw a platform that led to their room draw closer but surprised when he didn't stop.
"Eragon where are we going?"
"You'll see."
"Another surprise, wonderful, I love your surprises."
"Good, and here we are."
Eragon stopped the elevator, but Saphira saw only a wall. She look and saw Eragon move to the opposite side to a pair of double doors.
"Now let us end this day right."
Eragon pulled open the double doors and Saphira gasped. Before her was a platform the led out over to canopy, displaying the tree tops beneath them but what truly took her breath away was the setting sun. She slowly followed Eragon out onto the platform and laid down side ways so her belly was facing the setting sun, Eragon joined her by leaning against her warm belly; they connected their mind dropping all barriers and letting their love fuse together. AS the sun set Eragon though about what it took to get here, to this point in time, he decided that it was all worth.
"Thank you Eragon, thank you for this gift that no one else could have given me."
"Your welcome Saphira, now you know, now you know how much I truly love you, I only regret it took this long to discover it."
Saphira bent her neck around and gave him a passionate lick on his cheek. He gave her passionate kiss on her snout in return, and so they continued to watch as the sun diapered below the horizon ending their first day in their new home.
