Here it is – Chapter 7! Please review, I have so few! I will try to start replying to every review. I will start with my very first one at the end.
Time rolled by. Rose improved with her bow and arrow. Fuego and Bluefinch got ever more exasperated with her pride and vanity. The Dragon got bigger, growing at an alarming rate. Two weeks after he hatched he reached Rose's hip. He hunted for himself, and Rose was proud of how much his flying was improving under Bluefinch's tutelage. She still hadn't found the right name for him though. One early morning Rose woke up and wandered off. She walked for ages under the huge trees, until she was exhausted. Finding her way back into the clearing, she collapsed by the remains of her last fire. Her Dragon wandered up. Se expected pictures from him, telling her what he had been up to. Instead he formed his first coherent statement.
Good ……… good aft………after-afternoon ……Row ……Rose.
Baby, you spoke!
Y-yes. Bay ……Baby sp- speak.
Oh, my baby! You are growing up.
Fuego looked up at Rose sounds of amazement. She turned to him.
"Baby spoke! Baby spoke!"
Welcome to the world of adults little one.
………
"I don't think he knows what words to use, Fuego."
He learn. Talk to him more, girl. In the elves language as well as the humans'. He need learn it.
How do you know that I know the Ancient Language?
You should keep your secrets secret. Shield mind.
Oh. Rose was scared. She wondered what other secrets she had given away.
Rose sad.
Her little Dragon was staring up at her upset face.
Yes baby, I am sad. I am worried I have given away all my secrets.
You……have give t-them me.
To me, baby, to me.
You have g-give them to m-me.
That's almost right, baby. Say given.
G-given.
That's right – you are getting better.
I prac………practise. Rose?
Yes baby?
Want name. Ho……horse h-have name.
Baby I can think of no name suitable for you.
Ask big Dra……Dragon.
Very well.
Rose looked at Fuego.
"Um, Fuego?"
What you want now?
"I need a name for the baby. What would you suggest?"
Look at him. Find him name. Look at heart. Find him name. Not other Dragon name though. Not like Eragon.
"Eragon?"
Rider of Saphira.
"My baby's mother! I had no idea she had a Rider. How old is he?"
Don't know. Go back Dragon. Find name.
"You should work on your language. Bluefinch might consider you as a mate if you talk properly." Fuego was outraged.
Fuego not need mate! Fuego fine!
"Just a suggestion. Now, a name for baby."
Rose stared at her Dragon. He looked at her with his dozy honey-coloured eyes.
Eyes like droplets of the sun.
Sunny? Rose dismissed it immediately. What a crap name! I would never inflict such a name on such a noble creature! But perhaps something to do with the sun, in contrast to his hide. Or maybe something that encompassed both, that caused the sun to rise and night to come. Rose thought for a moment.
Baby, how about Apollo?
Apollo?
God of the sun – he drove his horses across the sky everyday, then plunged his flaming chariot into the sea to bring night.
Yes.
Apollo hummed happily.
Baby have name.
Yes, baby, you have a name.
I still baby for you.
What's happened to you?
What?
You are speaking properly! Well, almost properly!
Name help speech. Name. Apollo.
Yes, my baby is Apollo.
Apollo fly!
Go, my baby. Go, my Apollo!
Apollo crowed in excitement, leaping into the air like the wind. He treated Rose to an aerial acrobatics show. She laughed and clapped as he bowed in mid-air. Fuego woke up to see them making noise.
Shut up! I have headache!
Don't be a spoilsport, Fuego!
Yes, Fuego, not be a sp-spoil……spoilsport!
Oh, so the little coward can talk?
I not coward! Apollo not coward!
So it got a name now? Huh, I leaving!
If you see Bluefinch will you tell her baby got a name?
Don't count on it.
Fuego spread his wings and angrily gained altitude. Rose watched him go.
"Bit of a temper, eh? Think we hit a nerve?"
They settled down to talk.
When Bluefinch returned she found the two on the ground chatting happily. She walked up to Rose.
Does your Dragon have a name yet, Rose?
Yes. I Apollo!
Well, hello, sweetie. I guess that means I can start to train you in the ways of the Riders.
How long will it take?
About two months. Learn to love it – it could be a definite advantage over Murtagh and Thorn.
Who?
The two new Riders – well, not new, just more recent than Eragon and Saphira.
Thorn. What a CRAP name for a Dragon.
Yes. Bad name.
Whatever. Listen, there is still one known Dragon egg waiting to hatch. Last I heard, it was in Galbatorix's possession. You must train before you take any eggs from anywhere to anywhere. Galbatorix is incredibly powerful, more than you could imagine. We have but two advantages over him.
And what are they?
He is not a true Rider. His Dragon, Shruikan, loathes his very existence. This is our advantage.
Surely if you are connected to someone for over a hundred years you grow to love them?
Not if you're connected to Galbatorix.
I see your point. What is the other?
His most powerful slaves are only serving him as long as he holds mastery over them. And names can be changed.
Oh, wow! How?
This boring, I hunt!
Goodbye baby.
Apollo, when you return you will begin your training.
What training can he do? He's just a baby!
We have methods. For now, though, you and I, Rose, we will begin your training.
What of Apollo?
Fuego will start to train him when he returns. In two months, when we have taught you all we can, we have a secret to show you, a secret which only came into existence a week ago. For now, pick up that pebble and find the magic in your mind.
Do all Riders start like this?
Yes. All. Even ones without a proper master.
Oh, bother. I hate pebbles.
This is the end for now. Chapter 8 soon! I am sorry if Rose is a Mary-Sue, I am doing my best. Maybe a little constructive criticism. Or you could just REVIEW!!! Hint, Hint!!
Review Replies:
WildIceDragon: Thank you so much – my first reviewer! Sorry it's so late in coming.
Arashi Maxwell: I'm sorry this is late. I am also sorry they tend to be so short. I just come to the perfect point to stop – way too early!
Wolf.gren: Sorry she seems to be a Mary Sue – I can't help it! It wasn't Eragon who gave Rose the egg. It was someone else. And remember in Eragon it says that Galbatorix could be charming? I'm working with the assumption that when he wants something he is exceedingly polite and charming. Anyway, thank you for such a long review!
Kat Rosebrooks: Thank you for reviewing! I don't know how to stop her being so pathetic. I believe she is improving – am I right?
WildIceDragon: Thank you again! Will do! In fact, here's the newest instalment!
tenshi, the light of hope: Thank you for reviewing. And no, Eragon didn't steal the egg, and no, he didn't give it to Rose – someone else did! And don't worry, I am going to got to work on Murtagh once Apollo is old enough to carry Rose!
tenshi, the light of hope: Thanks for reviewing again! Don't worry, Murtagh did nothing. What is his problem? Why didn't he try and stop Galbatorix? Wait – I'm the author – I should answer that. O-o oops! Lily and Miko are actually just complete randomers, but they may yet return!
Arashi Maxwell: The siblings are just randomers. I might try to explain them later! Thanks for reviewing again!
Arashi Maxwell: The 'thing' has returned. I love horses, so I figure chapter on them wouldn't make other people hate the story too much!!
Wolf.gren: I just wanted to get more Dragons in the story. They turned out to be pretty important characters in the end! Thanks again for reviewing.
Arashi Maxwell: Yeah, he has kinda like regressed. It also contrasts with Bluefinch's 'perfect' manner of speech! Yeah, I worked with the caveman idea, but also with the idea of someone learning to talk a new language – missing out small words etc. Thanks for reviewing!!
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR REVIEWING – I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! EVERYONE ELSE – PUSH THE BUTTON!! YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!!