Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Author's Note: Thank you to those who reviewed last chapter and I hope you enjoy this one just as much.
For several seconds, Eragon was speechless. Never in his life had he seen such an oddity. Unfortunately, his first yelp had caused Saphira to stir. Eragon? What is wrong? You usually aren't up this-
As the sapphire dragon looked her rider's over with her brilliant blue eyes, they fell on the tail protruding from his backside. At the sight of the Eragon's tail, she began making snorting sounds from the bottom of her throat and smoke flared at her nostrils.
Stop laughing! Eragon yelled angrily as he lifted the tail up into his hands, inspecting it carefully.
Eragon, what did you do? She asked, nudging his stomach gently with her snout.
I didn't do anything! I just woke up and I had a tail! Noticing Saphira was still chuckling, Eragon's voice raised again and this time he spoke in the ancient language. It isn't funny! I didn't do this!
Upon hearing the ancient language, Saphira fell silent and a much more serious expression crossed her face. Then who could have done it? There are only a handful of people in the world that I know of that could have done this.
Saphira, until we find out what happened, this is our secret. Eragon said, giving Saphira a long look.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted the pair's conversation and Eragon turned to see Roran and, surprisingly, Arya running towards them. Thinking fast, Eragon stuffed the tail down into his pants and mumbled a few words in the ancient language that made his clothes seem baggier than before, concealing his tail.
"Eragon, are you ready?" Roran asked anxiously.
"Well, I have to get Saphira's bags ready. Arya, why are you here?" Eragon finished, glancing at the female elf curiously.
"Nasuada insisted that I come with you and Saphira in case of an emergency. If you were hurt, neither Saphira nor Roran would know how to heal your wounds."
The dragoness beside her growled lowly at this but was silenced by a look from her rider. It only took a few minutes to saddle up Saphira and load the group's bags onto her back.
Saphira, how far can you get with three on your back? Eragon asked, placing a land on her scaly neck.
I believe that I can make it to Helgrind in one flight. I will need time to rest before we enter the ra'zac's lair.
"Roran, we will be there by nightfall. Is that satisfactory?" Eragon asked, mounting Saphira.
"That will do. I suppose you brought weapons?"
"Of course, now get on."
With that, Arya and Roran mounted the massive blue dragoness and got situated in front of Eragon. As soon as Eragon gave her the clear, Saphira used her legs to propel herself into the sky and with a few powerful flaps of her wings, she was already high in the sky.
For the rest of the day they flew until Saphira caught sight of Helgrind. Then a thought entered her mind, how were they to get back? She had trouble carrying three on her back, but four? Eragon, are the others asleep?
This was the first time that Saphira's thoughts had entered his head and Eragon was caught by surprise. Yes, they are. Why do you ask?
I can see Helgrind. Little one, I cannot carry four for too long. I'll need all of your energy to get back, probably the others' too.
Very well.
Satisfied with his answer, Saphira began to descend and landed a few leagues away from the base of the mountain.
Careful not to wake them, Eragon lifted Arya and Roran off Saphira's back and laid them gently onto a soft patch of grass. It wasn't until Eragon stepped into the light until Saphira could get a good look at him. Eragon! You have black scales on your arms!
Gulping, Eragon looked down to see that Saphira was correct. Running up both of his arms and on his shins were jet black scales that looked exactly like Saphira's.
Suddenly, a bright light filled the surrounding area and a ghostly figure appeared. Saphira quickly spread out her wings and shielded Eragon. She was now baring her teeth threateningly.
Upon hearing the figure speak, Eragon recognized it as feminine and that it was in the ancient language. "You have no need to fear me, Brightscales. I only wish to speak to you and your rider."
Still not completely trusting the mysterious woman, Saphira lowered her wings but did not let her guard down.
"My name is Aurora. I am one of the goddesses of the high temple. I trust you have discovered the changes that have been affecting you, young one."
For a few seconds, Eragon was speechless. "What is happening to me? Why am I starting to grow scales?"
"The master of time, Cyril, has seen into the future and saw that you would never find a mate if something wasn't done, Brightscales. In order for the dragon race to survive, we had to resort to our emergency powers to turn one being in Alagaesia into a dragon. We thought that you would most likely mate with Eragon so he has been chosen."
Now it was Saphira's turn to be struck dumb. Slowly, she turned her head to look at Eragon who was also in shock. "So…I am to be Saphira's m-m-mate?" He asked, shaking.
"Yes. Now, your transformation will take several more days. It is happening much faster than we first anticipated. We have discovered that Saphira will not have the energy to return you to Surda so we will provide her with it. Unfortunately, I am being summoned so I must leave."
Without any further words, the goddess vanished and left Saphira and Eragon standing in the clearing. Eragon…she spoke the truth.
I know. Why me though?
They knew that you were the only other person that I wished to mate with. Remember those talks I had with Brom?
That's what you were talking about! Saphira! Why didn't you tell me?
You had a lot on your mind and I didn't want to bother you with it. Before you ask, this is a common occurrence when a dragon chooses a rider of the opposite gender. It has happened since the beginning of the dragon riders.
So, you have wanted to be my mate ever since we met!
Of course not. Brom saw that it would eventually happen and he told me about how I should handle the situation. It wasn't until after our training that I began to have strange feelings for you. Now, get this off your mind, you need sleep.
With that, Saphira curled around her rider protectively and laid her snout in his lap. Good night Saphira…I guess.
Eragon, we will discuss this after we save Katrina. Until then, focus on getting rest. I have a feeling you'll need it. Sleep well little one.
Author's Note: As I promised, a longer chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. By the way, I need a better summary, this story hasn't gotten over 100 hits. If you can provide me with one, I'll give you credit. PLEASE REVIEW!!