Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Reborn, chapter III
Brothers
It was midmorning and Eragon had been awake for what seemed like hours. Normally, he would have been up and about at this hour but Saphira insisted that he rest for a few more minutes.
The first thing Eragon noticed when he first awoke was that his back hurt immensely. Unfortunately for the blue rider, Saphira was holding him in a position so that he couldn't remove his shirt.
Okay little one, you may leave my wing if you wish. Saphira said as she nudged Eragon gently with her snout.
Saphira, my back hurts. Can you see what's wrong?
Curious, the blue dragoness watched as Eragon removed his shirt and turned his back to her. At what she saw, a smile formed at the edges of her mouth. Eragon, you have wings.
At first, Eragon didn't know what to say. Slowly, he reached his hands around to his back and felt the leathery membranes of his wings. They felt nearly identical to Saphira's.
S-s-Saphira, how big are they? Eragon asked, still in awe at the thought of himself with wings.
They are black with silver membranes. For your size you have normally sized wings. You should be a good flyer. Oh and Eragon, your whole back is covered with scales.
"Eragon, wake up!" Roran yelled from outside.
At the tone of his cousin's voice, Eragon quickly pulled his shirt over his wings and crawled out from Saphira's grasp. While he was waiting for his dragon to let him up, Eragon had wrapped cloth over his arms and legs to hide the scales that ran up them.
"What is it Roran?" He asked worriedly.
"Get on your dragon. We need to leave!"
Not wanting to argue, Eragon climbed onto Saphira's back and allowed Roran and Arya to follow. Soon they were off, and Eragon passed back weapons stored in Saphira's saddle to Arya who then gave Roran a sword.
Eragon, I sense another dragon…besides you. It is Thorn.
At her words, Eragon's heart sunk. He hadn't seen or heard of his brother since the last time they met and he wasn't sure if he was ready to face him again.
Suddenly, a loud shriek was heard and the lethrblaka, with the ra'zac on their backs, flew out of the concealed entrance. They seemed to be running from something but Eragon had no idea what. Soon after, he got his answer. With a great burst of flame, Thorn flew out of the cave and roasted the lethrblaka alive.
"You two go get Katrina! I'll take care of Murtagh!" Eragon yelled.
Saphira flew down to the ground and Arya jumped off, followed by Roran. As soon as they were off, Saphira jumped back into the air and took off after Thorn.
"Hello my brother!" Murtagh cried.
"What are you doing? You killed the king's assassins!"
"They were going to betray my master! I was ordered to kill them and return at once. However, I've wanted to see how that scar of yours is doing."
With that, Murtagh raised his hand and cast a spell at Eragon, causing his shirt to rip open and reveal his scales. At the sight of Eragon, Murtagh gasped and ordered Thorn to flee. Thorn, what has happened to Eragon?
I'll explain it to you on the way back. The ruby red dragon responded, glancing back at his rider.
Eragon POV:
Saphira, should we give chase? Eragon asked, rubbing the sapphire scales of Saphira's neck. I'm sure you can catch them.
No, little one. You will meet your brother in battle one day, but it is not today. I want you to be a fully developed dragon before we take on the king.
Slightly disappointed, Eragon trusted Saphira's judgment and rode her back down to the ground where Roran and Arya stood, along with Katrina. Thinking fast, Eragon repaired his ripped shirt, concealing the jet black scales beneath.
When Saphira landed, Katrina yelled out in terror and tried to run, only to be caught and comforted by her future husband. Chuckling, Eragon dismounted Saphira and approached the group of three.
"Katrina, you remember Eragon." Roran said, convincing Katrina to lift her head from his shoulder.
"E-E-Eragon?" Katrina began, looking Eragon's elvish appearance over. "Why were you riding that monster?"
At this remark, Saphira growled threateningly and bared her teeth. I can be a monster if you wish. Although she only said this to Eragon.
Eragon patted her side gently and looked back at Katrina. "Please don't insult Saphira. She has feelings you know."
"Eragon, it will eat you alive!"
This comment offended Saphira greatly, and she lowered her head. Eragon scratched her snout affectionately and glared at the woman in front of her. "You will not insult her, Katrina. She is the wisest being that I have ever met and you will respect her."
Thank you, little one.
Carefully, Roran lifted a reluctant Katrina onto Saphira's back and was followed by Arya and Eragon. With one powerful push of her legs, Saphira jumped into the air and was off into the blue sky.
They flew until sundown before Saphira landed out of fatigue. She couldn't make it all of the way with four on her back. Eragon, you will sleep with me tonight.
Very well. Is there any particular reason for it?
None at all. I just want you to be warm tonight.
Katrina was quite happy to be off Saphira. It had been hectic trying to keep her from jumping off the dragonesses' back. "You idiot beast! Why would you do such a thing!"
This angered Saphira and she quickly strengthened her bond to Eragon so she could use him as a puppet. "If you don't want me to strand you here, I would strongly suggest that you shut your mouth, human!" Saphira-Eragon yelled angrily.
"It talks!" Katrina exclaimed. "Eragon, get away from that beast and then kill it! It's using you!"
It was apparent Saphira had had enough because she broke her bond with Eragon and shot into the sky and flew out over the forest, disappearing from sight.
"Saphira!" Her rider cried before turning on Katrina. "Do you have any idea what you've done!?"
With that, Eragon sprinted off in the direction in which Saphira was head. She couldn't have gotten too far. Saphira could barely stay in the sky for the last few minutes of the trip.
After several minutes of constant sprinting, Eragon reached Saphira who had landed in a pile of leaves. "Saphira, why did you run?"
Why don't you stay with them? The sapphire dragoness spat, giving Eragon a nasty look.
Because I love you, Saphira. Why would I want to leave?
Saphira's angry voice immediately faded and a more motherly tone. Little one…
A smile formed across Eragon's face as he buried it in Saphira's underbelly. Her body heat soon caused the young dragon to fall asleep in his "mother's" arms.
Author's Note: PLEASE REVIEW!!