New born

With another uncertain look in Eragon's direction Vanir placed the hatching egg on the ground and then scrambled away almost as if he was scared of it.

Saphira! It's hatching! Eragon said, his voice sounded shaky even in his own head.

This is incredible! Think of what this could mean Eragon, I'm no longer the only female dragon in this world!

Eragon was surprised, it's a female? How can you tell?

I'm a dragon Eragon, she said but offered no further explanation.

Do you think Vanir will make a good rider? Eragon asked.

We don't know that the egg has hatched for Vanir, it could be that this is a wild dragon and is hatching now because we have taken it out from that hole.

Eragon felt his heart sink a little bit. He remembered now his lesson on dragon eggs in Ellesméra. Most dragon eggs would wait until the conditions around them were right before hatching, rider eggs would only hatch when they felt the presence of their rider. To change wild eggs into rider eggs a spell was cast over them. It was unlikely that someone would go to the effort of creating five dragon eggs and then leave them in a hole in the middle of nowhere.

Something accrued to him. But you said that the hunting was terrible and it's impossible to find water without magic, a wild dragon wouldn't hatch here would it?

I don't know, perhaps she was confused, in any case we'll find out soon enough.

They watched as the little green dragon finally made its way out of the shell. She was beautiful. Her scales were mostly a deep green colour and sparkled like real emeralds, however some of them, mainly on her underside and across the top of her wings were lighter.

The dragon quickly glanced at Eragon and Saphira before resting her eyes on Vanir. She stared intently at him for a few moments before busying herself cleaning her wings.

Vanir looked across to Eragon. "Do you think it... What do I do?"

Eragon didn't want to get Vanir's hopes up too much. "We don't know if it hatched for you or not, it could have been a wild egg, touch it and see what happens".
Vanir nodded and cautiously started to reach out towards the young dragon. Eragon was holding his breath and he could feel Saphira's excitement as Vanir's fingers hovered uncertainly just inches from the hatchlings head.

Vanir took a deep breath steadying himself and then lowered his hand onto the dragons head.

Eragon heard Vanir gasp loudly before falling back into the sand. He quickly jumped to help him up but Vanir pushed him away roughly.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to do that, it's just going to take me a while to get use to you being the son of someone I've hated for so long" Vanir said.

"I understand," Eragon said. He hadn't expected Vanir to react well but it was a sacrifice he was willing to make if it helped Vanir understand that you couldn't judge a child by their parents.

They both looked at Vanir's hand were a gedwëy ignasia was now brightly shining.

"Wow," Vanir breathed.

"Wow," Eragon agreed.

Suddenly they all jumped as a large, powerful consciousness brushed against their mind.

Eragon quickly threw up his mental defences before he recognised the vast consciousness as Glaedr.

Ebrithil! Eragon began, but Glaedr cut him off.

Is that a dragon hatching I can sense? He asked in the ancient language.

Yes, Eragon replied, we found five eggs while we were exploring Du Fells Nángoröth. Someone must have spelled them to be rider eggs because one of them just hatched to Vanir-finiarel.

Eragon could sense Glaedr's shock but his voice sounded composed when he replied. That is indeed wonderful news. Congratulations Vanir, Oromis and I always thought very highly of you, that is why we chose you to be Eragon's sparring partner during his training, I am confident you will make a fine rider.

Vanir looked bewildered as we spun around searching for the source of the voice.

Glaedr? What? I don't understand.

Glaedr mentally smiled at Vanir's confusion. Eragon will explain everything to you in time however now he, Saphira and I must discuss your training. With that Eragon felt Glaedr withdraw from Vanir's mind.

Ebrithil, Saphira said, Eragon and I are both deeply sorry about Oromis.

Thank you Saphira, Glaedr said shortly, he paused for a while before continuing. I am quite familiar with Vanir, he is exceptionally well studied already, there is not much for you to teach him. He needs to learn about the bond he now shares with his dragon, however that is not something that can be taught. I would advise you to encourage him to remain constantly linked to his dragon, the way Oromis and I did when we questioned you about the others training. Another thing I remember is that Vanir was always quite emotional; his actions were always fueled by passion, not reason, something I know you can relate to Eragon. Ask him what he fights for; work with him on his reason and debating skills. If you have any questions Eragon don't hesitate to ask me.

Thank you master.

Saphira, given that the hatchling is so young I would advise you to hold off on training for at least a couple of months. At this stage in their development hatchlings tend to learn better by themselves, just watch over her to make sure she doesn't get into too much trouble.

Yes master.

Master, Eragon said, we just heard from the Varden and Murtagh and Thorn are there. Murtagh claims that he has changed his true name and wants to help; do you think we should trust them?

Glaedr was silent for a while. Perhaps, it's hard to say. I have only encountered that unfortunate pair once but to me they didn't seem the type who would lie about that. You know them better than I what do you think?

Murtagh wouldn't lie about that, not unless Galbatorix made him, Eragon said at once.

That's always a possibility, Glaedr said. In either case I think it would be best if you returned to the Varden as quickly as possible. If Galbatorix is forcing Murtagh to lie then you need to be there to help, if they are telling the truth you must help protect them. I'm sure there will be those who want revenge, practically the dwarfs, I know they are capable of looking after themselves but it would be unwise for them to get involved in any physical confrontations. Also as long as Thorn's true name hasn't changed the two of them remain vulnerable. I'm sure Murtagh will be doing everything in his power to help him but perhaps the two of you can assist him.

Yes master, Saphira said again.

While we fought I noticed that Murtagh and Thorn are both capable fighters but given they were taught by Galbatorix it's safe to assume there are many areas in which they are woefully ignorant. However we will discuss their training further once we are sure whose side they are on.

Yes master, Eragon and Saphira said together.

Good, now if there's nothing else the five of us should be going.

Eragon was packing the saddle bags as quickly as possible when he spotted Vanir running quickly towards the camp. He figured he had probably gone to find the little green dragon, who was currently busy sniffing each of the bags for something to eat.

"Saphira was right," Vanir said, "there are no big animals around anywhere".

Vanir was carrying three small lizards. Eragon noticed the elf looked slightly pale; it was against elvan beliefs to eat meat. Eragon knew himself the terrible feeling of killing something with his mind.

That's plenty for a hatchling, Saphira said, I however haven't had a good meal since we entered this place, I'm starving let's get going!

Eragon knew better then to argue with a hungry dragon.

"You didn't have to do that," Eragon told Vanir when they were in the air, "I'm sure Saphira wouldn't have minded hunting for your dragon".

Saphira agreed.

"Thank you Saphira, I'll let you find her food next time, it's definitely not something I enjoy. My dragon... that sounds so weird".

Eragon laughed, "perhaps you should think of a name for her".

"Yeah, I've been thinking about that." He looked down at the baby dragon now resting in his lap, "I've been thinking about Mina, do you like that? The dragon lifted his head slightly and hummed contently. "That good enough for me," Vanir smiled, patting Mina like a cat.

"You haven't had a chance to tell Queen Islanzadí yet have you?" Eragon asked, suddenly remembering.

"No, it was such a big surprise and then talking to Glaedr as well, I totally forgot," he sounded worried.

"I'm sure she will understand," Eragon said, "You can scry her as soon as we land".

"Where do you think that will be?" Vanir asked pulling out his map with a little difficulty.

How far do you think we can get? Eragon asked Saphira sending her a picture of the map.

Saphira studied the map for a while and then mentally pointed to a spot just on the edge of the desert near Furnost. If I flew through the night we could reach the Varden by early tomorrow morning.

Vanir raised his eyebrows, "are we in a hurry?" he asked.

"Glaedr told us we should return to the Varden as soon as possible just in case Murtagh was lying," Eragon said. He didn't mention the part about protecting him if he wasn't; he thought that might have been too much for Vanir at the moment.

Vanir gave a resigned sigh, "through the night it is then".