Thank you to everyone who reviewed!! Your reviews really kept me writing when I was in doubt of how the story was progressing. I LOVE YOU ALL!! Hope you enjoy the long awaited chapter 8!!!
The green egg had been passed through the Varden every day for the next two weeks, but there had been no sign that it was ready to hatch. Arya was constantly reassuring Zyana that it was still too early to tell if it would hatch for anyone they had exposed it to, and said that if it was going to hatch, it would do so within the next week or two.
Zyana had sighed, but dropped the subject, eager to see if it would indeed hatch within the next few weeks.
She had become accepted in the Varden almost immediately, and fitted in well amongst the people. At first, they seemed to be nervous around her because of all the time she had spent in the empire, but when she began sitting with the patients in the healing tent, and giving them hope, she became well respected.
When she wasn't helping the healers, she was spending time with Arya, getting to know her sister again. The pair had been sitting in Arya's tent laughing at old times nursing the eggs, Arya holding the green and Zyana nursing the amethyst, when they heard footsteps approach slowly.
"Knock, knock." Came Murtagh's voice from the other side of the tent flap. "Can I come in?"
"Of course Murtagh. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Arya smiled up at him as he entered the tent and sat down beside them. Murtagh looked at her and returned her smile. "Good day Arya, Zyana. I thought I might just join the party while Thorn is hunting. As much as I love being part of the Varden, life can be dull when we're not strategising and planning for the war." He shook his head. "I'm not interrupting anything am I?"
"Of course not Murtagh, you are always welcome." Arya said watching the green egg that lay in her lap, running her fingers over the golden lines that ran like veins over it's surface. Zyana exchanged glances with Murtagh and shrugged her shoulders. He smiled and looked at the egg that Zyana held.
"What are we going to do with this egg?" He asked absentmindedly, finding he had been drawn into its mysterious glow. "I still don't know. We have to do something about it soon though. It will take a few months at least for it to be able to carry its rider and it will be at least a year until it would be able to hold its own in a battle. By this time, Galbatorix may have even gotten stronger. He is very determined and I wouldn't underestimate him." Arya said exasperatedly.
"I just want to know who it will hatch for." Zyana mused. Murtagh and Arya nodded in agreement and began to talk excitedly about the possibilities. They joked and laughed for some hours until the sun had hidden itself behind the horizon. "Oh my, we have been here for too long. And we've missed out on the passing the egg around again..." Arya began before being cut off by a large red snout poking through the flap. Murtagh smiled and reached out a hand and lay it on his dragon's cheek before rising. "I best be off. It is late and we need to rise early to pass the egg around again. I will see you in the morning." Murtagh smiled before exiting and greeting his dragon.
How was your day Thorn? I'm sorry I didn't see you sooner, I lost track of time. You should have called me when you returned. Murtagh began.
I was going to, but I saw how much fun you were having with Zyana and Arya. Thorn chuckled. I didn't want to break anything up.
It wouldn't have mattered. We could have gone flying. Thorn smiled his toothy dragon smile.
It doesn't matter. I was enjoying watching the looks you were giving Zyana. Murtagh looked at his dragon startled.
What do you mean? I wasn't giving her any looks.
Thorn hummed quietly. You were. You like her. I can see it. Murtagh stopped and looked at this, surprise written all over his face. What are you talking about Thorn? I like Zyana as a friend, nothing more.
Thorn snorted. I don't believe you. You like her. Don't worry child. I won't tell anyone.
Murtagh glared at his dragon. How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that? Thorn chuckled.
Many, many more times child. But now, I think it is time for bed. Get on my back then we will rest. Murtagh sighed in defeat and did as his dragon said and climbed onto his back. Thorn flew off into the night and landed not far away and tucked his rider under his wing, both falling asleep straight away.
"I will see you in the morning." Murtagh muttered before leaving the tent, the entrance door flapping slightly in the breeze. Zyana watched it absentmindedly before she heard her sister laugh quietly. "What?" She asked, turning her gaze to her sister.
"Oh, nothing." Arya said, a large smile appearing on her lips. Zyana frowned. "What is it? What are you smiling at?"
"I...It's just that..." "Just what?" Zyana raised an eyebrow.
"You like Murtagh." Arya chuckled. Her sister's expression changed to complete shock and surprise. "No I don't. I like him as a friend, sure, but not in that way." Zyana defended herself. "You are not fooling anyone little sister. The looks you gave him, the smiles. It's completely obvious! You like him!"
Zyana glared at her sister. "No I don't."
"Mm hmm. I still don't believe you." she said smiling. Zyana shook her head before rising, moving her legs to get the feeling back into them. "Goodnight Arya. I will see you bright and early, ready to pass the egg around again." She said changing the subject which made her sisters smile broaden.
"Goodnight Zyana. Sleep well. I know what you will be dreaming about." Arya teased. Zyana glared at her before leaving the tent, glad that it was dark so no one could see the colour that had risen in her cheeks. She scolded herself and glanced back at the tend which she had just emerged from, she saw her sister's figure pacing the room, then the light inside dimmed. Looking up to the stars, she could just make out the shape of a dragon in the distance, flying towards the moon that shone brightly.
Shaking her head, she turned towards her tent and climbed into her bed the second she arrived. Curling up in her covers, her thoughts drifted to the eggs and who they would hatch for. Before she knew it, she was being woken up by a smiling Arya who was speaking loudly and quickly. Zyana rolled over and hid her head under the covers before she felt sister sit on the bed beside her, placing something round and heavy on top of her. She groaned loudly. "Go away Arya. I'm still sleeping." Arya chuckled. "No you're not. You are coming with me to find the egg's rider. Nasuada has also requested an audience with us after we have done so, and it is best she is not left waiting."
Zyana lifted the covers just enough for Arya to see one of her bright blue eyes glare furiously at her, which made her let out her bell like laugh loudly, rousing Zyana more.
"Fine. I'm up. Happy now?" She said sitting up rubbing her eyes. Arya smiled. "Very. You have five minutes to meet me outside with the egg. Don't keep the people waiting." She sped out of the tent, leaving Zyana alone with the egg. Sighing, she looked at the egg and muttered that she felt sorry for it, having to be confined with Arya for all this time. She stood and got dressed before stepping into the cold morning air. She shivered slightly, then composed herself and greeted Eragon and Murtagh, then Saphira and Thorn who were standing side by side in the clearing. She passed the egg to Arya who thanked her cheerfully before addressing the crowd.
"Good morning to you all. Please form a line and I will pass the egg along. If it will hatch, it will do so within the next week if all goes well." The crowd began talking in flurried excitement and formed a line and passed the egg along. Before long, the egg had been touched and held by the crowd, each reluctantly handing the egg to the next along the line, with Arya constantly watching. When she was satisfied and the egg was packed safely in its carry bag, she dismissed the crowd and turned to her sister. "Meet me in Nasuada's tent in ten minutes. She wishes to speak to us, probably about the progression of the eggs. We'll find out soon enough." She shrugged and shrank through the crowd that parted as she walked towards them. Zyana looked at Eragon and Murtagh and who just smiled.
She walked over and joined the pair and stood next to Murtagh, her arms crossed over her chest to guard her from the cold. She closed her eyes and yawned loudly, making Murtagh chuckle quietly. "Too early is it Zyana?" he asked mockingly, but Zyana didn't notice his tone. "Yes. Arya was always so annoying in the mornings, especially this early. She has too much energy for this godforsaken hour." She said stifling another yawn. Murtagh smiled, thinking how cute she was when she was tired. His smile faded and the colour rose slightly in his cheeks, immediately taking back the thought. He heard Thorn chuckle in the back of his mind, but he blocked his dragon out, glaring slightly in his direction. Zyana sighed loudly, still rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "I think it's time to see what Nasuada wants." She looked at Murtagh and Eragon. "I guess I'll see you later?" They both nodded before watching her disappear quickly through the crowd.
As she approached the tent, Zyana was greeted by an impatient Arya. "It's about time you got here, Nasuada has been waiting." She said quickly. Zyana groaned and entered the tent and sunk into the first seat she had reached, with Arya taking the seat beside her.
"Good morning Arya, Zyana. How are we this fine morning?" Zyana grunted and Arya exchanged a smile with Nasuada who shook her head. "It is indeed good to see we are so vibrant in the mornings Zyana." She looked at the half elf, but got no reaction. "Let us proceed then. Arya, how is the progression the egg passing going?"
"It is going as well that can be expected, and if all goes well, we should see it hatch within the week." Nasuada nodded, seemingly pleased. Arya continued. "But if it doesn't hatch within two weeks, we will have to transport it to other sections of the Varden." Zyana immediately pricked up at this. "Travelling? Where to?" Arya smiled at her sister's sudden alertness. "Well, there's Lithgow, Reavestone, Dauth, Aberon, and, of course," she paused, studying Zyana. "Du Weldenvarden."
Zyana's eyes widened. "Du Weldenvarden?"
"Yes." Arya nodded. Nasuada interrupted the quiet exchange between the sisters. "That is good to hear. So, if the egg does not hatch, you need to make a plan of where to begin and where to end, and of course, when to leave and who to take with you." Arya and Zyana both nodded. "I understand. But what would be done with the purple egg? We can't possibly take it with us, it would be too dangerous, but I don't want to leave it here either. Its glow is getting more intense and it will draw attention to it soon at night, even if I did hide it inside a bag, covered in clothes, in a drawer."
Nasuada frowned. "This could be a problem. I will think on it and let you know. You are dismissed for now. Go and eat to your heart's content and enjoy the day ahead. I will call you if you are needed." Nasuada nodded to them turning towards the parchment on her table and began reading its contents intently.
Zyana and Arya left the tent allowing the tent flap to flap loosely behind them. "Are we going to go to Du Weldenvarden?" Zyana asked her sister hopefully. "Yes, we will go eventually, but first, we need to decide what to do with the egg and when to leave." Zyana nodded, not saying anything. Both girls walked in silence until they saw Eragon and Saphira in a clearing. They walked up to him and told him of what happened in the meeting.
After telling him everything, he suggested that he and Saphira accompany them. Arya shook her head saying that they would be needed with the Varden more, but he disagreed. "We have no threat from the empire within the near future; Galbatorix wouldn't dare plan anything knowing we have two dragon riders and the eggs." Sighing realising he was right, Arya agreed, thinking that it would save some months travelling time.
Eragon, satisfied, smiled and began to help form a plan. They decided they would travel to Du Weldenvarden last because of the distance, and Zyana hadn't been there in quite some time, so she would like to spend some time there. Pleased with the plan, the girls slipped into Arya's tent and made themselves comfortable, the green egg laying between them. They began talking idly when they heard a small squeak echo through the tent. They glanced at each other as silence filled the room, both girls waiting to hear if the sound would come again.
When none did, they began speaking again, only to be interrupted by the same squeak, but louder this time. Arya's eyes widened and Zyana looked at her curiously.
"What is that?" She asked Arya who was staring at the egg. "It's hatching." Was all she could get out. Zyana turned her gaze to the egg yet again, and listened as it's squeaks grew louder and more frequent.
"Eragon! Murtagh!" Zyana yelled as she ran to the door. She screamed their names again and saw them running towards her, their hands on their swords, ready to draw them. "What is it? What's wrong?" Murtagh asked worriedly. "I'll explain when we get there. Hurry." She ran into her sisters tent ignoring the looks of the people she was getting.
When Murtagh and Eragon saw the sight before them, their jaws dropped as they watched the egg roll over the ground violently. None of them said anything, mesmerised in the movement of the egg, and when a small crack appeared on its perfect surface, Zyana gasped expectedly.
What felt like an age had passed until the crack grew larger and part of it fell away revealing a small green tail. The egg continued to crack until it had all broken away, leaving beautiful emerald shards all over the ground. There, in the middle of the egg pieces, was a small dragon licking the membrane off its smooth scales, seemingly pleased with itself. It was only when Zyana gasped at the sight did it turn to look at her. It studied her with it's intelligent eyes, then turned its gaze to Murtagh and Eragon. It looked at them for a few seconds before laying its eyes on Arya. She stared at it intently as it cocked its head to one side.
"I wonder who it's rider is." Arya whispered quietly, with Zyana, Murtagh and Eragon all nodding, wondering the same thing.
What do you think of chapter 8? The egg has finally hatched!!! Hooray! Who do you think the rider is? Please tell me in a review.