Alright, I've been getting people saying that I'm running out my plot too fast- it's just my style to lay everything out on the table first. Plus, this isn't the whole plot for those of you who think it is. Just the beginning, 'kay awesome readers? Now that I've addressed that issue, it's time to do this chapter!

Disclaimer: Anything done to Arya in this fanfic is not the work of Chris P, although –sadly enough- he owns her.

Eragon awoke to someone shaking him and the sound of Saphira's voice.

WAKE UP, ERAGON!

"Eragon, I know it's a shock to you. But we have to go through with it! Now sit up on your own and come up with some ideas!" Arya was using a stern tone of voice that Eragon hadn't heard her use since before her mother died. He blinked, opening his eyes. Arya stopped shaking him.

He was on the floor. Last thing he remembered was seeing a dragon egg. A real dragon's egg. He pushed himself up with his hands, and his face was right against Arya's. She kissed him lightly, then fell back onto her knees, waiting for him to say something.

"So…. While I was gone, you found a dragon's egg, held a feast and drank wine your first time, and found out you are pregnant?" Eragon wanted to make sure he knew everything, and not get it mistaken.

"Aye." Arya looked down to the floor. Both Eragon and her were silent. "I hadn't wanted to do something like this but twice…." She trailed off.

Eragon understood. "Faolin."

She nodded. "We had been following tradition… Just beginning to kiss lightly in public. The elves take something like that very seriously." She paused. "Eragon, he was the only one before you. Right before we rode into the battle that would take his life… We were careful when we did it. Just.. It wasn't in a spring.

"I'm sorry I lied to you, Eragon. I was caught up only in the memory of then, and not the memory of past times. I had forgotten what Faolin and I had… I was ready for a child then… and let my guard down now, when the time was most important not to. I'm sorry, Eragon. Will you forgive me?"

Eragon nodded slowly. "I understand, Arya." His face had a look of being lost to it. "Are you still going to go through with this?" He glanced at her, eyes moving quickly from her face down to where a life resided inside her, and back.

She paused. "The elves will have to know sooner or later. I will be ready for it, when my nine moths are over. Our child will…. Our child will live among elves, just as a normal child would." Although sounding uncertain, she moved her hand from the floor to rest upon her stomach. Eragon rested one of his hands on top of hers. She looked to him with determination in her eyes. She stood up and announced that she was going to his study. Eragon held her back gently. "Do you see what time it is?" he asked, and pointed out her doorway. The sun was setting. Arya sighed. She went to Saphira for a moment. "How is he?" she asked.

Bhronnë is quite fine, Saphira answered. She blocked out Eragon so she could talk with Arya alone. He is very interested in me, and I think I like him also. I cannot wait until he hatches so I may see him….

Arya smiled. And Eragon?

Little One is distraught. He cannot believe of what he did to you… on his first time. She snorted. If you ever need comfort during this time of… bearing a youngling, you may come to me. I am caring for one right now, anyways. She opened her mouth and gently dropped the emerald dragon egg to her side, and shifted her weight so it fell under her.

Tell Eragon he need not worry, that I am strong. She hugged the huge dragon's neck, and Saphira purred. You will need to be with me when I tell my people, Saphira. They need to know if you consent to this.

I will be there for you, Arya. Saphira said, bringing her head down to Arya's level. I may not completely approve of this, but what Eragon has done cannot be reversed. It is not all your faults. Her great head nuzzled Arya's small one and gently, Saphira licked the elf on the cheek. She put her head on the ground, bring Eragon back into the conversation. Good night, Little Ones. Saphira's sapphire eyes closed, and Eragon looked to Arya.

"What was that all about?" He asked curiously.

"Ahh, maternity things. Saphira is quite interested in Bhronnë, I may say. Soon enough she might have a mate of her own. But for now, she considers herself his mother. Her attitude has definitely changed."

Eragon smiled. "Thank you for finding that egg, Arya. I don't know if Saphira would have stayed away from me more if you hadn't found him."

Arya shrugged. "I was visiting Glaedr's grave. I am surprised nobody else had found it."

That ended the conversation, and Arya slipped into Eragon's bed. Eragon peeled off his boots and lay down beside her. Both elve's hands slipped to Arya's tiny bump, and fell asleep.

--

Arya awoke late once again, but Eragon was beside her, still sleeping peacefully. She looked to the door, and saw her and Eragon's breakfast beside it. Eragon must have unlocked the door. She thought. Approaching the plates, Arya saw a note. She opened it, curious as to what it may say.

Queen Arya,

I am glad to see you are well. At least, as well as a woman under such stress can be. I am sorry to have brought this meal before you were awake, as I saw that you and Eragon are in the same bed. Do not worry, I will not tell a soul about this. I think I may know why you were so distraught yesterday. The parts fit together.. Why your face crumpled in pain when you drank the wine at your feast, why you left early, and why you refused to emerge the next day. It is alright, I understand. I know quite a lot about birth, so come to me if you have questions. Confidentiality for my queen is a must. When you tell us elves, do not leave out the father. That could be dangerous.

Your new personal mistress,

Kitsonä.

Arya's stomach dropped. Was she that obvious? If a servant had noticed, then who else might have? She shook her head to clear it. For some reason, the elf felt relieved someone knew. It was then when she became aware of someone looking over her shoulder.

"Kitsonä is trustworthy. It would be wise to have her as your personal servant."

Arya sighed. "I know, Eragon. But who else may have noticed?"

"No one else knows our sleeping arrangements."

"But they know that I sleep here! In the treehouse! And you sleep here too!" Arya was frustrated. Calm down, She told herself. Deep breaths. This isn't good for the baby. One hand slipped from the letter to her body. "Never mind. If my elves know then they know. I am going to bring my breakfast to the study. Please tell everyone that I am well, Eragon." She turned and kissed him, not shortly but not very long either. He enjoyed every second of it, and then nodded. He belted on his sword and left the treehouse.

Arya gripped a plate and walked past Saphira. The dragon opened one of her beautiful eyes. "Good morning, Saphira."

Good morning, Little One. Saphira stood and stretched, picking up the emerald egg with one paw. She held it out to Arya with her claws making a bowl for it. Will you watch over him while I step out? There's someone I need to talk to.

"Surely, Saphira. He and I are great friends already." Arya took the egg in her free arm, cradling it carefully.

Saphira thanked Arya and flew out of the open window. Arya climbed the stairs to the study slowly and set the egg and food down, beginning to search for a book.

--

As Eragon walked among the elves, they bowed to him, muttering "Shadeslayer." As he passed. None of them met his eye. A sinking feeling approached the male elf. They know. Barzul! He walked, pretending as if nothing was wrong. Eragon entered the palace and the turned right, walking through a door that was slightly ajar. He was meeting with important people today.

"How long did you think you could keep the secret, Shadeslayer?" A tall elf asked.

"What secret?" Eragon said uncertainly, pretending he knew no 'secret' of any kind.

"You know what we are talking about. Everyone noticed the night Queen Arya left the feast. As we speak, word is on the way to all elven cities and outposts, and the Varden, may I mind you, that Arya Svitköna is carrying your child. All of the pieces fit."

Eragon slumped against the wall. "She didn't find out she was a parent until later that night, and I didn't know until yesterday." He spoke in the ancient language, as to make sure everyone knew he wasn't lying. He continued, also in the ancient language. "Today will be the mark of her third week."

The tall elf muttered something. "We suspected something around there. Arya may be fit to be our queen, but all she can do at the moment is overlook things and plan strategies."

Eragon nodded. "I know. But she must take it easy. It is her heir inside of her. And… and I am proud to be the father." He choked on the last bit.

"Is Queen Arya well now?"

"Yes. She is in my study, probably reading books on motherhood." Eragon took a guess, but he knew Arya well enough to know she would be researching. "It took much to calm her last night, but I managed. Not with anything but words, though. I wouldn't endanger her and my child further."

The elf nodded. "Well, enough gossip about the queen. Everyone knows by now, except maybe the Varden. Let us get down to business."

I'm sorry to cut this one short, but today's my mom's birthday and she wants time with me so… I might not be able to get another chapter up today. If I do, it'll be a miracle. But I'm probably not going to try. Review, everyone!