Long Days

With a groan Saphira awoke from her pleasant nap to the clatter of metal boots. She raised her head a fraction of an inch off the ground, and

looked at the men. She felt a small shift on her back as Solembum stretched. The men were marching in a double line each line consisting of

eight warriors. They walked by her, and she had the satisfaction of watching as several of them tried to speed the procession. Saphira yawned

and rapped her tail around her nose and fell to drowsing again. Not a half an hour later she heard another person walk in front of her. She

expected them to run away but instead the person stopped. She opened her eyes and say that Angelia was the one that stood before her. She

smiled and said, "Good morning Saphira." Then she looked up at the hollow at her neck. "Solembum, I'm going down to the Jiet River to gather

some herbs for Nasuada's arms. Do you want to come, or stay there basking in the sunshine?" The tip of Solembum went into the air and flicked

twice. And then the werecat jumped off of Saphira and padded up to Angelia. His mane rippled and then his form wavered and he was suddenly

in the form of a small boy.

The two of them walked away together. Saphira didn't fell like going back to sleep. Instead she amused herself by sending jets of flame

towards the birds that periodically had the nerve to fly close to her. Then Blodgarm walked out into the open. Again Saphira smelled the blue

furred elf's musk that surrounded him. He walked over and sat down two or three feet from end of her snout. "Greetings, Saphira Brightscales. I

saw that you looked bored and would appreciate a bit of company. Eragon just contacted Nasuada. He said that he and Arya are both safe and

that they have made camp a few miles from the Helgrind." Projecting her thoughts to the elf she said. Yes I think I would like company. What has

been happening to Eragon? I can not talk to him from so far away, but recently I have felt the oddest sensations coming from him. The elf lied back

on the ground and for the first time since she saw him he seemed relaxed. Accepting the invitation to talk through the mind touch he said, "I am

not sure. Eragon said rather little over what has been happening to him and Arya. I do wonder though. Did Arya say anything to you before

they left for Fiom?" Casting her memories towards that day she looked back at what had happened. And then she began to tell Blodgarm of her

discussion with Arya. And as we we're flying she told me that once she had a love for some elf by the name of Faolin. But since their return from

Helgrind she had begun to have feelings for Eragon.

Blodgarm jolted up suddenly with enough force to make Saphira think he had used a spell for it. "That is what has happened." Blodgarm was

mad almost outraged. What is it? Blodgarm looked up at her. "You're Rider-"he spat the word out-"has committed a crime in the eyes of my

race." A low growl came from Saphira. And what crime could he have committed? The blue furred elf stood. "I was there when Arya and Eragon

contacted Nasuada. Arya's stomach has begun to swell since I last saw her. At the time I thought nothing of it. But the sensations you have felt

from Eragon confirm a suspicion that I already had. The two of them have-"he looked around as if trying to think of the right word- reproduced."

The thought was so outlandish that she snorted and said. It explains quite a bit. She had intended to say more but Blodgarm spun around and

sprinted to Nasuada's tent. At a regular pace the elf was faster then any human could every wish to being. Going as fast as he could, which he

did, he covered to nearly mile and a half in less than 15 seconds. His speed astounded her. Less then a minute later Nasuada appeared from

her tent and waved for Saphira. Growling to herself she got up and leaped into the air and flew to Nasuada. When she landed Nasuada said,

"Is it true what Blodgarm says? Have Arya and Eragon slept with each other?" One of Saphira's shoulders jumped a foot, in what looked like a

shrug. I haven't the slightest clue. However it seems likely. You and I both saw them kiss right before they left. Nasuada shock her head. Then she

snapped her fingers. "Blodgarm! Come here." The elf stepped to her side. "Eragon and Arya are in Dras-Leona. I need you to run there as fast

as possible and escort Eragon and Arya to Fiom, retrieve the egg, and come back. They will not like it but we have to have that egg and sooner

rather then later." Blodgarm bowed and said, "Yes lady Nasuada."

She nodded. "I can not stress on you enough, the need for the most speed possible. Find them, get to Fiom, get the egg, and come back here.

I would very much like it if it could be down in the next 4 days." He bowed again. "I should be outside Dras-Leona near tomorrow at noon."

Nasuada waved her hand. "Good. By tomorrow night you will have caught up to them." Bowing as low as a servant, Blodgarm said, "It will be

good to rejoin the Varden, upon my return." Then he said a single line in the Ancient Language which was beyond her small understanding of

the language. Then he turned and ran off into the distance. Snapping her fingers she summoned Trianna. "Do you know what he just said?"

She looked at where the blue furred elf had disappeared behind a large cluster of trees along the Jiet River. "'I look forward to seeing you

again, Beautiful Nasuada.' What's strange is that he used Beautiful" in such a way as he would name someone." Nasuada's eyes went to

where she could just barely see Blodgarm on the distant horizon and she smiled.