Disclaimer: I own nothing except for the characters that I have already created. A prequel is in progress explaining Tasha's life that will be posted after I have finished With a Whisper. And this chapter does contain a lemon scene that will be marked as usual.
The days following the attack on Nasuada were long and tense. Eragon stayed with his liege at all times. Angela worked night and day to brew potions that would help the Empire and Surda to win the war. Nasuada's stomach had grown to the point that it looked as though she might burst.
The Varden's leader sat in a rocking chair in her room, rubbing her stomach where her unborn child was. She closed her eyes. Her skin had regained most of its color since the end of the war against Galbatorix. Eragon stood at her balcony with his hand resting on his sword. "You have grown up, Eragon," she commented softly.
"Conflicts can do that, m'lady," replied Eragon, turning to face the dark skinned woman. "When is the child due?"
"Any day now," answered Nasuada. She sounded, if anything else, relieved. "What about Arya? I heard that she is pregnant."
Eragon thought for a moment. "About five more months…I think…I have lost track of time." Then it dawned on him that he was about to be an uncle and a father. Such blessings should not be his though. Not in this time of war and overbearing shadows. He sighed heavily.
His thoughts wandered to Nasuada's previous attacker. Never in his training with Oromis had the old elf ever shared with him that there could ever be an impersonator. His anger boiled. There was a lot that Oromis had failed to share with him that he should have. What do you think, Saphira?
We should wait until Arya gets here and tell her everything, answered Saphira.
They should have been here by now, grumbled Eragon.
Arya was on horseback…and when has a horse ever outrun a dragon?
Eragon suppressed a chuckle. Dragons were such proud creatures, he reminded himself. In any case, Nasuada is not safe.
Neither will her child be, replied Saphira. And if it ever gets out that the child is sired by Murtagh—
That information cannot get out, murmured Eragon.
"Eragon?" Nasuada looked up at him, concern in her dark eyes.
Eragon smiled reassuringly. "Its nothing…I was just talking with Saphira about your attacker."
"Did you come up with any conclusions?" asked Nasuada softly.
"My apologies, Lady Nasuada, but no," answered Eragon. "I will wait until Arya gets here and consult with her. She may not have the answer, but I know that she will be able to find out." He suddenly felt five presences enter the city. His defenses rose. He held the hilt of Silbena mor'rana.
The sudden movement alerted Nasuada. She quickly unsheathed the dagger hidden in her bodice. "Are we under attack?" she asked Eragon in a low voice.
Eragon remained silent. He reached out his senses to make sure that they were indeed under attack. He heard a group of people cheer and hail as the intruders got nearer. It was then that he realized that Arya had finally made it with Tasha and their two dragons, and that the fifth presence was a horse. His posture relaxed again and a broad smile crossed his lips. "Arya svit-kona is here," he announced, full of joy at the prospect of being reunited with his mate at last.
"Go to her then," said Nasuada.
"I cannot leave you," replied Eragon.
"I will be fine for five minutes," argued Nasuada. "Bring Arya to me though."
Eragon nodded and bowed. "As you wish m'lady." He strode down the corridors and out to the courtyard where he found Arya, Galzra, Tasha, and Amestat. Saphira was already greeting them.
Eragon exchanged the formal greetings with each of them. "Tasha, have one of the guards show you to Angela's room. I am sure that you can learn a lot from her. Arya, Nasuada wishes to see you." Saphira feel free to take Galzra and Amestat for a hunt.
"How have you been, Eragon?" asked Arya softly, walking beside him.
"I am better knowing you are here," answered Eragon. "We have a problem that we must face," he added, seeing her look of disapproval for being so out-front in public. He sighed. Nasuada was attacked when I arrived here three days ago, he explained through their mental link. And the assassin in question was impersonating you.
Is she okay? Arya asked.
She's alive, answered Eragon. And the assassin got away.
What about the battle?
We had to retreat, admitted Eragon. I plan to train Tasha up so that she can join us in battle, and once you have had our child, you can join the battlefront, if that is what you wish.
I would have it no other way, replied Arya.
They walked in silence to Nasuada's quarters. The Varden leader was still sitting in her rocking chair. She looked up as they entered, eying Arya wearily.
"This is the real Arya," assured Eragon, smiling slightly.
The two women smiled at each other. "Nasuada, I regret hearing about your attacker, but it pleases me to see that you are doing well enough," said Arya.
"Thank you for your concern, Arya," replied Nasuada. "And once I have this child, all the unhappiness of the world can be forgotten."
Arya nodded. "That would be nice," she murmured. "Would it be alright if I talked with Eragon alone now?"
Nasuada nodded. "Of course," she said softly.
Arya and Eragon left with orders for the guards to not let anyone enter without them being alerted first. Arya also added that should Nasuada go into labor that someone would run to retrieve her. They walked silently along the darkened corridors.
"I missed you," murmured Eragon in the Ancient Language.
"I missed you too," replied Arya softly. She sighed. "Tasha's been coming along in her training as well. Maybe by the time I give birth to our child, she will be ready to join us in battle. And Eragon—Trianna attacked us while we were in Ellesméra."
"She what?!" cried Eragon, forgetting his self-control. "How did she get into Ellesméra?" he asked in a calmer voice.
"I do not know how she did it," answered Arya in a low whisper. "But she said that Tasha holds all of Galbatorix's memories inside…something to do with Amestat."
Tasha did have Amestat when we went to have Roran claim the throne, said Saphira. Galbatorix might have done something to Amestat.
Eragon shook his head. "I just do not see how that could be possible."
"Eragon, this is Galbatorix that we are talking about," replied Arya. "He managed to use dark spells to gain control of Shruikan."
"But Shruikan broke free of those bonds," said Eragon. "If it weren't for Shruikan, we'd all be dead right now!"
"I'm not saying anything against that, Eragon…but perhaps Galbatorix thought that he might die and so bound his memories to Amestat when he was still in the egg. There was not supposed to be another egg."
Eragon sighed heavily. "So what do we do?" he asked.
"I do not know," answered Arya, placing a hand on his shoulder. "But wait and see what happens. Trianna could have been lying."
"Let's go and find our room," murmured Eragon huskily. He walked with Arya until they found a room that they could comfortably share.
They sat in the balcony for hours, silently watching the stars. Eragon reached over and caressed Arya's soft cheek. "You're so beautiful," he whispered.
"You flatter me too much," giggled Arya. She leaned her head across his chest and for the first time since they were pulled apart, she relaxed. She kissed him softly on the lips.
Eragon moaned into the kiss as he returned it. A devilish smile crossed his lips. "It has been too long," he said, catching her in a more passionate kiss. He pulled her closer to him and sucked her tongue right out of her mouth. He pulled away and looked deep into those green eyes that he had fallen in love with so many times.
"Now, what is this that Saphira tells me that you have doubted my love for you?" asked Arya sternly.
Eragon sighed. "It's just that…you did not start returning my affection until after many failed attempts on my part," he answered truthfully.
"When will you learn?" chuckled Arya. "And what do I have to do to prove my love for you?"
Warning: Lemon Scene
He began to feel incredibly uncomfortable. How could he get out of this one? He looked away from her and remained silent for a long moment, thankful that elves were extremely patient. "I was under a lot of stress when I said that," he said weakly. "And being away from you wasn't helping." He picked her up so that she was sitting across his lap. He inhaled her pinecone scent. "Damn, I missed you so much."
"And I missed you," replied Arya. She just laid there in his arms.
"What do you say to going to bed?" asked Eragon with an impish smile. He nuzzled the nape of her neck and sucked on her skin.
"That would be nice," whispered Arya.
Eragon smiled as he lifted her up and carried her to the bed. He slowly removed her clothes with trembling hands. He removed his own clothes and cuddled up next to her. He wrapped his arms around her and placed his hand over their unborn child. He felt himself growing hard and cursed himself for it.
"Go ahead, Eragon…get it out of your system. I do not know how much longer I can continue making love to you with this child continuing to grow inside my womb."
Eragon rolled her under him and caught her in a fiery kiss. He trailed his kisses down her jaw, neck, collarbone, and stopping to tease each of her nipples. A series of moans escaped Arya's mouth. She twisted under him. She was under growing awareness of her pussy getting wet. She dealt with it though, knowing that in the long run, Eragon would release her.
Eragon reached down and with one of his fingers, he played inside of her lips, before sliding his finger in and wiggling it around. Arya moaned loudly in response to being touched down low. She thrust her hips up, but Eragon held her down with his magic. He pulled his finger out and carefully slid down, and brought her hips up to his waiting mouth. He sucked and slurped on her hot, sweet juices, easing her into cumming into his mouth.
Arya was driven mad at being teased so much. She wrapped her legs around him and shoved his tongue further into her. She gasped as she released more of his fluids. "Please Eragon," she wined. She leaned her head back.
Eragon pulled his tongue out and crawled up so that she could suck the cum off of his cock. Arya sucked and nibbled lightly on the hardened member. The longer she spent sucking, the harder she found that it got. Eragon moaned loudly and thrust his dick further into her mouth. He squirted some of his fluids and moaned as some of his release came. He pulled out of her mouth and bound her down to the bed with his magic. Arya did not resist the binds. "I love you, Arya svit-kona," he whispered teasingly into her ear. He positioned himself so that he could slide his painfully hardened cock into her wet pussy. His thrusts started off slow, until Arya's begged moans for him to go faster and harder urged him to do so.
The elf did what she could to arch up to meet his thrusts, but the magic was more powerful than she originally thought. "Ah, Eragon…oh…ohh…ohhh…ah…go…faster." Her moans were now pitiful pleads of release.
Eragon enjoyed being in control. He went as fast and hard as he could; going as deep as physically possible. He was finally rewarded for his efforts as Arya's cum burst forth. He released his own cum into her. He slowly pulled out and collapsed next to his lover.
Arya kissed him lightly on the forehead. She cuddled into his protective arms that she had missed so much. She closed her eyes and was lost in her usual trance-like state. Eragon smiled and closed his eyes.
End of Lemon
--
Tasha walked timidly into Angela's quarters. "Um…excuse me, are you Angela the Herbologist?" she asked.
"And who are you?" asked Angela, but not unkindly. She stirred her brew of potion. Solembum was curled up at her heels. The werecat opened his eyes, but was indifferent at the visitor.
"Eragon-ebrithil sent me," murmured Tasha.
"You have some knowledge of the Ancient Language?" asked Angela, raising her eyebrows.
"Yes…some at least," answered Tasha. "I was told that I could learn a lot from you."
Angela's eyes fell on Tasha's gedwëy ignasia. "So, you're another dragon Rider…that explains a lot."
"What is that supposed to mean?" grumbled Tasha, crossing her arms.
"Human Riders…at least from my experience are…well…ignorant," laughed Angela. "Make yourself useful and get me some mug wart and sage from the cabinet," she ordered.
"What?" asked Tasha, obviously confused.
"They're herbs," answered Angela impatiently, rolling her eyes. "There, in the cabinet. They should be in labeled jars."
Tasha hurried to the cabinet and searched for the herbs that Angela requested. She found them and rushed them to Angela. "What are you making?" she asked curiously.
"A potion," answered Angela as though it were obvious. She added her ingredients and gave the jars back to Tasha to replace in the cabinet.
"For what?" asked Tasha when she returned.
"Just something to help Lady Nasuada after she gives birth to her child," answered Angela. "Which I expect to be sometime tomorrow."
Tasha nodded, absorbing the information. "So this is how you helped the Varden for all these years?"
"That…amongst other things," mumbled Angela.
"What sort of other things?" asked Tasha curiously.
"You human Riders are sure full of questions," chuckled Angela.
"What do you mean? I'm the only human Rider left…unless you were associated with Galbatorix!" She instantly saw flashes of giving orders to a mysterious red-haired man, apparently named Durza. She flinched and looked away.
Angela took no notice, or at least she did not seem to. "Eragon is human," she murmured. "He only looks like an elf because of a celebration that he took part in while he was being trained with the elves." She sighed. "It is getting late. You should go to bed. I am sure that your 'Teacher' will want to continue your training as soon as possible." She smiled as she watched Tasha hurry off.
What do you think of her, Amestat?
She certainly is an odd one, commented Amestat.
But interesting nonetheless, added Tasha. She yawned. I should get some rest. We have traveled it seems nonstop since Trianna attacked us back in Ellesméra. It seemed like a lifetime ago to her, even though she was so young…though only a couple years younger than Eragon. She stumbled into the room that was deemed hers to use while she stayed in Aberon. Tomorrow should be interesting enough.
Indeed, chuckled Amestat.
The next morning dawned with all three dragons roaring into the sky. Arya and Eragon jumped awake. They both reached for their swords. What's going on? They asked.
Nasuada just went into labor, Galzra and Saphira answered.
Guard the castle, ordered Arya. And have Amestat wake Tasha and tell her to go straight to Nasuada's quarters!
The two Riders quickly dressed into their tunics and hurried off to Nasuada's side. They found the young leader in her bed with a full staff of nurses around her. The nurses forbade Eragon to enter. Wait outside, Arya told him. You can watch through my eyes.
Eragon nodded and turned around. He waited outside the door. His hand was resting on his sword, daring anyone to try and enter with him there.
Arya sat at Nasuada's side and took the young woman's hand in hers. "You're doing fine Nasuada," she murmured.
Nasuada smiled weakly. "Thank you, Arya." She winced in pain.
"How long has she been in labor?" asked Arya, looking around at the five nurses.
"A few hours," answered the closest, a young brunet.
The door opened. Tasha stepped in. "You called, Arya-ebrithil?" She looked around at all the activity.
"Yes, I want you to stay at the window and make sure that no assassins try and get in," ordered Arya with all her authority.
Nasuada cried out in pain. She squeezed Arya's hand. Arya squeezed firmly in response. "I'm here, my friend," the elf whispered. Her eyes softened as she watched the dark skinned woman go through the pains of childbirth, and thought of just how sacred of an event this was. Her thoughts drifted off to her own child and she realized that in just a matter of a few months, she would be going through the same thing. She suddenly missed her home. The forest had the exact herbs that would make childbirth easier and less painful.
The process was long. It was well into the day before Nasuada began the painful process of pushing the child from within her womb. Arya stayed at her side the whole time, dabbing a cold, wet cloth on her to help prevent a fever from starting. Nasuada gave one last outcry of pain and it was all over. The oldest nurse held up a crying baby boy and handed the babe to Nasuada.
As she took the babe, all the pain of the past months, of Murtagh's death seemed to be all lifted away. She looked down at her newborn son and just smiled and cried. She looked up at Arya, who smiled back. The babe was dark, but not nearly as dark as Nasuada. He had thin black hair. He cried out to be fed. Nasuada let the babe suckle from her. "I shall name him…Murtagh."
"That is an appropriate name," murmured Arya. "Make sure that he carries it well." She stood. "Tasha, go and get yourself some food. I will take over watching the window." The young pupil left without a second glance. She looked a bit green from what she had just seen.
How is she? Eragon asked.
Tired, but happy, answered Arya. We are going to have to take turns watching her and her child…she named him Murtagh.
Aye…shall we have her sleep in our room for a while?
Do we have any other choice?
Angela walked in, holding a bowl of the potion she had brewed the previous night. The witch smiled at Nasuada and Murtagh. "Drink this; it'll help your strength to return."
"Where were you three hours ago?" demanded Nasuada harshly. She drank the drought.
Disclaimer: There you have it. Another chapter. And I finally got past Nasuada and her child. I know that this is a lot longer than usual, but there was a lot that had to happen in this chapter. Hope that you enjoyed. Please review! I can't promise when my next update will come out. That all depends on how lazy I am, and when I get on the tall ships.