Disclaimer: I am sorry for the delay. I have not had any time at all to type this chapter up as I am in the start of my senior year.
Eragon carried Arya to her room. He set her down and pulled the linen blanket over her. His thoughts traveled to the conversation that he had had just moments ago with Narí .
"There is a darkness in the forest, Shadeslayer," murmured Narí darkly.Eragon looked down at Arya as his mate stirred in her sleep. He brushed his hand gently against her hair. He looked out at the full moon that shined into the room that they shared. He reached out for Saphira, who was hunting with Galzra.
"Is Ellesmera really safe?" asked Eragon.
"I do not know," answered Nari.
Eragon frowned. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked up at the star filled night sky. He silently wondered what the future had in store for them. "Prepare our army…you have six months to gather all able warriors."
"Six months?" questioned Nari. "But by that time, Trianna could already have destroyed half the empire!"
"I know," agreed Eragon. "But that is the time frame that King Roran gave me…and we need him behind us when we march off to war. And by that time, Arya will more than have recovered from the birth of our first born."
Nari nodded, unwilling to question Eragon further. "I will see you in no more than six months then."
"Oh, and Nari-elda," added Eragon.
"Yes, Shadeslayer?"
"Use extreme caution," ordered Eragon. "There are traitors within our kin."
"You have nothing to worry about, Shadeslayer," murmured Nari. "I will not fail you."
It will not be long now, he said.
No, but it is going to be a long night, replied Saphira. How is Arya?
Not showing any signs of physical pain yet, but I can tell by the mental connection that I share with her that the contractions are starting, answered Eragon.
And Murtagh?
Asleep, reported Eragon.
You should get some rest too, said Saphira.
I will have months to rest, murmured Eragon.
You will need to resume training yourself, replied Saphira. Every day Tasha and Amestat grow stronger…it's possible that they are using the Vault of Souls.
These are indeed cursed times, grumbled Eragon.
Eragon…take some happiness out of what is to come, advised Saphira. You are about to become a father.
Eragon sighed. He blocked off Saphira's thoughts, yet still kept enough of the connection that he could tell whether or not there was any danger where she was at. He let his mind brush against Joed's consciousness.
The elves had allowed his travel companion into the city, yet at Eragon's bidding did they keep close watch over him. Maybe he was just overreacting, yet that had kept him alive this long.
Arya moaned in her sleep. She winced as if in pain and opened her eyes.
"It has started then," stated Eragon. He looked down at her.
She nodded. "It has…call for Yume."
Eragon's eyebrows shot up. He recognized the name of the elf that had visited them after the Battle of the Burning Plains and wondered why Arya would call for the elf. He nodded nevertheless. "Where does she live?" he asked.
"On the outskirts of the city…close to where Oromis-ebrithil lived," answered Arya. Again she winced and her body shook.
Eragon nodded. He closed his eyes and searched for the elf. His mind brushed against her consciousness. Queen Arya requests your presence in her quarters. He opened his eyes and wrapped his arms protectively around Arya.
"Not now…Eragon," groaned Arya. She gasped in pain.
Yume walked in moments later. "You called for me, Queen Arya?" She blinked at the sight before her. She pointed at Eragon. "You! Out!"
"I'm staying," stated Eragon firmly.
"This is no place for a man," replied Yume. "I will call you when you have a child." She steered him out of the room.
"It has been a long time, Arya svit-kona…."
"It has…Yume svit-kona," agreed Arya weakly. She leaned back into her pillows. "How much longer?"
"A few hours…you were probably in labor for two or three hours now," answered Yume.
Arya groaned loudly before crying out in pain.
It was a long night for all of them. Saphira and Galzra sat outside with Eragon, and Galzra would give frequent updates from the images that he saw from his connection with the elf. He also lent her his strength.
With one final effort, Arya brought her child into the world. She collapsed back into her bed, relieved and happy that it was over.
"It's a girl," announced Yume, smiling brightly.
She handed the girl to Arya, who smiled as she wrapped her arms around her daughter for the first time. Thin black hair covered her head. Her ears were pointed with a small hint of roundness. Brown eyes stared up at Arya's face.
The door burst open and Eragon hurried to Arya's side. He looked down at his daughter and smiled. "She looks just as beautiful as her mother," he stated before kissing Arya full on the lips. He turned to Yume. "Thank you, Yume-elda."
Yume inclined her head. "Arya will need to rest." She walked out of the room to give the family some privacy.
Saphira and Galzra roared into the forest, announcing the new life.
"How do you feel?" asked Eragon.
A small smile crept to Arya's lips. "Tired…and happy."
Eragon smiled. He took their daughter and kissed Arya on the brow. "Get some rest then, my love."
"Her name shall be Trinity," said Arya before allowing exhaustion to take over. She closed her eyes and drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
--
In the days that past, Arya regained her strength. Her hands were always full with caring for Murtagh and Trinity. She watched from the sidelines as Eragon sparred against Vanir.
The two of them were vary fun to watch in their dance. She caught every movement and noticed that Eragon was holding back on something. Yet Eragon was able to disarm Vanir with a flick of his wrist and pointed the tip of Silbena Mor'rana to Vanir's throat. "Dead," he panted and sheathed his blade.
Saphira growled low next to Arya.
You noticed it too, huh? Arya looked away from Trinity's cooing to Saphira.
How could I not?
What was he holding back from?
That part of his mind is blocked off, growled Saphira. You should find someone to watch the children and spar against him…you are the only one that can match his blade.
Arya nodded. Perhaps I will do that then, she stated. She cradled Trinity close. Galzra curled contently around Murtagh, who was sleeping.
At least you can have some peace in your life, said Galzra. He rested his eyes on his Rider.
True, mused Arya. But I did not want to raise any children during a war.
Trinity probably won't remember this…assuming that this war is short lived. Galzra rested his head on his paws.
I hope that this war doesn't last long, replied Arya.
Horns blew off in the distance, not far from the city. Arya recognized the sound, as did the dragons. Even some of the elves on the sparing field recognized it. She cursed under her breath. "Vanir-elda!" she barked.
Vanir was at her side in an instant. "Urgals!" he growled.
"I know," replied Arya. "Watch Trinity and Murtagh while Eragon and I hold council with them…see what they want."
"It could be too dangerous," Vanir pleaded, but took Trinity and Murtagh while Eragon got into Saphira's saddle.
"Those were Kull horns…and the Kull were allies in the Battle of the Burning Plains," said Arya. She leapt into Galzra's saddle and held on as her dragon partner took flight.
You have Zar'roc with you, right?
I would not leave our room without it, Eragon, replied Arya. What could the Kull want?
We are about to find out, growled Eragon. Hopefully they are willing to help with the war-effort.
That would be a great help if they did, agreed Arya. What do you think, Galzra?
It is hard saying…I wasn't around for the Battle of the Burning Plains," answered Galzra. What about you, Saphira?
They would attack if their intentions were hostile, said Saphira. I think that they are peaceful toward us…we got rid of Galbatorix for them so that their kin could thrive.
They descended through the trees to a clearing where a small band of twelve Kull awaited. Eragon looked down at them with narrowed eyes. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, yet he raised his head up, showing them that he meant no harm. Arya carefully followed suit.
"Why have you gone back on your promise, Firesword?" asked Garzhvog.
"I have no idea what you are talking about," stated Eragon.
"I think that you do, Flamesword…the new Empire has opened attack on my kin and destroyed our lands."
"We are at war…those loyal to Galbatorix have driven the dwarves from their lands. If you join us…we could help you to restore your lands."
"We will fight together so long as we have a common enemy…but if I discover that you have betrayed us, Flamesword, I will wage open war against you and your allies."
"Understood…this spring, we march to war. Do you know of the town of Carvahall?"
"Yes," grunted Garzhvog.
"The Spine will make fine training grounds for your warriors," stated Eragon. "When the days are at their longest, we march to war."
Garzhvog made a rutting call and turned his warriors around.
That went well, stated Saphira.
Yea, but I was a little nervous there for a while, replied Eragon.
You have become a great leader, commented Arya.
Lets go…its almost dark, said Eragon.
The two dragons were like darts going into the air. They met and separated in a spiral dance.
Shall we spar with our dragons while we're up here? Arya asked.
Might as well, replied Eragon. He unsheathed his sword, glad that Arya could spar against him once again without the fear of injury.
Arya whipped Zar'roc out and twisted the blade, testing it in her hand.
--
The months to follow were a test to them all. Trinity and Murtagh were growing fast, and both were crawling in no time. Arya spent her days taking care of her duties as queen with only Galzra to help her, while Eragon and Saphira gathered the elves for battle. The sparring fields were once again full.
Joed had been more than helpful taking care of the children during the day with little complaining. He even began growing attached to them.
The night before they set out to meet Roran and Orik, Eragon strapped what food and other provisions to Saphira's saddle that he could. He sighed when he was sure that he had done all that he could and went to snuggle up to Arya. He began kissing the nape of her neck.
Arya rolled over and cuddled into his bare chest. She kissed him softly on the lips. "Ah, I missed this," she sighed.
Eragon grinned. "So did I…." He pulled her next to him so that their skin touched. He gently massaged her breast while he kissed her. His erection slowly started. He rubbed up against her thighs. He pinned her under him and began kissing every inch of skin that he could get to.
Arya moaned softly. She arched her back so that her hips brushed against her mate's hardened cock.
Eragon maneuvered himself into her. He began his thrusts slow and long before speeding up.
"Oh…Eragon…harder," Arya gasped. She went with his rhythm and met his hips when she was supposed to. Her cum began squirting out and mixing with his fluids. Her fingers tangled his sandy blonde hair.
Eragon gave her exactly what she wanted. He began to reach the ecstasy that usually came with sex. His cum burst into her and he slowly pulled out before collapsing next to her.
Disclaimer: Ok…here's the next chapter. I promise a fantastic battle to come…probably within three chapters or so. The armies have to join forces, plan an attack, and I have a little bit of a surprise in store. And sorry that this took so long…I've been distracted by school and haven't had much computer time…I am getting the chapters written though…just finding the time to update has been a pain.