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Saphira yawned then leveled her gaze to match Eragon's; the dim, sapphire gleam in her eyes conveying her unyielding expectation. In the drawn, awkward silence Eragon faltered, gaze shying from hers in an attempt to hide the asinine taint marring the faint amethyst gleam in his own. The sheepish grin he'd offered completely vanished from his maw. To him it wasn't enough to tell her that he'd been distracted. Nor was it to say that he'd meant to tell her, but wanted to wait until Ar'Din had told him everything. In truth Ar'Dins last revelation left Eragon at a loss. He'd hoped for time to consider just how much to tell her. Time it didn't appear he was going to get.

Even so, it wasn't the first time he'd kept secrets from her, and she knew it. Ar'Dins untold revelations were scant to those he'd kept from her during the war. He'd loathed doing it even then, though it'd been easier to pass off as necessary. Circumstances had been different. It was war and they were only dragon and Rider. But now they were mated, and Eragon knew that meant something more.

He smiled affectionately at the thought, allowing his mood to lighten just a little, his gaze slowly drifting back to meet Saphira's. He'd half expected her to be angry with him. But anger was not what he saw in her eyes, nor felt as her inner most feelings seeped to him through their bond. She remained quietly curious. Patient and expectant as ever. Even amused at his unwarranted attempt to appease her. But there was another emotion underlying the others, one he could tell she was trying keep from him. He could feel it. See it in her eyes.

Sorrow?

Eragon blinked, incredulously. His nostrils flared in a hushed snort, head recoiling just slight of hers. She was genuinely hurt that he'd keep secrets from her. A feeling so plain to him now. He knew she never liked being kept in the dark, but she'd understood that at times it was necessary. If it'd cut her as deeply in the past she'd managed to hide the pain well. But now ...

Oh Saphira. What am I doing?

He inwardly chided as he closed his eyes, leaned in and simply pressed his forehead into the blunt of her snout, letting loose a long sigh through his parted maw. He didn't want to keep secrets from her anymore. Especially if it was going to hurt her. He'd caused her enough pain over the last several days. And yet he was faced with the prospect of doing both again. Ar'Dins warning had tugged at the back of his mind since being given it, sparking a fear that weighed heavy on his heart. He didn't want to loose her either, but found himself fearful he might if he didn't heed the warning. And that meant withholding information from her, effectually hurting her again. Eragon pined.

_If only I had assurance I could protect her from the harm telling her might bring. _

Frustrated, he snarled, rumbling deep in his chest. It seemed a cruel irony that during the war he'd not come so close to loosing her as he'd come only just a day ago. And that as consequence of his own shortsightedness, not by the hand of one of Galbatorix's soldiers, or some brute bent on making a name for himself. Glaedr had warned of the fear a bonded dragon and Rider face at the prospect of loosing the other, but Eragon had never truly been faced with it. As capable and fearless a fighter as he'd proven in battle in the past it was of little value to him now that he was in a form so foreign to him. He possessed the memories and body of a dragon, but he'd never lived, walked, flew, fought, hunted or loved as one. It would take time to master his new form with all its urges, instincts, sensations and quirky movements. And each day he could not left her vulnerable in his mind.

Since the day his changes began he'd felt a growing urge to protect her, while at the same time feeling vulnerable, uncertain and inadequate. It was unnerving. Feelings he'd not struggled with since the injury to his back was healed. But like it or not he was forced to face them, now and each day before them. For how long he knew not.

He whimpered softly and slid his forehead across her cheek, down to press it against the side of her neck, eyes closing tighter, wetting at the corners. He knew if something happened to her while on their journey -- if he lost her -- he wouldn't be able to go on. He wouldn't be able to live without her. And if he was lost so was the hope of ever leading what was now his race back to the home destined to them, let alone rebuilding the order.

He uttered another whimper, then pulled his head away and rumbled deep in his chest. His eyes blinked open while his head swiveled so that his gaze fell to the dark tree line at the far edge of the clearing; the spot where Ar'Din had taken leave. For a long while he stared, eye-ridges furrowed while he considered how much to tell. Ultimately he resigned to the fact it was pointless to stall, and so let loose another sigh then looked down, nodding, maw parted slightly.

_From the beginning then. _

Saphira had remained still and silent while Eragon pined over his decision, moving only after his intention became apparent. She pulled her right wing tighter against her side then eased her body over to press her warm scaled flank against Eragon's. His gaze broke from the tree line, head swiveling back to eye her warily, more of a reflex than intentional scrutiny of her actions. Despite the reaction he did not refuse her, his wing raising reflexively so that it didn't get pinned between them. Both of his hind limbs stretched out beyond his body so that by the time she settled comfortably against his side his left wing rested loosely over her back and her hind quarters were pressed against the forward edge of both his hind limbs.

Eragon squirmed when she finally settled against him, his gaze averting momentarily before looking back into her eyes. The feel of her body pressed against his was not unwelcome. In fact he felt has if he'd never been so close to her before, despite the countless times he'd slept beneath her wing when he'd been in human/eleven form. He suddenly felt his cheeks warming, which only caused him to squirm again.

Mmmm. This might just be a little too close.

He thought to himself, exhaling a shaky breath. He wasn't sure if it was paranoia brought on by his sudden flare of nerve or if he'd simply missed something in his teachings about dragons, but the gesture seemed quite uncharacteristic of her.

Oh he considered it quite appropriate for her to be so expressive when he was in human/elven form. Eragon knew that dragons even held and expressed a certain affection towards each other, but they also had a certain way about it. A way never so intimately expressed. Even so, it was not without affect on him. His nerve melted away almost as fast as it'd come, replaced by the sudden urge to reciprocate. To this his eyes narrowed and his head leaned in so that he could run the blunt of his snout along her cheek and part way down the side of her neck, breathing gently of her scent. He exhaled and breathed again as his head slid up and back, eyes closed in savor as his new draconic olfactory sense sampled and processed her wild and heady scent, catching underlying hints of a faint smoky, fiery musk he'd never smelled before. He found it calming, yet provocative.

Saphira's tail (which was draped over his hind limbs) began to slowly slither and coil along the length of Eragon's while his maw lingered over her cheek, scenting and licking it occasionally. He found the feel of her tail warm, smooth and surprisingly soft as the scales along its underside rubbed and coiled about his. The warmth spread, traversing up and down his tail and along his belly. His tail soon found itself coiling round hers, while at the same time a small smile of recognition spread across his maw.

She was simply trying to comfort and encourage him. He made no move to lift his head and look into her eyes, but simply leaned against her, enjoying her presence while he prepared to share with her what Ar'Din had shared with him. He swallowed, the claws of both forepaws clenching involuntarily into the ground as he slowly slid his head back to look her squarely in the eyes. His expression was more relaxed, save his eye ridges, which were furrowed from the mixture of trepidation and determination swirling between his heart and mind.

While he held her gaze something inside his draconic brain clicked, like the lock of a flood gate coming undone. His mind was suddenly joined with hers in a way it'd never before. Eragon grunted, eyes closing as his draconic body jolted from the sudden joining, a part of him desperate to open completely to her, to share with her every secret he'd ever kept, every thought. All of himself as if there was more to give beyond what they already shared through their bond. To show her how much he loved her, how much she meant to him. To hide nothing from her ever again. He paused, inhaling deeply, coiled his tail tighter around Saphira's and then exhaled with a rush in attempt to relax before he slowly let the exchange open. Vivid thought, feeling and sensation soon seeped from him to her, quickly growing to a torrential surge: A whirl of cloudy, half-coherent images and sounds which grew in clarity and intensity the more he relaxed and let go. He closed his eyes and leaned into Saphira, marveling to something he'd never experienced before.

No longer limited by the boundaries of his human/elven brain, he soon found it effortless in controlling the flow of memories (both new and ancient) relived as vivid images, scents, sounds, feelings and sensations. The weight of his burden lightened, replaced for the moment by utter fascination at the depth and clarity he was able to communicate with her. Even at their best, exchanges of thought between them when he was a Rider where never so clear or controlled. Eragon had been taught that dragon's were capable of far more depth and clarity through mental exchange due the fact it was the sole means their race once communicated, before the introduction of language by the elves and humans. Saphira had attempted to train Eragon's mind to improve their mental exchanges, but event then his best efforts were a meager comparison to what he was capable of now.

He pushed on with eagerness. Together they relived the history of dragons as Ar'Din had revealed it to Eragon. As if disembodied (transported across the ages to another time, another place) they shared his visions. Both witnessed with their own eyes the barren wasteland that was now Ter'Olen, the crumbling monuments left to rot in the once great city. Both smelled the faint stench of death and decay. Both heard, as if echoing across the sky, Ar'Dins voice and listened to the sad tale of the great dragon war, the escape of its survivors, and of the search for a new home far from the death and destruction they'd left behind. Eragon lead on, passing from the vow of secrecy sworn by the survivors of Ter'Olen when they'd settled in Alaga?sia, to the death of the two heirs, to the moment Eragon learned of his heir-ship through Saphira and of her royal lineage, ending with the startling revelation of Murtagh's destined role as the new leader of the order.

At moments the exchange faltered, images or sounds fuzzied or darkened all together when Eragon's focus wavered to the choice to tell Saphira of her gift, along with the memory of Ar'Dins warning. It was during these moments he'd received a sharp mental prod from Saphira, spurring him. But instead of telling her he'd shift to some other trivial detail, convincing himself he'd tell her the next time it came around. Yet each of the three additional attempts he'd made to tell her he'd found the same fear there, seizing his thoughts, squeezing his heart in its cold grip, muting his inner voice to a frustrated silence.

When he finally did finish, Eragon became aware once again of his draconic body pressed against Saphira. He exhaled slowly and opened his eyes to find that at some point during the exchange he and Saphira had pressed their foreheads together. Though a bit unfocused he was able to see that Saphira had closed her eyes and remained quiet, breathing calmly. Eragon attempted to pull his head back but found he'd caught his horns in hers. The attempt jarred Saphira's head, her eyes fluttering open as Eragon chuckled and tilted his head just enough that he could pull freely. Saphira raised her head and silently looked at him, eye-ridges furrowed, eyes filled with a mixture of disbelief, but at the same acknowledgment of the truth in what she'd witnessed. He also felt from her a quagmire of emotion, unreadable in her expression, but churning from with in. A mixture of confusion, anger, pride and sadness.

Overshadowing them all was another, one that only served to augment the twinge of hurt she still harbored from Eragon's reluctance to share everything with her. It was ...

_jealousy? _

Eragon blinked, shock so evident in his eyes that Saphira sighed and looked away. She said nothing, only stared across the clearing, her gaze fixed to the distant tree-line.

Eragon lowered his gaze and pressed his forehead against the side of her neck as understanding slowly came to him. Saphira was confused that dragons would have a history beyond Alaga?sia, a history she'd known nothing about. A history that Glaedr nor the others knew about. She was angry and saddened by the images of Ter'Olen in ruin, joined by that of the carnage of hundreds of once mighty dragons slain and left to litter the sands around and beyond the city. Yet she was also proud to be counted among their kind. She could only imagine what the city or multitude of dragons must have looked like in their day of glory. Saphira winced, closing her eyes. It pained her to admit it to herself, but she was jealous. Jealous that she (or any dragon that lived before her) never knew of a history beyond Alaga?sia. Moreover, that the knowledge was given first to one who wasn't even a dragon, with her to learn of it second hand. Saphira sneered in response to the thought, unable to contain the reaction. A knowledge that seemed so sacred to her race yet it had been given to a human/elf before it was given to her or another of her kind. She couldn't help but think of it as an insult to her race.

His forehead still pressed against the side of her neck, Eragon spoke, softly.

Saphira I--

He paused, sides heaving with a deep breath that he wearily exhaled through his nostrils.

I-I'm sorry. But I didn't ask for any of this.

Saphira remained silent, cracked her eyes open and swiveled her head enough to glare at Eragon's with one of them for a time then exhaled in an exasperated sigh, head swiveling back round to gaze upon the same spot Eragon had earlier.

It's not your fault. I--

She sighed again, her head swiveling around to nose along Eragon's neck.

Neither did I ask for what was given me.

She pressed her forehead to the side of his scaled face and steeled herself, allowing the hurt and jealously to melt away until a faint hum began to rumble in her chest. She pulled back enough to lick tenderly along his cheek, which stirred him to open his eyes and pull his head back, swiveling it to look at her as she looked at him.

You cannot change what has happened. What is done, is done.

She leaned to lick the blunt of his maw, then pressed hers to it, her eyes never leaving his.

It really doesn't matter how or when I came to know the truth. The important thing is that I know it now. But please, Eragon. Please don't keep anything from me again.

Eragon flinched inwardly from the pleading glint in her eyes and found himself averting his gaze, his response little more than a whisper.

I'll try Saphira. I promise.

A promise he'd already broken, for he'd failed to share with her what Ar'Din had told him of her gift.

She watched his eyes for at time, but said nothing. Eragon could feel that she knew he was keeping something from her. The faint hum that'd been in her chest went silent. She lowered and pressed her forehead under his chin, saying nothing. His promise seemed enough for now, but not the response she'd hoped. Her flanks swelled in a deep breath, then exhaled, sending a wash of warm air over the sapphire scales along the front of Eragon's neck and chest.

It was allot to take in at once. She finally offered.

Do you think Murtagh can be trusted to take your place?

Eragon sighed and rubbed his chin along her forehead, eyes closed.

I don't know. I wish I could trust that he would not betray such an honor, but I cannot bring myself to. I can only trust that what Ar'Din says is true, and that in the end all will be made right.

Saphira's hum returned as Eragon's chin lowered to rub gently along the right side of her face.

You realize that Glaedr's not going to be pleased when he learns that Murtagh is destined to replace you as leader of The Order.

Eragon sighed, shifting with unease.

He already knows.

Saphira's head snapped back to look at him, eyes blinking in surprise.

He does? But when did--

Saphira paused then craned her head in, eyes narrowing to glare at him, head cocked.

How long have you known about this?

Eragon winced under her gaze, averting his. He knew she wasn't going to like the answer, but offer it he did.

Since two days ago.

Saphira continued to silently glare at him, but made no move. Instead she stared, but Eragon could feel her tail tighten around his, hear the beginnings of a low rumble deep in her chest. The moment Eragon had told her he'd told Glaedr he knew she'd be upset. In her mind she should have been the first to know.

Eragon.

Saphira finally sighed as she looked away, back to the tree line.

Why didn't you just--

Again she sighed, her tail relaxing its grip on his.

Never mind. Do the others know?

Eragon offered only a whisper in reply.

Aye, they do. I asked Glaedr to inform them before I left them in search of you.

_What was his reaction? _

Eragon lowered his head to rest his his chin on her back and shrugged.

_He didn't have one. At least not that I could tell. I'm sure he wasn't happy about it, but I'd wager he was keeping that to himself until a more opportune time to voice it. _

Eragon gently rubbed his chin along her neck, eliciting the quietest of hums from her and an ever so slight shift of her body as she relaxed into him.

_At the time there was you to think about. I didn't exactly share the knowledge under the best of circumstances. But I know he will want to discuss it when we get back. Though I'm not looking forward to confronting him about it. _

She swiveled her head back to look at him, her eyes gentle, loving.

As your mate I should be the first to know such things. Next time come to me first. Agreed?

She emphasized the request with a nuzzle of his cheek, which he returned along her opposite one, affirming his answer.

Agreed.

After, Saphira pressed her forehead against Eragon's and silence fell upon them once again. During the silence Eragon could feel that she was still troubled deep down, but resigned to the fact that what had been done had been done. Still, he mused over his memories in search of one that might brighten both their moods, even if only a little. Enough bad and shocking news had been given for one night. Eragon knew that seeing the ruins of Ter'Olen and the carnage of dragon corpses strewn for miles likely impacted Saphira more than any other image. She'd never had the chance to see them in their glory. But Eragon had.

He smiled. He hadn't shared his vision of the city with her yet, as it was before the great battle. The one he'd experienced on the front deck of the Talita. I was the perfect way to lighten her mood, take her mind off the hurt and sadness and give her something to look forward to. Nuzzling her neck, he offered.

_I have something to show you. _

Saphira pulled her head back and looked at him, half curious, half expectant. He watched her for only a moment before smiling broader and touching the blunt of snout with hers.

_Ter'Olen is to be our new home, but we've much work to do to restore the great dragon city. Our city. _

Pausing, he turned aside his gaze, thoughtfully adding.

_I have another memory of it, of a time when it teemed with dragons of all sizes and colors, of a time when it flourished. _

Looking back to her, he continued, eyes gleaming.

_It's an amazing memory. One I know you'll enjoy seeing. _

He drew his head back just slight and flicked the forked-tips of his tongue in a gentle lick across her snout.

_I'd like to experience it again, but this time with you. Would you like to see it? _

Saphira shifted, growling in anticipation, and offered him a tentative smile.

_Aye, Eragon. I would like that very much. _

Still smiling, he favored her with a gentle nuzzle, saying.

Then close your eyes, my mate. And we shall soar together.

Drawing back his head, he carefully watched as she closed her eyes; then, bringing to mind the vision he'd had days prior, joined his mind with hers, once again opening the exchange.

---

Eragon was flying low above a vast sea of the deepest blue that stretched in all directions as far as his eyes could see. Looking to his right, he was only mildly surprised to find the beautiful form of his Saphira, flying next to him, augmenting the beauty of the watery vista with the brilliance of her sapphire scales that gleamed in the noon-day sun. Breathing together they could smell the salt air and feel the breeze gently caressing their wings and faces. Though he could tell she was trying to hold it back, he noted the wonder seeping into her expression as she slowly panned her gaze over the sea that sparkled below them. He brushed the tip of his right wing against hers to draw her attention. When she craned her head round he gestured with his head to the lone island in the distance to their left. Both soared through the sky and admired the view before banking towards it, in unison, each filled with an aching, pining need.

_Home! _

They arrived a short time later then began circling round as Eragon led her in a grand tour. They first passed over the great forests and plains that teemed with a diverse selection of wildlife. Looking to her, he loosed a smoky chuckle; amused at her excitement which was evidenced by a pair of sapphire eyes darting quickly over the sheer number and variety of prey, all the while flexing her talons and licking her chops in eager anticipation.

He next led her over the rocky beaches that lined crystal blue coves, then over the massive mountain ranges inlaid with deep-set valleys and roaring waterfalls that poured from vast rivers. Together they flew over one of the large volcanoes, both coughing and gasping as they passed through the pillar of acrid smoke that billowed from its mouth. Reaching the island's northern edge, Eragon led her into a dive, entering a large valley that was lined by towering mountains with snow-white peaks; their jagged sides specked with large caves too numerous to count. Saphira looked with wonder, marveling at the sheer number of caves, her tail twitching in excitement as she looked forward to the day when together she and Eragon would select one for their nest.

They banked east, following the valley to the site Eragon wished to show her most of all. There it lay before them, just as he'd remembered it. The great dragon city nestled among the mountains, part of a vast desert colored by a reddish-brown floor of stone and sand. Circling above, Eragon pointed out the city's center whose magnificence was augmented by a number of large stone structures shaped in the form of a dragon's claw, or the towering curvature of a dragon's horns. The structures circled the outer edge of a large stone courtyard that had at its center another much larger stone structure carved in the likeness of a dragon, a dragon larger than either of them had ever seen. And gathered around the dragon were a multitude of living dragons of every color and size imaginable, all appearing to be bowed in reverence. Eragon smiled with pride as he felt the wave of emotion - he'd hoped for - emanate from Saphira as she gazed on the multitude below. She wriggled with excitement and anticipation, looking to the day when she and Eragon would see their kind once again restored, matching the great multitude in sheer number, and more! They circled slowly for a long while, savoring the sight below them until Saphira could not contain her excitement any longer. With a sudden thrust of her wings she rapidly ascended higher into the sky, roaring in an excited bugle while maneuvering into a wide, inverted loop. Eragon watched her antics until she came back round, leveling off beside him. Smiling, he edged closer, touching the tip of his wing to hers.

Enjoying yourself are you?

She looked over at him, but said nothing; as if the fanged grin on her face and gleam in her eyes were the only response she could manage. Following several more passes, they continued on past the city until their flight carried them over its outermost boundary; a region of the desert covered in a thick layer of reddish-brown sand. Saphira twitched her tail; then, flashing him a quick wink, cropped her wings into a steep dive. Eragon cropped his in pursuit a moment later. As they neared the ground both of them reared in unison, flaring their wings in a soft landing upon the warm and welcoming sand.

_Humph! Flying seems so effortless to me here, so ... natural. _

He thought, looking at his outspread wings.

_I hope I find it as effortless in the waking world. _

With a final flutter he folded them to his sides then looked down and clenched his talons into the soft, warm sand, marveling at how real it felt. Everything about this place felt so real, though he knew they were only experiencing a vision. The memories of a world that only once existed. He smiled, taking a paw-full of the fine granules, knowing it would exist again. He turned it palm up and then opened it, blinking in wonder as the sand sifted through the spaces between his talons.

_Simply amazing! _

He thought, shaking his head in wonder. A ruckus suddenly erupted off to his side. He swiveled his head in response and was greeted by the sight of Saphira indulging herself in a lively roll in the sand as she massaged the scales along her flanks, neck and face in its inviting warmth.

Feeling the echo of her pleasure, he chuckled, regarding her with a momentary look of quizzical amusement before turning and walking to the edge of the plateau atop the large dune on which they'd chosen to land. He looked with wonder over the vast expanse, specked with reddish-brown dunes that stretched before him.

_Humph, amazing! This is our kingdom. _

He thought, shaking his head.

This and more is all ours. All of it. A home for ... dragons!

He stood for a long while, gaze slowly panning from left to right over the expanse that he might capture as many details as possible; as if he feared he'd never see it again. While standing he heard the muffled foot-falls of someone padding towards him in a hurried gait. He was plowed in the flank before he could crane his head round to see who it was, hurling him (along with his attacker) over the edge of the plateau. Both tumbled and rolled down the steep, sand covered slope of the dune's side, coming to a stop in an tangled heap that was partially hidden by a cloud of dust and sand.

Eragon took a moment to gather himself then blinked open his eyes and waited for the sand and dust to settle. When it finally did he found Saphira was the one that had him pinned on his back. His wings were fanned over the sand to either side, limbs splayed and the blunt of her snout pressed to his. Her sapphire gaze was fixed to his and when he looked into her eyes he could see hers gleamed with love and desire, leaving him so captivated he couldn't look away. Instead he squirmed in attempt to maneuver out from under her, but was rewarded with a snarl and nip to his neck. He froze instantly, eyes going wide for an instant. When he made no further move Saphira licked the spot she'd nipped then pressed her snout to his again, gaze matching his as before. Slowly she eased up to press her warm, scaly abdomen against his. Eragon grunted involuntarily to the feel of her weight and to the awkward yet pleasant feel of the smoother scales rubbing over those of his. Again he squirmed, averting her gaze.

Saphira, what are--

Saphira growled sharply before he could finish then nipped him again on the neck, just above the shoulder. The question that'd been on his mind vanished, instantly chased away by the briefest stab of pain that registered in his draconic brain the moment her fangs dug into the amethyst scales adorning his shoulder. The nip was enough to score them, but not enough to draw blood. What followed he did not expect, but the draconic smile spreading over his maw (along with the hum that began in his chest) betrayed the welcoming sensation. He began to nuzzle her neck as she licked the spot she'd bitten; a warm, tingling pleasure spreading in slow, winding tendrils through his limbs, up his neck, down his back, through his belly and along his tail. The feeling was unlike anything he'd felt before and it was not long before he was completely relaxed, all concern of her intentions driven away by a force stronger than fear. He took hold of her flanks with his clawed talons, uttering a matching snarl before scenting down her neck. Saphira rumbled in response, her head drawing back slowly to lick along his neck. He snarled again, accompanying it a deep growl as he drew in her scent, his talons flexing as he slid them back along her flanks, claws etching the shimmering sapphire scales.

Everything seemed so real, so very real. The heat of the sun and the warmth of the sand on his back and wing membranes. The sight and feel of her. Her alluring scent. The warm pleasure coursing through his body, stirring him to the core. His thoughts prodding and spurring him to one, solitary outcome. Aye, it all seemed so very real. So much so that he began to loose himself. As each of them continued to feel and scent the other Eragon slipped deeper. Yet in some small place at the back of his mind he retained the fact that they were in nothing more than a memory of what once was. A dream. But he did not care. What he felt for her was real. What did it matter where he expressed it? So, he let go, giving himself to the moment where all he wanted was her. Forever with her.

In that moment everything began to fade. The Talita and the importance of their mission. His dis-trust of Murtagh's destiny to take his place as leader of the order. The thoughts of the clearing where their physical bodies lay. His hopes and fears of those he'd left behind, and those still awaiting him in the days ahead.

He let it all go, wanting to forget, to rest in her and their love. Eventually the blue of the sky above and the reddish-brown sands of the desert surrounding them paled and darkened. As did the mountains towering in the distance, and the monuments and the great multitude of dragons gathered among them. Everything faded until only the scent, warm feel, sight and sound of her hums remained. Until all he felt was his love entwined with hers. His tail coiled tighter round hers as he uttered a low, defiant growl. Never, despite Ar'Dins warning, would he let that be taken from him. Never! And with every beat of his heart his resolve hardened. He would do everything in his power to keep her safe. To never again face the possibility of losing her. And deep down he acknowledged he shouldn't have to. He was a dragon! He would master his new body, no matter how clumsy or uncooperative it was.

Licking down her neck, Eragon lifted his wings, the fine granules of sand that had pooled atop their membranes cascading down, some sprinkling along Saphira's back as they wrapped her. He whimpered softly and pulled her tight against his body with his fore-paws, his hind paws gripping around her haunches as his wings settled over her. Saphira arched her back into him, her lower belly pressing into his while the flood of love and desire she'd been holding back rushed in, overwhelming him.

The heart burning for her in his chest enflamed, quickening the tendrils of pleasure with a heat from within, causing them to surge down to his lower belly where they swirled, twined and coiled about each other in a growing, amatory convergence.

He clenched her to him, pressed the left side of his maw hard against her neck and raked his fangs down along the sapphire scales, his tail stretching and twining round the remaining length of hers. How he loved her! The feeling only honed and amplified by the draconic instincts and sensibilities surging through him. His tail spasmed and coiled tighter, his body starting to tremble. The claws of his fore-paws squealed as the etched into her flanks, down to her hind quarters were he brought them to rest. Saphira's wings fluttered and she loosed an amorous growl as her head lowered along his neck, sniffing it gently. When reached its base she growled again then bit down on his shoulder, harder than she did before.

Eragon clenched from the jolt of pain mixed with pleasure that shot up his neck, transmuting to another wave of warm, tingling pleasure that coursed through his body, flaring the tendrils of heat that'd converged in his belly. Saphira pressed her lower belly into his, the soft warm feel of her scales causing Eragon to arch up into her. Her hind claws digging into the sand, Saphira drew back the pressed again, using her hind legs to rock into him. She drew back then repeated, all the while flexing her jaws into Eragon's shoulder. Eragon arched up into her (while at the same time pulling) each time she rocked forward. The rubbing motion along with the continual feel of her fangs in his shoulder urged the heat in his lower belly lower, to a slit lined with fine, nearly-white scales. There the heat grew and pulsed, a dull tightness forming. By this time Eragon was panting, heavily. The heat and tightness continued to build, his draconic instincts surging through his mind narrowing the focus of his thoughts. The dragon new what it wanted, but Eragon had never lived as a dragon, a part of him resisting due the unfamiliarity of the moment. Sensing this, Saphira bit down harder, enough to draw blood. Eragon convulsed, throwing his head back in a snarl, breath hissing through his clenched teeth as he gripped her tighter. With out thinking he swiftly brought his head back and with a fierce growl he open his maw then closed it on her shoulder, biting hard enough to draw blood. Saphira growled in response and rocked hard into him, causing Eragon to convulse again. His draconic body responded, forcing at the reservations driven by his human sensibilities. His grip on her tightened as his body trembled beneath her, the heat and pressure between his hind legs building. Then, like a battering ram spearing through a castle's battered gate, the aching tightness broke. His dragon-hood shot out, parting the genital slit to slip between his belly and hers. The instant it emerged the heat spiked, flaring into a throbbing, aching heat that Eragon so unawares it startled him. In a cross between a roar and a yelp the bond was broken, returning them both to the clearing.

---

Eragon eyes flew open.

Gods! He thought, a violent shudder passing through him.

He looked away from her as the heat from between his hind legs cooled, moving to his face, flushing it hot. Saphira opened her eyes, loosing a disapproving growl.

Why did you stop? It was just getting to the best part.

Snapping his head back to gawk at her, he growled.

Me? What ... what in the gods just happened? What did I just experience?

Saphira chuckled.

_Peace, my mate. After your amazing tour of our new home I decided to improvise on your memory ... _

Growling amorously, she added -

_... by adding to it the opportunity to create a memorable moment of our own. _

Snorting in irritation, she continued.

Humph! It could've been our first if you'd been able to maintain the link.

Eragon rolled his head, shaking the after effects of the intense flush. Afterwards, he looked back to her and said.

Saphira, if your intention was to create a memorable moment then I'd say you accomplished just that, a thousand times over in fact! I'll not forget it so easily, that's for sure.

Pausing, he blinked in bewilderment then continued.

_I-I'm not even sure I have words to describe it. _

Pausing again, he narrowed his eyes and asked.

_What got into you anyway? One moment you're enjoying a roll in the sand and ... and the next moment you're ... _

Eragon paused, shuddering as the memory of the intense flush she'd elicited from him flashed in his mind.

Saphira leaned in to nuzzle him.

Well, my mate. After that rather exciting tour I became quite ... taken with you. I couldn't help myself, finding you suddenly ... irresistible. You make a very handsome dragon you know.

Eragon squirmed, looking away from her in embarrassment. Saphira nipped his neck.

_If it wasn't for the fact that you need time to recover from the effects of your transformation I'd be taking you right here, right now. As it stands I must restrain myself physically. I simply took opportunity using the next best thing, our imagination. _

Loosing another amorous growl, she nipped him again.

_From what I could tell I'd say you were enjoying it. If you'd like to make another attempt I'm sure we can pick up where we left off. _

Eragon swiveled his head, flashing a nervous glance at her, then snorted and looked away. Afterwards, he rolled it, shaking the affects of her heightened scent, along with the fading remnants of their most recent, intimate encounter. Looking back to her he said.

Mmmm, no. I think not. I've had enough excitement for one night. Besides, after an encounter like that I'd much rather stay grounded in the waking world for a time. That was just too intense.

Saphira chuckled, eyes narrowing in amusement.

_You think it was intense simply because it happened in our minds? _

Eragon remained silent, cocking his head in confusion. Saphira chuckled again; then leering thoughtfully, she said.

_Hmmm. Now that I think about it I suppose I can see how that's possible. Up until now Arya had been your only other experience of what it is to truly burn for someone you love, but you weren't a dragon then. _

Looking back to him, she relaxed her expression, speaking to him in a sobered tone.

You're a dragon now Eragon. In body, as well as in mind, heart and soul. A dragon's blood runs hot. Sooner or later you will find that, like our other feelings, we experience passion on a much higher level. I assure you that our mating will be every bit as intense in the waking world as the short lived attempt we just experienced.

Eragon shuddered at the thought as his face flushed hot again. Rolling his head, he snorted, forcing regain of his composure. Afterwards, he blinked several times then asked.

_Why haven't I ever felt that from you before, over our link I mean? In all the time we were bonded as dragon and rider I never felt anything so intense from you. _

Saphira chuckled; then, nuzzling him, said.

Well, Eragon. Obviously there were some feelings I'd naturally keep from you. Even so, the bonding has a tendency to soften dragons joined to Riders. Whether it is a result of the magic that bonds them, or a choice that the dragons make for the sake of their Riders I know it not. Either way, you and I no longer share a dragon Rider bond. We share one much deeper. A mateship bond. Now that you're a dragon, and my mate, I'm free to be less ... restrained. It is the same for you.

After a brief pause she rolled her head then bore her sharp teeth in a wide yawn. Smacking her chops she said.

Well, since you've seen fit to ruin the mood we may as well get some sleep.

Eragon sighed, rolling his eyes at her.

_I-I'm sorry Saphira. I didn't mean to. _

He growled in frustration.

It's just that it caught me unawares. I need time to get used to this new body and the intensity of its passions.

Saphira smiled, knowingly.

_Oh, I wouldn't worry about that. You will. _

Then she barred her thoughts from him.

_Sooner rather than later, my mate. _

Eragon narrowed his eyes, regarding her with suspicion. A moment later she yawned again; then, laying her head down, closed her eyes and said.

_I think we've talked enough for tonight. We should get some sleep. We've got a big day ahead of us and I want you well rested. _

Humming, she added.

You're going to need it.

Eragon rolled his head a final time then yawned. Without speaking he surveyed the clearing, every so often flicking his tongue to smell the air. Satisfied of their safety, he growled approvingly then shuffled tighter against Saphira, head resting protectively atop hers. Saphira hummed louder as she drifted off to sleep. Eragon drifted off soon after, his final thoughts on the challenges he faced, intent on mastering his new body as quickly as possible. Not for Ar'Din, nor his coming battle Mot'Gar, or his destiny to lead the dragons back to Ter'Olen, not even for himself. Instead he would do it for her, and her alone.