Breoal

Arya was with Eragon, Roran, Katrina, Hope, and her's and Eragon's newborn baby boy, Ilian. They were all beneath the wings of Saphira and Jadeir. Arya was holding on to Ilian with Eragon by here side. The two of them were sitting near the child of the Menoa Tree.

Arya was exhausted. She had just given birth to the prince of the elves and the first elven child of the new age. While it was short child birth, even by elven standards, she felt like all of her energy had been sapped out of her. Still holding onto Ilian, she started to doze offwards into her waking dreams beneath the wings of Saphira and Jadeir.

As she started to close her eyes to begin the path to rest, she could not help but smile. Despite the fact she was hidden from the world by the wings of Saphira and Jadeir, she could still hear the gay chirps coming from the birds. Her mind was at peace as the heard the chirps of joy. As she began the path to rest she could not resist her thoughts wandering around in happiness, like bees searching for nectar.

For all her life, she had been alone. Even during the time she had spent with Faolin she still felt isolated. Her laugh was a fake laugh, her smiles phony, from the time of her exile and father's death, even during Faolin's time with her, and all the way to before she fell for Eragon, she was alone. Spurned by the world. She was a person on a whipping post, and the evils that had assaulted her viciously the whip.

She had been deprived for so long from the only two things she truly cherished and valued highest, family and happiness. She was a small boat, and her happiness the shores, and whenever she had gotten close to her goal, a riptide, the product of a vicious storm, would bring her back into the middle of the sea. A hopeless cause.

But finally, in the last few years, someone with a flaming sword had saved her. His flaming sword had cut the whip which had struck her all her life. His dragon used its powerful wings to blow her ship back to shore, and she had finally reached her destination. She had finally had received what she had been deprived of for so long.

Thinking these thoughts, with her family around her, Arya drifted off into her waking dreams at long last, with love in her arms. She slept a peaceful rest in the arms of he whom she held dearest. Her heart had been mended and was guarded by her new family.

Eragon was holding Arya in his arms as she was holding Ilian. Slowly, Eragon saw the two of the three people he loved most doze off into sleep. He smiled as he watched mother and son, each rising upwards and downwards in deep breaths. He then rememberred Roran and Katrina were still there with their own child. They were smiling at Eragon and the sleeping Arya and Ilian.

"It appears that we have began the next generation in our family Eragon." Roran began.

"So we have." Eragon said in agreement. Katrina had given birth to Hope. Saphira had laid seven eggs, four of which had become the first wild dragons of the new age. And now Arya had given birth to the first elf since the war ended, Ilian. He was going to be the only child for a few months in Ellesmera, as the only children, Alann and Dusana, had perished when Galbatorix invaded Du Weldenvarden.

Roran then patted his cousin on the back.

"The last time I saw you like this was when we were still farmhands." Roran said softly.

"It was the last time things felt as complete as they are now." Eragon replied. Roran then spoke again.

"Eragon, do you think its a curse to die?" Eragon looked at him.

"What do you mean by that?"

"You will never have to know the pain of death, at least for a time." Roran explained.

"No Roran, I think death can be a gift." Eragon replied. He had pondered the idea with Arya many times. "Death is the way in which the new replace the old. Without death, we could not have been able to inherit this new age that we have been blessed with. Further Roran, death can be a gift."

"How so?" Roran asked.

"Roran, I will endure for such a time, that I will have seen everything beautiful, and save for Arya, and my children, there may come a day where nothing surprises me anymore. But not with you Roran. You and Katrina, will eventually will grow old. And the two of you will never look as wonderful as you are at this point in time. When things have limits, things are cherished more. So no Roran, I do not think death is a curse."

Roran then nodded at the answer, contemplating it. Eragon knew that death at times was necessary. It was necessary for the cycle of life to continue on. The longevity of live, Eragon knew, was one of the reasons elves showed so little emotion. Nothing could surprise them, or make them feel something. Eragon also knew that would never be the case when he was around his loved ones.

Eragon then felt Saphira touch his mind.

Yes Saphira?

Little one, I am happy for you.

You didn't need to tell me. I already sensed it within you.

Are you five... Sorry, you six now I think, going to be leaving our wings soon? Jadeir and I need to show our wild children a few things Eragon.

Arya and Ilian are sleeping, though were going back into Tialdari Hall and into the tree house.

Do you want us to fly you six there?

Why?

Because, theres quite a crowd around us, they know Arya just gave birth.

Saphira then sent Eragon a mental image of several elves looking at where the wings of Saphira and Jadeir were positioned. Eragon frowned. He wanted some privacy with Arya and his family, and he was not going to get it. He then searched in his mind for Vanir. He was among the crowd.

Vanir.

Yes Agebringer?

Tell the crowd the following. Arya is fine and currently resting. She has given birth to a beautiful prince which we have decided to name Ilian. We will make a public appearance when we deem it right, but at the moment we request that everyone disperse as we would like some privacy.

As you wish Agebringer.

Despite the wings muffling sound, Eragon could here Vanir relaying what he had said. After a few moments, Saphira then spoke, The crowd has dispersed Eragon. How do you intend to get back to the tree house?

Arya's in too weak a state to fly, and Ilian was just born. Were going to take the long way Saphira. You and Jadeir can do as you please with your children.

The wings then revealed the families once more to the regrowing pines of Du Weldenvarden. As said by Saphira, the crowd was gone. Saphira and Jadeir each looked at Ilian, sleeping in the arms of the sleeping Arya. They went as close as they could without waking the baby.

Is that how you looked when you were born little one? Saphira asked, touched by the gentle looking elf baby.

No, first of all I didn't have slanted eyes, and I dare say I looked as cute as my son does. Eragon said cheerfully.

Eragon, you do realize that it is a long walk to the tree house yes?

Eragon frowned. He was insure how he could comfortably carry Arya and Ilian back to the home, even with Roran. Eragon then had an idea. Flying was rough because of the constant flapping. However, if many beings were flapping together...

He then touched Saphira's mind. Wait Saphira, get your children here as well. I have an idea, but the six of you will need to fly gently.

Eragon then took a deep breath, and sung to the animals of the forest as Arya had shown him to in the nine months after Galbatorix's death. He was singing for them to assist him in bringing his loved ones back to their home.

Soon, he heard the shriek of an eagle in the sky. he looked up, and he saw several birds of the forest, each bringing several leaves. They would drop off the leaves, and then circle three times around Eragon, Arya, and Ilian, and then would fly away. Then, several squirrels and smaller rodents of the forest came near, and deposited more leaves from the forest, they came close to Eragon, sniffing the family of three, and then they left.

And then came the proud wolves of the forest, bearing several large branches from fallen trees. They looked at Eragon and his family and howled in approval. Their mighty howls frightened Roran and Katrina for a moment, but to Eragon it was soothing. He knew it was soothing to Arya and Ilian as well as they continued to sleep.

Eragon then had all the supplies he needed. He spread out the large branches in a large square, to frame some sort of platform. It could easily fit six people. He then using magic placed all of the leaves on top of the platform to provide put several inches worth of leaves on top of the the frame he had made to make a leafy bed. Satisfied, Eragon used magic to make sure the leaves did not leave their place.

Saphira and Jadeir then arrived ,along with their four children. Being wild dragons they chose not to name themselves. Rather, they were identified by their characteristics. The six dragons came with several vines. Using the vines, Eragon then lashed the frame and leaves together with magic to complete the device. He wound the vines around the framework, restraining the leaves as well, and then ended each knot with a small loop. He did this several times until there were twelve loose ends.

He had made the platform in a surprisingly short amount of time. It had only taken him half an hour with the help of magic and Roran. Roran then gave him a questioning look.

"I have never seen magic used like that outside of war Eragon. Are you sure this is safe?" Roran asked.

"Magic has many uses Roran. Being used to kill is only a small thing which it unfortunately is effective at. A lot of the things you see among the elves has in some way been effected by magic. This tree for example, is only nine months old, and is already bigger then most trees within Alagaesia. My home, Tialdari Hall, has been made the finest hall within Alagaesia through magic. We live with the animals here in harmony as well. And yes, I am sure this is safe." Eragon answered.

He then motioned to Roran to pick up Ilian as he picked up Arya. They then walked onto the platform. It was much softer then Eragon expected. He then gently lay Arya down on the leafy platform as he retrieved Ilian in his various towels. Katrina then joined them, holding onto hope. Eragon then touched the minds of Saphira, Jadeir, a turquoise dragon, a red dragon, a purple dragon, and a yellow dragon.

We are ready. Fly smoothly and gently, I don't want to disturb them.Using their talons they each hooked a vine. All twelve vines had been hooked. The dragons then began to rise into the sky, the vines lifting upwards. Suddenly, Eragon heard the proud shriek of the eagle once more.

There were several eagles coming in, majestic in their appearance. They were more free then any other being save for the dragons. Accompanying them were several sparrows, cardinals, tit mice, and robins. They were flying until Eragon guessed there were around a hundred of them. They each took their own place along the vines which were connected to the dragons in the sky as they lifted off.

Finally, the platform was airborne. It was flying much smoother then Eragon expected. He had never flown so smoothly, as the constant beating of Saphira's wings at time had led to a jerky flight. He looked at Roran. He and Katrina were amazed and frightened at the same time.

"Relax you two, even Ilian is calmer than either of you." The three of them laughed. Ilian, Hope, and Arya were all sleeping away.

The bird and dragon coalition continued to fly for ten minutes. Eragon closed his eyes as memories replayed in his mind.

He remembered how at one point, he was alone. But no longer. His family was around him. He opened his eyes with a large smile upon his face. He could hear the humming in Saphira's heart, as it was in his as well. Tears of joy were falling off of his face in happiness. Roran patted him on the shoulder as they flew.

"What happened to crying at the risk of your manhood?" Roran joked. Eragon chuckled.

"Roran, this is the happiest I have ever been. In my mind I just remembered how this experience, has revealed my family around me." Eragon answered. Roran nodded and smiled. They exchanged a bear hug as Roran went back to his wife.

Finally, they reached the dragon roost of Eragon's tree house. The birds and dragons then gently landed. Finished, the swarm of birds dispersed. The sun was now beginning to set. It's mighty rays were shining down upon Eragon and Roran's families.

Eragon then gently picked Arya up and placed her in the rocking chair which was on the roost. He then put Ilian back into her arms as the chair began to rock back and forth. Roran, and Katrina holding Hope then went near Eragon. The dragons then unhooked themselves from the vines and began to head in the direction of the Crags of Tel'naer as the sun began its descent to its own bed. Eragon then looked into the sunset, letting it calm him as he stood near the sleeping Arya and Ilian. He felt a cool breeze and spread his arms so that he could let the breeze blow through him. He closed his own eyes and was at peace. He looked to his left, and there was Roran and Katrina with their baby, staring into the sunset as well. He looked to his right and saw his sleeping love and son. He looked and saw the dragons becoming small dots in the sky. He then had one final thought as he closed his eyes again as he went into meditation once more. Everything had finally begun to start anew. Eragon and his family had inherited a world in which anything was possible. A world without borders, a time without bounds. A place where all people he thought, could finally live in perfect harmony.

And then there was himself and his family. No longer would he have to be the weapon. No longer was Eragon a blade which could be swung by the people. For nine months he and Arya had been Eragon and Arya, and nothing more, just as Saphira and Jadeir were Saphira and Jadeir. Yes, they were riders, but at the same time they were who they were not a metaphor, an epithet, or some other figure of speech.

As his mind wondered, Eragon's mind began to remember the whole ordeal. However, he did not see it as a time in which he suffered. He saw it as a time in which he was able to discover and inherit something greater. Yes, he had lost so much. However, what he had gained was immeasurable. It was more valuable then any riches Galbatorix may have had at one point. It was more valuable then any gem of Alagaesia, and Eragon would cherish it as long as he lived. He had family.

He remembered a time in the spine when he had retrieved a sapphire gemstone and how it had become Saphira. He remembered how that small dragon had emerged to become the partner of his life. How that sapphire dragon had became half of his soul.

He remembered a time where he had befriended an old man by the name of Brom, who had turned out to be a dragon rider, and then the founder of the Varden, and then his father.

He remembered a cousin who had now become his brother, and his wife who was now like a sister to him. A man by the name of Roran Stronghammer, who was the king of the humans.

He remembered a miserable brother, who had become a tool of the king, who was finally in a better place. A man by the name of Murtagh, who was the son of none.

He remembered a witty herbalist who had transformed into his mother. A woman by the name of Selena, who had demonstrated a true mother's love along with Islanzadi.

He remembered seeing a lone wolf, who had isolated themself from the world, rejoin the pack, but his pack, as his alpha female, in Arya. He inhaled for a moment and was intoxicated by the smell of crushed pine needles.

He remembered an Arya who was afraid to lose him but did not know how to express what she felt for Eragon, and then how they loved each other. He remembered through her a dragon by the name of Jadeir had been born, and loved Saphira.

He remembered how this woman by the name of Arya, was forever going to be by his side. This woman, sleeping near him, had been the mother of his child. This woman, who he loved with all his heart, loved him back. His love with her was going to outlast empires.

He let the thought based off those memories define him, and he screamed it so the world could hear how happy he truly was.

My family is around me. I am alone no longer.

...

That is the end of Breoal. I will post "Brothers" towards the end of the week.