A/N: Heads up, this chapter contains sexual references, however nothing explicit. And finally, we have progress!

In the books we are told that it is rare for the elves to have children, and that children are the highest honour that can be attained, but we are not really told why. This is something that I always wonder about when I read them, so here is my take on the reason.

Chapter 15: An Ancient Magic

"Eragon, I am not saying no," she tried to explain as she paced around her tent.

"Then what are you saying?" He asked, completely lost because it sure seemed like she was, or at the very least like she was trying to. "It's ok if you are."

"It's not that Eragon. What I'm trying to say is that it's not up to us, at least I don't think it is."

"Are you saying you need permission?" He asked. He supposed it would make sense, she was not only the ambassador, but also the queen's daughter. Their union may cause problems.

"No, well maybe, but that's a different matter. I mean we may not be able to conceive."

"We might not be," he stopped, searching for the word, "compatible? Because I'm not an elf?"

"That's not it either," she put a finger to his lips. "Don't talk. Just listen. I'm trying to explain."

"I don't know what effect it will have, that you are not an elf. Nothing changes if a human is involved however, and you are somewhere between the two, so that implies that it till applies to us," she said.

"What applies to us?" Nothing she said was making any sense. "Right, sorry, no talking."

"You know that, aside from dragons, elves are the race most naturally inclined towards magic?" He nodded. "You know that children are cherished by my people?" Another nod. "You know that they are very rare?" Nod. "Do you know why they are rare?" Eragon thought about the question, but the truth was that he didn't. It had never really been explained during his teachings. He shook his head no.

"Ok, let's start there. The magic of the Ancient Language isn't just our custom, and our heritage, it's also in our blood. As such we are bound to it as much as we are by it. For us, to have children involves this magic. Conception requires a special bond, one which usually takes a few centuries to form. I do not know the specifics, but I do know that knowing your own, and each other's, true names is a big part, but not a guarantee. There has to be complete trust, and not just consciously, but on a deeper level, some would call it a soul bond. There's no way to know if that bond is present; we'll either conceive or we won't.

"The good thing about this is that if we do conceive, my mother, and everyone else, will accept it, and us, for that very reason."

"So it's not by choice that children are rare?"

"No."

"I always just assumed you had found a way to prevent it from happening."

"The elves may have a way, I do not know, but we don't need it."

Eragon was silent for a time as it sank in. "What do you think will happen?" he asked her finally. "If we try, I mean?"

"I do not know. But, if we become intimate, then there is always the risk it will happen even if we decide against it."

"Then, let's not decide," Eragon said.

Seeing the question on her face, he explained. "How about if we just see what happens? Instead of deciding for or against children, let's leave it to fate."

"And whatever happens, happens," she said, smiling at him. "I can live with that."

"So can I," he replied leaning in to kiss her. It was now one of his favourite pastimes, revelling in being able to express his feelings and show his affections for her. He was never going to tire of kissing her, touching her, though that was as far as they had gone.

As the kiss grew more heated, however, the thought occurred to him that, that might be about to change. If that was the case, he was ready. If she wasn't thought, then that was fine to.

Her hands moved down his chest, around his back and she lifted his shirt only breaking the kiss long enough to pull it over his head. Taking that as his queue to continue, his hands moved to the ties at her back, undoing them as best as he could; he had never attempted such a thing and now he was doing it by touch, with hands which were shaking slightly.

She didn't seem to mind however, she was happy as she was, exploring the planes of his chest and back with her fingertips.

Finally he got her shirt off and, with a little nudging from her, he reciprocated her explorations.

When she her hands moved to his pants, he stopped her, needing to know.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. Are you?"

"Yes," he replied, then hesitated, "but, I've never done this."

"Neither have I," she admitted. "We'll learn together."

Smiling he let go of her hands, and they both resumed taking their clothes off and exploring each other's bodies.

A/N: Feedback is much appreciated!

The next chapter is pretty much done, just needs a little bit of editing so it should be up in the next couple of days.