Of Dragons and Dreams (Draumr Kopa/// Dreamnotfound)

Chapter 23

Notes:

This ones a little fluffy, little spicy! We really are getting toward the natural end of this fic so I'm wrapping up the actual plot and just getting a few more lighthearted fluffy chapters pushing in here before this tale is complete!

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 The evening passed quickly, as Rae and Niki brought the King into custody, and Dream and George joined them with Salome in tow. They had settled for keeping them in Belatona's prison, with instructions to the advisors of each to sort out their succession. The governments were well established, and they could take it from here, Dream thought with a sigh of relief. General Cerdic had been shocked at the Queen's confession, but happily called off the battle, and both armies would depart home the next day, much to the relief of the Riders. Rae had scryed Eragon, and his anger at the Queen was still evident in the tense tone of his voice, but more than anything he was glad to see them all safe.

"We should stay tonight, and fly tomorrow," Niki said as they sat around the fire, the drizzle of rain finally subsiding. Dream felt the day heavy in his bones, the emotional rollercoaster and stress weighing on him. Karl nodded, though they all remained silent. There was a tired aura of disappointment thick in the air, as they came to terms with the disaster that had happened because of the folly of just a few. George was just glad they had ended it when they did, and no Rider or dragon was lost in the process. "Eragon wishes for you to stay and oversee the elections?" Sapnap clarified, the question pointed to Niki, who nodded in agreement. "Rae and I will stay in Illeria until all this has settled. You four are to fly home safely. No rush this time," Niki said quietly, remembering their desperate flight here. "We can resupply in Illeria, then split off," George said casually, and Dream gave him a soft smile, one that didn't go unnoticed by Sapnap. The fire popped and hissed as a stray raindrop hit the embers, smoke curling into the cool air. "We should get some sleep," Karl said with a deep exhale, and there was a silent agreement as they looked at the dragons, who had already drifted into rumbling snores, worries of the day unspoken.

The tent flap had hardly closed before Dream pulled George into his arms, snuggling the elf close into his chest with a sigh. George compiled with a soft "Umph" of surprise, twisting his arms around Dream's back. "I can't stand not being able to touch you all day," Dream said softly, earning a light chuckle from the elf. The crickets were out tonight, shedding the rain from their wings as they chirped into the night air. It smelled fresh, one of George's favorite smells, the ground after a hard rain. George exhaled slowly, pressing his cheek into Dream's chest "So this whole mess is over, right?" he said, voice muffled. Dream tilted his head "I suppose it is... I hope it is," he replied, tone low so as not to bother their neighbors. "None of this has felt real," he continued, closing his eyes as he felt George's soft breaths against his chest. "Well..." George said, a sly tone in his voice, and Dream laughed quietly "Ok, maybe some of it. We feel real." George smirked up at him, eyes narrowed as he said "I should hope so."

Dream looked at him carefully, watching how his deep brown eyes danced around, long eyelashes batting closed every so often. "You're probably the most real thing in my life, George," he said with a light chuckle. George paused for a moment, then pressed his lips together, as if suppressing a grin or a laugh. "What?" Dream questioned, corners of his mouth tilting up as he wondered what George was thinking. "It's nothing, I was going to make a really bad pun," the elf said, the humor sneaking into his voice. "Well now you have to tell me," Dream prodded, and George shook his head, mouth tight but smile clear. Dream raised an eyebrow "George," he said slowly, voice lowering as if in a threat. George continued to stay silent, heart fluttering as he saw Dream grow more and more curious, more frustrated. Dream looked at the elf carefully, wondering if he was purposefully goading him. George looked at him challengingly, and Dream could feel the mood tangibly shift, his heart picking up its pace.