A girl with long, curly black hair and eyes of silver sat at the castle window, watching all the dragons and their riders with a longing that was even higher than the height that the dragons flew. Her Highness Princess Leonora had always wanted to be free and be just like the dragon riders. She wanted to know and to feel what it felt to fly above the clouds, but alas, she would never do that. Her father, King Galbatorix had forbidden her to leave the castle before she was 15 and her sister, Marianne agreed with him. I will follow my dreams and become a dragon rider, thought Leonora. She pulled out her birthday gift from Arya, the courier elf. It was an emerald dragon egg. "Thank you, Arya" Leonora whispered.

Later that day……………..

King Galbatorix said, "Go get my little girl, Durza." Durza bowed down to the floor and left. "Father, I do think you should betroth poor Lee to that evil wizard, Durza." Marianne suggested. Durza came back in with Leonora scowling at him and said, "Your Majesty, she is here."

Galbatorix stopped talking to Marianne and turned to face Durza and his daughter and replied, "Thank you! Now Leonora, you are now 13 and I have decided this. You will be betrothed to Durza. I am sorry!" Leonora's hand flew to her mouth. She yelled, "Never!"

She ran to her room, grabbed her emerald cloak and the egg and vanished. Galbatorix put his head in his hands," What have I done? Get ready the poster."

His scribe came and the king began dictating: To whom it may concern. Her Highness Princess Leonora has disappeared after her betrothal to Durza. Anybody that finds my daughter shall receive her hand in marriage. Signed King Galbatorix King Galbatorix.

Two Years Later ………………………………………

Leonora had changed her name to Chrissie and her dragon Jade was now a full-grown dragon. She was free. Chrissie sat on her dragon and started to fly. Meanwhile, Murtagh and Eragon were reading the proclamation and Murtagh said," We should separate and find the princess." Eragon agreed. They mounted their dragons and started flying. After a while, Murtagh bumped into a girl with black hair and silver eyes. "Can you come to the castle with me?" asked Murtagh. The girl looked at him and nodded. They arrived at the castle. Durza stood there with his apprentice, a young girl named Natasha. Galbatorix sat still and his face didn't move. Murtagh said," Your Majesty, I believe I found your daughter." Natasha rolled her eyes and replied, "Murtagh, if that is the lost princess, prove it!" Galbatorix put his hands together and simply asked," How old are you? Why did you run away? Who is your sister?"

The girl answered," That's easy! Right now, I am 15.I ran away because 2 years ago, I was betrothed (her eyes rested on Durza) to SOMEONE I HAVE ALWAYS HATED. My sister is Her Royal Highness the Princess Marianne AKA Blarney." She finished her speech off with a huge grin. Murtagh and Natasha tried to stifle their laughter. Galbatorix was, however, impressed with her knowledge of the royal family. Murtagh was watching her with love and adoration sparkling in his eyes but before Leonora noticed this, Eragon who had just arrived, nudged him. "Very well, honey. Go to your room. I'll let you know of your engagement." Galbatorix shooed his daughter away. She left and Galbatorix turned to face Murtagh," So, Murtagh, you say that you simply run into her while you were flying."

Murtagh went bright red but managed to hide it under a reply," Yes, Your Majesty!"

The king scratched his beard and asked, "What would you like from me, Murtagh?"

Murtagh was surprised but still replied, "I'd like your daughter's hand in marriage."

"Request granted!" Galbatorix sighed happily.

At the dance…………………………………………..

A very pretty girl came down with her curly, long, black hair down and the silver eyes gleaming under the blue eyeshadow. Everybody was there even Arya. Wow, I wonder what this ball is for. Maybe Father threw it for my engagement, thought Leonora and when her eyes scanned for someone she knew, she stopped. Leonora was looking into Murtagh's eyes and for a second she thought, she saw him blush. She looked away but when she looked back, the blush was gone. Must have been my imagination. I hope that Murtagh is my fiancé and if not, then who is? She wondered. The dancing had already started and Eragon was dancing with her, but she couldn't help look over his shoulder at Murtagh who was dancing with Durza's apprentice, Natasha. Leonora noticed, he was also staring at her and she looked away. Durza who was watching all this was completely grossed out. Then the dance ended and Murtagh gathered up all his courage and asked Leonora to dance with him. As the dance started, Leonora whispered to Murtagh," You're a good dancer." And with that put her head on Murtagh's chest. Murtagh replied, "You too."

During dinner, Durza kept looking at the two lovebirds and was watching Leonora for poisoning. Natasha knew exactly where he put the poison and as soon as Leonora picked up her glass, she shouted, "Don't!!!!!!!!!" Leonora put down her glass in surprise. Durza felt defeated by his over-achieving apprentice. "Daddy, who is my fiancé?" asked Leonora. Murtagh felt a twinge of guilt in his heart. Galbatorix replied," Lee, Murtagh is your fiancé since he is the one that brought you back to me. But, alas, the wedding might not be." Leonora's face fell and she ran out of the room in tears.

Will the wedding be? Will she accept him as he is or will he be heartbroken? TO BE CONTINUED……………………………. Watch for the sequel.