My first Inheritance Fanfic, enjoy! Please review and tell me if it's any good...

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Inheritance Cycle. Never have, never will.

Chapter One- Caught with Magic

A girl, who looked no older than 13, sat on the floor of her room and stared steadily at the lump of raw silver in front of her, eyes closed. Her shoulder-length dark brown hair was pulled back into a low braid, and her bangs had managed to escape, and were sticking up in odd angles. She was wearing traditional elvish garb, but anyone could see that her ears were rounded, and that she didn't have the striking features of an elf. A silver gedwey ignasia shone on the palm of her right hand.

The girl appeared to be sleeping, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. Inside her mind, she was delving deeper and deeper until she finally reached that special spot. The deep pool of magic, hidden inside her.

"Arget risa!" she commanded, focusing as hard as she could. A thin, ghostly layer rose up, materializing before her eyes, which had flashed open. They were dark brown, the same shade as her hair, but flecked with gold. Left on the floor was a pile of rubble- the part of the raw material that wasn't pure silver- but floating three or four inches above it was the pure substance. Maintaining focus, she said, "Arget, rïsa lam iet un malthinae-"

Stop, a voice echoed through her mind. She recognized it immediately as that of her dragon's and, after cutting her magic, replied accusingly,

Who's side are you on? Why are you deviating from the plan?

The plan?

The rider was confused and said, Don't you remember, Aaren? You were to imitate my voice, and keep Eragon-elda busy. That way he wouldn't suspect me and I could practice magic without being caught.

The feel of the mind changed to one equally familiar, but not that of her silver dragon, Aaren. Very clever, Celeste. The voice that echoed through her mind was male, and sounded mildly amused. It filled Celeste, the girl, with dread. But there was one flaw. No matter who or what my mind is concentrating on, I can always detect whenever magic is being used. Also, your dragon isn't the only one who can imitate minds.

Celeste gave a little shriek of surprise as she realized who it she was talking to. My deepest apologies, Ebrithil. On behave of both me and Aaren.

Celeste, the voice echoed firmly, this is the third time you've practiced magic unattended. You've been a Shur'tugal for no more than a month, yet you excel in magic beyond your years. It is understandable that you seek practice, you must understand the caution that accompanies the power. In exchange for the short practice session you had, answer me one question: Why do you practice magic, which is against the rules, when you could be practicing swordplay, which you need much more?

The girl, Celeste sighed. Please understand, Ebrithil, that my capabilities with a sword are few, and my abilities with magic are great. Should I not nurture my strengths?

There was a silence, but Celeste knew that her mentor was still there, his presence looming over her mind like a storm cloud. Finally, he said, I understand, but I do not sympathize. Know that if you break the rule and practice unattended magic once more, there will be consequences for both you and your dragon.

Understood. Elrun ono, Ebrithil, for hearing me out.

Once more, the amusement returned to his voice in her mind. Silver hand, silver dragon, and silver tongue. Your use of the Ancient Language is admirable.

I learned from the best, didn't I? Finally, Eragon ended the connection and she exhaled. Celeste wasn't sure how much longer she could pull off the whole goody-two-shoes act.

Aaren! she called with her mind, searching for the dragon. Instead, a new mind touched hers.

Oh, and one more thing, Eragon said, I put your dragon to sleep so he would stop interfering with my concentration. He should wake up in a few hours.

Why thank you. I appreciate it. Celeste retorted humorlessly. Though Eragon was a little more than 10 years older than her, he looked and acted only a few years her senior.

Ever the prankster, aren't you, Eragon.

That would be Ebrithil to you. Or at least Eragon-elda.

I like to think that we have an informal peer-peer relationship, as opposed to that of a mentor and a student, Ebrithil.

In which case you have been sorely mistaken.

Then a thought struck her, and she asked him,

How did you put a full grown dragon to sleep without draining all your energy?

First of all, Aaren is only five months old, therefore not fully grown. He's about half the size of Saphira. And second, I had several other dragons do it for me, Eragon replied. And before Celeste could ask any more questions, he withdrew his mind from hers.

Several other dragons? Celeste thought to herself, mystified. Does he just keep them in a bag under the bed?

There will NOT be any EragonCeleste, but you can bet on some EragonArya :D