Disclaimer: I don't own Eragon or Eldest. Rub it in, why don't you?

(Goes off and cries in a dark corner)

This is the first multiple chapter story I've ever done. My writing is really bad, but I had to do this story. It's been in my head for a while and when I get an idea in my head it won't go away until I've written it. Please review and tell me what's good, what's bad, and what should be changed. No flames!

Silver

Chapter 1-Origins

Atrea closed her eyes as the wind blew her hair behind her, the sun reflecting off the silver streaks that framed her face. The Beor Mountains lay spread below her, stretching beyond her eyesight like a vast, white ocean. She was sitting on the neck of her glistening silver dragon, Garett. Today was the first time they had been able to fly in at least a month.

They hadn't been able to fly because the city she and her father lived near had been very busy lately. She could have been spotted by the dwarves that lived there, and that was something they couldn't let happen. No one could know about her and Garett. Her ancestors had spent the past three hundred years guarding Garett's egg, and now that it had hatched there was no way they were going to blow their cover.

Garett's egg had been found in a cave next to the corpse of his mother by one of Atrea's ancestors, about two hundred years before the Fall. In the cave, there had been a prophecy. There was also a warning not to tell anyone of the egg's existence or it would be taken away before fulfilling the prophecy. So her family had gone into hiding in the Beor Mountains. The ancestor who had received the egg had built a home in the Beor Mountains that not even the most observant traveler would notice. This was important as they lived close to a city so they could buy the supplies they couldn't produce.

Atrea opened beautiful silver eyes and reexamined her surroundings as Garett slowed to land on a plateau about halfway up a mountain. They came to this spot whenever possible and would spend hours in silence, watching the animals when they appeared or staring at the sky.

'We don't have long until we have to go back.' Garett informed his rider.

'We won't stay long. I just need to get out and relax for a little while. I've had a bad feeling all day, like something horrible is going to happen soon.' Atrea replied, settling into a comfortable position against Garett's side.

'Just don't lose track of time like you usually do,' the silver dragon said irritably. 'I don't want to get in trouble with your father again.'

They both fell silent, gazing at the stars in a trancelike state. They left after only two hours, flying fast to beat her father back home. As they landed, Garett's wings causing a back draft that blew the dead plant-life of the small plateau, a hole suddenly opened up in the wall. Out came an angry and worried looking dwarf.

'We won't get in trouble, huh, Atrea?' Garett said sarcastically.

'Sorry, Garett. I thought he would be gone longer.', Atrea said apologetically, as she glanced nervously at her father.

The resemblance between father and daughter was uncanny. They shared the same stubborn chin, small nose, and wavy, black hair; however, while his hair was worn long in the normal dwarf style, hers was cut just past her shoulders. Unlike most dwarves, Atrea was small and slender, more like an elf or human in her build. Most dwarves had dark eyes, black or brown, but hers were a startling silver that glinted like metal, matching the scales of her dragon perfectly. Most would believe that the silver streaks in her bangs were dye or magic, but in fact she was born with them. They were as reflective as her eyes and nearly blinding in the sunlight. She now tucked one of the brilliant bangs behind her ear as she shifted from foot to foot nervously.

'Where have you been?! I've been worried sick.' her father said angrily. 'I go to Buragh for two hours and you run off to who knows where. Something could have happened to you. You could have been hurt, or killed, or seen. All it takes is one mistake and our lives are ruined."

'You shouldn't worry so much, dad. I'm always careful to avoid being seen and I had Garett with me. You're not saying that you don't think Garett can protect me, are you? Or that I can't protect myself? I'm a powerful magician and Garett is a full- grown dragon. I'm more than capable of sensing anyone around me. So why can't I fly when I want?'

'It's not that I don't trust you or think you're not competent. It's just that everyone makes mistakes, even you, and we can't risk even one.' He sighed. 'I'm sorry I jumped on you. I've been on edge lately for some reason. Let's just go inside and eat something, then we'll go to bed.'

'Garett needs to go hunting tonight. He hasn't had any meat for a few days.' Atrea informed her father.

At this statement Garett nodded his head in agreement before flying off. Atrea and her father walked into their home and the door closed behind them. Her father went into the kitchen and started pulling out ingredients to make dinner. Atrea decided to help him by cleaning dishes and setting the table.

After their simple but filling dinner, Atrea and her father decided to go to bed. Atrea loved her bedroom. The furniture was sparse, but it was comfortable and she felt safer here than anywhere else. There were books everywhere. Atrea loved to read and her father bought her books whenever possible.

She lay down on her bed and stared at the ceiling. She was thinking about the prophecy that had been passed down in her family. She recited it in her head:

A shroud of darkness will cover the land.

When the sapphire of hope arises,

the silver one will hatch,

and the savior will appear.

An impossible bond will be made,

And death and shadow will stop the conqueror.

She snapped out of her trance at the sound of Garett approaching. He entered the room through the opening in her wall. He settled himself beside her bed and curled up into his usual position.

'You still have that strange feeling, don't you?' he asked her, concern in his voice.

'Yes The problem is I don't have any idea what's going to happen. ', she answered.

'Don't worry. Nothing will happen. You should try to get some sleep.'

'You're right. It's probably nothing. Goodnight, Garett.'

She rolled over in her bed, getting into a comfortable position before she started to fall asleep. Garett wrapped his tail around her small frame protectively. They both slept peacefully, unaware of the horror that was to befall them that very night.

In case you're confused, Atrea is a dwarf. I thought it was pretty obvious when I compared her to her father but some people said they couldn't tell. I know the prophecy sucks, but I was focusing more on the story. This chapter is really slow because I had to explain her background. I swear the next chapter won't be so boring!!R&R!