Hey guys. First story. Woot. Forgive me if I don't seem excited. I wrote this and uploaded it all in one night. Not an easy thing to do, but I have a feeling that it's something most of you understand. Inspiration strikes when inspiration feels like striking. So, without further ado…

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inheritance cycle, or any of the characters contained in it, except for those I create myself.

Summary: In the era following the great war, new riders are chosen and sent to the new Vroengard. A new rider must ally with his peers to confront a dangerous threat to the new order.

Shattered Shields

Today was going to be his day. The day he would stand before the eggs, and the day they would judge him. It was always awe-inspiring to see a dragon soaring over Osilon. Though it had only been a 18 years since the great war had ended and Eragon Shadeslayer had departed Alagaësia, never to return, and already two generations of riders had been trained. Nobody questioned how they trained so quickly, but already five new riders defended the peace of the land.

Alec walked towards the great Atrium where the eggs were stored, dressed in his most formal wear. His lanky appearance cast a long shadow across the stone paths in the afternoon light. His usually unkempt white hair was brought into some manner of orderliness. He carried a pack full of all the items he would need for the journey. He had said his goodbyes to his parents, knowing that, were he to be chosen, he would not see them for a long time.

Alec had been born 17 years ago, after the war. It was an unexpected boom in the elf population that hadn't been foreseen, but it was not unwelcome. It was a sign that the balance was restoring itself.

"Alec! Wait up for a moment!" Alec's friend Toruh ran up to him, her long hair tied into a customary ponytail. They were both going to be tested today. And they knew that they should say goodbye. It wasn't usual for more than one rider to be chosen at a time.

"Alec, in case we don't see each other again, I just wanted you to know that I've always kind of admired you. I think you'd make an excellent rider." Toruh had blushed slightly as she told him this.

"Toruh, believe me, if there's anyone who would be a better rider than me, it's you." Alec said, blushing as she had a moment ago.

"Well, should we get on with?" She asked, offering her hand. He grabbed hold of it.

"Lets."

They approached the Atrium, along with all the other elves their age. A great number to be gathering in one spot, but still on a group less of less than 20 individuals. The stood in a semicircle facing the great doors that led into the egg chamber. Everyone knew the rumor that the doors could only be opened by a rider, but all who came to be tested kept to themselves about it. They were either sworn to secrecy, too amazed to repeat it, or playing a horrible prank.

An elf with long black hair and a diadem of gold stepped up from behind. A power seemed to radiate from her, like waves crashing onto a stony shore. She wore a simple tunic and breeches, though trimmed with gold. Around her she wore a short cape of blood red, which barely fell to her waist.

"Many have stood her, many in such a short time. Many have also returned from here, their lives beating as they had before. But some did not. Some were chosen to carry the title of raider, and, with their dragon, set forth from this place to greater heights. I am Arya Dröttning, queen, rider, ambassador. You all have gathered here on this, your seventeenth year, in the hopes of joining the riders in the halls on New Vroengard. Now step forth, and may you be judged worthy."

With that, a shadow covered the light that fell from the opening in the roof of the Atrium. A brilliant dragon of green dropped from the heavens and landed in front of the mighty doors. He reared up onto his hind legs pushed the large doors open, revealing a circular room with 3 pedestals in it.

"Now is the time. Go forth and dream of what might be, or turn and leave, and regret not taking the final steps." With that, Arya mounted the green dragon, who took off and flew out the way it had entered.

Alec shuffled, uncomfortable about the situation. He had no idea what to expect. But he also knew that Arya was right. If he didn't do something now, he would regret it for his entire life.

His mind made up, Alec was the first to walk through the doors. No one else followed. They all stood there, lost in their own thoughts, save Toruh. She looked at Alec, looked through him, and nodded. She knew something that he didn't. She knew his destiny awaited him across the threshold. And so he walked in.

As he crossed the spot where the doors rested, he felt a shudder. Doubt began to weigh on him and he felt an urge to flee. But then he remember Toruh's expression, her certainty that he was making the right choice, a choice she had yet to make. And so he walked on.

He approached the pedestals and gazed at the three eggs. One black, one grey, one a brilliant purple. He laid his hand over the purple egg first. Alec held his hand over the egg for a few minutes, and when nothing happened he moved to the grey egg. He repeated the process with the grey egg. Again, nothing seemed to happen. Finally, he moved his hand over the black egg. After a few moments of holding his hand over it, he heard a crack. Then another. Then Alec noticed that there were cracks spreading throughout the egg's shell. With a final burst, the egg shattered, revealing a small creature with shining black scales, so clear he could almost make out his reflection in them

Alec reached out to touch the dragon, and at the same time the dragon seemed to reach for him, it's snout pushing out towards his hand. The dragon and his hand made contact, and he felt a sensation ripple through him, like a fire burning and freezing him all at once. The room began to spin, and the last thought Alec had before he blacked out was that Toruh was right.

Okies, not bad for being written in the early morning. Seriously, I'm finishing this at 3:59 AM CST. I hope I didn't ramble too much, but all things considered I thought it was a good opening chapter. More to come. R&R!