Hi there, sorry about the long wait for this chapter. I ended up doubling the length when I was typing it and my brother and I just got Assassin's Creed Brotherhood and I have been playing it...a LOT. Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naurto nor The Inheritance Cycle.

Posted: July 24, 2011
Edited: August 3, 2013


Of Boring Meetings and Sweet Sweet Chaos

'100 years' though Eragon as he sat waiting in the meeting hall right outside of Bullridge for the yearly meeting between the races of Alagaësia, '100 years since I found Saphira's egg, 100 years since I fled Cavahall with uncle unburied to chase the Ra'zac, 100 years since Brom died and I met Arya, 100 years since the Battle of Farthen Dûr and people calling me Shadeslayer, 100 years since I met Oromis, the Cripple who is Whole, and Glaedr, 100 years since the Battle of the Burning Plans, 100 years since I killed the last of the Ra'zac, 100 years since I found out about my heritage, 100 years since I helped forge Brisingr, 100 years since the Battle for Feinster and the slaying of the Shade Varaug by Arya, 100 years since the death of Oromis and the 1st death of Glaedr, 100 years since the alliance of the Humans, Dwarves, Elves, Urgals, Dragons, and Werecats,100 years since the final battle in the war to hopefully end all wars in Alagaësia, and finally 100 years to the day since I faced Galbatorix in a trail-by-combat duel to the death in which I, much like he once did, removed my opponent's head with a blazing blade.'

In his whole life so far, that was the one thing that he wished he could've done differently. With the army of the Free Races closing upon Uru'baen and with Murtagh no longer on his side, Galbatorix had flown out of his castle and demanded Trail by Combat. This had been after five long days of fighting though the outskirts of the capital and Eragon gladly accepted it much to the dismay of the Varden, Elves, Dwarves, and Urgals. Eragon saw this as a chance to end all of the suffering that was happening around him. Looking back, Eragon wished that he could've captured Galbatorix and had him tried by the leaders and representatives of the free races and then loped off Galbatorix's head. Galbatorix however didn't leave Eragon much choice.

Galbatorix choose the spot to fight, right in the middle of the army. It was a long fight with both contestants nearly exhausting all of their word-will-energy, as Glaedr would say, from not only their bodies but also the Eldunarí that each had as well as the gems in their swords and (in Eragon's case) the gems from the belt of Beloth the Wise. Galbatorix had known that he was evenly matched and so decided to resort to trickery and deceit as he had when dueling with Vreal. However Eragon, remembering the story that Brom had told him about the downfall of the Riders was expecting this trick and was able to avoid it. Utterly beaten, Galbatorix started to gather his remaining energy to cast one final spell which would kill not only himself but also everyone within a 50 mile radius. Eragon, having out smarted Galbatorix early on by planting a "seed" in Galbatorix's mind that allowed Eragon to sense Galbatorix's intentions, was able to dart in fast enough to decapitate him just before he finished his spell. As it was, the spell being half finished threatened to wipe out a 5 mile radius until Shruikan gave his own life in order to protect everyone who had gathered around to watch.

In the years since that fateful battle, the last known egg in Alagaësia had hatched for Arya. In addition several dragons returned from the North where they had been hiding so that the race wouldn't be completely eradicated or worse enslaved by Galbatorix. They also had brought a few eggs with them that Vreal had sent with two wild dragons that where the last to flee the island of Vroengard just before Galbatorix showed up. Thanks to these eggs, within 5 years Eragon, Arya, and Murtagh each had three apprentices a piece to train and there were twenty unbounded dragons, not including the five who had escaped. Because he was the only one of the three who had received a complete training from a Rider of the old order, who had not only trained several apprentices but also had been an elder of the old order, Eragon ended up working with all nine apprentices, not just his three.

Murtagh and Thorn had been saved by Eragon who found out that just feeling compassion for the Urgal race, their True Names had been changed enough so that they were no longer held by their vows to Galbatorix. Even though Galbatorix had cast a spell that would alert him to changes to their True Names, it had been a very complex and "incomplete" spell. It was the very fact that because it was so complex that it failed. Reflecting upon this Eragon had to conclude that what Brom and Oromis had taught him about True Names was correct, not only are they very dangerous but also complicated and tricky. Galbatorix had attempted to cover every single possible aspect that would cause Murtagh's and Thorn's True Names to change. Because of his own hatred of the Urgals, Galbatorix never expected Murtagh or Thorn to feel anything but hatred, loathing, or some other negative emotion towards them.

20 year after the beginning of the training, each of the nine new Riders had enough experience to take on two apprentices each as well as going on missions for the continuing of peace in Alagaësia, after the fashion of the Riders of old. Because of Eragon's connections to all of the different races, they (the races) were content to let him rule in the fashion of the Old Order. Originally, the races agreed to this because they each thought that they could have some sort of influence over the New Order, but Eragon would have none of that. At the first meeting, Eragon had made it clear point blank that while the different races could try and influence his decisions on him as an individual, they did and would NOT have any influence on his decisions as a Shur'tugal. Only the elves had a real objection to this, especially Queen Islanzadí. He could remember it like it had only happened a few minutes before.

-FLASHBACK-

"What do you mean that we have no influence on your decisions as a Shur'tugal?" asked Islanzadí, "The teachings that have been passed onto you originated with the elves and it is only because of OUR magic that you were able to become a Rider in the first place; you would do well not to forget that Eragon-finiarel."

The added stress of the honorific wasn't missed by those attending the meeting, however only the elves and those who knew elven custom (namely Eragon, Saphira, Arya, Fírnen, Angela, Murtagh, Thorn, and Orik) understood the insult that the queen had just given. While the elven delegation carefully hide their expressions Arya, Angela, Murtagh, and Orik looked at Islanzadí with a cross between shock and appall and the three dragons shifted their weight with the exception of Saphira who actually curled her lips up, growled, and let smoke rise from her nostrils. Because Eragon was not only the head of the new Order of the Dragon Riders but because he re-founded the order with very little support, his status was the same as Roran's, Islanzadí's, Orik's, Zlazvont's, and Grimrr Halfpaw's status and therefore (given what his position was) should have been addresses as Eragon-elda. Eragon on the other hand looked amused.

"Tell me O queen which I am, Shur'tugal or Rider? For they are not both the same yet you used them as the same meaning. The Forsworn where known as 'Riders' even after the great Banishing, however after the Banishing they were no longer known as 'Shur'tugal'. When you refer to someone as a 'Rider', you are implying that the one who rides is the only important being, and that that which is being ridden is nothing more than a dumb animal. 'Shur'tugal', being the Ancient Language for Dragon Rider, remember not only describes the pair but IS the pair, it represents the bond that each Dragon and his/her rider shares. For those who have not been educated in the Ancient Language we, that is Dragons and their riders, don't find the term 'Rider' being applied to both of us offensive. However coming from elves and scholars learned in the basic ways of the Dragon Riders, we find it very offensive.

"Now as to what I mean when I say that you have no influence over us, is put quite simply: you don't. While you may be able to try and influence me and put pressure on me with your choices, your own laws say you can't put influence over Saphira. And the choices that I report to the council and that will shape the formation of this new order of the Shur'tugal won't be choices I make by myself. Both Saphira and I will be making and deciding what happens. Another way of looking at it is the way that Saphira told me when I swore my oath to Nasuada. While I may have been bond by that oath, Saphira wasn't and she told me that 'if I must break it to keep you safe, or to do the right thing, I will not hesitate…if I must, I will kidnap you.'" At this everyone looked at Saphira, especially Nasuada who looked both a little hurt but mostly amused, for confirmation to which Saphira nodded her head and looked pointedly at Islanzadí who didn't meet her eyes. "So then by all means, if you wish to delude yourself into thinking that you can control and influence us go ahead and try. However if you do then that means that you believe yourself greater than the Dragons.

"Furthermore the teachings originated with the Grey Folk who have all but passed away. All that remains of them is the blessing of the Ancient Language to which we can use to have more control over magic. The spell that bound the Dragons, elves, and humans together may have been created and casted by the elves, however it was the Dragons' magic that made it possible to cast it in the first place. And lastly, I didn't necessary need that spell to become a Shur'tugal. Look at my name sake. He became the first Shur'tugal and it was only with his help that the elves were able to reach the agreement to bind the two races together in the first place. Sure Saphira might not have hatched for me if the human weren't included in the pact, and then Galbatorix might never have come into power, but both he and I could've found a wild dragon's egg and become the Rider for it and you might have an even bigger problem. Please remember these points as we continue this meeting so that you don't bring further shame to yourself."

After Eragon's little speech, the elves looked uncertainly at their leader who, with a slight bow of her head, said to Eragon "You are right Eragon-elda, please forgive me for my moment of absentmindedness. I meant no offense to either you or you Saphira-Bjartskular" with the last part directed at Saphira.

With a nod or his head Eragon continued "Now about the matter of the nine eggs…"

-END FLASHBACK-

Ten years after the defeat of Galbatorix Eragon began to woo Arya again and she agreed to court Eragon on the condition that they followed the elf's courting ways instead of the humans, to which Eragon agreed. After five years of dating, they decided to become mates in the elfish fashion. Although they had yet to take the love vowel, Eragon and Arya had been together for almost all of the 90 years of their relationship with only a couple rough patches that was normal for healthy couples. Oromis' warnings were unfounded as were the problems that had happened to other elven-human relationships. Because of Arya's immense time as the diplomat from the elves to the humans and dwarves, she and Eragon could relate to many different things and of the items that they couldn't agree on, like the eating of flesh, they were able to spend many long, sometimes enjoyable and sometimes miserable, debates discussing different their views. If fact because their relationship was the longest that any human-elf relationship had lased, many of the elves had thought that they would take the ultimate vowel of love and bless the forest of Du Weldenvarden with a child or two. Unfortunately for the elves, they had decided to wait even longer, if ever, to have any children.

With Galbatorix overthrown, the question on who would be the next king arouse. Many of the Varden, elves, and dwarves thought that either Orrin or Nasuada would become King/Queen or would marry and rule together. However, many who had lived under the rule of Galbatorix didn't trust either of them, seeing them as rebels. So it was decided that the royal house of Palancar would come back and rule once again over the human s of Alagaësia. There were many disputes over who the rightful heir was since most of the records had been lost in the passage of time. It wasn't until Eragon and Arya, on a mission to restore the Rider's bases on Vroengard and Utgard, that records (that had been kept by Anurin, Vrael, and then later Brom) were found showing that the lineage of Palancar actually passed down through Eragon's maternal grandfather's line and that because Selena was the eldest child of her family, 2 years older than Garrow, that Eragon was next in line for the throne.

The reason why Eragon was next in line and not Murtagh, even though he was older to Eragon, was because the dwarves hated him and it was only because he was Eragon's half-brother that they tolerated him at all. The dwarves would never forgive Murtagh for killing there king and as such had declared a lifelong band on him from there cities on pain of death and had threatened a war, no bars held, if he became king. This caused another momentous outcry from all of the races, none of them ever wanted to have another Rider or immortal person as the king of the humans and Eragon flat out refused to being made the king. With that the next heir to the thrown was none other than Eragon's own cousin: Roran Stronghammer. The races accepted him for many different reasons: the humans accepted him because unlike Nasuada and Orrin he was seen as a person who Galbatorix could use and Roran had the guts to stand up to Galbatorix and refuse him; the elves accepted him because of what they saw and heard of him in battle that he would take care of those under his command; the dwarves accepted him simply because he was Eragon's cousin and he had proven himself trustworthy; the Urgals accepted him because he had proved himself many times over in battle, not only against the enemy but also to some of their minor chiefs by forcing them into submission this feat continued to impress the Urgals even to the present day, in fact the name Roran Stronghammer was spoken of with greater praise than that for Lady Nightstalker but a little less than that of Eragon Firesword the Shadeslayer or Saphira Flametongue; the Werecats didn't care too much so long as the person was fair and not a cat kicker.

When the news had reached Roran he was shocked and was going to flat out refuse just as Eragon had until Eragon go to him and showed him that unless he took the job the only other person that the humans would accept would cause another war to be fought. That along with the fact that he didn't want to make of the choice of ruling or not for his own children and a few conditions made him except.

Alagaësia would be spilt into three different fiefs. What was currently Surda would stay as it was and gain the land up to the city of Furnost. This would be governed by King Orrin who would become Barron Orrin. The middle part of the entire kingdom, from Belatona to Gil'ead, would be governed by Nasuada and the top part of the kingdom would be ruled by him in what was once Cavahall. All of those who had lived previously in Cavahall would get their land back and be assisted in rebuilding by people though out the kingdom who would receive a tax exception for two years in exchange for volunteering their help for 6 months. However, the soldiers who had burnt Cavahall to the ground would be required to help rebuild the homes they had burnt down until they were all rebuilt or receive ten years of imprisonment.

Now 100 years later Eragon was thinking about how glade he was that he had dodged the kingship bullet because he had also dodged the yearly state-of-the-kingdom meetings. Because he was the leader of the Riders, he had to still attend the meeting once every five years, and that was 10 meetings too many in his option (he still thought that he should only come once every 10 years, but Roran had insisted that he come every five or else Roran would refuse the crown). In fact as he sat remembering these past events he was at one of said meetings doing his best at looking like he was paying attention while organizing his thoughts and trying not to slip into one of his waking sleeps and was failing miserably, not that anyone but Saphira would know. He would wake up whenever someone said his name or whenever this sixth sense told him that someone was staring at him intently.

'O well,' thought Eragon as he was awoken for the tenth time that hour 'at least one of the benefits of the waking dreams is that I remember everything that is going on around me. Now who was that woke me up this time?'

It was none other than his niece Cathrine who was going on about how her father, though getting on in years, was still as healthy as a horse for a normal human being in his early 120's and that he would be coming to the meeting very soon, now that the stuff that a retired king didn't have to go though was over with. At this Eragon gave a snort that he quickly turned into a cough. He knew the real reason why Roran didn't come to the beginning half of the meetings anymore; it was because he found them almost as boring and pointless as Eragon did, with all of the ceremony and introduction of everyone.

In fact, after he had passed on his title of king onto his eldest son Sloan, he gloated to Eragon about being able to miss that part of the meeting to which Eragon replied by using his magic to let Katrina be able to reproduce again. This led to Roran having to put up with a hormone high wife for another couple of months. Roran was furious with Eragon until Katrina became pregnant with their third child, as well as only daughter, Cathrine. Afterwards both Roran and Katrina were extremely happy and thankful to Eragon.

Cathrine had been coming to these meetings with her father ever since she was four and now she represented her brother whenever he was away in the far south below the Beor Mountains dealing with the decedents of those who had refused to move away from their original homes with King Palancar. While the annual meetings were only attended by the King/Queen, the two Barons/Baronesses, their guards and sometimes a representative from the elven and/or dwarven races, the meetings every five years had all of the major governors/governesses of the humans, the lords and ladies of the high elven houses, all of the clan heads form the dwarves and the leader of the Riders (with another representative if Eragon could hid the meeting date from all of his riders long enough so that they couldn't say that they were all too busy on that day) along with a delegation from the Werecats and Urgals.

The welcoming ceremony took so long mostly because of the pride of the elven lords/ladies and the dwarven clan heads. Each meeting they would try to outdo each other in how fancy they could be, yet still remain humble. It was now at the point where Eragon was going to do something about it because he didn't want his successors to have to deal with it. Eragon, though nowhere near old amongst the immortal elves, riders, and dragons, could already feel it coming. In 20 years' time he, Arya, and about 50 of the more radical elves were going to set sail and leave Alagaësia forever and head for the land from whence the Grey Folk came. It was those two declarations that had Eragon actually happy to be attending this meeting.

Everyone looked up at the door as it opened and in walked a man with a full head of white hair that had silver streaks running though and a chest length silver and white beard. His grey eyes where still as hard as ever, but had the light of joy that being a father and grandfather gave. He still had the walk of a warrior and still carried the hammer that gave him the name 'Stronghammer' in his belt but he now once again used the staff that Flask had made for him all those years ago. Though he was old for a mortal human, he still retained most of the strength of his youth. His secret: he had continued farming, exercising and eating healthy though out all his time as king and he had relied on servants as little as possible.

Sloan had passed away 2 years after Cathrine had been born. The old man had grown repentant in his later years such that the elves restored his sight to him. He even realized how big of a fool he had been when it came to Roran and Katrina. In the several times that Eragon had visited Sloan, the old man had been a little bitter towards him but was thankful for the news that Eragon brought to him concerning his daughter and family. After each of Roran's children had turned one year old, Eragon took them each for 2 weeks to Ellesméra to visit there grandfather. They were old enough to play with the former butcher, yet young enough that they wouldn't realize who he was and then ask their parents about him. Sloan, needless to say was grateful to Eragon for letting him see his grandchildren at least once. The elves had told Eragon that when he had passed, it was peacefully in in his sleep.

Eragon's attention was suddenly brought back to the present when he realized that Roran was walking straight towards him.

"What's with the slight grin cousin? Don't tell me that after all of these years you've finally cracked form these meetings?" asked Roran.

"No, it's just that I have two announcements to make that will cause just about as much political chaos as when I swore fealty to Nasuada instead of the Varden. But don't worry it will make life easier on Cathrine, Sloan and Sloan's children when they inherit the thrown." replied Eragon.

"Is one of the announcements about what Angela told you all those years ago?" inquired Roran who had a worried look on his face "because if so you do know that the only way I can get Cathrine to come to the full meetings for Sloan is because you are here. In fact I'm pretty sure that if you didn't come, she would make sure that she had a busy schedule to avoid them."

"She and all of my Riders alike; it was only because of these announcements that I was able to convince Arya to come this time, but still she will only come in after I make it." commented Eragon, "The real meeting is about to begin, I'll tell you more after it, okay?"

"Alright, but you will have some explaining to do to Cathrine as well."

Several long hours later

"…that is the state of things in Surda." finished a middle-aged man who was clean shaven, had a receding hair line and was slightly overweight.

"Yes, thank you Oswald. I'm sorry to hear about the passing of your father, Orrin, and I'm sorry that I wasn't able to make it to his funeral," said Roran.

"No apologies needed sire. He would forgive you not coming considering your age and all." Oswald sadly responded.

"Well now Cathrine," Roran said looking at his daughter "what's next on the agenda?"

"Next Eragon Shadeslayer has a couple announcements to make, one of which is about these meetings and the other…you never did say what it was about uncle."

Even though Eragon and Roran were cousins, Roran's children had been raised to call Eragon uncle when they were younger and then once they had become adults they could choose to call him Eragon if they wished. While Sloan and Garrow choose to call Eragon by his name, Cathrine viewed Eragon as her actual uncle and would not call him anything else. To Eragon this was both endearing and yet painful. Endearing to know that he meant so much to Cathrine but also painful because not only would he live an immortal life but also he would be leaving Alagaësia soon.

"That's right because I didn't want it known ahead of time. The first, as Cathrine said, is about these meetings," Eragon begun as some of those present began to murmur, "These introductions are taking far too long. They were originally based on the elven custom to show curtsy and the dwarven custom to show status. I do believe that it is time for a change. Because they so time consuming and there are several races being represented here, I propose that we do one of three things: 1) rotate every ten years (or two meetings) which races' customs we use 2) get rid of the ceremonies altogether…"

At this suggestion there were shouts of protest from the elves, dwarves, and the nobility of the humans. This went on for several moments until Eragon got fed up with waiting for them to quiet down and called up what he called his 'battle finisher' in which he sent out millions of tiny mental probes that would lack onto people's minds/barriers and build up so that everyone in the room who he was targeting started to feel an uncomfortable weight on their mind.

The amount kept growing until they all had shut their mouth and one elf lord looked at Eragon and said "Really Eragon-elda, there is no need to use your killer intent on your allies, even if it wasn't the full powered one. That was uncalled for and extremely rude."

"What was rude was me being interrupted. The only reason why I used my battle finisher, or killer intent as you call it, was because I am very short patented today after the longer than normal introductions. Now as I was saying the first option is to rotate every ten years which races' customs we use, the second is to get rid of the ceremonies altogether, or the third is to use the customs of the race that are the fastest which happens to be the Urgralgra. Nar Garzhovg, please correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the Urgralgra take place in a quick fight before such a meeting."

"You are right Firesword, there is at least one member from every party in the fights and the fights are partaken without any weapons or armor. Oh, and no magic."

"Thank you. Now please keep in mind that if you choose option number one, that it includes the Urgralgra customs as well. So now for the vote; who votes for option number one" at this no one raised their hands "ok, so 0 votes for all customs, now how about option number three" at this only Nar Garzhovg, Eragon, and Saphira raised their hands/claw. At seeing a dragon voting for the fight, most of those present paled as they realized that every party indeed meant every party, including the Dragons. "Ok, so three votes for option three. Now how many want option two, or should we just throw it out considering the outrage and protest that it got when it was just mentioned?"

At this all those who were not at all warriors, mostly the human nobility, hurriedly spoke out saying that they wanted option two. That along with the rest of those assembled got option two accepted.

"Eragon-elda before this new decree is set in stone, I have a question. Why should we even change the customs in the first place? More importantly is it that you get to decide to change the custom?"

Eragon silently cursed in his head while he had an answer for this question he had preferred not to have to give it. The asker of the question was non-other than Queen Islanzadí. "Well Islanzadí-elda, I am the only one here with enough guts to propose such a radical change and am the only one who would be taken seriously when I give my reasons why. One of them has to do with my second announcement. For the other, the Dragon Riders would no longer partake in these meetings and we would be willing to risk war in order to not come. Now that may come on to some of you as selfish but the Dragon Riders are around to ensure that peace is maintained and these meetings have been known to make some of the Rider's violent. That along with the fact that none of the others were willing to lead the Dragon Riders in the event of my retirement."

"But surely Eragon-elda that event is long into the future," commented Islanzadí.

At this Eragon smiled and continued "Now that leads to my second announcement which has two parts. The first part concerns myself and a few of the elves who heard of this from various sources and have asked to join. The second part concerns the Dragon Riders, this is only a curtsey warning if you will; no one here has any say to either of the two for they have already been in the planning for quite some time now. Now please hold all comments and expressions of emotions until I'm done.

"First, I am stepping down as the head of the Dragon Riders because my time here in Alagaësia is nearly up. In 20 years' time myself, Arya, Saphira, Fírnen, and about 50 of the more radical thinking elves will be setting sail for the homeland of the Grey Folk and my replacement as council representative will be Murtagh. Second, the Dragon Riders will be ruled by a council made up of eight of the nine riders who were trained by myself, Arya, and Murtagh. As you well know, Murtagh's former student Elessar recently died saving five of our new Riders from three Ra'zac in the process. Murtagh will also be an advisor to the Dragon Rider council and will cast the deciding vote in the case of a spit vote. I know that the dwarves will probably object to my decision; however I made it based on all the facts that I had at the time and I made it keeping in mind what would be the best for the Order of the Dragon Riders."

With that almost all present started to raise objections and started to shout out all at once. Roran just looked sad while Cathrine was looking at Eragon with puzzlement, anger, hurt, and sorrow in her eyes. The arguing continued for about ten minutes as those there tried to out shout each other to get Eragon's attention. The elves were looking furious that fifty of their kind had known about the voyage and not told any of the Elven Lords/Ladies or their queen. The humans were asking why he was leaving. The dwarves, with the exception of Orik who was looking grim, were generally shouting about how they would not putting up with a king-killer for as a representative. The Werecats were muttering amongst themselves and the Urgals were just adding to the general discord by talking amid themselves in their own language.

Just as Eragon was about to get the meeting back in order, he felt a burning pain in his gedwëy ignasia before hearing Saphira, Arya, and Fírnen crying out 'Eragon!' in his head before everything faded to black and he lost consciousness.


A/N: I know, I know "Emrix" is the most original name for a green dragon. The thing is that I suck when it comes to names. I plan on changing the name eventually when I either find out what Paolini used or if I come up with a better one or if anyone of you can think of a better name for a green male dragon, please let me know via a review or a PM. And yes for all for you Tolkien fans "Elessar" is the name that Aragorn takes when he becomes king of Gondor. Yes I'm a Tolkien fan and NO I do not own The Lord of the Rings or any other of his books.

So tell me what you thought of his chapter. If you are hesitant about leaving a review because it is very short or long, don't be I value options and don't mind reading long reviews. Also special thanks to TenchiSaWaDa and RedRangerBelt for being my first two reviewers.

I don't know when the next chapter will be out for reasons mentioned above, in my profile, and because I'm facing a little bit of writer's block. I may just end up splitting the next chapter into two parts if I feel like it has been too long since I last updated.

Until next time,

JDR