Eragon awoke from his waking dreams to a Song bird chirping profoundly outside his window. Arya was missing from his side and the sheets from where she lay the night before were in a disarray. Sitting up, Eragon yawned loudly and looked around the room. The bird continued its noisy morning tune till he tried to contact it. He sensed fear from the little bird's consciousness and the chirping came to an abrupt halt. A flutter of wings was heard, signifying that he had scared him off.

Eragon stood up and approached his dresser on the far side of the room. He then quickly donned on a pair of brown pants and a white shirt made from the elves. As he ran a hand through his hair messily he wondered where his mate had ventured off too, so pondering he strolled out of his room and down the long hallway towards the stairs. The faint sound of movement could be heard from below as he approached the stairs and Eragon guessed that he was the last one to awaken.

"Selena, go and wake you father please. And inform him he is needed." said Arya from the kitchen and Selena appeared from around the corner. She started walking towards the staircase with the length of her nightgown trailing behind her along the floorboards, gathering up whatever dusts that may lie there.

"No need. I am here." He called out and her little face shot up instantly. Once she spotted him she hurled herself up the stairs and threw herself into his embrace. Eragon collected her into his arms and tucked her head underneath his chin, swinging her back and forth for a moment. "Hello my love and Good morning too you." He said and she pulled back and beamed at him. Her Elvin features arranging themselves into an infectious smile, and her slanted hazel eyes were set aglow with childlike liveliness.

Bless her. She has missed me while I was away. He pushed her long brown hair behind her ears, revealing two pointed tips, and said "Go on, I know you're curious so let's have it."

Selena looked down in his arms shyly and pulled her hands back from around his neck, playing with them nonchalantly like she hadn't understood nor heard him speak. Arya entered the room then and he spared her a glance before bringing his attention back to Selena and lifting her face up with a hand. "Darling, are you wondering if I brought you back anything from my trip to uncle Rorans?"

Through his peripheral vision he could see Arya fold her arms and lean against the frame of the kitchen entrance, watching them silently. Eragon winked at her and looked back to their little Elvin daughter, who was looking at him hopefully. He laughed and rubbed a knuckle against her smooth cheek. "When Saphira joins us I will give it to you." Selena practically strangled him in excitement till he advised her to be gentle and she let him breath. Eragon set her down with a chuckle and she went off skipping down the stairs towards her mother.

"You would have been sorry, had you come back empty handed." Arya said mentally as she watched Selena continue her happy stride into the kitchen.

"And don't I know it." Arya laughed and walked over to him as he descended the last couple stairs down. "Alamir contacted me and I was informed we are to have company shortly. I am preparing a courtesy meal for their arrival." Eragon asked who was coming just as Arya reached up and started fiddling with his shirt collar, "hmm I'm sorry I believe the name slips my mind." He doubted that was true and gently pushed her hands away from his collar and held them to his heart, "is that so?" He peered into her eyes and she met his stare unwaveringly, Arya was like a stone that would not be moved nor shattered.

Just then a flurry of wings reached his ears and Eragon reached out with his consciousness to decipher from which it came. He found himself struck by a mental blow so powerful it destroyed the barriers around his mind, then within the confines of his skull an ancient voice growled, who dares attempt to disturb the privacy of my mind? Speak mongrel before I find you and savor your flesh upon my tongue!

Thorn? Is that you? It is I, Eragon! Replied Eragon surprised.

The growling ceased and Thorn replied Eragon! Are you a fool to try and breech my thoughts uninvited? Murtagh was just about to cast a deadly spell upon you to which you would have never awakened.

Murtagh? Eragon was both excited and curious as to why his half brother was paying him a visit. Yes, and we are almost upon you.

Eragon stepped past Arya and walked to the door, throwing it open just as Thorn's red scales could be seen, high above the canopy. Selena ran past him and stared up at the fore coming duo in wonder and Arya came beside Eragon and murmured "I was trying to surprise you. But a dragon is seemingly hard to ignore, I suppose."

Eragon narrowed his eyes and sure enough Murtagh could be seen perched on top of Thorns back. It had been long since he last saw his brother and it was due time he saw him again, although he did not know why he came to see him today. I smell dragon, who is it little one?

Saphira! Murtagh and Thorn have decided to pay us a visit. I am not sure what the occasion is though. He replied excitedly and sent her an image of them approaching; they were soaring just above them now. Ah, it IS high time we saw them again. Eragon could feel Saphira's own happiness to see their two old friends again, Alamir and I our on our way.

Thorn landed with a mighty thud, the earth around him shacking slightly as his dangerously sharp black talons sank into the ground. He flapped his wings twice and then folded them against himself while surveying the premises. Murtagh jumped from his saddle and hit the ground hard, having to take the impact upon his knee before raising and facing Eragon.

A broad grin stretched across Eragons face and he approached Murtagh with open arms. "Murtagh you old fiend. Only now you remember your brother? They embraced and Murtagh stepped back and considered Eragon with a curved eyebrow, "what have you been doing Eragon, sleeping away the years? You look far too lazy and content for the legendary Lead Rider and slayer of kings."

Eragon cuffed him on the ear and replied "Don't even start. Why don't you glance in the mirror yourself." Murtagh let loose a deep chuckle,

"Ah but then the ladies would beg for my eyes to be on them and not I." He said rubbing his ear and standing tall with a cocky smile on his face.

Eragon shook his head "you are just basking in conceded light aren't you. Inwardly Eragon chuckled; Murtagh was a hero now, thanks to his efforts in the last battle against the Mad king. Many women appreciated him now, for what he did. Outwardly, he replied "I fear the women will soon see you for who you truly are and leave you lonely and in the dark." Murtagh laughed and leaned in with a suggestive smile "see me for who I am? You mean mysterious and ghastly handsome with many battle scars decorating my body? The ladies really do appreciate those by the way brother, thank you."

Selena walked up from behind Eragon and leaned against his leg, looking up at Murtagh shyly with her pretty hazel eyes. "Why look at that. Is this your daughter Eragon? Ill be damned she's as stunning as a midnight rose." Selena blushed and Eragon put a hand on her shoulder, "yes she is." He said while placing a kiss on her soft cheek, Selena shyly hid her face behind his leg and out of further view of Murtagh. Murtagh let off another laugh and Arya spoke for the first time since their arrival, "Thorn, Murtagh, to what do we owe this visit? Has something happened back at Farthen Dur? "

"Hello Arya Drottningu. And actually we have several things to discuss with you and Eragon that are of high importance." Eragon shot him a questioning glance then gestured to the house with a hand "come then let us talk inside." But before he turned to walk into the house Eragon approached Thorn and placed a hand on his scared nose, "Saphira and Alamir are fast approaching and would like to catch up with you if that is alright. When you are done, all the windows to the house are large enough to stick your head through and We have a balcony you could perch on as well if you so wished to have word with us." He added a gentle smile at the end as he said this, the longer he considered the Dragon, the more he noticed his old scares from long ago battles between them and nights serving under the King. Thorn was a dragon to be respected.

Thorn dipped his head and lay down to await the other dragons. Beneath the shade of the trees his ruby red scales changed to an almost maroon like color.

Eragon picked up Selena and walked back into the house followed by Arya and Murtagh. They went into the kitchen and sat at the chairs around the table. Arya sat next to Eragon and Selena sat upon his lap eyeing Murtagh curiously. He shot her a mischievous smile and winked before clearing his throat and saying "Right, so…when was the last time you visited Roran Eragon?"

Confused Eragon replied "I actually just returned for Carvahall. Why do you ask?"

"Because he has been nominated as a possible candidate to the High Throne, as have you been." Murtagh replied, cutting to the chase.

Stunned and breathless Eragon stammered with his words "Roran and I are being considered for the high throne! Whose decision was that!"

"The peoples' Eragon. Do not be so surprised, you are a hero. Nay, not even just that but the epic Kingslayer himself."

"Yes but I am also the Lead Rider. My duties are stacked high because of my title. I must already be subordinate to all races because my role so requires it! Surely to be King as well is far too daring. That is too much power Murtagh and I do not wish to behold it." He pointed out seriously.

I agree with you little one. To become King as well is far to bold a claim for one such as you. You do not need such a title, we are already powerful enough.

Thank you.

You're welcome. now let us open our ears to what else Murtagh has to say.

Coming back into present time and his conversation with Murtagh, Eragon sat up straight and gave him a look that clearly didn't need words to understand. He did not want to be king.

"Do not look so trapped Eragon, you are only being Considered for the throne. They can not force the crown upon your head."

"As well they shouldn't. Eragon is right, it would be too much power for one man, and he hasn't the time, no matter how quaint he may have been as King." Said Arya and Eragon shot her a look of gratitude.

Murtagh nodded "Well your cousin has also been nominated for the decision. What do you think his thoughts would be on the matter?"

"I doubt he'd ever even considered the idea before. Roran is quite content with being back in Carvahall with his wife and child. He was very happy when the war ended, possibly even more than we all were because he could finally give Katrina what she wanted, peace and a normal life with him."

"Well now he must consider the notion. Whether either of you like it or not you are required to attend the meeting so you can be examined and considered, along with the rest of the candidates the Grand Council has decided upon. Further more, as Lead Rider, I think you would appreciate having a say in who the new ruler would be no?"

Eragon sat back in his chair. His head was spinning and he could feel a headache threatening to rick havoc within his skull. You will have to attend Eragon. Alamir and I will accompany you do not fret.

Eragon looked at Arya worriedly and glanced down to Selena in his arms she will have to be left in the care of my mother at Ellesm`era. I will not have her among such tiring politicians. Said Arya reading his face perfectly, so be it. He replied with a sigh and looked back to Murtagh. Murtagh gave him a look that spoke he held pity for him.

"I'm sorry you must endure this Eragon, I pity you."

"As a rider you will have to be there too." Eragon pointed out

Murtagh grimaced, "Ay, that I will lead rider."

It is very important and urgent none the less that a Ruler is chosen for the throne. The people are starting to get out of sorts.

Spoke Arya's dragon Alamir joining in on the conversation. His powerful voice echoed in all of their minds and Selena stirred in Eragons arms. That is true. Have you been listening the whole time? Eragon asked him

Alamirs giant green head appeared through the window to Eragons right and with one yellow eye peering at him said of course, the eye blinking once.

From his left Eragon felt Arya sigh, her breath kissing his shoulder, "What other news do you bring. As you first stated when you arrived that you had several things to tell us."

Murtagh leaned forward and gave them both a small smile.

"What?" asked Eragon, a little annoyed that Murtagh wouldn't just tell them. Two new riders have emerged in our mists. Spoke Thorn for him. Eragon and Arya bore the same expressions of shock, and then Arya jumped out of her chair, startling Selena abruptly. "This is momentous news! Finally we have more riders to join us. Which eggs have hatched and for whom?"

"Yes for who?" said Eragon, excitement spurring inside of him.

Did you hear Saphira! More riders!.

I did indeed little one.

Saphira's happiness and excitement matching his own, her Blue head emerged from one of the other windows behind Murtagh and her breath filled the room as her tongue hung freely from her jaws. Greetings Saphira. Murtagh greeted her. Good evening, bringer of exceptionally good news. Why have all your visits' with us before not bathed in such an exciting light?"

Murtagh and Eragon laughed and Eragon glanced at her Saphira do not be rude.

I'm not being rude Eragon, I am stating the obvious. Eragon chuckled and had to agree with her. The last time they saw Murtagh it wasn't nearly this exciting, they all had simply talked late into the night, swapping old tales of before they met and imparked on their past adventures against Galbatorix.

"One rider is a Male elf, and the other is a female Human." Murtagh said reaching for an apple inside a bowl at the center of the table. He looked up at Eragon just before grabbing it, "Go ahead." At Eragons ok Murtagh took it and bit into it with sigh like he hadn't eaten in days, probably true due to the fact that he and Arya lived so far away from Farthen Dur.

"Both new riders are situated at Farthen Dur and await your arrival." He said after another bite . "Why did you not send them here?" asked Arya, looking slightly confused.

"Because the meeting will be held there and you and Eragon are to attend it. The Grand Council wants to be back were it all began when the decision is finally decided. You know how they are with traditions."

Eragon nodded in understanding it was there that Brom and Ajihad first established the Varden.

"So Eragon," Murtagh said with another bite of his apple, juices creeping down his chin. He swallowed before continuing," It is your duty as lead rider to accompany me back to Farthen Dur where the two new riders await your instructions as their Ebrithial and-" he took another bite of the apple " where your presence is required in case you are chosen to sit upon the Throne and rule all of this damned Alagaesia."