A/N Okay, I'm back, and so is Spell check!!! Yeah!!! Sorry it took so long,school has been hectic!!! And thanks to all who left reviews. I guess threatening to stop writing works, But I wont do it again. It's nice to know, though, that you want me to continue. So… Read and Review!!!! And thanks to my new Beta, fAteD lOvE. As you may agree, I really need one!

Chapter 7: The Rider

"What the-" Eragon squinted into the sun, looking into the azure sky. Floating on an up draft hovered a spectacular, silver dragon. And on his back, Eragon saw the tiny figure of a rider gazing down on the crowd that had gathered to watch Eragon and Arya's duel.

Come on! Saphira crouched down so Eragon could climb onto her. She took off into the direction of the dragon, which had turned at the sigh of it's own species gliding towards him.

Who is that? Asked Eragon, fastening his legs to the saddle straps.

I honestly don't know. He's not one of Galbatorix's. the only egg remaining is green.

Then were did this one come from? A hundred questions were racing through his mind, but he pushed them aside as they approached the dragon. The rider, clad in armor and a helm, unsheathed a long, silver sword to match the dragon's shining scales, but Eragon could tell it was not of Elven make. Eragon took out his own sword, but kept it low to his side to show the rider he didn't wish to attack.

But the rider seemed to think Eragon was a threat. He raised his sword to an attacking height, warning Eragon to stay back. Saphira continued forward, her wings stirring the air around the two dragons. And then the other dragon opened his jaws and admitted a long, cherry red flame.

Caught off guard, Saphira pulled out in a tight loop, just avoiding the flame.

The silver dragon didn't lounge forward as Saphira and Eragon turned back to them, this time with his sword raised. But he didn't retreat, either. Instead, he hovered where he was, his large, grey eyes never leaving Saphira's.

Should I attack them?

No, just get close enough for me to talk to the rider.

If you're sure. Slowly, Saphira glided over to the rider. The silver dragon didn't attack, but growled as they approached with large, grey, razor teeth.

When he thought he was close enough, Eragon began to shout over the wind, but was interrupted before he could start. "We warned you to stay away." Shouted the rider, raising his silver sword to point at Eragon.

Eragon ignored the warning and shouted back, "Why did you attack us?"

"Why didn't you respect our wish?"

Eragon paused, replaying the riders voice in his head. The riders accent was foreign, he couldn't place it anywhere in Alagaesia. "Where are you from?"

"Does it matter?" the rider asked coolly.

"You're not from Alagaesia, are you?"

"Right you are." The rider's voice lightened. "I guess Riders in this country haven't completely lost all knowledge. I can't hear a thing over this blasted wind." With that, the rider and dragon angled towards a bare field just out of the city walls.

Eragon was caught off guard by the riders sudden change of mind. Saphira looked back at her rider, puzzled. Should we fallow them? She asked

Sure, I want to find out more about this rider.

Saphira landed gently next to the large silver dragon and Eragon slid off. The other rider had already dismounted and began to undo his helm. "It is so hot this far down south." The rider stated. He pulled off the helm and Eragon gasped.

Long, ginger red hair fell out from the helm, hanging down past the riders shoulders. Dazzling green eyes, unlike anything Eragon had ever seen, revealed themselves and the riders features were sharp. But the rider was no Elf.

"You're- you're a girl."

The riders eyes darted towards him. She laughed, revealing perfectly straight, white teeth. "Did you think only men could be riders?" Eragon now realized that the riders accent wasn't only foreign, but higher pitched then a male's.

He felt Saphira laugh behind him. What?

Nothing, it's just- your face when she took her helm off.

Did you know she was a girl?

I knew she wasn't a boy.

Eragon broke contact with his laughing dragon and turned back to the girl. "So," she said, "you're the sane rider of Alagaesia then."

"Yes."

"I'm sorry, but what's your name?"

"Eragon Shadeslayer."

"Shadeslayer." She thought deeply. "a greet task. I'm Aurora of Meleno, but I like Rory. Meleno is in the land above the Selvendire, or what you call Du Weldenvarden."

"Wait," Eragon was thoroughly confused. First a female rider, then Meleno? " you're from the land above Du Weldenvarden?"

"Yes. I'm surprised your people haven't discovered our little country yet. But enough of this. We need-"

But she was cut off before she could say what she needed but a shout in the distance. "Over here, Milady." Then, almost out of no where came an entire troop of guards, Nasuada and Arya in the lead.

The gaurds rushed forward and placed a sword on Rory's throat. She didn't fight back and looked almost like she was expecting them to arrive.

She turned to Nasuada and bowed as low as she dared without coming in contact with the sword. "Lady Nasuada." She said softly.

"Eragon, who is this?" she asked, cautiously glaring at the bowing girl.

"Aurora, dragon rider of Meleno."

"Meleno?"

"the land above the Selvendire. Or Du Weldenvarden." Added Rory.

"There is no land above Du Weldenvarden." Arya eyed the rider with green eyes to match hers.

"I offer no threat to you, Lady Nasuada, or to Surda. I only wish for your help."

"How do we not know if she is with Galbatorix?"

The silver dragon, who had stayed behind his rider, growled with fury. Rory laughed at the question. "I'm sorry, Land Nasuada, but our riders are trained to keep well away from the Southern King and his followers. We disapprove immensely with his chosen path."

Nasuada continued to look suspiciously at the rider. Eragon looked from his liege lord, to Arya, then back at Rory. "Perhaps we should continue this in your office, Lady Nasuada. Where she can tell us the whole story."

"Yes, you're right Eragon. Here is not the place for this talk."

She motioned to the guards, who began to tie Rory's hand behind her back. She didn't fight back, only asked, "And what of Cantice, Lady Nasuada? What of my dragon?"

Eragon turned to Saphira, who was watching the Silver dragon closely. Will you take him to the dragon hold until Aurora has told her story?

Of course. We'll go now. She looked over at the dragon, and Eragon could tell she was telling him what they planned to do.

"Saphira will take him back to the dragon hold while you tell us your story, if that would be fine." He said.

Nasuada thought for a moment, then nodded. Rory looked concerned, but looked over at her dragon and nodded slowly. Cantice bowed his head in reply and took off into the sky with Saphira.

Aurora watched the dragons go, before returning her attention to the leader of the Varden. She and the Free Rider were talking in low voices, while the elf listened and shook her head. Finally, Lady Nasuada motioned for them to make their way back to Aberon.

She looked over at Eragon, recognizing the look on his face as he talked with Saphira. She hoped he was as strong as he had been rumored to be. Meleno depended on him.

A/N soo.. now you know who the silver rider is. Next chapter you will hear her story. Until then, keep up the reviews. Again, I'm really, really sorry about the long wait.

♥ hollyandmisltoe