Neena woke up with something bronze and fuzzy covering her. It took her a moment to realize what it was, before she called out to Hirador. His snores became noticeably louder, and she glared at his belly, which was facing her.

Hirador please get up. Neena whined. His foreleg, which had been tucked under his wing on the other side of her, moved and crushed her against his belly.

Hirador! She snapped, irritated. The snores stopped, replaced by a low, playful growl. If it had been any other dragon and had Neena not recognized the playful undertone, she would have panicked. As it was, it only served to add kindle to the flame of her mood.

Don't you know to let sleeping dragons lie? Especially when they're protecting treasure?

Hirador, you don't have any treasure. Neena pointed out.

Yes I do. Hirador replied patiently.

Oh, really? Where is it, then? Neena asked.

Tucked against my belly. Hirador answered smugly. Immediately Neena's temper faded, and she snuggled closer to her dragon's belly, smiling. A thought occurred to her.

You had another growth spurt. She commented.

Yes.

How big are you now?

Quite a bit larger, actually.

Let me see.

I'm comfortable.

Come on, Hirador, I want to see!

No. Sleep still crawls at the edges of your mind.

I'm not tired!

Yes you are. It also makes no sense to get up when the moon has risen.

Yeah, well, maybe I like the dark. Neena shot back childishly. She squirmed out of Hirador's grasp and ducked under his wing, wriggling to get out.

She finally succeeded, running straight into Hirador's piercing gaze. She jumped, startled at the size of his head. Where as of yesterday it had been as large as Turac's, now it was larger that her torso. He was now taller than a large horse, and twice as long. Neena blinked at the realization of something else.

Hirador……you're……you're glowing.

I am aware of that. He replied. She sat in front of him.

Well? I'm waiting. Do you have an explanation, or is this something you want to hide from me too? She asked, trying to swallow the unexpected sadness that rose from the last part. But it was too late, and Hirador had felt it too. He looked away, and let out a great sigh.

Hatchling, I will tell you what I know of this. But in the future, try to remember that I do not intentionally cause you to feel sadness. Any secrets I have, if I do not share with you, I will not share with anyone, including my own kind, if we ever meet other dragons.

Neena nodded, wrapping her arms around his glowing neck and hugging him.

Neena……both my sire and my dam were wild. But……no spell was spoken over my egg. I had not been given to the Riders. I was about to hatch, but then……some instinct told me it was better to wait. That if I did, someone would come, and we would have a bond stronger than any the world had ever seen. I chose to wait for you.

He hesitated.

I have more magic in me than any creature I have ever sensed, including the dragons before the fall. As a result, when I chose to bind myself to you, and you chose to bind yourself to me, much of the magic that flows through my veins fused with you as well. Not only did it give you magic, but it bound our very souls together. If one should die, the other will follow unless one of us doesn't wish it. Neena, I sensed that…my behavior frightened you when I rescued you. No……tame dragon of the Riders would have behaved that way. I am wild, Neena.

A small smile worked its way onto Neena's face, and she planted herself between Hirador's forelegs, leaning against his chest. Sitting there, she tried to sort through the emotions that were running through her.

That…explains a lot. I'm not mad at you now. I know why you hid it from me.

Yes. Flying together yesterday increased our bond, therefore the magic increased in us, and I had a growth spurt as the result. Hirador explained, his relief that she wasn't angry and eagerness to tell her what he knew reaching her.

And that's why you're glowing? Neena asked, snorting.

Why are you laughing? Hirador questioned.

Hirador, you're glowing. Neena replied, and soon her small giggles rolled into laughter. Her giddiness reached Hirador, and soon he was laughing as well, in his own draconic way.

Their laughter died down, and soon they both were gazing at the stars that twinkled above them. Hirador stood up suddenly, and Neena fell on her head, which caused her to erupt into laughter once more. Hirador snorted.

Are you done laughing like a rabid jackal? He asked.

Hey, you joined in. Neena replied. She stood up, and Hirador spread his wings.

Shall we fly once more? He requested eagerly. Neena smiled and found she had to grab a spine to pull herself up into the saddle this time.

Let's go! Neena cried, and Hirador complied, flapping his humongous wings once and propelling them into the air. Neena gazed at the darkened landscape below them, the cool wind stroking her face with long, soothing fingers. The night was wonderfully quiet except for the flapping of Hirador's wings. Hirador's glowing scales somehow coordinated perfectly with the dark blue blanket of night. Neena took a deep breath of the fresh air, closing her eyes and enjoying the feeling of gliding along smoothly on air.

Enjoying yourself? Hirador asked.

Very much. Neena replied, eyes still closed.

I'm happy that we fly together now Neena. It was lonely in the skies.

Yeah. We need a proper saddle for you.

We do. This one does not fit right.

But who will make one for us?

There is a man that Sarah showed me. His name is Joed.

Anything else she showed you?

Sarah was a dragon Rider.

What?

She had a green dragon named Iormungr. She and Iormungr took over after Vrael and his dragon died.

How horrible! Is her dragon still alive?

She doesn't know. But she can't feel him anymore.

Neena shuddered. She couldn't imagine living without Hirador now that they had been brought together. Silently, she could feel Hirador's horror as well at the sadness that had overflowed Sarah's mind.

If I had felt that much sadness when my parents and I were separated, I would have been driven mad. Neena admitted.

Sarah is strong.

She sure is. Neena agreed. She opened her eyes, just realizing that she had been keeping them closed the entire time. The sun peeked over the horizon, orange and beginning to paint the sky with colors of pink, purple, and light blue.

Hirador, let's make a promise. Neena said, struck by a sudden thought.

What is it?

To stay together no matter what the cost.

No! I know what you are thinking, Neena, and if worst comes to worst, and I die, I will not bring you with me! Hirador said, snarling.

Why not? Neena demanded, tears forming in her eyes at the terrible loneliness already welling up inside of her.

Because I love you.

I love you too, Hirador. That's why I don't want to be left behind.

Hatchling, don't lose hope when there is clearly much of it. Together, we will defeat Galbatorix. Perhaps the dragons and riders of old did not accomplish that, but we are not them. Our bond is much stronger, our magic more powerful.

Neena smiled, wiping away her tears.

We will train harder than anyone ever has. She said, determination flowing through her. Hirador turned in a wide arc, climbing steadily towards the clouds.

Perhaps we will, my Neena. Perhaps we will.

A/N: Well, what did you guys think? Oh, and sorry for the typo last chapter. I tried really hard this time to slow things down. And I made this chapter longer as well. Review please! (I hope some miracle happens tomorrow where I don't have to go to school because of the cold) Cya!