Disengaging from each other, the dragons straightened up and looked at one another calmly.

How is it that you are alive? asked Saphira. I heard you were killed during the fall of the
riders...

I nearly was replied Iormungr, a touch of sadness within his voice. Ruidrik, my rider, was struck down by Galbatorix. With the help of some strange force-I know not what she was, but her name is Lifis- he used the last of his strength to preserve me until my injuries healed. I thought all of my children were killed, but somehow, that force must've known that you were still alive. I awoke many years later, very angry, and flew around Alagaesia seeking revenge. I ended up here, and met an elf by the name of Mandrake who knew of your existence. I returned just now from a brief visit to Ruidrik's grave to find you here, Saphira.

Iormungr snorted happily, then looked around at the growing crowd.

Come, I have something I wish to tell you. he said to his daughter. Before the black dragon backed off, he nodded to Eragon who was standing next to his dragon, amazed as well that Iormungr was still alive.

Well met, rider of my daughter. She chose a great person to be bonded with. I have to discuss something with her, we should not be long. Meanwhile, may the stars watch over you.

He took off with Saphira close behind, flew over the nearby mountains, and landed on their rocky sides, where he and his daughter could talk in private. A color of sorrow tinted in his eyes as he looked at Saphira.

What's wrong, father? she asked, cocking her head.

Iormungr sighed. In the Hadarac lie the mountains where your mother and I raised our children. Within those mountains is a cave where she and your siblings rest for all eternity. Vervada will want to know that her daughter is alive and well...

And you want me to go with you to there, to visit her grave Saphira thought for a moment, then continued. Eragon and I have to return to Ellesmera to continue our training. We will stop there on the way.

Excellent Iormungr was overjoyed at the fact that he would be flying with his daughter. Let us leave as soon as possible. Is that all right?

Eragon should be reporting to Nasuada, leader of the Varden, as we speak. Once that is done, we can leave.

Good. I'll be waiting on these crags. Satisfied, Iormungr bid his daughter farewell, then leapt to the top of the mountain to rest. He laid there for a while, watching the vardens soldiers go about their daily business. He hoped they would be enough to defend against another possible attack by the Empire. Eragon still hadn't come back from reporting to this Nasuada, and Iormungr was starting to get impatient.

Are you almost ready, Saphira?

Yes. Eragon is returning from Nasuada's tent as we speak.

Iormungr continued to wait, then watched as Eragon returned. He mounted Saphira, then whooped with joy as his dragon took off in the air. Iormungr took off after his daughter, amazed at her flying ability. Her innate skill in the air was just as good as her mothers. He sighed, and noticed her and Eragon talking. He entered the conversation, as they were flying over the Hadarac and nearing Du Fells Nángoröth.

Here is where your family rests for eternity, Saphira.

The dragons landed near the entrance to the cave, their scaly hides glistening in the intense desert sun. Sorrow once again clouded Iormungrs face as the black dragon entered the cave of Vervada, waiting for his daughter to follow. He settled into the side of the cave, where he enjoyed watching his mate tend to their eggs, and watched Saphira come up, looking around to adjust her eyes to the darkness.

Eragon, if you wouldn't mind lighting this place up...

"Oh not at all, Iormungr" replied the rider, casting a spell of light. What he saw next took the breath right out of him. On the wall laid the image Iormungr created of his family. Eragon could tell Saphira was equally astonished, and he studied the painting as his dragon walked up to the image of Vervada. The dragon on the wall looked very much like Saphira, only she was much larger and fiercer.

Mother she whispered, closing her eyes and bowing in respect for the fallen dragons. Her gaze shifted to the many hatchlings sleeping beneath their mother's wing, who she knew must be all her brothers and sisters. Then Saphira noticed the group of unhatched eggs lying before her mother. One in particular caught her interest, a deep sapphire blue egg the same color as Vervada's scales.

That must be me Saphira said with a touch of humor.

Aye replied her father as shadows of grief crossed his face. He turned away from his daughter, so she wouldn't see what he was feeling.

What's wrong, father? inquired Saphira.

Iormungr sighed, and looked up at the image of his mate and children.

I failed to protect them, Saphira, all of them. I was too weak and powerless to prevent Galbatorix from slaying my family...

Don't say things like that! snapped Saphira, looking at her father with fire in her eyes. He tried to avoid her gaze, but the sapphire dragon persisted.

Galbatorix is powerful, and you did your best to protect our family. Vervada would not want you thinking like that. Such feelings do no good...

You are right, my daughter. I'm sorry. Iormungr touched Saphira's snout with his, then looked up at the image of his mate.

She would've been proud of you, of what you've become...

Mmmm agreed Saphira. Together, they stared at the image for a few more moments, then turned toward her and Eragon.

You two have to go to Ellesmera soon, don't you?

"Yeah. We should leave soon, it's getting dark out." replied Eragon.

Then go and take your parents blessings, Saphira. We will always be with you. Iormungr stood up and cracked a draconish smile at his daughter. She hummed, then walked out of the cave with her rider. Iormungr watched calmly as Saphira flew off with Eragon, and watched as she nodded in his direction, then continued on to Ellesmera.

Be well, my daughter

As the sapphire dragon disappeared into the darkening horizon, her father turned around and went back into the cave. There, he intended to get a good nights sleep. As Iormungr settled before the image of his mate, and laid his head on his forearms, he felt a strange warmth flow over his body. The black dragon didn't notice who or what did this, as he was already hard asleep.

Above him, the eyes of the dragon Vervada twinkled in the darkness of the cave.

--------------

As Iormungr awoke the next morning, once long lost feelings returned to him. After bowing to his mate's grave, he exited the cave and roared happily, because love had once more entered his life, and this time, it would not be taken away. He swore he would protect his daughter, so they would both live to see the rebirth of their race.

As the black dragon pondered such matters, his thoughts turned to the results of his latest battle. He mused over his tendency to go berserk, and decided that he needed someone to watch over him, and to tend his injuries.

I just hope he is still around thought Iormungr, flying back to the burning plains. He lazily floated around a nearby forest, looking for a quick meal. Suddenly dropping on an unsuspecting deer, the dragon tore into it voraciously. He did not know that his target was hunting in these very woods.

As the black dragon tore through the deer, thoughts of his rider came back to him. It was just a simple memory of him and Ruidrik flying together for the first time. As he licked the bones clean, Iormungr thought about what Ruidrik would think of his decisions. At first he felt like he would be betraying the love that once flowed between them, but then he remembered that Ruidrik would want him to be safe and happy once again. Then he heard some rustling behind him and saw Mandrake standing at the edge of the forest.

Just the person I wanted to see said Iormungr, turning around and neatly flicking the deer corpse away.

I have a proposition for you Mandrake, one that will benefit us both. No doubt you remember how my latest battle ended for me. I've thought about this matter on my way back from Du Fells Nángoröth, and I decided I need someone to watch my back, and to tend to my injuries. I noticed you have quite the affinity with the race of dragons, so I thought that person should be you. What do you say, Mandrake?

Iormungr waited patiently for the elf's response, and hoped he would accept. The black dragon smirked as Mandrake's jaw dropped, unable to speak for quite a few moments. When he finally regained his composure, the elf replied.

"I…I would be honored"

Surprised, eh? said an amused Iormungr, cracking a draconic smile.

"Quite. I admit I've been dreaming of such a moment for years, and now it has finally happened. I've always hoped of bonding with a dragon hatchling, but the odds of doing so were highly against me. Though there is the chance of an unbonded dragon taking a liking to me, like you." Mandrake bowed in thanks, then waited for Iormungr to continue.

Excellent. Then, let us fly, I wish to talk much with you. Iormungr crouched down so Mandrake could mount his massive form. The elf climbed up to the dragon's neck carefully, and took a seat just in front of his hulking shoulders. Iormungr rumbled with amusement, for he could tell the elf was worried about marring his scales.

Do not worry, Mandrake. Dragon scales are highly durable, and mine have had their fair share of abuse over the years. And speaking of worrying, better hold on. Iormungr took off with a gust of air, and steadily flapped his great wings until he leveled out high over the burning plains. Cracking a draconic smile, the black dragon did a barrel roll, then turned his head to see Mandrakes reaction.

You like that? asked Iormungr, laughing.

"It's hard not to like flight" replied Mandrake, whooping with joy as they spun around in midair. He observed that Iormungr was quite agile for his age and size, and he was a behemoth among dragons. Iormungr soared higher above the clouds, reveling in feelings of love and joy. Once again, he was whole.

Now that we're alone, why don't you tell me more about yourself? Now that we're friends, I say we get to know each other better.

"Me? I am an elven battle mage, as I'm sure you can see. Fought in a few battles, as many as I could manage, but we've been avoiding Galbatorix too much for any real fighting. During his rise to power, I was too young, and not very skilled in magic, so I stayed safe in Du Weldenvarden while everyone else went off to fight. I'm only about 96, so I was a child by elven standards, then.

But that's hardly my salient feature. In fact, one of the things that have defined me has been my fascination and admiration of dragonkind. Since I was extremely little, I have always loved dragons. They seemed to me the epitome of grace and power, all that we strive for. Perhaps you noticed my eyes. These are a remnant of my earlier form. As you may know, elves can change their appearance at will, and I used this skill more than most, seeking to imitate the perfection of your physical form, although I did not think it proper to attempt to completely imitate it. I kept myself man-sized, and of an anthropomorphic appearance, but I changed much about myself, even to the point of developing wings and claws in addition to my scales."

He included at the end of this dialog an image of his draconic form, complete with wings, scales, and spines. This forms head was also like a dragons, and Iormungr could see small gouts of flame escaping from the flared nostrils.

Amazing muttered Iormungr, looking over the image Mandrake sent him. We will get along well together, for our personalities and likes are similar. Our opponents will fall quickly, now that I have someone to help protect us from arrows, magic and swords. And you on my back will make protecting those I care about much easier...

Now as for my past, I know nothing about my parents. For some reason, my egg was abandoned deep in the forest known as the Spine. When I hatched, I fell into the arms of Ruidrik, my rider and brother. Alone, the forest would've consumed us, so we made a pact that we would never leave the others side. Together, we braved all the horrors the Spine threw at us.

Throughout the years in that dark forest, I grew to love Ruidrik very much. He was an extension of my power and personality, and I him. Speaking of power, once I was large enough to carry him on my back and fly him around the forest, I discovered I could breathe fire. Ruidrik and I tapped into this and strengthened it, so I was able to let loose torrents of flame for minutes at a time.

During our training, Ruidrik found a similar power within him. He could use basic telekinesis, create a few sparks to start a campfire, and eventually forged his own weapons out of his magic. This often took lot out of him, but we improved over time. Our power was wild and untamed, considered dangerous by the riders of old because we knew nothing of the limits of magic, and received no formal instruction in the matter.

Ruidrik and I were a lot more battle-hardened than other riders, mainly because we grew up in the Spine. Every day the forest threw a new challenge at us. Often these left us nearly dead, but that which doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. We were never able to take on the riders, because of our lack of adequate magical defense. We only survived our common encounters with them through luck, cunning, and brute force.

I never figured out why the riders and elves persecuted Ruidrik and me. Ever since the dragon wars- Yes, I really am that old- we were almost always attacked on sight. Persecution toward us dissipated toward the years, we were watched carefully during the rider's glory, and now, it appears nonexistent.

There was one rider, whose name I will not mention for it might provoke me into another of my berserk attitudes, who befriended us, and taught us much of what he learned from the elders. Ruidrik usually stayed with our former friend and learned from him, for my attentions were elsewhere. I was busy in the land of the wild dragons, courting a very fierce female known as Vervada.

Life was good for a while. Ruidrik was allowed to go on quite a few missions with our old friend, and I became the sire of many little dragons. Then that idiot underestimated his strength, and got his dragon killed. Everything fell apart from there: The riders and dragons, the lives of my family and friends, Ruidrik...

The loneliness I felt after I had nearly died was overwhelming. You don't know what its like to lie in hibernation, knowing full well that all those you once loved would never walk the plane of the living, and would not be there for you... All the rage I felt after waking up, all the anger, would've built up even more had I not met you and learned of the existence of my daughter, the only one of our children Vervada and I gave to the riders. For that, Mandrake, you have my utmost thanks. I predict I'd be in the middle of Uru'baen tearing the king apart for what he did to me, had you not revealed that information. And that would be one battle I would not have survived...

And there is my history, dear friend of mine. Now let us enjoy the rest of the day, for it is a beautiful one.

Iormungr fell silent, enjoying the wind across his face and under his wings, and the content feelings of new friend on his back. Far in the distance, a hovering red speck could be seen sparkling in the noon sun.