The Inheritance Trilogy belongs to Christopher Paolini.

(Galbatorix POV)

I know they think I'm crazy. I know they believe I am cruel and a bad king. I would like to see them try to rule a country like Alagaësia. I am not insane. Not yet, at least. I thought I had lost it all when my dragon died. No, not Shruiken, for he is not my dragon and never was. My dragon was beautiful. My dragon was my best and only friend. She was the one who helped me and tutored me in the magic I learned so well. Ah! I loved her dearly!

As you must know by now, all good things must end. After she died, I was angry. The other Riders, jealous ones they are, did not want me to be more powerful than them. I never bragged, but they and I always knew that I would one day be the leader of the Riders. I would have led them to justice. I could have created unity in all of Alagaësia. All I needed was the opportunity to have another dragon.

They thought I was crazy. They thought I lost all wits. But I did have a plan that would have helped them and made a world a better place. With a true dragon and a group of strong Riders, I would have rebuilt every city, every town and made them impervious to attack. Yet they laughed at me.

I did not want Shruiken. Do not tell him, but he was never part of my plan. It was upon the insistence of my childhood friend that I took him. Shruiken hatched, but my friend killed himself before Shruiken could bind with him. It became my duty to take the dragon and care for him.

You have not heard this story, have you? Only the Forsworn knew it before now. The Forsworn may have not been the brightest, but they knew I would not hurt anyone. The high taxes I have placed as king are to raise money for defenses to protect us. It would have been built if it were not for one problem.

The Varden have prevented me from protecting my land. They believed Vrael, who had spoken in the Ancient Language. Don't they know that words can be twisted in that language? I was not the one who murdered Vrael. He had sent a message saying, "He killed me." The Varden only implied that I was the one the letter spoke of. Will they ever realize that it was Brom, who had just lost his dragon? I doubt it, but until then I will rule. I only hope one day that Murtagh will understand.

Author's Note: You never know…I found this interesting to write.