Yay! It's finally time to start the story! Sorry I've taken so long... I've been kinda lazy! (nervous giggle)

Inheritance

By silver-nightstorm

Summary: Stolen necklaces, untold power, and unavoidable destinies. Love, fate, and courage all play a part in this ending of sagas. And Eragon's destiny will come to be revealed... which path does he take? Find out... Sequal to Empire (Summary of Empire inside)

Ch 1: Escape?

I don't like this, Mercury.

Why, Star?

I... I don't trust Murtagh.

Why?

After what he did? He's a traitor!

He didn't want to be one.

That doesn't change what he is.

I know, but tell me one thing. Have I ever trusted the wrong person?

... no...

So what makes you think I will now?

I'm sorry... I just can't shake the feeling that something will go wrong with escaping...

Nothing will go wrong. I'm sure of it!

10 minutes later, when Star was asleep, Mercury turned to Murtagh.

Murtagh?

... what, Mercury?

I need you to promise me something.

What?

When we escape, if something goes wrong, you must promise me that, if Galbatorix orders you to capture someone, you will recapture me first.

What? Why!?

Because. I'm the weakest of all you riders. Capturing me will not help Galbatorix very much. But if he got Eragon or Star...

But that doesn't tell me why!

I don't want anyone to get hurt because I do something stupid.

Why do you think you'll do something stupid?

Really... think about that...

Oh... right... klutz.

Swear it!

Okay...

"Mercury!"

The elf girl jumped out of bed and stared down the boy who had just screamed her name. "I was sleeping!" she growled.

"So... was I..." came a drowsy voice.

"Star! Mercury!" sighed Murtagh, "This is important!" Mercury glared at Murtagh, who continued talking. "Galbatorix wants to interrogate Mercury!"

Star jumped up, "What?"

Mercury trembled, "That... that's not good..."

"You have no idea..." said Star. She glared at Murtagh, "Let him try to hurt my sister. He lays one finger on her... and he's gonna get it!"

"But that's just the thing..." sighed Murtagh, "By this time, any prisoner would have gone through so much torture... except for your sister. I don't get it. Galbatorix has stayed completely clear of her. It's like he's... scared..."

"Of me?" Mercury laughed, "Scared of Star? Understandable... Scared of me??? It... It's like being scared of... a bunny!"

"Point!" said Star. She pointed a finger at Mercury, who's slightly-pointed ears morphed into droopy, furry, bunny ears. Murtagh burst into laughter.

"What did you?" Mercury ran to a mirror, "You did NOT!" Everyone stopped.

"You just did magic..." said Murtagh.

"Duh!" said Star.

"But..." Mercury frowned, "Even simple spells were blocked... up until now..."

"Yeah!" said Star, "I couldn't even do interior decorating!" She pointed her finger at a pair of red curtains, and promptly turned them lime green. "Awesome!" Mercury and Star skipped around the room, turning the furniture, walls, and decorative various shades of neon.

I think you guys are missing the point...

What? asked both the twins in unison.

Hello? sighed Murtagh, We can use magic! What can we do with magic?

Give Mercury bunny ears?

Interior decorating?

I know! thought-shouted Star.

We can, said Mercury.

throw a, smiled Star.

party! shouted both of the twins in unison, high fiving.

Murtagh sighed, We can ESCAPE!

Good idea.

Two seconds later, Murtagh, Mercury, and Star were next to Ice and Rose. And Eragon. Eragon had showed up, thanks to Mercury telleporting him here. Yes, telleporting was very convienent... if you had elf-like strength. If not... you just got a fast-track pass to heaven. But having a necklace filled with imperishable energy was always useful...

"Okay, knowing my luck, Galbatorix has noticed us by now," said Mercury. Murtagh stood next to her, holding her arm. If he 'captured' her, he wouldn't need to go after Eragon.

I've been hiding all of our movements.

"Good thinking, Ice!" smiled Star.

"Okay..." said Mercury. "We need to get out of here, fast. Eragon! Take my necklace and use the energy to get you, Star, Ice, and Rose back to Ellesmera. Murtagh and I will follow."

Eragon sighed, "Why him? Why are you trusting him?"

"I don't trust the wrong people."

Little one, why do I need to go without you?

Without the necklace, I can only transport one person. I will need some of Murtagh's strength, too.

I still don't like this...

I'll be fine... now go! Mercury kissed Rose on her nose... She turned to Star and hugged her. Star burst into tears. "I'm gonna miss you!"

"I'll see you in... like... 2 minutes!"

"I'll still miss you!" the two sisters hugged for a little bit. Murtagh was still holding Mercury's arm.

The brothers glared at each other, and Eragon pulled Star away from Mercury. Mercury handed Eragon her necklace. "Take care of it." Eragon nodded. He waved, and turned blurry, and disapeared. Star, Rose, and Ice followed.

"Well, well, well," said a voice, "Nice plan. Too bad I... changed things to my... advantage! And Murtagh, say..." the voice rambled off in the ancient language.

"I will guard the elf girl, Mercury, with my life," said Murtagh.

"Good," sighed the voice, "Now why don't you two turn around?"

Mercury felt her body beind turned like a marionette, and Murtagh's hand left her arm, leaving that spot on her skin unnaturally cold. Stiff with fear, Mercury looked at Murtagh. How?

I don't know... said Murtagh.

"Why don't you two look at me!"

With the word 'me' Mercury's head jerked up, bringing her face to face, eye to eye, with the black king himself... Galbatorix.

Dann-dannn-dannnnnnn! Hope you enjoy it!