A/N: hello. I have a new chapter for everyone to enjoy. I'm sorry I took so long and it is short. The teachers think it is amusing to cram us with as much homework as they can before the end of the year. I will try to get a good chapter up in the next two weeks. Less if I can.

Thankyou to all those who reviewed, I couldn't have done it without you.

Disclaimer: I do not own the inheritance trilogy. All I own is Arya's dragon.

Ch.19. Chapter 18

Right before they got to the gates into Ellesmèra, Saphira landed. When she did, Arya's dragon hid under Saphira's wing and Arya smeared some tan paint over her gedwëy ignasia.

"Why are you doing that," Eragon asked, gesturing to her palm.

"No one will find out I am a rider until I want them to," Arya replied, looking over her hand to make sure that no traces of silver shone through.

"Are you going to tell your mother?"

Arya thought for a moment before answering. "Yes, I think I will. She has a right to know, as my mother, and as the queen to my people."

Eragon nodded his head in understanding. "You are so lucky you can tell people. You have people who know what you are going through. When I raised Saphira, I was completely alone. I had no one to support me."

The four headed towards Ellesmèra's gates, Arya's dragon entirely hidden by Saphira.

When they reached the gate guardian, he asked for identification, then let them in.

As the group walked slowly through the city towards Islanzadí's hall, Eragon noticed changes since the last time he had walked those streets. The glorious city was still incomparably beautiful, but the atmosphere had changed. It seemed more tense. Even the fair folk were preparing for battle. There were so many people training; and sharpening weapons, so they would be ready at a moments notice. They didn't need messengers to tell them the deciding battle was coming soon.

The group walked calmly through the door, and walked stood before Queen Islanzadi.

Both Arya and Eragon bowed to the queen, and Saphira inclined her head slightly. Once they had completed the formal greeting, Queen Islanzadi spoke.

"What has befallen you since we last spoke, my daughter," Queen Islanzadi asked, placing all her attention on her daughter.

Arya quickly told her about the war, before allowing Eragon to tell her of Murtagh's betrayal, and of his heritage.

The queen shook her head, deep in thought. "This is grim news," she said. When she looked up at him once more, there was a slight fear in her eyes though she masked it well.

Eragon raged internally at the fear and mistrust in her eyes, but continued the story with an even voice. He gave told her about trip to Helgrind then to Farthen Dûr before letting Arya take over.

"Mother, during our travels here, we came across another Shade."

Queen Islanzadí's eyes widened in shock. "How could a Shade have escaped our notice? I have never heard about it before," Queen Islanzadi said, shaking her head to rid herself of the shock. "What do you know about him?" she asked when she had regained her composure.

"Only that he goes by the name of Sorerro and is immensely powerful," Eragon answered. "I also believe he is working for Galbatorix."

"How did you come across him?"

"Arya had left the camp to find some water. While she was gone, he came in to the camp. We spoke long enough for him to tell me his name and that his master wanted me. Then we duelled, and when my sword broke Saphira stepped forward and the Shade slit his own throat."

"That is very troubling news. Another Shade with Galbatorix will cause big problems in the resistance. And if he is as powerful as you say he is, we will have to think very seriously before attacking the empire again."

"Mother," Arya said quietly. Her calm demeanour seemed to vanish, and it was replaced by a nervous and fearful one. "There is one more thing we must tell you,. But before I do, the room must be cleared. What I have to say is for your ears alone."

As the room cleared, Arya looked nervously at Eragon, who gave her a nod and an encouraging smile.

When everyone else had left the room, Arya cleared her throat. "During our travels here, we found a dragon egg." Queen Islanzadi looked ready to interrupt but Arya continued to speak. "The egg hatched mother. I am a dragon rider."

Arya mumbled a few incoherent words and her hand became clean. She lifted it to show her mother, not looking her in the eye. Without prompting, the small dragon moved from his hiding place and jumped up so it was perched on Arya's shoulder.

From his place on Arya's shoulder, it eyed Islanzadi carefully.

Islanzadi looked at the dragon carefully, slightly amused by its inquisitive nature. Its emerald eyes were the same as Arya's, and held a great wisdom well beyond its age.

"When did this happen," Islanzadi asked taking her eyes from the small dragon.

Arya did not look into her mother's eyes, "Four days ago."

Then, Islanzadi did the last thing she had expected her to. She stood up and embraced Arya tightly. "I am so proud of you," she whispered.

Arya stood shocked for a moment before returning the embrace. "Thank you," she whispered back.

Islanzadi let go of her daughter then took her seat once more. "Does he have a name yet?" she asked.

"No, not yet. I will name him when he can talk."

"He?" Islanzadi asked.

"Yes, it is a he. Saphira knew from the moment he hatched."

After Islanzadi had asked a few more questions about the dragon, she thought for a moment before asking another question. "Where did the egg come from? There is only one egg in existence, and it is under Galbatorix's watch. It is protected by magic as powerful as Galbatorix himself. It would be practically impossible to get past."

"You are right. The egg in Galbatorix's possession is impossible to get. This dragon came from another egg. We found the egg in the Hadarac desert. No one knew this egg existed. It was just lying there. We don't have any idea how it got there or where it came from."

No one spoke for a moment, all deep in thought. Then Saphira unexpectedly broke the silence. "I have been thinking about it for a while now. About where the egg came from and I have only managed to come up with two suggestions. I believe that it may have been abandoned before the war. Or it may have been hidden during the war in a desperate attempt to protect it. But they are just theories. Arya found the egg when she raised the water from deep within the earth. We have no clue as to how deep the egg was buried, or how long it had been there."

Islanzadi nodded slowly, taking in all of the information. Islanzadi was about to speak when an elf came through the door.

The elf looked like he was about to speak, but stopped dead, taking in the sight in front of him. The queen's daughter was standing there with a small amethyst dragon perched on her shoulder.

To answer his unasked question, Arya held out her palm, showing him her gedwëy ignasia.

The elf nodded and stood tall, finally taking in what he had seen.

"Please do not tell anyone what you have seen. They will all find out soon enough." The elf nodded slowly and quickly left the room.

"Before we were interrupted, I was going to tell you not to tell anyone else for now, except for master Oromis. I will hold a ball to announce you are a rider. I will call for you when I have decided when it will be held. I will also make sure to get you quarters like Eragon's so they can facilitate your dragon as well. I would like you to go to Oromis as soon as possible so you can start your training. We do not know how long we have until the next battle and I need you to be prepared." Islanzadi thought for a moment then asked. "Is there anything else you would like to know?"

"No, there is not." Arya looked quickly at Eragon and he just shook his head. "Thank you mother. The day is still young, so we shall visit Oromis presently."

"Then you may go," Islanzadi said. Eragon and Arya bowed respectively, Saphira following behind, the small dragon hidden once more.

A/N: another chapter done. Review and I will update.

Cya

Lots of Love

Maddy 

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