I humbly apologize for the delay in getting this written. I had writer's block again. :( So, anyway, thank you to those who reviewed. Your comments mean so much to me.

AmayaSora

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The prisoners were held in a rock cavern that Eragon, Saphira, Verina and I had crafted. Although far from ideal, the design and location would make any escape attempts obvious. But, surprisingly, the prisoners had been quiet as dormice.

The aisles of the prison were just big enough to accommodate Verina, so I had to hop down off of her back to avoid being crushed. The first cell held Murtagh and his dragon, Thorn. They bowed upon seeing us, but I waved my hand dismissively and continued to the other cells.

"Oh, no!" I hurriedly unlocked the far right cell and we backtracked to allow Shruikan out into the hallway. "I told them to let you go, I did!"

Peace, oh Blessed one. I have no doubt that you instructed your men to release me. They were under the impression, however, that I would attack them in some way, the voice of the dragon was measured and calm, reminding me of a river partially iced over.

They are not entirely to blame. Most fail to understand the magic that twisted your mind, Verina inclined her head as she spoke.

I do not understand it entirely myself, the black dragon answered ruefully.

"It is of no consequence now," I told him, still maneuvering so he could move past us out of the tunnel. "You're free to go where you will." I raised my voice so the guards outside the entrance could hear me. "The dragon Shruikan is to be allowed free passage. If anyone attempts to stop him they'll have me to answer to!" I addressed Shruikan again. "I'd advise waiting a few moments for the orders to reach everyone's ears."

I doubt that they could inflict much damage, but I will wait nevertheless, if only to tell you, Verina Ebrithil and Penelope-elda, this: I will never forget that you saved me from that foul being. If ever you require services of me, any service at all, I will be more than happy to oblige.

"We thank you, Shruikan," I tipped my head in acknowledgement.

Your offer is very kind, brother dragon, Verina added. She too inclined her head, but pressed her snout against Shruikan's forehead. After a second she withdrew, announcing, Now we will have a way to communicate if we require your assistance.

"Wow, Verina, that was a good idea," I said, examining her spell. I added a small channel to it so that I could contact Shruikan as well.

I am honored to have known you, was the dragon's parting remark as he backed fully out of the tunnel. I heard gasps of awe from the Varden stationed as guards and knew that the black dragon flew for the first time as a free beast.

I returned my attention to the makeshift prison cells. Two on the left held various officers from the King's army who had refused to stand down. I ignored them as I had my rival Rider and proceeded to stand in front of Galbatorix's cell, my hand resting on Verina's front leg. "So," I said, trying to sound older than I was. "Do you have anything you wish to say?"

The former king sat huddled in a corner, eyeing us warily. A quick check told me the magic-suppression serum had run out, but Galbatorix didn't seem inclined to try anything. He had lost all of his confidence since I released Shruikan and hadn't uttered a syllable other than "How?"

It was apparent that he did not have anything he wanted to say, so I decided to go on with what I wanted to say. "You have committed many atrocities since your rise to power, and, I'm told, even before you became self-proclaimed King. You will be punished for your crimes!" I emphasized the last sentence by raising my voice a little. Galbatorix shrank back, but otherwise continued to stare blankly straight ahead. At Verina's urging, I continued, "Verina and I have decided that, since your crimes are against the entire country of Alagaësia, you should be tried by delegated jurors from each town, province, and outpost in our land. Messengers have been sent out and the trial should commence in a week's time. Now, do you wish to prepare your own defense or would you like someone to do it for you?"

Again, I got no answer. "Very well, we'll send someone along shortly."

I was interrupted by a sneering voice saying, "If he has to pay, Little Miss Blessed, why not just take care of him yourself? Or are you too scared?"

I turned to face the man, a blond one with a huge scar on his cheek. I was about to rebuke him but Verina beat me to it. It is because my Rider is wise and true and not a crude, cold-hearted criminal. She opened her mouth threateningly and exhaled a puff of smoke. The man, coward that he was, backed all the way to the back of the cell, edging behind one of his cellmates.

Thanks, Verina, I said as we turned away and began walking.

It was not a problem, Penelope. It is my duty as your dragon, and friend.

"Hey!" Murtagh's voice echoed throughout the gloom. "Don't I get a trial or something, too?"

"You're a Rider," I said. "The Riders had their own system of justice. I'm still deciding what your punishment should be."

"But, I didn't want- I didn't enjoy any of it! I was forced-"

"Yes, you've explained this before," I said, not unkindly. "And I've told you before how I'm not really 100 inclined to believe you, judging by how you acted during the battle. I'll need to talk to Eragon again. For now you'll have to be content with that."

"It's not like I have a choice, though, is it?" he whispered bitterly as we walked past.

I caught Thorn advising, Peace, Rider, as we exited the cavern into the glorious noon sun.

I blinked my eyes a few times to get them adjusted to the brightness. Verina stretched her wings and the warriors around us looked wonderingly at her.

All throughout the camp cries of "Blessed Ones!" and "Mighty Rider!" and the like rippled through the assembly wherever we went. I heard Nathan, the little boy from earlier, boasting loudly, "She gave me food! I talked to her, really, I did."

I smiled at him and he beamed back so enthusiastically I wondered if he was showing off.

Verina and I snaked through the crowd until we reached the tent emblazoned with bright healers' banners. Verina snaked her head inside and I followed it into the oppressive hotness of the hospital. "Reisa vindr" I said, creating a cool breeze that flowed through the tent. Everyone looked up; saw us, and those that could dropped into bows.

These acts of fealty were quickly getting old, so I said, "You shouldn't bow to me anymore." The healers stood up quickly and all apologized at once. "It's quite alright," I asserted quickly and then, partly to stop them all staring at me, walked over to the nearest bed. "What is this man's injury?"

The nearest healer said timidly, "He-he has a broken ankle, ma'am." She pointed helpfully toward the left, very swollen, ankle. I breathed the spell and saw the man's delighted face as it took effect. "The swelling is best left to heal on its own, but you're free to leave if you feel up to it."

"Thank you very much, Rider," he stammered, getting to his feet.

I nodded minutely and walked over to the next bed, this time healing a burn. I continued around, helping those who Eragon and I deemed stable enough to be transported. Verina and I had healed the mortally wounded directly after the battle.

"Argetlam," the senior healer called. "Please, Argetlam, no one can figure out what ails him." She was standing over a young man's bed. The man's eyes were clouded over in pain and he seemed unable to speak.

"Have Eragon or Arya tried to heal him?"

She nodded. "Yes, but neither of them knew what to do."

I turned back to the man. "May I?" I asked. He nodded, making only a small movement, and then curled up in a ball atop his bed. I stretched out a tendril of thought and delved into his mind. At first the only discernable thing was agony from whatever wound he had. Blocking it, I sifted through memory and image, trying to find the source of the pain. I invited Verina's help, and together we found a miniscule bubble of a spell, cast by Galbatorix, emitting horrible images into the poor man's brain. The brain interpreted them as pain signals, which is why he was now writhing on the bed.

I flicked the spell away and the man slowly ceased his convulsions and grasped my hand, pulling me into a hug as I saw tears trickling down his face. "It's okay," I soothed, and he replied, "Thanks to you."

"Impressive," said a soft voice behind me. I turned to see Jeremy smiling broadly from the open back tent flap. I disengaged from the hug, and, promising to return to help the people still injured, followed my brother out into the afternoon air.

Verina landed lightly beside me and we all stopped by the now deserted training field.

"So, this is Verina." Jeremy said, staring in awe at the dragon.

Yes, she answered, and lowered her head to touch him on the forehead. I am honored to meet you, Jeremy. My Rider speaks highly of you.

He reached out a hand and placed it on Verina's neck. Beaming, he said, "I'm touching a dragon, an actual dragon! Can you believe it?"

I laughed. "It is pretty incredible, isn't it?"

"I'm sure your adventures have been so much more so. Mind filling me in?"

I explained, in detail, all that had happened from the moment I got thrown out of Daret. By the time I was finished, he looked at me with a look as awestruck as the one he had regarded Verina with. "Wow," was all he could say at first. After a moment, he added, "You've been so brave, Nel."

"What you've done, that was brave too. I mean, giving up everything for Grelnor's happiness? You were my inspiration to keep going on. And when you rallied the troops to desert at the battle, it was the most courageous thing I've ever seen."

It is true, added Verina sincerely.

Again he was at a loss for words. "Thank you, both of you." A long pause, and then, "Listen, Nel, I- you saved my life, don't think I didn't realize. So if you ever want me to do anything for you, just name it and I'm there. I couldn't let my little sister go off fighting Ra'zac on her own." He grinned.

"But I won't be alone; I have Verina. As long as she's around I'll never be alone."

"I thought you might say that. But I'm still more than willing to help you in anything, really. I'd enjoy criss-crossing Alagaësia as a team again."

My heart was torn. I would love to have my brother by my side again, but I felt that the adventures would be too dangerous. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to him needlessly. Besides, he had been living for others for a long time. It was time he did something for himself. "So would I, Jere, more than anything, but first Verina and I have some things we have to take care of. But, you can do something for me. Go live your life, Jeremy, the way you want to. Didn't you always dream of being a scholar? You should pursue your goals, and when you're done school we can see about going on more daring quests." I smiled.

Reluctantly, he smiled back. "When did you get so wise? You're right, of course, I should get a job; I'll need the money to get by. Just promise me you won't be a stranger, okay?"

"I could never stay away for too long, Jere." We stepped forward at the same moment and hugged.

After a long day of healing, I settled down against Verina's side by a tree growing over the Jiet River. The grasses in which we sat were fresh and young and the shade provided by the tree helped relax my mind and body. I felt peaceful and calm, something I hadn't since I found the cave and eggs.

What an adventure this has been, Verina, I said.

Yes, it has been most exciting. And the things we have learned and seen… and now we have become what Wyrda would have us be.

Let's just hope we'll live up to that destiny.

But we will, Penelope. With you by my side I cannot go astray. We will rebuild the Riders, as was your dream, and we shall work to rid this land of all evil. After all, we are Blessed for a purpose.

Aye, indeed we are, Verina. Hopefully, through our work, the world can once again prosper in peace and happiness.

And so it did. Galbatorix was tried for his crimes and executed. The whole of Alagaësia turned up, including the elves and dwarves. Murtagh and Thorn did seem to repent, so Penelope allowed them to live. She stripped Murtagh of the title Dragon Rider, however, and he and Thorn lived out their lives exiled in the wilderness. Eragon became the leader of the new Dragon Riders, and with the help of Penelope and Verina restored wild dragons to the land.

Arya returned to her home in Du Weldenvarden and eventually took a mate. Upon her mother's death she ascended to the throne only to proclaim her son Fäolin as the new elven king. She continued to liaise between elves and humans, a profession she greatly preferred over ruling. Conversely, Nasuada took over as monarch of Surda when King Orrin died and ruled the country well.

Jeremy went to school to study philosophy. He and his wife moved in next door to his best friend Grelnor and their children always had ample playmates. Penelope, and, to a lesser extent, Verina, visited when they could, and the kids loved hearing the stories they brought about their adventures, for they continued traveling the country, aiding the Riders whenever they were needed. They slew both the Ra'zac and the Lethrblaka, and put an end to the slave trade.

Generations passed, and the Blessed was heard from less and less as peace tightened its hold on the country. Although, people still told stories about how, in the midst of strife, they would look up and see a flash of stunning violet and then everyone would be able to once again live happily ever after.

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So there you have it, my now-completed Eragon fanfic. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Your comments have meant so much to me and helped me grow so much as a writer, I thank you all. I hope you'll stick with me as I delve further into the literary arts through future stories.

Until next time,

AmayaSora