"The long lost cousin returns!"

"If it is okay with the Earl of Palancar Valley, I would like to give him the mightiest of embraces," Eragon said to his cousin.

"As long as the famous Kingkiller and Hero of Ileria doesn't kill me in the process." Roran came out of the doorway and hugged Eragon. His cousin had an iron grip that nearly made Eragon loose his breath.

"It's so good to see you, Roran. You are looking almost like a real man now. Maybe the title of Earl has gone to your head."

"I like to think it fits just right. And is this Queen Arya?"

Arya stepped came forward. "It is good to see you, Roran."

"The honor is all mine," Roran said with a slight bow. "If I had known someone of importance was showing up, I would have had the place cleaned up more."

Arya smiled and Eragon said, "Hey."

Roran waved him off. He looked past the two towards the green and blue dragons making their way forward. "Firnen, it is always good to see you."

The green dragon nodded to him.

"And Saphira, you are truly a sight to behold again."

It is good to see you again as well, Roran, she said as she broadcasted her thoughts to everyone.

"Come on in guys, the food is almost ready," Roran said. "Firnen and Saphira, I remember that you like the hunt more than the food, however, I will have a few barrels of mead brought out if you desire."

Saphira perked up at the mentioning of the liquid. That would be… acceptable, Roran.

Eragon looked at her. Subtle.

I don't know what you are talking about.

Of course you don't, Eragon said. He watched as the two dragons as they took to the sky in the moonlight.

When Eragon walked through the doorway the first thought that came to him was home. Roran's place just felt inviting. It's hard wood floors seemed worn and giving, as if they had been around for ages. The chairs looked soft and inviting as they faced the fireplace. The entire room was filled with a warmth that reminded Eragon of laying against Saphira's underside.

"Roran you have a beautiful home," Arya said as she looked around.

"Ah I didn't have anything to do with it. It was all her," he said gesturing to the redheaded woman adding a few more spices to the stove.

"Eragon! And Queen Arya? How are you?" Katrina said.

"Hey Katrina, we're good. How are you?" Eragon said.

"I will be done in just a few moments as long as he doesn't try to help me again," she said nodding to Roran. He smiled and put his hands up in surrender. She just rolled her eyes. "I swear, its like whatever he is trying to cook is the enemy and he has to go all stronghammer on it."

"Everything I do, I do for you sweetheart," Roran said in his sweetest voice.

"Mhmm. Now check on Ismira. She hasn't seen her Uncle Eragon in two years."

"Follow me," Roran said.

Eragon and Arya followed Roran to the chairs in the living room and he had them sit down. Roran then went behind one of the chairs and came back around with Ismira in his arms. She was clutching a small doll to her soft cheeks and had on a little blue dress. Roran sat her on his knee in the chair facing Eragon and Arya.

"Izzy, say hello to Uncle Eragon and Aunt Arya." The child turned away and tried to hide in her daddy's chest. "Now, now Izzy, say hello."

"Is she being shy?" Katrina said as she came out from the kitchen.

"Yeah, but I think she'll come around," Roran said.

"Hello, Ismira," Eragon said leaning forward. The child still didn't turn around. Eragon turned to Arya and shrugged.

"Try harder," she whispered.

Eragon thought for a moment. "Hey Izzy, that is a beautiful blue dress. That is actually my favorite color. Want to see something cool?" The little girl turned slightly to look at him out of the corner of his eye.

Eragon looked at the fireplace to his side. "I promise not to make a mess," he said to Katrina. Then he reached into the fire while using a quick spell to protect his hand. Eragon scooped up a handful of embers and brought them back out.

Ismira now turned around to look at the glowing specs of orange and red in Eragon's hand. They flickered before her and she seemed to forget her shyness.

Eragon focused and the embers in his hand turned from red to a bright blue.

"Wow," Katrina said softly.

Eragon kept his focus on the embers, forcing them to glow brighter and brighter until it looked like a handful of blue fireflies in his palm. Ismira was now leaning forward on Roran's knee, he face lit up with a smile. Eragon couldn't help but grin. With a flex of his hand, the blue embers rose in front of him until they were scattered in the air before Ismira like miniature stars. The child laughed at the site. Eragon forced them to hold their sapphire glow while Ismira bounced up and down trying to reach for the lights. Eragon twisted his hand and the embers spun before Ismira. With a final flick, they shot back into the fireplace and disappeared with a final 'poof'. Ismira clapped and bounced on Roran's knee.

"Well done, Eragon. I think you are officially at the top of her favorites list."

"That was very cool. Now if you guys are ready, lets eat," Katrina said.

Eragon stopped his story to take a drink. He had spent the last hour or so going over his experiences on the island for the last year. But now that his plate was cleared (for the second time) his thoughts came slower and slower to him.

He felt overwhelmingly full. Not only was his own stomach on the verge of bursting, but also through his connection with Saphira, he could feel her content with the barrels of mead she polished off after her meal. A quick glance at Arya showed that she was going through a similar experience. Her breaths were slow and she was staring off into the distance. Eragon noticed the warmth of the fireplace and how it begged him to lay down, just for a moment.

"Sweetheart, that was amazing," Roran said while patting his stomach.

"Well I've got to pull out all the stops when Eragon and Arya are here. Not to mention the dragons. Do you think they've had enough mead?" Katrina asked.

"Trust me, they're good," Eragon said.

"So to continue on with what you were saying before," Roran said, "you learned how to use this new power and in doing so, you fought with dragons?"

"You got it," Eragon said.

"And while he was doing that you were training a new dragon and ruling the elves," Roran asked Arya.

"Pretty much," Arya said.

"And I thought our lives were busy," Roran said leaning back.

"And then once you got back, what happened," Katrina asked.

"Well, I helped Murtagh reinforce his prison to hold magicians. And then we went to Ellesmera."

"Hold on," Roran said, holding up his palm, "first off, what do you mean you 'reinforced' a prison?"

"Nasuada has been having a hard time containing people who have even a slight ability to use magic in her prison," Arya said. "Murtagh wanted to cast a spell that would severe someone's connection to their magic once they entered the walls so that a non-magical person could contain a magical one. However, he needed Eragon's help to supply enough energy to make the spell work properly."

"And you did it?" Katrina asked.

"I did," Eragon said. "And it wasn't as bad as I thought. Which makes me more confident when I make it to the island."

"That's awesome. I know those low-level magicians have been a pain in Ileria. I've even been asked by Nasuada to come in a few times to help. You have definitely saved her some headaches," Roran said.

"And then you said you went to Ellesmera?" Katrina asked.

"Right, so I'm not sure if you guys ever really thought about it, but only elves and humans can be dragon riders," Eragon said. "Well, since I am working to bring back the dragon riders, I decided that we shouldn't do it exactly like we had in the past. This time we should include everyone. So we went to Ellesmera and we changed the pact."

Roran leaned forward in his seat. "You can do that?"

"It's a similar process to the one they did when they sped up my transformation," Eragon said.

"You mean the ears," Roran said with smirk.

"Yes, Roran, I mean my pointy ears," Eragon said with a roll of his eyes.

"You don't like pointy ears?" Arya asked.

"Oh, on you they look great, I just like reminding him that he started off with the old-fashioned round kind."

Arya looked at Eragon and brushed some of his hair past his ear. The warmth from her finger stirred his senses. "I like his ears. They are not completely elf nor are they completely human. They are a perfect mix."

"I bet the girls go crazy over them," Katrina said.

Eragon looked at Arya and she just raised her eyebrows. "They might," he said, "but I don't really pay attention, they just aren't… exciting enough." Arya held his gaze but he saw a slight redness come to her cheeks. "Anyway, now that the pact is altered, urgals and dwarves can become riders as well."

"That's amazing," Katrina said.

"And the eggs?" Roran asked.

"We have spoken with representatives of each nation and have a system in place for transportation of the eggs," Arya said. "They will be divided up and held at the four different capitals of elves, humans, dwarves, and urgals. Which ever eggs have not hatched at a given location will be transported to the next nation, and so on until they have found their partner."

"And when an egg hatches for someone?" Katrina asked.

"Murtagh is going to stay in Alagaesia," Eragon said. "When an egg hatches for a rider, the pair will be sent to him and he will give them basic training. When they are strong enough to make the journey, they will fly to the island."

"So much is changing, and yet it feels right," Roran said.

Eragon nodded in agreement. "Now, tell me again about this group you are running?" Eragon asked.

"Oh, his reputation has even reached my ears. You are starting something truly impressive," Arya said.

Roran smiled. "It's nothing really. Nasuada wanted a special group formed outside of her army. She wanted them trained to be effective but not noticeable. The army would take care of any large conflicts, but this group would be used for more specific tasks. When she started putting together some people, a few were under my command during the war and nominated me to lead the training."

"Roran, that's awesome," Eragon said.

"Yeah, it's been pretty interesting. Everyone has come a long way and we have helped out a few times already with some internal problems Nasuada was having."

"Wait a minute," Eragon said. "It was you! The people that caught the rogue magicians, that was you wasn't it?"

Roran laughed a little. "At first, yes. I was a part of that team. And if that spell you put on the prison works, that will be a huge break for the crew. It was hard enough coordinating how to take down someone that can cast spells, but not being able to hold them once we did was a pain."

"What do you mean 'at first'?" Arya asked.

"Well now I just oversee the group, instead of going into the field. I'll go to Ileria if Nasuada needs me but mostly I just make sure the group runs smoothly. This way I can spend more time here," Roran said while reaching for Katrina's hand. She smiled as she interlocked her fingers with his.

"So," Katrina said, "if you are going to the island in a few days, and then turning it into the new home of the dragons and future riders, when will we get to see you again? Will Ismira ever get to know her uncle?"

Eragon looked at her fondly. "Don't think for a second that this is the last time you will see me."

"Well you did disappear for a year," Roran interjected.

"That was different. I'll be a day's flight away on Vroengard. And if you ever need anything, I'll be here."

"What if we don't need anything and we just want to see you," Katrina asked.

"I promise I'll will come back. Besides, you guys can come visit me as well." Roran and Katrina both looked confused. "Guys, when I come back for a visit, I can take you back to the island on Saphira."

"Well that would be exciting," Katrina said smiling.

"Besides, what if Ismira pairs with a dragon?" Eragon said.

Roran and Katrina both stared at him. "Don't tease me like that, Eragon," Roran said.

Eragon put his hands up. "All I'm saying is that it runs in our blood."

Eragon leaned back and yawned. The food had settled in his stomach and he was on the verge of falling asleep at the kitchen table. "Guys, this meal was great, but I think it's about time we head out."

"Well I am going to hold you to your word," Roran said standing up from the table. "You better not wait another year before you visit."

Eragon smiled. "You have my word."

"And same goes for you, Arya," Katrina said. "I don't want you to become a stranger."

"Don't worry, we will see each other soon," Arya said.

"Let me help you clean up," Eragon said to Katrina.

Roran, Eragon, and Arya carried the dishes to the kitchen and then Eragon stayed next to Katrina while Arya went to tell Ismira goodbye.

"So, Eragon," Katrina said in a whisper. "What is going on with you and the queen?"

Eragon smirked. "I think things are going well."

"Oh?"

"Yes," he said with a slight laugh. He thought he saw Arya looking at him but when he glanced up she was playing with Ismira.

"She is an amazing person," Katrina said.

"She is extraordinary," he corrected.

Katrina looked at him. "You guys seem to be in a better place since the last time I saw you all at Nasuada's coronation."

"Our lives are still complicated and I don't think that will ever change, but I think the things that made us complicated have gotten simpler. I am not sure what's going to happen, but I know that as of right now, I am happy."

"So will she go with you to Vroengard?"

"I think she will go, but if she stays, that is up to her."

"You don't think she will stay with you?" Katrina asked concerned.

"I don't know. She is the queen and she has responsibilities to her people. I want her to be with me over there, but I would understand if she doesn't."

"But she is also a dragon rider?"

"Yes, but so is Murtagh and he is staying behind as well. Arya could stay behind and help train any elves that pair with dragons to help lighten the load for Murtagh."

"But then who will help you?"

"I'll be fine," Eragon said lightly. "Don't worry about me."

"Alright, but I know how long it took you two to get to this place. You better make sure that she knows you want her with you. Knowing you two, you would each be waiting for the other to say something and then no one says anything."

"Okay, I'll make sure she knows," Eragon said.

"That's very good to hear. Now let me at least put my own dishes away," Katrina said as she bumped Eragon out of the kitchen.

Eragon walked over to Ismira and kneeled. "You take care of your mother and your old man, okay?" The child looked up at him and gave him a baby-toothed smile. She opened her arms and made wiggling motions with her fingers. Eragon smiled. "Yes, the lights. Someday, you will see them again. Good bye, little one."

Roran walked Eragon and Arya out shared one last embrace before bidding them farewell. The dragons had taken a small nap after polishing off the barrels of mead, but woke when their riders came near.

"So back to the palace?" Eragon asked Arya.

"I think I have a better idea," Arya said. In one graceful movement, she turned, mounted Firnen, and took off before Eragon could utter a syllable.

"Is this what it's like when I do something stupid?" he asked Saphira while watching Arya disappear in the night sky.

Usually how it starts, Saphira answered him.

"Well, let's get after them."

Eragon and Saphira followed after the pair and eventually caught up to them. They flew above the clouds and Eragon lost himself in the cool mist of the night air. With the moonlight reflecting off the clouds, it seemed like an entirely different world.

Do you know where we are going? Eragon asked Saphira.

No, Saphira responded.

Great. Eragon focused on Arya atop Firnen ahead of him. Her dark hair reflected the moonlight in the wind. He concentrated on her, extending his mind outward. He felt her mind and its presence but encountered a barrier like a stonewall preventing him to read her thoughts. He probed and pushed but didn't use his full strength. If she doesn't want me to know, I guess I'll just have to wait. Eragon backed off and resolved himself to learn about their destination in time.

Eragon took a full breath of the night air, filling his lungs with the cold. It was almost unbelievable to think about how far he had come. Nearly four years ago, the most he could have ever dreamed of was owning his own farm. Now, he had fought in a war, lead an army, defeated a king, mastered his mind and body, and was currently riding atop a dragon following the queen of the elves.

I should write a book, he thought.

Below him was the mountain range that past by like a white ocean, its peaks glistening in the moon's soft light like waves in the sun. His nose picked up the hint of salt. According to the stars, they were still flying west. Maybe Arya was leading them to the beach?

After a while Saphira angled down, following the descent of Firnen. Ahead of them was a rock outcropping that actually had a little bit of green on it. They were low enough that snow wasn't staying on the ground, leaving room for grass to grow. When they landed, Saphira told Eragon that she had seen a small creak and left to go get some water with Firnen.

"Alright, I give. What is this place?" Eragon asked Arya.

"I found this place not to long ago when I learned that you were coming back," she said. Arya looked out into the darkness over the edge of the cliff and then turned back to him. She walked up and grabbed his hand. "I want you to see something."

Arya led him over to the edge and stood by his side. Blackness. The dark was so strong that Eragon felt he could reach out and grab it. "This is uh… nice."

Arya rolled her eyes. "You aren't looking hard enough. Start up there." She pointed to a star above them.

"Okay, I see it."

"Now look at the one below it."

"Okay."

"Follow that little trail down," she said softly.

Eragon moved from star to star, making his way toward what he could only guess was the horizon. Eventually he got to a last star. It was pretty faint, but with his enhanced eyesight he could make it out. "Okay, I see the little one and then it ends."

"Now focus on that one. Right below it, you should start to see something."

Eragon focused on the area below the star. Gradually, he thought he could make something out. It wasn't a star, but there was definitely light. The more he concentrated, the more he could make out. The light took on a form, or rather it revealed a form. He could see a small peak, silhouetted by a star behind it. "Is that—?"

"Vroengard. Yes."

Eragon looked at her and she smiled back at him.

"This is one of the few places you can see the island when the air is clear. Its easier during the day, but there's something special about see it at night. Its as if the stars are leading you to the island."

"And you said you would come out here once you learned I was coming back?"

"Eragon, I take my duties seriously."

"I— I know that."

"I became queen not because I wanted the position but because it was my duty to my people."

Ah, so that's what this is about, Eragon thought slightly saddened. "I understand that, Arya. It just one of the things that make you a remarkable person."

If she could detect the hint of sadness in his voice, it didn't affect her. In fact, she seemed to get happier. "But being queen is not my only duty. Firnen chose me, out of everyone that has come near him. He waited, just like Saphira waited for you. My duty to my people is nearly done. I helped get them out of the aftermath of the war and set them up for Lord Dathder to take over. But my duty as a rider to the next generation is just starting. That's why this spot is special to me, Eragon. It's where I came to see my future. Its right," she lifted up his hand, "over," and pointed it at the island, "there."

Eragon stared at her, emotions battling for supremacy within him. Elation, admiration, awe, respect, but most of all… love. He wrapped his arms around her waist and brought her lips to his. She pressed herself against him, reciprocating his affection.

"You are truly amazing," Eragon told her as they broke for air. "Thank you."

"And Saphira will be happy that there are now two sets of eyes to keep watch over you." Eragon laughed and hugged Arya, too happy to use words. Everything he had ever hoped for was coming together. There was just one last obstacle, one final test to complete his mission.

He needed to conquer Vroengard.

After staying up a little longer, Eragon and Arya fell asleep in each other's arms. Eragon awoke to the sound of the shore far below him and the rhythmic pattern of dragon snores. Saphira and Firnen had fallen asleep on either side of them, effectively walling them inside their massive forms. The heat from their undersides still radiated warmth.

The sun was beginning to rise behind them and its light helped Eragon see the beautiful elf in his arms. Arya was still asleep on his chest, her mouth just slightly open. He noticed a tiny wet-spot below her jaw. She drooled?

Eragon had to force himself not to laugh out loud.

Arya, the most perfect being in his entire world, had drooled on his tunic. And yet, the image of her asleep, was more beautiful to him than any image of her before. It was real, and it was private. Only meant for his eyes to see. He kissed the top of her head and then whispered, "I think its time we get moving." Arya stirred slightly and then looked up at him with a soft smile.

"Good morning," she said.

"Good morning."

Arya stretched and sat up, her hair falling across her face. She looked back at Eragon and then noticed his shirt for the first time. Then she went rigid.

"Did I…?" she said pointed at this tiny spot on his shirt. Eragon couldn't hold it back any longer. He began laughing.

"Eragon! No, this is so embarrassing. Come here, I need to fix it." She reached for the spot on his tunic.

"No way! This adorable little spot is staying with me forever."

"Eragon, give it to me, now."

What happened? Saphira asked as Arya slowly cornered Eragon against the rock wall.

"Arya drooled in her sleep and is embarrassed," Eragon said simply. Arya's cheeks turned a soft shade of pink as she got closer to her prey.

And what is wrong with that? Firnen asked.

"Nothing is wrong, I just don't want to be reminded that I drooled, okay?" In a blur movement, Arya reached out and covered the spot with her palm while uttering a whisper. When Eragon twisted out of her grasp, the spot was gone and so was the evidence that anything had ever happened.

"Aww, I really liked that spot too," Eragon said.

"Mhm. Real funny. I think its time we head back to the palace." And with that Arya jumped onto Firnen's saddle and took to the air.

It seems that you are destined to have her upset with you, Saphira said to Eragon as he climbed on her.

"Perhaps, but this time it wasn't my fault. And for that reason alone, I will never forget it. Now lets get after them."

Saphira tensed her legs and then shot into the sky with a powerful flap of her wings.

Hope you enjoyed this one. No sword fighting or dragon wrestling, instead I wanted to have a more low key chapter and see what it would be like to have something normal happen to Eragon- a family dinner. I also felt this showed a deeper connection between Eragon and Arya.

We have only two more chapters left in this alternate ending. I am truly thankful to those of you who have made it this fair and have given me a chance to show you the way I saw the Inheritance cycle ending. Next week we return to Vroengard!