Fixed it. If you ask me, the middle part is so much less hollow. So take pleasure in reading this refined form. I also tried to fix some of my mistakes I'm so prone to make with this story. So, enjoy!

A solid knock rung out through the room around mid-morning. Aiedail jumped awake from solid sleep, the first she'd had in months. She almost expected the whole thing was a dream. But her leg was unusually warm and as she looked to find the source, her eyes caught the tiny scaly thing curled in a ball next to her leg.

Another knock brought her back to the current matter. She quickly hid her bag and through her blankets over the startled youngster. "Just a minute." She said loudly before mumbling to the babe, "Stay here. I really need to check a few things before I can tell anyone." All she got for an answer was a tiny yawn.

But before she could be further assured it knew what she meant, the door swung open. Eragon stood at its entrance, looking right at her.

"What took so long? Been out here for a while…" Eragon asked inquisitively. She tried giving him a blank stare back to hide what she'd really been doing.

"Sorry, I had to fix…something first." She answered vaguely. He quarried no further.

He smiled. "Good to see you are alright. You gave us all quite a scare last night…"

"Scared myself too. I…I don't know what came over me. Probably just a little sick and stressed." He looked down, as if he knew it was a false statement. A silence set in for a second.

"Well, do you feel okay now?" he asked, a look of genuine concern on his face.

"Yes, I feel fine." But what she didn't say, though she wanted to, was: Unless you count a crazy feeling of being dead yet extremely alive all at the same time.

Instead he turned his back to survey the room, while adding, "I keep forgetting to ask you something and realized I had to before I really got started today. You know that sword we got from Uru'baen?"

She nodded.

"Well, I'm going to need it. The third rider, when we find them that is, probably won't want to share blades with another person. It'd be best to keep it in the best condition as possible." He said, completely unaware of the situation she was currently in.

She had to really focus to keep from laughing. So, to satisfy her urge, she merely mumbled under her breath, "You'll just end up giving it right back to me a few hours from now…" He looked hard at her.

"What did you want to tell me?" He asked.

"Nothing. It's nothing…" The look in his eyes told her he didn't buy it, but he queried no further. While she turned to retrieve the blade, he just sat there, as if focused on something.

Suddenly a light jumped into his eyes and he gave a soft grin. She turned to him, Dre'gui at hand. He took the elegant blade, the same strange light still in his eyes. She shifted, uneasily, under his gaze; careful to hide her palm.

"Need anything?" He asked as he finally turned towards the door. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a tiny scaly snout peeping out from beneath the covers. Coolly, she made her way towards the bed, picking up her clothes form the floor and folding them in front of the little beast to hide its emerging figure.

"No, not really." Aiedail said discreetly. She didn't really trust herself to say anymore at that point; her marked palm holding the dragonling back from exploring, tingling ever so slightly. She tried to keep from laughing, but was not doing too good.

"Okay, Aiedail. But if you need anything, you know where to find me." He turned to leave. Suddenly, as the adrenaline of hiding the little beast ebbed away, Aiedail became aware of a pressing matter.

"Wait Eragon." She said. He turned to face her instantly, as if expecting she'd have done that. "You wouldn't happen to be getting something to eat soon, would you?" Eragon smiled at her.

"Sure. I was just going to go back to my room and drop Dre'gui off, wake Roran up, and go have breakfast. It'd be nice if I had some company. Roran's been ditching me more and more each day to spend time with Katrina."

"He's still not up?" Aiedail giggled out, the restrained dragonling lurching to try and figure out what the commotion was about.

Eragon gave a light laugh. "Ya, he's never been a morning person."

Straining slightly as she held back her little beast, she added, "Well then. It'd be an honor to have breakfast with you."

"Great. Meet me in the dining hall in a little while." And with that, Eragon finally left.

After she was sure he couldn't hear, that he was long gone, she released the squirming lizard behind her. It had made its way all the way out of the blanket, and looked up at her, big green eyes glowing. It cooed softly and sat on its haunches. She smiled, comparing its tent sized wings to the rest of its body. It was strange, how the little thing could seem so awkward and yet so powerful at the same time.

"I'll be gone for a little while. You stay here while I'm gone and I'll bring you something. Okay?" she said. The only reply she got was more cooing and what sounded like a combination of a kitten's mew and a soft, grumbling roar. She thought briefly of Thorn and Saphira, how powerful their roars were compared to its. They had to start somewhere she figured.

She reached out on the connection, startling the dragonling for a moment. She knew thinking it would already know English would be like thinking a baby could talk from the second it was born. So instead, she tried to think of a picture of her leaving and the dragon staying put. Then, after a short while, her coming back with a raw chicken or something similar. She could hear the dragonling peep in excitement over the idea of food.

"Only if you stay though. You got it?" It seemed to nod its head eagerly.

She soon had left the room, not entirely convinced even that she'd be so luck as to manage to keep the dragonling from trying to follow her. It had fallen asleep, knowing from her message it would be a little while before its meal would be there. Aiedail got a bad feeling, leaving it alone though. But she really needed to know where she stood, who she could trust right away with his existence and who she would have to wait to tell or mess herself up. She remembers Murtagh had told her he had had a similar system with her. Rumors had spread, of course, of her existence after the first day. But he only managed to keep anything bad happening right away by learning who he could trust. That way, he was guaranteed that only once Aiedail had become capable of defending herself, did he let his guard down a bit. But when would that be for the little dragon. A month? A year? For having been around more different dragons, from Thorn to Saphira to even a short time with Shruikan, seeing them more of the time then anyone else in the Empire except Galbatorix, she realized she knew surprisingly little about them. What they ate or where they came from or how smart they were or anything other then a few, unimportant things. But she was still nervous at leaving it alone…

Sure that its rider was long gone, the little creature peeped its eyes open. Having absolutely no intention to be stuck it the room, it gave a toothy grin. The urge to explore was too strong; the desire to know what was just outside too great. Getting up, looked down at the far away floor. Without giving what was in comparison to us like jumping off a tree, it hurled itself into the air and off the bed. Though too young to fly yet, somehow it knew to spread its wings, landing gracefully to the floor. It steadied itself for a moment, using its wings and tail to balance out its returned wait. It took a few strides, wings scratching the floor. Annoyed over its dragging wings, the little dragon tried holding them high. But it felt awkward and it soon gave up.

An obstacle loomed above its tiny head, towering in the air above its head firmly and effortlessly like a smooth, hand-hold-less cliff. The door. Light crawled from underneath it, calling to it like a siren of sun. Freedom. The hatchling tentatively stretched out one steel claw to the door, pawing it to test its strength. Whatever it was made of, it was strong, but the dragon's nails were stronger, leaving long scratch across its surface, the only scar to adorn the face of the otherwise flawless door. It gave a happy chirp at the positive success, but explored the door a little more; knowing its rider would not be happy if the little creature broke her door and so doing the only defense between her dragon and exposure. At one edge, it stuck out slightly. The dragonling stuck a talon in it, pulling its new stringy muscles back to see if it would follow.

With some protest and complaining, the door creaked open, following its sharp little talon back slowly. Holding it still, the dragonling peered out it the torchlight stone halls. The grey halls were lit to a bloody colored light, allowing anything seen through the shadows to appear much more menacing. A bloody shadow was in the distance, moving slowly away from where the dragon was. It looked around the lit halls, searching for anything which might hinder or help its quest for exploration.

Finally sure no one was coming, it looked for a place to hide, eying a red carpet flowing across the middle of the floor. The rich carpet defiantly lead somewhere, its bottom easily removable though. Seizing its chance, the dragon made a mad dash to the carpet, ripping it up and diving under it like jumping into a tiny rich red river. Much to its dismay, the carpet could not hide its bulk. But still. It had read Aiedail's thoughts and knew she didn't want it to be seen. On this, it agreed more than she would ever know.

Picking up its feet, it stayed near the edge, watching where it was going with the fascination only a new born could have. So many new colors, all seeming to meld into one another. The smell of wet stone. The touch of the carpet across its scales. Light shining on its scales, scattering emerald reflections across the dull stone. At one point on its slow journey down the corridor, it met up with another creature making its way down the rug river. A little bigger then the hatchling, it covered in dirty grey fuzz. Long whiskers extended out of a fleshy pink nose on a triangular snout. Beady eyes looked at the dragonling with surprise and fear. It opened its maw, let out a startled squeak while dashing away. The dragonling looked back to watch as it dashed away. But it also saw something else. Something else accompanied by voices and footsteps.

"What's that?" a deep voice asked. Not really knowing what the noise meant, the little dragon did not want to stay and find out. It took off in the opposite direction, only keeping in mind two things. Not to be seen or caught. Feared darted between its green eyes as its wings spread to cool its body. It ran up short stairs and down long halls till it was completely out of breath. Pausing to rest, it wondered where it was for a moment. Sneaking its eyes out, it looked for the familiar shape of its room.

Suddenly, some unseen object smashed down on its tail. It gave out a piercing peep, startling itself for a second after. Above the carpet was a rich noble who had unwittingly put his foot in the wrong place. The noble had no idea what hit him. Stunned by the screaming shriek, he didn't think to move. It was a mistake he'd never forget though.

Though unable to breathe fire, it did have one defense. Snarling at its captor, the little dragon bit down hard into the thing holding its tail. Sharp, vicious little fangs pierced through his shoe like a steamed knife trough butter. Coppery blood rushed into the dragon's mouth, startling it slightly. But it held fast as the noble freaked out and gave his own shriek, desperately trying to shake off the little knife-like fangs incaseding his foot.

Around him, nosy noble formed a crowd gathered; only catching slight glimpses of blood, fang, scales and tail. Some tried to help, but the noble was too shooken up, kicking anyone who tried to reach his foot. This frantic fight went on for what seemed like forever.

Tired beyond belief and in shock, the noble gave one, last, strong kick, managing to get the dragonling's tooth out of his foot and sending the rug-shrouded hatchling flying. It landed with a sickening, bone crunching thud in the garden.

Dazed, the hatchling, for a moment, only saw and heard a blaze of noise and color as it lay in the garden. The little creature resorted its thoughts slowly and with that clarity came fear as a group of nobles came towards the place where its tangled form lay. Rarely ever actually doing anything, the nobles had no idea how to go out looking for the attacker. Nor did they want much more then a funny story to tell at the next extravagant feast they went to. Still, they were getting closer and closer with each second. Too close for comfort. Desperately, the creature clawed and chewed at the rug, knowing it made a direct path to where it lay. Slowly, in what seemed like an eternity, the cloth started to thin, but the crowd ebbed ever closer, closest person mere feet from the poor dazed hatching's current position.

Finally, as the bulk of the crowd neared where the lead man had been moments before, the cloth broke with a protesting twang. And as it did, the hatchling instinctively ran to a plant colored much like its own scale color. It quickly dug a shallow hole to hide its features and closed its lime eyes. Just that second, the first member of the crowd began to examine the remains of the chewed up carpet. The group soon joined him except for a few stragglers, left to care for the delirious, wounded noble. Motionless, the little dragon held its breath, hoping his coat of dirt and camouflage would be enough.

Even at the risk of being caught, it couldn't help but peek through shallowly opened eyes to see what was going on. The first man wore black, his features indistinguished. Something about him, even to the one day old babe could feel, seemed menacing. He spoke, but the little dragonling was so scared, it understood nothing; not even hearing the normal distinct sounds he made. But his voice was cold, like the kind of cold that sunk into your soul, eating away at your heart.

Finally, after forever, the group all went back to tend to their injured friend. They all helped carry him to the infirmary, or just tagged along to see what would happen. One stayed behind for a moment. The man. He looked right at the dragonling, shrouded grey eyes prying the vegetation away from the little dragon's frail figure. His gaze seemed to burn like the dragon's own inner fire. Finally, he took his leave going the opposite direction the group.

Dead silence filled the air. The little dragonling opened its little eyes, searching for any sign of the returning crowd or anything else. Upon finding none, the hatchling very cautiously rose, shaking dirt off its hindquarters. It peeped lightly at the dense foliage around it. It was hopelessly lost in a strange, new world.

Maybe it could find its Rider. But it thought better for a second, knowing that she would be angry and punish him for it. But was that experience, couple with being lost and hungry really worth it? Gods know what else wait to maim the little beast.

The hatchling made its resolve, deciding whatever punishment it would get from its rider was better than getting shook around like a rattle by a prissy noble who'd probably never even got a scratch in his life, much less anything which broke his flawless skin. Having made its choice, the little dragonling began to cut through the dense jungle of flowers like a knife through meat. Making good time, the dragon began to reach out to minds, trying to feel for its rider.

After several minutes like that, the dragonling found something. Not what it was looking for, but this it couldn't resist. The smell of food. Peeking its head out of a rose bush, it saw carts carrying an array of meals away from the doors. Reasoning how to get some, it figured it'd have better luck stealing some from the kitchen then wherever those carts were going. One person opened the doors and held the door open to turn and talk to someone. This was its moment.

The little dragon made a mad dash for the door, slipping in just in time before the door shut. It dashed under a tall, long table, letting its body cool down for a moment. Peering through the bottom thin cloth covering the table, a pair of feet became visible by the table. A voice droned out one word. While still trying to figure out what was said, suddenly a steak fell on the floor.

The dragon waited for a moment, making sure the person wasn't going to pick it up. Then carefully it stuck out its scaly head. Reaching out for the meat quickly, it dragged it under the table and gobbled it up happily. But the steak had not been for human consumption…

Cockily, the little creature stuck it out its head again, looking for seconds. But instead of another piece of sweet meat, a monster sat and waited for it. A half wolf, half husky mix. It was huge, fur much too long for such a climate. It stood up high. But it clearly made him look much bigger. Trying to imagine its true size, the dragon still saw the beast had to be five times bigger then it. A crude collar held the monster fast to an unseen wall. Lifting his lip to expose two rows of blood stained teeth and giving a low growl that winded the smell of decay, the beast, upon seeing the animal which stole his dinner, lunged forward, still intending on having his breakfast. Only with fresh meat.

Caught by surprise, the hatchling sat for a moment before it tore off, but not before being raked by sharp fangs, cutting through its still new skin. It cringed, resisting the urge to scream in pain, but, because it didn't want to be breakfast, it kept going. But the table was running out and there was nowhere for it to go. The little beast peeped in displease, hoping for a rescue it knew would never come.

Thinking quickly, the dragon jumping into on of the carts exiting the kitchen. Only a second later the creature was where it had been only a few seconds before. But plans of a fresh breakfast were cut short as the mutt, with a sudden jolt from his collar, was stopped from further chasing the hatchling.

Relieved, the hatchling sat in the under cart, completely exhausted. It still tried to feel for its rider, unsure it would ever even find her. Giving up, it just sat, having enough adventure for the day. From outside, it heard a door open. Then a pair of voices boomed and another door was open. Tired of being on the cart, the dragonling slipped under a passing table, too tired to care about a pair of eyes on it, glaring hard. A presence reached out to it suddenly.

What are you doing! You were supposed to stay it my room! A familiar voice called out. It looked over to see Aiedail's face, glaring back at it. I dropped my fork. What are you doing here? I can't believe...her eyes saw something they hadn't before. Hang on. Are you...bleeding? All the dragonling could do was go to her feet and collapse. She gave a worried smile. Looks like you've been through enough. She reached out and touched the wound, scarlet blood still very fresh.

Aiedail sat back up. She raised her blooded finger. Eragon looked up from his food, confusion written clearly on his face. "I cut my leg on something." She lied. Eragon looked up from his plate.

"I could heal…ahh…" he stopped in mid-sentence, probably remembering what happened last time he tried to heal her. She grinned as he reached into a bag, pulling out a big cloth bandage. Aiedail looked down at the little dragon. It was exhausted, its tail curled around her feet. She hoped it was exhausted enough as to not put up a fight with the bandage.

She took the bandage gratefully, giving Eragon a sweet smile. Then she looked at the little beast, purring as it slept by her foot. Its green scales, for the moment, seemed so brittle. Like clay, gouged into little green ringlets. Deep, fang-shaped holes cut into its shoulder, drizzling soft tissue and a river of blood out onto the clean marble floors. She softly put the bandage on, knowing she couldn't clean it till she got back. She could only pray infection hadn't set in yet. The little dragonling grunted in pain, but was too tired to try to fight her off.

As she finished, she took note of a little blood shrouding its muzzle. She wondered for a moment where it came from. But just as suddenly she decided she didn't want to know.

Sitting up, she decided to make her plan. She felt she could probably trust Eragon with its existence, but didn't like the idea of him knowing so much more about her dragon then she did.

"I was thinking this morning, Eragon," she began, "and I realized I've been around dragons all my life, but never really know much truly about them. How long have they been in Alagaesia anyway? How did the Riders start? How are the Riders chosen? When do dragons mature? When can they fly or breathe fire?"

Eragon grinned. "So full of questions. Well, I guess I'll start with the first thing. The stories tell us that dragons and dwarves were the first living being in Alagaesia…" he began.

She was unable to hold her mouth. "Dwarves? You mean…they're real?" realizing what she'd done, she quickly apologized. "I'm sorry. I just have never known…"

"No, it was a fair question. Yes, they do exist. I actually have some close friends who are dwarves. But I'll tell you about that another time… as I was saying, dragons and dwarves were the first known and only true Alagaesians. The rest came from other lands. When elves first came to Alagaesia, they made a terrible mistake…" Aiedail gave a confused look. She rarely heard of elves making mistakes. Eragon went on to tell her about the Dragon Wars. To say what finally brought peace. Every little detail she'd never heard.

And he went on to explain dragon anatomy. When the breathed fire. How the mated. Even going as far as to explain the dynamics of how they flew. He told of a dragon's weak points and such. And she finally understood why and how her hatchling got hurt. Whatever had caught it had clearly hit the babe in just the right place. He explained about wild dragons and tame dragons and their difference.

And then he went into detail about the things she needed to know then and there. She learned what the icy blast was about and how dragons picked their riders. She smiled at the fact that out of everyone her dragon had ever came into contact with, she was the one it picked. She learned how to help them learn to talk; how they picked their names.

Then, as if reading her mind to find out what she needed to know, Eragon said, "And you know, there are only four known dragons left in this world. All are hatched but one. From what I hear, it's a boy." She couldn't keep the grin off her face.

Suddenly, the stories ended and there was quiet. Eragon looked down at a small serving of a strange, exotic fruit on it and began to eat. Aiedail just sat there, digesting her food along with what she'd heard. Finally, her sense of time came back and she realized hours had flown by. Beneath her, the hatchling stirred in his dreams. One little green eye flickered open. He opened his mouth to peep, till his rider caught him, muffling the sound.

Anxiously, she grabbed him and wrapped him in a blanket she had handy, reaching out to his mind. Not a sound. You are to follow when I send a man with a cart in. Jump on and when he comes out; I'll distract him while you climb out. Got it? Till then, stay beneath the table. I don't really want him seeing you…

She stood up, watching for his little green eyes, praying he understood. Tip-toeing to the door, all she could do was hope a preoccupied Eragon wouldn't notice her leave. She was almost at the door when he spoke.

"Forgetting something?" he held out something, hidden by the shadows. She walked back over to him, trying to tell what it was. Finally, her eyes saw what they needed to.

"Dre'gui?" she asked, trying to still act puzzled. He wasn't buying it.

"Yes, I think the sword has found its owner," He said with a smirk. She reached out with her left hand to graze the beautiful blade, still hoping in vain it wasn't for what it should be.

With lightning fast reflexes, Eragon twisted her palm to the light, revealing a silvery mark. He hissed into her ear. "Dragon Rider."

Actually really glad with how it is now. I tried to make the scenes as original as possible. I don't really want this dragon's hatching to be anywhere close to Saphira's. He is so different in so many ways as you are going to find out. As is his rider. Oh and don't worry. I never intended on turning him into a her. I think that is so played out. Why not follow it the way CP set it up? That's about all I have for you. Feel free to ask any reasonable questions you have for me. Or give me suggestions. I get a better idea by the day of how I want to set this up. Till I write again.

Review!