Well, the plot starts here! This chapter is a bit longer, but still short. I don't plan in this fanfic to have long chapters as I like to update this quickly, only spending 15 mins at the most on each chapter.

Thanks to;

SimplySupreme

Restrained . Freedom

Who have reviewed not just once, but twice and three times on this story! Amazing people... :)

Three more reviews would be great for next chapter, but two is still fine.

Enjoy!

The Meepsta :) :)

I see the once-mighty dragon crouched low on the cliff, a low keening sound coming from her throat. She watches the sea and the tides, the predictable patterns and the crashing of the waves on the jagged rocks. It distracts her.

She watches. All day, every day. Never stopping...

I take a step towards her, a brittle twig snapping under my bare feet. Still she does not seem to notice my presence.

Sorrow floods my heart as I remember the creature she used to be... the friend and the comfort in those situations which her Rider could not understand. I sometimes wonder why she bothers to stay alive, but I conclude that it was because of Eragon. He would never want her to sacrifice her wonderful life because of him, even if in exchange she could bring him back to life.

Opening my mind, I call out to her in the gentlest voice I can muster.

Saphira?

Will she talk to me this time? Only by trying can I tell...

Arya. Her gleaming head turns towards me, a scaly eyelid clicking as she blinks slowly. I was wondering when you would come to me. I have decided.

What have you decided? I ask timidly, afraid that I have offended her in her fragile state.

I am not that mentally unstable, elf. She laughs, a low rumbling growl in her belly, making me feel embarrassed. I duck my head, trying to hide my the flaming tips of my ears. I feel your hesitance and understand that you do not mean to offend. First, I must apologize to you for my behavior for the last year. I'm sure you understand just how distressed I was without showing you my deepest emotions. I nod, a bird-like motion, and she continues; A tame Dragon is nothing without her Rider, and that is why I have come to you. You will be my second Rider, my partner-of-my-mind-and-soul.

Saphira... I am lost for words as her statement sinks in. I am honoured, but why me? I ask past a lump in my throat.

Eragon would want it to be this way if he had to choose. You know very well how much he cared for you, whether or not you want to admit it. Saphira said, a small quaver in her mental voice. Do you accept my proposal?

I do.

Then let us link our minds, little elf, A smile tugs at my lips at my new name, and fly as high as we dare. For I am the Queen of the Skies, Saphira Bjartskular, and you the Queen of my Heart.

Extending her snout, she brushes the palm of my right hand, and tingles run up my spine at the unnatural sensation. When I look down, a smaller version of a Gedwëy ignasia is imprinted on the skin, shining like a new-born star.

How did you do that? I ask her, awed.

Dragon magic is different to yours, Arya. I do not know how I did it. Something... some ancient part of me awakened, and my power overflowed.

Climbing up her wing, I settle between her neck and shoulders. I must have scratched a sensitive spot, for a tongue of blue flame suddenly shoots out of her mouth, mutilating the rocks below our feet.

Arya. We have power. Together. Always together. Arya.

Saphira's primitive thoughts rebound across our new-found link.

But she is right.

We must do this together.