This chapter was so much fun to write, it has made its way into the no.1 spot. So, naturally, it's time for my first dedication...

*Drum roll...*

SimplySupreme!

With SimplySupreme, I don't really know where to start. She cheers you up instantly if you're feeling down and solves every problem instantly. Doesn't matter whether it's got anything to do with writing... she'll solve it anyway!

Another good thing is that she leaves loads of fantastic reviews on your stories.

Finally, she's offered (when she really didn't have to), to look at bits of a book of my own that I'm writing at the moment. Kind, eh?

Three cheers and loads of blue muffins for dedication no.1... SimplySupreme! :)

The Meepsta :) :)

(Saphira POV)

"Arya, and... Saphira?" The dark-skinned Queen calls, bare feet slapping on the tiled floor as she hurries towards us. "I trust you will explain all this to me later, but before that, I must apologize most profoundly for my lateness."

"Did someone catch you coming down?" My partner-of-my-mind asks her, melodic voice echoing in the high-ceilinged hall.

"In a way." Smiling cryptically, she continues, "Persuading a certain husband of mine to let me come, was... rather more difficult than I expected."

My Rider suppresses a grin, but I feel amusement drift over our link. Typical humans. For good reason, us female elves take mates, not husbands...

"Now that we are both..." Dark-skin Nasuada glances at me quickly, and to our amusement, she corrects herself. "Now that all three of us are here, what would you like to discuss so urgently?"

Emerald-eyed-Arya takes a deep breath and begins to explain. "Saphira approached me yesterday with a proposition that I gladly accepted. I would be honoured if you, Saphira," She turns to me, a twinkling in her eye, "Could explain it for me to Nasuada. Is that agreeable?"

I project my thoughts not just to my Rider, but to the dark-one, finding it surprisingly easy to overwhelm her defences. Although Murtagh had trained her in the art of defending and projecting her thoughts, she was still a novice.

It is agreeable, little-one. I pause, choosing my words carefully. As I often remind ignorant humans and dwarves, sometimes even elves, dragons are the fiercest and bravest of creatures. But sometimes, if they are used to being protected by another, they need a shield... a companion and someone to protect their weakest places. That is why I chose Arya.

"Choose Arya for what?" Nasuada asks, confused.

"Have I not made myself clear?" I exasperatedly ask the Queen, but she does not reply. "I chose Arya to be my shield... my Rider!"

"What? Arya's your Rider?" She gapes, mouth wide open in an 'o' shape. "How come you did not tell me before of this?"

My Rider. I repeat, and Arya places a calm hand on my shoulder, scratching the scales around my neck. Eragon would have wanted it to be this way.

Nasuada shakes her head in an attempt to clear it of foul thoughts. "Forgive me for my discourteous reaction, Saphira Bjartskular, Arya Dröttningu. I was merely in shock, not expecting anything of this kind!"

I know you weren't. A dangerous dragon-smile spreads across my face, displaying my razor-sharp fangs. That's why I told you.

"Enough of your clever word-play, dragon!" Nasuada orders, a hint of laughter creeping into her voice. "Is there anything else you would like, or shall your dear Queen retire to her bed?"

She'll wish she hadn't asked that. I commented to Arya. What would we like her to provide?

Leave it all to me, don't worry.

I wasn't.

"Well, since we are dragon and rider, equal to any king and queen, we should at least have somewhere to stay. Maybe somewhere in the palace..."

She sighs. "Arya, would the west-wing be satisfactory?"

That depends if you can fit a female dragon through the doorway... I interrupt, answering for my Rider.

"...that depending on how many deer you eat last night." Arya teases.

Not too many, although they were very juicy. Humans can be better, though...

Nasuada paled. "Erm... should I show you to your rooms?"

"That would be helpful. Saphira? Saphira?"

I would reply, but my mind is far away... in the world of dragons, the hunt and the wild...

I am sleeping in the forest, and everything around is dark. A strange paleness is in the night-time sky... a paleness that appears in the east just before sunrise. I hear an occasional small animal scrabble in the underbrush, beginning their morning search for seeds and roots. How pitiful these creatures are, compared to I, the ruler of the sky. I would not hunt them, as it would give no pleasure to me.

Or to them.

Before I know it, the sun's morning glow glares through the thick canopy of trees. My beautiful hide shines and glitters as I launch into the sky, and once again I remember who I am and who I must be.

I am Saphira Bjartskular and Saphira Brightscales, daughter of Vervada and Iormungr. I roar to the world, enjoying the panicked cries of birds and the rustle of the bushes as I soar by.

The day had begun and my morning meditation had ended. Time to find some deer...

"SAPHIRA? STONEHEAD?" Arya yells in my ear, making me start.

Yes?

"Stop dreaming... we're leaving you behind!"

I huff in annoyance, a cloud of grey smoke billowing around me. Very well. I come...