Disclaimer: Sorry for the long awaited update, the WASL is terrible. I'm begining to hate writing! Yet I have already committed myself to writing at least this fanfic and I may start another here soon, but this time based off of the Mists of Avalon. Anyway, the plot will start moving along now.

Eragon unbelted Brom's old sword. He turned to Arya, who stood with her back facing the open window of their room at the local inn. "Once this is all said and done and we have seen this new queen, I wish to see Brom before returning home." It felt great for him to roll of that word. It had been too long since he could call any place home.

"I think that I heard one of the villagers say that their new queen is going to give a speech later this afternoon," said Arya. "We should only bring small daggers with us when we hold council with her."

Eragon nodded. "I doubt that we should bring any weapons with us," he said softly. "Galbatorix just died, remember? Security from the guards will be tighter. I'm surprised that they let us in without question."

Arya snorted. "Most humans are stupid and tickheaded."

"And you're mated with one of those stupid and tickheaded humans," grunted Eragon.

"You know that I didn't mean it in that way, Eragon!" cried Arya defensively. Without this spell, no one would know that you're human if they had no idea.

"Lets go," he grunted.

They walked through the streets together.

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Tasha rested comfortably in her high chair. Her dragon sat perched on the arm. It's violet eyes watched her intently. It squaked. "I suppose you'll be wanting some food now, huh?" she said softly. "Guards!" she called out loudly.

A man in full body armer with broad shoulders walked into her hall. He bowed respectfully to her, eying the dragon with suspicion. "Yes, milady?" he asked.

"Fetch me some fresh meat," ordered Tasha. She smiled as he bowed and left. 'This position is quite desirable compared to how that bastard made me live shortly before he died,' she thought.

The dragon cocked it's head. Tasha glared at it, still disgusted with this creature's existance. She raised her hand and looked at the mark that the baby dragon had given her. It glowed dully. 'Why can't I just kill this damn thing and leave the Empire forever?' she wondered.

Because you are my heir, mocked Galbatorix. And you will rule over my lands and extend them.

Tasha groaned. She would never cease to hate the dead king.

The guard returned moments later with a cut of raw meat. He bowed and set it down on the ground before leaving. The dragon hatchling glided to the floor and began devouring the meat.

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Eragon led Arya to the castle steps. Several guards stood there. "No one is allowed in," said one of them in a gruff voice. He reached for his sword.

Eragon chuckled. "King Galbatorix sent a messenger to us that we were to report here when a successor was chosen," he lied.

The guard turned his broad shouldered counterpart who had just came outside from the castle halls. "Go and see what the Queen desires," he ordered with authority.

"Sir!" The guard hurried back inside.

What do you suppose we do if they don't let us in? Arya asked.

Force our way in, answered Eragon. We can't leave until we have had contact with this queen of there's. If we can, are you going to form a treaty with her--since you're the queen of Du Weldenvarden?

I'm not going to tell her who I am directly, said Arya. She sighed. Nasuada should form a treaty with the Empire at least . . ..

Its too dangerous for her to come here though, said Eragon.

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The guard slowly approached Tasha. "Milady," he said quickly.

"What is it?" sneered Tasha.

"There are two visitors who wish to see you," he answered. "They claim that Galbatorix sent for them."

I sent for no one!

Tasha sighed. "Let them in," she ordered. "I want no guards around me. And take this dragon to my chaimber."

The guard bowed and took the dragon in his arms.

Damn wentch!

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The guard returned after a few moments. "They are to be let in, and none are to accompany Her Majesty," he said.

Eragon and Arya nodded to them and walked into the castle. Tasha stood near the entrance, waiting for them. Arya recognized her as the girl she saw being brought into the dungeon while she was held in her imprisonment, but remained silent. It troubled her that she would be named Galbatorix's successor. They bowed dutifully to her. "It is an honor to meet the newly named Queen of the Empire," said Eragon softly.

"I never new that Galbatorix had any children," admitted Arya.

"I was his c'ostest kinswoman after Mur'agh was s'ain," replied Tasha in a heavy accent.

Eragon, there's no way that this girl could have been named heir to the throne, said Arya. Her speaking ability is that of a maid.

Eragon eyed the girl suspiciously. In an instant he saw the mark that reveiled everything to him. That's because she's been touched by a dragon, he said.

Impossible! cried Arya. Saphira and Galzra are the last!

We will ask her later, said Eragon. I think that we should reveal to her who we really are. He turned to Tasha. "Did you know Galbatorix personally?" he asked kindly.

Tasha sneered. After her imprisonment, she hated the king. "Brie'ly," she answered. "On'y 'ong enough for him to name me as his success'r."

"Who are your parents?" asked Arya.

"I ne'er knew 'em," answered Tasha.

Eragon, this girl is part of the Varden! cried Saphira. I remember seeing her before begining our training with Oromis and Glaedr!

Eragon frowned and turned to Arya. How did she end up here then? he asked her.

I remember seeing her being brought into the dungeon during my imprisonment, answered Arya. We should convince her to come with us.

Should we tell her who we are then? asked Eragon.

I will, said Arya. "Have you ever been to the Varden, My Lady?" she asked kindly.

They know about you, Tasha, said Galbatorix.

"Wha' o' it?" sneered Tasha.

Arya smiled. "Because, we were sent here by Nasuada to ensure that the Empire is brought to order. I could swear that I have seen you before during my stays with the Varden. I am Queen Arya." The spell that she had put on Eragon and herself lifted and their elvish features returned.

Tasha jumped back. "Isn't Islanzadi Queen over the elves though?" she asked. "That is what I remember Nasuada telling me."

Arya looked at her with sorrowful eyes. "My mother was killed trying to defend my from that foul Shade . . .." She shook the thought away. "Where did you get that mark on your hand?"

"A mark like that comes only from comming into contact with a dragon hatchling and there are two dragons left now that Shruikan and Thorn are both dead," stated Eragon darkly. "Arya and I are the riders of those dragons . . .."

Tasha smiled slightly. "Fo'ow me," she said. She led the two Shur'tugal down the long stone corridor that led to her chamber. She opened the door that revealed the purple dragon hatchling perched on her bed.

She must come with us for training, said Eragon.

I know, replied Arya. "Now that you are the rider of this dragon, you must recieve proper training that can only come from Shur'tugal," she said in her usual cold voice.

"I knew whe' 'tis dragon hatch'd t'at you 'ould come," admitted Tasha.

"Will you come with us then?" asked Eragon. He looked at her carefully.

"I don' 'ave much o' a choice," said Tasha. "I 'ill pu' my or'ers in an' leave."

The Shur'tugal will finally return to this land, said Saphira softly.

Discaimer: Ok, WASL is over for the time. I will update probably once a day during my spring break and then be back on WASL schedule. Sorry for the long update. I couldn't get my ideas strait for this chapter and I got really frusterated with it. I will try and update again this weekend.