Disclaimer: The actual plot is finally begining now. Thank you to all of my loyal reviewers, you make this story possible.

Roran, Katrina, Nasuada, Orik, Gloned, Saphira, and Galzra walked through the city. Many village folk watched the dragons with fearful expressions. They whispered to each other of the evil that was brought to them in the form of the dragons. Saphira growled at them with feril dislike. Trecheries! Murderers of kin!

Calm yourself, Saphira, advised Galzra. They are merely humans.

And they should all be burned!

They were under tyrany all their lives and are uneducated. Galzra nuzzled her passionately. Soon we will have our redemption.

Saphira snorted a ball of smoke and continued following the procession. They arrived at the castle.

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Eragon looked out the window and watched as the group got closer to the castle. He turned to Tasha. "Is your dragon fit for presentation?" he asked with indifference.

"I will retrieve my dragon," replied Tasha, bowing slightly. She hurried off.

"It seems as though she has two different personalities," said Arya after she was sure that the young pupil was out of earshot.

"So it seems," agreed Eragon. His muscles tensed. "I only hope that we can trust her. Who knows what Galbatorix had planned when he set her on his throne . . .." He sighed and embraced his love. He kissed her softly on the lips. "How do you feel?" he asked softly.

"I am fine," answered Arya. "But you look tired . . .."

"We have to get this done so that we can fly back home," said Eragon. "So much has changed since I became a Rider."

They watched together as the group of seven entered the castle. Tasha entered the room again with the purple dragon hatchling sitting on her shoulder. The three of them walked together to the main hall where their guests awaited them.

"Eragon, cousin, what is the meaning of this?" asked Roran as soon as he caught sight of his cousin.

"Did Lady Nasuada not inform you?" asked Eragon.

Katrina screamed at the sight of the new dragon. She pointed at it in horror. "I thought that all dragon eggs have hatched already!" she cried.

"So we thought," said Arya. "It seems that Galbatorix kept one in secret and it hatched for--"

"--Tasha!" cried Nasuada. "What happened to you?"

"I 'ot 'ap'ured," answered Tasha.

Articulate your words properly, Tasha, ordered Eragon softly.

Tasha jumped and looked at Eragon in surprise. "Did you just say that, Eragon-ebrithil?" she whispered.

"Yes, that was indeed me," answered Eragon.

"Well, I am glad that you are well," said Nasuada, smiling.

Tasha bowed respectively. "Welcome to my halls," she said to them. "Follow me." She led them to her feasting hall and sat in her high chair. "Master Dwarf, I do not recognize you. Who are you?"

"I am King Orik, and you must be Queen Tasha."

"I won't be Queen for very much longer," replied Tasha.

Why does she talk diplomatic now? wondered Arya.

I do not know, replied Eragon. He gazed suspiciously at her.

"Lord Eragon has informed me of your great deeds, Roran," said Tasha, turning to Eragon's elder cousin. Roran turned to look upon her. "I ask you now, will you be king of these lands in my stead so that I may become a Shur'tugal under Lord Eragon and Lady Arya?"

Roran gaped at her. He turned to Katrina, hoping that she would answer for him. They all waited patiently for his response. "Well--I supose so . . .." He turned an angry glare to Eragon.

"Excellent!" cried Eragon in delight. "We can form the treaties that will allow this land to prosper in peace."

"Roran, you do realize that you'll be under a lot of pressure, don't you?" said Arya softly. "A political life is not as great as it may sound. Choose your path carefully."

Arya, what are you doing? cried Eragon.

I am just making sure that this is what Roran and Katrina really want, answered Arya. We cannot have any more tyrants ruling over this land!

Roran isn't a tyrant!

But it is human nature to abuse the powers that are given to you, said Arya calmly. I am only making sure that my people will live safely if they choose to rebuild cities by the sea.

"I accept," said Roran confidently. He turned to Katrina and held her hands in his.

"I think that the rulers of the different civilizations should write their part of the treaty," said Nasuada.

"What of King Orrin?" asked Eragon.

"I will send word to him," answered Nasuada.

Finally, we won't live in fear anymore, said Saphira delightfully.

And we won't have to hide who we are! added Eragon. I thought that I would never see this day come to pass.

Aye, we were close to never see peaceful times, agreed Saphira.

Now we have all the time in the world, said Galzra.

"Tasha, why don't you show Roran and Katrina around the castle and have them ready for dinner," said Arya. "Galzra will accompany you." She nodded to her dragon. The four of them left the table. Gloned followed dutifully.

"How did Tasha ever come to Galbatorix's throne?" asked Nasuada.

"She told us that as soon as her dragon hatched, Galbatorix himself named her as his heir," explained Arya. "I remember seeing her in a cell close to my own when I was being held here. It doesn't make any sense, but she is going to be trained by Eragon in the arts of being a Shur'tugal."

Orik tugged at his beard thoughtfully. "At least she is being taken away from here before she has any real hold on the village folk here. They have no true loyalty to her and will thus forget her soon after Roran's power is established."

"It is a very frail situation," said Eragon. "One that if it strays just a little, we will all be jumping forth to our deaths." He sighed heavily. "Roran is a strong leader."

"And he has a strong Queen to stand beside him," added Arya. "For a human that is."

Two days later, after the treaty was signed for peace between each nation, they all went their seperate ways; Nasuada and Orik travelled back to the mountains; Roran, Katrina, and Gloned stayed in the castle; and the three Shur'tugal flew to Brom's grave.

Saphira and Galzra landed in the mountain cave where Brom had died. The cave was barely big enough for them to fit. Saphira and I are going out to hunt for the little ones, informed Galzra after he saw Arya off.

Don't take too long, replied Arya and they watched the two dragons take flight.

"You'd best stay here, Tasha," advised Eragon. "I don't want you to fall from climbing the cliffside." He smiled at her.

Tasha lowered her head modestly. She flushed from being treated like a small child. "Yes, ebrithil," she murmured.

Arya and Eragon climbed the side of the cliff. After only ten minutes, they reached Brom's diamond tomb. Eragon's eyes widened slightly. Brom had been untouched since the day he burried the old Rider. Saphira, your gift to him is truly amazing!

I did only what I could, replied Saphira somberly.

Arya knelt down beside the tomb. She closed her eyes in a silent prayer. After a moment she stood up and stared at the sky. "You did a great job in making sure that he will always be remembered," she said, barely louder than a whisper.

Eragon gripped the hilt of Silbena garjzla tightly and unsheathed the great sword. 'Brom, this sword was yours. Now I bear it and put it to use. I owe you everything I cannot give, for time and time again you have saved my life.' Tears threatened to escape his eyes, but he held them back so that Arya would not see him weep for a man who had been dead for nearly four years. "Stydja unin mor'ranr, Brom," he whispered.

Disclaimer: Ok, I will try and update again twice before Spring Break ends. The ending phrase translates to 'Rest in peace'. Please remember to review.