Hundreds of glittering heart shaped stones of various sizes rested around them, on different tables, and it seemed that the king had taken the time to group them by colour instead of size.

"So he really does have many of these…" Vrael murmured, staring at the countless amount of Eldunari. How Galbatorix had had the heart to kill so many dragons, not to mention take their hearts of hearts he could not fathom. He knew something had to be done about this.

Vrael! Take a look over in that chest! Umaroth growled, showing him which one. We seem to have found it.

Found what? Vrael thought as he walked over to where the copper chest was. He unlocked it with magic then pushed it open. He gasped. For lying within that chest with white veins running through it, was a green unhatched egg. The green dragon's egg.

"Well, we certainly cannot leave this here." Vrael picked the egg up, and walked back over to Umaroth, placing the egg carefully in a soft bag that he created with magic which he could attach to the dragon's saddle.

And now to do something about all these Eldunari that gave Galbatorix all his power so unwillingly. He knew that he would not be able to completely stop them permanently, but he did know of a way to shield them from Galbatorix.

"Letta skulblaka!" he shouted. As he did, he could feel all of the Eldunari in the room blinking and getting rather confused as the link between them and Galbatorix was shattered for the time being.

Well, now they're confused, Umaroth said. Vrael knew that was something that would happen. "It's for the best for now. surely they will be glad of some time without their energy being used by that human."

If he does not already know about us being here, he will now, Umaroth said. The big white dragon looked around the room for a few seconds. We best keep moving, and find those elves.

To that, Vrael could agree, and the two started off once more. It seemed there were no traps in this part of the castle at least.

Eventually though the pair paused once more. They could sense something, and it was not something they had expected. The presence of another, but not that of the insane one. And another dragon too! What was going on here?

Umaroth growled, then, with one of his feet, he ripped away the wooden door that was blocking their path to where the other Rider was. A deafening roar greeted Vrael as he stepped into the door way to look inside, and at the last moment he had to use magic to shield himself and Umaroth from a raging torrent of white flames that shot towards them. Once they faded away though, Vrael blinked. As large and as white as Umaroth, stood a female dragon before the..

He blinked. Was that who he thought it was? Vrael stepped further into the room as Umaroth pushed his head through the doorway. Antia!

Vrael's eyes looked around before he finally spotted the elf woman who he knew was bonded to Antia. He was outraged though at the sight before him. Lydia had always had his attention, for most of his life. She had been his mate back before the fall.

Black haired with the same pale skin as any of their kin, she was laying on the ground near Antia's tail. He guessed the dragon had moved to block her from him, probably thinking it was Galbatorix who had come once more.

He looked up at Antia. "Might I pass, old friend?"

Antia eyed him for a few moments. Before she stepped out of the way, with a loud clink. A moment later he realised why. There were chains wrapped around the dragon, keeping her from moving without a sound.

Umaroth gave a low hiss as he too noticed. Before the white dragon pushed his way in as well heading straight over to his mate.

Vrael walked over towards Lydia. He knew she would be rather startled when she saw him, but that could be explained in time. He squatted down beside where she was, gently resting one hand on her forehead. It had been so long since he had seen her. "Vakna," he murmured, closing his eyes.

As soon as he did, he could certainly feel the pain and torment that was in her mind. He had known her only too well, so it was easy to get into her mind. Before suddenly fury lashed out at him, pushing… no shoving him backwards. The powerful forcing strength of his mate's consciousness did not abate though, even when he showed no resistance at all.

Eventually though he was forced to use his own mind to block her somewhat. Lydia! Please stop, it is I, Vrael! He made sure to speak in the Ancient Language, in the hopes that that would help her to understand that it really was him.

The other mind paused for a few moments. Surprise emanated from her. Vrael? But… everyone said you died! How can you be alive?

It was a very specially crafted spell that ultimately Galbatorix destroyed when he thought he killed me. Umaroth helped me to keep the illusion thought to be us realistic, and unfortunately, my sword, Islingr is gone though, fallen into the hands of Galbatorix himself. I know he has renamed it as Vrangr, but he shall not keep it much longer. Please, wake up, and you will see that I speak the truth. I would never lie to you.

He felt Lydia closing her mind off from him, and he made sure to leave her mind quickly, so that he would not be trouble for her any longer. He sat beside where she lay, waiting.

She has been asleep a long time, Vrael. Even Antia has not been able to get through to her, and that has been something that has… irked her for a long time, Umaroth said.

"I managed to get into her mind, Antia, but I am not sure if she believes me as to whom I said I was," Vrael said, looking at the female dragon. How could they do this to them? It was not justifiable at all. What cruel tricks had Galbatorix played on Antia and Lydia? He was astonished that they had managed to survive this long.

He looked down at his mate. Waiting. It seemed like many hours had passed before finally he found himself looking down at bright emerald green eyes. He smiled. "Lydia!"

She blinked.