"Welcome to all who wish to try bonding to an egg." Oromis said to the group in front of him, which consisted of Arya, Aerin, and Aliana at present. Both he and Eragon had made sure that only small numbers were let into the rookery at a time so as not to overwhelm themselves or the unhatched dragons. "Before we begin, I will explain the feeling I had when I found Glaedr's egg. It was like I was being pulled towards it and my body was moving on its own in response before I touched it and Glaedr broke free to meet me. You will each have a turn. Draw straws to determine who will go first."

Arya drew the longest straw and took a deep breath, stepping forward. She walked slowly as if trying to follow the pull Oromis had spoken of. She stopped in front of a green ovum and reached out to lay her hand on its smooth surface.

A drake the same color as the shell fought his way out and bumped his nose against the palm of her outstretched hand, giving her the gedwëy ignasia of a Rider.

Arya cooed over the scaled baby, stroking him gently as he hopped into her arms. "I shall name you Fírnen, sweet one."

He chirped his approval.

"Congratulations, Arya. You may take Fírnen and introduce him to Eragon and Sapphira at the main grounds."

"Thank you, Oromis." Arya bowed slightly and left the rookery.

Aerin drew the next longest straw, therefore she proceeded into the midst of the eggs and eventually found herself in front of a light purple one.

A drakaina of the same color burst forth and leaned into Aerin's caress and gave her hand the same silver palm.

"What a beautiful girl. I shall name you Amethyst."

Amethyst purred happily.

"Congratulations, Aerin. Proceed in Arya's footsteps."

"Thank you, Oromis-elda." She took Amethyst outside into the sunshine.

"Ready, my dear?"

Aliana nodded and stepped into the rows. She felt pulled towards a blue-white egg and picked it up. It shattered open almost instantly and another female emerged, bumping Aliana's hand to give it the same mark as the other two women. "Hello, little one. How about we call you Starfire?"

The dreki curled in her arms as if in answer.

"You had nothing to worry about." Oromis hugged her and tickled the little kit.

"Thanks to you and Glaedr." She smiled. "Ready for the next group?"

"Yes, dearest."

She kissed him and headed for the door. "I will see you soon, beloved."

Two girl dragons and one male. At least there are even numbers.

"One could be your mate, Glaedr."

True, Aliana. He nuzzled her affectionately and sniffed the dragoness with her who looked up at him with curious eyes as black as coals. What did you name her?

"Starfire."

Very fitting. Fírnen and Amethyst already seem to have settled in, which is a good sign. Sapphira is overjoyed.

"And how do you feel about it?"

I don't think there are appropriate words at seeing my kind returning a little at a time. It has been a distant dream for both Oromis and I since the Fall, and yet you have brought back all our hope and love against all odds. Thank you, Aliana Thrándurin- wife of my Rider.

She felt herself blushing in embarrassment, but was also touched by his words. "It wasn't all my doing, Glaedr."

Perhaps not. Yet without you, he and I would have surely perished either literally or spiritually.

"I am grateful to be part of your lives." She kissed his nose. "Want to wait here for Oromis?"

No, I think I will keep you and the little one company.

"You're very sweet, Glaedr."

Only for those I love.

She chuckled. "I love you too."

He smiled as they joined the others.

"What beautiful hatchlings." Eragon came out of the base to greet them as Sapphira landed beside him.

Hello, nest brother and sisters. She beamed. We are so happy to meet you.

"Slowly but surely, Alagaësia is recovering. I received a letter from Queen Nasuada saying the other kingdoms are settling in. She decided to reestablish the capital as Iliria as it was known before the Fall."

"That is wonderful news, Eragon."

"Indeed, Aerin. She added things are going well between her and Murtagh."

Aliana laughed. "Doesn't surprise me, he was head over heels for her when they met. In all my years of knowing him, I have never seen him that way before."

"It is certainly nice to see that despite all the hardships and horrors of the past, hope and happiness can still be found." Arya stroked Fírnen as he napped in her arms. "The Elven Council wishes me to take up the mantle of queen permanently. At first, I wouldn't even consider it. I kept telling them they had the wrong individual, and still, they came to talk to me. Now that I have Fírnen, perhaps I am finally seeing why they have been persistent. My mother didn't wish to rule either, yet she stepped up for all of us. I know she would want me to choose for myself, to make a path all my own. No elven queen before has had a dragon, so I am not sure what will happen. I would like to hear everyone's thoughts before I make my final decision."

Sapphira smiled. You have helped all of us at some point and it is only logical that your people need you now. However, if you are worried about the power getting to your head, perhaps you need someone by your side who can make sure you stay on the right path.

"An excellent suggestion. We have all gotten here because of people we love." Aerin leaned against K'aeligh affectionately as he joined her.

"Well spoken, my heart."

"I agree." Aliana smiled as Starfire nuzzled her. "Glaedr and I were just discussing being positive influences in each other's lives."

"In that case, what do you say to getting married, Eragon?"

Eragon blushed crimson. "It would be my honor, Arya."