A/N: Alright, so I couldn't help myself. When I read Inheritance, unlike a great deal of people who read it, I liked the ending. It tied up the loose ends it needed to, while leaving enough open for CP to come back to Alagaesia, and it's not like we weren't warned that Eragon was going to leave. We knew that from the first book. Now, with that said, the story can be continued and this is how I think it will be continued.

Disclaimer: I don't anything that CP made.

Home

Lealia was shaking like a leaf as she sat in the depression between Benhail's shoulders and wings. She was going to the land of the Riders. A land that only the most distinguished men and women could even hope to enter. And Lealia, a daughter of an earl, who still wasn't noble enough to go there, was about to enter the fabled lands. Well, she did have one reason to go there. About a year ago, while visiting Ileria, Lealia had gone with her father to the dragon hatching, which had become a sort of celebration for the people of the city. Her father had pushed her, and even though Lealia was sure no dragon would hatch for her, she walked onto the stage. She walked along behind the other human children, and looked at the line of eggs before her. She walked by a beautiful teal egg, then a royal purple egg, then the starlight-white egg, then the midnight-black egg, until she came to the shining coppery egg that seemed slightly smaller than the others. She stood before this egg longer than the others, feeling somehow drawn to it, and took a step toward it. As she did a sharp snapping noise rent the quiet air.

Lealia felt every person turn toward her and she stopped in her tracks staring at the hairline fracture in the coppery shell before her. She shook herself, but her awe refused to disappear because, even as she watched, another crack appeared in the eggs shell, and then another, and another, until, finally, a beautiful copper-colored dragon landed before her. It shook its head and then looked up at her with big, bright eyes the same color as a low flame. Without thinking about it, Lealia leaned forward and touched the dragon on the snout. With a yelp, Lealia jumped back from the hatchling as she felt something like an ice-cold river rush over her hand.

After the shock of the icy-feeling wore off, a thought went through Lealia's mind. As a memory of her father describing what a Rider told him it felt like to bond with a dragon rushed through her mind, Lealia looked down at her upturned hand. On it was a distinct silvery patch, directly in the center of her palm.

The Rider who had been watching the procession stepped forward. "The dragon has spoken!" he proclaimed to the assembled masses, and gently, but firmly, lifted her arm to show the people. "This youngling has been chosen!" At this the crowd cheered loudly, and Lealia saw her father cheering louder than anyone else, tears of pride streaming down his face.

"Come, young one," the Rider whispered in her ear, "you must leave immediately. One of our Order will take you and your hatchling to the lands of the elves."

"What?" Lealia asked, the shock of what had just happened having not completely warn of for her yet.

"You must leave now," the Rider repeated patiently. "We cannot risk leaving one of the novices alone. One of our Order will take you to Du Weldenvarden."

"But what about my father?" Lealia asked, getting her thoughts in order, somewhat.

The Rider looked at her sympathetically. "We'll tell him where you went," he said, but then saw her eyes. "Don't worry, you'll be able to speak with him when you get to Du Weldenvarden, Queen Arya made sure of that."

Lealia didn't get what he meant, but she could tell from his tone that he was being truthful, so she stepped toward the other Riders, picking up the small coppery dragon as she did. The dragon gave a happy chirp, which bred a warm glow in Lealia's chest.

That was about a year ago, but Lealia still remembered it like it was yesterday because that was the day that Benhail had hatched for her.

Lealia, Benhail's low, resonant voice said in her head, you need to focus. We're going to be meeting our masters in a matter of hours.

I don't want new masters, she answered, also in her head. Ebrithil Arya and Ebrithil Firnen were great masters.

I know, Benhail answered. But you know as well as I that they have never taking full time apprentices. I'm sure our new masters will be just as good, if not better.

I hope your right, Lealia said.

Benhail twisted until his great, flame-like eye was looking right at her. I am, he said confidently.

Lealia felt his confidence rush through her, and she smiled at it. Leaning forward, she embraced Benhail's head and leaned her forehead against his snout. He hummed slightly, then with a slight jerk of his head, made it apparent that Lealia needed to let him turn his attention back to the sky. She let him and he returned to watching his flight.

As she sat on Benhail's back, Lealia thought back to her time with Arya and Firnen.

Lelalia remembered flying on the back of the large, amethyst-purple dragon with Benhail cradled in her arms, giving small chirps of delight as he flew in the air.

The dwarf Rider chuckled, "Ah, I remember the first time Baara here took her first flight. Riding on dragon back's just not the same, but it's about all that little guy can get, right now." The dwarf's dragon had sent out a puff of smoke as an affirmative.

"What should I name him?" Lealia had asked.

The dwarf had scratched his beard, seeming uncomfortable. "Well, I can't tell you. That's up to you and him, so I'd wait until he can talk."

"Huh?" Lealia had asked, confused.

The dwarf laughed. "Don't worry about it too much, youngling. You'll see." After that Lealia and the dwarf, who went by the name of Termaine, had spoken only of inconsequential things, laughing when the hatchling dragon had started hiccupping little puffs of smoke.

When they finally landed in Ellesmera, the capital of the elves' nation, Termaine had said, "Be safe Lealia, the elves can be a little, uh, unpredictable. Still, have a good time here. I already can't wait to see you in Abr Du Hjarta."

"Where?" Lealia had yelled after him.

Good-bye, little one, Lealia had heard a lilting voice say in her head. We will meet in the homeland.

The hatchling had chirped in her arms, as if answering the voice. The massive purple shape before them roared in reply.

Lealia scratched her head, incredibly confused by the exchange that just went on, and the voice in her head that she only later realized was that of Baara.

"Come, young ones," Lealia heard a sing-song voice say behind her. She jumped, not having heard the speaker approach. Lealia turned around to see a beautiful, raven-haired elf woman standing behind her. She was dressed in a pure white robe, with a cape of red satin behind her. And encircling her head was a golden band.

The elf woman turned around, heading deeper into the forest before her. After a moment's hesitation, Lealia followed, cradling the tiny dragon in her arms. Lealia and the elf walked for a while before Lealia built up the courage to ask, "Ma'am, wh-who exactly are you?"

The elf turned around to look at her, and squatting so they were at eye-level said, "I am Arya, Queen of the elves and Rider of the great dragon Firnen."

"Well, I'm Lealia, daughter of Hurlbert, and Rider of, uh, this dragon," she said in return, lifting the hatchling to Arya's eyes, where it looked at her for a second, then chirped and licked her nose.

Arya smiled, and said, "Well, Lealia, it's a pleasure to meet you. Atra esterni ono thelduin."

Lealia stared at Arya for a moment, having no idea how to answer her. "Uhhh," she said.

Arya laughed, a high, musical sound that made Lealia happy for no apparent reason. "It's okay. You'll learn over time."

"Okay," Lealia answered dazed. As she stood there looking at Arya, she slowly brought the hatchling toward her chest hugging him close. As she did this, she heard a huge thud above her and looked up, searching for its source. All she saw was the green of the trees, until she noticed a part of the trees shimmering. She looked at this part, but just before she could make out its exact shape, it landed behind Arya. It was a massive emerald-green dragon, which was at least twice as big as Baara.

Hello, young ones, Lealia heard a deep voice say in her head. Welcome to our home. Welcome to the Riders.

Lealia searched for the source of the voice, but then Arya laughed again. "That was Firnen, little one," she said extending her arm toward the massive beast behind her.

"Oh," Lealia said, thinking this was all way too much to deal with in one day.

Lealia. Lealia Lealia! Benhail was calling her name.

What? What? Lealia asked, coming back from her memories.

We're here, Benhail answered, using his mind to direct her attention in front of them.

Lealia's jaw dropped. Before them were five mountains, each glittering with different colors, one blue, another red, another green, and the last two black and white. Hundreds of dragons circled the peaks of the mountains and flitted in and out of caves in the side of the mountains.

Termaine was right, Benhail, Lealia thought. We're home.

Lealia felt Benhail's awe at the mass of glittering shapes before him. Yes, we're home, he thought.

Okay, so that's the first chapter. Hoped you liked it.