Partners of hearts and minds - Chapter 1. New Beginning

Years have passed.

Eragon, Saphira and the elves had to travel for a few weeks, before they finally found a place, where they could raise the dragons properly. With help of Blödgarm's spellcasters they built a giant hall on top of a tall hill they found. It took them about two years, which was far more, than Eragon hoped, but he was proud of it. The hall was called simply - Hjall abr Skulblaka un Shur'tugal. The Hall of Dragons and Riders.

After that it didn't take too long for the eggs to hatch. Feeding them was hard enough, but teaching them to fly, hunt and not to attack the elves or each other was even more difficult task. However, they managed to raise the wild dragons into adults, that could survive on their own. But many of them grew attached to their caretakers and while most of them left to live a little father from the Hall, many of them came back from time to time. Sometimes only to see their caretakers once again, sometimes with some bigger surprise, such as their offsprings. Both Eragon and Saphira were delighted. They loved the dragons as well and they were happy to see, that the population of dragons is growing.

The wild dragons weren't the only ones they raised. About a month after the Hall was finished, Eragon got a message from Arya, that both of the eggs, that they left with Urgals and dwarves hatched. One of them - the one they left with Urgals - was a beautiful female dragon with light violet scales. Her Rider was a young Urgal ram named Kazh. He named the dragon Daranae. After a few months, they joined Eragon, Saphira and the other elves in the Hjall abr Skulblaka un Shru'tugal. Eragon was glad to see, that Kazh is quite calm Urgal, despite the fact, that his species is the most violent one in whole Alagaësia. Saphira believed, that it was because his bond with Daranae, who was very, very calm and friendly dragon.

The second dragon hatched in Tronjheim. This one was male. His name was Tharan. His scales were as grey as the Beor Mountains and Saphira later said that she never met more stubborn dragon in her life. Tharan's Rider was a shy dwarf girl Dardra. Just like Kazh and Daranae they joined Eragon and Saphira once Tharan was strong enough to fly all the way to Hjall abr Skulblaka un Shtu'tugal.

That was a sign for Eragon and the elves. They sent twenty-four remaining eggs that were supposed to bond with Riders. Originally, they intended to send them to Ilirea simply with magic, but after some consideration, they sent Kazh and Daranae with them instead. Kazh wanted to prove himself and this seemed like a good way. Both Blödgarm and Eragon were a little worried, but Saphira trusted Kazh and his dragon. After less than a week they were back, safe and sound and with letter from Nasuada that said, that all the eggs indeed got to Ilirea.

After some time, Saphira became a mother. In fact, she laid her eggs even before the Hall was built. There were four of them and there was no doubt that their father was Fírnen. The one she laid first was as bluish green as the ocean. The second one was light blue just like the sky. The third one was as green as grass around the Hall. And the last one was darker shade of green. It reminded Saphira of the trees in Elesméra.

Those eggs were sent to Alagaësia as well, only a little later. Saphira had trouble parting with them, since they were the only thing that reminded her of her beloved Fírnen. However she realised, that she'll see them after they grow a little and they'll become her new students. So she sent them.

It happened quite often, that eggs didn't find their Rider and didn't hatch, thus they had to return to Hjall abr Skulblaka un Shru'tugal. Eragon then sent them later, when there were new possible Riders for the hatchlings to choose from. After some time, all of them found their Rider.

Except for one. The very first Saphira's egg, the bluish green one. It was sent to Alagaësia every single time. But Nasuada always sent it back. It never hatched. Saphira was getting worried about it, since all of her other eggs hatched without any problem. All of her hatchlings were already strong enough to go after her and live with other dragons, while this one struggled to even find a Rider.

Once again the time came. Once again, Eragon and the elves were about to send another bunch of eggs to Alagaësia.

"Who do you want to send with them this year?" Blödgarm asked Eragon while they were preparing the eggs for a safe trip. "I'll probably send Glirnen with Erir and Isin with Nagirolfr."

"Why two Riders and dragons?"

"Turns out, that sending them on missions with someone else than just their partners-of-heart-and-mind helps build new friendships. While Erir and Nagirolfr do know each other and sometimes even hunt together, Glirnen and Isin have met only few times and the only thing they know about eachother are their names. I would like them to become friends. Also, they can carry the eggs more comfortably when there are two dragons instead of just one."

"In that case, let's hope they'll get along well."

Eragon nodded joyfully.

Saphira landed on the terrace, where Eragon and Blödgarm were preparing the eggs. Little one, she said to Eragon. He could feel her excitement about the day. Eragon also noticed, that she was holding something between her talons. What is it? he asked and Saphira put the object on the ground. It was the egg. The last one of her offsprings, that hadn't hatched yet. Eragon smiled. Did you say goodbye already? Saphira let out a deep chuckle. It gets easier every time.

But this time could be the last time.

I sure hope it is. I've hoped for last ten years.

Two dragons landed next to Saphira - one canary yellow, one icy blue. On the yellow one's back sat a young dwarf and on the blue one's back sat a beautiful woman with dark brown hair. "Eragon-elda! Greetings!" yelled the woman cheerfully and so did the dwarf. "Greetings," Eragon answered and put the last egg into a bag. "Are you ready for your trip to Alagaësia?" Glirnen, the dwarf, smiled confidently. "I don't know about Isin and Nagirolfr, but we are definitely ready!" Isin then added: "Well, we're ready as well."

Eragon attached the bags with eggs to the saddles on dragons. When that was done, Glirnen and Isin mounted. Eragon, Saphira and Blödgarm bade them goodbye and Erir and Nagirolfr took off.

Eragon could feel Saphira's pride and hope. This year it will hatch, Eragon, she said. Eragon smiled, for he believed, that she was right.