Authors Note:

A certain line in the movie I found to be romantic made me think of this short story. I hope you like it.

A Thousand Years

It's strange when I think back, I cant remember any thing. It could have been a millennium or just one second. There's know way to really know. Then as suddenly and brilliant as a bolt of lightning I was aware. Aware of what? Perhaps my own existence? Of the strange rhythmic thumping from within me? Of the small dark world I inhabited, so warm and snug? No. I was aware of thoughts. Not just thoughts of my own,but an others thoughts as well. The thoughts of the other were warm and gentile but frustrated and confused.

The first thoughts were of wonder and amazement. I had appeared so suddenly that the other did not know what to make of me. The best thought they had was to take me with them in stead of leaving me where I was. I'm not sure I would have survived long if they had not.

The next thoughts were troubling. The other wanted to trade me for some food. What utter ignorance to trade me a … Well actually I didn't yet know what I was. But to trade me for some food would be a pore trade indeed.

The other soon learned I was untradeable, and seemed disappointed in the fact. I was glade such discovery did not cause them to discard me.

I was fairly certain we were moving, due to the gentle swaying of my small dark world.

When we came to a stop the thoughts were of joy and excitement. I found my self become excited as well. This was a friendly and familiar place for the other.

It seemed to be some long period of time that I listened to the others warm and happy thoughts, before they became lonely and rejected. The thoughts were so lonely that I could not stand it any longer. I had to confront this other and let them know that I was here. They did not have to be lonely I could share their company. First I needed to go to their world. I could not stay in mine. I felt the powerful urge to stretch out and break the walls of my small dark world. I needed to go to the other and make them see they were not alone, that I was here all along.

There was trembling as I strained my limbs against the walls. With a "CRACK" I forced my self into the others world. There was everything at once. Sight, smell, sound, and feeling. I was disoriented for a moment as my senses adjusted to this new world.

When finally I focused, I saw the other. What a strange creature indeed. The thoughts were full of wonder as it tried to guess what I was. I tried to send my thoughts to the other but they did not seem to hear. I got closer as it stretched out an appendage. As I touched my face to it some thing amazing happened. I knew everything. I knew that the other was a human boy, and that I was a dragon. I knew that he was to be my rider, and were were connected by a fated bond. I knew also my name, Saphira, and his Eragon.

The next few days were lazy ones as he shared his thoughts with me. I so desperately tried to make him hear mine but he could not. One particular after noon he seemed depressed as he reminisced about his mother leaving him. So I sent as many comforting thoughts as I could and crawled in close to him.

In the morning he was full of excitement he wanted to be a rider and was ranting about a story the old man Brom had told the night before. So he helped me to fly. As he held me in his hands we ran and I stretched my wings. When I finally took to the air I no longer wanted to be on the ground. Flight was a freeing experience. To soar above the the clouds is indescribable. I was far from Eragon when I felt the pull of our bond bringing me back. As I returned my body surged with magical energy and I grew.

When I landed he could not understand what had happened. I sent him a thought that told him "Brom was right, the age of dragon riders had returned. My name is Saphira and you are my rider."

"You can hear my thoughts?" He asked me aloud.

So I answered him with the first thing that came to my mind. "I have waited a thousand years to hear your thoughts."