Author's Note: Like many people, I didn't like the ending of the Inheritance Cycle so, I tweaked the last nine chapters and added three more. Although the first nine chapters are similar, I did change some things. I would be extremely grateful for honest and helpful criticism as I wish to improve my writing. If you have anything for me, please share! Obviously, I don't own anything related to the Inheritance Cycle.

Darkness, and in that darkness, silence.

Nasuada opened her eyes. She could breathe, but the air was stale and lifeless. Suddenly she felt Eragon's mind brush against her's before the touch vanished as quickly as it had come. She was not dead then. Seconds passed.

Without warning, light flooded her eyes, and an onslaught of noise assailed her ears.

She winced and blinked while her eyes adjusted.

Around her, Nasuada saw Elva and Murtagh laying on the floor and looked only to be unconscious. Saphira, Thorn, Arya and Eragon where standing, and although seemed ruffled, they didn't appear mortally wounded. Beside Arya were the two children Galbatorix had used to threaten Eragon and the Eldunari.

Through the smoke- filled air, Nasuada saw a huge glowing crater where Galbatorix had been standing. The incandescent stone pulsed like living flesh as breaths of air wafted over its surface. The ceiling glowed as well; it was as if they were standing inside a giant crucible.

The air smelled like the taste of iron.

The walls of the room were cracked, and the pillars, carvings, and lanterns had been pulverized. At the back of the chamber lay Shruikan's corpse, much of the flesh stripped from his soot- blackened bones. At the front, the explosion had shattered the stone walls, as well as the walls beyond for hundreds of feet, exposing a veritable warren of tunnels and rooms. Nasuada thought she glimpsed daylight at the far end of the quarter-mile-long hallway that she guessed led to the outside.

A piece of stone the size of a house fell from the ceiling and landed next to Shruikan's skull, where it split into a dozen pieces. Around them, more cracks spread through the walls, ominous shrieks and groans sounding from every side.

Nasuada saw Arya go up to the two children, grab the boy around his waist, and climb onto Saphira's back. Once there, she pointed at the girl and said to Eragon, "Throw her to me!"

After sheathing Brisingr he picked the girl up and tossed her to Arya, who caught her in outstretched arms.

He then turned and sidestepped Elva as he hurried toward where Nasuada stood, chained to the block of cold grey stone. "Jierda!" he said, placing a hand on the manacles that held her wrists but the spell had no apparent effect.

Trying to get his attention, Nasuada began to make noises into the knotted cloth that bound her mouth shut. Noticing, Eragon pulled it out of her mouth. "You have to find the key!" she said. "Galbatorix's jailer has it on him."

"We'll never find him in time!" Eragon drew Brisingr and swung at the chain connected to the manacle around her left hand. She felt it bounce off the links and impact pulled on her arm but, otherwise it left not a single mark on the chain. He swung a second time, but the chain was impervious to his blade.

Another piece of rock fell from the ceiling and struck the floor with a loud crack.

Murtagh's hand grasped Eragon's. The other arm he pressed against the wound in his stomach.

"Move aside," he growled. Eragon did, and Murtagh spoke the name of all names, as he had done before, as well as jierda, and the iron cuffs opened and fell from her limbs.

The burst of freedom she felt consumed every part of her being. Never again would she ever have to put the manacles on again. Never.

Murtagh took her by the wrist, and began to lead her toward Thorn. After his first step, she slipped under his arm and allowed him to lean his weight on her shoulders. He gave her a thankful glance.

"Wait!" cried Arya, and she leaped down from Saphira and ran over to Murtagh. "Where is the egg? And the Eldunari? We can't leave them!"

Furrowing his brow, Murtagh looked at Arya as if concentrating on something. Nasuada guessed he was giving Arya his memories of where they were for a few seconds later Arya spun around, her burnt hair flying, and sprinted toward a doorway on the opposite side of the room.

"It's too dangerous!" Eragon shouted after her. "This place is falling apart! Arya!"

"Go," she said. "Get the children to safety. Go! You haven't much time!"

Eragon cursed. Sliding Brisingr back into its scabbard, he bent and picked up Elva, who was just beginning to stir.

"What's happening?" she asked as Eragon carried her up onto Saphira's back behind the two other children.

"We're leaving," he said. "Hold on."

With Murtagh's weight still on her shoulder Nasuada continued toward Thorn. Flying on a dragon was one of the last things she had expected to do in her life time, yet here she was. Her wounds from her imprisonment didn't necessarily pain her as Murtagh's spell blocked it but, there was a shadow over her body that she knew would only be lifted once they were truly healed.

Once they reached Thorn, Nasuada helped Murtagh into the saddle. Then he reached down to pull her up.

"Wait," she whispered. "I'll grab Zar'roc." She had seen it some feet away from Thorn while she had given the room one last look. Murtagh nodded. It took her only a moment to fetch it and hand it up to him before he pulled her up. She settled in behind him as she wrapped her arms around his upper body.

Saphira had already started moving. Limping because of her wounded foreleg, she trotted around the crater. Thorn followed close behind, his broken wing dragging against the ground.

"Look out!" shouted Eragon as a chunk of the glowing ceiling broke loose directly over Saphira.

Nasuada watched over Murtagh's shoulder as Saphira shied to her left, and the jagged piece of stone landed next to her and sent a burst of straw- yellow shards in every direction. A small chunk bounced off of Thorn's gleaming red scales before rolling of harmlessly. More pieces of stone fell elsewhere in the chamber.

When Saphira arrived at the mouth of the hallway, Eragon twisted and looked back at Murtagh. She heard him shout "What of the traps?"

Murtagh shook his head and Nasuada felt his body move as he raised his hand and waved for them to continue.

Piles of broken stone covered the floor along much of the hallway, which slowed the dragons. To either side, Nasuada could see into the rubble- filled rooms and tunnels that the explosion had torn open. Within them, tables, chairs, and other pieces of furniture burned. The limbs of the dead and dying stuck out at odd angles from beneath the tumbled stones, occasionally a grimy face or the back of a head.

She could hear Murtagh's ragged breathing as he fought the pain in his stomach.

Farther down the hallway, hundreds of people- soldiers and servants alike- poured out of the adjoining doorways and ran toward the now- gaping entrance. Broken limbs where common among them, as were burns, scrapes, and other wounds. The survivors moved aside for Saphira and Thorn, but otherwise ignored the dragons.

Saphira was nearly at the end of the hall when a thunderous crash sounded behind them, and Nasuada looked back to see that the throne room had caved in on itself, burying the chamber floor under a pile of stone fifty feet thick. When she looked back at Eragon she could see an expression on his face that mirrored what she felt.

As Thorn emerged from the citadel, the air cleared and Nasuada was able to see the destruction the blast had wreaked on Uru'baen. It had ripped off the slate roofs of many nearby buildings and set fire to the beams underneath. Scores of fires dotted the rest of the city. The plumes of smoke drifted upward until they collided with the underside of the shelf above. There they pooled and flowed along the angled surface of the stone, like water over a stream bed. By the southeastern edge of the city, the smoke caught the light of the morning sun as it seeped around the side of the overhang, and there the smoke glowed with the reddish- orange color of a fire opal.

The people of Uru'baen were fleeing their houses, streaming through the streets toward the hole in the outer wall. The soldiers and servants from the citadel hurried to join them, giving Saphira and Thorn a wide berth as they ran across the courtyard in front of the fortress.

Nasuada saw Eragon talking to the children as Thorn stopped and lowered himself as close to the ground as he could get. Bringing her attention to Murtagh, she helped him off the red dragon's back. As soon as his feet touched the ground he slumped against Thorn's belly and began to recite spells in the ancient language.

After a few seconds she heard Thorn's wing snap back into to place. The sound sent a shiver down her spine. Although it was nice to receive immediate relief from pain, that small moment before it actually happened was a strange experience. She could imagine what it would feel like to have flesh crawl back into place and bone fuse together.

The whole while she could sense Eragon watching them. As soon as Murtagh had healed Thorn's wing he turned his attention to his gut wound. She rested a hand on his shoulder. Once he finished the spell to heal his stomach he stood.

"May I heal your wounds before I leave?" Murtagh asked in a soft voice. Nasuada frowned and said "Yes."

Reaching out Murtagh grasped the neck of her tunic, and pulled it to the side, tearing the fabric. The air brushed against the welts, aggravating them.

"Do you want to keep the scars from the Trail of the Long Knives?" Nodding, she bowed her head. His previous question had taken her aback. She listened the warmth of his voice as he spoke in the ancient language. His touch was gentle, even hesitant, while he healed the welts. She felt the shadow begin to lift from her.

Just as he finished Nasuada heard Elva cry "Look!" and point toward the citadel where Arya, Blodhgarm, and his spellcasters walked out of the dark maw. They were bruised and scraped, but alive. In her arms, Arya carried a wooden chest fitted with gold hasps. A long line of metal boxes- each the size of the back of a wagon- floated along behind the elves, a few inches above the floor.

"The egg and Eldunari." said Murtagh. As Nasuada looked away from the elves toward him she saw a sad expression on Murtagh's face. She didn't see it long as he turned and began to unstrap medium sized saddle bags from Thorn.

"You can't leave." she said. "You have to stay."

"I would only cause problems for you. Do you think people will ever trust you if they knew you were friends with a Kingkiller?" He spat the last words, as if he hated himself for it but couldn't escape a gnawing truth.

"You had just as much of a part in killing Galbatorix as Eragon did."

He turned to her as he set the saddle bags to the ground. In a low voice he said, "No one will care about my part. They will always see me as I was. Morzan's son, someone to be hated, feared, and distrusted."

"But you aren't him anymore. And as leader of the Varden I will vouch for you. I'll explain to everyone that you were forced against your will to swear fealty to Galbatorix and how you helped me survive his tortures."

"Distrust can't be overcome that quickly."

His resistance frustrated Nasuada. She could understand why he wanted to leave. Being subjugated to Galbatorix wasn't something a person overcame easily. But, one simple fact remained. She wanted him to stay. So she tried a different approach.

"We are going to need all the help we can get to put the Empire back in order. An extra Rider would be that much more help." Suddenly Nasuada heard Saphira and Eragon walk over to where she and Murtagh were standing. They approached carefully as if they were unsure of the situation.

"Nasuada, could I talk to you for a moment." Eragon said as he gave Murtagh a side glance. She nodded and then turned to Murtagh, giving him a pleading look.

"Please stay until I'm finished talking with him." He nodded roughly as he began to tighten Thorn's saddle straps. Then Nasuada walked toward Eragon and asked "What is it?"

"I was wondering if you were okay. I haven't seen you since you were captured, and well..." He trailed off and looked back at Murtagh.

"I'm fine now. Murtagh healed my wounds. Can you convince him to stay? He won't listen to me." A surprised look came to Eragon's face but, then a look of resolution, as if he realized that he too wanted Murtagh to stay.

"I doubt he'll listen to me but, I'll try."

He stepped forward and stood beside Murtagh. Nasuada watched intently.

"You could stay." Eragon said gently. "We are grateful for your help and without you I couldn't have defended myself before Galbatorix died."

"It seems I have a habit of saving you from dangerous situations." Murtagh said as he turned to Eragon. The smallest smile was on his face as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Saphira says the same." Eragon countered with a chuckle.

"I never thought you could do it...but I'm glad you did."

"I was lucky. And it wouldn't have been possible without your help. Will you stay?"

Murtagh looked at Eragon for a long while, a strange gleam in his eye, as he considered the question. Nasuada noticed that Eragon never shifted or averted his gaze.

Thorn brought his head down to look Eragon in the face with one glittering, blood-red eye. Breaking the silence in a surprisingly musical voice he spoke so all could hear, saying, Thank you for not killing my Rider, Eragon-Murtagh's-brother.

Eragon smiled and said, "I'm glad I didn't have to."

Humming, Thorn bent and touched Eragon on the top of his head, tapping his scales against Eragon's helm. May the wind and the sun always be at your back.

"And at yours," replied Eragon.

Suddenly, a sense of great anger, grief, and ambivalence pressed heavily against Nasuada as a consciousness enveloped her mind and, it seemed, those of Murtagh and Thorn, for they tensed as well, as if in anticipation of battle. Eragon was the only one who seemed to not be nervous about the mental touch. Then Nasuada realized it was Glaedr.

Would that I could thank you for the same, he said, his words as bitter as an oak gall. You killed my body and you killed my Rider. The statement was flat and simple and all the more terrible because of it.

In a sincere and sad voice Murtagh asked, "Would you forgive me?"

No, I cannot, said the gold dragon. However, I understand that it was Galbatorix who drove you to it and that it was he who swung your arm, Murtagh...I cannot forgive, but Galbatorix is dead and with him my desire for vengeance. Yours has always been a hard path, since each of you hatched. But today you showed that your misfortunes have not broken you. You turned against Galbatorix when it might have gained you only pain, and by it you allowed Eragon to kill him. Today you and Thorn proved yourselves worthy of being considered Shur'tugal in full, though you never had the proper instruction or guidance. That is...admirable.

Murtagh bowed his head slightly, and Thorn said, Thank you, Ebrithil.

Then another dragon spoke. Nasuada heard great wisdom in his voice. We know much of the difficulties you have faced, Thorn and Murtagh, for we have watched you from afar, even as we have watched Eragon and Saphira. There are many things we could teach you if you stayed.

I would be honored, master. Replied Murtagh, his respect and awe evident. Then turning to Eragon and Nasuada he said in a quiet tone, "I will stay."

Eragon clapped him on the shoulder and Nasuada smiled widely.

"It's only right that the last two Dragon Riders should help rebuild the Empire." said Eragon happily.

Then with concern Murtagh said, "Can you remember the name of the ancient language now, or is Galbatorix's magic still clouding your mind?"

"I can almost remember it, but..." Eragon shook his head with frustration.

Then Murtagh spoke softly in Eragon's ear and Nasuada only heard the faintest of a whisper. Once he finished he said, "I wouldn't share it with anyone else, if every magician knew the name of the ancient language, the language would be worse than useless."

Eragon nodded and then motioned with his hand for Nasuada and Murtagh to come closer. As she did Nasuada could see great joy on his face. In a faint whisper he said, "The egg that Galbatorix had- it isn't the only one in Alagaesia. There are more, hidden in the same place where we found the Eldunari we brought with us."

Nasuada felt a jolt of surprise race through her body, and then understanding. "Eggs! Dragon eggs!" She managed to croak out in her happiness. Thorn arched his neck and uttered a joyful trumpet that scared all the people within a thousand foot radius around them. Murtagh's eyes gleamed with disbelief and excitement.

Grinning, Eragon bounced on his heels, as if delighted by their reactions. "What will you do with them?" asked Murtagh.

"Me? I think Saphira and the Eldunari will have something to say in the matter, but probably find somewhere safe for the eggs to hatch, and start rebuilding the Riders."

Starting to think of all the possibilities Nasuada asked, "Will you and Saphira train them?"

Eragon shrugged, "I'm sure the elves will help. And Murtagh as well." he said, giving Murtagh a glance at the last sentence.

Murtagh tilted his head back and released a long breath. "The dragons are going to return, and the Riders as well." He laughed softly. "The world is about to change."

"It has already changed."

"Aye. But, I'm not sure if I'm ready to teach anyone yet."

Eragon nodded, and Nasuada understood.