*disclaimer* so far, everything in this is owned by me & no one else

A/N: this is supposedly taking place a little after the fourth book of the series, (yeah I know it's not out yet) and is my idea of what's going to happen after the series ends, it is set far to the southeast of Alagaesia in a land known as Ansteir. Enjoy!

Huge thanks goes out to Given_Inside for working with me on this series…You're amazing man!

"Blast it Dax, I told you we shouldn't have come here!"

Hey, it was your genius idea Fere! A green dragon swooped through the dry desert air, causing a hail of black arrows to fly past him. Let's go to the desert, you said. It'll be perfectly safe, you said. IS IT, NOW?!

Fereno, the dragon rider otherwise known as Fere, brought his sword up to block a slash from the closest of the beastly Torms. The rider had been separated from his dragon, pulled away by a legion of the gruesome creatures. He was trapped; ambushed by a countless horde of beasts never before seen. They stood on two legs like he did, but their skin was hairy and horns rested on top of their heads. He then raised his hand beneath his sword and yelled, "Undil!" The Torm disappeared in an explosion and flew back over his comrade's horned heads. The remainder of the war troop hesitated, then continued trying to overwhelm the tall dark haired elf. Brandishing his shadowy green blade, Fereno's mind raced as he danced around the vain attempts to wound him. Every one of his thoughts lead him to only one outcome: escape. They had to leave, now. Throwing his mind out to his dragon, he called him over. Dax, we have to get out of here, fast.

Are you sure? I thought maybe we could stay a bit longer and convince them to have tea with us.

Fereno grinned at his dragon's sarcasm as he slashed through the torso of yet another gruesome creature. The green dragon dove down next to him and released a jet of fire from his maw, bathing the Torms in a green-tinted flame. Fereno ran over to Dax, but was cut off by more adversaries trying to keep the Rider from escaping. Without breaking stride, he executed a mighty leap, performing a single somersault over the dumbfounded creatures' heads. He landed perfectly on his dragon's back and dropped into the saddle as Dax veered away from the mass of screaming monstrosities.

The elf sheathed his sword on his back and straightened his quiver, brushing off the gore and grime that had accumulated on his tunic. So, where is the wind taking us this time, my friend?

The reply was left void of its usual joking tone and had an edge of excitement in it. Where we haven't been in over eight years; home.

Home. The one word inspired so many feelings inside of him that had been forgotten or buried underneath the trials of his training and adventures. Mother, Danmír, Andrew, Sarah…all the people he had left behind when he had set out for the elves; he could see them again. Suddenly remembering what some of the village elders thought of dragons, he quickly conveyed an image of a familiar forest clearing for them to camp in to Dax. We should stay here for the night, it's getting late and to drop in to visit Mom so late would be rude.

I agree. The sun has already dropped below the horizon and my wings are weary. Let us stop there and rest.

Another hour passed before they came to the specified clearing. They landed and Fereno began to gather wood for a fire. Once he had a nice small blaze going, he settled down against his dragon's side and began to store some of his reserves of strength in the jewels that adorned both his scabbard and sword pommel, the gems taking in the vast amounts of energy he and Dax contributed easily, despite the incredible amounts already contained within them. As he the reviewed in his head his entire knowledge of Runic, the language of magic, Dax spoke to him in a mystified voice.

Do you realize where we are?

He glanced around the dark forest, his eyes taking in the faintly charred bottom portion of it. Plants and underbrush had begun to sprout up again, claiming life once more in the presence of death. It was then when he came to his realization. He looked into his dragon's eyes and said, This is where I found your egg isn't it? I can't believe that you somehow came to be resting right here, as if you were waiting for me.

Dax curled his tail around his Rider and nuzzled the elf's arm. I was waiting for you, even though I didn't know it. And I've never been happier with a choice in my entire life.

Neither have I, friend. Neither have I. Fereno scratched the soft scales at the corner of his Dax's mouth, drawing a hum of contentment from the dragon.

Dax covered his Rider with a wing, signifying that they should sleep. Sleep well, little one.

They drifted off into slumber, unaware of what lay ahead of them.

Fereno awoke and immediately regretted his desert escapade even more when he felt his sore, stiff limbs. He rolled out from underneath Dax's wing and struggled to his feet. As he began to stretch, though, his aching muscles started to loosen and soon he was back to his normal, spry self.

Come on Dax, I know you're awake. We should head over to our house. If I remember correctly, she's about to leave for town.

The large green dragon shifted slightly and then rose to stand beside the elf. Do we have to walk?

Fereno chuckled and strode out of the forest clearing and down a short path that lead to the small home on the far outskirts of Dao that he had once shared with his mother, Andrea, and his brother, Danmir. He walked up to the small wooden house and knocked on the door. He could hear his mother talking to Danmír inside and smiled as she opened the door.

"Dan, I'm heading into town to get some…" Her voice trailed off when she saw Fereno, immediately recognizing who he was despite the changes he had gone through over the eight years that he was gone. "It can't be," she gaped at him. "We thought you were dead. But here you are…" Still in shock, she turned back to the house. "Dan, come here. There's someone you should see."

Fereno's younger brother Danmír appeared at the door beside his mother. His face grew pale when he saw Fereno and he rasped out, "Who's this?"

Fereno took a step back and gasped in mock surprise. "That hurts Dan. How can you forget your own brother?"

A smile worked its way across Dan's face and he ran over and crushed his brother in a hug. "Fere! What happened to you? Where were you for the last eight years? Why do you look like an elf?"

Fereno patted the kid on his head and slowly pushed him away. "Calm down Dan. Before I personally answer any questions, I have something to show you that may answer all of them." Right on cue, Dax strode around the house and stood behind Fereno. "Mom, Dan, this is my dragon, Daxxon."

Daxxon projected his voice into their minds. It's nice to meet you; Fere has told me much about you.

Andrea nodded. "Pleased to meet you as well. I've never met a dragon before."

Dan just had a strange grin plastered on his face. "That does answer some of my questions but also raises so many more."

Fereno placed a hand on Dan's shoulder. "Wait until later tonight, I'm gonna tell you where I've been and what I've been doing. But now I was going to go see some others in town. What did you need Mom?"

"We needed some meat and I was going to ask if Andrew and Sarah would join us for dinner."

Fereno smiled and said, "Perfect I can get them here, I was planning on visiting them anyway. I'll be back for dinner with company."

They turned back inside and closed the door behind them, leaving Fereno on the porch. He pulled on a wool cap and ran down the road into Dao. It wasn't far to Andrew the blacksmith's house, and he stopped in front of the ornate wooden door. He remembered seeing Garth carve it for them as a wedding gift ten years ago. He knocked once and Andrew's wife, Sarah, quickly answered the door.

"Hello there! Come in, come in. Do you have business with Andrew today?"

Fereno nodded. "You could say that, yes."

Sarah froze in her tracks and turned to face him with a studious gaze. "Wait a minute, I know your voice. It's been years but I still recognize it. Fereno? My goodness you've grown. How are you? Oh my, it's almost lunch! You must be hungry. Why don't you stay and eat with us. No no, I insist. I'll get Andrew. He'll be happy to see you."

As she hurried out of the room, Fereno heard Daxxon's chuckle echo through his mind. Is she always this…talkative?

Oh yeah, every day. Sarah returned, half dragging Andrew behind her. A glint of doubt was in his eye, but it vanished when he saw Fereno standing in his living room.

A minute passed as the looked over each other, Fereno noticing the blacksmith's apron and gloves, still dirty from working the forge and Andrew taking in the Elven made tunic on Fere. The blacksmith burst into a smile and clasped Fereno's hand in a hearty shake. "It's good to see you again, my boy. And here we thought you were never coming back. Come, join us for lunch."

"I wouldn't want to impose."

Andrew snorted. "Impose nothing. It's our treat."

"Then I must extend the same invitation to you from my mother. It would be our honor to have you at our home for supper tonight."

They adjourned to the dining table and Sarah brought out a small platter of fish.

Andrew told many stories about some of his more interesting clients as they ate and the time flew by. After thanking them for the meal, Fereno excused himself, saying, "I must be going. Thank you again for lunch and I hope you can join us tonight."

Sarah nodded. "Of course we will. See you then!"

Fereno left the blacksmith's house and spent the next few hours making short visits to old friends before he noticed the dimming light. Remembering his mother's other request, he quickly made his way to the butcher's shop and purchased two prime cuts of meat.

Running back home took very little time and he arrived at the house just as the sun was setting. When he entered, he found his mother in the kitchen with a pot of stew hanging over the cook fire. She looked up at him and said, "You're back. Did you get the meat?"

He nodded and unwrapped the product. She smiled as she took it from him and began to season it for the meal. He left the house and took a walk around the forest outside.

Dax, where'd you go?

Hey, I've got to eat too you know. The green dragon flew over head and landed just past the tree line.

Fereno ran up to him and laid a hand on his shoulder. How did it go?

Daxxon licked one of his claws idly. I caught two young bucks. They were delicious.

The elf smiled at him. Good for you Dax. Dinner is almost ready, and when we're done, I'm gonna bring them out here to tell them of our adventures. Sound good?

Daxxon yawned and stalked off to lie in the space between the house and the forest. Whatever floats your boat.

Fereno shook his head and walked back to the house. He spotted Andrew and Sarah entering the house and he came in right behind them.

After greetings were made, they sat around the table and ate. Idle conversation passed the time during dinner and once the food was gone, Fereno invited them outside for a story.

He led them out of the house and over to Dax. He sat next to the dragon and motioned the others to sit opposite him. He spoke softly the word, "Lünd," and a light appeared on the ground between them. Ignoring their shocked expressions, he closed his eyes and began his tale.

He started with a brief history of the dragons and slowly transitioned into his finding of Daxxon's egg in the forest. He told them of raising Daxxon in secret and of his first experience riding the dragon. He then flew to the elves to find a teacher as the legends he knew so well had described the Riders of old had done. He had met another Rider, Kírinare, and learned from him for seven years. With his instruction complete, he traveled Ansteir, searching for answers to the questions that his mentor could not answer. His first destination was the desert, as he had not expected to be ambushed by the beastly Torms. After escaping them, he had come home.

His tale complete, he opened his eyes to see four separate looks of awe and shock. His mother regained her composure first and whispered, "You really have grown."

He answered with a smirk and said, "Yes, but I haven't outgrown sleep, and it is late. Mom, I will stay out here with Dax tonight. Andrew, Sarah, I'm glad I could see you again, and good night." He extinguished the light and let them find their way back to the house. He unbuckled his sword from his back and strapped it to the saddle before lying down against Daxxon's side again. We're finally home Dax.

Daxxon once again curled around his Rider and heaved a sigh of comfort. But for how long?

Until we must leave, but that's not tonight. Sleep well my friend. He gazed up at the stars until sleep overtook him.