Thanks to Given Inside, once again, this time for reawakening some of my oldest and most dear ideas, finally allowing me to give form to two characters who have discovered a bond between them beyond that of rider and dragon. After having a strange encounter with a group of spirits, they found the ability to shapeshift into either dragon or elf was within their grasp. With great pride, I introduce you to the two new dragons (sorta) in Alagaesia, Kirea and Remare! Now, bit of background, they just gained their shapeshi….screw it I'll just start it on the fateful night.

In a land just beyond the Spine, on a cool calm night…..

Remare raised his nose to the wind and sniffed, the night wind wafting the scent of a human village to his nostrils. He shuffled his wings and laid his head back down beside his rider, Kirea. She lay against his white scaled foreleg and he gazed at her with his piercing emerald eyes, taking in her sleek elvish features. Her hair was the color of the blackest night while her eyes, though closed, he knew were a soft blue and her skin was smooth and fair. She opened her eyes and smiled when she saw her dragon watching her. She reached a hand over to stroke his brilliant white scales and let her hand trail across his cheek.

Is there something wrong, Remare? She asked her dragon.

He let out a puff of smoke into the air above her. I'm not sure. Something about tonight just feels…out of place. I can't put my talon on it, but there's something amiss.

She continued to scratch his cheek. Well, we've handled everything well so far, Rem. What could happen? As long as I have you by my side, we will endure. Her eyes wandered over his sparkling white hide and the majestic spikes running down his neck and back. Her thoughts were shattered as a group of whirling lights came rushing in between them, hovering above the ground directly in front of both elf and dragon. Kirea's eyes widened as three of the lights slowly spun closer to her. Rem, are these spirits?

Stay calm, little one. They have something to give us. Or so that is what they tell me. The dragon projected his thoughts at the spirits nearing them. What do you want with us, spirits?

A voice of great power boomed out in their minds. We have felt the bond between you and wish to allow you to fully understand the other in your link. A hint of amusement came into its tone. This is the last hope for the dragons if you do not find Saphira. But even if you do find her, we are afraid that it would not succeed. Therefore we give this gift to you, dragon and rider. Become the other. One light came to rest against Remare's forehead. Remare, rise to two feet and walk the earth like your rider. Another placed itself on Kirea's brow. Kirea, feel the wind beneath your wings and soar like your dragon. Wish to change and you will find it so. The lights drew back into a tight group and began to rise into the air. As they rose, both below them felt their eyelids begin to droop. Now, let the two find solace in each other, giving all they have. This is our gift to the dragons and to you. The whirling spirits vanished, leaving Remare and Kirea to be embraced by slumber.

The young elf maid's dreams were of herself as a dragon, soaring above the clouds with the sunlight reflecting off of her magnificent green scales. She gave a joyful roar and tipped into a dive, plummeting towards the ground only to level off meters above it.

She awoke to find that she had changed; this she knew without even opening her eyes. Her body felt bigger and there were things in her mind that she had sensed in Remare's before but never her own. Snapping her eyelids open, she looked down at herself to find that she had become exactly like the dragoness she was in her dreams, down to the very last scale. What has happened to me? She got to her feet, careful not to wake Remare, and attempted to walk across the clearing. Unfortunately, she was not adept at moving on all fours and clumsily tripped over her own feet before even taking one step. As she fell, her wings flared out and the tip of one brushed across Remare's snout.

The dragon stirred slightly and mumbled, Is everything alright, dear one?

Kirea pushed herself back to her feet and gave her wings an experimental flap before folding them to her sides. I don't know, Remare.

Your voice sounds different… He opened his eyes and growled softly in surprise when he saw the green dragon before him. He got to his feet and padded over to her. You look amazing, Kirea. Did the spirits do this?

Remembering their strange encounter with the spirits the night before, she nodded. I guess so. She paused in thought. Then does that mean you can change as well?

He took a step back. Only one way to find out. His body started to shrink; his wings disappeared, his scales melted into smooth skin, and his claws shortened into fingers. His hair retained the pure white color of his scales, with pointed ears poking out from beneath it, and a light, silvery tunic covered his frame. "It seems that I can." He strode around in front of her and she lowered her head for him to scratch her forehead. "This certainly is different." He laughed, the pleasant sound of his laughter filling the air.

How did you do that? Kirea glared at him.

He laughed again. "Remember what the spirits said? 'Wish to change and it will be so.' It's really very simple."

She blew a puff of smoke into the air in front of her. Simple? Ha! They are spirits; nothing is ever simple with them. Look at us! Now I am the dragon and you are the rider! An idea suddenly popped into her head. How would you like to make the first impression on this new land like this?

He smiled up at her and patted her cheek. "It sounds like a welcome change of pace to me. Do you need me to teach you how to fly first?"

It was her turn to grin. No, I have complete confidence in myself that I will achieve flight on my first try. She knelt down to provide him with a way onto her back. Come, 'rider', we must be off. I sense that yet again, something of great consequence shall happen upon us in the near future.

With the white haired elf situated between her shoulders, she pushed off the ground with a powerful leap and drove her wings down through the air once, twice, thrice, then she began to gain altitude. She leaned imperceptibly forward and they sped off through the air above the forested mountain known only as the Spine. Remare lay flat against her neck and sighed. You're a natural, Kirea. They followed the scent of humans to a small town situated on the shore of a large lake. They landed outside the town and a messenger boy ran out to greet them. However, when he saw Remare, he was confused.

"Are you not Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Brightscales, the greatest of the last two riders and dragons?" The boy kept his distance and held his gaze firmly on Remare.

The elf chuckled. "No lad, I'm afraid we are not who you speak of. We are of a different land and come here in search of adventure. I am Remare and," he patted Kirea's neck, "she is Kirea. We are rider and dragon, though not as you might think…"

The boy's hopeful demeanor vanished, but he still said, "Well met, rider. You are welcome in Ceunon as long as you like. But I must warn you, Eragon is coming here with Saphira as we speak. So if you cause any trouble, he will deal with you appropriately."

We must decline your offer of hospitality tonight, young one. We shall stay outside of the town for now. We have some…things to discuss. Remare felt the loving tug of his 'rider' on his mind, but there was something new to it; an emotion he could not place. As the boy departed, a curious growl came from Remare's throat, despite the fact that he was not a dragon at the time.

Kirea flew them past the town and to the shoreline farther north. When they set down, Remare jumped off and put some distance between himself and Kirea before morphing into his dragon form. What was that back there?

What was what? I don't know what you're talking about. Her voice rang with truth and he heaved a sigh.

When you touched my mind that time, there was something else there…I couldn't tell what though. He walked up in front of her and placed his nose against hers. But no matter what happens, I love you, little one.

I love you too, Rem. A shout came from the town as a powerful mind brushed against theirs. They turned their heads as one and beheld a large sapphire dragon dive from the clouds and land outside the town. Swinging her head back to Remare, Kirea said, Perhaps we should go meet them? We haven't met a rider since…

Too long. He finished for her. What form shall we appear in?

Let me take the role of rider once more. It is proper. She focused her mind on a picture of her as an elf and felt the change take place. She looked down to find that she was indeed an elf again, wearing a beautiful green tunic fit with a same colored cape. "Let us run out to greet them, Remare. I have a feeling that they do not expect us."

She leapt to her dragon's back and he took off running, the ground shaking beneath him. They covered the distance quickly and soon they were standing in front of a very surprised sapphire dragon and her rider. Kirea dismounted Remare and introduced them both. "Greetings, rider. My name is Kirea and my dragon is Remare. What may we call you?"

The elf astride the sapphire dragon quickly jumped off and stammered, "I'm Eragon Shadeslayer and my dragon is Saphira Brightscales."

Well met Saphira. Remare smiled and sat down on his haunches.

Saphira snorted in agreement. Well met indeed, Remare.

Eragon took a step closer to Kirea. "Where do you hail from Kirea? In this land there is only one other dragon rider alive and he is my half-brother."

She thought for a moment and then pointed out over Eragon's head towards the southeast. "My homeland is far in that direction, past the Unending Desert and the Barrier Mountain Range. I was one of two students underneath a very wise elf there. He knew of your land and of the Ancient Language used here and taught me this language. It is interesting to see magic result from something other than Runic."

Eragon was about to take yet another step towards her but a low, menacing growl from Remare stopped him. Turning to her dragon, Kirea asked, Why did you do that? He doesn't mean any harm.

Remare emotions suddenly changed from anger to confusion. I couldn't tell you, dear one. I felt like…

Like what?

Like he was going to take you away. The dragon lowered his head. I was being a fool.

You were not a fool. Don't say that. You were concerned for me. A smile played about the corners of her lips. What do you say that one of us shows them what we can do?

I will. I do not like the looks he is giving you.

Turning back to Eragon, Kirea sighed. "How many riders have you known?"

Startled, Eragon hesitated before answering. "I have met five but only knew four."

Kirea nodded. "Okay, and how many times have you come into contact with spirits?"

He shot her a strange expression. "Only once. What are you getting at?"

"Did something remarkable happen when you encountered them?"

He nodded. "They created the golden lilies of the south. But what does that have to do with riders."

She sighed again. "Remare and I are not like anything you've ever seen before." Raising a hand to cut off Eragon's words, she continued. "We have just had a fateful encounter with a group of spirits who were more compassionate than most. They gave us a…gift"

"What kind of gift? Was it like the lilies?"

In answer to his question, Remare shifted forms right there; morphing to stand in front of an extremely shocked Eragon and Saphira. "They gave us the ability to change between the forms of elf and dragon."

How can this be? Saphira asked incredulously.

Kirea shook her head. "They are spirits, who knows how they can do something like this."

Eragon just shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know what to say. But I'm afraid that we can continue this conversation no longer. Saphira and I are needed in Ceunon. Fare thee well, strange rider. I hope to meet you again."

"Would you mind if we joined you? We were planning on staying in Ceunon for a bit anyway." Kirea gave him a charming smile, trying to change his mind. She enjoyed the company of another rider, as a friend.

He grinned sheepishly, trying to hide a blush. "O-Of course. I warn you though, it could be very boring. We are here on political matters only."

"Ah, the curse of the rider. Lead the way, young one." Remare laughed.

They made their way into the town and to a large building in the center of it. Eragon glanced behind him, then to both sides. "This is where they told us to meet. I wonder if we're early."

A man dressed in a fine cloak, adorned with many jewels and feathers, stepped around the house and motioned for them to follow. As the turned the corner, they saw a round table sitting on the grass behind the building with many important looking people in chairs around the edge of it. There was one open chair, but plenty of room behind it for a dragon to lie down. Eragon took the seat and Saphira chose to lie down behind it. Finding no other seats, Kirea and Remare sat beside each other against a tree next to Saphira.

After hours of listening to pointless debates about petty crimes and the proper way to pay taxes, Saphira had enough. She projected her thoughts to Kirea and Remare and said, I tire of this rabble. Would you two care to join me for a flight?

The two elves glanced at each other and nodded. We'd love to.

After Saphira informed Eragon of their plans, Kirea and Remare climbed onto her back and she took off, soaring high above the buildings.

Kirea turned to face Remare with a devious glint in her eyes. I yearn to stretch my wings again, don't you?

I do. I feel a cramp where they are supposed to be. How can we change up here though?

Kirea laughed. Watch me! Then to Saphira, she said. We are going to join you in the skies, as dragons. The elf maid swung her leg over the side of Saphira's back and slid down into the open air. Throwing her arms out to her side, she transformed once more into a dragon and quickly flapped her wings to climb higher. She looked back over to see Remare repeating her stunt and he too assumed the form of a dragon, spinning once in a barrel roll as he bugled in joy.

What a rush! That was fun.

Saphira gazed at Remare in flight and Kirea felt a strange sense of jealousy rise up in her. Shaking it off, she turned her nose downward in a dive and plummeted to the ground. She snapped her wings open a fair ways above the ground, not trusting her inexperienced flying skills that well just yet. She felt something nip at her tail and saw Remare whip past her. Gotcha! Your turn!

Oh your mine. Kirea gave chase and followed every one of the white dragon's aerial maneuvers perfectly but could not catch him. He turned his head around and gazed at her.

Having trouble back there? Should I slow down for you?

Oh please would you? Kirea said sarcastically.

Despite her tone, Remare did slow and she quickly caught up to him and smacked him across the back with her tail. Remembering Saphira, they whipped around to see her flying just behind them. She had a far off look of despair in her eyes.

Remare began hovering, forcing the other two to do the same. What is wrong Saphira? Are you not having fun?

It's you two. Though you are dragon and rider, you can experience flight together, and take walks hand in hand. I wish that Eragon and I could do that as well…

They dove for the ground and landed softly a few miles from Ceunon. Kirea came and put a wing around her for comfort. You are lonely, aren't you? After a slow nod from Saphira, Kirea gave a small smile. Well I just happen to know a certain male dragon who is not mated at the moment.

Remare shot her a look of pain at her words but she snapped at him, Not you, Rem. His painful expression changed into one of understanding. Returning to Saphira, she continued. He is a green dragon like me and is very handsome. But he lives far away. So when your duties in this land are completed, I can take you to him. He would love to meet a female dragon, for there we have suffered much the same fate as this land. The dragons have diminished, and he could not find a mate among the wild dragons that live there. What do you say.

Saphira looked at her with a gaze that spoke volumes in gratitude. I say they better let us finish soon or they will not be happy.