Her tear stained face pushed through the crowd towards us, her eyes focused only on me. As I looked back at her, I could feel my own eyes starting to water as a relieved smile spread across my face.

"Mother!", I shout, quickly unstrapping myself from Vascar and hopping down. I push my way through the last few people separating us and embrace her tightly. All my worries, all my doubts, and all my fears are pushed out as I feel her arms lace tightly around me. I bury my face in her neck, her hair so like mine brushing up against my nose.

She pushes me back slightly and runs her eyes over my face before saying, "Oh Talia, I've missed you dearly. You've grown so much!"

I smile and nod, but say nothing as I hug her quickly again. She steps back and turns to look at the two dragons. She curiously glances at Galbatorix and Jarnunvösk, wondering why they're here, but in the whole has eyes for only the orange dragon towering over the citizens of Daret.

This is your dragon?" She questions, unconsciously drifting towards Vascar, who in turn watches her every movement curiously.

Jarnunvösk grumbles slightly at mothers ignorance of dragons as I respond, "I wouldn't say he's mine-", but Vascar cuts me off and talks to her directly.

'I am Vascar', he says cockily, hoping to impress my mother. Which he does. She clasps her hand over her heart and looks to me, wondering if she was going crazy.

"Show off", I mutter to him. He just starts to laugh his strange rumbling sound.

"Come mother, let us discuss this elsewhere", I say conscious of the multitude of people cla boring closer to the giant dragons. So, pushing our way through the crowd, we make our way through town to our house. Galbatorix also dismounts and follows. The two dragons take their time picking through the people, very careful to not accidental step on someone.

When we make it to our little house towards the edge of town, the two dragons wait outside as Mother, Galbatorix, and I walk inside the door. Galbatorix looks nervous, as if embarrassed and out of place. I quickly loop my hand in his to calm his nerves.

"Where is father?", I ask as the door snaps shut.

"He should be at the butchers", she murmurs glancing out the window at the two dragons.

"I guess that is good. I would rather explain things to you first", I say realizing how father would act if I showed up with a large dragon and tried to sit him down to talk. Yes, it was good I would have mother to back me up when we talked to him.

"Oh Talia", she says turning back to me, "I missed you so. When you left, I felt like a part of me had left too... I realized as soon as you left that we had gone about this all wrong. That we should not have tried to keep you from your destiny. And I'm sorry."

"Thank you mother", I say smiling, trying to hold back the amount of relief that was surging through my heart.

"So", she said, some of her original motherly demeanor returning as she motions towards Galbatorix and I's intertwined hands, "who is this?"

I laugh as Galbatorix steps forward and shakes my mothers hand, saying with all his natural charm, "I am Galbatorix, and it is a pleasure to meet you. Talia has spoken very highly of you."

A slight blush creeps up her face as she shoots me a look as if to say, "he's a keeper."

"It is a pleasure to meet you too", she says with a small smile, "I am Henna Larelonsdaugter. I take it from the large green dragon outside with Vascar that you a rider too?"

He smiles, his teeth flashing brightly, "that is Jarnunvösk, and yes I am a rider too."

She nods as she leads himself and I over to the table. As mother sits down she turns to me and says, "so, tell me everything."

And I oblige. She hears every detail, or almost every detail, I left out something's about Galbatorix and in the cave. I tell her of Vascar and I's bond, of my training, or what I can reveal, and when I come to the part of guard duty, mother goes ballistic.

"You could have died!", she screeches, "but, I am proud of you for holding your ground and fighting well."

I smile slightly as I see the small amount of pride shining in her eyes. At that moment, I couldn't remember why I was ever nervous of returning, this was my mother who loved me and cared for me. But, my moment my happiness came tumbling down as the thing I was nervous for came crashing through the door.

"Why in the name of the gods are there two dragons outside of our-!", Royce shouts as he slams open the door in pure terror. But all is answered as his eyes land upon me.

"You!", he shouts pointing his finger at me. Apparently he still had not gotten over me disobeying his direct order.

"Hello", I say simply, unconsciously putting up weak barriers around my mind.

"So you've returned aye? Any you've brought your beast with you! Well, know this, I will not have a giant lizard sitting in front of my house so you will have to find a place for it", he says scrunching his nose. The smell of liquor hits me like a pungent odor as I get to my feet. Vascar senses my raised emotions and growls from outside.

"He is not a beast, and you would do well to watch you tongue Royce", I growl out. How he had changed. He used to be such a kind hearted man, but now I realized it was just a cover. As soon as I put a toe out of line, his act fell and revealed his true nature. He needed control.

"You dare speak to your father like that!", he shouts, his eyes wide. As Vascar growls again, I hear a similar sound rippling through my chest. Galbatorix quickly gets to his feet next to me, preparing to come to my side. I shoot him a look and he steps back, though.

"I will speak how I want to you Royce. Vascar is my family, more of a family than you have ever been", I spit out at him. A part of me felt bad, for no matter his true nature, he still had been a good father for the time being. But, that was in the past. I had to focus on the here and now. I needed to see the man in front of me, not the man behind.

"I raised you!", he shouts, "how can you say a mere animal is more family to you than your own father!"

Finally, I cannot take it anymore. Without thinking of the repercussions I shout back the only thing I could.

"You are not my father!"

His face goes slack, but he quickly pulls it together. "So you're disowning me, huh? Well know this, I did that to you the second you left. You are no daughter of mine."

"No, you don't get it Royce-", I start.

"Talia", mother mumbles but I cannot be stopped now.

"You are not my father, nor have you ever been! You may think you are but my real father is not you! My real father was an elf, and probably twice as honorable as you. So I do not have to stand here and take orders from anyone in this room except my mother. You have no control over me. And you especially have no right to insult my other half. I am a rider, and I have authority over you, not the other way around. You would do well to remember that."

Throughout my rant, I gradually step closer and closer until I am right in his face by the last word, my finger pointing into his chest. I had no idea where this strength and rage came from, but by time I was done, I could have spit fire. His eyes burned daggers as he finally realized what I was saying, and how little control he actually had over me. For a second, I thought he might hit me, but instead his shoulders slump and he takes a step back.

"If what you say is true, then you can get out of my house. I'll have nothing to do with you, mutt. Get out."

I look at my mother, who had tears trailing down her face as she glances between us torn, before saying back, "Fine. I'll be going now. Goodbye mother. Come on Galbatorix."

I turn and walk out the door, not looking back. As I step outside into the sunlight, I approach Vascar and prepare to leave. We first had to shoo away the multitudes of children hanging off the dragons legs or staring in awe up at their large heads. I could sense Vascar's pride at being admired by so many, but also could sense his anger at Royce for his harsh words. It was only at my insisting that he did not tear open the roof and give him a lesson in respect.

As I climb up into the worn leather saddle we had received from Oromis, I glanced once more back at the house. It would be too much to ask my mother to choose between us, I knew that. She still loved Royce, and I also knew she loved me and that's all that mattered. I would, write to her later and make sure the runner only gave it to her, so as not to create problems between her and Royce.

A part of me wished she would have stood up for me, but I did not inherit my bravery from my mother. She was very passive and would not cause trouble now that I left on my own free will. Do I think she would have taken my side if I forced her to choose? Yes. But, I did not want to cause her that amount of heartache. Deep down, I knew there was a semi-good person in Royce, he had his flaws, but mother was able to overlook and accept him for who he was, something I could not do.

With a final farewell to the scattered villagers milling around the dragons, Galbatorix and I take off and angle ourselves back towards Ilirea. I expected to feel a slight pang of homesickness as we flew farther and farther away from Daret, but was surprised when I felt nothing. In fact, I did feel a strange emotion building within my chest as the town disappeared behind us.

It was relief.

I had finally made amends with my mother, and I knew she accepted me. And, I had finally discovered which way my relationship with Royce would turn. I had broken myself away from the negativity and his controlling ways. I was free. There was no more doubt, no more second thoughts, or any other alternatives. He was gone from my life forever. And a part of me rejoiced at this fact. Daret was no longer my home, I had had my closure and was now able to move forward with my life. With my life as a rider.

Vascar touches my mind before speaking, 'you seem different Little One, but not a bad type of different.'

'You're right. I feel so free Vascar, I finally can have the life I always wanted. The life we always wanted. I am relieved Vascar.'

'Despite the terrible conversation that just happened?', he questions, confused.

'Yes, that is what opened up my eyes.'

He ponders that for a moment before responding, 'You are a strange being Talia.'

'And you're stuck with me', I tease back.

'I wouldn't be so sure', he says slyly, 'with just one roll and you would be-'

He doesn't finish his sentence, but instead twists violently to the side and does a complete roll in the air. I have no time to scream as my heart launches to my throat and my hand latches to the spike in front of me. My hair reaches for the ground as the blood rushes to my head. Luckily I had strapped myself in to the saddle, so my legs stayed securely in their place. But, by time we were right side up again, Vascar was laughing freely.

'I guess I am stuck with you', he says between chuckles.

'Vascar!', I chastise, hitting my hand playfully on his neck, 'you could have killed me!'

'Do you really doubt me that much?', he says in a mock hurt voice, 'I could have caught you.'

'Sure you could have', I say sarcastically, turning my attention to Galbatorix, who was poking gently at my mind.

'Are you ok?', he asks, concerned.

'Actually, yes', I say glancing over at him where he is staring at me intently. 'I mean, I didn't expect things to go like this, but at the same time I guess it had to happen.'

'Are you really half-elf?', he questions.

I blush slightly, embarrassed of my heritage. 'Yes, my father was an elf.'

I can sense his complete awe at my parentage, which makes me feel even more awkward. I was a freak. A mutt. I did not want to be someone marveled at for something I had no control over. I scowl at my predicament and Galbatorix takes notice.

'I'm sorry Talia! I- I didn't mean to- Talia I- I'm sorry.'

I sigh, he didn't mean anything, he was only curious. 'It's fine.'

We don't say anything after that, but instead I stare straight ahead and anticipate my arrival back in Ilirea. I couldn't wait to sleep in my quarters again, and to see Leilaní and Brom, and perhaps I could pay Draumrhjarta a visit. I hadn't seen him in months. Thinking of all my friends back at Ilirea made me remember.... Oromis.

We had been gone two days, and by time we arrived in Ilirea, three will have passes. That would be two days of missed training. Oromis was going to kill me. As long as it wasn't guard duty at the Nesting Building, I would do whatever task he assigned. Deep down I knew I probably should have consulted Oromis first, but at the same time, I was scared he would say no, which was a very real possibility. There was no going back now though, I had made my decision and had executed it. I would face the consequences Oromis and Glaedr gave me.

'Don't forget me', Vascar says, 'we're in this together. Dragon and rider forever. No matter what.'

'Dragon and rider forever', I repeat with a smile.

Dragon and rider forever.

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AN: HEY GUYS SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT, IVE BEEN DOING MY ENTRY FOR POTTERINK (please go and vote for me, Lexi Dayton) AND IVE BEEN ORGANIZING A CONTEST FOR INHERITANCE CYCLE FANS! SORRY SPOTS ARE ALREADY FULL. ANYWHO, I HOPE YOU LIKED THIS CHAPTER :) THINGS WILL BE GETTING BETTER HERE SOON! SO PLEASE......

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~Bert