This chapter's dedicated to SilentSilverSlip, who has been one of Destiny's most supportive readers - thanks for being so freaking amazing. <3

There's only four dedications for Destiny left, so if you're a silent reader, now is the time to get loud! ;D

Chapter 12

Eragon woke the next morning feeling refreshed and ready for the new day. He stretched out his mind to find Saphira was already up. Good morning.

Good morning, little one, she greeted him warmly. I have already informed the others to gather at the pavilion.

He sprang out of bed and began getting dressed. Should I wear my armour?

I certainly am not putting mine on unless the need presents itself, she replied haughtily.

Rolling his eyes, the young man buckled his belt around his tan breeches and tucked his green tunic into them. The other Riders idea of dressing in the color of their dragon appealed to him slightly, but he knew his own would no doubt think he was mimicking a certain Seer and tease him endlessly over the matter. Besides, no blue cloth would ever compare to Saphira's shimmering scales.

He pulled on his boots and was ready to go after combing his hair. If the dragon noticed when he emerged from the tent, she did not comment, merely bending down to allow him to saddle her. Are you certain you cannot ride me without this?

Remember the first time I tried that?

The only time you tried.

For good reason. Eragon kept the saddle loosely buckled. There; I won't tighten it unless the need arises.

Even though she stayed silent, he could easily feel her gratitude through their bond. He gave her jaw a nice scratch before heading to Nasuada's pavilion. She followed, choosing not to fly ahead in the dim light of near-daybreak, and he was grateful that she would be at his side when he arrived. Now that the excitement of meeting them was out of the way, his nerves had hit. Why do you think they made me the leader?

Their logic was sound, Saphira replied, snicking one eyelid shut as she lifted her tail so it would not knock over the tents. For the Varden and its allies to trust them, they must be lead by you. And they could hardly ask you to be put under the command of a near total stranger. None of the other rulers including Nasuada would stand for it, and if they could not stop it, they would be sure to bind you to them even tighter and constantly be questioning the leader's control over you. There would be no trust, and in order to win this war, we must have some semblance of trust. A pack fighting itself cannot hope to fight another one...and win.

You're right...yet still, I feel as if I'm unprepared for the role. I know I've lead people before, but these aren't just ordinary people - these are Riders. Riders whose skills equal if not surpass mine in some regards. What reason do I have to command their respect?

The dragon snorted harshly, sending his hair flying into disarray. He stifled his momentary irritation at that as she told him, You forget that they knew all this and yet chose for you to lead.

Only because Nia told them to, he grumbled.

You think the one-with-eyes-of-Mist controls the others? They followed her because she told them of you, and it was enough for all of them to respect you. If trusting you to lead them does not prove that, trusting you with their past and their memories should.

Did they really have a choice in that?

You are impossible! Saphira sounded very vexed as they finally reached the pavilion where Emere and Silveran waited. If you are determined to think they made a mistake, then do so. Time will prove that you are right for the task...but that time may lengthen if you continue to doubt your own abilities.

Her mind left his to greet the other two dragons, and he frowned as he entered the tent to find a long round table that took up the interior. Nasuada was seated at one end and gestured for him to take the seat at her right, placing him next to Ren. At her other side sat Nate, whom she was having a deep discussion with. Not wanting to intrude, he turned to the woman on his left and said, "Good morning."

"Good morning to you, as well." Her sharp gray eyes unnerved him slightly. "I trust you had a pleasant slumber?"

"Pleasant enough. And you?"

A small secret smile appeared on her lips. "Indeed. Tell me, what is the Varden like? To my understanding, Lady Nasuada plans to introduce us to them today."

"Ah. Well, the Varden are good people for the most part. They're hard workers, good soldiers, and extremely loyal to Nasuada."

"Like you?"

Eragon felt as if he was being tested. "To a certain extent, yes. I too am dedicated to their cause, which is why I swore to serve as their leader's vassal."

"And you are of course bound to the dwarves, being the foster brother of their king. The Urgals respect you as 'Firesword' for having freed them from their enthralment, and you are our new leader. It seems the only race that you are not bound to in some manner - save for the werecats and those from Alalëa - would be the elves."

Now they had reached the root of the matter. Making sure to keep his tone pleasant, he said, "It would seem you are correct, though during my stay in Ellesméra, Islanzadí dubbed me an elf-friend."

The blonde raised an eyebrow, but she seemed impressed. "Of course. Pardon my forgetfulness. It is strange: before meeting you, I believed Nia held the most ties to the other races, being the niece of both the elvish and the human leaders as well as the Dragonseer."

"I'd say you are still correct, considering her bondmates...even if they are from Alalëa."

Laughing, Renata's gaze grew friendlier as she said with a grin, "I believe we chose wisely when we picked you as our leader, Eragon-vinr."

Her acceptance removed some of the doubt, and he smiled back as the tent flap opened once more to admit the rest of the Riders.

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A/N: Thanks for being patient while I got myself together. Here's the next part, which I hoped you all enjoyed! Instead of a trailer picture today, I have a question for you guys: do you think Eragon is the right guy for the job? And while Saphira was right, her Rider may have had a point - do the others really think he's the best fit, or did they just go along with Niaomi because she's the Seer and his title is the Leader? Well, you guys will just have to find out! More interaction between the Riders will take place in this volume, along with a special guest appearance in this chapter. And we'll also be taken back to the capital soon enough to see what's going on with Eragon's half-siblings. So stay tuned, and thanks again for being such awesome people! (:)