Dragon Rider (Inheritance Cycle) - The Bond

The Bond

Dragons form an intense telepathic bond with their Rider, which develops over time. In the 'Golden Age of the Riders' mother dragons would bestow a few eggs to the Dragon Riders each year. The riders in turn would perform a spell over the eggs, using words in the Ancient Language to ensure that the infant dragons inside would only hatch when the eggs were touched by the human or elf whom they wanted to bond with. The egg will wait indefinitely until the dragon inside feels the presence of its Rider. Upon hatching, the infant dragon would make contact with its Rider for the first time, leaving a mark, the gedwëy ignasia ("shining palm"), on the Dragon Rider’s hand. A bond forms between the dragon and the Rider that melds their minds on a basic level, binding them for life and endowing the Rider with an ability of magic - for those who did not have any talents in magic, meaning most humans.

Originally only dragons and elves participated in the bond, creating a mutually beneficial relationship. As a result, the elves possess supernatural strength, grace, and long life, while the dragons gain the use of speech-thought, instead of using pictures or emotions in mental contact. Humans were the third race to enter the bond. After the downfall of Galbatorix in Inheritance, Dwarves and Urgals were also added to the spell.

The bond between a dragon and their rider was so strong that when one of them died, the other often went mad, and usually committed suicide. The reason for this is because half of their very identity and their soul has been destroyed with the loss of their partner. It was for this reason that Galbatorix went mad and took vengeance on the Riders. The Riders had been unwilling to grant him another dragon after his first was slain by Urgals, due to his arrogance and pride. Very few dragons or Riders survived the loss of their bonded companion.