I think this is set somewhere after Eldest and after Eragon has finished his training ... they're in Surda, and there's a new fashion about. Lol.

Court Appearances.

"It's not for me."

"Yes, it is. It says so."

"No, it doesn't."

"It does."

"How can you tell?"

"It's written down, Roran. Listen: To Roran Stronghammer, I formally greet you ... and so on, and so on ... Sincerely, Lady Nasuada Nightstalker of the Varden."

A pause. "How do you know, though?"

"Well, I read it!"

A thunk. "You can't read, Eragon."

A grunt. "Roran! That hurt! I can read. Brom taught me."

A snort. "Nasuada did not send that letter. I think you and Katrina concocted the whole thing between yourselves."

"I swear, brother, Lady Nasuada did send the letter. I mean, the rest of us can't even imagine you in court-clothes."

Another thunk. "Be quiet, little brother."

"Roran, put the stick down! It hurts!"

"No. The point is that – according to you, and you only – your Liege Lady wants me to wear this –" a snort " – this bit of lace and velvet, and accompanying dress."

"It's not a dress. But, yes, that's what it said."

"Well, I'm not going to."

"Please, Roran? For Katrina?"

"Horst would never let me hear the end of it."

A snigger. "Neither would I. You're going to look like a complete ponce!"

Another thud. "What about you? A respected Rider like yourself must be expected to wear at least something as awful as this."

"No." A smirk. "I'm going to wear something elven. And if I don't I might offend Arya, so ..."

A snigger. "At least I'm not afraid of my own woman."

A very loud thunk. "Be quiet. I can use magic, remember."

"Ouch! Eragon, behave! Anyway, magic is cheating."

"Do you want to test that supposition?"

"Honestly, Eragon. What did the elves teach you? Tactful threats and blackmail?"

"And quite a lot more."

"How delightful."

A pause.

"If the letter is from Nasuada ... and I accept ... can I then go in my own clothes?"

A sigh. "Your clothes are more like tattered rags. And these are clean, and warm ..."

"They're only warm because they suffocate the wearer. It's not velvet, it's moss!"

"Why don't you just try them on quickly?"

A groan. "All right. But not the dress part."

A silence.

"Well, it doesn't look so bad, does it?"

"Hm ... stockings are a bit ... and the collar's a little high ... And the colour's quite bright ..."

"Yes, but don't you think it makes a change?"

"Certainly that ... I'm not sure about the feather, though ..."

"Oh, Gods above, Roran! It doesn't matter! Just come, all right? And I swear, no one will notice. It's Surdan fashion."

"Well, I don't envy them their clothes. – Where are you going? I haven't agreed to anything yet!"

"It's lunch time! Far past that, in fact. Soon, I shall faint away from hunger."

"You will never. The elves have kept you very well fed, as I can see."

"Yes, but I'm not going to run the risk. Promise you'll wear that thing, though. Please?"

A groan. "I don't want to, but ... " A sigh. " ... I suppose I will."

"Excellent! Katrina and Nasuada will be very pleased."

"What, they're in on this, too?"

Silence. Footsteps. A pause.

"Oh - wear the hat, as well."

"Hat? Hat? No one said anything about a ruddy hat!"

A thump.

"Eragon! Eragon, come back!"

:) What d'you think? Lol, it's not great and is my first pure attempt at humour. I actually tried to keep them in character! Ha ... The idea was to use no more than two words in every sentence. Which I did stick to, amazingly! Please review!!