Conception
Chapter 1: Homecoming
The large hallways echoed with each foot step as you walk to the library. Hopefully you can find something to do; it's been dreadfully boring this week. When your husband goes The Gods only know where (and you stay here) the days are so very monotonous.
Looking through the shelves for a perfect book, you hear someone, probably a worthless servant, call your name from some far side of the library. "Why are you bothering me? It better be important," you yell, very annoyed.
"Is your husband's return not important?" You whip your head around at the sound of his voice.
"Oh, Morzan, I thought you were someone else," you say as you almost almost run into his arms, except that you don't run. So you simply, calmly walk to your husband and wrap your arms around him. "I missed you," you whisper to him.
"Me too," he whispers in what would be a very romantic way if not for the blood and grime on his shirt and his horrible stench.
You take a step back while you say, "I'll send word to have dinner early. We'll talk then." You give him a sweet smile then leave.
When you see him later at dinner, he is no longer covered in sweat, dirt, and blood, but dressed in the finest clothes money can buy. It's only a short time before the food is brought and conversation between the two of you starts.
"How was the attempt to stop the southern skirmishes? And how did you get so bloody if you were riding Azderon the whole time?" you ask as you lift a spoonful of soup to your mouth.
"Quite a few people in Dauth had decided that they didn't like the way His Majesty is ruling, so they started terrorizing the city. I believe that it was the same people that kidnapped Lord Abaith's daughter. Anyway-
"You mean little Guinevere? It's such a shame she was never found after that. She was always so sweet and gentle," you say remembering the golden haired girl.
"By 'sweet and gentle', do you mean completely unlike you?" He teases you. You scowl at him; he responds by chuckling. "I only tease, my lovely wife, for I would not have it any other way. The docile ladies of court cannot even hold a candle to you and your fire of a being."
Your husband takes a sip of the fine wine and continues his tale of his absence. "I, with the help of those few sane men who are still loyal to his highness, was able to track down the leader of this attempted uprising. I ordered him to be publicly drawn and hung," he explains while cutting into his food.
"So that's why you came full of blood?" you say, more a question then a statement.
"No. When his death was ordered, those of the uprising believed that because they do not think themselves as part of our kingdom, that they should not take orders from the king or anyone under his command. They were dealt with quickly enough." His last sentence was said with an uneasy voice.
"Do you not believe that these traitors were crushed?" You ask, very concerned.
"These rebels were crushed indeed, but I fear that their ideas were not," he mutters, voice still wary.
"Well, not everything is wrong right now," you try to comfort him. "I will have you know that your province was not razed to the ground in your absence." He laughs at your small joke. "I held open court as you do. The farmers were concerned with the lack of water flowing to their fields. Apparently several small streams on which they relied have been dried up."
"It is the dry season. Did you forget that, Selena?"
"I wish you would have more faith in my memory. Of course I know that it is the dry season, but the farmers say the streams have been dry longer than what is usual. In fact, one man said that over the course of the past few years, the streams have run dry for increasing periods of time. Many agreed with him," you explain as Morzan nods his head.
"Very well. I want Mister Fallan contacted; he is a superb engineer and he will be able to design an efficient irrigation system for the province. I give you executive control of this project."
"Yes. You will be amazed to see the results of this project under my supervision," you promise him.
"See that it does," he replied. "Now, tell me of-"
"Wait. There is other news. I found a pair of dissenters in the lowlands last month. They were spreading word of the supposed…madness of his majesty. I apprehended them, but was not able to get much information from them. I sent them to Urubean to see the king."
"Yes," he whispers, mostly to himself. "His Majesty told me." For a minute he stares past you into space. When he finally comes back to reality, he asks you, "And what of private affairs? How are you?"
You set your spoon down, then set your plate aside, ready for the servants to bring your next course. "I got this new dress. It's colored with Dwarfish dye! I wore it tonight so you could see it, but can you imagine the looks on everyone's faces at the next ball when I wear this?" you laugh. You could have never, ever, even seen a dress like this one, much less wear it had you stayed in that poor, disgusting village, living the rest of your life as a peasant.
Your plate of roasted duck arrives on the table. You take a few bites before you start talking again. "I went to visit Murtagh three days ago. His governess said that he has taken an interest in music. She says that whenever he hears the musicians he stops whatever he is doing and just listens to them. I took the liberty of hiring a tutor for him to teach him music. He will be learning the hurdy-gurdy and the lute."
"Our son learning music?" your husband says with raised eyebrows. "Wouldn't his time be better spent learning history and combat and politics?"
"Do you not believe your son to be talented enough to learn both?" You smile, Morzan is cornered. Either say that his son is anything less than the best or to have his wish and have the boy only study what he deems necessary.
Lord Morzan sighs. "Very well. He will be able to learn arts so long as he excels in his other studies." There is a long pause, in which your husband looks down in remorse. "I wish that we could see him more often. It pains me not to be able to see my son as he grows."
You too look down for a moment in sadness. As much as the both of you love your visits to Murtagh, they are few and far between. "It pains me too, but we must keep our distance from him. We have far too many enemies to stay close to him. As much as I hate to stay away from him, it would pain me more to have him hurt due to something we could have prevented."
"More than anything in the world," he agrees. You finish your meal in relative silence. At the end, when all the servants are clearing the table he speaks again. "The king as asked for an audience with you."
"When?" you ask uneasily. You know exactly why King Galbatorix needs to speak to you.
"At your earliest convince."
"Very well. How will I get there? By horse I presume?"
"No. I will not have you travel alone on the open roads when people are restless and wanting your head on a platter. You will go with Azderon. She has been meaning to meet with Shruikan for some time now," he says with a touch of sadness in his voice. He has grown weary with all these rebellions springing up.
"Is she willing to fly out tomorrow morning at sunrise?" You want to be back as quick as possible and the sooner you leave, the sooner you return.
He shakes his head. "No. She wants to rest tomorrow; the trip south was tiring and she hasn't had a proper hunt in days. She will be ready the day after tomorrow and asks that you meet with her before the trip to confirm the rout you would like to take."
You give a quick nod. "Tell Azderon I will be happy to visit her tomorrow." You stand up and walk toward the door. Just before you leave you turn to your husband and say, "Come. Let us celebrate your return home. Tonight, come to my chamber."
"Not tonight my sweetheart. I have…business to attend to." He doesn't look you in the eye as he says this.
"So soon after you return? Impossible." He can't possible have duties to attend to the very night he comes back. He wasn't even supposed to be back until tomorrow.
"Not impossible." He still isn't making eye contact. "I must leave now. I will see you tomorrow, Lady Selena," he says as he walks past you and toward the entrance of the castle.
And so you spend yet another night alone, with no one to warm your bed.
Yay! New story! U liek?
Sorry to those that read my other story and are waiting for an update, but never fear! I WILL continue the story. However, senior year is coming up, and I'm not sure I can update as I'd like. So as an apology gift, anybody who reviews will receive cookies! For reals tho, if you review, I will give you my favorite cookie recipe. Anonymous reviews will get special recognition.
Life got in the way and I hit a major wall with writer's block :/ That, and I decided the first two chapters need a serious rewrite. If anyone betas, let me know and see if you can help me with my other story.
Back to this story. There are two types of stories I haven't seen in this archive: Selena not being a victim and second point of view. So I combined the two and this is the result. Does it work?
Anyways, tell me what you like and what you don't like in your review! ^_^