Disclaimer : I do not own Eragon or Eldest, Christopher Paolini does. I do own my OC's though.


Helena was once again riding in her coach towards the king's castle. What she would give not to go to that now cursed ground they called Du Weldenvarden. Her anxiety had tortured her all night and it didn't help that the whole room was uncomfortable. They had stayed at a dreary little Inn at Gil'ead. She had a few thing she would need when she arrived in the coach with her. She had the letter she was given so that she and her companion's may gain entry, and she had touch up make up, and a nifty little thing her mom had given her. The present was none other than a knife that could be sheathed and tucked into a ladies boot.

Helena peered out the window and there was Galbatorix's castle. It was huge. It had large windows and balconies here or there. It's three towers peeked to the sky each leveling at a different height. In all its grandeur it looked foreboding to Helena like a bad nightmare.

They were at the gate that eventually lead to the castle. Helena gave her body guard the letter which in turn gave it to a man at the gate. They turned and went in, stopping at two large, but open oak doors. Two men greeted the travelers. "Excuse us madam can we take your baggage? We have a room set up in the north wing," said one of the men at the door.

"Yes that will be fine," said Helena in an emotionless tone.

"Ay, now let me show you up to the room so you can freshen up," he replied.

She gracefully followed the man to her room. It was large and comfortable. It had beige walls gently decorated with painted flowers and on the dresser was a small dish of popery. There were two other doors in her room one was a closet the other was a nice bathroom with a tub that was square and set into the floor. The bed was a queen size and had a translucent fabric draped over the four tall bed post to create a sort of soft canopy. "So I will leave you to prepare." said the butler scaring Helena at the same time, "Dinner is going to be served at 8 o'clock. Please be prompt." And with that he left.

Helena took a bath then quietly put on her under garments. She started to unpack. She didn't unpack much more than a few dresses, her night gown, and her make up. She did not plan on staying long. After she finish putting on make up she looked for a dress. The dress was fancy, but in a 'I don't want to be here' sort of fashion. Her dress was white and black on top. It had white lace at the end of the skirt and at the end of the sleeves. The collar was cut low and the white underneath covered crucial parts of her upper half that the black material didn't. It was tight at the waist then the skirt gently flowed down covering her feet. Her shoes where black dress boots that laced up and came three fourths of the way to her knee. She, also, slipped mothers special gift in securely. Her hair she tied up into a bun with a red ribbon while the excess falls down just past her shoulders.

Helena checked her complexion. She looked as if going to a funeral but she didn't care. This dinner wasn't about impressing the king it was about politics. She grabbed her shawl and headed down towards dinner.

Galbatorix head toward Herm. "Herm," he barked, "is everything ready."

"Yes my liege ,"said Herm.

"Good, I will tell you at the middle of dinner what I've chosen then you go prepare." Galbatorix did some last minute preparations then walked to the dinning hall. When he came, in the buzz of chatter and small talk ended. They all looked at him. He wore a black suit and had tied his long silver (not gray) hair in the back. He had green eyes and a devilish sort of smile. He liked the attention. There were ten girls sitting at the table; Galbatorix sat in the front. He lightly tapped his glass with a butter knife to get the attention of the room even no he already had it.

"Welcome all you are here so I may get to know you and your families. Let the feast begin." With that food and servants started to pour from doors on the right. All the girls stated to fill there plates, but in meager proportions which was to be expected.

Galbatorix looked over each girl and talked with some of them that were closer, but all the while he was sifting through the thoughts and memories of each girl. By the time desert came out he new which one he wanted as his mistress. He quietly called over Herm who was standing quietly at the door. Herm strode over to his boss. "Herm," said Galbatorix, "I want you to set up the room of the one in the black dress … Helena."


R&R (redone)