Chapter 3. Roran

Part 1. Daven

The fields were overgrown and weeds climbed up the side of the house were Roran grew up. Roran takes a shuddering breath from the back of his horse. Murtagh, the Red Rider had spared his home and farm. If he wished Roran could rebuild or stay in Therinsford.

"Are you ready?" The question was asked by Daven, a man twice Roran's age, but he was a friend in every since of the word.

Roran sighs, "I suppose…Let's meet back up with the others." As they turn their horses back to the road Roran looks back one last time wondering where his cousins were and what they were doing. Carvahal was burnt ruins and the smell of ash still lingered in the air. Birgit stood over the grave of her husband. Horst walked through the ruins of his once beautiful house. He had built the house himself for Elain and their ever growing family.

Lorsan was the last to join them, "We should be heading back…" He said in a sad tone of voice.

As they traveled south along the river towards Therinsford Birgit kept watching Roran vengefully. She blamed him and his family for the death of her husband. They stop to make camp off the road. When Roran is done building his tent Birgit walks up to him and stares.

"Yes may I help you…"

Daven is watching from afar and his hand slips to his dagger. "My husband is dead and I need answers…Perhaps there is something you heard Bronn or Serena say…"

Roran shakes his head, "I told you everything I know…" They are joined by Horst.

"Your Uncle used magic…Are you saying that in all the time you lived with them you didn't know!"

Horst tried to pull Birgit away, because of her threatening stance, "Calm down!"

"I will not! I want answers…"

That is when Daven stepped forward, "You won't get any acting like a harpy…Roran told you everything he knew…and unless Eragon or Serena returns we will never know the real why?"

Birgit draws a knife and runs it across her hand, "From this day forward consider me and my family your enemy…" She says making a fist and dropping blood at Roran's feet.

The next day they travel and camp one last time before reaching Therinsford. "We will meet tomorrow after sunrise…" Horst said at the entrance to the town.

Horst followed Roran and Daven to the house Roran's aunt use to own. Since Roran was the next of kin the house went to him. "How was it?" Elain asked in the kitchen preparing supper. She is 2 months pregnant.

"We will have cut down trees for lumber if we wish to rebuild…The Elders will meet on tomorrow and we will decide then…"

As they talked Roran went to the porch and was joined by Daven a few minutes later. "Do not allow Birgit's words to trouble you much…"

Roran sighs, "I just wish I had more answers…I wish someone would contact me…"

"If she tries anything she will answer to me…" Roran smiles. Daven met him the second day he arrived in Therinsford with the refugees of Carvahall. He had been a good friend and gave Roran enough gold to pay off his Aunt's debts. In many ways Daven was another mystery in his family. He knew a lot about Serene, Bronn, and their children.

"I can handle Birgit…"

"I am sure you can…" Daven looks at the sky, "Well I should be going…See you later…" Daven's house is two blocks down from Roran's. When he enters his house he takes a bowl of water and scrys the countryside in search of Galabtroix's servants or his troops. When night comes Daven enters Birgit's mind and forces her to forgive Roran and see this as Galbatorix's fault for the death of her husband.

Part 2. Plans

The next day after sunrise the Elders gather together, but before the meeting starts Roran approaches Birgit. "I know you hate me…"

She raises her hand stopping him, "I acted irrationally…You were the closest to blame for Quimby…I apologize…If the rumors about the King are true then he is to blame not you or Murtagh…" She hand shim the knife, "Let there be no bad blood between us…"

Shocked Roran takes the knife, "Alright…"

"Let's come to order…" Horst says starting the meeting, "Many of you have expressed desires to rebuild Carvahall…And there are those of you who wish to remain here in Therisnford…"

That is when Sandal Lorsan's brother spits on the ground, "And I say to hell with Galbatorix…I say we head south and join the Varden against the King…"

"We know how you feel Sandal…But what you suggest is nigh impossible without a ship…and traveling across land to join the King's enemies is suicide…"

"It will take years to rebuild…"

Horst shakes his head, "Not if we work together…Now we rebuild the hay barn first and all the farms then the businesses…We also add one house to each reconstruction project…We could be done within a year's time…"

They discussed other things like food work teams and such. As the meeting progressed Roran kept looking at Sloan. He had nursed Sloan back to health, but the ungrateful Butcher would not allow Katrina to marry him. And she refused to accept betrothal from Niel young man who is son of the Mason in Therisnford.

"May I speak with you?" Roran asked after the meeting.

Sloan just stares at him before replying, "No!' He says and walks away.

Roran makes sure he is not being followed as he makes his way to meet Katrina beneath the bridge. They hug when they meet, "Katrina…Your father is unreasonable…I love you…Will you marry me without his blessing?"

She hesitates, "I don't know…" He kisses her passionately, removing all doubts and fears from her mind. "Yes Roran Garrowson…I will marry you."

They hug, "I was thinking maybe we can tavel to Ceuneon or Narda and get married there…"

"Or we can stay in Therinsford…After I have my first child maybe father will be more understanding…"

"I will drink horse piss before I allow you to marry him!" Sloan says storming up to Roran, he swings at him, but his arm is caught by Devan, who throws him to the ground.

"You need to calm down!"

Sloan stares up at him, "This is none of your business…" He replies getting to his feet.

"Roran is my business and everything and everyone that concerns him…He saved your life fool and nursed you back to health…"

"Then he should have let me die because death will take me before I give my consent…" Sloan steps forward to grab Katrina, but Roran imposes himself and Daven also blocks his path. "Katrina come here!"

"No father! I love you, but I love Roran more…I chose him for my husband…"

Tears fill his eyes, "Always those closest to you do the most harm…You will have no dowry from me snake…neither your mother's inheritance…And as for you Roran of house Garrow…Consider me an enemy not your father-in-law…" He runs a blade across his hand and drops the blood before Roran's feet. Then he walks away.

Katrina and Roran are the talk of Therinsford. Katrina stays with Getrude until she and Roran can be properly married. To ease her heart ache Daven gives Katrina a Noblewoman's dowry to which Roran questions him as to where he got the gold, silk, dress, patterns, jewelry etc…Daven just lied and said it was his sister's who died before she married. It actually came from a secret cache once used by the Black Hand on missions for Morzan.