AN: I do not own any of the characters. They all belong to Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Cycle.
Chapter 4: Anticipation
And yet, I am still here.
I have attempted to escape but I always find myself here. Every chance is wasted because I cannot bring myself to say goodbye. I have reached the Spine, only to realize that there is still a pull bringing me back to the farm. When will I find someone who can take me away? I have nothing to look forward to…what can be pulling me back? I watch time pass by me, one month at a time. My chances fly by and I sit at the window, my life blurring in front of me. Garrow is to be married soon. For that, I will make an effort to be stay at the farm. I help my mother with the wedding preparations. As we get closer to the wedding date, I am actually relieved to these preparations rather than the tiring mending and tending to the farm. Perhaps it is the excitement. Perhaps it is because I want the best for Garrow and Marian, and I will make an effort to help them both out. I still remember Garrow's announcement.
I noticed Garrow with Marian a good deal of time. What could they be talking about? They were with each other every day. I sat by the window, planning my next attempt to break free. I wondered, is this what true love is supposed to be? If so, then who is my true love? I had found no one who has been like this with me. I have chosen to reject love. After all, what is love to me? Absolutely nothing. Ah! Finally, Garrow was heading towards the house. He came through the doorway, turned sideways, and finally noticed I had been sitting by the window. "Have you been watching me?" Garrow attempted to keep his face composed yet I could still see the blush hinted in his cheeks. I looked at him nonchalantly. "Yes. Anything wrong with that?" Garrow's face turned into a brilliant red. "You are spying on me!" I sighed, not happy about this accusation. "I was merely looking out the window. Plus, the two of you are far beyond my sight. You have nothing to worry about." Garrow's face was still pink but I could see that his anger had gone down. Casually, he changed the subject. "Are you still practicing swordplay?" He nodded towards the small wooden sword by the chair. I looked at the sword I had outgrown and back at him. "I try. It's been hard since the small is too small." Garrow nodded. "I should know. I made that for you when you were 7. I'll make you a new one." I was touched by his offer but I could not bring myself to accept it. "Garrow, you shouldn't worry about me. I'll be fine. It's not like I'll be using a sword anytime soon." I hoped. Garrow shook his head. "Nice try. I'll start tomorrow. Now call Mother here. I must tell you both some exciting news." Clueless, I followed Garrow's orders and found my mother in the barn. "Mother, Garrow has some news to share." My mother finished her task and turned to me. She nodded in acknowledgement. "I will be over soon." I spun on my heels and headed back to the living room. "She is coming," I announced to Garrow. He was sitting in a chair. He looked worried. "Garrow, couldn't you just tell me now?" He shook his head. Luckily, my mother arrived before I could be any more frustrated. "Garrow, what is going on?" He stood up slowly. "Marian has agreed to marry me." For a moment, we were still. Then, my mother and I shouted and ran towards Garrow. Actually, my mother was the one who ran to Garrow. I stood behind, shocked by the news. "When is the wedding date?" my mother eagerly asked Garrow. Garrow pondered on the question. "Some time next spring." My mother was happy all night.
I work hard. I want Garrow to have the perfect wedding. At the same time, I feel sorrow. Ismira has told me that Sloan has also asked her to marry him. It was the first time she had talked to me since our fight. I should have been happy. This was Ismira, my childhood friend who never thought badly about anyone, who I had hurt only a few years ago. But she had found her love in Sloan and I must accept it especially since she had asked me to be there for the wedding ceremony. "Forgive and forget." Ismira was always the good person, willing to forgive others for their wrongdoings. I must embrace this situation and I will learn to accept Sloan as the man Ismira wishes to be with. It may be that he is not as stiff with Ismira; whatever it may be I will never know. I now sit in the meadow, pondering what I am supposed to do. "Hello. Are you all right?" In front of me is the most striking man I have ever seen. His build is neither lanky nor strong but rather muscular. On his face, a pleasant smile filled with concern. It warms me to know that this man is concerned about me. "Yes, I'm fine." He stares at me a bit and then grins. "What is a pretty young woman doing out here alone in the meadow? Some young man might come and take you away." I laugh at his statement. "That might be true but I do know how to fight back." His face would not stop grinning. "Really? Would you like to spar with me?" I grin back. "I would love nothing better than to spar with you." "Do you have a sword?" Ah, my sword. And it was wooden. My grin quickly becomes a frown. "Er…no." The man seems unfazed by my words. "It doesn't matter. I always have extras. Here." He hands me a long sword. The metal seems polish, new, and really expensive. "Are you ready?" I look up to see the young man in a stance. I decide to start in a stance as well. His face looks as if he is about to explode into laughter. I take the first strike. With the first swing, I realize I must change my balance to equal with this sword. He dodges my second strike and comes at me with a series. I block all of them. His face is surprised and I grin in response. I use a series of sword strokes and aim for his calf. Hl blocks all of my strokes as well and returns with one aimed at my throat. We are both gasping for air and yet he seems to still have energy. He sheaths his sword and grins again. "Well, that was a good round. I must admit, you are good." I look down, ashamed. "But not good enough to beat you." And of all the nerve, he starts laughing. "Not many can beat me. Don't worry. You are strong." I glance shyly at the man. Did he just compliment me? "Th-thank you." The man lets out a chuckle and raises his hand. "Hello. My name is Morzan. What's yours?"
Note: Yay! I got it out pretty early! Please review. You have no idea how much I love reading your reviews. Sorry. When I said she was meeting Morzan, it's actually more of an introduction. But don't worry, they start talking next chapter.