CHAPTER 7

From POV of Varden Population

No one knew if the rumors were true. All Nasuada knew was that a young woman who was sent by Eragon, never made it to them. Galbatorix taking a wife? No one believed that. After all, who could it be, who would possibly interest that tyrant enough to get married? Who would ever want to marry him? Rumors were thrown around that she was some kind of immortal goddess, a power-hungry snob, and even that she was a new rider.

Then one day, a runner came into the encampment, bearing new that the King was to be married in three weeks. And of course, everyone was invited to the public ceremony. Nasuada sent word to Eragon immediately, having Arya talk to him through scrying. Their conversation was short, having no formality.

"Eragon, I have news. You are to come to the Varden immediately."

"Why?"

"Galbatorix is marrying in three weeks, and we are to sneak in to see who this woman is."

"Did the woman I sent over make it?"

"No, she has not arrived."

They broke off the connection, leaving Eragon worried. So, he scried Adriana. What he saw worried him even more. She was seen running, looking back occasionally. The dress she wore was a dark, rich color, what it was Eragon did not know exactly, since it was dark all around her. Then hands came into the picture, and a voice Eragon seemed to recognize somewhere told her that she could not escape, not now. It seemed that she was strong, but not strong enough. Her eyes held pain, although the rest of her face was set emotionless. Before he could see any more, he let the magic go, and sat over the pool.

What could that be?

It sounded like Murtagh.

Yes, but-

But what? You know, she could be in the hands of the King. After you left her there to fend for herself, you never knew what would happen next, much less this.

She seems to have gone even sadder than she seemed when we saw her first.

You never know, life around Galbatorix could not be pretty.

Aye, I agree. I would call it pure torture.

You must rest now; we will have to leave in the morning.

I just-

Little one, rest. I will watch over you, do not worry. You can think about this more when we are flying.

It took them a week to get from Eleismera, to the location of the Varden, as they were taking their time. No need to hurry, there was still two weeks until the wedding. The humans of the Varden greeted Eragon and Saphira loudly, clapping and cheering. First thing, Blodhgarm and the rest of his elven guard walked up and stayed around the two of them. Arya stood next to Nasuada, waiting, until Eragon disappeared into the tent next to them. Immediately, Nasuada started speaking calmly and slowly.

"You, Eragon, and Arya will leave as soon as you can. You two will be traveling on horseback, as there will be many travelers on the road. Make sure to be disguised. When you two reach Uru'bean, you will stay there until the wedding. Then you will come back to me, and report everything you see, hear, sense, or smell. You got it?"

"Of course."
"Good, now go."

Arya did not speak at all during the meeting, but afterwards, she and Eragon agreed to leave after he saw Roran and Katrina. As soon as he reached their tent, Roran walked out with Katrina at his side, as always. You could now tell that she was pregnant, as evidence was her slowly swelling belly. They were all smiling.

"I've got to go right away, Roran. I'm going to see Galbatorix get married."

"So weird, huh? Galbatorix getting married. I still can't believe it."

"I'll see you soon, cousin?"

"As always."

The three of them hugged, and Eragon had to walk away to find Arya. She was waiting sidesaddle on her gray charger, another stallion saddled next to her, this one a bay.

"This is Garjzla, and yours is Kveykva. Let us be off."

They rode steadily forward, meeting up with more and more people. To pass the time, they chatted about random things, like how coincidental it was that their horses named meant light and the other lightening. But they spoke less and less, as they rode closer and closer to the capital. So many people were passing throughout the gates of Uru'bean, there was no need for a story explanation, but for the time they would be the siblings Addick and Marina. They were from Gil'ead, interested in seeing the King and his bride. Their cloaks and some magic hid their faces, the last thing they needed was to be recognized. They stayed at an inn and tavern, The Brass Bell, sharing a room. There was only a one day wait, before the day of the royal wedding, which was spent wandering randomly. A clearing in the square had a small stage placed in the far end, near the castle. After a two-hour wait, bells rang out and the priest walked to the center, shushing the crowd.

"What you will now see is very rare; there has not been a public royal wedding for many generations of Kings. I wish for you all to stay quiet, as that will make this all the more pleasant. Thank you all."

He stepped off to the side a little, and a man with dark hair and light, brooding eyes was at the center. Clearly he was Galbatorix, and he wore black trousers and a black cloak. His tunic was one shade darker than maroon. Murtagh was nowhere to be seen at first, hidden next to the high stage. Then a young woman stepped up on the stage. She wore a white dress that clung from her bodice down to her hips, where it layered out from there. Her long, copper hair was braided and twisted so eccentrically, it seemed to match the King's own mind. No make up touched her face, as it would only conceal her beauty. The sleeves were long and connected straight down to her low neckline, forming a square. The trim was dark gold, and the bodice had an intricate pattern stitched on with a light gold thread. She was so breathtakingly beautiful; nobody even paid any attention to Galbatorix. To everyone else, she was a nobody, but to Eragon, she was Adriana. Arya looked over at Eragon when she noticed that he seemed to know her. She gave him a questioning look, but he just nodded at her, convincing Arya that this was the woman that was suppose to meet up with the Varden. When it was time to say "I do", Galbatorix said it first. She didn't even pause, she just said, "I don't". Everyone gasped, she ran, Galbatorix looked like he was about to have a heart attack right there. Murtagh, who now came out from his place of hiding, grabbed her and brought her back up to the stage. Galbatorix then dragged her into a house, sending any inhabitants flying out into the street. All of the people in the square were silent, as they listened to the sounds of physical abuse coming from inside that house. She came back out, and said the same thing. She was very disheveled, but still very beautiful to any person. This time, she was dragged toward the palace. A long pause later, the priest came back out looking red in the face.

"I now pronounce King Galbatorix and Queen Adriana man and wife." And he disappeared again.

When they were going back that day, Arya spoke for the first time since earlier that day.

"So, that was Adriana?"

"Yes."

"She's very beautiful, even to me. It's such a shame."

And they both knew then, that something had to be done for young Adriana, even the smallest thing. There had to be something about her that was more than beauty, but they could wait to figure that out. They could all wait.

Review please! Tell me what you think, and ideas, and even constructive criticism.

Yreva13- Yes it is Adriana, thank you for that, it was a typo. And see, she did try to escape, I have always planned for her, too, but I forgot to add it earlier. Thank you for reminding me!