Chapter 8. Eragon Returns
Saphira flares her wings and slides across the ground on her claws coming to a stop. Eragon leaps up onto her neck. ("Don't you ever do that again…") Saphira says to his mind.
Eragon smiles and releases her stepping back, ("I am sorry I didn't know I was going to that until I did it…")
Saphira snorts, ("From now on we discuss everything…") Arya is standing off to the side while Dragon and Rider share a private moment. Then Saphira stretches her neck towards Arya, sniffs her and touches her mind. ("My Rider's smell is all over you…I have known of Eragon's feelings for you Arya before he even knew…I approve…and welcome to our family…")
("Thank you…I ask that you both keep this a secret for now…")
Both Eragon and Arya agree then Arya puts up a spell removing Eragon's sent from her clothes, just before Blodgharm and the other Elves arrive. Blodgharm and the others observe the Elven custom of courtesy. "Welcome back Shadeslayer…We are pleased that Arya Drottingu found you…"
"So am I…I am sorry I caused unnecessary worry…But believe me when I say that is was unavoidable…"
Blodgharm and the others bow, "May we assume our roles protectors of Saphira Brightscales and Eragon Shadeslayer…"
"You may…"
Blodgharm places his arm and fist across his chest, "We are yours to command…Shurtagal…"
Eragon walks beside Saphira with Blodgharn and Arya walking behind them, then the rest of the Elves. As they approach the Varden's camp a thunderous cheer arises from the allied forces. King Orin stands beside Nausada, Jormunder, Elva, Nar Gharzvhog, and the Dwarf Osin. Eragon walks up to Nausada and bows. It grows quiet as Nausada steps forward to address the Varden.
"Varden! Soldiers of Surda…Dwarves…Urgals! Elves! My friends and allies…Eragon Shadeslayer has returned from a dangerous mission to recover a lost family member right from under the noses of Galbatorix's servants…His arm has grown weak…And soon he will fall!" The allies cheer loudly, "We have long road ahead of us…It will not be easy…But we will prevail!"
Soon the crowd disbursed and Eragon follows Nausada and King Orin to the command tent. Arya goes inside with Blodgharm while the rest of the Elves wait outside. "Atra nosu waíse vardo fra eld hórnya…" Eragon says when they enter the tent.
"Now Shadeslayer please tell us why you decided to remain in the Empire at the risk of your life…and leave nothing out…" King Orin demanded.
"Orin you forget yourself…Eragon is my Vassal…You do not have the authority to make such a demand…Even I his liege lord would not speak so disrespectfully…"
Orin smiles, "Perhaps it is you who forgets…Daughter of Ajihad…I lead the forces of Surda in taking Aroughs with no support from the Varden or its Rider…We are supposed to be allies…But not once did you consult me…or Orsin about your alliance with the Urgals…You meet with heads of State such as Blodgharm here without me…You make decisions for s all on a whim without consulting the leaders of the other factions allied with you…Then when I have the audacity to ask a Rider who is beholden to us all…Whose future is tied to his life you scold me like parent would a disobedient child…Oh yes some has forgotten…It is you Lady Nightstalker…"
Eragon touches Saphira's mind, ("Should I say something?")
("No they must settle this themselves…")
Nausada sighs, "You are right King Orin…I should have consulted you and Osin…Like you I am new to my power…You all chose me to lead this campaign…I will admit I let the power go to my head…It will not happen again…In the future though I will be sure you are consulted by word of mouth or message before I make decisions that affect us as whole…"
Orin nods, "That is a start…"
Nausada looks at Eragon, "Eragon if you please…"
"I ask you all to swear an oath not to repeat this…It will cause trouble…" They all swear, "You all know how Roran convinced the people of Palancar Valley to leave their homes…They were betrayed by Katrina's father Sloan…Well I found him still alive in the Helgrind…I was tempted to kill him…But I didn't…Neither could just leave him there…It was later on that I discovered his true name in the ancient language…So I sent Sloan into exile to live among the Elves…He may never see his daughter again…I thought it a just punishment for his crimes…"
"Why not bring him here to face his accusers and judgment…" Jeod asked.
Eragon shakes his head, "Because death would have been demanded by the people of Palancar Valley…Sloan was a traitor to them but he also did what he did for his daughter…Even if it was twisted…" Eragon sighs, "I guess my question is did I make the right choice?"
"Nausada may say the same or something different…" Orin said speaking first, "But under the circumstances you did the right thing…If you take power over someone's life then you take the role of a King or Judge…"
"Yes…" Nausada says speaking up, "And you may be called upon to judge but only when you are asked should make decisions of life and death…To do so would make you another Galbatorix…You did the right thing…" They all talked about the next part of the war and the upcoming plans to lay siege against Feinster.
"I will have a mission for you but first take the next three days and rest…Then after Roran's wedding we will talk…In the meantime bathe you will be dinning with me…" Nausada says after the meeting is over.
Before leaving the tent Eragon walks up to Elva, "I have not forgotten my promise farseer…The day after tomorrow I shall fulfill my promise…"
"As you say Shadeslayer…"
When Eragon left the command pavilion Roran was waiting. They hug, "So are you going to tell your cousin why you decided to remain behind…"
Eragon smiles, "Believe when I say it was for the good of all concerned…"
"Is that it?"
"I am afraid so…"
Roran hunches his shoulders, "Well keep your secrets…I have more important things to discuss…I wanted to ask if you would marry Katrina and I…"
Eragon smiles, "Absolutely…" They interlock arms.
"Thank you…"
Before going to bathe Eragon dismisses Blodgharm saying that while in camp he didn't need a bodyguard. Reluctantly Elf-wolf agreed and left to go meet with the other Elves. Eragon made his way to Arya's tent. "ERAGON!" Arya says spinning around, "Atra nosu waíse vardo fra eld hórnya…What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to ask you if you would marry me…" Arya started to speak but Eragon raised his hands, "Not now…I mean I know Elves don't practice marriage…But I ask you to consider it…Then after all this over…If you have a logical reason we shouldn't I will accept that…"
Arya sighs, "Okay Eragon…I will think about it…"
Eragon runs to his tent to bathe and when he comes out Nausada is waiting for him. They walk through the camp with her guards in tow. "SURPRISE!" It is everyone from Carvahal and Therinsford.
"It was Roran's idea…" Nausada says.
Dempton is there, Horst, Albreich, Boldur, Loring and many others. Jeod and Helen are there as well so is Trianna who was invited by Davan. "You seem different Eragon…" Horst says, "And I am not talking about the ears and cat like face…"
Loring points his glass, "Yeah you have the look of man after his first night with his wife…"
Eragon blushes and adopts the Elven stone face readless expression drawing a laugh from everyone. "So tell us who was it…" Roran asks.
"A gentleman doesn't put the name of his love out there in the streets…" Eragon excuses himself and makes his rounds around the tent greeting everyone. Angela and Solembum are there as well, so is Elva though most of the children keep their distance from the pink eyed girl. The children amuse themselves by playing on Saphira's tale or swinging from her face spikes.
It goes quiet as Arya taps her glass, "Eragon Shadeslayer shall recite the poem he did at the Blood Oath celebration…"
"POEM! POEM! POEM!" The young men of Palancar Valley chant.
Eragon comes forward and clears his throat…When he is done Eragon receives a standing ovation. Nausada excuses herself as she is tired from the wounds of the trial of long knives. When everyone retires Eragon sneaks out of camp to meet Arya and they make love in the River for an hour before retiring.
