Thanks so much reviewers! You are the best. Than you very very much. Thank you very very much thank-you very very...got it?
Chapter Eight.
Dancing.
Elva wriggled a little, squirming against the warm strong thing that held her. She opened her eyes and turned and looked at Eragon, he was still asleep. But, she, Elva was hungry, so he had to wake up! Elva poked his face. He grumbled and turned his face away a little.
Elva frowned. She poked at his face again. He still didn't wake up. Elva frowned thunderously, she was hungry! She gathered her lungs full of air, "EHHHH-GOOOONNN!"
That woke him up. He snapped his eyes open and sat up swiftly, eyes wide with alarm. Elva wriggled over to him, he smiled at her.
"I should have known. What's wrong Missis?"
"Foog."
"And that is what you saw fit to wake me for with that huge voice of yours?"
Elva stared at him, uncomprehending, "Foog. Wonk foog."
Eragon yawned, "Alright then, we'll go and get food soon. Sit still for a minute, I'll wake Saphira."
Eragon slapped Saphira's rump and she woke grudgingly, What do you want? I was having a good dream.
Little Madam wants food.
Saphira laughed, I did wonder why you were up so early, but I should have guessed.
Mmm, shall we go then?
Yes, but be careful, the artificial floor isn't very strong. I don't want you falling through it.
Since the Star Rose had been shattered, the dwarves had put an artificial floor down, so that Eragon and Saphira could use it. Saphira didn't have much faith in it, so she landed as little as possible on it.
Eragon gently climbed up with Elva, the child's Dragonmark glowing in the dusky light. When they reached the bottom, Orik was waiting for them.
"Hello Eragon," he sounded subdued, "I was just making sure you knew that the funeral is going to be taking place in an hour, then we will have the crowning ceremony. Have you cast your vote?"
"Yes," Eragon had indeed entered the dark cave where the Grimstboriths of all the clans met. He had cast his vote and left, amid hostile looks from some dwarves.
Orik looked relieved, "Good, the procession will start at the gates of Tronjheim, then to the catacombs."
"Thank-you Orik."
The dwarf turned to Saphira, "Saphira, it is my duty to inform you that Isidar Mithrim is not quite ready to be mended, the last shards are being assembled now, though it will not be ready for another month or so."
Ah, said Saphira, I did wonder why no one said anything.
Orik smiled embarrassedly, "They decided it was my job, anyway, they are...intimidated by you."
And for good reason, said Saphira, but she didn't put much venom in it.
"Foog! Eh-Gon, wonk foog." Elva made her presence known.
Orik's eyes widened, "Eragon, who is- what the? Eragon!" he finished lamely.
Eragon smiled, "This the Elva, Orik."
Orik's eyes widened even more, if that was possible, "Silver Brow...?"he questioned wonderingly.
Eragon nodded, "I healed her on the Burning Plains, didn't you know?"
"I-No, no one told me, I didn't ask."
Eragon shifted Elva into his other arm, "Angela needed a good night's sleep." he explained.
"Ah." Orik appeared uncomfortable, "Well, I'll see you at-at the funeral then." And he disappeared into Tronjheim.
Eragon made his way to the kitchens, thinking hard. Poor, poor, Orik. The funeral would be very hard on him, and then there was the fact that he might be crowned King straight after the funeral, though, in Eragon's opinion, Orik would be an excellent King. Ah, well, like Nasuada said, they'd just have to wait.
Eragon collected some food for Elva, and they sat down at a small table. Elva inspected the food, and reached for a bit of dripping. As soon as she managed to get a firm hold on it, she devoured it. Eragon quickly tied a dishcloth round her neck so she wouldn't drip her dripping down her dress.
Elva was just starting on a small honey-cake when Roran arrived.
"Good morning brother, having breakfast, are we?"
Eragon shot him a withering look, "No, this is Elva's breakfast, not mine."
Roran, for the first time, noticed Elva, "Is-is that the child that you healed in Angela's tent?"
"Yes."
"But why have you got her?"
"She was keeping Angela and Solembum awake all the time, asking for me, so I agreed to look after her for as while."
"Oh. When are we going to rescue Katrina?"
"As soon as the three days feasting finishes. If you're still sober, that is. Nasuada has already given me leave, and Arya will be coming with us."
Roran smiled brightly, "Excellent. What will we do once we have rescued her?"
"I don't know. If she is hurt , it may be best thing to fly straight to Surda. If she can hold out, or has injuries that do not require medicine we can fly back here. The Varden will not leave for another month. When they do, then you can leave with them."
"What about you? Where will you go after?"
"I will go back to the elves to finish my training."
Roran frowned,"How long have you been training for now?"
"I'm not sure, maybe..."
"Two months, two weeks and six days." Arya had arrived.
"Arya!" sputtered Roran, he still could not get used to Eragon and Arya being able to walk so silently.
She smiled, "Good morning Roran, Eragon."
Elva made a sudden grab for another honey-cake, Eragon had to grab her to stop her from falling face first into what was left of her dripping. Arya's smile widened, "And good morning to you too Elva."
Arya took a seat next to Elva. Elva, contented now that she had her succeeded in getting her intended honey-cake, leaned over to Arya and gurgled to be picked up.
"A-ya! A-ya!"
Arya smiled tenderly and picked Elva up and balanced her on her knee. Elva mumbled happily into her cake and Arya stared at the small black-haired girl sitting on her lap. Arya loved Elva so much! And Elva clearly liked her, and she adored Eragon, and she got on well with Roran, and she loved Saphira too. They were like a-a family. Saphira included. Arya realised that she wanted to be part of the family as well. But she couldn't-she couldn't! It wasn't right, she shouldn't!
Arya was in complete and utter turmoil. She didn't know what to do. What would Faolin say?!
Eragon and Roran were talking about sword fighting techniques and Arya was still struggling with herself, when a page ran up.
"Hello Jarsha, what brings you here?"
"The Lady...Nasuada," Jarsha stopped and panted for a second, "and Grimstborith Orik...requests the presence of Roran Stronghammer, Rider Eragon Shadeslayer and the Lady Arya at the gates of...T-Tronjheim for the f-funeral of King Hrothgar." Message over, Jarsha stood panting, waiting their reply.
"Thank-you Jarsha, we will be along shortly."
The page nodded and ran off.
"I didn't realise that was the time!" said Eragon, "I think I need to clean Elva up first though."
Elva did indeed need cleaning up. The honey had made her fingers sticky, and she had managed to get a bit of each type of food she had eaten on her face up to her nose.
"Here, let me," said Arya gently, " 'Liletta Moran'ranr'."
The food and dirt and on Elva quietly disappeared, leaving no trace behind.
"Thank-you Arya!" said Eragon, "Come on, we'd better go."
All four of them walked to the gates of Tronjheim. A large crowd was already assembled there. Nasuada and Orik were waiting for them. Nasuada raised her eyebrows when she saw Elva but didn't say anything because of the important moment.
After about five minutes waiting, during which Elva started to squirm, some drums started.
BOOM
DOOM
BOOM
DOOM
The massive gates of Tronjheim opened. The Kings Bodyguard walked through, heads held high, despite their tears. On their shoulders lay Hrothgar. He was laid out on a slab of red marble, his shield, helm and armour arranged on and beside him. The dwarves began to weep, the humans clenched their teeth.
Eragon held Elva,and she snuggled into him, as Eragon and the rest of the congregation followed the procession, memories came flooding back.
Eragon knelt in front of the King.
"Rise, Rider, you need not pay tribute to me.
-
Vrael, leader of the riders, payed tribute to me in these very halls.
-
The time of the riders has passed, Eragon,they will not rise again even if the other eggs were to hatch.
-
The elves have changed you, Eragon.
No Sir, it was the dragons.
-
I, too, support Nasuada as leader of he Varden.
Eragon shook his head, shifted Elva on his lap, and followed the congregation to the catacombs.
The funeral was much like Ajihad's, all the Grimstboriths made speeches, and all important people saw him before the red marble slab was slid over his face for the last time.
Finally, Gannel performed the service, and all the dwarves, wishing to pay tribute to Hrothgar were allowed to enter. Eragon left quickly, sliding away so that only Arya noticed him go.
Eragon walked back through the catacombs, holding Elva tight. She had her chubby arms round his neck and she looked at all the tombs with wide eyes, not liking the cold, dry atmosphere around them. Eragon, with his elven hearing ,heard, light footsteps on the fine sand that covered the floor.
He swung round quickly, drawing his hunting knife, only to find Arya's beautiful green eyes looking at him.
"I am sorry Arya,I-"
"That is all right, Eragon."
She walked up next to them, and they continued through the catacombs. "Why did you leave?"
I just...I wanted to-to pay my respects on my own, not with all those people around."
Arya nodded, she understood. "Did-did you like Hrothgar?"
Eragon nodded heavily, "Yes. I will miss him, though not as much as Orik. I was going to tell him about my...change, after the battle. Until my...brother killed him."
Arya felt so sorry for him, her heart ached with his sorrow. She reached out her hand and slipped it into Eragon's. He jumped in surprise, but did not withdraw it.
"I'm sorry, Eragon." she whispered.
"It was not your fault." he whispered back, Eragon lifted his hand and sroked her cheek.
Arya felt a pricking behind her eyes, and looked away. He squeezed her hand, and she leant in towards him. Elva reached out and grabbed a bit of Arya's long hair and started to twirl it round her finger.
"She likes you," Eragon said ,still whispering for some reason.
Arya smiled and stroked Elva's cheek, "I like her too."
They had reached the end of the catacombs. Arya looked around, "What are you going to do now?"
"Wait here for everyone to come out, then we can go to the crowning ceremony together."
"Do you think Orik will win?" asked Arya.
"I hope so. It would be disaster for the Varden if Az Sweldn Rak Anhuin was elected."
Arya was about to reply when a rumble of voices came from the tunnel. The funeral was over.
"Eragon!" It was Nasuada, "we must go, the crowning ceremony is now!"
They arrived very soon, all around them, the dwarves were still sniffling and weeping. Eragon and Arya, with Elva, sat together on a front bench. Arya was still clutching Eragon's hand. Gannel got up, and walked to the podium and began to speak.
"We are here today, to elect a new ruler of the dwarven nation. The Grimstboriths have voted, and Rider Eragon Shadeslayer too. The votes have been counted, and we have the identity of the new King."
Gannel paused, "That King will be...Orik, of Durgrimst Ingietum!"
Most of the congregation burst into cheers, stamping of feet, and pounding of seats. They seemed to approve of the decision.
Orik had ascended to the podium and was now kneeling in front of Gannel. Gannel placed the dwarven crown on his head.
"Do all Knurla take Orik as their king?" shouted Gannel
"Yea." answered the congregation back to him.
"In living and in dying?"
"Yea."
"And will you, Orik, rule over these people, in war and in peace?"
"I will."
"And will you rule over them justly and fairly?"
"I Will."
"Then rise and accept your Kingship."
Orik did so. Gannel handed him Volund. Orik stood and addressed his people.
"I will rule as Hrothgar did before me, we will fight against the Black King, and we shall prevail! The five races of this earth will be united. Elves, Dwarves, Humans, Dragons and Urgals, we will,fight this war together!"
Another bout of cheering and stamping followed this, then Orik called for silence again.
"I wish for peace with the Urgals too, as does the Bolvek Tribe wish for peace with us. Therefore Nar Garzvhog and I are to sign a treaty. A treaty of peace!"
Nar Garzvhog emerged onto the podium. A scroll of vellum was produced and Orik read it out. It told of peace, and bonds and war ties. First Orik, then Garzvhog signed it with a crude X.
The room was silent for a while then the crowd broke into claps that got louder and louder.
Eventually it started emptying and everyone made their way to the feasting halls.
-
Two days and three hours later and the party was at it's rowdiest. Angela had arrived and taken Elva while she was sleeping, as Eragon would have to stay most of the time at the party.
Arya had disappeared, Roran was over by the mead and didn't seem about to leave there any time soon, and Saphira had already consumed a large amount of mead and was working on more. Eragon sighed, what was he supposed to do?
There were couples dancing now, Orik and Hvedra swung past, followed by Jormundr and his wife, it made Eragon feel lonely.
Another four hours later, and Eragon was bored out of his mind. Saphira was extremely inebriated, and wove a dangerous path through the revellers, who were used to her by now and skipped around her.
Arya made her way through all the partiers, trying to find Eragon. She finally spotted him, sitting in a chair, with his jaw clenched, hands clutching at his chair.
She approached him cautiously, "Eragon? Eragon?"
He swayed a little, she thought maybe he'd had to much to drink, but then he spoke, "Can't...close...mind."
"What?"
" 'Phira...won't...let...me...close...my...mind."
Arya was still confused, but just then Eragon clutched at his chair even more and swayed harder. "Oh! Arya, I'm sorry!"
"What was wrong?"
"Saphira is very drunk, and she wouldn't let me close my mind! She wanted to tell me some strange story about a half-Feldunost half-Nagra."
Eragon's face was so comical, the picture of disbelieving despair, that Arya burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" He asked.
"Your face!"
"What?" he frowned.
Arya got herself under control, "Never mind Eragon. Do you- do you want to dance?"
"Of course , my Lady," he joked, "but I warn you, the only dancing I've is folk dancing at weddings."
"I'll have to teach you then, just don't step on my feet too much, Eragon."
He grinned, "I'll do my best."
Arya slowly showed him the basic moves, Eragon quickly got the hang of it, and they moved nearer the middle of the dance floor. Soon they were swinging all round the floor, faster than any of the humans and dwarves, though Eragon soon learnt to beware of the dwarves, they were so short that it was easy to bump right into them and trip over.He did in fact do that to Orik and Hvedra, though they were both quite tipsy and didn't seem to mind.
The incident sent Arya into more peals of laughter, at the sight of the Argetlam apologising profusely to a pair of tipsy, giggling dwarves trying to stay solemn.
Once Orik and his bride had gone, Eragon saw the funny side as well, and they both laughed as they danced.
Eragon was amazed, he was really having fun now, and Arya seemed to have loosened up more than he would ever have imagined.
Arya too, was enjoying the party far more than would have guessed, she didn't know what had come over her when she asked Eragon to dance. Arya smiled at what her mother would say if she could see her daughter now! Arya had never done this sort of thing even in Ellesmera, and to think that she was doing it in a feasting hall of the dwarves! It was unthinkable, but obviously not un-doable, because she was. Arya thought maybe that small cup of mead she'd had was affecting her. It may be, she had never really had intoxicating drinks before.
Finally she and Eragon stopped dancing, slightly dizzy. Once the affects of whirling around had stopped making her see double she turned to Eragon, who also looked like his world had finally stopped spinning, "Where is Saphira?"
"I'm not sure. I hope she hasn't gone to the rest of Tronjheim, she might hurt somebody."
Arya looked around, and saw a large blue bump lying on the ground, "There she is, Eragon! By the mead barrels!"
He smiled, "I should have guessed. Shall we go see if she is still conscious? I don't want open my mind in case she is conscious."
They went over to Saphira, she was certainly not conscious, though bouts of blue flame shot out of her nostrils every now and again. Eragon turned to Arya, "Well, she is fairly safe, the only danger is if she ignites someone."
Arya giggled, "They'll just have to beware then, but where's your cousin?"
"I don't know, last time I saw him he was over here."
"Is that him there? Lying against Saphira's leg?"
Eragon looked, "Oh yes, that's him. I think he should be safe there, as long as she doesn't move."
"I don't think she will, she's in a very heavy stupor. So is Roran, as a matter of fact, he must of drunk a lot."
"Yes, that is Saphira's influence I'm afraid, and I think he is missing Katrina too."
"He really loves her doesn't he?"
"Yes he does. I hope he is awake and sober when we leave to rescue her, or he won't be much use at all"
"Ask Angela for a potion or something."
"I hope I don't have to," frowned Eragon, "Anyway, he should be awake at least by tomorrow."
Arya's stomach grumbled, "Eragon, do you want to get some food? I'm really hungry."
"Me too, I haven't eaten for three days." laughed Eragon.
They made their way over to the food table, it was laden with fruit, pastries, mushrooms, meat, rich deserts and sauces.
Eragon and Arya made for the fruit and pastries, Arya watched Eragon choose his food in surprise, he wasn't choosing any meat.
"Eragon," she asked, "Why don't you eat any meat?"
He looked at her surprised, "I stopped eating it in Ellesmera, didn't you know?"
"No, I never thought to ask."
They fell into silence as they ate, Eragon was eating fast, Arya was taking her time, she had eaten fairly recently. When they had finished, they went and sat down near the side, watching the last few couples do their last dance. Finally most people had gone, and the only ones left were slumped all over the room, drunk.
"What are you going to do with Saphira?" asked Arya, once they had left the hall.
Eragon sighed, "I'll just have to leave her here, I hope she is up soon, flying tomorrow will not be much fun on a dragon with a hangover."
"Oh, that is not a nice thought." said Arya. Arya felt a little dizzy, it probably had something to do with the third cup of mead, she thought lazily.
Eragon walked her to her rooms, they were nearly there when a thought hit Arya, "Eragon, how will you get to the Dragonhold without Saphira? The pulley systems won't work at the moment."
"I hadn't thought of that," said Eragon, he thought for moment, "I suppose I could sleep in the old guard room that we slept in after Isidar Mithrim broke."
Arya frowned, "Is it usable?"
"I think so, if not I will sleep in Roran's chambers."
Arya nodded, although she was still not satisfied.
They arrived at her door. "Well...um, goodnight Eragon, I had fun."
He smiled, "I am glad, so did I."
Arya leant over and kissed him on the cheek, "Thank-you Eragon." She disappeared inside before he could say anything.
Eragon stood stock still outside her door, numb with surprise. Slowly he reached up and touched at the place where she had placed her lips. He shook his head and dazedly wound his way to the guardroom.
Arya hugged herself inside he rooms,what had possessed her to do that? It was stupid! But she did feel good.
Arya tumbled into bed, her head buzzing slightly, she was too tired to think to much. She'd worry in the morning.
Eragon wrapped himself in the few blankets that were in the cold guard-room, huddling closer to the warm, floatin light he'd conjoured, though the thought of Arya's kiss made him glow. Eragon shivered a bit and shifted to a different position. He was too tired, after three days of sitting in the feasting halls, watching the party, to bother about small details. The main thing was that she had kissed him!
Now Eragon was really confused, Arya had rejected him so firmly in Ellesmera, but now she was friendly, and had even kissed him! What was going on? Eragon shifted again and put all complicated thoughts out of his head, he would worry about them in the morning. The only thing that filled his thoughts was Arya, and he wasn't about to put those out of his mind at all.
-------------
One of my cats was helping me type, he tried to sleep on the keyboard, but he heard his cat food tin opening!
Thanks for reading! (and reviewing, hint hint!)
dripping is bread soaked in milk.
Vellum is rich calfskin parchment, very thick and hard-wearing.
