Hi, guys. Sorry this took so long, but here's the chapter. A special thanks to my beta, Daddyscowgirl94.

"There are several options for the next monarch of Alagaësia, all of whom have some claim," Islanzadí began.

"One, of course is Eragon," Arya continued. Her green eyes drifted over to the Rider, who looked vaguely shell-shocked. "However, for a race whose lives burn so quickly, another immortal as a potentate would be...unwise."

"Another option is Roran." Orik took up the explanation. He silenced Orrin, who had opened his mouth to comment, with a glare. The dwarf shifted his gaze first to the alert Garzhvog, then the smirking King Halfpaw. "However, even if we set aside the fact that Roran doesn't want the throne, he's inexperienced and uneducated. Hardly the best option."

"Thus, only two viable options remain," Islanzadí cut in. "Lady Nasuada of the Varden and King Orrin of Surda."

Orrin turned slowly to Nasuada, who was already looking at him. Arya's eyes flickered over to Murtagh, who sat next to her. His eyes were riveted on Nasuada.

"Do you plan on pursuing your claim?" he demanded, unnecessarily loudly. Arya frowned at him ever so slightly.

"I do." Nasuada's reply was soft, yet just as firm as Orrin's. "As leader of the Varden, it is my right and my responsibility to pursue the throne when I believe I can be a better ruler than any other."

"Really," Orrin said flatly. "And why do you believe this? Don't forget that it was I who not only funded your army, but also provided many of your soldiers. Besides, I am the only human in this room with so much as a drop of royal blood. You are not a monarch."

Arya tilted her head, wondering how Nasuada would react. Many elves and dwarves who took the throne of their respective people were not of royal descent. With humans, it was rare that a monarch was not.

"Nor was the first King of Alagaësia," pointed out an unexpected voice before Nasuada could say anything. All eyes turned to Murtagh, surprised he had spoken. He appeared relaxed, lounging in his chair. Only Arya noticed his knuckles, whitened from his hold on the armrests of his chair. "Until he declared himself one."

Murtagh didn't seem particularly inclined to continue. Arya understood his intent. He was making his support known to the room, careful not to say it overtly. Interesting. Did he have a politician's instinct? Or was it from his years within Galbatorix's court, years he had been surrounded by politicians? Or perhaps it was neither, just the nature of a man used to keeping thoughts to himself. Whatever it was, Arya approved of his word choice.

Orrin looked away from him, turning to face Orik and Islanzadí. "I presume you all will support her?"

"Aye. I can only speak for myself, but I will back her," Orik confirmed.

"As will we," Arya seconded. Islanzadí nodded.

"Of course," Nar Garzhvog growled. Grimmr Halfpaw yawned, covering his mouth with the back of his hand, saying, "Oh, all right."

"We as well support Nasuada's ascent," Eragon chimed in. Arya flinched almost imperceptibly. The king would pounce on that.

"Aha!" Orrin exclaimed, shaking a finger in the young Rider's face. "Who else would you support? You're nothing more than her servant, you swore fealty to her! How can your opinion hold such merit? As for the rest of the people in this room, not one of you is human, so how can you influence our choice in our ruler?"

Saphira raised her head from the ground by her paws and snarled.

"We do not interfere," Arya interrupted calmly. She resisted the urge to wrinkle her nose in distaste at the overly agitated king. "We do not interfere. Neither will we accept a leader of whom we do not approve. And when it comes to a dispute over the throne, we will back the one we support, no matter what backing her may involve."

"Are you threatening me?" the king spluttered. His face was growing red and his voice was steadily rising in volume. Arya lifted an eyebrow, staring coolly at him. She could smell the wine on his breath. Orrin put too much importance and took too much pride in his lineage and position. Orrin was not the one to take the crown after Galbatorix. He would be a gentler ruler than the last king, but he was not the person fit to rebuild the country. He would rule the Empire as it had been ruled. He was not the leader of a revolution.

"No," she enunciated, trying her best to remain calm. "I am simply stating a fact."

"Actually, Orrin..." Nasuada allowed her voice to trail off. The two words were all that were needed to draw the king's attention to her. "I'm glad you brought up the obvious question of Eragon's allegiance."

She turned towards Eragon. "Eragon, as a Rider, you have certain responsibilities that cannot be fulfilled as a vassal. Thus, I release you from your vow. I am no longer your liege-lord."

Orrin's jaw was clenched, his brow creased. His eyes darted from potentate to potentate, representative to representative. His glare fell upon Nasuada once more. Her gaze remained steady.

He lowered his head in a strange, jerking movement. "Then long live the queen."

"Long live the queen!" Eragon echoed. Orik and Garzhvog joined, taking up the chant.

From the corner of the room, Saphira fixed her eyes on Murtagh. He was slouched in his chair, trying to remain unnoticed. He was relaxed, but at the same time, ready to leap to action. It was the posture of someone who never let his guard down. He alone wasn't chanting. Something about his expression and stance reminded Saphira of Brom.

Saphira wasn't sure what to think of Murtagh. She had trusted him, but the young man seated next to Arya wasn't the person she had known, not the person who had travelled with her and saved Eragon. He had been scarred by slavery to a point of no return.

Saphira didn't see things in black and white. Murtagh was far from evil. But he wasn't exactly good either. Then again, was anybody? The war had changed each of them.

Saphira didn't know what Murtagh felt. All she knew was that she herself was content. The war had ended. She and her Rider were both alive. The new queen was a worthy one.

Soon, balance would return.