10. Transformed

When Nasuada and Murtagh casually strolled hand in hand into the queen's private dining chamber, where the other Riders, Angela, and Elva were all seated, all eyes turned to observe them.

Eragon almost laughed out loud at the transformation Murtagh had undergone. Even when he had first met his older brother over twelve years before, Murtagh hadn't seemed so young and carefree. His life had always been hard, painful, and full of dark emotions. Now he was a new man, resurrected by the love of the woman he had long desired. Nasuada also looked unlike Eragon had ever seen her. She was glowing with a deep inner joy, and her hair flowed around her shoulders and down her back in a thick, shining mane. She seemed completely at ease and confident.

But Eragon managed to maintain his composure and instead said, "Back so soon then, brother? I thought not to see you for at least another few days, especially since you can have food and drink brought to you at will."

Murtagh cast a sideways glance at Nasuada, raising one eyebrow meaningfully with a sardonic grin on his face. She giggled as if they were sharing some inside joke.

Eragon laughed then, not able to suppress it any longer. He guessed that Murtagh must have anticipated his ribbing and warned Nasuada it would happen. In truth, Eragon was so happy for his brother that he could have sung aloud at the top of his lungs. But he was sure the others wouldn't have appreciated such an expression, so he let himself be satisfied with the laugh.

"Truly," Murtagh wryly replied. "I would never have consented to returning so soon had Nasuada not proposed a most interesting compromise."

At this remark, though he couldn't be sure due to the deep color of her skin, Eragon thought Nasuada blushed. He was curious but could sense from Murtagh that he would not receive an explanation. Murtagh simply wanted to strike back.

"Nasuada, your hair is so beautiful!" Arya then complimented. "I had no idea it was so long!"

"Yes, it is rather unruly," Nasuada agreed. "One reason I almost always keep it up." She pulled her hair around her shoulder so she could sit in the chair Murtagh pulled out for her.

Murtagh took his seat next to her and said, "Something I plan to fight as often as possible now that I have beheld its full magnificence." Everyone laughed as he slid his hand under her hair and pulled it around to her back, allowing it to cascade over his hand as he drew it back toward himself. "So I need some nourishment, which I'm sure comes as no surprise to the rest of you intelligent folk, knowing the kind of strenuous exercise I have been engaged in this past day. Would someone please pass me that bread?"

Eragon laughed again, and Varhog let out a deep bark of a laugh. Willow's face lit up in delight, though Arya looked slightly mortified, and Nasuada again seemed somewhat embarrassed. Angela clucked primly, but Elva smiled in a pure way, happy so be surrounded by such happiness.

Eragon had been surprised to see Elva a young lady when they had first arrived. Though he knew she was not much older in years than his niece, Ismira, she now appeared to be about sixteen due to the accelerated growth she had inflicted upon herself as a baby. He had learned from her that her time in the palace had, for the most part, been a blessed respite from the horrors of the war, which she had been forced to endure in such an intimate, magnified manner.

Before dinner, she had approached him and formally greeted, "Hail, Shadeslayer. It has been many years." Her unnerving voice was not quite so chilling now that she was somewhat grown.

But Eragon hadn't stood for such a manner. He surprised her by enfolding her in a tight hug. "What, are we not old friends?" he teased, knowing Elva most likely did not regard the one who had cursed her with her strange ability as a friend. "Whether we are or not, I am glad to see you, Elva. Has your time here been more peaceful these last ten years?"

It was then she had briefly told him of her life in the palace and that she often got to be outside in the gardens and surrounded by animals, whose serene peace had helped her overcome the deepest wounds she had been inflicted with. "I do hold you a friend, Eragon. As I told you all those years ago, I have forgiven you for what you unwittingly did to me. Now that I can control it, thanks also to you, I have come to view it as a gift and use it for the benefit of those closest to me whenever the need arises. Your blissful joy now is as a boon to my soul, as sorrowful as you always were before, particularly in regards to your feelings for your lovely wife. Congratulations, by the way. You both appear to be radiantly happy."

Eragon had only nodded, touched by her deeply personal and meaningful observations. He remembered sometimes observing Elva's disconcerting perception of his frustrated longing for Arya during the war, but he was grateful she had never let on at the time.

With her characteristic intuitiveness Elva then said, "Although I sense your deep sorrow at the unknown possibilities surrounding the birth of your child." Angela and Arya had listened keenly at this. "Do not despair, Shadeslayers," she continued, addressing them both. "No ill will come of that moment. None at all." Her expression had been sublime as she appeared to be captivated by some rapturous vision. But she had refused to elaborate despite Angela and Arya's much insistence.

All she further said was, "I wish I could be there for the birth."

Arya was deeply affected by her reassuring prediction. "Then you are welcome to be present, if it would mean so much to you," Arya had replied. "The birth of a child is the most beautiful moment imaginable, and you would feel no pain or sorrow from me to taint its perfection. I'm not sure where we will be when the time comes, but Murtagh has also expressed a desire to be present and so, by extension, I am sure Nasuada will be. Perhaps you could fly with them on Thorn to meet us."

Elva had nodded, her expression still beatific. "Thank you, Life Bringer."

Eragon's surprise at this new and unusual title had been as great as Arya's, for he had hinted at it only two nights before. Could it possibly have more meaning than the obvious reference to Arya's current pregnancy? They had no way of knowing, and Elva had yet again refused to explain herself.

But in spite of the mysterious nature of the exchange, it had left Eragon in the unaccountably high spirits he was now enjoying as Murtagh and Nasuada joined the meal.

This dinner was even more lighthearted than the one Eragon and Arya had first rejoined on the Isle after returning from their honeymoon. Everyone laughed heartily at Eragon and Murtagh's relentless banter, and Murtagh's obvious happiness served to make his usual dry wit all the more lively and engaging. Willow and Varhog were also more openly joyful, as they no longer had to wonder about the affection they felt.

Angela seemed her normal cheerful self, though she frequently cast exasperated looks at Elva. But Elva didn't appear to mind her frustration, so surpassing and complete was everyone else's satisfaction.

When everyone had finished eating and the liveliness momentarily abated, Nasuada said, "We do not wish to detain this party from their further travels. I will be accompanying my new husband as we journey to Varhog's village. When shall this be? We can leave as soon as you wish, Willow and Varhog."

"The sooner the better," Willow replied. "My experience with the marriages of my two elder brothers has only served to solidify my previous beliefs that it encompasses all that is good, right, and happy and brings two people more joy than anything else. If no one else protests, I would like to leave tomorrow."

No one objected, so with the promise that her joy would also soon be complete, Willow stood and excused herself, inviting Varhog to join her.

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