A/N: WOW! As it been a while or what? Sorry guys I was in London for vacation (which was AWESOME by the way) so I was not able to write my story. I am so so so so so sorry. Please do not give up on my story! Also I apologize for last chapter. I uploaded the wrong document so you basically only read a quarter of the chapter. So go back if you wish because it's a really sad chapter, basically Luthien's and Murtagh's funerals. Sorry again for the long update but I finaly have it! PLEASE REVIEW!
"Let the meeting come to order!" Nasuada's strong voice rang through the large room. There was a long oak table that was filled with elves, dwarves, humans, and the three dragon riders.
"Leona, you should go back to your room. You do not look well at all," Gelmir said as he held her face in his hands. Leona crinkled her eyebrows and said,
"Don't be ridiculous. I need to be here, Gelmir. This is important. And I'm fine, really." Gelmir looked at her unsurely but finally said,
"Alright. Eragon, make sure she doesn't faint or anything like that." Eragon nodded and pulled her chair out for her and held her hand tightly as she sat cautiously on the wooden chair.
"Gelmir, we are waiting for you," Nasuada said in impatient voice. Gelmir looked around to find that he was the only one standing up. He laughed nervously and sat down in a seat next Orik.
"Now as you all know Alagaesia needs a new leader. That is why we have all gathered here today. Now we need to choose who is eligible to do so. Opinions may be shared but let us not get carried away." After that being said a Varden soldier stood up from his seat and said,
"Well in my opinion I think Eragon should be King as Leona our Queen." Eragon sighed but remained seated as he said calmly,
"Both Leona and I have no desire to rule this land. I am sorry but I am not interested in politics and neither is Leona. Choose someone else to be your leader." The Varden soldier stood there shocked,
"Eragon, it is quite an honor to be chosen as a possible elective to be our King. How could you do this to your own land? Do you not love Alagaesia enough to lead it to peace and happiness?" Eragon thought a bit and then finally spoke again,
"Good sir, I love Alagaesia. If I had not I would not suffer through the pain I had gone through for Alagaesia's freedom. But I am only of the age of eighteen. I am young to rule this land and I feel me being young that it will have disadvantages. I do not know my country well enough to rule. I think the only reason why you have chosen me is because I was the first dragon rider to come in decades and I do not think that is a good enough reason to have me rule our Alagaesia." The soldier was still standing as he said with wide eyes,
"That is not the only reason why I want you as our king but because you have fought in many battles and saved many lives in the process!" Eragon finally stood up and said,
"Well so have many other people in this room! In fact there are people in here who have fought many more battles than I ever will and have saved lives as well. I am sorry to doubt your wishes, my friend, but there are plenty more people eligible to be our next leader." The soldier took his gaze away from Eragon and switched it over to Oromis's,
"Then you, Oromis, you are quite eligible to be our next king." Oromis shook his head and said,
"I am sorry, but I am quite too old for any of that. I am in retirement, sir, this has been my last battle to fight in. I am not such a great elective either." Then another man barged in and sounded quite angry as he said,
"Sit down, Frimor! All you have been choosing is dragon riders! They do not want to be in the elective. The dragon riders aren't the only ones eligible! Many people in here can rule!" Frimor sat down and did not say another word. There was a long silence until Nasuada said,
"Well Hopefully I may be chosen as an elective. As ruler of the Varden I am hoping to take my rule over the whole land. I do know what to do to make Alagaesia a peaceful land once again." Orik chuckled and said under his breath,
"Yea right." But he forgot that the room was large and had quite an echo so Nasuada heard what he had said.
"What was that Orik?" Orik did not care that he heard her but he ended up lying,
"I said your right." Nasuada did not smile for she knew he was lying but she turned her gaze away from him and said,
"Who will second my notion?" About five people stood up, as Orik muttered in Gelmir's ear,
"I rather be a dead dwarf than to see her run this country." Gelmir slightly chuckled, but of course Nasuada heard it, and Orik wanted her too.
"I'm sorry Orik, what did you say?" Orik gave her a death glare and said,
" I don't think I was talking to you, now was I?" Nasuada narrowed her eyes at him and said,
"I still advise you to tell me what you were saying." Orik's breath got heavy and everyone knew that he was getting angry.
"I am sorry Nasuada but it is none of your business!" Everyone in the room gasped at what he dared to say. Nasuada too got angry and said in a harsh tone,
"As the leader of the Varden I command for you to tell me what you said!" Orik got up from his chair and then stood on it so he could get eye level with Nasuada as he yelled loudly,
"You want to hear what I said? Fine! I said that I rather be a dead dwarf than to see you run this country! And there is no joke about that!" Nasuada glared at him wither her dark brown eyes and said,
"Then who do you suppose should run this country? None of the dragon riders will take the thrown so I do not see anyone else who can!" A few people scoffed at what she said especially Orik.
"So you don't think any one of your amazing soldiers can be King? Not a fine elf from Ellesmera? Only you can lead the people? Well I think that is a very arrogant thing for you to do, now don't you think?" Nasuada's eyes went wide as she said,
"That is not what I meant, I think any one can lead this country but it just seems that I know what needs to be done to make Alagaesia better. . . Honestly, Orik, who else do you think is up for this? And that is not an insult to anyone, its just curiosity." Orik looked down to his left and saw Gelmir and he knew who would just be perfect for the new King of Alagaesia. He looked back to Nasuada and said,
"I think Gelmir would be a magnificent King." Gelmir looked up to Orik and said,
"Me?"
"Him?!" Nasuada almost yelled. Then Gelmir glared at her and said,
"Why does that take you by such a surprise? Because I am not as great as you? Because I have not lead the Varden, badly may I add?" Everyone tittered throughout the room as Nasuada slightly blushed and said,
"What makes you think that I have lead the Varden badly?" Gelmir chuckled and looked away from her and said in a low voice,
"Well let's just say you are no where near as great as how your father lead." Nasuada blushed even more and said,
"Well, I know I am not as great as my father but I think I am replacing his spot very well. The war is over, Galbatorix is dead! None of that happened when my father was a leader." Gelmir finally looked at her and said,
"Yes, but your father never had three dragon riders on his side to help him, or actually four. And I don't think you killed Galbatorix now did you? I think it was Murtagh who was the hero that day. And what did you want to do to repay him for killing Galbatorix and his own life? Oh! That's right! You wanted to let him rot in the field and have the birds feast on him and his dragon after he won Alagaesia's freedom back." There were many gasps from people as they stared at Nasuada in disappointment along with anger. Even though Nasuada had a swarthy complexion you could see her cheeks blush. But she continued to fight,
"Yes, that is true but honestly, Gelmir has no ruling back round. He does not know how do handle a country." Gelmir scoffed,
"And you think you do?" Nasuada turned to glare at him and said,
"Yes, I do. And I do not know how you think you can run a country. I don't think that playing tricks on soldiers with your friend . . . what was it Linuin?" Gelmir slammed his fist against the table and stood up as he screeched at the top his lungs,
"LUTHIEN!" His face was beat red and his neck veins popped out as he screamed fiercely. Nasuada turned away shocked and said,
"Luthien, right. Anyway I . . . " Gelmir interrupted her and said through his gritted teeth,
"If you were any leader at all you would know his name and you would know that he died under Galbatorix's blade. We actually fought in wars and risked our lives for Alagaesia while you would just stand by the archers and give orders. I did not see you fight as hard as the soldiers who are here today." Gelmir pushed his chair out and walked to the end of the table where Nasuada was so everyone could see him.
"I was one of those soldiers. I fought against Galbatorix that day and almost lost my life in the process if it weren't for Murtagh! But the thing that you would be afraid losing is your reign over the Varden now isn't that right?" He flashed a glare at her and Nasuada was speechless, but when she was finally about to say something Gelmir continued,
"And if I was ever chosen as your King I would fight in every battle possible and risk my life for all of my people and Alagaesia. Even though I have never ruled over a land before I would know what to do. I may not be as brave and strong as the dragon rider, but I have it in my blood. My father was Galron, the great dragon rider, if he were alive today he would be the one to call King. Knowing that he was my father, I feel I have more bravery and strength in my blood than any human. I will take on anything and anyone to keep our country a safe and peaceful place." With that being said there was a long silence. Gelmir smiled and then turned back to his seat. But once he started to move cheers busted through the whole room which made Gelmir smile even more. Once he got to his seat Orik looked at him wide eyed and said,
"What are you doing back over here? Get up there!" Gelmir frowned at him and said,
"What are you talking about I want to sit down!" They were practically shouting at each other because of everyone's loud roars for Gelmir.
"You are about to be elected to be our next King get up there!" Gelmir's eyes went wide and said,
"What?! No! I wasn't trying to . . . "
"You mean to say that you just made that speech for nothing?!" Orik said as he grabbed on to the collar of Gelmir's shirt to look him in the eye. Then Gelmir said quietly,
"Yes?" Orik pushed him out of his chair and said,
"Get up there, boy! Would you rather have Nasuada rule or you?" Gelmir sighed and said to himself,
What have I gotten myself into? Then he looked to Leona who was the only one sitting down because of her condition but she had the biggest smile on her face. Then she mouthed something to him.
"Do it for Luthien." Then Gelmir suddenly remembered what he had said to him before he died,
"And Gelmir? One last favor . . . make the world right again. I believe after the war we can build a whole new world. Build that world, Gelmir, you and many others can make the world right again." Then Gelmir finally realized what he needed to do. He now knew what to do to give Luthien that one last favor. Gelmir stood up straight and muttered under his breath as he walked to the end of the table again,
"I will make the world right again." When he finally stood next to Nasuada Orik yelled out,
"Now all in favor of making Gelmir our King say aye!" Everyone in the room shouted aye. Gelmir smiled brightly looking at everyone. Only Nasuada was the only one sitting down. Even Leona stood up smiling brightly at him along with Eragon who was had his arms up in the air cheering for him. Then he turned to Nasuada and said,
"You at least have the Varden to rule over." Nasuada did not even look at him. Gelmir cheered to himself,
Yes! I don't think she likes me anymore! I get to be King and I don't have to deal with her anymore! Life is awesome already. Luthien was right! Then Gelmir cringed at those last words. Luthien. He sighed and tried not to think about it. He looked to Leona, hoping to see her smiling face to cheer him up but she wasn't there and neither was Eragon. The he looked to the back of the room to find that the doors were opening with Leona looking paler than ever as Eragon held her up right.
Oh no.
--
"Eragon, please, this is embarrassing just go back to the meeting," Leona said as she held a bucket to her face. Eragon just stood there holding her hair back and said,
"Don't be ridiculous, Leona. I am never leaving your side, especially when you are in this condition." Leona sighed and sai,
"Those words are very comforting, I'll give you that, but Eragon please I can do this on my own." Eragon gently rubbed her back with his free hand. Leona felt better all of the sudden by Eragon's touch but then her stomach felt like it was in her throat again but this time she did not hold back. She expected Eragon to cringe at this but instead he kept on rubbing her back and said,
"Do you need me to get you some water?" Leona nodded in the bucket and said,
"Please?" Eragon still did not let go of her as he said,
"Will you be okay with me gone? I don't want you to faint or anything." Leona just slightly nodded in the bucket. Then his hand was off her back and her hair was sprawled all over her hunched body. All she heard were running footsteps down the hall. Moments later the footsteps came back and she looked up but it was not Eragon it was Gelmir.
"Oh Leona! What happened to you? I told you that you should have stayed in your room!" Leona looked up weekly and smiled as she said,
"And miss the wonderful announcement of my brother becoming the King of Alagaesia? Congratulations by the way." Her smile faded and her head was in the bucket again. Unlike Eragon, Gelmir cringed and said,
"God Leona! What happened? Food poisoning?" Leona shook her head and said,
" I don't think so. I'm just really sick I think." Gelmir held her hair back and said,
"Well then we should get you to a healer immediately, don't you think?" Leona nodded and then she heard another set of footsteps down the hall and it was Eragon with her water. Leona held her hands out eagerly to wash her mouth out. Once grabbed a hold of the cup she took a huge sip and washed her mouth out. Eragon then turned his attention toward Gelmir and almost shouted,
"Gelmir! Come here!" Gelmir smiled and came to him with open arms and the two tightly embraced as Eragon said,
"Congratulations! And man good for you on standing up to Nasuada." Gelmir chuckled and said,
"Yea well some one needed to tell her tat she does not have what it takes to be the next ruler of Alagaesia." Just then Leona had her head in the bucket again and Eragon went to her side and grabbed her hair. The Gelmir said,
"I say we take her to a healer, he'll find out what's going on." Eragon nodded and slightly lifted Leona up as Gelmir helped him hold her up as they made there way to the healers.
--
"Please, Eragon, I advise you to stay out there. I need to speak with Leona privately." The healer said to Eragon as she held the door open for him.
"Why can't I stay? I should know what going on." Then Leona said impatiently as well,
"Eragon, please just do as she says." Eragon nodded coldly and stormed out of the room to meet Gelmir outside.
"So did you try to squeeze some information out of her?" Eragon shook head and said,
"No. That lady won't tell me anything." Eragon sat down on the floor next to Gelmir. He turned to him but Gelmir did not look so relaxed. His jaw was clenched tightly and his fists were balled up tightly.
"Gelmir, she's alright I am sure. She's just sick." Gelmir turned to Eragon with a cold face and said,
"I think it's a bigger issue if the healer needed to talk to Leona alone. Don't you think?" Eragon shook his head and said,
"What are you talking about, Gelmir? I don't . . ."
"You don't understand. Well here let me give you a clue," Gelmir stood up and bent down to Eragon's eye level and continued. "Around two weeks ago the night before the battle when you two supposedly fell asleep under the stars. Or should I use another word for it? . . . Why don't you tell me what really happened that night, Eragon?" Eragon's eyes went wide and his face went almost as pale as Leona's was. Gelmir did not like this silence and now he got really upset. He grabbed Eragon by the shirt and held him eye level and almost shouted,
"Eragon, tell me now! I swear if you got her pregnant I'll . . . "
Just then the healer came out and was shocked to see what was going on.
"Oh! I'm sorry. Is everything alright here?" Gelmir plopped Eragon down and nervously laughed,
"Yes, just play fighting that's all." The woman laughed heartedly and said,
"Well, anyway, Eragon, Leona wants to see you." Eragon walked in a fast pace but Gelmir followed. The healer stopped Gelmir and said,
"Sorry, she only wants to see Eragon right now." Eragon looked back to see Gelmir's cold, hard face staring at him with narrowed eyes. Eragon quickly turned back as the Healer led him into the room. He saw Leona sitting on the edge of the bed with her back to him. She turned her head to him and he was a bit happy to see that she had a bit more color in her cheeks than before. He walked quickly to sit next to her and took her hand gently as he said,
"The healer said you needed to see me?" Leona nodded slowly and she finally looked up to him. Her cheeks were wet from tears and then Eragon became worried and said,
"Leona, what's wrong?" He tried to sound oblivious as if he did not know what was going on, and he kind of didn't. She slightly smiled and said,
"I don't even know why I'm crying. I should be happy." Eragon wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb and said,
"Happy that your sick?" Leona chuckled and said,
"No," Eragon just wanted her to spit it out. He gently grabbed her face and said,
"Then what is it? Tell me." Leona took his hands into hers and took a deep breath and said,
"I really don't know how to say it," Eragon stroked her arm comforting her and almost whispered,
"Just say it." After that he lightly kissed her forehead. Leona slightly smiled but then it quickly faded. She finally looked at him with her glassy green eyes and said softly,
"I'm pregnant."
a/n: Wow big shocker there. But please review I will try to update faster now. Again I do apologize for the long wait and for last chapter. PLEASE REVIEW! THAT'S ALL I ASK! I HAVE NOT HAD REVIEW IN A WHILE AND I MISS THEM!