Chapter 33
AUBREE
The party lasted a long time. I can't remember if it was a week, two weeks or just three days. Either way it was amazing. After a month of mourning and burying the dead, Queen Nasuada decreed a period of celebration. Those of us who completed vital tasks in making the Varden's victory possible earned rewards, as well as some lands and titles. I was given a council seat. I almost was given the rest, but said no thanks. Not surprisingly, Nasuada wanted to give more.
"Fine, I want three horses, two dogs, and three cats. Oh," I said as an afterthought, "and a room at the castle where I can stay." I smiled at the bewildered look on her face.
"That is all? It takes very little to please you. Fine, all of that shall be granted you and a place as a council member besides." I sighed and nodded. How could I argue with a queen?
The most Joyful part of the aftermath (Other than getting kissed by Eragon and never leaving his side in the daytime) was seeing Abby. It had been months since I had seen her. It felt like a lifetime ago and the blind school another world. I hugged her fiercely, until neither of us could breathe. That is when I started to cry again, I know, I know, but hey I am a girl after all and we women, as a whole, are very good at crying! After I was done, I did what I'd been longing to do as soon as I could, I shook her slightly.
"If you ever run off on me, causing me to have to travel to another world and through all this again, I swear Abigail, I'll… I'll tie you to a chair and leave you there!" I started to wipe a few stray tears from my cheeks.
"Hey, same to you, once I got out of there, I spent all my time looking, and where do I find you? In the very same place I was, about to get married without me!" She continued in a much gentler, but subdued tone. "I am just glad we made it in time. You are alright, aren't you?" she sounded worried, and I couldn't have that. I opted to go the playful route, because I had enough of being sad for the time being.
"Now, now. Do I seem like the type to be dramatic? Yes it was hell, but I got through it and am ready to go on. And yes," I said, knowing she was about to speak, "I did wallow in self despair, but that was when I thought there was no hope! So, my answer is yes, I am alright, and ready to move forward to whatever life throws at us." She seemed happier from that point, for which I was grateful. After that,, it was hard not finding Abby and I talking somewhere, since neither of us were much use in rebuilding and would just get in the way. The month seemed to drag on, until Nasuada decreed a period of celebration for the hard work and victory we had won.
I stood behind Nasuada as she told her people the good news.
"My people, these last year and two months, you have toiled like never before. Now that things are settled somewhat, I would like to declare a two week period of celebration, where only those tasks that are vital may be performed. This is my gift to you in thanks for all your effort to bring us where we are today! Let the celebrations begin!"
A mighty cheer went up. Someone pulled a whistle out of nowhere and started playing a fast toe-tapping song. I watched a little before I took Eragon's hand and led him out into the courtyard, where people were now dancing. That night, and many nights to follow, impromptu feasts were put together by volunteers. The elves who had met up with Nasuada's forces played their instruments and sang lilting heart-tugging songs. I was asked to get up and sing one night. I sang one of my favorites from our world, "Homeward Bound." Wanting to convey my emotions for all to hear, I began:
In the quiet misty morning,
When the moon has gone to bed,
When the sparrows stop their singing,
And the sky is clear and red.
When the summer's ceased its gleaming,
When the Corn is past its prime,
When adventure's lost its meaning,
I'll be homeward bound in time.
Bind me not to the pasture,
Chain me not to the plow.
But let me free to find my calling,
And I'll be homeward bound in time.
Needless to say, there wasn't a dry eye in the room, including Abby's and mine. For the song had special significance to us.
In the morning, there would be large games of sport and tests of skill with bow, sword, and bare hands. Prizes for the winners were brought up from the cellars and coffers of the castle, to everyone's delight. In the afternoon, there were held poetry contests, which I loved. Many would seek shade to take a nap. In the early evening, we would sit together, watching the sunset, and discuss the past and the future. Once the sun went down though, the dancing began anew.
Work was done too, for the Varden had a long ways to go to get back on its feet. Flocks were looked after, fields tended. Many did washing while talking. Some carded wool; others swept and cleaned the castle to get out of the sun. Strong men rebuilt houses during the cool hours of the morning. There were house raising contests that would last for hours at a time. The winner was able to choose who would live in the house. I worked in the makeshift hospital they had set up during the day, while the contests took place. All in all, the work and the reveling went hand in hand and there was peace. I especially enjoyed the reveling, when in Eragon's arms.
The nights of dancing were my favorite. He would sweep me up and not let go until my feet were sore and I was breathless. Then we would walk in the gardens, Sitting on benches we would talk of the future. But most of all, we talked of what we wanted. It felt different than what had once been. I still loved him but not in the way I had. I felt him pull away ever so slightly, day by day. And somehow I knew we weren't meant to be. We still kissed but things were different for both of us. I had seen him kill in cold blood. He had seen me almost marry the man he hated most. We had some wounds that went deeper than skin. This made me feel sadness, that night after night I would look for a new dance partner more often. Eragon would do the same. It made my heart ache but what had been could never be again. The only thing that stopped the aching was the thought of new adventures. For somewhere inside me, I knew our journey was far from over.