Chapter Thirty-Five: A New Ruler
A month after the death of Galbatorix a meeting was arranged to decide who would become the new ruler of Alagaesia. Murtagh was more than surprised to find himself invited to this meeting but agreed to attend. The meeting was to take place on the day Eragon and Saphira returned. Whilst he waited for the Blue pair to return, Murtagh spent his time with Thorn, Apollo and, when he could, Nasuada, as well as the friends he made as a slave.
He was a little surprised at the way the people of Alagaesia treated him. The people of the Empire often stopped to shake his hand or give him a pat on the back. The Varden didn't seem to know how to treat him; some tried to be civil to him, whilst others simply ignored him. But Murtagh couldn't care less; he was free and alive and reunited with those he loves. He helped to clean up Uru'baen from the destruction of the battle that had raged; he went flying with Thorn and even took Apollo flying. Shruikan still hadn't returned and he and Thorn often looked for him when they went flying but they had yet to find him and were beginning to realise that they would have to let him come to them when he was ready.
Eragon and Saphira returned just as autumn arrived and all leaders and Riders were called to the palace and within the Throne room they attempted to pick a new leader. Murtagh and Thorn were the last to arrive. Trying to suppress all the horrible memories of this room, they started to make their way towards Nasuada but were stopped short by the sight that greeted them. All the leaders were there, gathered around a long table that had been placed in the centre of the room; King Orik gave Murtagh a dirty look but said nothing. Apollo had told Murtagh that the dwarven King had wanted him arrested and made no secret of the fact but if he had expected support he didn't get it. Many of the humans had threatened a riot if the Kingslayer was arrested, the elves had also objected as had the Urgals. Nasuada flat out rejected the idea and told Orik that everyone had accepted Murtagh's reasons for killing Hrothgar and he would simply have to do the same. He hadn't been happy but he didn't press the matter and had ignored Murtagh since.
Next to Orik was Queen Islanzadi, who looked as regal and beautiful as ever but it was who or perhaps what, was next to her that made the Red Rider and his dragon stop in their tracks. Next to the Queen of the Elves was Arya, her daughter, and she was holding an emerald baby dragon in her arms. Murtagh and Thorn had known that the Elves had taken the green egg back to Ellesmera with them to see if it would hatch but Murtagh was a little stunned it had hatched so quickly.
"Congratulations, what's his name?" he said to Arya, who gave him a small smile and answered,
"Thank you, Murtagh. His name is Fìrnen." Thorn made his way over to the hatchling and gently touched his nose to Fìrnen's, the baby dragon gave a small squeak of delight and Arya's smile got bigger. Taking seats close to Nasuada, they turned their attention back to everyone else and the meeting began.
"Well, as you all know we are here to decide on who will be the new ruler of Alagaesia," began Nasuada,
"I think it would be wise to choose a human as dwarves and elves have their own monarchs. So who do we have as candidates?"
"Eragon would be the obvious choice," said Arya.
"No, I wouldn't do. I wouldn't know the first thing about running a country and I don't think it would be a good idea to put another Rider upon the throne," said Eragon calmly.
"What about Roran?" asked Arya. Eragon looked stunned but Murtagh could understand why Arya had mentioned his cousin. Roran had proven himself as a General and the men respected him. Arya told Eragon this. The others, however, weren't keen on the idea as Roran lacked experience.
"If you would Lady Nasuada, there is one the people would follow, one they would be happy to be their ruler," said Jormunder, who was stood next to Nasuada's chair.
"Who?" asked Nasuada.
"The one who killed the King in single combat, the slave who did what no slave had done before and defied an Empire. The warrior who the people of the Empire were prepared to follow against the King…Murtagh," replied Jormunder.
Everyone turned to look at Murtagh who suddenly felt very uncomfortable.
He speaks the truth, brave one, said Thorn to Murtagh alone.
Thorn, I am not King material. Making me King is a bad idea, replied Murtagh a little desperately.
Why? You know how the politics of this realm work. You understand the people of this realm. You are smart, brave and have wisdom that you simply don't acknowledge.
Thorn, I appreciate the sentiment, I really do; but I don't want to be King. I'm not sure I could do it and I'd rather the people have someone with more confidence than I have running their home land, Murtagh insisted. He was touched by Thorn's words and Jormunder's but being a King wasn't what he wanted. Frankly, he'd had enough of Kings.
It took Murtagh a moment to realise Jormunder was talking again, saying to everyone else much the same as what Thorn had said to him. When Jormunder finished there was a thoughtful silence as everyone considered his words. Murtagh decided that he should speak now before this went any further.
"I thank Jormunder for his kind words and his confidence in me; however, I don't think I should be King. For one I'm a Dragon Rider and we have already agreed it would not be good for any race if another Rider took the throne." Murtagh paused a minute, took a deep breath and continued,
"Also, I don't think it would be good for Alagaesia if a broken man became King. I am not a fool. I know Galbatorix's cruelty broke me and if you don't mind I think I need time to heal. Besides I don't think I would make a good King. However, I am familiar with the politics of Uru'baen and would be happy to give my advice to the ruler if they desire it."
"I'm sure whoever takes the throne will find your advice invaluable. But I must disagree, Murtagh, I think you would make a wonderful King. You got the Empire to follow you without even trying and you stood up to Galbatorix when you could have got nothing but pain for your bravery," Nasuada said gently, looking at Murtagh fondly. He gave her a grateful smile and tried to ignore Eragon's gaze boring in to his head. Hoping to take the focus away from him, Murtagh spoke again,
"I think it is clear that we have two obvious candidates for the throne. Lady Nasuada and King Orrin are the most logical choices. The question is which one takes the throne?"
Murmurs of agreement went round the table and everyone thought about who they think should have the throne, Nasuada or Orrin?
"It should be me," said King Orrin immediately.
"Why?" demanded Orik.
"Why? Because Surda has given the most to win this war; we've housed, fed and bled for the Varden. If Galbatorix had won the war were would my people have gone. He'd have raised Surda to the ground for siding with the Varden, whilst the Varden could have gone into hiding. My people risked everything to help the Varden in their time of greatest need; without us you would not have made it this far. Now, I wish to the claim the spoils of war that my people deserve," said King Orrin, angrily.
"Do you think that if I were Queen I would simply send you off with our thanks and nothing more? Do you think so little of me?" Nasuada asked quietly. King Orrin had gone a brilliant shade of red and was about to respond when others around the table spoke up declaring that they supported Nasuada's claim; Eragon, Queen Islanzadi, King Orik, Halfpaw, even Saphira. King Orrin looked as if he had swallowed something sore when he turned to Murtagh, the only person who hadn't given anyone his support.
"And what about you, Kingslayer; I suppose you support her claim as well," said King Orrin.
"I support no one's claim right now, however, I have a suggestion on how to settle this argument without everyone here having to take sides," said Murtagh calmly, thinking of the idea that had been growing in his head as they talked, an idea Thorn heartily approved of.
"Well, what is it?" asked King Orik, grudgingly.
"All of you here seem to think that you have the unquestionable right to decide who rules the people of this land. Well, I say your opinions are not the only ones that matter. Galbatorix put a crown on his own head without asking the people he'd decided to rule. The lives of Kings depend upon their people not the other around as so many seems to think. Those people out there have more right than anyone in this room to decide who their next ruler should be, so why not let them decide. They didn't choose Galbatorix but had him forced upon them and look what happened, don't make the same mistake," said Murtagh looking at everyone seated around the table in turn as he spoke. His gaze landed on Nasuada last of all, and he found her looking back at him with admiration, fondness and something else he couldn't name. Eragon was looking at him as if he was seeing him for the first time and for once, Murtagh found himself returning Eragon's gaze. Since Eragon had returned the two brothers hadn't spent any time together and they hadn't spoken since, well Murtagh couldn't even remember when they had last spoken. If Murtagh was being honest he had been avoiding Eragon, a self-righteous lecture wasn't something he was interested in and could do without.
"You're right, Murtagh we should take what the people want into consideration," said Eragon, surprising Murtagh. He didn't expect the Blue Rider to agree with him, they hadn't always agreed in the past, but he welcomed it and nodded his head in Eragon's direction.
"I agree but how would you suggest we do it?" asked Nasuada.
"Simple, gather the people that are here, from the Empire, the Varden, everyone and both of you should stand before them and state why you think they should pick you to be their King or Queen. We will use magic to amplify your voices so everyone can here you both. Then give them a day and night to think about what you have said. Once the day and night is over reconvene them in the square and get them to vote with a show of hands. Thorn and Saphira can count the votes and whoever has the most will be declared ruler. A ruler of Alagaesia picked by its people," or some of them at least, Murtagh added but did not say this last part out loud.
"Perhaps we could send messages to the other cities and ask them to send their elders to vote on their behalf so no corner feels left out," added Nasuada smiling at Murtagh as if she knew what he had been thinking. He nodded at her idea and returned her smile.
Nasuada and Orrin both wrote down their reasons to be ruler several times to be taken and read out to the other cities. The cities would vote and those votes would be brought to Uru'baen by their elders. This would take some time but Murtagh pointed out that their arguments could probably last just as long and everyone seemed happy enough with his idea.
Two weeks later and Uru'baen was ready to hear their future rulers make their claim. Standing on the stage that had been erected outside the palace, Murtagh would very much have liked to be anywhere else.
What am I doing here, Thorn? I'm not a leader, said Murtagh to his dragon that was lying next to him at the side of the stage.
You are here because you are a Rider and besides this was your idea. You should be proud of yourself. You've given the people a say in who rules them, I'm proud of you, Murtagh, very proud, replied Thorn, who made sure that his Rider could feel the pride he had in him, to prove his point. Murtagh smiled as he felt his dragons pride and love fill him.Looking across at the other leaders on the stage, Murtagh watched as King Orrin stepped forward and began to speak,
"People of Alagaesia, I stand here because I believe I am the man to take you forward. My people did much to help win the war against the tyrant King Galbatorix. I have ruled Surda for many years now and I have never had any trouble; my people have never objected to my rule. I am a fair and just man, who would be willing to listen to any thoughts you wished to bring to me. I would never hesitate to help you should you need it. I would care for you as I have always cared for my people. Thank you." With that King Orrin stepped back and Nasuada stepped forward.
"People of Alagaesia, I humbly ask to be your Queen and I shall tell you why. I have led the Varden across Alagaesia and done all within my power to not only lead them, but to protect them. I have united the races of Alagaesia under a single banner and will continue to do so should you make me Queen. I know I can keep relations open with the other races and make sure that these relations benefit you in any way possible. I am young but I have led the Varden to victory in battle many times over. I have kept them together when they were on the verge of falling apart. I believe I can take you into a better age, if you will let me."
Murtagh waited till Nasuada was finished before he too stepped forward to address the crowd, whilst Eragon removed the voice enhancement charm from Nasuada and Orrin.
"You have heard the reasons why Lady Nasuada and King Orrin believe they should be your monarch. Now it is for you to decide. Go home and think about what you have heard when you return tomorrow we will ask you to vote for whom you want to sit upon the throne," Murtagh told the crowd, which began to disperse as chatter broke out amongst them. Sighing Murtagh made his way back to his tent and waited for the morn.
The result the next day was an overwhelming victory for Lady Nasuada and a coronation was held three weeks later. Murtagh was named the Queen's advisor and the head of the Queens guard. Eragon and Saphira had returned to Ellesmera with Arya, but not before Eragon had cornered Murtagh in a tavern, where Murtagh was hoping to enjoy a quiet drink.
"Murtagh can we talk?" asked Eragon, looking down on Murtagh who was sat quietly at corner table downing ale. Sighing he tried to think of a way out of this confrontation but coming up blank he indicated the empty chair opposite his. Eragon opened his mouth to speak but Murtagh beat him to it,
"Look Eragon, why don't we just start over, okay? We've both been through a lot and both of us have done and said things we can't take back but it's in the past now, so let's just move on okay?" finished Murtagh looking a little desperately at his brother. Eragon sat and thought for several minutes before he spoke,
"You're right Murtagh. We'll start over. Would you come and visit us in Ellesmera?"
Murtagh gave Eragon a small smile and agreed. The two brothers spent the rest of the day talking about the elven capital and anything else that came to mind. By the time the two of them left they were a great deal more comfortable with each other and had made a promise to work on mending their brotherhood.