Dragon Rider of Alagaesia: Thanks. Glad you liked it. And it was pretty obvious that Orik will be the next Dwarf King
voyfan7: Don't worry, I can't keep Murtagh in prison long. He is my favorite character. As for breaking the vows in the ancient language, well, we'll have to see about that.
G.A. Clive: Okay, so perhaps I made a mistake. Nobody's perfect. Glad you liked it.
fAteD lOvE: Glad you like it.
Canadian-Girl14: Glad you like it.
Lady Shana: Hugs back with imprisoning Murtagh I was hoping to do two things: bring out a similarity between Nasuada and Ajihad and show how the Varden still distrust him. Glad you like it.
13BlacKAnGELs: Haha, glad you like it. Circe's loyalty is definitely going to play a part in the final battle; perhaps it may even start to in the next chapter…
Ace Is Wild: Thank you. It's always nice to hear from new reviewers.
Chapter Seventeen: Hope for the Future & Shadows of the Past
Soon enough, the people of the Varden had something else to celebrate besides the return of their hero, Eragon Shadeslayer. The new Rider Roran Stronghammer was going to be married later that evening to his beloved fiancée Katrina of Carvahall.
The young couple had waited a very long time to be married and endured a great deal of pain because of their love for one another. As Roran struggled to make a life that he could support Katrina with, she told him that her father was trying to marry her off and Roran was forced to propose to her without the vile butcher's permission. As a result, Sloan had betrayed Roran to the Ra'zac and the desecrators had taken him and Katrina back to Helgrind while Roran worked quickly, convincing the entire village to go the Surda. Then, like he had vowed, he rescued Katrina with the help of Eragon. Now, they were finally going to be married.
Roran sat by the fire in his bedroom with his cousin Eragon sipping a brandy and fantasizing about the events of the near future, namely, his wedding. A huge grin was plastered upon his previously worn out face and he felt like a new man. Now, it was hard to remember what it was like when he was haunted by the Ra'zac and fleeing Palancar Valley with the whole village.
He held up his mug to Eragon's. "To you, cousin," he said. "Without you I wouldn't be here."
"Without me we'd all be back in Carvahall. None of this would have ever happened," Eragon answered gravely.
"Aye," Roran agreed. "But today is no day for such grim thinking, Eragon, for today is my wedding day."
Eragon smiled slightly. "Aye! You're right," he said, taking a big gulp of his drink.
"You know," said Roran quietly. "I've always dreamt about today, but I never thought it would really happen… especially after the Ra'zac came to Carvahall, especially after Galbatorix."
"I never thought I would be traveling Alagaësia on the back of a dragon," said Eragon, "but we can all see that that happened."
Roran laughed. "And now, all of a sudden, the day that I've always dreamed about is here. Katrina will finally be my wife. I've never been happier."
"Oh! I've never been as happy as I am right now," Katrina confessed, standing on a pedestal with maids hovering about, making final adjustments and modifications to her dress. It was a beautiful, floor length, V-neck, three quarter length sleeve dress adorned with lace made by the Varden's spellcasters. Her copper hair cascaded down her back in curls underneath a lace veil that reached her lower back.
Arya and Nasuada were there with her, smiling and standing off to the side supervising the final altercations to the dress. "And so it should be," said Nasuada. "You'll be married by the end of the night."
Arya nodded. "May the stars shine over the rest of your life together with Roran."
A few moments later, the maids backed away from Katrina as their modifications and adjustments were complete. Katrina was dazzling in her sparkling white wedding dress and veil. Nasuada stepped forward to help me down off the stool. "Come," she said, "It is nearly time."
Everyone who was anyone in the Varden was present at the wedding. Nasuada and King Orrin along with Orik, Angela, Elva, Solembum, Eragon and Arya all stood towards the front of the outdoor courtyard. Roran had chosen to have the ceremony outside to accommodate the dragons, especially his own Garrow. Even Murtagh and Circe were there because of Roran and Katrina's wishes to have their friends and traveling companions present at the wedding. They stood next to Eragon and Arya.
Roran took Katrina's hands in his and brought his face in close to hers. Though neither of them spoke much of the ancient language, they had memorized the eternally binding vows in the ancient language that were said at all weddings in Alagaësia. Roran smiled down into Katrina's face and began to speak in the ancient language, "With these words I profess my love for you, Katrina. At this moment, I bind myself to you for all eternity. With this kiss," he paused, leaned in close to her and kissed her gently, "I vow to spend the rest of my life with you."
Eragon took Arya's hand as Katrina blushed and continued the ceremony with her part of the vows. "With these words I profess my love for you, Roran. At this moment, I bind myself to you for all eternity. With this kiss," she stood her tiptoes to reach his lips with hers, "I vow to spend the rest of my life with you."
As they recognized they end of the vows, the crowd broke into thunderous applause and a little messenger boy came forward and presented a pair of silver elven made rings, each encrusted with a emerald dragon and the names of Roran and Katrina engraved in the metal. Roran took the ring and, grinning, said to his bride as he slipped it onto her finger, "May this ring be but a symbol of my undying love for you, Katrina. I love you, always and forever."
Katrina took the other ring and did the same for Roran. "May we always remember this day, my love," she whispered. The crowd erupted into applause again as Roran took Katrina in his arms and the two shared another kiss. After a moment or two, the couple parted and looked out into the crowd of their friends, still clapping for them.
The reception, too, was held in that courtyard. The sun was starting to go down and the courtyard was now lit by torches of fire hanging on the stonewalls and casting shadows on the tables of food and drink and on the merry partygoers. Music filled the air.
Murtagh sat alone in a dark corner observing he gathering with a cynical glare. How he hated the Varden. He would still be in prison right now if it wasn't for Roran and Katrina. They were on the brink of battle and here these foolish people of the Varden were having a party. They should be preparing for war. Galbatorix knew they had come to the Varden and nobody knew what he was planning behind those stonewalls in Urû'baen. For all they knew he could be waiting behind the gates of Aberon at that very moment! Well, if he were then the Varden would be paying for their foul treatment of him.
Thorn touched his mind. Why are you there by yourself? he asked. Everyone else is having fun dancing or otherwise just talking.
They don't deserve my company, Murtagh growled. Mind your own business.
Touchy, replied the dragon. If you don't mind, I'm going out to find something edible with Saphira.
Murtagh couldn't help but let a crooked smile show. Funny how not that long ago you fought either other at the Burning Plains. Now you're inseparable.
Thorn growled. We are not.
Denial, Murtagh teased.
Thorn flew off with a huff and a puff and Murtagh resumed his bitter observations of the party; though it wasn't long before the newlyweds came over with an extra drink in hand. Murtagh glared at them, but couldn't bring himself to snap at them on their wedding day, even if it had brought about a frivolous party.
Roran extended his hand with the drink to Murtagh. "Perhaps it'll liven you up a bit," he suggested. "You seem to be upset about something."
Murtagh took the drink and began to sip it. It had been so long since he'd touched alcohol, it did terrible things to the men in his family, but it tasted so good. He remembered terrible incidents when his father was drunk as a child, but he didn't care now. He was absolutely miserable at the moment and needed something to make him feel better. Slowly, he began to feel better and less bitter as his small sips turned into gulps. Soon enough, he was finished with the drink and tossed the cup aside.
"Aye," he said. "Terrible time for a party. Galbatorix could be waiting right on the other side of this wall and we're sitting around dancing and other nonsense."
Roran nodded. "But it is my wedding," he said, and walked away with Katrina, going back into the heart of the party.
Murtagh sighed and got to go and get another drink. He gulped it down and felt himself loosen even more. The music filled his ears and thoughts of the imminent battle ahead left his mind completely. He took another drink and tossed the cup away. "Gimme another!" he demanded of the bartender."
The man shook his head. "Nay, sir, but it seems you've had too many."
"Too many?" Murtagh asked, not taking notice that his speech was beginning to slur together. "Whadya mean too many?"
"You've had too much to drink already, sir."
Murtagh snarled and drew Zar'roc, pointing the red blade at the poor man's throat. "I'll tell ya when I've 'ad too many!"
"Okay! Okay, sir, okay!" said the man, pouring Murtagh another drink.
Murtagh grinned and sheathed Zar'roc. He took the drink from the man and gulped it down in an instant. He threw the cup over his shoulder as he saw Circe approaching. She came over and sat down next to him at the bar. "Hi," she said. "Why aren't you enjoying the party like everyone else?"
"I am enjoyin' meself!" Murtagh slurred.
Circe frowned and looked at him strangely. "Umm, Murtagh," she began. "How many drinks have you had?"
"I 'aven't had too many if that's what chyou mean!"
"You're drunk," she muttered in disgust as she stood up and took his arm. "Come on," she said comfortingly, "let's get you into one of those nice rooms Nasuada gave us."
Murtagh threw her away from his arm in an angry, drunken rage. "Gerroff me!" he shouted. "I'm not drunk!" Circe grabbed his arm tighter this time and managed to drag him out of the courtyard party and into the castle with great difficulty despite his protesting screams. "I'm not drunk!" he continued to scream drunkenly. "Gerroff me! Gerroff me!"
But Circe didn't let go of the drunk Rider until they reached his new room. Shortly after they arrived, he collapsed on the floor. Alarmed, Circe rushed over to him, but he wasn't passed out, yet. He rolled over onto his back and erupted into maniacal laughter. She groaned. "Come on, Murtagh," she pleaded. "It's time for you to go to sleep."
Murtagh stopped laughing. For a moment, Circe thought he was going to listen to her. He rose, but then came at her in an angry, drunken rage. The red Rider pinned her against the wall and then kicked her feet out from under her, causing the witch to fall to the ground. With an insane grin on his face, his lifted his tunic to show her the scar his father Morzan had given him when he was a child. "Do you like it?" he asked sadistically, a murderous gleam in his drunken eyes. Murtagh drew Zar'roc and pressed its red blade to her stomach. "I think you'd look good with one right here."
Circe frowned. "I hate to do this, Murtagh," she said sadly before muttering some words in Kylrese. Murtagh suddenly felt all the influence of the alcohol drain form his mind and was vaguely aware of dropping Zar'roc as his vision began to go black. He let out a groan as he fell over and was rendered unconscious by the Kylrian's magic.