Thanks so much for the reviews! I'm totally thrilled, and my goal is to stay as tied to the book as possible…Anyway, if I miss anything or if you'd like to remind me, I'm fine with you telling me in the reviews. This chapter is a lot of RoranxKatrina fluff…I like them together, it's so cute.
Disclaimer: All brilliance belongs to Chris Paolini. But Lysela is still the little sister I always wanted to be. Eragon didn't HAVE to be the brother, but he'd be nice too!
It seemed that those hours of misery would drag on forever. Roran was still in a deep sleep of contentment, which Lysela greatly envied. If Eragon had not rousted her, she would not be awake with worry, right?
She rose from her bed, gazing out the window. Wiping fog from the dense panes, she spotted crisp autumn leaves spread upon the farmland. Delight was clear across her face, as she quickly dressed herself.
The child ran into the next room, jumping on the bed closest to the door. Mischievousness was clear across her face, as she leapt on.
"RORAN, RORAN! Wake up, the leaves are here!" she cried, shaking her older cousin with excitement. When he did not budge, she came up with the perfect plan. She bent her head close to his ear, a wide grin across her lips.
"Katrina's here to see you, Roran," she whispered as he leapt from the bed wildly. His eyes lit up like a frightened kitten, his fingers brushing through his dirty-blond hair frantically.
"What? At the door?" he yelped, his fingers springing to pull on his shirt. Perspiration began trickling down, as she burst into a fit of giggles.
"No, but I bet SHE would play with me. I'm going to go get her!" Lysela announced, strutting towards the doorframe. Roran grabbed her by the shoulder, lifting her up in the air.
"That was mean, Ly. I thought you meant it," he whined, sleepiness returning to him.
"Oooh…Roran loves Katrina! Roran loves Katrina! Roran and Katrina, sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" she crowed to the heavens, the young man blushing maroon. The front door creaked open, footsteps pattering across the floor.
"Roran? Mr. Garrow?" the indistinguishable voice of Katrina came. Roran pulled on h is shirt, fumbling to button it quickly.
"Say another word and it's vegetables for the rest of the season," he snapped at her, making her cower for a moment as he strode out to the doorway.
"Uh…Hi, sorry I didn't answer you at first. I kind of had to help out Lysela," he lied, hoping that she had not heard the little girl's chant.
The beautiful young woman gazed over at him with a warm smile. "It's fine. I had to deliver some of this spare meat from my father's shop. I'm sorry he's been rather harsh to you all," she said quietly. Roran frowned, gently taking her hand.
"It's alright, that's just his personality," he replied quickly, and then realizing what he said was a mistake. Katrina nodded, her gaze shifting to the floorboards.
"That came out wrong. I'm sorry," he said, lifting her chin to look at him. Her chocolate eyes shimmered with unshed tears, as he stroked her cheek.
"It's okay, Roran. He's just…gruff like that. A lot," she said monotonously. Her gentle features, from her giving eyes to her slim body, it all shook with sadness. "He's been like this for awhile, since what happened to her…" she choked on the last words, Roran stepping closer to her.
"It's alright, Katrina. I know how it feels," he consoled, as she found herself crying on his shoulder. His callused fingers brushed against her back warmly, as she raised her head from his now damp shoulder.
"I'm so sorry, I did not mean to be such a burden," she said quietly, grasping his shoulder. He smiled for a moment, not realizing how close they were.
Lysela had been hoping for some breakfast: she was starving after two hours of worry! She stepped out of Roran's room, her jaw dropping at the sight her eyes fell upon. Roran and Katrina, kissing! Just like she predicted.
"Ahem," she said loudly, hoping to be able to get away from the lovebirds so she could eat something good. Maybe some of those berry muffins that she had spent her extra money on…
Katrina sprang away from Roran like he was on fire, embarrassment clear. Roran closed his eyes, hating that this broken moment. He had no anger against her, she was just a child. Just as long as she didn't start chanting…
"I…I'm going to get some breakfast…Katrina, do you want something?" Lysela offered politely, deciding not to torture Roran. Until she left.
"I suppose. Thank you, Ly," she replied warmly, as she helped Lysela grab the muffins from a shelf.
Roran leaned against the wall, relaxed. Hopefully Lysela would be able to control herself long enough until Katrina left. Though he really did not want the love of his to leave just yet…
He watched her help Lysela, a smile forming on his lips. The morning sunlight seemed to make her glow more than before, and it seemed he could never tear his eyes off her.
"Hey Roran? Roran? RO-RAN?" the little girl pestered, as he brought himself back to reality.
"What?" he asked rubbing his forehead as he shifted his gaze over at her.
"Do you want one?" she asked, holding up a muffin with a smile. He nodded, glancing out the window. It seemed like time was passing too slow, and that Eragon was taking too long. It usually took him a matter of a few hours for him to return from his hunt.
He decided not to remind Lysela of this, and let Katrina help her. Distraction would help protect her from the ideas of death and misery that could befall him.
Well, here's chapter two. Kind of fast because I have tons of spare time, with ideas! Reviews wanted: please? Thanks!