Chapter 5. Aletha

Eragon and Roran sat beside Baldor and Albreich as Horst paced back and forth in front of a door. He stopped and looked at the door when a yell came from inside the room. Horst's wife Elain had gone into labor and to secure a successful birth. Eragon healed Elain because of the pains she had been experiencing, so the birth would go easy.

"Shouldn't you be in there…" Roran asked.

Horst stopped pacing to smile at Roran; "I was present for the birth of Baldor and it is something I am not likely to ever forget, but it is not something I want to see again. There are some things a man should not see…"

"Well I plan to be there for the birth of my son…" Roran boldly said.

"Brave words… if anyone can stand to see such things it is you Roran Stronghammer…"

The door opened and Birgit came out sneaking a venomous look at Roran as she passed them. She returned a few minutes later with another arm full of towels.

Horst started pacing again as Saphira touched Eragon's mind; ('Has it happened yet?")

("No not yet, but soon…")

No sooner had he spoken when a smack came from inside the room and the cry of a newborn child letting the world know it had arrived through its cries. The door opened and this time Angela stuck her head out. "You may come in now…"

All five men entered the room and the brothers Baldor and Albriech got a look at their new sister. Katrina was there as well now six months pregnant with their son. She stood up and was wrapped in Roran's arms; they kissed each other and watched as Horst stood over his wife and new child.

"She is just as beautiful as her mother…" Horst said standing over Elain.

"What is her name…" Eragon asked.

"Aletha…" Horst and Elain said at the same time.

Because of Eragon's spell and Angela's skill Elain would be able to attend the celebration. She set the baby down in a crib and then she started to get dressed. They lived in an abandoned house two blocks from the palace. Like many of the Varden's soldiers the abandoned houses in the city were assigned by lot and the rest of the Varden camped around the south wall entrance to the city. Those citizens of the city who wished to leave were allowed to do so.

"I have been thinking…" Horst abruptly said.

Elain stopped and looked at him; "Thinking about what?"

"The future of our family… I am proud of the men Baldor and Albreich are becoming… but Aletha is different."

Elain walked up to Horst and kissed him. "What are you getting at…"

"Well I consider Roran and Eragon family… Katrina and Roran are getting ready to have a son… So what if we betrothed our daughter to their son…"

Elain had a look of joy on her face but she said, "But Katrina hasn't even given birth to her child yet…"

"I know, but why wait?" Elain thought about it and the more she did the more she liked the idea and agreed.

Birthing Celebrations was a tradition among the humans of Alagaesia. When a child was born the entire village or family would host a feast in honor of the child and the people would bring gifts and bestow them upon the family in the name of the child. Most of the city turned out for the celebration and everyone but the Urgals was there. Instead Nar Garzhvog and his Urgals patrolled the city walls and remained on watch in case of trouble. Lady Lorna had been invited as well and she accepted. Horst and Elain's procession included Baldor and Albreich, Eragon and Arya whom Eragon invited. Next was Katrina and Roran. They were greeted by Nausada the council of Elders King Orrin and his nobles as they entered.

"For someone running short on gold you certainly find an excuse to have a party…" Orrin said whispering to Nausada.

She smirked; "If it keeps the soldiers in a good mood then so be it…"

"I hope you show the same philanthropy when I am married…"

Nausada looked at Orrin; "I didn't know you were engaged…"

He smiled, "Yes, to the Countess of Cithri… we were to marry this summer but then the war started…"

Nausada felt sorry for him; "If you had told me earlier then perhaps I could have delayed the invasion…"

"Nonsense, besides Galbatorix was already planning on invading Surda anyway…"

"Well I look forward to the day of your nuptials…"

When the procession ended the couple and their new baby was toasted, then Horst and Elain were showered with gifts. After all the presentations were made the food was served.

"Humans have the weirdest customs…" Arya said standing next to Eragon and Saphira.

"Elves don't celebrate the births of their children…"

"When an elf reaches his or her one hundredth year a celebration is held by the family of that elf."

Music was played and then Blodgharm recited an Elven poem to which Eragon translated. Arya song a song in the ancient language. Eragon read his poem that received a thunderous applause. Saphira drank two barrels of ale and hummed to herself as the children played with her tail. Saphira noticed Birgit standing by the entrance to the courtyard pulling a dagger in and out of the sheath watching Roran.

("Eragon… look…") He followed her gaze and spotted Birgit. Sapphira snorted, ("You need to settle this or I will… Roran is your nest mate and I consider him my family…")

Eragon sighed, "Right…"

That is when Birgit noticed Eragon and his dragon staring at her. She slipped out of the courtyard and headed towards her house on the east side of the city. She had gone four blocks when Eragon stepped from out of an alley. Birgit drew her dagger, but when a shadow covered her she dropped her dagger. Saphira was standing behind her with a faint growl coming from her mouth.

"Hello Birgit…" Eragon said staring at the sky, "…It is a beautiful night isn't it."

"If you have come to kill me then get it over with…"

Eragon looked at her confused; "Why would I kill you?"

"Don't play games…" Birgit said in anger. "…You have come to settle the blood feud for your cousin Roran and deny me my revenge."

"Tell me Birgit… what do you think you would accomplish by killing Roran? Have you considered all the people who would line up to avenge him? Chief among them… Saphira and me. I could think of a thousand ways to kill you with magic… As for Saphira she would not just stop at you… every person related to you by blood would suffer her wrath. Then there is Katrina and do not let me forget the Dwarf clan who adopted me… they would want your head as well."

"Roran has powerful allies… so what, my husband is dead…"

Eragon sighed, "I am sorry for your loss… if anyone is to blame for what happened to Quimby it is me… If I had been more truthful about Saphira's egg maybe things would have turned out differently and know this. If it was in my power I would bring Quimby back…"

Birgit's anger calmed a little; "Thank you for saying that…"

"You are welcome… May I say this and do not be offended… Your anger has blinded you to the future that is before you…"

"What future…"

"Uthar… he hasn't been hanging around because he does not have something else better to do… He admires you… your strength, and since of honor. He loves you…"

Birgit took a shaky breath; "He never said anything.

"Of course not go and open your heart to him and see what happens…"

Birgit picked up the dagger and gave it to Eragon. "Here give this to Roran… tell him the debt is paid…"

Eragon smiled accepting the dagger, "Thank you…" Saphira and Eragon watched her walk off and then they returned to the party.

"There you are…" Horst said when Eragon returned to the party. "…I've been looking all over for you." Horst lead Eragon over to where Roran, Katrina, and Elain were standing. "Now that we are all together… Roran Elain and I consider you family and you as well Katrina… we were talking and Elain and I were wondering if you and Katrina would betroth your son to our daughter."

"But our son hasn't even been born yet…" Katrina said.

"We know… and we hope you accept…"

Roran looked at Katrina and she nodded her approval. "We agree…" They said at the same time.

Horst jumped up onto a table and told everyone that his family had betrothed their new daughter to Roran's unborn son. As the people broke out into a cheer and renewed revelry Eragon looked out across the sea of people and spotted Elva talking with Angela and Solumbum who was in his human form. He would have ignored them, but he couldn't hear what they were saying, even with his enhanced elflike hearing. Eragon realized that Angela must have put up a spell to keep others from hearing their conversation.

("Call me if you need help…") Saphira said as Eragon made his way across the courtyard.

As Eragon got closer all three of them turned to face him. "And what are you three up to…"

"Plots and plans…" Angela declared who received a venomous look from Elva.

"I owe you an apology shadeslayer…" Elva said.

Eragon looked at her; "For what?"

"My behavior towards you… You didn't mean me any harm with your blessing and I am sorry for the way I acted and responded to you. I hope we can be friends from now on."

Eragon was shocked by her statement. "I uh… I accept and thank you for those words."

Angela handed Eragon a goblet, "Here lets toast to friendship…"

Without thinking about it Eragon accepted the goblet and said; "To friendship…"

"To friendship…" They all said.

Angela secretly watched as Eragon drink from the glass without checking it. Their plan was working and coming together and she along with Elva and Solobum would help the Varden avoid a great catastrophe and give them a great gift. The celebration lasted another hour before people started going home.