Chapter 33. Of Kings and Queens
Uru'baen had fallen! The city was under control of the Varden and the nobles of Uru'baen were placed under arrest. Their wealth confiscated in the name of the peoples of Alagaesia. Nausada had the treasury opened to give gold to the people who had suffered under Galbatorix's rule. To maintain order Nausada appointed regional governors over the northern half of Alagaesia to insure peace until the fate of Galbatorix's thrown could be decided.
The leaders gathered together in the Hall of Riders, the hall had been sealed from the day riders fled Uru'baen. It would be fitting to decide the fate of the empire there. Eragon reverently entered the hall with Saphira, Elva, and Galmore. The marble pillars were trimmed with gold. The seal of the riders sat in the center of the floor with twelve chairs evenly spaced around it. Behind each chair was a silk dias for a dragon to sit. Arya took Eragon by the arm and lead him to Vrael's chair. As he sat Saphira took her place behind him. Elva and Galmore sat to his right.
("The last time the riders were here… They were discussing Galbatorix's rise to power and how to stop him…") Saphira said to Eragon's mind.
("I wish Glaeder would have come with us…") He responded looking at Oromis' place which was five seats on the right from Vrael. Glaeder could not be there because of the painful memories, he decided to remain in his solitude with his elven gaurds nearby. Oromis' chair was left vacant as the leaders took a seat around the emblem.
Nausada stood up, "My friends… we have fought long and hard… Galbatorix is no more… All of Alagaesia looks to us in order to decide the future of the empire… Many of us here have a right to Galbatorix's thrown… But the people cannot be ignored…" She sighed and turned her attention to Eragon. "Eragon… you killed Galabtorix… And it should be you who decides what becomes of the thrown of Uru'baen, but you have sworn an oath to me… So, in order for you to carry out the task before you… I releaseyou from the vow of faelty you pledged to me…"
Eragon was shocked as he slowly stood up, but before he spoke King Orrin stood as well and said. "Before you speak shadslayer I have this to say… I am king of Surda and I shall maintain the sovereignty of Surda at all costs… You have no sway or power over my thrown…"
Eragon bowed to him, "Of course your majesty… I want it understood that I have no desire to rule… that being said may I have some time to consider what should be done…"
"What is there to consider…" Falberd said speaking up, "The obvious choice for the thrown of Uru'baen is Nausada…"
Saphira growled a warning, "True…" Eragon replied patting her side. "…But no one person should have that much power. I need to think on the matter."
Nausada raised her hand to stop Falberd. "I am sure Eragon will do the right thing. He always has… Eragon take as much time as you need…" They talked about pay for the army and how to keep it in tact. Orders were given to Roran to send out garrisons for every northern city. Arya, Orwick, and Nar Garzhvog pledge troops to help with law enforcement.
"You have made no mention of the land that is to be allotted to my people Lady Nightstalker…" Nar Garrzhvog grumbled.
She sighed, "We cannot give you land until Eragon decides the fate of the Empire…"
"Very well then… I shall be patient…"
Nausada stood up, "If there is nothing more to address then we shall reconviene on Eragon's orders…"
Eragon remained in the council hall alone thinking on his life and what should be done about Galbatorix's thrown. As he sat the curse Galbatorix layed on him weighed down on his mind. Everyday the curse was getting stronger and one day he would leave Alagaesia and never return. He sat until he could sit no more and left the Hall of Riders. Eragon made his way through the palace towards the balcony of his state room, it had once belonged to Vrael.
Two hours passed and Eragon had yet to make a decision. The sun was setting and he was joined by Elva on the balcony.
"Am I disturbing you?"
He smiled, "No…"
"Galmore and Saphira have grown close…"
"It was to be expected…"
"What is to happen between us… I know I must be a child in your eyes…"
Eragon grabbed her and kissed Elva on the mouth. "Words are sometimes unnecessary…" Eragon said releasing her. Elva was frazzled and didn't know what to say. "I hope I haven't offended you…"
"Um no…"
He turned to face her, "We can take things slow…"
"Yes…"
"There is something you need to know…"
Elva placed her finger over his lips, "I know about your curse… Saphira told me… And I want to come with you…"
"Are you sure…"
"Yes…" Together they stood in silence admiring the emerging stars in the sky. That is when they were hit by a percussion of air; Thud. It was Galmore who hovered in the air before them. He touched their minds and said; ("The two of you must come with me…")
Elva leapt onto the rail and then onto Galmore's back, Eragon followed. He flew southwest towards the river. Saphira lay in a mud nest and when Eragon and Elva dismounted Galmore she stood up.
Eragon smiled and Elva gasped at the five dragon eggs lying between her legs.
("Saphira you are a mother…")
("Yes…") She replied emanating great joy, ("…I am. These three are male…") Saphira nudged the white, gold, and amethyst eggs. ("And these two are female…") She said nudging the green and blue eggs.
Galmore touched their minds, ("Saphira and I have decided to entrust you Eragon and Elva with four eggs… They shall be the beginning of the new riders order. This one shall be the start of the wild dragons in the world.") The egg he spoke of was the green egg.
As they spoke Saphira sniffed the air and out the darkness emerged two children and six cats. Werecats the two human like forms were male and female. The male had white hair like starlight and the female's hair was red like blood.
"Greetings I am the forest walker and moonwatcher… I am Barndale and this is my mate the huntress… Sheval… we have come oh great Saphira to ask for the green egg… we shall raise her in the wild to free and noble as any wild dragon of old…"
Galmore growled a warning and Saphira spoke to him in private before addressing the werecat. ("Take the egg Barndale… But if ever trouble should arise in Alagaesia again you must swear in the ancient language to aid the races of Alagaesia in their fight…")
"I so swear on behalf of my clan to fight with the peoples of Alagaesia whenever trouble arises…"
Saphira gently placed the egg in her mouth and dropped it into the hands of the werecat and as they walked away Eragon touched Saphira's mind.
("How could you just part with your daughter like that…")
("I can because I must… Emvora will do well in their care…")
("Is that her name…")
("Yes and I would never have agreed if she wasn't willing to go…")
The four stood so long in silence that when Eragon broke it Galmore snorted. "I have decided what should be done with Galbatorix's domain… I will split it into two smaller kingdoms… One to be ruled by Nausada and the other by…"
"Roran…" Elva said cutting him off.
Eragon looked at Elva and as he did he considered her words, "I don't think Roran…"
"Yes he will… He is what the people need… Nausada and Roran… Nausada Queen of the middle kingdom and Roran king of the north kingdom…"
("Eragon…") Saphira said touching his mind, ("It makes since… Roran can learn and be guided… Especially if you surround him with the right people…")
The more Eragon thought about it the more he liked the idea, but it was Galmore's words that made up his mind. ("With support from the four of us… who can object or oppose him…")
"King Roran Stronghammer Garrowson…" Eragon said aloud. "It has a nice ring to it…"
Roran was in his room with Katrina, together they sat on the bed teasing the baby who laughed as they made faces at him and used the covers as a toy.
"Oh no…" Was Katrina's expression when a knock came at the door.
"I will get it…" Roran climbed out of the bed and put a robe on. "Eragon!"
"I hope that I am not disturbing the two of you…"
"Non-sense come in…"
Katrina emerged from the bedroom holding baby Garrow who yawned and blinked his eyes. "Would you like anything Eragon…"
"No I have something to talk about with the both of you…" He waited until everyone was seated, "As you both know I have been commissioned by Nausada and the other leaders to decide what becomes of Galbatorix's thrown… I am deviding his empire into two smaller kingdoms… The first will be ruled by Nausada and the other… Well I wanted to give the thrown to you Roran…"
Katrina gasped and covered her mouth while Roran took on a dumbfounded look. "I can't be a King…" He was finally able to say.
"Why not… I know you want to return to Carvahal and rebuild, but is that really what you want… You helped me kill the Razac… You are second in command… if you refused Nausada would want you as a captain if not general in her army… You are the cousin of a rider and a hero to many of the people in Alagaesia…"
Roran ran a hand through his hair, "You have developed the tongue of our father… and I here Brom in you as well…" He looked at Katrina, "My love what do you think…"
She sighed trying to contain her excitement, "I can think of a hundred reasons to say no… But, there are a thousand more to say yes… I say yes…"
Roran thought about it for a second, "Okay I accept…"
Eragon and Roran smiled then they hugged each other, "King Roran…" Katrina said as they wrestled back and forth.
"What about Horst… His daughter is bethrothed to our son…"
Eragon ran a hand through his hair, "Well… When you are king you can bestow and earldom on him or make him and Elain a Duke and Dutchess…"
"Perhaps we should tell them now…" Katrina said.
Roran shook his head, "No… I want to see the look on his face when we are crowned king and queen…"
"The look of everyone from Carvahal when you make Horst a Duke…" Eragon said.
The next day Eragon summoned Nausada and the allied leaders. He began immediately when they arrived and explained his plan for Galbatorix's thrown. Nausada Arya, Orrin, Orwick, and Nar Garzhvog accepted the idea, but Lord Dainor and a few others didn't like it, but after some talking and diplomacy from Nausada everyone agreed.
Eragon cleared his throat for the next announcement, "Before we discuss the coronation of Queen Nausada and King Roran… I have some news that will delight you all to no end… Saphira and Galmore have become mates and Saphira has layed five eggs and entrusted four to Elva and me. As such Elva and I want to seek out chosen ones for the eggs…" The Elves broke out in laughter as two humans Jarsha and Mandel entered the great hall carrying a basket with four eggs in it. Everyone stood up and gathered around the eggs to look at them. "King Orwick… Saphira has an offer for you and your people…"
When Saphira spoke she spoke so that all could hear her, ("Great King… For all the kindness, you and your forrunner showed Eragon and me I would like to include your people in the pack made between Elves and Dragons…")
As Orwick considered Saphira's words to himself Dainor leaned over and whispered into Arya's ear. Orwick looked at some of the clan leaders before answering. "Saphira Brightscales… Your offer makes my heart leap for joy… But the clan lords must be consulted before I say yeah or nay…"
("It is a gift to all Knurlan… Do with it as you will…")
Over the next few days both elves and humans came forward to touch the dragon eggs. The first egg to hatch was the amethyst egg and it hatched for Kella from Ceunon. The white egg hatched for Vaneer two days later and the gold egg hatched for the elf child Sarsja. The only egg left was the blue egg, but it hatched for no one. After Elva spoke to Eragon the choosing was ended and the egg was placed under the guard of the eight Elves.
The three new riders were allowed time with their dragons and getting to know them. The white dragon was named Invore, the amethyst dragon Caurx, and the gold dragon was named Sheava. Eragon met once again with the leaders of Alagaesia one last time to discuss the coronation.
The day of the Coronation finally arrived and the most powerful influential people in Alagaesia was in attendance. The leaders the kings and queens of Alagaesia were dressed in their finest robes. The great hall had been opened up to accomadate the new riders were there with their dragons who were now knee high. Elva amd Galmore stood with the hatchlings. Eragon stood on a raised platform with Saphira.
"We are gathered together here today to corinate two new rulers and devide Galbatorix's kingdom into two smaller kingdoms… But first I would like to thank Queen Arya and the Elves for their support in the war… I would also like to thank King Orrin and the people of Surda… I thank my King and foster brother King Orwick and all Dwarves for their support… We cannot forget the Urgals they have sacrificed as much if not more… without the support of each of these great races we would not be standing here… Let us remember all those who died fighting for our future…" Eragon took a deep breath, "King Orrin would you come forward… You and your countrymen have fought along side the races of Alagaesia to put down the tyrant Galbatorix… Know that as long as your blood line keeps the pact of friendship made here today the order of Dragon Riders will support your country without fail… Do you also swear to come to the aid of the races of Alagaesia…"
"I so swear…" After making his oath Orrin stepped to the side as Eragon turned his attention to Nausada. "Nausada Nightstalker Daughter of Ajihad…" She took a knee before Eragon. "Do you swear to uphold the laws of land… Do you swear to rule the people of your domain in justice and equality… and to maintain the alliance made between the races of Alagaesia…"
"I so swear…" Nausada said.
"Then by the power vested in me I crown you queen of the middle kingdom and may all who follow in your bloodline rule well…" As Eragon placed a gold and diamond diadem on her head the people cried hail Queen Nausada. "Roran Stronghammer Garrowson and Katrina come forward…" When Eragon called their names a wave of whispers arose in the crowd and Eragon smiled when he saw the faces of the people from Carvahal through Saphira's eyes.
"Roran Stronghammer… Through the strength of your arms and the courage of heart it has fallen on you to become King of the north lands… Do you swear to uphold the laws and to rule justly… Do you swear maintain the alliance of the three kingdoms and the races of Alagaesia…"
"I so swear…"
Katrina was kneeling next to Roran, "Katrina Irismasdaughter and wife of Roran Stronghammer do you swear to uphold your king and aid him in his rule over his domain and uphold the laws and protect the alliances of Alagaesia…"
"I to swear…"
"Then by the power vested in me I crown you Roran Stronghammer King of the northern lands and You Katrina I crown his queen…" Eragon placed a crown on Roran's head and a diadem on Katrina's.
"All hail King Roran and Queen Katrina…" The people shouted, but no one was as loud as the people from Carvahal. It grew quiet when Roran waved for Horst and his family to come forward.
"Horst Orsonsson and Elaine take a knee… My Queen and I…" Roran had to smile because it sounded a little funny coming out of his mouth. "…consider you family and as such your daughter is bethrothed to our son… So by the power vested in me I bestow on you and your wife the tiltle of Duke and Dutchess of Carvahal and your sons Albriech and Boldar I make Knights of Carvahal…" Roran interlocked arms with Horst and gave Elaine a kiss on the cheek. Katrina Kissed them both on both sides of their cheeks.
Then Eragon stepped forward, "Let the celebrations begin!" He shouted. Over the next seven days a great feast was held for the kings and queens of Alagaesia. There was music, poetry, reading, and tales were told of Eragon, Roran, and Elva's exploits in battle. Dwarven wrestling matches were held. For the first time in history humans, Elves, and Dwarves heard Urgal poetry and music which told of great batlles and war. Eragon read his poem again and so did Arya. When the celebrations were done the leaders of Alagaesia met one last time to discuss the lands that would be given to the Urgals. The land they gave stretched from the north and ran the entire length of the spine and measured ten miles wide.
"Great Saphira… We thank you for restoring the star rose, the heart of Tronjheim… and now you have seen fit to include us the dwarves in your pact with Elves and humans… On behalf of all knurlan we accept…" The gathered leaders applauded and Arya and the most powerful spellcasters amended the spell to include Dwarves.
It was time to move on so Elva and Galmore escorted King Orrin to Borremeo castle. Before leaving he invited everyone to his wedding that would happen in the spring of next year. Eragon and Saphira escorted Roran and Katrina north to Ceuneon where Roran would rule. Roran's first act was to rebuild the village of Carvahal to which he made Horst responsible for. Jeod had come along because Roran had apponted him royal councilor. The new riders were left in Uru'baen until their dragons were old enough to ride on.