A/N: Hey, y'all. Well, thanks to those of you have reviewed! I kindly, earnestly, beg you to review again (and again). This is kind of a pointless filler chapter, just a small hold-over so I can get my thoughts in order, but MLK day gives me the opportunity to update again! So without further ado
Chapter 5
Where is she? King Orrin wondered. Late for her own dinner… And you'd think the cooks would have enough courtesy to at least bring out the appetizers…
It was, he supposed, to be expected of the young lady. She had too much on her plate, much like him. His reverie was interrupted by Nasuada make her appearance. She looked beautiful in the periwinkle gown she had donned.
"Lady," Orrin said, rising.
"Your majesty," Nasuada said in return as one of her wait staff pulled her chair out from beneath the head of table.
"What kept you, Nasuada?" asked Orrin.
"Nothing," she mumbled. He detected her cheeks reddening the slightest. "How was your day?"
The king frowned, and then sighed. "This is the only perk. About our last meeting…"
"What of it?"
It pained him to say. "I'd like to apologize." He choked the word out as best he could. "But I still believe relinquishing trade with the elves was best," he added hastily. Severing trade with the elves did not exactly sit well with Orrin; his favorite mint jelly came from Ellesmera.
She has to realize we have equal power, he reminded himself. Otherwise, how are we ever going to collaborate?
"What is going to be served tonight?" the king asked offhandedly.
"I'm not sure; Farica made all the arrangements."
"I need a servant like Farica," Orrin observed. He stopped listening to himself then. She has everything! And what do I have? A disloyal kingdom to look after.
"… Any ladies in your court that tickle your fancy?"
Orrin flushed. Had Nasuada lost interest in him? So soon? He had no doubt that she fancied him at the start of this dinner; now he was not so sure. He paled. "No," he said slowly, and then sifted the focus to her. "What about the men who approach you, day and night, asking for your hand?"
"There's nobody special," she said quickly. "There is no reason to have a king ruling by my side; it would only complicate matters for the Varden."
"What about Eragon?" Orrin quipped. "The only free rider ruling the Varden would certainly enforce laws."
"Yes, I suppose," said Nasuada, looking down, "but Eragon is out of the question."
The conversation took a lapse, and Orrin relaxed. Until the first course arrived.
"I hope you like… fish," Lady Nasuada said.
"Fish," Orrin repeated. "Fish without any condiments? What is the meaning of this?"
"It's your trade barriers with the elves," Nasuada said, scowling. "If we'd dined earlier in the day, as I requested, the condiments would not have already been consumed by the common citizens of the Varden."
"Why would food not be set aside for the two most important people in my city?" Orrin demanded.
"You value your status far too highly," Nasuada's cold eyes bored into his. "First come, first serve." And she set at the excuse for a meal.
The second course was no better; a bland assortment of mincemeat pies. The third was a soup with a medley of nut and berries, unique and rich; the fourth was fresh-caught shrimp on a bed of rice; the fifth and final course was desert, an array of pastries and other sweets. Drinks were brought regularly, but Nasuada took not a sip, as if on a mead boycott.
Orrin cast his eyes down for most of the meal.
"Lady Nasuada!" Orrin jolted out of the slouch he'd slid into.
"Yes, Josha?" Nasuada answered, obviously eager to be called for.
"Eragon needs to see you, immediately!"
"Excuse me, your highness," said Nasuada, and swept out of the room.
Moments later, Jörmundur stalked into the room.
"You missed her," Orrin said bitterly, putting his hand in his pocket and feeling the small box of velvet stored there. "She left just a moment ago, a messenger boy said Eragon called for her."
"Good," Jörmundur said, "but I came here to tell you, your majesty, that Thorn and Murtagh have been captured."
Orrin was shocked. "May I see them?"
"Not right now. Both are in a very weak state; no one is allowed to behold them."
Orrin was about to ask why Nasuada was about to ask why Nasuada left in such a hurry, but bit his tongue, and took a different tact. "I –- I wish Nasuada to marry me, but I'm not sure what her reaction might be."
"I can't say I can judge the young woman myself," Jörmundur admitted. "If you want my honest opinion, her affections lie elsewhere. If anywhere at all," the man mumbled more to himself than to Orrin.
"How do you suppose I can win her affection? Tell me anything, what kind of… flowers she likes, what her favorite color is…?"
"Jörmundur scratched his chin thought fully. "Her favorite color, presumably, is green. She enjoys… the sun setting at noon…" The man continued spitting useless facts.
How am I supposed to convince the sun to set at noon? Orrin wondered. "Thank you for your help, Jörmundur," he said, and strode out of the room.
How is a man to win the love of such an enigmatic woman?
Thanks for reading! My typing program went a tiny bit whack, so tell me if there's any mistakes, or simply gramatical errors on my part. Now, just click that little review button. Come on, now, it won't kill you. Anyway, happy reading!