The room became tense, "You.. You have?" Nilfiem stumbled out. Blödhthringa nodded, lowered her gaze to the ground before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. "I accept your feelings for me, Nilfiem," she said, relief spread across his face and before he could reply, "but I must, with a heavy heart, inform you that I refuse." Nilfiem looked pale and sick and once again, before he could answer, Blödhthringa continued. "I won't deny that I have feelings for you, both romantically and friendly, we have been near each other entirely too long for those not to exist, but, my duties as a Dragon Rider and your duties as King are too demanding. If I were to be Queen, I will outlive you, and I'd end up becoming Queen and we'd have another Galbatorix." Her father scowled at that, "Blödhthringa-" He began, but Blödhthringa continued. "I thought long and hard about this, if under different circumstances, I'd might accept. Circumstances such as if I was born human, and if Bleithr hadn't hatched for me, both of which are irreversible; then I might have been inclined to accept. I will not turn my back on my own kind nor do I have any regret in my heart, that Bleithr hatched for me. She is my partner and I will stick by her side no matter what, even if that means going against the world. As long as I have Bleithr, nothing else matters. But my King, no," She walked closer to Nilfiem until they were an arms-width away. "Nilfiem," she said in a soft voice, "But Nilfiem, even if I were to accept to become your queen, my duties demand I leave Alagaësia and aid Eragon in raising the dragons from extinction." She reached out and softly placed a hand on his cheek, he trembled beneath her touch. "I could not possibly conduct my duties as Queen from so far away, It would not be possible, the people would object, and their objections would be justified. So, I am sorry, Nilfiem, but..." She leaned in and kissed him on his cheek as she had once done before. "I must decline your generous and humble offer of your hand in marriage." She removed her hand and took a couple steps back and slightly bowed to him.
Blödhthringa worried he would object, but he just sighed and his shoulders slumped. "I feared that would be the case, I came mostly to the same conclusion, but I had hoped to work through it with you." He stretched, then his voice took on a harder, more formal, tone. "Blödhthringa, I want a detailed report on your training and time in Ellesmera." Blödhthringa told him what she could, leaving out anything that she had sworn to keep secret. Before long, she knew he longed to continue talking with her, but she could also tell that he was in pain due to her presence. She bowed to him. "I have told you all I could, My King," she said and curtsied to him, "The day grows long and me and Bleithr are quite tired from our trip and hungry. We must be on our way." He swallowed and struggled to find words, then said, "three days from now, in the garden of the palace, we will hold a feast for your completing your training and ascension to a full fledged Dragon and Rider. We could not be more proud." He bowed to her as did his whole council. "You've grown wise and your tongue ever so smooth." Said Yven, "You seem a lot more confident in yourself and more like an elf." She twisted her hand over her heart as elves did in traditional greeting and Blödhthringa returned in kind. "May the stars watch over you," Yven said in the Ancient Language, signifying the end of their greeting; but Blödhthringa was shocked that she spoke first, but hid it.
Nilfiem bid her farewell and she and Bleithr took off. They didn't have to fly far to reach her old home, they landed in the backyard in front of the gazebo, scaring the servants working on the garden statues to death. "Calm," Blödhthringa said as she leaped to the ground, "It is only I, Gwen and Bleithr." The servants bowed to her and she went inside, bathed and changed into a royal blue dress that surprisingly still fit her. It had black roses lining from her left hip up her left side, and across her chest, stopping at the edge of her right breast. She ordered food be brought to Bleithr who had curled herself up outside. Bleithr was laying outside with Bleithr, reading, when her father came home. She felt her old wards activate, Blödhthringa silently replaced them with newer and better ones as her father walked through the house to them. As he came into the garden, the servants bowed to him, "Lord Caelin." They said, then returned to their work. Blödhthringa closed her book and stood. Her father was mesmerized by Bleithr. "I was only a boy during the Black War, I don't remember Saphira or Eragon much, except for their tales... to see a real live dragon is... Amazing. Not to mention she is paired with my own blood. I am most pleased to welcome you to our family." Bleithr lifted her head and leveled one large, gleaming purple eye at Blödhthringa's father. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. She blinked once before returning to her resting position. "You know, I wasn't surprised when you turned King Nilfiem down, you know. I knew you'd know better." Blödhthringa simply smiled, "Aye. The hand of fate is as bitter as cold is it's bite." Her father nodded. "It would not due for an elf to rule a human kingdom." She nodded. "What.. What are you to do now that you've returned?" Blödhthringa shrugged. "I am to serve Nilfiem, I presume. I will attend council meetings periodically, flying throughout the Kingdom, healing, helping, as my duties as a Dragon Rider calls. Then, when Eragon sends the next shipment of eggs, I shall join him and finish my training and aid him in raising the dragons." Her father seemed visibly shaken by that, which was odd, he normally keeps his emotions in check. "What ails you, father?" Blödhthringa asked in a small voice. "How long will you be gone?" Blödhthringa lowered her gaze. "I don't know, but I fear I'll be there for many decades if not centuries." Her father was silent. "I don't want to lose you forever." Blödhthringa smiled softly, "We are both near immortal, me especially, I believe we will meet again, father. I promise it will not be goodbye."
Her father took a shaky breath, "When you leave, it will be like losing your mother again." Her father said in the ancient language, foreshadowing his feelings upon that day.