First of all, I would like to give a big thank you to everyone who was patient with me, even though it's been two months since I last updated, and not sent me impatient messages.

THANK YOU

This is your reward for being patient. :) (consider it a holiday gift from me.)

Disclaimer: I don't own the Inheritance Cycle.

"Wait!" Said one the council women. "Your word, Riders. Will you swear fealty at the ceremony." Mellary bit the inside of her lip to keep from scowling at their insistence.

"Yes, you must do that." Someone else urged. "The Varden would be disgraced if we could not provide you with every protection." Mellary snorted under her breath.

That's as likely as us diving into the heart of a volcano. She grumbled to Embrald.

Well don't tell them that. Embrald said lightly.

Of course not. Unlike these people, I have an ounce of diplomacy. Really, this is the greatest insult to my intelligence I have ever had the misfortune to come across.

Not it's not.

Your right. It's not. But it's pretty close.

She watched Eragon hesitate. For a sixteen year old farm boy, he had picked up diplomacy pretty fast. He and Saphira traded looks. Mellary knew they had to be having the same conversation she and Embrald were.

"I'll give it." Apparently not to the same outcome.

Give the guy a break. He's boxed in.

If you insist. Mellary didn't miss the sigh of relief that went through the Council. All eyes turned to her and Embrald.

Tell them outright, or make up a pretty lie?Embrald asked dryly.

I was under the impression dragons didn't lie.

I won't be the one lying. She had to admit he had a point.

Mellary ran her gaze from face to face, feeling the tension in the air mount.

She took a deep breath. "These are difficult times we live in. I'm sure you will excuse me for being slightly suspicious in these uncertain days." Mellary said cautiously, judging the councils reaction. They had drawn back slightly in their seats.

"I cannot swear to an organization I know so little about on such short notice. I beg of you to respect my hesitation." I don't swear to people who try to manipulate me.

"Then, if I may ask, why did you fight for us?" Jormunder, the second in command, leaned forward.

Personal vendetta. "I fight Urgals, and for anyone so desperately out numbered. I would rather die than be a servant of the Emperor." Mellary said, low intensity in her voice. "I cannot swear to the Varden, but I can give you my oath that I will never reveal the Varden's secrets to a servant of the Empire." Because if I get close enough to actually talk to them they'll have my blades in them already.

That seemed to sooth the Council's ruffled feathers. They sat back in their chairs, leaning closer and talking in low voices. Eragon gave her a sideways look. Mellary shrugged slightly.

"Very well. We will accept your oath." Jormunder said at the council turned to face them again. Mellary inclined her head.

"Send someone for Nasuada and Arya. We will need the elves approval before making this decision public."

Great. They're going to verbally coerce her as well. She sighed in exasperation. Will the politics never end?

Mellary didn't move from her relaxed position as they sent a runner to summon Nasuada. The Council members were fiddling their collective thumbs, giving her and Eragon glances out of the corners of their eyes.

Finally someone who could only be Nasuada swept into the room, followed by Arya. Mellary had to clamp down on her reflexes to avoid flinching at the sight of the elf. Instead she turned her eyes to Nasuada.

The girl's chin was raised high and eyes clear and sharp. She looked like the type of person who didn't miss much. She looked elegant in a black gown that matched her dark skin.

Jormunder helped Nasuada into a seat. The girls shoulders stayed straight, but she seemed to shrink slightly in her chair. When Jormunder started to talk at her, Nausada's eyes dropped to the table. Mellary didn't think she looked ready for the stress and weight about to be placed on her shoulders.

You'd be surprised. Embrald said. There's more to this human that you think. She is more than capable for the task they are thoughtlessly giving her.

You really think so? Mellary asked, surprised. She looked from the shy girl sitting in the chair to the dragon settled on the ground beside her. Embrald looked at her with one large eye.

Just wait and see. Oh, and Saphira told Arya what has happened so far. You know they're going to ask her opinion as well.

'Ask' is a little generous.

Mellary focused back on the council just as Nasuada gave her response.

"I never thought I would be called upon to take my father's place so young." Her voice was rich in a way that reminded Mellary of the fallen leader, clam and confident. "Yet… if you insist it is my duty… I will embrace the office."

The Council was as pleased as a dog with a thick bone. "We do insist, for your own good and the good of the Varden." The others chimed in a beat behind. Mellary and Eragon earned glares when they didn't join in.

Arya wants to talk with us afterwards.

"Will the elves find this agreeable?" The Council turned on Arya before Mellary could turn to gape at her dragon.

Arya gave the member who had spoken one of her piercing stares. Mellary remembered those well. She had been on the receiving end many times.

"I cannot speak for my queen, but I find nothing objectionable about it. Nasuada has my blessing."

The Council looked pleased.

"Is there anything else that must be discussed? For I am weary."

Mellary raised an eyebrow at Embrald. See? Too much. He snorted in response.

"We will make all the arrangements. I promise you will not be troubled until the funeral." Jormunder told her.

"Again, thank you. Would you leave me now? I need time to consider how best to honor my father and serve the Varden. You have given me much to ponder."

The Council looked upset to find themselves dismissed. "Of course. Whatever will give you peace. If you need help, we are ready and willing to serve." They stood as one and moved toward the door. Mellary stood slowly, stretching.

"Eragon, would you please stay?" Nasuada asked. While she only mentioned the other Rider by name, her eyes locked with Mellary's including her in the invitation.

She's bold.Mellary realized as she watched unease spread across the councilors faces.

See? She's strong enough.Embrald quipped. Mellary frowned slightly at having her words thrown back at her.

The Council was suddenly slow to leave the chamber. Mellary locked eyes with the last of them as he hesitated by the door. She narrowed her eyes slightly and he left in a hurry. Embrald chuckled quietly. The door swung shut.

"So we meet again, Rider." She said, clearly addressing Eragon. "You have not greeted me. Have I offended you?"

"No, Nasuada; I was reluctant to speak for fear of being rude or foolish. Current circumstances are unkind to hasty statements."

Isn't that the understatement of the year.

"I do not believe we have met." Nasuada turned to Mellary. Mellary met her sharp eyes evenly, holding them. Finally she broke the contact and smiled.

You were right. She has iron in her. She'll do well for the Varden. She felt Embrald's pleasure at her finally realizing the truth. And for being right. You can stop being smug now.

"I am called Mellary, and this is Embrald." She said.

She felt magic swell next to her as Eragon muttered to words to seal the room against eavesdroppers. Nasuada relaxed when he told her what he had done, letting some of the fire Mellary had seen in her eyes come to the surface.

Eragon told Nasuada her father's last words. Mellary nodded, showing that she had heard them as well. She sat back and listened to their conversation. Her respect for Nasuada grew the longer she watched the girl.

She will be a strong leader.Mellary finally commented to Embrald. If we were to swear to anyone, I would choose to swear to her.

But you do not want to swear at all. Embrald said. Mellary twisted until she could look him in the eye.

Do you think that is a bad thing? She asked seriously, seeking his opinion.

I am not sure. We risk our freedom by swearing, that much you know and I have learned from your past. But not choosing a side is extremely risky.

Anything we choose to do is risky. The risk is lessened by the fact that not very many people know we exist. The king, the Varden's fighters, Arya and Eragon are the only people who know that we exist, now that the Shade is dead. Our decisions do not carry as much weight as Eragon's who has been seen by so many people. But as to not choosing, I meant what I said to the Council. I would rather die that be an instrument of the Emperor. Of course, She looked down at the table. I do not know if that is the option you would choose.

That is an extreme option. There are always other choices. Embrald told her softly. But I feel as you do. He has done much evil here. We will not help him.

Do you want to swear to the Varden?

It is your decision.

I feel we still do not know enough. But I will give the oath I promised the Council.

She looked up in time to see Eragon and Saphira exchange a look. They were up to something. Eragon drew his red sword and walked toward Nasuada. Both Mellary and Nasuada reached for weapons.

Instead of attacking, Eragon knelt and offered the blade to Nasuada. Mellary felt her jaw drop in astonishment.

"Saphira and I have only been here a short while. But in that time we have came to respect Ajihad, and now, in turn, you. You fought under Farthen Dûr when others fled, including the two women of the council, and have treated us openly instead of with deception. Therefore, I offer you my blade and my fealty as a Rider."

Embrald reached the tip of his tail around and closed Mellary's mouth.

Nasuada, eyes wide, took the blade and touched the tip to Eragon's head. "I do accept your fealty with honor, Rider, as you accept all the responsibilities accompanying the station."

Well, we were outdone magnificently. Embrald said in her head, completely ruining the moment in her head.

We're going to look like the stingy, suspicious cousins when…

The other three in the room turned to look at her.

Mellary shook her head slowly. Her mind was in a mess.

"I'm sorry, Nasuada. But I simply do not know you well enough to swear. I have been here less than five days, and spent most of those out of sight. And…" She looked away, into Embrald's green eye. "I value my free will. I cannot give that away easily." Nasuada nodded once.

"I will offer you the oath of secrecy I told the council I would give."

"If you would, Rider. I understand you hesitation." A weight lifted from Mellary's chest, knowing that Nasuada would not press her.

Do it.Embrald nudged her in the back. Mellary rose and knelt to Nasuada.

"I, Meladania, do so swear that I shall never reveal the secrets of the Varden and its people to any servant of the Empire, whether I am aware of the person or not. On this I pledge my life."

The magic wrapped around her, binding her oath deep into her blood and bones. Mellary felt the weight of what she had just said as the words took an amazing tool on her strength.

Embrald came up next to her and let Mellary drape and arm over his neck. He supported her out of the room, leaving Eragon and Saphira to translate the oath she had just sworn.

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