Disclaimer: The usual. Don't own.

"Lady Mellary?" Someone called in a timid voice from the bottom of the Dragon Hold. Mellary, caught in the act of brushing her hair, quickly shook the red waves out over her ears and poked her head over the side of the ledge.

"Yes?"

"The funeral is about to start. Jormunder asked me to come and get you." A young girl called up. Her timid voice wouldn't have reached Mellary's ears if it hadn't been for the rock walls.

Mellary growled under her breath.

"I thought we told them we weren't going to attend the funeral." She commented to Embrald. Her dragon was curled up like a cat in one corner, the tip of his tail draped over the end of his snout. He opened one eye and looked at her.

Maybe they forgot. He said shortly. Mellary got a brief flash of irritation from him.

She ignored the feeling and snorted. "Somehow I doubt that."

Well, what do you plan to do about it?

"I have no idea. We can't go back on our word. It makes us look like we can be pushed around."

Give her an excuse. Embrald turned over until he was facing the wall. Don't be direct.

Mellary made a face at her dragons back. I know that. I wasn't born yesterday. She stuck her head back over the ledge.

"Would you please tell Jormunder that we are creatures of our word, and we shall be honoring that?" She called down to the girl. She nodded and scurried out of the hold.

He'll send someone else.

"Most likely. Let's not be here." Mellary suggested. She quickly divided and braided her hair and coiled it at the base of her neck. Her ears were expertly hidden under two of the braids. She buckled on her swords and turned to face her dragon. Embrald raised his head and gave her a look.

I thought we were leaving. It's not like we have the entire day. Mellary remarked. Embrald gave off another wave of irritation and slowly uncurled, taking his time to stretch.

Are you positive you don't want to go to the funeral? You're taking enough time to get moving.

Maybe we should. The dragon suggested.

Mellary whirled around to stare at him. "And tell the whole Council that we can be ordered around and that we don't stand by our word? I don't think so." Embrald gave her a long look before stalking to the front of the cave. Mellary waited until he had settled before she climb up onto his back. Embrald ruffled his wings. It should have been a warning.

The green dragon leapt into the air with a jolt that almost cuased Mellary to fall off. He shot straight across the circular Hold toward a dark crack in the wall.

ARE YOU INSANE? WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE… Mellary shrieked as they streaked toward the wall.

At the last second Embrald folded his wings. Mellary saw the rock wall coming towards her. She flattened herself against Embrald's back at the last second. One of the neck spikes dug into her stomach.

The world went dark as they passed into the crack. Stone whizzed by only inches from her head. Cold dank air pressed against her face and tugged at her braids.

They passed through the rock wall in seconds, moving fast enough that they only lost a few feet of altitude. Then they were bursting out into the air over the plains inside the mountain. Lights from the city blazed below and behind them.

Embrald spread his wings with a snap.

What was that?! Mellary yelled.

That was a shortcut I spotted yesterday, during our speed run. Embrald like to see how fast he could fly. Somehow he managed to arrange their schedule so there was time for a few high speed laps around the city.

And you were willing to risk our necks that it was big enough to squeeze through?!

Relax. I tried it first. Last night, while you were asleep. You're going to have to trust me. Flying is what I do.

I do trust you. Mellary said quietly.

Then think about what I said. Not logically or politically.

They flew out over the plains without a real destination in mind, letting the silence hang.

Where do you want to go? Embrald finally asked.

I don't know. I've been thinking…

Are you well?

Haha. No, Ajihad was a warrior as well as a great leader. Are we really going to dishonor his memory be refusing to attend his funeral because of politics?

A wave of smug satisfaction rolled off Embrald. Mellary frowned. You could have said something.

In case you don't remember, I tried.

Mellary made a face. Embrald tilted his wings and banked back towards the city.

They flew high above the walls, high enough that the lights from the parade barely brushed Embrald's stomach. Mellary looked over his side. A group of torches was gathered a little ways from the gate.

What are we going to do? Mellary asked. Embrald didn't respond.

The rooftops of the city came closer and closer. The great hall that lead to the center of the city loomed up from the gloom. Embrald headed straight for the stone archway, high enough that the top would be clouded by shadows from below. Mellary ducked her head as they glided under the stone ceiling.

Buttresses carved from the rock were spaced at regular intervals throughout the hall. Embrald chose on halfway down. He flipped over in the air, twining around the arch without touching it, so he alighted facing the entrance they had come through.

Will you let me down onto the floor? Mellary asked. Embrald obligingly lowered his long green tail.

She used the spikes as hand holds as she climbed down his tail like a ladder. When she was clinging to the last of the spikes, Mellary estimated that her feet were a good ten feet above the floor of the cavern. Mellary let go, landing in a crouch on the floor. Embrald had chosen a dark corner to land in, so no one noticed when she dropped into the crown. They were all looking forward, toward the group of torches in the distance. Thousands of humans and dwarves were clustered in every available space. The color were somber, black being the dominant choice. Even Mellary had obliged, finding a black shirt and pant that fit her from the stock rooms. A green ribbon that matched Embrald's scales was wound around her arm. Mellary adjusted her braids, merging with the crowd in an effort to avoid being seen by the Council.

A giant drum sounded from deep within the mountain, sounding like the ferocious storms of the plains were mourning the passing of the Varden's leader.

In the distance the torches of the procession began to move. Mellary's heart filled with sorrow as she looked at the Varden's fallen leader. He looked peaceful, majestic.

Eragon and Saphira were just passing by when Mellary heard Embrald's silent chuckle.

Could you please explain exactly what is so funny about this. Mellary snapped.

Not this. Saphira. Embrald laughed again. Mellary mentally tapped her foot.

She has a hangover. A dragon got drunk and has a hangover. Embrald's vision suddenly filled her eyes. Through her dragon's keen eyes and vantage point, Mellary could clearly see the slight missteps in the blue dragon's gait.

Mellary had to bite the inside corner of her lip to keep from laughing herself.

Her stifled giggles faded away as the procession passed through the doors at the end of the hall and on into the huge chamber, past the shattered sapphire.

Mellary bowed her head and paid her final respects to the dead leader, before melting away into the crowd. She picked one of the passageways that lead away from the hall and followed it up until she came out onto one of the balconies of the buildings.

Embrald came swooping out of the hall and landed beside her.

And so do the proud fall. On the very brink of extinction, the defeated take one last victory.

There is a price to pay for everything. Especially success. Embrald told her.

They'll have the coronation immediately after this. Do we go?

They both thought for a second.

Nah.

Nah.

Still, it would be good to see how the Council is going to jump. We'll need to be able to anticipate them, and this is a good time to observe. Mellary said thoughtfully.

Embrald snorted. I'm going flying. All this sorrow and politics are making my wings heavy.

Very well. Before you go, can you give me a lift down?

Embrald left her on a thin staircase that would lead to the circular chamber where they were planning to hold the ceremony. Mellary made her way down, melding with the throng flowing into the chamber. She found a spot on the benches with the rest of the population.

The Council talked, bestowing the power to rule the Varden on Nasuada. Mellary watched in silence. She could feel a slight tickle in the back of her mind, which she knew was Embrald looking through her eyes.

The important people of the Varden gave their support, and the crowd came to it's feet with a roar as Jormunder set the circlet on Nasuada's head. Mellary stood and clapped with them.

Eragon stepped forward and gave his oath to Nasuada. The look the Council gave him, pure venom, was enough to make Mellary extremely glad she wasn't standing on the stage right now, in the middle of a windstorm of verbal traps. Eragon was playing a dangerous game. Her guess was that they would be leaving.

Very soon.

Your probably right about that. Embrald commented. Mellary felt him tip his wings and begin to bank back towards the city.

Comments, thoughts, question, points to make, anything.

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