A/N: This chapter is a lot longer and has a halfway plot. It isn't very fluffy, but I liked writing scenes with super-happy-fun-time-Varden-drinking-parties. Let's pretend it takes place sometime after the Burning Plains, but before the Ra'zac hunt. I know it's OOC for pretty much everyone, but I couldn't resist. Please review.

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Step Three: Make An Excuse

Arya and Nasuada sat elbow to elbow on the same side of the table. All around them was the cheery sounds of joking and laughing, and occasional drinking songs thrown in for good measure. It was a night of friendship and relaxation for the sake of the soldiers and their families. The Varden rarely had moments like these, and they were more than welcome when they occurred.

It was a very crowded ordeal, so the people inside were forced to sit very close together. The elf and Varden leader were no exception.

They spoke very little at the beginning, except for mumbled apologies when feet or legs accidentally touched beneath them. Both stared straight forward, listening as Orik entertained Eragon and the others with tales of his bravado. He was bluffing, of course, but his stories could keep an audience pleased.

Arya was not listening. She watched, eyes open and seemingly enthralled by Orik, but she was not really paying him any attention. Instead, she had fully turned her concentration to the girl on her right.

Nasuada leaned forward, sipping her beer, chuckling at appropriate moments.

"You never rode a dragon, Orik. You don't even ride horses," she laughed.

Arya smiled at her remark, mostly because it pleased her to see Nasuada so happy. The young girl brushed away the dwarf's hand when he took a swipe at her.

"Young lady, you know nothing of my prowess!" He shook his finger, "And at any rate, I could drink you under the table." His face was bright red beneath his long beard.

She laughed again, and this time Arya joined her. The elf lightly cleared her throat, "Master Dwarf, if you haven't noticed, Lady Nasuada has matched you drink for drink this evening."

The darker girl glanced up with her eyes squinted. She asked, "Have I?" Arya nodded, taking a quick moment to admire her features. She thought that it might have been strange to keep tabs on Nasuada's drinking habits and silently scolded herself for speaking.

"But who can out drink a dwarf?" Eragon chimed in, "I'd wager my money on Orik. He's a rather stout warrior, no offense Nasuada." The conversation around the table grew quieter to hear his words. It became playfully tense among them.

"I bet a gold coin that Nasuada will win."

All eyes turned to Arya as she forced herself not to blush.

"I accept!" Orik yelled, lifting his mug.

Nasuada crookedly grinned at Arya before she said, "As do I."

Eragon smiled widely, pulling his dwarven friend closer to his face. They leaned together, conspiring a new plan. The boys did not count on being defeated by women.

Nasuada followed their lead, bowing across her neighbor.

"I- I really don't have anything to say," she whispered sheepishly.

Arya laughed, "It's fine. I doubt they're really plotting anything groundbreaking. This isn't putting you in an unacceptable situation, is it? I meant no harm by the wager."

Nasuada shook her head, "No, all's well. I'm just afraid to disappoint you. I'm a bit of a lightweight." Her eyes flickered to Arya, who found herself rather giddy.

The elf leaned closer, confident that no one would think anything of her gesture and said, "I'm very interested to see you less than sober. And Orik over there is quite drunk already. There is no doubt in my mind that you will win."

Her breath tickled Nasuada's ear. The sensation was new to her, but it felt a lot like flirting. Her heart rate rose.

"Is this a cheap ploy to see me inebriated, Arya of Ellesmera?"

Arya wet her lips, "It's just an excuse for you to let your hair down, so to speak."

From across the table, Orik slammed down his fists. The girls pulled apart from each other as if they had been caught committing a crime. The dwarf did not seem to notice. He and Eragon wore dual grins.

"Are you ready, little girl?"

Nasuada frowned, "To defeat you, little man? I was born ready."

More people had gathered around their table, most carrying mugs of their own. "Wait, we need an honest judge," said Eragon. "Saphira? Will you keep watch for any cheating? I know how underhanded those women can be." He tilted his head back, teasingly peering at Arya and Nasuada down his nose.

"And, Saphira," said Arya, "Will you watch those two girls for me? I find they get their skirts in a knot when they start losing." She and Nasuada smiled back at Eragon.

I see, broadcasted the dragon to everyone. I'll have to keep this fair. However, I must warn you that the loser shall be eaten.

Many passers-by froze in their tracks and gulped.

Let the game begin! She roared.

Without a moment of hesitation, Orik grabbed a mug and started guzzling. Nasuada tried to match his speed, but was taken by surprise. She was immediately falling behind.

"I bet another coin on Master Orik," said Jormunder, appearing behind the men.

Angela, who seemed to spontaneously materialize as well, said, "And I bet one for Nasuada!"

The dueling drinkers ignored their fan base to move on to another mug. Nasuada paused to breathe and say, "I didn't realize this was a race, Orik." She gulped down the beer.

The dwarf let Eragon do his talking, "A real competitor can drink more and more quickly. Are you up to the challenge?"

"She'll be more than happy to be the last woman standing," replied Arya.

The third and fourth mugs drew a large crowd. Cheering erupted whenever the drinkers paused for air.

"One more for Nasuada," said Trianna, throwing her coin on the table.

"And for Orik," shouted Orrin, mimicking her actions.

The boundaries were clearly drawn. The men pulled for Eragon and Orik, while the women supported Arya and Nasuada. It had become a regular battle of the sexes.

Orik burped and the crowd went wild. He reached for the last mug on the table, but Nasuada had quickly snatched it away in her attempt to catch up.

"More beer! I need more beer!" He bellowed. A tray appeared from behind him, holding eight more frothing mugs.

The score is tied at five and five. Keep in mind, ladies and gentlemen, that they have both had three drinks before this, announced Saphira, who was clearly enjoying herself as the Master of Ceremonies.

Nasuada felt her stomach roll a wave of nausea from one side to the other. She turned to Arya with a grimace. "You don't have to go as fast, you just have to drink more than him," the elf said in response to her unspoken question.

And with that, the young woman slowed to a more leisurely pace. Orik did not. He tossed back another mug, hardly able to stand up straight.

Eragon said, "Orik, maybe you should slow down." The dwarf was tottering.

"Oh no," Orrin mumbled.

Angela cackled, "Timber!"

The dwarf, who had managed to stand on the bench, fell face forward onto the table. He was completely gone. All the women cheered.

The game is not over, said Saphira. Nasuada must drink two more to win.

Her head was fuzzy and her eyes couldn't follow a straight line, but she heard the dragon well enough. She grabbed for the first mug, and immediately began hiccoughing. She drank it all between spasms.

The game is tied, Saphira declared.

"One more! One more!" cried the audience. Even the men started cheering her on.

Drunkenly, the girl nodded, swaying in her spot. As soon as the beer touched her lips, she had to resist the urge to vomit.

You had better finish that, threatened the dragon to Nasuada alone. I'm a female too, and I want you to win.

Arya held the mug out to her partner, saying, "You can do it. Just hold your nose."

Swallowing and gasping, Nasuada drained the mug, and tossed her hands in the air.

Her knees buckled and Arya caught her on the way down. She wrapped her arm around Nasuada's waist and supported her as the crowd shook her hands, patted her on the back, and generally caused a ruckus.

"That was astounding!" said Angela.

"I don't envy you in the morning," said Orrin.

Trianna looked green in the face, "I think I'm gonna be sick."

Jormunder saluted her in silence, grinning like a fool.

But Eragon, who had slung Orik over his back, bent down on one knee. He bowed his head in defeat, "Can you ever forgive me, my liege? It was wrong to doubt you, and I'm sure Orik sees that now as well." He forced his face into a look of deep regret.

Still putting most of her weight on Arya, she drew herself up to full height. "You are forgiven under one condition, Shadeslayer." Her words were thick and slurred, "You must tend to Master Orik tomorrow, and come running at his every…" she looked to Arya for the right phrase.

"Beck and call?" the elf suggested.

"Yes! At his every beck and call." She took a deep breath, "Aaaand, you will be called Slave Boy for the rest of the week." Nasuada giggled at her own command, "I'm just kidding. You can still be called Eragon." She snorted.

Arya and the Rider blinked at her for a moment before the elf said, "I think it's bedtime for the two of them."

Eragon agreed and they parted ways, both toting their friends.

She half-dragged Nasuada across the Varden camp to her tent. Her hiccoughs continued as she lay her head on her companion's shoulder. The girl was practically asleep on her feet when she said, "You said you wanted me to let my hair down."

Arya nodded, unsure of where the drunken woman was going with her statement.

Nasuada chortled, running her fingers across her black locks. "My hair is already down!" She leaned against her, still laughing. "It was just an excuse to see me drunk. I know it. You don't have to lie."

The older woman opened the flap of Nasuada's tent. She said, "You're right." Leading her to the bed, she asked, "Do you need anything else?" The girl curled up, still holding Arya's hand.

"A goodnight kiss?" Her eyes were closed, but she continued, "I won't let you leave until I get one." She tugged her arm closer. Arya said, "You're a spoiled little human." But she obliged, giving her a soft kiss on her cheek.

Eyes still closed, Nasuada murmured, "You should do that more often." Her lips parted very slightly as she drifted off to sleep.

The elf covered her up with a blanket and removed her shoes. She left the tent, wondering if Nasuada would remember her words in the morning.

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