7. Wedding Fit for a Queen
With only a day to make preparations, the palace was a frenzy of activity all through the night. But by noon the following day, countless palace staff had prepared and plated a colorful display of rich cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables, warm breads, aromatic meats, and a variety of dips and spreads common to the kingdom, alongside an artistic arrangement of the most succulent sweets imaginable. Large bowls of punch capped off one end of the buffet. These tables formed a natural border along one side of the enormous pavilion they erected and decorated to shelter as many guests as desired to come—more than anyone attempted to count. Hundreds, if not thousands, of white roses artfully wove all around the palace grounds, even finding way into Nasuada's stunning gown and elegant hairstyle.
According to the expectations of the high queen's many loyal subjects, the couple agreed to a more traditional ceremony than what Eragon and Arya had experienced. Once the crowds had assembled, Murtagh appeared and mounted a raised platform at one end of the expansive pavilion, looking tall and regal in fine leather pants and boots polished to a high sheen. His handsome silk shirt was only barely visible under the billowing ruby red cape surrounding his shoulders—no doubt in honor of Thorn, who was obviously present and standing just behind Murtagh outside of the pavilion. Above the small smile gracing his lips, Murtagh's clear blue eyes shone with a joy rarely seen by his friends. The calm assurance in his features lent to his princely bearing, which seemed only appropriate, as he was about to become one.
But all eyes turned expectantly away from Murtagh as a familiar wedding march drifted over the onlookers from the direction of the court musicians. On Jörmundur's arm, Nasuada stepped to the aisle formed between the large gathering. Her loyal advisor and war general had remained in Ilirea to continue in Nasuada's service and had humbly agreed to stand in for Nasuada's deceased father to give her hand in marriage. But few people paid the grizzled old veteran any mind, for the radiance of the accompanying bride demanded their attention.
A striking array of contrasts defined Nasuada's appearance, the first of which was her flowing white gown against her dark brown skin. The second was composed of the crown of perfect white roses nestled in her dense black hair, which was styled in a mesmerizing column of twists, curls, and braids descending to the middle of her back. Nasuada held a single white rose in her free hand, but her most significant feature perfectly matched that of her waiting groom—the smile of surpassing joy that widened with every step she took. Her deep-brown, almond shaped eyes never wavered from Murtagh's face, and by the time she reached him, they were shimmering with tears.
Both Murtagh and Nasuada had requested that Eragon solemnize their union, which he graciously accepted. After sharing a few words, Eragon invited Murtagh and Nasuada to exchange their vows, which they simply and sincerely did. A great rumble of joy swelled over the attendees as the couple shared their first kiss as man and wife. The dragons—all of whom were present along with Thorn—trumpeted and roared their approval, each embellishing the sky with their unique shade of flame.
The royal couple descended from the dais into the eager crowd, accepting congratulations and extending thanks at every hand, which continued for a seemingly endless duration. Upon an unspoken cue, the court musicians—perhaps sensing the increasing confusion and restlessness in the milling assembly—struck up a lively tune, and a dance ensued. With plenty of partners to go around, the most important of which were the women they loved, the three male Riders enjoyed themselves more than ever before. Even Varhog joined in with Willow, much to the amusement of all who saw, though his grace and coordination inspired an equivalent degree of admiration for one so large and hulking. Eragon and Arya both commented about how their faces were sore by the end, so long and widely had they smiled and laughed.
The dance also lasted for an inestimable time, but it naturally segued into a merry feast. The citizens of the high queen's kingdom had worked up hearty appetites and were anxious to follow the examples of the many young children present, whose boredom and hunger had driven them to begin sneakily sampling the mouth-watering selection from the heavily laden buffet tables.
The Dragon Riders, who received almost as much attention as the newlyweds, sat near the high queen as her guests of honor. Varhog mentioned that he was grateful for the many meat-based entrees. He and Grintuk were the only Riders who could not subsist wholly on the plant-based diet of the rest. Their bodies were too vast. Certain differences in their appearance also seemed to indicate that their bodies had some need of the animal flesh—their horns, sharp teeth, and claw-like fingernails, which were all features shared by certain predatory animals to allow them to kill prey and consume its raw flesh. On the Isle, when their bodies demanded it, the Urgals simply ate meat from one of their dragons' kills, never requesting that it become a regular part of the other Riders' fare.
Willow jokingly commented to Murtagh that he ought to make more bets, for even the wishful-thinking aspect of his wager on the Isle had come true. Of those who had guessed how long Eragon and Arya would be gone on their honeymoon, he—the winner—was the next to enjoy the happiness of marriage.
When dusk fell not long after, Murtagh began to tire of the festivities and longed to be alone with his radiant bride. He took Nasuada's hand from where he sat beside her at the head of the table and gave her a solemn look, which she immediately understood.
The queen arose and, in a voice magically magnified by the effort of her new husband, addressed the crowd in the pavilion, thanking them for sharing in the joy of her celebration and expressing her love for her loyal subjects, who clearly loved her in return. Nasuada then insisted that the frivolities carry on in her absence and excused herself to be with her charming prince. This too was met with much cheering and pounding of the tables. Murtagh also stood, keeping hold of her hand as they strode regally from the pavilion toward the palace.
As they disappeared up the hill, Arya murmured to Eragon, "This truly was a wedding fit for a queen. They are both so deserving of every happiness."
Eragon kissed her to show his agreement and asked if she too would like to retire, to which suggestion Arya readily consented. Eragon guessed that the weariness in her eyes was due to a combination of factors—their late night, this long day, the vigorous dancing, and the demands of her pregnancy. They also stood and said goodnight to those near enough to hear before returning to their chamber in the palace.