Meg: There's so much to say for this one chapter! We all loved pretty much everything about it and-Sarah: I find it hilarious that the person who is not supposed to be able to love men "as a partner" gets their power from an insult targeting those feelings.

Me: No spoilers! How many times do I have to say it? I don't own anything that isn't mine.

Rebecca: Isn't that obvious?

"Just a little change; small to say the least. Both a little scared, neither one prepared, beauty and the beast." -Beauty and the Beast

"Eragon, that's a freaking patrol. We go the other direction."

"The other direction leads to Galbatorix."

"I'm going to-"

"Ellie! Use a less colorful array of vocabulary, please!"

Nari seemed to be the only one who had any sense in their group as Sarah was not really one for directions. He spoke up, "You two both need to keep quiet, we avoid the patrol by going around it. If either of you alert them, I'm leaving you behind."

Thus, they were silent.

Nari and Sarah did not know which was better, Eragon and Ellie bickering or not talking to each other at all.

"They're back!"

Meg restrained from running after the cousins and greeting Ellie and Sarah. Blodhgarm stood beside her, watching her every move. She would not reveal that she had friends—sisters, really—just yet.

Ellie and Sarah did not join Eragon when he confronted Nasuada. "Lady Meg," The leader said. "You may go and inform the others as to the current issues and meeting."

"Yes, my Lady." Gladly, she left Blodhgarm's side and went in search of them to tell them of the "secret party" though she had a feeling that Brooke and Rebecca had already told them everything.

Brooke chuckled at Eragon's expression when he found that he would be having a feast with those from Carvahall rather than the men whose only ambitions were politics. "You look like your enjoying yourself." she turned to see Baldor and her smile widened. "Are you happy, Brooke?"

"Am I happy?!" She exclaimed, then kissed his cheek. "I've never been happier. I'm with you! Nothing could brighten my day more."

"Good, would you care to dance?" He took her hand before she could reply.

"What? Wait, Baldor, no!"

Rebecca nearly died laughing until Roran dragged her onto the dance floor where the pairs danced around the circle the villagers had formed. Ellie nearly died when Brooke stepped on Baldor's foot, only to be taken on the floor by Nari. Glaring darkly at the elf, Eragon took Sarah's paw and danced with her while Meg stood, smirking at her friends' idiocy.

"You will not join them?" Blodhgarm asked, taking a seat beside her. "They are you friends, are they not? And it would be a shame for the fifth piece to be missing."

She sighed and looked to him with mild annoyance, "I don't dance. Besides, imagine the stories that would be told about The Heartless Lady if she danced."

"Then don't dance without heart," He told her. "Dance as only Meg." She raised an eyebrow and hesitantly accepted his hand.

Other villagers joined the dance while Brooke left with Baldor when Elain decided to leave early due to her pregnancy. Roran and Rebecca went to speak with Eragon which meant that Sarah was off probably talking to Solembum.

"Don't get distracted," Blodhgarm said quietly. "You'll misstep. Just follow my lead."

Tell me that you'll follow me.

She stopped abruptly, paralyzed as a sense of fear overcome her. She clutched her scar, grunting at the pain before saying in a low tone, "I am sorry, I must go. Thank you for the dance."

Just as she laid upon her cot, there was a "knock" on the tent. "I am in no mood for guests at the moment." She called.

"It's Eragon, Meg, don't be antisocial."

She raised an eyebrow into her pillow as he entered and took a seat on her bed. "I see Ellie has expanded your vocabulary." She mumbled.

"I wanted to give you something before I forgot."

She looked up and saw a sword in his hand; it was not his, but she recognized it...

"Where did you get that?" She recoiled, sitting up.

"I saved it from the Burning Plains." He explained. "I can not carry this weapon."

"And you think I can?"

"Meg, please, you need a weapon that stays with you and what better sword could the Bard's sing of?" He thought a moment before singing:

"The Heartless Lady from yonder came,

Seeking to provide hope with her broken name.

To protect the weak and oppressed, she slew

With the elegant blade of her lover, true."

"You're not helping."

"Please, Meg. Prove to the world that you overcame him." She glared at him, wishing that looks could kill. Slowly, she took up the sword and shook her head.

"I hate you."

"I know."

"Oh, Becs, you look beautiful!"

Ellie had no doubt that everyone in Surda had heard of Brooke's praises for the beauty of her cousin. Though, she had to admit, Rebecca never looked more beautiful.

"Now, you're not allowed to do anything other than enjoy yourself." Sarah chastised. "Leave all of the nity grity stuff to us, understand?"

"Yes, mom, I understand."

Everything grew quiet as reminder set in—their real family and their friends weren't there. Rebecca was walking down the aisle on Baldor's arm instead of her father.

"Aren't we all saps, eh?" Ellie muttered with a half smile.

Just then, Eragon burst in. The girls squealed and jumped to cover Rebecca as to hide the dress. "Murtagh and Thorn along with a small army. We gotta go."

"Sarah, Brooke, stay with Rebecca." Meg said. "Protect each other."

She didn't care about the protests, she, Ellie and Eragon ran out to meet the danger.

Meg unsheathed Murtagh's blade and stood between Nasuada and Ellie, watching as Eragon rode off to meet Murtagh. "Where the heck did you get that?" Ellie growled.

"Shut up, Smith. Your boy toy gave it to me last night."

"What were you doing last night?!"

"Wouldn't you like to know!"

"If you two don't focus, I'm going to ban you from Rebecca's wedding." Nasuada threatened. She had no doubt that they could sneak in if they wanted to, but the threat did the trick and that was good enough for her.

Out of the blue, Meg felt overwhelmed, but by pain or power, she knew not. She placed a hand upon her head and winced. Nasuada must've noticed. "Meg, are you alright?"

She looked to her, confusion and determination in her eyes, "I don't know."

"Figure it out," Ellie said. "Because Murtagh's got eyes for you."

She looked up and locked eyes with him, praying her face bore no expression. Eragon was saying something about a name; why the heck would a name matter? And why on earth would she matter in that subject? Why was he looking at her? "Probably because I've got a flashy new weapon." She said, without meaning to, aloud.

"That's what-"

"Don't even say it."

Battle raged for a good deal of time and Ellie and Meg took part in none of it. Meg was Nasuada's guard, which meant she stayed with Nasuada and Ellie was ordered to stay in case soldiers slipped past the lines. "Eragon's not winning." She murmured.

"He's stronger than last time." Meg replied in an equally quiet manner. "There's something different."

"You think?"

They fell silent for a moment, each having their own thoughts when Meg jumped up, "My Lady, permission to take leave?"

"What for?"

"I can send Murtagh and Thorn away."

"Is that wise?"

"It would be unwise not to try!" She cried urgently.

"Very well, Ellie, accompany her as precaution." Props to Ellie for trying to. She really did. But Meg was insanely fast. She worked her way through the battle and got as close to Murtagh and Thorn as humanly possible. "What are you doing?" Ellie cried over the sound of battle.

"You have to make me angry! I have to Hulk out!"

"YOU TURN INTO THE HULK?!"

"No! Trust me, say something to make me mad!"

"I don't know! Books are stupid! You're a blonde! I cheated and made you lose at Nerts!"

"Worse!"

"Um, I don't know, I..." Her eyes light up with an idea. "I slept with Murtagh!"

Perhaps she should have fled when Meg started glowing, but she was too mesmerized to move. Meg was screaming like she was in pain and a massive column of light exploded from her hands, engulfing Murtagh and Thorn and making them vanish. When the light went out, Meg was sprawled on the ground, burns covering her body as though she had been on fire. "Lord above, Meg! What have you done?!"

"Care to explain what that was about?"

Meg had been out for three hours after her black out and such a question was the first thing she heard when she came to. "Did you enjoy my light show?"

Their little council consisted of Ellie, Meg, Eragon, Nasuada and Saphira. Nasuada spoke next, "You didn't think telling us that you had magic was necessary?"

"I didn't know if it would work," She defended, sitting up on the cot and feeling childishly small compared to the others who stood, looking down upon her. "Magic is different here and I'm rather reluctant to let Galbatorix know that there is an extremely powerful being here, or was reluctant at least."

"Different here? What do you mean?"

Meg sighed, "Listen, today belongs to Rebecca and Roran. I suggest you forget this ordeal today and be joyous. Tomorrow, I shall tell you all you wish to know."

"Here we go, Becs. Are you ready to be Rebecca...Rebecca..." Brooke paused, thinking about what her cousin's new name would be.

Sarah laughed, "Rebecca Roranswife."

"God, that sounds weird."

"You have no idea." Ellie walked in with a smile. "I recall us placing bets on who would marry first when we were younger."

"I can't believe you remember that!" Brooke exclaimed.

"I also remember that we all thought ourselves would marry first, except Meg who said she would marry her books." They laughed at their childish antics before Rebecca made them pay up.

Nasuada peeked through the opening and said with a rare smile, "It's time."

Ellie had not seen the girls smile so much as when Rebecca married Roran. The ceremony was performed by Eragon and everything seemed perfect. Nasuada had donated the fabric, the silk and the lace that made Rebecca's dress while the girls, as their gift, made the dress from scratch as a combination of their skills. Rebecca designed the headdress herself and when it was completed and all five stood around it, they agreed that for each of their weddings—if they should occur—they would wear the dress they had made.

The celebration after the wedding was the most fun any of the girls remembered having. For the time being, all hatred, war and blood was forgotten and restored with happiness, joy and hope. Nasuada was right to insist upon the wedding; everyone needed it.

"Girls!" Rebecca said, gathering up her friends after they had eaten. "Do you remember the songs we were taught in choir? Would you sing for the husband and wife dance?"

"Of course!" Some said readily, others, reluctantly.

"Anything for you, cousin." Brooke said hesitantly.

"Come on, Stream." Meg said. "As much as I hate it, I'll sing if you do."

Nervously, they stood on the side and agreed upon Tale as Old as Time seeing as it was one of the few songs some what "appropriate" to the dance.

"Where did they learn such a song?" Roran whispered. "I hardly think that I am a beast, though you are most definitely a beauty."

Rebecca chuckled, "It's from one of my favorite movies, er, stories. I'll tell it to you sometime and get my friends to act it out for you."

He chuckled, "You do have some amazing friends."

"You don't have to tell me twice." She grinned happily and looked at the table where the girls were laughing and enjoying themselves after the song ended.

"Nasuada has one of the elves playing the harp," Nari whispered to Ellie. "He is known for his slow music, would you care to dance?"

"I'm truly sorry, Nari," Eragon said, approaching them. "But tonight, this Lady is spoken for." He offered his hand to her, well aware that he could be turned down and humiliated.

With nothing more than a smile, she accepted his hand and they danced between Brooke and Baldor and Sarah and Solembum.

"Ah, Lady Meg!" Blodhgarm murmured as he took a seat beside her. "I had hoped to find you before the night is through. Once again you are the only one of your friends not dancing and once again, I have no partner."

"Dance with Nari, Blodhgarm. I will not."

He looked surprised and she could not help but smile, "You had no problem dancing with me before."

"True, but I'm not really keen on following people." He raised an eyebrow.

"Go on, go talk to her." They turned to look at Sarah who was talking to four kids. "She doesn't bite I promise."

The kids crept over to her, as if they were afraid she may do something scary. To ease them into her presence, she smiled. A little girl, no older than six, went up to her first and produced from behind her back a flower. "You're awfully pretty." She said, handing her the flower and twisting hesitantly.

"Why, thank you." Meg said with a bright smile. She placed the flower behind the child's ear. "But I think this deserves to be with someone as fair as she."

"'She'?" A boy asked, coming up to them. "The flower is a she?"

"Of course," Meg said. "Well, perhaps it is a 'he,' it all depends on what you believe in."

"Will you dance with us, Lady Meg?" The older girl asked, she must've been eight. "Only if you want to, of course."

She laughed, "Go into the circle and I will join you in a moment." They squealed with joy and ran, eager to dance.

"You are a natural with children." Blodhgarm noted with a smile, oblivious or not acknowledging that she had agreed to dance with children over him. "You would make a wonderful mother."

"Yes, I suppose." She murmured. "You know that was my dream."

"I beg your pardon?"

She smiled and looked at her feet, unsure why she was telling him this. "While my friends wanted to be a teacher or a doctor, I wanted to be a mother. I love children; though I suppose that it would not work out or even be a wise decision. The child of The Heartless Lady, can you imagine?" She chuckled. "Now, if you excuse me, I have a dance to partake in."

"Do you know how to dance, Lady Meg?" The other boy asked, taking her hand and forming a circle.

"Teach me," She smiled.

Ellie laughed at the dance the children had taught Meg. They walked in a circle, crossing one leg of the other every other step; it was like a game. A kid started in the center and did a little dance, then he would chose another, switch places with them and they did their dance and so on. "Come, Eragon," Ellie laughed. "Let us join them."

Eventually, what had been a childish game had turned into the only dance.

Last chance. Last chance to dance.

Roran had announced it and everyone had grabbed a partner. The children Meg had danced with previously had been taken home by their parents and Nari had left as well. She made to leave when someone tapped her on the shoulder. "Last chance, my Lady."

She sighed, debating whether or not to accept Blodhgarm's request when he pulled her into his arms and they danced without needing words.

Somewhere, far away, an evil man smiled darkly, for a new weapon had presented itself to him. And in that place, another man frowned, his heart cracking.