I want to send a special thank you to KHandFF7forever for the idea for hte beginning of this chapter. Thank you and I hope I did this part justice.
Disclaimer: I do not own Eragon and Saphira and their fellow characters by Paolini.
Enjoy!
"Did we make the right decision yesterday, regarding Eragon's fealty?" Florina asked the gold dragon as she looked around the feast hall. It was the only hall big enough to accommodate Kuldra's large body, her being nine months old.
"Saphira and I were talking while you and Eragon were dealing with the council. I have a feeling they would have come to the same decision after Nasuada had asked them to stay. It was the only way for him to get around them. As their savior, they are focusing their power on them rather than you. Especially after you completely refused to swear fealty in any form."
"Nasuada is a dear friend to me. Ajihad treated me as his own family while he was alive and Nasuada has done the same. We have been given the best rooms they could afford to give us at her urging while Eragon and Saphira are forced to live in an old guardroom."
"I know that you prefer to live simply. But for now, we must endure this. Soon, we will be traveling again." Florina smiled as she felt the eagerness to be out in the sky again. Florina shared her longing. She was tired of being cooped up underground as she was.
"I wonder when we will leave. And with Eragon sworn to Nasuada, he's position is precarious."
"That it is. But there is not much we can do. If he had sworn to the council, they would have kept him from going with us to the elves."
"We would have helped him escape. Saphira would have made sure that he went. But we made the right decision in that regard." Florina took a long drink from her tankard and then offered Kuldra a drink. The gold dragon liked the beer.
"Why not drink the other stuff that the dwarves are drinking?"
"Mead?" Kuldra nodded. Florina laughed. "Mead is a lot stronger than beer, my dear Kuldra. Besides, I like the taste of beer better." Florina took another long drink. At that moment, Orik burst into the dining hall and jumped onto the table she was on.
"Hear all and spread word." He bellowed. "The dragon Saphira will fix Isidar Mithrim!" The resulting cheer was deafening. Florina looked at the sapphire dragon in awe a moment as the dwarves kissed the ground at her feet. She sat a moment more before laughing and cheering with the dwarves. She refilled her tankard with beer while Orik pushed a tankard of mead into Eragon's hand. The two Riders joined in the revelry with abandon Florina had only participated in once before.
Eragon watched Florina drink and revel with almost complete abandon. She danced and sang the dwarves' lays with them, and was always refilling her tankard with beer. She soon called for a barrel of beer to be given to the golden dragon. Kuldra broke open the barrel and drank it in three long draughts. A dwarf offered Saphira a sip of mead. Seeing that she liked it, the dwarves brought out a barrel for her and another cask of beer for Kuldra. He heard Florina and Kuldra singing with the dwarves and he and Saphira joined in. When he opened his mouth to join in, he was surprised by the dragon voice that came out of him. Florina looked at him and laughed. He could hear her dragon voice as well.
Kuldra watched her Rider with joy. It had been far too long since she had enjoyed herself. A third barrel of beer was given to her and she drank it slowly. If they were both too drunk, they would not be able to be aware the next day. Though, that plan was slowly flying out the window as Florina became very inebriated. Finally, the noise and excitement became calm and Florina collapsed against the gold dragon. Both of their minds were fuzzy. A very drunk Orik climbed onto the table. "Hear, hear! At last we have celebrated as is proper. The Urgals are gone, the Shade is dead, and we have won!" Florina and Kuldra joined in the approval of the speech. "To Eragon and Saphira and Florina and Kuldra!" He roared and lifted his tankard. The Riders stood together and bowed. Kuldra, wisely, dipped her head in acknowledgement. Saphira, however, reared and swung a foreleg across her chest. She tottered beside Kuldra. The dwarves realized their danger and scrambled away. Saphira landed backward with a loud whoosh, landing on a banquet table. Eragon fell next to her. In her drunken state, Florina didn't think anything of it as she laughed with the dwarves at the drunken pair. She took another drink of her beer and fell backwards and into darkness.
A sharp jab in her side woke her. She sat up and looked at the golden dragon. "Apparently, I am the only one who can hold my liquor."
"I wasn't that drunk. I know you passed out right after I did." Florina noticed the bowl of water and splashed it on her face. The cold water woke her fully and she noticed the clothes. She hid behind Kuldra, since she heard Orik trying to wake Eragon, and dressed. It wasn't a dress as she had expected. Rather, it was a form fitting silken shirt. The color was a deep purple and it was trimmed in gold. The pants themselves were black and also form fitting. Shiny new boots went with them and clacked as she walked from behind her dragon. Orik looked up at her and then continued trying to wake the sapphire Rider. Florina used the rest of the water and her fingers to brush out her hair. Once it was straight, Kuldra dried it with her breath, thankfully without fire, and Florina tied it back, leaving a few strands of her black hair loose to frame her face. She walked over to Eragon and Orik.
"Wake, Knurlhien! You cannot sleep now. We are needed at the gate." Florina picked up the bowl of water she had used and dumped half of it onto the Rider. He woke with a small yelp.
"What did you call me?" Eragon mumbled as Saphira stirred.
"Stonehead! I called you Stonehead because I've been trying to wake you for almost an hour." Florina stepped away from the table as Eragon slid off the table.
"Where are they waiting?" She whispered to the dwarf.
"South gate." He whispered back. She nodded and she and Kuldra hurried out of the hall and to the gate. She remembered where she was supposed to be. Nasuada had told her just the morning before. She would be next to Nasuada and Kuldra would be behind with Hrothgar and Arya. Eragon would be after them with the Council. The pair took their places and waited. Fifteen minutes later, Eragon, Orik, and Saphira came into view. Orik stood behind Hrothgar while Eragon and Saphira took their places.
Boom. The vibrations of the drum went through her. They stepped forward. Boom. A second drum joined the first. The sounds of the drums reminded her of flying with Kuldra and the pressure of her wings on the air. She imagined Ajihad flying a dragon of his own. She looked at his serene face, dressed for battle. Boom. They arrived at the central chamber and the dwarves became even more solemn. Florina shared in their grief. Boom. They entered tunnels. In Florina's mind, Ajihad was riding on a violet dragon, sword blazing in the sunlight. Boom. They halted under ribbed stalactites that branched over a great catacomb lined with alcoves. In each alcove lay a tomb carved with a name and clan crest. The bearers strode into a small room. On a raised platform was a great crypt, waiting. Ajihad was lowered into the crypt and Nasuada and Florina and Kuldra stepped forward first. Nasuada said nothing and caressed his face before standing at the head of the crypt. Florina and Kuldra were next. Kuldra hummed and lightly touched the dead man's forehead.
"Worry not, Uncle. Nasuada will lead well in your stead. Watch over her as you fly in the skies on your own dragon." She whispered and then stood next to Nasuada and Kuldra stood behind them. She watched as one by one, the mourners said their farewells.
"How are you doing?" She whispered to Eragon as he yawned.
"Fine." He mumbled.
"After this, get some sleep."
"Is that what you plan to do?" She smirked.
Jörmundur stepped up to the podium and they fell silent. "People of the Varden, we last stood here fifteen years ago, at Deynor's death. His successor, Ajihad, did more to oppose the Empire and Galbatorix than any before. He won countless battles against superior forces. He nearly killed Durza. And greatest of all, he welcomed Rider Eragon and Saphira and Rider Florina and Kuldra into Tronjheim. However, a new leader must be chosen, one who will win us even more glory." Florina smirked when someone called upon Eragon to be their new leader. "Perhaps in years to come, but he has other duties and responsibilities now. No,"
"Golden Rider!" Someone else shouted. Florina tried not to frown or blush. She didn't think the Varden thought highly of her. Jörmundur faltered slightly.
"I am afraid that the Golden Rider also has other responsibilities that she must attend to first. The Council of Elders have thought long on this. We need one who understands our needs and wants. One who has lived and suffered alongside us. One who refused to flee even when battle was imminent." A moment separated the time between his last statement and the name, "Nasuada." He stepped aside and Arya stepped forward.
"The elves honor Ajihad tonight. On behalf of Queen Islanzadí, I recognize Nasuada's ascension and offer her the same support and friendship we extended to her father. May the stars watch over her."
Next was Hrothgar. "I too, support Nasuada as do the clans." He moved aside. Eragon made to stand but Florina placed a firm hand on his shoulder and then stood. She and Kuldra walked over to the podium.
"The Riders support Nasuada's ascension and offer her help in any way we can." She announced. A moment and then, "the dragons also declare their support to her." She bowed her head lightly and stepped back.
"How long have you had that planned?" Eragon asked her.
"Since the Council met. Arya helped me figure it out. The Riders are supposed to be free of bound allegiances. You are about to jump off a cliff without knowing how deep the water is."
"But what a glorious flight." Saphira broke in.
"Regardless, you cannot speak on behalf of the Riders since you are about to swear fealty to Nasuada."
"And that gives you and Kuldra the right to speak on our behalf."
"I only spoke on yours. Saphira and Kuldra spoke through me at the last minute." Florina looked at the podium. "Now it is your turn. Fulfill your promise." Florina winked slyly and watched Eragon unsheathe his sword and placed it flat on his palm. Florina held her breath and he swung to face Nasuada.
"Out of deep respect…and appreciation of the difficulties facing you…I, Eragon, Rider of the Varden, Shadeslayer and Argetlam, give you my blade and my fealty, Nasuada." Florina watched the council's reaction. Only Jörmundur accepted the change. The rest of the council struggled to keep their anger in check. She smirked. Nasuada took the sword and accepted his fealty saying,
"I am honored that you choose to serve me, Rider Eragon. I accept, as you accept all the responsibilities accompanying the station. Rise as my vassal and take your sword." Eragon obeyed and stepped back. Florina continued to watch the reactions of those assembled as Nasuada spoke to the Varden. She knew the council's anger toward them both. What concerned her was Hrothgar. She could almost see the wheels turning in his aged head.
"What have I just done?"
"I am not comfortable with that, Nasuada." Florina said as she asked them to be rally points. "Galbatorix may know of Eragon's existence, but not mine. Not unless my mother was broken by him."
"I know you are not. But Eragon and Saphira alone will not be able to get us the most help." Florina blew her bangs out of her face.
"I said I am not comfortable with it. That doesn't mean I will refuse. Speak of me if you wish. But do not put name to me and Kuldra."
"Golden Rider?"
"Golden Rider," Florina confirmed.
"Good, as you know, you are being sent to the elves to finish your training. You four and Arya, plus one other."
"Pardon?" Florina asked.
"King Hrothgar insisted interest in fairness in representation. He is sending Orik."
"That will confine us to the ground."
"Think, Eragon. We need to show equality in dealing with the different races. And it will not slow us down. Unless Orik is obstinate, he will fly with you on Saphira and Arya will ride with me on Kuldra." Eragon agreed.
"When to we leave?" He asked.
"In the morning." Nasuada answered. Florina nodded and left, leaving Eragon and Nasuada to talk privately if they wished.
Yay! They get to travel again. Sorry, I had to. Any ideas for funny scenes on this trip? They will be flying so I may leave out those bird things. Thanks for reading and please review.