A.N: This one's in first person, all. Fancied a change, and it's my story, so that's what I'm going to do.
Nasuada rocked back and forth in her high-backed chair, studying me intensely. Occasionally, her gaze would flicker behind me, to where Obsidian's large head hung through a large flap at the back of the tent. I cleared my throat, growing impatient by her continued silence, and she blinked as though waking from a trance.
"So, Katharean...it seems even death cannot keep you and Obsidian at bay for too long." She said, croakily. I winced slightly at her words. I expected this manner of remark, but I still felt thoroughly uncomfortable at the implication that Obsidian and I had just returned from Helgrind. It was eerie, to say the least.
"So it would seem. I apologise, Nasuada, I realise that this must come as quite a shock."
She laughed, weakly, and nodded.
"Yes, quite a shock indeed. You certainly do know how to make an entrance, Katharean."
"It was not my intention, I assure you."
She said nothing for a long moment, eyeing me curiously.
"You look like an elf." She observed, bluntly. "Were you changed by the dragons, as Eragon was?"
"In a sense...it is my bond with Obsidian that evoked the transformation, but I was not subject to the rituals of the dragons as Eragon was, no. Time, it seems, wields a power of its own."
"And during this time...where were you, if you were not holding court in the afterlife?"
"It is a long story. Eleven months long, to be precise. I assume you will settle for the short version?" It wasn't a question, and Nasuada leaned forward in her seat, motioning for me to continue. "During the battle outside of Farthen Dur, while the rest of you were fighting below us, Murtagh and I came to blows, as you are aware. However, what you did not know, was that he did not kill me, nor harm me intentionally in any way. It was his mission to take Obsidian and I to Galbatorix alive...of course, one would think that that was easier said than done, so to ensure our cooperation, he placed enchantments upon us both. I do not know the specifics, I doubt that even Murtagh knows exactly what he did wrong, but he sent us both to sleep. He assured me later that his spell was only supposed to be short-term. As it happened, it lasted for eleven months. Obsidian and I have been dead to the world this past year, and we only regained consciousness yesterday. We escaped last night from our prison in Dras Leona, and here we are now." I recounted, quickly, barely pausing for breath. When I finished, Nasuada closed her eyes, processing this new information.
"You were...asleep?" She asked, quietly, rubbing her temples.
"Comatose."
"For eleven months?"
"Give or take a couple of weeks." I nodded.
"Well...I find that difficult to believe." She sighed, heavily. I narrowed my eyes at the implication, but kept my tone light as I replied.
"Tell me about it. How do you think I felt when I found out?"
Nasuada opened her eyes, fixing me with a scrutinising gaze.
"How did you escape?" She asked, suspiciously.
"Through a window." I replied with a shrug. She was silent for a moment, and then she fell forward onto the desk in front of her. Alarmed, I shot a questioning look at Obsidian as small tremors racked Nasuada's slumped figure. "Lady Nasuada...are you...?"
She sat up straight, and I realised with a start that she was laughing.
"Through a window! Oh, Katharean...I've missed you!" She grinned, wiping the corners of her eyes. She started laughing again, and I found myself joining in. We laughed harder and harder until tears poured from our eyes and I held my stomach as my muscles convulsed painfully after the months of disuse. After several minutes, we managed to calm down, and our laughter subsided to quiet giggles. I sighed, happily, and wiped my eyes with the sleeves of my tunic, realising as I did so that it still smelled strongly of Murtagh. My giggling ceased abruptly.
"I have not laughed like that in more than a year." I grinned, and Nasuada nodded.
"Nor I, though for very different reasons, I imagine!" She replied with a good-natured smirk. "Oh...I really have missed you, Katharean. All these months...I never imagined you could have survived! The Varden have needed something...anything...to raise their spirits. And now here you are! Within ten minutes of your return, already my heart feels lighter!"
I smiled warmly, taken-aback by her praise.
"Well, I am glad that I can ease your worries a little. But tell me...where is Eragon? I cannot feel him or Saphira at all!"
"He is gone to Farthen Dur. The dwarves are in the process of electing their new king, and I have sent Eragon as my vassal to overlook the proceedings. It is taking longer than I had anticipated, though." She said, with a small frown.
"I thought that Orik would assume King Hrothgar's duties, as his heir." I said, confused. Nasuada shook her head.
"That is not the way with the dwarves. There are several possible candidates to take over from King Hrothgar. Orik is one of them, naturally, but all of the clans have to vote. I hoped that, with Eragon backing him, Orik would have a better chance...but it seems that not all of the dwarves hold Eragon in as favourable standing as I had thought."
"No...Eragon told me of Az Sweldn rak Anhuin and their hatred for him as a Rider...I daresay his presence in Farthen Dur will only anger them further." I mused, unaware of the shadow of doubt falling over Nasuada's expression as I spoke. Nasuada contemplated my words with a dark look.
"What is done is done, and cannot be changed." She sighed, dismally. We sat in silence for almost a minute, and Nasuada eyed me with a thoughtful look.
"What are you thinking?" I asked, recognising the hopeful expression on her face.
"Only...no, it would most likely make little difference this late in the proceedings, and I doubt that Obsidian could get there fast enough..." She trailed off as Obsidian snorted indignantly.
"Speak your will." I urged her, curious to hear what she had to say.
"Well...the dwarves know little of you, but they mourned your deaths as whole-heartedly as the rest of us. To see you alive once more...they would think that the Gods had granted you a second chance at life, as it were. They would most likely honour you more than anyone...I wonder..."
"You want us to go to Farthen Dur and tell the dwarves that we've just come back from the dead? That plan could backfire devastatingly, don't you think?" I asked, frowning. She shook her head.
"No, no...Dwarves are very different from men. They are superstitious, that much is true, but they have their own beliefs. A dragon rider who has been raised from the dead to aid in the downfall of Galbatorix...it is the stuff of legends, in their halls and ours. Dwarves are a slow-moving race, but they have clarity of insight that most men do not possess. I am confident that they would embrace you rather than fear you." She replied, excitedly. I frowned, thoughtfully. Nasuada, I knew, grew up in Farthen Dur. She knew the ways of the dwarves as well as anyone, and better than most. I was certain that if she was not absolutely sure that her plan would work, she would not have mentioned it at all. "Katharean...I know you have not sworn fealty to me, or to the Varden, but..."
I held up a hand and she stopped, mid-sentence.
"You are right. I have sworn fealty to nobody, and I intend to remain free to do my own will as long as I have life in my veins. However, our goals are the same, Nasuada. If you think that my presence in Farthen Dur will increase Orik's chances of being crowned, that is where I shall go." I said, determinedly. Nasuada's worried expression was transformed by a dazzling smile of relief.
"I do." She replied. "I think that you may be just what we need to tip the scales in our favour."
"Very well. Obsidian and I shall leave at sundown. Right now, we have to rest. We have flown all night, and I feel like I can hardly keep my eyes open."
"Of course! I will have my guards erect a tent for you beside this one, for the moment. If you need anything between now and then, you know where to find me." She rose from her seat. "If you will excuse me, I will have to make arrangements for your departure. You will receive a week's worth of rations, just in case you meet any unexpected difficulties on your journey, and I will have to address the Varden and inform them of this happy news. No doubt word of your return has spread like wildfire, and who knows what kinds of rumours are circulating?"
"A wise decision." I agreed, stifling a yawn. "I shall wait here until my tent is ready."
"Then I shall see you at sundown. Do not be alarmed if a few people show up to see you off...this will cause quite a stir amongst the Varden. But a good one...I hope."
And with those, slightly ominous, words, she swept out of the tent, leaving Obsidian and I alone.
Well that went rather well, don't you think? I asked, sleepily.
Yes, rather well indeed. Obsidian snorted in annoyance. Instead of being grateful to be back amongst the Varden, you have offered to go gallivanting cross country to Farthen Dur to watch the dwarves argue amongst themselves. Did you not think to ask my opinion in this?
No. Too tired. I replied, shortly, yawning pointedly. He growled in frustration. And anyway, you are not a mute; you could have ventured an opinion at any time, instead of playing the role of silent-partner.
If I did not love you so, I would send you to Farthen Dur on horseback. Then you would not be so careless as to promise our services without consulting with me first.
A.N: Chillax. I have a very clear idea of where I'm going with this...Farthen Dur! Please review!