AN: I know it's been AGES but you're in luck! I've got tonsillitis and it's robbed me of my social life, so I'm stuck indoors, in quarantine, with my laptop. And trust me, there's only so much facebooking a person can do before they go insane. So here we go, the next few chapters of Obsidian. Now, if I could just remember where I left off...
She sat bolt upright in bed gasping, a cold film of perspiration clinging to her skin. She looked around, breathlessly, and it took her several moments to reorientate herself.
Aberon. I'm in Aberon. She told herself. It was just a dream. Oh, but it felt so real!
She had seen it all as clearly as any waking vision. She had watched in growing horror as Galbatorix punished Murtagh with more fierce brutality than she could believe existed in her world. She struggled to think how such grizzly visions had been produced by her own imagination, and a shudder ran through her that had nothing to do with the cool night air.
Are you okay? Obsidian asked, pushing his head through the entrance flap. She nodded, breathing deeply. I saw it too.
You...so it wasn't a nightmare? She asked, horrified at the notion.
I don't know. It felt too...
Real. She finished. I know. I could feel his pain! Oh, Murtagh...I would not be surprised if he never forgives me for causing him to suffer so terribly. Right now, I'm having trouble forgiving myself.
His fate is not your doing, and it is not the first nor, I fear, the last time he will suffer at the hands of the King. Obsidian said, darkly.
I don't understand...how did that even happen? She asked, running a hand through her long hair. I've never seen anything before...why now? And why Murtagh?
Perhaps...the bond between you is stronger than we anticipated...Obsidian offered, doubtfully. Katharean considered this, sceptically.
It's a little far fetched...but I see no other explanation. Unless this is something Galbatorix did to me while I slept. She thought, dismally. No matter how far we run, we will never be free of him. Not when he's infected my body and my mind with his poison. Perhaps that was his intention.
Nonsense. He may have cast some spells on you, Katharean, but he can do no more. You're safe here. I won't let anything bad happen to you.
I know. She conceded. I know. It's just shaken me up, that's all. She yawned, stretching her aching limbs. What is the time?
Dawn approaches.
I suppose I should get up. She though, reluctantly, as a cold breeze reached her from the open flap. Several minutes later, she was keeling by her bed, lacing up the knee-high riding boots Nasuada had left for her along with charcoal grey jodhpurs, matching thermal vest and a heavy leather coat which she had gratefully buttoned up to her neck to ward away the early morning chill.
How do I look? She asked Obsidian. He raised an uninterested eyebrow and she nodded. Right. Stupid question.
You look fine. He muttered. It is a marked improvement after yesterday.
"Thanks." She smiled, wryly, as she tied her hair back in a messy ponytail to keep it out of her face as they flew. Any word from Nasuada about a saddle for you yet?
I am wearing it now. He replied, tetchily. It is thoroughly uncomfortable.
No more than it is for me with your scales digging into my thighs. She reminded him, and he retracted his head from the entrance with a snort of annoyance.
That doesn't mean I have to like it.
She smiled, shaking her head as she fastened Zar-roc securely to her belt. Right, let's have a look then. She grinned, sweeping out of the tent to approach Obsidian where he sat a few metres away, his face twisted in an angry scowl. She ignored the sour look he threw her and walked around to his side. She checked that the saddle was adjusted correctly and, satisfied that it was, climbed into it.
Not bad. Not bad at all. She commented. I mean, it's not much to look at, but it shall do for the time being.
Well as long as you are happy with it. Obsidian drawled, facetiously.
Oh, hush. You whine like a mule. She grinned, amused by his indignation.
And why not, if I am to be saddled like one? He growled.
Take heart, it will not be for long. We should reach Tronjheim in no more than three days...if you are on form, that is.
Do not worry about me.
I have complete faith in you. She assured him, sliding back out of the saddle.
Well that makes a pleasant change.
Do not be so grumpy. She smirked, tickling his chin. Despite his best efforts, Obsidian smiled and dipped his nose down to rest on her shoulder.
Sorry. He sighed. I am only troubled by the notion that Galbatorix has affected you so.
Her smile faded and she nodded, understandingly but said nothing.
"Ah, Katharean, you are awake!" Nasuada called from the entrance of her pavilion. "Come then, if you are ready. A small crowd of well-wishers has gathered on the outskirts of the camp and they are all eager to see you."
Katharean and Obsidian strolled alongside Nasuada as they made their way through the camp.
"How did your address go?" Katharean asked, anxiously. Nasuada smiled, reassuringly.
"Very well. There were...mixed reactions, but on the whole it was received with much delight and enthusiasm."
"Well that is good to know." She breathed, glancing at Obsidian, who growled in agreement.
"What is that noise?" She asked, when a chorus of excited chatter met her sensitive ears.
"As I said...a few people have gathered to see you off." Nasuada replied with a coy grin. Katharean eyed her, suspiciously.
"A few people?" She asked as the chatter reached a near deafening level.
They rounded a corner in the rows of tents and Katharean and Obsidian stopped dead as they were met with deafening cheers.
The few people Nasuada had mentioned looked to be a crowd of thousands strong. Katharean grabbed the other woman's arm.
"That is the entire population of the Varden, and then some!" She hissed. "You might have warned me!"
"And spoil the surprise?" She replied, grinning furiously. Katharean could not help but return her smile before numerous pairs of hands grabbed her roughly and hoisted her into the air, carrying her through the crowd. As it was, almost ten minutes passed before she reached the edge of the mob and was lowered gently to the ground, where Obsidian stood waiting with an amused grin.
Torches and pitchforks, eh?
A man forced his way through the closely-packed bodies towards her and she recognised him with a jolt.
"Hearan!" She cried, pulling him forwards into a tight embrace. He laughed and lifted her off the ground, spinning her around while he kissed her forehead.
"Oh, Kate! Kate, Kate, Kate!" He set her down and planted his hands firmly on her shoulders. "If you do that to me again, you will wish you had stayed dead." He threatened, though the love that shone from his eyes softened his words and he hugged her again. "I have missed you so much! This place had been terribly dull without you." He smiled, his voice shaking with emotion. Katharean grinned and placed a hand on his face, comfortingly.
"Katharean!" Nasuada's voice called to her from somewhere in the crowd. She looked up and saw her fighting her way towards them. "Katharean, perhaps you would like to make an address of your own before you leave?"
She was about to protest when Obsidian nudged her.
These people did not show up in their thousands just to glimpse the back of your head, you know.
She realised he was right so, bracing herself, she climbed onto his back and stood on the saddle, clutching the spikes on either side of her to steady herself. She raised a hand for silence and the merriment died away, slowly.
"People of the Varden!" She bellowed. "As you can see, reports of our deaths have been greatly exaggerated!" Raucous laughter erupted and she grinned, growing more confident. "Galbatorix believes he can keep us under his boot, yet see how we defy him! There are some who say that our fight is a hopeless one. There are those that would have you believe that the King is too powerful, too cunning, to be overthrown by a band of rebels. But I say it is Galbatorix who should be afraid! I say that it is he who should beg mercy of us! And I say we will win this war against tyranny, and songs of our victory shall echo in the halls of our children, and of our children's children! The Empire's soldiers may be greater in numbers, but they cannot prevail against the might Varden! For we do not fight because we are afraid, or because we are forced to do so! We fight for freedom! Honour! We fight so that our children may be free to live without fear! Galbatorix has sat on his throne of lies for too long! Well I say no more! Galbatorix will fall, and Alagaesia will see peace once more!The world will know your names, you, the heroes who fight for a better day!"
Wild cheering erupted, and she joined them as Obsidian roared, enthusiastically.
That was quite a speech, little heart. He said, fondly.
Hardly a masterpiece, but I did not have time to think of anything better. She grinned, pleased with herself.
"Katharean!" Nasuada's shout was drowned out by the prevailing cheers of the Varden, but Katharean nodded in understanding. She swung herself down into the saddle.
Shall we? She grinned.
I thought you would never ask.
She raised a hand in farewell as Obsidian turned and ran at a gallop, with the cheering crowd following close behind, and he crouched mid-stride and launched his huge, powerful body into the air with a roar, unfurling his wings as he did so in one smooth, fluid movement. Katharean turned in the saddle and waved furiously until the people below were no more than ants, their cheers still ringing in her ears.
Well...that was new. She breathed.
I could get used to it.
AN: So not exactly the St. Crispin's Day speech, but what are you expecting? This is fanfiction, not high end English Literature. Please review, and go easy on me, I'm not Shakespeare, and I have tonsillitis so I'm doubly bad, because everyone knows that your writing ability comes directly from your tonsils. That's true, that is. I read it. In a book.