AN: So this one's in FIRST PERSON now. Why? Don't ask questions. It just is. I hope that's alright and it's not too confusing for anyone. I just enjoy the shifting perspective you get by writing it this way. So that's what I'm going to do. Enjoy!
Also, the first time I put this chapter up, it was supposed to have a separator in the middle and somewhere between Open Office and the ff document manager it just sort of disappeared, and it caused a little bit of confusion (which is probably a good reason for me to start proof reading and checking my submissions, but where's the fun in that?). So here it is again, with separator. This is a fairly long explanation for something so simple. I'm sure I could probably shorten it to about five words, but I'm not going to. Just cause.
"All hail, King Orik!"
Cheers deafened me as I knelt respectfully before the newly crowned dwarf king. The morning meeting had gone surprisingly swiftly. It had been a close thing, but Orik had ultimately received the majority of the votes, due to his affiliation with Eragon and myself more than anything. I raised my eyes to meet Orik's and he beamed down at me.
"Congratulations." I mouthed over the din. He inclined his head to show he understood and Eragon rose swiftly from his knee beside me and approached him, bowing deeply.
They exchanged a few brief words which I couldn't hear and Orik nodded, smiling. He raised his hands and the hall fell silent.
"Saphira has offered, on my coronation, to repair the Star Rose, Isidar Mithrim! Let us all stand back and allow to her to restore the Star Sapphire to it's former glory, as Durok Ornthrond intended it!"
Cheers erupted once more as Saphira stepped towards the edge of the large, shattered rose, whose remnants still remained on the floor of the hall since Arya, the elf-woman, shattered it during Eragon's battle with Durza.
"Can she do it?" I whispered to Eragon when he came to stand beside me.
"I hope so." He replied, doubtfully.
I can help. Obsidian offered, but both Eragon and Saphira shook their heads.
I must do this alone. Saphira explained, her voice strained with concentration. Several moments passed as we all held a collective breath in anticipation and then...nothing happened. I bit my lip and shot a sideways glance at Eragon, who had his eyes closed. Orik turned to look at me and I shrugged my shoulders, helplessly.
And then, slowly, quietly at first, the dwarves watching from the eaves started to sing, a mournful lamentation in their own tongue. I felt Eragon shift uncomfortably beside me and rested a hand on his shoulder to calm him. From behind me, Obsidian began to hum in unison with the dwarves and, at the same moment, Saphira lifted her own deep voice in song.
The haunting melody grew louder and more sorrowful, and I felt an unexpected twinge of emotion at the dwarves pain. The music swelled and then started to fade into it's last sombre notes. As soon as the song ended, without warning, Saphira lowered her snout to the cracked edges of the Star Rose and blinding light poured through the cracks like molten metal. For a moment, the entire floor glowed white-blue, and then the light was gone. Saphira huffed with satisfaction as she admired her handiwork.
I gasped when I realised that the great stone was whole once more, restored beyond it's former beauty in an indefinable way.
The cheers that followed echoed throughout Farthen Dur.
Could you have done that? I asked Obsidian, numb with shock.
Of course. He snorted, indignantly.
Of course. Silly me. I muttered, grinning at the look of relief and astonishment on Eragon's face.
"So what now?" I asked, shouting to be heard over the roars of merriment.
Next stop, Ellesmera. I think it is high time we paid the elves a visit.
I could not agree more.
I tightened the straps of Obsidian's saddle and he shifted uncomfortably but did not complain. I knew he was as eager as I to leave the cramped under-dwellings of the dwarves.
"Are you ready?" Eragon asked as he and Saphira approached from behind us.
"We are more than ready." I replied grinning.
"I understand your desperation, but we can't leave just yet." He replied. I rolled my eyes.
"Eragon, how many times? Go to the rest-room already!"
He and Saphira chuckled, and he shook his head.
"No, I mean King Orik wishes to see us before we leave." He grinned.
"Oh. Well, where is he?" I asked.
"He is on his way." He assured me, glancing behind him to the open hatchway he had shown me the night before. I followed his gaze just in time to see a beaming Orik emerge from the dim opening. Eragon bowed and I curtsied as he approached us, but he waved our gestures of respect off.
"Gah! Do not bow to me, Dragon Riders. Without your help, I would not have a throne to sit on!" He insisted.
"With all due respect, King Orik, I think-" Eragon began, but Orik cut him off.
"Eragon, you are mine foster brother! Do not let my title estrange me from you. I have never treated you any differently because of yours!"
"The King is right, Shadeslayer." I remarked, grinning. Eragon shrugged, awkwardly.
"Very well. If that is what you want...Orik." He replied, although he seemed to be struggling with the concept.
"It is. Anyway, I shall not keep you here any longer, Dragon Riders. I only wish to bid you both a fond farewell. Eragon," He turned to him, taking Eragon's hands in his. "Mine foster brother. Thank you for your support over the weeks. And Saphira, thank you for restoring Isidar Mithrim and mine peoples' glory." Saphira bowed her great head, majestically. "Lady Katharean," he approached me and placed his hands on my elbows, for that was as high as he could reach.
"Please," I grinned. "If I cannot call you King then you cannot call me Lady."
"That is fair." He chuckled. "Very well...Katharean. Your presence, though short-lived, has brought much joy and hope to the dwarves. It is hope such as we have not felt in a long time, as was your death a sorrow that has not touched us in a long time. Mine people shall sing of your glorious return to us for years to come."
He beckoned for Eragon to come closer and held both of our hands.
"This has indeed been an interesting few days, my friends! As that which was broken is whole once more, so those who were lost to us have returned! I will not forget all that you have done for me and mine. Go now, let the wind be at your backs! I will see you both again soon, and we shall remind Galbatorix and his scum why they should fear our names!"
"Fare thee well, Orik. May your rule be a long and happy one." Eragon smiled, patting his shoulder before climbing agilely into Saphira's saddle.
I beamed down at the little King and he held out a hand for me to shake, but I knocked it aside, gently, and stooped to embrace him. He seemed taken-aback at first, but chuckled and patted my back. Without another word, I turned and vaulted enthusiastically into the saddle.
"Farewell, Orik, and may the Gods watch over you."
"Take care of Eragon." He winked. "And may Urur be with you!"
I nodded, smiling, and turned to Eragon.
"To Ellesmera, then?"
"To Ellesmera!" He replied, and as one, Obsidian and Saphira bounded forward and took off, roaring happily.
Well I think that went rather well, don't you? I asked Obsidian as we climbed through the air.
I do. Just promise me we will not have to return to Tronjheim any time soon. Do not misunderstand, I enjoy praise as much as anyone, but there is only so much grovelling I can take. He growled.
Do not worry. The next time we see the dwarves, I trust it will be in Fienster. It will be much more difficult to sing our praises in the heat of battle. I grinned.
I shall take my chances against Thorn and Shruikan any day if I never have to stand on ceremony again.
If you did not wish to stand on ceremony, then I was indeed a poor choice of Rider. I replied, nudging his side with my heels.
Forgive me. He muttered. I just grow weary of it, that is all.
Of course. I agreed. Dragons were not meant to laze around dusty banqueting halls being subjected to mindless prattle. Noblewomen, on the other hand...I sighed. Have I ever told you how grateful I am that you came along and rescued me from the life of a dull noblewoman?
Katharean, whatever your fate may have been without me, you could never be dull. He assured me.
Do not be so sure. I smirked, picturing the pompous, dim-witted Ladies at court and shuddering at the thought. Never leave me. I begged, grinning.
As if I ever could. He replied, warmly.
What did I ever do to deserve you? I asked, smiling fondly.
A million things. He replied. And you shall do a million more to make up for the dent your heels are beating into my sides.
Oh! I exclaimed, trying to shift my position. Sorry, I-
Katharean, stop squirming! I was joking. He grinned.
Oh...right. It just happens so rarely that I was beginning to wonder if dragons were even capable of humour. I teased, affectionately.
You would find little to laugh about if I were to make you walk to Ellesmera. He growled.
You'd never do it. I'm your favourite.
Before he could reply, Saphira rolled towards us and Eragon called over.
"By my reckoning, it should take us about three days flying to reach Du Weldenvarden. If you need to stop to rest or eat, just give us a shout and we will land."
"We're good for now. I'll let you know." I replied, grinning. He nodded, and Saphira banked to the right, soaring through a small cloud bank.
He worries about you, you know. Obsidian remarked.
No, he worried about me before. Now that we've already been kidnapped by Murtagh and Thorn, he is going to be nigh unbearable.
I do not doubt it. Not that he does not have good reason.
You worry about me enough for the both of you. I muttered. I am not a child, you know. I am fairly capable of looking after myself.
I know you are. He assured me. And so does Eragon. It makes little difference. I would worry about you even if you were the most powerful sorceress in Alagaesia. I cannot help myself, and nor can he.
I suppose I should be grateful. Most women count themselves as lucky to be protected from the evils of this world by mere men. I have a dragon and the Great Eragon Shadeslayer looking out for me. I could hardly ask for more.
Not to mention Murtagh. Obsidian added. I frowned in confusion.
Murtagh?
Of course. Why else would he be scrying you in a dark room on his own if not to check that you were okay?
Maybe Galbatorix told him to. I suggested.
Galbatorix is more than capable of doing that himself. The straps of the saddle creaked dangerously as he shrugged. I am surprised you did not think of it yourself.
I laughed, humourlessly.
Yes, because my insight is so boundless when it comes to Murtagh. I sighed. It is frightening just how much he blinds me. I am lucky to have you as my eyes.