I Do Not Own The Inheritance Cycle.
All Characters Appearing In This Work Are Fictitious. Any Resemblance To Real Persons, Living Or Dead Is Purely Coincidental.
A/N: This is essentially a missing moment from the last book Inheritance and takes place after the death of Galbatorix, and a few days after Roran's Ennoblement.
A/N: seeing as Inheritance Cycle takes place in Medieval Europe, i tried to keep it as accurate as possible. hope I succeeded.
Two Hours Later
Having dropped off Ismira with Elaine and Gertrude, Katrina was busy fussing over her appearance, while Roran's dressed in his finest clothes had a grumpy look on his face as he looked up at the setting Sun over the mountain side as he waited for his friend to arrive. "I can't believe that idiot Jeod; I have never known a man to lose control of his senses so quickly without some sort of magic being involved. He is a grown man; he should be able to have better control of his emotions!"
Katrina smiled impishly at him and said "oh give it a rest my love, he and Helen haven't exactly had the best few months, what with her having to adjust to her new circumstances; besides don't you remember what you did to me the night we returned to the Varden from Urû'baen?"
He turned towards his wife and opened his mouth to retort back when a jovial voice behind him sounded "I would not voice the thoughts that are turning in your head at this moment Roran Garrowsson, lest you anger your beautiful wife and go without for many days on end. In all my travels, I have yet to meet a man who has yet to win an argument from a woman, let alone his wife."
Roran was about to answer his friend who was wearing was his finest clothes with a package under his arm, when his ears picked up the steady marching of heavy boots, it was a sound he was unfortunately very familiar with, is having marched across most of Alagaësia himself. In a few moments the dwarf Korrigan came into view, with half a Dozen of his brethren alongside him, all of them dressed in armor and an assortment of weapons.
His battle instincts kicking in, Roran glanced at Jeod momentarily as the two men drew their weapons slightly and kept their wives behind their back. However they need not have worried as they stopped well short of the entrance to his home. It was then that Korrigan passed his weapon to the man besides him and with what appeared to be a chair folded upon itself under his arms, walked up to the humans and said "be at ease my friends, my Knurlan and I come in peace, they are here not to attack but to defend.
Despite Roran's skeptical glance Korrigan continued and said "these are what you would call the equivalent of the Royal guard, They are part of an elite group of warriors have been personally selected from the best of the warriors from our clan, Our Grimstborith Íorûnn has sent them with me to ensure your safe travel to our camp. Despite the end of the war, we still have many enemies and it is always good to be prepared, would you not agree? Without waiting for an answer he removed the odd contraption from under his arm and unfolded it in front of them.
It looked like a chair but not like any Roran had ever seen, for one, It seemed to be made of some sort of steel rather than wood and it appeared to have hinges attached to them with four wheels at the bottom and two handles protruding from the back, with a seat that seemed to look more like a modified saddle than anything else. He was intrigued at the engineering that no doubt went into the small chair. With the wheels made of smoothed and rounded stone.
Korrigan looked at Katrina and said "your Carriage awaits my fair lady, made by some of our finest craftsmen this was originally created to carry injured Knurlan to different locations in an infirmary that could not otherwise be transported directly by magic, it was later turned into a mobile chair for nursing mothers. There is no real equivalent word in your language, for this. The closest I can think of is a Carriage Chair."
Katrina still seemed a bit hesitant as she looked at Roran. The Knurlan noticed this and bowing low said "worry not, my fair lady, you have it on mine honor that no harm shall come to you and you're so long as mine brethren and I still draw a breath. The Fair Folk are not the only one with a soft spot for children, However if you wish I will gladly swear to the same in the Ancient Language."
Jeod spoke up and said " that will not be necessary Master Korrigan, however I presume as your mistress has honored us with an invitation to her table, May I assume safely that we will be her honored guests and as such be offered the same hospitality and protection that guests are afforded to any who might break bread with the Knurlan?"
Korrigan smiled and said "you are indeed well versed with our customs Master Jeod; it will indeed be an honor and pleasure to host you at mine Mistress Table. Yes, you are correct Master Jeod as guests of our Mistress every Knurlan of our clan is honor bound to ensure that no harm comes to you and yours."
Roran relaxed at hearing his words, having learnt from Jeod the Dwarven customs of hospitality and said "My apologies Master Korrigan, for doubting you; however the war has made us wary. Your words have soothed me however and it would be a privilege to travel with your Knurlan.
A short while later
Roran and his friends were admitted to a large Manor, where they given a tour of the home; Korrigan excused himself momentarily to inform his mistress of the arrival of her guests. As the tour ended they were greeted by a voice although rough was smooth at the same time and undoubtedly feminine, "Welcome honored guests to my humble home, I apologize for the sudden invitation, however my duties as Ambassador of the Dwarves offers little modification." As they turned they saw before them a woman of short stature who had the stance of a warrior, and the grace of a beautiful woman.
Roran and Jeod stood and bowed while the women curtsied slightly which although the Dwarven woman waved it way saying you are mine guests and this is a gathering of friends. I do not wish to stand on ceremony. Now then, let's eat shall we?"
As she turned towards the dining room, she was stopped by Jeod "Grimstborith Íorûnn, you have honored us with your invitation to your Hearth. However before we sit at your table, our honor and customs dictate that we bring a gift for our host or this case hostess, without which I am afraid our honor would not allow us to be sat at your table." he impeccably dressed hostess seemed amused at first but quickly became serious when she looked at the expression on their faces. "It is not necessary Master Longshanks, however if your honor dictates it, then far be it for me to deny your right "
Roran came forward first and said "My lady, while we are honored at your invitation; despite my recent ennoblement. My people are simple folk and we have simple beliefs. One of which is that it is unfair to take part at a host's table, without adding to it ourselves. Therefore I offer you this: "I present to you a Specialty of Carvahall.
This is a dish that every Grimstcarvlorss of Carvahall knows and can prepare, although the dish requires many ingredients and is time consuming due to the method of preparation .Interestingly enough this is the first time Katrina has made this dish in her capacity as my wife. This is what we at Carvahall affectionately call Queen's Dessert. However if it pleases you I would have Katrina speak of her dish in her own words."
Katrina stepped forward and after a brief curtsy said "My lady, as usual my husband is blinded in his affection for me. While it is true I have not made this dish before for my husband, it seems being the ox headed man he is, he seems to have forgotten the fact that until recently we were all recently living in tents and rushing off to battle at a moment's notice.
However what he says is true, this is a dish that is very special to us of Carvahall and is mostly eaten in spring at the time of Harvest, as the pudding is a symbol of prosperity. While the exact recipe is a secret, as the name suggests it is an extremely rich dish made from rice sweetened with Honey and stone sugar along with nuts, figs and an assortment of fruits which are finely chopped and then mixed together in the first milk given by a cow after birthing a calf, before being cooked over a low and steady flame for a few hours.
The dish is unique that it can be enjoyed either hot or cold. This is mine mother's recipe and it is the first time I have prepared it since leaving Carvahall and it is mine gift to you. Although I fear that for a hostess of your stature, it is naught but simple fare."" She then removed a large bowl covered with a cloth and presented it to her Dwarven host.
Íorûnn took the bowl from her hands and removing the cloth slightly took in the aroma that seemed to waft from it. She then passed it to a waiting servant and said "you underestimate yourself my dear, calling it simple fare. You honor me with your gift, this shall be placed as the center of my desert table and we shall enjoy it together, and as for your husband; I fear you underestimate his affection for you, after all it is rare the man who is willing to face the challenges he faced only to win your favor and call you his own. I would not be surprised if future lovers are held to Roran's high standards, regardless of race or sex."
Jeod stepped forward as Katrina stepped back and said "Unfortunately my Lady, after hearing of Katrina's gift I fear mine shall pale in comparison. However try I shall, my gift feeds not the stomach, but one's mind. I have heard tell from Eragon Shadeslayer, that your most dangerous weapon is not the ones you hold in your hands, but instead is the one that you hold in your words.
I have heard tales that you enjoyed clashing with him in a battle of wits and at the end of the day left him feeling confounded and embarrassed, to be able to humble and leave a Dragon rider mute is an incredible feat indeed." Therefore it is my hope that you will find my gift is one to feed the mind."
He then presented a small Codex wrapped in a simple binding with a sheep skin cover. "Over the years I have had many pet projects, one of which was to collect and codify legends of the forty and four Dwarven Kings. This was made much easier by the presence of so many Knurlan from such different backgrounds.
Thus I have created a codex of eighty and eight stories. With two stories dedicated to each king including King Orik, however the stories within contain not feats of courage and Valor. But generosity, humility and wit; the stories are told from a satirical and light hearted point of view by a human who can never fully understand your rich culture and customs and as such great pains have been taken to ensure no slight is meant or even implied. It is my hope that you will enjoy it.
Again Íorûnn accepted the codex with great care and after reading a few lines of the first story, looked up with a smile said "I fear Eragon Shadeslayer has grossly over exaggerated our spar of wit and humor, however you are right Jeod Longshanks I enjoy the sparring of wit and intelligent conversation gives me more enjoyment than the sparring of swords or spears. I thank you for your gift and once my duties allow, I shall read it with great interest, and if the first few lines are any indication, you appear to have a talent for allegory, and humor, that more befits the elves than us Dwarves.
However worry not, unlike those Elves, we are a sturdy lot, and not easily offended or stung by satirical words of Humor. She then gave the book to another servant and said something in Dwarvish, before turning to her guests "you honor me with your presence and your thoughtful gifts. However let us not delay any further. Or else I fear we shall never be free of formalities."
She led them to a large dining hall where they were surprised to see none other than Nasuada sitting at the left hand side of the head of the table. After another round of formalities, everyone finally had a seat with Roran and Katrina and his wife were afforded a seat of honor on her right side with Jeod and Helen next to them. Nasuada was seated on her left and Korrigan next to the High Queen. Íorûnn clapped her hands once and immediately the Dwarven servants set about putting dishes on the table and serving everyone.
As per custom the hostess took a bite and after announcing the food and drink free of poison, the dinner moved forward, at first with a bit of formality and hesitation, but soon once the mead had taken its effect, the dinner table grew more lively, with all the guests at the table engaging with engaging in conversation that ranged across multiple topics, from important to mundane.
Finally after a sufficient amount of time had passed, it seemed Katrina was getting tired and Roran finally found an opening to broach the topic he was eager to have answered but before he could ask his question, Nasuada interrupted the merriment and said "I hate to interrupt the festivities, however I am afraid duty calls. She then turned towards Íorûnn and said "If you wish I can make time in my schedule tomorrow for you, I shall ask Farica to make the required arrangements."
However before their Dwarven host could answer, Roran having finally had his full of diplomatic and formal conversation could hold himself no longer and said "What blasted plan are you up to now Nasuada, first I am asked to leave my home to visit a Dwarven clan chief and now I am stuck between a High Queen and a High ranking Dwarven Diplomat, I appreciate all the pomp and circumstance, but Katrina has just given birth not few days ago and she needs her rest. Can't we hold this circus on another day?"
Nasuada smiled in amusement and said "its interesting dichotomy you share with your Cousin, just as Eragon appears to emulate the elves, so do you emulate the Dwarves. I have a feeling you and my father Ajihad would have gotten along famously. However to answer your question, Roran your presence here has nothing to do with my plans at all, of that I assure you."
Roran snorted indignantly and was about to retort back when she then looked at Jeod and said "My business however lies with you Jeod Longshanks, your Queen is in need of you,, will you come to her aid or not?"
A/N: Hmm, what an odd place to stop, I wonder what Nasuada has in plan for Jeod. find out Next chapter. in the meanwhile why not leave a review or favorite and follow. The Fic is already complete and the last three chapters will most likely be uploaded by the end of the weekend.
