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 hours after Roran's Ennoblement.


Jeod looked confused and said "I am afraid I don't understand Milady, why ask for a sword already pledged to your cause, besides have we not had enough bloodshed? I fear that anymore bloodshed and the rivers will soon run red."

Nasuada chuckled and said "I can see why Grimstborith Íorûnn said your mannerisms are more suited to the elves than the Humans or the dwarves. However to answer your question it is not exactly your sword that I wish to employ but instead your wit and sharp mind."

"I am afraid I don't understand you're Highness, what need have you of a failed merchant and a humble historian?"

Grimstborith Íorûnn spoke up this time "I fear you highly underestimate yourself Master Longshanks, Before your brief career as a Pirate of Palancar, you were a man known to value honesty and fairness in all aspects of life, while at the same time being able to see opportunities that others did not yet see, and as for your academic accomplishments, those too are no secret to me, is it not true, that you were instrumental in not only finding a secret tunnel that allowed Brom of the Varden to rescue the Great Dragon Saphira's egg and again was it not you who found a secret entrance to the Mad King's castle?|"

She then turned towards Helen and said "when you asked Korrigan to extend an invitation to yourselves, I did it not just as a favor to Strong hammer. But because I have long wanted to meet your Husband, Not due to my own Pride, but because my station does not allow me the niceties of meeting someone without the veil of politics and intrigue between us."

Roran who had been calmed down by Katrina spoke up and said "forgive me my ignorance Grimstborith Íorûnn, however how does Jeod asking to meet you now change the situation at all."

The Dwarven Hostess smiled and said "it is different Sir Roran because Master Longshanks asked to dine with Grimstborith Íorûnn of the Dwarven clan and discuss matters concerning commerce not affairs of state. In my capacity as the highest ranking official of the Dwarven Kingdom my position does not allow me to meet with any person(s) not directly affiliated with a King or Queen. However as Grimstborith Íorûnn of Dûrgrimst Vrenshrrgn, I am free to meet any person who I believe would be beneficial to my clan or my people and as such my honor as Grimstborith compels me to meet him and extend to him the same protections and courtesy that I would to any guest at my table."

Roran was silent for a few moments before speaking "perhaps your people are not as different from the elves as you would think Milady."

Íorûnn looked flabbergasted for a moment as she processed his words before cracking a smile that quickly grew into a chuckle then after a full grown laugh that lasted several seconds. Hah, to think I would be hoisted on my banner and that to by a farmer no less!"

She then looked at Helen and said Lady Longshanks. I shall answer your unanswered question. Yes, it would be a pleasure to work with a woman of your caliber. If what my Knurlan and research tell me is even half true, you might be an even better negotiator than Master Longshanks. However I am afraid now that my duties as Ambassador of the Dwarven kingdom supersede my duties as

Dûrgrimst Vrenshrrgn.

With that being said "you may speak with Korrigan in regards to trade. However I suggest you make haste as my King has called for a gathering of all Grimstborith by the Summer Solstice in three weeks.

Nasuada then interrupted the conversation saying I appreciate your hospitality Lady Íorûnn, then looked at Jeod and said "Jeod, I know this is sudden however I would like to speak to you on urgent matters of state. Please present yourself in my throne room by noon. I will ask the captain of the guards to expect you, and without waiting for an answer she left the room.

Jeod nodded his assent and after momentarily looking at his friend left the Dwarven manor.

Once Jeod had left, Roran looked at his hostess and said "it would seem diplomacy and statesmanship is simply a more refined form of Horse trading Milady. However I was brought here as an honored guest, I would hate to think I was asked to be here to act as a pawn in a game of chess between two powerful women."

Íorûnn looked at him sternly and said "you are a Hero of the war, an Earl of a province and more importantly Eragon's cousin. You cannot escape politics. You must keep your wits about you at all times."

Roran took umbrage to her words and was about to respond when Katrina spoke first "what you say is the truth milady and we thank you for showing my husband that he has yet much to learn if he is to an effective ruler of his people. However while at dinner Korrigan let slip that you have a debt to us that has to be paid.

If that is so then please consider it paid. You have taught us a valuable lesson on leadership. One we will not soon forget.

Íorûnn looked at Katrina with an almost motherly pride and said "you are not one to be underestimated are you? Now before you leave I have one more surprise in store.

For I fear what I have done so far is only a small portion of what you and your kin have done for mine Knurlan. Now before you leave, one of mine Knurlan Gjale has asked to meet you one last time.

Roran tried to remember the Dwarf in question as he followed his hostess to another room. "Jovial fellow, red beard, about four feet five, carried a pair of axes on his back, enjoyed picking fights with the biggest and ugliest soldiers in the opposing army.

Not to mention had a fondness for injuring his enemies in the groin. If I remember correctly he was badly injured in the battle of Ilerea. But what does that have to do with me?"

"It has everything to do with you Master Horse!"

Roran turned so quick he almost got whiplash. Standing on a make shift stage next to a table covered with a sheet of cloth, was a dwarf who sported a red beard with a bandage on his head.

.

Roran smiled widely and said I know of only one person, nay only one dwarf who would make such a pathetic joke!" he stepped forward and embraced the dwarf, who returned it in kind.

After a few minutes of exchanging pleasantries Roran looked at him and said "what happened to you Gjale, last I heard you were badly injured in the war and were still recovering, I should have known they couldn't keep a bastard like you down for long. What are you doing here though?"

The dwarf held up his hands in a placating gesture and said "all in good time my friend; After all It was at my request that you are here my friend. You see it is true that while fighting I was the victim of a rogue magician's spell that caused me much pain and I cracked my skull.

When I fell to the floor thankfully my Knurlan were there to protect me and they tried tending to my wounds but could do little as they were engulfed in battle themselves. It wasn't until you killed that sack of Dung Barst that our troops were able to take control of the momentary panic of enemy soldiers thus allowing my Knurlan to carry me out of the city to treat my wounds."

Roran looked confused, "but what does that have to do with anything, I had as much motive as you to kill that son of a whore."

There is a very good reason Íorûnn said from behind "you see shortly before the fight began, Gjale found out that his beloved was with child and he was to be a father."

Helen understood before Roran did "they weren't married at the time were they?"

The Dwarven woman just smiled and said "there is reason humans abhor bastards, it's a trait they picked up from us. You see my beloved was a member of Dûrgrimst Knurlcarathn, and... "

Roran finally understood and he was visibly angry for a few moments before he realized where he was and with a forced smile, turned to his host said "again my lady you have graciously taught me a valuable lesson by showing me a glimpse of the hardships I will face as Earl of Palancar Valley. It seems Diplomacy is all about more horses needing trading than men need hanging. I have much to learn it seems."

The Grimstborith of Dûrgrimst Vrenshrrgn laughed heartily and said "you are an intelligent man Strong-hammer with a unique point of view. It is rare that I deal with a man who is willing to put aside his pride to learn from a woman."

Roran poke and said "milady, while even a blind man could attest to your beauty. Only a fool would think to underestimate you, one thing that life on the farm taught me and war has enforces upon me is that a woman is far stronger than a man."

Before their host could respond Gjale interrupted and said "Grimstborith just like me, my friend is also a new father and I am sure he is eager to be home again."

His Grimstborith smiled and said "right you are Gjale. Please continue."

Gjale nodded his head and turning towards his friend said "my friend I am in your debt, thanks to your valor l was able to prevent my son from being called a bastard and saved my life. Such debts cannot be paid. Yet duty and honor implores I at least attempt to repay it."

He then stood up to his full height and in a formal voice spoke "Grimstborith Íorûnn as chief of mine clan, I ask of you to bear witness as I pay my debt to Earl of Palancar valley and my brother in arms Roran Garrowsson."

Íorûnn nodded and said "with Helzvog as my witness; I swear upon the names of my ancestors and my position as Grimstborith to bear witness and give testimony of this by all who ask."

He then turned towards Katrina and said "Grimstcarvlorss Katrina are you willing to bear witness to this ceremony and speak of my gift to your people?"

Katrina nodded her head and said "Yes, noble dwarf I shall!"

Gjale then turned towards Roran and said "it is my understanding that the Elves forged your cousin Eragon a new blade Brisingr, this allowed him to deepen his relations with the elves. It is my hope that my gift will do the same for us."

He then put his hand on the sheet covering his gift and said "this is no ordinary weapon my friend, forged from the fires of mine own Hearth, with ore that was mined by mine own hands. I present you with this!"

He unveiled his gift to reveal a war hammer, much Like Roran's old hammer, it had a long handle made of what seemed to be polished Oak and a hammer with a head of smooth yet heavy steel; and engraved upon it was the likeness of a wolf traced with Orange Gemstones.

Gjale continued and said "knowing you pride yourself on your own strength. This Hammer was forged in a similar manner by a master Dwarf with almost no magic except for the inherent magic used to strength the steel."

He then picked up the hammer and presented it to Roran who received it with great care.

When he hefted the war hammer he was amazes at how lightweight it was, he tried out a few exercises with the hammer, before inspecting the wooden handle and saw it had a handful of runes written on them.

I presume those Runes are the source of the hammer's magic?"

"Aye so it is, however before gifting it to you. I ask that as tradition dictates, you must name it."

Roran thought long and hard about the name as he inspected the hammer. Finally he smiled "I have the perfect name."

Raising the hammer in the air he cried out its name for the first time: "Mjolnir!"


A/N: How many of you figured out the name before Roran said it? As I said before I tried to emulate as much of the Medieval Culture as I could and to best of my understanding. the dish given by Katrina is a real Dish and is actually Persian in Origin but was tweaked slightly for the current situation. It is also my hope that I stayed true to the characters of this world. Stay tuned for Chapters 4 and 5, because they will be everything and nothing you expected so far.