The sun was setting in the western sky, its golden rays playing hide and seek with the clouds. Roran watched it with a feeling of doom. Eragon's ring that had calmed down before two days had yet again warned him of problem for Eragon in the morning. Ever since Saphira and Arya and had gone looking for a way to free Eragon, he had been anxious. He didn't even know if letting them go was the right choice. But he knew for a fact that nothing could have stopped them from going. And he too didn't want Eragon to suffer anymore.
But one thing had troubled him so much in the past few days: if something bad happened to Saphira or Arya on their adventurous quest, Eragon would hold himself responsible for it and feel guilty. Knowing Eragon Roran also feared that Eragon may even kill himself if such a thing came to pass. He shuddered at the thought. It had been four days since Saphira and Arya left from the Varden. There wasn't any news from the since except calling Blodhgarm to their aid.
Another thing that he had been wondering about a lot for these past days was Arya and her life. He was surprised to know that she was the princess of the elves to say the least. She was the queen-in-waiting and the princess-regent of the elves and his cousin Eragon was in love with her!!! It all seemed surreal, like he couldn't believe all the things about Eragon. He was the only free rider in all of Alagaesia, a brother of the dwarf-king, he loved the elven princess and he was the only hope of the opposers of the evil king. But what annoyed him to no end was the complex and completely bewildering relationship between Arya and Eragon.
It was clear that Arya respected and cared for Eragon deeply from her actions like accompanying Saphira to Uru'baen to save Eragon when it was never expected of her and personally he felt that it was wrong for a queen-in-waiting to go on such a dangerous trip. And he knew that Arya would be very well aware of this what with her years of experience. Thus Arya going to rescue Eragon only emphasised how much she cared for him.
Roran had wanted to help Eragon in his relationship with Arya but it seemed he could do nothing about it now. Afterall, what could a mere captain in the Varden's army do in the relationship between a princess and a rider even if the rider was his own cousin?
"So, what is it that the mighty Stronghammer is thinking about?", a voice called from behind.
"Horst? Oh, Its nothing."
"Don't lie to me Roran. I have seen you since birth and I know you are worried about Eragon.", Horst said devoid of emotions. Roran stared at the town-smith of Carvahall but didn't reply. "As are we", Horst said.
"We have been preparing a prayer for the well-being of Eragon, Roran. I came here to invite you", Horst said. Roran felt gratitude well up in him for his villagers. They were all as loving to him and Eragon as their father Garrow had been. Especially Horst and his family had been very supportive as they had been even when they were living peacefully in Carvahall.
"Thank You, Horst. I will be there along with Katrina in an hour", he said professing how sincerely thankful he was.
"Don't thank me. It is our duty to help you boys in whatever way we can. You both have made us, the people of Carvahall, proud by your actions. When this war is over, it will be known to all that Carvahall and its people changed Alagaesia's fate. You and Eragon will be the sole reason for it. This is the least we can do to show our gratitude"
Roran didn't say anything in reply for Horst's praise. He just looked at Horst for a few seconds and then said, "I have to go bring Katrina" Horst nodded in a fatherly way and stood aside letting Roran go into the city.
Roran walked through the crowded streets of the city of Belatona making his way through elves, men and dwarves. He let a breath of relief when he saw his house. His strides became brisk and he knocked the locked front door one he reached it.
"Who is it?", Katrina's sweet called from inside.
"Its me, Katrina. Open the door", he answered. The door was swung open almost the next instant. Katrina nearly pulled him into the home when she saw him. "Where were you last night? Why didn't you come home?", she asked urgently.
"I had some issues to discuss with the Urgals, Katrina. You don't have to worry about me.", Roran said softly in her ear.
"Oh, yes, I do. Especially when Galbatorix is hell bent on hurting Eragon even if it is by killing you.", she whispered back as he held her tenderly in his hands. Roran pushed back a few strands of hair from her face, but offered no response to her because he knew what she said was true. It was exactly why he had been relieved to see their home intact and locked securely. He kissed her forehead lightly and pulled back.
"How is your body holding?", Roran asked her as he went towards the wash room.
"I am fine, Roran", Katrina said a little nonchalantly. Roran turned and looked at her for a few moments and said, "We are going to visit the people of Carvahall. They are holding a prayer meeting for the well-being of Eragon."
"A prayer meeting? Like the ones we have asking for better yields from the farms?", Katrina asked, a strange mixture of surprise and gratitude colouring her voice.
"Yes. I too think its sort of something like that.", Roran said as he himself was unaware any such prayers earlier.
"It is a honour Roran, a honour of the highest order. It means that the people of Carvahall consider Eragon as important as the land that nurtures them. Like he is a god", Katrina said with the same surprised expression she wore when Roran said her about the prayer. Roran didn't know how Katrina knew all this but he guessed Sloan might have told her. He smiled at her unsure of how to react to her claim: Eragon being considered a god. But his smile wasn't heartfelt and it didn't reach his eyes. He didn't want the god Eragon who was missing. He wanted his loving and caring cousin who would always watch over him and Katrina.
"Get ready. We have to go soon", he said and left for the wash room.
An hour later, Roran and Katrina were walking through the streets of Belatona, holding hands going towards the part of the town where the villagers of Carvahall had chosen to live.
"Where do you suppose Saphira is now?", Katrina asked Roran. Roran turned towards her but didn't offer any reply. It was past the time for false promises. Roran had made up his mind already that if Saphira and Arya fail he would go and try to help them whatever the result. His only regret in that plan was leaving Katrina and he didn't want to discuss his plan with her. This was the first thing he hid from her and he did so because he didn't have the strength in him to tell her that he would leave her.
"I know not. I only hope she is fine and had succeeded in rescuing Eragon", he said at last honestly.
"I too do", Katrina said and after a small pause said, "and what about this Arya? Is she really a princess?"
Roran had said Katrina about Arya's heritage and she didn't seem to believe it still. According to her no sane leader would go on missions as dangerous as what Arya had gone on.
"She is.", Roran said shortly.
"If she is, then she is in love with Eragon", Katrina said and when Roran tried to protest added, "whatever you say" When Roran didn't say anything in response, she said, "I know women Roran. Even if Arya is an elf-woman, we all have the same heart. Or have you forgotten how much you risked to save me from the Ra'zac?"
Roran released his hand from Katrina's and stroked her head lightly seeing the dark expression that crossed her face when she spoke about the Ra'zac. "Maybe. But we can't do anything about their relationship. Didn't you see how stiff Arya was when she spoke to us?", he said continuing their conversation.
"I would really be happy to see them together. Eragon deserves somebody like Arya in his life for all the hardships he has faced and he will face.", Katrina said. For a moment Roran forgot that they weren't even sure if Eragon or Arya would come back to the Varden alive and wished with all his heart that his cousin and the elven princess would find love in each other as he and Katrina did.
"Oi... Roran.", somebody called him from behind. Katrina and Roran turned around to see who it was. The dwarf king Orik was coming towards them, his guards following him. "Uh, hello, Orik", Roran said raising his hand in welcome.
"So finally, I get to meet your wife in person.", Orik said coming to stand by Roran.
"Greetings, King Orik.", Katrina said bowing. "Hasn't Roran told you not to pay me such silly respects. I am your family afterall.", Orik said in reply to Katrina's actions. Katrina smiled and nodded.
"So where to?", Orik asked Roran.
"Oh.... uh, the villagers of Carvahall... they are conducting a prayer for the well-being of Eragon...."
"Can't I attend too?", Orik asked even before Roran could finish his jumpy explanation.
"Ah,...oh, Sure Orik, why not?", Roran said although he didn't sound or feel confident about Orik attending the prayer.
"What? Why do you sound so uncertain?", Orik asked annoyed. When Roran struggled to put together his thoughts, Katrina said, Ïts nothing your majesty, he just feels you will feel out-of-place in a human prayer meeting" Roran looked thankfully at Katrina for virtually summarising his mind.
"Oh, don't worry about that. I have lived with humans for decades", Orik waved off the problem. "And Roran, you have a really brave and intelligent wife", Orik said. Katrina blushed slightly at being called brave and intelligent by the king himself. Orik said something to his guards in dwarvish and they went back the way they had come.
"You shouldn't be without guards. These are bad times", Roran said.
"Should I really worry about my safety when we both are together?", Orik asked, his eyes gleaming. Roran smiled and shrugged and the three of them went towards the prayer meeting. Roran could see from afar the altar and the fire burning in it. The three of them walked silently towards the spot and when they reached there, took their seats around the altar. When the villagers saw the dwarf king they tried to get up and pay their respect but Orik glanced at them sharply telling them not to do so in the middle of the prayer with his eyes. Everybody obeyed immediately and Roran saw only then how strong a personality Orik was.
There were chantings in a strange old tongue, a tradition which was rumoured to be around for as long as people lived in Palancar Valley. To Roran the chantings now seemed more related to the elven tongue. He had heard the elves speak some of the words in the chantings. That meant, the chantings had real effect. Roran wondered how the humans came to know of the language of the elves. But soon, he became absorbed in the chantings and single-mindedly prayed for Eragon to be alright. To his sides he saw Katrina and Orik just as immersed as him in the chantings. Although Orik wasn't spelling every word as him or the other villagers-he didn't know the exact phrases of the chanting-he had a sincerity in his prayer that rivalled even Roran's own sincerity.
When the prayer was over and it was time for people to give their offerings, the villagers of Carvahall were as generous as anybody giving away the most precious of their belongings to the gods. Roran was left to feel dazed by the love, the people of Carvahall showed on his family. But the real surprise came when Orik offered his offering. It was a ring and one look at it told that it was meant for the dwarven royalty.
"Orik, this... are you sure? You...you can't take it back you know..", Roran stammered afraid that he might offend the dwarf king. Best friend or not, Orik was still a king.
Orik clapped rather hard on Roran's back. "Oh, Don't worry Roran. Eragon is one of Dûrgrimst Ingeitum. He is my brother. This royal symbol is the least I can give for his well-being.", he said. Roran smiled at the dwarf king and his friend and he was glad he had a friend as noble as Orik.
Hearing the whinnying of a horse, Roran jumped and pulled out his dagger. He stood protectively before Katrina. On his side he saw Orik poised with his great war-axe. A horse-mounted soldier with the crest of the Varden was coming towards them at great speed. Roran and Orik hesitantly lowered their weapons. The horse whinnied excitedly as it drew near and Roran saw that it was his own stallion, Snowfire, a gift from Eragon.
"Captain Stronghammer", the soldier said and bowed after he had dismounted. Snowfire trotted towards Roran and nuzzled him. Roran put his hands on the horse's face and rubbed Snowfire's snout affectionately. Simultaneously he nodded to the soldier. The soldier only then noticed the dwarf king and hastily fell to his knees telling, "Your majesty"
"Rise", Orik said and when the soldier got up to his feet he asked, "What message do you bring?"
"Lady Nasuada says that it is sweet news after a long time. She wants Captain Stronghammer and King Orik to meet her in her quarters"
Roran was puzzled for a moment: sweet news? What might it be in these dark times. Then it struck him: Saphira and Arya had gone to rescue Eragon and a sweet news meant only one thing: Eragon was rescued. He felt all his tiredness leave him instantly at the thought. He saw that Katrina's expression mirrored his.
"Then let us hear what it is.", Roran said excitedly. "I will borrow Snowfire, soldier", he said to the soldier and to the eager villagers, he turned and said, "I will let you know, if it is really the news that we expect it to be". He noticed the glint of hope in Horst and Elain's eyes and he smiled at them. Then he turned to Snowfire and asked, "Can you carry three, my friend?"
The horse whinnied excitedly, knowing that its master was happy about something. "I guess that is an yes", Roran said to the horse.
Orik stood calmly but his eyes had lit up with happiness. Roran turned and nodded at the dwarven king and helped him on Snowfire. Then he sat in front of the king. Katrina got into the saddle and placed herself in front of Roran. The villagers said in one voice, "Hail, King Orik" as the horse trudged away from the gathering towards the center of the city.
When Roran reached Nasuada's quarters, they were allowed inside without being stopped by the night-hawks. Apparently Nasuada had already issued orders to send them in as soon as they arrived.
"My lady", Roran said and bowed to Nasuada who was looking out through her window. Nasuada turned with a flash of smile on her face. She curtsied to Orik with a nod of her head.
"I got news from Arya", Nasuada said, her smile still intact. Roran wanted confirmation that his cousin was alright although Nasuada's expression was more than enough to confirm it. "Is he alright? When are they reaching here?", he blurted out quite harshly.
"Oh, Calm down, Stronghammer. Your cousin is perfectly alright although he was sleeping soundly when Arya contacted me. They will be here in hours.", Nasuada said brightly. It was very much unlike her to appear so happy in front of visitors but Roran also doubted that she would be this open if the visitors were somebody else other than him, Orik and Katrina.
Roran turned towards Katrina and beamed widely, a smile that might have looked stupid on any other occasion than this. Katrina didn't find anything unusual about his expression as she nodded appreciatively, her own features lit up with a sweet smile.
"This is good. Very good.", Orik said in his gruff voice which mixed with the underlying happiness sounded peculiar. Roran turned to look at Orik. Orik had the look of a child who had just got back its most favourite play-toy.
"Well, don't stand there beaming like stupids. Prepare to welcome the blockhead back.", Angela's voice came from near the door. The night-hawks ran in shouting, "Get her. Get her now." When they saw that Nasuada was watching them, one of them said, "Sorry for the inconvenience, my lady. But the witch tricked us."
"Unfortunately for us, she has that effect on everybody", Roran said to them.
Angela laughed loudly and said, "Why stronghammer, you are wise. It is hard to believe that you and that blockhead cousin of yours grew together."
Nasuada smirked at the comment and said to the still uncomfortable looking night-hawks, "Its fine. You can wait outside." Then after a second she said, "Um, Captain Udhart?" A human night-hawk turned, "My lady"
"Will you kindly inform the Varden that Eragon Shadeslayer is returning?"
Author's Note:
Oh, well.. This chapter has taken two weeks to write. Can you believe it? Although I have read six books in between and finished my first case-study at work. Anyway, it was a filler and I did it only to show how the people of Carvahall were dealing with Eragon's capture.
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