Thoughts over bond

The wedding took place on a low hill dotted with yellow flowers. The Jiet River rushed past around a hundred feet to the right. The weather was perfect for a ceremony, and after the disastrous battle that took place barely an hour before the people needed something to cheer them up.

The villagers from Carvahal were gathered in front of the hill. Surprisingly none of the, had been injured in the battle from earlier. Also attending the ceremony must've been at least half of the Varden's men. Several of them held long spears with colored flags. Horses were picketed on the far side of the lush meadow surrounding the hill, Athena and Snowfire among them.

Eragon stood at the top of the hill with Saphira standing by his side. David, Arya, Murtagh, Nasuada, Jörmundur, Brom, Angela, Elva, and several others with positions of importance stood at the base of the hill. King Orrin couldn't attend because his wounds were more serious then everyone first imagined. Healers still labored over him in his tent. His prime minister, Irwin, stood in his place.

Two Urgals also attended the ceremony, but that was because they were a part of Nasuada's guard. People looked highly uneasy having an Urgal nearby, but they didn't speak out.

The crowd suddenly parted down the middle to make an open path to the hill. David listened, intrigued, as the villagers from Carvahal joined together to sing unfamiliar songs. He smiled slightly hearing what must've been wedding songs. It took several moments of thinking before David remembered part of the wedding tune from his original home land. He hummed it to himself as Roran and Katrina advanced down the path.

Roran definitely cleaned up well for the ceremony. A new tunic, clean boots, and a trimmed beard. Katrina was the one who captured everybody's attention. She wore a light blue dress, a lighter color than Aquila's scales, with a lace train reaching twenty feet behind her. Two girls were carrying it to keep it from dragging against the ground. She looked beautiful, very proud, and completely serene.

A slightly familiar man walked a couple paces behind Roran. A woman walked a similar distance behind Katrina.

Halfway to the hill a pair of white doves holding a circlet of yellow daffodils flew above Katrina. She slowed to a stop as the birds attempted several times to place the flowers upon her head. On the fourth try they dipped down and gently laid the circlet upon her head.

David caught Eragon asking Arya, "Did you arrange that?"

He glanced over to see her response, but the elf only smiled.

Roran and Katrina continued walking until they reached the top of the hill. They stopped in front of Eargon and waited for the villagers to finish singing. After their song faded into the wind Eragon raised an arm. As the usual wedding speech he welcomed everybody and announced how they were celebrating the union between Roran and Katrina. When he asked for objections David waited to see if anyone would. Thankfully no one did.

David never attended a wedding before. Nobody in his life ever had to get married, so he didn't know what the ceremony would be like. He only attended this one because as a dragon rider he held a position of importance. Standing through this almost made him regret finding Aquila's egg.

You're being ridiculous. Aquila admonished him after hearing his thoughts about the wedding.

You only say that because you aren't the one standing here. He complained jealously.

David felt her amusement. We are connected, little duck. I can see and feel everything you do.

He grimaced. It's too bad we're so close, otherwise you could be spared the agony of boredom.

I'd gladly suffer anything to be with you, David.

David's mood lifted when he heard that. Of course he always felt her constant love for him, but hearing it was always just as wonderful. I love you, too, Aquila.

Luckily for David the vows didn't take a long time to finish. He felt bad for feeling like that, but standing there with really nothing to do wasn't something that he felt entertained by. But he was glad the Varden and everyone else could see such a happy occasion after losing so many people.

Eragon pulled a red ribbon out of his sleeve and tied it around Roran and Katrina's wrists. "As is my right as a Dragon Rider, I now declare you man and wife!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd. When the newly weds leaned in for a kiss the cheering only got louder. David clapped politely while watching the happy moment. He wondered if he would ever find love like Roran had. Glancing at Arya he quickly looked away with a pensive frown. Nobody ever really caught his interest before.

At the celebratory feast both Murtagh and David made pleasantries with everybody there. Both would've preferred to stay out of the spotlight and watch everyone from the sidelines, but being riders would never give them that option.

They were given an out when Nasuada walked up to them while they stood at the edge of the crowd with drinks in hand. "I would request the both of you to come to my pavilion before sunset today. There are many wounded we cannot heal, and I think it would be good for them to see we care about their welfare."

David lowered his eyebrows. "I am more than willing to help, but Murtagh doesn't have any sort of training."

She looked at Murtagh and David could instantly see her eyes soften. "No?"

He nodded in agreement. "I was never taught the Ancient Language, and I've never used magic before."

Nasuada hummed thoughtfully. "I request you still come. You may be able to lend a hand preparing healing herbs and tonics."

Murtagh bowed his head and murmured, "Of course."

When she walked away David smirked. "Shall we expect another wedding soon?"

At first he looked confused, but when Murtagh realized what he meant he smacked David's shoulder. "I am not going to marry Nasuada."

"Perhaps not now," David sipped his drink, "but I can see it happening some day in the future."

"No." Murtagh should his head in the negative. "I could never marry her."

"What?" He felt genuinely confused. "But you two obviously like each other."

"Keep your voice down!" Murtagh hissed. Looking around carefully to check if anyone overheard he grabbed David's sleeve and pulled him away from the party. "I can't because she's the Varden's leader and I'm…me."

David tilted his head. "What's wrong with being you?"

Murtagh sent him a deadpan look while Aquila made her presence known. He is Murtagh Morzansson. He would be lucky if any girl decided to wed him.

Taking a deep breath David sighed. "I see. And you believe your lineage would make marrying Nasuada impossible?"

He grunted. "It would certainly be frowned upon. People know who I am. They remember me from the battle under the Beor Mountains. Most give me looks of suspicious and disgust. Thorn unfortunately doesn't help my image since Morzan was a rider of a red dragon."

The disgust was prominent when Murtagh talked about his father. David felt bad that Murtagh was being judged for his father's actions. "You'll just have to continue to show people you aren't like your father. Eragon, Brom, and I already know you're a good man. Aquila trusts you, and I'm sure Saphira does too."

They reached the pavilion with Nasuada waiting for them. She brought Murtagh to the healers making the different pastes and potions, and afterwards she led David towards the men who needed the most help.

Eragon entered the tent hours later. By then David was feeling exhausted from using so much of his magic. He sat off to the side to eat some bread and a few slices of cheese while Eragon took his turn healing the wounded. He was able to heal fairly severe severe wounds thanks to his training from Oromis.

One man in particular caught David's eye. He spoke with Eragon, claiming the gods had touched him and gave him sight. David wasn't sure if he could believe it, but the man mentioned how a light shone from his palm. He even mentioned David and the exact pale he was sitting in. Eragon looked up to confirm it, and David raised an eyebrow in acknowledgment.

The healers tried to apologizing, claiming the man to be mad, but Eragon told he the man should be sent to Du Vrangr Gata once healed.

When he left the tent David looked back at the man curiously. He was laying on the ground with a peaceful smile, like everything was okay in the world. David shook his head and swiftly exited the pavilion.

On his way to his own tent he thought about the words of gratitude he received from the warriors he healed. Many of them said they fought for him and Eragon while battling. He noted the lack of reference to Murtagh. Either way he felt extremely uncomfortable knowing people were relying so heavily on him.

Being a rider never bothered you before.

David breathed easier hearing his dragons voice. I know, that's because I never think about how much I'm relied on. Sure I enjoy being a rider, but it's so much responsibility. Are you sure you don't want to run away and live somewhere where there isn't a war going on?

Through their bond he could feel Aquila snort. I will not run away and hide. I did it for the first ten years of my life, it's time to face this.

David sent her feelings of acceptance and teasing reluctance. Running definitely wasn't an option now. He felt obligated to help the people who relied so heavily on him and Aquila. They were two of the strongest fighters in the Varden. Training from Oromis and Glaedr could only help. Saphira had even started showing Aquila some of the things she'd learned.

David couldn't wait for the opportunity to meet the elder rider and his dragon. The knowledge they possess must have been incredible. He wondered how they felt. No doubt they knew about him and Aquila. First it was just him and his dragon, but now there's Murtagh, Thorn, Arya and her dragon that will need training. He hoped they wouldn't turn away Murtagh just because of what his father did. If that happened David didn't know sure if he would be able to remain with the elves.