Author's Note: I do not own Eragon or Eldest I am just a huge fan... I hope you like it, (sorry for the wrng grammars...)so please R&R...
Chapter One
The Proposal
"Are you alright Lady Nasuada?" Farica asked Nasuada as they approach King Orrin's Tent a week after the death of King Hrothgar's death.
Nasuada looked at Farica and let out a sigh, "Should I be? With all the things that had happen..." She said softly with pain in her voice. Hrothgar's death was very hard on her, He was a friend and allie of the Varden. With him dead, she is scared that the dwarves will blame the Varden for the death of their king. But so far the dwarves show nothing but friendship, Especially Orik, Hrothgar's successor.
Farica looked at her Lady and nodded, "Yes, and with that new Rider on Galbatorix."
Nasuada sighed and almost muttered one word. Murtagh.
"It's ashame that Eragon Shadeslayer was unable to unmask the new Rider." Farica said knowingly.
Nasuada slightly nodded, hating that she had to keep a secret like this to her only trusted maid. But, a secret like this might destroy Eragon whether she trusts Farica or not. "Yes, such a shame..." she replied.
I still can't believe Murtagh is the new Rider, and under Galbatorix's command because of the Ancient Language. She sighed again ang ignored the concern look on her maid's face. Magic! she thought disgustingly. And, Eragon is a son of a Forsworn, Morzan.
"Lady Nasuada." One of the guards greeted with a short bow as Farica and Nasuada stood infront of King Orrin's tent. "The King is expecting you my Lady." he added as he brushed the curtain door to the side to reveal an entrance of the tent.
She looked at Farica and gave her a nod of thanks. Then looked at the guard before entering the tent.
When the curtain was dropped she had to squint to adjust to the darkness of the tent. Then suddenly a light revealed five feet from where she was standing. What is going on? The room seems to be... romantic. She wondered looking around the room to see many roses on the floor to form an aisle. Hesitating, she followed the trail.
"Lady Nasuada..." a voice said softly.
When she looked up, she landed on King Orrin's eyes that looked at her in a very different and awkward way that made her look away. "You wanted to talk to me sire?" she asked calmly as she looked at his eyebrow that has a deep scratch, when a soldier of the Empire wanted to blind the king, but King Orrin was too fast for the soldier so he scratched the king's eyebrows instead.
King Orrin brushed his loose hair with his hands letting out a loud sigh, "Yes, if you could please be seated." he said sweetly then gestured to a seat across him. Then he reached out for his hand
Without hesitation, She gave him his hand to guide her to her seat. As she sat down, she gave him a smile, "Thanks you."
He just looked at her seriously looking deep into her eyes, then he cleared his throat and scratched his wound.
"I, thank you in behalf of the Varden for protecting us against the empire." She said clamly not taking her eyes off his to make him see the deep appreciation she has for protecting her people. When he just nodded and scatched his wound again, she had to ask out of curiousity, "Does it hurt?"
He just smiled when she touched his knees, "It stings sometimes. But it's a healing wound now, it doesn't hurt that much anymore. Why do you ask?" he wondered kindly.
She just shrugged, "Curiousity." she said
"Did you know that when I was struck by that sword, my life flashed before my eyes?" he said
She wanted to laugh at what the king had said, he never looked that serious ever. But she just sat there firmly eventhough she was shaking with laughter inside. It was just a scratch... she thought humorously.
"I thought about three things..." he said softly as he cautiously looked into her face seeking an expression for him to continue, seeing that she was firmly seated and looked interested he continued. "Surda... The Varden... and to my surprise... you..."
She froze in her seat and she could swear she almost feel on her seat. Me? Surda I understand... The Varden I could understand... but me? she wanted to ask him why he was thinking about her, but she couldn't ask him.
Seeing the puzzled face of Nasuada he just said, "Because if I die I do not have a succesor." he paused, "If my next succesor will be chosen within my counsel, The Varden might be ordered to exile if chosen the wrong leader." he said with truth and knowledge.
She just sat there knowing that what he had said was right, not all the counsel approves of the Varden. And now that The Varden brought the war to Surda maybe majority of the counsel wants the Varden out of Surda.
"And you... because..." he stopped when she looked at his eyes with deep concern and thanks for thinking about the Varden. He cleared his throat to gather up strength then he kneeled in one knee infront of her as he reached for her hand. "Nasuada, daughter Ajihad and great leader of The Varden...I'd like to ask your hand in marraige."
She felt the sencerity in his eyes and the coldness of his hands but she couldn't understand why he proposed to her. She just smiled thinking of an answer but she went mute. She couldn't even clear her throat for she thinks it is rude. When she finnaly could feel that she can talk, she smiled, "I-" she stopped when he kissed her hand.
"Oh Lady Nasuada... I know this is all of a sudden to you. And I need naught the answer right at this moment. I'd like you to sleep on it, and meet me tomorrow by north of Jiet River for an answer." he said in a sweet way as he again kissed her hand then he sat back down on the chair. "You need naught to go if you don't want to, but i'd be waiting for you until sunset." he added softly.
"I will come sire." she said firmly as she could feel her mouth is dry.
King Orrin stood up walking away from where she was seated, "And oh my Lady, I wish you will speak of this to no one.. only to the people you trust." then turned his back on her before she could say a word and left her alone in his tent.
Nasauda just sat there still stunned and amussed that King Orrin did proposed. She looked at her hand that he kissed and sighed. "For the good of the Varden" she said to herself as she stood up and left the tent.