Disclaimer: I do not, in any way whatsoever, own anything attached or related to the Eragon series. I only own the plot, Alvena, Carmen and Diam.

Hljodhr Hjarta

Silent Heart

Chapter One

Murtagh

Murtagh cringed as Eragon explained his utterly insane plan. They were to attack the supply cart running from the markets to Galbatorix's palace. Eragon and Saphira obviously loved the idea but Murtagh wasn't completely sure.

"Maybe we shouldn't. It'll be heavily guarded and it won't help us much." He had already decided his vote by then. He was going to vote they shouldn't go. It was two to one.

"Yes, but it will help us." Eragon was trying to reason with him. When he stuck with his decision they turned to Thorn. He appeared to be thinking deeply.

(Well,) He began slowly. (I think Eragon is right.) Murtagh glared with shock and anger at his beloved dragon.

"Three to one." Eragon reported. "Looks like we go." He nodded and smiled a little at Saphira, who had her head pushed through the opening of the tent next to Thorn. All the while Murtagh glared at his dragon.

(Why?) He asked moodily. (Why?)

(Because you would not. Eragon is right.) The Dragon grinned and added (For once.) Murtagh had to chuckle a little at the apparent insult to his half-brother. He nodded slowly, realising they were right. The companions proceeded to Nasuada, the leader of the Varden, what they were going to do about the situation she had presented them a little over an hour ago. Even though Murtagh didn't want to be within a mile of King Galbatorix, he conceded that this was the right decision to make under the circumstances. So that's what they did. They left for the place in the trail the cart was heading along to be big enough for Saphira and Thorn. They worked out it would take them around two hours to reach it on dragon-back. They were mostly silent on the way there, unless they spotted something interesting like when a horse ran beneath them or so on.

Two and a bit hour later they reached their preferred spot on the path and flew above until the cart in question was almost underneath them. He watched as Eragon and Saphira swooped towards the cart and roared. He watched as the man directing the cart heard the monstrous roar and hurled himself from it. Now as Saphira glided a little way away it was his and Thorns turn.

(Ready, Thorn?) Murtagh asked as the man kept running further into the trees. He smiled, a rare thing from him. Thorn laughed maniacally inside his head.

(As ready as I'll ever be.) He cackled. Murtagh shook his head in disbelief at how relaxed Thorn was. He felt the wind increase as Thorn lowered himself into a dive.

(Time to burn that cart to the ground.) Thorn managed to say before he opened his huge jaws and belched fire at the cart rising towards them. Thorn levelled off a couple of metres above the flames below. He saw Saphira vaguely as she followed suit, destroying the cart once and for all.

(Job done.) He heard Eragon say with his mind. Saphira chuckled at his tone of voice. Murtagh glared towards the castle in which he had once slept, under Galbatorix's power. He sighed inwardly. (It's going to be a long ride home.) He told Thorn, who simply laughed at his distress. Murtagh withdrew in to his mind on the way home, remembering all the horrible things the king had made him do. He awoke from his thoughts when Thorn spoke to him.

(We're almost there.) He informed a stunned Murtagh. Almost five minutes later they landed among the trees at the edge of their camp at Surda. They would have to pack up soon, they were leaving in a few days. Murtagh realised with a start that his right hand was warm and sticky. He looked down to find the back of his hand rapidly losing blood. He must have cut himself on one of Thorns scales. He scowled at the image that popped into his mind. He moved his left hand over his right muttering "Waise heill" and grimaced at the slowly receding cut on his hand. At least his time with Galbatorix had been good for something. Not for the first time he stared at the Gedwey ignasia on the palm of his left hand. He jolted in surprise as Nasuada called his name.

He was surprised to find when he reached Nasuada's that Eragon and Saphira were already there along with Nasuada and some of the council. He sat in a spare seat and Thorn stuck his head in the gap next to Saphira. The council nodded slightly at Nasuada to tell her to start. She cleared her throat before speaking.

"Today were expecting a friend of mine to arrive here carrying an egg she stole from Galbatorix a day ago. They have not arrived and her people were found dead when I sent troops to locate them. We believe They have been taken prisoner by Galbatorix in an attempt to get the egg back." She paused for a long breath. "We want you to rescue them." Murtaghs head snapped up at this.

(Don't argue yet.) Eragon begged. But he was wrong. That was the complete opposite of what Murtagh wanted to do. He was going to say that he would go.

(Are you sure?) Thorn asked him, slightly put off by the idea. Murtagh thought about it. Thorn groaned.

(Alright. I'll come.) He grumbled out. Murtagh laughed at him silently. He darted a look at Nasuada, who was asking Eragon what he thought. He tuned into the conversation as Eragon delivered his verdict.

"I will go. I will help this person." He informed his leader. His gaze settled on Murtagh then and Nasuada swivelled to ask him.

"What of you, Murtagh?" She looked as if she expected him to plead with her not to make him go. He surprised her with his sudden change.

"I will go." He confirmed grinning at her. They were all shocked at his quick decision and changes of heart to go anywhere near the castle he loathed so. In his peripheral vision he thought he saw Saphira smirk at Eragon but he must have imagined it. Dragons can't smirk. He was sure the others noticed that Thorn was humming with happiness. It was decided that they should find Arya and leave at once. He stood when Nasuada started to dismiss them. When she had finished they left the tent in search of Arya, the female elf who would be accompanying them on their suicidal rescue mission. She was found almost twenty minutes later on the edge of camp sparring with one of the warriors. Women. She soon agreed to their mission and packed the necessary items they would need. When she appeared to have enough things she mounted her horse and raced off ahead. Eragon and Murtagh swapped a glance that said 'Only Arya" and mounted Thorn and Saphira. The trio soon converged, which made the dragons complained of going so slowly. Murtagh new they would still reach Gil'ead by tomorrow night.