Disclaimer: I don't own Eragon. Or Eldest. If I did, Murtagh would be mine!!!!

Chapter One: Father's Blessing

Darkness. The slow return to consciousness. The constant dripping of water. 'Open your eyes' The voice of her missing lover rang out in her head.

"Where are you?" she whispered. When young Catalina opened her eyes, she was greeted not by the man she missed dearly, but by a dark dank dungeon. Her cell was small and covered in hay.

'Where in gods name am I?' She asked herself. Soon a guard came into view. Without a word, he entered her cell and hit her over the head. Her last word before slipping out of consciousness was her lover's name.

"Murtagh…"

"Catalina!" The scream was herd throughout Alagaësia. Shooting up from his bedroll, Murtagh clenched his chest. He breathed heavily. He had to be leagues away from her by now.

"It's for the best." He said aloud. 'But is it really?' he thought. He lay back down and stared at the night sky.

His fire was beginning to go out and permitted little light. He missed her lying next to him, the warmth of her body, the sent of her hair, her lips, everything, he wanted it all again. He closed his eyes and turned over on his stomach.

Alone in the Hadarac Desert, with no one except hid war horse Tornac, Murtagh began to cry himself to sleep 'Catalina'

Catalina awoke on the floor of a vast throne room. She knew exactly where she was. Before her, a large throne in the shape of a dragon claw, housed the man that she once cared for, but would now pay a fine price just to see him hang.

He stood and rested a hand on the ruby encrusted armrest. "Do you know what I hate?"

His voice was vile and had an edge of madness to it. Catalina worked to free her hands from the ropes that bound them. When she was free, she sprinted for the door. He lifted his hand to expose his gedwëy ignasia and shouted "Blöthr!" Catalina was instantly frozen in place.

"Gánga aptr" She rose from the ground and was flung backwards towards the throne. When she fell, she felt invisible bands clamp her legs to the ground. On her knees before this evil beast, Catalina felt helpless.

"Now since you won't cooperate. I'll tell you what I hate. What I hate, is a seithr. Like your mother, that Elvin witch! But what I hate more than a seithr, are traitors to the empire. Do you know what you are my dear Catalina?" He gave a menacing grin. She cringed at the pain of the invading presence in her mind.

"You child, are the lying Seithr of a traitor! Now tell me, what was the last thing you said to Murtagh?" Catalina wanted nothing more than to anger him.

"Woil ono, Eka uin iet yawë" (For you I give all my trust.) His face reddened with anger.

"WHERE IS HE?!" His bellow shook the walls and awoke his black beast. The large wingéd creature stuck his head through the large doorway to his chamber. He touched her mind.

'You better answer him. Ebrithil is in a very bad mood today' She scowled at him

'Stay out of this Shruikan! I still haven't forgiven you for the little 'punishment' you gave me! I despise your kind!' he became engulfed in rage

'Mind that tongue of yours Argetlam, if you weren't ebrithil's…'

"I SAID STAY OUT SHRUIKAN!" She screamed aloud. Shruikan disappeared and Catalina returned her gaze to the man before her. "I don't know where he is!" he stood in front of her and cupped her chin in his hand.

"You swear?" She shook her head from his grip.

"Vel eïnradhin iet ai Argetlam." (Upon my word as a silver hand.) He smirked

"Do you miss calling yourself a rider? Do you miss your dragon? If you make a deal with me, I can give you another egg." He said

"I'd never make a deal with you Galbatorix! Even if I could be a rider again!" He slapped her

"You will address me properly!" She cocked an eyebrow.

"I'm so sorry, father please forgive my 'insubordinations'." She mused

"Thrysta Vindr!" he shouted. A hard ball of air coalesced between them and struck Catalina in the chest and sent her twenty feet across the room. When she landed, she spit up blood.

"DURZA!" He yelled. A cloud of black smoke appeared. The shade Durza, with crimson hair and maroon eyes, bowed before the king.

"Yes, my lord?" He said with an evil smirk. He eyed the young Catalina with carnivorous hunger.

"DURZA, dispose of this wretch! Take her to the Urgal encampment and torture her until you feel content!" Galbatorix said turning away. He made his way back to his throne.

"As you wish, my liege." He hissed in delight. He disappeared into a shadow and darted behind Catalina.

"I will take great pleasure in hearing your screams of pain my dear." He licked the shell of Catalina's ear.

Before they disappeared, Catalina screamed "I AM MY FATHER'S CHILD!"

Well what do you think? Please Review. I'll be posting a lot of chappies:)