This is my first fiction. Hope it isn't terrible. Enjoy
Disclaimer: I don't own the Inheritance Cycle.
Chapter 1
Murtagh stood before the council. He lowered his head his head and looked at his feet. Has time healed their souls? Do they forgive or are on the bridge of revenge. Coming here was a mistake. It was bound time I would have gotten caught. But I had to for me. For….. Elena.
"Murtagh"
At the sound of his name he lifted his head. He eyed the Queen and she he. Who would of thought Nasuada would of become a queen, Queen of Alagaësia that is. Time hadn't changed her features at all. She still had a striking image of power and pride. Her beautiful long lucks followed down and her skin ever so smooth.
"Why have you returned?" a rather harsh voice called out. Murtagh turned his head towards this source breaking his gaze with Nasuada. Orik, the dwarf king grumbled. All heads faced Orik.
"I am here for research" Murtagh replied. All attention was on him now. He tried to hold in all the rage that was building up in him. In all fairness he did understand Orick's state. He, Murtagh had killed the former dwarf king, Hrothgar, who was Orik's uncle and last living relative.
"And what might that research just might be on?"
Murtagh was about to answer when a sudden disruption beyond the doors of the room was heard. Soon two guards entered both gripping on to something. Not something but someone. They held from what seemed a young child.
"Dad!" the young child screamed. He pulled himself free from the guards he ran up to Murtagh. The council was shock as well the guards. Whoever this child was had a strong resemblance of Murtagh, except his hair was a curly light drown. Murtagh went down on one knee. Now he was level to the boy. The young boy embraced Murtagh and when he let go tears dwelled in his eyes.
Ignoring the council and the guards, Murtagh spoke to the child. "Where have you been?"
"I was waiting with Thorn." The boy choked out.
Murtagh kissed his forehead and smiled. The smiled held relief and happiness within it. The boy grinned back.
Murtagh stood and waited for everyone to get out of there shock."Ugh umm"
Murtagh cleared his throat.
"Queen Nasuada," One of the guards started, "we found this child next in a bag on the dragon, we brought him hear cause assumed something horrible." The guard stopped. The other guard picked up where his partner left off. "We now know the uh connections." And with that the two guards bowed and left.
The little boy watched in owe at the men and women that sat before him. He gazed about the room. He had never been in one this grand in his entire life.
"Who are they?" The boy whispered to Murtagh but was heard all throughout the room.
"That's the council. That's Queen Nasuada, King Orrin of Surda, The dwarf King Orik, Some of them were or are members of the Varden like Jörmundur," Murtagh paused.
"Remember the stories I told you?"
The boy nodded in response.
"The elf queen, Arya , another elf behind her chair and Eragon Shadeslayer who is also my brother."
During the introduction Murtagh used his hand to show who the names belong to. The boy's eyes lingered on each one of them for a short while
"Hi, I'm Claude." The little boy said in a cheerful voice.
"Murtagh you certainly have been busy over these past few years." King Orrin said with a chuckle.
Murtagh was the disappointment in Nasuada's eyes. He thought of how he could explain himself without revealing too much information.
"Well will the cycle continue of torture from the Morzansons" Jörmundur stated.
Hatred filled Murtagh. He was cursed with the name and did not want Claude to, as well be cursed.
"Show them your ears," Murtagh barked.
But Claude did not respond. Murtagh glared at the boy. Claude afraid rose up his curly hair and showed the council one of his ear. It was not like humans'. No, but like an elf's. The ear was pointy at the top.
They all gasped. That was the second shock for the day. First finding out that Murtagh hand a child and now knowing that he is not human.
Arya upon seeing this rose from her chair and walked towards Murtagh and Claude. When she approached Claude she did the elf greeting. And Claude followed by hiding behind Murtagh.
"Go on it alright." Murtagh gently shoved Claude forward.
Claude first hesitated to welcome Arya but when she showed him her ears he gladly reshow the respect.
"Are you my queen?" Claude asked Arya.
Arya smiled warmly at Claude.
"How is it possible that he is your son? I mean... he is an elf?"
"Half actually, that is why he does not have all the structures and feature."
"How old are you?"
"Eight"
Arya stared in disbelief at Murtagh.
"How? When? Elf's hardly get involve with humans, neither less have children"
"You speak of your kind from Alagaësia but there is land to the south with your race and three they do. Or shall I say use to. Claude is the last South elf" Murtagh let a tear fall from his face. Poor Elena, he thought.
Arya was puzzled she exchanged glances with Eragon and Blödhgam who stood in the shadows behind Arya's chair.
"Never in elf history, have I heard of a southern race. Plus I thought you went north."
"I did. But that was where I met, Elena in the Farthest North. And she told me the tales, tales of their kind." Murtagh grew sullom. He did not think he could continue. It was his fault. Was it? If only he had been there on time.
Claude path his father on his back, he knew how hard this must be on his dad. "My family migrated to Alagaësia. There they lived normal lives. Well at least they tried. They kept out of the war. My mom and I used to live in the desert. I think that is enough information." Claude spoke with authority which surprised the council. He went fron childish to begining mature.
Arya took back her seat. Murtagh realized Nasuada had been quiet for a long time. Finally after processing what went on she spoke.
"You may be granted to use the library in the palace. And as long as you plan to stay here you can stay in the castle." She then called for some of her guards and they escorted Murtagh and Claude out of the room.
