Author's Notes: Well, I just finished reading Eldest for the fifth time. I keep wonder what would happen if the ending had taken a different turn. This is my first attempt at the Inheritance Trilogy. So, anyways, Eragon and Saphira have been captured by Murtagh and Thorn, and are currently in Murtagh's room. I think someone else also had an idea like this, so if you are that someone, sorry for taking your idea. blushes Murtagh, Eragon, and Thorn may be a bit out of character, just to warn you. Don't plan on any romance, yet. (Rating may go up to a T later.) Right now, the feelings they feel are just love for each other as siblings, although there will be romance later. So, here is my wonderful attempt at this. Please review.

I own nothing. This was not made for any profit, ect.

"Hello, there." Regular talking

Hello, there. Is a dragon and his or her rider speaking

Chapter One

Caught and Caged

---

Eragon gave a small jerk. Blinking, he called out to Saphira as his vision slowly began to restore itself.

Saphira? He questioned silently. Eragon was in a large room, a dungeon. He was sitting on top of a large bed, a wool blanket covering half of him. Saphira was lying in the middle of the room, a green cube surrounding her. The walls were lit with torches; shackles hanging near them, making the silver shackles give off a faint glow. He shivered, uneasy thoughts rushing through him.

Good morning, Eragon. Saphira's thoughts instantly calmed him.

Where are we?

Look around. We happen to be in a room, Saphira told him.

It was then that Eragon realized his hands and feet where tied up. His limbs were so cold; he could barely feel the tight bindings. Eragon growled darkly, staring out at the room. His eyes drifted onto a human figure, huddled up across from him on the bed. The human had his knees to his chest; his head leaning against the cold stonewall.

"You!" Eragon nearly yelled, trying to back up to bed as much as possible, panicking. The human gave a slight smile, despite himself.

"Glad to see you, too," The human chuckled. Eragon glared at him, wishing he had his sword with him. Saphira, why is that traitor here?

Eragon! Saphira scolded him lightly. Just be glad you aren't in Galbatorix's room, chained up.

Why? Where are we, what happened? He demanded, ignoring Murtagh.

Something caught my foot when we took off. I was pulled back to the ground. You fell off me, onto Murtagh's dragon. I can't remember anything from there. I would assume we're in Murtagh's room. He's been watching you every since I woke up. Hasn't eaten at all, either.

"Eragon?" Murtagh asked quietly, his voice full of concern; lacking the hatred and bitterness it had the day before.

"I hate you!" Eragon spat out. He almost regretted it as soon as he spoke. Murtagh recoiled. He stood up quickly, and turned his back to Eragon, letting his own blanket fall to the freezing floor.

"I… I'd better just leave you alone then," Murtagh replied calmly, his face emotions. He grabbed his wooden bow from the bumpy floor, underneath the bed, before walking out of the room. Eragon could hear the small click from the door, understanding that he was locked in.

Why is he so… Eragon muttered to Saphira lightly, different now?

Saphira gave a snort. Eragon, you are his brother.

So? He was so mean yesterday. He almost seemed hurt when I said that I hated him. It's almost like he's never been told that. He's Morzan's son, why shouldn't I hate him? Eragon muttered, his words completely disagreeing with his feelings.

I'm not stupid, Eragon. Look at you. You were his first friend. You are his brother. You have those human feelings for him. You care for him.

Eragon blinked. How did you-?

I am apart of you. Saphira said. You should apologize.

No! Eragon told her stubbornly. He should. I'm the one tied up!

Saphira sighed. And yet, you still live. Good night. If Murtagh comes back, please tell him I am hungry. She turned away within her cube, ignoring his questions, and slowly withdrawing herself from his mind. She closed her sapphire eyes, getting ready to sleep, as Eragon was as safe as he could ever be.

---

Meanwhile, the eldest son of Morzan was climbing up a dark staircase. Light could be seen faintly coming from the door at the top. He trudged up, his brown hair covering depressed hazel eyes.

"Thorn?" Murtagh spoke quietly as he opened the cold metallic door. A large red body lay on the roof of the tower, sleeping. Murtagh grinned, walking over to the dragon. His hand rubbed over the dragon's, Thorn's, scaly neck softly. "I messed up. Again."

There was a loud growl, but Murtagh hardly moved, his hand never straying from Thorn's neck, even when a loud grumpy voice prodded his thoughts. Wake me up later.

Okay then. I was just coming to tell you that there's a cute, sapphire dragon, waiting for you to hit on her, Murtagh hinted, hoping for good results.

In less than a second, Thorn was up on his feet, stretching his wings and straining his neck. Well, do I look fine? That battle sure bruised me up. I wouldn't want to disappoint a guest, you know.

Murtagh grinned. He took a step back, watching the young dragon examine himself, his own troubles stuffed in the back of his mind. Wasn't what I meant, but Thorn, you look great. Make sure you don't scare her away now.

The dragon roared loudly at him and slowly began to take off into the air. He circled the sky once or twice, before flying down to ground level, near Murtagh's dungeon- um, room. Only once Thorn had left, did Murtagh remember what his brother had told him. Ignoring the new feeling coming from inside him, he scowled darkly at everyone else upon the roof, which had been tending to Thorn.

With a single last look at his dragon, Murtagh walked back down the staircase and into another room, down the dark and empty passage way.

End Chapter One