AN-Hmm well here we are(Finally) Now we can actually get into a descent timing pattern of updates because I am pretty confidant I won't be getting anymore F's any time soon.
I wasn't able to read my reviews until the day I actually posted this. My punishment got extended until know fir attempting to sneak onto the computer. Glad that's over.
Anyway thank you so much for your thoughtful reviews and taking the time to actually read my story when there are a lot of ones much mire well written than this. Thank You.
Disclaimer- Same as always. I don't own Eragon or affiliated with it in anyway. I am not doing this for profit or personal gain.
Warnings- Incest and Male/Male Romance. Flames will, as always, be ignored.
She didn't know where she was. All she knew was that it was cold and dark. An unsettling ice seemed to have descended around her soul and Arya couldn't find the warmth. She knew what the cold was. It was the guilt called forth by her failure. It was her failure to protect her friends.
She was the one who had told Eragon of how weak he was. She had taunted him and goaded him into foolishly charging forward even though the battle had been won.
It was her fault he had fallen to Murtagh and it was her fault that without their rider the Varden had lost morale. The battle had quickly turned against them. She could still here Eragon's scream as he fell. The pain in his voice had been unbearable.
Arya awoke in a cold sweat. Every night since their most recent and tragic battle, she had the exact same dream. She was alone and a copy of herself would appear and tell her the things she feared most. It spoke of the things Arya least wanted to be true.
She and Nasuada had been separated from the rest of the army as they retreated. They had taken refuge in a cave, and had hidden out for the last few days.
Speaking of Nasuada, the other girl was asleep as well and from the looks of it was having a bad a dream as she. She had fallen ill after the battle stress and fatigue making her vulnerable.
Gently, she grabbed Nasuada's hand, pleased to see her calm down.
"Father, I'm sorry. I failed you…"
A wave of pity over took Arya and she mumbled the ancient words to bring about a peaceful sleep for Nasuada. Another wave of guilt struck even harder than before. 'This is my fault. The Varden, Eragon and Nasuada all brought down by my careless words.' She thought.
A glimmer of determination showed through her eyes and she came to a decision about what she had to do. Eragon had to be rescued. There was no other way to fix her mistakes. When Nasuada had recovered she would do all she could to save Eragon, even if it meant fighting the army at Uru'Baen by herself.
She knew Eragon was still alive. Murtagh would see to that. All she had to do was get there before it was too late. She had a felling that her consciousness was making it sound easier than it was actually going to be.
She looked again at Nasuada. Arya wondered if the girl would choose to travel with her. No, she would not allow it. rescuing Eragon was Arya's responsibility to bear and she could not allow interference. She had a few loose strings to tie up before she could save Eragon and alleviate the burning guilt.
'Come on Saphira! No need for violence!'
Thorn ducked as Saphira's tail whipped past his head. Truly, she was too easy to rouse to anger.
'It was just a suggestion! We don't have to save the species tonight we can try tomorrow.'
Saphira gave Thorn her coldest glare. Thorn responded by giving her a haughty smirk, much to Saphira's ire. There staring contest continued until final Saphira couldn't take it anymore.
'Why do you say such things? You know nothing about me. You have no right to speak to me like that!'
Thorn let out a small snort of air.
'You're right I know absolutely nothing about you and at this rate I never will. The only time you respond to me is when you're irritated. '
Saphira let out a growl. She looked at Thorn, a flame lit in her eyes. She let out a jet of flame and her growl became louder.
'Why should you know me? I don't understand what it is with you and your rider. You both seem to be forgetting. WE ARE ENEMIES.'
This time it was Thorn's turn to answer in anger.
'What is wrong with Murtagh and me?! As if you and Eragon are any better! We are enemies yet not by choice! I don't see how you two can just tread over others emotions! Do you have any idea how much Murtagh has suffered for Eragon?'
'And do you have any idea how much Murtagh has hurt Eragon? Eragon doesn't trust easily and he trusted Murtagh above all else. Murtagh shattered that trust.' Saphira roared.
'Murtagh has tried to repair that trust! Maybe if Eragon didn't try to bite his head off every time they meet… What are even arguing about? I…am sorry. I stepped out of bounds.'
'I am sorry as well. Shall we try this again? We are going to be spending a lot of time together so shall we try to cooperate?'
Thorns trademark smirk returned. 'I think I would like that. So, tell me about yourself.'
Saphira was about to respond when a wave of dread over came her. Something was wrong. She could feel it in her soul.
Thorn seemed on edge as well. Something somewhere close was going horribly wrong. Before she could contemplate the matter any further, her world erupted in pain. She fell to the ground and let out a mighty roar. She was on fire. A blaze had engulfed her and there was no way out. Her cries were soon joined by Thorns and the ground seemed to disappear from beneath them. The very air felt as if it was compressed from there lungs. The world spun and then in an instant everything went black.
Eragon was bored. Despite the fact that he was being held hostage by his sworn enemy he was bored. After making up his mind about how to deal with Murtagh he quickly descended into boredom.
It was noon judging from the light outside and Eragon yearned to get a breath of fresh air. He had spent several days in Uru'Baen and he was beginning to think that he would die from boredom before he was actually executed.
As pitiful as it was, Eragon found himself anticipating Murtagh's visits. Murtagh came to see Eragon once a day and even though it always ended in a fight, it broke the tedium that seemed to stretch out the day. The fact that Murtagh hadn't shown up yet was only adding to his quickly building frustration.
With little else to do, Eragon allowed his mind to drift off into thoughts of soaring though the sky with Saphira. The wind would whip though his hair and he could leave all his worries behind. Flying was an escape and that was the thing he needed most.
Eragon was so distracted from reality that he never heard Murtagh approach. Murtagh stood enraptured at the sight in front of him. Eragon's face was relaxed with a far of dreamy look glistening in his eyes. Murtagh felt a rare genuine smile split his face. Reluctantly he broke the trance they both fell into by clearing his throat loudly.
Eragon blinked startled before the relaxed look faded from his face and was replaced by one of loathing. Hiding the fact that Eragon had actually been anticipating Murtagh, he turned face him coldly.
"What do you want Murtagh? My stay here has been bad enough as it is without your company." The words were practically spat out.
"Honestly do we have to go through this every time? I get it. I really do. You hate me. The message is clear. I don't need you reminding me every time we meet. What would you have me do Eragon?" Murtagh responded. His voice was unreadable and laced with cold neutrality.
"Tell me Murtagh should I trust you? You betrayed me in the worst way. Even before we I found out we were brothers I… Why are we even discussing this? It doesn't matter and even if it did it is none of your business."
Murtagh paused. The mask he had carefully placed slipped and realization showed through his eyes. Murtagh was caught between smiling and frowning.
"Tell me Eragon, do you truly hate me or are just afraid of me? Are you afraid that I might hurt you again? I keep telling you that I had no choice! What will it take for you to get it?"
Eragon hesitated to answer. Did he really want to start to trust Murtagh again? Could he trust that Murtagh wasn't leading him into a trap? Eragon mentally scoffed. If Murtagh wanted him dead he would be already.
"I don't know what to expect from you. Tell me Murtagh, which is the real you? The one I met all that time ago? Or is it the Murtagh that I fought on the battlefield?"
Murtagh felt a smirk growing on his lips. Really Eragon was making this almost too easy. Walking over to Eragon, Murtagh placed his hand on Eragon's shoulder. "If you really want to find out you're going to have to trust me."
He leaned in close at this point. Murtagh was inches away from Eragon.
"So how bad do you want the truth? I'll tell you what. When you show me what you really feel then I'll show you the real Murtagh," Murtagh smirked, "You'll learn to trust me dragon rider."
Eragon shoved Murtagh away. There was something in Murtagh's voice. It was seducing and reminded Eragon of how things used to be. It brought back memories of comfort and security. Their friendship that was too close to just be friendship. Emotions that Eragon had long buried.
"Who the hell do you think you are?! Don't talk like you know me because you don't know a damn thing about me! We are enemies Murtagh. Don't forget that."
Murtagh let out a dry chuckle. "I'm not so sure about that. I don't want to fight and you don't want to fight. I think that means we aren't enemies. Come on I'll undo you're bonds and then we can take a walk somewhere."
Eragon looked at him as if he had sprouted a third arm.
"Why in hell would I want to go anywhere with you?" Eragon spat.
Murtagh snorted. "Would you rather stay in here? Don't give that look. I know you better than you would think."
He gently took hold of Eragon's wrists, making sure to enjoy the moment, before slowly reciting the ancient words.
There was an intense flash and for a second everything was alright. Then the pain hit. There was another flash and Eragon felt as if his skull was being pulled open. There was intense pressure against his wrists and then it stopped. Before Eragon could catch his breath, Murtagh let out a blood-curdling yell.
He was clawing at his left wrist as if it was on fire. Murtagh felt as if someone had wrapped a band of liquid fire around his wrist and he couldn't remove it.
Eragon felt a heat on his right wrist that was growing. Within seconds, it was spreading and his entire right side was in an excruciating blaze. In a haze he collapsed to the floor mind swimming with shock.
There was a sudden sharp tug and they found themselves slammed against one another. The pain slowly subsided leaving them in a mindless distress. Eragon tried to form words yet his voice would not work.Murtagh found his entire body was refusing orders. He couldn't move.
Too tired to think or continue to struggle, they allowed themselves to be pulled into oblivion.
All the while from his throne Galbatorix watched and smiled. Too easy.
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