I don't own the Inheritance series etc. etc.

Three days prior...

Nasuada paced the throne room, where the council, Eragon, and Arya sat waiting to hear her plan.

"Murtagh has been spotted with Thorn along the Eastern Ridge of the forest." She started, voice ringing throughout the room. "They are alone, and we will capture them. Eragon and Saphira will create a distraction and separate them while a hidden team of guards will take either Thorn or Murtagh hostage, whichever one proves more manageable at that moment. Then that prisoner will be used to take the other one captive. Understood?"

A smattering of nods went through the assembled people.

"Good. You leave now."

Gods, she sounded so much more confident than she was. Oh, let's just go out and take a ride about the Eastern Ridge and while we're at it, we'll just capture the second most sought after villain in this war, who just so happens to be stronger than our dragon rider and a bit better trained and arguably better looking...but don't worry! We'll take him down with sheer determination!

"Nasuada."

Eragon's voice startled her out of her thoughts and she turned towards him.

"Yes Eragon?" She said slowly. "Is there a reason you're still here and not on Saphira flying off to capture a certain violent enemy?"

"Just relax, Nasuada. Everything will work out fine." He strolled towards the entrance and tossed back over his shoulder, "And just so you know, I don't think Murtagh's the better looking one out of the two of us."

Murtagh stood at the edge of the forest, a ways away from Thorn.

"Do you think this is far enough? Think I'm easy enough to spot?" he thought to his Dragon.

"Yes. They should have quite a clear shot of you, and there is enough distance between us that the plan should work out without them suspecting."

"Good. This had better work."

Eragon shifted on Saphira, anxious about what he was about to do.

"You think this'll work right? I mean, people won't be too suspicious?"

"Stop worrying, little one, it will be fine. We are the ones doing it, you know. Everything will play out as it is supposed to. All in good time."

Eragon looked down as the troop that was to capture Murtagh got in place. He could see Murtagh up ahead and spotted Thorn a few yards to his left. So far, so good. He nudged Saphira with his knee, and she roared, catching Thorn's attention. The red dragon looked up, wary, before returning the howl and leaping into the air. Eragon could see Murtagh's surprised face as he ripped Zar'roc out of its sheath. The band of soldiers burst from the trees and Murtagh turned on them whipping Zar'roc through the air, shouting words of magic at the same time. He clearly was fine taking on an entire band of warriors. Up in the air, however, it was a different story. Saphira had managed to get a hold on Thorn, who let out a fierce cry of frustration and pain as she landed to the ground. Eragon slid off of Saphira and called out to Murtagh.

"Lay down your weapon Murtagh, or Saphira will hurt Thorn more." Murtagh turned to look at Eragon and upon seeing Thorn's predicament, didn't even hesitate as he laid Zar'roc on the ground.

He would not let his dragon be hurt. Ever.

The soldiers behind him quickly removed Zar'roc from his reach and secured his arms behind him. One stepped up behind Murtagh's back and placed a sharpened blade upon his neck, while grasping one of Murtagh's bound arms at the same time. He led, rather pushed, Murtagh over to where Thorn could see him and nodded at Eragon.

"You may release Thorn, Saphira. He won't do anything to endanger his rider."

Saphira reluctantly released her hold on Thorn and he climbed to his feet growling. The soldier holding Murtagh pressed the blade tighter on Murtagh's neck and called out "Don't even think about it, Dragon!"

The entire way back to the Varden the knife remained at Murtagh's neck, and while Thorn did not attempt to break him free, the low growling did not stop once.