Hello again! Sorry it's taken so long for the update, but I have reasons! I was visiting an animal sanctuary in Oklahoma for two weeks, and since I got back I've been too busy to write the next chapter until now… gomen nasai!

Alexander finally plays her mando! If you don't know what a mandolin is, look it up. For the tune she plays, think along the lines of Ode to a Butterfly by Nickel Creek.

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Alexander felt the man tense next to her as she finished tuning her mandolin. She frowned and turned her head to him.

"Are you okay? Something wrong?"

He loosened up and shook his head. He looked directly into her eyes. "I remember you. You're that famous musician from Galbatorix's court, Alexander… the youngest Royal Musician and the best bassist and mandolinist in Alagaesia."

Alexander smiled with a light blush. That was her. She had been made a Royal Musician at the age of fourteen, a huge honour for a musician of any age. The Royal Musicians were chosen by Galbatorix himself to play at his court after intense competitions. Alexander remembered the competitions. That had been the That one so young as Alexander had been chosen sent waves of disbelief through the realm, and she'd had to prove herself repeatedly to the other musicians. As a result, she was now one of the lead musicians of the court.

"Yeah, that's me—" She stopped suddenly. Alexander realized with a start where she had seen the young man before. "I've seen you at the royal court during performances. You're a courtier." She made it a statement. A courtier, shit…

The young man sighed. Alexander's wariness must have showed. "Yes." His voice was neutral on top, but held an undercurrent of sadness and regret.

Confused, Alexander leaned slightly toward him. "I'm sorry…? Did I say something wrong?"

"No, no… it's okay. I'm just not particularly fond of the court." He looked up again and smiled. His eyes were a beautiful rich brown, a few shades lighter than his hair. They were infinitely deep, like wells of knowledge and emotion.

"What's your name?"

With a small smile, he answered, "Murtagh."

Alexander nodded. The name didn't ring a bell, which probably meant he wasn't an enemy. She had a habit of rubbing courtiers the wrong way, put politely. Since she didn't recognize Murtagh's name, she decided he was safe. "Well, Murtagh, do you have a particular song in mind?"

Murtagh nodded, his smile brightening. "Do you know Song for Spring by Lanna Wyden?"

Alexander grinned, and Murtagh blushed. "What?"

She shook her head. "Nothing… of course I know the song. It's just not what I would expect a young man to request. I'd expect… something darker."

A smile crept onto Murtagh's lips. "I am not most young men."

"We know now." Alexander smirked as she said it. Murtagh's smile widened.

Rolling her eyes, Alexander put her pick to the strings and began the song. It was one of her favourite tunes. The song was fast and bright, and required a great amount of skill to play, but Alexander made it look easy. Her fingers danced along the strings deftly, the mandolin's voice filling the woods.

When Alexander came to the end of the song, she let the effort show, sagging over her instrument. Looking up, she found Murtagh's gaze fixed on her. Alexander felt heat creep into her cheeks and lowered her head, frowning.

"What?"

Murtagh shook his head. "Nothing; it was beautiful! You play so effortlessly, I can't help but be amazed."

Alexander's blush deepened. She'd always gotten flustered when it came to compliments on her music.

"What's this?" Murtagh exclaimed, voice laden with exaggerated incredulity. "The Realm's most legendary musician, modest?"

Teasing. He's teasing me! Still blushing a little, Alexander turned and gave him a mock glare. She shoved him playfully on the shoulder and said, "Would you rather I be egotistical?"

Laughing, Murtagh pushed her back a bit harder.

"Hey!"

Murtagh grinned. "Hey, yourself! You started it."

Alexander set her mandolin safely down and, with a raucous laugh, pounced on him.

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Finally, Ch.3 is up. Please continue reading! TTFN, ta-ta for now!