A/N: Sorry this is late. I've been crazy busy of late...

Enjoy. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own the Inheritance Cycle or any of its characters.

CHAPTER THREE

It was late that night when Murtagh went to find Zuriel. He had a soldier take him to the infirmary, and from there he learned where the healer had gone. She had been given quarters for the night, after doing all she could for the time being. Murtagh was taken to a room where she would be staying for the duration of his mission, not far from the quarters he had also been given. He dismissed his escort, then knocked softly on the door, hoping he wouldn't wake the woman if she were asleep.

He heard her voice from inside, telling him to enter.

He opened the door and peered inside, finding the healer hovering over a table, one of her traveling bags set on top of it. She was rummaging through it when he entered, but stopped briefly to greet him. She offered him a smile, the gesture looking heavy and strained. Upon first glance, he could tell she was exhausted. Her face was pale, and dark circles were beneath her eyes. No doubt she had expanded whatever energy she had in trying to help all the wounded.

Murtagh shut the door softly, and she drew away from her bag entirely. He spotted the tray of food on her bed. It was mostly eaten, yet for how much she consumed, she still looked weak. He wondered how far she had pushed herself, and if she had thought more of the wounded men than of herself.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

She nodded as she reached for the tray and moved it to the table. "Yes. I am only tired."

"You're exhausted. You should sleep."

She chuckled softly, "I know, Murtagh. Don't worry. I'm aware of my own limits."

He wasn't sure he was convinced, but decided not to press the subject. He took a step closer to her, as she went back to her bag and started unpacking. She transferred her clothing to the small wardrobe provided, setting aside the extra vials and containers her job dictated she bring. She was quiet as she worked, focused on her task and unaware that he was now standing behind her. He placed his hand gently on her shoulder, willing his own store of energy to transfer from his body to hers. He felt the strength slowly flow from him.

In an instant, she turned about, knocking his hand from her shoulder. The sudden movement broke his concentration, stopping the flow. "What are you doing?" she demanded, looking angered.

"I'm just giving you some of my energy," he explained, bewildered.

"And did I ask you for any?"

"You're exhausted, Zuriel. I'm just trying to help you," he replied defensively.

"I would prefer it if you would not impose on me, Murtagh," she replied, no longer angry but stern. Her tone mellowed out completely by the end. "I am fine, and you need not worry about me. Besides, your energy would be put to much better use on the wounded men. There were many I could not heal today."

"By making sure you're alright, I am helping them," he countered cautiously. He had no desire to get in an argument, but he felt his logic should be heard. "If their only healer is too weak to help them..."

"I told you, I know my limitations."

"Very well. I won't impose on you again. However, my offer still stands. I have plenty of energy, none of which I will be using tonight. It's yours, if you want it."

The healer looked him directly in the eye, smiling briefly. "What if you have to face this traitor? Won't you need all your energy?"

"I doubt I'll be facing him tonight," he said, taking a seat in the chair at the table. Zuriel resumed her previous work, "And if I did, I have plenty of energy between myself and Thorn and...It wouldn't be a problem." He held his hand out to her, palm up. "Please, healer. A Dragon Rider is offering you a gift."

She seemed amused by his formality. She stared at him for a long moment. "On one condition."

He sighed heavily. "What condition?"

"Visit the infirmary before retiring tonight. It would do the men good to see the king's only Rider is here to help them. After all, Galbatorix wants his Riders to be like the Riders of old, and the Riders of old took time to help people. Offering a few soldiers encouragement would be a good first step in establishing that."

Murtagh was a little surprised. "You actually believe Galbatorix when he says that?"

"It matters not what I believe, only what the people believe." She waited for his answer.

He glared at her flatly for a moment, before nodding his compliance. "Very well."

Satisfied, she laid her hand in his. He continued what he had started before, transferring his energy into her. He watched her face as her strength grew, the color returning to her skin and the light returning to her eyes. He could tell she didn't need as much as he gave her, but he felt better knowing she had more than enough. When he was finished, she slipped her hand from his and offered him a slow nod. "Thank you, Murtagh."

Re-energized, she returned to her work once more, going about it with more speed and vigor. Murtagh watched her all the while with a detached interest, not really sure why he remained, yet knowing there was no place else for him to go. Thorn was outside the city tonight, where he could have more freedom to fly and move around, and where people wouldn't be crowding him. Murtagh could sense him, even from their distance, but he preferred being in his presence.

Another reason he wanted this mission over with.

"So how goes your hunt for the traitor?" she asked him.

He was about to answer her when a knock on the door interrupted him. Zuriel pulled away from the table and went to answer it. He watched her pull the door open, finding a young man in a dark cloak standing in the doorway. An odd smile was on his pale face, a scar on his left cheek twisted strangely from the gesture. Without warning, he rushed Zuriel, throwing his arms around her and taking her in a tight embrace.

Murtagh rose from his chair, alarmed by the mental barriers the young man had around his mind. The Rider was thrown off his concentration though, as the feelings of joy and relief filled the room - coming not from the stranger but from Zuriel.

She returned the man's embrace more intensely than he gave it, and when they parted, she wore a smile Murtagh had never seen before. A smile he might not have even thought she was capable of. "Jasper," was all she said. She took the young man by the face, before looking him up and down.

Murtagh cleared his throat, the noise catching their attention. Zuriel looked back at him, smiling bashfully as she took the man by his hand and pulled him further into the room. He looked upon Murtagh with wide eyes, looking a bit in awe-struck.

"Jasper the magician, I presume," the Rider said.

The pale man nodded.

"Jasper, this is Murtagh son of Morzan, the Dragon Rider," she introduced, and the magician bowed in respect, "Murtagh, this is Jasper, my son."

The shock of her words knotted his stomach. He looked at them both in wonder, not sure he comprehended her right. "Your son?"

She nodded, her eyes full of admiration as she looked back to Jasper, stroking his arm affectionately.

"I heard from the soldiers that you were here," Jasper said, turning to his mother, "It's been so long. I had to come see you. And it is an honor, Dragon Rider, to meet you. Word of the king's loyal servant spreads far."

Murtagh tried not to let the words "loyal servant" get to him.

"Why are you here?" Jasper asked his mother, once again ignoring the Rider, "You're supposed to be at the palace."

"I accompanied Murtagh on his quest here," she answered, "Gil`ead is in a need of a healer."

"It's dangerous. The elves are closing in on Ceunon, any day they could turn their attention here."

"You worry too much, Jasper," she replied, a note of laughter in her voice.

Murtagh wondered who the woman before him was. He had never seen this side of Zuriel. Ever. Even when she smiled, there wasn't any joy behind the gesture, not like there was now. She stared at the magician with love and affection, and a devotion he knew, no matter how long he lived, would never be directed toward him.

Murtagh? Thorn's thoughts cut through his mind, Has something happened?

I'm fine, he replied.

"I've been waiting to speak with you, Jasper," he said, interrupting their conversation, "I'm here to seek answers for the king."

"Murtagh, couldn't it wait till morning?" Zuriel asked, turning to him, "I haven't seen Jasper in years."

"Mother," Jasper said, "He has his duty."

"No, it's alright," Murtagh conceded, making his way around the both of them, closer to the door, "What does a few hours matter anyway?"

She offered him her thanks, though her eyes only lingered on him for a moment.

"I'll speak with you in the morning, Jasper." With that, he turned and left the room. He went the direction of the infirmary, to fulfill the agreement they had, though at the moment, he had the overwhelming desire not to.

A/N: Notice the line where the lame title came from? LOLOL

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