Chapter 3

A.N:

Ok, It's been over a month I haven't updated, I'm sorry. I just moved to a new country and didn't really have time to do anything. This chapter is some more Eragona and Murtagh interaction :)

Disclaimer : Belongs to

He spent time wandering aimlessly, making sure that his rage was well contained. If he could have had his way, he would've killed the worthless scum. He would've made sure that the snivelling bastard died a slow, painful death.

He tried to keep his mind at bay from whatever macabre, gruesome scenes his rage made him come up with. His logic deemed that he had done enough, for a vengeance. It took him a lot of willpower to merely stop the mutilations he was inflicting to Fornost.

What would Eragona think if she learnt what kind of ruthless monster he hid within? He did not want to become another Morzan.

With a heavy sigh, he observed his home from a distance. He stood alone in the field, illuminated by sunset's amber light. Grass waved lazily and trees whispered among themselves, their once green leaves slowly dying away. Only when his anger truly dissipated did he walk back to the farm.

He stopped as he reached the small stone fountain near the barn. The small stone fountain, with clear source water ever flowing out - which he paid for to be built. He scrubbed his dagger's blade clean with a bar of greying soap, making sure every spots of blood disappeared. He then sharpened it, taking the appropriate measures to avoid rusting. The menial task was emotionally numbing. His thoughts went back to Eragona and he decided that he should see how she was faring. Resigned, he stood up and slipped into the open entrance.

He found Garrow sitting on Marian's old rocking chair, smoking his pipe. The elderly man barely spared him a glance, lost in his own world.

"How's Eragona?" Murtagh asked. Garrow jumped a little, noticing his presence for the first time.

"She locked herself in her room since she came back" Garrow shook his head "Nothing we told her made her come out. Roran tried to go by the window, but she locked it aswell."

Murtagh groaned, before rummaging the kitchen. He pulled out a wooden platter, a cup of fresh milk and reheated the beef stew. Garrow stared at him curiously

"Well she'll have to eat somehow" Murtagh replied.

"Make sure you eat aswell" His uncle said, a small smile playing on his lips.

"I'll make sure that she gets something to eat first. On a second thought, I'll eat with her" Murtagh added, carrying the platter to Eragona's door. He knocked several times, waiting for an answer.

As expected, no one answered.

"Eragona...Eragona, please open the door" He asked, pleadingly. "Eragona please, you need to eat something..."

He could hear the wooden floor creak behind the frame. "Eragona sweetheart, I'll wait here until you come out." He firmly insisted, a smirk playing on his face. If she decided to be stubborn, so will he. Thus he sat, cross legged and holding the food platter.

A few minutes later, he heard a little voice call shyly from behind the door ; "Murtagh? Are you still there?"

"Told you I'd be here, didn't I?"

The doorknob was twisted, revealing a mop of blonde hair.

"So, would you explain to me that drastic need to seclude yourself?" Murtagh asked, leaving the platter on a bedside table. Eragona only shook her head, looking rather uncomfortable.

"I had been such an idiot Murtagh" She whispered " I should've listened to Roran. I lost my mind over pretty words" She blinked back tears. "If I can simply be convinced by praises...what kind of woman am I?"

Seeing his dainty, innocent little sister blaming herself for the actions commited by worthless garbage made a mixture of anger and sadness surge through him. He stood up, holding her hands and made her sit on the bed, next to him. As he wiped a tear away with his thumb, he looked straight into her red, puffy eyes :

"None of this is your fault Eragona and no one blames you. You are young, with an innocent heart. You are honourable - you did refuse him. Honourable, but young " He smiled "Everyone is worried about you, precious. Uncle Garrow had been home this whole afternoon, hoping that you will feel better."

She bit her lips, breaking contact with his eyes "I am so sorry ..."

"Shhhh." He kissed her cheek "There's nothing to be sorry about. Here" He placed the platter on her lap "Have some of it before it gets cold". He waited for her to eat first, before taking his own bowl. She glanced at him, wide eyed ;

"Didn't you eat anything beforehand?"

"No, not anything since this morning" He replied. "I just forgot about it."

Eragona tightened her lips, looking at him disapprovingly. Murtagh only chuckled

"Your wellbeing first. Who cares if this old piece of leathered skin dies..."

"MURTAGH! Don't speak like that" She glared, which intensified Murtagh's laughter.

"You look about as harmful as a puppy. My little pup " He added.

"Not even funny..." She humphed - her brother adored teasing her. Murtagh grinned crookedly before finishing his meal in companiable silence.

"Eragona, I have something for you." Murtagh announced, breaking the stillness of the atmosphere. Eragona peeked curiously at him ; however she had an idea as to what it might be. Murtagh always brought back presents for her - last time he bought a magnificient embroidered silk dress with intricate lacy patterns. She remembered being shocked beyond belief ; it was the kind of dress a lady of noble birth would wear. She wore it once, and felt like a real princess ; However, her conscience dictated her to - at least half heartedly - advice him against such purchases in the future.

And yet... She never thought she'd ever hear of such thing; let alone see it. The most beautiful set of jewels, of the purest hue of blue. It was beyond magnificient, beyond words to describe. It was queenly, and it left her flabbergasted.

"I...Murtagh...you..." She stuttered, unable to form words.

"Yes, me " He rolled his eyes "It is for you."

Eragona clasped her hands to her mouth, standing up. How could such a wonderous, costly object land in her room ? What did her dear brother do in order to get it? A whirlwind of questions and emotions took over her mind.

"How?" Was the only thing she could utter out.

"I was handsomely paid for a job not many people would want to do" Her brother replied. She wanted to ask more questions, but his smile faded a little.

"You don't like it?" He told her, his voice having a hint of blooming disappointment.

"No no, that's not what I meant" She expressedly added " It's just that this must've costed a great fortune. I...I don't even know what to say..." She stuttered, before taking a deep breath. " Thank you. Thank you so much"

She tackle-hugged him, earning a deep, rich baritone laughter.

"So I take it ; you DO like it?" Murtagh finally said, catching his breath. His eyes shone with a mirth long buried "Do you want me to put it on for you?"

She smiled, turning around. She held her long golden hair up, presenting him her neck.

"You know, I don't even know when I'll ever be able to wear this magnificient set."

"Everyday if you want"

"Surely you jest!" She replied, mock-indignantly.

Murtagh chuckled, his fingers fumbling with the clasp. "One day you'll get married" He spoke out, somewhat sounding unenthusiastic at the prospect "That day will be the one where you shall wear these "

Eragona shifted uneasily "Everyone here is already talking about marriage. They say I should hurry up and find a good man before I get too old." She paused, her voice faltering. "I don't think that I am ready for this. Truth is... I don't really want to grow up, Murtagh."

Murtagh suspired "Things are bound to change. Whether you like it or not you will become adult, a wife and then a mother"

Resigned, she dropped her shoulders, flipping around towards him. The beautiful stones shone around her fine neck, paying a worthy tribute to her gem like eyes.

"You are beautiful" Her brother stated simply, yet nothing could've made her doubt his honesty then. She met his soft dark eyes, watching the familiar spark shining in their depths.

"Thank you" She murmured. She shifted her gaze towards her wardrobe, unsure. She stood up and opened it, pulling out a small sack. She brought it to Murtagh, her fingers fumbling with the knots, feeling her brother's curious look weighing on her.

A large, perfectly oval and smooth blue stone was revealed.