He's Too Far Away

Disclaimer: Me no ownage. The song is called "Shimmer" by Fuel. I love that band too, teehee.

Murtagh's POV

I wondered about the things Galbatorix said to me. Eragon would never come willingly, even if we could be together. He knew, that filthy bastard knows I love my brother!

He's only saying that so I can bring Eragon here, he thinks I'm that easily overtaken? No, I see right through him, he won't have Eragon, not while I'm alive!

But wait, I only have one more chance, then he'd probably kill me and go after Eragon himself! I have to warn him, but how? If I meet with him in secret, Galbatorix might find out, maybe I can try to contact him through his mind, I'm sure he won't be too angry.

Maybe he'll even be glad to hear from me.

But what can I do? Even if I warn him, that will only mean that we cannot be with each other. It might even mean my death.

I must think, how can I keep Eragon safe? I doubt he'll be able to take on Galbatorix, not even I could attempt such a feat. Blast it! If only there was a way out of this!

You are troubled. Why are you worried? Thorn asks me. I am surprised. What does he mean? Of course I'm troubled and worried! Why shouldn't I?

We only have one more chance to capture Eragon, or Galbatorix will do it himself, no doubt he'll kill me in the process. I tell him miserably.

Now why would he kill you? You are a very powerful asset, and he has you under his control, for the most part, you may not like it, but you cannot help but obey. He would be angry for sure if you refuse or come back empty handed, but surely he'd only make you suffer? Thorn told me wisely.

Ah, dragons, the wisest of creatures, bless them.

True, but what then? After painful torture, he will make Eragon swear thousands upon thousands of oaths to make him obey and kill, I can't let that happen. He will be broken; he will hate me, and everything else. What then, shall I do? I ask desperately.

Surely this wise dragon can help me with my current dilemma?

He takes a while before answering, thinking, I suppose. I almost lose hope when he answers.

I'm not one for sentiments, but Saphira taught me a few things yesterday, things that have opened my eyes somewhat. She is such a wise girl, despite her youth. He mused.

Thorn, I never thought I'd wish for you to get to the point! I say playfully, though impatient in my desperateness.

Yes, yes, very well. Even after the oaths are sworn, there is still chance for betrayal. Thorn begins but I cut him off.

Nay, Galbatorix will undoubtedly make sure Eragon has no room in his mind to think of such things. I say sullenly. What little hope I once had is gone now, and I don't think it shall ever return.

Rubbish, he made sure you wouldn't betray him, and you still can, Murtagh! Think! He wants the rebirth of the Riders! Starting with you and Eragon! It may take some time, yes, but slowly you can overcome him! Spies and secrets are always crafty things in times like these. As you very well know. Thorn said, ever so wisely.

Ah, it seems I have spoken too soon. My hope has returned.

I see, we can keep in touch with the Varden while destroying Galbatorix from the inside, and Saphira taught you this? I ask incredulously. I couldn't see her as vindictive…well, slightly.

She merely opened my eyes, she made me aware that there are spies in the Varden just like there are spies in the Empire, why not join them? What a great blow it would be against Galbatorix, to find that the two Riders responsible for his power will most definitely be responsible for his demise! Thorn said and laughed wickedly.

Yes, but it will be too late, I think, if there was a way to prevent him from rising to any more power, and to have the next Rider be under no one's control but his own…Do you think it possible? I ask my dragon.

Maybe, it would take great strength and courage. You must speak with Eragon. He would surely want to have a say in this. He told me.

Yes, I will contact him, thank you, Thorn, for the advice! I say. I am glad that Thorn could relieve some of my stress, but now I must talk with Eragon.

I sit, cross-legged, on my bed and close my eyes, concentrating on him. No doubt he'll try to push me out at first, so I must be ready.

I have reached his mind, and instantly there is a wall to block my path, I smile to myself. At least he is prepared, but for what, we shall see.

Eragon. I say to get his attention. He recognizes my voice, but he believes it could still be a trap, he is hesitant in answering me, and the wall is not removed.

Murtagh? Is that you? He asks. I smile at hearing his voice even more. Yes. I answer him.

I sense his relief, and the wall comes down and I am embraced by his warmth. I'm practically beaming now.

I'm glad to speak with you; I was just about to do the same. He tells me.

Oh really? Well, I have some good news and bad news. I say, my smile faltering. Oh? What? He asks, he is wary of me now, he must know what is coming.

Galbatorix is sending me one last time to retrieve you. He says that if you come, you'll stay with me and be under my care, he said he didn't care what we did as long as you fought for him. But it was only to lure you to him, Eragon, as much as I'd love for you to be with me, I know you wouldn't want to be under his control like me. I tell him gravely.

He doesn't respond, I'm not sure if that's good or bad. I wait.

Murtagh, he says weakly, my heart melts at his tone. So sweet, so innocent.

I want to be with you too, but I understand, I cannot allow myself to join him so that I can be with you. He says this sadly and I am flattered, but it is his sorrow that makes me wonder if he's merely trying to convince himself not to throw himself on Thorn's back the second we meet in battle.

But I have an idea, actually it's Thorn's idea based off of what Saphira told him, but maybe we can be spies? We can both stay loyal to the Varden, but secretly, and you can come with me…or not, I realize that is too risky. But what if you can help me destroy him from within his own Empire? We can take the kingdom back from right under his nose! I say.

Again he hesitates and I am shocked at what he eventually says.

I want to be with you. I like the first idea better, no matter how risky. Murtagh, I love you, I can't be without you, if there is a possibility, I will take it! Please, let me be with you, he begs of me.

I am astounded. I didn't expect this from him. But I know his love for me has clouded his judgment, he must learn to better organize his feelings, and I could teach him…

Eragon, you're not thinking straight. It would be too dangerous to let Galbatorix take control of you, he will make you swear oaths to never betray him, to kill for him, and then you would be a traitor just like me. What about the Varden? Nasuada? You must think of them, Eragon. I tell him, though it pains me so to say.

He is saddened by this, I can feel remorse, I can imagine he might be crying…

You're right, he says soberly. I was not thinking straightly. What then, brother, do you suggest we do? He asks and I flinch.

Did I make him angry? Is he punishing me somehow? I try not to wonder at these and explain to him the plan.

Like I said earlier, you could help the Varden defeat Galbatorix while I find my ways to destroy him from the inside. I know some people who are as unwilling to serve him as me, I can convince them to join our cause. When we meet in battle, the Varden will destroy the Empire's army and I will fall before you, Galbatorix won't know what's happening until we both turn against him. I say.

He considers this, but I can tell he is not as happy about it as I am. What is he thinking, I wonder? Why is he acting like this?

Yes, that does sound like a good plan, I guess. He replies, but not truthfully.

Eragon, you don't like it, I can tell. What's wrong? Tell me, please. I plead with him. I need him to understand and to be with me on this, or it will fail.

Again he hesitates. I am…sad again, brother, he chokes out. No matter how hard we try, we will never be together, will we? He asks and I am silent.

He calls me from the cold, just when I was low, feeling short of stable. And all that he intends, and all he keeps inside isn't on the label.

No, we shall never be, so…can we meet? I want to be with you one last time. Then we can go our separate ways. He says. My heart breaks.

He says he's ashamed; can he take me for a while? And can I be a friend, we'll forget the past. But maybe I'm not able.

And I break at the bend.

Eragon, no, we will find a way. Trust me; this isn't the end of us! I cry out to him. How could he be so cruel?

We're here and now, but will we ever be again? 'Cause I have found, all that shimmers in this world is sure to fade away again.

We're crying now, because we know that our love isn't enough. If he comes with me, Galbatorix will win, and Alagaesia will be lost. But if we spy and plot against him, there's no guarantee that we would finally be together when this is all over.

There's no guarantee either of us will even be alive when this is all over.

And Eragon, sweet, innocent, pure Eragon. He is fading, I can feel it; all the beautiful things in this world are fading. The elves are turning bitter; the dwarves no longer take such great pleasure in mining their precious stones, in carving wonderful stories into their beauty.

What will become of us? Is this truly the end? It can't be, I won't have it. I won't let him slip away from me, not again.

Listen to me, we will get through this, one way or the other, we will be together again. I tell him.

I hope so. He replies. If only Galbatorix didn't cause such chaos, if only there was no war between us. If only we could be who we want to be and love who we want to love. But then again, maybe love is foolish. Maybe it only weakens us? Galbatorix certainly has no love, and yet he is the most powerful man in all of Alagaesia. Yes, love is for fools who will surely die.

Goodbye, Murtagh. We will meet again on the battlefield. He tells me, and then he severs our connection. For good, I do not know.

I am…stunned. Why did he say that? Does he really believe it? Galbatorix is a cruel and bitter man, does Eragon really want to become like him?

I am right, unfortunately. All the beautiful things will fade away, once again. And there is no way to stop it.

He dreams a champagne dream. Strawberry surprise, pink linen and white paper. Lavender and cream, fields of butterflies, reality escapes him. He says that love is for fools who fall behind. And I'm somewhere in between. I never really know a killer form a savior.

'Till I break at the bend.

I won't let him get away from me that easily. He didn't mean what he said, I know he didn't. He was just sad and wasn't thinking clearly. Whatever it was, I will get him back.

Galbatorix will regret the day he challenged this land and destined two brothers, lovers, to fight against each other.

His blood will run through the rivers for making Eragon bitter and heartbroken. I will see to it personally.

It's just too bad that my beloved, my sad and confused Eragon, is too far away for me to comfort.

If only I could take him in my arms and make his fears go away, if only I could make him forget all his troubles.

But he's too far away…

We're here and now, but will we ever be again? 'Cause I have found, all that shimmers in this world is sure to fade away again!

He's too far away for me to hold! Too far away!

Ah!

Yeah he's too far away for me to hold! Too far away!

Too far away for me to hold! Too far away!

Yeah yeah!

He's too far away for me to hold. Too far away!

Guess I'll let him go…

-Author's Note: I'm wondering if it's a good idea to listen to the radio while writing this, because all these songs keep popping up and I keep thinking of how I could use them for this fic! Oh well, at least I have tons of ideas. Tell me what you think; is it good, bad, or bleh? There's more on the way, but I'm going to take a rest on this one for a bit. Peace out!-