Summary: Galbatorix has been defeated and Alagasia can now rebuild. Murtagh feels him and Thorn have no place in this new world.
A/N: Sorry for the long wait. This is dedicated firstly to . You have been here from the start and many of your reviews have inspired my next step forward, so thanks a million for the continued support.
Secondly, this is dedicated to Blodhgarm229. I was not sure if you have an account so I have replied to your review here;
I cannot begin to imagine the type of pain and sadness you have experienced from such a young age and I won't even try. However I do understand hardships and the feeling of being trapped. During those moments, know that you are not alone. The only advice I can give is to not give up because when you stop trying that is when you truly fail.
Thank you for the review. Se' ono wai'se ilia.
Necessary to Run
They had to leave.
'Injuries first.' Thorn murmured. 'No need to rush.'
Always the sensible one.
One of us has to be.
Murtagh worked quickly and steadily, despite his shaking limbs and adrenalin-fuelled mind. The healing magic spread over his gaping wound first – an action spurred by Thorn's insistence and not through own volition- before it moved to repair the dragons torn wing and other injuries, all the while with Nasuada's slender fingers pressed firmly against his shoulder as though he might vanish in a moments glance.
He could understand her worry for the moment he was able, they would leave.
Injuries dealt with, Murtagh turned to face the dark-skinned woman, her eyes were opaque and still yet the pain was still there. Out the corner of his eye he could see Eragon and Arya watching them carefully.
Nasuada was obstinate but he would not be swayed on the matter and soon the burrows dug into her arm by those tunnelling creatures, were gone.
He gazed into her dark eyes and as they spoke, felt his heart clench with a pain that had been subdued for so long. The pain of hope and a life that had been disrupted.
There was so much to be said. So much still to understand. Too many things had happened. Too much had changed for them to ever explore what might have been.
…and Murtagh couldn't face it yet, didn't want to face it just yet. They (he and Thorn) finally had their freedom but if they stayed, Murtagh knew they would be caged again soon, whether it was actual imprisonment or oaths sworn to the new ruler of Alagasia.
He couldn't allow that.
So he gave Nasuada the Eldunari for he had no need of their haunted voices and left.
…and of course, Eragon would pursue him, try to convince him to stay.
You understand but not completely, little brother.
Eragon offered a home and Murtagh hesitantly assured the younger man that he would return when he found what he was looking for. They flew off into the Beor Mountains with nothing much but Murtagh wasn't worried…
This was a chance.
They needed the space, the isolation…
They had to heal.
"Have I made the right choice?" Murtagh questioned his partner out loud.
'I will follow you anywhere.'
Murtagh snorted and rolled his eyes.
"You know that wasn't an answer."
'It was my thought on the matter and that is good enough for me.'
Murtagh laughed.
"I suppose it is Thorn."
'We have each other.'
His eyes stared at the falling sun in the distance, ears tuned in to every massive beat of the red dragon's wings and the pain in his heart ebbing slowly into nervous excitement.
We have each other…we have people who do care…and we have our freedom.
"We'll go back one day."
Thorn hummed in agreement and Murtagh closed his eyes. They would make amends some day and answer questions that left unanswered…
For now, they had a journey to take. A journey of self-discovery.
A/N: Five more chapters to go and this oneshot collection will be complete. I am sorry if these pieces seem weird.
Next: Murtagh and Thorn train, contemplate and go through acceptance.
