ALEGASIAN IDOL

"You're welcome," came the brooding voice of Murtagh Lemmon, who was looking after Vanir with a look of utmost loathing. "Apparently that is not the first time that an incident like this has come up, so it really isn't surprising. I've actually been watching him the passed few days. Apparently he was doing the same thing with what is her name- Nasuada- the other day. " he tilted his head sideways as he considered the girl before him. Something about the way that she handled Vanir made him think she was not quite as frail or manipulative as Nasuada. "Are you okay? He didn't harm you, did he?"

Emilee blushed a bit as she shook her head. "No," she replied, then- "Well, maybe a bruise, but nothing serious." she laughed nervously, heart racing. "Thank you for your help, though. It is very much appreciated."

Murtagh just nodded. "Anything to keep corruption out of the competition." he replied, then- "You should get back inside before you get sick. You're all set to perform tonight."

A surprised look came over Emilee's face, and she pulled her cloak closer to her. "Thank you again,"

And with those words said, she ran off back to her apartment to tell Kierra everything that happened.

~*~

Back to Competition.

"Thank you for patiently waiting while our sponsors droned on," Nari told the crowd, smiling radiantly as they jumped to their feet, cheering uproariously. "What a night, what a night so far, and it is barely even half way through. We've had some amazing talent so far and look forward to our other contestants. But first," he said, turning to the judges table. "let us see what our judges think so far… Horst, what do you think of the performances so far tonight?"

Horst looked up at Nari and smiled. "It's like you said, Nari, we have some amazing talent. The rest of the performers have a lot to live up to after performances like Kierra's and Murtagh's."

Nari nodded. "Let's just hope they're up for the challenge," he replied as Horst nodded. He turned back to the crowd. "Let's introduce our next contestant, shall we? Let the image roll."

~~*~Water image~*~

"My name is Emilee Yawe, and I entered this competition to really find out more about myself, weird as that may sound. See, I was orphaned when I was really little, and so I don't know much about my family history other than that I've taken care of and raised by a local bard, whom I love to death. He's so nice, and funny. You just gotta get to know him first." she laughed. "So, we'll see what happens."

~End of Water Image~*~

"Well, then, time for Emilee Yawe." Nari got off the stage and went to go get a drink out of his water cup.

The lights dimmed and a spotlight shone on Emilee sitting on a stool in the middle of the stage. Music started playing softly as she looked at the ground dramatically-for effect-

Taking a breath, she put the microphone to her lips and started singing. "Lately nothing I do ever seems to please you; and maybe turning my back would be that much easier, 'cause hurtful words are all that we exchange."

She stood up from her seat on the stool, looking out at everybody in the crowd, heart racing. "But I can't watch you walk away."

Swaying slowly, she continued her song, her heart seeming to break all over again with the remembrance of everything that had made this whole song so prevalent in her life. "Can I forget the way it feels to touch you, and all the good times that we've been through? Could I wake up without everyday, and could I watch you walk away?"

She chanced a glance at the judges out of the corner of her eye and was pleased to see Horst and Islanzadi bobbing their heads in time to the music, but she noticed that Vanir merely looked bored.

"No I can't learn to live without you, and I can't give up on us now." She took another few steps as the music swelled. "Oh, I know I could say we're through and tell myself I'm over you, but even if I made a vow, a promise not to miss you now, and try to hide the truth inside, I'd fail cause I, I just can't live a lie."

After she had finished the first chorus, the music started slowing down, becoming warped, and the lights went all crazy, and then suddenly went out for a brief moment.

There were screams all over from the audience, and pandemonium broke out all over as the people stood and tried to scramble out of their seats.

One little girl got washed up on stage, and she was crying desperately for her mother.

There was another loud crash, and Emilee had just enough time to push the little girl out of the way as the spotlight fell onto the stage floor. But unfortunately her leg got stuck under one of the limbs that was supposed to hold the light in place, and she could feel-and hear- it snap in half as it landed on the stage with a resounding crash.

"My baby!" cried the woman, running up to the stage where the fallen girl sat. "You horrible creature, pushing my daughter out of the way so you could get through. What kind of person are you?"

"She was pushing your daughter out of the way so she didn't get crushed," came an angry voice Emilee had come to know as Kierra. "And lucky she got there in time otherwise she would have."

The only lights that were being used as anything were the heavenly stars above and the radiant light of the moon.

"Are you okay?" Kierra asked her fallen friend as she tried to help her up, but couldn't. "You're stuck good."

"I know," Emilee mumbled darkly, eyes filling with tears. "Kierra, go find Eragon and Murtagh- maybe they would have better luck."

"We're already here," came the cheerful voice of Eragon Shadeslayer. "We'll have this off you in a minute."

Kierra rolled her eyes. "It had to be him?" she asked Emilee, who gave a soft chuckle. "You couldn't ask for Prince Charming or something?"

"I don't believe in princes," Emilee laughed. "Ironically, I was the only little girl in my village that thought knights were more handsome than princes. Something about the horse just made my stomach squirm."

Kierra nodded. "I guess I can see what you mean," she replied, and stood back to give Eragon and Murtagh room to lift the spotlight up and off of Emilee's leg.

They struggled to get it up, but they were able to lift it enough for Emilee to struggle out of the mess, her leg catching on some broken stage and cutting it to the bone.

The pandemonium was still going on around everywhere, but it was calming down as people were getting settled outside.

Just as Emilee reached down to check her legs, the lights came blaring back on, blinding the group for a moment or two.

"That's bad," Eragon mumbled, looking at Emilee's leg, and cringing. He hated blood. "We need something to stop it."

There was a tearing sound, making the three jump, Emilee close to tears, and look towards Murtagh, who had ripped a huge strip of cloth from his cloak and he gently tied it around Emilee's leg.

"That's only temporary," he said quietly, in a soothing voice. "But it will work until we can get you to a healer."

"How are we-" Kierra began, but stopped short as Murtagh gathered the young girl in his arms and then turn to look at Kierra with a raised eyebrow. "Oh, never mind." she blushed as she started walking with Murtagh and Emilee, Eragon following, slightly behind.

"Pity you didn't get to finish," Kierra commented as she looked over at Emilee, who was trying not to be hysterical, but still had tears running down her face. "I love the song, and I wanted to see what you were going to do with it."

"I'm sure she'll sing it for you later," Eragon commented cheerily. He hated seeing girls cry. He put his arm on Emilee's shoulder. "After all, you guys can critique each other. Out of the girls here, you are the two with the best voices, by far."

Emilee blushed, and Kierra rolled her eyes. "Thank you, Eragon, that's very sweet." said Emilee, shaking her head. "Although, I have to admit, Kierra's performance was epic, as well as Murtagh's. So thank you guys for setting the standard so high the rest of us commoners cannot follow."

"That's not true," Murtagh said quietly, readjusting her in his arms. "You guys will be the ones to beat, I'm sure of it."

"If people can quit trying to get you killed," a sudden voice said, making the three jump in surprise and one cringe.

:D Another cliffie, guys. Hope you enjoyed it! The plot thickens! :D