Disclaimer: I do not own Eragon.

Note: I know it's been a while… but here it is! Thanks again to Arani92, my faithful reviewer of this story!

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"Well, I was about to eat, so if you two are hungry…" He motioned toward the kitchen with a smile.

Murtagh sent Korinne a charming half grin. "Are you hungry?"

"A bit."

The dark-haired young man held his hand out politely, ready to lead her to the dining area.

"You are mean. I don't like you anymore," Korinne said, not accepting the offered arm.

"May I?" Domick offered his own hand.

"Thank you," Korinne said, taking it. They walked away toward the dining room. Domick glanced back at Murtagh and smiled.

Murtagh raised an eyebrow. "You are such a flirt," he teased.

"I know," Domick said, pulling out a chair for his newest guest.

Murtagh sat across from her and looked to his friend. "Did Shaundrelle come by today?"

"No," Domick replied, disappearing into the kitchen. "Hoping for more pie?"

"Yes, of course," Murtagh answered casually.

As Domick placed a loaf of bread and some butter on the table, he settled a curious look on him. "Who says I'm sharing it next time?"

"Who says you will have a choice?"

'Oh? Is that another challenge?"

Korinne smiled as she watched the two, wondering why they didn't just get two pies.

"I beat you once and I can beat you again," Murtagh said with a smirk.

"You didn't beat me," Domick laughed. He looked over at Korinne, pointing to Murtagh. "He didn't beat me."

"Of course I beat you."

"No, you bit me. You didn't beat me."

Korinne giggled.

Murtagh grinned, showing his teeth. "Actually, I believe I did both."

"Actually, I believe you did not." Domick crossed his arms.

"I guess you should have a third witness next time…" Korinne said.

"Are you offering?" Murtagh teased.

"As if I really want to watch two guys fight over a pie," Korinne said, smiling slightly, even though she really did want to.

"We are not just any two guys, though. You know you love us," Murtagh said sweetly.

Korinne smiled, shaking her head a little. "But it's just a pie," she said.

"A delicious pie," Domick stated quickly.

"Very delicious," Murtagh added.

"You both are silly," Korinne said, buttering a slice of bread.

"You are very hurtful, Korinne," Murtagh informed her.

"What I meant was you should just get two pies," Korinne reasoned. "It is silly to fight over one."

"Well… It was a bit of a gift… for him. Payment, really," Murtagh murmured.

"Oh?" Korinne looked at them curiously.

"I give a girl sword fighting lessons," Domick supplied, smiling at the thought of Shaundrelle.

"You give sword fighting lessons for a pie?" Korinne asked, sounding interested.

"Mhm."

"And a kiss," Murtagh added slyly.

Korinne raised an eyebrow at a still smiling Domick. "That is not really part of the payment, but if you wanted to add a kiss, you would be more than welcome to."

Korinne smiled and looked over at Murtagh. "And do you teach anything as well?" she asked curiously.

"Hmm, you know of my excellent sweeping skills," Murtagh pondered seriously. "And if I can master that, I can do anything."

Korinne laughed. "Maybe then you could earn your own pie."

"But what is the fun in that?" he asked with a smile.

Korinne shrugged and looked back at Domick. "So would you teach me in exchange for pie?"

Domick seemed to be thinking on it. "We'd have to do a trial run, first, and test the pie for deliciousness. But sure, I'll teach you." He smiled at Murtagh.

Murtagh wasn't paying much attention, but was eating a piece of unbuttered bread.

"Want some butter with that?" Domick asked him. Korinne just smiled and continued to eat, wondering if she would be any good at fighting.

"No," Murtagh started, "thank you. I cannot spoil myself."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Domick said as he spread butter for himself.

Murtagh watched how he took on the action with deliberate slowness. "You are enjoying this, aren't you?" he muttered.

"I'm just eating," Domick said, taking a bite with a smile.

Korinne interrupted Murtagh's response by asking a question. "So how long have you two been friends?"

"Forever," Murtagh replied.

Korinne smiled at the vague answer.

"So where did you get a job?" Domick asked Murtagh.

"At the inn where Korinne here works," Murtagh replied.

"Oh? So I suppose you two will be spending a lot of time together," Domick said, smiling. "And a lot of time in town," he added, looking at Murtagh.

"I'll work on it. Do you think I would be harder to recognize with longer hair or shorter hair?" he asked, twirling a piece of his almost black hair around his finger.

"I will cut it for you," Korinne offered with a smile.

"Do you think it would make me less recognizable?"

"Maybe. Not sure," Korinne said. "Whatever you want to do."

Murtagh considered in silence. "What do you think, Domick?"

Domick shrugged. "Well how much longer were you planning on growing it?"

"I think I will accept you offer, Korinne," Murtagh said with a sigh, deciding against growing it.

Korinne smiled. "All right. When do you want me to cut it?"

"How about tonight?"

"Sure. If you want to. Do you have any scissors?"

Domick nodded. "I do."

Murtagh said, "Alright." He continued eating.

Domick and Korinne continued to eat as well. When Domick was finished he got up and said, "I'll go get the scissors."

Korinne started to clear the table. "How short do you want it?"

"Eh... About two or three inches long?"

"That should look nice."

"It does not look nice already? That hurts," he said, sniffling and pouting.

"I never said it did not look nice already," Korinne said. Domick returned with the scissors.

"Have... Have you ever done this before?" Murtagh asked, his expression going blank.

"Never," she said simply, smiling. She took the scissors from Domick.

Murtagh moved to get up. "Maybe this is not a good idea..."

"Sit down," she ordered. "How hard can it be?"

Domick came over beside Murtagh to ensure he stayed seated.

Murtagh jumped up to bolt. "Those are fatal words! I think I've changed my mind."

"Come on. Don't be afraid," Domick said, westling him back into the seat.

Murtagh, knowing it would be useless to fight, only struggled a moment longer. Then he took a deep breath and looked pleadingly at Korinne. "Just do not cut an ear off. Please."

"Well if you will stay still, I won't." She walked around behind him. Murtagh sat still. "All right, I'm going to do it..." She ran a hand through his hair and collected a small bit near the end, scissors ready.

Murtagh sqeezed his eyes closed.

"Baby," Domick said under his breath mockingly, watching Murtagh. Korinne snipped some of Murtagh's hair and watched it fall to the ground, smiled, and gathered some more.

Murtagh opened his eyes just enough to glare at Domick.

Korinne smiled, continuing to measure and cut. "See, it's not so bad. It's fun."

"Maybe for you," Murtagh muttered.

"Don't be so grouchy. You're the one who said you wanted it cut."

"I am not grouchy," Murtagh said. He smiled then. "How do I look, Domick?"

"Eh, average. But the haircut is excellent, Korinne." He smiled over at her. Murtagh's hair did look nice.

Murtagh stuck his tongue out at Domick. "You're just jealous of my unbelievably good looks. Am I right, Korinne?" he said, teasing Domick as revenge for the comment and genuinely curious of what her answer would be.

"I think you both are handsome."

"Oh really? That is sweet. I think you're beautiful too," Murtagh said with an arrogant grin.

Domick rolled his eyes. "She just picked the safe answer, she really thinks I'm better looking."

"You two are so silly."

"No, no, no. I know for a fact she would rather be kidnapped by me," Murtagh said seriously. "I bet she'd rather kiss me as well."

"Kidnapped by you?" Domick laughed. "Where did that-what kind of a statement is that supposed to be?"

"A true one... Why don't you explain, Korinne?"

"It's not really much of a story," Korinne said, smiling.

Domick gave the two a strange look. "Well... kidnapped or not, I doubt she would rather kiss you over me."

Murtagh sighed. "Poor Domick. He is in denial," Murtagh ended by shaking his head sadly. He suddenly perked up."But you know, there is one way to finish this..." He sent Korinne a sly glance.

"Ooh no, I am not getting involved in this."

"I believe you already are in this..."

"Well, I am not getting more into it," Korinne replied.

Domick pouted slightly. "Oh come on, it will be fun," he said, sending her a grin.

"Yes, very fun," Murtagh added,chuckling quietly.

"Maybe later," Korinne partly gave in.

"I dunno, do you think we can wait that long?" Murtagh asked Domick.

"Well, I already know what the outcome will be," Domick said smugly. "So I can wait."

"I suppose I could let you keep your pride a while," Murtagh returned.

"You just do that," Domick said, smiling.

Suddenly, a knock came on the door.

"Excuse me," Domick said, still smiling as he left to go answer the door.

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At the door was none other than Shaundrelle. A soaking wet Shaundrelle with red-rimmed eyes and slumped shoulders.

Domick's smile faded. "Shaundrelle, what's wrong?" he asked with concern.