Disclaimer: Is my name Christopher Paolini? No. Therefore, I don't own any of the characters from Eragon or Eldest. Though, some will argue that I am "Mrs. Paolini". Lol!

A/N: Hey, guys. Sorry for the longish wait again. I've been busy these past couple days, and this is the first chance I had to update. Also, I kinda had a writer's block with this chapter, but I got past it (thankfully)! Thanks for being patient, and I appreciate all of the reviews. Okay. Now, for the results of the reader poll:

No one: 3

Murtagh: 3

Eragon: 10

Okay, so I guess for this story, Eragon will be with Arya, but it's going to take a long time (sorry to those who voted Murtagh. But, to make you guys who did happy, I'll try writing a story where it's MurtatghxArya). But if you think about it, Murtagh deserves someone better than Arya, don't you think? Okay, so now the reader poll will be Nasuada or an OC (like Aianna or someone else)… Just kidding! But there will be another one at the end of this chapter, one that's even more important than the last one. So, prepare for that. Anyway, I'll stop my rambling and give you the next chapter, which in my opinion, is quite tense toward the end but was hard to write. Darn writer's block… Anyway, enjoy!

Ch. 10: More Than a Mere Memory

Thorn waited anxiously outside of the fortress, wanting to help Murtagh. He could feel some of the pain that his Rider was feeling through their mental link, but it pained him even more to know that he couldn't do anything to help him. He had to wait for Eragon.

Murtagh, hold on!he thought intently. I'll be there soon. Just hold on!

Well, fancy seeing you here, Thorn.a voice said from above him. I'm surprised you showed up.

Thorn whirled around and saw the giant form of Shruikan fly down from the dark sky and land behind him. He growled angrily as he turned around to face him completely. We didn't want to come here, but we had no other choice. Thorn replied darkly.

Shruikan laughed. Oh, yes. That's right. I suppose you couldn't let… Saphira die.he muttered, smirking.

Thorn roared, preparing to send a powerful fiery attack at the other dragon. But he suddenly stopped when he felt something deep in the back of his mind. Something was wrong inside Uru'baen… very wrong…

Murtagh!the red dragon thought anxiously, looking up at the fortress.

Shruikan took this opportunity. He formed flames in the back of his throat and threw them at the distracted dragon.

Thorn's roar of pain echoed in the still night air.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Arya quickly threw open the unlocked dungeon door and saw that Eragon was in the process of freeing Saphira from her chains, just like Murtagh had said. The young Rider looked behind him and smiled when he saw the elf, completely unharmed.

"I'm glad you're all right, Arya." Eragon said, finally breaking the last chain. "I was worried for a while…"

Saphira stood up and stretched, relieved to finally be free. So, what do we do next?she asked.

"We go back for Murtagh." Arya answered, coming up to stand next to Eragon. "He's still in Galbatorix's chamber." The Rider looked at her, and he met her determined gaze.

All right, then. Saphira said. Let's-!

Her thought was suddenly cut off when the three of them heard a loud roar from outside. The blue dragon gasped and looked out of the small window. Thorn!she cried, worried. Eragon and Arya exchanged concerned glances.

Saphira then turned her attention back to them. Do you think that you could get to Murtagh on your own?she asked anxiously.

Eragon nodded immediately. Yes.he answered, though Arya looked skeptical. He could sense the deep concerned that she had for the other dragon. Do what you need to do to help Thorn.

Thank you, little one. Saphira replied. Then, she flew out of the dungeon to find the quickest way out for her to take.

Eragon and Arya looked at each other again. "Ready?" the Rider asked.

Arya nodded, her determination evident. "Let's go."she answered. Eragon gave her a smile, and they both left the dungeon together and entered the dark hallway… not noticing the two figures hiding in the shadows, watching them.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Murtagh stared in horror up at the man that stood over him. His hair was dark like his own, and their facial features were similar. The man's skin had a dark tint to it, making him seem even more dark and threatening than he already was. But the thing that scared the Rider the most about his features was his eye color. Murtagh saw that they were dark like his as well, but they had a reddish tint to them that seemed to glow in the darkness of the room. His breath quickening, the Rider was shocked about who this man was… for Murtagh found himself looking into the dark face of his father.

Morzan grinned as he looked down on his terrified nineteen-year-old son. "That's some greeting to give to your father."he said sarcastically. "I thought you had better manners than that, Murtagh."

"It cannot be you." Murtagh whispered, barely able to speak. "You were dead! Eragon told me that Brom killed you!"

"Ah, yes. Brom." Morzan replied, laughing a little. "Now that is quite an interesting story. You see, everyone thought that I really was dead, because it seemed like I was. But, for some unknown reason, even to me, I didn't die. At least, not fully. I was barely alive, and I knew that I would die soon. But, by some lucky chance, Galbatorix found me. He initially thought that I was dead too. But then, he noticed that my sword, Zar'roc, was glowing slightly. That's when he knew that even if my body wasn't alive, my mind was.

For years, Galbatorix tried to revive me, to restore me to my original state. He sustained my mind by using dark magic, but he could not find a way to fully bring me back. That is, until recently."

"Recently?" Murtagh asked quietly, surprised that he still had his voice.

Morzan smirked. "Yes. Recently, Galbatorix found a way to restore both my physical state and my mental state using magic."he answered. "It was a very slow process, but it finally paid off." He stopped for a moment, thoughtfully looking down on his son. "Judging by what Galbatorix has said to me, you experienced signs that I was returning, but you didn't know what they meant."he muttered.

Murtagh looked up at him, confused. "What do you-?" he began, but stopped when it all fell into place. "My scar…" he whispered. "That's why I've been having those strange attacks. But, why was it happening?"

"Galbatorix had that exact same question for me when I was finally whole enough to be able to speak." Morzan replied. "I told him that it was part of my curse."

"Your curse?" Murtagh said. So, Eragon had been right after all…

Morzan's eyes shone. "Before Galbatorix found me and I didn't think that I would survive, I was wondering what would happen after I died."the evil Rider explained. "I didn't want all of my hard work to end, no. I wanted my legacy to continue on, and the only way I could think of… was through you."

Murtagh stared up at the man in horror. He wanted nothing to do with him!

"So, using most of the remaining life force I had, I did the only thing I could to ensure that my final wish would be granted." Morzan continued. "I set my curse on your most vulnerable point: the scar I left on you. That way, I knew that my legacy would live on, even after I was gone. It would drive you to fulfill your destiny… or destroy you in the process."

"I'm not anything like you!" Murtagh snapped angrily, beginning to gain confidence. "I will not fulfill your legacy, no matter what happens to me! I would rather die by your curse than have it drive me to do what you want me to!"

Morzan's face hardened. "You have no choice."he told him. "It has already begun. Why do you think you're being forced to serve Galbatorix, even though it's against your will? Why do you think that you are a Rider working for Galbatorix? The pain from your scar and the messages that I have been sending you are signs that it is almost time to accept your fate, Murtagh. You are bound to this fate, and you cannot escape it… no matter how much you desire to."

Murtagh shuddered when he remembered the vision he had on the way to Ellesmera… the red eyes appearing out of the darkness, his father's haunting voice… Then, he saw with dread that Morzan had Zar'roc tightly in his hand, leaving him defenseless. The younger Rider looked around desperately, and saw that there was a sword on the floor near Galbatorix's chair that must have been left behind. Thinking quickly, he jumped up and grabbed it. Then, he swung it at his father, who blocked it with Zar'roc. "I can try." Murtagh whispered intently.

Morzan glared back at him and pushed his sword aside, quickly putting Zar'roc's red blade against his son's neck before he had the chance to raise his sword again. "Nice try, Murtagh, but the thing you fail to comprehend is that my curse is not yet complete."he told him, watching as Murtagh's eyes widened in horror. "And when it is, you will have no choice but to accept your fate!"

A/N: Yes, I did bring Morzan back. I hope I did it well and that everyone's happy. Don't worry. In the next chapter, Morzan and Murtagh will actually fight. I was just thinking as I was writing this, who would play Morzan in a movie? Anyone have any ideas? If you do, I would love to hear them! Okay, as I said before, I am going to have another reader poll, but it's going to be very important. I am sad to say that there is only going to be one or two more chapters of Morzan's Curse, but if it's one or two is your choice. You see, you can help me decide the ending, and I might need more than one chapter depending on this outcome (Also, if you want to read a little more of this, just vote yes! Lol!) I was thinking after I wrote this chapter that there is a way I could write this that could continue the idea on to another story. My question is, should there be a third story after Morzan's Curse? Here are your options:

Yes!!!!! Definitely! I love this idea!!!! (means two more chapters)

No. Get over this idea and write something else, you loser! (means one more chapter)

……… I hope that none of you pick option two because that would be just mean! Lol! Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter, and there will DEFINITELY be more action in the next one! I also hope to hear from you with this poll, because how many times can you help someone decide the ending of their story? Lol! Also, give me your ideas on who would play Morzan in a movie. That should be interesting! Thanks!