"What?" I was appalled with what Murtagh had just suggested for me to do.
"It will help you see Galbatorix's strong hold." Murgath said.
"No, I'm not going anywhere near Uru'baen." I said scared of what would happen if Galbatorix saw and recognized me.
"Look it isn't and bad as it sounds. He never leaves the castle unless he has to fight someone or something to that effect." He said leaning toward me. "I'll make sure he doesn't catch you Elonda. Do you trust me?"
"Undoubtedly." I whispered.
"Then do it." He whispered.
Eva looked through the trees down the dusty road toward the one place I feared to enter more then anything in the world: Uru'baen.
"You have to stay here Eva." I whispered as I put the ragged cloak over the ragged dress I wore. Most people looked at beggars like I was dressed as like they didn't exist. No one would pay me no mind. I had rolled in dirty and mud a while back too so I was not presentable for anyone. Murgath had helped me look as bad as possible.
I know but I worry about you Elonda. If you need me in anyway shape or form then scream and I will fly to your aid in a matter of seconds. She nudged me gently with her head.
I silently swore to myself I wouldn't scream. Then I left the trees and traveled up the road keeping my eyes down and walking a little unsteadily as if I was weak. I clutched the two cloths I had hidden under my cloak connecting me to Eva and Murgath no matter the distance.
Murtagh I'm in the city. I thought to him.
Be careful Elonda. He thought.
I was more the careful. I was paranoid. I kept away from soldiers and nobles. This was so ridiculous since I was supposed to be learning the layout of the city. It was only a few hours before I got a little worried but soon I calmed down a bit.
Elonda, get out of the city! Murgath thought to me frantically scaring me. Galbatorix is not in the castle but he hasn't left the city!
I gasped and moved as best I could without disturbing my act toward the exit and entrance.
Suddenly I ran into someone.
"Watch where you're going beggar!" I was thrown to the ground by the guard that I had run into.
The hood that had hid my face fell. I kept by eyes on the ground but the soldiers had stopped and weren't moving on. I didn't dare look up as someone approached me. A hand lifted my chin. I was staring straight at Galbatorix.
Oh crap. I thought.
What? Eva and Murgath asked in unison.
Please God oh please don't let him recognize me. I thought.
Elonda do you need me? Eva said.
Not yet. He just is staring at me not speaking. I said trying to remain calm.
"Do I know you young lady?" Galbatorix's voice said quietly.
I shook my head. "No my lord."
"Are you sure? You look very familiar." He said thinking. "Ah yes, now I remember you, Elonda."
I kicked him with all my strength and tried to run.
"Seize her!" Galbatorix'svoice broke into the noise around me.
I screamed as the soldiers grabbed me pinning me to the ground.
Elonda hold on I'm coming. Eva's frantic thoughts entered my mind
No Eva It's too late. He recognized me and I'm trapped. I didn't want her in any danger.
But... She started to say.
I'll free her Eva. Murtagh said. Don't do anything rash.
"Do you want us to kill her my Lord for kicking you in front of your subjects?" One soldier asked.
"No, I expected no more or less from young Elonda." I struggled as he came closer. He knelt in front of my face and lifted my head again. "I'm surprised you are still alive Elonda and delighted to find you here in my city."
"You tried to kill me." I spat at him. "You killed the riders and the only family I've ever had."
"Elonda," He insisted "I did what was best for all of Alagaesia. I'm sure soon you will see that but I have a question I know you can answer."
Eva hide my memories of the eggs and show them crushed in my mind. Hide my memories of meeting Murtagh and Eragon.
Already done.
"I know you had some eggs." Galbatorix said quietly. "Where are they?"
"Gone, crushed." I saw the image in my mind. I started to pretend to cry as if I was sad about them, "There was nothing I could do."
"That is too bad dear Elonda. Come with me. You will live in the castle with me now." He said pulling me up.
I stopped crying and said "No, I'd rather not." I tried to pull away.
He pulled me close and said quietly, "Don't embarrass me Elonda. If you don't come with me you'll wish you had never been born. You have no choice in this situation."
"I all ready wish that I was dead." I hissed.
Galbatorix pulled me close and put an arm around my shoulder and then I felt a blade against my other side. "It will be better if you lived in wealth and luxury if after all you must have lived through."
He steered me toward the palace. He whispered "I won't hesitate to kill you Elonda if you try and pull away from me."
I felt helpless. He kept the knife pressed so close to my side that I was surprised it didn't cut me all ready.
Elonda! Eva shouted. Do something!
He'll kill me if I do. Tears formed in my eyes but I wouldn't cry.
"I want her cleaned up, given new clothes, and she will dine with the Forsworn and I tonight." He handed me off to several servants. I didn't know how I was to get out of here now.
They took me inside. "You are such a lovely girl." One women said. "Um, violet eyes. I know just the dress." She and several others lead me into a room with a huge tub filled with bubbles and steaming water.
My clothes were stripped off. "Wait!" I said as they just about took them. I pulled off the two clothes that connected me to Murtagh and Eva. "I want to keep these they belonged to my family."
They didn't object and I slipped into the tub. It felt good. I didn't relax for long. Another maid walked in, bowed, and helped me wash my hair and the dirt finally was washed off. I was a mess when I came in.
"Don't be so sad. Galbatorix isn't that bad." She said when I didn't speak.
"I don't want to be here." I said to her.
"Well, he isn't as bad as he seems to be." She said.
"What is your name?"
"Maria."
"Maria, what were you before you came here?"
"I was born here."
"Born, you mean you never knew another live before this?"
"I've always been a servant just like my parents, grandparents, and all my family as far back as I can remember."
I started to feel bad for her. She didn't know how to live without being told what to do. "So do you have any free time?"
"Only at night. Mostly we sleep."
"Obviously."
"Some of the others go outside a bit but.... when I was five I tried to run away. I didn't get outside before I was caught so I've never been outside. That is my punishment. Locked in the castle for the rest of me life."
I just about jumped out of the tub at that. "You've never been outside?"
"Never."
"How do you get fresh air?"
She looked confused. "Fresh air?"
"Fresh air comes from outside. It helps when your sick and stuff."
"Windows."
I couldn't believe this girl. She was so young and had never been outside of this castle. I swore at that moment that one day she would be free to go outside as much as she wanted and never be told what to do.
"Any thing you need my help with. I can help you get dressed?" Maria asked as I got out of the tub.
"I can do it myslef." I said surprised at her.
"Well, I belong to you now so I'm supposed to stay with you until you dismiss me."
"What? Why?"
"Because I belong to you. I'm your servant."
"You should belong to no one but yourself." I took my took my cloths as I put on the dress another maid at got for me. I tied them to the sash.
About time! Eva felt my consciousness return to hers. You just about gave me a heart attack! You happy!
Not in the slightest. I said not speaking aloud because of Maria. You need to leave Eva. What if Galbatorix finds you?
Murtagh all reedy flew over head searching for me. Galbatorix thinks you have a dragon."
How could he know?
Murgath answered that. He doesn't he just thinks that you have one because you have that eggs and that was it.
I told them they were all crushed. I said in my mind.
Brilliant. Muragth said.
Her idea. Eva said.
Marria suddenly broke into my concentration.
"Mistress Elonda. If you want I could go down to dinner with you." She said.
"Maria don't call me Mistress and what do you want to do?" I asked.
"Well, if I don't go with you I won't get very much to eat. If I do we get to eat all the leftovers. We also get as much as we can carry and take it to the sick, elderly, and the young children. My sister gave birth to a little boy the other day and I really would like to get her some good food and not the scraps we usually get."
"Then you are coming."
"Mistress...."
"Don't call me mistress please. I am your equal."
"But I'll be punished if I don't call you Mistress and treat you as if you are a queen here. As you soon will be."
I just about fainted. "Soon will be?"
"A queen. Galbatorix told us all. You are to be his wife."
Over my dead body! Eva shouted. I'm coming to get you right now!
"He told us he always loved you. He asked your father for your hand but he said no. It was your choice and you refused him."
"He never asked me."
I'm coming Elonda. Eva said.
"No!" I said suddenly forgetting Maria and everything "Go back to the cave and stay there! Ask Eragon to ask Galder why I didn't know about this! Now go!"
Maria looked shocked. "What is it Mistress?"
I thought I could trust her. "Can you keep a secret?"
She nodded eagerly.
"No one else can know. Not anyone except for you. Swear you'll not tell anyone."
"I swear Mistress no one will know. No one has ever told me a secret before."
"I'm a dragon rider. My dragon Eva and I are connected no matte the distance through this." I touched the violet cloth the same color as my eyes. "This one connects me to one of the Forsworn that is trying to over throw Galbatorix in secret." I pointed at the white one.
"No one will hear this secret Mistress. I promise you." Maria said smiling.
"Maria when we're alone call me Elonda and treat me as your equal okay. It makes me uncomfortable when you treat me better then yourself."
"But I must." She said.
"When we are alone treat me as an equal."
"But..."
"We are equals here."
"But I don't know how to be an equal."
I smiled "I'll help you first call me Elonda when you are with me and tell me what you want to do."
"Really?" She was surprised.
"Really." I smiled at her. "Now let's go to dinner."
"We should wait. Galbatorix wants to escort you. You must tell him you asked me to come."