Aaaand here we are again! I could probably be spending my time on many better things, like homework, for example, butttt…
a few weeks later
Umm… yeah; I started this chapter ages ago, it seems, but had an ungodly amount of homework to do, so I haven't had time to write until now. Thank you, God, for Spring Break.
a few months later ….. ehem… I think a little apology on my part is in order for taking soooo freaking long to finish this chapter. What can I say? I got busy… school, graduating, three weeks in the British Isles… you might know the feeling.
Murtagh, Thorn, Alagaesia, and Galbatorix © Christopher Paolini
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Several weeks had passed, and now Alexander found herself entering Uru'Baen. Murtagh rode beside her on a sturdy bay gelding that had been a favourite of Alexander's mother. He'd seemed distracted for the past few days, gazing off into space and zoning out during conversation. Alexander found it a little unnerving, especially as her companion's melancholy mood rubbed off on her. She hoped, now that they had reached their destination, his mood would improve.
Eager to see her Uru'Baen home and friends, Alexander urged her mount- a handsome, elegant black stallion named Dreiden who'd been a gift from her parents- to a slightly faster pace through the throng of passers-by in the street. Come on, dearie, almost there. And then you can have some apples! she thought to Dreiden, stroking his smooth neck. The stallion happily complied.
Alexander glanced back to make sure that Murtagh stayed with her. He caught her eyes as he drew his horse, a sturdy bay gelding named Loklan whom Alexander had leant him, up next to her. The pack mule, called simply Mule, followed sedately, led by his lead rope which Murtagh had volunteered to hold on this particular day.
"Anxious to arrive back home, are we?" Murtagh asked with a wry quirk to his lips.
Oh, good. He's got back some of his humour, Alexander thought. Out loud, she answered, "Of course I am. Aren't you eager to finally be off the road and settle into a comfortable, plush armchair by the fire?"
"Why would I need to warm myself by the fire when the weather is turning warmer?"
"You know what I meant!"
"Do I?
They continued bantering until they at last arrived at the courtyard of a good-sized stone house of two floors in the wealthy merchants' area of town. Alexander's heart warmed at the sight of her Uru'Baen home.
As she and Murtagh dismounted, a servant came hurrying from the front door to greet them.
"Ah! Mistress Alexander! You've returned!" the middle-aged man exclaimed with enthusiasm, casting a brief curious glance at Murtagh. "Please, allow me to take charge of the horses and baggage."
Alexander's heart warmed at the sight of her servant. Smiling broadly, she replied, "Thank you, Norden. I really appreciate it." After sliding down from her saddle, Alexander beckoned Murtagh over. "Norden, this is Murtagh; we met in my home town and decided to travel together, since we were both planning on travelling here. Murtagh, this is my faithful servant, Norden. He's been with my family since as long as I can remember."
The two men shook hands cordially. Alexander was pleased to see that Norden seemed to have gotten a good impression of Murtagh; the older man had developed a tendency to be very protective of her since her parents had died.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Master Murtagh," Norden said warmly. "Please, don't let me keep the two of you out any longer. Go! We've just finished the midday meal; hurry, before it grows cold and Selda throws out the remnants!"
Grabbing Murtagh by the arm, Alexander obeyed her servant, calling over her shoulder as she walked briskly up the front steps of her home, "Thank you Norden!" Under her breath, Alexander explained quickly to Murtagh, "Norden's cousin, Selda is one of the best cooks I've ever known! After two weeks of foraging and campfire cooking, I don't want to wait any longer than necessary to her food."
As they entered through the doors, the aromas of rich, savoury cooking made Alexander's mouth water fiercely. Still towing Murtagh, she entered the dining room with a rumbing stomach.
A woman around Norden's age stood stooped to clear the meal from the table. She stopped in mid-motion, her mouth dropping open with surprise and joy.
"Alexander! You've returned!"
Alexander finally let go of Murtagh's arm to embrace Selda warmly. "Of course I came back! Not even a horde of Urgals could keep me away from your cooking for long."
Laughing, Selda looked up and saw Murtagh. With a twinkle in her eye, the older woman asked Alexander, "And who might this strapping young lad be?"
Alexander felt a slight blush creep up her cheeks, but felt an ever-so-slightly sadistic triumph when she saw an ever redder blush on Murtagh's face.
"Oh, this is my friend Murtagh. We met in my hometown, and decided to travel together since we were both headed to Uru'Baen- and, yes, Selda, dear, we're just friends."
"Uh-huuuuhhhhhh… Of course, love," Selda replied with her not-so-subtle fake-belief tone. Shaking her head, she motioned for them to sit down and eat.
Almost before Alexander realized it, all the food was gone, now digesting in Murtagh and Alexander's stomachs. Now they sat with dazed expressions, leaning back in their chairs contentedly.
"Selda… Never leave me. I don't think I could face the world if I couldn't have your food," Alexander sighed.
"That food was unnaturally good," said Murtagh.
"Why thank you, children!" Selda chirped. "Now, you two look exhausted. Why don't you go to sleep for the night? You are staying the night, aren't you, Murtagh, dear?" Not waiting for an answer, the older woman continued cheerily, "All the beds have been made, and Murtagh, there are some extra clothes in the guest room you can borrow."
"Thank you, ma'am," Murtagh said gratefully with a bow of his head.
"Thanks, Selda, so much," Alexander said, hugging the older woman warmly.
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A ray of obnoxiously cheery sunlight woke Alexander from her blissful sleep. She responded to this unwelcome intruder by groaning incoherently. Apparently she had been too tired the night before to remember to draw the heavy drapes shut over her window. The reason Alexander had bought those thick drapes was because she often did concerts late into the night and consequently slept in a lot.
Since she was awake, she decided that she might as well rise for the day and dressed in a nice, airy, light-green and cream coloured outfit, knowing how hot the city could get. Alexander did up her hair in a bun using two sticks of pale wood, with strands of copper hair trailing loose. She wanted to look nice today, since she would be calling on friends.
After putting on a pair of supple leather knee-high boots over her trousers, Alexander walked to Murtagh's door and knocked three hard raps. A groan similar to hers except deeper (as it came from a man) emitted through the wood of the door.
"Wake up, sleepy-head! We've already slept half the morning away!" Alexander called through the door. "Don't you want to meet my friends?"
There was a slight pause, then heavy footsteps toward the door. The door creaked open a few inches to reveal a sleep-tousled Murtagh in a nightshirt Alexander recognized as having once belonged to her father. "Give me a couple minutes," Murtagh mumbled, eyes still a little bleary.
"Meet me downstairs in the dining room when you're ready; Selda will probably have a lovely late breakfast ready for us."
That was enough to light a fire in Murtagh's eyes. Alexander knew he'd hurry to ready himself.
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A half hour later, Alexander and Murtagh were coming up to one of her friend's homes, a suite in a well-to-do building in a well-to-do neighbourhood. After a polite knock on the door from Alexander, a friendly brunette head popped out with a cheery smile. When the woman saw Alexander, her smile widened as she exclaimed, "Alex!" and embraced her friend.
Alexander could have sworn she heard a rib crack, and coughed politely. "Umm, Cynthia, dear, I can't breathe!" she squeezed out.
"Oh!" Cynthia exclaimed, quickly releasing Alexander. "I've just missed you so much!"
"You always do, Cynth," Alexander replied, laughing lightly, still slightly winded. She suddenly remembered Murtagh and spun, gesturing to him. "Cynthia, this is Murtagh, a friend I met at my home town. Murtagh, this is my good friend Cynthia, an excellent flutist."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Cynthia," Murtagh said, giving a polite bow of the head.
Grinning, Cynthia waved her hand as if to brush the compliment away. "Oh, the pleasure is all mine! Would you two like some tea and biscuits?"
"Why, of course, Cynth! You know I love your biscuits," Alexander said warmly.
The day continued along this theme, as Alexander introduced Murtagh to all of her friends, most of them fellow musicians, within a reasonable distance. Finally, as the sun edged lower in the sky towards sunset, they came to the last house, a large house half-an-hour away from Alexander's residence. A strange nervousness tittered in Alexander's chest as she approached the door.
"What's wrong?" Murtagh enquired softly. "You seem nervous."
Alexander sighed. "This is where my… best friend, Lanner, lives. He doesn't like me going back to my home town; says it depresses me too much."
They came to the door, at last, and Alexander raised her hand to grasp the brass knocker. Just as she fingertips brushed the metal, the door opened. Lanner stood there, his mid-back length mouse-brown hanging loose in light curls. His expression was a mix of disproval, concern, happiness, and something Alexander couldn't identify.
Before she could react, Lanner grabbed Alexander in a tight hug.
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Mwahahahahaaaaaa!!! Another cliff-hanger!!! Nyah, nyah! P At least I finally got around to finishing this bloody chapter.
I swear I'll try not to take so long with the next one, but keep in mind that I am starting college this fall. I'm also leaving in a couple days on another three-week trip. We'll see!
katemary77: Thanks! I hate stories where the characters make out in like the first chapter… it's annoying.
alsdssgYeah… but it makes for an interesting story. Or at least that's what I'm trying for.
wolf.gren: I'm glad you like it! To answer your questions: whether or not the dream is foreshadowing Murtagh's betrayal will be revealed later! wink-wink Alexander's ability to communicate with animals can be through actual words, but she prefers to do it through thoughts; it makes her look less of a loony that way. She was born with her ability. I took the idea from something Brom said to Eragon in the first book about rare people who can communicate with animals. The reason for Alex's ferocity is the betrothal, along with her relationship with her parents and Mendhem's poisoning most of her home town against her. It naturally makes a person bitter. As to the relationship between Murtagh and Alex, you'll have to wait and see!
thechosenMayOn the contrary, I do give criticism thought. When it's constructive, it helps develop one's skills. I have been trying to develop Alex's character; I'd like to point out that your comment is on Ch. 2, and this is Ch. 10. But thank you, anyway. I'm trying to steer away from Mary-Sue-dom… but we'll see how successful I am.
Dreamfantasy13: Thanks! I'm not really trying to emulate Paolini's style. It's my own.
De Code Master: ducks from scream Thank you! I'm glad you think I'm a good writer. I have to say, though, that I should have some writing skills after two years of AP English classes with tough teachers. And as for Mendhem, I can't say for sure that he's gone for good, but I hope so, too! I hate the slug… So you think I'm a girl… well, now, I don't feel like revealing my gender just yet, so nyah! Sorry for the looooong delayed update!
Mina the Mischevious: Thank you! I'm glad you like the storyline.
Fricai: To answer your questions, all will be revealed in the future! Mwahahahahaaaa, how's that for an evasive answer? And sorry for the not-updating-for-months thing! Life happens, ya know?
EragonPeep: Only five months? I though it was more like six… lol But really, sorry for taking so long! I'll try not to take so long with the next one. But… no promises…
My-Lover-Gren-Gren: I know, I know, I took forever! But here's the chapter! Now there's a thought. Maybe I should have Thorn eat Mendhem… Mwahahahahaaa! I'm not introducing Thorn to Alex until she's a rider herself, which will take at least a couple more chapters, so you'll just have to wait P