A/N: Someone suggested I put Murtagh and Nasauda in an awkward position to increase the tension. Well, I promised that I would, and here it is! (Although more awkwardness has yet to come ) It was terribly fun to write, so consider it a late Christmas present from me to you!

Happy New Year!

Nine:

Play Among the Clouds

He helped Nasauda into the saddle. As she settled in front of him, his stomach knotted nervously. Needless to say, Murtagh hid his unease quite well. After bidding Arya farewell, Thorn leapt eagerly off the ground with a stampeding charge, taking to the air with great enthusiasm. Nasauda gave a surprised squeak as they parted from the ground, lurching upward into a vast golden-blue sky.

She watched Aberon disappear as Thorn climbed higher and higher into the air. She laughed with delight. "This is wonderful," she said over the wind.

Murtagh forced a smile. "It is, isn't it?"

Flying is the best thing in the world, Thorn added. I don't know how you earth-bound creatures can put up without it.

"If this is how a bird lives, then I would gladly trade my legs for wings," Nasauda said.

Murtagh agreed, though he wished he were back on the ground with at least a three-foot distance between them. It wasn't that he found her unpleasant (quite the contraire actually), it was just that he didn't know what to do with his hands. Should he keep them at his sides? Put them behind his head? Behind his back? Sit on them? He didn't have to hold on since his legs were fastened to the saddle, and Thorn would never let Nasauda fall off so long as they flew in a straight line. So then what was he supposed to do?

You could relax, Thorn suggested. A mischievous glint gleamed in his ochre eyes. Then he suddenly rolled over and spiraled upwards. As soon as Nasauda began to slip from the saddle, Murtagh had no choice but to wrap his arms around her slender figure so she would not fall. To his surprise, she laughed.

What are you doing? Murtagh demanded angrily as Thorn leveled out. There's no danger!

Just playing, Thorn smirked.

That wasn't funny! What if she had fallen?

You would never let her fall, Thorn pointed out.

This is cruel, Murtagh brooded. Yet it was a more pleasant torture than anything he had endured in Uru-baen.

"Um…" Nasauda said uncomfortably. "Murtagh, you can let go of me now."

He quickly snatched his hands away, mumbled a mortified apology, and felt his face go beat red. You did that on purpose!

I did, Thorn admitted. And I'll do it again.

He suddenly veered and rolled over onto his back, gliding upside down. This isn't fair, Murtagh growled.

"What's he doing?" Nasauda asked.

Entertaining myself, Thorn answered with a hint of mirth. Flying in a straight line is rather boring. So I thought I'd…spice things up a bit. He glided upside down for a while, despite Murtagh's protests.

The blood quickly flooded to Murtagh's head and he felt his mind grow dizzy. Thorn!

With an annoyed grumple, Thorn finally straightened out.

Relief flooded through Murtagh. He pulled away. "What's wrong?" Nasauda asked.

"Nothing."

She looked up at him and smiled charmingly. "Do I make you nervous?"

Murtagh hesitated. "Yes."

Her smile grew. "You shouldn't be." She took his hands and placed them around her waist. Leaning back, she said, "I don't mind."

Fate is laughing at me, Murtagh thought.

You are rather easy to tease. He pulled upright into the sky and did several neat loops and other aerial acrobatics. You don't like this, do you? He asked with a touch of concern.

No.

I'll stop.

They flew in silence for a while until Nasauda said, "We'll have to keep an eye out for Eragon. We'll either meet them along the way, or at Helgrind." She gently touched his hand, tracing the jagged scars tenderly. "Did he do this to you?"

"Who?"

"Galbatorix."

He suppressed a shudder, remembering Galbatorix's wrath. The haunting memories of hot, cherry-red irons, the scent of stale blood, and the unbearably searing pain always left him feeling sick. They haunted his thoughts, chilling his blood to an icy freeze. Still, he managed to swallow the ill sensation clawing at the base of his belly. He nodded. "It was my punishment…for letting Eragon go."

"A noble sacrifice. It's a shame you are not praised for it." Nasauda said with both sorrow and admiration. Her grip tightened encouragingly around his fingers and she held them close. "I am proud of you."

Murtagh bowed his head. "Thanks."

Thanks! Thorn cried. Is that all you can say?

Be quiet!

Thorn sighed. Humans were so funny sometimes. He flashed a grin, then rolled over once more. And so easy to tease…

A/N: Okay, more will happen in the next chapter I think. I was just messing around. Needed some fun time, you know?

Anyways, thanks reviewers!