Murtagh slowly pulled on his shirt carefully so that he would not reopen his wounds. He could hear Arya and Marina trying to get past the guard he asked for by his door.

"Why must you make things difficult?" Thorn asked. Murtagh shook his head as he fixed his shirt. "She's confused right now." "To lead her on would be cruel." Murtagh replied. "Who said your leading her on?" Thorn asked. Murtagh smirked. "It's not like that Thorn." He said. He heard Thorn sigh. "What ever you say Murtagh." He replied then went silent.

Murtagh sighed and turned his back to the commotion outside of his door and picked up his cloak. It had been washed three times but her scent wouldn't go away. He brought it to his face and could smell the sweet smell of gardenias. He shook his head and went to put it on when he heard his door close. He froze as she spoke.

"Your alright." She said.

He slowly turned around to see Marina leaning against the door. "

Yeah I'm fine." He said. She nodded and walked towards him.

He took a step towards her and she tackled him into a hug. He grunted in pain and she drew back. She stared at him.

"Your hurt." She said. He smirked. "It's nothing." He said.

She looked and froze seeing the side of his shirt damp. He rolled his eyes

"Great." He mumbled.

"Please let me see." She said. He stared at her as she grasped the collar of his shirt.

They stayed with their eyes locked as she undid the buttons of his shirt. She slid it off his shoulders and they both looked to see a big gash going through his scar and another on his left side by his ribs and on his left arm.

She gasped in horror and placed her hands over her mouth. He pulled his shirt back on and started to re-button it. He looked up and saw her with her back to him.

"I'm sorry." she said. He could hear the guilt in her voice.

"It's alright, I've had worse." He said pulling on his cloak and walking towards her.

"You should let me heal you." She said. He shook his head. "No." He said.

She turned and faced him. "Why not?" She asked. He smirked.

"You and I both know why princess." He said. She stared at him bewildered. It was the first time he called her that.

"You're my body guard you should be at your best." She said. "I'm sorry princess." He said.

"Why are you being like this?" She asked. He stared at her.

"You should go." He said. She stared at him shocked. "Murtagh please talk to me." She pleaded. He stared at her trying to find the words to say to her to make him believe them as well.

"Just give in to it." Thorn said. "I don't know what it is I feel." Murtagh replied. "Don't tell her how you feel just show her." Thorn urged. Murtagh didn't respond.

"I'm sorry Marina I can't be your bodyguard anymore." He said. He watched as she shook her head. "Why are you doing this?" She asked confused.

He stared at her and sighed in frustration. "It's something that can't be helped." He said. "Besides you know what happens when you do it." He said.

She looked at the ground. "Why did you say swore a vow of silence to me." She said. He froze. She looked up at him with tear rimming her eyes.

"I'm not some charity case so please don't treat me like one." She said angrily. He nodded slowly then shrugged.

"Alright then I won't." He said and walked past her towards the door. He walked out and she crumbled to the floor and cried.

"Murtagh how could you be so heartless!" Thorn roared angrily. "Back off thorn you think I wanted to do that." Murtagh shot back. "Then why did you?" Thorn asked irritably. "I don't want to get into this right now." Murtagh said. Thorn growled irritably. "Just run then." He said and cut the connection between them.

Murtagh sighed and rolled his eyes as Eragon came running towards him. Eragon skidded to a stop and tried to catch his breath.

"Murtagh come on King Reiley is here to check on Marina and he wants to speak with you." He said. Murtagh nodded.

"Alright then lets get going." He said as he slowly walked towards where Murtagh knew there was going to be a lot of explaining to do.