Pain and Love: Forever Entwined

Chapter 13

Eragon woke in the middle of the night to Saphira.

Little one, she said gently, are you awake?

I am now. . .he mumbled. What is it?

Something the King said to Reilyn today. . .More of how he said it. . .she murmured.

What was that? he asked, curling closer to Murtagh's back.

He said he knew that she was 'no Rider'. . .he had Thorn and myself saddled today, although he knew she's never ridden before. . .And that you were not joining us. . .

What are you saying?! he gasped. That they're trying to make her a Rider?

I do not know yet, Eragon. . .but it would be my first assumption. . .Maybe they're simply testing her abilities. . .We will soon find out I think. . .

Do you think that Galbatorix would really have another dark dragon after so long? he nuzzled Murtagh while he thought.

I don't know. . .Remember that one egg remains. . .she said firmly.

He already has two Riders! he growled in frustration. Technically, he has three! If he includes himself! He needs no more!

ERAGON! Saphira bellowed. You are getting all worked up over assumptions! Be calm, Little one. . .

He knew his beast was right, he needed to settle down, and decided that practicing was best. The moon was bright enough to see clearly as he slid from the bed and dressed. He grabbed his weapon belt, his bow, and quiver, then headed to the training grounds.

Little one? Saphira whispered.

I'm calming myself down, Saphira, he assured her. Murtagh has been teaching me to practice some moves slowly, in order to master them better and as a way to soothe ones nerves. . .Also, they will improve my skills greatly once I've got them down. . .

I see. . .Then I shall leave you to your task, Little one. . .Try not to worry about this yet. . .

I'll try, Saphira. . .he said, then felt her leave him.

He took a breath and focused on what Murtagh had taught him. He felt sort of foolish at first, fighting an imaginary opponent, but soon was absorbed in his chore. He exhaled slowly as he thrust forward, inhaling as he stepped back, and pretended to deflect blows in different stances. He felt his nerves calm down as he worked and slowly upped his pace.

He cursed as he fumbled on a simple move, stopping for a second to compose himself, then resumed. He felt strong arms go around his shoulders, hands covering his own on the blade, and froze in place.

"I believe I told you to keep going slowly for quite some time, Eragon," Murtagh chuckled. "But I would hope that you never freeze like this during battle, unless you fancy the idea of death. . ."

"I-I. . ." he couldn't think of any excuses.

"Mmmm," Murtagh nibbled his shoulder. "Is that so?"

"Why are you out here, Murtagh?" he whispered, shivering as the older boy nuzzled just behind his ear--his weak spot.

"I was watching you," he purred, slowly beginning to resume the motions Eragon was practicing. "I honestly never expected you to use this to relax. . .Something must be really getting on your nerves. . ."

"I was wondering what the King wants with Rei. . .Saphira told me what he said about her not being a Rider. . ." he let Murtagh guide him in the exercise.

"We all do, Er," he muttered, repositioning one of his elbows. "Why? What were you thinking?"

"That he wants her as a Rider. . ."

"Mmmm. . .He may. . .But you must remember, Er--He can force a dragon to hatch, but he is incapable of forcing someone to be the Rider. . ." he said, pulling closer to control the movements easier.

"Why is that?" he asked, sinking back into his older counterpart. "Brom never told me, he did mention it once. . .But would never elaborate for me. . ."

"The Rider has to choose to be one. . .Has to want it. . .If they don't, the dragon senses it and they will never bond properly. . .Which we both know is essential for a good Rider. . ."

"Hmmmm. . .But does Rei want it?"

"I would think that she doesn't desire it in the least. . .Saphira says that whenever she has offered to let her ride, she refuses. . ." Murtagh breathed, picking up their pace as Eragon got more comfortable with it.

"Well. . .That puts me at ease. . ." he sighed.

"Good," Murtagh pulled back from him. "Now, use what we just practiced."

"What?"

"Battle me, Eragon," he smirked, unsheathing Zar'roc. "Right now, right here. . .Unless you think it'd be too easy for me to win and just forfeit now."

He never gave it a second thought and lashed out. He growled as his blow was easily sidestepped, seeing Murtagh smile, and took a second to think. He needed to find the one weak spot every fighter had before trying another careless attack.

His back. . . he thought. If it's Rei's weakness. . .Maybe it's his as well. . .they are enough alike in this matter. . .

He made several attempts to get behind the Red Rider, but Murtagh was quick and guarded his weak spot well. He felt a leg connect with the backs of his own, lost balance, and went down. He tried to put his blade up, but it was pinned beneath the Red Rider's boot.

"What do you do now?" the Pale Rider growled, twirling his sword before placing the tip at Eragon's heart.

Block him! Somehow. . .Knock him off you--no, he could slip and kill you for real. . .his mind raced frantically.

"Well?" Murtagh smiled evilly.

"He gets up," someone growled darkly, snaking an arm around the elders waist, and pressing a dagger to the pale throat. "Now."

"Reilyn," Murtagh grinned. "How nice of you to be joining us."

Rei!? he called.

Who else would be the one saving your fool body? she laughed.

"There's little chance of her actually being able to pull this stunt in battle, Eragon," Murtagh said firmly. "But for now, let's entertain the idea."

"Rei, get him off me!" he cheered.

He watched in amusement as the Red Rider was slowly pulled backwards, then got to his feet and retrieved his weapon from the ground. He put the blade tip to his lover's chest, locking eyes with the burning hazel ones, but Murtagh never even flinched.

"Now," Eragon taunted, "what do you do, Red Rider?"

Watch him, Er. . .Reilyn warned. He's cunning and resourceful. . .

Believe me, I know he is. . .

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Murtagh's mind worked furiously for a way out of this situation he had let himself fall into, cursing the fact that he should have listened to his surroundings, and wasn't thinking fast enough. He still had his blade, but if that arm so much as twitched, Reilyn pressed her dagger harder into his flesh.

My sheath. . .I could use it to block. . .Knock away his blade then--.

And then get your throat slit by your woman, Thorn laughed. Isn't the point here to not get yourself 'killed' by them?

Then tell me your great idea, Thorn! he snapped.

I'll distract them by landing a few yards off, go for Eragon, she will try to protect him on instinct alone. . .then, you're on your own. . .Thorn rumbled.

That'll do. . .Come on!

He heard his dragon's wings in the sky above, then saw him land. Sure enough, Eragon looked that way for a split second, and suddenly, Saphira landed, creating a bigger distraction.

Thorn! he yelled.

I see her! he snapped. You focus on your part!

Thorn and Saphira fought in mock battle, just as they had actually fought before and Murtagh took his chance. He dropped his own blade, grabbed Eragon's arm, and spun him into his chest, using his own blade to pin him there.

"Let him go, Murtagh!" Reilyn growled, cutting his neck a little for emphasis.

"Rei, if you kill me he dies as well. . .If you don't do exactly as I say, he'll be killed. . ." he said evenly. "Now, toss the dagger."

"No, you'll just kill him anyway. . .how can I be sure you'll not harm him?"

"Mmmm. . ." he thought a moment. "In a real fight, there'd be no guarantee. . .But seeing as how this is us, and it's a practice, you know damn well I'll not hurt him. . .Now, do as I say."

"No, let him go first, then I'll throw the dagger," she said into his ear.

"Rei!" Eragon whimpered. "Just do as he says!"

"No, I have to be sure you're all right first. . .Murtagh, release him," she ordered.

"Mmmm. . .But you'll just 'kill' me once he's free," he was trying to stall to work out a new plan.

"No, I won't. . .I'll let Eragon 'kill' you," she purred, smiling against his neck. "Release him, don't make me say it another time, Murtagh."

"Fine," he grumbled, plan ready.

He released the young brunette, who stepped away quickly, and saw him hold his sword up. Murtagh moved fast, grabbing Reilyn's dagger with one hand and that wrist with the other. He crossed her arms and moved behind her, stealing her blade and pinning her close. The girl growled loudly at his trick, Eragon stepped towards them, and he backed up, pressing the blade to her neck just as she had him.

"Er, don't!" she yelped, trying to get away from the blade.

"You two need more practice. . .Er, you're too eager to save her. . .Enemies will use that against you. . ." he said, taking his hand away from her neck. "It's a weakness and they will abuse it. . ."

"The 'enemy' already knows that we're close, Murtagh. . .We were once with them," Reilyn mumbled.

"It's called 'pretending', Rei," the brunette said. "They will most likely think that while here, they severed our close bond. . ."

"Exactly. . . Reilyn, good work with sneaking up on me. . .But--whenever one of us is in danger, you do whatever the captor tells you until the moment to do otherwise is presented to you. . .Understand?" he kissed her neck gently.

"Mmmm," she nodded. "Dagger."

He laughed, putting her weapon back on her belt, and let her go completely. He watched the brunette teen re-sheath his blade, then picked up Zar'roc and followed suit. The dragon's had ended their 'battle' a long while ago, and he thought he saw Saphira nuzzle Thorn lovingly, but dismissed the thought.

"Let's go get some more rest, you two," he yawned. "We'll need it."

Reilyn nodded, starting for the castle, and he was quick to pull her back for a hug. They had been dangerously serious during their battle, he just wanted to be sure there were no hard feelings between them. He nuzzled her warmly, running his hands up her back, and heard her hum contentedly.

"No bad air between us?" he breathed, nibbling her ear.

"Of course not," she snickered, resting her head on his shoulder. "It was only practice."

"Mmmmm," he sighed, kissing her. "We'll be in shortly. . ."

"All right," she nodded, leaving.

Eragon was gathering his unused bow and quiver, then headed toward the castle. He followed the teen, but pinned him to the stone wall before he could go inside. Eragon gasped, filling with fear, and Murtagh gave him an evil smirk.

"No," he scolded when the teen tried to get away. "You're mine, Rider."

"Murtagh?" he whimpered, still fearful.

"Hush," he smiled warmly. "I'm not going to harm you. . .Relax."

The younger man relaxed immediately, smirking shyly, and Murtagh claimed the lips as his own. He growled pleasantly as the boy tried to gain the upper hand, but denied him that option by suddenly breaking contact. A loud whine was his reward as Eragon pleaded for more attention and he was granted plenty of it. He claimed the mouth, jaw, and neck of the young Rider, growling happily the entire time.

"Mmmm. . ." the brunette sighed pleased. "Murtagh. . ."

"Yes?" he was muffled by tan throat.

"Sleep. . .Rei's waiting for us. . ." he gasped as Murtagh found the hollow on his neck.

"Mmmm," he attacked the hollow, making the teen shiver violently. "You sure you want to go back to the room and sleep?"

He squirmed under Murtagh's touch, whining in his throat, and it made him grin. He bit carefully, going easy on the boy, and licked over every bite to soothe it. A hand tangled in his raven mane, yanking him up, and a mouth met his greedily. He teased Eragon mercilessly, letting him think he was in control for a moment, then quickly overpowering him. He grinned seductively at the man, kissed him, and pulled away.

"What? Why?" Eragon was confused.

"You said you wanted to go back, so let's go," he teased, pretending he was leaving.

"NO! Wait!" he whined. "I've changed my mind about that. . .Let's stay here a while. . ."

"Oh really?" he cocked his head. "You've changed your mind?"

Eragon nodded, pulling him close eagerly, and placed small, pleading kisses to his face. Murtagh smirked, letting the man beg, and closed his eyes. When he'd had enough of the pleading, he held Eragon to the wall, and slowly undid the shirt.

"Well, I guess that your begging deserves some sort of reward, don't you?" he teased, touching the handsome chest.

"Y-yes," he exhaled, eyes slipping shut.

Murtagh took his time with marking the muscled torso, being sure to leave the marks where a shirt could hide them, and enjoyed the impatient whimpers. He drew out the torture for quite sometime, waiting for the frustrated growl that told him his lover wouldn't take much more teasing, and stole a deep kiss before completing his reward for Eragon.