Nasuada was worried. She had literally dozens of worthy soldiers at her service, perfectly willing to give up their lives to keep her safe, yet for some reason she couldn't shake the thought of failure out of her head. She had thought of little else during the past few days and that just added to her anxiety. Truth be told, Nasuada had just the tiniest hope that her men would fail. She knew that the attack would end in one of two things – her own death or Murtagh's death. She would gladly give up her own life to keep Murtagh safe.
She quickly pushed that thought out of her head, hoping it would never come to that, because she knew that for the sake of The Varden and her people, her life was of utmost importance. Murtagh knew this too, which worried her. He would certainly end his own life to keep her safe. There was no doubt in her mind where that was concerned.
"My Lady," a voice rang from behind her.
Nasuada turned around to see the source of the voice. Orik was walking solemnly towards her. She smiled in greeting as he stood next to her. They were standing on the balcony of the highest tower in the castle where you could look over the whole kingdom. Nasuada had always loved to come here to think; she was seldom interrupted here.
"Any news?" Nasuada asked quietly.
"I'm afraid so," Orik replied glumly. "They are coming."
Nasuada furrowed her brow, letting out a long and frustrated sigh. "That is to be expected."
"Yes," Orik agreed. He paused for a second, stringing his hand through his long beard, obviously deep in thought. "Nasuada, you know that you must stick to the plan."
Nasuada couldn't help but glare at the dwarf. "Of course I do, Orik."
"I know it is hard," Orik said, sighing softly, "but he would want you to stay safe as well."
Nodding in defeat, Nasuada watched as the sun began to make its descent downward. It would not be light for much longer and that did nothing to calm Nasuada's nerves.
"We don't have much time," Orik said, taking her by the arm. "You need to get inside the tower."
"Yes, of course," Nasuada said, letting Orik lead her into the dark castle.
"Getting rid of the assassins should be easy," Orik said as the both made their way inside. The door swung shut behind them and Orik locked it securely. "Getting rid of Murtagh, however, will be the tough part."
"Do not hurt him," Nasuada said quickly. "We owe him that much after all he's done for us— after all he's done for me."
They were now in a small, circular room. Only a small cot and a basin of water occupied it. A dimly lit torch was the only source of light. It was obviously not the most comforting room to stay in, but it would have to do.
"But what are we to do?" Orik said, motioning for Nasuada to take a seat on the cot. "He is much too large of a threat to let go."
"Take him prisoner," Nasuada said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"He will surely escape!"
"Orik, you must trust him. I do! Doesn't that mean something to you?"
"Of course it does, Nasuada," Orik replied, looking defeated. "I do trust him. It's Galbatorix I don't trust and, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the bastard currently possessing Murtagh?"
"He is," Nasuada said, "but there isn't much Galbatorix can do if we capture Murtagh."
"Oh I'm sure there are many things he could do," Orik muttered darkly. He started pacing pointlessly around the room. Nasuada watched him patiently, knowing that he still had much to say.
"Listen," he said after a few minutes, "I will stay here with you. If--,"
"No," Nasuada interrupted, "you are needed elsewhere. I will be fine alone."
Orik looked at her strangely, as if debating whether he trusted her or not. "Very well," he said finally, "but you must not let anyone in here. The doors are locked securely. We have men on the outside of both doors guarding you. The assassins shouldn't make it up here alive, but I wouldn't be surprised if Murtagh showed up with his dragon outside. Hopefully he won't try anything, but we have around twenty soldiers out there ready if he does.
"Nasuada, you cannot let him in if he calls for you. Even if it sounds like he is in pain. I cannot express to you how important it is that you follow my instructions. He may not want to hurt you, but Galbatorix does, and Murtagh might have no choice."
"Murtagh is supposed to be looking for Arya," Nasuada pointed out. "He won't be trying to find me."
"That may be," Orik gruffly replied, "but he's not dumb. Galbatorix will soon know that Arya isn't here and he'll send him after you."
Nasuada nodded, knowing immediately that the dwarf was right. "I will not let him in."
"Good," Orik said. He sighed softly and turned to leave. As he reached the door he turned back and smiled kindly. "Whatever happens, Nasuada, we will not let them hurt you."
"Thank you, Orik," Nasuada responded gently, "and good luck."
Orik grunted in affirmation and quickly disappeared behind the door.
Laying down on the cot, Nasuada gently closed her eyes. She heard a few deep voices outside both doors and knew that her guardians must have arrived. She turned her head and glanced at the water basin, hoping that somehow the assassins hadn't managed to poison their water. She was sure they hadn't, but Nasuada couldn't help but worry. An exasperated sigh escaped her lips as she forced herself to think happier thoughts.
"Oh well," Nasuada murmured, "I suppose all I can do now is wait."
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Murtagh clutched tightly onto Thorn as they circled over the castle. Their job was to search for Arya and kill her, but she didn't seem to be anywhere near the castle. This did not surprise Murtagh one bit; he was sure that the moment the green egg had hatched for her, she and her dragon had fled, no doubt with Eragon and Saphira. They all knew that Galbatorix would surely go after Arya and that she was entirely useless to Galbatorix. The King certainly had no problem getting rid of her and her dragon; it would be considered a triumph.
Forget the elf, get the girl, Galbatorix's gruff voice ordered through his mind.
Murtagh couldn't do anything but agree with his master.
She will most likely be in that tower, Murtagh said grudgingly to Thorn, glancing over at the highest tower in the castle.
Probably, Thorn replied, equally resentful. After all there are a large group of soldiers on top, no doubt guarding the girl. They weren't very subtle about it.
Let's go then.
Murtagh, Thorn said quietly, heading towards the tower, this does not bode well. We will surely be able to kill all of the soldiers. Then all that's left to do is kill Nasuada.
Murtagh nodded solemnly. And we won't let that happen will we, Thorn?
Thorn paused. So you're saying…
Yes, Murtagh replied gently. We must sacrifice ourselves.
Thorn let out a sad moan, but flew faster than ever towards the tower. It must be.
As they reached the tower, volleys of arrows came flying towards them. Murtagh blocked them effortlessly with a small flick of his hand.
"Jierda theirra kalfis," Murtagh yelled. His spell went flying towards the soldiers and within second they lay groaning on the floor, unable to move. Thorn hovered above the men, releasing a torrent of fire from his mouth and onto the suffering soldiers.
Murtagh jumped off of Thorn and onto the balcony. Thorn took root upon the top of the tower. Some men still lay moaning in agony as their life slowly drained away while others lay motionless on the floor.
"Forgive me," he muttered sorrowfully to the soldiers. He stepped over them and made his way towards the door. Murtagh looked up at Thorn, his friend and partner. He had stuck by Murtagh through the hardest of times. He did not deserve this fate.
I am so sorry, Thorn, he said quietly, you deserve so much better than me. You should have chosen a more noble and selfless Rider.
Thorn snorted angrily, letting out a dangerous growl. Do not dare criticize my choice of Rider! I stand by my decision, even now! Besides, he said in a much more gentle tone, you cannot be much more noble or selfless than this. You are giving up your life so that others may live. I have never been more proud to be your dragon.
Murtagh smiled up at his dragon, thankful that he would not have to face death alone.
This is it then, Murtagh said and for some odd reason he kept smiling. I suppose I'll see you on the other side then, eh?
Yes, Thorn grunted, grinning slightly, I suppose so.
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Nasuada sat in silence, fear gripping at her insides. Her breathing was heavy and a bead of sweat ran gently down her face. A moment before she had heard screaming and moaning outside, but now it was completely silent. That could not be good.
A small movement was heard outside the door. Someone was surely still out there, alive, and most likely trying to get in.
Suddenly the door fell right from its hinges, landing with a bang. Nasuada yelped in shock, but was quickly silenced by the figure standing just outside the door.
Murtagh stood there, looking completely different than she remembered. His normally clean shaven face was replaced by a newly emerging beard and his usual lively eyes looked sunken from exhaustion. His long brown hair had grown wildly down past his shoulders. He was taller than she remembered, although he had surprisingly gained some weight.
Probably all muscle, Nasuada couldn't help but think.
"Murtagh," she muttered, getting up to greet him.
He raised up a hand in protest. Behind the other door, Nasuada could hear the soldiers coming to her rescue. They yelled for her to let them in, but she did not budge.
He reached for his sword. Nasuada watched him anxiously. Very slowly, as if he didn't trust himself, he pulled Zar'roc out of its sheath and placed it on the ground. He pushed it gently towards her and a second later, it landed silently at her feet.
"Murtagh, what--."
"There is nothing else I can do. You must."
"I must what?" Nasuada said, her voice rising in fear. She knew what he meant but she could not bear to hear him say it aloud.
By now the soldiers were beating on the door, trying desperately to save their leader.
"You know what you must do." Suddenly, so much so that she didn't even have time to blink, Murtagh fell to the ground, screaming in agony.
"Murtagh!" she cried running towards him.
"NO!" Murtagh screamed as she made her way to his side. He moaned softly as he tried to speak. "I do not trust myself now. He knows what I am trying to do and he is trying to take over my body completely." Crying in pain, he tried to push himself away from her.
"You must do it now, Nasuada!" Murtagh cried. He closed his eyes closed in intense concentration. "I can't hold him off much longer!"
"I can't, Murtagh! I won't let you die!" A small sob escaped her lips.
"Take the sword, Nasuada," he mumbled weakly. "It's the only way."
Nasuada shook her head defiantly, despite the sobs that racked her body.
"NOW!" Murtagh screamed as more pain seemed to rip through his body. He let out a small yelp as he clenched his fists together. Nasuada could see tears streaming down his face.
Nasuada knew she needed to do it. Seeing him in such pain, she knew that the only way to end it would be to end his life. Galbatorix now knew where Murtagh's loyalties truly lied and the only punishment for that was death.
Cursing Galbatorix and weeping harder than ever, Nasuada picked up Murtagh's sword and walked slowly towards him. He opened his eyes as she reached him. Sweat covered his face and, wincing at the same time, he beckoned her forward.
"Do it."
Nasuada lifted the sword up, shaking her head in terror. "I love you, Murtagh."
Murtagh let out a loud cry and nodded, wincing as he tried to smile. He appeared in too much pain to speak, but she knew he felt the same way.
Slowly, she brought the sword down.
BANG!
Suddenly a group of soldiers were upon her, throwing her down. Nasuada did nothing to try to escape their grasp.
Through her swollen eyes she saw Orik crouch over Murtagh. He appeared to thrust something into Murtagh's body, but she could not tell what it was. Blackness began to surround her and with one last sob, she closed her eyes, surrendering herself to the darkness.
A/N: Wow, I really surprised myself by writing this chapter so fast. But I gotta say that your reviews really encouraged me to start writing this chapter. I really enjoyed writing this chapter and I hope you enjoyed reading it. I can't say for sure when the next chapter will be up, after all I start school tomorrow, but hopefully I'll find some more inspiration and get the next one up soon.
Sorry I haven't been responding to reviews. I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time. But I do want to thank everyone who's been reviewing. You guys are the reason I keep writing.
So, on that note, don't forget to review!