Yeah, this is short! Oh, blah. XP
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10/11/101
Night
Llynis stared at herself in the arc of polished bronze, frowning meditatively at her reflection. With a sigh, she tucked her hair behind her ear, staring into the serious, plain face framed in the mirror.
There was a knock on the door, but she didn't move immediately to answer it. Nobody came to visit her except Galbatorix, and he always came by night. He always made her feel so sleepy, so wonderfully tired that all she could do was nestle in his arms and sleep.
The knock came again, more insistent. Llynis turned, a frown touching her face. Slowly, as if trying to find her voice, she called, "Who is it?"
"Llynis?"
The voice was vaguely familiar, as if from another life. Llynis turned from the mirror, staring uncertainly at the door. Hesitantly, she put her hand on the bolt, playing with the metal before slowly sliding it aside.
Derek.
He stood there before the door, looking awkward and uncomfortable. Llynis stared at him, feeling confused. For a moment an uncomfortable silence stretched between them, and Llynis could feel agitation rise up in her throat. She didn't like men. Any men besides Galbatorix always tried to hurt her.
"What do you want?" she said faintly.
He offered her a shifty grin and sighed. "I...I came to see if you were all right. With what's going on and all. I mean, his majesty is rather angry right now, and the rumors—"
"What?" Llynis interrupted, a vague frown brushing her face. She blinked, trying to focus. "He's angry?"
Derek looked surprised at her surprise, nodding. "You didn't know? The Red Rider vanished this afternoon. Nobody knows how. His majesty already set the dining room tapestry on fire; everybody's trying to hide in corners and not attract his attention. Llynis, I mean—" he turned red—"I don't mean to judge you, but maybe it's best not to…not to sleep with him tonight?"
Llynis stared at him blankly. His blush deepened, and he shrugged. "I mean, it's just a suggestion."
A number of replies rose to mind. Llynis picked the first one that surfaced—"Why do you care?"
He smiled uneasily, jamming his hands into his pockets. "Call it…instinct. By the way, how's Orca?" he asked quickly, changing the subject.
Another long moment passed. Finally, Llynis said, "She's fine."
"Oh. Good, good to hear that," Derek said, trying to look casual but largely failing. He nodded clumsily and hurried down the hall.
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Galbatorix sat in the dining room, fuming. Behind him, a dozen servants meekly tiptoed around, not daring to make any noise louder than a whisper as they struggled with the tapestry that he had set on fire earlier. It was smoldering now, filling the room with a foully damp smell.
Across from him sat Orca, Anil curled up beside her chair. Galbatorix glanced at them, a twist to his mouth—they, of course, would tell him nothing. Not that Orca ever said anything. Even Anil, though, who usually couldn't shut up if his life depended on it, was mute.
"So you know nothing about Murtagh," he said finally, the words flat and harsh. The point was moot, actually—he'd confirmed it a dozen times over. Anil flipped open an eye to stare at him before giving a soft sigh and apparently going back to sleep. Orca did nothing.
"Galbatorix?"
He didn't look up, recognizing the soft voice. Llynis stood in one of the smaller doorways, her eyes fixed on him. He could hear a faint tone of concern in the voice, weak and whiny. "Galbatorix?" she repeated, taking a step forward, her hands twisting her dress worriedly.
"Not now." He knew his voice was harsh, revealing his barely tempered fury. "Get out, Llynis."
"But—"
"Get out!" Galbatorix screamed. Fear flashed across her face, and then she was bolting, the beginning of a sob welling up as she ran. Galbatorix watched her go with a profound sense of relief, vindicative pleasure that something was going right in this twisted world.
He felt Orca's gaze upon him and narrowed his eyes, lowering his gaze to hers. It was as if she was—was accusing him, sanctimoniously pointing the finger of blame at him. He hissed between his teeth, his fingers curling into fists as he stared at her.
"Bitch," he whispered, surprising even himself at the venom within his voice. For a moment, he wanted to kill her—rip her apart, make her scream, break that holy aura of calm that she always wore. To destroy her, see if she had a voice as he spilled her blood.
Tempting, but no.
It took him a very long moment to get under control again, to remind himself that she was only a five-year-old brat that was probably too stupid to say anything. It worked, vaguely—inhaling slowly, he resisted the urge.
"Servant," he rapped out, his voice cool. Almost immediately, one of the servants was hovering by his elbow, looking nervous and sweaty. Before the man could get past the first round of my-lording, Galbatorix had already stood up. "Clean up this mess," he ordered, gesturing at the table. "And put the girl and the dragon back in the servant Llynis's chambers. Lock them in."
He was out the door before they could reply.
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I hope you had a better plan than this, Thorn said acidly as they huddled under the cover of the woods, miles away from Uru'baen. Because of all the stupid things I've heard of in my life, this has got to be one of the stupidest. Galbatorix will be looking. He'll find us.
"Shurrup," one of the men growled.
Make me. He yawned, showing very sharp teeth—several of the men flinched, looking away.
From across the glade, a woman stood up. "You have a choice, Thorn," she said, her voice soft. "You can come with us willingly. Or, you can fight us. We drag you by magic. It's that simple."
It's stupid is what it is, Thorn sneered. I don't think even an all-mighty elf like you could drag me across the length and breadth of Alagaesia, Arya.
She didn't rise to his bait. "Your choice," she said, her voice devoid of emotion.
Thorn considered it for a moment, wings fluttering slightly. His eyes shifted to where Murtagh lay, poisoned into unconsciousness. If I don't, he dies, is that it? Thorn said, not bothering to conceal the venom in his voice.
Arya said nothing. Thorn eyed her with loathing, his lip curling slightly. What happens if I agree?
"Then you come with us to the Varden. We'll give him the antidote there."
Your word on it, elf? he demanded.
She smiled at that, her lips curling up in a humorless smirk. "Would you trust my word, dragon?"
I trust my fangs to tear you to pieces if you lie, he growled, his tail lashing. What of it?
Arya shrugged. "I don't lie."
Say it in the ancient language! Thorn demanded. Say it! If I go with you, then you don't hurt him. You cure him. You don't keep him locked up in your stupid Varden hideyhole like he's some monster. What the hell do you want him for, anyway? What do you want us for? If you want to kill us, why don't you just do it already?
Silence followed this little rant; Arya's eyes were flat. Finally, she said tonelessly in the ancient language, "I swear to provide Murtagh with the antidote upon arrival at the Varden, should the dragon Thorn agree to comply. I swear to treat him civilly, though I cannot account for the behavior of others." She looked up. "Satisfied?"
Hardly, Thorn growled, but he settled back down onto the ground. Fine. I seriously hope you have a better plan than this, because if Galbatorix catches you, we're all in deep trouble.
"A contigent of spellcasters will meet us soon," Arya said calmly. "In the meantime, I suggest you sleep. That goes for all of you," she added, nodding at the men. "There will be some hard traveling ahead. I will take first watch."
There were some uneasy grumbles, but they obeyed. Thorn opened his wing, closing it around Murtagh protectively. Murtagh? he tried tentatively, reaching along their connection.
There was only a very faint, dulled reply. With a tired sigh, Thorn closed his eyes.
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Talk about guilt. Seriously, I didn't want to post this week. I've had the most horrible writer's block, and I have finals next week. Major uber studying. Not even plot bunnies help…
But then I log on and see so many reviews, and considering the overall crappiness of last chapter, my conscience starts to kick me. So, yeah. I hope to post another chapter tomorrow; there's about a fifty-fifty chance. The more reviews I get, the higher probability of another chapter! –hint hint-
Hey-ho, away we go. Review responses?
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Mistress-of-Misery: Well, hello! Nice to see you again. Yes, I am quite flattered. –blushes- This fic was born out of watching Mission Impossible III—the first chapter was actually a kind of daydream for Ethan Hunt when he sees Lindsey again. O.o But as my writing tends to do, it kind of mutated.
Coolhassan: Thanks! You're actually writing in a journal? Like, writing writing or typing? God, I can't write anything these days, I'm such a computer-dependent idiot. I have to type. Must type. The inspiration doesn't come unless I'm sitting before a computer with my hands glued to the keyboard. Pencils and paper just don't do it dese days…
Dark Seroph: Parents were out. –shifty eyes- I had about two-thirds of the chapter done, and I was hurrying so badly to get it done that the ending was kind of screwed. Lesser of two evils, though, at least for me—if they knew I'd snuck on, I'd get –makes strangled sound- so badly. Especially because I was supposed to be studying… X.x
Ariel32: If I ever manage to get around to it, the reunion scene at the Varden twill be fun. It might be next chapter; in fact, I think it is. That's why I have to give Murtagh his memories back, in order to make it more angsty and everything. And yeah, I wanted to stick in Thorn last chapter but I couldn't figure how to do that and do the thingy with Orca at the same time in the short time I had. Does that make sense?
Lady Elora: What, you're a fan of happy endings? So Eragon should kick Galby's butt, the Varden triumph, and peace and glory for Alagaesia?
Ah, oui, the Varden are 'rescuing' Murtagh. But that doesn't mean it necessarily has to succeed, does it? –sinister laugh- You never know…Galby just might find them.
Coffee Grounds: I'll save you! Dun duN DUN! –runs forward with a mattress- Even though all your bones are probably broken from that dreadful fall, at least you have somewhere nice to sleep… X.x
October Morning: -laughs- Why, thank you! Yeah, T&M was the longest, hardest haul of my life and I'm not even going to touch it now that it's done. But any comments on VF are highly appreciated—me like reviews vewy much. :-)
Treeonfire13: Don't call me mean! Waaah! My heart is broken eternally, I'm going to curl up in a corner and die now… ;.;
Okay. I don't hate Garrett Hedlund, not really. I just don't…like him. I mean, I've only seen him in Eragon and Troy, but I recall thinking that he sucked in the latter. Of course, I remember that I hated Troy in general (all the actors, not just Hedlund) so I supposed I may be just a wee bit biased…but he was cool in Eragon. Even if he did only get about five minutes of screen time. But then again, I'm totally in love with Murtagh so I suppose that's another classic case of bais.
Shadow ShiningPalm: Thanks! How far I get actually depends on the number of plot bunnies that swarm my house. Donations welcome!
Yoyowhat's up: That's actually a point of debate for me—yea or non? I mean, I want to let the Varden succeed in saving Murtagh, but on the other hand…I have a vague idea on what to do with Orca, so I'm seriously not sure. Anyway, next chapter will tell…
Alsdssg: Yeah, kind of makes you wonder what people with amnesia go through. -shrugs- I mean, amnesia is one of those things that have been cornified by lame sitcoms, but it's still got to be harsh in real life.
Meep meep: -blushes- Yeah, I know. Thanks anyway, though!
Dreamgirlhooo: Yell at the folks? Oh, deah. I fear the consequences of such subordination should overwhelm me and send me into major, major lecture-ness at the ebils of ranting at the parents. –shifty eyes-
Galbatorix isn't insane! He's just evil. And mean. BUT NOT INSANE! NOOO!