Ramblings With Ranger: I'm back again! :D I hope you enjoy this chapter. I added some character relationship progression with a dash of fluffiness. :D It was fun to write.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Murtagh sat silently in Thorn's roost. He rested against Thorn's side, his back growing over-warm from leaning against his dragon for so long. He had seen Siobhan safely back to her tent and remained with her for a few minutes until Angela came. Murtagh lingered only long enough to hear Angela scold Siobhan on her imprudent actions and declare that she was fine, though winded. He then walked directly to Thorn's roost.

"This is a fine mess." Murtagh muttered to himself. He couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe that he was truly in love with Siobhan. He realized now that he had been in love with her for a while, though he had not realized it. Now that he had realized, he knew that he would never be the same again.

Which I was trying to tell you. Thorn interjected. Murtagh sighed, ignoring him.

The thought that he was in love with Siobhan scared and elated Murtagh all at the same time. He was elated because he would not be completely alone, but scared because of the power that Siobhan now wield over him, though she did not know it. The last person who had held that amount of power over him was Galbatorix. Murtagh was painfully aware of the consequences of his time with the evil king.

Do you honestly think Siobhan would do you harm? Thorn scoffed. Murtagh shook his head.

I know she would not. Murtagh agreed, remembering when he and she had first met. I know my fear is irrational. Siobhan is not Galbatorix, not by any stretch of the imagination.

I cannot blame you for your caution. Thorn replied honestly. Murtagh looked up and gave him a small smile. They lapsed into silence. This love thing might not be so bad after all.

The thought that he would not be so very alone any more made Murtagh smile. He finally had a human friend. Murtagh hoped he would have a wife soon. This was something Murtagh had not dared to hope for. What woman could love Murtagh Morzanson, traitor, unloved, forgotten, despised and unfortunate? Murtagh knew that if any woman could love him, all of him, it would be his beloved Siobhan.

So, Thorn began suddenly, sounding very mischievous. When are you going to tell her? Murtagh's eyes widened.

What? Murtagh blurted, sounding something akin to panic.

I understand that it is socially acceptable to tell Siobhan of your love for her. Thorn replied hesitantly. He thought he had the social custom correct, but perhaps he was mistaken. Humans were such odd creatures. Murtagh fell heavily back against Thorn.

That I had not thought of.

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Murtagh stared sternly at Siobhan, who crossed her arms petulantly across her chest. She was sitting cross-legged in her bed, glaring right back at the handsome man. Both were convinced that the other was being unreasonable. "I thought you had learned your lesson yesterday." Murtagh muttered. Siobhan gave him a look.

"I did." Siobhan replied confidently. "I learned that I shouldn't go walking alone." Murtagh sighed and rubbed his face, exhausted. She really could be a handful.

"No, Siobhan." Murtagh said tiredly. "You learned that you shouldn't push yourself and that you should listen to the healers." Siobhan frowned and shook her head.

"One, Murtagh, I would not be pushing myself. It would just be a very small walk. Two, I am a healer. Therefore, I would still be listening to the healers."

"But not the healers assigned to you." Murtagh pointed out. Siobhan arched an eyebrow.

"Am I not myself?" Murtagh groaned.

"Siobhan, please do not fight me on this." Murtagh nearly begged. Siobhan narrowed her eyes.

"It is just a very small walk, and you would be right there beside me." Siobhan insisted. "I would not be taxing myself!" Siobhan paused. "And you would be right there to swoop me up and carry me back to bed." Murtagh was momentarily distracted by the thought of holding Siobhan.

"But did Angela say you could take 'a very small walk'? No, she did not." Murtagh retorted. Siobhan rolled her eyes.

"Murtagh, she said neither yea nor nay on the matter." Siobhan pointed out, a triumphant grin growing on her face.

"And did you ask her?" Murtagh threw right back. Siobhan paused and glanced away, her brilliant grin dimming.

"That is not the point." Siobhan muttered. "The point is, I am feeling up to it, and you are here. I do not see what the problem is." Murtagh sighed. Of course she did not see the problem. He realized too late that he had spoken his thoughts aloud. "What's that supposed to mean?" Siobhan demanded. Murtagh searched for the right words to say. He knew he had to say something fast, based on the downright icy look Siobhan was giving him.

"Please, Siobhan, this once, can you just listen to me?" Murtagh nearly begged, opting for an alteration of the subject. Siobhan narrowed her eyes, her resolve clearly strengthening.

"I am listening to you." Siobhan retorted. Murtagh groaned and threw his arms in the air.

"You are not listening to me!" Murtagh shot back. Siobhan rolled her eyes.

"There is a difference between listening to what you are saying and doing what you want me to." Siobhan refuted. "I do not agree with your words, and therefore am not heeding them. But I am listening to them." Siobhan paused for effect. "Unfortunately."

She has you there. Thorn pointed out.

You're not helping. Murtagh mumbled. Thorn hummed.

I never did promise to be of help, now did I? Thorn replied easily.

"Fine. You know what? We'll settle this now." Murtagh stated. Siobhan arched an eyebrow.

"Oh? And how do you propose we do that?" Siobhan wanted to know. Murtagh gave her a small, secret grin.

"We wake Angela. We ask her opinion." Murtagh informed. Siobhan sighed.

"Oh, very well." Siobhan muttered. "She's been asleep over there for quite a while, at any rate." Murtagh rose and gently shook Angela's shoulder. She awoke quietly, looking around the room through the bleary eyes.

"Is something wrong?" Angela asked wearily. Murtagh shook his head, still bent over double so that he could look Angela in the eye.

"We need you to resolve a matter of importance." Siobhan called from the bed. Murtagh nodded. Angela sighed.

"What are you two going on about this time?" Angela asked, rubbing her eyes with the back of her wrist.

"Siobhan has the silly notion in her head that she should take a walk." Murtagh began.

"A short walk!" Siobhan interjected helpfully. Murtagh nodded.

"Yes, a short walk, she claims. I think she should remain abed, but Siobhan is determined, and we are at odds." Murtagh finished. Angela sighed and looked from Rider to Rider.

"Well?" Murtagh prompted. Angela sighed again.

"Siobhan has already taken the liberty of stretching her legs once with no apparent side-effects. I don't see why she can't take another 'very short walk', as long as she is accompanied." Angela replied finally. Siobhan smiled triumphantly. Murtagh stared at the older healer.

"'No apparent side-effects'!" Murtagh spluttered. "She couldn't walk!" Siobhan crossed her arms and glared. Angela smiled at him gently.

"Murtagh," Angela began patiently. "Siobhan simply did not have the energy to walk as far as she did yesterday. Her body is clearly still rebuilding stamina, but this is to be expected." Siobhan nodded.

"It is not uncommon, Murtagh. Indeed, walking will actually help me recover my energy." Siobhan added calmly. "Perhaps you recall when you yourself was recovering." Murtagh scowled, clearly unhappy about being outnumbered. "Your concern for my well-being is sweet and I appreciate it, but you need not be overprotective."

Murtagh sighed, running a hand through his hair. Ever since his epiphany, he had indeed felt more protective of Siobhan than he had before. He felt extremely responsible for her well-being. He wanted to make very sure that no harm came to the woman he loved.

"Will you at least rest for a little bit yet before you undertake your adventure for the day?" Murtagh requested, resigned to the fact that Siobhan was going to do whatever she pleased. He begrudgingly admitted to himself that she was a healer, and she did well healing him, so she couldn't make horrible decisions about her health. Then he reminded himself that she did push herself too far just the day before, and decided that perhaps being overprotective was a good thing in this case.

I agree with Murtagh. Ailín informed. Siobhan sighed.

"I will take a walk today." Siobhan stated firmly. Murtagh nodded. "But I will rest for just a little bit more." Siobhan relented. Murtagh nodded again, smiling slightly and feeling pleased that Siobhan was listening to at least some of what he was trying to say. Siobhan frowned. "Wipe that smug look off your face!" Murtagh ducked his head before raising it almost instantly, his face completely blank. Siobhan rolled her eyes.

"Would you like me to read to you?" Murtagh asked suddenly. Siobhan's face lit up and she beamed at the man that sat next to her.

"You have a book?" Siobhan asked, clearly elated at the prospect. Murtagh smiled, feeling very proud that he was the one to cause the look. He nodded. "Is it like First Impressions?"

"I don't know." Murtagh confessed. "I haven't read it." Siobhan nodded. "I'll have to go fetch it from my tent." Siobhan nodded eagerly. Murtagh smiled before quickly retrieving it. Angela watched Siobhan's excitement with amusement. It was only a matter of time, Angela knew.

Murtagh sat back down, handing Siobhan the book. He couldn't help but smile when he saw her inspect the book closely, as if she was trying to memorize every feature and every speck of dirt and dust. Siobhan reluctantly returned it after a few minutes, clearly indicating that he should being reading immediately.

"The family of Aergad had been long settled in Surda."Murtagh began in his deep, soothing voice.

Siobhan greatly enjoyed Aela and Mahé, a charming tale of two young ladies who recently lost their father and found themselves in heavy financial restraints, though they were not yet impoverished. The young ladies, Aela and Mahé, along with their mother, moved to a relatives house. There, the youngest fell in love, had her hopes dashed to pieces, then found true love. The oldest also discovered love in an engaged man. His intended broke the engagement to marry his brother. This left Aela free to marry him. In the end both women married their men whom they loved and improved their fortunes, all at the same time.

Murtagh closed the book and Siobhan sighed. "That was such a good book!" Siobhan sighed dreamily. Murtagh quirked an eyebrow.

"If you say so." Murtagh muttered. Siobhan's eyes widened.

"You did not like it?" Siobhan queried, astonished. Murtagh made a face while trying to be polite.

"It was not my favorite book, no." Murtagh responded slowly. Siobhan looked affronted.

"That story was...was...amazing!" Siobhan defended. Murtagh paused.

"I am glad you enjoyed it." Murtagh replied honestly. Siobhan smiled at him.

"Thank you for reading to me, Murtagh." Siobhan said quietly, opting to change the subject slightly. Murtagh reached over and took her hand, squeezing it lightly. He hid his smirk when he saw her blush bright red. He squeezed it again – just to get a reaction – before quietly retreating back to the sanctuary of his tent.

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Siobhan tipped her head back and smiled secretly. She glanced at Murtagh out of the corner of her eye when he held her arm closer to his side. "Typically, a gentleman does not break the arm of the lady he is escorting." Siobhan teased quietly. Murtagh winced and loosened his grip.

"I don't want you to collapse." Murtagh mumbled. Siobhan gave him a small smile.

"I'm stronger today." Siobhan said. "Besides, this is the only way I'll build my stamina up again." Siobhan pointed out. "Then we can get back to our lessons." Murtagh was quiet for a moment.

"Do you miss them?" Murtagh whispered hesitantly, unsure of whether or not he should have asked and whether or not he wanted to hear the answer.

"I do." Siobhan responded without hesitation. She frowned. "Are you alright, Murtagh? You have been acting...odd." Murtagh looked down at her and smiled.

"I assure you, I am quite alright." Murtagh answered quickly.

Siobhan studied Murtagh for a moment before turning her attention back to the ground in front of her. The healer and woman in Siobhan knew that Murtagh was not being entirely truthful, but she deemed it best to continue the conversation at another point. She knew there was something bothering the man, and she was very curious and worried as to what it was, but she forced her lips to remain quiet.

Murtagh watched Siobhan out of the corner of his eye. It seemed she believed him, for which he was very thankful. This was not the time or the place for that particular conversation. There was a hint of cowardice mixed in with his sense of practicality, however. Murtagh also noticed that Siobhan seemed to be walking steadily, though she was leaning on him slightly.

"How are you faring?" Murtagh queried. Siobhan shrugged her shoulders.

"Well enough." Siobhan replied simply. Murtagh arched an eyebrow.

"And how well is 'well enough'?" Murtagh pressed gently. Siobhan gave him a look.

"I am not tired yet." Siobhan clarified. She purposefully emitted the fact that fatigue would hit her like falling dragon, without warning. She greatly enjoyed Murtagh's presence, as well as the feeling of being out-of-doors. Murtagh studied her carefully and Siobhan did not hesitate to return his gaze.

"We will rest here." Murtagh announced. Siobhan emitted a long-suffering sigh, but did not argue. They halted underneath the shade of the tree that Siobhan had clung to just the day prior and lapsed into a comfortable silence.

"Thank you," Siobhan said softly after an extended silence. Murtagh looked down at her quizzically. "For walking with me." Murtagh smiled.

"It is nothing." Murtagh assured. He paused for a moment before continuing. "I enjoy spending time with you." Siobhan smiled brilliantly up at him.

"I enjoy spending time with you, as well." Siobhan mumbled, blushing.

Murtagh smiled to himself. Perhaps his case was not a hopeless one after all.