Chapter Thirty-Four: Healing

Apollo opened his eyes and sighed as he looked at the peaceful figure lying on the bed in the medical tent. The figure hadn't moved in the past five days and Apollo was starting to worry. Angela had promised he would wake but when? How long would Apollo have to wait? Shifting his position slightly, he tried to get comfortable, he had been in the chair for the past week and he refused to move. Looking at the ruby red dragon whose head was resting on the other side of the bed, he wondered how long they would have to wait to see their brother open his eyes. Taking a glance around the tent Apollo realised that all the other wounded had left; his brother was all that remained.

Returning his gaze once more to the figure on the bed he was astonished to see two stormy grey eyes watching him with confusion.

"Murtagh, you're awake! Thank goodness. I was beginning to wonder if you would ever wake," exclaimed Apollo rapidly, his excitement getting the better of him. Murtagh opened his mouth to speak but whatever he was saying was lost in the joyous roar that came from Thorn.

Murtagh, I'm so glad you're awake at last. You were starting to scare me; Thorn's words were projected to Apollo as well as Murtagh, who still looked confused.

"Where am I?" Murtagh asked his voice raspy from lack of use.

"You're in the Varden's medical tent," explained Apollo.

"Shouldn't I be dead?" asked Murtagh still sounding confused.

No, brave one. After the fight, Shruikan and I came to you and gave you as much of our energy as we dare in order to keep you alive. Angela and Arya worked on getting the blade out and healing the wound. They healed you as they slowly removed the sword, explained Thorn resting his head against Murtagh's side with his beloved Rider resting his right hand on his head. Thorn hummed with delight at having his Murtagh back once more and this time he wasn't going to let anyone take him away.

Apollo watched his brother carefully and he knew that Murtagh needed the blank spaces of the past week to be filled in or he wasn't going to willing rest.

"After you killed the King and your wounds had been tended too, the Varden took over Uru'baen and set about cleaning up Galbatorix's mess. The people of the Empire didn't offer much resistance and those that did were quickly arrested. But we still don't have a new ruler, the people refused to decide until you were awake. The Elves have taken Oromis and Glaedr back to Ellesmera to bury him. Eragon and Saphira went too. Only a few elves have returned. I don't know when the others will come back, but those that have are working on removing all the wards in and around the palace," Apollo explained slowly. Murtagh gave him a grateful smile and then closed his eyes again. He was awake but still tired. Apollo was confident that Murtagh would get his strength back soon; but he still didn't remove himself from that chair.

It took Murtagh another week to regain his strength and was allowed to leave the medical tent. With Apollo and Thorn at his side Murtagh went in search of his friends. Since the Varden had taken over all the slaves had been set free and he was looking forward to seeing them. Many had come to see him in the medical tent, especially Demetri who came as soon as he knew Murtagh was awake.

He found them in a Tavern near the perimeter wall, enjoying a hearty meal and some good ale. When Murtagh entered followed by Apollo and Thorn's head they cheered and welcomed them to their table and for the first time in a very long while, Murtagh was content and happy. But once the merry making was over and the three of them had returned to the tent they had been given, Murtagh's thoughts turned to Shruikan. The black dragon had helped to save his life and then disappeared; he hadn't been seen since. He wished he knew where the dragon was if only so he could thank him, but wherever he was Murtagh hoped he was happy; at least he was free now too.

Murtagh woke the next morning to find Apollo and Thorn gone and in their place was Nasuada. He didn't know what to say to her and words seemed to have abandoned him. Sitting down at the edge of his bed, it was Nasuada that broke the silence,

"Hello Murtagh, it's good to see you up and about again. You gave us quite a scare. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, thank you, my lady," said Murtagh, not entirely sure what else to say.

"I'm sorry about your friend, Tornac. His grave has been preserved, would you like to see it?" asked Nasuada. Murtagh instantly nodded and she walked to the entrance of the tent and beckoned Murtagh to follow. Quickly getting dressed as Nasuada waited outside, he let her lead him to Tornac.

They walked in silence, a silence Murtagh wasn't sure how to break or even if he should. Nasuada didn't seem too bothered by the silence and Murtagh allowed his mind to wander to Tornac, and he suddenly realised that he had never said goodbye. He passed out last time before he had the chance. But as they arrived at Tornac's home, he could only stop and try not to remember how he had found his friend. Walking quickly to the grave he had dug, he knelt at the foot of the grave as he had after he dug it. Nasuada had remained at the gate giving Murtagh this moment of privacy and he was thankful for it.

"Goodbye Father. I'm sorry you were made to suffer because of me but I've avenged you now. I hope you can rest in peace." Bowing his head Murtagh let his grief out knowing it was pointless trying to keep it in. Feeling a warm hand gently squeeze his shoulder, he looked up see that Nasuada had come and knelt beside him.

"What was he like?" she asked looking at the grave and the reading the headstone.

"He was a great man. Loyal, protective, brave to a fault, he stopped me from making a fool of myself more times than I care to count. He was hard on me when I had done wrong and comforted me when I was frightened or sick. He taught me everything I know about handling a sword. Tornac was the best man I ever meet and I loved him more than anything," said Murtagh.

"I'm sure he's very proud of you, Murtagh," said Nasuada gently. Murtagh instantly looked up at her and found her smiling at him with kindness and something else he couldn't quite identify. For several minutes they remained like that, sitting by Tornac's grave and just enjoyed each other's company. As time wore on they began to talk, they talked about the loved ones they had loved and lost. They discussed their childhoods and as they talked the conversation became easier. As night began to descend, Nasuada hesitantly lent into Murtagh's shoulder, and almost without thinking about it Murtagh put his arm around her shoulders and she did not push him away; instead she rested her head on his shoulder. Murtagh could feel warmth spreading through his heart as she did so, she hadn't rejected him! He felt a smile light his face and he realised that now that Galbatorix was dead, maybe he could begin to heal.