A/N Peeks out from hiding behind fully armed Legolas and Murtagh. SORRY SORRY SORRY! Very late update I know. Hehehe…. So shall we get on with the next chapter?

Chapter 36- More Bombshells Dropped

Murtagh placed his hand in the track they had found, he placed his other hand next to it and gaped. "These tracks are as wide as both my hands and at least an inch deep!"

"Wolf tracks! Bah!" grumbled Gimli. "Abnormally large too. I'd say hey were Warg's if I didn't know any better."

"Please do not say that," said Legolas grimacing.

They had found a clearing and were now examining the huge prints they had found. Shortly afterwards Saphira landed with Eragon, who was shaking slightly, beads of sweat on his forehead.

Gimli helped his down and he leaned up against Saphira for support. "I tried to hinder the Kull, but I didn't perceive how much of my strength it would cost me. They move fast, as if they were birds. I can't believe it's the same group that has been following us! And they are huge!

"Great," Murtagh sighed. "On top of that, look at these tracks. Beasts of unnatural size roam this wood. Plus, I have seen no branch out of this valley for me to escape and pretty soon the Kull will pen us in."

"I know, I know. Don't worry, we'll find away for you," Eragon reassured hastily.

Murtagh folded his arms moodily.

"How is Arya?" asked Eragon changing the subject.

"Not good," Legolas replied. "She tosses and turns in her sleep like state and her fever worsens by the minute. She will not last Eragon. You should fly ahead with her to the Varden."

"I will not leave you all here. I fear we may have to face the Urgals before the end. You are no match for them, if we do have to face them, me and Saphira will be there with you," said Eragon decisively.

"Hmm, and I hope if we do have to fight them, the Varden have some fighters handy to help us!" said Gimli.

"For now I am still worried about the creatures that dwell here. Especially those wolf tracks, they are fresh. Saphira, will you fly about us, seen as you can not move around below the canopy, maybe you can provide protection from above it and keep the beats at bay," said Murtagh.

She flicked her tail in agreement and Eragon clamoured upon to her back and they took off.

Just then, a horn sounded somewhere behind them, not too far off. Murtagh cursed and swung onto Tornac, grabbing Snowfire's reins he clicked his tongue and they rode off, Legolas and Gimli bringing up the rear. The Elf's senses were alert and tuned to his surroundings. The slightest snap of a twig underfoot he would hear, any flicker in the shadows his keen eyes would see.

Suddenly, farther back behind them he heard the cracking of branches as something plummeted through the canopy. Something heavy. Fell cries followed and panicked movement. You certainly did not need Elven hearing to hear the commotion that was taking place.

Legolas hurriedly contacted Saphira. 'What is going on?' he asked urgently. 'Are you and Eragon all right?'

'Oh yes,' came the calm, slightly cheery reply. 'We are just fine,. We have found a way to delay the Urgals and reduce their numbers. My way.'

'How?'

'Let us just say that rocks can be very effective when hurled from a great height,' she replied cryptically and broke the connection.

"What was that Legolas? What is happening?" asked Gimli as another crash resounded throughout the forest.

"Do not worry my friend! Eragon and Saphira have everything under control. Come, we must ride while we have the advantage!" Legolas spurred his horse on and over took Murtagh.

:0-

Nigh had fallen before they came to meet Eragon and Saphira at the Beartooth River. They were finally out of the forest. Legolas looked back wistfully.

Gimli noticed this. "Oh no Elf! That is not a place I will be revisiting with you!" he warned.

Legolas rolled his eyes and rode on, ignoring the forest behind him.

Eragon was sure the Varden lay at the head of the valley. They did not slow their quick pace as Eragon matched it, scrambling onto Snowfire. Saphira followed from the air.

"Are the Kull taken care of? Have they turned back, or did you wipe them all out?" asked Murtagh.

"No, but they have been slowed down a little, they still follow behind, the Varden are not far away though. How is Arya?" said Eragon.

"She lives yet," Legolas replied. "Though she may only have a few hours left, if that. We have to hurry."

"Eragon, have you seen a valley or gorge for me to escape by? If we are nearing the Varden, I wish to leave you long before," said Murtagh anxiously.

Eragon tried to avoid the question. "Erm… not exactly…" he replied sheepishly. "But it was dark, visibility wasn't good so I'm sure I may have missed something."

Murtagh's response came in the form of a long string of curses as he reined Tornac to an abrupt halt. "I will not got to the Varden! I have lost count of how many times I have told you this. Eragon, I will not!"

"Listen, we have to keep moving, the Kull!" said Eragon. He had stopped his horse now, as had Legolas.

"We have to move, the Kull… said the Elf.

He was ignored as the two boys glared at each other, "Why can't you go to the Varden?" Eragon questioned. "What is your problem with them? Have we not been through enough together for you to trust me by now? If you turn back now, you will be in the hands of the Urgals. How can been with the Varden be worse?"

Murtagh's tense shoulders slumped. He got off of Tornac, Eragon followed. He had a defeated sorry look on his face, his eyes seemed to plead with Eragon to understand. He took a deep breath and swallowed hard. "I guess you all have the right to know- who I am. Who I am exactly is… I am the son of Morzan, the first and last of the Foresworn."

All Eragon could do was blink in disbelief. How could it be? All this time he had been travelling with the on of the man who betrayed the Riders to Galbatorix.

A second later, Saphira crashed though the tress and landed by Eragon's side, poised in defence mode. Gimli growled from where he sat behind Legolas.

"Did you know that?" he whispered to the Elf.

Legolas shook his head, he got off Loshîth and stood in the middle of Eragon and Murtagh.

"You, are Morzan's heir?" Eragon said dubiously, a hand on Zar'roc. Just in case.

Legolas cast him a warning glance.

"It's not like I chose this!" Murtagh cried in fraught anguish. He undid his tunic and slipped it off. "Look!" he said in a voice wrought with pleading. He turned around and showed them his back.

Eragon gasped at the ugly knotted white scar that stood out against Murtagh's tanned skin. It stretched from his right shoulder to his left hip.

"Who did that to you?" said Legolas quietly, staring at the terrible scar.

"Morzan. When I was three, he was in one of his drunken rages, he threw his sword at me as I ran by, that very sword you carry now was the cause of this agony. My own father did this to me," explained Murtagh, his voice shaky though he seemed relieved to finally be rid of the weight o his secret he had been keeping. "Brom stole Zar'roc from my father's body when he killed him.

Eragon immediately released his hand from Zar'roc.

"Please understand me, I bear no allegiance to the Empire or Galbatorix. I mean you no harm Eragon!" he said. It was hard not to believe him. His face held so much pleading and his eyes were frantic with worry.

Suddenly, a horn rang out behind them. Close by.

"Get back on these damn creatures and let us be off! We must hurry!" Gimli cried from where he sat on Loshîth. Each followed his instruction, Murtagh shrugging back into his tunic as they began their ride, as fast as they could, to escape the approaching Kull.

A/N I apologise again for the late update. Sorry! Anyway, hope you liked that chapter, next chapter should see them finally arriving at the Varden , hope you're all looking forwards to that, I am!

Cylliel- Thanks! Yeah, Bring on August! Looking forward to the next chapter too. Should be fun.

Moonyasha- Haha! Your reviews are funny. Damn batteries; always die on you at the critical (speaking from experience!). Go find Malthen, good luck with that! Yeah, hehehe, thanks for that, you gave me a little reminder!

Tim, Digidestined of Loyalty- Thanks, yup, have to have comic relief! Yeah, I do use a lot of Legolas' lines, I just stumble across them while reading the book and I find they correspond to what I'm writing so I use them. Thanks for the tip, I will try to change them in the future! Thanks, ah yeah, not so fast an update this time though… sorry!

Theo Gray- Thanks. Neither did I until Moonyasha pointed it out to me! Yeah, me too! I don't want it to end, what am I going to do until I lay my hands on the damn book in August! Mwhaha! Yay randomness, KIRBY DANCING lol!

Twilight Unicorn- Yeah, well they know now. Hmm, next chapter I am really looking forward to. And then just about everything after that, except for when it has to come to an end (until August anyways).

TrekkieGreenieShannaraElfOfMe- Hehehe, Elladan and Elrohir! Ha, that would leave everyone feeling confuzzled! Hmmm, I don't remember Eragon's dream, have to read through it again!

Zammy- They sound cool! How many books are there exactly, I think I heard somewhere before that there were quite a few… well, I have loads of books recommended to me, so I'll have to go check them out! Thanks.

the-burglar- Thanks. Yeah, nice little shock for Eragon and Murtagh, followed by another one in this chapter! Great book isn't it?

Jousting Elf with a Sabre- Wow, thank you! Glad you like my stories and thank you o much!

Well my friends, until next time (which will hopefully be sooner than this time!).

Laters

Lolly pop