A/N: Here's kind of a happy sad chapter for all of you. Thanks to the review I got during the short time I put this up. I'm glad I'm thought so highly of.

Chapter 22: Murtagh

Eragon woke Marie about a half an hour later.

"C'mon. We're going to go see Murtagh. He has not seen you since you left," said Eragon pulling the covers off a protesting Marie.

"Ok…ok! I'm up," said Marie groggily as she slipped her boots back on and buckled her sword.

Marie followed Eragon out to the Isidar Mithrim and she climbed atop Saphira sleepily. Eragon wrapped an arm around her and Saphira took off.

Marie must've been tired because she let go of Saphira's saddle and fell asleep in Eragon's arms.

Eragon stared down at Marie's sleeping figure. Her ebony hair was sifting peacefully in the breeze and her eyes were closed. Eragon liked the feeling of her limp body in his arms. It made him feel powerful and somehow…connected to Marie. As he watched her eye lids flicker from some dream he saw a smile play across her lips and knew that maybe for the first time in a while…Marie was having a good dream.

Saphira touched down softly, sensing Marie's slumber. Eragon reluctantly touched her on her shoulder. "Marie wake up…we're down."

"Wha? Oh…" Marie looked around and suddenly realized that she had been sleeping against Eragon. Then she remembered that she was mad at him. She put a hand on his chest and shoved him before hopping down. Eragon toppled over Saphira's rump before tumbling down the side.

"What was that for?" demanded Eragon. Marie smirked and Saphira shook her large head with a dragony laugh.

Marie looked at him with innocent green eyes. "I just used you as a brace…" Her eyes turned cold. "After all, I am a weak human…compared to an elf."

"What are you-"

"C'mon! Murtagh's waiting for us," snapped Marie and she shoved Eragon to show her the way. Orik ended up taking them but they got there nonetheless.

"Eragon! How are you?" asked Murtagh from his spot on a comfy looking cot with a book in his hand.

"Great! Wow-"

"I know…I was surprised too but they let me live like a king if I don't cause trouble and-"

Murtagh had just caught sight of Marie. "You're here…What happened? Are you all right? It's great to see you Marie!"

Marie could hardly contain herself as she threw her arms around Murtagh. He ruffled her hair before pushing her back playfully. She smiled at the thought the Eragon wasn't the only one who had a sibling relationship with Murtagh.

"Won't you tire of this?" asked Eragon.

"Yes, maybe in a while but for right now…I am content," said Murtagh with a pleasant smile.

So Eragon, Marie and Murtagh talked like old best friends and then talked about other things like the plans and the tests Marie and Eragon had to take.

"I heard Nasuada came in earlier," said Eragon.

"Yes, doesn't she walk like a queen? I thought she was one of the noble's wives from Galbatorix's court though compared to her they should be shunned," Murtagh's eyes appeared to go misty and Marie and Eragon both exchanged a look. What the heck?

With some more chatting and catching up, Marie and Eragon left. Marie was in a brighter mood. Murtagh had brought back some really fond memories of their struggles together and Marie wanted to cling onto to those memories forever.

"So…are you sleeping in the dragonhold or that bedroom tonight?" asked Eragon as Saphira took off.

"I don't know…I just want to sleep…that's all," said Marie tiredly.

Wow…Arya must have really wiped her out, said Eragon to Saphira.

Yes…but somehow I think this sudden fatigue has more to do with Oropher than Arya's test. The dragon said.

What…do you think Oropher could be killing her? Eragon asked alarmed.

No…maybe…it has to do with their bond. Something is happening between them that didn't happen to Brom when Saphira was killed. Saphira said when they landed.

Like what? Marie's going insane like Galbatorix? Eragon asked. Marie jumped off Saphira, landing on her knees. She stumbled over to the ladder and onto the hay bed.

No. Her bond with Oropher is whittling away. But Marie was striving so hard to keep it alive…she's going with it.