Miyu: Hey guys! The Murtagh/Durza vote is currently at 4 – 0 Murtagh. So it looks like we'll be getting a were-cat soon.

Shade: First to 7 votes! There's still a chance and I'm sure that there are SOME Durza fans out there.

Miyu: Ya well this is a Murtagh story so fat chance.

Shade: CHEATER!

Disclaimer: If Miyu owned Eragon/Eldest…well lets not even go there.

d.r.d.r.d.r.d.r
Everlasting
Chapter #3: Fricai ai einradhin (Friends and words)
d.r.d.r.d.r.d.r.

At half past noon, a large creature obscured the sunlight at the busiest market area in Teirm. After the creature passed over the area a third time only a handful of people still stood in the market place. The creature-which you should have already guessed to be Thorn- landed in front of the group. Murtagh nimbly jumped to the ground and smiled, "I thought you'd come." Selena stood in the front of the group with her uncle standing next to her, she wore a simple leather outfit under a black traveling cloak. Her bag was slung over a shoulder. "Your late," She said.

Murtagh shrugged, "I apologize. I was strapping another seat onto Thorn for you." She nodded and turned to her uncle, "Uncle, I'm sorry for being such a nuisance all this time." Her smiled, a tear forming in his eye, "I should have known better than to keep you in the city. You're so much like your mother." He gave her a hug and dropped something in her bag without her noticing, "Now go child. And live out your life as you will." She waved to the guards that had accompanied them and walked towards Thorn. Murtagh was already sitting back in his saddle. "Need a hand up?" He stretched his hand down.

Grabbing it she was surprised to see how easily he pulled her up. "Just strap your legs in tight. Thorn wont let you fall but it's best to be safe," He instructed her. She did as he said and placed her bag on her lap, neither of them noticed a small house pet slip into one of Murtagh's bags. A moment later Thorn kicked off from the ground and they were flying overhead.

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As the sky grew dark, Murtagh decided it would be best to land. After undoing his own straps, he turned to help Selena and found her seat empty. Uh oh. Did she fall off somewhere? He surveyed the ground around them and saw her sitting a few feet away, arranging stones for a fire. He took his bow and a quiver of arrows out of one of his bags, "So you eat meat Selena?" He turned to look at her and saw that she had already started a fire, "Yes. Don't you?" Murtagh nodded, "Course I do. Just thought I'd ask, you being half elf and all." He turned to find her pushing a dagger against his throat, "Don't you EVER call me a half elf again! Why people believe I am related even slightly to that horrid race escapes me." He grabbed her hand and pulled it away from his throat, "It may have something to do with your ears."

She drew away and dropped her hands, "Don't you have to go hunt or something?" "Yes I do now that you mention it." He turned to Thorn; Keep an eye on her will you. Make sure she doesn't get hurt. Before leaving, he watched her for a moment; I'll try to get some answers out of her tomorrow. He began the hunt.

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"Murtagh, do you even know where your going?"
"Of course I don't. Thorn is flying, not me!"
"Does Thorn even know where he's going?"
"Just a second." Thorn do you even know where you're going?
To Uru'baen.
Isn't it about time we landed? The sun went down almost an hour ago.
Of course.

Murtagh withdrew from Thorn's mind as they began spiralling downwards. "I think I'm going to be sick." He heard Selena exclaim from behind. "Not on me please, this is my cleanest shirt," He called back. She laughed. Unlike the first day's flight, this time they had talked…a lot. They had talked about completely random and pointless things, like how ridiculous Risthart would look in a top hat. How oddly horse like Thorn's head was and even about how odd the clouds looked from above. Just before it grew dark, Murtagh had told Selena his life story including his time with Eragon and the Varden. She had even promised to tell him hers after they landed.

After the fire had been lit, thanks to Selena and a hearty meal of rabbits in their bellies courtesy of Murtagh, and Thorn had taken up a position to shield them from the wind, Selena began her story. "You sure you want me too tell you? It's not at all as interesting or heroic as yours." Murtagh nodded, "I told you mine so spill." She nodded and placed her hands on her lap, "My parents met in Teirm, four years before I was born. My uncle was not yet the lord of Teirm, and my father was just a lesser noble's youngest son. My mother was…different. Her family would enter the town once a month to buy necessities and upon meeting each other they fell in love. Within two years they wanted to marry even though my father knew nothing of my mother's family. With my grandfather's blessing, my parents married and went to live with her family. I don't remember too much about before they died, but I do remember that we lived in the spine. There was a small village there and all the inhabitants except my father had pointed ears."

She took a shaky breath, "And then one day the empire attacked. My father died trying to get my mother and me out of the village, my mother almost died too but I think she was to determined to get me to safety. She entered Teirm under the cover of darkness and asked my uncle's family for help. They sheltered her and my aunt soon became good friends with her. My uncle promised to take care of me as If I were his daughter and only then could she pass away."

"What were they? Your mother's people?" Murtagh asked quietly, "You already said they weren't elves." Selena tensed up but then sighed, "Murtagh, I am a half-nymph. My people, the nymphs were believed to be legend for those few that have heard of us. Un like the elves, we live normal life spans and have children like humans. But we also look like the elves and-" She broke off. "I'm sorry, I must be boring you." Murtagh shook his head, "No, please. Go on." "Nymphs can also use magic without the ancient language." Her hands flew to her mouth, "Oh no. Why did I say that?"

Murtagh smiled, "Don't know, but I really appreciate that knowledge. Can you tell me how the nymphs came to be?" Selena nodded, "Of course. Have you heard of the Dragon's war Murtagh?" He nodded. "At the start of the war, before the elf child hunted and killed the young dragon, a group of elves believed that the dragon's were no mere animals. And that they should be treated with respect. The other elves wouldn't hear of such odd thoughts and after a while, the group of elves were banished from Du Weldenvarden. Which has always been the elves home. The group called themselves the Nymphs and considered themselves different from the elves. After the Dragon war had ended, the elves asked the nymphs for forgiveness, but the nymphs did not agree in uniting the races of elves and dragons together and withdrew from their former ancestors."

Selena smiled as she began to tell her favourite part of her races history, "The elves were furious with the nymphs and so erased all mention of them from history. When the first humans arrived in Alagaesia the nymphs helped them to build their homes but withdrew from them after the humans formed a union with the elves. During the revolt led by Galbatorix and the forsworn, the nymphs went into hiding deep in the spine. They thought that they would be safe but somehow Galbatorix found out about them and destroyed the entire race when they wouldn't side with him. That's what always got my race in trouble, we simply cannot side with anyone, we instead choose to form our own group and help neither side." Murtagh nodded, "So how come of I've never heard of the Nymphs?"

Selena shrugged, "I don't know. I never really noticed I was different until my aunt gave - told me." She yawned, "How is it that all I do is sit while Thorn flies yet I get so tired." Murtagh nodded, "I guess that it's like lessons. You get so bored after a while that you just fall asleep." "And then you get told off for an hour for falling asleep," Selena added, within moments she was asleep. Murtagh was not as eager to let sleep take him.

What is wrong little one? Thorn asked worried. We reach Uru'baen tomorrow. I don't think Selena will welcome the fact that I lied to her. He sighed, And just when I was beginning to be friends with her. Thorn raised his head; you can still keep part of your word.

How?
You promised her freedom so give it to her.
How?
Must I explain everything to you?
That would be appreciated please.
In case you haven't noticed, she was as trapped in Teirm as you were in our Lord's dungeon. Anything is a welcome change from that. When the final egg hatches for her as I believe it will, offer to take her as you apprentice. You can give her a much better life then you had as our Lord's apprentice.

Murtagh looked up at Thorn's face, I still don't understand what you are saying. Thorn closed his eyes and laid his head back down, you will understand soon hatchling. For now just follow as I say. Please. Murtagh lay down as well, all right. I'll trust you. I just hope that after all is said and done, Selena still trust me.

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The next morning, Murtagh awoke to find Selena and her bag gone. Thorn! Thorn raised his head and twitched his tail, yes?
Where is Selena?
She left.
And why did you let her leave?
Because you wanted to keep your word to her.
Thorn!

"Um…am I missing something?"
Murtagh turned around to find Selena standing a few paces away with five dead rabbits in one hand; a finely made bow was in her other. "Selena! I didn't know you could hunt." Selena shrugged and tossed the bloody rabbits onto Murtagh's lap. "Neither did my family. I caught so you skin." She turned to Thorn, "Sorry I took so long." She wanted to go hunting so I let her. That was part of your word to her wasn't it? Murtagh stood up and refused to answer. He began skinning the rabbits.

Just as the sun was beginning to set, a dark city rose out from the ground. Behind it a large castle that seemed to reach up to the clouds, stood, almost in pure darkness even with the sun behind it. "What is that place?" Selena asked. Murtagh's face turned grim, "Uru'baen. The capital of our fair land and our final destination.

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Miyu: Sorry about this chapter but it's necessary to understand what happens later on.

Shade: Remember to review!

Review Replies (Miyu):

Stradivari: Uh…what does characterization mean? Seriously. Thanks for the review!

Tarwen Svit-kona: Ya, he did feed her a lot of bull. But he had to convince her to come didn't he? You'll love where this story goes. Trust me.

Caity: Yes! Another vote for sweet Murtagh! I liked Eldest because him being a bad boy just opens up so many fanfic possibilities.

REVIEW!