A/N: Hey, people! Sorry it's taken me so long to update! I feel horrible about it…Ya see, Noriko-sama grounded me for causing trouble, right now I'm sneaking on. It's been so weird not updating…and it's only been like, a week…In my other story, I add another chappy every other night. It only takes me a couple hours to write a chapter, depending on the story. And I really don't know if I'll make Murtagh gay or not…yeah, I think I will…So here's another chapter for you all!

Chapter 2

Cat Got Your Tongue?

"So we really have to take care of him…?"

"Yup. That's what Master Murtagh said."

"But…he's a half-elf…"

"Get over it, old one! Does he seem anything like a half-elf from the stories?"

"Well…no…"

"Exactly. Besides, Murtagh trusts him, so why shouldn't we?"

"But what about the king?"

"Yeah, that's right! The king was looking for him!"

"What do you say to that, Arisa?"

"Why don't you get off my back and go ask Master Murtagh for yourselves?"

"You have an answer for everything, don't you, Arisa?"

"Quiet down! You'll wake him up!"

"Sorry, Master Murtagh!"

"Say, why do we have to take care of him anyway?"

"Are you serious, Arisa? You were just saying you didn't have a problem with it!"

"I know! But I already have enough to do without babysitting another kid like you! Why couldn't you make someone else take care of this guy, Murtagh?"

"It was either this or cleaning up after my new foal. I still haven't decided on a name…"

"Why don't you name him after your father—Morzan, Master?"

"Because then I'd have to kill it…"

"Um…"

"Hey, I'm gonna take a nap now. Wake me up if Tornac wakes up, okay?" With that last statement, Murtagh left the mob of servants crowded around the bed that the half-elf was resting in. he walked over to a chair in the corner that was pushed against a wall and sat in it. Leaning his head back, he closed his eyes and tried to find sleep.

One of the blond maids put her hands on her hips. "Great. He just leaves this guy with us? What are we supposed to do with his if he wakes up?"

"Arisa," an elderly maid with graying hair turned to the blond. "Master Murtagh commanded us to awaken him if the half-elf should stir."

The maid called Arisa sighed. "Screw this. Yoko, if Morac—or whatever his name is— wakes up, I'll let you take care of him."

As she said that, Arisa turned on her heel and started for the door to the kitchen. The elderly maid watched her go.

"Oh? But—…Arisa, isn't that your job?"

Arisa stopped as she opened the door and looked back at the old maid. "Not anymore." Leaning against the doorframe, Arisa shrugged. "You take care of him, alright, Yoko? I need a break."

One of the male servants laughed. "From doing what? You haven't done anything all day, Arisa!"

Arisa scowled. "Who asked you, Hoji?"

"Would you guys just shut up?" another male servant turned to glare at the three people arguing.

"You shouldn't talk to a lady like that, Kami. Really now, who shoved a stick up your ass?" Arisa shouted from the doorway. Some of the other maids and servants turned to look between Kami and Arisa, but turned back around at the sound of a small groan coming from the bed.

"He's waking up!" someone yelled from the crowd. This seemed to perk Arisa's interest.

"No shit…" Kami mumbled. Arisa strode over to the mob again, punching Kami's arm as she passed him. Kami didn't even wince, but instead rolled his eyes.

"You're oh-so ladylike, Arisa," he remarked. But she ignored him and continued to push her way through the horde of people. Once she reached the side of the bed and could see the half-elf's face clearly, she noticed his eyes fluttering open. She gasped in spite of herself. His eyes were the most amazing this she had ever seen. They were the purest of blue—cobalt sapphires.

"Yah…" he groaned again. Once he opened his eyes completely, the room seemed to brighten. No one moved. Even Arisa seemed speechless. The boy's eyes widened in surprise at the group of people staring at him.

"Ah…?" he started to whimper. Panic was starting to build up inside of him.

All at once, the room broke out into conversation. Everyone turned to the person next to them and started to whisper. Still, every eyed remained on the half-elf. Arisa regained her composed posture and leaned over next to him. The chatter stopped and the room was once again overtaken by silence.

"So what's your name, kid? Isn't it, like, Ronack or something?"

Her only answer was a very small 'meep'. She sighed and hung her head. But then she remembered that she had to be patient and looked up again, an impatient grin plastered to her face. Taking another breath, she tried a different approach.

"Look, we'll be seeing each other a lot from now on, so you might as well tell me your name. Mine's Arisa. Now yours."

When she still didn't get an answer, Arisa lost her calm.

"Hey kid! You can talk, right! So what's your problem!" she said a little more harshly than she meant to. The boy closed his eyes and whimpered…which only made Arisa madder.

Poking the half-elf's forehead, she yelled, "Answer me, dammit!"

Arisa was shocked when a cry of fear escaped the boy's throat. She straightened up and took a step back. Looking around at everyone, she saw that they, too, had stiffened.

"What…that hell?" she could hear Kami mutter.

"Arisa, get back. You're scaring him."

Hearing her name made Arisa jump along with everyone else. Everyone one in the room, including the half-elf, looked over to the corner of the room where a lone chair was backed against the wall. Sitting in it was none other than Murtagh. His left eye was open and staring at the crowd of people.

"Murtagh! Sir!" Arisa gasped in surprise. Then she smiled. "Heh, I forgot you were here. What's wrong with this guy?" she asked, gesturing to the half-elf. "He doesn't seem to be able to talk."

"Well, no duh!" Murtagh said as he stood up and stretched. "You guys are scaring the hell out of him. And I told you guys to wake me up if Tornac woke up!"

"Ha! Tornac! That's his name!" Hoji exclaimed from the back.

"Yup…" Murtagh said lazily as he scratched the back of his head and walked over to the bed that held Tornac. The mob of people tore apart to let him through. When Murtagh reached the bed, he looked down at Tornac and smiled.

"How was your sleep?" he asked cheerfully. But Tornac didn't answer, and his cobalt eyes were still wide with fear.

"Eh?" Murtagh looked down at the shaking boy, confused. Titling his head to the side, Murtagh looked around at the servants surrounding him and Tornac. Then, he knowingly nodded after realizing why Tornac was so freaked out.

"Everyone…you have to leave. You're really scaring Tornac. He doesn't seem to like being around people, but I suppose that can be expected. To put it bluntly—get out." Murtagh smiled as the crowd gradually broke apart and left the guest room through various door: the kitchen door, the laundry room door, the dining room door, etc. As everyone left, Arisa stayed behind and leaned on the doorframe again. Looking over at her, Murtagh shook his head.

"You really like that spot, don't you?" Murtagh asked her.

Arisa grinned and shrugged. Murtagh looked down at Tornac. He was looking away.

"Is it alright if she stays?" he asked gently.

Again, Tornac remained quiet. Murtagh laughed and turned his focus to the blond maid in the doorway.

"Apparently not. Sorry Arisa, but it looks like Tornac doesn't want you here, either." Murtagh laughed, winking at Arisa.

Arisa shrugged. "Whatever…I guess I shall go somewhere where I am actually wanted. So goodbye forever!" Then she dramatically strode through the door into the kitchen. Murtagh laughed again before returning his attention to Tornac. His sapphire eyes were intent on Murtagh. Murtagh smiled at him.

"Will you talk now? I know you can, you spoke once before. So what's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" Suddenly, it dawned on Murtagh why Tornac was so mute. "Don't worry…Tornac, I said I wouldn't hurt you, remembered? So calm down, you're safe here. And I'll make sure you stay safe. Promise."

Tornac's face became somber. In a barely audible voice, he whispered, "…Thank you…"

Murtagh's smile broadened. To his delight, Tornac continued.

"And…thank you for…before. I thought that soldier was…was going to kill me…" Tornac turned his head to the side and rested it on the pillow.

Murtagh looked down at him. He seemed so fragile. "Heh, but I wouldn't let him." Then, looking around for a place to sit, he asked Tornac. "Hey, do you mind if I sit? I'm tired of standing, and I don't really feel like getting a chair. So can I?"

A pause settled between the two, making Murtagh feel extremely uncomfortable, before Tornac took a breath.

"…Lazy."

Murtagh stared at Tornac incredulously, before laughing.

"Yup!" he managed to say in-between his laughter. "That's me."

A very small smile spread itself across Tornac's face before the half-elf edged over slightly, giving Murtagh room to sit. Murtagh gladly took the seat and plopped himself onto the rim of Tornac's bed.

"Thanks a bunch!" Murtagh said in relief. Using his hands to smooth out the sheets around him, Murtagh looked down, away from Tornac. "Hey…"

"Um…yeah?"

"How did you get here?"

Tornac suddenly stiffened.

"What…?"

"I want to know about you! Your past and…how you got to Uru'baen."

There was more silence…then—

"I was…shipped here…by soldiers. The king's soldiers. Why do you ask? I mean, there are enough rumors going around to fill you in, aren't there? And…why would you…care?" Tornac eyed Murtagh suspiciously.

"Because! I don't believe the rumors. They obviously weren't right about half-elves, so why should I believe the rumors about you? And! Of course I care! I mean, well, if you're going to stay here, then I want to get to know you! You'll tell me…right?" Murtagh pleaded. Tornac looked up at him, then down again, trying to decide whether he was going to tell this new 'friend' anything or not.

"You can trust me…Tornac…" Murtagh leaned closer to the half-elf, begging.

Tornac tried to look away, but Murtagh had put his face right into his, so Tornac couldn't look anywhere else. He had to look up at Murtagh's 'puppy-dog-face'. So Tornac did the only thing possible. He closed his eyes and slowly nodded.

"…O-okay…"

A/N: Ta-dah! Tornac talks! (Wow…for some reason, 'Tornac talks' sounds like a kind of a breath-mint…O.o…weird…) Anyway! This chapter was pretty uneventful… Next chappy will explain Tornac's past. It'll be better! Murtagh's past will be explained some, too. Hope you like

Cookies for all who review! (And tell me, should I make Murtagh gay or not? I keep thinking I should, seeing as how I always thought he was gay, and all my friends say I should, too! But what do my reviewers think, hmm…?)