Disclaimer: I do not own any familiar characters featured in this story. They all belong to the creative Christopher Paolini.

In the Depths of Misery
By: Silver pup
Part Four

Murtagh found himself falling asleep on and off all night. Whenever he woke up he tried to stay awake, but in the end he would slowly drift back to sleep. But no matter if he was awake or sleeping, Murtagh did not once let go of Eragon; he held onto the younger boy as tightly as when he first caught him, and didn't move from where he sat with his little brother in his lap, leaning against his chest.

Every time he was awake, Murtagh checked to make sure Eragon was still breathing every two minutes. He was afraid that when he looked down his brother would be silent and still, which would mean that he had indeed killed him, something that terrified him. It was also the reason he refused to let go of the young rebel, paranoid that he would disappear or something would attack him and the Rider would be to slow too save him.

But Eragon didn't stop breathing or disappear, and in fact looked quite peaceful in his sleep. While sitting in someone's lap wasn't the most pleasant position, it was hell of a lot more comfortable than the stones he had slept on earlier. Eragon was also not cold anymore thanks to the cloak he still had wrapped around him, and Murtagh was also warm; subconsciously the younger Rider leaned in closer to his brother for the warmth and the strange protected feeling that came with having someone hold you. But sadly, Murtagh didn't realize that Eragon was sleeping peacefully, and Eragon didn't know that it was Murtagh who had his arms around him.

Until dawn finally arrived and then everything went to Hell.

Eragon heard the sound of early morning birds and smiled peacefully. It was nice way to be awakened, but he was still tired and extremely comfortable, and the pleasant heartbeat ringing in his ears was strangely soothing…

A heartbeat? Wait a minute…

His eyes snapped open and he found himself blinking at dark, soft material that covered half of the tanned neck of his brother. For a moment, he stared and wondered how the hell he ended up there until the memories came rushing back to him.

Eragon was usually the type who on impulse, so it was surprise that he ended up pushing himself out of Murtagh's arms while trying to stand up at the same time. But what he failed to remember was his wounded ankle and ended up falling back to the ground with a yelp.

Murtagh was also startled awake, and for a moment stared at Eragon in bewilderment before realizing his brother was breathing rather harshly.

"Eragon? What are you doing? Are you all right?" Murtagh asked as he leaned over to distraught rebel.

"Stay away from me," Eragon hissed as he tried to back away.

The older male froze. "Eragon, please listen to me about last night, it was-"

"Shut up! I don't care about your excuses and don't even try to apologize! You said you wouldn't hurt me but you did! So for that I'm leaving by myself, and you can find your own way out of this blasted forest!" the distraught boy yelled as he struggled to stand up.

"Eragon don't be a fool! You're injured still and can barely walk! Stay here, please. I promise I won't lose my temper again," Murtagh tried to reason as he reached out for his brother's arm.

Eragon just jerked away. "NO! Just leave me alone!"

With shaky legs the teen stood up and stumbled out of the cave. Murtagh stood and followed him, saying, "Eragon, please, you need to rest. There is just no way you can survive alone with your injuries. Let me help you!"

"So you can attempt to choke me again? I don't think so, I want to live to see my twentieth birthday, thank you very much!" Eragon snapped back and began walking faster.

"How many times do I have to say I'm not going to hurt you? Last night was an accident! I swear! Now stop being so stubborn and come back!"

"Never!" Eragon yelled looking over his shoulder to glare at the Rider following him.

"Damnit, Eragon why do have to be so dense all the time? I swear you're like a freaking little kid right now!"

"I am not! I'm very mature and I am so not childish!"

"Then why the hell are you whining?"

"I'm not frickin' whining!"

"Hmp. I see denial is now your new best friend, huh?"

"Shut up!" the youngest son of Selena yelled as he stopped and turned around. His face was turning pink and he was breathing harshly. He didn't want to admit it, but Murtagh was right. His ankle was throbbing and his legs were beginning to tremble from exhaustion. He had a feeling he was going to collapse soon, but he wouldn't let Murtagh know that.

"Eragon, come back with me, please. I can tell you're going to faint soon!"

But too bad he already did.

Eragon shook his head viciously. "No way, Murtagh! I told you once already that I'm not going with you!"

"You are such a moron!" Murtagh yelled as he glared back at his brother. "You're about to collapse and you still refuse help! What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing!" Eragon yelled before tackling the surprised young man as his temper snapped. Murtagh caught the younger boy but he couldn't hold all the weight, and ended up staggering back before falling into mud that was at least five inches deep.

"What the hell?!" he yelled as he pushed Eragon off of him and stood up. "This is disgusting! Damnit, Eragon look what your stupidity landed us in!"

Eragon didn't answer but simply knocked his feet out from under him. Murtagh fell onto his back and soon found Eragon straddling him and attempting to punch him. The older male instantly blocked the oncoming fists. When he finally saw an opening, he grabbed Eragon's left wrist and then the right one, and then used his strength and weight to push the other boy off of him.

Eragon tumbled back and stood still for a moment, dazed, before snapping back to attention. As Murtagh stood up, he found himself being punched in the jaw. He stumbled back and touched the mark gently before turning his attention back to his brother with a dark look. It was on now, and his little brother was about to get his ass beaten.

Punches were thrown and kicks were felt as the two grappled in the mud. As the fight continued, Eragon forgot about his injuries and Murtagh forgot about his distress, and both simply concentrated on kicking the crap out of each other.

And insulting one another.

"You are the worst older brother in the world!" Eragon snarled as he ducked from a high kick.

"How would you know? I'm the only older brother you got, and we barely know each other!" Murtagh snapped as he dodged a fist.

"Because it's obvious, dumbass! Who the hell tries to kill their little brother after taking care of him?" Eragon answered as he sidestepped an elbow.

"That was just an accident! How many times to I have to tell you that before you realize I just lost my temper with you?" Murtagh said as he pivoted around and kicked the other in the stomach.

Eragon stumbled back and wiped some mud off his face. "Because it's not that simple fool. You don't just try to kill your brother and then the next morning say, 'I'm sorry about last night, here have a cookie and forgive me'. It just doesn't work like that!"

"Well then, tell me how it does work so I can get your forgiveness!"

"Forget it already because you're not getting it!"

"Why not?"

"Because you don't deserve it! You don't even care about me or that I'm your little brother! Damnit, Murtagh you're supposed to feel something for me other than contempt!"

"That's not true damnit!"

"Then prove it! Say you care about me, about Thorn, anything to prove you're not a heartless bastard!"

"I can't!"

"Because you don't feel like that do you?"

"No! I do… I think. It's complicated alright!"

"What's so complicated about it? It's not like I'm asking you to take over the world. I'm just asking you to say three simple words."

As Eragon finished his sentence he backhanded the other hard enough that it sent Murtagh onto his back. To Eragon's surprise and confusion, the older man just stayed down and didn't bother to get up. He just lay there gasping for air and covered his eyes from the sunlight. Eragon had to admit that he was on the verge of fainting himself, and didn't doubt that he was going to collapse soon.

"You can't say it because you don't care about anyone but yourself," Eragon said viciously before kicking the other in the ribs and falling to the ground. The last thing he heard before darkness took him was, "That's not true. I do care… I do."