I do not own the Inheritance Cycle.
READ: this is not a chapter update but a side story. Some surrounding Selena, Brom, Morzan, Arya (maybe) Eragon different parts of Rose's life, so on and so forth. Some of these will effect the main story itself.
I had fun a lot writing this.
Oh, yes, Muirgheal is pronounced: "Mur-elle"
As always enjoy and tell me what you think.
Aiedail
Dark stains of crimson washed off her pallid hands and muddled into with the pale cobalt stream, in a swirling dance of red and blue. Selena watched, her eyes dark with emotion, as the colors swirled away in the current.
Death had, in the last couple of years, become a significant part her life. Killing was not an endeavor she took pleasure in, however it was necessary at this time. She had come to accept that when it came to her life or a stranger's the probability was that she would be the one to walk away, and this day happened to be no different.
Her most recent mission had come to an end and so this man's unwarranted death tainted her soul in diverse patches of black. Avoidable was his death, yes, however she did not regret killing his particular man for the man's own voracity was his own undoing. If she had not sent him into the Void the man would find himself there soon enough. His untimely termination only saved her time and anguish.
Selena scowled and stood up. She had a long way to go yet if she wished to reach her destination before night fall, and she could scarcely afford to squander the day away.
In a swift motion Selena wiped her sodden hands off her brown trousers, leaving behind dark trails. With a sudden haste she had not possessed before Selena walked past the remains of a bloodied man and to her mount, crunching dried grass beneath her leather swathed feet. She leapt onto the horse's sloped back and commanded it abrasively before the lightly colored creature bounded down the trail in a mad rush.
Selena lifted her head high, allowing the gale of tepid late summer wind to twist her hair behind her. She grinned widely and let out a loud barking laugh. If only her father could see her now! The old cobbler would be disappointed, of course, and he would be bond to chide her for her unruly behavior before attempting to put her in her place. Selena laughed again at that thought, she was not feeble child she was in Carvahall. No, Selena had grown immensely to the point that if any of Carvahall's villagers had the ill fortune to come across her now, they would hardly recognize the woman that stood before them. Selena entertained herself with this thought, as her mount hastened past the soaring crags of the Spine and into the sparse woodland that lay at its feet.
The stallion was surefooted and galloped with ease. Its lean muscles stretched under its hide saddle and its creamy coat was soon lathered with sweat as the day was heated and the sun gleamed maliciously from high above. The foliage was still lush and green, though specks of grassland were blistered brown and black with their thrust for precipitation. Birds shrilled their afternoon tidings high above, atop their wooded perches
.
Selena allowed her horse to rest more than twice from its strenuous pace. Once along the banks of an unnamed river, again in a lush green valley of waving grass and another time in the dusk of the evening, not far the twisting turrets of a dark fortress.
A curious mixture of dismay and pleasure coursed through her body leaving her more than discontent. Though Selena was fastened with hastiness to return to the castle that acted seldomly as her home, she frequently dreaded the impending encounter with its landlord. The man who took ownership of this citadel was more of a heartless monster than man. Morzan was once the objection of her affection now however, after years of suffering his malice, Selena detested the Rider and all he stood for. Selena strived to do whatever was within her power to overcome the enchantments that bond her to the monstrous Rider, and though she could overcome much of the binding shackles, Morzan held fast into the one object that Selena could not fight against.
Selena sighed angrily and leaned closer to the horse's thick, burly neck urging the creature forth.
It was in the early hours of the humid night, when Selena rounded the corner and crossed under the broad arch of the unbolted gate that lead to Morzan's castle. Immediately the saccharine aroma of jasmine and honey filled her senses and she visibly stiffened. Selena listened for the riotous breaths of the large claret monster that offend occupied the front gardens but when none were heard she sat back into the hard saddle. Her back was beginning to ache slightly from the consent pressure.
The horse clopped across the cobblestone bridge and the wild flowers below swayed in the breeze in greeting. Selena steered the tawny horse the small stone stables, waking a bewildered, beady-eyed stableboy from his slumber before bounding across a large garden and into the darkened castle keep.
The estate itself was older than time, with two rounded towers that dizzily soared into the starry heavens. In-between these adjacent towers stood a grand ache made of tanned stone. Twin gates made of festooned dark wood and metal loomed high above Selena's slim figure. The enchanted doors opened to their own accord permitting Selena into the shadowed antechamber.
Selena sprinted noiselessly down the domed halls and leap up a myriad amount of stairways, noticing little, if not nil, of the castle modest décor. She passed through fastened doorways, whispering curtly in the Ancient Language, before halting before a bowed wooden door. Selena stood panting until her heart slowed and only then did she put her hand on the polished door and push it open.
Before her stood Cordelia, a bird-like woman with a thin face and sinewy pale hair tied into an orderly bun, in her dressing gown looking rather shocked. Selena lifted her chin ignoring Cordelia's unseemly attire. The nursemaid bobbed her head, like a crow, and curtsied awkwardly.
"My lady," Cordelia shrilled, "you were not expected to be back thus swiftly."
Selena smiled lightly and said, "I am here. Step aside, Cordelia."
Cordelia nodded and stood straight, her knobby arms held behind her back. "My lady, I cannot permit you enter at this time," Selena narrowed her eyes and she saw a flash of fear cross the nursemaid's bony face. "At the very least heed my caveat, my lady. An ill-fated mishap has occurred in you absence."
Selena looked over the nursemaid's shoulder. "What is amiss, Cordelia?" The nursemaid only shifted her stance. Selena's eyes narrowed further. "Say quickly, I do not possess the patience tonight," she snapped.
Cordelia shank away slightly before saying a small rushed tone, "A fortnight ago, Master Morzan returned in quite an ire, he was in an ill state, my lady. Fortune frowned upon Little Mistress that night, as she ran across his path." Cordelia shook her head sadly. "In his ailing mind, as he was inebriated, he threw his sword at the girl. The blade cut clean into her flesh, it required more than a great Healer and much luck for her be kept from the Void. However, my lady, his blade left a rather unseemly scar across her back. I was away, my lady, there was little I could do." She said the last part defensively.
Selena hid her reaction and instead looked blankly into Cordelia's beady eyes.
"Is Morzan here?" Selena asked.
Cordelia shuffled, then said, "No, my lady, he had left unexpectedly in the early hours of last morn."
Selena nodded with relief, at the least she would not have to face the Rider for a time.
"Step aside, Cordelia," Selena repeated in an unemotional tone.
Cordelia gulped and ducked her head before hurrying past Selena. The door shut behind her and Selena rushed to the bedside.
The small painted nursery held little adornment, a plush rug in the middle of the wooden floor, a small chest for the child's simple toys, a large canopied bed; with a curtain made of white lace and ribbon, a large unveiled widow that allowed the moonbeams to polish the flooring, and single glass doll sat at the corner of the room atop an embroidered chair close to the roasting fire. Selena ignored these and made her way to the bed, she pushed away the delicate lace and sat upon the bed, looking down at the small sleeping figure who slept quietly.
Her daughter stirred as the bed dipped, her plump hands reached up from underneath the coverlet to her face where she rubbed her eyes. "Ca..del..ah?" She called out with a yawn.
Selena forced a smile and smoothed the child's silky hair away from her face. Selena leaned her head down and brushed her lips across the girl's forehead.
"Nay, little cricket," Selena murmured.
The child's eyes opened wide and she turned to the face her mother wincing at the movement. She blinked once in disbelief before her dark eyes widened and a wide grin spread across her small face. "Mamma?" the child asked.
"Yes, cricket," she said.
The girl's smile widened and she untangled herself from her blankets, crawling her way into her mother's lap. Selena embraced her child gently, and the child did likewise, resting her head against the child's slightly knotted hair. Selena rubbed the child's slim back, feeling a long twisting scar beneath her nightdress. Vehemence unlike anything she had felt before gripped a hold of Selena and she hissed out a breath startling the child she held.
They stayed like this for a long moment listening to each other's breathing. Soon the child began to tug on Selena's braids and the mother knew it was time to let her daughter go. Selena loosened her hold allowing the child to rest in her lap. The child leaned against her torso cradling a loosened braid in her hands and she began twisting the ends of the hair together. Selena watched in silent humor as the child's face twisted in frustration, suddenly she sighed and dropped the braid looking up at her mother's face worriedly.
"What's wrong?" Selena asked. The girl tilted her head to the side but did not answer. "Muirgheal?" Selena asked after a long moment.
"You hurt?" Muirgheal lifted her hand to Selena's forehead and lightly touched her temple.
"No, little cricket, I'm not injured."
Muirgheal nodded, pulling herself up onto her knees causing Selena to wince as the child's bony knees jabbed into her thighs. The child ran her petite hand over her mother's pinned hair before she yawned and leaned back looking perplexed.
"Who?" Muirgheal yawned.
Selena frowned, she was not going to answer that.
"It's time you go back to sleep, cricket," her daughter promptly began to protest but Selena cut her off. "I will be here when you wake."
The child nodded and crawled back under her coverlet too tired to argue any farther. Selena leaned down and kissed the girl's forehead as her eyes closed. The mother stayed until she was certain Muirgheal had found sleep once more then she left, closing the door softly behind her.
Selena rushed past the halls once more, eager to find fresh air to clear her mind. Eager to see the stars in the darkened heavens, and to smell the crisp night air that was bound to clear her mind.
.
She was in the gardens running her hands over the silken petals of a red rose when a grunt interrupted her musings.
"Don't be mutilating my hard work, lady," a gruff voice said.
Selena looked up and smiled softly. "I shalln't."
The man nodded his blue eyes gleaming in the moonlight. He step closer and said in a softer voice, "You are back early. Is something amiss?"
Selena shook her head. "Nay, Brom," she whispered. "I have missed you."
Brom grunted.
They stood for a short moment in silence, watchful for unwanted eyes.
"Come now, let us talk in private." Selena said.
The two of them walked past the garden of roses, lavender, and dianthus side-by-side with their hands brushing.
Brom looked no different than he had when she first met him, well over two years ago. In the guise of Donet the poor gardener, he had dark ruddy hair and a tanned complexion, a sharp disfigured face sheltered by a grizzly beard that went well past a stumped neck to the chest of a dumpy robust torso. In this way Brom walked with a slight limp on his left side.
"I healed Muirgheal the best I could without risking my exposure," Brom said after a long silence.
"I cannot thank you enough," Selena said at the ground. "It will be a scar that shall last all her life."
"Aye, it will." Brom said. The man looked up into the star filled heavens before heaving a sigh. Selena looked over at him slightly startled. Brom caught her eye and pointed to the east at the brightest star. "See that," he said softly, "the Elves call it Aiedail, the dawn star. Each night Aiedail shines brightly knowing that there will be a new dawn whether or not we will it."
Brom met her gaze and nodded.
Selena smiled slightly and grasped his hand her own and held fast, looking above at Aiedail. She was sure at the moment a new dawn would break and it would be better than the last. In this new age, Selena hoped, much would be able to heal the sins of their past.
