Murtagh walked down the halls of Urû'baen, wondering what he was being called for this time. He had returned from battle without Eragon, so he knew that Galbatorix would be furious. A few days had passed since then, and Murtagh had been forced to stay in his room to avoid more trouble. During that time, he thought of everyone he had left behind in the Varden.
He hated Galbatorix for doing this to him, and his master knew that well. He was separated from the two people he loved and forced against them. The first one could defend himself well. Murtagh was more worried about Nasuada then Eragon. Murtagh had loved Nasuada and he knew that she returned the affection. The two of them had been closer than anyone would have guessed.
He sighed as he opened the doors to Galbatorix's throne room. To his surprise, the master was grinning. When he felt Galbatorix break down his mind barriers and see what he was thinking, the grin on his face became a smile.
"You are not in trouble, Morzan's son," Galbatorix said, "This prisoner will take all of the punishment I would have otherwise inflicted on you." Murtagh noticed the cloaked figure in the corner. The person's brown, almond shaped eyes looked at him. The person was obviously afraid.
"You will have to watch," Galbatorix said. He looked at the figure and looked at its leg.
"Jierda!" he screamed. The figure screamed in pain as her leg broke. To Murtagh's horror, he knew she was a woman. Why was she chosen and what had possessed Galbatorix to do this? He never showed pity to anyone. He was a monster, but he decided to torture a prisoner instead of his servant.
"Jierda!" he cried again, breaking her other leg. Murtagh felt sick as he watched her other leg break. He had a feeling that this woman was someone he knew; someone important in politics. Murtagh needed to know.
"Stop!" he cried. He ran over to the girl and went to move back her hood. He was horrified to see the face he had dreaded to see again.
"Nasuada, why?" Murtagh whispered into Nasuada's ear.
"I care about you too much. I could not let you suffer more than you have, Argetlam," Nasuada smiled, "You need to live."
"Do you know what it feels like for me to watch another person I love be tortured by Galbatorix? I can't let this happen to you. I will heal your legs and set you free."
"No," Nasuada whispered, "I cannot. I would not be accepted anywhere else. I would not leave here without you." Murtagh shook his head mournfully.
"You have to go and live a life for me. I am trapped here, and it would kill me to see you in the grip of the man I must call my master." Nasuada laughed.
"Why would I leave when I have you here? The Varden will run well under Orrin and Eragon. Where else should I go?" Nasuada smiled. "I love you."
"Jierda," Galbatorix whispered, breaking her neck. For the first time since Tornac had died, he allowed his tears to flow freely as Galbatorix watched. If Murtagh had looked, he may have noticed the small tear dropping from Galbatorix's eye. Not even a madman is immune to emotion.
Author's Note: This is a shorter Murtagh/Nasuada tragedy, but I figured I needed a change from the whole Varden scenario. Why did Galbatorix kill her and cry? I have my own reasons, but you can decide for yourself. I'll tell you that he didn't have anything in his eye. Thank you to Nasuada, alsdssq, and xo-Midnightsun-ox for reviewing all three of my other Murtagh/Nasuada stories. If you are interested in them, they are called Emotion, Devotion, and Commotion. I would recommend reading them in that order. You asked for another, and lo and behold! It has come!