"Lorena?" Lorena looked away from the interweaving veins on the ceiling to see Murtagh spying on her.
"Yes?"
"I think it might be time to tell Galbatorix what we know." Lorena pulled against the restraints to get a better view of Murtagh, to look at his face and see if this was some kind of joke. She was met with hard grey eyes.
"What? How can you even think that, after everything he's done to us."
"Exactly! They're branding us with hot irons, they flayed you earlier. You don't think it's only going to get worse from here? Unless we tell that bastard what he wants the tortures are going to get more extravagant and more painful."
They stared into each other's eyes until Lorena felt hers begin to water, she look up at the ceiling and blinked away the wetness. "You're right. You are right, I agree with you," she turned to look back at him, "but what's going to happen if we do tell him? It's not like he's going to let us go our own way, it's not like this is going to have a happy ending. So what are we going to be trading this torture for?
"He's made it clear he would like you to become a Rider, and Riders are immortal. You'll be forced to swear fealty to him, so you'll become his slave for the rest of eternity. But what if an egg doesn't hatch for you, then you'll become a not as powerful servant who's been forced to swear fealty to him. Then there's me, I'd probably be held in a cell to be used as a tool to force you to behave, or I'd just be killed. None of those alternatives sound that great."
Anger swelled behind the force of Murtagh's words. "We don't know what Galbatorix's plan is, and besides, if we tell him what we know he may look on us with favour. In case you don't remember you insulted him earlier, and he didn't take it well. I can see the blood in your hair and along your arm. Well," Murtagh looked toward the ceiling, "I wasn't very polite when he took me to see the dragon eggs either. I think if we can get his favour it would improve our chances of surviving."
"Murtagh... Murtagh, please," Lorena voice trembled with emotion, "if we tell him then this has all been for naught. All the torture, all the fighting, for naught. You're the one who said 'Remember, we tell them nothing. We don't give into the bastard.' Don't forget that, we tell them nothing."
Murtagh sighed exhaustedly, "We tell them nothing."
The bolt scraped and the door flung open with a loud bang. Lorena jerked from her sleep and looked over as the King swept down the stairs. He stopped next to Murtagh and looked down at him with a hard face, before the corners of his mouth turn up in a smirk. "Is it true?"
Confused Lorena looked from Galbatorix to Murtagh, unsure of what the King was talking about. Murtagh nodded. "It is true. I will tell you everything you want to know."
"No!" Lorena screamed as she attempted to pull herself upright. "Murtagh, we agreed!"
Murtagh turned and looked at her with dull grey eyes, "It's the only way," he turned back to the King, "my barriers are lowered."
Galbatorix placed a hand on Murtagh's brow and lifted his face skyward. Murtagh lay still, his eyes moving under the lids as if in a dream. They stayed that way for over an hour, Lorena watched in earnest chewing her bottom lip. Eventually Galbatorix retracted his hand, he looked down with a small smile at Murtagh as he sighed and opened his eyes. The affection in Galbatorix features disturbed her.
"Thank you," the King said as he began to remove the restraints, "you are now free to leave this cell, and enter my service like you were born to."
Murtagh slowly sat up and swung his legs over the side of the stone slab. Lorena watched him as he stood and made his way over to her stone. He leaned over her, his face hovering centimetres away from her own before he caressed her cheek with his thumb. "Lorena, please. It's the only way."
She felt her eyes begin to tear up, before she managed to gasp, "We agreed."
Murtagh shook his head sadly, "It's the only way." He closed his eyes and his lips met hers. The kiss was brief, feeling more like a judges sentence than a lover. Lorena trembled as he pulled away, then moved sideways to allow the King to stand over her.
"Lower the barriers around your mind, my Lady." Lorena looked desperately from the King to Murtagh, "It won't hurt, I promise."
The King placed his hand gently on her forehead, but it felt more like a cold claw grasping hold of her. She flinched and cried out, "Wait! I... I need to know it's really you, and not some trick. Murtagh, please. You wouldn't have, I know you wouldn't have."
Galbatorix looked down sympathetically, "He would, and he did. It was the smart thing to do. You're an intelligent young woman, you should understand that."
"No! It's a trick, it's not real! I know it isn't, I know it isn't." Lorena breathed deeply, to quiet her hysterics. "Murtagh, just tell me. In Farthen Dûr, on the third day, what did we do?"
Murtagh looked down at her with a quizzical expression, "It was so long ago, being in that cell I was unsure of the days. They seem to meld together in my mind."
"Okay, then tell me. When I first came to visit you what did we talk about? What did we do? That was the longest amount of time we've been separated since we first met. You have to remember, if it really is you, you would remember."
Murtagh turned to the King who nodded and stepped away, Murtagh leaned over her and smiled. "We talked about the Beor Mountains, Du Weldenvarden, and Surda."
"Galbatorix already knows that we talked about that often, good guess."
He shook his head, "Why don't you trust me? It's me!"
"No it's not, you still haven't proved it yet. We talked about our future, you told me what you wanted for us in the future."
"I said I wanted to marry you," Murtagh smiled and stroked her face, "because I love you."
"No you didn't," Lorena sneered back, "you're not Murtagh, and you don't know what we did or what we said! You're an imposter trying to trick me! You failed, you couldn't even trick a child, you fail-"
The table suddenly gave way from under her. She hit the ground hard before looking up and seeing blue sky. Murtagh and Galbatorix were both gone, she sat in the middle of an empty field filled with white and orange flowers. She noticed she was wearing a thin brown dress, instead of her bloodied shirt and trousers, which fell to her ankles.
Sounds of water reached her ears and she turned to see the Az Ragni flowing past a few meters away. She looked to her left and spotted a familiar wooden house, with a man chopping wood out the front. He looked young—in his mid twenties—with muscled tan skin and dark brown hair that fell in front of his face. When he twisted to grab a new piece of wood his back came into view, and a white knotted scar that stretched from his right shoulder to his left hip.
"Murtagh!" Lorena called. Murtagh turned from the wood, his eyes squinted from the sun, and waved before again swinging his axe. Lorena sat in the field, enjoying the feel of the sun and the cool breeze while watching him work. Eventually curiosity got the better of her, and she pushed herself off the ground and made her way over. As she walked up beside him Murtagh dropped axe and grabbed her firmly about the waist, then pulled her into a deep kiss.
At first Lorena was tempted to pull away, but the familiar hot sun, the sound of the water, the scent of the flowers, and the feel of the man she loved seemed far too wonderful to question. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he lifted her into the air, squeezing so tight she almost couldn't breathe. When her feet touched the ground again she broke the kiss and nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck, breathing in his scent. Murtagh pressed his face gently against her and rubbed his hands affectionately up and down her back.
A distant shout caught Murtaghs attention, Lorena grumbled and held her grip as he turned away from the house. He raised his hand and waved enthusiastically at whoever had shouted before wrapping his arms around Lorena again. He kissed her atop the head, "Lorena, the children are back."
"Children?" she mumbled into his neck.
"Yes, our children," Murtagh's chest vibrated as he laughed, "they're back. They'll be expecting supper, did you want to go get them something while I finish up out here."
"Children?" she mumbled again as he began to pull away. A sudden impact against her thigh, and arms wrapping around her legs made her scream. Quickly she looked down to see a young boy—no older than five—hugging her legs, looking up at her while laughing hysterically.
Lorena gaped at the little boy, who instantly reminded her of Murtagh, except with chubby cheeks. She pried his hands from around her legs and knelt in front of him, planning to inspect him, but the boy instead wrapped his arms and legs around her in a tight hug. She then noticed a second boy, a few years younger, running over to them puffing with a red face. When he noticed Lorena his face lightened up, melting her heart. He looked like Murtagh, but she noticed a faint tinge of red to his hair, and his eyes were hazel rather than grey. The boy ignored his brother and wrapped his arms around Lorena as well, planting sloppy wet kisses along her cheek.
Lorena squealed at the feel of the saliva but squeezed the boy back anyway. When the kisses didn't stop she grabbed the child's head and repeatedly kissed his face until he pushed himself away laughing.
"Stop! I'm hungry!" cried the youngest boy, as he wiped his face on his shirt.
"Okay, come on." Lorena stood, and almost lost her balance as the older child squeezed tighter, hanging on for dear life. "Oh my Gods." She cried as she found her footing and was dragged inside by the younger child. She could hear Murtagh laughing behind her.
The inside of the house was filled with natural light but the air was considerably cooler. Lorena gasped at the place, it reminded her of the house she grew up in. At first she thought it was her childhood home, but then she realised the layout of the room was slightly different and the furniture was all new.
She was dragged to the table in the middle of the room before the young boy let go of her hand and sat, looking at her expectantly. Lorena unhooked the older child's legs from around her and attempted to place him in a seat but he would not let go. She reached up and tickled his underarms, the child screamed with laughter but his grip only tightened. Quickly realising her error Lorena instead leaned over the table so his back was against the smooth wood. Using her body she pinned him and pulled his arms from around her neck, holding them in one hand she pulled his shirt up with another and planted a loud raspberry on his stomach.
His legs loosened as his body wriggled and she pushed herself away, finally free of his tight grip. The child sat up as he continued to laugh, tears seeping from the corners of his eyes. Lorena moved to the far wall of the room atop a cupboard she found a warm loaf of fresh bread, opening a cupboard she found plates and jars of honey. She removed four plates and a jar, and carried everything over to the table. She placed a plate in front of each child, and they craned their necks to watch her tear the loaf.
"When I was a little girl, I loved when my mother would make this. It was a special treat." She placed a piece of bread in front of each boy then used a spoon to drizzle honey on top.
"You say that every time." Lorena looked up to see Murtagh walk through the front door, he pulled his shirt on then grinned at her.
"Murtagh, I need to talk to you." Murtagh's expression turned quizzical before a cry tore his attention away. Lorena followed his gaze to see a crumple of sheets on top of a table in the corner of the room. She scanned the surface looking for the source, then saw a pair of small chubby hands reach upwards toward Murtagh. He leant over and gently picked up a baby, a year or so old. Murtagh cradled the child against his chest and slowly bounced up and down as it continued to cry.
"Your gums hurt, don't they, Beautiful?" Murtagh asked as he carried the baby over to the table. Lorena watched in awe as he dipped a finger into the honey jar and rubbed the thick substance along her fleshy gums. The crying stopped and the baby worked her jaw up and down, her tongue poked out and dribble crawled down her chin. Murtagh looked over to Lorena and noticing her expression held the baby out, "Would you like to hold her."
Her mouth still agape Lorena took the baby girl and cradled her to her chest. Lorena smiled as the baby looked up at her with large grey eyes.
"Look at the mess you've made." Murtagh exclaimed as he grabbed her right hand. Lorena looked up to see him examining her sticky fingers before he popped one into his mouth. She laughed as the odd sensation, and felt her chest tighten when he looked deep into her eyes. She felt a profound intimacy as his tongue caressed her finger pad, when he flicked his tongue under the finger nail she couldn't help but shudder.
"Oops." One of the boys exclaimed before they heard the honey jar fall over on the table. Lorena stepped toward the table to grab the jar before all the contents poured out but Murtagh got there first. He righted the jar, then with a piece of bread mopped up most of the spilled honey.
"Here you go," he said as he handed the bread to the youngest boy, he inspected the honey with a scrunched nose, "a little dirt isn't going to kill you. Eat it Jordane."
"Jordane?" Lorena questioned, "Like my brother?"
Murtagh smiled grimly. "Yes. Tornac, Jordane, and Selena, you name your children after the dead and their spirit lives on, or something like that."
"Oh." Lorena looked down at Selena and smiled to herself. "My Selena."
Murtagh looked out the window, "It's getting pretty dark. I'm going to go get some wood and start the fire." Murtagh walked out the front door, leaving Lorena standing in the middle of the room with three children she didn't know. She reached down and ran a hand through Tornac's hair.
Murtagh walked back inside with an arm full of wood, he tossed it inside the fireplace and began working on lighting it. Lorena sat as she watched him. She reached over for a piece of honeyed bread and took a generous bite, she grinned when she saw Jordane watching her, "As good as I remember it," and finished off her piece.
"Alright boys, I think it's time for bed." Murtagh announced, watching the fire place. Tornac and Jordane both cried out in protest, but were silenced with an upraised hand. "It's getting late, and you're mother and I want to talk."
The boys grumbled as they pushed themselves away from the table and headed into one of the back rooms. Lorena watched them go, then went to go after them. "I'm just going to go say goodnight."
"Let them get dressed first." Murtagh turned and smiled at her, "Then we'll go in together."
Lorena nodded, and got to work cleaning up the remains of dinner. She was surprised at how efficient she was even when a baby held in one arm. By the time she was finished she could hear the boys calling out.
Murtagh took Selena off of her and they headed into the room together. The room had three beds, pushed close together in an attempt to allow them to all fit. Both boys sat next to each other and stared at the pair expectantly. Murtagh lay on an empty bed and placed Selena on his chest, who reached out and grabbed his nose.
Lorena made her way to the boys and held her arms out for a hug, but the two looked at her with irritated expressions. "Story first."
"A story? I don't know... how about a poem?" Jordane looked questionable but Tornac nodded his head enthusiastically. Lorena climbed between them on the bed and rested her back against the wall, she held her arms up and the boys cuddled in.
"There's a very funny insect that you do not often spy,
And it isn't quite a spider, and it isn't quite a fly;
It is something like a beetle, and a little like a bee,
But nothing like a woolly grub that climbs upon a tree.
Its name is quite a hard one, but you'll learn it soon, I hope.
So try:
Tri-
Tri-anti-wonti-
Triantiwontigongolope.
It lives on weeds and wattle-gum, and has a funny face;
Its appetite is hearty, and its manners a disgrace.
When first you come upon it, it will give you quite a scare,
But when you look for it again, you find it isn't there.
And unless you call it softly it will stay away and mope.
So try:
Tri-
Tri-anti-wonti-
Triantiwontigongolope.
It trembles if you tickle it or tread upon its toes;
It is not an early riser, but it has a snubbish nose.
If you snear at it, or scold it, it will scuttle off in shame,
But it purrs and purrs quite proudly if you call it by its name,
And offer it some sandwiches of sealing-wax and soap.
So try:
Tri-
Tri-anti-wonti-
Triantiwontigongolope .
But of course you haven't seen it; and I truthfully confess
That I haven't seen it either, and I don't know its address.
For there isn't such an insect, though there really might have been
If the trees and grass were purple, and the sky was bottle green.
It's just a little joke of mine, which you'll forgive, I hope.
Oh, try!
Tri-
Tri-anti-wonti-
Triantiwontigongolope."
When she finished the boys howled with laughter, and Tornac mumbled about how that poem was his favourite. Lorena pushed herself up off the bed and Jordane scrambled off it to his instead. She bent down and gave Tornac a kiss and cuddle before moving onto Jordane, then Selena, who lay swaddled in blankets with others pilled high like walls around her. She stood and watched Murtagh say goodnight, then he wrapped his arm around her and they walked out together. As Murtagh closed the door Lorena could hear Jordane muttering Triantiwontigongolope.
Murtagh lead her over to the fireplace, where they sat and watching the flames. Lorena nuzzled her face into his neck and he squeezed her tight. "You've forgotten again haven't you."
The question sounded more like a statement, Lorena noted that Murtagh's voice was filled with sorrow despite his efforts to cover it up.
"I must have. One minute we're strapped to stone slabs in Urû'baen, the next I'm here with three children whom I don't even know."
"You're a natural mother. Those children didn't even notice anything was wrong. Even I probably wouldn't have been able to tell if you didn't ask about their names." Lorena smiled when she heard the pride in his voice. "I'm guessing you want to know what happened, from then to now."
Lorena listened to the logs crackle, "I do, but not right now. If this is true, or if this is a trick I don't care at the moment, I just want to enjoy it."
A hand entered her field of vision and lifted her face to his. Their lips met gently at first, then grew more ferocious. Lorena allowed her hands to roam, and Murtagh pulled her on top of him. "Wait," Lorena said between kisses, "Wait. Murtagh, are you happy? Are you happy with our lives right now?"
Murtagh smiled tenderly, and rubbed a hand over her stomach. "I'm very happy, but I could be happier."
Lorena grinned at him, "Four sounds good, I'm happy with four."
"No, we agreed on six."
