Hope you like this chapter, it's a bit sappy, but stay with me, it will get better soon!
Disclaimer: I did not create or own these characters!
Angela moved toward the table, almost tripping and dropping her supplies in the process. Roran suppressed a laugh as he neared the bed slowly.
"Murtagh, this is Roran, our cousin," Eragon said, gesturing to Roran as he sat on the opposite side of the bed from him.
"Er, hello… um, cousin," he said awkwardly, holding out his hand. Murtagh loosed his grip on Eragon's hand and took ahold of Roran's for a few seconds, gripping it firmly. "hello," he said, a bit unsure of the situation.
'Does he think me a traitor too?," he thought. 'He looks like Eragon.'
Eragon began to unbutton the top of Murtagh's tunic when he flinched and moved away.
"Murtagh, how are we going to heal you if half of your injuries are beneath your shirt and we are unable to remove it? Come on, it's just a shirt," Eragon continued to assist Murtagh in removing the tunic as he relaxed. "Can you try to sit up for a moment?" Murtagh attempted to sit up but lacked the strength, and the pain of moving was too much. "Here, let me help," and Eragon supported his brother's shoulders in one arm and removed the tunic with the other hand. Murtagh moaned before he could repress it, and Eragon gasped. His entire torso was covered in bruises, most likely from being kicked or punched. His back, however, was ripped open by a whip, and red lashes scored it from his shoulders to his lower back. They were very recent wounds, Eragon could tell because all of them were still open and oozing.
Murtagh looked away, as if ashamed of his predicament, like in the dungeon where Eragon found him.
"Hey, none of this is your fault, alright? We can fix all of this," Eragon soothed, nudging Murtagh's shoulder very lightly, in the least bruised spot. Murtagh looked up, shrugging as if trying to not show his embarrassment, but his face turning red all the same. "I'm sorry," he said quietly.
"Don't be sorry," Roran chimed in. "We're glad you're here."
"Weise heil," Eragon said as he went over Murtagh's chest and stomach, the bruises disappearing. "You'll be sore for a while, trust me, but the worst of it, I can take care of."
They helped Murtagh roll onto his stomach to take care of the lashes on his back. Angela said, "We will have to clean them out first, before we heal them so there is no infection." She took the bowl of water and poured something from a bottle into it. "Hold on, this will sting."
She placed a rag on one of his lashes and began to rub lightly. Murtagh felt as if he was on fire! It burned almost unbearably. How he wanted to scream! He tried with all his strength to remain silent, but let out a yelp accidentally. Eragon moved toward his head, to allow Angela to continue to clean the wounds. Murtagh's eyes were clenched shut once again, now trying to repress what Eragon was sure of were tears. He had never seen his brother cry before, and felt truly sorry for him, after what he had been through, and how he was still trying to remain calm and brave.
He gasped again, not being able to help it, and began to silently cry against his pillow, utterly defeated. Eragon sat down next to the bed, his face close to Murtagh's, and began to talk to him. "Hey, it's going to be okay, don't you worry. I know, it hurts, huh? Angela made me use it after the battle for some of my cuts." He could tell Murtagh was trying to listen, but his body was still shaking as he cried. "It's alright to cry, you know, after what you've been through. I would be concerned if you didn't," Eragon could see this didn't help. He had always known Murtagh as one who rarely showed his feelings to this extent. So he began to quietly stroke his hair, moving it out of his face, and letting him know he was there. "Shh, shh, you're okay, just breathe, remember?" after a little while, his sobs began to cease, although he still shivered. Eragon used magic to close the wounds after they were clean, and healed his face, arms, and legs as well. He helped him sit up, allowing him to lean against him for support.
"Roran, could you get me a few blankets please?" Eragon asked him. Roran consented and returned with two blankets. The two helped wrap them around Murtagh, who was still on the bed.
"I want you to look after him," Angela said. "Give him this for his fever tomorrow, and he may eat, but only light foods when he feels better. I would prefer to have him stay here, but I guess it is better if he is with his family and his dragon." She handed Roran some teabags, which he assumed were for the fever, and walked out of the room, hearing Murtagh utter a small "thank you" as she left.
Eragon and Roran got Murtagh to their tree and carried him upstairs. He was protesting a bit more, due to the fact that he felt it undignified to be carried, although Eragon laughed and ignored him.
They got to the main bedroom and laid him down on the large bed.
Well, it's about time you were back. A deep voice rumbled.
"Thorn?" Murtagh asked with surprise. Thorn walked in from the ledge in the tree house and came over to his Rider. "Thorn!" Murtagh cried, and hugged his neck. "I missed you."
And I you, but you have to sleep now, foolish boy.
"Will you stay?"Murtagh asked.
Where else will I go, may I ask? Answered Thorn.
"Good night Thorn." I love you.
And I you, Rider.
Thorn settled down in the area made for the dragons, while Saphira slept on the outer ledge. Roran had a cot brought for him and he lay down as well. "Good night," he said.
"Good night," answered Eragon and Murtagh.
Eragon settled down next to Murtagh. Murtagh looked at him for a moment and then gave him a hug. Eragon was surprised at first, but then returned the embrace. Murtagh seemed to hold onto him for dear life, as if he would go away if he let go.
"Feel better?" Eragon whispered, stroking his brother's hair.
Murtagh nodded against his shirt, not letting go. He mumbled something that Eragon couldn't understand. "Come again?" he asked.
Murtagh pulled back and said again, "Thank you so much."
Eragon hugged him again, saying, "What are brothers for?"
The two then fell fast asleep.
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