This will be slightly out of character for Murtagh, sorry. I also change his personality rather quickly, but I just wanted to show how swiftly Galbatorix changed his view.

Lady N

As she walked towards the throne room, Via took notice of the temperature rising. Of course it would, Galbatorix's dragon was never far from its rider. She stepped through the doorway and curtsied before the king. He nodded, acknowledging her and asked about her well being. She motioned that it was well and he smiled. A cruel smile, Via noticed and thanked the gods for her long sleeves or else the chills that appeared upon her arm would be visible. She glanced around the room discreetly and her green eyes quickly took in that nobody was in the room other than the king, his dragon, and herself. She started to get worried. Had he decided it was time to kill her? She was ready to protect herself, of course but there was only so much she could do. She couldn't reach her knives, they were strapped to her legs, as she hadn't suspected she would need them today so they weren't in their normal places on her arms, and there was not much she could do without the element of surprise anyway.

"Well, Via," Galbatorix started in his cold, cruel drawl. He looked as if he was fifty and spoke with the voice of a young man; it scared Via just to hear her name from his mouth. "You have become a lovely young woman and I have decided that it is time for you to marry." Via felt her jaw drop-this was not supposed to happen! She would prefer being discovered than being forced to marry. She was silent, as always, but raised an eyebrow in question and so the dark rider continued. "Murtagh has returned," he said, as if out of the blue. Via smiled softly and glanced over her shoulder, asking where he was. She had been speaking this way for years and by now, her actions truly did speak louder than words. The king motioned with his hand and Murtagh stepped out of the shadows and bowed to Via who, in response, curtsied back and smiled in greeting. "You two will wed in a week," the king said. A look of surprise emanated from Via's face; she could most definitely not marry Murtagh. She glanced towards Murtagh and wondered if he too was surprised; his expression had not changed. She surreptitiously looked him over and frowned when she saw that his hands were gloved entirely. Usually he just wore a arm covering on his arm where the string of his arrow would strike him.

"You will wed in a week's time," the king continued. "On the day when we shall celebrate Murtagh's elevation to the status of a novice rider." Via's eyes opened wide as she looked at Murtagh, whose hand clenched into a fist. She reached out her hand towards his and although he hesitated, he pulled his glove from his hand and laid his hand in hers with the Gedwey Ignasia lighting up her face. He pulled it back after a moment and then spoke, "everything has been well?" She nodded, puzzled as to why everything wouldn't be well. And then she realized something- how long had he been here to become the latest dragon rider and have his Gedwey Ignasia shine so? That was not the Gedwey Ignasia of someone who had just been branded- Orrin had shown her the blue dragon's riders Gedwey Ignasia and that had been as shiny as Murtagh's, as powerful.

Via continued to look between the mark and Murtagh's face and Murtagh turned to the king. "Would it be all right if I spent sometime with my betrothed?" he asked, taking Via's hand in his, stunning her. She had not truly agreed to this, but what else could she do? The king nodded and Murtagh bowed then led Via out of the throne room and down several halls until they stood outside her room's door. She opened it and walked over to the bed, sat down and then picked up the parchment and quill from the stand beside her bed. And then she began to write. 'How long have you been back?'

Murtagh sighed, still standing. "A long time," he said looking at his best friend.

'Did you have anything to do with this engagement?' the quill scratched against the parchment quickly and her letters were hardly legible, betraying Via's emotions. Murtagh shook his head before speaking, "the king decided you and I should wed because… Because I wouldn't hear any arguments from you about being a rider." He watched as she turned bright red and he made to speak, she was sure he would try to apologize, but she raised a hand and stopped him. 'A rider?'

Murtagh felt his throat contract, stifling his breathing. It should have been her first question. How had he, the son who hated his father Morzan the rider, become what he hated the most- a rider for Galbatorix. Via had been Murtagh's confidant when he had realized that Galbatorix had stopped proving her mind and as such, she was most likely the most suitable woman for him to wed because she would never turn her back on him since she knew how he truly felt. But a small part of his mind told him that her view on him would change. But then again, he didn't really know her view on the riders. She had never written a long enough explanation for him and she could not tell him.

Via waited for him to speak, curious as to why he hesitated. It's just me, she couldn't help but think, irritated. Murtagh rarely talked of his true feelings but he always spoke passionately to Via about the riders and how he wish they had never been. How could he have become what he hated most? There must be some choice involved. He could have chosen not to accept a dragon's egg.

Murtagh finally broke the silence and muttered something under his breath and his hand shone brighter than ever. Via felt the magic roll through the room and quickly recognized a silencing spell. Whatever was said in that room could not be heard anywhere else. Only then did Murtagh finally speak. "I was captured from within the Varden," he said curtly and Via's eyes widened. This was a day full of surprises; Murtagh hated the Varden almost as much as the Riders. "I was helping the new rider, Eragon, when I was taken hostage by Urgals and brought back to the king. He forced me to touch one of his eggs and it hatched for me. A red dragon hatched from it and marked me. This was over five months ago."

Via gasped at his last statement. The rest had been surprising, a new rider! But this surprised, and hurt, her more than anything else. He had been here this long and hadn't tried to see her? She was sure the hurt shone through her eyes and so she looked down at her hands, mentally begging Murtagh to continue and he did.

"You know I never wanted to be a Rider, not after my father," Via nodded in response to his statement. "I refused Galbatorix for this and many other reasons. I had befriended the new rider, Eragon, for one. Another was that he was, is, I guess, my brother. I told him he would have to kill me before I did anything for him on the back of a dragon. And in a way he did. He threatened me. And you, knowing that we were friends." Understanding of his earlier question finally dawned upon Via. "Even so, I couldn't relent- it went against everything I am, I'm sorry. It didn't come down to that, though, it didn't have to. He found out mine and my dragon's true names." Via looked up suddenly. This couldn't happen. "He forced Thorn, my dragon, and I to pledge allegiance to him in the Elvin language. And then he taught me everything he knew. And his vision! It is a great one, Via!"

Via recoiled from Murtagh and shook her head, looking at him in horror. What has he forced you to believe, my friend? You are becoming your father! If only she could tell him these things! Murtagh seemed not to notice and continued. "I rode Thorn into battle yesterday and regained Zar'roc. Galbatorix decided it is time for me to wed, so that my children too can become the new riders of his vision. I am sorry he picked you as I'm sure you would not have chosen this, but it is not the worst match, is it?" He finally looked at her now but the horror on her face must have died down since he said nothing.

Perhaps I can influence him. I can reveal myself to him now…No, I promised Orrin that I would not let anyone know who I am unless all hope is lost. And there is still the other egg. Via knew there was nothing else to do and so she nodded her head. Murtagh smiled, a smile not dissimilar from that of Galbatorix's and made to leave the room but stopped at the doorway. "It'll be for the best, don't worry." Via tried to smile and Murtagh left the room.

And she felt the chills return to her arm as she sat on her bed.

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Lady N