Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Taya fell to the ground next to Murtragh's crippled body, tears streaming freely off her cheeks. She covered a large gash on his arm with her hand. His scarlet blood covered her hand, and he was still as a rock.
"Please don't die," she whispered to him, forgetting everyone else. "Please don't die."
She felt a warm hand on her shoulder. She looked up and found Eragon's deep brown eyes looking down. A large tear formed and dropped onto the ground, landing on Murtagh's arm.
"C-can you cure him?" Taya whispered. The thought of somebody so important to the freedom of Alagaesia dying at her feet was to much for her.
Eragon shook his head. He dropped down on his knees next to Taya, resting his hand on Murtagh's forehead.
"The wounds are too big, and I'm too tired," he whispered. He took some cloth and began to wrap it around Murtagh's wounds to stem the bleeding.
"There has to be somewhere we can go!" Taya cried. "There must be somewhere nearby!"
Eragon shook his head again.
"Leave him, Taya. Thorn will watch over him."
Taya looked over at the large, ruby dragon. He curled up, putting a wing over his rider.
Go.
Taya blinked, until she realized it was Thorn talking to her.
B-but we can't just leave you two!
Thorn had a glint in his eye, though Taya didn't know why.
Murtagh... he'll... just go! the dragon roared at her. She tumbled backwards, landing in a thorn bush. She looked at Wyrda, and together they agreed on one thing; they weren't moving.
No, they said together.
"Taya!" Eragon exclaimed. "Leave him!"
Taya looked at Eragon, and for a moment, she saw how difficult this must be for him. Murtagh was his enemy, but he was clearly something more to Eragon. She was sure that it had been any other of Galbatorix's men, he would have left them there to bleed.
A sudden idea popped into her head. "C-can we take him to the Varden?"
Hatchling, have you lost all your sanity? He's the Varden's enemy! You can't bring him to their door, asking them to heal him! Wyrda exclaimed.
Well... maybe he'll change his mind... and join the Varden! she urged.
You know that will not happen, Taya.
I can hope.
Eragon, too, was silent for a moment, conversing with Saphira.
--
It's his only chance of surviving, Eragon said.
Do you really expect Lady Nasuada to allow him to rest there? And then just set him free to tell Galbatorix more about the Varden? Think Eragon, this is not wise.
Saphira, it's his only chance! Eragon cried.
Only bad things can come from this, but it is your choice.
Saphira retreated from his mind, and Eragon stared at his callused hands. He looked over at Taya, who was leaning against Wyrda, her face wet with tears. Her dark hair fell into her face and the ground around her was splattered with tears.
Eragon sighed, aware of what he was doing. "Put Murtagh on the saddle, we're heading to the Varden."
Taya looked up, a smiling slowly spreading across her face.
"R-really?" she asked.
Eragon nodded his head, keeping his eyes focused on his boots. Taya ran towards him and through her arms around his neck. Eragon lost his balance for a moment and leaned backwards. He stood there, frozen, as Taya quickly pulled out of the embrace.
Eragon...
No, Saphira, no. Just... no.
--
Taya stared down at Murtagh, then over to Thorn. She bit her lip, and slid her arms underneath his back. She tried to pick him up, but found him heavier than she had expected. She gave another tug at his limp body, but found no success in moving him.
Wyrda, can you help, please? she asked.
Of course.
Wyrda wrapped her clawed hands around Murtagh and lifted him up, making her way over to Thorn, who refused to look either of them in the eye. He lowered himself as Wyrda placed the rider into the saddle. Taya wrapped the extra supports that had been used for herself around Murtagh, buckling them in place so he wouldn't fall off.
She mounted Wyrda, and glanced at Murtagh.
"Ready?" Eragon asked, sitting in the saddle, massaging his temples.
Taya gulped; the gesture was not unlike her father's.
"Yes..." she whispered. Saphira and Thorn took off, and Wyrda began to flap his wings. They hovered for a moment above the ground.
"WAIT!" she exclaimed suddenly. "What about Visii?"
The bushes rustled and the werecat stepped out, a mouse in her mouth.
I was hungry.
Then, she made a large jump, landing in the saddle.
Please, save that for when we get back to the Varden, Taya asked, nauseated.
I'd rather not.
Taya rolled her eyes and followed the sapphire and ruby dragon in the direction of Surda.
A/N: I had a lot of trouble writing this chapter, and I'm not too proud of it. I just really wanted to get this chapter over with, so I could write the next one. Sorry I took so long to update, and it's not that much. Hopefully the next chapter will be longer, better, and more interesting.
Taya seems a bit like an emotional wreck in this. Also, I could not kill Murtagh off, because I have plans for later in the story that involve him. It's one of the few things that I know I'm definitely doing in the story. Though I would have liked to have Eragon leave him there, I again had a vague plan of something that needed to be done while Murtagh was at the Varden, so I couldn't.
Also, I'm requesting at least five reviews before I update again. Please? Make me smile :)
And please, no flames.