Diclaimer: This is getting really old. I. Do. Not. Own. Eragon. Or. Eldest.
Murtagh followed Eragon into Nasuada's room, not looking up.
"Hello, Eragon," Nasuada said with a curt nod. She too did not look at Murtagh.
Eragon took a seat next to Taya, and Murtagh next to Eragon. All three of them sat in silence, staring at their hands. Murtagh, though, was the only one who had a tinge of pink in his cheeks.
"We are here," Nasuada began, "to discuss the issue of Murtagh."
Murtagh did not raise his head. He hated that she thought of him as an issue, like a bug.
Nasuada took a deep breath, before saying, "Eragon, I don't understand what could possibly possess you to bring him here!" she cried angrily. "He's the enemy, Galbatorix's key to winning! Is that what you want, for Galbatorix's right hand man to be–"
"Quiet!" the three of them cried at the same time. They all looked bewildered at each other, wondering why they'd each cried at the same time.
"I didn't have a choice," Murtagh hissed venomously at Nasuada.
Nasuada slowly rose her head to look Murtagh in the eye. "You could have sacrificed yourself for the good of the Varden."
Murtagh opened his mouth, but was cut off by Eragon.
"He couldn't," Eragon whispered quietly.
"Eragon, don't let what happened in the battle sway your opinion–"
"I'm not," Eragon said stubbornly. "But, once your dragon is born, you'll do anything you can to keep them safe, and that usually means staying alive. Look at the riders in this room, we abandoned the comfortable lives we knew, because we were aware that the lives we led were not safe for our dragon, and were not safe for the people we loved and cared for."
Nasuada dropped her gaze, and her dark hair fell into her face. "I apologize," she murmured. Then, she looked up, and her voice resumed it's normal authority. "But, that still does not let Murtagh off the hook. We cannot return him to Galbatorix, nor can the two of you take him to Ellesmera, but we cannot keep him here."
Taya looked up, and whispered, "It probably would be safer if he stayed here, where he could glean less information."
"I agree with Taya," Eragon said with a nod.
"And your dragons?" Nasuada asked. "What do they think is the safest choice?"
There was a momentary silence, before Eragon said, "Saphira agrees."
"As does Wyrda," Taya said, glancing sideways at Murtagh quickly.
Murtagh's stomach twisted up in a knot. He missed being able to talk to Thorn, and the separation was driving him mad.
"Fine," Nasuada murmured. "Then Murtagh... shall stay far below in the dungeons."
"That's cruel!" Taya cried, leaning forward.
Eragon placed a hand on Taya's shoulder. "He's a prisoner, Taya."
"This meeting is over," Nasuada said tiredly. "You may go. Eragon, take Murtagh back to his room, and make sure the restraints are on." She quickly turned away to face the window.
Murtagh stood up slowly and waited for Eragon to lead him. Eragon and Taya stood up together, and Eragon once again placed the spell on Murtagh.
--
Taya stepped out of the room, and half-smiled at Wyrda.
How did the meeting go? Wyrda asked.
You were present the whole time, I'd think you were aware of the circumstances, Taya said sadly.
Taya, Wyrda warned, Do not feel sorry for him. He betrayed the Varden. They have every right to imprison him.
I know, but I just don't think he's really evil, Taya murmured.
You think too well of people. You never know who really is evil and who isn't, and you won't know until this war is over, Wyrda warned.
Perhaps.
Taya withdrew from Wyrda's mind, walking next to Eragon.
"Where're you going?" she asked, swinging her arms from side-to-side.
"To take Murtagh to his room," Eragon said, as if Murtagh weren't walking next to him.
"I'll come," Taya said quickly before Eragon could tell her to return to her room.
Eragon bit his lip, "Fine. But don't do anything stupid."
Taya glared at him. "Of course not."
As they continued down the hallway, Taya found her head swarming with thoughts. Going to Ellesmera... was a huge deal. She couldn't imagine meeting the elves. What they would be like. And if they could tell her anything about her parents.
A/N: Okay, I'm so sorry it took me so long to update. It's just, school's started, and I've been busy. Between field hockey practice, piano lessons, homework, hanging out with my friends, and other stuff, it's just been really hectic for me, and I haven't been able to update. Hopefully the next update will come faster. PLEASE DON'T BE MAD! is hit with a brick
I feel bad about doing this, but I'm requesting at least 5 reviews before I update.
Also, thanks to all the people who reviewed last time, you made my day. And made me smile.