Apollo sat quietly as the unicorns jostled around him. They talked and talked and talked. He couldn't get a word in edgeways so he just let it all float above him. He could see Rose in the thick of it. He smiled as she fought her way to the troughs the unicorns used for ale, and then she took a large cup and scooped some up. He really hope she didn't get that drunk. Some of the unicorns were already belly up on the floor, out cold. He decided it didn't take the unicorns long to get drunk. He sensed that Rose would just keep drinking. He forced his way through the buzzing crowd. For all his size, it was difficult. The unicorns wouldn't move. He somehow found himself beside Rose.
Don't drink so much, he chided her. She ignored him, so he repeated his words. She turned on him.
Let me enjoy myself for once, you selfish beast. I've never felt so welcome anywhere. Leave me alone. Go sit in a corner and be a goody-goody, prim and proper stupid asshole. Buzz off. Apollo felt his heart start to tear. He knew it was the drink, but the words still hurt. He knew that she hated always being the odd one out, and that she was welcome here, but it still tore at his very soul. To be jeered at by the one he held most dear was hard. He went and curled up in the corner. He rested his great, black head on his front paws while his honey eyes followed everything. He saw Rose almost collapse, and then be held up by some unicorns who were only marginally less drunk than she was. He watched them give up and keel over, then Rose fell also. He was brought back to himself by Thuroman hitting his head with a front hoof. It didn't hurt much, but he could see the unicorn was completely inebriated. His eyes were swimming and he was swaying slightly. It was at that point that Apollo decided he didn't like the unicorn lifestyle. Ignoring the chief he swept across the floor into the tunnel, then up that into the snow. He didn't acknowledge the cold, but unfurled his wings and leapt high into the sky. The winds buffeted him from side to side, and he just powered himself on through the night, running from his sorrow.
As he flew, some voice in the back of his mind warned him not to get to far from the cave. He just pushed himself harder, testing his abilities, until he was no more than a dark blur against a dark sky.
Apollo was eventually forced to stop by his heart. It was sending desperate signals to his brain telling him to halt before he lost his life. He finally stalled in mid air and fell towards the snowy ground, flaring his wings at the last minute to stop his deadly fall. He felt a moment of panic when he could not feel Rose's presence, then pushed that feeling away, like she had him, and looked around. A young, black-haired man was sitting on the icy ground, looking at him with some amusement. Apollo stared at him hard and the young man looked away. Apollo chuckled silently and lay down, deciding not to take notice of him. That was when the large ruby Dragon fell from the sky.
Apollo did a double-take and leapt up, jaws ready to defend himself. The Dragon gave him a lupine grin and looked at the young man. Apollo had decided this was it's Rider. Then a male voice sounded in his head.
Hello, Apollo. For the first time in his life, Apollo was speechless. The red Dragon made a low noise in his throat that was laughter. Apollo stared at him.
Apollo? Who are you? How do you know my name? The red Dragon smiled again and tilted his head towards his Rider.
Meet Murtagh. I am Thorn.
That doesn't answer my question.
I'm sorry. The black haired Rider snorted. Apollo growled at him. Murtagh smirked and, aggravatingly, got up, walked over and patted him under the chin.
"Good Dragon. Where's your Rider?" Apollo remembered Rose.
Drunk. Murtagh grinned and said that he had done similar things. Apollo glanced at Thorn and curled his lip.
Who are you?
Puff the magic Dragon. Apollo sighed in exasperation and launched himself into the sky. Thorn and Murtagh watched him go. Murtagh shot a look at Thorn and sniggered.
I'd say he's inherited your attitude, and his mother's aerial ability.
Bite me. Come, we must find this Rider and persuade him to join us.
I can't believe you're a father!
I said that when you found out that you were. Be original. Murtagh grinned and leapt into the saddle. Thorn jumped into the air and followed the young Dragon. He took quite a meandering path. Thorn looked back at Murtagh as the young Dragon led them in a full circle. Thorn sighed and rolled his eyes.
You know, I believe he has absolutely no clue where he's going.
You think? After an hour the ice was reflecting dawn's pink light, and Thorn and Murtagh were extremely bored.
We're just going round in circles.
I know, big D, I know.
Why did you call me big D?
Stands for big Daddy. Thorn growled and rolled over. Murtagh fell out of the saddle and landed in a snow drift. Thorn laughed and landed next to him. Murtagh's head popped up, covered in white crystals. Thorn sniggered and tried to brush it off. Murtagh batted him off and shook his head. The snow came cascading down and settled on his shoulders, looking like dandruff. Thorn smiled and pulled Murtagh out of the snow, placing him on the saddle.
Come, Friend. Let's find this other Rider. Thorn looked around. Apollo was gone. Murtagh's countenance changed. His cries ripped through Thorn with such anguish he could not bear it.
He's gone, Thorn! Oh, he's gone, and all our hope has fled with him. How will Galbatorix treat us now? Oh, Gods, how can I do this? How can I serve this Traitor as I watch all that is good in this world perish? How can anyone do that, Thorn? How? Murtagh's voice faded away. Thorn snaked his head round and licked away the normally absent tears. He knew how much Murtagh had to bear, and he hated it. Then he had an idea.
Murtagh, do you think Galbatorix can summon us from here? We are so far away.
Yes Thorn. He is strong enough to call us from anywhere.
Oh, bugger. Thorn swore as his idea was scuppered. Then he had a real blinding flash. Murtagh felt it.
Thorn…………………….what crazy idea have you come up with now?
Oh, nothing. But we were to capture the man, the new Rider, weren't we?
Yes…………………..where are you going with this?
What were the King's exact words?
How could you forget? They are drilled into my mind like the expectation of pain is drilled into my body. He said: 'Bring me the new Rider. Bring him to me, or your lives will be forfeit. Find him, and persuade him to follow the same course you follow. You serve me. Do not forget.'
Then don't you see?
Not really, not yet. But I get the feeling you're going to tell me anyway.
He said we have to persuade him to follow the same course as us! And that is rebellion in any way we can. So let's tell this new Rider to get as far as possible from the Traitor king.
But he will kill us.
No. He needs us too much. He will hurt us, but that will not matter if the rebels find this Rider.
Yes. Thorn, I do believe this will work! Thorn nodded and let his mind escape, searching for the mind of his son. He found it, not that many wingbeats away. Thorn smiled inwardly. The fool hadn't barricaded his mind.
Good morning, young one. Apollo heard the voice and almost dropped to the ground in astonishment.
How the hell did you find me? I thought I was a long way from you?
We followed you. But, listen, come back. We need to talk. We want to help you.
Yeah, right!
Vel eïnradhin iet ai skulblaka.
Very well. I will come. True to his word the midnight coloured Dragon soon appeared in the sky to the east. The two on the ground smiled grimly and called to him, informing him of their whereabouts. He swooped to the ground, alighting on the snow.
What do you want from me? Murtagh face was sombre as he answered.
We want to know the whereabouts of your Rider so we can tell you both to get far away. The Traitor King wants you to serve him. We want you to find the rebels. If the King gets another Rider he will be unstoppable.
No. Apollo cut in. Both Murtagh and Thorn stared at him.
What do you mean?
He will not be unstoppable. Any Rider who's Dragon hates his guts is stoppable. Thorn's jaw hit the ground. Murtagh closed it gently, then asked the obvious question.
WHAT?
I'm serious. The ………people I was brought up with told me that Shruikan hates Galbatorix for killing his first Rider.
But surely after a hundred years or more……….?
Nothing can make you forget losing the one you love most, can it?
No. Murtagh shivered and looked at Thorn. Thorn's crimson eyes looked back at him. They both nodded and turned to Apollo.
Will you lead us to your Rider? We want to help. We swear it. Apollo looked from one to the other.
Yes. Come. He leapt into the air and hovered, waiting patiently. Murtagh climbed into Thorns saddle and held on as Thorn joined Apollo above the ground. Apollo set off at such a pace that Thorn had to struggle hard to keep up. He found this worrying.
Murtagh, how does he go so fast? I can't keep up this pace for much longer, and he's younger than me! This is scary, and unnatural.
No, I expect he's just very fit from flying a lot. Don't be afraid. His words comforted the Dragon. Thorn increased his pace and kept up with the young Dragon.
When Apollo landed Thorn could see nothing but ice. He wondered where they were. Then Apollo disappeared. Thorn looked doubtful. Then Murtagh jumped onto the ground and followed Apollo. Thorn gulped and entered the hole. He saw Murtagh just in front of him. Then they appeared in the cavern. The same emotions ran through them as had run through Rose and Apollo, except this time no unicorns surged towards them, because they were all either out of it on the floor, or sitting nursing frightful hangovers. Apollo had mounted a small platform and was nudging a unicorn wearing a gold necklet. Thorn and Murtagh watched in amusement.
Apollo could get no response as to where Rose was from Thuroman, so he went back to Thorn and Murtagh. They grinned at him.
So is that the chief? Where's your rider? Is he as drunk as the rest of them? For some reason he found this very funny. They frowned at him. He smirked, and then roared. A very sorry Rose appeared from a back tunnel and ran forwards.
"Apollo?" He smiled and went towards her, trying not to stand on any unicorns.
Yes, Rose, I have returned.
Oh, thank the Gods! She ran and hugged him. I have the most frightful hangover. Those unicorns are so stupid! They drank far too much and –
Then she caught sight of Thorn and Murtagh. She went towards the ruby Dragon with her head tilted.
"You're the one……… the one I saw that day. And you," she turned to Murtagh. "You're Murtagh. You're the Traitor. You let him try to kill me! I nearly died! I lost everything! I hate you." She started to cry. Apollo gave Murtagh an angry look and bent his head down to comfort the sobbing woman. Murtagh glanced at Thorn and said "alcohol tears. She'll be fine." Thorn glared at him and went over to the girl. Murtagh couldn't hear what he said, but the girl nodded. Thorn came back over and picked Murtagh up by his shirt.
"Hey! Put me down you overgrown lizard! I said put me down!" Thorn ignored him. He carried him over to Rose and set him down. Then Murtagh heard Apollo's voice.
This is Rose. She is my Rider. Please apologise.
Apologise? I have done nothing wrong! Thorn chimed in at that point, and scolded Murtagh.
Apologise for letting Galbatorix try to kill her. And apologise for being so discourteous!
You didn't exactly try to stop him either.
I have already apologised. Look, just say sorry, alright? Murtagh sighed and looked at Rose. She was quiet now, with tears occasionally rolling down her cheeks. He sighed. She was kind of cute.
"I'm sorry, Rose. For everything." She turned to him.
"Apology accepted. What do you want? Apollo has explained what you have said to him to me, but I don't understand why you want to help us. Please elaborate."
"Very well. I am not a willing Traitor. Galbatorix knows our true names and uses them to make us do his bidding. We cannot escape, but you can. Go to the Varden. Help them."
"What are you talking about? Names can be changed. But listen, I have an idea. I hate that Traitor King more than you have reason to know. I will go to the Varden. I was headed there anyway. But first I want to spend at least some of my life free. You should stay."
"I cannot. Already he has started to summon us."
"Then let us change your names. Follow me." She started up the passage. As she strode up she called back to them. Murtagh was so busy watching the way she walked he didn't hear until Thorn nudged him in the back.
"What are your names? Your true names? You can trust me, I swear."
"I am Vandr-fódhr Vrangr, or Ill-marked Wanderer. Thorn is Du Thornessa Nángoröth – Blasted Serpent."
"Your names are names of death. Let me change them, let me give you hope."
"Very well." Thorn looked nervously at Murtagh. I hope she knows what she's doing.
Me too. They came out into the open. They stared as Rose began to chant under her breath. Apollo watched eagerly. Rose opened her hands and a faint golden light appeared from them, bathing both her and Apollo and Murtagh and Thorn in a soft, warm light. The light got thicker and thicker, like mist, until they could see nothing. After about two minutes it dissipated and Murtagh and Thorn blinked. They glanced at each other. Then Apollo roared as Rose collapsed to the ground. Murtagh rushed over with Thorn close behind him. He propped her up and cast around for water. Thorn pulled the water skin of the saddle, snapping the strings, and put it down next to him. He grabbed it and trickled the water into her mouth. Apollo stared over anxiously. Rose coughed and choked as the water went down the wrong way. All three smiled.
Rose realised she was in Murtagh's arms and tried to sit up, but she was so tired she couldn't. She could hear Apollo's presence, trying to be comforting but just succeeding in being very worried. She would have grinned if she'd had strength.
Apollo. It came out as barely a whisper. Apollo put his head down next to hers and licked her cheek.
I am here. That was foolish. Murtagh's voice broke in. He was leaning over her, still supporting her exhausted body.
"What did you do? You almost killed yourself. Never risk your life for another! What if you had died?" Rose's eyes sparkled.
"There would be a lot more ale in the world." Apollo burst into Dragonish laughter. Thorn just about controlled himself, and even Murtagh snorted. Rose sighed and was about to let the looming darkness of unconsciousness take her when Apollo spoke to her.
Did you succeed? What are their names?
That is for them to know. But I will tell them so they will know, and you could just listen in.
I like that plan. Rose beckoned Thorn closer.
"I have changed your names. Would you like to hear them?" Their voices sounded at once, confirming this.
"Thorn, you are Draumr du Mor'ranr, or Dream of Peace. Murtagh, you are Hjarta du Ilian. Heart of Happiness. I did not choose these names, the magic did. Bear them well." Then she let the blackness take her. Murtagh looked down at the girl in his arms and felt at peace with the world. He glanced up at the two Dragons.
"All is alright, now, Thorn. We are free. We have hope." Thorn rested his chin on Murtagh's shoulder.
We are free. We have hope.
-o-x-o-x-o-x-o-x-o-x-o-x-o-
When Rose awoke she found herself on Thorn's back, her legs strapped tight into the stirrups. Thorn glanced around at her.
Oh good, you're awake.
Where's Apollo? And Murtagh? Why am I riding you?
Murtagh is riding Apollo, and they are both just over to your right. You are riding me because Apollo does not have a saddle and you would have fallen off. So you are riding me. It was Apollo's idea. Rose grinned. Then she was struck by a scary thought.
Apollo?
Yes, Rose?
When did I last have something to eat?
Why, about four days ago. You must be hungry. Rose almost fainted. Just as she was about to ask to stop Murtagh's voice sounded in her head. She shivered at the feeling of vulnerability.
Are you alright? Would you like to stop? Murtagh didn't like talking to her like this either. He was afraid it would show up his rather unusual emotions. He was only just managing to hide them from Thorn. He was relieved when she spoke to him, rather tentatively.
Yes. I'm starving! Can we stop soon?
Yes. Thorn dove towards the ground. Rose caught sight of Apollo doing the same. Murtagh jumped straight off and hurried over to help her down. He undid the stirrups and blushed as his hand brushed her thigh. He thanked the Gods it was dark enough to hide his red face. Thorn sniggered and Murtagh swore at him. He extended a hand and Rose took it, climbing down gracefully, then falling over when she reached the grassy floor. Murtagh bent down to help her up, and Thorn pushed him over next to her, their faces touching. Murtagh blushed even more furiously. Then Rose started laughing.
"That silly Dragon! What is he doing, playing match-maker?" Murtagh laughed weakly.
"Match-maker indeed." He got up and helped Rose to her feet. She smiled and pecked him on the cheek.
"Thanks, Murtagh. You're such a good friend." Thorn exploded into helpless laughter. The joke was promptly shared with Apollo who started sniggering too. Murtagh glared at them both. Thorn mocked Murtagh.
Kissy kissy Murtagh. You're a really good friend. Remember, friends NEVER make advances! Murtagh growled and stalked off. Rose looked at the two Dragons who gazed back innocently, trying desperately to keep straight faces.
"I don't get the joke. Will you explain it to me?" Thorn and Apollo gave up. They rolled around on the floor laughing so hard they nearly couldn't breathe.