Alayissa didn't trust Murtagh enough to tell him her secret. She did want to have a friend in this castle, though, and Murtagh seemed interesting enough. When it became apparent to Murtagh that Alayissa wouldn't tell him how she had kept Galbatorix from her mind, he changed the subject.

"So you can't leave?" he asked. Alayissa shook her head. "Me, neither."

"What did you do?"

"It's… complicated," Murtagh shrugged, a little too nonchalantly. "But it isn't anything I did or didn't do…" Alayissa noted his reluctance to talk. Naturally, this made her more curious about him, but she didn't press for answers. Not everyone was as proud about their past as she was, and there were certainly things that she wouldn't tell Murtagh if he asked them now. "But there are other things you can do," Murtagh said. "Galbatorix has a pretty extensive library."

"I can't enter the library," Alayissa sighed. "Nor can I look out a window or visit the gardens. And for some reason, I can't remember any words of the Ancient Language, so I cannot perform magic at all."

"You must have really frustrated the King," Murtagh whistled. Alayissa nodded. "Well, what else do you like to do? Maybe you can find something that the King can't take away from you."

"I enjoy being outside. Being trapped inside makes me crazy. And not being able to use magic is even worse. I didn't realize how much I depended on it…"

"You can't be wanting for space," Murtagh observed.

"I'm an Elf," she said, her voice a little venomous. "I'm meant to be out of doors. I do not mind the lack of space; I mind the lack of a blue sky above me and green grass below me. I would be happier in a small glen outside than the largest palace with no sky."

"Forgive me," Murtagh held up his hands, backing off. "I did not realize you missed your home so much. But perhaps I can help you?"

"How?" Alayissa scoffed.

"I can bring you books from the library. I can try to help you regain your use of magic. I know that there are books in the King's library regarding the Ancient Language."

"There are. Unfortunately, Galbatorix had already thought of that. Even when I was allowed in the library, I was watched carefully, and if I made any move toward that section, seven guards would come to drag me back to my chambers."

"Well, like I said, I can help you. No one cares if I go anywhere in the library. People know that I can't do magic, but the King wants me to know how it works… No idea why, though." Alayissa's eyes brightened up.

"You can?"

"Why not? The king will never know. And maybe, if you can remember the words, you can find a way to get us both out of here." Alayissa considered it. She knew that if they got caught, the punishment would be worse than death – and not only for her, but Murtagh, as well… but she had the strength to perform magic. If she could find the words, she was sure she could come up with a spell that would break that of Galbatorix. "Look," Murtagh said. "I've been stuck here for a long time. Most of my life. I want out, and so do you. So why shouldn't we help each other?"

"Fine," Alayissa said. She still wasn't sure she trusted Murtagh, but she knew that she couldn't get out without someone's help, and he was willing. "If you help me, I'll find a way to get both of us out of here." Murtagh held out his hand. Alayissa shook it, and the deal was made.