Hello to everyone! well first off as alway thanks to everyone who reviewed!

secondly i might not get around to posting for a week or two because my exams start on monday -groan- so i'll be busy having fun doing all that studying!

well this chapter is the longest i've written so far so i hope you guys like it, there is a fair bit more tori/murtagh interaction in this chapter to make up for the lack there of in the previous one.

Enjoy!


Galbatorix sat in his throne room with his hand pressed to his temples. He repeated the events over and over in his mind. The dragons, the woman who cast the spell, the yellow light, Murtagh disappearing, the fear he had felt.

The fear… I fear nothing, he told himself.

"I fear nothing" he repeated out loud. Galbatorix turned to see his guards standing like statues at their respective posts, he stood and moved towards them glaring "Do you hear me? NOTHING!"

The two guards remained still, they did not reply, for they weren't given permission. And to speak without permission infront of the king was punishable by death.

Dragons…

Yellow light…

"OUT!" Galbatorix barked at them. The guards exited hastily.

Galbatorix walked over to the only window in the throne room and used the ledge to hold himself upright. He breathed in slowly and looked out over his land. Down below him hundreds of people scurried around working, fulfilling orders he had given them.

I do not fear, but I am feared. He told himself, they have reason to fear me for they are below me.

Galbatorix turned slowly and allowed his eyes to rest on a large stone bowl that was filled with water, it sat in the centre of the throne room and he had used it several times to try and scry for Murtagh. The attempts had all been in vain, it was as if Murtagh had vanished off the face of the earth.

Galbatorix approached the bowl of liquid and leaned over it, he scried once again and like the times before he saw nothing, nothing but his own reflection staring back at him. Anger flared in his eyes and he let out a frustrated cry, he swung his arm viciously and knocked the bowel flying across the room. The water flowed out onto the floor of the throne room leaving a pattern on the stones.

Once again his thoughts strayed to the strange woman and her warning, to the fact he had fled from her… in fear.

He growled, not in fear, he tried to convince himself, to make plans.

Yes, he would rally troops to find her and the giant beast that protected her, even if it took an entire army Galbatorix swore to himself that he would bring her to her demise, followed shortly by a young girl with multi-coloured hair…


Cat didn't come to until night had fallen, she woke up and saw Murtagh and Tori sitting together not too far away, she decided to say quiet and listen to what they were discussing.

"Do you think you'll be here for long?" Tori asked resting her head on Murtagh's shoulder and holding his hand.

"I don't know" Murtagh answered, rubbing his thumb over Tori's knuckles "Do you think I'll ever see you again once I do go back"

Tori sighed "I don't know"

Murtagh pointed up to the sky "Did you see that shooting star?"

Tori nodded "Yeah. You know, here we make a wish when we see a shooting star, they say when you do all your dreams come true"

"Really?" asked Murtagh.

"Yeah" Tori answered "Well unless it's actually a meteor hurtling towards earth that'll destroy all life as we know it, then you're pretty much screwed no matter what you wish for..." Tori shrugged "Unless it's death by meteor"

Murtagh laughed softly then said "Tori, your friend is awake"

Tori lifted her head and turned to look at Cat "Hey" she said standing up.

Cat looked around "Tori what the hell is going on?"

Tori recounted her story to Catherine, she explained everything Gaia had told them and what had happened once Galbatoirx had shown up. Cat shook her head in disbelief.

"This is some heavy shit" She said softly.

Tori nodded "That's what I said"

"But I don't understand what you want me to do, I have no idea what to do, I cave under pressure! You know that"

"Cat chill out" Tori said resisting the urge to slap her "I want you with me, I don't know what to do and you're always the one who figures everything out when something goes wrong. I just need to protect them, please help me"

Cat looked Tori in the eye and nodded "You know I'll help you Tor-Tor, I'd do anything for you. I just don't know what to do either"

"Oh snap!" Tori said suddenly.

"What?" Cat and Murtagh asked together. Cat sounded worried, Murtagh seemed to be more confused as to what 'oh snap' meant.

"Uh, it's just that I've been gone for a few days I better call Abby and ask her to tell my parents I was with her"

"Yeah like your sister is going to do that" Cat retorted.

Tori ignored her and dialled the number, she bit her lip and glanced at Murtagh.

"Hello, Abby speaking"

"Abby" Tori said dragging the words out "Hey, it's Tori"

"Tori? Hi, what's up?"

"I was just wondering how my most favourite sister in the whole world is, because I haven't seen you in a long time and I really miss you and-"

"Tor what's really going on?"

Tori hesitated "Ok look I need a favour" she said quickly

"Yeah, I thought so"

"Do you think you could tell mum and dad I've been with you the past few days?"

"Why?"

"Because I haven't been home and-"

"Tor doesn't this have anything to do with some guy you've met?"

"Uh" Tori looked at Murtagh again "I guess you could put it that way"

"No" Abby answered quickly.

"Aw come on Abby please!"

"No Tori, I'm not lying to them cause you've been with some guy"

"No but it's not like that"

"I don't care what it's like, I am not lying for you and a new boyfriend"

"Abby you don't understand. Look, just come over tomorrow and I will explain it to you. Please sis, after that if you still don't like it you can bust me alright?"

"Are you telling me that if I don't buy whatever is going on I have your permission to rat you out to mum and dad?"

"Yes"

Abby was silent for a moment then groaned and said "Ok, I'll be over tomorrow morning, while they're at work"

"Thanks Abby I love you!"

"Unfortunately I love you back, you butt-head"

Tori sighed and put her phone away. "Cat you should go home, I don't want to get you into trouble"

"But I-" Cat began.

"I'll call you tomorrow ok? I just don't want you to get sucked too far into this. I want you to be safe"

Cat hesitated but then nodded "If I think of anything I'll call you ok?" she hugged Tori goodbye. "Be careful"

"You too"

"Goodnight Murtagh, Thorn" Cat said then shook her head "I still don't believe this"

Tori smiled "I know"

When Cat was gone she turned to see Murtagh sitting with Thorn, he was stroking his nose and comforting him. Tori approached slowly watching Thorn's sad eyes. Murtagh sensed her coming and turned to look her in the eye, Tori gave him a sad smile and sat down beside him and Thorn.

"Are you ok big guy?" she asked softly.

Thorn heaved a huge sighed and nodded his enormous head.

"You should probably get some sleep, we all should" Tori told them.

Murtagh nodded silently "Will you come back tomorrow?" he asked thinking she would be going home.

"What do you mean? I'm not going anywhere" Tori said blankly.

Murtagh smiled and settled down next to Thorn. Tori hesitated, not really knowing why, then stepped towards him and lay down beside him, resting her head on his chest. Murtagh's arm encircled Tori's shoulder and pulled her closer to him.

Tori breathed in, she could smell Murtagh and she smiled. She hadn't even known him a week but no one had ever taken care of her or gone through as much as he had just to keep her safe. She had always hated stories like Romeo and Juliet because she thought it was stupid that they fell in love so quickly, but now that she was with Murtagh… no, she told herself firmly, you can't love him. You've only known him for a few days and besides he isn't even from the same world as you, he will have to leave soon.

Tori sighed sadly, she knew it was the truth, she knew he would leave eventually and she would never see him again, and most of all she knew Murtagh didn't need anyone he got close to, to hurt him again.

Murtagh stroked Tori's arm gently with his thumb. Aside from Thorn, Murtagh had never found some one he cared so deeply for that he would willingly risk his life for, and that is exactly what he had done when he freed Tori from Galbatorix. She was different to anyone he had ever met and she was the first person he had ever met that he could open up to without being afraid, because she didn't care who his father was. She didn't care who's side he was on, she didn't even seem to care that he had been ordered to kill her.

Murtagh had never let himself get close to anyone for fear of loosing them until he met Tori. But that's exactly what is going to happen… a cruel voice in his head reminded him. You don't belong here, you are going to be sent back home and she'll be left in this world.

Home… Murtagh hadn't truly felt at home until he had met Tori. Sure he had spent the majority of his time with her keeping her out of trouble, saving her life, worrying about her or trying to figure out what the hell she was talking about. Murtagh smiled at the memories, a smile… that's what it was about her, she made him smile. When she was around he smiled and laughed and felt free.

Tori glanced up and saw Murtagh watching her, she rolled over and rested her chin on his chest. They stared at each other for a few moments until Tori spoke.

"I'm scared" she confessed.

"Why?"

"Because you're in danger… and it's because of me. If you hadn't met me you wouldn't be in danger of Galbatorix, if he kills you it'll be my fault. You and Thorn will die because of me"

Murtagh looked her directly in the eye "I would rather die right now, than to live ten thousand years and never meet you. You never once put us in danger, Tori, you saved us"

"I saved you?" Tori asked in a voice barely louder than a whisper.

Murtagh gave a small laugh "Most of my life I have been so determined to stay alive that I forgot all reasons worth living. I had forgotten how wonderful life could be, all I remembered was that it can be taken from you in an instant. And then you came along and changed everything, you made me remember that no matter how long your life is, it is worth nothing if you look back and don't like what you see"

Tori nodded "You're tired of being afraid"

Murtagh nodded "I'm tired of trying to stay alive when I'm not truly living anyway. I want to enjoy the time I've been given, I want to be able to see the world as you do"

Tori smiled "What do you mean?"

"I mean you can find the positive in every situation" Murtagh answered then laughed "I mean for God's sake I stabbed you and you just laughed about it afterwards"

Tori grinned "That's because when I was younger my grandma told me something very wise and I promised myself I would always live by it."

"What's that?"

Tori blushed a little and looked away, she smiled to herself and spoke "Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams. I know it's kinda gay but… I like it"

Murtagh smiled as Tori finished, she looked at him and returned the warm smile, she moved closer to him until their noses were almost touching. Murtagh glanced up at Tori before closing the gap between them and kissing her.


Hope you enjoyed it! let me know what you thought! review please!