When Tori opened her eyes again they were back in the cave in which they had first met Gaia and Draco. Before Tori had time to prepare herself, Murtagh pulled his hand out of her grasp and forcefully shoved her away from him. Tori looked over at him, shocked, only to see him retreat behind Thorn.

"Get her out of here," he growled.

"Murtagh?" Tori said softly, taking a step towards him.

Murtagh moved further behind Thorn, "Keep back Tori!" he shouted, "Get her away from me!"

Thorn lowered his head and growled at Tori as Murtagh let out a desperate groan.

"Gaia, you said this wouldn't happen!" Murtagh continued to yell. Tori caught another glimpse of him, his eyes had become bloodshot and the veins on his neck protruded alarmingly. His whole body trembled and his breathing had become frantic.

"Come child," Gaia said gently as she ushered Tori away from the aggravated pair.

Tori tried her best to stay put but Gaia had far more strength than Tori suspected, "Wait!" she said, still trying to turn back, "Murtagh, what's wrong? Where are you taking me? Stop, I want to stay with him!"

Gaia waved her hand and the walls of the cave shifted and enclosed Tori and Gaia, separating them from Murtagh. Only then did Gaia release her grip on Tori. Tori ran to the newly made wall and pushed up against it trying to make it move, but the walls remained stationary and solid.

"What are you doing Gaia?" Tori said, turning and facing the elf, "What just happened? I don't understand."

Gaia sighed, "It seems that I was mistaken as to the orders Murtagh was given before I sent you from Alagaesia. He is still under Galbatorix's control and he is still to follow the King's commands given previously."

"You mean he was about to kill me?" Tori said softly.

"Yes, and it took every ounce of strength in his being to resist the urge for as long as he did." Gaia spoke as gently as possible "If you had stayed there even a moment more he most likely would have killed you. And for this reason we must keep you apart from him."

Tori frowned, "What? So you're just going to keep me locked up in here then? I'm a prisoner now? And I'm not allowed to see Thorn or Murtagh?"

"I'm sorry Tori, but it is for your own good. Murtagh would have it no other way, you know your safety is his first priority." Gaia moved closer to Tori and placed her hand on her shoulder. Tori crossed her arms stubbornly and looked away, knowing there was nothing she could do to stop this. "Tori, we will free Murtagh as soon as we can, it should not take Christopher a great deal of time. As soon as the process is complete you will be let out again."

Tori continued to look cross and did not speak.

"I must go now, we have little time, and so much to do. I assure you, you wont be in here for long. Murtagh will be just as anxious to be reunited with you as you are. He will insist upon hastening the necessary spell-work." Gaia turned towards the stone wall she had just created, she looked back over her shoulder and said, "I really am sorry Tori." And with that she walked straight through the solid wall.

Tori gasped and hurled herself at the spot Gaia had just disappeared through in a hope that she would escape but all she achieved was winding herself and ending up on the ground in a dusty heap.

Tori sat up, gasping for air. She picked up a rock beside her and threw it angrily at the wall.

Murtagh sat down and wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead.

Are you alright, Murtagh? Thorn asked softly, gently lying down beside his rider.

Murtagh nodded stiffly and breathed out a sigh of relief. His eyes flicked up when Gaia walked back in.

"She's fine," Gaia said, answering his question before it was asked.

She can't be pleased with this arrangement, said Thorn.

It matters little whether she is happy about this Thorn, Murtagh answered firmly, just so long as she is safe. Murtagh rubbed his face and again took a deep breath. I pictured myself doing it Thorn, killing her. I knew it was a mistake to bring her back here! What if I had done it? What if I hadn't been able to control myself?

The important thing is that you didn't Murtagh, Thorn replied gently.

"You're sure she's alright?" Murtagh asked Gaia, "I didn't frighten her too much did I?"

"She's worried for your sake Murtagh," Gaia answered, "she wishes to see you."

Murtagh moaned, "How long before you can lift Galbatorix's spells?"

Paolini looked up, "We shall do it immediately."

Not fifteen minutes later, Murtagh was standing, with Thorn by his side, facing Paolini. The pair had been anointed in strange scented oils and been given a drink that was thick, brown, and bitter. The draught had left Murtagh's whole body tingling and had seemed to increase everyone one of his senses tenfold; making the fumes from the oils smothered on his body all the more intoxicating.

Murtagh focused on keeping his breathing even. In truth he was terrified, but he refused to let even a hint of it show. He focused on the picture of Tori which was clear in her mind. I must do this to keep her safe. I must do this to keep her safe. It's all for her. It's all for her. It's all for her…

Paolini move towards them and placed his left hand on Murtagh and his right on Thorn. He glanced at Murtagh, who nodded his permission, and with that, the ritual began.

Tori had been isolated from the others for nearly two hours. She had already searched every inch of her stone cell for a way out but there were of course none. She was lying on her back staring up at the roof of the cave when she heard a sound behind her. She shot up and looked behind her and saw Gaia approaching.

"Gaia," Tori began, "What's going on? Is it happening soon? Are-"

"It has been done Tori," Gaia cut the line of questioning off there.

Tori stared blankly for a moment then said, "It has? Are they alright?"

"They're sleeping," Gaia hesitated for a second before continuing, "Tori the process taken to diminish the spells cast upon them was very dangerous. Christopher had to completely drain away their life forces, brain functions, magic and restore them again after he had purified them of Galbatorix's magic. Murtagh and Thorn had to be completely drained of all the energy in their bodies in order for this spell to be successful. Before the spell was initiated, Christopher was confident that they would wake up immediately after the spell was complete… should nothing go wrong. The fact that they have not yet woken up is not a good sign."

Tori squeezed her eyes shut and cleared her throat a little, "Can I go to them?" she asked, her voice strained, "Please… can I see them?"

Gaia nodded, as she waved her hand again the wall she had created melted away until it looked as if it had never been there. Gaia motioned for Tori to follow her. She led Tori down a passageway she had not seen before, it was darker than the rest of the cave but there was a faint glow at the end. When they emerged out of that end the faint glow turned out to be several candles which illuminated a small room, in the centre lay Murtagh. He lay on a small white cot, only wearing his black pants. His exposed chest rose and fell evenly and he did not stir when Tori sat down beside him and gently brushed his hair off his face.

"So," Tori whispered, "What happens now? Will he wake up eventually… or will he just be like this forever… or…"

"Only time will tell, Tori,"

"Did the spell at least work?"

"We cannot actually be certain until he wakes up."

Tori smirked, "So this is how you test it? Leave me in the room with him and if he kills me when he wakes up you'll just try again?"

"Even if the spell did not work Tori, you are in no danger. When Murtagh wakes up he will barely have the energy to speak, let alone cause you any harm."

"Thank you," Tori whispered, "Not just for this, but for everything you've done for him."

Gaia nodded with a smile, then turned and left.

Tori turned her attention back to the sleeping form of Murtagh. He looked a lot paler than usual and his body was coated in a thin layer of sweat, but he still looked peaceful, he still looked beautiful.

Sitting there silently at Murtagh's side gave Tori the opportunity to think about things she had not yet had a chance to think about – that she had not yet wanted to think about. Her future, and whether Murtagh was a part of it or whether he would become nothing but a cherished, yet distant memory of hers. She knew all too well that Murtagh would never be able to become a part of her world. It wouldn't work for him, it wouldn't work for Thorn… it just wouldn't work. But… what if Tori were to stay in Alagaesia; it was definitely a possibility.

Tori sighed, leaving her world would be leaving everything and everyone she had ever known and loved. The thought of never seeing her family again, never having familiar people and surroundings ever again, it was the scariest thing Tori could imagine…But then, Murtagh had said he was willing to do it for her… Was she prepared to do that? Yes, she told herself, for him? Yes.

"Oh god," she groaned, "I'm such a teenager."

She knew that her missing her world wasn't the problem though, it was her world missing her. What would Abby, Cat and Jay do if she just didn't come home? They'd obviously think the worst. It would kill her parents if she just never came home, they would never know what happened to her. She wouldn't be able to say goodbye, or tell them she'd be ok, they would never know anything. Her school would eventually notice she was gone too, then when they would call her parents they wouldn't have an answer as to where Tori was. That would mean authorities would be involved, someone she loved might be wrongly accused for her disappearance. No, her staying in Alagaesia would destroy the people that loved her, she couldn't do that to them.

Then, how would Tori be able to cope with the idea of never seeing Murtagh again? The very thought of it caused her chest to ache. She hadn't known Murtagh for very long at all, but it didn't change how she felt and him, nothing could. She knew it would hurt them both so much when she had to leave, but then as they say: 'Time heals all wounds'. Tori frowned, were her emotions really that simple? The feeling would just go away eventually if she gave it long enough? It was apparently the same for everyone, if you lose a loved one after a while it doesn't hurt as much… how could that work? How can you learn to cope with losing someone who was so much a part of you, just because of time?

Tori rested her hand on Murtagh's chest; his heartbeat was slow and steady. She slowly trailed her fingers up his chest, over his throat and up to his face. Gently, Tori traced the shape of his lips, she ran her finger over a tiny scar he had just next to his right eye, then slowly stroked the length of his jaw before resting her palm on his cheek.

That was when Murtagh stirred. He shifted his body slightly and leaned he head into Tori's hand. His eyebrows furrowed a little and he murmured softly, "Tori?" his eyes remained closed.

Tori smiled, "I'm here," she whispered, as relief washed over her. He was going to be alright, so for the meantime, Tori could sit and be with Murtagh and for now, just be happy he was ok.