AUTHOR'S NOTE:Oh my gosh, I'm soooo sorry it took me sooo long to update. I got back from my trip a while back and…honestly…I sort of lost inspiration to this story. But thanks to the reviews I've gotten in my absence, I MADE inspiration and I'm determined to finish this story. A word of warning…I've been reading a lot of romance novels lately so there, very likely, will be a lot of fluff in this and coming chapters. I personally like it… (I'm a sucker for a good romance). If most of my readers REALLY don't like it…then I'll take it out, but I'd rather not :-P. Also, this chapter isn't the longest or greatest I've written, but I'm just getting back into the swing of this story…so please understand… :) Anyway, happy reading and the next chapter will be out soon!
The next several days were very painful for Julia. Her mind was like an open wound that had to heal. She would pass in and out of consciousness several times a day.
Whenever she woke, Murtagh was there by her side, comforting her. She could also vaguely recall several visits from Eragon, Arya, and Ajihad.
Arya informed Julia that her mind link to Murtagh had broken once they had exited her mind. Julia and Murtagh were relieved to know that each other's lives didn't depend on the other anymore.
By day three, Julia's mind had completely healed and she finally felt like herself again. Both Julia and Murtagh were still confined to their cell, but each were allowed to take individual walks around Farthen Dŭr; followed by two soldiers of course.
The first time Julia laid her eyes on the Varden holding she was speechless. She felt as though she were in the mouth of a giant volcano. The entire town was in the center of a huge mountain. The mountain's walls rose so high the tops were hidden in thick clouds.
Julia was walking around the palace in the center of Farthen Dŭr, when she saw a group of men walk towards her. The man leading the group was Ajihad, the leader of the Varden. He was a tall, muscular man with dark hair and skin to match it. Power radiated from Ajihad, and Julia couldn't have thought of anyone better to run the Varden.
Behind Ajihad were the bald man and his identical twin. Julia still wasn't quite sure which one had invaded her mind.
The rest of the group was made up of the leaders of the dwarf tribes.
The twins were in deep conversation with Ajihad, "The Urgals are three days away. I say we try giving Galbatorix the girl…that may convince him not to attack."
Ajihad shook his head, "Even if we gave him the girl, he'd still attack. And the last thing we need is a Dragon Rider on Galbatorix's side. What we should do is-"
One of the twins noticed Julia and quickly nudged Ajihad, who immediately stopped talking.
Julia pretended that she was studying one of the murals on the wall. Once she 'noticed' Ajihad, she quickly bowed to him, "Good day, my lord. This entire palace is truly a masterpiece."
Ajihad smiled at Julia, "I'm glad you like it," he then lowered his voice and glanced at the dwarfs, "I plan to have you and Murtagh out of that cell by tomorrow…I almost have all of the dwarf leaders convinced."
One of the twins glared at Julia and cleared his throat, "Ajihad, we really don't have time for small talk. We must discuss the matter at hand."
Ajihad sighed, "Very well," he then turned back to Julia, "Good day, milady."
Julia bowed once more and watched the group go into a large meeting room across the hall. She walked over to the door and pretended to study another mural. Unfortunately, she couldn't hear anything going on inside.
The two dwarf guards accompanying Julia were watching her suspiciously. Julia was determined to find out what Ajihad and the twins were talking about.
She began to fan her face and then leaned against the wall, "It's quite hot in here. I fear I feel a bit faint."
One of the guards stepped forward, "Then you better get back to your cell. The last thing we need is for you to faint."
Julia held up her hand, "No, no, I'll just sit here and rest for a couple minutes. If that's alright with you, of course."
The dwarf guards looked at each other and shrugged in agreement.
Julia sat down on a bench located next to the door of the meeting room.
When the wall around Julia's mind was broken and her memory returned to her, so had all the spells Galbatorix taught her. She quietly whispered the ancient words that would allow her to hear through the wall.
"We MUST give him the girl!" Julia could hear one of the twins yelling.
"Why do you want to give her to our enemy? With her as our ally we could have two Dragon Riders fighting for the Varden." Ajihad shot back.
"Have you forgotten that Galbatorix has her dragon?! And it's because of her that Galbatorix knows of our location in the first place! She CANNOT be trusted!" one of the twins replied.
Julia could hear Ajihad sigh, "You told me yourself that Julia's mind was blocked even from herself. She had no idea that Galbatorix was trying to track her. When you broke down the wall in her mind Galbatorix automatically knew where she was. It's not her fault, and I will NOT just hand her over!"
This caused one of the twins to lose his temper, "Hundreds will die if she stays here!"
Julia couldn't listen anymore. Madame Emily's prophecy was flying though her mind: You will be responsible for the deaths of hundreds!
So far everything Madame Emily had said had come true. Two days ago Julia figured out that when the fortune teller had mentioned that half of her soul was missing, she had been referring to Ladon, Julia's dragon.
Julia tried to figure out how Galbatorix could know her location. He could probably scry her…but that wouldn't show him the Varden, since he had never seen it.
Julia decided that it must have something to do with Ladon. When the wall in her mind was broken, her connection with Ladon was strengthened. She still couldn't communicate with him, but she could feel his presence.
Maybe Galbatorix somehow entered Ladon's mind and got her location that way.
Julia's head was beginning to hurt.
She would try everything in her power to keep this prophecy from coming true, even if it meant turning herself over to Galbatorix.
Julia sighed and asked to go back to her cell. The dwarfs quickly agreed; happy to be rid of her.
When Julia returned to the cell, Murtagh was lying on his cot with his hands behind his head. A lock of hair had fallen in his face, which gave him a mischievous and boyish appearance. Julia hated to admit it, but she found Murtagh to be more handsome with each passing day.
Murtagh sat up when Julia walked in, noticed the solemn expression on her face and demanded to know what was wrong.
Julia told him what she had overheard, bowed her head and proceeded to tell him that she would turn herself over to Galbatorix.
Murtagh jumped up immediately and walked to where Julia was standing, "You will not turn yourself over to Galbatorix! Do you really think that it will make a difference?!"
Julia was still looking at her feet, "I don't know if it will make a difference. But it's the only thing I can do."
Murtagh grabbed Julia's chin and forced her to look at him, "It's a stupid plan and you know it! I don't care if all of those damn prophecies come true! I will not allow you to put yourself in danger!" Murtagh removed his hand and walked to sit on his cot.
Julia was touched by his words and tears started to fill her eyes. He cared about her…and she just realized that she cared about him.
Murtagh rested his head in his hands and let out a loud sigh.
Julia bit her lip and started to fidget with her hands, "Murtagh…you know that this...I mean, us…it…it can't happen. I-"
Murtagh stood up and cut her off, "And why not?! Because of what that god damn fortune teller said?!"
Murtagh hadn't realized that he had shouted his questions. He saw the fearful look on Julia's face and managed to calm down.
He took a step towards Julia and she took one back.
Murtagh sighed, "I don't know what man that fortune teller was talking about, but I know it wasn't me. I could never betray you…love you, yes, but I would never betray you."
Julia was speechless. Had he just told her he loved her? No…he was just saying that he could love her. Right?
Julia was still so shocked by Murtagh's confession that she hadn't realized that he was now standing right in front of her.
She couldn't look at him. Julia kept her gaze at his chest, "Murtagh, please. You have no idea how hard this is-"
The rest of Julia's statement was cut off by Murtagh's kiss. The second his lips touched hers, Julia forgot what she had been trying to say. She thought about nothing but kissing him back.
Murtagh was amazed at the way Julia was responding to him. He had intended on making it a short, light kiss, but Julia wasn't letting him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and deepened the kiss. Murtagh knew he had to pull back; else he wouldn't be able to stop.
Reluctantly he took a step back and looked at Julia. A passionate and dazed look was in her eyes. Murtagh lightly ran his thumb over her bottom lip and smiled arrogantly. He was pleased to know how much his kiss had affected her.
Julia didn't want to stop kissing Murtagh.
Murtagh turned away from Julia, walked to his cot, took of his tunic, and got under the blankets.
Julia looked at the floor, feeling disappointed and inadequate. Was she that bad of a kisser that he couldn't say anything to her?! She glanced up at Murtagh and saw that he now had his hands behind his head and his eyes closed; a smug grin on his face.
God, she didn't understand that man!
Julia let out a quiet sigh and slowly walked to her cot across from Murtagh's. He was obviously still awake because as Julia was walking past him, Murtagh pulled her onto his cot up against him.
Julia didn't realize what had happened until she was on her side, snuggled up against Murtagh's chest, his chin resting on the top of her head. Julia's hands were resting in front of her on his chest and Murtagh's arms were wrapped around her waist.
Murtagh was silent and his breathing became constant.
Was he just going to grab her and fall asleep without saying anything?! Julia was extremely irritated and started to drum her fingers against Murtagh's bare chest, hoping to get his attention.
Julia didn't realize that she was getting his attention, but not in the innocent way she thought. She didn't know what an effect her touch had on Murtagh.
Murtagh let out a groan and groggily said, "What is it?!"
Julia wasn't sure what to say, "Well…it's not…um…appropriate for us to sleep together- uh…I mean, sleep like this…in the same bed."
Murtagh shrugged, "I'm cold."
Cold?! Then why doesn't he put his tunic back on?! Julia was about to mention that, but was cut off my Murtagh's snore.