Ok, I've finished this entire story now, so updates won't take forever hopefully. I had a totally random thought after updating last, and I turned it into another Murtagh/OC story. Don't have a title, but I have a short, crappy summary and a better, longer one. I've started the story for that one...

Also, there will be a one-shot sequel. It's a long way from here I can say (the end). I finished it on September 7th at 7:25pm, and shortly afterwards and over the course of the next day I nearly finished the one-shot sequel. I'm not saying what it's called because it'll give away the ending.

Enjoy this update ) The answer to what happens will be posted in a few days!

Weeks passed by, and it definitely became apparent there was something between Kazryth and Saphira. Darcie saw Eragon's reaction to the news, but beyond his happiness for Saphira, Darcie saw his pain. She slightly understood why - Kazryth was under Galbatorix before coming here, along with Darcie. Ever since she came, there has been a kind of coldness between the two that was indescribable. They could get along rather well when working together, which Nasuada made sure of, but when at the camps they weren't as 'friendly'.

Darcie still received training from Murtagh. They would spend hours in the shadows of the empty dungeons, training with swords and in magic. She had learned many spells that had come straight from Murtagh's learning with Galbatorix, spells no one dared to utter or look up. Her strength had greatened with these spells, and within a short amount of time she was as strong as Murtagh. Along with her strength in magic came her efficiency, swiftness, and strength in swordsmanship.

When it came time for her 19th birthday, which was only a week after she got better, Darcie was surprised people knew - she hadn't told anyone when she was born and let alone how old. She only assumed Murtagh found out when he was in her conscious. Because of it, she received little gifts from some people whenever she passed by.

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Darcie was looking through books she had gotten in the castle's library while sitting on her bed in her tent. Once she had learned how to read, thanks to the librarian, she was rather drawn to facts about Alagaesia before her father and the Forsworn when the elves came to the land. When not reading history, she enjoyed average stories that drew her into the story itself.

As she flipped a page in the book she was reading about King Palacar, she felt a lurching in her stomach. How could I be hungry if I just ate?

Her head then felt light. The lurching in her stomach felt as if it was going upwards, so she ran outside and as far away from the camps as possible before she let up her mid-day meal just outside the remainder of the camp's tents. She staggered back to camp, feeling twice as sweaty and hot as before. She nearly ran into Murtagh as she made her way back to her tent.

"Sorry," she muttered, trying to walk around him. Nearly tripping in the process, he stopped her.

"Have you had this much wine already?"

"No... I was just reading... and I felt sick... my proof is outside the camps."

"You're as pallid as the Surdan sand."

"Really...?"

"Come along," Murtagh said. As he started walking away with her, he caught her as she fell and he ended up having to carry her back to her tent and calling for Arya.

Minutes later, Arya came to aide. She saw Darcie's pale face and dull eyes and said, "Murtagh, can you leave us for a few minutes?"

He opened his mouth to complain, but Arya cut him off and said, "I need to do a few tests. Now go, you'll be informed later."

Murtagh then left the tent with a scowl.

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An hour passed and Murtagh still paced outside the tent. He could hear the occasional movement inside, but there were no answers - or at least any he couldn't hear. His anxiety built until Arya opened the tent flap. One look at her expression told him she wasn't happy, even if she covered it well.

"Within the past month have you and Darcie had... intimate relations?"

Murtagh was taken aback, but he nodded faintly.

"Alright then, come in." Arya pulled the tent flap further open to let him through. In the back of the tent and on the edge of the bed, Darcie sat with her face in her hands, rocking back and forth slightly and her breath was shaky - she was crying. Arya stopped Murtagh, who was trying to walk further in.

"So what is it?" he asked.

Arya grabbed the chair, gesturing him to sit down. Murtagh did as he was told.

"Darcie?" Arya asked as she sat down next to the girl.

Darcie looked up from her hands, wiped away the tears from her face and looked at Arya. The elf smiled slightly and Darcie then looked at Murtagh. She faintly gestured him closer. He moved the chair until he sat in front of her.

"This is only the beginning..." was what she first said as he took her hands, not even caring if he got sick doing so. "And please, please don't get mad..."

"Why would I get mad?" he asked softly, feeling her freezing hands get warmer quickly.

Darcie shook as she withheld a wave of fresh tears. She looked into his eyes and opened her mouth, but no words came out. She looked at Arya desperately.

"Darcie's..."

Thud.

If you haven't guessed it yet, you'll find out for sure what's happening in the next update. That 'thud' is also important.