Well... I forgot I was going to France for spring break and that was like, a long while... so sorry about saying a week but here's the next update. Enjoy. P.S: 8 more chapters (just a head's up). I was considering a one-shot sequel but I couldn't finish it (awhile back... but that's because of when I finished this fan fiction I continued on and yeah). And also, apparently I can't space out like I did before so I'm using lines to separate every space I need that's more than double, so anything not bolded or whatever that's like this is part of the story (not like that changed but just in case!)

Months passed as Murtagh's injuries healed. Once he was claimed fit enough to do whatever he wishes, he automatically went to Nasuada with a proposition. After a few hours of debating with the council, his plan was approved.

"Wait, so you're saying that you're finally healthy, finally able to do everything you used to, and the first thing you're going to do is abandon me with two one year olds, leave the Varden who have finally started to trust you, leave everything you've ever known... all just to get word out to the cities in Alagaesia that probably already know that there is no one ruler anymore?" Darcie asked flatly, her hard expression holding Murtagh's attention. As soon as she finished, she instinctively reached down and turned Reagan around so he walked in the other direction before leaving the tent.

"Not everyone knows. Just because we do and everyone around Aberon knows, it doesn't mean everyone else does; they have a right to know what's happened to their 'king'," Murtagh pointed out. "And we've been in Surda for over a year now, it'd be nice to see Alagaesia again."

"There's no 'we', it's you," Darcie snapped, poking Murtagh in the chest to emphasize the word. "You want to leave for who knows how long, you want to be the one informing people of what's happened, and you probably want to inform them of the dragon egg. There's no 'we' in this plan of yours, you just want to go off alone everywhere."

As soon as she finished speaking, a small hand grabbed her leather-clad leg and slid down. Looking at the ground, Darcie saw Aryana looking up at her with raised arms. Darcie reached down and picked up the one year old. She held her so that the baby girl sat looking towards Murtagh, her curious aquamarine eyes set on him.

"She's not going to persuade me," Murtagh said flatly.

"I'm not trying to persuade you, I'm just letting you know what I think," Darcie responded simply. "And this one of the two young faces you'll be leaving behind."

"I'm not going to be gone for years."

"I never said you would be," Darcie pointed out as she let Aryana back down and let her walk away. "Just tell me honestly if you just want to have a break so you're alone or not."

"This doesn't have to..." Murtagh stopped when he saw the look on Darcie's face. "Someone needs to look after them."

"I'm not the only candidate for that," Darcie cut in. "Is it that you don't want me around...?"

"That's not it," Murtagh cut in. "It's just easier if it was just Thorn and me."

"So I'll slow you down?"

Murtagh sighed and looked down for a moment, thinking. Moments later, he looked back up and said, "No, Kazryth keeps up well, but it'd be easier for everyone else, the other people and the Varden, if it was just one rider and one dragon."

"Who is still known to be under Galbatorix's allegiance," Darcie pointed out.

"The only people that truly knew about that were those in his armies; Thorn was kept secret, thus keeping me secret. They won't know a thing; they'll just know there is another dragon in existence other than Saphira."

"But it's ok that they don't know who in the gods' names I am. I was, after all, only a girl that was locked in a castle her entire life. Being shut out isn't new."

"Da?"

Murtagh looked down and saw Reagan pulling at his pant leg. Lifting the little boy up, Murtagh momentarily held Reagan at half an Arm's length and asked in a baby voice, "What do you think about me going?"

Reagan squealed happily in response. Murtagh couldn't resist smiling.

"Well at least someone is supportive," he said and brought Reagan closer. Murtagh then looked at a glaring Darcie.

"Why can't Eragon go?"

"He's busy enough as it is," Murtagh responded simply, looking down at Reagan, watching him reach around and grab at anything he could. "I won't be gone forever; I'll be back before you realize it."

Darcie looked at him in consideration for a few moments.

"Would you be living off the land? Killing your meals, cooking them..."

"It wouldn't be the first time," Murtagh pointed out, looking back up to Darcie.

"With Thorn?"

"I haven't traveled alone with Thorn yet, but it wouldn't be much different from the last few times we traveled," Murtagh pointed out.

"There was someone there when you traveled with Thorn..." Darcie started.

"I know," Murtagh cut in. He let Reagan back down and he walked away.

Just let him go, Rider Murtagh will return Kazryth injected.

That's not what I'm worried about.

"Then what are you worried about?" Murtagh asked, cutting into the conversation in Darcie's mind.

"It took you nearly a year to get over every injury you acquired in battle, and it's only been two days since you've been declared completely healthy. What if you got injured again? What will happen then?"

Murtagh took her hands in his and pulled her closer.

"I'm not leaving without supplies."

"But..."

"There are towns that can help if I don't have the proper materials."

"But..."

"If all else fails, Thorn will be there and he knows the way back," Murtagh finally said, knowing it was the answer Darcie was looking for specifically.

Darcie sighed, and then asked, "When do you plan on leaving? Not today hopefully."

"Tomorrow by the latest."

Finally, Darcie had reason to smile. She still didn't like the idea whatsoever, but there was no point in debating it further; it's not going to change.

"Alright."