The Perfect Way To Meet

Doubt entered Nasuada's mind as she exited the Varden's camp under cover of darkness. The guards on duty gave her an odd look but she ignored them.

What am I doing? I'm the leader of the Varden! I can't just go running off in the middle of the night, especially not to him! Yesterday he was an enermy, Galbatorix's weapon, he tried to capture my rider and kill my people, not to mention the fact that he is Morzan's son! What on earth would my father think? She shuddered at the thought.

Suddenly Katrina's words entered her mind trust your feelings regardless of what others think, after all you know your own heart better than anybody else.

Somehow I don't think this is what Katrina meant.

Her thoughts were interrupted when a strong invisible hand grabbed her wrist. She cried out in surprise before another covered her mouth.

"Shh Nasuada it's me," Murtagh's voice whispered softly in her ear, sending chills through her body. Instantly she stopped struggling and he removed his hands.

"My Lady, are you ok?"

Nasuada looked around to the guard who had called out wondering how foolish she must have looked. Cursing Murtagh she called back, "I'm fine, I just saw a stray dog, and it startled me". Beside her Murtagh snorted in amusement.

She turned away before the guard could respond. "That wasn't funny, what are you doing here?" She hissed walking towards the beach quickly.

"You did say you'd have a dragon rider to protect you," Murtagh reminded her. She was surprised when she heard his voice coming from in front of her; she had forgotten how fast he was.

When she didn't reply Murtagh continued, "why are you here?"

Feeling I honestly don't know wasn't a very appropriate answer Nasuada quickly made something up. "I wanted to talk to you about how we are going to handle this situation because you were right yesterday, not everyone is going to welcome you back with open arms".

Murtagh only grunted in response.

Neither of them spoke as they made their way down the narrow track leading to the beach.

"Come on, there is someone I want you to meet". Murtagh said suddenly grinning from ear to ear.

Without waiting for a response he took off running at an unbelievable speed down the beach.

Nasuada followed as fast as she could, cursing and at the same time marvelling his speed.

Murtagh was waiting for her about two hundred meters up the beach, he was standing at the bottom of what was a cross between a small mountain and very large rock.

"You don't expect me to climb that do you?

Murtagh looked between the steep rock face and Nasuada.

"No, perhaps not"

Quicker than Nasuada could believe, Murtagh scooped her up in his arms and started climbing the rock.

"What are you doing? Put me down!" She demanded.

"Soon"

He shifted the arm that was supporting her back slightly. Afraid of slipping Nasuada threw her arms around his neck and held on tightly. He laughed back made no other comment about the gesture. Despite her fear and confusion Nasuada couldn't help but feel comfortable in Murtagh's arms.

After a few moments they reached the top of the rocks and Murtagh gently let of Nasuada's legs so she could stand up.

They were looking down at a gully in between the hill they had just climbed and an almost identical cliff on the other side. Small waves gently rolled onto the rocks but

Nasuada didn't notice. All of her attention was focussed on the great red dragon currently looking up at her with curiosity.

"Nasuada, I'd like you to meet Thorn".

Nasuada's blood ran cold as she looked at the giant beast in front of her. It was only the second dragon she had ever seen. Saphira was frightening enough but Thorn seemed so much more terrifying. Perhaps it was the horrific scars that marred Thorn's tail or the blood red colour of his scales, Nasuada didn't know but she subconsciously took a step closer to Murtagh seeking comfort.

As if sensing her discomfort Murtagh slipped his warm hand into hers for support.

"Hello Thorn, it's nice to meet you. My name is Nasuada, I am the leader of the Varden", Nasuada said, in what she hoped was a confidant voice.

The dragon looked up at her, his fierce eyes meeting hers and making her blood run cold. I know who you are pesky two-legs. A deep regal voice replied in her mind.

Murtagh inhaled sharply, "Thorn!" he snapped in warning. Turing back to Nasuada he explained, "I'm sorry about that Thorns trying to be more… confident, to change his true name, it seems however he is yet to learn the difference between confidences and rudeness," the last part of his sentence was directed at the dragon.

Nasuada looked at Murtagh who was looking at the dragon with an angry expression on his face; it seemed they were having a private conversation.

Nasuada jumped, clinging tighter onto Murtagh's hand, as the dragon let out a strange barking sound. It took her a moment to realise that he was only laughing and she let go of Murtagh's hand in embarrassment.

My apologies lady Nasuada, Thorn's voice echoed through Nasuada's mind again, however this time it seemed friendlier. As I'm sure you are aware my name is Thorn. I'm sorry for all the trouble I have caused your Varden. Nasuada sensed great sadness coming from the dragon as he said these words, however before she could reply the dragon continued talking. I would like to thank you for giving myself and my rider another chance; we will try not to let you down.

Thorn turned towards his rider with a mischievous spark in his eyes, Murtagh in turn glared at the dragon. Ignoring his riders warning Thorn continued, by the way my lady you are every bit as beautiful as my rider says.

With those final words the dragon spread his wings and took off, the force of his wings sending Nasuada crashing into Murtagh.
Ignoring the butterflies in her stomach Nasuada awkwardly stepped away from Muratgh.

Murtagh, who looked a little stunned, cleared his throat nervously, "So you said you wanted to talk?"

They had been sitting on the beach talking for hours. They talked about serious things; how they were going to handle Murtagh's return, what would happen if Thorn couldn't change his true name, battle strategies, and they talked about lighter things; stories of Thorn as a hatchling, Orrin and his crazy experiments, imperial literature. Nasuada was reminded of the hours they spent together in Murtagh's cell, so long ago in Farthen Dûr'. A comfortable silence had descended as they sat together on the beach; watching the moon light glitter across the water and listening to the waves gently roll onto the sand.

Finally Nasuada asked the question that she most wanted an answer for, "why?"

Murtagh glanced at Nasuada before looking back across the sparkling ocean, his voice was full of regret when he spoke, "everything I did, I did because I didn't have a choice, I admit that sometimes I was selfish, doing what was best for Thorn and myself, but for the most part I did try to do the right thing".

Sensing Murtagh's pain Nasuada put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I know that," she said, "I should have been more specific, I meant on The Burning Plains, why Hrothgar?" Murtagh turned and as his blue eyes met her brown ones Nasuada found it difficult to continue, "I mean, it's just, you sought him out, it seemed… personal?"

A few moments past in silence before Murtagh replied, his eyes never leaving hers. "It was, and it wasn't". At Nasuada's confused look her continued, "The first time the king sent me in to battle under oath he wasn't very careful, he didn't realise I would search for loopholes in my orders. Before the battle he forced me to swear to kill the leader of the rebels, he… he meant you Nasuada".

Murtagh looked close to tears as he broke eye contact. Without thinking of what she was doing Nasuada reached up and gently touched his cheek trying to express without words that she understood and it was ok.

"I couldn't do it, not you," Murtagh said so quietly it was almost a whisper, "I… I considered killing Orrin but I knew what the Varden needed the support of Surda and… Hrothga, Hrothga just seemed like the best option".

Nasuada had unconsciously moved closer during Murtagh's story. "Murtagh," she whispered, "Murtagh look at me."

Murtagh's blue eyes connect with hers once again and the butterflies in her stomach returned. "It's ok, I understand".

Nasuada's brain seemed to be having trouble functioning, the only thing she was aware of was Murtagh; his dark, windswept hair, his emotion filled eyes and his lips, so close to hers.

She moved closer hesitating when she remembered her father, his father, the Varden and the war.

Trust your feelings, you know your own heart better than anybody else.

Katrina's words were the last thing that entered her mind before she leant forward gently meeting his lips with her own.