CHAPTER FIVE: Let Me Go

A/N: Thank you to Earth Kid Tree Hugger for your awesome beta skills! She is now officially my beta, dear readers.

"Would you mind if I hurt you?

Understand that I need to

Wish that I had other choices

Than to harm the one I love."

- What Have You Done, Within Temptation

Ashen paced the empty courtyard in the dead of night. She twisted her hands through her blonde hair, trying to banish her fears. She had to convince herself that it had only been a nightmare, that she had to breathe. So far it was proving to be hard.

"Ashen?"

She jumped and whipped around to see Eragon walking towards her, a concerned look on his face. Saphira landed across the vast courtyard and observed her with cool, intelligent eyes.

"Are you alright?" asked Eragon.

"I'm fine," Ashen lied, turning away from him so that he wouldn't see the tears welling in her eyes. Ever since Colton had gone missing, she'd had nightmares of him dying, which now she was used to. But now, it was nightmares about Tristan. She knew it stemmed from her fear for him, except she didn't know how much more she could take.

Eragon heaved a sigh. "There was a time you once trusted me. I wish you still would. You can talk to me, you know."

Ashen turned to face him, the tears on her cheeks glowing eerily silver in the moonlight. Before she knew what was happening, she was crying openly and Eragon had his arms around her in a brotherly embrace.

"I have the nightmares," Ashen whispered, "Colton dying. Tristan dying. I keep waking up and…I keep thinking it's real, Eragon. Colton was tortured for being associated with a dragon egg. Now that Tristan's the last Rider, I'm worried the same is going to happen to him."

Eragon kissed Ashen on the forehead. He wished that there was some magic he knew that could stop her from being so frightened for her brother's safety all the time. Despite what others in the Varden thought, his feelings for her were those of a brother towards his sister. Now that Tristan had left, Eragon felt it was up to him to watch over Ashen, despite the fact that they were the same age.

"Tristan is safe in Du Weldenvarden. Galbatorix will never find him there."

Ashen nodded and stepped back out of Eragon's embrace. She glanced up at Saphira with something a lot like wonder.

"Saphira, I hope that Fafnir turns out to be as magnificent as you one day."

While Ashen couldn't contact Saphira in the manner that Eragon could, Saphira broadcast her thoughts straight to Ashen.

Thank you, Ashen. Your compliments are flattering.

Ashen sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping.

"I think I'm going to take Perugia out for a ride." Perugia was Ashen's horse. When she was upset or angry, she'd go out for a ride, away from the capital and the Varden and all of the people. She'd go to some secluded place and come back a few hours later, when she was alright with it all.

Eragon frowned. "I'm not entirely sure that's safe, Ashen."

Ashen didn't think it was safe either, but right now, she didn't care. She felt reckless. Besides, if someone wanted to attack her, they'd be searching for her in Surda. They wouldn't be out scouring the plains in case she was there.

"It's safer than here."

Eragon couldn't disagree with that. "Aye. Take care then."

PARAGRAPH

An hour's ride out from Surda, Ashen finally felt free. The darkness fell around her, but instead of feeling trapped by it, she felt that she was cloaked by it. Ashen saw Surda as being the danger to her. If people were looking for the egg, looking to kill her because of her involvement, they'd look there. The further away she was, the safer she was. Just like Tristan, in Du Weldenvarden. The Empire couldn't touch him there.

"Nice night for a ride, isn't it?"

Ashen knew that voice. As she spun around, she felt the panic enveloping her. She hadn't been mistaken. Murtagh was striding casually towards her, garbed in black with Zar'roc by his side. Thorn waited silently a few metres back. Ashen scrambled away from him, cursing her own stupidity. Why hadn't she heard them coming?

"What do you want?" she demanded, "I don't have the egg."

Murtagh raised his eyebrows. "I know. It's hatched for your brother."

Ashen's hands clenched into fists. She hadn't brought her sword, only her bow and arrow. They wouldn't be much use to her now, especially as she wasn't anywhere near as good an archer as Tristan. Sizing Murtagh up, she knew there was no escape. If he wanted to kill her, she couldn't stop him. He was bigger and stronger. A better swordsman. Far more talented in magic.

"So you have a romantic interest in Eragon?" Murtagh's lips tweaked into the bleak hint of a smile, but his eyes remained dark. Ashen was horrified by the knowledge that he had watched her, waited for her to leave Surda, followed her out here. "I didn't see that coming."

"I didn't see you coming," Ashen shot back at him, "Not that it's any of your concern, but no. Eragon and I are only friends. Anyway, I don't see why it should matter to you."

Murtagh remained silent for a few moments and then Ashen dared to repeat the question she was afraid to know the answer to.

"What do you want?"

Murtagh's eyes flicked up to meet hers. "You."

It suddenly became clear to Ashen, the intricacy of Galbatorix's plans. He'd used the Ra'zac to kidnap Katrina in order to lure in Roran, which in turn would lead in Eragon…Murtagh wasn't here to kill her. He was here because she was the person that Tristan – the last Rider – cared about the most.

"No," whispered Ashen, her eyes wide with horror. Then her voice grew stronger. "No. I'm not going to Uru'baen. I won't meet the same fate Colton did."

Murtagh shook his head slowly and there was a bitter gleam in his eyes.

"You don't understand, Ashen. I don't have a choice. So either you can get up on Thorn's back, or I'll take you by force."

Ashen reached over for Perugia. She slapped the reins down and horse galloped off without its rider. Perugia was a trained war-horse. By the time she returned to the Varden without Ashen, they'd know what had happened.

"I am not coming with you," Ashen spat, even though she knew she couldn't stop him.

Murtagh sighed heavily. "So be it."

He moved fast. One moment he was in front of her, the next he had a firm grip on her upper arms and was dragging her backwards, towards Thorn. Ashen kicked and struggled and even though she knew no one could hear her, she screamed: "Help! Someone help me!"

"Screaming won't make any difference," Murtagh assured her. Despite his strength, he was struggling to keep a hold on the wildly thrashing girl. With a grunt, he lifted Ashen over his shoulder while she continued to kick and thump in the vain hope that it would actually make a difference. Murtagh gave a tired laugh at her efforts.

"Let me go!" she insisted, "Murtagh, let me go!"

He refused to listen, so she planted a firm kick in his chest. He sucked in his breath and his grip slackened. Ashen fought her way free and landed heavily on the ground. Her head spun, but she forced herself to her feet, to run. Murtagh leaned forward and snagged her around the wrist, pulling her back towards him.

She's going to be troublesome, Murtagh, Thorn warned.

"Slytha," Murtagh muttered.

He felt the magic leave him as the fight left Ashen. Her eyes fluttered and closed and he caught her around the waist as she fell. She wasn't going to be pleased at all when she woke up. Murtagh was overcome by a sudden wave of guilt, but he could not disobey the king. He hoisted the unconscious girl up and clambered onto Thorn's back.

PARAGRAPH

"Gone?" Eragon couldn't believe what he was hearing, "What do you mean, she's gone? She must just not be back yet. She told me she was going riding on Perugia…"

Nasuada shook her head, a grim expression on her face. "Perugia came back without Ashen. That horse is highly trained. She never would have left Ashen unless she was forced to."

Eragon was troubled. Ashen couldn't be dead. It just wasn't possible. It would be like…like finding out that Murtagh had been sworn to serve Galbatorix.

Saphira? Do you really think she's dead?

Saphira bowed her head. I don't know, Eragon.

Arya shook her head slowly. Her green eyes were bright and she seemed to have a theory of her own.

"I doubt Galbatorix would have sent someone to kill Ashen. She's worth too much alive."

Eragon frowned, beginning to see where this was going and not liking it. Of course…Ashen was Tristan's sister, and Tristan was a Rider. Galbatorix wouldn't find him in Du Weldenvarden, so he'd sent someone after Ashen instead.

"Perugia is a warhorse," Arya continued quietly, glancing across at Eragon, "There aren't many creatures that could outpace her."

Eragon understand the implications immediately. It must have been Murtagh. He had captured Ashen and probably taken her to Uru'baen. His hands clenched into fists. There was no way she could be rescued from Uru'baen. That dark place was far too dangerous.

Nasuada sighed and shook her head slowly. Her concerns were far greater. Horrible as it might be, she knew they had to keep Ashen's capture a secret from her brother. Tristan had already lost Colton and he would be after his sister in a flash – which was exactly what Galbatorix wanted. Instead, he needed to focus on his training…which wouldn't happen if he found out what had happened to Ashen.

PARAGRAPH

Tristan's eyes flickered open. He sat up abruptly, gasping for air. Something terrible had happened, he just knew it. Fafnir cocked his head to the side and observed Tristan with no expression whatsoever.

Something's wrong, Fafnir. I never should have left the Varden…

Nonsense. You're just concerned.

Tristan wiped the sheen of sweat from his forehead, letting Fafnir completely into his mind. It was more than just a matter of being concerned. There was a sick feeling in his stomach, much the same as when Colton had gone missing. Deep inside, Tristan had already known his brother was doomed to die.

What if something really has happened?

There's nothing we can do about it now, Tristan. We're halfway to Du Weldenvarden.

"You look worried," Delia noted wryly. Tristan jumped; he hadn't even known the elf Rider was awake. "Don't be. You must learn to let go of these bonds to which you cling so tightly. Focus on what you have with Fafnir. For now, time stands still. Everything else must wait."

She picked up a rock and placed it on the ground in front of Tristan.

"Your training is all that matters. Focus your energy, your entire being, on this rock. Say 'stenr risa."

Tristan narrowed his eyes. "Stenr risa."

Nothing happened. Delia didn't look surprised, but Tristan was overcome by a wave of disappointment and his shoulders slumped. Fafnir gave a sympathetic growl and padded towards the Rider.

You can't always expect things to work out the first time.

I know. But…I was just hoping.

Tristan was impatient. Terrible things were happening in Alagaesia, yet he felt that he was progressing so slowly, that it would be ages before he was ready. He was getting impatient. Normally, he was calm and laid-back, but this was different. This was about the fate of Alagaesia. If only he could speed up his learning. He couldn't even use magic yet, so how was he supposed to stand up against Murtagh and Galbatorix? What if, by the time he reached his full potential, it was too late?

Fafnir reached out to him, offering comfort.

We will be ready, Tristan. When we are, we will join with Eragon and Saphira…and then, we'll be unstoppable.

I hope so. Because otherwise, we are doomed.