A/N: Yay! I'm not dead! Or am I… well anyways I've finally got chapter seven done. Took a while but hopefully chapter eight will be quicker in coming. Oh, and I've created an OC profile section on my profile. Raine has a profile there now so you can check that out if you want. Well, R&R

Chapter Seven: Past, Present and Future

The next few days passed slowly; Murtagh slept and recovered from his 'talk' with the King and Raine sat by his side, thinking. It had been a great relief to confide in Thorn. Not being able to reveal her true nature to anyone had been tormenting her since her arrival Alagaësia but now the burden was lessened. She knew she could not speak with him often though, as she did not want Murtagh to discover her secret. Still, she would have given anything to be able to speak to Murtagh, but she knew that if she did, he would no longer tolerate her presence. Raine did not know if she would be able to stand that; she had come to rely on his silent companionship in these troubling times.

Raine glanced at his sleeping form on the bed behind her and felt a flash of anger at King Galbatorix. That the Varden had stolen the last dragon egg had not been Murtagh's fault. It had been the King that had sent him out in the first place. What right had he to blame Murtagh for his own carelessness?

Banishing those thoughts from her head, she walked over to Murtagh's bed, where he was beginning to awaken. At first he just lay there, staring at the ceiling above while Raine sat and watched him. After a moment, he pushed himself into an upright position and stood up. He was strong enough for that now, but he wouldn't be doing much more for a day or two yet. He dressed in silence and Raine did nothing to try to catch his attention; she knew he must have a lot on his mind, as well that he was still healing.

After a moment a knock came at the door followed by a young woman's voice. "Food, sir," she called.

"Enter," Murtagh replied absently. Gingerly he sat down in a chair beside the window and stared out at the slowly rising sun. Raine hid herself from sight as the servant entered and placed a plate of food on the table by Murtagh. He said nothing as she bowed her way out of the room and he made no movement to take the food.

Raine waited until she heard the door close and her footsteps recede down the hall before making her way out of hiding. She went and sat beside Murtagh and looked up at him. "You can have to food if you want," he told her. She did not take it, however. She had hunted recently and would not have to eat for at least another day.

"It's been so long since I was last at ease," he said finally. Raine's ears perked up and she paid him her full attention now. If he wanted to talk, she would listen. "I think it was when I still traveled with Eragon."

Raine had heard the name before, though she could not place it. She could hear the anger and bitterness in his voice as he said it, though she heard something else as well; a profound sadness. He looked down at Raine and she saw the same sadness in his eyes that she had heard in his voice.

"Eragon is the Dragon Rider that has sided with the Varden," he clarified. "He is my rival and sworn enemy." He paused for a moment and looked back out the window. "And my brother."

Raine had not heard this bit of information before and realized how troubling this must be for him. He had no one left in the world that truly cared about him and now his brother was his greatest enemy.

"I haven't known that he was my brother for long," he continued. It seemed that now that he had started talking he might not be able to stop. She did not imagine he had anyone other than Thorn to confide in. "Galbatorix told me after I was forced to swear allegiance to him. Eragon did not know of our shared heritage either until I told him myself during the battle on the Burning Planes."

He glanced down at his hand. "I hate being a servant to the King," he stated vehemently. "This is nothing like it was supposed to be. He gave me visions of grandeur and the world he showed me was beautiful; one anyone would desire. Instead he stripped me of everything I had. My sword, my freedom, even my life are his to do with as he pleases. They only thing he left me with is this incredible power." At this he clenched his had into a fist. His expression was dark with anger at the King.

Murtagh sighed and unclenched his fist, looking back out the window. He didn't speak again for a long moment and Raine in turn, looked at him in stunned silence. She hadn't been with him for long, but this was the first time he has spoken so passionately about his hatred for the King he served, or about anything really. He was such a closed off person. He had put up a wall around himself and denied anyone access. Most would say it was because he was a cold hearted person who was ruled by hatred and a desire to fight, though she would say it was because he was afraid of being hurt again.

"Eragon said something to me the last time we met in battle," he continued suddenly. "I've been thinking about it a lot lately. The reason I serve Galbatorix is because he knows my true name, so he can command me in any way he wishes, but Eragon said that it is possible to change your true name." He looked down at Raine now, as if seeking her opinion. "I know not where he came by that information but I often wonder what I would do if I had the chance to choose for myself."

Raine knew that what he was saying now was dangerous. If anyone overhead him, they would undoubtedly report him to the King. She kept quiet though and let him continue. "There is almost no chance that Galbatorix can be killed, I know that. But sometimes I wonder if that could change. Eragon has united the dwarves, the elves, and men while he himself is becoming a rider of great prowess. Not to mention that Dragon Rider I killed who rode the crippled golden dragon."

A fresh wave of anger and despair washed over him as he thought about the golden rider. "Why didn't he tell me about the golden rider?" he asked no one. "He could have helped me! I could be free of this place and doing what I chose, not what someone forced on me."

He sagged into the chair now, his anger spent. Raine edged closer to him and laid her head on his knee. Murtagh absently placed a hand on her head, once again lost in thought. "Perhaps I would travel with him again, if he would let me." Raine looked up to see a faint smile play itself across his lips. "My travels with him were the most freedom I've had in years, as well as the most entertaining. I do not wish to meet him again before I am free though. It would be too painful to see his freedom while I am trapped. As well, depending on the circumstance, I may have to kill him."

Raine realized now how deeply Murtagh missed Eragon. He had truly enjoyed their time together and sorely missed the simplicity of that time. He had been Murtagh's first friend in what Raine imagined had been a long time.

"Don't think I've forgotten you," Murtagh said. Raine looked up at him, perplexed. "I've stuck my neck out for you this far, so you're stuck with me until you pay me back." If Raine could laugh, she would have.

They sat in silence together for a while, Murtagh on the chair, staring out the window, and Raine with her head on Murtagh's knee and his hand on her head. Raine's thoughts swirled as she tried to sort them out. Was there something she could do to help him? Could she find a way for them to escape? What could she do to ease Murtagh's suffering? In the end, she had nothing. The only thing she could offer him was the silent reassurance of her presence, just as he had given her his.

When the sun was finally setting, staining the sky pink and gold, someone knocked at the door. Raine started badly but recovered in time to hide herself from the view of whoever might be standing at the door. They did not announce their purpose so Murtagh stood slowly to answer the beckoning knock. All signs of the despair and anger that had gripped him earlier were gone. He now stood with confidence and authority. He may be a servant to the King, but he was a very high ranking servant.

On the other side of the door stood a messenger of the King. It was not the same one that had come to deliver the altered orders days before. This messenger seemed to know his place and had apparently dealt with Murtagh before.

"New orders form the King, sir," he said, handing a scroll to Murtagh. "You are to leave as early as possible tomorrow on a scouting mission. You are to leave your dragon here." Murtagh did not seem happy with this news. He dismissed the messenger who bowed and then left quickly down the hall. Murtagh walked over to his desk where he broke the seal of the King and read the scroll. After a moment he rolled it back up and placed it with the rest of the orders he had received.

"It looks like tomorrow will be another mission for you and me," he said to Raine. "As I'm sure you heard, it is but a simple scouting mission, but I imagine you would enjoy the run." Raine's eyes sparkled, looking forward to running wild the next day.

Murtagh prepared for bed now and when he finally settled down he placed his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling. "I think starting tomorrow I should start thinking seriously about changing my true name. Perhaps that way we could finally be free of the horrid place."

His voice as he spoke that last line had been clear but with an aching longing. As he rolled onto his side, Raine noted the scars that traced pale white lines across his skin and the stiff manner in which he moved. If she could have cried, she would have.