"Eragon!" She mentally shouted. "It is good to hear your voice, brother."
"Same here. Are you and Eirwen alright?" His concern was evident.
"Yes, we're alright. How is it that I can hear you now?" She questioned.
"Because we're close; we're in the woods just outside." He replied. "We're planning an attack. Where are you?"
"I'm in Murtagh's chambers at the moment. I'm not sure if or when I'll be returning to the dungeon." She wasn't sure if she was thrilled about the thought of an attack or not.
"Where's Eirwen?"
"In the arena with Thorn." She was watching Murtagh.
"There's no chance that you'll change your mind about fighting against me?" He turned to look at her.
"I'm sorry, but I will not fight against Eragon. I can't." her gaze fell to the ground as a tear escaped. It wasn't an easy decision and she never once blamed Murtagh for the choice he made.
"Do you love him?" He paused. "Do you love him more than me?"
"Murtagh, it's not that." She walked over to him. "I love you both equally. I just love him differently."
"Of course, he's the hero." Murtagh looked away. She sighed.
"No, he's my blood." She rested her forehead against his cheek. "I never blamed you for the choice you made. Please, don't make this harder." She pulled away and turned for the door. "Maybe I should return to the dungeon, where I belong."
"Onóra, wait?" He reached for her hand. "Something is going to happen soon… this may be out last night together." He pulled her into him.
"Murtagh, I…" His lips crashed onto hers and her train of thought was forgotten. He ran his hands down her back and rested them at the small of her back. She arched into him as the desire began to take control. His lips caressed her throat as his hands made their way under her blouse.
"Stop." She stepped back, heart pounding. "Don't do this." She watched as his eyes changed. They were now the same eyes he had when she was protecting Eirwen the other day.
"Get out of there, Onóra!" Eirwen's voice pierced her thoughts. "His mind is being controlled by Galbatorix."
"Eragon, is there any way to save Murtagh?" She started backing towards the door but she tripped over the rug in front of the fire place.
"We're working on it, Onóra." Eragon replied.
"Get out of there!" Eirwen shouted.
"Onóra?" Murtagh shook his head as his mind became his own again. He looked down at the terrified woman. "Onóra, it's me. I'm so sorry." He knelt in front of her.
"Murtagh?" She searched his eyes and relaxed a little when she realized that it was him again.
"What have I done? Please, forgive me." His hands were shaking.
"There's nothing to forgive." She placed her hands on his. She looked into his eyes again and then leaned in. Her lips grazes his and he wrapped his arms around her waist as her fingers tangled in his hair. There was a difference in this kiss; this one was filled with love and passion but it was gentle. He leaned her back onto the floor and hovered over her.
"Onóra, no matter what happens, know that I love you. I'm glad that you will fight with the Varden. Promise me that if I can't be saved, you'll kill me." He looked into her eyes and saw them fill with tears.
"You can be saved, Murtagh. I know you can be." She held his face.
"Onóra, we attack at dawn. Be ready." Eragon's voice sounded grim. "Only time will tell if Murtagh can be saved, but there is a chance."
"Promise me, Onóra." Murtagh pleaded. Onóra pulled his lips onto hers as the gravity of the whole situation hit her. He resisted at first but he soon felt all the hopelessness that she was feeling. "Promise me, please, Onóra?" He asked again a few minutes later.
"Murtagh, don't think like that. Let's just be together tonight." Onóra leaned up to kiss him but he pulled away and sat up.
"I won't break that code as well, my love. Only if I can be saved and only after we are married. I will not give Galbatorix any more reasons to make sure we're both dead by the end of this." He stood up as did she.
"Eragon, can you give me no comfort in this? Is there any way…?" She sounded hopeless.
"Only time will tell now, Onóra. That's all the comfort I can give. I'm sorry." He didn't douns too hopeful either. She sighed.
"What are you thinking about?" Murtagh watched the expression play across her face.
"Nothing important." She lied and hoped he didn't notice. "I just miss Eragon and Arya and Brom… and my mother. That's all." It was true at least, just not the whole truth.
"You'll see them again." He tried to comfort her.
"Maybe." She so desperately wanted to tell him of the impending attack but wasn't sure how he'd react. The Varden needed the element of surprise. "Eragon, there's to be an execution at dawn." She had nearly forgotten about that.
"Who's?"
"The middle brother. He apparently defied Galbatorix's orders a few times and so he's been sentenced to death." She replied as she watched Murtagh. "What?" He kept staring at her.
"You're communicating with someone." He stated. "Who?"
"It's best, safer, if you don't know." She wasn't going to deny that she was communicating with someone. She was, however, still unsure of how he'd react if he knew who. She watched as his eyes changed and she tried to move away from him.
"Who!?" He grabbed her by the throat and slammed her against the wall.
"Is there no way to break this mind control, Thorn?" She begged as the room began to get dark and hazy. She grabbed his wrist and tried to get him to release her.
"The only way is for Galbatorix to get distracted. What's going on?" Thorn's voice was dim and her vision was going. "Onóra?" A roar erupted from the direction of the arena.
"Onóra, answer me!" Eirwen's voice was barely audible. Another roar filled the air. Suddenly, Murtagh released his grip and Onóra collapsed to her knees, coughing and gasping for air.
"Onóra, I'm so sorry. What have I done?" Murtagh was as far from her as he could in that room.
"Murtagh?" Her voice was weak and hoarse. She sat up slowly and put a hand to her throat.
"Onóra, are you alright? I thought I heard Eirwen's roar." Eragon's voice brought her to reality.
"I should return to the dungeon. It would be better… safer for me." Onóra watched as Murtagh slowly approached her. She stood up and used the wall for support.
"I'm sorry." He gently touched the red mark on her neck. She jumped a little but then held his hand there.
"It's not your fault." She smiled a little. She understood what was going on.
"But you are right, it's probably safer for you to return to the dungeon." He kissed her neck and then her lips. He escorted her to the dungeon and then assigned the eldest brother to guard her. "I'm sorry about everything, Onóra."
"Good night, Murtagh." She replied. "Eragon, I'm back in the dungeon. It was safer that I returned."
"What do you mean 'safer'?" Eragon asked. "Did Murtagh hurt you?"
"Yes and no. It wasn't Murtagh. He was being controlled by Galbatorix. It wasn't his fault." Onóra laid on the floor. Murtagh had given Azura back to her and the sword lay beside her.
"Onóra?" The eldest brother called quietly.
"Yes?" She looked over at him. "I'm sorry about your brother…"
"He brought this on himself." He shook his head. "What's going to happen?"
"I can't tell you that. I can't put you in danger."
"They're planning an attack, aren't they?" He looked anxiously behind him to make sure no one was around. "When?" He asked when he saw her nod once.
"I can't tell you." She repeated.
"I don't want to fight on his side anymore. I've thought about what you said about my wife's death… I believe you."
"You asked 'when'?" He nodded. "My answer is: when is the execution?" She asked. She nodded in understanding.
"That soon?"
"That soon." Onóra said before rolling onto her side.
"Roran and his men will come for you, Onóra. Arya and Brom will try to get to Eirwen." Eragon said.
"Alright. The eldest brother is the only guard with me. He doesn't want to fight for Galbatorix any longer."
"And you believe him?" Eragon wasn't as quick to believe.
"Yes." Onóra was sure.
"Alright, that could be a good thing." Eragon replied. "Get some sleep, it's going to be dawn soon."
"Not soon enough." Her thoughts drifted to Murtagh as she closed her eyes. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep. She was jolted awake a few hours later by the sound of drums beating in the distance.
"He's being escorted to his death." The eldest brother said when he noticed that she was awake. "Here is some water." He handed her a mug.
"Thanks." She drank some and then everything went silent.
"Roran and his men have managed to get into the castle. They're on their way to you." Eragon's voice made her jump a little. Roran came around the corner as Onóra stood up.
"They're here." She relayed to Eragon. The eldest brother unlocked the cell door. They headed to the throne room and hid. "We're in the throne room; I'll tell you when."
"Alright, we're ready. Brom and Arya have managed to free Eirwen." Eragon replied, tension and anxiety clear in his voice.
"Eirwen, I don't want to fight him." The thought of having to fight against Murtagh weighted heavily on Onóra. The sound of distant voices distracted her. They held their breath as the voices got closer. Galbatorix and Murtagh entered the throne room followed by at least a dozen soldiers.
"Onóra, what's going on?" Eragon asked, trying to keep calm.
"He's in the throne room. Murtagh and a dozen soldiers as well." She relayed the scene to her brother.
"Thorn is heading that way!" Eragon replied as he watched the red dragon fly above their hiding spot and over to the castle.
"Eragon, they know something is happening; Shruikan has just emerged." Onóra said as she watched the black dragon emerge from behind the curtain. "I think it's time, brother." She watched Murtach reach for Zar'roc. She could feel the heat rise from Azura; it was as if the sword knew that blood was about to be shed. Ancient powers, if Murtagh can be saved, please show me how… She sent up the silent prayer as she felt Eragon and the others move in.
"It's the Varden!" A soldier standing near the window had spotted the invaders.
"Let them come. This time they will all die." Galbatorix stated calmly.
"Not yet." Onóra whispered when she noticed Roran move toward the soldiers.
"Galbatorix, surrender!" Onóra recognized her father's voice instantly.
"Brom, you really are a fool. Kill him." Two soldiers lunged for Brom.
"NO!" Onóra reacted without thinking. Azura moved as fluid as water as she sliced the stomach of one of the soldiers. Onóra knew that the sword was as much a part of Brom as it was a part of herself. It was a token of the father's love for his daughter.
"Seize them both!" Galbartorix's order rang throughout the castle and more soldiers appeared. Soon the room was filled with clanging swords and cries of death. Eragon and the others had moved the same time Onóra had; Eragon wanted to protect his family.
"Varden, stand strong and fight!" Onóra's words echoed in the stone room and encouraged the Varden to stand firm in the fight. Onóra watched as the dragons fought and winced whenever Thorn and Eirwen clashed. A loud roar erupted as Fírnen hit the ground. Arya ran to her dragon. Shruikan faced her. The madness evident in his face;l it was almost as if he were asking for death. Onóra watched as Arya granted the black dragon's wish. The cry of a dying dragon filled the room as Arya's throw caused a Dauthdaert to cut through one of Shruikan's blue eyes. It was clear that the battle had turned. The atmosphere in the room changed but the evil around Galbatorix grew. Onóra watched in horror as Eragon fought his way to the evil king. Without knowing what happened, she found herself on the ground bleeding from her shoulder. She looked up to see Murtagh standing over her. Her blood ran down Zar'roc's blade. She watched as he raised the sword above her; setting up for the fatal blow. She didn't even try to defend herself; she knew, by the look in his eyes, that he was not Murtagh.
"No!" Something was wrong. She should be dead now. That voice… Onóra looked at the body lying next to her. The eldest brother had given his life to protect her.
"Powers of the ancients, hear my cry. If Murtagh can be saved, show me. Let me know how to save my future." The silent prayer gave her the strength to stand. As she stood she sheathed her sword and faced Murtagh. The room grew silent as both Onóra and Eragon began to glow.
"Impossible!" Galbatorix shouted. He watched as the air around the two young dragon riders began to shimmer and glow brighter.
"Eragon?" Onóra looked to her brother.
"Eldunari…" Eragon locked eyes with his sister. Eragon's sword, Brisingr, glowed with an ancient power.
"Murtagh, listen to me." Onóra approached Murtagh; his eyes still dark and void of emotion. "Search your heart and find the truth; find your destiny." She laid a hand on his cheek, tears stinging her eyes.
"Onóra, help me." Murtagh's voice was weak but full of hope… and fear. Onóra rolled up her sleeve as well as his; revealing the soulmater marks. As soon as both were uncovered, they began to glow.
"No!" Galbatorix stepped towards the pair only to be stopped by Eragon.
"Your reign ends, Galbatorix." Eragon raised Brisingr to strike. Galbatorix deflected the attack and the two began to fight.
"You are no match for me, boy!" Galbatorix's angry shouts turned to shouts that sounded like the confidence had been replaced with doubt; the power replaced by fear.
"Galbatorix, you are no longer king. Your tyranny and evil die today." Eragon struck the final blow. Galbatorix lay on his back gasping for breath. He still had strength to control Murtagh though.
"Onóra, help me defeat this; help me return to you." His weakened voice carried to her heart as the Eldunari burned through them both.
"Fight, Murtagh, fight alongside me." Onóra could feel his control get strong; Murtagh was fighting back. Hope flickered in his eyes and Onóra made the connection complete by kissing him. Eragon watched as Galbatorix took his last breath.
"Thank you, my love." Murtagh smiled at Onóra as they stepped apart. The room erupted in joyous shouts as the victory sank in.
"We did it. We can live in peace now." Nasuada said as the shouts died down.
"Nasuada, you are the rightful Empress of Algaesia; the Queen of the Empire. May you with wisdom and peace." Onóra said as she bowed in respect of the new ruler. The others followed suit. As they began to remove their fallen, Onóra knelt next to the body of the eldest brother.
"Onóra?" Murtagh stood next to her. "Are you alright?" The mental connection had remained permanent.
"He gave his life for me; in the end he was part of the Varden." Some of the men carried his body out with the others. Everyone headed outside; Nasuada would have to decide what to do about the castle. Brom stood with the four dragon riders and their dragons.
"Father, you are returning to my mother, correct?" Onóra looked at Brom. It felt wonderful for her to finally be able to call him "Father" now that everything was over.
"Yes, Daughter, I will be returning to Amelia." He pulled her into a hug. "What will the four of you do now?"
"I will return hom, Du Weldenvarden is safe from the grasps of Galbatorix now, but they are without a proper ruler since the death of my mother." Arya stood tall next to Fírnen. "I am the first Elven to be a dragon rider and it is something to bring back to my people."
"I will also be returning to Du Weldenvarden. I will train future dragon riders." Eragon smiled at Arya. There was something still unspoken between them.
"I should return there as well, at least for a time." Onóra said with mixed emotions. She looked at Murtagh and knew that they would be spending some time apart.
"I don't know where I will be heading. I just know that I need time away from all of this." Murtagh stated. He looked at Brom, Eragon, and Arya, but his gaze settled on Onóra. "Please, don't cry. We will be together, my love. I just need time to heal."
"I know, my heart, but I don't know how I will manage without you now that we are so bonded." Tears flowed down her cheeks, not matter how hard she tried to fight them. Murtagh pulled her to him and held her tight. Mixed emotions were felt in the atmosphere as the remaining Varden went their separate ways. They would always be regarded as heroes, but now they had to learn how to be regular citizens again.
"You all are welcome to return at any time; the whole kingdom owes you everything." Nasuada said. The funeral pyres were lit for the fallen Varden; a funeral fit for a fallen king, a fallen hero.
"Let's go home." Brom looked at the dragon riders. They nodded.
"Take care of yourself, Murtagh, don't be a stranger." Arya was the first to say goodbye.
"Take all the time you need, but don't stay away forever, my brother." Eragon was next.
"We've had our differences, Murtagh." Brom smiled a little. "Take care of yourself and take care of Thorn. You will always be welcomed with open arms, my son." Onóra was already in tears, but to see Brom hugging Murtagh made things worse.
"Murtagh." Onóra faced him. "No matter where you go; no matter how long it takes… I will carry you in my heart and I will wait for the day when you come home to me. You are my life, my future, my heart." She placed a hand over his heart. The kiss they shared in that moment was more powerful and more binding than anything that had ever been.
"I will return to you, Onóra, you are my destiny." Murtagh wiped away her tears, kissed her once more, and then he and Thorn headed in the opposite direction of Du Weldenvarden.