The next morning, Alianna woke up to find Murtagh sitting in a chair in the corner of the room, staring at her. Instead of questioning him about it, Alianna just sat up and got out of bed.
"How long have you been up?" Alianna asked.
"Awhile," Murtagh replied, "You slept a long time."
"I was tired." Alianna said as she picked out a dress from her closet. She was about to go and get changed when she noticed that Murtagh was grimacing as he put his shirt on.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm fine." Murtagh said.
Alianna knew he was lying, "It's your back again, isn't it?" She knew that because of that horrible scar, Murtagh would get these crippling pains in his back from time to time. Alianna remembered it had happened once after one of their swordplay lessons.
"I told you last night," Murtagh said, "I don't need you feeling sorry for me."
Alianna sighed, "Look, I'm trying to be nice for once." She stepped closer to him, "Does it hurt a lot?"
"Sometimes," Murtagh told her, "But I've learned to deal with it."
"I wonder why it happened this time." Alianna said. It had been awhile since Murtagh's back had hurt him like this.
"Gee, I don't know. Maybe it's because you made me sleep on the hard floor last night!"
Alianna shook her head, "It's too early to fight with you. I'm going to get dressed and then we can head down for breakfast."
Alianna dressed quickly and then she and Murtagh walked down to the dining hall, getting a few strange glances from some of the servants along the way. When they got there, Alianna and Murtagh were told that Galbatorix would not be joining them. From what Alianna could gather, Galbatorix was busy planning an attack on some small village believed to be shipping supplies to and aiding the Varden.
"Good," Alianna said, "I really didn't feel like dealing with him right now."
"For once, we agree on something." Murtagh replied as he sat down at the table.
Alianna and Murtagh said very little to each other as they ate their breakfast. Once she was done eating, Alianna stood up.
"Where are you going?" Murtagh asked.
"I thought I might go down to the library and read for awhile." Alianna replied, "I guess I'll see you later at the training field?"
"Okay," Murtagh said.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
As Alianna walked down to the library, she saw two girls, Lavina and Gracelyn, from the royal court (both of whom were about Alianna's age) who appeared to be talking about her. Alianna hid in a corner and listened in.
"I can't believe Alianna and Murtagh are married." Lavina said, "I should've been the one to marry Murtagh instead of that stuck up princess."
"Keep your voice down!" replied Gracelyn, "Someone might hear you. Besides, you never had a chance with him. Their marriage was arranged a long time ago."
"I guess you're right." Lavina said, "Murtagh would never willingly marry Alianna. Who would?" The two girls started to laugh.
Alianna couldn't take it anymore. She walked out from behind the corner and approached Lavina and Gracelyn.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, Princess Alianna." Lavina and Gracelyn said as they bowed down.
"How are you?" Gracelyn asked.
"I'm fine." Alianna said, "In the future though, I would appreciate it if you made sure I wasn't around when you talked about me."
Lavina gave Alianna a strange look, "I don't know what you mean, my lady."
"It's not very wise of you to lie to me." Alianna told her, "If you ask me, you're the one who's stuck up." She looked over at Gracelyn, "Both of you actually." When neither of them spoke, Alianna continued, "I suggest that you leave here immediately."
Lavina and Gracelyn simply nodded and began to walk away. Alianna glanced over at a nearby fountain and suddenly had an idea.
"Thrysta du adurna (thrust/compress the water)," she said softly.
With those words, water came out of the fountain in the shape of a large ball. Alianna sent it flying in the direction of Lavina and Gracelyn. The water splashed down on the two of them, soaking their dresses. Alianna couldn't help but smile as she watched Lavina and Gracelyn scream.
"Oops," Alianna chucked as she walked away.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Alianna spent a good hour in the library reading books about the ancient language and the history of Alagaesia. She would have stayed longer, but people began to speak about what Alianna had done to Lavina and Gracelyn. Normally, Alianna didn't care too much about people staring or talking about her, but for some reason, it was bothering her then.
Needing someone to talk to, Alianna went straight to the servant's quarters and knocked on Emma's door.
"Who is it?" Emma asked.
"Emma, it's me." Alianna said, "Can I come in?"
Emma opened the door, "Of course you can. But what are you doing here? You should be spending time with your husband. Is everything alright?"
Alianna sighed as she entered Emma's room and sat down, "No, not really." She told Emma all about what had happened on the way to the library.
"I thought you didn't care about what other people say about you." Emma said.
"I don't," Alianna replied, "It's just, I don't know… this time it was different."
Emma smiled, "I think I know why."
"Why?" Alianna asked.
"I think you got upset because deep down, you really love Murtagh."
"No I don't." Alianna told her, "And I know he doesn't love me."
"I wouldn't be so sure."
"What makes you say that?"
"Think about it." Emma said, "Remember that night you and Murtagh had that fight and you ran off into the forest? If Murtagh didn't love you, than he wouldn't have bothered looking for you. Or what about when you got so upset that you asked Murtagh to kill you? He had the chance to do it, but he didn't. Murtagh does love you dear; he just has a strange way of showing it."
Emma was right, thought Alianna didn't want to admit it. She had noticed how strange Murtagh had been acting lately.
"I don't know what to do." Alianna said.
"It's a lovely day." Emma replied, "Maybe you and Murtagh could go for a walk? It would give the two of you a chance to get to know each other."
"We already know each other."
"I mean REALLY know each other. It wouldn't hurt to try, my lady. I'm sure Murtagh isn't as bad as you think he is."
"I'll think about it." Alianna said, "I guess I better get going. Thanks Emma."
Emma smiled, "Anytime, my lady."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Alianna walked out to the training field. This time however, her guards did not accompany her. She had somehow managed to sneak past them. When Alianna arrived, as usual, Murtagh was already there.
Murtagh looked at her strangely, "Where are your guards?"
"I didn't need them." Alianna said, "It was just a short walk. Nothing bad was going to happen."
"Don't be so sure." Murtagh told her, "Galbatorix isn't exactly well liked. What if the Varden has spies around here? If they knew you, Galbatorix's daughter, were walking around by yourself, they might try and kill you. "
Alianna replied, "I doubt the Varden even know I exist. Most people outside of Uru'baen don't. Besides, I can take care of myself. "
Murtagh shook his head, "Whatever you say." He drew his sword, shall we get started?"
Alianna stepped closer to him, "Actually, I thought we might skip training for today."
"But…"
"Murtagh, we've been training for years. We usually match each other blow for blow. There's not much more we can learn. So, I think it wouldn't hurt to miss a day."
"What do you suggest we do then?" Murtagh asked.
"We could take a walk."
"Why would I want to do that? I remember very well what happened the last time we went for a walk."
"I won't run away this time."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
They decided to take a short walk around the courtyard. But just as they were about to head out, Alianna and Murtagh saw Evander approaching.
"The King wishes to see you." Evander said.
Alianna assumed that her father had heard about what she had done earlier that day. She took a step forward.
"Not you." Evander said. He turned to Murtagh, "You."
"Why does he want to see me?" Murtagh asked.
"All I know is that he wishes to meet with you privately." Evander told him.
While Murtagh went with Evander, Alianna was escorted back to her chambers by her guards. She wondered what her father wanted to talk to Murtagh about.
"Whatever it is," Alianna thought, "It can't be good."
Hours went by and Murtagh still hadn't returned. Alianna began to pace back and forth across the room. She had a really bad feeling about all of this. Whenever her father wanted to meet with someone, it usually wasn't a good thing.
"I hope Murtagh is alright. Wait a minute, why am I so worried? This is crazy. I don't love him…"
Finally, Alianna heard the door open and in walked Murtagh. He had a strange look on his face as he approached her.
"You've been gone for hours!" Alianna said, "What happened?"
Murtagh looked up at her, "Galbatorix wants me to serve him."
"What?!?!" Alianna asked as her eyes widened, "You didn't agree to it, did you?"
"I did," Murtagh replied.
"Are you mad? Why would you do something like that?"
"You don't understand." Murtagh said, "Galbatorix told me of his plans. You should've heard him! He's going to rebuild the Empire."
"What are you talking about?"
"Galbatorix is planning on bringing about peace to everyone. He's going to build beautiful cities all over the country. And here's the best part- he's going to bring back the Dragon Riders!"
Alianna couldn't believe what she was hearing, "Lies! All lies! He only said those things in order to get you to serve him. I know my father. He doesn't want to rebuild the Empire- he wants to destroy it! He'll have you out there destroying villages and killing thousands of innocent people. It's a trap! Can't you see that?"
"I know what I'm doing." Murtagh said.
"Apparently you don't! How could you be so stupid? You're going to get yourself killed! If you do this, then you're no better than Morzan!"
The second those words were out of her mouth, Alianna regretted them.
"I'm nothing like him!" Murtagh shouted, "Don't you ever say that again! I don't get you Alianna. One minute you hate me and now here you are pretending like you care about me. Make up your mind!"
Alianna replied, "If I really hated you then I would've had you killed when I had the chance. I…"
All of a sudden, Murtagh pulled Alianna towards him and started kissing her. Alianna was shocked and had every intention of pushing Murtagh away, but somehow she couldn't. Instead, she began kissing him back. Their kiss lasted another minute or two and then they broke apart. Alianna and Murtagh just stood there, not knowing what to say to each other at first. Finally, Alianna spoke.
"You kissed me!"
"You kissed me back. I guess we don't hate each other as much as we thought."
"Why did you do it?"
"Ever since that night where you ran off and I had to go look for you, I felt…"
"Do you care about me?" Alianna asked.
"I never thought I'd say this, but yes. You're stubborn, strong willed, and always getting into trouble. But I realize now that you're all that I have. I never want anything bad to happen to you."
Alianna's eyes filled with tears, "That's probably the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me." There was a long, awkward silence before she spoke again, "I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't mean it. I know you're nothing like Morzan. I'm just worried about you. When you met with my father, you didn't swear any oaths in the ancient language, did you?"
"No," Murtagh told her.
Alianna breathed a sigh of relief, "Good." If he had, then there would be no way out of it, "So, what does my father want you to do?"
"Nothing at the moment." Murtagh said, "He told me he would call upon me when the need arises."
"What does that mean?" Alianna asked.
"I don't know." Murtagh replied.
Alianna simply nodded, "Well, I think I'll retire for the evening."
"Me too."
Alianna went and changed into her nightgown. When she came back out, she saw Murtagh holding a pillow and a blanket and preparing to lay them on the floor. Alianna walked over and stopped him.
"Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if we slept in the same bed. As long as you don't try anything."
"I won't," Murtagh assured her.
Both Alianna and Murtagh smiled at each other. They both got into bed and were asleep a few minutes later.