AN: Sorry I didn't have this chapter up sooner. I got distracted reading Deathly Hallows lol. Plus, I've been getting writer's block again, grr. These next few chapters are kinda weird since Alianna's back in Uru'baen and Murtagh is off on his journey with Eragon. It's hard to find things to write about right now. If any of you have some ideas, I'd love to hear them. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter. It's really short though...

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As the weeks went by, things for Alianna became worse. She sank into a deep depression. Alianna rarely left her room anymore. She became pale and thin from not eating much. And then there was her leg. Although the pain in Alianna's leg had lessened, she now walked with a limp. When Alianna did leave her room, many people would stare at her as she walked by. But they didn't dare say anything to her.

As Galbatorix had ordered, Alianna had a guard with her at all times. She couldn't even eat or sleep by herself. She hated not being able to leave the castle. Galbatorix had forbidden her from doing so because he knew the moment she was given the slightest opportunity, Alianna would try and escape.

Alianna felt all alone. She had no one else to confide in anymore. The only thing she had now was a small journal in which she could write down what was on her mind. After another stressful day, Alianna took it out and began to write-

It's been weeks since Murtagh left. Every day that goes by seems worse than the last. I still can't believe that he's gone. Why did he leave without me? I'm sure there's a good reason. There has to be. Murtagh would never leave me behind. He loves me and I love him. I just wish I had realized it sooner.

In many ways, I feel like this is all my fault. If I hadn't tried to run towards Tornac's body… if I had just ridden Bella a little bit faster… Evander wouldn't have caught up to us and none of this would have happened. And then there's Emma… poor Emma! Why didn't I try harder to convince her to come with us? Emma is dead because of me!

Argus keeps giving me worried looks all the time. He knows I'm not eating or sleeping. Why should I? I've lost my husband and my friend. I've lost everything. Sometimes I feel like I would be better off dead. It would be a lot better than how I'm being treated right now. Father has forbidden me from leaving the castle. I can't even go to the stables to see Bella. Argus has assured me though that she is fine and being well taken care of. I never thought Argus would be so kind. He usually works the night shift and tries his best to allow me to have a few minutes to myself. I think he feels sorry for me. My other guards aren't so lenient. They've refused to let me out of their sight ever since what happened last week. They had left me alone for just a moment (I made some excuse about needing to change into another dress for dinner.) and I made an attempt to escape. Obviously, I was not successful and my actions resulted in Father beating me again and having bars on the windows in my room.

Since that day Father beat me again, I've seen very little of him. While I'm grateful for that, I know that something is going on. I overheard Father talking to Durza not long ago. From what I could gather (I was listening from a distance) Father is sending Durza and a group of Urgals to ambush someone named Arya and retrieve the blue dragon egg. After all these years, it seems that Father has finally found it. I've heard of Arya before, but know little about her. I just know that she's an elf and an ally of the Varden. I hope Durza isn't successful. The egg is better off where it is than in Father's hands. It's bad enough that he has the other two eggs. Imagine what would happen if-

Suddenly, Alianna heard her door open. She quickly placed her journal under her pillow and stood up. Argus and a maid walked in. The maid left a tray of food on the edge of Alianna's bed.

Alianna picked up the tray and handed it back to the maid, "Thank you, but I'm not hungry. Perhaps you can give this food to someone who really needs it."

The maid nodded and left the room.

"My lady," Argus said, "You've got to eat. You're going to make yourself sick."

Alianna replied, "I appreciate your concern Argus, but I'm in no mood to eat."

"Forgive me for speaking this way, but you haven't been in the mood for anything these last few weeks."

"Why should I be?"

"I understand how you feel."

"Do you? I doubt it."

"Please Alianna, I'm worried. I'm sure Murtagh would be to if he saw you this way."

As Argus said this, large tears rolled out of Alianna's eyes and down her cheeks.

"Incase you haven't noticed, Murtagh isn't here anymore!"

"Forgive me. I shouldn't have brought his name up."

"I think I'll try and get some sleep now." Alianna said.

Argus nodded and sat down in his usual chair in the corner of the room.

Alianna slowly climbed into her bed, pulled the covers over her body, and attempted to get some sleep.