AN: Most of this chapter is flashback scenes of Alianna & Murtagh as kids. Maybe this will make up for the lack of Murtagh lately. He does come back eventually, I promise lol :p Enjoy!

"Is everything alright?" Argus asked Alianna as he watched her come out of her bath chambers.

"Fine," Alianna said, "Why do you ask?"

"You were in there a long time."

Alianna just gave Argus a quick glance and then sat on her bed.

Argus continued, "Does this have something to do with that bowl you brought back?"

"Maybe," Alianna said.

"What did you need it for? Some kind of spell?"

Alianna didn't say a word.

"Alianna," Argus said, "Whatever it is, you can tell me."

Alianna debated whether or not she should say anything. But she realized that deep down, she could trust Argus.

"Atra nosu waise vardo fra eld hornya." she said so that no one could hear them.

"Well?" Argus asked.

"If I tell you," Alianna said, "You have to promise that you won't tell anyone."

"You know I won't." Argus assured her.

"Okay, I'll tell you. I was trying to scry Murtagh."

"Were you able to do it?"

"Yes,"

"Alianna, that's great!"

"It is. I don't know exactly where he is though. But at least I know he's alive."

"That's true. And I'm sure you two will be together again someday."

"I hope so," Alianna sighed. Wanting to change the subject, she looked down at Argus' arm, "Here, let me fix that."

"I'm fine," Argus told her, "It's just a scratch."

"It could get infected," Alianna said as she went ad got some bandages, "I'd heal it with magic, but I don't think I have the energy to do that right now."

"You can heal with magic?" Argus asked, surprised.

"Only minor injuries," Alianna told him, "I don't know enough to heal anything major." She began to bandage his arm, "I really am sorry for this. But it was the only thing I could think of to keep Father from punishing you."

"It's alright, I understand. Believe me; I've been through a lot worse."

Alianna smiled slightly and finished tying up the bandage, "There you go."

"Thank you," Argus said.

"Your welcome," Alianna said as she stood up, "I think I'll go to sleep now. I'm very tired."

"Alright, good night Alianna."

"Good night Argus."

That night, Alianna once again had the dream about a woman being murdered and a fire. Then she began to have flashbacks of her and Murtagh as kids-

Five year old Alianna was walking around the courtyard, with Murtagh following close behind. Alianna looked at him and rolled her eyes. She hated having to be around Murtagh so much. The only reason Alianna played with Murtagh was because her father made her.

Suddenly, Murtagh stopped at a particular tree, "Alianna, did you know you can fly like a dragon if you jump out of this tree?"

Alianna gave Murtagh an odd look, "No you can't."

"Yes you can," Murtagh said, "I've done it."

"You have?" Alianna asked.

"Sure, lots of times."

Alianna walked over to the tree (which was fairly big) and looked up. She hesitated for a minute.

Murtagh laughed, "What's the matter? Are you scared?"

"I'm not scared!" Alianna shot back, "I'm just as brave as you are!"

"No you're not." Murtagh said.

Alianna gave Murtagh a look as if to say, "I'll show you!" and began to climb up the tree. She climbed higher and higher until she was about halfway up. Alianna then slowly began to inch her way across a large branch.

"Alianna, wait!" Murtagh shouted with a worried tone in his voice, "I didn't-"

But it was too late- Alianna jumped out of the tree. She fell to the ground quickly. Alianna heard the sound of bones breaking in her arm and then excruciating pain filled her tiny body. She began screaming and crying.

"Alianna!" Murtagh said, "It was just a joke. I didn't mean-"

Before Murtagh could finish what he was saying, Emma and Argus quickly ran over to Alianna.

"What happened my lady?" Argus asked.

"I jumped out of the tree!" Alianna sobbed as Emma tried to comfort her.

"Jumped out of a tree?" Argus said, he then turned to Murtagh, "I bet you had something to do with this. You're always causing trouble for the princess!"

Murtagh was too frightened to say anything at the moment.

"Did Murtagh put you up to this?" Argus asked Alianna.

"No," Alianna lied, "I wanted to do it. I'm sorry Argus." Alianna began to cry again.

Emma gingerly picked up Alianna, "I must take her to the healers immediately." She quickly ran off.

"I suggest you leave at once." Argus said to Murtagh, "Before the king becomes aware of this." Argus knew that Alianna had lied about Murtagh not being involved, but decided not to press the issue.

Murtagh immediately went back to his quarters, where he stayed for the rest of the day.

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It was late morning and a six year old Alianna was running deep into the forest. She wanted to be alone for awhile and she knew the only place that would happen was in her small hut. What Alianna didn't know was that Murtagh (who had just turned seven) was following her. It wasn't until she heard the sound of a branch breaking that she turned around and saw him.

"What are you doing here?" Murtagh asked.

"Go away!" Alianna said.

"I don't have to!" Murtagh replied as he looked at the hut, "What is this place?"

"This is MY hut!" Alianna told him, "Emma helped me make it. You can't play here!"

"You can't tell me what to do! I can play here if I want."

"No you can't!"

"Yes I can. If you don't let me play here I'll tell your father about this place."

Alianna's jaw dropped, "Don't you dare. If you tell him, I'll use magic on you!"

Murtagh laughed, "You can't use magic."

"Yes I can!"

"No you can't."

"Yes I can! My father's been teaching me."

"I don't believe you."

Alianna smiled and then looked down at a very small stone on the ground.

"Stenr reisa!" she said as the stone rose from the ground and struck Murtagh on the head.

"Owww!" Murtagh said. The stone had left a large bruise on his forehead.

Alianna started to laugh, "I told you I could use magic."

"I'm going to get you for that!" Murtagh said as he began to chase Alianna.

Alianna continued to laugh as Murtagh chased her around the hut.

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One hot summer afternoon, 12 year old Alianna walked down to the river to go swimming. But when she arrived, she saw that Murtagh was already there. She hid behind a tree so that he wouldn't see her. Alianna peaked out and saw that Murtagh was about to put his shirt on. It looked like he had just been swimming himself judging by his hair being dripping wet. Suddenly, Murtagh turned so that his back was facing Alianna. Alianna gasped when she saw that horrible scar on Murtagh's back that she had heard so much about. Although Alianna had known about the scar most of her life, this was the first time she had actually seen it. The long, ropy scar stretched across his back.

"How could Morzan do something like that?" Alianna thought. She knew how evil Morzan had been but still, to do that to your own flesh and blood? Then again, Alianna wasn't surprised given how cruelly her own father treated her.

Without even realizing it, Alianna started to cry. Murtagh must've heard her, for he suddenly turned around.

"What are you doing here?" Murtagh asked as he quickly put his shirt back on.

Alianna froze, "I…"

"Go away!" Murtagh shouted.

"I'm sorry," Alianna said, "I was just-"

Murtagh interrupted, "I know what you were doing. You were looking at my scar like I'm strange. You're just like everyone else."

"I don't think you're strange," Alianna said, "At least not because of scar. I'm so sorry Morzan did that to you."

"Stop it!" Murtagh said.

"Stop what?"

"Stop feeling sorry for me. Stop acting like you care about me. The only person you care about is yourself."

"That's not true!" Alianna told him, "Why are you acting like this? You're always so angry and secretive. The only person YOU care about is yourself. I have news for you- you're not the only one with and evil father. You're not the only one who suffers!"

Alianna turned around and began to walk away.

"Where are you going?" Murtagh asked.

"I'm going away," Alianna replied, "Just like you asked me to."

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Alianna woke up early the next morning. She could hear several people talking out in the hall. Alianna sat up and got out of bed.

"Argus, what's going on?" she asked.

"I don't know," Argus replied, "I'll be right back."

Argus left the room and returned a few minutes later with a strange look on his face.

Alianna walked over to him, "Well?"

"You're not going to believe this," Argus said, "But the blue egg, they're saying it's hatched."

"What?!?"

"There's a new Dragon Rider!"