AN: No, I'm not dead lol. I've just had a really bad case of writers block and I was sick with the stomach virus at one point. I'm so happy this chapter is finally finished. I hope everyone isn't too mad. This chapter is a little different in the sense that I wanted to take a break from all the drama in this story. I mean, there's a little drama in one point, but not that much. Murtagh may seem a little OOC at times, but I really hope you like this chapter. One final note, Broken turned a year old on Monday (3/10)... wow! It doesn't seem like it's been that long. Thank you so much to everyone who's stuck with this story this long. Okay, I'll shut up now lol.

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Although Murtagh continued his training with Galbatorix, he made an effort to finish early so that he and Alianna could spend more time together.

One night, Murtagh was late again. Alianna began to pace back and forth, thinking something horrible had happened. Just as she was about to go look for Murtagh, he entered their room with a slight smile on his face.

Alianna was not amused, "Where have you been? I was worried."

"I'm fine," Murtagh said as he took Alianna by the hand and began leading her out of the room, "Come on."

Alianna was confused, "Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise," Murtagh told her.

"But…"

"Don't worry, I talked to Argus and he said he would cover for us. Lets go."

Murtagh led Alianna out of the castle using one of the many secret exits that they knew. They walked out of the courtyard and all the way past the training field. This was the farthest Alianna had ventured out since the night she and Murtagh had tried to escape.

Alianna turned to Murtagh, "Are you ever going to tell me where we're going? Or are we just going to walk around aimlessly all night?"

Murtagh chuckled, "Just be patient. We're almost there."

A few minutes later, they arrived on the banks of the Ramr river. It was a beautiful night to be there. The moon was glistening over the clear water and the stars shone brightly in the sky.

"Is this the surprise?" Alianna asked.

Murtagh nodded, "Do you remember when we use to come here as kids?"

"Of course," Alianna said. If they weren't at their hut in the forest, Alianna and Murtagh would be here, where they would spend countless hours laying on the ground and looking up at the stars.

Murtagh sat down and said, "I thought this would be the perfect place to just relax and spend time together. You know, to get away from everything for awhile."

"It's a nice surprise," Alianna replied as she sat down next to him.

"That's not all. I have something for you."

Murtagh took out a small pouch and handed it to Alianna. Alianna gasped when she opened it and saw what was inside. It was a silver bracelet that had several small sapphires on it.

"Do you like it?" Murtagh asked her.

"It's beautiful! I love sapphires."

Murtagh smiled, "I know."

Alianna kissed her husband and then put the bracelet on. It went beautifully with her locket. The two of them then layed down on the ground and began looking up at the stars. As they did this, Alianna recalled another time they has pent here-

It was late one night and 12 year old Alianna had just been in a terrible argument with her father, over what, she couldn't recall. She had managed to get passed her guards and ran all the way down to the river, hoping for some peace and quiet. This was not to be, however, because Murtagh was already there when she arrived.

Alianna rolled her eyes, "What are you doing here?"

Murtagh stood up, "I should ask you the same question."

"I came here to be alone. " she told him, "I can't take it anymore!"

"Poor princess," Murtagh said, "Having servants wait on you hand and foot. Being given anything you want. It must be so hard being you."

"Stop it!" Alianna replied angrily, "I meant my father and the way he treats me. I swear, I'm going to run away." She began to cry.

Murtagh moved closer to her, "How are you going to manage that, princess? Where will you go?"

"I don't know," Alianna shrugged, "I'll think of something."

"So you're just going to run away and not have a plan? Are you that stupid?"

"I AM NOT STUPID!" Alianna shouted as she pushed Murtagh.

Murtagh fell backwards into the river, creating a loud splash. Alianna couldn't help but laugh as she watched Murtagh make his way back onto the bank, his clothes and hair dripping wet.

"Why did you do that?" Murtagh asked, furious.

"I don't like to be called stupid." Alianna said.

Murtagh didn't say a word. Instead, he pushed Alianna and she too fell into the river. But unlike Murtagh, Alianna cut her leg on a sharp rock. She cried out in pain as she tried to stand up.

"Owww!"

"What happened?" Murtagh asked her.

"I cut my leg. This is all your fault!"

To Alianna's surprise, Murtagh actually walked over and helped her out of the river. The two of them then sat down on the bank.

"Let me see your leg." Murtagh said.

Alianna jerked back, "No!"

"You don't have much of a choice." Murtagh told her. When Alianna hesitated, he said gently, "Just let me see it."

Alianna slowly lifted up her skirt. She gasped when she saw the cut. It was worse then she thought. The cut was about an inch wide and was bleeding heavily.

Murtagh's eyes widened and he panicked, "I swear, I didn't mean for you to get hurt." He quickly took off one of his shirts and pressed it firmly against Alianna's leg, "Here, this should help."

Alianna looked up at him. Just as she was about to thank Murtagh, Argus appeared, looking very angry, but relieved at the same time.

"There you are!" Argus said, "I have been looking for you everywhere. My lady, you mustn't run off like that. It's far too dangerous. You could've-" It was then that Argus looked down and saw Alianna and Murtagh on the ground- with Alianna's skirt lifted just above her knees and one of her leg's bleeding.

Argus took one look at Murtagh and shouted, "You! How dare you try and take advantage of her. Why I'll…"

Alianna, despite the pain she was in, stood up, "Argus, don't! He didn't take advantage of me. It was an accident."

Argus looked at her strangely, "An accident?"

"Yes. Murtagh and I were swimming and I hit my leg on a rock. He helped me out of the river and everything." She turned to Murtagh, "Right?"

Murtagh didn't say a word, he just slowly nodded his head.

Argus did not look convinced, but he said to Alianna, "If you say so. My lady, we need to get back to the castle."

"Alright," Alianna said. She glanced at Murtagh for a moment before she and Argus left. Murtagh looked like he wanted to say something to her, but he didn't.

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As they made their way back to the castle, Argus looked down at Alianna's leg and said, "You really should have a healer look at that."

Alianna shook her head no, "I can't. I don't want my father to find out."

Argus kept insisting, saying that her cut could get infected. Alianna still refused, but to make Argus feel better, she agreed to let Emma look at it when she got back.

"May I ask you a question?" Argus asked.

"Of course," Alianna replied.

"How did you really cut your leg?"

Alianna looked away from Argus as she said, "I told you, it happened when Murtagh and I went swimming."

"Since when do you go swimming in your gown?"

When Alianna didn't say anything, Argus continued, "I thought you said you didn't like Murtagh."

"I don't."

"Then why are you lying for him?"

"I'm not!"

Argus shook his head, "My lady, I can tell when you're lying. I know Murtagh had something to do with you getting hurt."

Alianna was becoming irritated, "Argus, I don't want to talk about this anymore! Please…"

"As you wish my lady." Argus sighed.

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Alianna came back to reality when Murtagh asked, "Are you alright?"

Alianna nodded, "I was just thinking about that time we came here when I was 12. You know, when you pushed me into the river."

Murtagh reminded Alianna that she was the one who pushed him into the river first. The two of them then started to laugh.

Murtagh kissed her and then asked, "You never told the truth about that night, did you?"

Alianna told him no, she hadn't. She knew how much trouble he'd be in if she had said what really happened. She didn't want anyone (not even Murtagh) to endure the wrath of her father if it could be avoided. Perhaps Alianna really did care for Murtagh back then, she just didn't realize it.

Alianna snuggled closer to Murtagh. The two of them layed around looking at the stars and talking for about another hour.

Murtagh sighed, "I guess we better head back now." He helped Alianna up and they began to walk back to the castle.

"This was a really good idea." Alianna said.

Murtagh smiled, "I'm glad you had a good time."

Alianna smiled back at her husband. It was nice to get away from all the drama in their life, even if it had only been for a few hours.

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