AN: This was probably the longest time I've taken in between chapters. I apologize for the delay, but I had something totally different in mind when I first started this chapter. Then I got another idea that I really liked so I decided to start over and go with it. I hope you like it. Just to warn you though, there's no Alianna/Murtagh scenes in this chapter. Shocking I know lol. This chapter is mainly about Argus. Alianna does make an appearance towards the end though. Enjoy and let me know what you think :)
Argus walked back to his quarters. Normally he wouldn't leave Alianna, but he tried not to interfere when she was with Murtagh. He wanted to be alone anyway. He had a lot on his mind. All day Argus could not stop thinking about how he snapped at Alianna for trying to introduce him to those women. He felt terrible about it- he didn't mean to react that way. Argus knew Alianna meant well, she just didn't know why he couldn't bear the thought of getting involved with another woman-
It all started 17 years ago when Argus was 16. He had just begun serving in Galbatorix's army and after a long, grueling day of training, decided to wander around the streets of the city. After a few minutes, he noticed a young girl who was walking around looking very confused.
Argus slowly approached her, "Excuse me…"
The girl looked up at him and it felt like his heart had stopped. Although he had little experience in this department, this was, without a doubt, the most beautiful girl Argus had ever seen. Her dark brown hair was long and wavy and she had sparkling green eyes. She wore a simple blue dress that appeared to be worn from travel.
Argus tried to control himself and continued, "I'm sorry to bother you, but I couldn't help but notice that you looked lost."
"Yes, I am." the girl admitted, "My family and I just moved here and we're running low on food. I was looking for the market."
Argus smiled, "Well, you're not too far from it. I'd be happy to show you the way."
The girl smiled back, "I'd like that very much." She then introduced herself, "My name is Lily."
"I'm Argus."
"It's nice to meet you Argus."
"It's nice to meet you too." Argus said as they began to walk, "So, what brings you to Uru'baen?"
"My parents," Lily replied.
"What do your parents do?"
Lily didn't answer him and quickly change the subject, "What do you do Argus?"
"I'm in the army." Argus told her.
Lily had the strangest expression on her face, "Oh… so you serve Galbatorix?"
"Yes," Argus admitted. Although if he had his way, he'd have nothing to do with the king. It was just that enlisting in the army was something every man his age was required to do.
Argus didn't ask Lily why she looked at him the way she did when she told him what he did for a living. Instead the continued to walk until they reached the market.
Lily turned to Argus, "Thank you."
"Would you like me to walk you home?"
Lily shook her head no, "That's very kind of you, but I'll be fine."
"Are you sure? I don't mind."
Once again, Lily told Argus that she would be fine.
"Alright," Argus said. He said goodbye and began to walk away, but then he turned around, "Will I see you again?"
Lily turned around and smiled, "Perhaps we can meet tomorrow."
They agreed to meet the following night at the market and from there Argus would show her more of the city.
"Goodbye Argus."
Argus smiled and made his way back home, feeling happier than he had felt in a long time.
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The next day, all throughout his training, Argus could not stop thinking about Lily. There was just something about her.
Luckily, no one seemed to notice how distracted Argus was. He went about his training as best he could and was happy when it was finally over. He rushed home to change and then made his way to the market.
Argus was worried that Lily might've changed her mind and that she wouldn't show up. But Argus breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her approach him.
"You came," Lily smiled.
Argus replied, "I said I would."
There was a long, awkward silence before Lily said, "So, you said you would show me around Uru'baen today."
Argus nodded and they began to walk. Uru'baen wasn't exactly the nicest city, but Argus showed Lily around all the same. He showed her certain places her family might want to know the location of- the healers, the butcher shop, the seamstresses, the blacksmith, and so much more. Argus noticed that from time to time Lily would glance behind her back. It was almost as if she were afraid that someone was following her.
"Is everything alright?" Argus asked her.
Lily nodded, "Fine. So tell me about your family Argus. Do you have any brothers or sisters?"
Argus told Lily that he didn't. He was an only child. Infact, Argus didn't even have parents anymore. His mother had died of pneumonia three years earlier. Argus' father never got over her death and died less than a year later.
After Argus told Lily this, Lily said, "I'm so sorry Argus. That must have been hard for you."
"It was… it still is. So, what about you?"
Lily was very reluctant to tell Argus much about her family. The only things she would tell him was that she also had no brothers or sisters and that her and her parents had traveled a long way to get to Uru'baen.
Argus then took Lily down to the river where they sat and talked for hours.
"I should head home." Lily said as she stood up. She had completely lost track of the time. "Thank you for the lovely evening Argus."
"Let me walk you home. It's late and the streets are far too dangerous for…"
"I appreciate the offer," Lily said, "But I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Goodnight Argus." She smiled and walked away.
Argus and Lily continued meeting like that for several months. They would talk for hours on end. He told her about his childhood and his experiences in the army. Argus found out that he had many things in common with Lily- both of them were 16 and very good with a sword. Lily confessed that her father had taught her at a very young age. When Argus tried to ask her more about her past, Lily was very reluctant. Argus thought this was a bit odd, but he never questioned her.
It didn't take long for Argus and Lily to fall in love. They spent every spare moment they had together. They shared their first kiss by the river just two weeks after they met. Argus had never felt this way about anyone before.
Then one evening, Argus said to Lily, "I'd like to meet your parents."
Lily seemed a bit taken back by this, "Why?"
Argus took a deep breath and said, "I think it would be only proper for me to ask their permission before I ask you to marry me."
Lily's eyes widened and then filled with tears. She quickly turned away so that Argus wouldn't see, but it was too late.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Oh Argus," Lily cried, "I can't marry you."
Argus couldn't believe it, "Why not? I know I don't have much, but we could make it work."
"That's not it."
"Don't you love me?"
"Of course I do!"
"Then why don't you want to marry me?"
Lily sighed, "It's not that I don't want to. I just can't."
Argus was becoming frustrated, "Will you at least tell me why? Give me one good reason."
Before Lily would answer him, she insisted they go to a place more secluded. They walked for several minutes until they reached the edge of the forest, where there was not a person in sight.
Argus spoke again, "Now that we've come all the way out here, I want to know what's going on. Why won't you marry me? And why have you been acting so strange?"
Lily looked very nervous as she said, "My parents… they're spies for the Varden! It's the reason we came to Uru'baen."
Argus was shocked at first, but then things started to make sense. They way Lily looked all around her whenever they were in the city. How she never let him walk her home and the fact that not once had he met her parents.
"All this time," Argus said, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I couldn't!" Lily insisted, "Nobody was suppose to know who we were. I told myself I wouldn't get attached to anyone, but then you came along."
"Do your parents even know about me?"
"Yes. My mother wasn't too happy about it at first, but my father actually encouraged me. He said that since you serve Galbatorix perhaps…"
Argus interrupted and said angrily, "So you were just using me to get information? You never loved me at all!"
"That's not true! I do love you Argus. You have to believe me."
Argus shook his head, "I don't know what to believe anymore."
Lily walked closer to Argus and tried to touch him, "Argus, please…"
Argus jerked back, "I can't talk to you right now. Not when I'm this angry."
He turned and quickly walked away, leaving Lily in tears.
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During the long walk home, Argus had plenty of time to calm down and to think about what had just happened. He couldn't believe that Lily had kept something like that from him. Did Lily think Argus might turn her and her family in? He would never do something like that. Argus loved Lily more than life itself and it wouldn't have mattered to him.
Argus sighed. The image of Lily in tears still filled his head. He realized now that he never should've gotten so angry with her.
At this point, Argus had reached his home. He went inside and attempted to get some sleep. In the morning, he would go and find Lily and try make things right with her.
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Early the next morning, Argus wandered the streets of the city in search of Lily. He searched the market and various other places. But Lily was nowhere to be seen. Argus began to panic. Perhaps Galbatorix had captured Lily and her parents. He quickly picked up the pace and started to search near the river, but he still couldn't find her. Just as he was about to lose hope, Argus spotted three figures in the distance near the edge of the forest. One of those figures he recognized as Lily. Argus quickly ran over.
"Lily!" Argus shouted. As he got closer to them, he saw that the two people with Lily were an older man and woman. Argus realized that they were Lily's parents, since Lily looked very much like them. "I need to talk to you. I'm sorry for getting so angry yesterday. I didn't mean-"
Lily's father interrupted, "Lily, we must go!"
Argus didn't know what was going on, "Go? Go where?"
Lily looked both sad and scared as she spoke, "Galbatorix has discovered us. We must return to the Varden immediately."
Argus couldn't believe it, "How did he find out?"
Lily shrugged, "I don't know."
"I'll come with you." Argus said as he stepped closer.
"No, you can't." Lily replied, shaking her head.
"Why not? I told you I was sorry."
"I know, but…"
"Lily, don't you get it? I don't care who you and your parents are. I love you Lily and I still want to marry you."
Lily started to cry, "I want nothing more than to be your wife. These last six months have been the happiest time of my life. But the more you become involved with me, the more danger you're in. I can't allow you to risk your life anymore."
Argus told Lily that he would gladly risk his life for her, "Please, let me come with you."
"No Argus!" Lily cried, becoming more upset with each passing second, "If you really love me, you'll let me go."
Argus was not the type that would cry easily, but he could feel the tears forming in his eyes as he nodded. If this is what Lily really wanted him to do, then he'd do it. He leaned in and rested his forehead against Lily's.
"I love you." Argus said quietly, barely above a whisper.
"I love you too." Lily replied.
Just as they were about to kiss, they could hear a noise in the distance. Argus turned around and could see a group of soldiers less than half a mile away, coming in their direction.
Lily's mother stepped forward, "Lily, if we don't leave now they'll catch up to us."
Lily nodded and quickly turned her attention back to Argus. She kissed him gently, and then said, "Goodbye Argus."
Lily quickly got on her horse, glanced back at Argus once, and then rode off.
As Argus watched Lily leave, he felt as if his heart was being torn from his chest. He knew he had just lost the best thing that had ever happened to him.
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Argus never saw Lily again after that. He thought about her everyday and missed her terribly. In order to try and distract himself from the pain of losing Lily, Argus spent the next year and a half totally devoted to his training in the army. He quickly rose above the ranks and many people were amazed at his abilities.
Then one day, a man Argus recognized as one of Galbatorix's guards, approached him.
"Are you Argus?" the guard asked.
"I am," Argus replied.
"The king wishes to see you immediately."
Argus didn't know what was going on, but he nodded and made his way to the castle and stepped inside.
Argus was escorted to Galbatorix's chambers by several guards. He tried to think of a reason why the king had asked to see him. Argus was scared that perhaps he had finally found out about his involvement with Lily. He took a deep breath and entered.
Argus slowly approached Galbatorix, who was standing not far from his throne.
"You must be Argus." Galbatorix said.
Argus nodded slowly, "Yes my lord. You wished to see me?"
Galbatorix continued, "I hear your training is going well. Infact, people say you're the most skilled soldier they've ever seen."
"That's very kind of them." Argus said.
"So I have no doubt you're qualified for the job I'm about to offer you."
Argus was confused, "You wish to make me one of your guards sir?"
"I do wish to hire you as a guard." Galbatorix admitted, "But not for myself." He turned to one of his guards and said, "Bring in the child."
"The child?" Argus asked himself.
The guard walked through one of the side doors and returned a minute later with a small girl.
Galbatorix looked at Argus, "May I present my daughter, Princess Alianna."
"Your daughter?" Argus asked, surprised. A baby being born to the king should have been a big announcement. But until this moment, Argus had no idea this child, Alianna, existed. He had never heard of Galbatorix being involved with any women for that matter. Something about this whole thing didn't seem right to Argus, but he decided not to dwell on it.
"Yes, my daughter." Galbatorix said, "She's two years old."
Argus looked down at Alianna. She certainly was a beautiful child with her long red hair and big brown eyes. But she looked very frightened and Argus could see a few tears trickling down her face. Having Galbatorix as a father, Argus couldn't imagine what this poor girl had been through in the first two years of her life.
Suddenly, Argus realized the reason why Galbatorix had summoned him. He wanted Argus to be Alianna's guard.
When Argus asked him, Galbatorix confirmed this, "She will have other guards of course, but you will be her head guard. It will be your job to protect the princess from any danger and to keep her out of trouble."
Argus couldn't imagine how this sweet looking girl could ever get into trouble.
"Will you accept the position?" Galbatorix asked him.
Argus once again looked down at Alianna. Her innocent eyes were focused on him. It was almost as if she were pleasing with Argus to help her. Argus knew what he had to do.
"Yes my lord. I promise to protect her. I will not let you down."
"Good," Galbatorix replied, "Your duties begin now. I have other things to attend to." He left the room quickly, never saying a word to Alianna or acknowledging her at all.
"What kind of a father leaves his daughter with someone she doesn't know?" Argus said to himself.
Argus began to approach Alianna, keeping some distance between them so as not to frighten her, "Hello my lady. It's an honor to meet you."
Alianna didn't say a word and just ran into the corner of the room, curled up in a ball, and began to cry.
Argus noticed that the necklace Alianna had been wearing had fallen off. He picked it up and examined it. It was a silver locket that looked too big for a child Alianna's age. Alianna's sobs became heavier at this point.
"It's alright," Argus said gently, "My name is Argus. I'm not going to hurt you. I promise."
Alianna looked up at him.
Argus continued, "I know you're scared. I would be too." He held up the necklace, "You dropped this."
Alianna ever so slowly moved towards Argus and reached her tiny hands out for her necklace.
"May I?" Argus asked.
Alianna nodded yes.
Argus put the necklace back on Alianna and then said, "I'm sure you've been through a lot. But I promise, I'll never let anything bad happen to you. I want to be your friend if you'll let me."
Somehow through all the tears, Alianna managed to give Argus a smile.
From that moment on, Argus dedicated his life to Alianna and protecting her. Infact, until Emma was hired a year later, Argus was the main person who raised Alianna. She did have maids and other servants who could do things for her, but Argus became attached to Alianna and enjoyed taking care of her. When Lily had left, Argus had felt completely empty. But now that Alianna had come into his life, Argus felt that his life had meaning again.