AN: I had hoped to have this chapter up by Christmas, but ah well. Think of this as your late Christmas/early New Year's present lol. Enjoy! :)
Alianna walked into her chambers with Argus.
"What happened?" he asked her.
Alianna told him all about what Galbatorix did to Murtagh.
"The worst part was that I wanted to help him, but I couldn't. All I could do was just stand there and watch. I hope he's alright."
"I'm sure he is." Argus said. "So I assume Galbatorix knows you're pregnant?"
Alianna shook her head no.
Argus was confused. "I don't understand. I thought you said he got into Murtagh's mind."
"He did." Alianna told him.
"Then how does he not know? Unless…"
Alianna did have to say anything. Argus knew the answer just by the look on her face.
"You haven't told Murtagh that you're pregnant have you?"
"I couldn't."
Argus couldn't believe it. "Alianna you have to! He has the right to know."
"I know that." Alianna sighed. "But…"
"But what? You won't be able to keep this a secret for long. You're going to start showing soon."
"I don't know what else to do Argus!" Alianna exclaimed. "If I tell Murtagh that I'm pregnant then my father will find out since he can get into Murtagh's mind."
"Alianna, this isn't going to work. Even if you don't tell Murtagh, Galbatorix will find out. All he has to do is get into your mind."
"He can't get into my mind."
"He can't? But how…"
"During all those years my father trained me, one of the things he taught me to do was guard my mind."
It was then that Alianna recalled a moment from one of her first days of this training-
Alianna and Galbatorix were in one of the many training rooms. She was just ten years old at the time.
"This is very important Alianna." Galbatorix explained. "You need to know how to guard your mind. Do you understand me?"
Alianna didn't completely, but she shook her head anyway. She was very scared.
"Good." said Galbatorix. "Now, I'm going to try to get into your mind and you're going to stop me. Are you ready?"
Alianna nodded. "Yes Father."
Just seconds later Alianna could feel sharp, stabbing pains going through her head followed by a flood of memories- Emma brushing her hair when she was four, riding her horse Bella with Argus watching nearby when she was eight, Murtagh chasing her around the forest…
The shock of the pain made Alianna cry out and keel over on the floor.
"You're not trying!" Galbatorix shouted.
Alianna was trying, but she couldn't seem to stop her father from getting into her mind. The pain and the flood of memories continued for several hours until Alianna couldn't take it anymore.
"Stop it Father!" she screamed. "It hurts!"
"I don't care." Galbatorix told her.
"If I could just rest…"
"Do you think our enemies would let you rest if they attacked your mind? No. And neither will I. We're going to keep doing this until you get it right."
"No Father, please…" Alianna cried.
But he didn't listen. Alianna didn't think he would ever stop. About an hour later though, Galbatorix realized that he had to meet with some of his magicians.
"We'll continue this tomorrow…" Galbatorix said as he left the room.
It took awhile, a few years of training infact, but eventually Alianna was able to guard her mind so well that not even Galbatorix could enter it.
"I didn't know about any of this." Argus said.
"Well, now you do. And you also know why my father can't know that I'm pregnant. I've been through hell because of him. I don't want my son or daughter to go through the same thing."
"I still don't think this is a good idea."
"I am going to tell Murtagh eventually, I promise. But I need to keep this a secret until I can find a way to do it without my father knowing. You will help me, won't you Argus?"
"Alianna, you know I'd do anything for you."
"Is that a yes then?" Alianna asked.
Argus smiled. "Yes."
Alianna smiled back. "Thank you."
Alianna decided to sit down and wait for Murtagh to return. She read a book for awhile and talked to Argus. The minutes soon turned to hours and before Alianna knew it, it was dinner time. A servant brought up a tray of food and placed it on the table. Alianna thanked her and then began to eat. After a few bites, she happened to glance up and found Argus staring at her.
She quickly put her fork down. "I'm sorry. How rude of me. Would you like something to eat Argus? I can have someone bring you a tray."
Argus thanked Alianna, but told her that he wasn't hungry.
"Are you sure?" Alianna asked.
"Yes." Argus replied. "Go ahead and finish your meal."
Alianna shrugged and kept on eating. Once she was finished, she was surprised that she didn't feel so nauseous. She wondered how long it would last.
Alianna went to get up from her chair, but as soon as she did, she felt very lightheaded. Argus was immediately at her side.
"Are you alright?"
A few seconds later, Alianna was able to answer him. "I'm fine. I just got up too fast that's all."
Despite this assurance, Argus continued to worry. He insisted Alianna lay down and rest. He was about to help her over to her bed when Murtagh stepped into the room.
Murtagh glared at Argus. "Argus…"
Argus slowly stepped away from Alianna. "Murtagh…" He then told Alianna that he'd see her tomorrow.
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As soon as Argus left the room, Alianna noticed the very troubled look on Murtagh's face.
"What is it?" Alianna asked as the two of them sat down on the edge of their bed.
Murtagh sighed. "I don't even know where to begin."
"It has something to do with what my father discussed with you after I left, doesn't it?"
"Yes."
"What did he say?"
Murtagh looked at Alianna. "You know that Galbatorix is planning another attack on the Varden."
Alianna nodded. She heard her father talking about it several times. She knew he'd been planning something for awhile now.
Murtagh continued. "He's ordered me to lead the army into Surda. The Varden relocated their not long after the battle at Farthen Dur."
"When you leave?" Alianna asked.
"A little more than two months from now." Murtagh told her. "Just a few days after your birthday."
Alianna was stunned. She knew another battle was coming, but she didn't think it would be so soon. And she didn't like the idea of Murtagh leading the army and being put in so much danger.
Murtagh saw the look on Alianna's face. "That's not even the worst of it."
"What do you mean?" Alianna asked.
"Galbatorix wants me to try and capture Eragon and Saphira and bring them here to Uru'baen."
"I'm sorry. I don't know what I'd do if I were you, since Eragon is your friend…"
"Eragon isn't my friend." Murtagh said.
Alianna looked at him strangely. "I don't understand."
"He's my brother."
Alianna's eyes widened. She couldn't believe what she just heard. Eragon was Murtagh's brother! How was that even possible? Alianna didn't think Selena had any more children after Murtagh.
Murtagh tried to explain everything to her. Apparently, when the Twins had entered Eragon's mind all those months ago, they came across the identity of Eragon's mother. When they returned to Uru'baen and told Galbatorix the information, he made the connection that Eragon's mother and Murtagh's were one in the same.
It took Alianna a moment, but then things started to make sense. While she had never met Selena, Murtagh had told Alianna her story many times. She remembered Murtagh telling her how, when he was about three or so, Selena had left one day and didn't return for several months. When she finally did, she appeared to be very sick and died not long after.
Alianna realized that Selena must have been pregnant with Eragon when she left. She didn't want Morzan to know and have another son's life put in danger. So she fled to Carvahall, gave birth to Eragon, and left him there.
"So Selena must have died because of some sort of complication giving birth." Alianna said.
"Most likely." Murtagh replied. He sounded very sad as he said this. Alianna knew that it was still hard for Murtagh to talk about his mother.
Alianna leaned against Murtagh and gently rubbed his arm. "I'm sorry about all this. What are you going to do? You can't capture Eragon. He's family."
"I know that. But I really don't have a choice." Murtagh said. He looked over at Alianna and saw how worried she was. He tried to force a smile. "Maybe I'll think of something."
"I hope so."
Murtagh tried to change the subject and asked Alianna if she was feeling alright. He didn't want her to get too upset about everything and make herself sick again.
Alianna assured him that she was fine.
Murtagh then remembered something. "What were you trying to tell me earlier?"
Alianna hesitated for a moment and then said. "It doesn't matter now. Everything is fine." She started to yawn. "I'm exhausted though. I'm sure you are too. Lets go to sleep."
Murtagh looked at her strangely for a minute but didn't say a word. The two of them changed into their night clothes and got into bed. Before Murtagh had a chance to say good night to her, Alianna was fast asleep. He smiled at his wife. He watched her for awhile before finally falling asleep himself.