AN: I thought it would be interesting to do another chapter from Argus's pov. I'll get back to Alianna/Murtagh in the next chapter... promise :) Hope you enjoy.
Argus knew that he shouldn't kiss Alianna. He knew it, but he didn't care. This could be the last time he ever saw her.
After tucking a few stray strands of Alianna's hair behind her ear, he rested his hand on her cheek. He waited to see how she would react. The last thing Argus wanted to do was make Alianna upset and have her hate him for this.
To Argus' surprise however, Alianna slowly leaned in and kissed him. The feeling of her lips on his was absolutely incredible. Still, Argus could hear a small voice in the back of his head.
What are you thinking?!! She's the Princess of Alagaesia! This is treason. The king will have you killed when he finds out.
Argus ignored the voice and continued to kiss Alianna for a few more seconds.
Finally Argus pulled away, even though it pained him to do so. He knew that there wasn't much time left.
"I love Alianna." he said as he rested his forehead against hers.
"I love you too." Alianna said softly.
Before another word could be spoken, Argus could hear the guards again. They were getting closer by the minute.
No! I can't say goodbye to her. Not yet…
If you don't the guards will capture her. It's the only way.
Argus struggled to get the words out. "You have to go."
Argus thought Alianna would leave right away after that but she didn't. She just stood there.
Deep down this didn't surprise Argus. When had Alianna ever listened to him? But this was different. He had to make her listen this time.
Somehow Argus managed to find the strength to speak.
"Go!"
Alianna, with tears glistening in her beautiful brown eyes, kissed him quickly and then turned away.
As he watched her run, stopping briefly at the end of the hall to look at him, Argus felt a sudden sense of emptiness. Alianna meant the world to him. He'd spent sixteen years of his life completely devoted to her. While he'd always known that this day might come, it was still killing Argus inside. What would he do now that Alianna was gone?
You still have to protect her. The guards are coming. You need to distract them.
Without anymore hesitation, Argus listened to where the sound of the guards was coming from and ran in that direction.
It didn't take long for Argus to find them. There were five guards, three of whom Argus recognized as Galbatorix's personal guards. All of them were looking around frantically.
"You need to remain calm." Argus said to himself. "You can't act like something is wrong."
Argus asked them what was going on.
"Princess Alianna is missing!" one of the guards said. "The king ordered us to find her. He believes she's been gone for almost an hour. He's very angry and if we don't…"
Argus smiled and let out a slight laugh.
"What could you possibly find humorous at a time like this?"
"Has it ever occurred to you that Alianna may not want to be found?" Argus asked. "She and Murtagh probably left the party early and went somewhere to be alone."
"Perhaps you're right. You seem to know her well."
"I'm sure if you look in their chambers you'll find them. I'll come with you."
The guards agreed and followed Argus to Alianna and Murtagh's chambers. The whole time they were walking, Argus was silently praying that Alianna hadn't left anything behind that would cause the guards to figure out that she had escaped.
When they reached the chambers a few minutes later, the guards searched the entire room from top to bottom. Luckily they didn't find anything too suspicious other than the fact that Alianna wasn't there.
"Where is she?" a guard asked. He turned to Argus. "You said she would be here!"
"I guessed that she would be here." Argus told him. "I didn't know for sure."
"The king will not be pleased. He's going to want to speak to you."
Argus nodded. He knew that this would happen. What he didn't know was what the king would do to him.
"Where is he now?"
The guard told him that Galbatorix was in his private chambers.
"I'll go speak to him at once." Argus said. "In the meantime, keep looking."
***************************
How many times had Argus seen Galbatorix angry?
"Millions." Argus thought as he entered the king's chambers.
Still, this was by far the angriest he had ever seen him.
Very cautiously, Argus approached Galbatorix, who appeared to be in a deep conversation with a man he didn't recognize.
As soon as Galbatorix saw Argus however, he ordered the man to leave. The king was silent for several seconds. This worried Argus.
"What could he possibly be thinking?"
Finally Galbatorix spoke. "Argus…"
"Yes my lord?" Argus replied.
Galbatorix continued. "Is it not your duty to look after the princess and to keep track of her at all times?"
"Yes," Argus admitted. "But I can explain."
"I don't need an explanation!" Galbatorix said angrily. "I need her to be found.
Argus replied. "With all due respect my lord, Princess Alianna has run off before. I'm sure it won't be long before she returns."
Galbatorix shook his head. "This is different. I've had the entire castle searched as well as the grounds. She's nowhere to be found. This doesn't make sense."
Argus watched as Galbatorix began pacing around the room. The then stopped suddenly and glared at him.
"Unless…"
"Unless?" Argus asked. He was worried about where Galbatorix was going with this. He couldn't possibly know that Argus had helped Alianna escape… could he?
Argus could feel sweat beginning to form on his face.
"Unless you know where she is?"
"I'm afraid I don't." Argus said, trying his best to sound confused.
Galbatorix stepped closer to him. "You know her. Better than anyone. Where is she?"
"I don't know."
"I think you do. You care about the princess don't you?"
"Of course." Argus answered. "I've been her guard for sixteen years."
"Enough to help her escape?" Galbatorix asked.
"I would never…" Argus told him.
"Wouldn't you? I'm not a fool Argus. I've heard the rumors about the two of you. Of course, they couldn't possibly be true. That would be treason and I'd have no choice but to have you killed."
Argus tried to speak again, but it was too late. Galbatorix knew he was hiding something. Argus could tell just by the look on his face.
"I suggest you start talking." Galbatorix said, clearly becoming angrier with each passing second. "Or else…"
Argus knew what he meant by that. If he didn't tell Galbatorix what he knew, then the king would force it out of him by getting into his mind.
"I won't let that happen." he thought.
Without any hesitation, Argus decided that if Galbatorix were to do this, he would quickly kill himself before things went too far. Many would say that that was too extreme, but Argus didn't care. He'd rather die than reveal to Galbatorix where Alianna was. He loved her that much.
Suddenly, the chamber doors flew open and in walked one of the guards that Argus had run into earlier.
"My lord," the guard said while trying to catch his breath. "I apologize for disturbing you but…"
"Has she been found?"
The guard shook his head. "No. I understand you're upset but there's something you should know."
"You don't understand!" Galbatorix shouted. "She knows too much! If she were to…"
Argus knew that Alianna knew many of Galbatorix's secrets and that was part of the reason he needed to find her. But by the sound of his voice, Argus could tell there was more to it than that.
Before Argus could think further on the subject, the guard spoke frantically.
"My lord the egg is missing!"
Argus could see Galbatorix's eyes widened.
"What do you mean it's missing? That's not possible!"
Argus couldn't help but smirk. It wasn't hard for him to realize what Alianna had done. After all, he had run into her not far from the room where the egg was held.
The guard tried to speak again, but Galbatorix interrupted him.
"Nevermind! I'm on my way. In the meantime, keep looking for the princess."
"And if we find her?" the guard asked.
"I don't care what you have to do to her." Galbatorix said coldly. "Just bring her back."
Argus had tried to remain calm. But at that moment, something inside him snapped.
"But she's your daughter!"
Galbatorix glared at Argus, but then looked back at the guard.
"As you wish my lord." the guard said.
Galbatorix turned his attention back to Argus. "This is far from over."
As Argus watched Galbatorix leave, he knew this was true. But no matter what happened, he wouldn't tell Galbatorix anything. Even if this meant giving up his own life. Argus had made a promise to always protect Alianna. He certainly wasn't going to break that promise now.