AN: I had hoped to have this chapter up by Valentine's Day but yeah, that didn't happen. Due to a family emergency, I didn't have the time or energy to write. My Grandpa was in the hospital for awhile. But don't worry, everything is fine now. He's home and doing really well. Now that everything is back to normal, I can try to focus on my writing. I apologize for this chapter being so short, but it'll have to do for now. I promise the next one will be longer. Hope you enjoy :)
Alianna had gathered some wood and started a small fire. Thorn watched her the whole time but said nothing. She then sat down to eat and thought about everything that had just happened. All this time she thought everything would be okay. Now she wasn't so sure. They had no money, little food, and were about as close to finding Eragon as they were at the start of their journey. Between that and her fight with Murtagh, things were not looking very good at the moment.
Alianna looked up at Thorn.
Was I wrong?
No you weren't. But neither was Murtagh.
He makes me so angry sometimes.
He loves you very much.
I know.
You have no idea of the tortures Galbatorix put him through during our training. I begged him to stop. That we'd find a way out. But he refused. He didn't want Galbatorix to make good on his threat to hurt you.
Alianna nodded. She had seen some of what Galbatorix had done to Murtagh, but she did not know the full extent of it. She began to feel horrible.
Thorn continued.
Murtagh has his own way of dealing with things. Deep down he knows you can handle any situation on your own. But there's something you must understand- if something were to happen to you or the child you're carrying, he would never be able to forgive himself. Neither would I.
Alianna decided to apologize when Murtagh returned. They had both acted foolishly. They should be working together to protect their son. The last thing they needed to do was fight.
She tried to stay up, but another wave of exhaustion fell over her. She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the soft grass.
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Alianna woke up several hours later. The sun was just beginning to rise. She felt warmer than she had when she fell asleep and noticed that someone had covered her in a blanket. She sat up and saw Murtagh sitting nearby.
"How long have you been up?"
"Awhile." Murtagh told her.
Alianna thanked him for the blanket.
Murtagh shrugged. "You looked cold."
There was an awkward silence, and then Alianna and Murtagh both apologized to each other at the same time. They smiled and then Alianna spoke.
"You were right. We never should have separated. But the way you reacted made me feel like a child."
"I was scared." Murtagh admitted. "If those soldiers had captured you…" He paused for a moment. "I can't go through that again."
Alianna understood and tried to assure Murtagh that that wouldn't happen again.
"There's something I don't understand." Murtagh said.
"What?"
"You should have left when I was fighting those soldiers. Why did you get involved?"
"They could have killed you! I had to do something." She paused when she saw the look on Murtagh's face. As if she knew what he was thinking, Alianna said. "Murtagh, I'm alright. I would never do anything that would put our son's life at risk."
Murtagh knew she wouldn't. He leaned forward and kissed her. "I love you."
Alianna told him that she loved him too. She then decided to change the subject. "How did the hunt go?"
Murtagh smiled. "Very well. We should have enough meat to last us several days."
Alianna was glad of this and began preparing them some breakfast. As they ate, they looked over the map. They were trying to figure out where Eragon might be at the moment, based on where he had been seen. Was he heading back to Surda? It certainly looked that way. Even if it were true, it would be impossible to go. They were going to need a place to hide until things settled down and they could resume the search. Murtagh suggested that they head east, cross Tudosten Lake and hide in Silverwood Forest.
"Will it be safe for us there?" Alianna asked.
"Nowhere is safe." Murtagh told her. "But I don't think Galbatorix will look for us there. Most likely he'll send his soldiers through the cities and villages nearby."
Alianna was a little skeptical. But Murtagh assured her that this plan would work. And if for some reason it didn't, then he would think of something else.
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It took them over two weeks to reach Silverwood Forest. Crossing the Tudosten Lake had been difficult. During that time, Murtagh's nineteenth birthday came and went. Alianna had wanted to do something to celebrate, however small it might be. But Murtagh didn't want any part of it.
They arrived at the forest late one night. As they made camp, Alianna could see that this was a peaceful place. It was very quiet and secluded. After a quick dinner, Alianna grew tired and decided to lay down. Murtagh seemed concerned, but Alianna told him that she was alright. That all the traveling had simply worn her out. She was asleep within minutes.
The nightmare began replaying in her head again. This time however, after the man had murdered the woman, the scenery began moving faster and faster. It was if someone was running. She heard a loud scream, different from the woman's, and then everything went black.