13. Murtagh

Eragon awoke first the following morning to find that Arya had shifted in her sleep. She was curled on her side and turned away from him with one leg drawn up. He smiled at the memory of the previous morning and where that move had gotten her. Since he wasn't touching her, Eragon soundlessly arose and retrieved her cloak, carefully draping it over her so he wouldn't disturb her.

He made a silent inventory of the saddlebags to determine what food they had and, finding it insufficient, set off to gather some. He hadn't planned to stay away from the city this long.

While he was picking fruit, nuts, and edible flowers, he noticed Saphira and Fírnen in the sky above.

How was your night, little one? Saphira asked.

Peaceful, he replied. We had fun swimming. Arya is amazing. She bested me in a competition we had. It made her feel better after discovering that I am now a faster runner than she. She seemed to come alive in the water. Similar to you. Saphira's thoughts were colored with amusement.

Then Fírnen's deep voice entered his mind. Murtagh and Thorn are approaching from the east, he informed them.

Eragon was not exceedingly surprised at this news. He had told Murtagh before he left that he would return the following morning and had now been gone a day longer. Murtagh knew there was nothing on the island that could hurt him, but it gratified Eragon that he had come. He wondered what Murtagh would think upon seeing him. Surely he looked different.

Saphira swooped down, and Eragon leaped up to her back. She flew him to the top of one of the peaks so he could meet Murtagh.

Fírnen then said, Arya has awakened and wishes me to bring her. I will return shortly.

Murtagh arrived on Thorn within a few minutes. Thorn landed, and Murtagh dismounted.

"You came to check on me?" Eragon asked, smiling broadly.

"I wasn't overly worried, but some of the others were," Murtagh replied. "Willow, specifically." Eragon grinned again. "I volunteered to come in search. It gave me something different to do. We left at first light. Are you well? You seem changed."

Eragon laughed that he had been able to predict Murtagh's reaction, and Murtagh raised an eyebrow. "A laugh? That's something new."

Eragon said the two words that he knew would explain everything. "Arya came."

"Indeed? Then things must be going well. I've never seen you like this. You finally look your age, rather than a cranky old man ready to snap at anyone who gets in his way."

Eragon smiled sheepishly at Murtagh's fitting description.

"So how is she?" Murtagh asked.

"Let her tell you herself. Her dragon is bringing her now. Did you by chance pack any food?" Eragon knew Murtagh understood his appetite. As half-brothers, they had a similar build, though Murtagh was slightly taller and leaner, like his father Morzan had been. But they both always seemed hungry, no matter how abundantly they ate.

"Yes," Murtagh replied, returning to Thorn so he could retrieve a bundle from his saddlebags. At that moment, Fírnen rose to the peak and descended near the other two dragons. Arya gracefully sprang from his back without using his leg, landing in a crouch. She stood in the same fluid motion and walked to Eragon's side.

Arya took his hand and said, "That was thoughtful of you to leave me alone this morning." She smiled sweetly and raised on her toes to kiss his cheek.

"You were still sleeping. I didn't want to disturb you and came in search of food," Eragon returned, holding up the bundle Murtagh had just given him. "See how successful I have been? Murtagh knew our need and came to deliver this. Wasn't that considerate?"

Murtagh couldn't quiet a laugh at their playful exchange. Arya looked over and warmly greeted, "Well met, Murtagh. I'm happy to see you." She approached him and gave him an embrace. Murtagh stiffened in surprise but returned the gesture before she stepped away.

"Well met, Arya," he echoed. "Have the customs of the elves changed so much since I last visited you?"

"Certainly not," she replied. "The elves are too old-fashioned and stubbornly set in their ways to see reason. Ten years is but the blink of an eye for many of them. I simply thought an exception was appropriate for my future brother-in-law. Eragon has opened my eyes to the warmness of an embrace."

"You two intend to marry?" Murtagh asked.

"Aye," Eragon verified. "As soon as we return the city, which will be soon, I think. Being alone together in the wilderness has been a . . . uh, challenge."

Murtagh grinned. "I'm happy for you, brother. Arya, you wouldn't believe what you have put this poor fool through. Although his single-minded determination and focus—a result, I believe, of his effort to put you from his mind—have made him into quite the Dragon Rider mentor. He runs a tight ship back in the city."

"I'm glad you came in search of him, Murtagh," Arya said. "I was beginning to wonder if Eragon had simply abandoned the Riders to live out his life as a crabby old hermit, alone on an island in the middle of the sea. I thought it odd no one would miss him."

"I didn't miss him," Murtagh assured. "He has smiled more in these five minutes than in all the last ten years. The others were concerned—well, Willow really—and I volunteered to come, that's all. There is nothing on the island that can hurt a dragon and Rider, but it wouldn't do to lose our valiant leader. There was always the chance he would attempt to throw himself from the cliffs before Saphira could catch him." Murtagh smiled mockingly at Eragon, and Saphira huffed.

"A fine speech, brother," Eragon smoothly said. "Don't pretend I was the only lovesick fool around here. We have been fitting company for one another, miserable and cross, not a pair to trifle with. Come, have you decided yet to return to Nasuada? As you can see, it would do you some good."

Murtagh's expression soured. "It's not that easy, Eragon. She is the high queen. Can she lightly enter into a union with a Rider, especially me? That might have some negative political repercussions. Besides, I'm not sure being with her would be for the best, given her mortality."

"Surely it would be better to live one lifetime with the woman you love than not at all," Arya insisted. "Although I can understand your difficulty. We could always see if an egg would hatch for Nasuada."

"I've thought of that," Murtagh admitted. "But I don't think she would welcome it. It would be a serious conflict of interest and a constant threat to her devotion to her kingdom. I'm sure you, of all people, understand."

"Yes, indeed," Arya agreed.

"But I'm beginning to agree with you that it might be better to live one lifetime with the woman I love than always regret if I don't. Perhaps I will see if Nasuada is amenable to a visit." Murtagh looked thoughtful then addressed Eragon. "Now that I have ascertained your safety and good health, I will take my leave, unless I can be of service in any way?"

"I had hoped you would inform the others of Arya's arrival and our intentions to marry. If they see fit to make any type of preparations, we will not object, but we certainly don't need anything fancy. A simple ceremony is more than sufficient as we will most likely wish to disappear again for a time after that. I would guess that we will return no later than a couple of days from now, if not sooner."

Murtagh bowed. "I will apprise the others of your plans and let them do what they will," he promised. Then, abandoning his formal air, Murtagh closed the gap between himself and Eragon and clapped him in a brief embrace. "You deserve this, brother. I truly am happy for you." Eragon smiled, touched.

And with that, Murtagh returned to Thorn and ran up his leg to the saddle. "Farewell, Eragon and Arya. Until we meet again."

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