By the time Eragon showed up to meet Hal, there were only a couple of hours left until they were to meet Arya and the others for dinner. Murtagh let his irritation with his brother show as he jogged forward to meet them, cheeks flushed with guilt.

"I'm so sorry, the tour took longer than I expected."

Of that, Murtagh had no doubt. He knew Eragon had gotten caught up in talking with Arya, and he had said as much to Hal who was beaming, completely uncaring.

"Eragon, Hal. Hal, Eragon." Hal's smile fell and she gave him a pointed, irritated look. He just shrugged. "I had the energy for this several hours ago. Now I don't."

"Well thank you, darling, for cutting through any awkward tension." She rounded towards Eragon, pulling her smile back up. "Although, I can't really say I blame, Murtagh. I do feel like I know you already."

"Agreed. But I want to be the first to say how delighted I am to meet you properly."

Eragon held out his hand, but Hal shooed it aside and wrapped him in a warm embrace. Eragon, for a moment, looked rather panic-stricken, his eyes daring to Murtagh he just shook his head nonchalantly.

Hal pulled back before Eragon could fully reaction. "I'm sorry, I just…it's been a long two years. A hug just felt more appropriate."

Eragon chuckled. "It's all right, promise. You are family after all. Murtagh told me of your travels to Carvahall to visit Roran and Katrina. I'm more appalled that my first reaction was to go for a handshake."

"I'll forgive you so long as you promise to never be so formal with me again. Murtagh here is the formal one —"

"I am not," he retorted, face scrunched up as he wondered where she had even gathered that about him.

"Fair enough. Standoffish?"

Eragon made a face that said he agreed.

"No!"

"Well there's always my favorite."

"Hal, I beg of you, please don't —"

"Brooding."

Eragon snapped his fingers, his face lighting up. "He is! He broods all the time! He was like that when I met him."

"Me too!" Hal looped her arms through Eragon's turning him around as if to take a walk. "You know, I've heard so much about you and Murtagh's adventures together, but I imagine I got a rather biased take on everything."

"That sounds about right," Eragon agreed, much too serious even for a joke.

"Clearly, you'll have to tell me everything you remember about how Murtagh was when you first met him. Every sordid detail."

Murtagh narrowed his eyes at her and she shot him the absolute sweetest smile in return.

However, before she and Eragon got too far in their taunts, two shadows circled overhead, just returning from their early meal of hunted meat so that they could dine with the others in relative contentedness.

Both Thorn and Saphira landed behind them. Almost immediately, Hal dropped his arm, blurted, "Saphira!" and rushed forward to greet the two dragons.

Eragon followed close behind, grinning. "Obviously, introductions aren't formally needed, but I know the two of you haven't even had a chance to talk before either. Saphira, this is Halen Morzansson. Halen, Saphira Brightscales."

"Oh, I don't think I'll ever tire of meeting a dragon," Hal said breathlessly.

"Well then, I'm sure Murtagh has told you about how our pupils will be dining with us."

"He did." Hal turned back to the dragon, who had lowered her head a bit to look at Hal more closely. "Saphira, it is an honor to meet you. Just an honor."

"So much for not being the formal one," Murtagh teased.

"Rider, you're the one who can't even do a proper introduction."

"Saphira says it's an honor to meet you as well," Eragon cut in jovially. "She asked, if you don't mind, if you would like speak with her directly? She doesn't typically like to when first meeting someone, but since you're kin…"

"If it's all right with her then I certainly have no qualms at all."

The two of them, and soon Thorn, were engrossed in their own conversation. Every so often, Hal would blurt out something aloud, but for the most part, her eyes darted eagerly between the two dragons, nodding along or just listening with a calm focus. When she and the dragons all lowered themselves down to the grass, Murtagh knew they were going to be there for a while.

Eragon and Murtagh hung back to give them all privacy since they had been deemed unnecessary. "I noticed Hal has a mark like Elva's on her palm," Eragon commented.

"Thorn's wedding gift to her. They have their own, honorary bond. Thorn is perhaps the only being she will completely ignore me for, and vice versa. It's like I'm not even there half the time." He smiled. "But I don't mind it. He was drawn to her far quicker than I. Although sometimes…"

"Sometimes what?"

"He used to watch her, when I was still too injured to move. Sort of follow her around as she did chores around the house. Like she fascinated him. I know he was just enthralled by the peaceful life she led. He had never seen anything like that. Watching her through his eyes, I guess it allowed me to fall for her too."

Eragon snorted. "So much for a unique bond that's only yours, eh?"

"Someone like Hal was never taken into consideration. She manages to charm almost everyone she meets. Even Orrin came around to her eventually."

"Orrin? I'm convinced he'll never like me after I backed Nasuada in the bid for the crown."

"I know for a fact he still doesn't like me, but I'm tolerated and that's well enough for me." Murtagh looked over at Eragon. "Not to change the subject, but what took you so long? We expected you hours ago."

"Ah, yes, I was catching up with Arya. I admit I lost track of time."

"I figured that was it but had to be sure. So?"

"So what?"

He rolled his eyes. "How did it go? You were obviously infatuated when you first laid eyes on her, even I could see that. It's still written on your face even now that you care about her. Now that you know you can travel back to Alagaësia, don't you want to see how far you're able to take your relationship with Arya? Surely, you can't be satisfied being..." — he gestured with a sporadic wave of his hand — "this, forever."

Eragon blushed, but his brows furrowed with a bit of annoyance. "You say it like I haven't thought about it either. I care for Arya and I know she cares for me. For now, that is enough."

"And when the day comes when it's not?"

"Why are you suddenly so interested in my feelings for Arya? I've hardly brought them up so it's rarely ever been a topic of conversation."

Why was Murtagh pushing? He didn't even know himself. And there were certainly plenty of other things to talk about to. But before he could stop himself, he said in a low voice, "You asked me this morning if I was all right."

"I did."

"Well the truth of the matter was that, yesterday, Hal told me that while she was up north, she found out she was pregnant. But she miscarried about three months in."

Eragon's face went blank, his mouth falling open. "Dammit, Murtagh. I'm so sorry, I had no idea."

Murtagh held up his hand. "Thank you, truly, but I didn't tell you to evoke sympathies. But, ever since I found out I could've been a father, I've been thinking about, well, everything. There was so much I never stopped to consider because I didn't have to. For example, we don't know for certain how long Hal will live for, but what of our children? It was one thing when I only had to face the idea of Hal going before me, but children? And she would not want that either." He took a heavy breath, relieved to get this all off his chance. He had considered telling Hal, but she had enough on her mind. "As far as I can see it, my future will one day lead to my isolation. Hal would not want to outlive our children. That much I know."

"Would that ever get lonely?"

"It already is."

"I can start to see why dragon riders of old were all mad in some respects. This is a lonely path we've been chosen for."

Eragon didn't immediately respond, and both men looked over to watch the young woman and the dragons for a bit. Finally, he said, "I keep trying to find an argument to rebuke your claim but…I can't. I try not to think about it most days, but every so often it creeps up on me unexpectedly. The days that seem never-ending and the responsibilities and expectations that come with them. And I think: I could live, potentially, for hundreds of years. Although I know the elves do it, it is also how they are born. With the knowledge that they will have almost infinite time. Yet to go from the idea of making the most of the life you are given to having perhaps centuries to figure it out…it almost takes away the humanity of being alive in the first place. There's no incentive because what you don't do today can get done tomorrow."

Murtagh nodded in agreement. "I told myself I was prepared for this. Especially before Hal was turned, I told myself that I would take whatever time with her I was given. Before I even had a chance to tell her how I felt, I knew that I would be satisfied simply being by her side." He felt his eyes begin to burn and he laughed to try to hide how embarrassed he felt as he tried to dig the pads of his fingers into the sockets to stop the flow of tears before the fell. The last thing he wanted was for Hal to see, so he subtly turned his back so that, in case she looked over at him, she wouldn't see his face. "I was content with that but…but dammit, Hal told me it was okay to be selfish. Even just a little bit. And now I don't want to know a moment without her. I can't bear it, Eragon. Honestly it scares me but I can't tell her that. I can't tell her she's not allowed to leave me. But if we add children to the equation…it won't just be me and Hal anymore. I'm not ready to share her yet."

Eragon put a comforting hand on his shoulder and Murtagh felt his face flush. He ran his fingers through his hair. "Heavens, I don't know where all of this is coming from."

"No, I'm glad you're opening up to me." Eragon sounded like he truly meant it, eager as if he feared Murtagh might become closed off now that they did not have the mountain and teaching to buffer conversation. "Truthfully, what you speak of doesn't seem all that far-fetched. If I were in your position, I would want to spend as much time with the person I loved. I think it shows just how dedicated you are to her. Honestly, Murtagh? I envy you. I don't mean to make light of your feelings at the moment or make this about me. But hearing you talk about such things…I can't help but want that. When I think of Roran and Katrina and their family, I just feel like I'm missing out on something. You were right when you said what we do is lonely. It's lonely, exhausting, and sometimes unrewarding. Most of all, it's not for us. It's for everyone. So to want and to have something that you can claim as yours and yours alone…that sounds lovely, to be honest."

Murtagh turned his head, his expression softening a bit until Eragon's mouth opened a bit with dawning realization. "I see. I suppose I walked right into that, huh?"

"Hal once told me that even for the saintly, tomorrow is not guaranteed to be as kind as today. I almost missed out on so many things because I kept telling myself it was the wrong place, the wrong time, or that I didn't deserve something. Eragon, if I can stand here now knowing that all of those things were wrong, then you certainly can't say any different. You have done nothing but sacrifice and give for the sake of this country and its people. I know you don't regret it. I know you'd do it again without changing a thing. But if living with Hal has taught me anything, it's that —"

"I can be a little selfish, right?"

Murtagh grinned, clapping him on the back. "Now you're getting it."

Eragon smiled, but it quickly faltered. "I just don't know, brother. Arya and I are both so busy that we've barely had time to talk in the last six years. Why should that change?"

"Once you admit to yourself you want something, you will find a way to make it work. It won't be easy, but it can be done. You just have to ask yourself if she's worth taking the time for. If she is…well, then you already have your answer."

Eragon was staring at the ground, but his expression made his answer apparent. They had been sitting in a comfortable silence for a few minutes when Eragon quietly added, "Thank you, Murtagh. I didn't mean to move the conversation away from you, but I think I needed this more than I realized."

Murtagh couldn't help but agree. There were many things he could share with Hal, but there was something about this conversation that felt right having with Eragon. Perhaps it was because much of how they were both feeling was so wrapped up in their titles as riders. There was no one above them to guide them on navigating such personal matters. And denying their existence seemed folly and useless.

Murtagh hoped he, Eragon, and Arya could set a path that was better than what they had been given. There were so many riders with unhappy endings. Murtagh didn't want that for himself or anyone else. Didn't want a life filled with regrets when there was so much being offered outside of their duties.

"Promise me you'll talk to Arya before you leave," Murtagh said suddenly.

"What?"

"Promise me. Right here and now. Don't leave here again without any regrets."

Eragon studied him carefully, trying to see if he was serious. Murtagh kept his face neutral, except for a single eyebrow he raised in challenge. Tornac would be proud. Finally, Eragon nodded his head.

"All right then. I promise." Eragon's expression then became rather perplexed. "You're different than I expected you to be."

"I've been with you for seven months, why the tone of surprise?"

"It's not that. It's Hal, isn't it? You being reunited with her gives you a different aura. You seem…at peace."

Greatness…

…or peace of mind.

Murtagh smiled. "Halen is my peace. I do not feel at ease unless she's by my side."

"I don't think I would've thought you capable of saying such a thing when I first met you."

"That's because I wasn't. I always thought such vulnerability was a weakness. A thing to be pitied and avoided at all cost. Not to mention I had no room for anyone in my life then. I was too simple-minded, and my selfishness was born out of anger, not desire."

"And now?"

Murtagh looked at Hal. Thorn had laid his head down beside her, her fingers softly stroking his cheek as she gazed at Saphira. One of the dragons said something that made Hal laugh. He smiled. "She is my strength. In the same way Thorn is, or Saphira is for you. Without Hal pushing me, this version of myself would not exist. A version that I can be proud of. A Murtagh who is worthy of standing beside a woman like her. That was all I ever wanted: to be someone who could stay by her side for as long as possible."

Eragon seemed to ponder this for a moment, and Murtagh noticed how his brother's eyes drifted towards the forest, as if he could will Arya to appear in that moment. Choosing not to say anything more on the matter, Murtagh instead clapped his brother on the shoulder and said, "Come, let's join them. Better than standing and observing like a couple of chaperones."

Eragon chuckled but followed Murtagh's lead. As they approached, Hal turned her head and met his gaze. Her smile lifted impossibly further as she moved to pat the spot beside her for him to sit. A place right by her side, where he would always belong.

…

Truly and honestly, it was Murtagh's fault. The end result was one where he couldn't be mad at anyone but himself for allowing this to happen. Truthfully, he wasn't even surprised by the turnout. Fate wasn't done punishing him just yet.

"Ebrithil, you didn't even go easy on her when sparring?" Ovdkel asked, his voice strained with indignity and disbelief.

"Yes, ebrithil, do explain why that was," Hal commented inquiringly, her hands clasped together on the table with an expression that said I'm waiting.

Murtagh glared, first at Hal, over the top of his goblet, and she almost broke character trying to hide her laughter. Ovdkel, Gloria, Vaeril, and Latham, however, looked at him like he'd grown a second head, their disappointment obvious. "First of all," he snapped, slamming his cup down, "stop letting this woman goad you before she gets you all into trouble she can't get you out of."

Hal pretended to find something under her nails fascinating.

"Second of all, she asked me to challenge her. Why on earth would I go easy on her because she's a woman? Do not let her trick you into thinking she's weak. Did she tell you she once threw me on my back? She was already capable at defending herself before I came along."

"You let a woman handle you so aggressively?" Latham said with a frown. Then he looked to Eragon. "This the man you recruited to teach us everything he knows?"

"I can't stand any of you," Murtagh hissed as Eragon snorted into his drink.

"I didn't even say anything!" Eragon shouted defensively. "I've been minding my own business having a completely separate conversation with Arya."

"That's no way to talk to your wife, you know," Gloria reprimanded.

Murtagh shot Hal the most withering glare he could muster. He shook his head at her and she rolled her eyes. "All right, all right, my poor, defenseless husband is clearly feeling outnumbered —"

"Because I am."

"Let's cut him some slack. I did marry him after all, he's not so bad." She propped her elbow on the table and held her chin in her hand, giving him such a genuine smile that he almost forgot that she had turned all his pupils against him. He looked away pointedly, but he knew she saw the way his lips twitched in amusement before he hid it by taking a sip of his drink.

However, he couldn't deny how good of a mood the meal put him in. Perhaps it was the eager energy of the new riders and how well Hal matched it that kept the laughter loud and the conversation easily flowing as they all took turns regaling the table with stories (often at Murtagh's expense). Truly though, he didn't mind (well, he minded some — he would have never assumed he was an easier target than Eragon). But at the end of it all, Hal had looked happier these last few hours than she had since he arrived. To see her laugh until she was in tears, to watch how she softened the entire room with her presence and made sure no one was left out…

He felt a gentle nudge against his shin under the table, blinking to realize he had grown distracted while still staring at Hal. She smiled at him, and he wondered if she knew she was all he could look at tonight.

"Miss Halen, will you be coming with us to Ilirea at the end of the week?"

Well shit.

"Ilirea?" Hal repeated, her smile falling in confusion. "What's in Ilirea?"

Gloria punched Latham in the arm, and the young man winced as he shot Murtagh an apologetic look. "I'll tell you later," Murtagh told her. She raised one brow at him, but said nothing further.

"Well, it's no matter," Hal continued, keeping her voice light so as to not let the awkward silence deepen. "I'll be staying here. Arya has graciously opened her home to my people, but we don't want to be in the way too much longer."

"Nonsense, Halen," Arya interjected. "Your people are welcome here as long as needed. After what you did for the elves, you take whatever it is you need."

Murtagh appreciated Arya's subtly on the matter. They had not told the new riders yet that Hal had restored magic — it would raise too many questions about her abilities. Eragon and Nasuada, of course, knew since they were aware beforehand of what Hal was capable of.

"You're too kind. But while I know my people have enjoyed their time here, I can tell they're beginning to grow restless. Even though the conditions up north were abhorrent, they had been there long enough to make the place their own. They seek that same permanence now."

"Do you know where you'll go then?" asked Vaeril. "Back home to Illium, perhaps?"

"That would be my ideal choice. Especially since I'm eager to return home as well."

"But we'll see you and ebrithil again, right?" Gloria asked, looking wide-eyed. "You'll still come back to continue our training, right?" At this, she looked directly at Murtagh.

"I don't know yet," he admitted, giving them a small smile. "But you will certainly see me again. Eragon and I just haven't worked out the details yet."

They seemed satisfied enough with this answer for now, but Murtagh felt his chest tighten. Hal wanted to go home, and so did a part of him, and Thorn too. But he also wished there was a way to cut his time between Illium and Mount Agnor. He also wished that they were much closer together.

"Is it overstepping if I have an idea? All eyes swiveled around to Hal, who was raising her hand rather shyly. "Well, I was just thinking that, I know Murtagh has a lot on his plate in terms of duties. I was wondering if there was a more practical component that he could oversee here in Alagaësia directly?"

"Practical component?" Eragon repeated, leaning in to listen carefully.

"Well, I was thinking about the fact that much of a rider's training, from my understanding, lies with you, Eragon. And it got me thinking, since everyone was first brought to Ellesméra to assist my people, that perhaps when Eragon has taught them all he can, Murtagh guides them through a more hands-on approach. Like when he taught me magic, it was one thing to learn the language, but actually saying the spell and applying it was completely different. So take that same logic and apply it to…I actually still don't know what it is you all do, to be honest. But disputes or aide and the like. That way a mentor they trust is still overseeing things and letting the people know that someone who is more established is there to help, while still giving the new riders credence to their training."

She stared as Eragon was nodding thoughtfully. "That's a good idea. I can't believe I didn't think of it."

"Technically, you did. What you're doing right now is essentially what I'm suggesting. Just make it a permanent part of their learnings. That way, as new riders are found, there's a means of introducing them to the public so that they learn to trust the riders as well. What you all do at Mount Agnor is important, but don't silo yourself like the former riders did. You are powerful, yes, but if you are truly meant to be for the people, let the people get to know you. I can't speak for everyone, but you all are wonderful people, and I would happily vouch for any of you. Let the masses see that as well. Take back the reputation Galbatorix stole from you."

There was a moment of silence as Hal's words cemented themselves into everyone's mind. Murtagh could see the weight of them on everyone's faces. The legacy they were fighting to restore. Despite all that Eragon, Arya, and even Murtagh more recently, had done to distance themselves from Galbatorix and the Forsworn, they would not undo a century of damage in six years.

"You have an inspiring way with words, Halen," Arya said softly, her eyes blazing with pride at her status. "And you are correct. I needed to hear that. Needed to be reminded that while I have my duty to my people, my title as a dragon rider comes first."

"Oromis and Glaedr elevated my training beyond anything I thought possible," Eragon added softly, looking mournful. "I want to give all incoming riders that same structure and guidance. But what I also needed was someone by my side when things got hard. Someone who could let me know that I was making the right choices until I was confident enough to make them myself. I alone can't do that. However, Murtagh, Thorn, if you cannot always be at Mount Agnor, I would truly like to know I can send our pupils to you when they're ready. It would put me at ease knowing they have mentors they can trust when I'm not there and when Arya is perhaps preoccupied."

Murtagh glanced around the table, the expectant gazes of his pupils watching. I rather like the idea, Thorn said. It would allow us to remain closer to Hal and to the crown while still doing something we enjoy.

Murtagh recalled a conversation with Hal from long ago. One in which she had mentioned splitting their time between the estate in the Spine and Illium. Ilirea sat almost evenly between the two, so he could get to her in a few days time if he wanted. They could even house the students at the estate depending on the matter at hand. They certainly had the space for it. And Carvahall was not far if Hal wanted to visit with Roran and Katrina.

"I can't exactly read Murtagh's mind at the moment," Hal stated, "but I think that's a 'yes.'"

When they were finally done for the night — when it became impossible to ignore the deepening yawns and the drooping eyes — everyone parted for the night in high spirits. Murtagh noticed how Eragon and Arya walked in the same direction, and he smiled as he turned towards Hal, taking her hand as they walked back.

"I hope it was all right, my butting in like that," she said, squeezing his fingers apologetically. "The idea sort of came to me in the moment and I didn't want to lose it."

"Considering you had my students berating me for half the meal on crimes you falsely accused me of, it was the least you could do."

She threw her head back and laughed, and a smile broke across his face at the sound and the ridiculousness of it all. "Honestly, you should not have had me read those letters before meeting them. Or at the very least, you should not have constantly mentioned how much they teased you so. But I can't blame them. It is delightful to get a reaction out of you."

"You enjoy tormenting me so?"

"Only because you look adorable when you're blushing and flustered."

"I thought you liked it when I was broody?"

"I like all of you. Sleepy you, playful you, stoic you. They are all wonderful to me."

"You flatter me, but you've got a long way to go to make up for teasing me so."

"Have I mentioned how handsome you are?"

"Not recently. Nor have you commented about my hands or my body."

She stopped to turn to face him, her eyes shining even in the moonlight. "Oh dear, how neglectful of a wife I've become."

"It is most unbecoming."

She chuckled, taking his other hand as well before looking back up at him. "But in all honesty, rider: will you do it? Those students look up to you, and it would mean the world to Eragon. I could tell that much. And I could see it in your eyes too: you were already plotting."

He sighed, knowing it was futile to hide anything from her. "It was honestly too perfect a suggestion. I want to do it, Hal. I will do it, but only on one condition."

"Like what?"

"I do not know how long my duties will keep me. But if ever at any time you need me, even if it's just for a spell, you will tell me. I do not want to burden you unnecessarily because you don't want to tell me how you really feel. I don't want a repeat of what happened up north, even if nothing as drastic happens. If you so much miss me too much, you will tell me, so that I can get back to you as soon as possible. Okay?"

"You spoil me."

"That's not the answer I was looking for, iet dunei."

"Yes, yes, you stubborn fool. I promise, I will not hide such feelings from you and will promptly abuse my position as the supportive wife."

"That is all I ask for, Hal."

He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it before they resumed walking again. "And before I forget, I'm sorry I forgot to mention Ilirea. It came up this morning when we met: Nasuada would like to have us all there to help with the efforts in the city. Now that magic has returned, she is eager to push through with getting things back the way they were — perhaps with a few modifications."

"I understand the inclination, trust me I do. But you only just got back. Will you have to be gone long?"

"Are you evoking your feelings in order to abuse your position as my wife?"

She chuckled. "No. Well…all right, maybe a little. Heavens, Murtagh, we were apart for six months and I get you for a little over a week? It won't always be like this will it? I do not want to miss you too much."

He sighed wistfully as he glanced down at their conjoined hands, the sight sending a measure of peace to his heart and mind. "I hope not."

"Well maybe by the time you return from Ilirea, I will have convinced my aunt to come back to Illium with us."

"Have they still not decided?"

Hal gave a heavy sigh, which betrayed her feelings on the matter. "No."

"Are you worried they might not like Illium."

"I'm worried they might not go."

Once again, he was brought to halt, this time out of sheer surprise. "Surely not. Illium is perfect. And besides, where else would they go?"

"I thought it was that simple too; but, when I brought it up the other day, Aunt Zola didn't seem excited. Or even interested. Murtagh, what if they regrett coming back to Alagaësia with me?"

"Nonsense, Hal. Even I can see how much happier they are. I'm sure the idea of moving to a more permanent location just has them a bit on edge. It is a lot of change in a short amount of time. Anyone would be overwhelmed."

"That's true," she agreed quietly. "I'm sure I'm just stressed too. I know Arya means it when she says she doesn't mind us being here and to stay as long as we need, but the longer we are here the longer I am away from Illium. I want to go home, Murtagh. This is the closest opportunity we've had. It's been a year. I'm ready to leave."

"I know," he said, hearing the frustration grow in her voice. "I know. I'll do what I can so that I'm not in Ilirea too long. With Eragon and the rest, my presence really shouldn't be missed all too much."

"No, I didn't mean to complain. Don't listen to me, I'm just —"

"Hal. Hal, look at me." She did, begrudgingly, looking embarrassed over her outburst. "Do you want to go home?"

Her lower lip trembled as she nodded. "More than I want anything else right now."

He nodded, pulling her into his chest. She clutched him tightly. "All right then," he assured her. "Then we will go home soon. I promise."

…

The next morning — after Murtagh and Thorn left to go meet Eragon, Saphira and the other riders — Hal walked hurriedly to the Sani encampment, eager to talk with aunt after last night's conversation with Murtagh. Hal knew that if she just talked things over with Aunt Zola, the woman would come around to Illium. To see the beaches again, to feel the warm sun. The Sani would thrive on Illium, of that Hal was certain. And she was cheery with Murtagh's promise that they would go home soon. To see the Tenari again — Amon, Tena, Sam, Cado, Eli, Ayo, the children, and Nani. Hal desperately missed her horse.

Hal saw Olwenyo and ran towards him. He beamed when he saw her coming. "Good morning, Hal."

"Good morning, Uncle. Have you seen my aunt anywhere? I have to talk with her."

He frowned, looking around. "I think she wandered off with one of those newcomers. Like your Murtagh, but he looked more like an elf."

Now it was Hal's turn to look confused. Hal doubted her aunt would be conversing with Vaeril. Did he mean Eragon? She couldn't quite understand why her aunt would be talking to him either.

"Do you know which way they went?"

Hal followed the direction of his gaze, only just remembering to let him know she'll see him later. "You're always here, love!" he called out as she was leaving. "It would be more helpful for us to know when you're not coming!"

She laughed at this, shaking her head. When she was far enough from the Sani, it was a bit easier to pick up on her aunt and Eragon's scents — a habit she did not think she'd ever want to fully acknowledge. However, she was just far enough out that she could still pick up on snippets of their conversation in the quiet of the forest.

"…I hear you, I do," Eragon was saying, "but even I can't say for certain what you can expect. I venture away from Mount Agnor from time to time, enough to know that there are other indigenous groups even further east than us. But I don't know if you'll like it or if it will provide what you are looking for."

"We don't need to like it. We won't truly know if we'll like any spot until we've lived in it long enough. But we've been discussing our options at length, and this is the best one. When Hal mentioned you were coming from far east, I had to ask to be sure before we made our final decision."

"What final decision?"

It was obvious neither of them had heard Hal approach, her aunt swearing and jumping loudly, a hand to her chest. Eragon's startlement was more contained, but he still flinched a bit. "Hal," he said quickly, guiltily.

"Murtagh said something about meeting you and the other riders this morning," Hal said slowly, giving him a long look before turning back to her aunt. "What final decision."

"I told him I was running behind," Eragon murmured. "I should go. Umm, Hal, before I leave for Ilirea, there's something I need to talk to you about."

"All right," Hal responded absentmindedly, her eyes on her aunt, who looked less guilty, just stoic.

When Eragon was gone, Hal stepped closer to her aunt and repeated, "What final decision, Aunt Zola?"

The woman sighed, her expression holding its familiar, stubborn set of her jaw. "Well I was planning on telling you today anyway, I just had to be sure before I did." She stepped forward, taking both of Hal's hands in hers. "We do not intend to travel to Illium."

Hal felt her shoulders drop, the confession a crushing blow. "Oh. But then, where will you stay? I didn't think you'd want to remain in Alagaësia proper."

"We don't intend to do that either."

"Then where —?"

"I've already spoken with many in our group about the idea of going east and we have the majority. I imagine with this update of Eragon's experiences, the decision will be rendered final. And we don't expect you to follow, we know you have a life here. But…this is what's best for us."

Hal snatched her hands back, feeling like her aunt had slapped her all over again. Her entire body was shaking as she rushed away before her emotions got the best of her.

"Halen, please don't walk away angry!"

Hal froze in place, feeling many things swirling in her mind. Anger probably one of them. But that wasn't the emotion she was trying to avoid showing. Tears of betrayal ran down her cheeks as she looked back at her aunt. She could not help but think back to how adamant her aunt had been about remaining up north. How Hal had basically been told to choose between her life with Murtagh and the Tenari or a life with the Sani. Every single decision she had made had been in the hopes of combining her two worlds into one. But she could see, ever so clearly now, that that had never been her aunt's plan or intentions. Hal had been so blinded by her own wishes she had not seen the truth laid bare before her.

Zola moved towards her but Hal took two steps back. She could see the hurt that flashed in her aunt's eyes, but the stubborn woman set her face into a more stern look. "Don't act like a child, Halen. You had to have known —"

"How in the name of the gods was I to have known?" Hal snapped indignantly. "You spent all those months we were trapped in those mountains telling me that if I left, I would never see you again. Every waking moment I have spent trying to bring us all together. To make up for all the time we've lost. And now you're telling me that I have to lose you all over again."

"You're not going to lose us."

"I can't just pop over to the far eastern lands, Aunt Zola! Even letters would take months to reach you. What if something were to happen? I can't be there for you, I can't protect you —"

"That is precisely why I made this decision!" Hal immediately fell silent in disbelief, but Zola's expression had grown painfully tender, heartbroken as she finally allowed a fraction of the emotion she was feeling to emerge. She took advantage of Hal's shock to step forward and take her hands again, squeezing them tightly. "You do too much. Ever since you stayed with us in the mountains, all you've done is worry about us. What we need, how much food we have, if we're comfortable, if we're happy…darling you put all of us above your own wellbeing. You are so selfless, so brave, so kind…but I can't watch you do this to yourself. I can't watch you shorten your rations for us. I can't watch you stay awake for nearly a week worried about us."

"That was different, all of that would be different now. Those were just exceptions, it's all fine now. And it would better if you just came to Illium with me."

Zola shook her head. "So long as we are with you, you will never let yourself rest. You will never allow yourself to live the life you deserve because you will be too busy trying to make up for the one you lost."

Hal couldn't even feel embarrassed for how much she was crying now. "Why does it have to be a choice? Why can't I have both?"

Her aunt tilted her head, her lips pressed tightly together to keep from trembling. "I wish it were that easy. I truly do. I've missed so much of your life already. And there's so much I want to be there for. To see you hold your children for the first time. To see you flourish under the stars and hopes of your people and our ancestors. But in order to do that, you need to let the past go. You need to let us go."

"I just…I just got you back."

"I know. And I'm sorry I have to ask this of you. I'm sorry I have to once again as you to bear such responsibility. But trust me, and trust us. Trust that we made it this far without you. Trust that we will now make it even further because of you. This is not the end. Nor is this goodbye. Thanks to you, Halen, this is our new beginning. And we will not let your sacrifices have been in vain."

Hal hated that her aunt's reasoning was starting to make sense. Hated that she could feel the sting of acceptance fill her chest, her body and mind too tired to fight. She allowed herself to fall to her knees and cry at her aunt's feet, feeling like an abandoned child all over again, wailing at the edge of a dark world in the hopes that she would be found. Only this time, she did not cry alone. Zola lowered herself to the ground and eased Hal into her lap. The gesture alone was perhaps the most maternal comfort she had felt in such a long time. Each stroke of her hair was a gentle reminder that Hal could cry as long as she needed to. Lay in her aunt's lap as long as she needed to. And Hal, greedier and more selfish than people seemed to want to give her credit for, wrapped her arms around Zola's waist to keep her from moving. And as she sat there and cried, she felt a small, childlike part of herself that she had been holding on to for so long loosen its hold on her before finally releasing its grip.