The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

The Parting of the Ways

When they finished speaking, Murtagh looked back at Eragon. "Can you remember the name of the ancient language?" he asked.

"I can almost remember..." And then Murtagh said it quietly two times, so that Eragon could commit it to memory. I heard it too, and filed it away for later, though I doubted I'd ever have cause to use it.

"I'd caution you against sharing that information with too many people. It would be worse than useless if every magician and sorcerer knew the Name." Eragon nodded stiffly and then looked between Murtagh and me.

"Well, then," he began awkwardly, "I'll leave you two alone now." He turned back to Murtagh. "Be careful."

"You too... Brother." Murtagh extended a hand towards Eragon, and he grasped his forearm firmly.

"Brother," Eragon affirmed, a smile upon his face. With that, he turned and strode back towards Saphira.

"I will meet you in the courtyard just before dawn," I said to him quietly as he passed me. "Nasuada has called a meeting and wants us to be there." He nodded and then gave me an encouraging look before bounding over to his dragon. I looked back and watched as he climbed up into the saddle and they took off into the sky, giving one last wave before they disappeared into the clouds. Now comes the hard part.

Tabatha, Amera said from the river, we'll be right over here. I'm only a thought away.

Thank you, Amera. Thorn left his Rider's side and joined Amera by the river, where I'm sure they were locked in conversation. They sat somewhat apart, as though they were nervous to be around one another. I'd have to question her about that later.

I turned to look back at Murtagh and saw there were so many things he wanted to say, though he could not find the words. I felt the same way. Stepping a bit closer to him, I said, "Is there nothing I can do to convince you?" I could have begged; I could have pleaded; I could have promised him anything... but I already knew the answer.

"Back in the throne room," he began slowly, almost hesitantly, "do you know what happened?" I had my suspicions, but I allowed him to explain. "It took me long enough to realize it, but it was at that moment I understood just how much we'd changed. It was enough that our true names changed, and the hold Galbatorix had on us was void."

"I knew that would be the thing that could save you. But how?" I questioned.

"That night, in Dras-Leona when you came to see me up on the wall... I thought that might have been the last time I'd ever see you. I was of the belief that the final battle with Galbatorix would see one or both of us dead." When he said that, I remembered what had happened when we'd kissed, and our auras had actually mixed together; his bleeding into mine and mine into his. That mingling of our two souls into one must have had a greater effect on his being than I had imagined. Silently, I sent up a prayer of thanks to the Goddess.

"Aren't you glad you were wrong?" There was a smile on my face, but I knew it wasn't convincing. "It was more than I could have hoped for. I too am glad that Eragon didn't have to kill you." A heavy silence fell between us, and I looked down at my hands where I was fiddling them at my waist.

He stepped toward me after a moment, and put a hand up to my face in order to force me to look at him. "Can you forgive me? For what I have done?"

"I already have." He leaned into me, resting his forehead against my own. "I wish there was something I could do or say to convince you to stay, but I understand why you feel you must leave." I thought back to the conversation I'd had with Nasuada, and knew that she'd spoken the truth. But however much I knew she was right, I had to say it. If I didn't at least try, I knew I'd hate myself 'til the end of my days. "Please stay with me," I whispered, feeling a tear trickle down my cheek.