The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

The Parting of the Ways

He pondered this a moment, his arms relaxing from where they gripped my waist. "And what is this one thing?" he finally said warily.

"Go off into the wilderness," I began slowly, fingering the bracelet on my wrist nervously. "But come back in half a year. Come back, and if you still feel you must keep to yourselves, then I will not protest. Leave and do not come back for as long as you feel you must, and I won't say a word."

It was clear by the look on his face that my proposal had shocked him. "Tabatha..." I said nothing, waiting for him to make the decision that could affect the course of our lives forever. "And what of you? If I decide that I must leave once more, what will you do?" I understood the implied meaning behind his words.

"I will wait for you, Murtagh." I said the words in the ancient language, so he knew they were an oath that I meant wholeheartedly. "No matter how long it takes, I am yours. From this day, until the end of my days." He took my hands and wrapped them within his own, bringing them up to kiss them gently. His eyes closed and I thought I glimpsed a tear there.

"What did I do to deserve you, Tabatha?" he whispered quietly. My heart fluttered in my chest when he looked at me. He gave me a small smile, and then said, "Very well. Half a year, and I will return to you. Then we may decide what is to be done." I tried to contain the happiness I was feeling, but it was threatening to overwhelm me. Quickly, I pulled him toward me and into a deep kiss. When we came up for air, both of us were smiling.

Amera and Thorn returned to the camp not long after that. You must fill me in later, Amera said, her voice full of cheekiness.

Aye, we have much to discuss, young lady, I replied pointedly. She drew away in embarrassment and I had to laugh. Murtagh hefted his saddle onto Thorn's back and began securing the straps; while he did that, I walked around in front of the massive red dragon. He swung his head down so that I was staring right into his ruby red eye.

I would thank you, he began in that sonorous voice of his, Tabatha-Murtagh's-lover. You have saved my Rider and me. I felt a blush rising to my cheeks at his words, and I knew that Murtagh was listening.

And I would do it all again, if I had to. Thorn snorted at that and let out that odd dragon-laugh. Take care of each other, I continued. It may be dangerous where you are going. I pray that you both find the peace you so desperately search for.

Thorn looked over my shoulder, where Amera was standing not far behind, and let out a small whimper. Leaving with the memory of today will aid in that endeavor, I am sure of it, he said, a note of sadness coloring his voice. He leaned forward and touched the tip of his snout to my forehead. May the sun and the wind be always at your backs.

And at yours. He withdrew contact then, and Murtagh was finished tightening the straps around his belly. He stepped away from Thorn's side, and I saw he held something in his hands. It was a parcel wrapped in brown cloth, though I could not be sure what it held. He walked over to me and began to unwrap the cloth. What it revealed was a beautiful, ornate set of mirrors. He picked up one and handed it to me; I held it gingerly, fearing that I might break the delicate object.

"This is a very old set of scrying mirrors," he explained. Then he spoke some words over them in the ancient language. "They date back to the time when elves still ruled Ilirea, and Galbatorix had them kept under lock and key until I stole them out of the treasure room a week ago. You need only say the words 'draumr kópa', and we'll be able to communicate, no matter where the other is."

The breath caught in my throat at the sight of the beautiful mirror. "Thank you," I replied quietly.

"I'll contact you shortly before the six months is up, so we can decide where to meet. Wherever you may be at the time, I want to make sure we don't end up somewhere too populated."

I nodded. "Well," I said slowly.

"Well," he replied. "I suppose this is goodbye."

"For now," I reminded him, stepping forward and snaking my arms around his neck, taking care not to drop the mirror. "Six months will see us together again." He kissed me fervently this time, drowning in the sensation as much as he could bear. It was still not enough.

When he pulled away and climbed up into Thorn's saddle, the aching in my chest became nearly unbearable. "Until then," he said somberly, "watch out for yourself, and for Nasuada. Galbatorix had many spies, even more than he told me about. Some of them were not bound to him by magic alone, and they'll be looking for revenge. I love you, Tabatha."

"I love you, Murtagh," I replied. Thorn wasted no more time in dragging out the inevitable, and so he spread his wings and gave three powerful flaps until they were airborne, casting one last long, mournful look in Amera's direction. We watched one another drift apart, until the two of them disappeared into the darkness of the night sky and I could no longer make out their forms. Only once I was sure I could no longer see them, nor they me, did I allow myself to cry.

I sank to my knees in the soft grass of the clearing, burying my face in my hands, and let my sorrow pour out over my face. Amera let out a mournful keen at the sky, which reverberated through the night air until it dissipated. Our sorrow and loss mixed together, and she curled up around me.

Six months is not so long, Amera said sadly, nudging my shoulder with her head. We have not lost them for good.

Not yet, anyways. Who knows what they will decide after that time?

We shall just have to wait and see. Amera laid her head down in the grass, still gazing up at the star-covered sky occasionally. We had lost so much on this night, but I drew comfort from the knowledge that will still had each other.