The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

Nothing To Forgive

***

"How did it go?" Eragon asked quietly from his place by the window. He was inspecting some scroll he'd retrieved from the castle vaults. Something about ancient saddle-making techniques.

"We found a suitable place," I replied shortly. As the end of the six months drew ever closer, I found myself growing increasingly nervous. And that nervousness sometimes translated into shortness with those I spoke to. "Eragon," I continued, sighing a bit, "it's been a long day. I think I'd like to take a bath and then head to bed."

He looked up from his scroll and blinked rapidly a few times. "I shall leave you to it then," he replied, gathering up the scroll and his other things and heading towards the door. I stayed in my chair, staring off into space. But then he stopped and put a hand on my shoulder. "It will be alright, Tabatha, whatever they decide."

I looked up at him and offered my most convincing smile. Then, mercifully, he left. When he was gone, I did not go to take a bath, as I'd told Eragon. Instead, I hurried across the room to a trunk that sat beside my bed. I lifted the latch and raised the lid to reveal several articles of folded clothing. To anyone looking at it on the surface, it appeared to only house miscellaneous clothes, but I dug through those to reveal a wooden insert that concealed the bottom half of the trunk. I removed the insert and set it aside. Underneath that was the cloak Asron had given me, along with Murtagh's bow, and the scrying mirror. I took the mirror by the handle and held it gingerly. Then, I crossed back to my chair by the empty hearth. For some reason, I could not feel the cold.

"Draumr kópa," I whispered, and I watched as the surface rippled like waves upon a lake after a rock has been dropped into it. Out of the ripples, a shape started to take form, one that I recognized instantly. Finally, the ripples settled, and I could see Murtagh's face clearly.

"Tabby," he whispered, and a small smile broke across his face. His edges were shrouded in darkness, but I could see him well enough. "Is it time already?"

"It is," I replied breathlessly. I couldn't believe this was actually happening. I had waited for so long, and yet it felt like the six months went by so quickly at the same time. How fickle, time is. "Amera and I think we have found a suitable place to meet, far away from any civilization. It's an abandoned castle, north of Ceunon. You'll be coming from the north, so you'll know it by the wall that is caved in on the Great Hall."

He did not say anything for a long moment, only continued to look at me. "How I have missed you," he finally said quietly.

"And I you." There was so much more I wanted to say, to tell him, but it could wait until we saw one another face to face. "Only a week, until we are in each other's presence."

"A week," he agreed. Slowly, his features faded from the glass, until I was once again staring at my own reflection. I looked haggard, and there were dark circles under my eyes. Perhaps a bath and a long night's rest would do me some good after all.

***

The final week had flown by in a flash. Every day seemed shorter than the last, and I was eternally grateful for that. The night before we were set to leave, I told my mother that I would be gone for a few days. She asked where I was going, but I still had not told her of my relationship with Murtagh, so I kept the details vague. As far as she―and anyone besides Eragon and Nasuada―knew, I was away on orders from the queen. Mother wished me well, as she always did before I went away on a mission, and then I left her to her quiet evening with Lord Braeden. They had spent nearly every waking moment in each other's company, and I was glad of that.

When I returned to my rooms, I was surprised to find Eragon there waiting for me. "What are you doing here?" I asked him, not unkindly.

"I wanted to wish you well, before you left," he said, offering me a small smile. He came over to me as I closed the door, and wrapped me in a tight embrace. "Tomorrow is a very important day for you."