Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Ten: Luminescent

After my bath, the maids gave me a type of lotion to put on my skin that would supposedly soften my skin. The maids then proceeded to brush my hair and braid it into one long braid, raveling silver thread in with my hair. Nasuada had chosen a green and red dress with a black overcoat as my change of clothes.

"I feel out of place," I said while staring down at the extravagant dress. "Is this really what woman of my nobility wear?"

"This," Nasuada said with a smile. "Would be considered plain, my lady."

"Oh my, I think I would rather wear pants," I replied dryly.

The maids left my room after helping me to get dressed. I had been informed that Eragon, Saphira, and I would be meeting King Hrothgar. I exited my given room, and Nasuada led me towards the hall, as we approached Eragon, Nasuada did a little curtsy before leaving.

"I'm still worried about her Saphira." I heard Eragon mutter, Saphira moved her big head to look at me. I smiled and waved a hand.

"Turn around, little one." Eragon looked at Saphira with confusion before turning around and letting his jaw drop.

"Mal!?!" Eragon opened and closed his mouth, speechless.

"Eragon, this isn't the first time I've worn a dress, you don't need to gwuak at me like a goldfish," I said, raising an eyebrow.

"But...you.....dress.....pretty." Eragon stuttered out. I sighed and rolled my eyes.

"Yes, Eragon, I'm wearing a dress." Eragon finally managed to snap out of his shock.

"You look really pretty Mal."

"Thank you, Eragon," I said, patting him on the cheek. "Now I do believe we have a king to see."

We walked down the long hall of kings until we reached the throne, I curtsied while Eragon awkwardly bowed.

"Rise, Rider, you need not pay tribute to me, you as well Khensamel."

"Thank you. I didn't anticipate how much strife my arrival would cause."

"Tell me, and speak truth in this, why have you come to Farthen Dur? I know the events that made you flee the Empire, but what is your intent now."

"I want to aid those who cannot escape Galbatorix, including my cousin. I have the strength to help, so I must."

"If the Empire falls, will you take Galbatorix's place and claim his throne?" Hrothgar addressed me while Eragon looked at me in confusion.

"I believe the people of Alagaeseia need a mortal ruler." Hrothgar nodded at me before dismissing Eragon and I. As we were walking away from Hrothgar, I kept getting curious looks from Eragon. "Don't ask Eragon."

It had been about two days since our talk with the King, and I was feeling antsy, I wanted to see if Murtagh was alright. I hadn't heard anything about him since he was taken away. I decided to head for the cells where I thought I might find Eragon visiting Murtagh since he had mentioned it.

As I entered the cell block, the guards bowed to me and opened Murtagh's cell door. I nodded thanks and stepped into the warm, brightly lit room. The two were huddled in the corner talking and hadn't even noticed my entrance.

"I hope I'm not interrupting?" I said with a smile, Murtagh looked at me with a smile before turning back to Eragon. I let out a giggle when he did a double-take. "This seems better than what I had imagined."

"Mal!?!"

"Yes, Murtagh, that is my name," I replied, walking over to the two and looking around. "It's quite cozy in here. I like it."

"Your, your....." I raised my eyebrow and sighed.

"It's not like you haven't seen me in a dress before," I replied, tucking a stray hair behind my ear.

"So that's what you look like without that demonic head wrap, I was right." I tried not to turn red as Murtagh's fingers brushed my pointed ears. Eragon looked between us in curiosity.

"What about your....." I hit Eragon on the head. "Hey!"

"Don't even go there Eragon."

"We are already there, though." I turned to glare at the smirking Murtagh.

"That doesn't mean we have to continue it! Anyways, how long are you going to remain here Murtagh, you can't stay prisoner forever."

"For now, I am content; there's no doubt I will get tired of this, but for now, I am content."

I let out a huff and plopped myself down next to him.

"I would kill for some pants right now, Nasuada won't let me wear any. This dress is driving me crazy. I am drowning in fabric." I let out a groan and leaned my head back against the cold stone wall.

"Are you feeling better?" I rolled my head to the left to look at Murtagh.

"Yes, but I am going to get them back for all those memories they screwed up. I swear they are up to something, do not let them into your mind, who knows what they'll do."

"They are never getting into my mind."

"Good," I said before dropping my head on his shoulder. "I don't want to walk back to my room to sleep, they put me across Tronjheim, and they never gave me a horse to use. You know what? I'm just going to crash here."

I pulled myself off of the bed and onto the cold stone floor, using my sweater as a pillow. After spending month's sleeping on the ground, it no longer bothered me to do so.

"What are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing." Murtagh frowned at me.

"You can't sleep on the floor." I let out a snort.

"Watch me. I'm used to it. It doesn't bother me anymore." Murtagh sighed and stood up before walking over to me. "What are you doing?"

"You're not sleeping on the floor."

"What are you going to do about it? Huh?" I said before rolling over and closing my eyes. Seconds when by before I found myself lifted into the air, my eyes flew open as my arm flailed around. "What the hell are you doing?"

"I told you that you're not sleeping on the floor," Murtagh replied before placing me onto his bed. I glared at him while he crossed his arms.

"You are unbelievable.......fine," I grumbled after a minute of silence.