The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

I had no idea what time it was, but it had to have been after midnight. The house was quiet, but I did not feel unsettled. In fact, I felt as comfortable as I ever had in the last six months. We lay under the heavy furs that served as blankets, wrapped around one another and sharing warmth. My head lay on his chest, and my fingers traced invisible circles into his skin absently. His breathing was measured and even, lulling me into a relaxed state.

Murtagh stared into the crackling flames in the hearth, his hand stroking my shoulder in an even rhythm. The silence between us was not uncomfortable; it was familiar, and easy. I wished we could go on like this forever, secluded from the world with only each other and our dragons for company.

"What are you thinking?" I asked him quietly. My fingers did not stop their drawing; it seemed they were doing it of their own accord now.

"That I would like nothing more than to hold you like this forever," he replied finally after a brief silence.

"So would I." He drew in his breath slowly, and then exhaled it quickly in a sigh. I angled my head to look up at him, and saw his brow furrowed, a tell-tale sign that he was absorbed in his thoughts. "But we cannot," I whispered, uttering aloud what I knew he was thinking. He turned his grey eyes upon me, and I saw the sadness within them.

"No," he affirmed, planting a quick kiss on top of my head. "We cannot. But you don't have to leave just yet, do you?"

"Not yet. I will stay as long as you want me to." He nodded slightly, but I could tell his mind was far away. "What troubles you?" I asked.

"I worry for you," he admitted.

"About what?"

"Eragon is leaving you alone, in a country that is just beginning to shake free of the tyranny of a mad Rider. I am afraid for your safety," he said.

"In all fairness to Eragon," I quipped back, "it is my decision to stay in Alagaësia while he and Saphira journey east. And while I appreciate your concern, I am quite confident in Amera's ability to eat any would-be attackers." He chuckled slightly at my joke, but I could see the worry had not abated completely.

"Promise me you'll be careful," he whispered. I nodded slightly, which seemed to satisfy him. "If anything dramatic changes in the political climate, I want you to contact me using the mirror. Even if I'm not sure it's safe for us yet, Thorn and I will return, and help in any way that we can."

"I will," I replied. "And will you tell me, if you decide to return?" I was hesitant to say "when you return", for I wasn't altogether sure they would at this point. It was all up in the air, and I found myself afraid to talk about it much further.

"Of course," he said firmly, and giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. We stayed in silence for a little longer, but then I pushed back the furs and hurried across the room to where Amera's saddle leaned against the wall. The stone floor was cold, despite the heat of the room, so I tip-toed across it in my bare feet quickly. Murtagh chuckled at me, but when I turned around and he saw what was held in my hands, he fell quiet.

I raced back over and jumped into the bed, covering my shivering body and letting myself get warm again. "I've kept it, all this time," I explained as I carefully pulled the bow out of its matching quiver. He took it from me gingerly, running his calloused hands over the smooth shaft of wood.

"I had thought it lost," he whispered, gazing at the bow.

"I want you to have it back. It never really felt like mine anyways," I said. "Besides, I get the feeling you'll need it more than I will in the coming days. Who knows what kind of dangerous creatures you'll come across in the wilderness?" He smirked slightly at that, and I knew that I was right.