Unexpected Ally - Eragon fanfiction

Chapter 14 - Will you join me?

Ruth stared forth, ignoring Eragon's presence. A tear gathered in her eyes, when she blinked it rolled slowly down her cheeks. She wiped it away, with a swift movement of her sleeve. She glanced at Eragon, he was already looking at her.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly

"I'm fine, I would've liked to have seen her before her...demise" Ruth's voice broke

Eragon wanted to comfort her but was not sure how to. He gave her a small smile, although he wished to help her further.

"I'm sorry" he said gently

"It's okay, she was a lovely woman, I'm sure she rests in peace and I'm sure her death was quick and not so painful.....hopefully" she downcast her eyes, gently rubbing her hands against each other. She glanced at him, and smiled sadly.

"I don't want to focus on the negative, let us wait until Murtagh returns with his information." she said, gathering the unsolved puzzle and started clinking and playing with her puzzle ring again with renewed vigor.

They sat in silence for hours, Eragon paced and Ruth sat frustratedly trying to solve her puzzle ring. Eragon wanted to try it but he doubted he could solve it for Ruth had been doing so for so many hours.

Look, Saphira said, spreading her mind to Ruth and Eragon. Eragon swivelled toward Gil'ead whereas Ruth snapped her head toward the city and the endless clinking of metal finally silenced. Something welcome to Eragon's ears.

He saw a distant horseman exit the city and ride furiously toward their camp.

"I don't like this" Eragon said with his tongue and in his mind for the two girls

"Neither do I" Ruth replied, she rested her hand on the hilt of her sword and got into a wider stance

Eragon climbed onto Saphira

Be ready to fly

I'm prepared for more than that

As the rider approached, Eragon recognised Murtagh bent low over Tornac. When Ruth too recognised him she relaxed her stance and let her arm fall free next to her. No one seemed to be following him but he pursued his reckless pace. He galloped into the camp and jumped to the ground, drawing his sword. 

"What's wrong?" Ruth asked before Eragon could

Murtagh scowled "Did anyone follow me from Gil'ead?"

"We didn't see anyone" Ruth said, stepping forth

"Good. Then let me eat before I explain. I'm starving." He seized a bowl before eating with gusto. After a few sloppy bites, and with a mouth full with food he opened his mouth to talk but Ruth nudged the small of his back with the tip of her boot.

"Swallow your food before you talk, you animal. Haven't you been taught manners?" she said, her face was mostly amused as Murtagh shot her glare and swallowed his food

"There you go"

Murtagh rolled his eyes "Dormnad has agreed to meet us outside Gil'ead at sunrise. If he believes you're a rider then it's not a trap. He'll take you to the Varden."

"Where are we supposed to meet him?" Eragon asked

Murtagh pointed west "On a small hill across the road"

Ruth looked in the direction, she looked satisfied by the result

"So what happened?" Eragon and Ruth said in unison, they looked at each other, confusion evident on their faces.
Murtagh chuckled and spooned more food into his bowl

"It's a rather simple thing, but all the more deadly because of it: I was seen in the street by someone who knows me. I did the only thing I could and ran away. It was too late though; he recognised me."

"Since I don't know your friend, I have to ask: Will he tell anyone?" Eragon asked

Murtagh gave a strained laugh "If you had met him, that wouldn't need answering. His mouth hangs open on broken hinges, vomiting whatever seems to be on his mind. The question is not if he will tell but rather whom. If word of this reaches the wrong ears we'll be in trouble"

"I doubt that soldiers will come looking for you in the dark," Eragon pointed out, he was about to continue when -once again Ruth interrupted him- "Depends on how valuable he would be" she said

"Will you ever stop interrupting me" Eragon growled

"It's only been twice"

"Twice more than it should be"

Ruth shrugged "I don't care, if I want to say something I will"

"Alright lovebirds, stop arguing" Murtagh said "Eragon please continue"

Both Ruth and Eragon snapped their heads to glare at him, Ruth resumed her crossed armed stance and Eragon resumed speaking "Well, we can be at least safe until morning and by then, if all goes well, we'll be leaving with Dormnad"

Murtagh shook his head "No, only you and Ruth will accompany him, assuming she wants to. As I've said to you before" he nodded toward Eragon "I will not be going to the Varden"

"Will you join me to the Varden?" Eragon asked Ruth, moving his head to look at her

Ruth looked at the ground and seemed to be thinking

"I have no home, I have no other friends so I shall join you, Eragon, it would be my pleasure" she said, with a small smile.

Eragon was annoyed that Murtagh wouldn't join him the thought made him unhappy for they had grown close but he was glad that at least Ruth would be with him. He returned the smile then looked at Murtagh.

"Why won't you join us, we're friends and I don't want to-" He was interrupted by Ruth placing a hand on his shoulder. 

He looked at her"It's his choice you can't change that, leave him be" she said sternly but softly.

Eragon sighed, he knew he couldn't change Murtagh's mind but he wished he could.

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I'm sorry I haven't posted in so long but I hope this makes up for it, I'll try and post more often but my PPE's are next week so I've got revision and homework

Thank you for being so patient
I hope you enjoyed it and have a good day/night :)

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