Chapter 7: The Wisdom of an Elf
Murtagh visited Bluestone every day, with only the only exception being when he was sent away by the king. They spoke of many things, but could do very little within the cell.
One lonely day, Bluestone sat on her cot holding her legs and silently crying. The cell door opened and shut, someone walked over, sat on her cot, and held her within their warm embrace. She didn't need to look up to know it was him. They sat like that for minutes, even after her tears had subsided. "What's wrong, Blue?" Murtagh asked, his voice low and sweet.
She sat up and wiped at her eyes, almost embarrassed that he'd seen her like this. "To tell you the truth," she sniffles, "I miss the Sun. This is the longest I have ever been without feeling the warmth of its rays upon my skin."
"But you have the window...." he said hesitantly.
Bluestone looked up at him, her voice was so sad, it almost seemed to break Murtagh's heart. "There is no sunlight coming from that window. Only candles or some other artificial light is burned to make it appear like it is the Sun. My people worship the Sun and in return, it grants us strength and will. Without it, I feel so hollow."
"Oh Bluestone." Murtagh said. "I am so sorry."
"But why?" she tilted her head at him. "You have done nothing to wrong me. In fact, quite the opposite."
He sighed and clasped his hands in his lap. "Maybe, but I have done nothing to free you from this prison."
Bluestone twisted so that her torso faced him and took his face in her soft, lovely hands. "Murtagh," she began in a soft, kind voice. "I am a prisoner of the king, not you. Though I almost wish I were. There may be nothing you can do."
Murtagh could not tear himself away from her luminescent, emerald eyes. "It's so strange. What I fear most right now is that Galbatorix will lock you away so that I may never see you again, or that he'll kill you...." he blushed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean..."
"No, it's ok." She bit her lip, revealing a small, pale scar just under the right side of her bottom lip he'd never noticed before. "The only thing I look forward to is your daily visits to my cell."
Bluestone looked up at Murtagh. Something stirred inside her chest and, without completely knowing what she was doing, she kissed his cheek. He touched his hand to were her lips had pressed against his skin, eyes wide with surprise. "What was that for?" he asked. She blushed and turned her face away, but he caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger. Murtagh looked into her eyes, his gaze captivating, then he drew her face towards his and pressed his lips against hers.
A rush of warmth spread through Bluestone and she leaned into the kiss, savoring the pressure of his lips, then gently pushed on his chest, pulling back for air. They both sat there, gazing at each other and gasping. Murtagh grabbed her waist and drew her in for another kiss...and she let him, kissing him back.
He held her within his embrace for a few more precious moments before pulling away and standing. "You are leaving so soon?" Bluestone asked, not moving from her cot.
"I must." He said, them, "The king thinks that you have been in isolation since he last visited. He's sending in his Shade, Durza, to evaluate your mental state."
She stared up at him in bewilderment. "You would risk the King's wrath, just to see me?"
Murtagh cupped her cheek in one hand. "Bluestone," he said, "for you I would capture the sun and bring it down to you just to see you smile once more." Then he kissed her one last time, and was out the door.
Bluestone touched her fingertips to her lips, still feeling the linger of his kiss. She shook her head, clearing her mind. "If Galbatorix thinks I've gone mad, he's got another thing coming." She spoke aloud. "They've most likely have been drugging me in my sleep, but their petty poisons don't work so well on me. I think I'll just play dull and see how this Durza reacts." With that, she drooped her ears and stared down at her hands, assuming a blank expression and awaiting her visitor.
~ ~ ~
Not ten minutes had passed when heavy footsteps sounded outside the door. "Papers." The guard's gruff voice said. There was a shuffling sound, a grunt, then her door unlocked and slowly slid open.
A man stepped inside and walked into the light, keeping careful not to cross the border etched into the ground. Durza wore all black and had a flowing cloak attached to his tunic. His hair was a shade not much different from her own. His pale skin was stretched across his skull, as if it were just a mask waiting to be pulled off.
Bluestone stood and straitened her ears, her eyes glowed ominously in the dim light. The chains rattled as she slowly moved to the shade, then they snapped tight when their limits where reached. She leaned forward and sniffed at him. Durza shifted uncomfortably at this motion.
A smirk spread across Bluestone's face. "What is it?" she asked menacingly. "The master sends his puppet to confuse my cloudy mind with lovely words of kindness? How pathetic." She began to pace.
"You," the shade began, "are one of the most interesting specimens I have ever seen. You look like an elf, but your ears and brow are longer and more slender than others. Your eyes glow even in the brightest light this cell has to offer." He walked in time with Bluestone, still keeping his distance. Durza raised a finger. "And you leveled one of the most prestigious squares in the city with what appeared to be a simple spell. No, I have not come to lull you with pretty words. I have come to threaten, if you will.... but threaten is such a harsh word, mayhaps warn would be better."
He stopped walking and faced her. "Galbatorix plans to brand and whip you until you break...or perhaps he'll simply tear your mind apart slowly, until you are all but lost."
Bluestone guffawed. "Who do you think I am?" she asked, pleased at his surprise. "A dull child awaiting punishment? Nay, I am Lady Bluestone Sunstrider, a Frost Mage with powers and wisdom that you and your king," spits the word, "could hardly ever dream of." Wait...why was she telling him all this?
"You would refuse the king?" the shade inquired.
She shook her head. "No, not refuse. But if he actually tried to have s civil conversation instead of empty threats, then, and only then, would I consider listening to him." She smiled. "I know that he does not want me dead, nor broken. For what if I forget a spell that could turn the tide of a war, or if I altogether forget who I am?"
Durza smiled and bowed. "You are a worthy apponent, Lady Sunstrider. I shall enjoy working with you." He turned to leave.
"Hold on." Bluestone said, he stopped. "You never told me the name your spirits have taken."
The shade smiled. "Very clever you are indeed." He bowed. "I am the Shade Durza." And he left her to stand alone in the cell.
