Murtagh sat in the hay loft of the stabled staring down at his arm. His scars stood out on his tan skin like white on black. Murtagh slowly traced one of the scars with his calloused fingers. He had meant to hurt himself when he did this; he never meant to hurt anyone else. Especially her. Never her. Memories washed of the previous day washed over him and he closed his eyes in pain.

Flashback

Mandy and Tornac sat across from Murtagh in an out of the way room. The awkward silence was only broken by Mandy's occasional sob. Finally Tornac held out his hand. Murtagh stared at it a moment, then reluctantly held out his arm. Tornac pushed the sleeve back, exposing the self mutilation that had occurred there. Tornac slowly ran his hand over Murtagh's wrist, causing him so shudder involuntarily.

"I was always afraid this was going to happen." Tornac whispered sorrowfully. Murtagh looked at his feet.

"You where?" he asked quietly. Tornac sighed heavily.

"Murtagh, you have suffered so much in your life, and I have always tried to protect you, but I always wondered if it wouldn't be enough. I wondered if the scars left in your soul went too deep." Murtagh said nothing. He almost didn't want to hear this, but a part of him was yearning for it.

"When that wretched man died," Murtagh knew Tornac meant Morzan, "I thought your life was going to be fine after that. I thought you would be perfectly normal. Tornac's face contorted in a look of anguish as he stared down at Murtagh's arm.

"Now those scars I thought had gone, but now they have come to the surface for all to see." Mandy started to sob consistently; her body shaking with each breath. Murtagh's heart constricted and he stood up to go to her. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his head in her neck.

"I'm so sorry Mandy. I promise I won't do It again." He said, trying to calm her. Mandy hugged him tightly. Being held like this reminded Murtagh of his mother. His heart gave another pang of guilt. What would she say? Would she cry like Mandy now cried? In that moment, Murtagh swore to himself he would never do something like this again. The consequences were too much.

End Flashback

Murtagh sighed and opened his eyes. From where he sat in the loft, he could clearly see the stables beneath him. There was very little activity in the aisle. Suddenly a soft and musical sound wandered its way into Murtagh's ear. It was someone humming, but it didn't sound like any humming he had ever heard before. It was almost like the music was dancing around him, encircling him in its embrace. He craned his neck in search for the source of this wonderful sound. There she was, a brush in one hand and a carrot in another, humming an unknown tune and heading for a stall. Murtagh sat back and listened. This princess had always been a mystery to him up until recently. Only heard of, never seen to him. Now she was in his life. No. That wasn't right. She didn't play a direct role in anything that had happened to him. It was more like she had been there to watch, a spectator of his life who occasionally intervened when she felt the need to. Murtagh watched her slip into a stall that held a stormy grey mare.

"Hello girlie." She said lightly, offering the carrot to the horse. The mare whinnied and ate the carrot appreciably. The princess smiled and started to brush the horse. However, instead of humming, she started to sing.

"Where does the light shine?

In the heart or in the mind?

Darkness can pollute the soul

You never know when it will take control

Murder is a dreadful crime

But is it a crime of the mind?

Does the mind control the deed?

Or does the heart hold the seed?

Darkness, Darkness where do you lie?

We need, We need the light to shine!

Darkness, Darkness where do you lie?

We need, We need the light to shine!

Where does the light shine?

In the heart or in the mind…."

Her voice trailed off and she resumed humming. Murtagh sucked in his breath. The words of the song wrung in his head. Did she know he was there? Did she know who he was and what he had done? His heart was beating quickly in his chest. Murtagh stood up quietly and crept out of the hay loft and out a side door, avoiding stopping to listen to the princess' voice.

Murtagh stepped out of the darkness into the kitchen. He had wandered around the palace grounds, lost in his thoughts, for hours after he had heard the princess sing. The kitchen was completely empty at this time of night save for one servant girl, who was scrubbing the floor fiercely. A small smile made its way onto Murtagh's face as he walked over to her.

"Sarah?" he asked, looking down at her. Sarah jumped a foot in the air and looked up wildly at him.

"Oh, its you!" she said happily, calming down. Murtagh snorted.

"Who else would I be?" Sarah shrugged and stood up.

"I spilt a noble's dinner all over the head cook. My punishment was so clean the floor." She said sadly. "It isn't fair really. I mean, it's not my fault I am so clumsy!" she complained. Murtagh laughed. The feeling felt strange to him. Sarah glared at him then picked up the rag she was using and threw it away.

"So, where were you?" she said, eyeing his arm. Murtagh put his hands up defensively.

"Just taking a walk. Am I aloud to do that?" he asked. Sarah glared at him for a moment then burst out laughing.

"Of course you are silly! Walking is good for you! All that fresh air!" she breathed deeply and let it out.

"Come on! We can walk to your room together! I don't feel like going back to the servant's quarters for a little while anyway. Plus I have been dieing to talk to someone all day, but no one would listen!" she rambled while grabbing his elbow to lead him out of the kitchen. Murtagh, however, didn't move.

"What's wrong?" she asked when she noticed this. Murtagh smiled at her. He swiftly moved over to her and wrapped his arms around her. Sarah was shocked at first but quickly threw her arms around him and squeezed tightly. Murtagh felt his ribs shift uncomfortably and he let go, laughing. Sarah beamed up at him.

"What was that for?" she asked.

"You have been so good to me Sarah. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate it." He admitted. Sarah's face turned red and she shuffled her feet.

"Oh well, your welcome." She muttered. Murtagh held out his arm. Sarah recovered form her embarrassment and took his arm gratefully.

"Wait until you hear about what I saw this morning!" She started again. Murtagh took a deep breath and walked with her out of the kitchen. Just pretend you're listening, and maybe your head won't explode. Just keep walking. He thought as Sarah told him about a rather interesting encounter with a pig and an angry hen. He certainly knew how to pick his friends…

puts up military fort DON'T SHOOT ME. Yea I know it was forever…..but but! Yea, sorry. Anyway, this was the last chapter at this age! DUN DUN DUN Murtagh is about to get a growth spurt to where he is at an age I can like him! Wwooohhooo! I think it is ssooo funny about how all you guys think I'm such a great writer, do you know how old I actually am? Well if I didn't tell you then guess! Anyway, I dedicate this chapter to Wulfeh who begged me to get this chapter up. Did you guys like the princess' song? I kinda made it up on the spot. Don't kill me if it was dumb.

EvilBunny101: YAY a princess fan! She is my fav by far. She is meant to be a mystery, because she is a mystery to Murtagh. Yea, update soon, sure!

Alsdssg: angst is over for the time being. I hope I did it all justice.

The Cookie Thief: Chris is turning it into 4 books! I bet you anything at the end of the 3rd one Murtagh will get the snuff. wails

Spottedstar106: i reviewed again, 6 months later, but who's counting?

Tiger Priestess: I like the "update when you can" ;)

DragonRider2000: Thanks for the review, glad you liked it!

Wulfeh: You rock. Seriously, a devoted reader. I mean you just randomly were like "PLEASE UPDATE!" Who am I to deny that? You think I should be published? Well I used to want to be a writer, but I don't think I could do it for a living.

Sail420247: Yea, my grammar stinks. I don't have any other stories so I am easy to track even if you don't add me as a fav. Author!

-Bista- You are like Sarah? Haha, that is funny. I wish I knew a person like her/you. Sadly I don't. I hope you liked that little moment with her at the end!

Jeeves1729: Wow, loyal readers? I never thought of actually having anything like those! HUG anyways, I am NOT a supporter of Murtagh/Nasuada! I think she is Orik should get together ;)

XsuicideXkittyX: I'm glad you like it! You know what I like? More reviews! I hope you review this again!