Authors Note: Hey everyone! First I'll thank you for actually clicking on my story and getting past the horrible summary that I wrote… It was pretty bad, I know, but I've always been bad at writing summaries for things. Anyway, my story takes place after Eldest, but is not my take on the third book because I know that this will never happen. So I'll stop writing now and let you read. Hope you enjoy it! Oh, and please review!! Tell me if it's good, bad, horrible, changes you'd like to see, etc. I like constructive critism but please don't flame. Thanks!

Disclaimer: I do not own Eragon, Eldest, or any of the characters in this story. They are all Christopher Paolini's.

Chapter One:

Eragon glared at the man towering above him. In his head, he cursed every person in Alagaesia that he could think of. One came to mind more quickly than any other: Roran.

It was, of course, his cousin's fault that he was now stuck in Galbatorix's chambers. The more he thought about his cousin, the more he remembered the previous days' activities. Roran, being Roran, had manipulated him into going to Helgrind to rescue his 'beloved' Katrina. He had even gone as far as to imply that everything was Eragon's fault. Granted, Eragon did feel responsible for what had transpired in Carvahall, but he did not need to be reminded of it so blatantly by his cousin.

Needless to say, Eragon had given in to his cousin's demands and flown to Helgrind on Saphira to rescue Katrina. And that was when everything began to go wrong. While Saphira was still in the air, Roran had leapt off her back and gone running into Helgrind, wielding his hammer and yelling like a madman. The Ra'zac and Lethbraka were soon alerted to their presence and began to attack. Eragon lost track of Roran, and although he was concerned about his cousin's welfare, had more important things to worry about. Namely, being greatly outnumbered.

Even with his elf-like qualities, Eragon had tired quickly as the Ra'zac kept appearing. For each one that fell, another seemed to take its place. Eventually, he could withstand the attack no longer, and he made a fatal error. The last thing that he remembered of Helgrind was the mighty roar that Saphira had let out.

Then everything went black.

Eragon's thoughts drifted back to his cousin. He had no idea what had happened to Roran. Had he even found Katrina? Were they both prisoners of the Ra'zac? Was Roran in Uru'Baen too? Or had he managed to escape? And what of Saphira? Eragon sighed deeply. He had had no contact with his dragon ever since he had awoken in his cell.

A cruel laugh brought Eragon back to reality.

"Daydreaming were we?" The King of Alagaesia asked. "Well, I suppose I should not expect anything less from a mere boy. But tell me, what is it that they call you? Shadeslayer? Tell me, Shadeslayer, what was it that you were thinking about?"

"That's none of your business," Eragon snapped.

"Well, if that's the way you want it to be…" Galbatorix looked at him coolly. "Murtagh thought he could withstand me too, young and fool that he was. He soon found out what happens, didn't you Murtagh?"

For the first time, Eragon noticed Murtagh standing off to the side in the room. Disgusted, he turned away.

"What? Is this not a happy reunion?" Galbatorix chuckled. "Two brothers; once friends, now enemies. Murtagh's happy, aren't you, Murtagh?"

The dark haired boy glanced up at his name, but made no attempt to answer.

"I said, you're happy, aren't you Murtagh?"

Staring down at his feet, Murtagh mumbled a reply.

Eragon glanced at Murtagh out of the corner of his eye. What had happened to his strong, stubborn friend? When they had travelled together, searching for the Varden, Murtagh had always had a strong voice, and when he believed in something, spoke about it with passion. He had never been soft-spoken, not even in Farthen Dur, when Ajihad had figured out who he was. Murtagh had always been one to stick up for himself and his beliefs. So who was this quiet young man that now faced him?

"Good," Galbatorix said. "Because I only want my best man to be happy."

Murtagh visibly blanched.

"And," the King carried on, "What could be better than bringing my most loyal warrior his brother?"

"I'm not his brother," Eragon cut in.

Galbatorix's smile twisted. "Oh, aren't you?" He asked.

"I may be in blood," Eragon began. "But I do not consider myself that… monster's brother, nor shall I ever. I do not even consider him a friend anymore, for friends do not betray one another. For now and evermore, he will be considered my enemy, for that is what he has chosen to become."

"So you do not care for him at all?" Galbatorix questioned?

Eragon glanced over at Murtagh who was staring stonily at the wall.

"Aye, I do not care for him at all," he confirmed.

The King stared hard at Eragon, then said, "So it should not matter if I do this?"

Eragon glanced up in surprise as he heard Murtagh hiss in pain. The older of the two brothers was on the cold stone floor, his breath coming out in short, pained gasps. Although nothing physical could be seen to be ailing Murtagh, Eragon knew the King was using magic. He looked up to see Galbatorix staring at him appraisingly.

Determined not to let the situation bother him, Eragon broke eye contact with the King. For had he not just told Galbatorix that he didn't care at all about Murtagh? Eragon shut his eyes and clenched his jaw. One minute passed, then two. Murtagh's breathing became more ragged as time passed. Finally, unable to suppress it any longer, Murtagh let out an agonized scream.

Eragon tightened his hands into fists. He would not be broken! But as one more tormented scream reached his ears, he could take it no longer.

"Stop!" Eragon cried out. "Stop it!"

Galbatorix looked over at him amused, but soon afterwards the screaming ceased. Soon all that could be heard was Murtagh's laboured breathing.

"I thought you did not care for him," Galbatorix simply stated. Eragon flushed. "I would advise you not to lie to me again boy, for if you do, there could be considerable consequences."

Eragon gritted his teeth. How he hated the King! Briefly he thought about trying to kill him, but then realized he had better not for the sake of Alagaesia.

"Murtagh, where do you think you're going?" Galbatorix asked sharply.

Eragon looked up. Murtagh was one step away from the huge gilded doors that separated Galbatorix's chambers from the hallway that led to the rest of the castle. His arm was outstretched, frozen, reaching for the handle. Eragon could see his old friend visibly shaking.

"I- I was just going to my quarters," Murtagh said hoarsely, his throat raw from screaming. "I figured we were finished… my lord." The last bit he said quietly, almost as if it were an after thought.

"Well, you thought wrong," Galbatorix smirked. "But I suppose it is getting late. Very well! We shall continue this another day. Murtagh, take Eragon to his new room. I want him to have the one next to you."

"But-"

"Murtagh! Do not argue with me! Have you not learned by now to do what I tell you when I tell you to do it?! Do not question me or my decisions, lest I be forced to do something I may later regret!"

"Yes, my King," Murtagh obliged as he pulled open the heavy door slowly.

Eragon followed Murtagh out into the hallway quickly, not wanting to be left alone with the King for too long. Out in the light of the hallway, he got a better look at Murtagh. His old friend was shaking badly, so much that he could barely walk. Bruises and cuts covered the parts of his flesh exposed to the air, and he had a nasty scar up near his temple.

Out of the sight of Galbatorix, Eragon fell in step beside Murtagh.

"Here… let me help you," he offered Murtagh, pulling the older's boy arm around his shoulder so that he could put some of his weight on Eragon.

But Murtagh shrugged him off and glared at him.

"Don't touch me!" He hissed. "I don't need your help, or want your help. And I especially don't need your pity. I betrayed you, remember?! You don't care for me at all!" Here it seemed like his voice broke, but he quickly continued, "So just leave me alone!"

Eragon took a step back, shocked. As he watched Murtagh slowly continue on down the hall, all he could wonder was, how did it come to this?