Author's Note: Another one of those totally random plot bunnies that refused to leave me alone. This is a ficlet about Murtagh's fears. It basically reiterates why he is so elusive about his past. I don't know. Just wanted to give it a go. It's exactly 200 words. The length was inspired by a challenge in a LiveJournal fanfiction community, so that explains that. Hope it's brief but effective.

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This is why I hide myself.

I wonder if you'd trust me to draw swords against you in a spar if you knew the truth.

If you knew who I really was, could you ever respect me again? Would you still regard me with such innocent admiration and unwavering certainty?

Would our comradeship be destroyed?

Would the light conversation we indulge in be forever extinguished by the darkness of my past?

Would you doubt my loyalty if you knew my relation to a traitor? Would you think of me as your rescuer, your protector, your companion...or the child of a murderer?

Would I still be honored as Murtagh, friend of Eragon, or scorned as Murtagh, son of Morzan?

The circumstances of my birth have likely condemned me to be feared until my death.

I want to be more than my father. I want to prove I can be different, that I can be better.

I have grown to respect you. I've never been the kind to have friends, although not for a lack of want or trying.

I cannot lose the only ally I've had since Tornac. I need to feel trusted again.

This is why I hide myself.