Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

Claimer: I, Sussiekitten, hereby claim this plot and story. If you would like to borrow an idea, a name, a character, or twist of a plot of mine, PM me and ask me. I will not tolerate anyone stealing or copying anything of mine. If I find that this has happened, I will report you.

Warnings: There will be mentions of Mpreg in this story. I will not tolerate any flames because they didn't see my warning!!

A/N I have a very important message in my bottom note, and I ask all of my readers to please read it and review. Also, I don't know when the next part of this story will be out. I have yet to write it, but I will try to have the energy, time and spirit to write and post it. Apart from that, enjoy the story.

EDIT (9th of October, 08) Fixed a few spelling and grammar mistakes.

ANSWERS FROM THE DARK

PART TWO

Murtagh sighed as he and Thorn found a new place to hide for the night. They had crossed the Surdan border a few days before, and they had been able to avoid meeting anyone yet. Murtagh had only looked for a healer in a small village along the border when they had arrived there. Thanks to that woman Thorn and he had been fully healed. Now they could continue knowing that they would not die of old wounds.

It had been a long time since he had seen Eragon's group ride away. Or so Murtagh felt. He wondered if he would ever meet them again.

Thorn lay resting in a section of trees that they had found an hour earlier. The sun was setting and it lit up the thick river that floated pass them. Murtagh had had to fly over with Thorn, as he couldn't swim over lest he'd drown. But he had felt that Thorn had been pleased that he was of use again.

They had been forced to walk to the border. It was much too risky to fly, and Thorn could only let Murtagh ride him for so long. But, as a week had passed since his recovery, they had entered Surda and were well within its protective hold.

-Where shall we eventually go, hatchling?-

Murtagh sighed. He rolled out the thin bedroll he slept on and sat down.

"Anywhere, nowhere."

-A true master plan you have there.- Thorn commented.

Murtagh snorted.

-I don't know, Thorn. Where would you have us go?- He asked.

-What about this Varden you have told me about? Would they shelter us?- The dragon asked.

-Not likely. They would rather kill me upon arrival. I'm a traitor to them, Thorn.-

Thorn growled. Murtagh reached out and laid a hand upon his still warm scales. The sun had warmed them greatly that day, but the nights were becoming steadily colder. Thorn had wished for them to find a cave, but there had been none. Murtagh assured him that he would sleep next to the dragon, there he would not freeze.

-We cannot hide here for eternity. Someone will find us.- Thorn said as his golden eyes narrowed.

-Then let them.- Murtagh sighed. -What can we do anyway? I have information the Varden could find useful, but they would never let me talk.-

-The more you talk of this Varden the more I wish to scorch them.-

Murtagh laughed out loud. He stood up and prepared to make a small fire.

-You better not, Thorn. They are the good guys. Unless you wish to be a puppet of Galbatorix once again?- The Rider asked with a sour edge.

-I'd rather scorch myself.- Thorn said then.

Murtagh smirked as he fixed the wood and started to flick two stones against each other. Thorn watched in a strange fascination as small sparks shot out from between the stones and lit up the wood.

-Why not use magic?-

"Because my friend, I do not wish to alert anyone nearby of our presence." Murtagh answered.

Thorn snorted. Murtagh shook his head and sat down on his bedroll, flinging the cloak around his shoulder at the same time.

-Are you cold?- Thorn asked with a worried edge in his voice.

-No.- Murtagh answered. -But I do not wish to let the cold get to me yet.-

Thorn shifted closer, until the Rider could lean his back onto Thorn's side. Murtagh smiled softly and let his eyes shut briefly.

His mind had, throughout their journey, wandered back to Eragon. He still could not understand why the blue Rider had healed him, and therefore probably saved his life. Did Eragon even know that he had cured him of Galbatorix poison? Murtagh snorted. Doubtfully.

Still, Murtagh couldn't figure out what he felt for Eragon. The answer was just beyond his reach. Murtagh had never been good at expressing or understanding emotions. His mother hadn't been around much, and his father hated the sight or thought that his son would show the slightest of emotion. He had been raised to be cold. Sometimes Murtagh found it hard to understand the slightest of gestures, for he barely understood the feelings behind them. He could remember his mother's soft touches and whispers of love. But he could no longer understand what they meant.

-Your mind is never boring, hatchling.- Thorn commented.

Murtagh rolled his eyes.

-Spying on me again?- He chuckled. -I'm sorry that I'm emotionally disabled. It's a curse, passed down from father to son. I'm glad Eragon never inherited it.-

Thorn nudged his shoulder lightly.

-Whenever you think of Rider Eragon your heart softens. I have always wondered why.-

"Me too, Thorn." Murtagh whispered.

-Could it be that you feel something for the boy?- Thorn questioned cautiously.

-Feel? Like what, my friend?-

-Care for him.- Thorn answered.

Murtagh frowned.

"I care for him like a friend would. But… I care more for him than Tornac, who was my dearest friend before I met you." He said with a sigh. "Most of the time I don't understand anything about myself."

-If you care deeper for him than your old friend, then could that mean love?-

Murtagh stiffened. He had never considered that. Love was a foreign word for him. Yes, he loved his dragon and had cared much for the stallion he had named after Tornac. But… what was love really?

-Then I guess I love him as a brother should.- Murtagh concluded finally.

-I think not.- The red dragon said then. -I think you care for him as if he were your mate.-

"My mate?" Murtagh breathed. "What are you speaking of?"

-Dragons and Riders mate, it is such it has always been. Generally, when two dragons mate, so do their Riders.- Thorn explained.

-I don't understand. Are you saying that you think Eragon is my mate, and Saphira therefore yours?-

-The chance of Saphira being mine is more likely than she being the mate of Shruikan. It should then mean that Eragon is yours.-

Murtagh shook his head.

"Eragon is my brother. You do not have the problem of mating with siblings, but we human do!" He said firmly.

-I believe you should ask Rider Eragon more about this. I can feel him and Saphira near.- The dragon said simply as he shifted.

Murtagh blinked. He shook his head and turned to face the path which he and Thorn had used. If Eragon really was near, and Thorn wasn't losing his senses, then they would come that way.

-We need to speak more afterwards.- Murtagh stated a minute later.

Thorn stood and Murtagh made sure he didn't fall as he had to support himself now.

-And that we will.-

Murtagh frowned. He was not used to Thorn not having more to say, though the dragon rarely spoke much. But when Thorn did, he said a lot with few words. The Rider shook his head again. He didn't need to confuse himself even more.

An hour later and there was still no sign of Eragon. Thorn had laid down to rest deeper into the forest to avoid being seen. Murtagh finished off the last of his meal in silence. He washed the bowl in the nearby stream and let his mind wander. His hands worked automatically as his mind once again settled on Eragon. Murtagh didn't understand why he kept thinking about his brother, and simply brushed it off. He sighed and walked back to Thorn and the camp.

The sun had set now, bathing the sky in dark colours. Murtagh sat down and worked out the pains in his neck.

"Are you sure they were coming?"

-Positive. Thorn answered. -They are just having a hard time finding us.-

-We've lit a fire. It can be that hard.- Murtagh snorted.

Thorn simply sent him a lazy glance. Murtagh fiddled with the hem of the cloak he wore. It had seen better days, as had the rest of his clothes. But there was no way he could be able to buy or make new ones anytime soon. He would have to settle for what he had.

Just then he heard something landing outside of their clearing. Murtagh stiffened and made sure his sword was within reach. His bow had been broken long ago, so he had no use for the arrows he had left.

The shadowy shape of a dragon entered their hideout first. Murtagh instantly recognised Saphira. The blue dragon snorted and stepped aside. Then he saw the familiar frame of his brother. Eragon looked tired and rumpled, as if they had been flying for days at an end to reach them. The blue Rider had his new sword firmly attached to his side. The brunet shared a look with his dragon before stepping closer to Murtagh. The hazel eyed teen stood.

"Good evening, Murtagh."

"Same to you, Rider." Murtagh murmured.

Eragon fidgeted nervously before he finally sat down at the opposite side of the fire. Murtagh narrowed his eyes but sat down as well.

"Come to take me to the Varden at last?" Murtagh asked emotionlessly.

Eragon looked up then.

"No." He answered finally. "I came to see how you were."

"Somehow I doubt that." Murtagh commented.

Eragon flinched slightly. He drew his cloak closer around himself, seemingly wanting to disappear.

"Arya said something that made me think. I then flew out to look for you."

"What did she say?"

"That you were cured." Eragon mumbled. "She said that she had sensed that you were good now."

Murtagh chuckled. Eragon seemed to be completely unaware of his own powers.

"You did cure me, Rider." Murtagh confirmed. "The King had me under a spell, combined with a poison that slowly would kill me. You cured me from his hold."

Eragon frowned. Murtagh found the look almost adorable.

"How do you know that?" Eragon murmured.

"I know myself, and I know Galbatorix' magic. It's gone from my body and my mind. I'm free, Rider." Murtagh explained.

Eragon looked away. Murtagh took a moment to take in the new looks of his brother. Eragon looked the same, and yet not. The ears were slightly pointed and he seemed slightly taller, but not remarkably so. Murtagh could easily tell he was still the taller of the two. No matter what grace the elfish transformation might have given Eragon, it almost didn't show. And it relieved Murtagh. All in all, Eragon was who he was, a Rider and previous farm boy, not an elf.

"Well, I'm glad then." Eragon said finally.

Murtagh chuckled to himself. He leant back onto his hands and watched the darkening sky. A few stars had appeared. Suddenly he felt oddly at peace.

-Murtagh?-

The darker brunet frowned. Then he remembered.

-Ah, yes Thorn?-

-Forgot me for a moment there, Rider?- Thorn snorted.

-It seems like I did.- Murtagh answered amusedly.

-Saphira and I are leaving. We shall return later.- Thorn's baritone echoed in Murtagh's mind.

Murtagh chuckled out loud. Eragon shot him a confused glance. Murtagh smirked and answered his friend.

-Don't worry too much. Take your time. I'm sure you've been waiting for this moment for quite a while.-

If Thorn had been able to, the hazel eyed teen was sure he would have blushed.

-And you haven't, hatchling? Perhaps I won't be the only one claiming someone this night.- The red dragon said teasingly.

-Oh, shush you. Go on and mate already.- Murtagh said and glared as their eyes met.

Thorn gave an amused snort before he and Saphira walked out of the clearing. Eragon stared after his partner, biting his lip. He seemed to nod almost to himself before looking back into the fire.

"Are they -?"

Murtagh looked into Eragon's eyes. The brunet quickly averted his gaze, but Murtagh had seen the question in them.

"Yes. They are leaving to mate. But you knew that already, didn't you, Rider?" Murtagh asked him with a smirk.

A small blush graced Eragon's cheeks. Murtagh laughed inwardly.

"It just seemed so sudden." The younger brunet murmured, huddling even further into himself.

"Indeed. But you of all people should know that Saphira's time was almost over. It was better for them to be safe, I'm sure."

Eragon nodded softly.

"Are you… unhappy with her choice?" The hazel eyed teen asked, a small stab of fear entering his heart.

"Ah, no." Eragon looked back up. "Thorn was the best choice around. Even if the green egg had been hatched."

Murtagh just blinked.

"You didn't answer my question." He stated.

Eragon blushed an even darker red.

"I'm not unhappy. Thorn will take care of her, of that I'm sure."

"He will." Murtagh confirmed.

Eragon nodded, almost hesitantly. Murtagh frowned.

"What is it?"

Eragon looked up sharply. He opened his mouth to speak.

"Do not lie to me, Rider." Murtagh cut in curtly before he could stop himself. "Not after all this time."

His voice had softened, but Eragon still cringed guiltily. He sank deeper into himself.

"What does this all mean?" The brunet spoke softly.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that? You hold all the cards, Eragon. I cannot tell you what is or what will be." The older answered.

"Do you know what this means though?" Eragon questioned, this time louder. "What this means for you?"

"What, our dragons mating?" Murtagh asked, and at Eragon's nod he continued. "It means I get to live for a short time longer than anticipated. They will not kill me until Saphira has laid her eggs, or perhaps they'll let me live for a few more mating seasons. Who am I to know? All I know, Eragon…"

The brunet let their eyes meet. Murtagh smirked.

"… Is that you just gave me a few more months, maybe years to live."

"Shut up. Don't speak like that!" Eragon cried out, standing up in fear and anger.

"It's the truth!" Murtagh spat back, standing as well. "The Varden would rather have me beheaded from the minute I step inside, but will keep me alive for the sake of breeding."

"They won't kill you!" Eragon shouted. "I won't allow them!!"

"What say have you got in this, brother? What real say have you got?! Tell me, I'm most curious to know!" Murtagh yelled in frustration, kicking sand and dirt into the fire.

The flames hissed once, twice, before falling back into silence.

"I'm their only, Rider. I will end my own life before I let them take yours." The younger brunet stated darkly.

"I forbid you from doing that! I could not live with knowing that you died in my place, whether my life was ending in ten minutes or ten years!" Murtagh screamed at the skies.

"I don't care! I can't live without you, Murtagh. I CAN'T!"

Murtagh panted, desperate to catch his breath, desperate to say something, anything. Eragon was looking at him, sadness and heartbreak in his chocolate orbs. Slowly Murtagh walked over to him. The brunet only lowered his gaze, never once moving a muscle.

"Eragon." Murtagh breathed.

Eragon shook his head. Sighing, Murtagh gently cupped Eragon's chin, lifting it up. Eragon's eyes shone with unshed tears.

"You know I can't live without you either." He murmured softly.

Before Eragon could as much as open his mouth to speak, sob or anything else; Murtagh had covered it with his own. A lone tear travelled down Eragon's flustered cheek. Murtagh pressed forward still, unsure but somehow determined in his actions. Eragon was still, frozen for a second. Then he came alive again. Arms clung to the taller frame, a mouth opened under the other. In his own mind Murtagh heard a quiet sigh. It was ignored.

The two brothers clung to one another, as if they'd drown if they let go. And somehow their clothes had fallen to the ground, unwanted and in the way. They stumbled onto Eragon's bedroll. Eragon grasped onto Murtagh's shoulders tightly as his brother removed the last article separating their skin.

Suddenly, everything was quiet. Murtagh sighed and looked into his brother's eyes. Eragon looked back at him. Confused, aroused… loved.

"We shouldn't." Murtagh rasped. "It's forbidden."

"No one needs to know." Eragon whispered, though he too seemed hesitant now.

"Incest is an immediate death-penalty." Murtagh continued. "I can't risk that to befall you."

"We may have been sired from the same parents, but you aren't my brother." Eragon said then, sitting up a notch.

Murtagh frowned slightly.

"Arya said so herself. The same blood may flow in our veins, but I am more an elf than a human now. A half-elf if you will."

The darker brunet shook his head.

"But to those who knows our secret we are still brothers. They could say too much and have us hanged." He whispered urgently.

"Who is there to tell? Lady Nasuada? Arya?" Eragon shook his head. "None of them will gain from my death."

A silence fell over them.

"Strange is it not?" Murtagh laughed. "How you are the confident one?"

Eragon shrugged; his eyes, as was steadily becoming usual that night, were looking away.

"I… I care for you very deeply, Eragon. Not as a brother. Never as a brother." The hazel eyed teen murmured.

Eragon still didn't speak. Murtagh leaned down and landed a slow kiss on his brother's lips. Eragon hesitantly returned the gesture.

"If that is how you tell it, then so be it."

Before Eragon could as much as ponder the words, Murtagh had engaged another kiss, a far more passionate and heated one.

With the flames and the night as their only audience, the most ancient dance in the world began.

And from inside the dark two deeper cries answered their own.

The End

A/N I hope you all enjoyed the story. I know there was no "action" in this part, but I found that it didn't fit it. For more info on when my next story will be out, please see my profile.

EDIT: As some of you may have seen on my profile, the plagiasing case has been solved. Again, I hope that no one sent the author any harsh words as this was just a case of a misunderstanding "gone bad" so to speak. We have come to an understanding, and my bad mood is hereby gone.

However, this has made me see just how easy it can be for something like this to happen. Not just to me, but to anyone. I am still going to add a claimer to my stories, every chapter in fact, no matter how long it takes. Hopefully I'll get that done before my next story is out, which will be out very soon if the plot bunnies continue to play nice.

A huge thanks to everyone who gave me their support and came with tips. Everything is alright again now, and I ask everyone not to worry. I am not leaving FFnet anytime soon. I am here to stay as long as plot bunnies continue to attack me. Again, thank you guys. I couldn't have handeled the happening as well hadn't it been for all of you. I hope to see you again soon!

SussieKitten