Word Count: 1,073
Summary: An elf speaks cruelly about Murtagh, the Reader overhears and is ready to ‘throw hands’ with them. Will Murtagh let the Reader beat the elf to a pulp?
Warnings: No explicit language, but a somewhat crude phrase used toward the elf. Also, teasing Eragon from a distance, and the usual fluff.
The training grounds. Essentially, a plain span of open field that was deemed suitable for practicing to use weapons. Particularly swords, but no limited to. It was there that you looked on as Eragon and elves were training a few new Riders how to handle a sword without injuring themselves. Their dragons were likewise sitting around and keeping a close eye on their companions.
Usually, you would find yourself gathered with the rest of the Dragon Riders who would like to oversee the others’ progress on the grounds. However, this time, not that it was a new occurrence, you stood beside Murtagh.
Another usual sight, was to see the various races of teachers carry their preferred weapons with them. With absolutely no kind of threats within the community, or miles in either direction, you thought it odd. The thought had crossed your mind before, and your dragon and yourself had concluded that with the lives they had been living, it was normal. They had their reasons. And after progressively learning Murtagh’s story as your trust and relationship grew, you never questioned why his sword rested against his hip.
“If I were to tell you that Eragon’s hair is sticking up in the back…could he hear us?” You whispered out of the corner of your mouth.
Murtagh’s light laugh turned into an audible chuckle as the two of you saw Eragon swipe a free hand over the back of his head.
“I think you have your answer.”
You laughed with him at the sight. Teasing his half brother was rare and harmless. And if it resulted with Saphira laughing as well, it made for a more memorable moment.
The laugh bubbling out of you slowly lessened. Your attention shifted as your ears picked up on a collection of words.
Off to your side were a pair of elves talking amongst themselves. You were well aware that listening in on other people’s conversations was beyond rude and disrespectful, but you could not stop. The use of the Forsworn and Morzan’s name was particularly jarring. They were not even necessarily trying to hide the topic of their conversation. If Murtagh had heard it too, he gave no indication that he had.
You remained silent, trying to readjust your focus, but it was not to be when Murtagh was clearly the subject.
“—a betrayer, a killer…like his father.”
When you heard the horrid assortment of words leave the elf’s mouth, you involuntarily sucked in a breath. Beneath your skin, the blood boiled and a raging warmth encompassed your body.
You could hear the air move sharply as your dragon whipped their head in your direction.
That is not the wisest decision, they warned, sensing your need.
Tell that to them, you said, your internal snarl striking outwardly in the next moment. “How dare you!”
“How dare we?” The volume of your voice startled them far more than your words.
“Yes,” you said, your voice as hard as stone. “How dare you speak so poorly of Murtagh.”
The expressions on their faces hardly altered, speaking so dismissively. “Perhaps you should mind your tongue, youngling.”
“As should you.” It was then that you felt Murtagh’s hands on you, saying your names with a soft firmness, wanting to lead you away.
“Don’t bother…it’s not worth it,” Murtagh said, pulling you away from the elves.
With your focus chained onto the elf, it was only through your dragon’s sight that you saw the alarmed face of Eragon jogging over. He likely wanted to diffuse the tension.
What sense you had lingering left let Murtagh steer you away from the growing number of curious eyes. You could feel the anger lessen under his touch, but even when you turned away from the elves, they felt the hierarchal need to say more.
“You have much to learn Shur’tugal!” They called after you.
Murtagh’s gentle hold tightened as you spun back around, fire returning to your eyes.
“Yeah, and you know exactly where you can shove that lesson!”
In only a split second did you manage to witness the elves’ and Eragon’s faces. Their eyebrows were nearly lost in their hairlines when Murtagh yanked you back to him.
Striding quickly out of earshot, Murtagh did not slow his pace or release his hold on you until his dwelling was within reach.
“I appreciate what you said,” his voice lower than before, “…but maybe don’t antagonize the elves…considering they know where we sleep at night.”
Grabbing ahold of his hand, you shrugged. “People do crazy things…when they’re in love.”
He smiled, dipping his head down for a moment. “Please don’t turn people against you for me,” he gave your hand a squeeze.
“I will do what I think is right and what is good for me. I will not conform to how people want me to be…I left that life behind.”
“Let’s get inside,” he said, his voice just above a whisper as he reached for the door.
Once you were both indoors, Murtagh turned to you and held both of your hands close to his chest. “I will never ask you to change who you are…I’ve been through that, and it’s certainly something that I would never want you to experience. Anything against your will, magically or not is awful. And whatever comes our way, like those egotistical elves, I’ll take what they want to throw at me. I know who I am. What they say can’t change that. For what you said, defending me…I could not be more grateful to have you in my life.” He let out a breath of a laugh. “It’s times like these where I feel like you would go up against every last person in Alagaësia and beyond just to prove that they are wrong about me.”
“I would, because you deserve all of the kindness in the world,” you said, slipping your hands out of his to hug him around the waist. The feeling of his arms around you was like nothing else. The love and security that radiated within his embrace made all of the problems of the world disappear.
“Would you like to stay here with me for a while?” He asked, kissing your forehead. “And wait for everything to settle outside? I’m sure Eragon has his hands full.”
“As if I would say ‘no’ to time with you,” you laughed, nuzzling your face into his chest.
