#selena (inheritance)

[glbtrx]

If they played monopoly

Created with the amazing and only one @umunschaas

[everythingloveandanimated]

Something interesting I just thought of, eventually Murtagh is going to get into an argument with Eragon and yell that everyone chose Eragon. Their mother, fate, the Eldunarya, the races who backed him as their hero.

Then someone, maybe Eragon points out that there were others who chose Murtagh.

Selena and Tornac chose Murtagh, wanting to give him a chance for a better life than the one he was stuck in. Nasuada and Thorn chose him as a equal, someone they wanted as a friend and close part of their hearts. Eragon, despite the betrayal, and after he calmed down from their battle on the Burning Plains, still wanted Murtagh as a friend. Eragon fought for Murtagh, he looked for ways to free him. He believed in him that once people gave him a chance, both sides would be rewarded. Murtagh for having a community, others for having a noble, fierce, protective ally.

I think this is something Murtagh is going to have a hard time accepting. He sees the preemptive stain on his reputation of being Morgan's son. He sees the blood on his hands trying to win favor in the court, and then the blood on his hands from his time as an enslaved rider. He sees the young man, weak, consistently overpowered and unable to protect those he loves the most and he hates not having control over who stays in his life, and who stays safe from harm.

I'm interested in how he comes to a place of self acceptance. Yes he has done bloody deeds, and that is something he will have to live with. But he is also loyal and protective. He wants to use his skills and knowledge to bring a brighter happier safer future for his loved ones and the children of the land.

[umunschaas]

I drew...

Morzan's nameless partner from my Selena/Brom/Morzan fic 'Side by Side'.

The derg looks different in all my fics, no matter if they have a name or not. I do like to give Morzan a fondness for water and I let the dragon who chose him reflect that here :D

[dia-viller]

I can't stop thinking about how differently Murtagh and Morzan laugh

[alagaesia-headcanons]

I've Had A Thought. I was thinking about the scene where Eragon is reminiscing over Brom's message to him as his father, and how Eragon is confounded and troubled that he in no way mentioned Murtagh. I found it a little sad that, for whatever reason, Brom decided Murtagh didn't bear mentioning. Then it crossed my mind to consider the possibility that Brom didn't know about Murtagh at all.

As it turns out, Eragon actually does think about it in that scene- he says, "He must have known about Murtagh. He couldn't not have." And admittedly I don't think this is the most likely scenario or that it's now my personal interpretation of canon, but the idea really has captivated me. Because it actually does fit within the facts! (the new book notwithstanding)

Brom was a gardener at Morzan's estate for three years, and while it's probably more likely that he learned about Murtagh in that time, I think it's certainly feasible for him to never know. Morzan was very determined to keep him hidden and took a lot of precautions to ensure just that. Oromis said Morzan forced all his servants to swear fealty and Brom found a flaw in his wards to infiltrate, and possibly he was able to do so because a job as a gardener didn't require such strict oaths because it wasn't in proximity to Murtagh.

Again, it may not be the most likely, but I can absolutely believe Selena might not have told him either. She also would have been aware of the serious danger Murtagh was in and would've wanted him to stay hidden. Even after Brom told her who he was and she started working with the Varden, she might have kept it secret. For one, Brom's hatred of Morzan is described as extreme and all consuming, and that it never waned with time. Even if she came to believe that Brom wouldn't harm Murtagh, she might not have trusted he could look at him kindly. And of course, telling him about her child with Morzan also risked damaging their relationship considering that they were lovers. Then there's the possibility that Selena did build all this necessary trust to tell Brom about Murtagh if he wasn't aware of him already, but it was too late for her to discuss it with him before she died. So I think it is conceivable that Brom actually never knew about Murtagh's existence.

Where this concept really shines is in an AU where Brom survives after Murtagh saves them from the Ra'zac. I've always liked these, and I sometimes toy with my own, but there's so many ways Brom could react and I've never been able to settle on one well enough to get invested in it. But I find this SUCH a fascinating take on it (especially if you wave off the detail that Murtagh's voice sounds ~exactly like~ Morzan's, which I tend to do). Brom recovers and meets their rescuer, and he has no idea he's looking at Morzan and Selena's son. Murtagh seems terribly familiar, but Brom has been relentlessly haunted by his past for so long now that he doesn't put much stock in the perceived similarities. Meanwhile, Murtagh realizes that Brom truly does not know that he's the son of the man he murdered, a precarious but welcome relief. Because he doesn't know- up until Murtagh's confession in the valley.

Brom is stunned by disbelief. It can't be true, Morzan had no children, because surely he would know, surely-! But another thought dawns on him, drowning out the memories of Morzan, because who could have been the mother of his child other than his wife: Selena? And Murtagh is looking at him with fear, fear that he'll turn on him because he shares the blood of the man Brom hated most. It's heart wrenching, because even as part of his mind tells him that maybe he should scorn him, Brom is looking at this man who single handedly saved him from the brink of death and saved Eragon and Saphira from far worse at the hands of Galbatorix, and who has given them extraordinary devotion ever since.

In his core, he accepts the truth of Murtagh's claim as he explains his past and recounts the story of his parents exactly how Brom knows it to be. The paradigm shift sends him reeling. Murtagh believes Brom is affected only because of his past with Morzan; he has no way of knowing what he felt for Selena. He still glances at him nervously, especially as he admits that he briefly intended to serve Galbatorix, yet then there's also a spark of trust and gratitude- maybe even hope- in his eyes when Brom doesn't rescind the way he vouched for him when they were stopped inside the gates. How could he? Murtagh has accomplished one thing neither Morzan nor Selena ever did: escape.

Despite everything, his aching heart feels something fiercely like pride. He would not dare ruin that for him.

Then to further prove the truth, like the world is laughing at his years of ignorance, Ajihad recognizes him, because after Murtagh was brought to Uru'baen, the Varden's spies informed him of Morzan's son. But of course, that was after Brom cut himself off and started living in Carvahall, so he never learned of that discovery. "Morzan's son" is said over and over, but in Brom's mind, that idea is far eclipsed by Selena's son. He's hurt and ashamed to realize he never knew something so significant about the woman he loved. And he feels guilty that Murtagh struggled for so long in Uru'baen because no one was there to save him when he was left helplessly alone. Brom must have been so close to him when he arrived right after Selena's death, but he just didn't know.

Brom is utterly at a loss. How can he process Murtagh- the child of Selena and Morzan, Eragon's half brother, and in a certain sense, his own stepson? What can he do now? He was already so terrified of telling Eragon the truth of being his father, and now he has another staggering revelation to inflict on Eragon and Murtagh both. The prospect feels terrifyingly impossible, but keeping his secrets has grown even more painful. Watching how easily and how well Eragon and Murtagh get along is now bitterly ironic. Even without knowing it, Murtagh is a great older brother, waiting vigilantly near his side after the battle. The injury Durza inflicted scared Brom in a way he can't put into words; he simply could not bear to lose Eragon. How could he risk that happening without telling Eragon how much he loves him and values him as his son? But telling him truth could be the quickest way to lose him. And now, with Murtagh, he has more to lose than he ever realized.

-And because Murtagh deserves it, I like all these changes resulting in the Twins never getting the chance to kidnap him, and so Brom has to figure out how to make the three of them into a family <3

[saphira-approves]

Okay no I’m not done talking about swords, and their names, because sword names are IMPORTANT okay and they MEAN THINGS—

I rambled in the tags of this post about Eragon and Murtagh naming/renaming their swords to be positive, compared to their fathers’ respective negative sword names, but I want to go further into it.

First is the obvious one, Morzan’s Zar’roc, Misery, and Murtagh’s Ithring, Freedom. I’m almost certain Morzan names his sword as an offensive measure—and I don’t mean offensive as in insulting, I mean it in the combat sense. It’s a curse, almost, upon his enemies: any opponent he faces with this blade will be struck by misery, literally. But one thing we know about Morzan: he’s not particularly wise, and even his best works backfire on him. We see it with Selena, and his confidence that she loves him too much to betray him, so he never warded against her. He named his sword Misery, and Misery is all it brought him: he joined Galbatorix, brought the downfall of the Order, and lost his dragon to nameless madness; he killed Brom’s dragon, making an enemy of the man who once had idolized him and sealing his own demise by Brom’s hand; he threw Misery at his own child and pushed his wife to betray him, which ultimately led to the downfall of everything he had ever worked for. Talk about a curse. He upheld Misery, and Misery came right back to bite him in the ass.

And then Brom took Misery from him, and sequestered it away, and eventually gave it to Eragon without telling him its meaning; and Eragon wielded it without knowing its meaning or history, trying his best to do good with it, and even when he did learn its history and its name he resolved to work to give it a better legacy. After all, a good sword is a good sword. But Murtagh, Morzan’s son and heir, was not done with Misery, bore too painful a scar from Misery to let it go—he took Misery from Eragon and claimed it as his own, claiming his birthright, yes… but taking Misery away from Eragon, in the very same moment that he also protected Eragon from capture and forced servitude, the fate that had befallen Murtagh himself. Complicated as feelings all around may have been, intentional as the act itself may or may not have been, Murtagh here is very much intentionally shouldering that burden. He fully believed that Eragon was another son of Morzan, he could have easily justified rejecting that part of his history and his father’s legacy and offloading it on his younger brother, and yet he didn’t. He took it for himself and declared it his own.

And then he called it Freedom.

After enduring torture and enslavement and a hundred other humiliations, he took Misery in hand and said, no. I do not uphold you. I do not fight for you. I fight for Freedom, for my own and my loved ones’, and for the Freedom of all. He looked at the horror of his past and refused to let it define him. He looked at his father’s mistakes and refused to be bound to them. He took a name of offense, of attack and hostility, and changed it to a name of preservation, of defense, of peace.

And then there’s Eragon, with Brisingr, Fire, and Brom’s mysterious Undbitr, Void-biter. At first glance it may seem that they have absolutely nothing to do with each other, but I would not be here if I wasn’t going to loudly and fervently declare otherwise.

My guess for Brom’s reasoning of naming his sword Undbitr would be somewhere between edgelord teenager antics (look me in the eye and tell me you wouldn’t have wanted a sword name Void Biter at twelve years old) and his admiration for Morzan, who named his sword the simple yet devastatingly clever Misery. Void-biter, bite of death, the bite that would send his opponents to the void. To darkness, to nothingness, to anti-life and anti-hope. A sword lost after his dragon’s death, never seen again, and yet Brom himself succumbs to the bite of his own personal void: he dedicates himself to vengeance, throws everything he has of himself into orchestrating Morzan’s downfall, and the downfall of Galbatorix and the rest of the Forsworn for good measure. It’s implied, from Brom’s own admission of fearing his son would hate him and Oromis’s discussion of his near-suicidal madness after Saphira’s death, that revenge is all Brom lived for until he met Selena—and even after he met her and fell in love with her, I suspect his need for vengeance is what ultimately decided the events leading both to Morzan’s death and Selena’s doomed reunion with Murtagh. Brom may have lost Void-biter, but the void consumed him anyway.

And then there’s Eragon. Yes I’ve said that already but if anything can sum up these books, it’s And then there’s Eragon. The first spell he learns is fire. A dangerous force, certainly, one that can easily break control and wreak untold havoc and destruction, but what force of nature doesn’t fall into that category? He could easily have learned, and thus be represented by, wind or ice or lightning, or even just pain or break. But he didn’t, and he’s not. He wields fire. A force of nature, a destructive weapon… but also the foundation of a home, fire in the hearth; the fuel of invention, to shape metal and glass; and most importantly, a light in the dark, the hope of dawn in the long cold night. Eragon names his sword Brisingr, and it’s not merely a weapon: it is a beacon. His father was consumed by darkness, but Eragon is the one who guided him back to the light, who gave him something to live for after he had defeated his enemy and lost his love; Eragon was the figurehead of the rebellion, the spark that drove a passive resistance into the blaze of true revolution; and now Eragon builds the new hearth of the Dragon Riders, to tend and defend it for future generations.

What a change from misery and the void.

Fire, and freedom. Hope, and peace. Family, and love.

I think Selena would be very proud of her sons.

[modern-inheritance]

Galbatorix on Murtagh's Confusing Genetics (Nature vs Nurture) (Audio on!)

I think I'm funny.

[cs-cabin-and-crew]

Very cracked Morzan AU

Listen, I get Morzan is supposed to be this big evil guy who’s unredeemable. And I do love him for that as a character.

However, with my math and the timeline, Morzan was a kid when Galbatorix took him, and used his true name and made him his apprentice.

And Oromis said Morzan always had a darkness in him. And is always talking smack about Morzan. but to me it was always weird small things pointed out. Like picking on Brom for doing weird superstition things that would get him picked on by anyone.

But what if Morzan was literally just a regular kid who was just getting in trouble with Brom a lot. And Oromis as an only child elf just didn’t get the sibling dynamics that they had going on.

So Morzan as the elder would also get in trouble when Brom did something wrong?

In all honesty, with Oromis as a character, that’s very much something he’d do. Especially with how he kinda bullied Eragon for being in pain. I’d go evil with him as my mentor too.

Just imagine this…

Morzan: *breathes*

Oromis: EVIL!

Morzan: this is why I try to kill you.

[tonhalszendvics]

An Inheritance Cycle story I'll probably never write, but this sucker doesn't want to leave me alone. Long story short under the cut.

Selena was said to be a super spy/assassin type of character, except that people knew about her. I mean, Jeod did, and Brom was a very secretive guy, I am pretty sure that Jeod didn't hear about her from him. And then Galbatorix named his secret service after her, because there was fear connected to the name 'Black Hand'. Thanks, Selena.

Okay, so the AU goes like this: Selena is a super spy/assassin. Nobody knows, who is she, what is she doing, who is she working for. Some people suspect the king, but then she shows up and asks someone else for a favour in a name of a lesser lord or something. She is changing like the weather, nobody knows what does she look like exactly. Want to hire her for a job? Good luck. You were able to get into contact with her? Consider the job as done and yourself as absolutely poor, because even her smallest service costs a fortune.

And then Brom meets her. They don't tell shit to each other, for sure, but the spark is there. So, things are going on their way, Eragon is born, but in this AU, there is no egg-race, Selena just hands the kid over to Brom and says that he'll be more safe with him. Their meetings are scarce, but Eragon gets to know his mama.

Until he's around six or seven years old. Because then something happens in Uru'baen, there is a big boom and a shitton of dead people in the castle. The king and Morzan are furious. A blue egg vanishes.

Mere days later – too soon, so Selena was already on her way when that shit went down – Selena comes to meet Brom and Eragon for the last time, with her eyes blindfolded, because then she'll be able to say that she didn't see them. She tells Brom that she has a husband in Uru'baen. Her and Brom's thing started on the ground that she was missing the night-time company, but she started to have feelings for him. But now, she has to go back to her lord, whom she had sworn to. She has to, because otherwise her other son will be hurt. She doesn't say names. Brom knows, that it's too dangerous.

It also dawns on him that most of the information he's got from her was via her husband. That guy must be a big shot in the Empire. They promise each other that if the Empire goes down by a miracle or something, they'll meet in the end, and if they still love each other, they'll find out what the hell to do.

Then time flies and war-wise most of the canon happens. There aren't much from Selena, but she still succeeds telling this and that to the Varden via secret letters and always changing ways. She was able to hand over some top-secret, very valuable information to the Varden. The communication is one-sided, though, they cannot reach her.

A bunch of victorious Varden are cheering in the occupied capital, when the news come that after the king's death, Morzan put down the sword without anything. He even kneeled on the ground and let himself be tied up, while Brom was trying to avoid having an aneurism. I mean, Brom wanted to kill the guy since forever. Their epic dramatic duel, however, was nowhere near to the end, when the king died. And it wouldn't be honourable to kill a surrendered soldier, especially if his son returned back from the palace right in the moment when he wanted to behead him. Nahh, he has to be the bigger guy.

If Brom is not able to kill Morzan in the battle, then he'd do that through a trial. Everybody is very happy to attend and throw in their two cents, Eragon understands all the hatred, but he still feels very uncomfortable because of all that combined hatred. And Morzan doesn't say anything, he takes it without a word, maybe corrects people here and there when they mess up listing his sins.

And boom, there is Selena. She comes, bows, smiles to Brom then says to Nasuada, that she was promised amnesty for her and her family for her services, and his son is in big trouble because of the occupation, so if they would be so kind to provide her the needed document, she is off already, she and her family won't mess with their schedule for the rest of the day.

Eragon is obviously overjoyed, that A) mama is alive; B) he gets to meet his big brother. So he obviously prods everybody to hurry up with that amnesty.

Document in her hand, the ink still wet, she turns on her heels and in front of everyone, she asks Morzan, that what does he know, where is their son. And Morzan answers. Then with a word, loosens the ties on him, stands up, and when people draw swords, he adds in a mocking tone, that pardon, I was granted amnesty just now via my wife, and as you've heard, my son is in grave danger, if you'd excuse us. Eragon, dear boyfriend-in-law, want to come?

It takes three seconds for Brom to realise, that Morzan meant him, and then he has to try very hard the second time that day to avoid an aneurism.

Anyway, they go, get Murtagh out of that dire situation, because it turns out that little children are actually pretty cute and able to melt a war criminal's ice-cold heart, so Morzan was a good dad this time, and he and Selena were blackmailed with him. That trouble thingy back then, that separated Selena from the other side of the family was when the king found out that his general's heart changed, and that Selena was also a double-spy, so boom, he took Murtagh away, and suddenly the parents were absolutely A-class thralls again. Idk if Murtagh was even out in the battlefield this time, or every stuff he did was handed over to Morzan, while he was in house arrest somewhere. (Does he even know how to fight or is he Orrin No. 2 with all the science?)

Anyway, Murtagh and Eragon bond over dragons in zero second and decide it's the best for them if they just leave their parents to be. Brom needs a bit of time and a bit more cajoling from Selena to loosen up, but in the end they are a traumatised and super messed up polycule. Morzan regrets that in the moment he says something and Brom answers with a mortifying secret from their childhood. They might end up in a fist fight. Selena doesn't say anything to them (too busy getting slate tablets), because in the end they kiss (and she has to make fairths).

That was the AU in a nutshell. I hope this one will leave me alone now. :') Thanks for coming to my story night, take care!

[good-morzan-inheritance-cycle]

I like to think in my AU Selena and Morzan are co-parent besties rather than actual lovers for any period of time outside of them having Murtaugh.

MOSTLY for the funny idea Morzan is fully aware Selena is with Brom and that he’s spying as a gardener but finds it funnier if Brom wasn’t aware he knew. And Selena and him go over all the dumb crap Brom has done within the past week over morning coffee.

[glbtrx]

aesthetic shit about the first stage of Selena/Morzan's relationship. No, I do not ship them, no, I don't think they're cute.

[everythingloveandanimated]

Fanfic that wants to be told, but words keep escaping me when I put it in story form. I know HOW I want the story to go, I can SEE IT in my head like a movie! But words escape me like child trying to avoid going to bed.

Okay! Here we go!

Title: On the Boundary Line

Murtagh and Eragon are fighting the next Big Bad. The final battle takes such a toll on them, their lives are hanging by a thread and they wake up, each alone, and find themselves in a sort of limbo.

Murtagh's perspective is first since he was the one I thought of first.

He wakes up, looks around and remembers the last thing he saw and felt. He wonders if he's dead. A voice assures him that he's not dead yet. He barely recognizes the voice, but it is familiar. He sees his mother, Selena. They embrace and then talk things out. He asks why she left him behind, she explains the situation. (Personal theory ->) She wanted to take him and tried to get Morzan to agree that he should have some time out of the castle. Morzan refused, and things started escalating and came to a boil when Murtagh started crying over his ruined horse toy. Morzan threw his sword, Selena healed him, but now she really couldn't take him with her because of his injury and because Morzan was ordering a closer eye on Murtagh (think supervised visits). Selena also told Murtagh that she didn't want to leave him behind when she went to Carvahall, or when she died. Selena apologizes for leaving him alone, and for bringing him into such a dangerous environment, and for not being able to do more for him. Possibly a few other questions happen, which result in a reconciliation between mother and son. She tells him she's so proud of her beautiful boy. (Also had the thought that Selena tells him that Eragon is close and will probably have the same questions. She gives the option to hear them himself, or wait until they find Eragon.)

Then another voice comes in, Tornac. Murtagh is a bit hesitant, guilt-ridden that Tornac life was cut short trying to get him away from Galbatorix. Tornac comforts him, saying it was worth the risk, and his death was worth it if it bought Murtagh a few months of freedom. He also tells him that he watched Murtagh's life up the point. Murtagh hangs his head, knowing that Tornac would not tolerate some of his actions. Tornac says he understands why Murtagh did what he did, and notes that Murtagh has grown from who he once was. He affirms his pride in him, when leads to another tight hug.

He also says that when Murtagh is tired of calling himself "Morzansson" he can call himself "Tornacsson". Murtagh is floored by this, but grateful, oh so grateful since he saw Tornac as a father figure. Soon after Murtagh pulls his mother into their hug so that he can hold and be held by his two parents.

(I thought of having Selena go see Eragon while Tornac is talking with Murtagh, but no. Murtagh needs this moment. It doesn't seem right for Selena to disappear when Murtagh is distracted by Tornac)

Murtagh admits that even though he knows of his responsibilities, he doesn't want to leave this moment. His parents agree on both terms, but know that

Eragon's piece starts with seeing Brom then Garrow and Marian.

He embraces Brom for the first time since learning that he was his father. He asks where they are Brom explains. Some banter and some talk happens. Eragon admits that he once entertained the idea of bring Brom back from the dead, but the Eldunarí advised against it. Brom affirms that they guided Eragon rightly. The summoning of souls back to their bodies is not a good practice (goes more into details than I can think of right now)

They hug again as Eragon cries on his father's shoulder, saying he's missed him. Brom shares the sentiment. He is so proud of Eragon, how much he's accomplished in so short a time. What he has decided to do with his life, and how he has lead people towards a brighter future. He kisses Eragon's forehead.

Eragon sees Garrow and Marian and embraces them tightly. He apologizes to Garrow that he couldn't save him and the farm. Garrow forgives him and appreciates what Eragon was able to do for him before he died. Marian holds her nephew-son close to her. So, so proud of who he became. How much he's grown from the little boy to the full grown man, and how he's chosen to live his life.

Then, Murtagh, Tornac and another woman walk towards them. It takes Eragon barely a moment to recognize her. He starts a step or two towards her before he runs to her. They catch in another embrace. Tears flowing harder and faster than their other meetings. Selena clutches Eragon. "My baby, my baby!" Eragon savors this moment, beign held by his mother for the first time in "living" memory. They take a moment to look at each other and take in their appearances. It strikes Eragon that his mother is around his current age.

Once mother and son are acquainted one of them gesture Murtagh over and for the first time, Selena holds both of her sons close. They ask their questions and she gives the answers they have been wanting. (upon further reflection, this feels a bit crowded and not as private. I’d like it if Selena could talk to her sons without an audience.)

Murtagh meets Garrow and Marian. It's strange, they are his blood family but it's like meeting strangers. Garrow shakes his hand, Marian hugs him, happy to meet her other nephew.

Murtagh gets a moment with Brom. Things are tense. Murtagh notes to Brom that it's a good thing Brom wasn't alive when he found out about Eragon's parentage. Some talking back and forth and finally, Murtagh asks a burning question. If Brom had survived, would he have chased Murtagh away? Born answers, he'd be cautious, but he wouldn't turn away Selena's son after he quickly proved himself. Brom apologizes for not getting to Selena faster, and admits that he mourned her when he was alive. Maybe a few more lines of talking before they shake hands(?).

Their time draws to a close, Murtagh and Eragon need to go back. They say their final goodbyes (maybe this is where Tornac tells Murtgah he can call himself Tornacsson.) Tornac send Murtagh away with handshake, one armed hug, and a kiss on the forehead. Murtagh sardonically jokes that Tornac is not making this departure easy. Tornac chuckles an apology, one last look of understanding is exchanged between mentor and mentee, adopted son and adopted father.

Eragon hugs the adults who raised him one last time, Garrow and Marian asks that Eragon say hi to Roran, Katrina and Ismira for them. Eragon agrees.

Murtagh shakes Garrow's hand, and gives Marian a hug when she gives him one.

The brothers meet Selena one last time for a tender hug. Their time once again cut short with her. She repeats her love for them and affirms her pride in her beautiful boys.

Murtagh and Eragon walk back to the waking world as their parental figures watch them. Selena stands next to Brom under his arm, Tornac next to Selena, arms at his side. Selena puts hand on Tornac's arm in thanks. Garrow and Marian stand near and behind Selena, Marian with a hand on her shoulder.

........

Another thought tangent... maybe I could have the father figures show up first, then when Murtagh and Eragon are together again Selena shows up. But I like the idea of Murtagh having a private moment with Selena without Eragon. In a draft where Selena is the last person they meet, Murtagh has to fully accept that he has to share Selena with Eragon. Not a bad thing, just not the vibe I was going for.

Annnyyyyway! If you've read all of this, thank you so much. Feedback is appreciated.

[umunschaas]

Due to recent conversations;

@tonhalszendvics @dia-viller

[dia-viller]

Selena/Morzan/Brom had so much potential

but Paolini thought they would be too powerful

[alagaesia-headcanons]

I have a ride or die headcanon that little Murtagh was obsessed with Morzan’s dragon. He absolutely loved him.

Murtagh sees him often enough from a young enough age that he’s never scared of him. So naturally, he’s absolutely enamored with the huge, beautiful, glittery, fire breathing monster that hangs out outside the house. He’s kept at a distance, but he’s still the dragon’s biggest fan. Murtagh’s very upset to learn that he doesn’t have a name which feels very unfair to him, so he musters up all his creativity and dubs him “Red”.

Morzan doesn’t always travel with his dragon when he leaves the estate, depending on what he needs to do. So sometimes the dragon stays and rests while Morzan is gone. During one such time, when Selena is also away on a mission, a freshly 3 year old Murtagh escapes his nurses and goes to Red. He’s careful at first, testing the waters gently, then getting increasingly close and comfortable with him when Red seems utterly unbothered. He’s no more than an ant next to the dragon’s enormous size. Murtagh is immediately in love, clambering all over him and constantly babbling to him, undeterred by the lack of response.

The servants do eventually find him after a frantic search. Morzan’s dragon doesn’t like any of the staff, so despite letting Murtagh nestle into the crook of his foreleg, he snarls and snaps at anyone who tries to get close enough to retrieve him. The servants are stuck in a grim dilemma, because no one’s willing to test the limits of a gargantuan, irascible dragon, and they don’t have anything to bribe Murtagh with that’s cooler than said dragon, so he refuses to budge. They’re absolutely terrified the dragon will kill him, either inadvertently or not.

After three full days of Murtagh glued to Red’s side, remaining miraculously unsquished, Morzan returns. The servants are in a cold sweat, stuttering and shaking like leaves in a storm as they try to explain that his son is fine, there’s no need for alarm, but there may be just a small issue. He goes to his partner and does with insulting ease what the staff have fruitlessly tried for three days, he steps right in and scoops Murtagh up. He looks completely unkempt and ignoble, dirty and scraped from being outside the whole time, giggling unrepentantly and singing Red’s praises.

To the servants great luck, Morzan finds this all quite amusing. Carrying Murtagh back to the house, he accuses, “Trying to replace me as the dragon Rider, are you?” and Murtagh cries, “Yes! Take me flying!” Morzan says that he will, but it never happens.

Selena is less thrilled when she learns of this, also afraid that the dragon might kill Murtagh in a moment of annoyance. But Murtagh adores him and she can’t reliably keep him away, so she tries to accept the incongruous match. Red doesn’t show any perceptible warmth to him, and yet he makes the effort to keep tabs on him and stops him from doing anything too dangerous. Of course, since the banishing of the names stunted his mind, the dragon doesn’t have any nuanced opinion of Murtagh, but he can recognize that his little ant feels incapable of malice and he comes to like Murtagh in the way he can. Learning of Red’s death on top of the loss of both his parents utterly devastates Murtagh.

After a little while in Uru’baen, Tornac asks Murtagh which parent he was closer to, and Murtagh tells him Morzan’s dragon. Tornac takes a very long, very strained breath, thinking Oh dear gods help me I have so much fucking work to do.

[thearunadragon]

Jeod (talking about Selena): And she was a horrible person, and a murderer, and a sadist, and a masochist, and insane, and stole from babies— Eragon, are you all right?

Eragon, clearly not all right, looking like he’s about to either puke or start crying: nope all good

Jeod: A’ight cool. Anyway—