One of the crucial thing Paolini is missing is that the hero's journey is supposed to have more than physical conflict. Eragon has not had his honor or ability challenged, he has not been questioned, he has had to make no difficult decisions, he's had no real screwups. He has, literally, had everything handed to him, made better and forgiven, through virtually "hardship" he's faced.

Murtagh, OTOH, HAS faced all that and been the loser for it..he was already down when we met him, and everytime he tried to get up, everyone-including Eragon-kicked him back down.

And I know what you mean about dragons(do you read Naomi Novik?)