Alrighty, this is my first story ever. I don't own anyone or anything but Luna. I read Inkheart a long time ago and have loved it ever since, so I figured it would be a good story to write my first fanfic for. It would be awesome if you could review and tell me if you like it, or if you hate it or wanna see more of it. I have a general plan for it but nothing concrete. Also Luna has a very distinct personality, I promise, and I know my name on here is Luna but she's nothing like me either. No mary sues here haha.

Enjoy! -L

Chapter 1. Escape

Running. She pondered the meaning of the word as she went, bounding between the ancient trees and over the jagged rocks in her path. As her small feet flitted from grass to moss patch and back, the only sound that could be heard was the swishing of her light dress. Well, that and the dozen or so men and their hounds crashing through the forest behind her, trying in vain to catch the lost sprite. Even though it had been only minutes since she narrowly escaped between the bars and vaulted over the high stone wall, she felt like she had been running for years. And maybe she had.

"Yes, Luna, you're doing just fine now, those clumsy brutes and their dogs can't possibly catch up. But what next? You'll find a little town, maybe a quiet inn. And you'll relax. And they'll find you again. And again. They'll hunt you down and kill you like the rest."

The voice in her head, always a pillar of logic and reason, piped up. Then she heard another voice, a softer one, the voice of the boy who caught her in the first place.

"Well hello, little girl. Not too bright, are you? Thinking you could hide from me with that snow-white hair of yours. I bet Capricorn would love to see it. He's been after the giants lately. Hunting a pretty little sprite like you would surely brighten his day…"

Even now, sprinting through the forest past glistening pools of clear water and blurs of golden sunlight peeking through the canopy, she could still feel the knife at her neck and smell the mint on his breath.

When she put some thought into it, she truly had been running for years. Even sitting in a damp cave with Dusty and the Prince by the fire, poking fun at the lords and ladies they entertained that day, they were still running. Even if it was for different reasons. And poor little Luna was running even before that, running from the hungry wildcats and away from the fire-raisers and soldiers. Ever since the men attacked her village all those years ago she was running and jumping and dodging and sprinting, running away from where they were and what she was.

She kept at it for what felt like days, until the sounds of angry men and barking dogs echoing through the trees had faded away. Slowing down, she changed her pace to a quick walk and took in her surroundings. She had ended up in a small clearing by a trickling stream, lined with rounded boulders and the ancient trees she loved so much. Listening even harder to the forest around her, she could hear their whispers, too. Their deep, scratchy voices were comforting her, telling her she could rest here and be safe. With a graceful twirl, she returned to the stream and crouched down to the cool water. As she was about to dip her hands in, another soft sound caused her to freeze, like a frightened deer. Distant, but clear, a voice spoke to her. Her eyes went wide, scanning the nearby forest for signs of life. Darting from boulder to boulder, she looked for even a minuscule sign of movement. But nothing, just this new voice speaking to her. She tried to focus on where the words were coming from but as soon as she tried she heard more sounds. As this voice went on and on, describing the sweet smell of the moss by the stream and the faint glow of fire elves in the trees, she could make out the crackling of paper. She quickly jumped up with the intention of turning and running again, but as soon as she did she felt ill. The air around her began to shimmer, the voice now describing her silvery white hair and the tattered blue dress she wore, her thin, malnourished frame and her round, clear blue eyes. The air shimmered brighter and brighter, the sound of the voice getting closer and closer and with a whimper Luna felt her legs weaken and her mind go fuzzy. As she knelt again, confused and afraid, she could barely make out a wood floor and a tattered carpet beginning to appear.