Author's Note: I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Kyasarin-Maarukeehii1 for calling me 'Kittie' in her review. I feel loved! Hearts to you, Kittie

"I'm going," Shay told Orrin, who was watching her with eagle eyes. "You know I'm the best man for the job."

"Woman," Orrin corrected. "You may hold a man's post, but you are still a woman, and that means I can't put you in harm's way. The journey to Ellesméra is long and grueling, even for someone like you."

"You had no problem 'putting me in harm's way' when I fought beside Eragon and the Urgals," Shay pointed out.

"Because it is your job. We had no choice then. Sending you along with Eragon and Súndavar isn't necessary, and a waste of a valuable officer. Besides, your…"

"My what?" Shay snapped. "My condition?"

"We can't know if you'll have another attack."

Shay shook her head forcefully. "There's nothing wrong with me," she pushed. "It wasn't a physical attack. It was a mental one."

Orrin frowned. "Shay, who would have a reason to attack your mind like that? Or the strength? You were writhing on the ground. Not just anyone could do that to you. You of all people."

"They weren't attacking me," Shay stated simply. Her eyes shone with the answer.

Orrin's mouth dropped open. "You aren't serious? Shay, that's crazy. Stupid."

"Lily," Shay said.

"Lily is dead," Orrin said, turning away from her and beginning to pace.

Shay shook her head. "We don't know that for sure."

"She's dead, Shay. She's been dead for two years. I'd thought you'd accepted that."

Shay folded her arms over her chest. "Don't you get it?" she asked. "The attack couldn't have come from anywhere else."

Orrin stopped pacing. "Shay, this is insane. Lily is gone. Besides, why would Lily attack you?"

"Someone attacked her," Shay explained slowly. "The attack traveled from her mind to mine. Through our connection."

Orrin shook his head again. "Shay, you're not going. And as much as I wish it wasn't true, Lily is dead. You're going to have to live with it."

"You don't understand," Shay said, feeling her voice raise to a yell. "For two years I've been barely getting by. For two years, my heart has been being picked apart, piece by piece. I'm going to Ellesméra in two days, with or without your approval."

Orrin narrowed his eyes. "You know that if you disobey my direct order, your position under me will be lost, Captain."

Shay said nothing. Stifling a shriek of annoyance, she strode purposefully out of the room, slamming the door shut behind her.

Only when Shay had reached her room did she finally let herself scream.

oooooooooooooooooooo

Slate spun in little circles, excited. Two days, Shadow, he said, grinning. Just two more days until we leave.

Yes, Súndavar agreed woefully. Two more days until we leave Rune behind.

We'll be coming back, Slate told him, stopping his spinning and cocking his head in a puppy-dog way. It isn't as if she's going to miss us.

You don't get it, Súndavar groaned. Eragon's going too. He won't be able to awaken her until we get back. Then it might be too late.

What makes you say that? Slate asked, beginning to chase his tail again, unconcerned.

Will you stop that? Súndavar snapped irritably. You're much too old to chase your tail like a dog.

Slate continued spinning, noncommittal.

Súndavar sighed, rolling his eyes. Sometimes he wasn't sure if Slate was ever going to grow up. The dragon talked in full sentences now, but he still clung to the annoying nickname of 'Shadow' and the complete unconcern about anything besides himself and food.

If you're so worried about Rune, Slate said, Maybe you should bring her with.

Bring her with? Súndavar asked skeptically. That's stupid.

Why? Slate asked. It would solve your problem, wouldn't it?

I…suppose it would. But it's still a stupid idea.

Slate gave a dragon shrug, moving his wings up and down without interest. It's all the same to me, he said, still spinning. But I don't want you to try that stunt with the dagger again.

Is that concern?Súndavar asked mockingly. Do I detect concern in you, O self obsessed dragon?

Slate stopped turning in dizzy circles and blew a jet of hot air Súndavar's way. I can care when I want to.

Súndavar sighed, taking the dagger out from under his pillow again. He ran his fingers along its sharp edge, drawing blood and wincing. I know. I love you too.

Don't take it too far, Shadow, Slate said good-naturedly, a laugh in his 'voice'.

Súndavar chuckled, tossing the dagger into the air, catching it with a flourish, and tucking it into his belt. Maybe I'll talk to Eragon about bring Rune, he said. It's a stupid idea, of course, but…

Slate snorted. You just don't want to admit I thought of something you didn't, he accused.

Súndavar laughed. True enough, dragon. True enough.

ooooooooooooooooooooo

Shay shrugged. "I don't see what good it will do, but if you want…"

Súndavar and Eragon both nodded.

"Thank you, Captain," Súndavar said with a grin. Rune was coming!

Shay held up a hand. "Don't call me Captain anymore. I've been released from service to Orrin." Although she tried to hide it, sadness was clear in her eyes. You could always tell what Shay was feeling through those open blue orbs.

"You mean you got fired?"

Shay pursed her lips. "However you want to put it. It's fine though—I-I-I I don't care." Her voice was tight.

Eragon placed a hand on her shoulder, smiling understandingly. "I'm glad you're coming with us."

Shay nodded, biting her lip to ward off tears. She turned away from Eragon's gaze. "I…I better go get ready."

Súndavar tuned the conversation out. Inside he was jumping. Rune was coming with! Perhaps in Ellesméra, where magic was stronger than anywhere else, Eragon would find a way to wake her up. Then everything would be better again. Once again he could sleep with his legs entangled with hers, her face nuzzled in his chest. Once again he could feel her eyes on his skin, feel the shadow of her hair flick over his fingers.

Smiling, Súndavar closed his eyes, imagining how she would look. Would she open her eyes slowly, her eyelashes fluttering like a butterfly's gentle wings? Or would they snap open with her usual vigor, ready to start a new day? He smiled gently, thinking of how she would feel, pressed against him in that reuniting hug he would envelope her in the moment she awoke.

"Súndavar?"

Súndavar turned. It was Lexia.

Oh.

Her milky eyes stared off into the distance, her long, pale hair was laced with tiny braids. Rune used to braid her hair like that.

"Hello, Lexi."

She smiled. "So you're leaving soon."

"Yes. I'm going to miss everyone. But I'll be back soon." He took a hesitant step forward, feeling awkward. He had never felt this way with Rune. He always knew what Rune was thinking. But Lexia's face was a closed door.

The blind girl smiled softly. "I'll miss you too."

Súndavar felt a sweat break on his forehead. Why did her sightless gaze make him feel like this? Why did his heart beat faster around her? He didn't want it to. Rune…

They were silent for a moment. She ran her fingers through her hair. "I have something for you," she whispered. She handed him a tiny package.

Súndavar untied the string that held it closed. Wrapped in a scrap of fabric, was a silver band. The strands of silver interlocked and twisted.

"I made it," she told him. "Do you like it?"

"I love it," Súndavar answered, slipping it onto his finger. "Thank you. I'll…I'll bring you back something from Ellesméra."

Lexia smiled. "You don't have to."

"I want to. You should always return a good deed." Pausing for a second, Súndavar gathered his courage. He wrapped his arms around her gently.

She returned the hug, squeezing him tightly around the waist. Súndavar brought her into his arms, feeling the gentle press of her body and sighing.

Suddenly, the young Rider jerked away. Rune…

"Are you alright?"

Nodding, Súndavar swallowed. "I'm fine. I just…I have to go."

Lexia nodded. "I probably won't see you again before you leave. Goodbye and good luck."

Súndavar smiled. "Yes. You too."

He turned away, starting down the hall, towards his bedroom. He had to stop himself from running away.

Why did he feel like this?

Why?

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

That night, Súndavar dreamed. He dreamed of a girl. Who it was, he couldn't tell. Rune? Lexia? They had blended into one in his mind. Her lips were soft, her skin bare and her touch gentle. She moved as one with his body, slipping in and out and around. Writhing, sliding, liquid. Sweaty and wonderful and strange.

Whatever it was they did, it was joyous and forbidden and new.

Rune…

Lexia…

It didn't matter anymore. The feel of her was perfect. Whoever she was, it felt right.

Author's Note: From here on out, the K+ rating on this story is pending. It may change, specifically when Rune awakes. Also, some of you want Súndavar to be with Lexia and forget Rune, others want the opposite. You can vote if you want in a review, telling me who you prefer and why, but know that just because one girl gets more votes doesn't mean I'll choose her. (Grins and starts planning an evil, heartbreaking fate for poor Súndavar.) Hearts to all, Kittie