Shay stared at the thing on the bed in horror. She bit her lip nervously, feeling her stomach tense up. She chewed on a fingernail, unsure what to do. She could just ignore it…

"Shay are you—"

Rune's voice broke off, as Shay turned to face the girl.

"Shay, you haven't even started getting ready."

Shay shook her head, unable to speak. She had never before thought of Rune was pretty, she was just…well, she was Rune.

But it wasn't Rune that stood before her now. The woman who Shay saw now was so different from the girl she was used to. Her skin was paler than usual, her eyes a more vibrant green. When she blinked, it was slowly, elegantly. This new Rune was regal and poised. A princess. The Princess of Uru'baen.

Her dress wasn't complicated or expensive, but it was perfect in its simplicity. Hues of green and gold danced across her form, and the sleeves flowed loosely, slit to the elbows. It was cut low and slid off her shoulders. Her hair had been streaked with braids, but most of it flowed free.

"You look as if you've seen a ghost," Rune told her. "Am I really that scary?"

Shay pointed to the thing on the bed. Rune's eyes shifted from Shay to the object of her horror, then she laughed. "Oh, Shay…"

She moved to the bed, picking up the offending garment and holding it up in front of her. "It would look good on you. It matches your eyes."

"I don't wear dresses."

"There is no better time to start than now."

"I'll just wear my tunic," she protested, backing up a step.

"Shay, that tunic isn't even clean. Come on, I'll help you."

It took a solid twenty minutes before Rune was able to coax Shay into the gown, and another fifteen to convince her not to take it off again.

"Let me fix it," the younger girl offered, threading the lacing in the back and tightening it. She straightened the shoulders, smoothed the fabric. Finally she deemed Shay ready to see the result.

Shay looked in the mirror and blanked. That wasn't her. The figure, looking tall and nervous and frighteningly pale, couldn't have been her. Her blue eyes widened in fear.

"Rune, I can't…"

"Shut up," the princess snipped, examining her from every angle. "Tuck your hair out of your face. The gown matches your eyes, and you have to be able to see them."

Shay obeyed, albeit forlornly.

The dress was silvery-blue, the color of a motionless lake. It was backless, save for the lacing, and was so long Shay was sure she was going to trip over it.

Rune murmured something under her breath. "You're very pretty, Shay," she said finally. "Tunics don't do you justice."

"It won't matter what I look like," Shay countered. "You'll have every eye, princess."

"I know at least one pair that's going to be fixed on you," Rune told her with an impish smile.

"If you mean Vanir, I doubt it. He doesn't feel that way about me."

Rune suppressed a giggle. "If you say so."

"I do. He said so himself."

"And you believed him?" Rune shook her head, making disapproving noises. "Shay, you're hopeless."

"It's not my fault," Shay defended, knowing Rune wasn't really accusing her of anything, but feeling the need to say something. "Besides, what do you know about men?"

As soon as she asked the question, Shay saw how silly it was. Rune may have been younger than her, but she had spent the night with two – if not three – men, all Riders. She had been kissed by two of them, and had initiated a kiss with the other.

In short, Rune had every right to speak from experience on the matter of men.

Shay, on the other hand, did not.

"I've seen the looks he shoots your way when you aren't looking," Rune informed her. "I'll bet he'll be gawking when he sees you tonight."

"What if he doesn't?"

Rune thought for a moment. "Then it's his loss. Or are you looking for a bet?"

Shay shrugged. "Loser has to ask Oromis to dance?"

"Done."

oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Our guest of honor arrives," Islanzadí announced as Rune came into the Grand Chamber.

Rune would have turned red, but she forced the blush down, smiling to the elves nearest to her. She tread carefully towards Islanzadí, holding the hem of her skirt up so she didn't trip on it.

Islanzadí embraced her. "You look wonderful."

"Thank you, Lady."

Rune stared in wonder around her. The Grand Chamber had been totally transformed, all for her. Her heart swelled in gratitude. A pinkish bubble floated by her hand, and she reached out to touch it. It surprised her by not popping. Instead, it bounced off her finger, continuing its merry way through the vast room.

"The bubbles were Arya's idea," Islanzadí said. "She had them at her fifteenth year celebration too. They're spelled, so they won't pop."

Everything looked surreal. Blue fire flickered in torches, bubbles floated, and the elves talked quietly among themselves. The Grand Chamber was half outside, half sheltered. The moonlight lit the area as much as the fire did. Music spun around everything, music that wasn't quite magic, but close enough to it that it lifted Rune's spirits.

She stood on tip-toes, searching for Eragon.

The elves parted to let her pass, offering words of 'congratulations' and 'Sé mor'ranr ono finna'.

Eragon stood by the fountain, which sparkled with faelnírv. His face lit up when he saw her.

She gave him a little hug. "This is more than I ever dreamed," she said. "Every elf in Ellesméra must be here."

Eragon laughed. "You are the daughter of Lycona. They honor your birth, and the passing of the years she has lived on in you."

Rune smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "You're just repeating that."

"True enough. It's what Lifaen said."

"Lifaen?" Rune blinked, searching through Eragon's memories in her mind. "Oh, right. The elf guide."

It still made Eragon uncomfortable when he saw her remembering his past. She had asked him about some of the things – the Spine…Garrow's death…-- but he could tell she didn't need to ask. She knew already.

"Come on," she bid. "Let's go find Súndavar."

Eragon shrugged and let her drag him back into the crowd.

She found Súndavar leaning against a wall, inspecting his wrist. Her saw Eragon and hid it behind his back. "Congratulations, Rune," he murmured.

Rune shot him a glare.

You didn't.

Súndavar looked sheepish. "Cool party. My eyes keep straying to the big stack of stuff on that table. It seems everyone brought you something. Honoring Lycona, no doubt."

Rune laughed. "Half of it won't even fit into my room, I'm sure. And I won't be able to bring it all back to the Varden with me."

"Perhaps you could get more permanent chambers?" Eragon suggested. "Like Arya's."

Shrugging, Rune leaned against the wall near Súndavar. Elves had begun dancing, and the once-serene music had picked up pace.

"Hey, did anyone see Shay?" she asked. "I have a bet to settle with her."

Shay had lost miserably. Vanir's eyes hadn't left her since the moment she had entered. Rune had noticed, but Shay hadn't. Vanir always kept just out of her line of sight.

"What sort of bet?"

Rune shook her head. "A personal one. But the loser has to ask Oromis to dance."

Súndavar cracked up. "Who lost?"

"She did. Obviously. Where is Saphira?"

"She and Slate haven't arrived yet. Apparently her scales don't shine bright enough, or something of that nature. Slate wouldn't come without her."

"Ah…female vanity," Súndavar laughed, rolling his eyes.

Rune raised her eyebrows and twirled for him, showing off the way her dress hugged her body. He smiled and licked his lips. "Then again, it isn't always a bad thing." He took a step towards her, and her eyebrows shot up further, as if daring him to try something.

Resigned, Súndavar returned to leaning against the wall.

Eragon opened his mouth to say something, but in that moment, the dragons landed.

Saphira's scales shone brilliantly, and Slate looked more handsome than he ever had. He let out a bellow of joy.

The party has arrived.

His words echoed in all the elves' heads, and they laughed.

Saphira approached Rune and the Riders, a dragon grin on her face. She nuzzled Rune with her snout.

"Hello, Saphira."

Hello, little dove.

Eragon walked off, Saphira trailing him. They left Súndavar and Rune alone – whether on purpose or by accident, Rune wasn't sure.

"Dance with me?" he asked holding out a hand.

"Very well," she sighed. "But try anything and you're dead."

He kissed her quickly. "Death by your hands is better than life without."

Rune stuck her tongue out at him. "That's what I'm afraid of."

ooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Come on, Vanir," Shay begged. "It'll be hilarious!"

"I do not see how getting everyone intoxicated it going to be funny in any way," he grumbled. But Shay had made up her mind.

"It's the kind of prank I always used to play back home," she told him. "It's funny, trust me."

Vanir shook his head, but Shay was already pulling him to the faelnírv fountain. She took the bottle of rum out from under her arm, and popped the cork.

Vanir took a look at the bottle and paled. "Everwood, that's dwarf rum…"

"They make it extra strong. I've been saving a bottle for just this type of situation."

Vanir put his head in his hands. "Islanzadí is not going to like this…"

ooooooooooooooooooooooo

Rune took a sip of faelnírv and smiled. "It tastes good," she told Súndavar at her side. "Like rain and moonlight would taste."

Súndavar laughed and took his own glass from the bubbling fountain. If he had been less aware of Rune and more aware of his surroundings, he may have noticed Shay watching him with hawk eyes, a laugh on her face. But his gaze never strayed from her.

Rune raised her glance in a little toast, then took another swallow. Her head buzzed pleasantly.

"Let's dance some more," she suggested, pulling him after her. Súndavar discarded his cup and followed willingly.

She felt Súndavar's body pressing close, moving against hers in rhythm. Her hand caught his wrist and she squeezed.

Did you?

Súndavar was going to protest, deny it, but from the way she was stiff against him, she already knew the answer.

Yes.

I told you not to, shadow boy. Why?

I try not to. But it feels good.

Rune sighed, leaning into his arms in fatigue. He tightened his grip on her, and for a moment Rune had to admit she felt good. She backed off a step.

The music slowed. Couples began to pair off, going into a type of slow-dance Rune had never seen before. She saw the hope in Súndavar's eyes and shook her head. "No."

He stared at her with eyes like a pleading puppy's. Rune felt herself caving, her will to resist him growing thin.

"One dance," she muttered. "One."

He nodded, smiling in triumph.

It was the longest dance Rune had ever shared with someone. Or at least – it felt that way. The world beyond his eyes and his arms and his body faded, time slowed, grinding to a halt.

He pulled her even closer, and Rune gave a little whimper of pleasure and fear. She tried to back off, but he held her tight.

"I want you, Rune," he told her softly in her ear.

She didn't respond, burying her face in his neck. Eragon… her mind tried to protest, but her body wouldn't listen.

"Don't let go," he murmured. Despite herself, Rune squeezed harder.

His hands worked up her body, from her hips, to her waist, until they were wrapped around her shoulders. His lips were on hers.

Surprisingly, Rune found that she didn't mind. The strange, pleasant buzzing in her head continued.

Above them, the moon glittered.

Rune laughed, feeling free and wonderful. She felt as if she could just lift off into the sky on invisible wings.

She went to get more faelnírv for herself and Súndavar, but found she couldn't walk in a straight line. Instead she sat down on the ground, laughing all the while.

Eragon materialized from the crowd of elves. "You're drunk," he said disapprovingly, helping her to her feet.

She giggled. "Impossible. I haven't had anything to drink all night." She leaned on him and kept giggling.

Eragon raised his eyebrows. He lead her to a table set with food and poured her a drink.

Rune sipped at it and made a face. "It's water."

"Water will clear your head," Eragon told her. "Although you'll still have a headache in the morning."

"Dance with me, Shadeslayer," she begged. "Come dance!"

Eragon shook his head. "You need to sit down."

"I don't want to," she pouted. "I want you to dance with me." She pulled on his hand little a child. "Come on."

Eragon picked her up, shaking her. She looked hurt, then giggled. "Do it again!"

Eragon could respond before a resounding call echoed through his mind.

"Eighty-eight kegs of mead on the wall,

eighty-eight kegs of mead!

Take one down, pass it around

Eighty-seven kegs of mead on the wall!"

Rune laughed. "Slate and Saphira are singing!" she chortled like an insane toddler, hugging herself. She raised her voice to join in their song.

Eragon looked around in confusion. The elves were singing with them.

What's going on?

Had everyone gotten drunk?

He noticed Shay cracking up in a corner. Everyone else was laughing too, so that didn't surprise him but…Shay didn't drink. Ever. She said it muddled her mind and distracted her from her duty.

He approached her. "Shay, do you have any idea what's going on?"

She kept laughing. Vanir stood in uneasy silence.

"I put dwarf rum in the faelnírv," Shay told him between sniggers.

"Shay, are you stupid?" Eragon snapped, grabbing Rune before she could dart off.

Rune was still singing the song, and the dragons picked it up again with renewed vigor. She slipped away from him.

Eragon sighed, exasperated. Rune started dancing on a table. It took only moments for Súndavar to join her. She moved like a snake, weaving in and out and around him, never more than a few inches away.

He shot Vanir an evil glare. "You allowed this?"

"Everyone is having a good time, Shadeslayer, despite their current condition. You need not overreact."

"Me? Overreact?" Eragon dragged Rune off the table as she started unlacing her dress. "This is crazy!"

"Murtagh, quit it!" she yelped, climbing back on the table again.

Shay's eyes solemned. "I suppose it did get out of hand. Should I take her back to her room?"

"Dump some water on her," Vanir advised.

Eragon found a vase and emptied in on Rune's head. She blinked at him for a moment, then got off the table.

"What'd you do that for?" she snapped, looking at her wet dress and soggy hair.

"Shay played a joke on you," Eragon replied. "You should go to bed."

"But I haven't opened my gifts yet!"

"You can open them tomorrow," Eragon pressed, beginning to escort her out of the Grand Chamber and away from the partying elves.

He lead her to his treehome. She didn't protest. She slipped between his sheets and was asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.

Eragon knew the party would continue deep into the night. Tomorrow the elves would not be so festive, he knew. Stripping down to his loincloth, he got into bed next to Rune.

She snuggled up to him, her warmth making him tired.

I could get used to this.