She feels nothing for you.

Oromis's words rang in Súndavar's heart, like a flitting ghost. He hugged his knees to his chest, rocking himself slowly.

You hold no place in her heart.

Súndavar felt despair clinging at him. If Oromis's words were true, what was the use of living? What was the point of continuing on? Without Rune, life was empty.

He had tried to find her, but had been unable to. She could have been anywhere in Ellesméra, and he still got lost every time he ventured through the city without a guide.

His head hurt terribly, reminiscent from the night before. Slate still slept in the Grand Chamber, twitching and murmuring things about kegs of mead on the wall. Súndavar was glad the dragon wasn't here. He didn't want to be disturbed. He would rather drown in his sorrow.

Dinnertime rolled around, but Súndavar didn't go. He wasn't hungry.

Instinctively, he felt for the snake charm at his neck, then remembered it wasn't there. It had been his gift to Rune. He had planned on giving it to her personally, but that wouldn't work now. It would be added to the jumble, the same as all the other presents she had been given.

She probably wouldn't even notice.

Súndavar groped for his dagger. He wanted release. Wanted to forget, to lose himself and his problems and his conscious thought.

If wasn't in its usual place, under his pillow.

Instead, he laid down on his bed.

Sleep would not come.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Slate felt like his head was being run through with thousands of swords, still red hot from the forge. He let out a bellow of pain and rage.

There was a comforting hand on his snout.

Slate, I'm here.

He couldn't tell who it was. Not Súndavar.

It hurts, he complained to the unknown person.

I know. I wish there was something I could do. But there isn't.

The hands massaged his snout gently. Beside him, he felt Saphira shift position. Her pain sparked in his head, adding to his own. He tried to block her out, but it was beyond him in his current state.

It'll get better, said the voice.

Slate recognized it now. Rune. Head hurts, he protested again.

Shhhh, now. It's going to be okay.

What happened to my head? Did I die?

No. You just drank too much, that's all. You passed out.

What about Saphira?

Same thing, Rune responded softly. She rubbed his forehead, between his eyes. Hush, now. It'll be okay. Elves are fetching you water. It will help.

Slate began to purr, giving Rune a lick. Her surprise tingled in his head, but she didn't stop rubbing. What are you, she teased, a cat or a dragon?

He didn't respond, continuing his purring.

He lapped at the water that was brought to him, and almost immediately his headache quelled. He sighed in relief. What of Shadow?

I haven't seen him. He talked to Oromis earlier. From Rune's tone, Slate could tell that nothing Oromis had said was good.

He is in his room, then, Slate said sadly. And we both know that could only mean one thing.

Not this time, Rune answered. I took his dagger.

All the same. Will you check on him? My head is fine.

He'll only hit me, Rune carped.

He has hit you?

Yes.

I shall have to talk to him.

No, it's fine. He apologized. I shouldn't have even brought it up. I'll go talk to him.

She hurried away towards Súndavar's tree, but not before grabbing a tray of food. He hadn't come to supper.

The boy was laying on his bed, staring at the ceiling with glassy eyes. He didn't look up when she came in.

"Go away."

"Súndavar, I heard what Oromis told you. It isn't true."

"Might as well be. You reject me over and over."

Rune sat down next to him. "I reject your advances to become my lover. I want you as a friend."

"I want more."

"I know. But can't you be happy without it?"

He didn't answer.

"Súndavar, I miss you. Why won't you come back?"

"Just leave, okay?"

"I brought you food."

"I don't want it. I'm not hungry."

Rune touched his scar. "When I first met you, I remember feeling like I had known you before," she said. "I didn't give it much credit then. But now I know."

"Know what?"

"The man? The one your father went to see? That was Galbatorix. Your father was Ieran, wasn't he?"

"No. He was my sire. Not my father."

"Very well. Ieran the Shade. I remember him. He worked for my father. He and Durza never got along. Durza scorned him because he had you."

"If you're trying to make me feel better, you aren't doing a very good job."

Rune paused. "I was the girl, Súndavar. The one who held your hand. My father hit me that day. Because of you."

"You're telling me this why?"

"Because I'm sick of taking the blows for you. I'm sick of picking up your slack. I can't solve your problems, Súndavar. That's your job."

"What if I don't want them solved?"

"Then you're more troubled than I thought."

He turned over. "I'm sick of it too, Rune. You keep sending me mixed messages. One moment you're kissing me, the next—"

"That isn't fair. I was drunk."

"Just make up your mind. Either you love me or you hate me."

"Life isn't like that. Can't there be a middle ground?"

"No."

There were tears in her eyes. "Then…I…"

Súndavar knew what she was going to say. He didn't want her to say it. "Just get out, okay?" he screamed. "I don't want you here! You're just another stupid girl, and I hate you!"

She took a step backwards, away from him. He followed. "I hate you, Rune! You're just a good-for-nothing bitch! I don't need you, or anybody."

The tears streaked down her cheeks now. She stepped away, through the door. She peeked around it. "I took your dagger," she whispered, before shutting it.

Súndavar let out another shriek of fury. He grabbed the mirror off his desk and threw it against the wall. It shattered into a thousand sharp pieces.

Just like his life.

It was Rune's fault. She shouldn't have stuck up for him that day, at the slave market in Melian. She should have just continued on her way like a good little princess, ignoring him entirely. Everything was her fault.

And now he was without a dagger. He couldn't lose himself.

His eyes fell on the shattered mirror.

Then again…

Relief came quickly.

oooooooooooooooooooooooo

Rune sat in the tree, rocking herself forlornly. She hummed that lullaby to herself, the age old dragonsong that flitted in her heart, but could find no comfort in it. It seemed hollow, empty.

The sun was beginning to set. She had stayed up here since her fight with Súndavar, last night. She had cried at first, but after a few hours her tears had stopped, leaving only sorrow.

He didn't understand. She had tried her best, but she wasn't a hero. She was a half-blooded girl who had her own feelings to deal with, on top of his. She couldn't do everything.

She had been so close to saying it. So close to giving in, to letting him have everything he wanted. All it would have taken was a few simple words. I love you.

But she didn't. If she had said that, she knew what would have happened. She would lose her soul, her virtue, her respect for herself. Súndavar would be happy, but she would not.

That was too much to give. He was her friend. She loved Eragon.

Or…did she?

By now, Rune wasn't sure. The two men were so drastically different, like night and day. There was no comparison between them, not even in her feelings. She felt lost, drowned, smothered.

Rune let her thoughts fade, trying to find comfort in the emptiness. Her essence expanded, so she was no longer Rune. She became a part of everything around, a part of the trees and the ground and the sky.

She felt them there. Two forms, familiar and yet strange and new.

Rune opened her eyes, drawing back into herself. She couldn't see them. She knew what they were…but she couldn't put a finger on it.

Then she saw them on the horizon.

They were flying low over the trees. Powerful wings beating. Scales glimmering in the sun's final light. One the color of night, the other of blood.

She stood stark still as they came closer, then scurried down the tree.

They landed a few feet away. How they had known she was there, she knew not.

A smile showed in Shruikan's eyes.

Hello, little devil. We meet again.