Author's Note: Hey all. I just wanted to mention that Ieran reminds me of Ewan McGregor, and Lexia reminds me of Naminé, from Kingdom Hearts II. I think she would look like that, if she was real. But with white eyes, instead of blue. Just thought I'd say that. Kinda pointless, but hey. Oh, and this chapter is to emotikka, because I forgot earlier. I have the first record of my story being publicized by word of mouth! Go me, and go emotikka's friend for telling her about it. YAY! Hearts to all you special people, Kittie

Rune felt the flutterflies flying figure eights in her stomach as she stood quietly next to Ric. The race official was staring at her indredulously. "You're entering this horse?"

Ric nodded. Eridor was throwing himself against the walls of the stall, neighing loudly.

"And the wench is your jockey?" the man asked skeptically.

Rune's hands clenched into fists.

"Yes," Ric answered.

The man shrugged. "It's your entry fee," he said. Ric handed him the money, and the man pinned a gold unicorn to Rune's outfit. "That's how the betters will know it's you," he explained. "Not that anyone in their right mind would bet on a wild horse and its child rider."

Then he was gone.

Ric looked at Rune concernedly. "What's wrong with the horse?"

"He hates being locked up," Rune said softly, looking at Eridor. "He'll be good in the race. Trust me."

Ric shrugged. Lenori poked her head into the barn. "Rune? May I talk to you?"

Rune nodded, and Lenori gave her a look that said she clearly wanted to talk alone, away from Ric.

Rune scampered after her.

"Yes?"

Lenori looked at the ground. "I think you may find your friends today, Rune," she said.

Rune nodded. "Maybe. Why do you bring it up?"

"Because…because if you find your friends, you'll be leaving, right?"

"Yes. I have to go, Lenori."

Lenori ran her sleeve over her eyes. "I understand. I just…could I come with you?"

Rune blinked. "Lenori—"

"Before you say no, I want you to know that I'll understand either way," the girl added. "I just really want to go with you."

"Lenori, you don't mean that. If you knew who I was, you wouldn't want to."

Lenori blinked, dusting her pale blonde bangs from her eyes. "What do you mean?"

Rune sighed. "Lenori, have you noticed…er…Erik, right? His name isn't Erik. Like my name isn't Dove."

"Then what is it?"

"It's Eragon."

Lenori's mouth fell open. Rune took her hand gently.

The shock passed in an instant. "All the more reason for me to come with you," Lenori said bravely.

Rune sighed and tucked her hair behind one pointed ear. "Lenori, you have a strong heart. But you are not strong. You have a brave spirit, but that does not make you courageous. It is better that you stay here, where you are safe."

Lenori's wide eyes begged silently.

Rune looked away. "We'll see, alright? I don't even know if we'll find my friends."

She turned away without another word, holding out her arm on an instinct. Tawnyclaw landed on it as if on que. She blinked at him.

If I hadn't held out my arm, would you have kept flying?

He cocked his head. You did. You knew. I land.

Rune shrugged. She was not in the mood to examine the connection between her and the hawk.

Eridor was still hurling himself against the stall when she got back. When she finally managed to calm him down, it was time to lead the horses onto the track.

She sighed.

"It's time, beauty," she said to him. "Make me proud."

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"We're leaving town, Súndavar."

Súndavar blinked up at Ieran with his fire-eyes. "What?"

Ieran fixed his eyes on his son. "We're leaving town."

"Our horses aren't strong enough to travel far," Súndavar pointed out.

Ieran smiled and shrugged. "We'll get new ones."

"He don't have any money."

"Who needs money when there're race horses in plenty at the track?"

Súndavar stared, open mouthed. "I don't want to steal."

"Get used to it. Besides, who knows? We may find more than horses at the race."

"What?"

Ieran grinned, tossing a small stone Súndavar's way. A golden unicorn was painted on it. "Your lady-love is racing on a feral colt. I bet on her. Pretty little thing, isn't she?"

"Rune is racing?"

"That's what I said, isn't it?"

Súndavar was already out of his chair. "Then come on! I've got to find her!"

Ieran rolled his eyes and followed.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Crack!

Eridor sprang through the gate, muscles uncoiling like springs. Rune let out a tiny shriek of surprise. Tawnyclaw screeched above her in warning.

In the rush, the Princess caught sight of a pair of eyes. Red eyes. Shade's eyes.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Súndavar saw Eridor burst through the gate. Rune squeaked. The horses' hooves pounded.

"We have to get to the stables, Shadow."

But Súndavar's eyes were locked on Rune. Her foot had slipped from the stirrup. Eridor didn't slow. He couldn't, the horse bodies were pressing too tightly against him on all sides. To stop was to be trampled.

Eridor rounded the first lap neck in neck with another horse. Rune was clutching tightly to him, but Súndavar could see her grip was slipping.

Hold on, he prayed. Hold tightly, my love.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Eridor ran. His muscles didn't ache, they didn't burn. He was beyond that. He understood what he had to do. He had to run. He had to win. The horse next to him, a big black alpha who smelled of many nights with mares and too much feed, was trying to cut him off. He couldn't let that happen. He couldn't. He had to win.

Above, the hawk cried.

Slow! She slips! Princess falls!

But Eridor didn't slow. He couldn't.

He had to win.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Tawnyclaw felt the horse ignore him. He felt the annoyance burn in his blood like fire.

Slow! He cried again, but the horse didn't hear him. Slow! Slow! Slow!

The hawk's eyes scanned the crowd.

Shay.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Shay's blue eyes were wide. Rune was slipping! Half way through the third lap, almost in the lead. The girl scrabbled to stay in the saddle. Her green eyes were wild, frightened. She screamed.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Rune felt the world slow. She felt time grind to a halt as her hands lost contact with Eridor. The horse didn't stop. His hooves beat a pattern on the gravel, pounding and blending with the others.

She hit the ground. The hooves didn't stop. Pain split her chest, and things went black.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Win.

Win.

Win.

Eridor felt the girl leave his back. He felt the weight slip away. Without her, he surged forward. His nose crossed the line first.

He had won.

But where was Rune?

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Rune couldn't see anything. She couldn't hear, or speak, or smell. Her heart pounded slowly – ever so slowly – in her chest.

Pa-boom.

Pa-boom.

Pa-boom.

Her vision was red and black, splotched like blood dappling a garment. She felt herself slipping away. Quietly, softly.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Sundavar lifted Rune in his arms. She was limp. This was the second time he had held her like this. A lifeless shell…

He pressed his nose in her hair, smelling her scent as if he was afraid to let go. His heart beat against her still one.

"Be healed," he whispered. "Be healed. Be healed. Be healed."

Her heart didn't stir.

"Heill. Heill. Ono fricai, heill."

He felt the magic leave him. He felt the strength that using magic now gave him surge into his veins.

He felt her heart.

It beat – Once….twice…three times.

Her eyes didn't open.

The blood that coated her body was thick and red, discoloring her tunic and soaking his own.

A hand was laid on his shoulder. At first he thought it was Ieran. But, glancing up, he saw it was not his father. It was Eragon. Vanir joined them, followed by Shay. Lenori stood at a distance, watching in fright. Ieran stood near her, eyes cautious and guarded.

Sundavar tightened his grip on Rune and stood up. Shay touched her hair, Vanir her cheek. Eragon grasped her hand.

"We are a family," Sundavar said in a hollow voice.

They nodded soberly.

"The time has come to kill a king."

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

The Heirs to Darkness Trilogy is over, but Rune's story continues in:

Kingdom of Hope;

Shadows Rising