Just finished a book and found the name Opheila in there. Coincidence, or did Paolini borrow the name? anyway, I'm sorry this took so long to get up, I just couldn't get it right. It's till not perfect, but it's the best I could do.

Lily screamed as Miko landed will a dull thud and lay unmoving on the hard ground. Rose tore up, and was off Dakarai examining Miko before Lily stopped screaming. Rose knelt on the floor and felt his pulse. It was strong and steady. Lily came up behind her.

"Look, I don't think that's necessary. It's not like a broken arm would kill him."

"I know. I was worried he had broken his neck or back. That would have killed him."

Lily went white. Rose told her to go and get Jupiter. Lily went to do so. As Rose was ripping up his shirt and binding Miko's arm tightly, Lily ran up to her, sobbing.

"Jupiter's going to die! He's going to die! And it's all my fault because I wanted to learn to ride like you. Why does he have to die?"

"Who says anything about Jupiter dieing?"

"But he's broken his front leg, like Miko. And horses with broken legs don't ever get up again."

Rose told her to watch Miko in case he woke up. She walked over to where the magnificent bay was lying sprawled on his side, his breathing wild and desperate.

"You're not dieing today, gorgeous."

Rose sat beside him and calmed him with difficulty. Once his breathing was less intense she felt his foreleg gently. It wasn't a clean snap, like Miko's arm, it was a fracture – easily treated. Usually. Rose's thoughts fought her as she began to bind up his leg. She was as concerned about the horse as she was about Miko. When the damaged limb was encased in cloth she had the horse climb to his feet, where he remained, standing on three legs. Lily ran over.

"He's not awake, but we should get him back – oh, Jupiter's not dead! You are amazing Rose! Where did you learn to do that?"

"I've always been able to, my Nanny taught me to. I've never done anything like that before though, I wasn't allowed to."

"You're a natural! Well, I expect both Miko and Jupiter are thankful for it."

"Yes. But why couldn't it have come sooner? Then I could have saved Tom and Draka, maybe even my horse."

"What was your horse called?"

"She was called Ephemeral, because she was a beautiful grey, and moved so softly you could hardly hear her. Oh god, I miss them all so much."

Lily watched as Rose brushed away the tears forming in her eyes. She gaped as Miko raised himself with his good arm and addressed them.

"I thought you said you weren't going to cry any more?"

Lily almost knocked him out again as she flew to him and hugged him. He looked scornful.

"You didn't think I'd die did you?"

Rose dried her face. Lily looked at her and whispered to Miko. He whispered something back. They looked at each other and nodded. Rose caught all three horses. Lily and Miko looked up at her.

"Miko, you can ride Dakarai, he has a lovely smooth stride and he won't jog you. Lily ride Persia. I will lead Jupiter."

Lily accepted and helped Miko into the saddle. He blanched as the horse shifted and he hit his arm on his side.

"Maybe we should have brought saddles."

"Maybe."

As the other two set off Rose watched Lily with amusement, who was fussing around like an old mother hen. She saw Miko shout something angry at Lily, who hung her head.

Rose walked quietly, the big horse beside her limping along in a cavalier way, his foreleg dangling above the ground.

"You big fool horse, you just had to go and break your leg. You're lucky, they'd have killed you if I hadn't been around."

He nudged her in the back and she turned. His eyes were clouded over with pain, and he was trembling.

"We ought to change your name to Wimpier."

They finally reached the yard, Rose half carrying Jupiter.

"Bloody heavy horse, he nearly killed me. How's the invalid?"

"In bed. How's Jupiter?"

"In need of a diet."

Lily laughed and took the horses reins, leading him into his stable. Three heads looked over their doors at him, quite unconcerned. Lily laughed again.

"It's okay, he won't DIE or anything."

They all just ignored her. Lily began to heave the hay bales around the pad the walls so Jupiter wouldn't knock his leg against them. She left them to go back into the house. Her mother was boiling something on the fire, Miko was asleep, she could see his bed from the kitchen. Rose was nowhere to be seen.