Fitz and Dutiful, knowing this is the end, try to delay the inevitable to allow Lord Golden and Nighteyes to escape. Dutiful allows the Cat/Peladine to approach him and the Cat launches herself at Fitz, asking for death. With sacrifice comes a fight where they're saved by Old Blood elders and Laurel's return. The day saved, everyone ignores FitzChivalry and his bond partner Nighteyes as they rest together for a final time. The hunt awaits. 

Through our tears, we're reading Fool's Errand by Robin Hobb, book 1 of the Tawny Man Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.