-1Kami knows the reason why I'm staring up another fanfic…I know I don't need one, but I'm going to anyway. I enjoy being pushed to my limits in an awful attempt to try and update all of them even though I know it'll be a long before I can ever make that happen, I'm taking a shot at it anyway. That's the only way I'll ever be able to become a great writer anyway isn't it? Glad we're on the same line of agreement than.
Warnings: This is going to be shonen ai, for those of you who do not know what shonen ai is, that means it's a male on male relationship. In other words, I'm going to write a gay story line here. If you don't like it, than please don't read. I've had enough people who constantly decide they want to flame me just because they're closed minded bigots. I hope you understand, because if you don't, I will report you to for harassment.
Notes: (X) Is Pov switch, or a jump in time.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, besides the original characters that I put into this story. Drizzt and the others from the Forgotten realm books do not belong to me, they belong to R.A. Salvatore (one of the best writers in the entire world) And wizard coast (Thank you for dungeons and dragons! Especially neverwinter nights!) The poem that Drizzt is mentioning in the beginning is Acquainted with the night by Robert frost, I don't own that either.
Chapter, 1: Becoming a Shadow
As I sit here, wondering about the strange times that have passed me by these past few moon cycles I have been bothered be an ever-growing question. That being said the question in mind is do my friends truly care for me. I know they want me around, Bruenor and the others have made that quite clear. Still, I cannot help, but wonder if there is some other reason that they have been so determined to keep me at Mithrall hall as of late.
I do not mean to doubt my friends, yet after speaking with Catti-brie I find myself more and more walking towards the path of that doubt. She told me that I was just uneasy from having been kept so long in the tunnels, and I admit, that could be it.
The feeling however in my gut tells me it is by far something more. A feeling, a longing not only for the road of adventure, but also for something else that I have yet to grasp within myself.
While thinking about this I happened upon a bard who was headed back to Silverymoon. When he saw me he smiled and asked me to walk out with him. I became quite curious and did follow him out into the fresh air where we were alone and then took notice that his smile had faded from his face. He asked me if I knew why he had brought me out here. I replied I didn't for I did not even know the man.
He sighed and than pulled out a parchment from his bag and handed it to me to read. And so I read it:
"I have been once acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain --and back in rain.
I have out walked the farthest city light.
I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.
I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,
But not to call me back or say good-bye;
And further still at an unearthly height
One luminary clock against the sky
Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right
I have been one acquainted with the night.
Upon asking the bard what this was about, he pointed to me a sad smile on his face, and after taking the song back bowed slightly and began to leave. He did not tell me who wrote the song nor why it was written, but the message seemed clear to me. Those who I left behind did not want me back and I have come to realize all too late, that I have become blinded now in wishing for their friendship. However…even if this is all a mistake and I am just trying to avoid my fate. I hope that someday I can find a true friend who will call me back when I leave.
Drizzt Do'Urden
"Wouldn't Artemis love to see me this way," Drizzt said sighing a bit and looking around the room within the confined tunnels of Mithrall hall. He was lying on his bed gently fingering the onyx statue of his greatest and dearest friend, Guenhwyvar. If it hadn't been for her, he may have once again lost himself to the hunter.
'Magga carmma elf! How you survived out here alone, I'll never know!'
That brought a smile to his face. He missed his old friend Belwar deeply he knew. And in a way, he reminded him of Bruenor, though he wouldn't even begin to compare them...well maybe one way...
"Bah! Ye blasted elf," Drizzt's door flew open at the sound of the outburst, Guen running in quickly and jumping onto the Drow's bed while Bruenor followed his axe raised high above his head. "Keep yer durned cat out of the forges! Me kin keep getting lazy and pettin' it instead of doin their jobs!"
Guenhwyvar of course lay down directly next to Drizzt so if the dwarf king wanted to hit her, he'd have to take Drizzt with, which with or without Drizzt, there they all knew the Dwarf wouldn't do it.
"Good Guen. Our master plan to take over Mithrall Hall and then the world has started off wonderfully," the ranger snickered stroking the panther's fine muscled neck. "Now, let us take out the king before he runs to tell his soldiers." With that said Guenhwyvar got up and jumped on top of the would be dwarf turned pillow and laid down giving a loud yawn.
"STUPID ELF! The minute I get up I'll be eatin yer cat!"
In response to Bruenor's words Guen rolled over so she was completely lying on the dwarf so he had no chance of getting up any time soon less the panther decided other wise.
"Hmm...Keep him there Guen. I must find the king's closet friends and be done with them; less all our hard work will be for nothing!"
With that, said Drizzt grinned evilly at the pinned Dwarf making Bruenor think for a moment maybe Drizzt did betray them, but the Drow winked at him as he walked out of the room leaving the two to do battle by themselves.
"What is all the noise," Regis asked as Drizzt made his way down the hall tunnel towards him, both walking together as the halfling caught up.
"Oh Guen and I have decided on taking over Mithrall Hall so we can sit around and play hide and seek for a few centuries."
Regis stared at his friend a few minutes and then started laughing loudly as he heard from down the hall:
"THAT'S RIGHT! I'LL BE MAKIN MESELF A COAT WITH YER FUR AND A NECKLACE OF YER CLAWS AND TEETH!"
"Oh they do get along so well," Regis snickered as he followed his companion into the dining hall.
"I should hope so, he's going to be her prisoner for awhile," they both started laughing at this bringing more than a few stares from the people within the dinning hall including those of Wulfgar, Catti-brie, and Delly.
"What do ye me, "He's goin to be her prisoner for o'while," Catti-brie asked her eyes slightly narrowed.
"Bah! you durned elf!!"
Everyone turned to face Bruenor as he walked in, hands on his hips glaring. The hall went silent as they saw their king red in the face suddenly go down hard as Guen ran past him, tripping him, and over to Drizzt. Laughter ensured and playing into the moment Drizzt jumped onto the nearest table and grinned evilly at them all.
"I declare Mithrall Hall mine and Guenhwyvar's! Bow to your new queen," the ranger said loud enough for all to hear and Regis taking the cue fell to his knees in front of the panther and started groveling. This brought another uproar of laughter from every dwarf in the room save for Bruenor who looked like he was going to take off the Drow's head with his axe.
Bruenor finally got himself collected as the laughter began to die down or at least until Guenhwyvar brought her paw up and placed it on Regis' shoulder growling. The little Halfling who was quite enjoying this and not wanting to see an end to their joke just yet jumped to his feet and quickly got onto the table next to Drizzt.
"I've been knighted! I am the queen's personal knight," he shouted and any chance Bruenor had of taking back control of the situation was thrown out the door.
He let out a deep sigh shaking his head and sat down next to Catti-brie and the others. She seemed to be the only one not laughing.
"What do ye thinks got'in into him," she asked her adoptive father as she watched Drizzt lift Regis into the air and cry out with the other dwarves ,"Queens knight, Queen's knight."
"I've no idea what's up with the elf or rumblebelly," Bruenor answered honestly and nearly choked on the ale he was drinking when he saw Drizzt holding up Colson.
"The princess!"
More cheers went up only to turn into more laughter.
"Guess the easiest thing to say would be the elf's lost his mind."
Catti-brie nodded not able to hold back a smile when Drizzt put his arm around Delly saying she was the court entertainer and Wulfgar had moved in to pull her away from the Drow. Maybe he had gone insane.
(X)
Drizzt stared silently at the stars outside of the Dwarven complex on his back content. He had returned Guenhwyvar back to the astral plane awhile ago after the claim for Mithrall Hall had gotten out of control and Bruenor had thrown an axe having it lodged into the wall inches from Drizzt's head.
The ranger decided it was game over and ran off quickly dismissing his cat and helping Regis escape back to his room. He'd gone straight outside afterwards and eventually after figuring he was far enough from the opening of the tunnels and could easily hide before anyone caught him had laid down.
It should have been a peaceful rest, but he couldn't bring himself to relax. He had wanted Catti-brie to join in the fun, but when he'd turned to get her, he had noticed the look of disapproval on her face and grabbed Colson instead. He wondered more then once why Catti-brie had been so against the joke, everyone else was enjoying it.
Even Bruenor had started laughing until Guen had stolen his mug of ale and that's when he threw the axe at Drizzt's head.
"I'm sure Guenhwyvar had learned her lesson of stealing Ale from a dwarf," he mused to himself a smile crossing his dark features.
As the night grew though no one came to follow him and he decided now was as good as time as any to go for an annual visit to Silverymoon. At least his life wouldn't be at forfeit by his friends. Snickering he got up and headed down the mountainside choosing his own path as he went along.
(X)
"I don't want to do this," Artemis growled glaring at his partner.
"Hmm...To bad. Besides what do you have to lose," he asked. Without hearing another complaint, Jarlaxle shoved the assassin through the town gates, the guards there giving them a few curious looks. The assassin kept on growling, as he was shoved in. "Just why are you so stubborn in going in?"
"Because I don--"
"It's to close to Drizzt's home isn't it," he asked quietly. The question caught Artemis off guard and he froze staring at the bald Drow standing next to him. Before he could completely gather his wits, he was shoved into the town. "Remember, Drizzt is..." Jarlaxle's voice trailed off as Drizzt walked across the entrance into the city and than stopped staring at them.
"J---"
Jarlaxle shook his head quickly hushing him and shoved Artemis to the side putting a globe of darkness around the assassin and then using one of his many charms to paralyze him.
"Don't! He still believes--"
"So this is what you've been keeping from me," Artemis growled and Jarlaxle froze turning to face his friend.
"How did you get out?"
"You grabbed the wrong guy."
Sure enough when the Drow let his spells drop a poor old man, a scholar by the looks of it stood there shaking and scared.
"Well that could of went better," the exdrow mercenary leader sighed and wasn't to sure as to what to do now.
"Well...you're not going to chase me right," Drizzt, asked his eyes falling on the slightly aged Artemis. As weird as it seemed, it hurt him to see Artemis get older even if that meant more good for the over all people.
"Why in the world would I..." Artemis voice trailed off as he saw images flash through his mind. They were of Drizzt, him fighting alone in what could only have been the underdark. Then he was watching Drizzt go against a surface elf that seemed to match him until they both struck killing blows on each other and the light faded from the other's eyes. Then he was watching Shallows fall to the thousands of orcs and then Drizzt was out there creating slaughter after slaughter of the orcs. The images ended and he stared at the ranger completely unsure of how to react. "No," he finally said glaring. "I have better things to do." With that said, he walked out.
"What's wrong with him?"
Jarlaxle turned around and studied Drizzt for a moment. He had been the one who casted the spell, however. That had been the last thing he'd expected to see.
"Perhaps it would be better to ask what has happened to you."
Drizzt's face hardened and his eyes narrowed a bit. Was it that obvious how much he'd been through lately?
"How long have you stayed cooped up within the halls?"
"Long enough," Drizzt admitted.
"We're bounty hunters now," Jarlaxle said a grin crossing his face at the look that had appeared on the ranger's. "Why don't you join us?"
"I would just get in the way."
"No, you'll see. There is a reason we're in Silverymoon. You shall see. Meet us at the main inn tomorrow night; it will be well worth your while."
Drizzt said nothing for a few minutes than nodded. Catti-brie had done nothing lately, but ignore him. He decided he needed the open road again and the freedom of the fights.
"What will Artemis think of this?"
Jarlaxle shrugged
"I don't think he'll mind as much by tomorrow, but Drizzt."
Drizzt looked at him curiously.
"Hmm?"
"Get yourself some boots..."
With that, said Jarlaxle walked off after his partner. Drizzt looked down at his feet and than remembered, his boots were back a Mithrall hall.
"Oops..."
(X)
"Drizzt?"
The assassin stared wide-eyed as Drizzt staggered into the room, barefoot, traveling cloak ripped hair tattered. He was covered in scratches and bleeding badly. Artemis quickly got to his feet running over to him.
The Drow slumped against him, a nasty wound reviling itself by the top of his chest. He muttered a curse and lowered Drizzt to the ground pulling his sword and dagger out ready to attack when need be. While waiting to be attacked, he cut some of the material from the blanket and started wrapping Drizzt's wounds. Drizzt looked up at him pitifully and then started laughing.
(X)
"Do wake up before I have to drop your dagger on you," Jarlaxle said in an amused tone, Artemis' dagger in his hand hanging over the assassin's head. Artemis growled sitting up and winced from the quick movement. He was getting to old. "Not for long," the Drow promised and Artemis nodded. That's exactly what they were here for anyway.
They both left the inn heading to the area near the library. They waited a few moments, Jarlaxle fading into the shadows so no one had any chance at noticing him. Finally, the contact walked to the designated spot and stopped.
"Money?"
"Potion?" They both nodded and exchanged the items. "You are not to leave until I make sure this works." The man nodded and Artemis took the potion gulping it down all at once.
He had nothing to lose if he was poisoned he was getting to old. When he finished taking it the effects started working instantly. He smirked crushing the potion bottle in his hand.
"Dismissed," he growled and the man ran off with his money as quick as he could.
"I take it than that it worked," Jarlaxle asked getting a nod from Artemis. They both then walked back off to the inn they'd been staying at. Finally, his biggest problem was solved! "Oh by the way, I invited the rouge to join us."
"You what," Artemis growled turning to his partner.
"I knew you'd be thrilled."
(X)
"A truce than," Drizzt asked holding his hand out to Artemis.
"A starting of a friendship," Jarlaxle corrected earning curious look from Drizzt and a glare from Artemis. "Good then. Now Drizzt you said you would like to gather your things? You do need your boots. To Mithrall hall and onward then," he cried out happily and started down the long path.
"You have your weapons, your panther, and a cloak. You could have just bought some boots," the assassin growled impatiently.
"Actually, I just bought this cloak, my boots are back there," he motioned Mithrall hall and than pointed to the sheaths at his side. "My scimitars aren't with me, and my armor is back there to," he admitted sheepishly. His two companions stared at him a bit, Artemis just shook his head as Jarlaxle kept staring.
"Do tell how a warrior that goes on a few day journey forgets his armor, his weapons...and his boots..."
"Well, I wasn't planning on going anywhere...it was a bit of a last minute thing."
"Are you having a disagreement with some of your friends," the Drow asked.
"Just taking over Mithrall Hall," Drizzt answered snickering. This gained him more stares from the two. He just kept on laughing and shrugged walking out of the gates.
Jarlaxle though took notice that Artemis was now watching Drizzt's every move. His plan was working.
TBC
Well, that was the first chapter to my fanfic; I hope everyone who reads it likes it at least. It's my first R.A. Salvatore fanfic…but I've read a lot of his books. In fact, besides his newest ones, the cleric quintet from book 2 on up, the spear wielder's tales and the entire book of the very last one for the second demon war saga, I've read all of them. I really love his writing and enjoy the way he describes fights and the character development is wonderful. I love the character Drizzt very much like I do Aydrian…he's so cool! Anyway…..I hope I haven't been to ooc though there's bound to be a bit of it given the fact this is a shonen ai fanfic. That…and for some reason I have this huge hatred towards Catti-brie….so by the end of it, I think Drizzt will be against her was well…I mean I like Lady Alustriel, and I think if Drizzt and her became a couple it would be fine…but not Catti-brie.
Sorry, I'm ranting. I hope you like this chapter and support me for writing the chapters from here on until the story is complete. Ja ne until than and have good days, times, and so on until next time!