Zaknafein slowly approached the entrance to the mines. He was almost there when he turned around to look at Jarlaxle, who smiled and encouraged him to go on. The mercenary leader could understand his friend´s hesitation, he would probably feel the same if he came back from the dead and found himself thrown into the strange new world that was called the Surface. Without a look back the Drow entered the mines, leaving Jarlaxle and Yvonnel, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, alone on the mountain.
The farther he got inside, the more confident he became. The halls were completely empty, no dwarves were seen anywhere. Zaknafein walked for a long time, then he came to a set of large double doors, where he could hear loud noises, almost too loud for his sensitive Drow ears, but he carried on nonetheless, the wish to see Drizzt again after all these years was too strong.
He pushed open one side of the doors slowly and looked inside. All inhabitants of Gauntlgrym were seated on large tables and in the middle was a big open space, where a pair of halflings, one man and one woman danced to music, having eyes only for each other. As the music stopped, they were joined by a lot of other pairs, dwarves, humans and elves. He glanced around the room, but the face he was looking for was nowhere to be seen. Disappointed, he entered the room and let the door close again. At the sound of it, the ones sitting next to the door turned around, but shrugged. The sight of Drow on the surface was nothing new anymore since they had come to peace with Menzoberranzan almost a year ago, so they just assumed it was a late wedding guest.
The city´s new leader, Yvonnel Baenre II herself, had drawn up the peace agreement and made sure that it was acknowleged by all Drow in the city, she had also established a well functioning trade, which benefitted both sides. She had excused herself for the celebration, saying that she had a more pressing matter to settle with her uncle Gromph in Luskan.
Undisturbed, Zaknafein went further into the room and then he finally spotted Drizzt´s face. He was sitting on a table at the other end of the room, with a few other Drow who laughed at something he said. It was not a sight he would ever have expected and he was looking forward to the explanation on how it had come to that. He watched his son for a while before making his way over to him and his friends. At the sight of him, Drizzt almost dropped his glass and stared at him in shock.