I am never having children. Ever. Artemis thought while rummaging around in the saddlebags yet again, this time for something for the annoying drow to drink. His fingers finally wrapped around a small container and pulled it out. He barely gave it a second glance before giving it to Drizzt, paying more attention to the path ahead. Drizzt immediately grabbed it and took a long look at the bottle he had just been handed.

He's deliberately trying to embarrass me isn't he? I shouldn't complain though… No matter how humiliating… Drizzt sighed slightly and swallowing his pride, started drinking from the bottle.

I guess it's not too bad… He thought relaxing slightly and leaning against Artemis, his eyelids starting to droop. Drizzt struggled to remain awake but to no avail and quickly fell asleep, proceeding to cuddle up as close to Artemis as possible in his unconscious state. Artemis ignored him, grateful at least that he would not have to worry about him for now.

It was around late morning, just before noon, when the trio stopped for lunch. But if it was up to Artemis Entreri, they would have not stopped for at least another hour, except the whining of a tiny drow ranger that had woken up in a cranky mood sitting in front of him made him think it would be a nice respite. He dismounted then helped Drizzt down, setting him on the ground away from the horses and near a tree stump. Jarlaxle started a fire and began cooking while Artemis tied the horses to a nearby tree, leaving Drizzt to find something to do. He felt awkward, he did not know what he was supposed to be doing. If he was a regular prisoner he would be finding a way to escape, but he did not feel like a prisoner really. He was not tied up or gagged or had a sword to his neck or arrows aimed at him. He could literally just run off! But, he had a feeling that if he did run off, Entreri and Jarlaxle would either easily catch him, or just let him go. I would be free, but I'd be alone… I don't want to be alone… That thought terrified Drizzt. But… Why am I suddenly afraid to be alone? He held his head in his hands, his thoughts were starting to give him a serious headache. It's never really bothered me before! Why now!? He climbed up on the tree stump and continued his inner dialogue while Jarlaxle kept an eye on him so Artemis could scout for any enemies nearby.

"What are you doing over there?" Jarlaxle asked Drizzt after several moments of silence. Drizzt looked up at him and shrugged, seeming to have a sort of confused expression but it quickly turned to a look of curiosity.

"What kind of food are you making?" He got up off the stump and walked over to Jarlaxle, only stumbling a couple of times.

Jarlaxle chuckled, "Is that the only thing you can think of? Not 'where is Entreri' or 'when will we get to our destination' or even something like 'I want my friends'?" Drizzt blushed at his questions and blushed even more when his stomach growled loudly causing Jarlaxle to just smile and shake his bald head.

"I guess it's only natural to not worry about those things right now," Jarlaxle added a few spices to the cooking pot before continuing. "I'm making a stew if you really want to know."

Drizzt nodded and sat down on the ground next to where Jarlaxle stood and watched him cook. A few minutes later, Artemis returned to see Drizzt standing on his tip toes doing his best to stir the stew with Jarlaxle's help who had an amused expression.

"Is it almost done?" Drizzt asked, completely focused on his task of stirring and not noticing Artemis yet.

"Yes it is, go get bowls out of that pack over there," Jarlaxle pointed to a pack a small ways away. Drizzt handed the spoon to Jarlaxle before running off to the packs, while Jarlaxle just watched.

"He's like a little servant except next to useless…" He said to Artemis, who in turn rolled his eyes and watched Drizzt run back over carrying three bowls and spoons. But about two steps away he tripped and fell on his face. Artemis sighed and went over to him, then stood him up and brushed him off while Jarlaxle picked up the fallen bowls.

"Be more careful brat," Artemis said somewhat harshly. Drizzt only nodded in response and rubbed his eyes. Artemis then picked him up and set him on a log, filled up a bowl full of stew and began feeding him.

"I don't need you to feed me," Drizzt said between bites. Artemis rolled his eyes, "You already get food all over yourself even with me feeding you," he said matter-of-factly, causing Drizzt to pout.

After lunch, Drizzt was in a much better mood but not Artemis. Especially when Drizzt discovered a new game to play while he was trying to eat his food. It involved him running around with a little stick in each hand and pretending to fight enemies with them, sometimes even faking a dramatic death when the 'enemies' overpowered him. He was in the midst in one of said death scenes about twenty minutes after he began playing.

"Noooo! I have to go on! I have to save the village!" He collapsed holding up one of his 'swords' trying to defend himself from whatever he had imagined. Suddenly his lavender eyes lit up with an idea. He got up and went over to Jarlaxle, thinking that with the look Entreri was giving him he would have a better chance of getting what he wanted from Jarlaxle.

"What do you want?" Jarlaxle asked him. Suddenly feeling shy and a little nervous, Drizzt lowered his gaze to the ground.

"Um… Well… You said you gathered up all my stuff yesterday and I want Gu- Guenh-" Drizzt struggled to pronounce his feline friend's name but Jarlaxle got the gist of what he wanted but before he could speak, Artemis spoke up.

"No you can't have it brat." He said in quite obvious annoyance. Drizzt looked up at him and glared slightly with tears in his eyes.

"Why not? She's my friend!" Drizzt yelled at him. Jarlaxle patted his shoulder.

"Don't worry you can have her back as soon as this is all over," he tried to say in a soothing tone but it only seemed to make Drizzt more upset. He clenched his tiny fists and looked back at the ground. Calm down, it's not the end of the world… He told himself in his mind, but his emotions were so much stronger than before and he was just barely able to control himself.

"Just don't lose her…Or summon her without my perm- permiss-, without asking me." Drizzt said to Jarlaxle who was most likely the one who had the figurine.

"I swear I won't," he said with a smile that certainly did not reassure Drizzt. He just sighed and nodded, then went back over to the stump from earlier to sit and wait for them. I miss Catti-brie… He thought sadly. As he was sitting there, the wind started to pick up, bringing with it some snowflakes. Drizzt shivered as it pierced right through all his heavy clothing, so he wrapped his arms around his body to try to keep warm. After only a couple minutes though, his teeth started chattering and he felt like he was going to freeze, especially the tips of ears! He slowly climbed off the stump and quickly made his way over to Artemis who was cleaning up their temporary campsite. Artemis did not notice Drizzt until he felt a small hand tug on his pant leg. He turned around to see what he could possibly need this time. If he tells me he's bored again I swear- His thoughts were interrupted by the sight before him. Drizzt was standing there shivering so bad he looked like he could fall over at any second, his cheeks and ears were both as red as they could be from the stinging cold. Drizzt started trying to speak, but Artemis could not understand a word due to his chattering teeth. Artemis grabbed a blanket quickly and wrapped Drizzt up before picking him up and holding him close enough to be slightly hidden in his cloak.

"Stupid drow…" He mumbled as he carried Drizzt back to his horse and prepared to leave.