The sun felt warm on Hadrian's upturned face. The elf basked in the light, blatently ignore the score of elven warriors surrounding him at all times from the trees. Drizzt stood nearby, his panther companion sitting beside him. Hadrian took a few minutes to just breathe the open air and take in the scent of the forest.
They stood in silence for a long time before Hadrian finally turned to Drizzt and bowed graciously, looking like a parody of royalty in only his torn trousers.
"I must thank you, Drizzt Do'Urden," he said. "Your ability to grant wishes is incredible."
"Lord Hralien wants answers," Drizzt said.
And answers he shall have, but not right now," Hadrian said, quickly. "My final tale is for your ears only."
The elf met Drizzt's eyes and some of the emptiness melted into sadness. Drizzt wondered if Hadrian felt he would be executed after telling his last story. Drizzt almost felt pity for the elf.
The elf turned to the large panther and crouched down, holding out his hand in a silent offering of friendship. The cat padded forward and sniffed his hand curiously, ears laid cautiously back. Drizzt watched with amusement as Guenhwyvar decided that Hadrian wasn't a threat and proceeded to knock him onto his back as she came forward to be petted.
Hadrian gave a startled yelp and then laughed as Guenhwyvar's intentions were clarified. He obliged and scratched behind her ears and ruffled the fur on her great neck. Drizzt smiled as he watched her at play with the elf, who seemed to get younger as he watched. How old was Hadrian? the drow wondered. Drizzt realized at that moment that the elf had not yet reached his first century.
It was kind of sad, when Drizzt thought about it.
Hadrian returned to his prison after only an hour in the sun and at play. He assured Drizzt that the tale would take the rest of the day to tell the final part of his story. Elf and drow sat comfortably in the dim room. Guenhwyvar settled comfortably at the drow's back and yawned.
"I believe this last story will answer your questions as to who Hadrian Twilight is," the elf said.
"And why you're here," Drizzt prompted.
"Yes, after the story," the elf said, nodding. "Everything will be explained."
Hadrian settled back and closed his eyes. He took a deep breath and began.