Epilogue

Nightal 24 1372 DR Year of Wild Magic

Sitting in the banquet hall, Drizzt and Aliyah were still marveling over their new baby son Petyr Zaknafein Montolio DoUrden. Two tables away, Shadimir glanced at the infant cradled in the arms of his sister-in law.. He was a tiny half-drow with dark skin. His eyes were the same lavender color as his fathers and the thin layer of hair on his head was brass colored, the same shade of color as his mother's scales when she is in dragon form.

Stephanie, who was serving dinner to the children, smiled as she wrapped an arm around her husband. "He has that smile," she commented, looking over at the proud drow father," the one where his baby is the most amazing thing in the world."

"A smile I know too well," the undead hunter said as he watched Drizzt gently take Petyr from his mother and began rocking him to sleep.

After the children were served, everyone else helped themselves to the giant assortment of foods, drinks, and desserts. Minerva and Ronald shared stories of past Yuletide with Queen Filfaeril while Sawyer and Pikel Bouldershoulder displayed their druidic abilities for one another Wulfgar and Catti-brie were resting in the corner, next to a chess table where Bruenor and Jepetto were battling one another, with Ivan waiting to play the victor. Regis Rumblebelly ate merrily, amusing the children with stories from his days in the Ten-Towns.

Then Alustriel arrived in the banquet hall with a bearded many wearing a long red coat and a pointy hat. "Is that Nicolas the Gift-Giver?" asked the deep gnome as his rook put Bruenor's king in check.

Shadimir and Stephanie were about to answer that question for the svirfneblin, but then Jacen and Andreya ran out of their seats and shouted," Granpa."

Elminster of Shadowdale laughed as the twins ran over to him. With a sweep of his arms, he gave his grandchildren a mighty bear hug, then looked over at Shadimir and Stephanie and said," I apologize for coming uninvited, but I just couldn't wait to see my new grandson."

After the twins let go, the Sage of Shadowdale walked over to Aliyah and Drizzt, smiling as he heard Petyr's soft cries. "He is adorable," the archmage whispered to his daughter. His turned his attention over to Drizzt. "Words of your deeds have reached these old man's ears Drizzt DoUrden. I am very honored to meet you."

A moment of silence filled the room as the drow's face turned a shade of red. "With that being said," continued the mage," if ye break my Aliyah's heart, then I will make ye wish ye were never born."

Drizzt DoUrden slowly nodded his head as the mage's words began to sink in. Elminster smiled once more as he walked over and sat with Filfaeril and the Kythorns.

Seeing the worried expression on her lover's face, Aliyah patted his arm. "Don't worry love, if you think that was bad, then you should have heard what he told Shadimir at the wedding."

Jepetto and Shadimir stood outside, staring at the late night sky. "The children are in their beds," commented the svirfneblin," and I should eventually head there myself."

"I know what you mean," said the hunter," although I'm not sure how much sleep we'll be getting with both Azoun and Petyr. If he's anything like Jacen and Andreya, Aliyah and Drizzt probably won't be getting any sleep for the next month."

The deep gnome chuckled as he continued to gaze upward. "You know Shadimir, the stars are beautiful. I sometimes wonder if there are other words out there. If there are other kinds of life." He paused for a moment and shook his head. "That must sound silly."

"Not at all Jepetto," Shadimir replied as he saw the old mage approaching them. "Are you leaving Elminster?"

The sage reached into a brown bag and pulled out a small metal rod and two night blue colored orbs. "I am, but I wanted to give you both your presents before I left. Shadimir, I trust you know what these are."

The undead hunter nodded. "They are Eyes of Selune. I've got about four of them in my study."

"Well now you have six," Elminster responded as he handed Shadimir the orbs. "Now Jepetto, this is a rod of the Bahiir, a devise which can absorb a massive amount of magical energy. Why ye could point it at Manshoon himself, or at least one of his clones and absorb much of his magical power. Use it wisely."

The deep gnome smiled as he took the rod and stared at it. "Thank you sir, but are you giving me this because you think we'll have to fight Manshoon?"

Elminster shrugged his shoulders. "Not really. I just gave ye that devise because ye are someone who knows how to use a magical devise properly. Oh and keep in mind of what you said about life in other worlds. Ye may be on to something."

With a bow, the old mage turned his back to then and vanished. "What do you think he meant by that?" Jepetto asked, staring at the spot where the mage had just dissapeered.

Shadimir shrugged as he looked at both Eyes of Selune while his friend went back inside the palace. Though he did not see a vision of the white city Selunarra, he could certainly feel the strong magical energy coming from within them.

Shadimir gazed up once more and saw what he thought to be several falling stars shooting through the winter sky. "Maybe he is on to something."

For anyone and everyone, Happy Holidays