Wow, so many people that have never reviewed on this story before (I wasn't expecting that many responses)... I should have done this much sooner!
I waited a little under a week or so to let everyone get their say in there.
Okay before I get to the votes:
First and foremost, I updated the last chapter. Some of the things that happened have been altered slightly, but not by much. The signal is now Guen leading them in instead of her just roaring. My 'mindset of stealth' forgot that the enemy would have ears. My times playing as a rogue on W.O.W. helped with the stealth parts of this story, but the creatures on there don't react to sound, only proximity, so I had to change a few things.
Yulandia:
You're gonna have to be a bit more specific on who 'she' is. There were many shes in the last chapter. I can't answer properly until I'm sure who we're talking about.
Tamuril2:
Umm... Lauda is actually a human. I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear, however when I refer to gender that isn't human I don't use the terms girl, boy, woman, or man. To me those are human genders not 'any race' genders. I don't know why I see it that way, but I kind of forget that others aren't psychic. So if you see those terms, more often than not, the person is human. *Turns and tackles Drizzt* Can you play with me? Please?
Voting:
Please note that those of you who requested yaoi, I'm sorry, but I'm not writing that (but you also added another option along with it so I counted that vote). I also didn't count those of you who gave me more then one option all together, it made the tallying confusing (although even if I did, the result would have been the same. Trust me I checked). I should have made this clear when I first put it up that you can only vote once and I'm only giving Drizzt a female partner if it turned out to be that way. However, I don't have to worry about that seeing as the votes are:
Alustriel: 5
Dove: 6
Lauda: 1
Catti-brie: 1
No: 7
Future: 1
I'm actually kind of relieved that it turned out this way. Sorry to those of you who wanted a relationship, but I have to agree with those of you who voted no. It is too soon (that and I am not confident on my romantic writing skills, it would probably be more fluff/sweet than actually romantic).
Still, I'm going to have to give it a shot soon anyway (just not in this story), because the real story I'm working on does have relationship possibilities.
So that's how it turned out. Here is the next chapter.
Chapter 20
Drizzt
The shrines had more than one exit, but Guen seemed to know where she was going. She would disappear down one hallway, before rushing back to take another. The pathways the panther would pick were ones that continued on ahead instead of circling back or becoming dead ends.
When the panther left, the two elves would stop to let her investigate. They would take a quick breather while forming a mental map of where they had been so far and how they will get back in order to lead the rest of the group in.
They had passed through 4 gardens (one of them they had to backtrack because of another collapsed staircase, hence why they now rely on Guenhwyvar's scouting).
They had to circle about a few of the patrols, but the guards weren't that many to begin with. Only one at a time were patrolling.
'It would seem that Guen thinned their numbers pretty well that night. Last time they were a little over 20 people, now it looks like there roughly half of them left.' Drizzt didn't worry about being out numbered, so much as the group members being out skilled.
Merek's own soldiers were mostly greenhorns themselves.
The cult members who were patrolling were armed and they had an aura about them, that didn't make the elves doubt, they knew how to use those swords. There wasn't any clumsy walking, or stumbling with the sheath like a beginner would do. No, these young men knew how to fight.
Whether or not they have seen any real battles is another thing, but they were no push overs. Drizzt could feel his blood boil at the thought of a fight, but he held it in. He was a scout, not a warrior right now, but the drow longed for a good fight.
Ever since the drow was captured he had hardly fought at all for the past week. His little spar with Gabriel(2) only wet his thirst even more. Besides that one spar, the only exercise he has had at all was walking. He desperately needed to continue his routine exercises or else his skills will rust.
They both perked up after hearing Guen return. The cat paused to look at them, before turning down the hallway she just came from. That was the elves' cue to follow. So far they hadn't been spotted, but that did not mean they could relax.
The cult was on alert for anyone to come in, they needed to find the room where Lauda was and then lead the main group to them, before it was midnight. All of the sneaking about was taking up time, and Drizzt didn't feel as if Lauda had much left.
He glanced up at the moon, it's angle showing it was about a quarter before 11:00. The drow bit his lip. They needed to pick up their pace. Drizzt disappeared down the hallway, but not before glancing at the shrine.
This one was a statue of a lush green oak with a tiny white star balanced on the top. Drizzt didn't feel that reassurance like he did before, he was almost tempted to touch the shrine. He wanted to know they would make it in time, but he refrained himself. The drow did not know who this God/Goddess was, but he/she should be left alone.
Drizzt did not believe in those of higher authority... well that isn't quite true, the drow knew they were real, but he did not believe they cared about what went on in the mortal realm. Those who did were better off not being approached; Lolth was a good example.
The dark elf turned his back on the statue, before he continued down the hallway, where Kell and Guen were waiting.
Kellindil
When they finally made it to the area where Lauda was located... Kellindil had to restrain Drizzt.
The drow already had one scimitar unsheathed while the other was half way out before Kellindil pushed it back in, "Calm yourself Drizzt!" The elf frantically whispered, "There are five! Five! Do you honestly think you can take them?"
"You do not know me as well as you think if you believe that five are too much for me." Drizzt struggled as the elf pulled him into the shadows.
"Snap out of it you stupid drow! If you do not restrain yourself this instant then you will give us away and what will become of Lauda then!" This only seemed to further enrage Drizzt, "Oh by The Lady of the Forest (1)! Guen help me already."
Kellindil asking Guenhwyvar for help was his last ditch effort to restrain the dark elf who was slowly slipping out of his grasp. The surface elf didn't actually think he would receive it, but to his surprise the panther swatted him away and then silently tackled Drizzt before the drow could get in sight of the cult members.
The elf breathed a sigh of relief at Drizzt not making too loud of a fuss over the cat's "betrayal".
Kell walked up to Drizzt and quickly unarmed the drow, before he smacked him in the face. That quickly silenced the dark elf (more out of shock then pain), "Whether you could take five of them or not is irrelevant, Drizzt. Suppose you could take them all, what's to stop them from slitting Lauda's throat while you are preoccupied with fighting?"
To Kellindil's relief the drow seemed to be calming down and finally thinking, "I understand you are angry, it also repulses me what that man is doing to her right now. However, if we went rushing in, they will kill her. Your rash actions would have caused her death. We need to stick to the plan. Guenhwyvar will go back and lead the group in, while we silently kill any interference outside of this room." Putting strain on the word silently to push his point on just how close the drow came to giving them all away.
Drizzt looked at him calmly, "And when we do have everyone here, what's to stop them from just killing her then too?"
Kellindil stared at his friend, not able to come up with a reply. He didn't have to, for Drizzt wasn't done talking, "No plan is perfectly executed, ever. There is always a need to improvise, and I think now is a time where it is needed." Before the elf could interrupt him he continued further, "Guen will still go and the guards will still be silenced, but by you alone. I will stay here and keep an eye on Lauda, in order to make sure they don't do what we all fear."
Drizzt must have seen the other about to disagree, "I won't rush in blindly. You have my word."
The two elves kept looking each other in the eye. A minute passed before Drizzt just smiled at him, "Do you really want to rush back with my heritage in plain sight? Won't that delay us even further?"
Kellindil sighed, "Very well, I will trust you to keep things here from progressing into a worse situation. I will hurry back with the others."
Drizzt nodded, "Good... Now if you would be so kind as to call off my cat?"
The elf smirked down at the drow, "Guen you heard him."
The panther almost purred as she got up and bumped herself against her friend affectionately. A twinkle of amusement could be seen in her eyes. Drizzt just swatted at her, "You big suck up."
But as Drizzt stood up, the smile vanished from both of the elves' faces. Lauda being raped was still in plain sight. They needed to hurry and accomplish their task of getting the others in here. The surface elf turned and edged out of the room, the panther shadowing him.
Drizzt
Drizzt watched them go, never turning to look at his young friend who was being tormented behind him. He had given Kellindil his word that he wouldn't rush in too early, but he didn't know how long he could keep that promise. If he looked he knew he would charge in.
Drizzt kept his back turned, but he could still hear Lauda's cries and Ansel's laughter.
His hands gradually closing into fists the more he listened.
A/N:
Yes I am ending it there. I tried to continue on, but alas, my brain seems to be hot wired to cliffhanger moments. *Giggle* So sue me.
1: For those of you who don't know that is another name for Mielikki. As well as The Supreme Ranger and Daughter of Silvanus. Just for future reference.
2: For those of you who haven't read it yet, that is referring to the one-shot Just A Friendly Spar.
Review's party is still raging on! For us adults anyway, the kids were put to bed a while ago.
If you still want to come, the pool is that way.
The video games are over here, food and drinks are behind me (sorry no alcohol).
Beds are in that direction for those of us who want to take naps *Turns and drags Drizzt off to the food area* What? I'm hungry and so is my playmate who I am borrowing. *The drow stares* … Okay, my guest is hungry and I actually stole him while he was on his way to Salvatore's, call me a thief, I'm still not letting him go!
*Salvatore comes in, looks around before spotting Drizzt, then glares at me.*
Eh he... oops?
Please excuse any or all violence that is now currently happening. Please hold...
*Crying in the corner while Drizzt leaves with Salvetore*
What brought this on you ask? Two cans of mountain dew along with a slice of cookie cake, and 6 hours of sleep, that's what!
*Twirls off towards the beds for a nap*
Hah, I wish!
*Gets ready for work*
... Is it just me or am I little cynical today?