Note: I'm back from my hiatus! Just a reminder that this and my other two stories "Companions of the Old Tales" and "The Do'Urden brothers" will be updated at a slower pace than they had been previously because I am working hard at my original novel series, but I should be able to update at least one fic every week.

Also Note: I am contemplating a fourth fic. Not sure what it will be about yet although I am leaning towards a 'marooned on a deserted island/planet/whatever' trope. I know I want the fic to have Drizzt, Legolas, Dinin, Fili, Kili, and perhaps Berg'inyon and even Entreri in it. I have been reading the Sellsword trilogy, just started the second book and I am really itching to include Entreri somewhere. So yeah, I'm not sure about the plot or setting just yet but something is definitely brewing. Let me know what sorts of stories you might like to see with the mentioned characters. I definitely think it will be another Drizzt/Ellifain Tuuserail pairing like "fathers and sons" but we shall see.

Zaknafein was in awe as he and Drizzt entered the impressive fortress that was Caras Galadhon. They'd entered Lothlorien following Haldir who led the weary travelers through his realm.

Lothlorien has a different feel than Mirkwood. As Zaknafien walked close to Drizzt, following the carriage which bore Thranduil, he inhaled deeply, soaking up the atmosphere around him. Legolas walked with Haldir a few paces ahead, eager to get the much needed care for his father.

In Lothlorien, gone was the stench of decay, the humid suffocating air, and the permanent ominousness that Mirkwood gave off. Instead, the air was light and filled with the scent of oak and birch and maple. Songbirds bearing colorful plumage fluttered about the leaves and their song was alluring to say the least.

But the majestic city that was Caras Galadhon was simply breathtaking. Its massive circular walls were made of earth, a deep fosse filled with rushing water circled the impressive city as they crossed a stone bridge. The city sprawled out before them and all around them, elves moved about in high trees, across the mossy grass, or along the stoney paths that crisscrossed between the trees.

"I take back my complaints about the surface, my son," Zaknafein commented quietly to Drizzt as they were led to the center platform, climbing up winding stairs. As they did, they caught the first glimpse of Lady Galadriel. She stood atop her central platform. She was certainly the most beautiful golden haired elf that the drow had ever laid eyes upon. Not that he had encountered many elves.

"Lady Galadriel," Haldir greeted as the carriage carrying Thranduil stopped at the base of the thick mallorn tree that made up the central area. "I bring you Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood."

Legolas glanced back at the carriage as his soldiers began to carefully lift the unconscious king from his carriage and carry him forth. Then, he whirled back around to face Galadriel, bowing his head respectfully, as the elf seemed to command respect.

"Lady Galadriel," Legolas greeted. "My party and I are in your debt for any aid you can provide to the king."

"I apologize for the long perilous journey you were forced to make to reach me," Galadriel spoke as she elegantly descended the stairs to stand before Legolas. As she did, Zaknafein noticed another male elf coming forth from higher up the tree palace. "May I present Celeborn, Lord of Lothlorien."

Legolas bowed respectfully to Celeborn as the older elf regarded him, before his gaze settled upon the two drow who stood, awkwardly, off to the side.

"Lavender eyes," Celeborn murmured as he exchanged concerned glances with Galadriel before narrowing his gaze on Drizzt in particular. Zaknafien pursed his lips, muscles tensing as he resisted the protective instincts he felt as the elf scrutinized his son.

"Forgive me," Celeborn replied, blinking as he halted his advance toward the drow, taking note of the tension in both drow. "But I must know. Are you drow?"

Zaknafein and Drizzt both nodded, surprised that they had been recognized in this far away land. "Do you know of our kind?" the older drow asked.

"We know of drow elves and lavender eyes," Celaborn commented, a note of animosity in his tone. "Perhaps it would be best if the two of you come with me. Lady Galadriel must tend to the king and there are some things we should discuss in private."

Zaknafein was unnerved by the cryptic way the elf was regarding them, and he was especially unnerved by the way he seemed to stare at Drizzt, for he knew no other dark elves except his son, who had lavender eyes.

But, reluctantly, the two left Legolas and Thranduil and followed Celeborn across a wooden walkway connecting them to another tree, and into a circular room which seemed to be some sort of visiting room. It was decorated with plush chaise lounges, a desk, a table, chairs, and a shelf bearing a number of potions and parchments. There was also a bookshelf lining one side of the room bearing a large collection of old leather bound books with writing which Zaknafein assumed was elvish.

"Please sit," Celeborn insisted as he led the drow inside the room and closed the door behind them. Zaknafein hesitated, considering the possibility that Celeborn may have locked the door, but as Drizzt crossed the room to comply with the elf's demands, the older drow reluctantly did the same, settling down beside his son.

"Tell me your names," Celeborn began as he settled down in a chair beside his table.

"I am Drizzt Do'Urden," Drizzt responded before Zaknafein could urge caution. The younger dark elf relaxed his shoulders, determined to prove to Celeborn that he and his father were no threat. "And my father is Zaknafein Do'Urden."

Celeborn nodded and leaned forward. "Your presence here may complicate matters indeed. I can arrange to have you escorted away from these lands and from there, you may go where you desire. We must arrange this in haste."

Zaknafein blinked at the bluntness of the elf's demands. He wore a set, stoic face that told the drow he would entertain no arguments. But Drizzt shook his head defiantly.

"We are friends to Legolas," the younger Drow replied. "We will stay by his side."

Zaknafein was proud of his son's declaration of loyalty and realized, with a feeling of regret that he didn't feel the same towards anyone, save Drizzt. Loyalty was certainly not a heartfelt thing in Menzoberranzan and typically had to be bought.

Celeborn stared hard at Drizzt, the two locking eyes and for a moment, Zaknafein worried about the tension rising in the room. But finally, Celeborn sat back in his chair.

"Perhaps a decade ago," the elf began reluctantly. "We took in a young elf. We found her wandering the forest alone. We took her in and gave her a home. We came to learn that she had come from a far away land, how long she had traveled to reach us we cannot say, but it is safe to say it was a long journey, especially for one as young as she was at the time."

Drizzt tensed beside his father and Zaknafein glanced at him curiously. But as Celeborn continued, it began to dawn on the older drow as well, just what sort of trouble they were facing here.

"Her name is Ellifain," the elf continued, looking directly at Drizzt, a knowing, piercing look. "It took her a very long time before she was able to tell us even that much. She was the victim of a massacre in which she lost her entire village. She recalls the trauma, the bloodbath, but most of all, she recalls lavender eyes."

"By the gods," Drizzt stammered, lowering his face into his hands. Zaknafein put a hand on his son's shoulders before facing Celeborn.

"My son did not kill a single elf that day," he explained confidently. He hadn't participated in the surface raid personally, but he trusted Drizzt's account of that fateful event. "He saved this child."

"Ellifain will not be interested in your tale," Celeborn explained. "And she is no longer a child. She is a junior member in our defense guard, she is a very capable archer. But she still suffers from the trauma she endured. She is prone to moments of outbursts, hostility, and impulsiveness. She often withdraws and broods, sometimes for days in her room. She has never truly recovered and we cannot foresee what her reaction will be to your presence here."

Drizzt took a deep breath, steading himself before glancing at his father, his lavender eyes glistening with emotion. Zaknafein studied him for a moment. He knew that the elf female wasn't the only one who suffered trauma on that fateful night. Drizzt had been forever affected by the incident, not only had it cost Zaknafein his own life, it had made Drizzt an exile, but more than that, it had shown to Drizzt, for the very first time, how truly evil and cruel the followers of Lolth were, and how all his training and instruction at the academy had been a lie.

Zaknafein was proud of his son for managing to survive the brainwashing and indoctrination he was subjected to in the academy. He had managed to retain his own identity, his honor, and his very soul despite what his oppressive society had tried to do. And the elf massacre had told Zaknafein without a doubt that Drizzt had truly survived. But now, he and his son would have to face the consequences of that survival.

"We will stay," Drizzt said, turning to glance at Celeborn with determination in his eyes. "We will stay for Legolas because it is what friends do for one another, they do not flee in the face of turmoil."

"That is commendable," Celeborn replied. "If that is your decision then you are welcomed here. Ellifain is away on patrol now but she will be home soon and it would be in your best interest that she does not encounter you before we have had a chance to prepare her."

With that, the drow were indeed welcomed to great hospitality at the hands of the elves of Lothlorien.