Chapter 4:
Throughout the course of the meal Drizzit learned a little about everybody. The halflings were called hobbits, and they were, respectively, Samwise Gamgee (called Sam) Frodo Baggins, Meriadoc Brandybuck (called Merry) and Peregrin Took (called Pippin or Pip.) The dwarf was Gimli, son of Gloin, who happened to be an old companion of Frodo's uncle Bilbo. The `other man' was Boromir, son of Dethanor, Steward of Gondor...wherever that was. Aragorn was son of Arathorn, and the hobbits insisted upon calling him Strider. The last member was Legolas, son of Thurandil, and Prince of Mirkwood, another place that held no meaning for Drizzit. Finally The food was gone, pipes were lit and talk turned from comments on the food to questions for the dark elf.
"So, Drizzit, you know who we are, but we still know nothing of you save for your name. Pray, do tell us your story." He was silent for a moment before looking up at the stars.
"No matter how old I get, nor how long I remain above, I will never cease to wonder at the stars." His voice was wistful. Without looking down he started his story. "I was born in the Underdark, a series of underground caves, a maze of tunnels, in Drow city of Menzoberranzan. I was the third son of my mother, born solely as a sacrifice to the spider-goddess Lloth. I was viewed as perfect for my unnatural eyes. Most Drow eyes are red with the infrared vision that we have. Just as my mother was to kill me, my elder brother killed my eldest brother, and Lloth took him as a sacrifice instead. My sister told my mother of Lloth's appeasement, for she was a high priestess. My second eldest sister was then given the task of raising me, and when I grew old enough my father, the best swordsman the Underdark had ever seen was to teach me the sword.
"Many years passed as I grew. My sister was shaping me into the perfect Drow, though it was hard going. I simply couldn't agree with what she taught, or with what the academy taught when I went there. My father, on the other hand, found a willing, eager student, whom he shaped in his own image, and in the end, far surpassed him in talent. I learned much more than the art of the blades from my father. I learned mercy, compassion, and most importantly, compassion. This cause no little trouble when my mother found out and killed my father. I ran from home soon after, vowing never to return to that city, and heading for the above world, which I had once glimpsed and fell in love with.
"For many years I wandered the Underdark, scared and alone I retreated into myself, not feeling not caring. I had become the hunter. I feared nothing and nothing could stand for long under my blades. Eventually I meet a gnome who gave me back my sanity, and I realized that in order too keep it I had to leave the Underdark. I was above the surface within the year.
"The sun hurt me, destroyed my armor and sucked the magic from m blades. I had originally been able to levitate, but the sun sucked that from me within my first week. Despite the pain I always watched the sunset and sunrise. It reminds me that some things are worth the pain.
"Above the surface I was shunned by the people. I was feared, hated, and hunted. I wandered alone for a very long time before I found the old ranger who taught me the language and the ways of the ranger. Again, my teacher was killed and I left, heading north where the population was few and maybe I could find acceptance.
"It was in the north that I meet my friends, Bruenor Battlehammer, king of the Dwarves, and his adopted daughter, Catti-bre, the human girl with the mind of a dwarf. There was Wulfgar, prince of Men, a barbarian from the north who was captured as a youth and trained to fight by me and to be civilized and work the bellows by Bruenor. Finally there was Regis, the little halfling thief on the run from his past who could talk you into or out of anything. Of course there was Guenhwyvar, who has been my companion since my youth, but she does not say much." He placed his hand on his pouch when he said this, but only Legolas noticed. His eyes closed and he took a deep breath before continuing.
"Catti-bre and Wulfgar were to be married in the spring, but alas, it shall never be so. Wulfgar died in battle three months before the wedding. Regis is missing, hiding once again from his past. Catti-bre is but a shell of what she once was, devastated by her loss. They loved each other greatly, though both were too stubborn to admit it until it was too late. Bruenor...Bruenor was missing for a long while, but he returned and there was much rejoicing, but he, too, has fallen into an unbreakable brood, snapping at everyone and letting no one near him. I was sleeping out under the stars, as I'm used to doing, and when I awoke it was in that pitch-blackness.
"I was confused and wandered the dark for a long time, avoiding the dwarves when they came, and slowly picking away at the goblins when they arrived. When you showed up with the old man's blinding light, I felt a pull as I've never felt before. I followed, helping fight the goblins, but I could do little more than watch, my heart breaking for you, when the wizard fought that fire-demon. I am sorry for your loss." His voice was sincere, and it brought back some of the sadness in their eyes, but they respected his condolences. "I can sympathize with you...for that is how Wulfgar died, he was much more than a son to me, I cared for him as a brother. But it matters little now," visibly dragging himself from his melancholy he looked at the fellowship. "Now I am here, with you. I wish to offer my help to your cause, to help even your numbers." They were silent for a moment before Frodo spoke.
"We accept your help, Drizzit Do'Urden. I have a feeling you will be a great help, as will we." The last statement was a little puzzling, but Frodo refused to say more.
"What do you know of our cause?" asked Boromir, ever suspicious.
"Only that you are on a quest. Other than that I have no knowledge." Aragorn nodded.
"We are on a quest to destroy a great evil, but all will be told tomorrow when we reach Lothlorien. Now we must rest and prepare for the trek. We should arrive by midday." The hobbits started to get prepared for sleep. "Who shall take first watch?"
"I will," said Legolas, "Since it was my watch which was interrupted in the first place."
"Very well. Wake me for the next watch." Legolas agreed and soon the camp was asleep.
TBC
I hope I got all the details of Drizzit's past right. It's been a year since I read the books.
Throughout the course of the meal Drizzit learned a little about everybody. The halflings were called hobbits, and they were, respectively, Samwise Gamgee (called Sam) Frodo Baggins, Meriadoc Brandybuck (called Merry) and Peregrin Took (called Pippin or Pip.) The dwarf was Gimli, son of Gloin, who happened to be an old companion of Frodo's uncle Bilbo. The `other man' was Boromir, son of Dethanor, Steward of Gondor...wherever that was. Aragorn was son of Arathorn, and the hobbits insisted upon calling him Strider. The last member was Legolas, son of Thurandil, and Prince of Mirkwood, another place that held no meaning for Drizzit. Finally The food was gone, pipes were lit and talk turned from comments on the food to questions for the dark elf.
"So, Drizzit, you know who we are, but we still know nothing of you save for your name. Pray, do tell us your story." He was silent for a moment before looking up at the stars.
"No matter how old I get, nor how long I remain above, I will never cease to wonder at the stars." His voice was wistful. Without looking down he started his story. "I was born in the Underdark, a series of underground caves, a maze of tunnels, in Drow city of Menzoberranzan. I was the third son of my mother, born solely as a sacrifice to the spider-goddess Lloth. I was viewed as perfect for my unnatural eyes. Most Drow eyes are red with the infrared vision that we have. Just as my mother was to kill me, my elder brother killed my eldest brother, and Lloth took him as a sacrifice instead. My sister told my mother of Lloth's appeasement, for she was a high priestess. My second eldest sister was then given the task of raising me, and when I grew old enough my father, the best swordsman the Underdark had ever seen was to teach me the sword.
"Many years passed as I grew. My sister was shaping me into the perfect Drow, though it was hard going. I simply couldn't agree with what she taught, or with what the academy taught when I went there. My father, on the other hand, found a willing, eager student, whom he shaped in his own image, and in the end, far surpassed him in talent. I learned much more than the art of the blades from my father. I learned mercy, compassion, and most importantly, compassion. This cause no little trouble when my mother found out and killed my father. I ran from home soon after, vowing never to return to that city, and heading for the above world, which I had once glimpsed and fell in love with.
"For many years I wandered the Underdark, scared and alone I retreated into myself, not feeling not caring. I had become the hunter. I feared nothing and nothing could stand for long under my blades. Eventually I meet a gnome who gave me back my sanity, and I realized that in order too keep it I had to leave the Underdark. I was above the surface within the year.
"The sun hurt me, destroyed my armor and sucked the magic from m blades. I had originally been able to levitate, but the sun sucked that from me within my first week. Despite the pain I always watched the sunset and sunrise. It reminds me that some things are worth the pain.
"Above the surface I was shunned by the people. I was feared, hated, and hunted. I wandered alone for a very long time before I found the old ranger who taught me the language and the ways of the ranger. Again, my teacher was killed and I left, heading north where the population was few and maybe I could find acceptance.
"It was in the north that I meet my friends, Bruenor Battlehammer, king of the Dwarves, and his adopted daughter, Catti-bre, the human girl with the mind of a dwarf. There was Wulfgar, prince of Men, a barbarian from the north who was captured as a youth and trained to fight by me and to be civilized and work the bellows by Bruenor. Finally there was Regis, the little halfling thief on the run from his past who could talk you into or out of anything. Of course there was Guenhwyvar, who has been my companion since my youth, but she does not say much." He placed his hand on his pouch when he said this, but only Legolas noticed. His eyes closed and he took a deep breath before continuing.
"Catti-bre and Wulfgar were to be married in the spring, but alas, it shall never be so. Wulfgar died in battle three months before the wedding. Regis is missing, hiding once again from his past. Catti-bre is but a shell of what she once was, devastated by her loss. They loved each other greatly, though both were too stubborn to admit it until it was too late. Bruenor...Bruenor was missing for a long while, but he returned and there was much rejoicing, but he, too, has fallen into an unbreakable brood, snapping at everyone and letting no one near him. I was sleeping out under the stars, as I'm used to doing, and when I awoke it was in that pitch-blackness.
"I was confused and wandered the dark for a long time, avoiding the dwarves when they came, and slowly picking away at the goblins when they arrived. When you showed up with the old man's blinding light, I felt a pull as I've never felt before. I followed, helping fight the goblins, but I could do little more than watch, my heart breaking for you, when the wizard fought that fire-demon. I am sorry for your loss." His voice was sincere, and it brought back some of the sadness in their eyes, but they respected his condolences. "I can sympathize with you...for that is how Wulfgar died, he was much more than a son to me, I cared for him as a brother. But it matters little now," visibly dragging himself from his melancholy he looked at the fellowship. "Now I am here, with you. I wish to offer my help to your cause, to help even your numbers." They were silent for a moment before Frodo spoke.
"We accept your help, Drizzit Do'Urden. I have a feeling you will be a great help, as will we." The last statement was a little puzzling, but Frodo refused to say more.
"What do you know of our cause?" asked Boromir, ever suspicious.
"Only that you are on a quest. Other than that I have no knowledge." Aragorn nodded.
"We are on a quest to destroy a great evil, but all will be told tomorrow when we reach Lothlorien. Now we must rest and prepare for the trek. We should arrive by midday." The hobbits started to get prepared for sleep. "Who shall take first watch?"
"I will," said Legolas, "Since it was my watch which was interrupted in the first place."
"Very well. Wake me for the next watch." Legolas agreed and soon the camp was asleep.
TBC
I hope I got all the details of Drizzit's past right. It's been a year since I read the books.
