"Drizzt," came a soft murmur, pure in its melody. The sound reminded Drizzt of a breeze whistling through the trees and slowly he stirred. She watched as his eyes flickered and then opened, taking in the sight around him.

He was in a forest, although he didn't know where. Thick oaken trees shot out from the ground and the sunlight from above trickled down in patches of light. Drizzt struggled to sit upright, his arms still weak. A songbird called from somewhere in the distance, and not too far away there was a clearing where three deer were grazing, oblivious to his presence, oblivious to-

Drizzt's eyes widened slightly at the maiden before him. Her hair was long and golden, falling past her shoulders in tumbling waves. Her smiled was radiant as she beamed at him, pride in that smile. Her eyes danced with joy as he looked upon her, a clear, icy blue that he had never before seen. She was clad in a ranger's garment, brown breeches and a tan vest. Her leather boots blended with the soft earth below her feet and her tan complexion showed her love for the wild.

"You know me," she said calmly, standing tall before Drizzt, "don't you?" Drizzt studied her closely, his sharp lavender eyes searching her. Yes, he knew her. Something deep in his memory had been unlocked and he felt a twinge of recollection floating back. Where had he seen her? Who was this beautiful woman?

She smiled serenely. "I know you," she told him, taking a few steps towards him. She grinned playfully and knelt at his side. Drizzt blinked a few times and then waited for her to speak.

"And I think you do know who I am," the woman added with a sly wink. Then Drizzt's mouth dropped, his eyes latched onto the woman in an unending stare. Drizzt bowed his head reverently.

Never was a mere mortal meant to lay his eyes upon such a beauty, especially a dark elf. To even follow her path was treason against Lloth, but to actually be sitting with her.it was unthinkable. And yet, there he was, kneeling before Mielikki, his goddess and his guide throughout all his hardships. Drizzt squinted his eyes, letting the image of the woman burn permanently in his mind.

"You've been through much," she said soothingly. Drizzt glanced at her nervously. Seeing her pensive look, he held his gaze, waiting for her to go on. "You were at Lloth's mercy and yet you still did not deny me." Drizzt closed his eyes, remembering the torturing time he spent in her hands. Mielikki paused and then asked softly, "Am I worth it?"

The question caught Drizzt by surprise. "Of course," he told her quickly and Mielikki nodded. A silence fell between them, although there were a million questions flashing through Drizzt's mind. How he longed to ask them! How he wished he could know their answers!

"I would have come sooner, you know," Mielikki breathed, not looking at Drizzt as she spoke. Drizzt sensed a twinge of guilt in her voice. He looked at her, his lavender eyes calm and gentle. "Lloth is not an easy one to deal with. She was not eager to be separated from you."

Drizzt opened his mouth to speak, but he found that words were failing him. It took him a few moments to regain his voice and ask, "What happened?"

Sternly, Mielikki told him, "Lloth was overstepping her boundaries. It was time that she learned that." The sudden strength in her voice surprised Drizzt and the drow knew better than to further ask.

Breathing deeply, she looked around, her eyes lingering on the distant trees "You cannot stay here, you know, as much as it would please me. Many of my followers have come to this forest, but they have lived their lives fully and have completed their journeys. You have a long way to go, Drizzt Do'Urden."

Drizzt nodded heavily, believing her words. "Where will I go?" he asked her. Mielikki smiled.

"Home," she told him in a soft voice. Gracefully she stood and Drizzt's eyes danced. He recognized the way of her movement and the smoothness she flowed. She had the grace of a dancer and Drizzt knew that Mielikki was a warrior.

Mielikki closed her eyes in the same instant a green mist surrounded Drizzt. The dark elf outstretched his hands as the fog swirled upward, covering him. Despite the comfort and ease he felt with Mielikki, a tweak of fear came over him as the cloud swallowed him up.

Drizzt's world blackened instantly, but he wasn't thrown into unconsciousness. He stood and looked out at the dark shadows as the green mist slowly began to dissipate. In the blink of an eye, he was back on solid ground, a familiar forest surrounding him.

Drizzt looked fondly at Montolio's grave, sadness in his heart. He missed his friend, but he knew that Montolio was with Mielikki in her forest home. As Drizzt turned, a stunning shape entered the corner of his eye. Silently, he turned and smiled.

A unicorn bowed its head and Drizzt took in a deep, relaxed breath. Mielikki was right. He did have a long journey ahead of him. Drizzt Do'Urden was more than ready to face it.