Thanks for the kind reviews everyone…
Chapter 3--A Long Talk and An Offer
Drizzt woke up the next day; feeling like someone was trying to pound their way through his skull with a hammer. "Uhh, Bruenor didn't lie about how painful a hangover is…not at all," he muttered. He tried to sit up which he found only made the pain worse. He dropped back down and looked around. He recognized the room as the same one he always used when he visited Silverymoon. "Oh damn, I hope I didn't make a fool of myself," he thought. He only had vague memories of last night though he clearly remembered the fight. A ray of sunlight found it's way through the curtains and hit him squarely in the eyes, making him wince. It hurt more then usual. Just then someone knocked on the door, even that increased the ache. "Gods, strike me dead now!" Drizzt groaned.
The door opened to reveal Alustriel. "So you're finally awake," she said. She entered the room and closed the door. She was carrying a glass.
"Unfortunately, I am," Drizzt muttered. He struggled until he was sitting up.
Alustriel came to the side of the bed. "I should let you suffer for your foolishness, but I won't," she said. She handed him the glass. "Drink this."
"Only if you promise its poison," Drizzt said, but he took the glass and drained it. It was a healing potion and it killed the headache right away. "Thank you," he said.
Alustriel sat down. "You talked a lot last night and what you said concerns me," she said.
"I fear I don't remember much of anything," Drizzt admitted.
"You said that you were replaced as the guardian of Icewind Dale and that the new Dwarven king had ordered you to leave the mines though Stumpet tried to stop him," Alustriel said.
Drizzt sighed. "It's all true," he said then shrugged, "it was time I moved on anyway."
Alustriel was well aware he wasn't as unaffected by it as he was pretending to be. "Where will you go?" she asked.
"I'm not sure, across the sea perhaps. There's a lot I haven't seen of this world and I have time to see much more of it," Drizzt said.
"You could stay here if you wish. The offer to join my guards still stands and I have always been…fond of you," Alustriel said.
Drizzt was quiet for a long while, thinking of his reply. "There has been something between us, but right now I don't believe it would be wise for me to stay here. Anger and hurt still cloud my judgment a bit and I need to resolve it. When I have we'll speak of it," he said.
Alustriel was disappointed by his answer, but she understood. "When will you leave?" she asked. "It's pass midday already."
"Tomorrow," Drizzt said quietly.
"I'll give you a scroll to give the captain of the ship you chose so you won't have any trouble because you're a Drow with a note that I'll pay for your passage," Alustriel said.
"The first I'll accept, but I don't need you to pay. I can cover that myself," Drizzt said firmly.
Alustriel knew better than to argue. She knew how proud Drizzt was. "Why don't you freshen up and meet me in my private dining room for lunch. We'll talk more there," she offered.
"I would be honored to join you," Drizzt said.
"I'll meet you there in an hour's time," Alustriel said and left, closing the door behind her.
Drizzt sighed and got up. He pulled out Guenhwyvar's statuette and studied it. Looks like it's just you and me once again, my friend, he thought.
An hour later Drizzt entered the small dining room to find Alustriel waiting for him. She smiled in greeting. "You look much better. I hope you won't do such a thing again," she said.
"Once was enough, I think. I hope I'm not late," Drizzt said, taking a seat across from her.
"No, I was early…. Are you alright, Drizzt?" Alustriel asked. "I know you well enough to know you're upset by what happened."
"I'll be fine. Don't worry about me," Drizzt said.
Servants served the meal and they talked as they ate, keeping only to casual subjects…
I know this chapter is lacking action, but I'll get to action soon…. Promise, R/R please!!!