Midsummer
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters are the property of R.A. Salvatore/Wizards of the Coast ©. I don't own them; I'm just examining all their possibilities.
Warning: This chapter contains female on female slash. Anyone who is offended by this should seek other reading material.
Chapter 8: Settling Moon
I shouldn't be surprised
These were the words that passed through Drizzt's head repeatedly; an answer to every single thought that assaulted his reason and tore out his insides. His mind was full, yet his mouth stayed closed. His irises took a brighter shade of lavender against the background of gradually growing red as they scanned the green expanse of the forest and saw the gradually rising light of the party grove he had abandoned a few hours earlier.
Occasionally he would glance to his left to see Innovindil walking closely to him also locked in her own world, yet her fair face bore a small smile. She would occasionally glance at him and give him a warm look that would brighten his mood somewhat. His glance would then go to his right to see Jarlaxle taking a casual stride through the grass, his brown boots in his hand and his bare, ebony feet damp with dew. The only sounds that came from the somber procession were Jarlaxle's occasional merry babble about the wonderful weather or how pretty the full moon looked through the evergreens. Every word was music to Drizzt's ears; at last some friendly frivolity amongst all the games and emotional complications that had gone on in the span of that one evening.
Catti-brie is leaving for The Sea Sprite; he thought for the thousandth time despite all internal screams against it, I shouldn't be surprised. We have done nothing but emotionally assault each other all night long. I shouldn't be surprised. I gave in and laid with Innovindil three times tonight, all the while Catti-brie lay with another man and I feel nothing about this. Catti-brie lay with Jarlaxle, and I feel nothing about this, in fact, I'm actually enjoying his company when I should be drawing my swords. Catti-brie and I went through so much together before even admitting or own emotions, and now this happens. I shouldn't be surprised. I shouldn't be surprised. I shouldn't be surprised.
The more his brain screamed these thoughts, the stronger the burn behind his eyes became. His pace became slower and his gaze was vacant, mostly focusing up to the moon, perhaps trying to find some inspiration of perhaps finding a point of focus, such as defining how he actually felt at the moment. His head was heavy as tears were a constant threat, though they were mostly tears of frustration than sadness, though for some reason that emotion was present somewhere. Was he angry? With whom: Catti-brie? Jarlaxle? Innovindil? Himself? Everyone had their part to play in this yet it was all improvised. Was he angry at the circumstances…the circumstances only inevitable? He was only able to formally acknowledge his sadness; a sadness gently mingled with some feeling of peace and perhaps…happiness? Was that at all possible?
His thoughts screamed for a few more moments, until they finally fell silent as if they were all tired of talking. Drizzt was now only felt the slow reaching melancholy spreading from his heart; that and the burn in his hip that had returned with a vengeance. The ache had subsided slightly after his moment with Innovindil, yet he should have known it would only return again stronger after all the activity he had done this night. While the pain had originally been an aching tightness in his hip, it was now growing stronger and beginning to creep into his side and lower abdomen. He took a few breathes and ignored the dull pain, knowing that if he stretched his leg the right way it would go away, a plan which seemed to work for the moment as one phrase flew through his head for the millionth time: I should not be surprised.
The ache had subsided, yet Drizzt was slightly glad for this distraction, though he did savor the feel of his slow walk through the wet grass and the glowing lamps from the now visible party. The sound of a merrily plucked lute flowed with the wind of sweet evergreen and reached his heavy heart and raised his spirits considerably as his eyes now regarded the small crowd gathered around the center of the party grove and where four red haired gnomes came fully into view. All were dressed in multicolored tunics with green leggings and hopped along and tumbled over each other in fantastic somersaults. Two faced two and did multiple back flips, their small forms tumbling in opposite directions before cart wheeling back and landing on their stubby legs to join arms and circle each other. Smiles were plastered on their ruddy faces as they would turn eyes to regard the crowd of elves around them.
The crowd seemed so wrapped with this performance that no one seemed to notice the small group slowly approaching. A tiny voice in the back of Drizzt's mind managed to make itself heard over the din: stay close to Jarlaxle because many of the elves would not be completely keen on having another dark elf around, especially one caught in the trees earlier. Drizzt knew he would have to stay close to his friend: the same friend who lay with Catti-brie earlier, yet that thought was quickly lost. Fortunately, none of the patrolling elves who caught Jarlaxle earlier were in sight.
Drizzt occasionally looked around for a general reaction from the other elves. Most of them were wrapped in the performance, though occasionally a green or blue eye would turn in their direction, turn away, and then do a rapid double-take at the sight of the other drow. Drizzt would smile at them and nod his head in greeting while keeping noticeably close to Jarlaxle, indicating that he was indeed a friend. The elves would then turn away, though a suspicious eye still occasionally turned to Jarlaxle. The mercenary was gaining a little more attention as silent word of his presence began to circulate. A few elves whispered amongst themselves, while some would stand back and flash Jarlaxle dirty glares before seeing Drizzt and turning their gaze away. No one made any hostile moves and left the two alone to their business.
Innovindil slowly made her way beside them and watched the gnome tumblers, though Drizzt could see from the corner of his eye that she was occasionally turning a long glance at him. He would look over to return the glance, his brain celebrating how she wouldn't flinch away this time. Instead they would lock gazes and Drizzt did manage a small smile that seemed to communicate more then words could at the moment. She slowly inched up to him and gently pulled the shoulder of his tunic.
"I am going to my tent to get on some fresh clothes," she whispered in his ear over the cheer of the crowd. "I should not be long."
Drizzt looked at her once again and exchanged another comfortable smile as Drizzt nodded. Innovindil leaned in and kissed him on the cheek before walking off; giving his eyes an opportunity to savor the lithe beauty of her form as it faded into the crowd. He gave Jarlaxle a sidelong glance and saw his red eyes subtly turned in the same direction, his arched eyebrows rising further in interest. A small laugh managed to escape Drizzt's throat as he regarded his companion.
Yes, Jarlaxle is a lecher, he thought with a smile. He's a drow. He then blinked and gave a small chuckle as the irony of that thought became perfectly clear. Though that doesn't necessarily make him bad, he corrected himself.
"See something you like, friend?" Drizzt said softly in drow, his smile widening.
"She is work of beauty," Jarlaxle replied in their home tongue. "You should consider yourself a lucky man to sample such fruits."
Drizzt allowed himself a small laugh.
"Maybe you should court her," Drizzt replied in a sarcastic tone. "Show her that some drow are capable of actual romance."
"Are you issuing a challenge?" Jarlaxle replied, his own grin widening.
"She is a maiden of pure moon elf blood, not easily won especially by our race."
"An elf of white is a maiden's delight," Jarlaxle said, his gaze meeting Drizzt's, "but to savor elf of black is to never turn back."
Drizzt closed his eyes at the statement and did all he could to keep from bursting out in laughter. Jarlaxle watched him with an amused smirk, before letting out his own loud chuckle.
"An ounce of wisdom you've picked up on the surface?" Drizzt asked, managing to stifle his laughter for a short moment.
"From my own wisdom, I guess," Jarlaxle said with a shrug, the grin still planted on his face. "Yes, Innovindil is indeed a beautiful woman, but I will leave her alone. She is too pure a creature for my involvement, though I myself cannot believe I am saying that."
"Well, after that tale you told me tonight, I'm willing to believe anything."
"You're too trusting," Jarlaxle added. "I actually lied to you; I was sent as a distraction while Artemis Entreri is slowly making his way past the elven guards and waiting for his perfect moment to battle you fairly at last, lest he kill me of course."
"Of course," Drizzt replied with a dirty laugh.
"Actually I do wish he was here. After all the nonsense that has happened this Midsummer, who knows maybe he will find you a little more agreeable. Perhaps he will even pursue you out of affection."
"Unless he has affections for a corpse," Drizzt added with a pointed glare, though his smile stayed on. "Right, Jarlaxle?"
Jarlaxle gave another laugh, and then turned to see Drizzt's arms folded over his chest, tapping his foot on the ground.
"Don't worry," he said in a semi-annoyed tone, "our little secret's still safe."
"I thought so," Drizzt said with a hint of satisfaction.
Jarlaxle turned his attention back to the tumbling gnomes while Drizzt gave him another glance. Whatever happened thus far that night was whatever happened, he ultimately decided. He was tired of thinking on it at all while holding grudges and trying to recoup things that were lost while ignoring things that had been staring him in the face all along. Drizzt remained content watching this amusing performance in the company of a friend, hoping something could be salvaged from this evening.
He shifted his position and watched as the gnomes tumbled off each other's backs and landed perfectly in one straight line, all giving low bows and allowing their curly red hair tumble over their faces. Drizzt clapped warmly and gave a low whistle; a sudden movement that seemed to jar his unstable hip even more. The pain that had only been a small press was now steadily growing to the point where it was obvious. Drizzt shifted the weight on his leg more, but that did not seem to help.
Jarlaxle glanced over at Drizzt in between watching the gnomes hop off into the woods.
"A fantastic performance wouldn't you say, abbil?" Jarlaxle said in Common, and noticing the sudden wince in his companion's face as he braced his torso.
"Abbil?" he asked with more concern.
Drizzt gave a deep breath and stood up straight, though it was obvious he was still in pain.
"I'm fine," he said, feeling the burn subside slightly.
Jarlaxle nodded, though a part of him wasn't entirely convinced.
"I'm completely parched," Drizzt said, attempting to sound cheery, "I say our next stop should be the punch."
Jarlaxle eyed him curiously, and then nodded again.
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The leather flap flew open and Innovindil casually strode into her tent with a content sigh, her blue eyes scanning the various embroidered tapestries she had collected in her travels from the past year while allowing herself some relaxation. It had been an interesting evening for her to say the least; she allowed herself to become intimate with Drizzt, though she knew it cost her friendship with Catti-brie; who managed to lay the only other drow who Drizzt called a friend.
This situation is too bizarre, she thought, casually tearing off her blue tunic and allowing her bare torso some air before reaching for a clean, white shirt folded neatly on the green blanketed mattress of her cot.
"I have heard the most beautiful music," a female voice suddenly called from behind her.
Innovindil reached down to the floor for her sword, turning her head back enough to see Catti-brie standing in the doorway. With a relieved sigh, she straightened and faced her; not caring that Catti-brie now had a full view of Innovindil's exposed breasts. Catti-brie's eyes did focus downward for a second for a lingering glance before returning her attention to the elf's gaze. Innovindil noted that this glance was not the sudden eyeflick of surprise or shock, nor was it the examining glance of curiosity or perhaps comparison. Instead Catti-brie seemed legitimately interested in her bare form, a point of which Innovindil made a quick mental note.
Her eyes instead focused on Catti-brie. Her brown tunic was now buttoned, but just enough to leave a hint of soft, round flesh in view. Her clothing was still relatively clean, yet her auburn hair was still slightly matted enough to make it look adventurously wild.
"What music is that," Innovindil asked, taking a seat on the cot, "the gentle pluck of a lute or the soft, breathy wail of a flute in elven hands?"
Catti-brie shook her head, a mischievous smile firmly planted on her face.
"The music of two elves making love," Catti-brie said in a breathy, almost wistful tone.
Innovindil's smile straightened. Catti-brie had heard them, she thought with a small gasp.
"Two melodious voices, one male one female, in perfect harmony," Catti-brie continued, reaching one arm to the ceiling and grabbing a small piece of canvas that supported her leaning weight and looking up at the green ceiling. "A moon elf's singing sighs and a drow's passioned wails calling through the perfumed wind, all mingling together like the golden threads of sunrise."
Catti-brie let go of the canvas and slowly ambled towards Innovindil, whose smile returned.
"One can just picture the two lithe bodies intertwined in their purest forms," Catti-brie continued, gently threading her fingers through Innovindil's golden hair. "Soft flesh pressing against soft flesh, wiry limbs tangled, small hands caressing every inch and curve of gentle body."
Innovindil closed her eyes and allowed her head to be gently pulled back by Catti-brie's hand, drinking in this improvised poetry from a woman who had just learned to appreciate physical pleasure.
"You should write that down," Innovindil said, opening her eyes and feeling the mattress shift as Catti-brie sit down behind her. "Have you ever seriously considered poetry before?"
Catti-brie gave a giggle and leaned her forehead down on Innovindil's bare shoulder, her wavy auburn hair tumbling over the moon elf's sensitive breast and sending a momentary wave of warmth through her.
"If you are wondering, I am not angry," Catti-brie said, raking her fingers through Innovindil's hair and separating it into three clumps. "Yes, I did hear you two, but I only expected it. It is Midsummer after all, and maybe Drizzt does need to appreciate his body a little more."
"And you took my advice," Innovindil replied, "I am very proud of you, especially with someone who you have not cared for in the past. What's this I hear that he held you captive?"
Catti-brie thought for a second then sighed.
"He actually saved my life," she said, her fingers taking the locks of hair and weaving them in a loose braid. "He protected me from a lot of rather nasty individuals and helped Drizzt and I escape. Besides, all he did to me was…play with my hair a lot."
"He seems like a nice fellow," Innovindil added, savoring the feel of those small fingers through her scalp. "How was he?"
"I rather enjoyed myself," Catti-brie replied with a creeping grin. "But, whether he was better than…" her voice trailed off with a sigh "…I cannot say."
"Regardless, you allowed yourself to experience physical pleasure," Innovindil continued, "and how do you feel now?"
"Unbelievable," Catti-brie said not missing a beat, "though he did make a few disparaging comments about my performance."
"If that is the worst treatment you ever get from a drow," the moon elf said, suddenly shutting out some past experiences lest they also take her thoughts, "consider yourself very lucky."
Catti-brie didn't pry further, getting the indication that Innovindil spoke from personal experience. Instead she continued braiding her gorgeous, blonde hair until it became one long braid that stretched down the length of her back.
"So what happens after tonight?" Innovindil asked.
Catti-brie sighed hard.
"I'm leaving for Waterdeep in a fortnight," she said, her tone becoming grave. "Sailing out with The Sea Sprite to do some pirate hunting."
"What about Drizzt?" Innovindil asked, turning her head back to have Catti-brie's sad expression answer the question for her.
She shifted her position on the bed and directly faced Catti-brie, who was now barely an inch from her.
"I want you to talk to him before the end of the evening," she said, looking directly into Catti-brie's deep, blue eyes. "Both of you are sad and both of you do not know what either of you want, as I have said. Now you both have sampled other fruits, had a different experience, perhaps even one so forbidden that the boundaries of expectation have been broken and all you can do now is rebuild."
"Destruction can only bring rebirth," Catti-brie said with a sad smile.
"Even if freedom is your only interest," Innovindil continued, "don't just escape without giving at least some formal goodbye to the one who has been everything to you since you were a little girl. You owe him at least that much."
Catti-brie nodded with another harsh sigh. Innovindil then put a hand to her face.
"The answers will come to you in time," the moon elf continued, leaning in further.
Catti-brie's smile widened, then shifted her head and kissed Innovindil's hand in a gesture of playful thanks. Innovindil sighed, a sound not lost on Catti-brie, who also noticed her eyes close slightly at the touch. She then recalled the affectionate way Innovindil ran her fingers through her auburn locks earlier in the evening and spoke to her in such soft, soothing tones.
"You said earlier that I am a beautiful woman," Catti-brie said. "Were you speaking for yourself?"
Innovindil blinked, slightly taken aback by the question, though she responded with a smile.
"Elves are connoisseurs of beauty," she said, "the beauty of nature, the beauty of music, or the beauty of a beautiful form. All of it strikes each heart, whether the heart belongs to an elf of moon or sun or wood or even darkness, all seeing beauty in their own ways yet seeing beauty nonetheless. I have some to appreciate a handsome lord or a fair maiden; all are still beautiful to me."
Catti-brie stared at Innovindil in awe, suddenly remembering the tender moment she witnessed between Nialian and Jarlaxle as a sudden thought came through her head: why not continue this experiment a little further.
She turned her face down towards Innovindil's hand and continued rubbing her lips along the sensitive flesh, then raising her own hand up to it and gently kissing down the palm and watching Innovindil's smile widen. Catti-brie then slid her hand down, caressing the length of her arm and allowing it to rest on her shoulder. She pulled her in slowly and placed a gentle kiss on her full lips. Innovindil responded with the same pace, both lips savoring each other the way one would slowly sip a fine wine. Innovindil's hand moved from Catti-brie's face and traced down the length of her jaw before lightly brushing against her neck and drawing out a sigh. Catti-brie's other hand reached her shoulder and started running down the length of her blonde hair, undoing the braid and sending pressure through her spine.
Innovindil slowly drew back, though her gaze remained firmly planted on Catti-brie.
"Would you like to stop here," Innovindil said softly, "or would you like me to continue this further."
"I do need to expand my horizons," Catti-brie replied, few thoughts of reluctance passing through her mind before dying quickly under the weight of her curiosity and physical urgency.
"Just promise me you will talk to Drizzt after this," Innovindil said. Catti-brie replied with a firm nod.
Innovindil smiled and leaned in again to press her lips against Catti-brie's. Catti-brie allowed herself to be taken in by the kiss, opening her mouth slightly and allowing her tongue to gently rub against Innovindil's lips, which then parted to allow her own tongue to gently brush against Catti-brie's. Catti-brie was taken in by a sweeping warmth, the feeling of letting go completely and feeling absolutely perfect in the process. Innovindil gently guided her to her back and continued kissing her. Catti-brie's hands moved from Innovindil's shoulders and gently caressed downwards, cupping over her soft breasts and squeezing gently.
Innovindil let out a soft sigh, her hands moving to the buttons on Catti-brie's tunic and slowly undoing them until the panels of her shirt were open and her ample breasts were now exposed. A small elven finger gently traced down the middle of her chest, and then disappeared under her belt. Catti-brie sighed and savored the warmth as the small finger gently explored; hitting every sensitive spot like a master lute player would pluck the right string at the right time. She let her head sink into the feather mattress as her body became warmer and tingled at every masterful stroke.
Her own hands ran down the length of Innovindil's rib cage, and then one hand clumsily found her trouser strings. Catti-brie found undoing them difficult as every wave rippled through her form, making her feel numb. At last, the strings were undone and one hand cautiously reached down, feeling the soft flesh and then the soft loins that were not her own. This fact made her hesitate for a second, yet Innovindil's deep kiss and the feel of her increasing pace spurred her on. Innovindil gave a small cry as Catti-brie's finger began a small rhythm.
"Just tell me if I'm doing this wrong," she managed to say between heavy sighs as her head became lighter.
"No, you're doing fine," Innovindil said before letting out another soft cry at Catti-brie's movements. "Dear gods you must be a natural."
Catti-brie's own movement responded with the increasing warmth. Soon, her vision was becoming a mass of specks and her mouth only letting out breathy cries. She was rewarded with Innovindil's own sighs and the sight of her pure white body reflecting a beam of moon light that came through a crack in the tent. She never realized she could find the female form this attractive, but then it had been a night of self discovery.
Catti-brie closed her eyes and let thee wave take her over. She barely regarded her own movements, though she did hear Innovindil's cries growing louder and new her general pace must be sufficient. At last the wave took her over. She gave a loud cry and felt the rush through her loins, followed by a cry from Innovindil as her own flesh trembled. Catti-brie withdrew her hand and let her body sink into the mattress. Innovindil's own hand came back and she gently lay on top of Catti-brie, her small breasts pressing against Catti-brie's more ample flesh, yet a magnificent feeling nonetheless.
"How was that for an experiment?" Innovindil said, resting her hands on Catti-brie's collarbone and leaning into her face.
"I think I liked that," Catti-brie managed to gasp, her head still spinning.
Innovindil laughed and leaned in to kiss Catti-brie. It was supposed to be a quick peck; though Catti-brie let her own lips linger for a second before drawing back.
"I say we rest a bit and then find out what the boys are doing," Catti-brie said.
Innovindil smiled and gave a gleeful laugh.
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The green glow from the ring was unmistakable.
Nialian continued his brief word with Hamit Boddynod, one of the famous gnome acrobats from the troupe of The Boddynod Brothers from Tethyr who graced Moonwood with their talents that Midsummer, sharing a story of joining a circus during his youth when the emerald ring on his right hand began to glow and vibrate. He looked down for a second, letting one small finger conceal the stone before finishing his point and excusing himself.
That ring was directly linked to the ring he had given Jarlaxle earlier. The glow only meant that Jarlaxle had tapped the ring and requested his presence. He concentrated on the stone for a second, feeling its vibrations and gauging exactly where its companion was located. Nialian made his conclusions and felt a small wave of panic; Jarlaxle was only fifty feet from him, meaning he was in the party grove. It was obvious he was in trouble, probably cornered by a group of moon elves who would not be the least bit receptive of the presence of an unknown drow.
Nialian hurried through the crowd, managing a few terse "hellos" to passing friends as his pace was fixed in the direction of the signal. His weak legs took a determined stride as he crossed a small section of the part grove and reached a small area on the outskirts where he saw Jarlaxle from behind, crouched down and talking in drow to someone.
"Jarlaxle," Nialian called.
The drow came to his feet and turned around as Nialian circled him and saw who Jarlaxle was talking to. Sitting against a tree, his legs outstretched and arms brace firmly around his abdomen was Drizzt Do'Urden. His ebony skin took a gray complexion and his face was contorted in pain.
"What happened?" the cleric said, coming to Drizzt's side.
"An old war would that acts up occasionally," he managed to say though strained gasps. "I took an orc's club to the hip last year…"
"…Though the wound has never pained him like this before," Jarlaxle continued with a sigh, his gaze turned downwards.
Nialian pressed the back of his hand to Drizzt's face and felt his skin was slightly warmer than usual.
"Did you see a cleric or any healer after you were struck?" Nialian asked.
Drizzt shook his head. He was about to respond verbally, though the burn was becoming stronger. It was a pain like he had never felt before. He could only compare this to the excruciating sensation left by the crossbow bolt of pain Vendes Baenre shot into him during his imprisonment in the Baenre Compound a decade ago. The sear was only slightly less, and he knew the exact reason for the pain before. Drizzt had broken bones, dislocated joints, taken blades, pulled muscles, and had even been systematically tortured by a drow priestess, but this ache actually scared him. This time he could not pinpoint the source, almost as if his body was turning against itself.
"Just take a few deep breathes," Nialian said, gently laying a hand on his shoulder. "We will get you to my tent and see if we can't fix this. Can you stand?"
Drizzt nodded. Jarlaxle put down his hand and gently pulled Drizzt up, the movement sending a wave of nausea over him and making him glad he hadn't eaten anything in a long while. He swung an arm around Jarlaxle's shoulder and allowed himself to be slowly guided forward, his own legs weakened by the wave of pain that assaulted the rest of his body.
"Whatever happens," Drizzt said to both of them, "could someone please find Catti-brie and tell her what is going on?"
"Of course, Drizzt," Nialian said, noting how his friend's gasping voice took a tone of profound concern.
Author's Note: I know, another cliffhanger. Yes, I am evil. Just think of this as a great lead in to a great chapter, as well as a great opportunity to make speculation on what is actually wrong with Drizzt. All will be revealed in time.