On the Surface...

I do not own Drizzt or any other characters in this particular story. The only person that I own is Nieanna. Enjoy!

Chapter VI

Regis told Nieanna about all the adventures he, Wulfgar, Bruenor, Catti-brie, and Drizzt had in Icewindale and on the journey to Mithral Hall. Nieanna listened intently to Regis' every word. She had only witnessed Drizzt's swordplay a couple of times when she trained with him, but he had never had to use all of his skill. From what the halfling told her, he was the best in all the Realms.

Nieanna was also amazed with the way that Regis could eat! Nieanna was barely through with her first plate, and Regis was done with his third.

"There is so much that I must learn Regis." She said, taking a drink of her water. "I do not know how Drizzt does it."

"Oh, you'll be fine Nieanna. Of course, I don't know what will happen about all the prejudice out there though against you. People can be cruel."

"Yes, I know Regis."

"Why didn't you go with Drizzt and everyone else?"

"Oh...well...I am still not used to the light. And they are traveling by day. So, I decided to stay here." Nieanna picked at the last of her food. Then pushing her plate away. "I think I'm going to go read Regis, thank you for having dinner with me."

"It was nothing Nieanna!" The halfling smiled. "It was my pleasure."

Nieanna stood, waving a final farewell to Regis, and then promptly started to walk back to her room. Upon opening her door, she stopped for a moment. Why hadn't she gone with Drizzt? She wanted to so badly. Just being around the drow made her feel truly welcome around the Halls. She had never felt this way about anyone before. The drow ran her fingers through her hair and twisted to the handle and stepped inside her room.

Later..

It was Drizzt's turn for watch. He was up, high in a tree, his back against the trunk. He ran his fingers through his long hair and looked up at the sky. The sky was almost the same as the night he found Nieanna and invited her to the Halls.

Nieanna...

He smiled. He wanted her to come with them. He wanted to witness her magic in a battle, if they all had stumbled upon one, Mielikki forbid. The last two weeks that he had spent with her was...He didn't know what to think. In the years that he was in Menzobarranzan, he never had this kind of feeling towards a drow female. She had become a dear friend to him.

Then...

The very next day, Drizzt and the companions had gotten back from the trip. Drizzt went to his room and hung his belt on the wall and stretched his limbs. He removed his armor and walked out of the room and knocked on Nieanna's door. "Nieanna?" No Answer. "Nieanna?" Still no answer. Drizzt shrugged and started to walk down the main hall to talk to Bruenor. But he saw Regis first.

"Drizzt? Hi! I didn't know that you guys were back."

"Yes we just arrived. Do you happen to know where Nieanna is?"

"Hmmm. Well, last time I saw her she was heading to go train a bit."

"Training? I see... Thank you Regis."

No Problem Drizzt." He he sort of gave him a half wave and kept walking. Drizzt headed towards the training room. But, he stopped to get his scimitars before continuing.

Nieanna had a longsword in hand, practicing her foot work. Her hands were faster than her feet and that threw her off. All the years of her spell casting and magic made her hands and arms quite nimble. As Drizzt approached, he heard her struggling and the clatter of her sword. He silently opened the door and watched her. Her hair was tied up on top of her head and she had but a sleeveless shirt and a pair of pants. She was soaked with perspiration. The female drow had been there for awhile, he knew. Her movements were getting slower and slower by the minute. Finally, the sword slipped from her fingers and she leaned against the wall.

"Ussta Yah, lu'oh 'udtila Drizzt xun nindol jal tangi...?"

"First off, those who are not used to it, should start by training only a couple hours a day." Drizzt said, walking through the door. Nieanna practically jumped out of her skin when he spoke. She silently cursed herself for not notcing him being there in the first place.

"When did you get back Drizzt?" She walked toward him, completely forgetting the sword on the ground.

"About an hour ago at least. I wanted to make sure that you knew that I was back."

Nieanna nodded. He smiled a bit and walked past her toward the sword. "I thought your area of expertise was magic, Nieanna?"

"Well...I got into trouble a couple of time on the road. I was to slow with my spell

casting. So, I figured i would practice a bit, i already know a little about sword fighting."

Drizzt bent over and picked up the sword. He took it in hand and gave it a few practice swings. "Not a bad weapon. A wise choice. Care for a quick spar?"

Nieanna's widened ever so slightly. "You agaisnt me? Drizzt, I cannot even imagine how out matched I am."

"It will be alright. What other way are you going to learn?"

"Yes...I suppose so."

"Alright then. But first, let's get you into some armor."

Drizzt led her into the back and showed her a variety of dwarven made armor. She ran her sensitive fingers over a shining silver and golden helmet, feeling the grooves. "Are these all meant for dwarves?"

"Most of them. The ones meant for women are back here." In a little room in the back, there was light, but effective, chainmail and other armor. Drizzt showed her a suit of light weight armor that seemed to fit Nieanna just right. Drizzt helped her put it on and they both wrapped their weapons in cloth, so they would not hurt themselves. They went out into the main area and faced each other.

"You said that you knew the basics, I'm guessing?" Nieanna nodded. "Good, I won't have to hold back that much."

Nieanna smiled a little then got a straight face again. Drizzt took his scimitars out and took his stance. Nieanna's grip on her sword tightened a bit in anticipation. Why doesn't he move? She thought, as they started to circle each other. Drizzt was waiting for her first move. Nieanna took a deep breath and attacked; only to be smacked on the side of her left hip. She stumbled and fell on her bum.

"Hey!"

"Right there you would have been dead. It is worse than this out on the battle field with many enemies."

"Yes, I know." She rubbed her sore hip. Drizzt walked over and offered his hand to help her up. Nieanna reached up and took his hand. He effortlessly got her to her feet.

"Now this time, make sure that you are guarded on all your vital spots." She nodded and took her sword in hand. Drizzt beckoned her with his blade, a smirk on his face. Nieanna lunged forward.

Two Hours later

Nieanna was panting and sweating worse than before, her back against the wall. Drizzt just barely broke a sweat.

"Damn...," she rubbed a bruise on her thigh. Drizzt walked over to her and sat beside her; smiling.

"I am terribly sorry, but I had to go through the very same thing when I started sword fighting. Well, would you like me to help you remove your armor?"

She nodded and he helped her stand. She took care of the armor on her legs, but Drizzt had to help her with the straps on her sides. He set it to the side and took his armor off. Nieanna bit her lip as she watched him. His clothing under it was skin tight against his fine muscles and chest. She quickly adverted her eyes back to her bruises; which she could barely see in because of her ebony skin. He sat back down beside her.

"You will get better with practice, trust me."

"I hope so. I want to be more of a help to you and the dwarves."

He looked down at her. "You are a mage, how could you be less than any kind of help?"

Nieanna shrugged and leaned back against the wall and closed her eyes. Drizzt looked over at her again, noticing how delicately smooth her skin was. She had beautiful, full eyelashes as well. She was gorgeous to him. Drizzt then noticed that her breathing had gotten slower and deeper. Nieanna had fallen asleep. She groaned and turned her head to the side. Her head rested on his shoulder. Drizzt put an arm around her while she slept.

Well? What do you guys think? I apologize for being to slow with this chapter, I got my paws on to many books. lol Any ideas for the next chapter,I have a basic idea.

Review Please.

Ussta Yah, lu'oh 'udtila Drizzt xun nindol jal tangi...? My God, how does Drizzt do this all day..?