Halloween Music offering
Oct. 23rd, 2026 09:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
senmut28 Halloween themed songs over at ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
communal_creators. Neat little list, crowdsourced from my discord with several of the CC people contributing to making it. All vids open in their own tabs (or should) and please go browse to inspire you this upcoming week!
communal_creators. Neat little list, crowdsourced from my discord with several of the CC people contributing to making it. All vids open in their own tabs (or should) and please go browse to inspire you this upcoming week!New Music
Oct. 23rd, 2026 08:31 pmsenmutCyndi Lauper with Cyril as well as Tones and I - "Time After Time" dance mix was a little catchy.
Dave Fenley - "Gettin' Older" is very calm country and I liked it.
Ayron Jones - "Glad You Came" is a hard rock vibe that works for me.
John Legend with Pharrell Williams - "Are You OK?" has a smooth vibe.
Music Travel Love with Dan Lagroma - "Winds of Change" cover, they kept the whistling, softened it, cut the music back a bit... it's good.
Tiffany with Chris Holmes and also Vinny Appice - I expected to ignore this cover of "Edge of Seventeen" because Stevie Nicks has the lock down on her songs for me. EXCEPT. This decided to go hard rock instead and I think I like it.
Didn't care for the last The Rolling Stones new one but - "Who You Callin' Crazy" actually worked well for me.
(80s girl power this week, with Cyndi Lauper, Tiffany, and Debbie Gibson (not good) all showing up)
Dave Fenley - "Gettin' Older" is very calm country and I liked it.
Ayron Jones - "Glad You Came" is a hard rock vibe that works for me.
John Legend with Pharrell Williams - "Are You OK?" has a smooth vibe.
Music Travel Love with Dan Lagroma - "Winds of Change" cover, they kept the whistling, softened it, cut the music back a bit... it's good.
Tiffany with Chris Holmes and also Vinny Appice - I expected to ignore this cover of "Edge of Seventeen" because Stevie Nicks has the lock down on her songs for me. EXCEPT. This decided to go hard rock instead and I think I like it.
Didn't care for the last The Rolling Stones new one but - "Who You Callin' Crazy" actually worked well for me.
(80s girl power this week, with Cyndi Lauper, Tiffany, and Debbie Gibson (not good) all showing up)
Dear Yuletide Author
Oct. 21st, 2026 12:49 amgreerwatsongreerwatson on AO3.
First, let me thank you for writing me a story in one of the fandoms we share. I'm excited about all of them. They're listed in alphabetical order, so as not to play favourites. (Treats are enabled and always welcome!)
GENERAL POINTS:
( Read more... )
First, let me thank you for writing me a story in one of the fandoms we share. I'm excited about all of them. They're listed in alphabetical order, so as not to play favourites. (Treats are enabled and always welcome!)
GENERAL POINTS:
- I love stories that explore canon more deeply, whether through backstory, or elaborating the setting/history/culture, or exploring people's motivations and personal interactions.
- I prefer gen. DNW non-canon pairings (/) unless requested. I'm not asking you to ignore canon relationships; but please don't make them the focus of the story. I don't care for anything more than PG-13: explicit sexual detail is definitely a DNW for me.
- I love casefic; and, more generally, I like stories that are canon-compliant. The general exception to this is ignoring canonical character death if you want. Canon-divergent AUs are also okay. (There may be other specific exceptions.)
- I'm okay with violence if necessary to the story; but not gore for the sake of gore. I prefer not to have requested characters die in the story; but references to canonical deaths are okay. (I'm fine with having original characters murdered in casefic, and that sort of thing.)
- I enjoy comedy—being able to recognize the ridiculous when it pops up; also wit and wordplay. Having said that, I totally leave it up to you whether you write a serious or comic story—or a serious story with comic interludes.
- No second-person fic, please. First person is definitely okay for book canons that were written that way by the author. However, I don't generally care for it with TV fandoms. Epistolary fic is fine.
( Read more... )
The Holidays Are All Around Us
Dec. 19th, 2026 08:30 pmsenmutIn lieu of doing any holiday exchanges this year, I am bringing back an old concept I used one year.
In the comments, you may request a fic, minimum 500 words, for yourself or another person of your choice. If you wish it gifted on an archive, I will need user names for whichever platform.
Comment should have fandom (needs to be one I'm familiar with; check tags here or on AO3), characters, a basic prompt, and at least general DNWs.
If you want my original worlds, or an altogether original story, choose a universe fromsylph_and_asp or give me some details on what you want.
Remixes of my fic, or that of people with open permissions, is a possibility.
Also, if you want it released on a specific date, tell me that. All gifts will otherwise be posted on December 20th.
I will not write: death fic, rape, harm to kids, permanent animal harm, all hurt no comfort.
I probably cannot write explicit sex or violence but sometimes the muses work for those.
Comments will be screened. If you want your recipient to know you requested it for them, say so. If not, I will make a note on the fic that it was requested anon.
Please don't set me up to troll someone with a gift they will hate. I will ban anyone who does that and tell the recipient who requested it.
In the comments, you may request a fic, minimum 500 words, for yourself or another person of your choice. If you wish it gifted on an archive, I will need user names for whichever platform.
Comment should have fandom (needs to be one I'm familiar with; check tags here or on AO3), characters, a basic prompt, and at least general DNWs.
If you want my original worlds, or an altogether original story, choose a universe from
sylph_and_asp or give me some details on what you want.Remixes of my fic, or that of people with open permissions, is a possibility.
Also, if you want it released on a specific date, tell me that. All gifts will otherwise be posted on December 20th.
I will not write: death fic, rape, harm to kids, permanent animal harm, all hurt no comfort.
I probably cannot write explicit sex or violence but sometimes the muses work for those.
Comments will be screened. If you want your recipient to know you requested it for them, say so. If not, I will make a note on the fic that it was requested anon.
Please don't set me up to troll someone with a gift they will hate. I will ban anyone who does that and tell the recipient who requested it.
To Go As Needed AU
Oct. 17th, 2026 01:09 pmsenmutAO3 Link | Well-Met on the Road (5911 words) by Merfilly, Ilyena_Sylph
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Legend of Drizzt Series - R. A. Salvatore, Wheel of Time - Robert Jordan
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Drizzt Do'Urden, Original Elf Character(s), Original Half-Elf Character(s)
Additional Tags: fanfic of a fanfic, Alternate Universe - Fusion
Summary:
The strident neighs stoked Drizzt's speed even as the pull of his need to protect the wilds heightened. Stela banked to get a view of what was ahead of the copse of trees obscuring his view of events.
One pegasus standing near a second under a barbed and weighted net… a person trapped with the downed pegasus… two fighters working with the standing pegasus to keep the orcish hunters from reaching the ones downed…
Drizzt fitted an arrow to his strung bow, and it announced his entry into the fight by embedding in the neck of one hunter, before a second followed and caught that one's compatriot in the eye as it turned to see what had happened. The ground between him and the hunters erupted in ensnaring plants, before he set his bow to singing again, two more arrows finding homes in orcish flesh. With that done, he abandoned his bow and drew his Ogier-forged swords, charging the biggest brute among them.
His advent had changed the tide of the fight greatly, allowing both — elven, Drizzt vaguely noted — fighters to choose their strikes and opponents with greater effect. The standing pegasus reared and brought both forehooves down, smashing the orcish one closest to him to the ground. Drizzt could hear the resultant stomping and squishing that ensued, but his focus was mostly on ending the life of as many of these brutes as he could.
Stela dove and raked the face of one that had gotten too close to the slimmer elf, buying that fighter time to regroup. Drizzt flicked a request for her to go high again, to make sure no more of these assailants were near. He thought they might be giant-blooded to account for their size and strength. He'd ask, if the elves gave him a chance.
His estimate of potential friends went up as the last orcish hunter fell, and the lighter-colored, slimmer elf hurried to the netted pair, dropping sword for knife.
"Kor," was called, quick and firm, causing the darker one, broader in the way of fighter-trained muscle, to join him in trying to get the net cut off the pegasus and rider.
Drizzt had seen suspicion give way to shock on that one's face though, and had to silently thank his sister and teacher for making certain he was marked as a truly good person on first sight.
Rather than risk moving over and being misinterpreted, despite those markings, Drizzt made the round of the corpses, making certain they had left the Light permanently. He finished about the time the pair had freed the pegasus and rider, so he went over to see if he could be of aid.
"Well-met, Dreadbane," the darker elf said, as his companion was shifting the much taller downed rider away from the stunned pegasus.
"I wish I had been more timely," Drizzt admitted, before focusing on the immature pegasus. His gift didn't quite work with the intelligent ones, but he could still see the filly was in pain. "I have not had much chance to practice the healing prayers, but I will gladly seek my Lady's aid for the filly, if I may?"
"Please; I only have one healing potion, and my son's leg was trapped for the full length of the fight," the slimmer elf said.
The pegasus filly snorted uncertainly, pain making her wary of anyone but her bonded, but her rider's sire was wise, so she held still, only tossing her head with the unease -- and whimpering pain from having moved.
"I know, I know, I'm not known to you," Drizzt said softly as he reached into the wilds the way Aronna had taught him, applying his power of observation to know which muscles had taken the worst damage. No breaks, he thought, when was good, but some tears and wrenches in the softer tissues. ~Mielikki, please let me ease this one's pain and injuries,~ he prayed with all he was, laying hands in the middle of the injuries.
The Forest Queen, ally to the deity of those winged beings, hastened to supply the needed grace, guiding Her ranger's hands in the right patterns along the affected areas. He was still so new to this aspect, but so willing, allowing the filly's pain to recede enough for her to move more freely.
"There is still strain; I am not as experienced as I need to be in this," Drizzt said, stepping back, "but she can carefully walk to safer places. I would hesitate to let her fly without one of those potions, or a stronger healer than I."
"It's a wise man who knows his limits," the slim elf said, while supporting the tall half-elf that had drank the potion. "As Kor said, well-met, Dreadbane. I am called Sharr, and this is Del, my youngest son."
"Drizzt Do'Urden, of Stedding Corwal, ranger of Mielikki. Your names sing in my ears."
Kor's eyebrow went up at that introduction, despite the obvious Ogier markings on scabbard, tunic, and faceguard.
"Stedding Corwall... that's near the Nether Hills, isn't it?" Sharr asked, head tilting thoughtfully, brows drawing together for a moment. "A pleasure to meet you. It's rare even for one of us to meet folk of the stedding in these days."
"Somewhat nearer there than here," Drizzt said cheerfully. "This is Stela," he added as the kestrel came back to his shoulder, assured that no more enemies were near.
"My filly friend is Sairena," Del said, still sitting, as even the potion's effects couldn't fully combat the shock of their being knocked to the ground so violently. "Dad's friend is Norvor… thank you, Norvor, for defending us so well. And you, Dreadbane."
"It is my duty to defend the wilds and those who wish to pass peacefully through them," Drizzt said firmly. "Once you all can move, I will see to bringing the carrion feeders here? Unless you need to see what the bodies hold?"
"No, it wasn't an organized attack so much as one of opportunity," Kor advised, "so best to move away swiftly. Didn't know any of this tribe had begun hunting so close to the High Forest, and I'll need to pass that word."
"I can tell Methri, uncle," Del said, looking up at him, "it's no problem."
"What were they, exactly?" Drizzt asked, "they were orc-ish, but not orcs, and too small for giants..."
"Firbolg-orcs," Kor said. "Firbolgs aren't always aggressive, and tend to steer clear of encounters with other races, but an orc tribe caught and enslaved some, several generations ago. Since then…" He waved a hand at the corpses. "That's happened to the tribe.
"Go ahead, Del; he and Tyresia can spread the word," Kor added. "Letting us continue on our way. We can stop at the next village to ask healing for Sairena." He looked to Sharr, to see if that was good enough, given they were on their way to see Sam, to let him take over teaching Del magic before rejoining Sharr's woman in her city.
Sharr nodded, "That suits well enough. Where were you headed, Dreadbane?"
"Exploring," Drizzt said. "Answering the call of the land as I need, but just… seeing more of the world now that my teacher has chosen to retire."
Korvallen notched another point to the drow-shaped Ogier being young. It had been hard to tell in the battle, as skilled as those blades had been, but there was something to his features that kept whispering young to a man that had trained so many.
"I should go get my bow, retrieve any arrows I can," he added, before suiting motion to words.
"Interesting people Khalreshaar is claiming," Korvallen said evenly. The sigil could not be faked, and the Ogier-ness of his dress and manners was very sincere.
"Very," Sharr agreed, and moved to wrap an arm around his heart-brother's waist in silent gratitude for Kor dealing so well with the appearance of one born drow, no matter that he was Ogier now, and obviously devoted to the fight against the Shadow. "Unique, even, I think. But that's a bit Her way, isn't it?"
"True," Kor said, before reaching down to help Del fully to his feet. "Two days, I think, to the nearest village on our path with a decent healer. Did you already calm Elué down? Given she hasn't sparkled into appearance?
"Or was she in court and still fretting over you?"
Del chuckled, knowing Mother had to have been very busy not to just come when Papa had seen the full danger for them.
"She asked me to mute the bond this morning, something about negotiations with Adbar and Sundabar," Sharr replied, "we weren't in desperate enough need for me to unshield quite yet. She is, of course, going to be furious."
Kor snorted. That was an understatement. He supposed it was a good thing that returning Sharr to her was half of what this trip was about.
"Glad I'm staying with Cousin instead of going on to the city," Del said with a grin, having moved to Sairena to reassure himself that yes, she was well. "Easy, my friend. You can't fly for a bit, but we'll have that fixed soon."
Norvor looked over that way at her weak stamp of a foot and snort, reinforcing the ranger's words with his own sound and body language. He liked the feeling of the not-enemy very much, and not just for how swiftly he'd turned the tide of the fight.
"Anyone object to my inviting the Dreadbane to travel on with us?" Sharr asked, "having been jumped like this, despite there being five of us, unsettles me a little."
"As it should," Kor said. "And… I would like to have a fuller measure of him," he agreed.
"I want to hear how he became a Dreadbane!" Del announced, happy with the idea.
"On the way to the Blight Push," Drizzt's voice called as he was coming back and heard that. "Though the sigil was awarded to those of us who did combat with the Eyeless Ones at the build up to the ritual. We'd already seen battle with Leafblighter's forces on the way there."
He was settling one sword in his belt by its handle, cloth in hand to more fully clean the second as he walked. The first of the carrion feeders were arriving, showing he had begun that needed work.
"Oh, I absolutely want more details than that, then," Sharr said, "so would you be adverse to traveling with us at least until Sairena's fully healed? We wouldn't mind company all the way to Yartar, but I don't want to impose."
"Any path is as good as another and it's been some weeks since I had company save for Stela." He brushed his cheek against the bird who had turned to do that, so in tune with her ranger that it was clear there was a Companion bond in place. "Thank you, all of you.
"I would know more of those who have befriended the pegasi so well," he added.
"Oh, now you've done it," Kor said in a good humor. "Sharr can talk for hours about the ones who befriended him."
"Sairena is my first, and we've only just begun riding on the ground for short distances," Del said.
"Of course I can talk of all my friends," Sharr agreed, "excellent, then. Let's be away, before any of your larger friends arrive, Drizzt."
"A good plan," Drizzt agreed, easily able to walk and clean his blades thoroughly. "I'd come to the decision that I was very much in need of applying my skills to helping outside the stedding the winter before the Blight Push. When my teacher, a druid by name of Aronna Plainswind, returned in the spring, she did not argue me out of it, nor did my sister, Lindsar.
"And while I had been learning so much of what she could teach, I have to admit that I glad I was as advanced in my fighting skills as I had been when I was dumped on the surface. Because it was that skill I used so much on the journey to where they would do the ritual. We encountered all kinds of Leafblighter's folk, as did every other party that came to the call."
"Heard that it was the largest gathering from our side of the Enclosure to deal with it in centuries," Kor said. "The realms are indebted to all of you that were there."
"It was a needful thing," Drizzt demurred. "The clerics and druids had the worst of it, while we rangers … and the fighters who joined us from militant gods … merely protected them to do it."
"That is no 'mere' thing," Sharr said, "take it from a Warder, though of a Mage, not an Aes Sedai."
Drizzt turned to view him, walking backwards with all the skill of his craft but looking so quizzical. He cast a look over at Kor, shook his head a little, and that actually set the elder elf to laughter.
"She keeps as loose a hold on him as she can," Kor said once he had it under control. "As Sharr is both her elder, and had already been fully committed in roles of leadership when the pair of idiots went and feel head over backsides in love."
Del laughed at that description of his parents, but nodded to it as well.
Sharr nodded wryly, corners of his mouth quirking up. "Luckily I can leave her in the middle of her school of wizardry and her knights, to do the things I need to do, without worrying too terribly most of the time, when there are things I need to do. Like escort our youngest to meet one of our cousins for some training in more elven magics than she knows. We had the bond muted today while she worked on some delicate things, or she'd have been here by now."
"I did not know such separations could happen. Then again, my exposure to Warders of the surface was limited to those that came with their Aes Sedai at the Push. And … I have heard many opinions of Blades, as the ones I was born to style it, and share most of those opinions." Drizzt half-shrugged and turned back the right way. "I am relieved to be spared that path, as the bonding would have most certainly killed me, and likely the sister I was meant for."
"Oh?" Kor asked, curious despite himself.
"She raised me. So… if I was still so antithetical to all they teach in Menzoberrazan, obviously she failed?" Drizzt opined. "And for all her faults, I was mostly fond of her, as she was gentle, for a drow."
"That is... surprising, but good to hear, that she could be gentle as possible with you. But you are far too goodly-aligned to survive an attempted bonding to an evil priestess," Sharr said, "and the attempt might have killed her before other drow could attempt it. And yes, they can happen, when needed. It can become unpleasant, if we're separated too long, but we have a few centuries of experience at it, by now. Experience makes many things easier."
"So I hear, and am slowly learning," Drizzt agreed. "I did note that both of you were skillful with your swords. I hope, before our paths part, I might invite a friendly spar? It is the sole thing I miss of that city, the ability to test myself for the joy of it, instead of because of necessity."
"I'll take that request," Kor said quickly, not about to risk Sharr to the first spar with an unknown very skillful fighter.
"And once Kor's worn you down some, maybe I won't embarrass myself," Sharr said with a soft laugh. "It sounds good."
Drizzt turned enough so they all saw that brilliant smile. "I look forward to it." He listened to the woods, and sent Stela aloft, knowing they were coming close to one of the more open areas, where the sun would make him half-blind. She was his boon for defeating that.
"Trouble?" Kor asked.
"No… open glen ahead, and the sky is mostly cloudless," Drizzt said. "She lets me see more clearly." He did not hold back his slight disadvantage with people that sat so soothingly on his nerves, in the company of such goodly beings as the pegasi.
"Ahh, you still get sun-dazzled?" Sharr asked. "I had heard that lasts... quite some time, for those few who choose the Surface. No advantage comes without its own weakness, I suppose."
"So I think," Drizzt agreed. "And yes. But under the trees, I am mostly fine. And I have the Ogier love of trees!"
Del smiled over at that. "What's a stedding like?"
"Peaceful." Drizzt grew much softer in his posture and voice. "Everything is meant to to be woven in harmony with nature and those that live there, and it resonates in the soul."
Sharr smiled, soft. "That sounds wonderful," he said, sincerely. "The Ogier are so famed for their stonework... is there much of it in the stedding? Or is that only something they do Outside?"
"If a building needs to be fully stone, such as where fire is used mainly, it will be," Drizzt said, "but even then, they do try to keep the lines of it in harmony with the rest of the stedding's more natural, earthen look."
"It must be pretty amazing," Del said.
"I think so," Drizzt agreed. "I may travel all over, but I know where home is."
"A good thing to have," Sharr said, thinking with deep affection of his own home. "And are the Great Trees truly as miraculous as folk say?"
Drizzt smiled again, and started describing in detail, sounding for all the world like a nature-loving elf to Kor's ears. He also was even more convinced that, had the boy been born as an elf, he'd still be in his home village, not wandering the world.
Kor rather doubted that skill with the blades would already be so sharp, though.
It was going to be an interesting couple of days, getting to know the Ogier shaped like a drow.
Drizzt was sprawled on his back, breathing as evenly as he could make himself, deliriously overjoyed by the fact Kor had pushed him so hard, so long. The spar would be a memory to treasure, better than even a spar with the Weapon Master, because this elf matched his goals and ideals!
Kor hadn't sprawled, but he'd looked a little wobbly as he made it to the fallen tree to sit down, and was nursing his water-skin so he didn't cool himself too quickly.
"That… that was just amazing! I couldn't even see half the adjustments either of you were making, and I was trying, uncle!" Del said.
"You're right, son," Sharr agreed, soft, shaking his head. "It took all my skill to just be able to see what you two were doing, Kor, Drizzt. At least you both look pleased..."
"Give the boy a few decades, and I'd be hard pressed to keep up," Kor said, actually smiling. "Made me wish I'd taken my shield instead of dagger for my off hand."
"I sparred someone that used that style, after the Blight Push. I think she was from the Temple of Helm, and the difference made it a good spar," Drizzt said. "You, I think, have few that could match you, and none that I've seen above so far."
"There are a few," Sharr said, "but those who can match my heart-brother are few and far between, it's true. Do you know which of Helm's temples it was? I can't imagine it was Silverymoon's, we would have heard word of you if so."
Drizzt propped up on his elbows, frowned a moment, then grinned. "No. I think all of us were far too tired to remember we didn't know where everyone came from," he said with a laugh. "All I cared was that people had decided to let me spar, and others were willing to teach me.
"Horim Half-Orc took on most of the teaching, and even traveled with Aronna and I for a bit."
"Another odd ranger but solid reputation," Kor mused. "He winters with the Sacred Glade, some years."
"And always has the best stories… but we missed the one of you," Del said, almost pouting. "Then again, a few years had passed by the time he was there after the Push."
Sharr huffed, "So we obviously did, or else he's chosen to keep quiet to protect a friend. It's not as though you need word of you to spread too much, with Dreadbane and Ogier symbols protecting you, Drizzt. Unlike most adventurers, who can use all the positive stories they can get."
"Lindsar, my sister, and Aronna, my teacher, both made certain I accepted that the things I wear and carry do help reassure others. Because there's this small problem where people might mistake me for a drow otherwise," Drizzt said with a sly amusement.
Kor half-choked on his swallow of water, as that brought an unexpected laugh to the surface.
Sharr laughed outright, smiling at the young man -- he, unlike his heart-brother, couldn't manage to call a Dreadbane a boy -- as he said, "Yes, you would run into that problem, I would think. I've been trying to remember, did your teacher, Aronna, train in Silverymoon?"
"She said that was where she was called to Mielikki as a child, yes," Drizzt said. "Her family had taken her there for her way with nature, and the unicorn came to her dreams." He sat fully up then, and rolled his neck and shoulders a bit. "Pretty sure a druid absconded with her soon after.
"She wouldn't sleep in the house most of the time!" Drizzt said, shaking his head. "I don't mind tree-sleeping at all, but nice baths are the biggest draw of entering towns for me."
"Baths," Sharr said, with great sincerity, "are one of the great joys of civilization. I love the woods and glades, but a good bath is just... heavenly."
Kor shook his head at them, then shrugged. "I don't say no to a hot soak," he admitted, "but Sharr is downright blissful about them."
"I think most of us are, Uncle," Del said. "The way my brothers push themselves to learn how to cast mansion as soon as possible?"
"I thought that was just to help your mother with her feasting," Kor said in a bland voice, his eyes merry.
"What is this?" Drizzt asked, cocking his head in deep intrigue.
Del lit up. "In Silverymoon, every night, the wizards and clerics of the city work together to produce enough food for about four hundred or so guests, using the mansion spell — they all make feasts — and the cleric ability to make food go further.
"And nothing goes to waste, as the leftovers are used to feed the palace staff before being sent on to the churches to be divided among those who present themselves there!"
Sharr nodded. "The feasts are expected to be lavish and extravagant, the mark of a good and wealthy leader, but my mage cannot stand for any of it to go to waste. She was an adventurer when she was young, and went hungry too often. Anyone willing to come to the holy places to ask will not starve, anywhere she lives."
"A very goodly person, then," Drizzt said. "I will never forget the unceasing hunger my first days upon the surface. I pestered Lindsar about all the edible things in the stedding, and then Aronna for all the ones out of it!"
"You had said dumped, earlier," Kor said slowly, inviting discussion if Drizzt wished.
"Someone in the school had decided that the Matron — my mother — should not wind up with two Blades bonded to two high priestesses, yet… truth spells exist? To be able to honestly say none of the potential suspects had killed me, I was drugged or spelled, dumped above in surface gear, and left.
"A good thing for me, and for the sister I was meant for, as the bonding would likely have killed us both, when I have never wished to be anything like those I saw there! Save the Weapon Master, who I believe sired me, and then only in his speed and skill." Drizzt sighed. "Experience for part, practice for the other, and I will eventually be there!"
"You're already amazingly fast and skilled!" Del said, astounded at the idea of someone that much better than Drizzt, and wondering a little if that was only the awe of a son for their father. He had smiled, a lot, at the praise for his mother, well-pleased by it.
"...crafty," Sharr said. "If all of them could say that when last they saw you, you were unharmed, and they did not know where you now were... Did they not try sending spells? Or... how long did it take you to reach the stedding?"
"I did not track the days and nights well, but it was enough time that I had grown ill from food I tried, and was subsisting mostly on water," Drizzt admitted. "As to the sending… that is the spell to talk in one's mind? I never heard them. Then again, Nalfein was teaching at Sorcere to be on hand when I got to that part of my studies, and Rizzen's never been a very adept wizard.
"So possibly I was protected by the time it was possible."
"Possibly, possibly," Sharr replied, "and whatever the reason was for it not happening, I am glad they did not manage to find you, and that you were safe."
Drizzt nodded emphatically. "I found my real family because of it." He wound up touching his hilts, letting the soothing of the Sung wood flow through him. "And now I use my skills to keep the wilds I so love safe."
"I've known too many people who had to leave the family of their birth to find the family of their heart," Sharr said, "I'm grateful I've never caused such pain to my own kin that I know of."
"You couldn't, dad. That happens when people can't accept their children -- or siblings, I guess -- for who they are. That's not you, or Mom, or Mama."
"He's got you there," Kor said. "Del's right about the lot of us."
"A very large family?" Drizzt inquired.
"I'm the youngest of Papa's sons. There's thirteen of us. One of them's a full elf; Mama had him. Mom had the rest," Del explained.
"And then there's the cousin we're going to," Kor added. "As well as a daughter by Del's mother, from another father, who wanders into our lives on occasion."
"Don't forget your nibling, though I'm not sure I want to claim their mother," Del teased.
"My sister is very much … like many elves," Kor admitted. "But I do love her, scamp, so be respectful of that."
"...a very large family," Drizzt murmured, stunned.
"And that's before we add in his Mage's family extensions," Kor said, nodding.
"I think I am a bit nervous even to ask," Drizzt admitted with a wry smile.
Sharr laughed. "Six sisters, three of whom are married to their Warders, one of which has a child of her own. Not so big, really."
Del made an amused noise at his father, and grinned at Drizzt. "My aunts are great, but they're also... formidable? And have very... um. Emphatic? Personalities."
Drizzt looked from him to Sharr, then to Kor who nodded. "Then I look forward to crossing paths with more of this family as I travel."
"Somehow, Dreadbane, I have no doubt you will stumble into them all on your own," Kor said.
"You may be right there, Kor," Sharr said in some amusement, nodding.
"I'm freely admitting my brothers will be on the look out for you, and their pegasus-friends," Del said. "They all like people as good as you who jump into a fight without even knowing the ones they're rescuing!"
Drizzt shrugged. "I can do no less. I am a ranger."
"And that sounds very much like one of my sisters-in-law, who gets herself into all kinds of trouble because she feels a need to answer some trouble of the wilds," Sharr said with a laugh.
Drizzt smiled at that, and filed away a likely set of allies for the future. Asking for help against the large problems was a thing that happened, after all.
Drizzt took in the very odd tree, even as Norvor was coming to ground, followed by Sairena. This was evidently their destination, and Drizzt could only hope his wanderings toward the ocean let him meet people half as kind as these had been.
"Samiar, come out here and meet a new friend of ours!" Kor bellowed at the tree as they all came to a stop just outside the wards that were tickling Drizzt's senses. Del had the look of being so embarrassed by his elder, shaking his head.
"Ah, such dulcet tones, must be Korvallen, hello cousin," came the answer as another elf came out of the door onto the balcony of the tree, peering towards them. "Sharr, Del, welcome," he said as he climbed down to the ground and started towards them.
As he got closer to them, intrigued by the mention of a new friend, Sam added cheerfully, "Norvor, Sairena, good to see you both again," before his eyes really found the 'new friend' Kor had mentioned -- and only that he was fairly good at keeping his reactions to himself and his nerves under control let him keep his composure and easy demeanor as he saw a drow in Ogier garb with a Dreadbane sigil.
A drow, and Kor called him friend, and the pegasi were contentedly nuzzling the back of one shoulder? Well. Good for his cousin's heart-brother, growing up some more. But this must be quite, quite a tale. "And my greetings to you, Dreadbane. Do be welcome within my wards. Come in, everyone."
"He's Drizzt Do'Urden, of Stedding Corwal, ranger of Mielikki, and the sigil already told you he's a Champion of the Light," Del said as they all walked in to the protected space around the hiexel.
"I've heard much of you already, Saer," Drizzt said. "I've had several wonderful days with your kin and their winged friends." He wound up running a hand up along Sairena's neck as she moved to request just such a thing.
"He's been stretching my memory of how to win spars," Kor said.
"Oh by the Light," Sam said, mock-alarmed, "please don't believe everything those two say. ...he has, Kor? Truly?"
"And soundly dumping me on my rump," Sharr added, chuckling softly as he rolled his eyes at his kinsman's theatrics. "But yes, truly."
Drizzt chuckled at the words. "I have not been so thoroughly taught in blades since I was still in the city below. And I have enjoyed sharing new techniques with all of your kin. Kor taught me a different way to come at the head, even, which will prove helpful should I have to endure another round of fights with the Eyeless Ones."
"Cousin Sam, he fought TWO at once!" Del said excitedly.
"Ahh, but do remember my teacher's Companion was with me, one injured the other, and I did take a wound," Drizzt cautioned. As if mentioning a Companion was a cue, Stela let out a piercing cry and Drizzt focused on her before smiling. "I hope no one is tired of rabbit yet; she found prey."
"Given how choosy she is, they will be plump and tasty," Kor said. "If, of course she deigns to bring us one?"
"She will. She has to make sure I eat, after all," Drizzt said with a small laugh.
"Mmm, rabbit," Sam said, while being more than a little startled at the idea of fighting multiple Fades with blades, or there being multiple Fades anywhere in the first place! "I haven't had rabbit in a while, I would very much appreciate it. Why were you somewhere there even could be two Fades at once?"
"The Blight Push, about a decade ago?" Drizzt said. "We had to defend the clerics and druids that needed to work the ritual." He half-shrugged. "I was glad to have the skills needed for such a cause."
Kor did not roll his eyes, but Sam knew it was there in the way he stood.
"I've heard a little about that, but not much," Sam replied, "which I suppose might make it a fine story for after the meal -- unless you three would be bored? Hiexel, dear, we have a new guest. This is Drizzt Do'Urden, of Stedding Corwal."
The tree swayed slightly, and a very thin, long branch dropped down to brush leaves lightly along the faceguard, before lifting again.
Drizzt followed the motion, then he moved and rested a hand along the tree, willing it to know he held reverence for it, and its willingness to host him. "Hello," he said quietly, managing the Ogier greeting word.
They made it up, and saw to settling packs, cloaks, and weapons. Drizzt decided this, inside an ally's wards, was fine to remove his swords for. Kor nodded approvingly at him, making certain to leave the pair as the most easily reached once all of them had taken their sword-belts off.
"I would be glad to speak of the entire thing, from the view I had of it," Drizzt then said, as they settled, waiting for Stela to let him know when she had returned so he could be of use.
Sam smiled, pleased, "That sounds wonderful, thank you, but since your Companion will be here shortly with food, you probably shouldn't start yet. Welcome to my home. I'm sure the hiexel appreciates your greeting, as well. What can I get you to drink, while we wait? And the rest of you? Do Norvor and Sairena need anything, Sharr, Del?"
"They'll crop your grass for you, and know to not eat the plants you grow," Sharr said. "We passed several streams, so they'll wander and look around, but I'll fill the trough when I go down to keep Drizzt company cleaning the rabbit."
Del nodded to all that. "Water'd be good; won't taste like my waterskin," he said. "At least I assume you won't serve it in a leather cup…"
Sam laughed, shaking his head in amusement, as he waited to see if Drizzt, or either of his other cousins, would ask for anything other than water, then went to get a pitcher and cups for all of them.
Sharr thought this was a good start to the visit, and looked forward to getting Drizzt's retelling where he could make notes for himself. After all, multiple elf-kin had been involved, so it needed to be recorded in Lore.
They stayed just a couple of days, long enough to whet Sam's curiosity about the Ogier-drow, share some tales, and then it was time to part. Drizzt wanted to reach the sea with plenty of time to find a wintering place, while Del was eager to begin more magic lessons without his father and uncle there to see the mistakes.
Norvor and Sairena demanded ranger-scratching, before they said their own parting, and the groups split apart to stay, go east, or go west as their hearts demanded.
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Legend of Drizzt Series - R. A. Salvatore, Wheel of Time - Robert Jordan
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Drizzt Do'Urden, Original Elf Character(s), Original Half-Elf Character(s)
Additional Tags: fanfic of a fanfic, Alternate Universe - Fusion
Summary:
In the course of Drizzt's wanderings after leaving his teacher, he meets elves that don't shy from him
Well-Met on the Road
The strident neighs stoked Drizzt's speed even as the pull of his need to protect the wilds heightened. Stela banked to get a view of what was ahead of the copse of trees obscuring his view of events.
One pegasus standing near a second under a barbed and weighted net… a person trapped with the downed pegasus… two fighters working with the standing pegasus to keep the orcish hunters from reaching the ones downed…
Drizzt fitted an arrow to his strung bow, and it announced his entry into the fight by embedding in the neck of one hunter, before a second followed and caught that one's compatriot in the eye as it turned to see what had happened. The ground between him and the hunters erupted in ensnaring plants, before he set his bow to singing again, two more arrows finding homes in orcish flesh. With that done, he abandoned his bow and drew his Ogier-forged swords, charging the biggest brute among them.
His advent had changed the tide of the fight greatly, allowing both — elven, Drizzt vaguely noted — fighters to choose their strikes and opponents with greater effect. The standing pegasus reared and brought both forehooves down, smashing the orcish one closest to him to the ground. Drizzt could hear the resultant stomping and squishing that ensued, but his focus was mostly on ending the life of as many of these brutes as he could.
Stela dove and raked the face of one that had gotten too close to the slimmer elf, buying that fighter time to regroup. Drizzt flicked a request for her to go high again, to make sure no more of these assailants were near. He thought they might be giant-blooded to account for their size and strength. He'd ask, if the elves gave him a chance.
His estimate of potential friends went up as the last orcish hunter fell, and the lighter-colored, slimmer elf hurried to the netted pair, dropping sword for knife.
"Kor," was called, quick and firm, causing the darker one, broader in the way of fighter-trained muscle, to join him in trying to get the net cut off the pegasus and rider.
Drizzt had seen suspicion give way to shock on that one's face though, and had to silently thank his sister and teacher for making certain he was marked as a truly good person on first sight.
Rather than risk moving over and being misinterpreted, despite those markings, Drizzt made the round of the corpses, making certain they had left the Light permanently. He finished about the time the pair had freed the pegasus and rider, so he went over to see if he could be of aid.
"Well-met, Dreadbane," the darker elf said, as his companion was shifting the much taller downed rider away from the stunned pegasus.
"I wish I had been more timely," Drizzt admitted, before focusing on the immature pegasus. His gift didn't quite work with the intelligent ones, but he could still see the filly was in pain. "I have not had much chance to practice the healing prayers, but I will gladly seek my Lady's aid for the filly, if I may?"
"Please; I only have one healing potion, and my son's leg was trapped for the full length of the fight," the slimmer elf said.
The pegasus filly snorted uncertainly, pain making her wary of anyone but her bonded, but her rider's sire was wise, so she held still, only tossing her head with the unease -- and whimpering pain from having moved.
"I know, I know, I'm not known to you," Drizzt said softly as he reached into the wilds the way Aronna had taught him, applying his power of observation to know which muscles had taken the worst damage. No breaks, he thought, when was good, but some tears and wrenches in the softer tissues. ~Mielikki, please let me ease this one's pain and injuries,~ he prayed with all he was, laying hands in the middle of the injuries.
The Forest Queen, ally to the deity of those winged beings, hastened to supply the needed grace, guiding Her ranger's hands in the right patterns along the affected areas. He was still so new to this aspect, but so willing, allowing the filly's pain to recede enough for her to move more freely.
"There is still strain; I am not as experienced as I need to be in this," Drizzt said, stepping back, "but she can carefully walk to safer places. I would hesitate to let her fly without one of those potions, or a stronger healer than I."
"It's a wise man who knows his limits," the slim elf said, while supporting the tall half-elf that had drank the potion. "As Kor said, well-met, Dreadbane. I am called Sharr, and this is Del, my youngest son."
"Drizzt Do'Urden, of Stedding Corwal, ranger of Mielikki. Your names sing in my ears."
Kor's eyebrow went up at that introduction, despite the obvious Ogier markings on scabbard, tunic, and faceguard.
"Stedding Corwall... that's near the Nether Hills, isn't it?" Sharr asked, head tilting thoughtfully, brows drawing together for a moment. "A pleasure to meet you. It's rare even for one of us to meet folk of the stedding in these days."
"Somewhat nearer there than here," Drizzt said cheerfully. "This is Stela," he added as the kestrel came back to his shoulder, assured that no more enemies were near.
"My filly friend is Sairena," Del said, still sitting, as even the potion's effects couldn't fully combat the shock of their being knocked to the ground so violently. "Dad's friend is Norvor… thank you, Norvor, for defending us so well. And you, Dreadbane."
"It is my duty to defend the wilds and those who wish to pass peacefully through them," Drizzt said firmly. "Once you all can move, I will see to bringing the carrion feeders here? Unless you need to see what the bodies hold?"
"No, it wasn't an organized attack so much as one of opportunity," Kor advised, "so best to move away swiftly. Didn't know any of this tribe had begun hunting so close to the High Forest, and I'll need to pass that word."
"I can tell Methri, uncle," Del said, looking up at him, "it's no problem."
"What were they, exactly?" Drizzt asked, "they were orc-ish, but not orcs, and too small for giants..."
"Firbolg-orcs," Kor said. "Firbolgs aren't always aggressive, and tend to steer clear of encounters with other races, but an orc tribe caught and enslaved some, several generations ago. Since then…" He waved a hand at the corpses. "That's happened to the tribe.
"Go ahead, Del; he and Tyresia can spread the word," Kor added. "Letting us continue on our way. We can stop at the next village to ask healing for Sairena." He looked to Sharr, to see if that was good enough, given they were on their way to see Sam, to let him take over teaching Del magic before rejoining Sharr's woman in her city.
Sharr nodded, "That suits well enough. Where were you headed, Dreadbane?"
"Exploring," Drizzt said. "Answering the call of the land as I need, but just… seeing more of the world now that my teacher has chosen to retire."
Korvallen notched another point to the drow-shaped Ogier being young. It had been hard to tell in the battle, as skilled as those blades had been, but there was something to his features that kept whispering young to a man that had trained so many.
"I should go get my bow, retrieve any arrows I can," he added, before suiting motion to words.
"Interesting people Khalreshaar is claiming," Korvallen said evenly. The sigil could not be faked, and the Ogier-ness of his dress and manners was very sincere.
"Very," Sharr agreed, and moved to wrap an arm around his heart-brother's waist in silent gratitude for Kor dealing so well with the appearance of one born drow, no matter that he was Ogier now, and obviously devoted to the fight against the Shadow. "Unique, even, I think. But that's a bit Her way, isn't it?"
"True," Kor said, before reaching down to help Del fully to his feet. "Two days, I think, to the nearest village on our path with a decent healer. Did you already calm Elué down? Given she hasn't sparkled into appearance?
"Or was she in court and still fretting over you?"
Del chuckled, knowing Mother had to have been very busy not to just come when Papa had seen the full danger for them.
"She asked me to mute the bond this morning, something about negotiations with Adbar and Sundabar," Sharr replied, "we weren't in desperate enough need for me to unshield quite yet. She is, of course, going to be furious."
Kor snorted. That was an understatement. He supposed it was a good thing that returning Sharr to her was half of what this trip was about.
"Glad I'm staying with Cousin instead of going on to the city," Del said with a grin, having moved to Sairena to reassure himself that yes, she was well. "Easy, my friend. You can't fly for a bit, but we'll have that fixed soon."
Norvor looked over that way at her weak stamp of a foot and snort, reinforcing the ranger's words with his own sound and body language. He liked the feeling of the not-enemy very much, and not just for how swiftly he'd turned the tide of the fight.
"Anyone object to my inviting the Dreadbane to travel on with us?" Sharr asked, "having been jumped like this, despite there being five of us, unsettles me a little."
"As it should," Kor said. "And… I would like to have a fuller measure of him," he agreed.
"I want to hear how he became a Dreadbane!" Del announced, happy with the idea.
"On the way to the Blight Push," Drizzt's voice called as he was coming back and heard that. "Though the sigil was awarded to those of us who did combat with the Eyeless Ones at the build up to the ritual. We'd already seen battle with Leafblighter's forces on the way there."
He was settling one sword in his belt by its handle, cloth in hand to more fully clean the second as he walked. The first of the carrion feeders were arriving, showing he had begun that needed work.
"Oh, I absolutely want more details than that, then," Sharr said, "so would you be adverse to traveling with us at least until Sairena's fully healed? We wouldn't mind company all the way to Yartar, but I don't want to impose."
"Any path is as good as another and it's been some weeks since I had company save for Stela." He brushed his cheek against the bird who had turned to do that, so in tune with her ranger that it was clear there was a Companion bond in place. "Thank you, all of you.
"I would know more of those who have befriended the pegasi so well," he added.
"Oh, now you've done it," Kor said in a good humor. "Sharr can talk for hours about the ones who befriended him."
"Sairena is my first, and we've only just begun riding on the ground for short distances," Del said.
"Of course I can talk of all my friends," Sharr agreed, "excellent, then. Let's be away, before any of your larger friends arrive, Drizzt."
"A good plan," Drizzt agreed, easily able to walk and clean his blades thoroughly. "I'd come to the decision that I was very much in need of applying my skills to helping outside the stedding the winter before the Blight Push. When my teacher, a druid by name of Aronna Plainswind, returned in the spring, she did not argue me out of it, nor did my sister, Lindsar.
"And while I had been learning so much of what she could teach, I have to admit that I glad I was as advanced in my fighting skills as I had been when I was dumped on the surface. Because it was that skill I used so much on the journey to where they would do the ritual. We encountered all kinds of Leafblighter's folk, as did every other party that came to the call."
"Heard that it was the largest gathering from our side of the Enclosure to deal with it in centuries," Kor said. "The realms are indebted to all of you that were there."
"It was a needful thing," Drizzt demurred. "The clerics and druids had the worst of it, while we rangers … and the fighters who joined us from militant gods … merely protected them to do it."
"That is no 'mere' thing," Sharr said, "take it from a Warder, though of a Mage, not an Aes Sedai."
Drizzt turned to view him, walking backwards with all the skill of his craft but looking so quizzical. He cast a look over at Kor, shook his head a little, and that actually set the elder elf to laughter.
"She keeps as loose a hold on him as she can," Kor said once he had it under control. "As Sharr is both her elder, and had already been fully committed in roles of leadership when the pair of idiots went and feel head over backsides in love."
Del laughed at that description of his parents, but nodded to it as well.
Sharr nodded wryly, corners of his mouth quirking up. "Luckily I can leave her in the middle of her school of wizardry and her knights, to do the things I need to do, without worrying too terribly most of the time, when there are things I need to do. Like escort our youngest to meet one of our cousins for some training in more elven magics than she knows. We had the bond muted today while she worked on some delicate things, or she'd have been here by now."
"I did not know such separations could happen. Then again, my exposure to Warders of the surface was limited to those that came with their Aes Sedai at the Push. And … I have heard many opinions of Blades, as the ones I was born to style it, and share most of those opinions." Drizzt half-shrugged and turned back the right way. "I am relieved to be spared that path, as the bonding would have most certainly killed me, and likely the sister I was meant for."
"Oh?" Kor asked, curious despite himself.
"She raised me. So… if I was still so antithetical to all they teach in Menzoberrazan, obviously she failed?" Drizzt opined. "And for all her faults, I was mostly fond of her, as she was gentle, for a drow."
"That is... surprising, but good to hear, that she could be gentle as possible with you. But you are far too goodly-aligned to survive an attempted bonding to an evil priestess," Sharr said, "and the attempt might have killed her before other drow could attempt it. And yes, they can happen, when needed. It can become unpleasant, if we're separated too long, but we have a few centuries of experience at it, by now. Experience makes many things easier."
"So I hear, and am slowly learning," Drizzt agreed. "I did note that both of you were skillful with your swords. I hope, before our paths part, I might invite a friendly spar? It is the sole thing I miss of that city, the ability to test myself for the joy of it, instead of because of necessity."
"I'll take that request," Kor said quickly, not about to risk Sharr to the first spar with an unknown very skillful fighter.
"And once Kor's worn you down some, maybe I won't embarrass myself," Sharr said with a soft laugh. "It sounds good."
Drizzt turned enough so they all saw that brilliant smile. "I look forward to it." He listened to the woods, and sent Stela aloft, knowing they were coming close to one of the more open areas, where the sun would make him half-blind. She was his boon for defeating that.
"Trouble?" Kor asked.
"No… open glen ahead, and the sky is mostly cloudless," Drizzt said. "She lets me see more clearly." He did not hold back his slight disadvantage with people that sat so soothingly on his nerves, in the company of such goodly beings as the pegasi.
"Ahh, you still get sun-dazzled?" Sharr asked. "I had heard that lasts... quite some time, for those few who choose the Surface. No advantage comes without its own weakness, I suppose."
"So I think," Drizzt agreed. "And yes. But under the trees, I am mostly fine. And I have the Ogier love of trees!"
Del smiled over at that. "What's a stedding like?"
"Peaceful." Drizzt grew much softer in his posture and voice. "Everything is meant to to be woven in harmony with nature and those that live there, and it resonates in the soul."
Sharr smiled, soft. "That sounds wonderful," he said, sincerely. "The Ogier are so famed for their stonework... is there much of it in the stedding? Or is that only something they do Outside?"
"If a building needs to be fully stone, such as where fire is used mainly, it will be," Drizzt said, "but even then, they do try to keep the lines of it in harmony with the rest of the stedding's more natural, earthen look."
"It must be pretty amazing," Del said.
"I think so," Drizzt agreed. "I may travel all over, but I know where home is."
"A good thing to have," Sharr said, thinking with deep affection of his own home. "And are the Great Trees truly as miraculous as folk say?"
Drizzt smiled again, and started describing in detail, sounding for all the world like a nature-loving elf to Kor's ears. He also was even more convinced that, had the boy been born as an elf, he'd still be in his home village, not wandering the world.
Kor rather doubted that skill with the blades would already be so sharp, though.
It was going to be an interesting couple of days, getting to know the Ogier shaped like a drow.
Drizzt was sprawled on his back, breathing as evenly as he could make himself, deliriously overjoyed by the fact Kor had pushed him so hard, so long. The spar would be a memory to treasure, better than even a spar with the Weapon Master, because this elf matched his goals and ideals!
Kor hadn't sprawled, but he'd looked a little wobbly as he made it to the fallen tree to sit down, and was nursing his water-skin so he didn't cool himself too quickly.
"That… that was just amazing! I couldn't even see half the adjustments either of you were making, and I was trying, uncle!" Del said.
"You're right, son," Sharr agreed, soft, shaking his head. "It took all my skill to just be able to see what you two were doing, Kor, Drizzt. At least you both look pleased..."
"Give the boy a few decades, and I'd be hard pressed to keep up," Kor said, actually smiling. "Made me wish I'd taken my shield instead of dagger for my off hand."
"I sparred someone that used that style, after the Blight Push. I think she was from the Temple of Helm, and the difference made it a good spar," Drizzt said. "You, I think, have few that could match you, and none that I've seen above so far."
"There are a few," Sharr said, "but those who can match my heart-brother are few and far between, it's true. Do you know which of Helm's temples it was? I can't imagine it was Silverymoon's, we would have heard word of you if so."
Drizzt propped up on his elbows, frowned a moment, then grinned. "No. I think all of us were far too tired to remember we didn't know where everyone came from," he said with a laugh. "All I cared was that people had decided to let me spar, and others were willing to teach me.
"Horim Half-Orc took on most of the teaching, and even traveled with Aronna and I for a bit."
"Another odd ranger but solid reputation," Kor mused. "He winters with the Sacred Glade, some years."
"And always has the best stories… but we missed the one of you," Del said, almost pouting. "Then again, a few years had passed by the time he was there after the Push."
Sharr huffed, "So we obviously did, or else he's chosen to keep quiet to protect a friend. It's not as though you need word of you to spread too much, with Dreadbane and Ogier symbols protecting you, Drizzt. Unlike most adventurers, who can use all the positive stories they can get."
"Lindsar, my sister, and Aronna, my teacher, both made certain I accepted that the things I wear and carry do help reassure others. Because there's this small problem where people might mistake me for a drow otherwise," Drizzt said with a sly amusement.
Kor half-choked on his swallow of water, as that brought an unexpected laugh to the surface.
Sharr laughed outright, smiling at the young man -- he, unlike his heart-brother, couldn't manage to call a Dreadbane a boy -- as he said, "Yes, you would run into that problem, I would think. I've been trying to remember, did your teacher, Aronna, train in Silverymoon?"
"She said that was where she was called to Mielikki as a child, yes," Drizzt said. "Her family had taken her there for her way with nature, and the unicorn came to her dreams." He sat fully up then, and rolled his neck and shoulders a bit. "Pretty sure a druid absconded with her soon after.
"She wouldn't sleep in the house most of the time!" Drizzt said, shaking his head. "I don't mind tree-sleeping at all, but nice baths are the biggest draw of entering towns for me."
"Baths," Sharr said, with great sincerity, "are one of the great joys of civilization. I love the woods and glades, but a good bath is just... heavenly."
Kor shook his head at them, then shrugged. "I don't say no to a hot soak," he admitted, "but Sharr is downright blissful about them."
"I think most of us are, Uncle," Del said. "The way my brothers push themselves to learn how to cast mansion as soon as possible?"
"I thought that was just to help your mother with her feasting," Kor said in a bland voice, his eyes merry.
"What is this?" Drizzt asked, cocking his head in deep intrigue.
Del lit up. "In Silverymoon, every night, the wizards and clerics of the city work together to produce enough food for about four hundred or so guests, using the mansion spell — they all make feasts — and the cleric ability to make food go further.
"And nothing goes to waste, as the leftovers are used to feed the palace staff before being sent on to the churches to be divided among those who present themselves there!"
Sharr nodded. "The feasts are expected to be lavish and extravagant, the mark of a good and wealthy leader, but my mage cannot stand for any of it to go to waste. She was an adventurer when she was young, and went hungry too often. Anyone willing to come to the holy places to ask will not starve, anywhere she lives."
"A very goodly person, then," Drizzt said. "I will never forget the unceasing hunger my first days upon the surface. I pestered Lindsar about all the edible things in the stedding, and then Aronna for all the ones out of it!"
"You had said dumped, earlier," Kor said slowly, inviting discussion if Drizzt wished.
"Someone in the school had decided that the Matron — my mother — should not wind up with two Blades bonded to two high priestesses, yet… truth spells exist? To be able to honestly say none of the potential suspects had killed me, I was drugged or spelled, dumped above in surface gear, and left.
"A good thing for me, and for the sister I was meant for, as the bonding would likely have killed us both, when I have never wished to be anything like those I saw there! Save the Weapon Master, who I believe sired me, and then only in his speed and skill." Drizzt sighed. "Experience for part, practice for the other, and I will eventually be there!"
"You're already amazingly fast and skilled!" Del said, astounded at the idea of someone that much better than Drizzt, and wondering a little if that was only the awe of a son for their father. He had smiled, a lot, at the praise for his mother, well-pleased by it.
"...crafty," Sharr said. "If all of them could say that when last they saw you, you were unharmed, and they did not know where you now were... Did they not try sending spells? Or... how long did it take you to reach the stedding?"
"I did not track the days and nights well, but it was enough time that I had grown ill from food I tried, and was subsisting mostly on water," Drizzt admitted. "As to the sending… that is the spell to talk in one's mind? I never heard them. Then again, Nalfein was teaching at Sorcere to be on hand when I got to that part of my studies, and Rizzen's never been a very adept wizard.
"So possibly I was protected by the time it was possible."
"Possibly, possibly," Sharr replied, "and whatever the reason was for it not happening, I am glad they did not manage to find you, and that you were safe."
Drizzt nodded emphatically. "I found my real family because of it." He wound up touching his hilts, letting the soothing of the Sung wood flow through him. "And now I use my skills to keep the wilds I so love safe."
"I've known too many people who had to leave the family of their birth to find the family of their heart," Sharr said, "I'm grateful I've never caused such pain to my own kin that I know of."
"You couldn't, dad. That happens when people can't accept their children -- or siblings, I guess -- for who they are. That's not you, or Mom, or Mama."
"He's got you there," Kor said. "Del's right about the lot of us."
"A very large family?" Drizzt inquired.
"I'm the youngest of Papa's sons. There's thirteen of us. One of them's a full elf; Mama had him. Mom had the rest," Del explained.
"And then there's the cousin we're going to," Kor added. "As well as a daughter by Del's mother, from another father, who wanders into our lives on occasion."
"Don't forget your nibling, though I'm not sure I want to claim their mother," Del teased.
"My sister is very much … like many elves," Kor admitted. "But I do love her, scamp, so be respectful of that."
"...a very large family," Drizzt murmured, stunned.
"And that's before we add in his Mage's family extensions," Kor said, nodding.
"I think I am a bit nervous even to ask," Drizzt admitted with a wry smile.
Sharr laughed. "Six sisters, three of whom are married to their Warders, one of which has a child of her own. Not so big, really."
Del made an amused noise at his father, and grinned at Drizzt. "My aunts are great, but they're also... formidable? And have very... um. Emphatic? Personalities."
Drizzt looked from him to Sharr, then to Kor who nodded. "Then I look forward to crossing paths with more of this family as I travel."
"Somehow, Dreadbane, I have no doubt you will stumble into them all on your own," Kor said.
"You may be right there, Kor," Sharr said in some amusement, nodding.
"I'm freely admitting my brothers will be on the look out for you, and their pegasus-friends," Del said. "They all like people as good as you who jump into a fight without even knowing the ones they're rescuing!"
Drizzt shrugged. "I can do no less. I am a ranger."
"And that sounds very much like one of my sisters-in-law, who gets herself into all kinds of trouble because she feels a need to answer some trouble of the wilds," Sharr said with a laugh.
Drizzt smiled at that, and filed away a likely set of allies for the future. Asking for help against the large problems was a thing that happened, after all.
Drizzt took in the very odd tree, even as Norvor was coming to ground, followed by Sairena. This was evidently their destination, and Drizzt could only hope his wanderings toward the ocean let him meet people half as kind as these had been.
"Samiar, come out here and meet a new friend of ours!" Kor bellowed at the tree as they all came to a stop just outside the wards that were tickling Drizzt's senses. Del had the look of being so embarrassed by his elder, shaking his head.
"Ah, such dulcet tones, must be Korvallen, hello cousin," came the answer as another elf came out of the door onto the balcony of the tree, peering towards them. "Sharr, Del, welcome," he said as he climbed down to the ground and started towards them.
As he got closer to them, intrigued by the mention of a new friend, Sam added cheerfully, "Norvor, Sairena, good to see you both again," before his eyes really found the 'new friend' Kor had mentioned -- and only that he was fairly good at keeping his reactions to himself and his nerves under control let him keep his composure and easy demeanor as he saw a drow in Ogier garb with a Dreadbane sigil.
A drow, and Kor called him friend, and the pegasi were contentedly nuzzling the back of one shoulder? Well. Good for his cousin's heart-brother, growing up some more. But this must be quite, quite a tale. "And my greetings to you, Dreadbane. Do be welcome within my wards. Come in, everyone."
"He's Drizzt Do'Urden, of Stedding Corwal, ranger of Mielikki, and the sigil already told you he's a Champion of the Light," Del said as they all walked in to the protected space around the hiexel.
"I've heard much of you already, Saer," Drizzt said. "I've had several wonderful days with your kin and their winged friends." He wound up running a hand up along Sairena's neck as she moved to request just such a thing.
"He's been stretching my memory of how to win spars," Kor said.
"Oh by the Light," Sam said, mock-alarmed, "please don't believe everything those two say. ...he has, Kor? Truly?"
"And soundly dumping me on my rump," Sharr added, chuckling softly as he rolled his eyes at his kinsman's theatrics. "But yes, truly."
Drizzt chuckled at the words. "I have not been so thoroughly taught in blades since I was still in the city below. And I have enjoyed sharing new techniques with all of your kin. Kor taught me a different way to come at the head, even, which will prove helpful should I have to endure another round of fights with the Eyeless Ones."
"Cousin Sam, he fought TWO at once!" Del said excitedly.
"Ahh, but do remember my teacher's Companion was with me, one injured the other, and I did take a wound," Drizzt cautioned. As if mentioning a Companion was a cue, Stela let out a piercing cry and Drizzt focused on her before smiling. "I hope no one is tired of rabbit yet; she found prey."
"Given how choosy she is, they will be plump and tasty," Kor said. "If, of course she deigns to bring us one?"
"She will. She has to make sure I eat, after all," Drizzt said with a small laugh.
"Mmm, rabbit," Sam said, while being more than a little startled at the idea of fighting multiple Fades with blades, or there being multiple Fades anywhere in the first place! "I haven't had rabbit in a while, I would very much appreciate it. Why were you somewhere there even could be two Fades at once?"
"The Blight Push, about a decade ago?" Drizzt said. "We had to defend the clerics and druids that needed to work the ritual." He half-shrugged. "I was glad to have the skills needed for such a cause."
Kor did not roll his eyes, but Sam knew it was there in the way he stood.
"I've heard a little about that, but not much," Sam replied, "which I suppose might make it a fine story for after the meal -- unless you three would be bored? Hiexel, dear, we have a new guest. This is Drizzt Do'Urden, of Stedding Corwal."
The tree swayed slightly, and a very thin, long branch dropped down to brush leaves lightly along the faceguard, before lifting again.
Drizzt followed the motion, then he moved and rested a hand along the tree, willing it to know he held reverence for it, and its willingness to host him. "Hello," he said quietly, managing the Ogier greeting word.
They made it up, and saw to settling packs, cloaks, and weapons. Drizzt decided this, inside an ally's wards, was fine to remove his swords for. Kor nodded approvingly at him, making certain to leave the pair as the most easily reached once all of them had taken their sword-belts off.
"I would be glad to speak of the entire thing, from the view I had of it," Drizzt then said, as they settled, waiting for Stela to let him know when she had returned so he could be of use.
Sam smiled, pleased, "That sounds wonderful, thank you, but since your Companion will be here shortly with food, you probably shouldn't start yet. Welcome to my home. I'm sure the hiexel appreciates your greeting, as well. What can I get you to drink, while we wait? And the rest of you? Do Norvor and Sairena need anything, Sharr, Del?"
"They'll crop your grass for you, and know to not eat the plants you grow," Sharr said. "We passed several streams, so they'll wander and look around, but I'll fill the trough when I go down to keep Drizzt company cleaning the rabbit."
Del nodded to all that. "Water'd be good; won't taste like my waterskin," he said. "At least I assume you won't serve it in a leather cup…"
Sam laughed, shaking his head in amusement, as he waited to see if Drizzt, or either of his other cousins, would ask for anything other than water, then went to get a pitcher and cups for all of them.
Sharr thought this was a good start to the visit, and looked forward to getting Drizzt's retelling where he could make notes for himself. After all, multiple elf-kin had been involved, so it needed to be recorded in Lore.
They stayed just a couple of days, long enough to whet Sam's curiosity about the Ogier-drow, share some tales, and then it was time to part. Drizzt wanted to reach the sea with plenty of time to find a wintering place, while Del was eager to begin more magic lessons without his father and uncle there to see the mistakes.
Norvor and Sairena demanded ranger-scratching, before they said their own parting, and the groups split apart to stay, go east, or go west as their hearts demanded.