Tales of Faerun

Notes of Change (3689 words) by Somariel
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Forgotten Realms, The Legend of Drizzt Series - R. A. Salvatore, Dragonriders of Pern
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Robinton [Dragonriders of Pern], Menolly [Dragonriders of Pern], Drizzt Do'Urden
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Fusion, Ensemble Cast
Summary:

When the Companions of the Hall choose to go the long way around the Evermoors in order to escort a girl from Longsaddle to Everlund before going to Silverymoon, it changes what would have been.

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Beginning notes

Many thanks to senmut for letting me play with the idea when it refused to cooperate for them.

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Notes of Change

Since Sebell had been on the road for almost four weeks, Robinton had sent word that the younger half-elf—not that Sebell liked that to be known—should take the time to eat, bathe, and rest before coming to report what he had learned in Port Llast.

But given the reason he had sent Sebell there, the knock on his office door shortly after sunset was not truly surprising.

"Come in."

Sebell entered, and after closing the door behind him, moved to sit down in one of the chairs on the other side of Robinton's desk.

Setting aside the new composition from Domick that he had been reading over, Robinton folded his hands on the desk, took in the sober look on Sebell's face, and said, "You may begin in your own time."

"Yes, Master Robinton," Sebell replied.

Then he took a few deep breaths and began his report. "The reason Petiron did not resume communication with us this spring is because he died late last fall."

Robinton frowned slightly. He couldn't truly say it was a surprise to hear that—he'd always known that his father had been getting on in years for an elf even by the time Robinton was born—but given the reason Petiron had been writing to them... "And his apprentice?"

"Had, all by herself, taken the northern road out of Port Llast a week before I arrived.

"I considered going after her, to catch up and offer an escort, but with nothing more than a description to go on, it would have been too easy for me to go right past her."

"Nor would she have been likely to trust that you were actually who you claimed to be." Robinton sighed. "Thank you, Sebell. I will ask the City Watch to keep an eye out for one Menolly Fisher, and to see to it that she is escorted to the Conservatory whenever she arrives."

---

Two weeks later

Menolly had barely gotten started on the day's walking when she heard hoofbeats approaching from off to her right.

Curious as to who might be traveling cross-country rather than on the road, she turned west, and saw two horses and a pony, with riders, quickly approaching from an angle that looked like it would lead back to the Crags.

And it wasn't long at all before the group reached the road.

A friendly "Hello" came from the halfling sitting in front of the large human on the lead horse—which she could now see had a second pony tied behind it—and she couldn't help but smile and respond in kind.

"I'm Regis," the halfling said, "and this is Wulfgar son of Beornegar behind me. The dwarf is Bruenor Battlehammer, chieftain of Clan Battlehammer, and our cloaked friend is Drizzt Do'Urden, a ranger of Mielikki."

The final introduction put an emphasis on the profession, and Menolly wasn't sure why, but the halfling—Regis—continued before she could figure it out. "May we know who you are?"

Menolly wasn't really in the habit of introducing herself to other travelers she encountered, but this group seemed friendly enough, and they had introduced themselves.

"I'm Menolly Fisher," she said.

"Ye seem young tae be travelin' by yerself," the dwarf—Bruenor—said.

"I'm sixteen!" Menolly snapped, stung by the implication.

"That's three years younger'n me girl, an' I'd nae want her traveling all by herself e'en now," Bruenor said.

"May we ask where you are headed?" the ranger—Drizzt—said. "We might be able to escort you."

"Where are you going?" Menolly countered, not entirely sure she wanted to tell them.

"To Longsaddle, for now," Drizzt replied. "Where we go after that will depend on what information we can obtain from the Harpell family there."

Menolly considered for a moment, then decided to reciprocate. "I'm going to the Music Conservatory in Everlund."

"That is a long way from here, by my memory of the maps," Drizzt said, "and you look to have been on the road for quite some time already.

"If you wish, you may join us, and ride behind me for the rest of the way to Longsaddle."

Menolly took the time to think the offer over carefully, but soon enough, she sighed, and said, "I would greatly appreciate that."

"Then take my hand, put your foot in the stirrup, and I will help you mount," Drizzt said.

Menolly reached for the offered—jet black, and now she knew why Regis had emphasized Drizzt's profession—hand, and swung herself up behind the drow ranger.

And once she was settled, her arms wrapped loosely around his torso, they started moving again.

---

After DelRoy had given his advice to stop in Silverymoon, and possibly Sundabar, on their way to Citadel Adbar, Drizzt asked the question he had been considering as he studied the map over Bruenor's shoulder.

"Would there be any benefit to going the long way around the Evermoors, so that we pass through Everlund before reaching Silverymoon?"

Bruenor's eyes bored into him as he finished, but it was DelRoy who spoke first. "I can think of a couple," the old mage said, "but I am curious as to why you are considering it."

"Ye're thinkin' o' the girl, aren't ye, me elf?" Bruenor said. "About her age and inexperience, and how far she still has tae go."

"Yes."

Bruenor's attention turned from Drizzt to DelRoy. "Then let's hear th' benefits sae we can decide if'n they're worth it."

"First," said DelRoy, "Everlund is a Harper haven, and the Harpers might have information that others do not, that would be of use in your search."

"Long detour for just a maybe," Bruenor said, crossing his arms. "But ye said 'first', sae let's hear the others."

"There is only one more," DelRoy said, "but with a drow in your party, it may be an important one.

"As Nesmé does not much like those not human, and it controls the road beside the Evermoors along the more direct route."

Bruenor took a moment to look at the map to see where the mentioned city was, then sat back with a huff. "They'd be damnfools tae hinder us just 'cause o' me elf's species, but they'd nae be the first tae fail tae see his worth.

"Very well, then. We'll escort the girl tae Everlund, an' continue on from there."

---

The two days of rest the Companions took after deciding on their route and destination were much appreciated by all of them, and Menolly as well.

And though Bruenor had wanted to leave on the fourth morning after their arrival, Harkle's promise of horses for them had had him grudgingly agree that it made sense to take an extra day to make sure Menolly could handle a horse on her own.

Which turned out to be a very good thing, as the thunderstorm that passed through on that fourth day was violent enough that if they had been on the road, they likely would have lost the horses to being spooked, even with Drizzt's ranger skills.

And so, it was on their fifth morning at the Ivy Mansion that the Companions and Menolly took their leave of the Harpells, riding on fine mounts that Harkle had explained were gifts, only to be returned at their leisure.

---

Entering Everlund had gone much more smoothly than Drizzt had expected, as it seemed that either the Companions' escort of Menolly—whom the City Watch had apparently been asked to keep an eye out for—or the fact that he had chosen to leave his pendant of Mielikki's symbol visible, if not both, had outweighed his species.

And now, having turned their horses over to the care of the stables at the Music Conservatory, the five of them were following Sebell, one of the students pursuing a Mastery, as he led them to the office of the head of the Conservatory.

With Sebell leading them down side paths and through buildings, it wasn't all that long before he stopped by an open door, knocked on the doorframe, and then stuck his head into the room.

"Master Robinton?" he said. "I've brought Menolly Fisher to see you, along with the adventurers who escorted her from Longsaddle."

"Thank you, Sebell," came a voice from within the room. "I'll see them now."

Sebell pulled back from the doorframe, turned to look at them, and waved them towards the doorway. "I'll see you all later, I hope."

And then he turned and headed back the way they had come.

Menolly entered the office first, but the Companions were right behind her, and as she settled herself into one of the chairs in front of the desk under a window, Drizzt took a moment to study the man behind it.

Tall, lean, with dark eyes, and dark hair faintly touched by silver... and his eyes and ears both looked like blunted versions of the standard elven features.

Which had to mean he was a half-elf.

"Do you wish to sit down, Saer Ranger?" the man asked him, and Drizzt saw that while he had been studying him, Regis, Bruenor, and Wulfgar had also taken seats.

"I would prefer to stand," Drizzt replied, though he did move so he was positioned behind Bruenor and Menolly.

"Very well, then." Robinton turned his attention from just the ranger to the entire group, and smiled.

"As you heard Sebell say, I am Master Robinton, the head of Everlund's Music Conservatory.

"And I am both very pleased to finally meet my father's student, as well as grateful to the rest of you for giving her escort part of the way.

"And on that note, may I know your names? The message from the gate guards did not include them."

"Would nae have much liked meself if'n we hadnae," the dwarf said, "nae with as young as she is.

"As for me name, I be Bruenor Battlehammer. The halfling is Regis, me boy here is Wulfgar son of Beornegar, and me elf is Drizzt Do'Urden."

Drizzt had halfway expected the recognition in Robinton's eyes at Bruenor's clan name, but seeing the same for his own name was a surprise, and made him wonder where the man could have heard it.

"Of the Mithral Hall Battlehammers?" Robinton asked, his attention mostly focused on Bruenor, but a corner of his mind paid attention to Drizzt, having noticed the ranger's slight tension after being introduced.

"Aye."

"Then you must have come to Everlund to see if the Harpers have any information that might aid you in finding your lost Hall."

Bruenor nodded. "DelRoy Harpell said they might, an' if'n they donnae, we go tae Silverymoon, and Adbar after that."

"That is a sound plan," Robinton said, "though Herald's Holdfast may also be worth visiting, especially as it is only a day's travel north of Silverymoon."

Then, turning his attention fully to Drizzt, he said, "And I am pleased to meet the unusual ranger that Dove Falconhand has an interest in."

Drizzt blinked in surprise. "Can you explain what you mean by that?

"As I had not thought that my single near-encounter with her had made such an impression as to retain her interest twenty years later."

"About ten years ago," Robinton began, "she put out a standing request to the Harpers to be notified if anyone had word of you.

"As she had been keeping track of the rumors of a drow ranger, and grew concerned when they ceased."

"Ah." Drizzt still wasn't entirely sure he was comfortable with the interest, but her letter to Montolio had been supportive enough that he could understand the reasoning for such a request.

"How'd ye know what Ranger Falconhand requested of the Harpers?" Bruenor asked, not liking the idea that it might be widespread knowledge.

"I know it because I am a Harper," Robinton replied.

Quickly connecting several things he had seen as Sebell led them to this office, Drizzt asked, "Just how many of the staff here are Harpers?"

Robinton chuckled. "More than most people would expect for a place not officially associated with them, and most of the rest will share information with us."

"Am I going to be expected to become a Harper?" Menolly asked. She knew Petiron had been one, but though his tales of adventures were interesting to listen to, she didn't want to end up in the middle of one.

"Not at all," Robinton said. "Many students here do choose to join the Harpers upon graduating, but there is not any expectation that they will do so."

---

Drizzt was accompanying Regis to Moongleam Tower, the official Harper stronghold in Everlund—Bruenor and Wulfgar having gone ahead well before Regis had finished breakfast—with Sebell as their Harper escort, when instinct made him shove Regis behind him.

Hands near—but not on—his hilts, Drizzt scanned the crowd for the threat he had sensed, and quickly focused on a short, slender man, with the physique of an agile fighter—who was drawing sword and dagger even as he moved towards them.

Keenly aware of his species' reputation, Drizzt waited until the man had almost reached them to draw his own blades—and immediately had to counter an attack, as the man proved to be just as fast as he was.

Even through the intense focus of fighting near the top of his ability, Drizzt was still aware of Regis yelling for the guards, and even managed to call for the people coming closer to stay back, but it was quickly all too clear that he was truly facing an equal in skill.

So with an internal sigh, he dropped darkness over both of them.

And as he had hoped, his opponent faltered somewhat with the loss of his sight, and Drizzt was soon able to knock him out with the hilt punch that Zaknafein had used on him so often.

With the other man down, he dismissed the darkness... and immediately found himself caught by a hold spell.

Off to his right, he could hear Sebell and Regis arguing with the City Watch, but he focused his attention on testing the spell.

As he had suspected, it was not very strong, and he soon broke it... then stepped back, sheathing his scimitars as he did so, and unbuckled his sword belt, letting it drop to the ground.

Gasps from all around proved that he had surprised everyone—with the possible exception of Regis—but it didn't take long for one of the City Watch to approach, and pick up his blades.

"Saer," the man said, "will you please come with us so we can collect your statement?"

"Of course," Drizzt replied, turning to follow him.

---

As Dove entered the Pegasus Square Watch Station, she was still wondering exactly what had happened for the Harpers here to request her presence on Drizzt Do'Urden's behalf.

Taking in the room before her as the door closed behind her, she was relieved to see Drizzt—without his scimitars, and that had to be a deliberate choice on his part—sitting over in the area reserved for witnesses, along with a halfling, and a man in the colors of the Music Conservatory.

Then a relieved greeting from the Watch officer at the desk drew her attention, and she headed over to him to find out what the situation was.

Some time later, she leaned back in her seat, and sighed. "Well, this is a fine mess."

Looking directly at the Watch Captain, she continued, "However, if Drizzt says the man was his equal in skill, then he is absolutely correct in saying that the only way for him to end the fight non-lethally was to give himself a significant advantage.

"As I presume you've only gotten better since you defeated two barghests and a worg in a single fight." That was directed at Drizzt, as she had wanted to hear his account directly, after getting the initial explanation from the captain.

"I have no reason to think otherwise," he replied.

But before any of them could say anything further, the station door opened, and a squad—including a wizard—entered, escorting a young woman, an older woman, and a man.

The older woman was in wizard robes, and she and the man were both shackled, but the young woman was not, and looked as though she had had several very bad days.

Even as she thought that, the young woman looked around the station, and when she saw Drizzt, her face lit up in a truly relieved smile.

"Me ranger," she cried, breaking from the group, and rushing over to envelop Drizzt in a tight hug... which he returned just as fiercely.

"My Catti," he breathed.

The Watch Captain—as well as the other members in the station—looked on dumbfounded for a moment, then the captain clearly rallied.

"Saer," he said, "we do need to get your statement."

"An' ye can do it right here, where I c'n see and touch me ranger, an' know as I'm free," the young woman—Catti, apparently—replied.

The captain shook his head for a moment, then sighed, and called for a sergeant to come over with paper, pen, and ink.

And once the sergeant was set up at the nearby desk, ready to record Catti's statement, the captain asked her to begin.

The statement itself was not particularly long, but the mention of Dendybar's involvement, and that he believed Drizzt was either in possession of, or knew the location of, something that he claimed belonged to him, had raised Dove's hackles—and Drizzt's, she had noticed—so once Catti was finished, and had verified that the sergeant had recorded her account correctly, Dove turned to Drizzt and said, "May I accompany you and your friends back to the Conservatory? There's one particular piece of Catti's statement that I feel I need to investigate."

"Dendybar's interest in me?" Drizzt asked. Dove nodded, and Drizzt sighed.

"As I suspect I know the reason for it, and do not have the resources to deal with that reason myself, it would likely be for the best.

"Since all I have heard of the Harpers leads me to believe that they might well be the best option for safely doing so.

"And I would trust you--and those you choose--more than any others."

Well, that just increased her concerns, but at least she wasn't going to have to push. "Thank you."

---

Given the rumors about Drizzt that had been buzzing around when she ate lunch, when the assessments needed to properly place her in classes reached a break, Menolly chose to head over to the Conservatory's guest quarters, because at least some of the rumors seemed... very inconsistent with the ranger she had gotten to know during the week it took to ride from Longsaddle to Everlund.

On entering the guest quarters, she heard Drizzt's and Regis's voices coming from a doorway to her left, along with that of an unknown woman.

Moving over to the doorway, she tapped on the doorframe to signal her arrival, then entered the sitting room on the other side, where she saw Drizzt and Regis talking with a young woman who matched their descriptions of Catti-brie.

Well. It seemed like at least some parts of the rumors were not as untrue as she had thought, because if that was Catti-brie, she was well aware that Drizzt and the others had believed the young woman to be safely back in Icewind Dale.

And as she did so, Drizzt broke off what he had been saying, and turned towards her.

"It's good to see you, Menolly," he said. "How are you settling in, so far?"

"Well enough," she replied. "I haven't had any classes yet, but my assessments are going well."

"Ye're Menolly, then?" the young woman said.

"Yes," Menolly replied, going over to take a seat near them. "And I'm guessing you must be Catti-brie."

"Aye. An' I'm very pleased tae meet ye. Regis and me ranger have spoken about ye a fair bit."

"Likewise. As they, Bruenor, and Wulfgar told me a good deal about you as we traveled together."

"But I rather doubt you knew Catti-brie was here," Drizzt said, "so what caused you to seek us out during the day?"

"There are a bunch of rumors about you flying around," Menolly said, "and I want to know what the truth is.

"Because some of them don't seem like you at all."

"Ah." Drizzt sighed. "Why don't we start by having you tell me exactly what you've been hearing.

"And then I can tell you how much is accurate, what's exaggerated, and what's actually false."

"Alright." And Menolly settled in to start.

---

Menolly had struck up a strong enough friendship with Catti-brie while the Companions were guests at the Conservatory that even after the older girl left, the two of them remained in touch through letters.

As a result, Menolly had been kept up to date on the status of Bruenor's quest, and then the preparations for reclaiming the Hall.

But Catti's last letter before winter set in had warned that things were likely to be busy enough in the spring that it was entirely possible she wouldn't have time to write much before the Hall was actually reclaimed.

So when Menolly finally received a rather thick letter, about two weeks after the date that had been set for the campaign, she was both very relieved to finally have word from her friend, and very eager to read Catti's account of the battle, and learn what everyone had done.

Some time later, she sat back in her chair, humming to herself, and put the letter down on her desk.

Catti-brie had managed to weave the tale well enough that Menolly could almost see some of what had been described, and the Hall's reclamation was certainly worthy of a song.

So, pulling over a stick of charcoal and some of the foolscap she used for drafts, she began to write.

The Hall of old, with mithral bright,
Was taken by a shadow.
The clan was scattered by their flight,
Their mem'ries dimmed somehow...

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