The Do'Urden Brothers

Chapter 13

Note: I'm back from my hiatus! Just a reminder that this and my other two stories "Companions of the Old Tales" and "Fathers and Sons" will be updated at a slower pace than they had been previously because I am working hard at my original novel series, but I should be able to update at least one fic every week.

Also Note: I am contemplating a fourth fic. Not sure what it will be about yet although I am leaning towards a 'marooned on a deserted island/planet/whatever' trope. I know I want the fic to have Drizzt, Legolas, Dinin, Fili, Kili, and perhaps Berg'inyon and even Entreri in it. I have been reading the Sellsword trilogy, just started the second book and I am really itching to include Entreri somewhere. So yeah, I'm not sure about the plot or setting just yet but something is definitely brewing. Let me know what sorts of stories you might like to see with the mentioned characters. I definitely think it will be another Drizzt/Ellifain Tuuserail pairing like "fathers and sons" but we shall see.

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Dinin moaned, his face scrunched in pain as he lay in the sickbed. The elven druid knelt over him, his fingers roaming the drow's bare chest, concentrating on the deep wound in his side. The drow could only moan and whimper pitifully as the elves attended him.

"This paralysis spell is powerful," the druid spoke softly as another druid propped Dinin's head and shoulders up. Helping him to drink an elixir, she gently poured down his throat. Much of it dribbled down his chin as he coughed weakly.

Catti-brie glanced at Drizzt, who knelt beside the sickbed opposite the druid. The woman wasn't even sure if her friend had heard the druid's words. His gaze remained fixed on the suffering drow beneath him.

Catti-brie sat on her knees in between Drizzt and Ky'lor. They had been brought to this room of healing soon after arriving in Amandir, and after the initial adversity to the dark elves, the druids had welcomed them while Legolas had been taken directly to meet with the lord of the city.

The head druid was an older elf wearing a long robe. His hair was white, and he walked with a slight limp. He was perhaps the oldest elf Catti-brie had ever seen; she'd never seen an elf show their age before. Around him, the room was attended by many druids and druidic apprentices. This one elf had no doubt taught all of them their healing craft. He had called himself Filverel.

"Can you dispel the effects?" Catti-brie asked the druid when Drizzt failed to respond. Her friend sat slumped beside her, his posture tense as he watched his brother. The intuitive young woman could see clearly the many mixed emotions etched on his face.

For all of Dinin's past deeds, for all the taunting and mocking that they had had to endure since meeting him, Catti-brie only had to gaze down at Dinin's pained face as he incoherently thrashed his head back and forth and muttered words none could understand, to see how frightened he was. Catti-brie had a hard time seeing a ruthless murderer, but saw a vulnerable and suffering dark elf in the throes of agony.

"I believe so," Filverel spoke, bringing Catti-brie out of her musings. "But it will be a lengthy process and I believe it would be best for him if you were to all leave the room during the procedure."

Drizzt flinched, hesitating as he glanced down at his brother. Dinin didn't have the strength to speak more than a mumble, but the two brothers' eyes met and Catti-brie could clearly see the plea there. Dinin didn't want Drizzt to leave. His hand twitched, his face betraying his frustration that his body wouldn't cooperate with him.

"I won't be far away," Drizzt assured him before rising to his feet. Catti-brie and Ky'lor did the same.

"This counterspell is quite skilled," Filverel commented, glancing up at them, his eyes falling on Ky'lor, noting the young drow's wizard robes.