Queen of the Flames

The Girl in the Barrows

Drizzt Do'urden- Rain's hand - 14th (Loredas)

Drizzt walked through the grotto, closing his eyes as wind blew through his hair.
Gwen pushed against his leg, purring lowly to try and get his attention.
"I hear you, friend. I know." He said as he ran his hand over her head. The panthers ears twitched.
"The stories he told me here." Drizzt laughed fondly at the memories "He showed me everything I know."
He sat, pulling his knees to his chest "And now, it's as if everything has gone back to the beginning. I'm alone again."
She seemed to become offended and huffed, pushing her head under his arm. He laughed again, wrapping his hand around his companions shoulders
"I know you're here, Gwen. I'm not truly alone. I suppose."
She rubbed her nose against his cheek before laying her head in his lap. "I believe it will always come back to this, don't you?" He began, twisting the black hair of the cat between his fingers "You and I. I don't know what I was thinking. I'm an elf, they were...
He trailed off "She was human. I knew her life would be over when mine had hardly begun. At least she was happy, right?" Gwen made a noise, as if trying to soothe Drizzt
"They all seemed to age so quickly. It seemed like one second we were all laughing around a dinner table, and the next they laid on their death beds and I don't have a wrinkle to show for it." He scoffed "Five years later and I still don't. I would be shocked if I'd aged at all since I got here"
He leaned his head against the column behind him "I don't believe I could take it if I lost someone else. I think I'd go mad." Violet eyes began to fall shut. He was tired, exhausted almost. He'd traveled for days to get here again.
And combined with the odd sense of peace, he soon began to fall asleep. Gwen had relaxed before he did, stretching out and resting with her head in his lap.
He took a breath and forced his eyes to stay open just to sweep around the area one last time before they closed fully.

"Drizzt"
The drow looked around, white plains with no trees surrounded him. The voice that said his name was echoing and soft, as if carried by the wind.
"Who are you?"
"You know who I am, child. Look at me"
He turned and felt a hand on his face, just as a woman appeared before him. He noticed Gwen sitting behind her when it clicked.
"Mielikki" he muttered, looking at the goddess in disbelief "Mielikki..I don't understand-
"I know. You don't have to, not yet."
He shook his head "What?"
She pulled her hand away "Child, you are of a great fate. There is a girl, I cannot be sure of her name. She's in Skyrim." Her face suddenly became serious
"Listen to me well. Bleak falls Barrow. In Tamriel, Skyrim. You must find her. And you will protect her. With all you are"
Drizzt faltered "What? Skyrim? Mielikki, please"
She held up her hand "I cannot say to much. I'm not meant to tell you this much. Find her. She will be of great meaning to you. More so than anyone you've known"
Mielikki looked down as her physical form began to disappear.
"Remember my words, Drizzt Do'urden...
"The girl in the barrows is your destiny"

Gasping, Drizzt shot open his eyes as he left the dream. "What in the...
He looked around, realizing his cat no longer rested with him "Gwenwyer!" The cat appeared, tilting her head as if to say 'You were there to. You know what to do'
"Gwen, I don't know where Skyrim is. I...I don't know how to get there. And what girl? Bleak falls Barrow? I can't find all of that"
She puffed out air in annoyance, walking up and pulling at his sleeve with her teeth. "What?"
She growled lowly, glaring up at him with golden eyes
"Gwenwyer." He scolded, she only growled louder and pulled at him harder "Fine! Fine...
She walked away towards the north and he took a moment to look around the grotto before following after her, pulling his cloak over his head to shield his eyes from the harsh sun.
"Everytime" he said to himself, looking at the sky for a moment "Why me?"
They walked until nightfall, and finally fount a city called "Windhelm" and been able to buy a cheap room in a tavern for the night. He couldn't believe what he was doing.
He had a dream, and now he was walking all over the continent to find a girl he had never heard of. Or maybe he had, Mielikki didn't give him a name. Or a description.
Or anything but instinct to go off of.
His dreams had never been pleasant, nightmares from fights or his early life in Menzoberrazan plagued his mind. But recently, they'd been nothing but odd.
Vague imagines of black scales and red reptilian eyes. He always heard the voice of a girl, none he knew, saying his name. Either distressed or not, she was always saying his name. This was the girl he assumed he was meant to find. Who was his destiny, apparently.
He didn't want to adventure any longer, he was done with the saving of the world. All he wanted was to travel and ignore the rest of humanity. He put people in danger, it was best for him to stay alone.
He knew that now. It was better for everyone.

Rains Hand, 14th Loredas

The girl in the barrows is my destiny. I've never heard such a strange thing. Bleak falls Barrows in a town called Riverwood. I've not much time, apparently.
I've not written in a while, but this seemed like it needed to be shared. Gwen was there, in my dream.
Was it a dream in the first place?
I don't know what to think anymore. I've got no guidance for the first time in a while. I suppose I've done it before. If this girl truly is my destiny, surely she could explain something. She has to know.

- Drizzt Do'Urden

With his thoughts now somewhere other than his head, he felt a ton lighter and felt he could rest easier.
He shed his cloak and armor, leaving him in an undershirt and pants and climbed into the bed. The blankets were to small to cover his entire body and the bed croaked under his weight, but it was better than the ground.
He didn't know what he was meant to do, or what to think. The city seemed kind enough, towards the Dunmer at least.
He was safe
For now