A/N: This is my frist Drizzt Story please be kind. And let it be known that I do not own anything of R.A. Salvatore's writing. I also did not write this fic alone, my friend Kris had some major inspiration to add to this! She was a MAJOR part of this fic. Also, Cassidy is not in the series he is a made up character! If you do not like such, please don't read! I accept constructive criticizme.

Drizzt roamed the hilly land, thankful for that it was a cloudy day, otherwise the snow would have blinded him helpless again. Guenwhvyar roamed at his side again, scouting ahead to find any enemies that might lay in Drizzt's wake. It wasn't that Drizzt couldn't see, but more likely his eyes ached, even without the sun it still hurt to be out in daylight despite seven years on living on the surface. The cloak he had taken him provided extra warmth along with the boots and heavy shirt beneath along with the pants, he was grateful for the comfort and temporary home Mooshie had provided before passing. He still had comfort from the lesson he had learned that would stay with him for the rest of his dark elf life. Taking a deep breath he quickly hiked up a seemingly endless white hill of snow, thinking on other things.

The clang of metal against metal reverberated through the mountain air, just barely carrying over the hill. The hoarse cries of orcs punctuated the screeching of abused weapons, and the few snarls that rose over the cacophony marked the presence of worgs. There were no sounds of anything that even remotely resembled one of the 'goodly' races in the mass of orcish melody - except for the unmistakeable ring of a finely-made sword. Only one, and almost drowned out by the orcs, but undeniably someone that might be worth helping.
On the other side of that massive hill of snow was a pack of about two-score (forty) orcs and five worgs. They were up against only one opponent, a slender and almost fragile-seeming figure - not an elf, though, and apparently not nearly as fragile as he seemed, for lying in red patches on the snow were fifteen orcs and two worgs. The slender male was decked out in armor eerily similar to that of the drow, and the color of darkest onyx; the blade of his sword was red, but very little of it was from the blood of the orcs and worgs he had killed - and it was working furiously to keep the orcs at bay. The five remaining worgs circled the outer perimeter of the battle, eyeing the mass of bodies for an opening to dart in and snap at the intruder. In the time it took to note this, two more orcs were taken down and a third nearly had its arm removed at the shoulder - but the male's onyx armor took a scraping across the ribs from a darting spear, fortunately strong enough to turn the blow.

Guenwhyvar was the first upon the seen Drizzt not far behind, he surveyed the battle, the other was obviously a skilled fighter by the look of him. He has his scimitars out now, those beloved weapons Mooshie had given him when his had long since broke; and without question charged in battle. The worgs Guenwhyvar had covered, the panther let out a roar and led them a bit aways clawing and biting at any who got too close. Watching his panther friend for a moment, he turned back to his own battle. He began hacking down orcs, some stared withs surprise but got over it as he began to attack, even more blood covering the ground. He did not know how the other got into such a mess but he would not ask until it was over, for now it was battle time. He easily sliced off heads, preferring to end it all without too much suffering, even for orcs he did not wish to torment any creatures. The orcs let out pitiful squeals of terror matching that of the dieing worgs at Guenwhyvar's claws and powerful jaws. It wasn't long before all the orcs had been cut down, scattered across the ground more dark patches that were heating up the snow. He turned back to the other who had been fighting relentlessly as well. Making the quick symbol of peace, he spoke, hurried to make himself known as friend, not foe. "Are you harmed? I mean no ill will only friendship if that is acceptable.." Guenwhyvar trotted back down beside Drizzt with minor wounds just like her master.

Silver met lavender, holding warily for a long moment; a streak of blood trickled from a shallow gash across one pale cheek. Then, amazingly, a small, tired smile bloomed across that fair face. "Nothing serious, thanks to you and your cat. Just the usual collection of cuts and bruises." A controlled flick tossed the excess of blood on his blade out to the side, and a quick wipe on the clothing of a nearby dead orc cleaned off most of the rest. A more thorough washing would have to be done later, but for now, the blade was sheathed. "Though, I fear, you may want to withhold that offer of friendship, good drow." That was almost an oxymoron. "My kind are as universally despised as yours..."

Drizzt copied the other's moves and sheathed his scimitars stroking his panther's head fondly. Observing him he could not guess what race he was, he seemed human, but couldn't possibly be; the other was too quick and his moves were unlike a human's. "But I am a rogue as it seems you are...and I do think it is wise to make friends where one can.." He smiled briefly. "My name is Drizzt Do'Urden..." Offering this to show he was not afraid of the other, even if his race was despised. "I hope that you can perhaps...shed some light on who you are, and your race.." He smiled again, apologetically it seemed.

"Ah, so true. Especially given that we two have a bit of a difficult time finding anyone willing to come near us without a weapon drawn." Wry but lighthearted amusement laced his tone. "Well met, Drizzt Do'Urden." He grinned suddenly and bowed flamboyantly. "Cassidy Nikolai Jericho at your service, good sir." He straightened up and tucked a few loose strands of hair behind his ear. "I am a vampire, though not by choice. Even drow tend to avoid my kind." His now-somber expression betrayed his thoughts: he was just waiting for the drow to repudiate him, take back that offer of friendship and chase him off with scimitars drawn. It had happened before, far too many times...

Drizzt was surprised at the attitude and mannerism directed at him. His kind hardly drew that kind of reaction, more so of threats, fleeing, or wetting ones self occured more often. Friends were not often found out on this barren land, and this stranger proved quite interesting already. So that was what he was, vampire. Yes now he remembered the not too long ago lessons upon the various creatures, so called allies, and enemies of the Underdark. The look across this ones face was quite shocking, could there be another like him? Forsaking his race to find another, a new life? Perhaps he had more in common with this vampire, no, cassidy, he corrected him. "Yes the same goes for you Cassidy, it is rare I find such a skilled fighter among these lands.." He offered another smile and pulled up his cowl hiding his eyes from the burning reflection of light. He must rest soon, but the light was only a minor thing to suffer compared to the countless enemies he would make and fear he would inflict whether by choice or not. "May inquire as to where you are headed? Perhaps we could travel together awhile." He asked.

Perhaps that was so. But this particular vampire feared very little, either things or people, and Drizzt's actions were so very unlike the rest of his kind - and so natural to him - that he instinctively knew that this drow (despite his simply being a drow) was completely trustworthy. Even his smile was open and honest, reaching to his eyes as well, and Cassidy's answering one was no different. "I'm not headed anywhere in particular. I was just looking for someplace to hole up in for a while that was within a few miles of a tavern. Drunks put up less of a fight and are more likely to be found unconscious in a gutter somewhere." He knew what he was talking about, as evidenced by the dry amusement lacing his tone. "I'd be glad to travel with you.. Though I must warn you, I have a tendancy to bite unexpectedly." He chuckled humorlessly. "It's a hazard of the species. Kind of like rabies, only less infectious."

"Indeed...yes let us head to the tavern though I must say I am not a drinker.." He looked to the horizon trying to ignore the burning sensation that was in his eyes. He fingered the hilt of his scimitars, though not because Cassidy was near, only because of what other dangers there might be besides the harmless drunks. "I have my own defenses...you might find yourself worn out by trying to do so.." He pulled out the small figurine of guenwhyvar and the cat dissapeared. "Let us go before other dangers come upon us.." He murmured and started off.

Cassidy chuckled lightly at that, one hand propped on his hip. "I could easily make a bad pun out of that.." A pause. "I find myself completely unsurprised by that, my friend." His silver eyes swept over the battlefield, finally halting at a small bundle of something nestled between the roots of a tree. "In a moment. I can hardly leave a friend behind." And then he was off, scampering across the snow as lightly as Drizzt himself.

Kneeling down beside the bundle, the vampire carefully unwrapped it; the final layer of cloth shifted and fell away as if on its own and a delicate, gleaming, transparent head rose from the pile. It was followed by a long neck, wings and then a body and tail... A perfect, glittering miniature glass dragon. Cassidy held his hand out to the delicate creature and it climbed onto his forearm, then on up to his shoulder and perched there, a living sculpture.
The young vampire then gathered up the rest of the small pile - a small pack, and a black cloak with silver trim that, once he put it on, made him look more like a wizard than a warrior.

Now, with that cloak and the glass dragon draped around his shoulders, his clothing seemed to suit him much better; his slender, small frame hadn't really seemed the right type for a fighter at first.
With a warm smile, the vampire gave introductions. "Drizzt, this is Iianthe. I suppose you could call her a familiar, but she's really more in the nature of a companion like your Guenhwyvar." The little dragon tilted her head slightly to the side, eyeing Drizzt with the kind of measuring gaze that you wouldn't really expect from an 'animal'.

Drizzt smiled lightly letting it linger there for moments. So Cassidy had a sense of humor? Good, he tired of the barren tundra, Guenhwyvar despite her company was only enough to keep him from insanity. Drizzt took a moment to pause as Cassidy sprinted across the snow to pick up the bundle. He approached the vampire slowly to meet him and eyed the Dragon. So Cassidy had his own companion to chase away the loneliness, fair enough and a smart thing. Despite both of them being good natured...the beast inside could escape with nothing to quell it. "Nice to meet you Iianthe.." He bowed toward the dragon, this creature was hardly any different from his beloved panther. He liked to give respect..despite how different the creature might be. Despite that Guenhwyvar did not judge him, she did however observed him even in their travels together. Hopefully Iianthe would find him to be a friend just as his panther had done. "Shall we be on our way now?" He asked quietly.

With a brief pause to regard Drizzt regally, the glittering dragon returned the bow, bending her long neck respectfully. Well met, Drizzt Do'Urden. Her words chimed musically in the drow's mind, crystalline gaze holding violet. I thank you for your offer of friendship. These last have been dark days for him. I believe you may be just the ray of light he needs now.
Cassidy seemed oblivious to his companion's words beyond her original greeting to the drow, bright silver eyes on the horizon as the wind tossed his unruly ebon hair about. A smile graced his lips as he turned his gaze back to the dark elf. "Lead the way, my friend. You know this place far better than I do."

Drizzt was none the less shocked at hearing the Dragon's words within his own mind. He having observed her dragon before, did so more carefully now. There were many surprises, that he sometimes could not comprehend for moments. But it wasn't so bad this time, after all mooshie had talked with guenwhyvar in the past, so his starteldness did not last for long. /I do not know what I can do myself, as my race was to be said the evilest of all, but I will try in hopes of sucess../ He said speaking within his own mind hoping that was how it worked. "Knowing the way can be more dangerous than not knowing my new friend.." He smiled in turn but started ahead anyway. There was a town he knew toward the north, it would be dark by the time they reached their desination five miles away. Though the dark was indeed his ally in truth, there were things that lurked there that might greet them with no more than bloodlust. Trekeing across the snowy hills the day did not heisitate to slip away.

Small but solid flames flickered into view, lighting the town's walls along it. It seemed that they were not the only late comers, merchant wagons pulling in from their own journey from the east it seemed. Drizzt pulled his cowl lower over his eyes and glanced back to Cassidy, seeing him perfectly now. "I do not know..if humans recognize your kind from sight but I must cover..in the mean time you'll have to lead into the town as if I was a blind companion, you mind not?" Drizzt asked walking a bit slower next to his companion. Though even if Cassidy refused it would be easy enough to climb the walls..though he prefferred to remain Cassidy's friend. It wouldn't be surprising though if Cassidy shrugged it off, he had worser things than rejection sometimes; though even that was arguable.

Iianthe's head bobbed slightly in acknowledgement. I could ask no more of you.. With a silent smile, Cassidy took off behind Drizzt, ghosting across the snow in the drow's wake. The vampire followed the dark elf like a reversed shadow, moving as lightly and noiselessly as he even through the deepening dusk, his silver eyes gleaming eerily in the darkness.
The vampire slowed as they neared the caravan, glancing over at his new friend with a slight upward quirk of one side of his mouth. "They don't.. Otherwise I'd never get a meal. And of course I don't mind..." A gentle smile ghosted across his lips, one hand rising to Drizzt's elbow as a blind man's guide would. "After all, what are friends for?" He murmured as they fell in at the end of the caravan, a few quick gestures and a whispered Word making them appear no different than any other traveler on these lands. Armed, yes, and capable of defending themselves, but no more or less dangerous than any other who dared the wild lands here...

He wasn't sure if it was a bad thing that humans couldn't recognize Cassidy's kind from sight. At least he was one of the good guys this time. After Cassidy took his elbow it wasn't so hard to get in. The guards probably being underpaid didn't inspect so thouroughly as they should have, one day it might cost them their town. Once entering on the other side of the wall he straightened and took back his elbow. "Thank you Cassidy." He murmured as Drizzt peered out at the city. The only thing that scuttled around were rats. The rest were normal enough people entering the city. The streets were well lit and it seemed to be systimatically set up, tourist attraction first and the housings and such things in the back. All types of carts were set up merchants still out selling their wares to who they could attract.

The Weary traveler had a couple choices from the inns depending upon the coin in their pockets. Mooshie had given him what money he held, a generous offer any means. He was sure it would hold them at least a couple nights in an inn and provide them with good service. But he preferred nothing too high ranking in the inns as he needed to save his coin. He'd never slept in such 'inns' before but Mooshie had explained them to him. "Cassidy ..I must ask yet another favor of you...I need you to take this money and get us.." Well he wasn't sure if Cassidy was comfortable with sharing or not. Better not risk it that much further, besides he had a reasonable amount of coin. "Two rooms...for the night ..." He said holding out the bag of money. He trusted Cassidy with it, besides he didn't know the charge exactly.

Cassidy blinked once, tilting his head slightly to one side as he accepted the sack of coins. "Alright. I'll see what I can find. But I warn you now: judging by the size of the caravan we followed in, it's likely that there won't be two free rooms in any one inn that won't be outrageously overpriced. I hope you don't mind sharing, as it's likely we'll have to." Well, so much for that particular worry. "Here." The vampire said as Iianthe crept out of his cloak, half floating over to perch lightly on Drizzt's shoulder. "She'll make sure that nobody notices you, and will tell you where to meet me after I get our rooms.. Or room, as the case may be." The coin pouch vanished into his cloak to fill the space that the dragon had vacated. "With a bit of luck, this won't take too long. I'll see you again within the hour." Turning with a smile and a slight wave as he slipped into the flow of traffic, the vampire seemed perfectly within his element...
Half hour later
True to his prediction - both of them - his business had been taken care of quickly. And while Drizzt's purse was only marginally lighter, Cassidy had only managed to find single rooms available - but fortunately, the one he'd paid for was moderately larger than most and better maintained than some of them that he'd seen elsewhere. It was a comfortable room, to be sure, but unfortunately there was only one bed. The vampire figured he would sleep on the floor; after all, being undead, he rarely got the same types of aches and pains as mortals did. So here he was, waiting just within the shadow of an alleyway a few streets down from the inn he had chosen for the drow elf he dared to call friend. Iianthe would have informed Drizzt by now of where he was to meet Cassidy, and presumably the drow would be on his way now. So all there was left to do.. was wait.

Drizzt patiently waited as Cassidy spoke and nodded at appropriate times. It was true, with a caravan that large and the act they had to pull off it had lagged them dearly. If only the color of his skin could be changed, then perhaps they could have made better time. He glanced at Iianthe and smiled briefly before looking back to Cassidy. He waved in turn and watched the vampire go off, dissapearing easily into the crowd. He wondered if what cassidy meant by not being noticed was invisible or merely mind tricks. But he took careful measures not to run into anyone as he walked around a bit. He finally settled against a well and crossed his arms, careful not to squish his other companion between his back and the wall. Closing his eyes he took on a more meditative state, waiting to be summoned as Cassidy said he would.

It didn't seem very long before Iianthe woke him from his meditating state and explained the where abouts of Cassidy. He murmured a thanks and opened his eyes before walking along, close to the shadows to the location he was given. It wasn't long before his eyes spotted Cassidy's figure outside an alleyway, he came up and nodded in greeting. "So how did room hunting go, any luck?" He asked quietly

Turning as the drow approached, white teeth flashed briefly in a smile. "Better than I had hoped, truthfully. As expected, I only managed to get us one room, but fortunately it's large enough to be comfortable for two. However..." He paused a moment, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "..There's only one bed." A beat of silence. Then, "I'll be the one to sleep on the floor. I don't mind.."

Drizzt gazed at Cassidy for a couple moments before cracking a smile. "You got us a room, that is well enough. And I'd be a fool if you slept on the floor, you have already carried out two favors for me so the debt is mine now. You will be sleeping in the bed, neither of us are too large I'm sure we can share... Unless you think me that evil that I would stab you in your sleep I don't see any problem with it. Now let us go an get settled in our room, perhaps we can get a meal afterwards, rather you would feed I suppose." Drizzt corrected himself. He turned and glanced back at Cassidy apparently waiting for his companion to follow or to speak.

-- Oh dear.. Prayers to every god and goddess that Cassidy could think of flew skyward, thanks for the dim light that hid the flush that suddenly sprung to his cheeks and the fact that Drizzt hadn't been using his infravision - otherwise, the drow would have been able to see the heat that had risen to his normally cool cheeks. To cover his reaction, he propped his hands on his hips in an offended manner and half glared at the dark elf. "Of course I don't think you're evil. If I thought you were evil, I wouldn't be traveling with you!" He huffed, blowing a lock of that silky black-violet hair of his out of his eyes.
Letting his arms fall back to his sides with a sigh, the vampire moved to join his traveling companion, brushing his (relatively) short hair back from his face. "Actually, I already fed. Opportunity staggered by while I was on my way here to wait for you, so I opted to take it."

Drizzt looked at Cassidy quite surprised, he'd never expected a mood swing even if it was small. But perhaps he judged his companion too quickly, different races had different moods at different times. "I apologize then for striking a nerve." Staggered by? He wondered if Cassidy meant that litteraly. So they both went down the street to the inn, slipping inside. The setup was usual for an inn downstairs was the tavern like setup and upstairs the room if you wanted to get away from the loud music and drunken men and women. The bar was round with chairs to it, a man and woman serving behind the counter. The kitchen was off in the back, and tables were scattered around. A small stage where the tables were facing, and a woman dancing upon it another woman playing the tambourine and other musical instruments going.Drizzt sidestepped a wobbling fellow and retreated up the steps silently and quickly waiting for Cassidy to show the way, since he didn't know which room it was.

Cassidy waved off the apology, smiling ruefully. "You didn't strike a nerve. I'm just not very good at controlling my emotions or hiding them... I suppose I'm just a little strange." Weaving easily through the small crowd, the vampire neatly sidestepped an overburdened serving-wench - steadying her before she dropped any of the large trays that she was carrying to the tables in the back corner that had been pushed together for a group from the caravan they'd come in behind. He got a brief smile of thanks for his aid, and then the girl hurried on to serve the travel-weary bunch.
Cassidy headed up the stairs behind Drizzt, slipping past him and leading the rest of the way up - but as he'd passed, it seemed his fingertips had brushed the drow's hand; it was just a feather-light touch, hardly noticeable - or so one would think, anyway. Of course, it was probably just an accident...
Their room was at the end of the hall, where Cassidy paused for a moment to look back and be sure that Drizzt could see where the room was before slipping inside where he immediately sank onto the bed, sliding off his pack and dropping it on the floor. Quite suddenly, the young vampire looked absolutely, completely and utterly exhausted.

Perhaps it was a trick of the mind, but did Cassidy touch him just now? He was sure he felt it, maybe it was an apologetic touch? He wasn't quite sure, when he had been living with mooshie, he was certain most humans did not act so. But Cassidy was only human in appearance, he wondered though if he felt human emotions? He'd said he couldn't control his emotions, so he obviously had them, but he wans't sure if they were human. Following the other, he was pleasently surprised that the room was all the way in the back. Away from the noise from downstairs and such. Entering the room all he had to set aside was a waterskin, the pouch of money and his scimitars; that and guenwyvhar, and perhaps his clothing. Drizzt was a light traveler, and it could be see that way.

He wondered if the fight and journey had tired Cassidy out, he had to admit he was also a bit sleepy. Not so much exhausted though, besides he had to take his clothes and do the wash, perhaps buy a bag and buy extra. It was always a handful to buy extra though. But he had to spare Cassidy the embarrasment and get some more clothes. He doubted very much he could walk around the room in his undergarments, that and if the room was different from the forest. Nothing to hide behind and such. "I'll be back later, I must tend to my wash..and go out and buy some things." Grabbing the money back once more he briefly nodded to Cassidy and slipped out of the room.

Cassidy nodded in return, waving slightly as the dark elf slipped out the door. Dull silver orbs turned to regard the barely visible outline of the glass dragon perched on the small desk in the corner of the room. "Will you keep watch?" The gleaming head dipped in an affirmative motion as she rose to a watchdog position. A tired smile warmed the vampire's face for a few brief moments. "Thank you.." And with no further ado, he shed his cloak and started unbuckling his armor, removing it and settling it by the head of the bed in a neat and deliberately placed pile - the way he'd set it up had it placed where he would be able to get back into it most quickly. Then (since Drizzt wasn't there to see and he was comfortable with it) he shed everything else but his undergarments and dug through his pack to grab and unroll a pair of loose pants of a thin fabric, which he quickly shinnied into.

With a sigh of bliss, Cassidy burrowed under the bedcovers and moved to the side of the bed closest to the wall, facing it and curling up under the blanket. The young vampire was asleep almost immediately.