Elaine Cunningham: Elfshadow

The Harper's heart wanned to the appeal that lay behind Arilyn's words. The prospect of getting to know his extraordinary daughter made his remaining years beckon to him with a lure that the road had ever held.

"I will remain," he said. "There is more than enough work for rangers in the North. Perhaps in time I shall retire to Waterdeep."

"Oh, good," said Danilo with a grin. "Uncle Khelben will be so pleased."

"Speaking of the archmage, we must consult him concerning the elfgate," Bran said. "Safeguards must be arranged, and its new position must be secured."

Arilyn made note of the young man's smirk. "What is it, Danilo?"

"What? Oh, just agreeing with the good Harper." He rose from the table reluctantly. "I must be going now. It will take me several hours to explain my extended absence to my family, not to mention the various new scandals I've brought upon the family name of late. Father will merely be quietly disappointed, but my mother's reaction would do credit to a red dragon."

Arilyn stood, too, her eyes blazing with battle light. "I'm coming with you."

"Truly?" Danilo asked, looking vastly pleased. "I thought you were jesting."

"I seldom do."

Her tone was grim, and Danilo threw back his head and laughed. "By the gods, this should be worth watching."

The trio left the tavern and retrieved their horses. Arilyn mounted and regarded the nobleman for a moment. His green velvet cape and extravagant jewels seemed a bit inappropriate for a newly made Harper. "Do you need time to change before we leave?"

"Whatever for, my dear?" Danilo drawled. With an indignant huff, he fussed with the floppy plumes on his latest hat. "I'll have you know that this ensemble is considered the height of fashion in Waterdhavian society. At least," he amended, "it will be once I've been seen wearing it."

"Whatever you say," she said, humoring his foolishness. "As long as I never have to hear that wretched ballad again, I'm content."

Danilo smirked in Bran's direction and swung himself into his saddle. "The lady has taste, it would appear. At least," he amended as his gaze swept pointedly over her travel attire, "she has taste in matters of music."

Arilyn looked down at her usual clothes: boots, trousers, a loose white shirt, and a dark cape. Her only ornamentation was a weathered Harper pin. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"I had hoped we could celebrate properly after we vanquish Lady Cassandra Thann. Forgive me, my dear, but that outfit simply will not do."

"I like it."

"Yes. Well. As it happens I managed to do a little shopping after the trial." Danilo reached into his magic sack and drew out a cloud of diaphanous sapphire silk. He held it up, displaying a day gown of rare beauty.

Arilyn regarded him soberly. "I can see your hands through the fabric," she commented.

His only response was a broad smile.

"Tell me, Danilo, how much of the dandy is real and how much is contrived?" she asked, his contagious smile catching her lips, too.

"One must keep up appearances," he said, returning the garment to the sack. "I take it you don't like the gown."

"Good guess."

"Let's see, what else would suit you? Have you ever considered a blue velvet gown, perhaps cut down to about here? No? Then at the very least, a blue shirt. Deep blue silk, with just a sprinkling of gold jewelry. Perhaps a cape of matching velvet. Yes!" Danilo exclaimed. "As it happens, I know this marvelous little shop, right on the way, that-"

Arilyn reached over and smacked the flanks of Danilo's stallion. The horse let out an offended whinny and took off down the road, and the rest of Danilo's words drifted into the wind.

Arilyn looked down at her father. Slowly she extended her hands, palms up, in the elven gesture of respect. Tears held unshed for many long years glistened in the Harper's eyes as he returned the salute. His daughter gave a sharp shake to the mare's reins and sped off after Danilo Thann.

"One mystery remains, Danilo," Arilyn noted as they rode together through the streets of the city. "Where did you put the elfgate?"

Danilo gave her a solemn look. "I moved it to the safest place I could imagine."

"Well?"

"Blackstaff Tower."

"What?"

Mischief broke over Danilo's face like a sunrise. "Can you think of a safer place? Or a man more inclined to keep secrets?"

"No, but-"

"There's more," Danilo said. "I put the elfgate in Laeral's chambers. Since the good lady mage spends much time in Evermeet, I thought I might make it more convenient for her to stop by and visit Uncle Khelben more frequently. Do you think that might improve his disposition?"

Arilyn's laughter rang out. "It might. There is one problem, though. When the elfgate was in Evereska, I always felt drawn to the temple of Hannali Celanil. Does this mean I'll feel compelled to visit Khelben Arunsun?"

After sharing a chuckle with Arilyn over the picture she'd painted, Danilo sobered. "Actually, the location is appropriate. The elfgate created many imbalances. Moving it to Blackstaff Tower might help remove the wedge its creation placed between Evermeet and the Harpers."

"You're already talking like a Harper," Arilyn teased him. "Do you also plan to give up your frivolous ways?"

Instead of answering, Danilo removed the Harper emblem from his silken tunic. He folded back his cape and securely fastened the silver pin to the lining. The smile he turned on Arilyn was the lazy, vacant smirk of Waterdeep's celebrated fashion plate and most notoriously inept mage.

"Me, a Harper?" Danilo laughed. "My dear girl, that jest would inspire much mirth in some circles."

Arilyn smiled faintly. "So that's the way things will be."

"I think it's best," he said lightly. "What about you?"

"When I began my training, Kymil Nimesin told me that the moonblade set me apart. I've always felt that I had to stand alone, that I was a shadow to the sword's power. But the moonblade is mine, and things must change."

Arilyn drew the sword and pointed to the line of runes. "There are nine runes now; this new one is mine." She paused and chose her words carefully. "It is not so much a power, but the removal of certain restrictions." She turned the moonblade and offered it to Danilo, hilt first.

His gray eyes filled with understanding. Arilyn was offering him far more than her sword. Deeply moved, he accepted the symbol of her friendship and cradled it in his burned hands. "A rare and precious thing," he murmured, looking not at the moonblade but at the half-elf's face. "You honor me by sharing it."

Their gaze clung for a long moment, then Arilyn's eyes slid away. Her uncertain expression tugged at Danilo's heart. To lighten the moment, he assumed a cocky grin and returned the magic sword to its master. "Things of value should always be shared. Your beauty, for instance." He drew the translucent gown from his bag with a flourish. "Now, about this gown…"

Arilyn's smile brightened her face. "Don't push it."