Elfshadow

With a start, Danilo realized that it was the voice of the elf-shadow. The moonblade began to glow as the revenge-bent entity of the sword struggled to escape unbidden. Even to Danilo, its demands were nearly irresistible.

Arilyn can't give in, Danilo thought frantically. He watched the moonblade trail blue light as it traced a semi-circle and an upward thrust. The movements themselves were too fast to discern, but the sword's lighted paths lingered in the air, luminous blue ribbons against the night sky.

Suddenly there was silence, and the tangle of blue lights began to fade. Kymil Nimesin rose slowly to his feet; the splintered shards of his sword lay scattered around him.

"Praise Mielikki, it's over," Bran said gratefully. With a sigh of relief, Danilo and the Harper came forward. The look on Arilyn's face stopped them, and dread again seized Danilo as he comprehended that the battle was not yet done.

As if it moved of its own accord, the moonblade drifted upward in Arilyn's hands. It leveled at Kymil Nimesin's throat and glowed with a malevolent blue light. The half-elf trembled with the effort of holding back the sword, and her face twisted against the urge to kill her former mentor. Kymil Nimesin stared defiantly at the blade and waited for death.

"Fight, Arilyn," Danilo pleaded. "Don't let the elfshadow and your own need for vengeance command you."

The magical current began to grow, as it had on the streets of Waterdeep. Again the air swirled madly around the battle's survivors in a tangible outpouring of the elfshadow's rage. Only Arilyn managed to remain standing against the gale-strength force.

"Come forth!"

Arilyn's commanding voice rang above the tumult. The angry current of magic energy faltered, then rapidly began to compress. In the span of two heartbeats the elfshadow stood before Arilyn.

"Have done," the half-elf insisted sternly. "We are not the only ones Kymil Nimesin has wronged. The Harpers have the right to bring him to trial. He must live for that."

"It is a mistake," protested the elfshadow, glaring at Kymil's prone form with undisguised hatred.

The half-elf's chin lifted. "Perhaps so, but it is mine to make." She lifted the moonblade, and for a moment Arilyn and her shadow faced each other.

At last the elfshadow bowed slightly and spread her hands, palms up, in the elven gesture of respect. The shadow faded into blue mist, which in a small quick vortex disappeared into the sword's moonstone.

Arilyn slid the moonblade back into the scabbard at her side and walked toward her companions. Bran had helped Danilo to his feet, and the young man was busily fussing over his once-fine clothing.

"Danilo."

He looked up at the half-elf. Her clothing was torn and bloodied and her face was nearly gray with exhaustion. To his perceptive gaze her elven eyes spoke as clearly as words. Finally, Arilyn was at peace with herself, and she was mistress of the moonblade.

"Now it's over," she said.

Epilogue

"Did I sing you the ballad about the Marsh of Chelimber?" Danilo asked the Harper.

"Twice," Bran Skorlsun said.

"Oh."

Arilyn chuckled. "Did you notice that the number of goblins and lizard men grows with each rendition? I expect that next he'll throw an orc or two into the pot for spice."

Arilyn, Danilo, and Bran lingered over sparkling wine at the House of Good Spirits, the night speeding by as they talked. The tavern emptied around them. Chairs went up on tables; barmaids slipped away to seek their beds. The i

Despite their shared adventures and the various ties that bound them, they knew little of each other. The three were greedy to learn more of their companions' histories, dreams, and plans. By sunrise, they had made a start at that.

Inevitably the talk turned to the events of the day before. "Now that your good name is restored, what do you plan to do?" Bran asked Arilyn.

A thoughtful expression crossed her face. "The Harper tribunal found me i

"As an assassin?" Danilo said ingenuously.

Arilyn cast her eyes skyward and sighed. "Thank you for putting things back in perspective."

"How about you?" Bran asked Danilo. "Do you still believe that Khelben and the Harpers were wrong in their ma

Danilo chose his words carefully before answering. "For a time I did. When I tried to think of a better way, however, I couldn't come up with one. I might not approve of all that Khelben has done, but I was not the one who had to face his decisions."

"What about the dangers inherent in secrecy?"

"They remain," Danilo admitted, looking slightly troubled. "Again, I see no real alternative. Working for good and maintaining balance are often matters of small degrees. If you wish to shape a bush you must prune it gently, not take a scythe to it."

Bran smiled. "We have need of insight and talent such as yours." The Harper reached into an inside pocket of his cape and drew out a small box. Inside gleamed a Harper pin, the tiny crescent moon and harp rendered in fine silver. "This pin is a pale thing next to most of your finery," the older man teased gently as he handed the box to Danilo, "but it is a sign of rare value. It is my pleasure to offer it to you, along with a place among the Harpers."

When the young man hesitated, Bran urged, "Take it and wear it with pride. You deserve to be known for what you truly are."

"I am honored by your trust, do not mistake that," Danilo assured him. "In the role of village idiot, I've been fairly effective. I ca

"You may have little choice in the matter," Bran pointed out with a touch of humor. "Your own ballad will spread your fame."

Arilyn laughed. "Your role has served you well, Danilo, but isn't it time you outgrew it? You should get the respect that you deserve, and you are resourceful enough to develop new methods."

"Uncle Khelben did suggest something like that," Danilo reflected.

Bran smiled again and held out the emblem. "This is a pleasure indeed. Khelben will not like it that I have usurped his privilege, and it is rare that I am handed such an opportunity to irritate the good wizard." The Harper joined in with Danilo's laughter, then he put the box down in front of the young man and clasped him by both forearms: an adventurer's salute to a fellow and an equal. "You are a good man, my son," Bran concluded.

Deeply moved, Danilo accepted the pin. "Thank you. You have already given me a greater gift. Such acceptance I've never received, not even from my own family."

"That's got to end, too," Arilyn decreed. "The Tha

"Do not think that I have forgotten you," Bran said to Arilyn. He removed his own weathered pin and offered it to her.

Arilyn drew back. "I can't take that," she protested.

"Why not? I've never met anyone more deserving."

"But it is your own-"

"All the more reason why you should have it," Bran said. "The gods know, I have given you little of myself."

Arilyn looked at the Harper, surprised by the sadness in his voice. "I do not fault you. We all do what we must. You did no less." Her voice took on a businesslike tone. "I accept. You know, however, what the giving of a Harper pin means?"

"Of course," Bran responded with a puzzled smile.