Chapter 8 preamble

There is no word for "love" in the drow language.As far as I can remember, the closest word to it is ssinssrigg, but the word really means lust and greed.Of course, deep in the hearts of some drow, there will also be love.But true love, selfless dedication and sacrifice have no place in the drow world full of pain, danger and killing each other. The only one in drow civilization who can sacrifice for it is Lolth.And this is by no means altruistic, and the sacrificer always hopes and prays for a greater return. But by the time I left the Underdark, the concept of love was no longer foreign to me.I love Zaknafein, I love Belwar and Karaka.In fact, it was the acceptance and need for love that drove me away from Menzoberranzan.

In this vast world, what is more fleeting than love.More elusive?Countless beings of every race seem to know no love at all, distorting its beauty with preconceived notions and unrealistic fantasies.It's ironic that I'm just a drow from the dark, loveless Menzoberranzan, yet I understand the true meaning of love better than many beings who live with it.There are many beings, love is all around them, but they have never felt it in their life. Even a rebellious drow would grieve over this. Over the past few weeks, my trips to Silvermoon City have sparked a well-meaning tease from my friends, "The elves must be eyeing another wedding!" It's become Bruno's catchphrase.Of course, this is all because of my relationship with Silvermoon Lady Alastre.I readily accept these jokes because I can feel the genuine warmth and wishes in them.So, I didn't tell them that their wishes were wrong, which must have frustrated them.

I am grateful for Alastre and her kindness shown to me. As a ruler in a world forever without forgiveness, she would allow a dark elf to walk freely in the avenues of her city. I respect her Gratitude cannot be expressed in words.Alastre's acceptance of me as her friend got me exactly what I wanted. But do I love her? Not as deep as her love for me. I confess that I should be glad if I could love Alastre; and she should love me too, and my color and my sinful blood will not stop the noble lady of Silvermoon. Now I know that while this love has become the most important part of my life, my friendship with Bruenor, Wulfgar, and Regis has brought me a joy that the drow will never be able to match.

And Katie is still in a deeper place in my heart. I always believe that true love is selfless.And my selflessness was severely tested this spring. Right now, I'm afraid of the future, of the barrier between Katie and Wulfgar, but they must overcome it together.Wulfgar loves her, I have no doubt of that, but his love is oppressed by possessiveness without respect. He should have read Katie's heart, should have seen the flame dancing in her extraordinary blue eyes.That was the soul Wulfgar loved, and the patriarchal possession he was accustomed to would undoubtedly suffocate Katie's soul.

My savage friend hails from the distant tundra plains, where he spent his boyhood.If he wants to grasp the fire in Bruno's daughter's heart, hold her love, he still has more to go. In this vast world, what is more fleeting and more elusive than love? — Drizzt Do'Urden