Chapter 13

All in all, Zaknafein thought it was the best camping trip they'd ever been on. He and Violet worked on their raft every afternoon, and finally on the third day, they launched it. It was a bit lopsided, but it actually floated. Then they realized they needed long poles for getting around. Zak had blisters on his right hand by the time he'd finished cutting all the raft poles and steering poles with the saw, but he didn't care. They spent hours on the river, exploring and floating around. They always kept close to shore though. Kel'nar and Mum had made that a rule.

At night, Kel'nar told them another bedtime story, this time about how he'd escaped from Menzoberranzan, and some of the Underdark creatures he'd encountered in the wild before eventually making his way to the surface.

Zaknafein was pretty sure Kel'nar was still toning some stuff down, but maybe that was all right. After all, Violet might not be two anymore, but she was only seven. He smirked. Not as grown up as he was at age nine.

Violet's favorite part of the ongoing bedtime story was when Kel'nar described the first time he ever saw a skunk on the surface, and it sprayed him. That, and how his Underdark clothing, armor, and even scimitars sort of evaporated away after a while on the surface. Good thing he got other ones.

Zak liked the part where Kel'nar first realized he needed to make a fire for warmth or he'd freeze to death, and he sent Guenhwyvar to find wood because he was stiff with cold already. Guen returned almost immediately with a stick in her mouth. A group of kind surface elves had left a huge pile of wood for Kel'nar just around the corner of the cave where he was staying. Zak liked that they had done that even though Kel'nar was a drow. Imagine not knowing about such simple things as fire and skunks. Zak smiled. He was glad they lived on the surface.


As they packed the wagon to head for home on the last day of the camping trip, there was a lump in Zak's throat, but he was happy too. Camping always seemed like the best time. Their simple campsite near the grassy meadow and the river almost seemed like a magical place. But maybe it was really his family that made it special. And getting to do things together that they normally didn't do, like fishing, rafting, swimming, eating outside, and stories around the campfire.

And the trolls. It had sort of been exciting to see Kel'nar and Mum fight the trolls. Not that he wanted to be carried off by one again, but at least his backside didn't hurt anymore.

Mum tucked a basket of clean clothes in the cart and held up a tiny pair of leggings Violet had worn when she was reverse-aged. She smiled and folded them up small. "Guess we can keep these as something to remember the trip by," she said.

Violet looked skyward. "I'm never gonna live that down."

Kel'nar chuckled from where he was hitching up the rented cart horse that had enjoyed a holiday in the meadow for the last tenday as well. "Well, someday you'll probably look back on it and laugh, Vi."

She looked like she was trying not to smile. "Maybe."

Mum exhaled a laugh. "Well, we'll have to get you another pair of leggings as soon as we make a trip into town."

Kel'nar walked around the end of the wagon and looked over the campsite. "Everyone ready?"

Zak swallowed hard around the lump in his throat. "Kel'nar, can I take my raft home?" The words came out choked.

"Our raft!" Violet sang out.

Kel'nar met his eyes and squeezed his shoulder. "I have an idea. Come."

They walked down to the riverbank together, and Kel'nar hefted the raft. "Ooh," he groaned. "Help me lift this, Zak."

Zaknafein didn't know if Kel'nar really needed help, but he took the other end.

"Now," Kel'nar's eyes twinkled, "let's find a good hiding spot for this heavy beast because it's too big to take with us."

"A hiding spot?" Zak's eyes lit up. "You—you mean we're coming back?"

Kel'nar bounced his eyebrows and nodded. "Next year."

"Yes!" Zak's steps were considerably lighter as they tucked the heavy raft behind the trees at the edge of the woods.

Kel'nar grinned and clapped him on the back as they walked away.

The old cart horse gave an impatient neigh and tossed its head as they climbed into the wagon. Zaknafein and Violet sat facing backward as they started away.

"I'll be back," Zak promised the campsite silently.

They turned and followed a faint wagon track across the meadow.

"Any trolls following us?" Kel'nar called back.

Zak jumped, and Violet giggled. "No, Kel'nar."

"Good." His tone sounded teasing. "Well, if you see any, big or small, be sure to let me know."


Author's Note:

Now complete.

I wrote this as a bedtime story for my children when we ran out of books to read and the libraries were closed due to Covid. Several plot points were specifically requested by my daughter. I hope you enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it for them.