Sorry, keep getting stuck on this for some reason…ah well, my other fics are doing okay at least…
Chapter 38--A Welcome Message
Catti-brie looked up when some one knocked on the door. After a brief struggle, she got to her feet and opened it. A vaguely humanoid figure that seemed made of mist stood there.
"Don't be alarmed. I bring a message from High Priestess of Ellistraee, Sabrae, from the city of Delvar. Drizzt Do'Urden is alive and safe. We found him injured, but the wound is mending well and he should be able to continue his journey soon. If you wish to send a reply tell my messenger and he will bring it to me," the figure said.
Tears of relief stung Catti-brie's eyes. "Thank ye from the bottom of my heart, Lady. Drizzt, I love ye and the babe is fine. I hope ye can be makin' it back before the birth, but if not that be fine. Come home soon. We'll be waiting," Catti-brie said.
The messenger repeated the message then disappeared, presumably to take back the message back to who sent it.
Catti-brie put on her cloak and went next door to tell Delly, Wulfgar, and Colson. When Delly let her in, Catti-brie was delighted to find Bruenor was there as well. Heart light, she told them what the messenger had said.
"That be the best durned news I'm for hearin'. So the Drow's in one piece and will be comin' back, eh?" Bruenor asked.
"That's what I be told," Catti-brie said. "Me babe will have his da after all." She laid her hand on her stomach.
"That's so wonderful. I'm so glad for you, Cat," Delly said, hugging her friend.
"It's that all right. I thought we lost him!" Wulfgar said. Someone knocked on the door and Wulfgar opened it. It was Regis.
Colson bounded over to him and hugged him. "Uncle Drizzt is coming home, Uncle Regis!!!" she cried.
Regis stared at them, even as he returned Colson's hug.
"I received a message from a priestess in a city called Delvar. Drizzt's alive and well. He was hurt, but she said he was fine. He should be able to come home soon," Catti-brie said.
"Thank the Gods for that. Thank all the Gods for that," Regis murmured.
The six of them were jubilant at the news and looked forward to the return of the missing member of their unusual family. All would be right again when he returned safely.
*Meanwhile*
Her magical messenger returned and gave Sabrae the answering message. She dismissed it and went to the infirmary to relay it to Drizzt.
"So when is the baby due?" Sabrae asked after she'd given him Catti-brie's message.
Drizzt did some quick mental figuring. "A month and a half. I won't be able to get there before the baby is born," he said. He hated to break his word to Catti-brie about being at her side when the time came, even though it wasn't his fault.
"Your first?" Sabrae asked.
Drizzt nodded. "Lady, there was something I had been wanting to ask you. How is it that the Humans here accept your presence so easily?" he asked.
Sabrae laughed. "They didn't at first. You see while I was on my pilgrimage I found a man that had been attacked by bandits. He was very near death and thanks to the grace of the Dark Maiden I was able to heal him. You can imagine his horror when he first woke up," she said.
Drizzt chuckled at the image that came to mind. "I can indeed," he said.
"Eventually he calmed down when I showed him my symbol and he saw it wasn't Lloth's. He was a wealthy man and very prominent in this city. He convinced the lord of this place that we meant no harm and we were allowed to build this temple on the outskirts of the city. It took nearly thirty years, but the city folk came to accept us. We aid the people here whenever we can," Sabrae said.
"I'm glad for your good fortune," Drizzt said.
"As for you rest and heal, perhaps there is a way to get you home for the birth of the child. I will consider it carefully," Sabrae said. She left the room and went to the chapel. She knelt and lost herself in prayer to the Dark Maiden…perhaps an idea would come to her. She could understand the urgency Drizzt felt to get home before the birth…
So how was that? Besides a little late? Sorry again, R/R please……