Well, here's the sequel I promised. Hope I didn't confuse anyone with the abrupt ending of A New Beginning. It was as I've said, actually not supposed to end there, but people thought it was and kept telling me it was a beautiful ending. I'll put the end on the final chapter of my stuff from now on. Thanks to all my reviewers and now enough rambling. Here we go………(Oh and don't worry, you'll see more of the merchant and the noble yet!!) Oh yeah, almost forgot--Disclaimer: These belong to Wizards of the Coast, not me. I just like to have them come over to play!!

A Ranger's Homecoming

Chapter 1--Too Warm A Welcome

Drizzt sighed as he closed the door behind the newest group of visitors. The last week had been everything but peaceful. There had been a lot of letters and a lot of visitors. "Gods, I hope that's the last of the visitors for awhile," he said aloud. He turned towards Catti-brie who smiled at him from her spot on the sofa.

"Isn't it nice to be so badly missed?" Catti-brie teased.

"I thought so at first, but after twenty visits I'm having second thoughts," Drizzt grumbled. He sat down next to her.

Catti-brie giggled and played with the carving around his neck. "It be good to be seein' this back where it belongs. It guess we'll never be knowin' how it got here while ye were gone," she mused.

"Some things don't have an explanation," Drizzt said. He leaned over to kiss her. Naturally someone chose that moment to pound on the door. "Damnation! Not again!" he growled.

Catti-brie giggled. "We'll get back to this later," she soothed.

Drizzt got up and headed towards the door. "I think we should move and not tell anyone where we're going," he said crossly. He pulled the door open to reveal a well-dressed Human man with green eyes and red hair. He didn't recognize him at all.

"Good evening. You must be Drizzt Do'Urden. I'm Larson," he said and breezed past Drizzt into the house without an invitation. "Ahh, lovely as ever, Lady Do'Urden. Your husband 's a very lucky man," he said.

Drizzt was a little annoyed by his rudeness, but he closed the door and said nothing.

"A glass of red wine would be welcome if you don't mind," Larson said.

Drizzt started to speak, not certain what would come out.

Catti-brie spoke first. "I would like a glass of milk too, please, love," she said.

Drizzt took a deep breath. "Of course," he said and went to the kitchen. He disliked Larson already. Temper, Do'Urden, temper, he chided himself. He brought the milk and wine back to the living room to find Larson sitting next to Catti-brie and holding her hand. He handed over the drinks.

Larson took a sip of the wine. "Inferior brew, but I suppose it will do," Larson said as if he was addressing a servant.

Drizzt was not easy to get angry or jealous, but the man was annoying him. At that moment Drizzt wanted very much to toss the man out on his arse, but knew he couldn't.

Catti-brie seemed to catch his feelings because she gently pulled her hand away from Larson. "It's very nice of ye to visit, but I fear that I be very tired. Perhaps another day would be better," she smiled.

"Perhaps tomorrow, we could take a short walk and have lunch, the three of us I mean," Larson said.

"No, I be plannin' to spend the day with me man. Another time perhaps," Catti-brie said.

Larson drained his glass and stood. He took her hand and kissed it. "Until our next meeting, fairest of the fair," he said . "Good night, lady with hair of sun's fire." He nodded coolly to Drizzt and left.

Drizzt closed the door behind him before retaking his seat at Catti-brie's side. He tried to hide his annoyance, but it didn't work. She could read him too well.

"Now what be that face for? It'd scare the life out of a balrog. Don't be gettin' ruffled now. He be a bit of a flirt. That's all," Catti-brie said. "Let's enjoy the night. I love ye, Drizzt. Don't ever doubt that."" She snuggled close.

Drizzt put his arm around her. "I don't and I love you too, Cat," he said.

The next day was quiet and they were left alone, probably because Catti-brie had locked both door and closed the drapes. They sat in front of the fireplace together and talked about all they'd gone through.

"I really thought that I'd lost ye, Drizzt. Ye cannot imagine the relief I felt when the message came. It be feelin' like a huge weight was rolled off me chest," Catti-brie said. "Ohh!" she gasped. "The babe be kickin'." She took Drizzt's hand and laid it on her stomach. "Do ye feel it?"

"Yes, we'll have a strong daughter," Drizzt said.

"Ye mean a strong son," Catti-brie retorted, easily falling into their old game then they both laughed at their foolishness. "Ye can teach him the sword and arts of a ranger," she teased.

"You can teach her the bow," Drizzt teased back.

They laughed and embraced. Everything was back to normal now….

Anyone want to see Drizzt pound the snot out of Larson? *Grins* Not a bad start if I do say so myself. What do you think? R/R please!!!