Once again thanks to my reviewers new and old. Glad that you like it….
Chapter 9--Return To Consciousness
Catti-brie gasped as Drizzt's hand clamped tightly around hers with surprising strength. It took a lot of effort, but she managed to get her hand loose.
Drizzt's eyes fluttered open. They were slightly glazed, but he was awake. "Cat?" he whispered hoarsely.
"Shh, I be here. Everything be all right now, Drizzt. Thanks to Guen and Sabrae," Catti-brie said. She touched his forehead. "The fever is gone, thank ye so much," she told Sabrae.
"You're welcome. Ranger Do'Urden seems to have a talent for getting into trouble," Sabrae said. She moved to Drizzt's side. "You have been ill for a long time, sleep. You'll feel much stronger when you awake."
Drizzt didn't have the strength to argue and he was exhausted. He closed his eyes and allowed sleep to take him.
"We all thank ye, lady. Stupid Drow means to much to us to die now," Bruenor said.
"You must be King Battlehammer. It's an honor to meet you in person. I have heard many stories of all of you," Sabrae said.
"We deny most of it," Wulfgar said.
Delly swatted his arm. "Hush!" she said.
Sabrae laughed. "If I were you I'd deny much of it too. Bards usually exaggerate, but most still consider you all heroes," she said.
"Half the time I think we blundered into it and were lucky enough to fight our way out again," Regis muttered.
Bruenor snorted. "What do ye mean our? Ye avoided most of the fights for a long time at least," he said.
Regis pretended to be offended.
Drizzt shifted in his sleep and muttered something in Drow that none of them could make out.
"We should go into another room to talk. He needs sleep to regain his strength and we don't want to wake him," Sabrae said.
They all stood, but Catti-brie didn't move. "I rather be stayin' here and Guen be feelin' the same I be guessin'. I want to be here when he be wakin' again," she said.
The others understood how she felt and left the room, leaving her and Guenhwyvar with Drizzt. The door closed behind them.
Catti-brie leaned forward and kissed Drizzt's brow then sat back in the chair. The baby kicked then and she smiled and laid her hand on her round stomach. "Don't be worryin', Zak. Yer da will be all right now. We both will be waitin' for ye to come," she whispered.
Guenhwyvar laid her head on Catti-brie's lap and she stroked the soft, black fur. Together they waited for Drizzt to wake up again.
Several hours passed before Drizzt opened his eyes and Catti-brie was the first person he saw. "Cat, what happened?" he asked, wincing. His throat was very dry and it was painful to talk.
Catti-brie filled a glass with water from a pitcher on the table and helped Drizzt sit up. "Ye nearly died from the snake's poison. Guen brought Sabrae and she saved you," she said.
Drizzt emptied the glass and felt much better. "She's here?" he asked.
"Yes, everyone else be in the other room," Catti-brie said. Taking the empty glass, she refilled it and handed it back. "Ye were runnin' a bad fever. Ye should probably drink as much as ye can," she said.
Drizzt nodded and accepted the glass. "Are you all right?" he asked.
"I am now," Catti-brie said and leaned forward for a kiss. It was gladly given. "I'll get the others. They'll be eager to see ye," Catti-brie said after the kiss. She rose and left the room.
The others greeted Drizzt warmly, expressing their relief that he was all right. Guenhwyvar nuzzled and licked Drizzt's face and laid down right next to him
Sabrae handed the statuette to its rightful owner. "Are you always this troublesome?" she asked.
"I never thought so. Every time I see you I'm bedridden. I owe you my life again," Drizzt said.
"All good, surface-dwelling Drow are considered Elistraee's children even if they do not follow her. She gave me the power to save you because of that," Sabrae said.
Eventually Marik shooed everyone out, saying that Drizzt should get some more rest and then he could go home the next day…..
Sappy chapter! Wonder what they'll think when they find out about Larson….R/R please!
