[A/N] Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I've was grounded from the
computer until my room was clean. **Sigh.** Will my parents ever leave
that subject alone? Guess not. And btw, on the last chapter, I had
originally used the song 'Tourniquet,' but later changed it to 'My Last
Breath.'
Song is 'Easier to Run,' by Linkin Park.
Chapter Eighteen – Anguish
It's easier to run Replacing this pain with something numb It's much easier to go Than face all this pain here all alone
Soon after Wulfgar's confirmation that he was safe, Drizzt allowed the merciful darkness take him, the pain from the multiple wounds draining him quickly. He thought no more as he drifted willingly into unconsciousness. Catti-brie's mind filled with worry when the ranger she held in her lap slumped over, unconscious. She looked at Gabriel, who had already begun taking things from his pack. Looking at Wulfgar, he said in an even voice.
"We need to take him out side, it will be better for him to wake up there, then in here since he's been in here for so long already. I suggest that you carry him, since he's your friend and, if he awakens, he won't panic."
Nodding, the barbarian lifted the ranger's slender frame into his strong arms. Bruenor, Regis, and Catti-brie followed him closely, with Gabriel trailing behind, medical supplies already ready.
Something has been taken
From deep inside of me
A secret I've kept locked away No one can ever see
Once outside, the companions saw that the other Luchièlt soldiers had already prepared a fire and had a small pot of water boiling separately from the stew that they had made. Gabriel threw some dried herbs in it, filling the air with a sweet, soothing aroma. After Gabriel had laid out a soft blanket, Wulfgar carefully laid the black elf down onto the makeshift mat.
Once the drow had been settled onto his stomach, the whip marks exposed to the cool night air, Gabriel himself winced. It was a miracle that the elf hadn't been screaming in agony when they had reached him, especially with his back against the stone. Across the fire, Catti-brie noted at how the High Lord winced, and looked down to the bloodied back of her close friend.
Wounds so deep they never show
They never go away
Like moving pictures in my head For years and years they've played
After accepting a warm bowl of stew from the Luchièlt soldiers, she walked around the fire to sit by his side. Looking into the healer's amethyst eyes, she asked him quietly.
"Why did ye wince like that?"
Looking up from his work of carefully cleaning the deep lashes he sighed. He knew her well enough that she wouldn't leave the subject alone until he had answered that question. He carefully pulled the cloth from the ranger's back, cleaning the blood from it in the bowl of water before indicating a certain place on Drizzt's back.
"Do you see that small section of white, in the center?" She nodded. "The whips must've cut down to the bone," Catti-brie looked up at him, startled, "because that piece of bone that you see is his spine."
If I could go back and change I would Take back all the pain I would Retrace every wrong move I made I would If I could Stand up and take the blame I would If I could take all the shame to the grave I Would
"Oh," she said softly, looking at the unconscious drow. She could only guess at the pain that he had been in when they found him. Setting the bowl of soup down next to her, her appetite gone. She gently took his hand in both her own. "I didn't know."
"It's a miracle that he's still alive." The Luchièlt Lord's voice was soft. "It's lucky that we got to him when we did, otherwise he would not be alive now, unless those drow had a way to keep him alive during this torture. That's probably why he's still alive now, but I know that I can heal him."
Catti-brie blinked back tears. This was NOT how she wanted to find the drow warrior she had come to love. Now, something she had never dreamed of happening finally had come to pass. Maybe that dream had told her something, all those nights ago, when she had been at the house of Delly and Wulfgar. She hadn't given that vision a thought since that night, and didn't think that she had had to worry about it.
Sometimes I remember
The darkness of my past Bringing back these memories
I wish I didn't have
Looking up at a small sound, she found Regis had come and sat down next to her. He looked up at her with a sadness in his eyes. She noted with a small smile that he had already finished his stew and bread, and was waiting for something, apparently.
"Is there somethin' that ye're waitin' for Regis?" She asked quietly, managing a small smile as she watched Gabriel carefully clean the deep marks. "Ye look like ye have somethin' t' say."
The halfling looked down sadly. He had to tell her, he didn't want a repeat of what had happened after Drizzt had left to go down to Menzoberranzan. "Drizzt had had a feeling that something like this would happen." He said quietly.
Catti-brie looked at him sharply. "What do ye mean Regis?"
Sometimes I think of letting go
And never looking back And never looking forward so
There would never be a past
He sniffed slightly. This wouldn't be easy. "A few nights before we left for Silverymoon, the last night that you were at Delly and Wulfgar's home, I heard him cry out your name in his sleep." By this point, Bruenor and Wulfgar had begun listening to the quiet conversation. "I had heard him do it before, but never like that. It had been ad if something terrible had been happening to you.
"When I went to ask him about it, he was hesitant to tell me what had happened in the dream."
"What did happen, Regis?" Catti-brie asked quietly, almost fearing what the answer would be.
"He said that it was if he had been captured by a band of drow that had been after him for years. But, not only had they captured him, they had used him as bait to capture you also Cat." He swallowed audibly. "He said that they had tortured and raped while he could hear what they did to you. Drizzt also said that he had watched you die beside him, while they tortured the both of you, but left him alive. The way Drizzt was taking about it, I think he might've thought that the dream would come true."
Catti-brie looked at him, tears in her sapphire hued eyes. He had never said anything to her about nightmares, but she had known that something was keeping him awake at night, but had never asked.
Just washing it aside
All of the helplessness inside Pretending I don't feel misplaced
Is so simpler than change
Now, she knew why, looking over at the unconscious Drizzt, he had never said anything about them.
After Gabriel had finished cleaning the wounds, he began mixing a small batch of healing herbs together, making a tea from it. After checking the drow's vitals once again, he turned to Catti-brie, handing her the earthenware mug. Almost immediately after he had finished with the numerous cuts and bruises covering the ranger's body, she had moved closer, placing his head into her lap and turning him onto his back.
"He's merely sleeping now," he said softly, "but likely, he is in a lot of pain and isn't sleeping very well right now. Wake him up and make him drink this, it is not of magical origin and will ease the pain enough that he will be able to sleep easier."
Catti-brie nodded, gently placing a hand on Drizzt's shoulder. She was careful not to cause him any pain as she shook him gently.
Its easier to run
Replacing the pain with something numb Its so much easier to go
Than face this pain here all alone
Drizzt grimaced in pain as everything he felt came backing full. His back felt like it was on fire and he had to fight not to cry out. Feeling the gentle touch in his burning shoulder, he looked up sharply, and sighed in relief when he saw Catti-brie's worried face looking down at him.
Cupping his sorely cut and bruised cheek gently in her hand, she brought the mug near his lips, speaking softly.
"Drink this, Gabriel's sayin' that it'll take away most o' the pain."
He looked up at her curiously. "Who is this Gabriel?"
"He's been sayin' that he's the High Lord o' the Luchièn people, his wife was the one who be tellin' where t' find ye."
Drizzt smiled slightly, closing his eyes and licking his cut lip. When he nodded, she carefully tipped the mug to his lips, forcing him to drink it slowly. After he had finished, she set the mug down next to her, and was surprised when he slowly reached up and took her hand in his own. He smiled slightly up at her.
"How is Serenity?" He asked softly, looking into eyes he had thought that he would never see again. "Did she get back alright? And what about that little elfling?"
"They're both fine." Catti-brie smiled softly at his curiosity. "Mikhail was still havin' nightmares about what happened. Serenity had the babe almost right after she arrived in Silverymoon." She looked into those lavender eyes. "They had a male babe, and he's glad to have her back."
"That I have no doubt." The pain was nearly gone and his weariness was catching up with the ranger. Looking up at her, he lowered his voice, even though the others were asleep. He had been wanting to tell her this for a long time, and this would be a better time than any he could think of.
"I love you Cat." She had to lean down to hear him. He was slowly falling into a world of dreams. "I want you to know that."
Smiling, Catti-brie reached down an lightly kissed his forehead. "I love ye too, Drizzt."
With a small smile on his face, he allowed sleep to overcome his senses.
[A/N] AAHH!! Sappy chapter! **Glares at plot bunnies** I didn't expect that! **Sigh** Hope you like, cuz if ye do, review! [Hey! I made a rhyme!] T T F N!!
Song is 'Easier to Run,' by Linkin Park.
Chapter Eighteen – Anguish
It's easier to run Replacing this pain with something numb It's much easier to go Than face all this pain here all alone
Soon after Wulfgar's confirmation that he was safe, Drizzt allowed the merciful darkness take him, the pain from the multiple wounds draining him quickly. He thought no more as he drifted willingly into unconsciousness. Catti-brie's mind filled with worry when the ranger she held in her lap slumped over, unconscious. She looked at Gabriel, who had already begun taking things from his pack. Looking at Wulfgar, he said in an even voice.
"We need to take him out side, it will be better for him to wake up there, then in here since he's been in here for so long already. I suggest that you carry him, since he's your friend and, if he awakens, he won't panic."
Nodding, the barbarian lifted the ranger's slender frame into his strong arms. Bruenor, Regis, and Catti-brie followed him closely, with Gabriel trailing behind, medical supplies already ready.
Something has been taken
From deep inside of me
A secret I've kept locked away No one can ever see
Once outside, the companions saw that the other Luchièlt soldiers had already prepared a fire and had a small pot of water boiling separately from the stew that they had made. Gabriel threw some dried herbs in it, filling the air with a sweet, soothing aroma. After Gabriel had laid out a soft blanket, Wulfgar carefully laid the black elf down onto the makeshift mat.
Once the drow had been settled onto his stomach, the whip marks exposed to the cool night air, Gabriel himself winced. It was a miracle that the elf hadn't been screaming in agony when they had reached him, especially with his back against the stone. Across the fire, Catti-brie noted at how the High Lord winced, and looked down to the bloodied back of her close friend.
Wounds so deep they never show
They never go away
Like moving pictures in my head For years and years they've played
After accepting a warm bowl of stew from the Luchièlt soldiers, she walked around the fire to sit by his side. Looking into the healer's amethyst eyes, she asked him quietly.
"Why did ye wince like that?"
Looking up from his work of carefully cleaning the deep lashes he sighed. He knew her well enough that she wouldn't leave the subject alone until he had answered that question. He carefully pulled the cloth from the ranger's back, cleaning the blood from it in the bowl of water before indicating a certain place on Drizzt's back.
"Do you see that small section of white, in the center?" She nodded. "The whips must've cut down to the bone," Catti-brie looked up at him, startled, "because that piece of bone that you see is his spine."
If I could go back and change I would Take back all the pain I would Retrace every wrong move I made I would If I could Stand up and take the blame I would If I could take all the shame to the grave I Would
"Oh," she said softly, looking at the unconscious drow. She could only guess at the pain that he had been in when they found him. Setting the bowl of soup down next to her, her appetite gone. She gently took his hand in both her own. "I didn't know."
"It's a miracle that he's still alive." The Luchièlt Lord's voice was soft. "It's lucky that we got to him when we did, otherwise he would not be alive now, unless those drow had a way to keep him alive during this torture. That's probably why he's still alive now, but I know that I can heal him."
Catti-brie blinked back tears. This was NOT how she wanted to find the drow warrior she had come to love. Now, something she had never dreamed of happening finally had come to pass. Maybe that dream had told her something, all those nights ago, when she had been at the house of Delly and Wulfgar. She hadn't given that vision a thought since that night, and didn't think that she had had to worry about it.
Sometimes I remember
The darkness of my past Bringing back these memories
I wish I didn't have
Looking up at a small sound, she found Regis had come and sat down next to her. He looked up at her with a sadness in his eyes. She noted with a small smile that he had already finished his stew and bread, and was waiting for something, apparently.
"Is there somethin' that ye're waitin' for Regis?" She asked quietly, managing a small smile as she watched Gabriel carefully clean the deep marks. "Ye look like ye have somethin' t' say."
The halfling looked down sadly. He had to tell her, he didn't want a repeat of what had happened after Drizzt had left to go down to Menzoberranzan. "Drizzt had had a feeling that something like this would happen." He said quietly.
Catti-brie looked at him sharply. "What do ye mean Regis?"
Sometimes I think of letting go
And never looking back And never looking forward so
There would never be a past
He sniffed slightly. This wouldn't be easy. "A few nights before we left for Silverymoon, the last night that you were at Delly and Wulfgar's home, I heard him cry out your name in his sleep." By this point, Bruenor and Wulfgar had begun listening to the quiet conversation. "I had heard him do it before, but never like that. It had been ad if something terrible had been happening to you.
"When I went to ask him about it, he was hesitant to tell me what had happened in the dream."
"What did happen, Regis?" Catti-brie asked quietly, almost fearing what the answer would be.
"He said that it was if he had been captured by a band of drow that had been after him for years. But, not only had they captured him, they had used him as bait to capture you also Cat." He swallowed audibly. "He said that they had tortured and raped while he could hear what they did to you. Drizzt also said that he had watched you die beside him, while they tortured the both of you, but left him alive. The way Drizzt was taking about it, I think he might've thought that the dream would come true."
Catti-brie looked at him, tears in her sapphire hued eyes. He had never said anything to her about nightmares, but she had known that something was keeping him awake at night, but had never asked.
Just washing it aside
All of the helplessness inside Pretending I don't feel misplaced
Is so simpler than change
Now, she knew why, looking over at the unconscious Drizzt, he had never said anything about them.
After Gabriel had finished cleaning the wounds, he began mixing a small batch of healing herbs together, making a tea from it. After checking the drow's vitals once again, he turned to Catti-brie, handing her the earthenware mug. Almost immediately after he had finished with the numerous cuts and bruises covering the ranger's body, she had moved closer, placing his head into her lap and turning him onto his back.
"He's merely sleeping now," he said softly, "but likely, he is in a lot of pain and isn't sleeping very well right now. Wake him up and make him drink this, it is not of magical origin and will ease the pain enough that he will be able to sleep easier."
Catti-brie nodded, gently placing a hand on Drizzt's shoulder. She was careful not to cause him any pain as she shook him gently.
Its easier to run
Replacing the pain with something numb Its so much easier to go
Than face this pain here all alone
Drizzt grimaced in pain as everything he felt came backing full. His back felt like it was on fire and he had to fight not to cry out. Feeling the gentle touch in his burning shoulder, he looked up sharply, and sighed in relief when he saw Catti-brie's worried face looking down at him.
Cupping his sorely cut and bruised cheek gently in her hand, she brought the mug near his lips, speaking softly.
"Drink this, Gabriel's sayin' that it'll take away most o' the pain."
He looked up at her curiously. "Who is this Gabriel?"
"He's been sayin' that he's the High Lord o' the Luchièn people, his wife was the one who be tellin' where t' find ye."
Drizzt smiled slightly, closing his eyes and licking his cut lip. When he nodded, she carefully tipped the mug to his lips, forcing him to drink it slowly. After he had finished, she set the mug down next to her, and was surprised when he slowly reached up and took her hand in his own. He smiled slightly up at her.
"How is Serenity?" He asked softly, looking into eyes he had thought that he would never see again. "Did she get back alright? And what about that little elfling?"
"They're both fine." Catti-brie smiled softly at his curiosity. "Mikhail was still havin' nightmares about what happened. Serenity had the babe almost right after she arrived in Silverymoon." She looked into those lavender eyes. "They had a male babe, and he's glad to have her back."
"That I have no doubt." The pain was nearly gone and his weariness was catching up with the ranger. Looking up at her, he lowered his voice, even though the others were asleep. He had been wanting to tell her this for a long time, and this would be a better time than any he could think of.
"I love you Cat." She had to lean down to hear him. He was slowly falling into a world of dreams. "I want you to know that."
Smiling, Catti-brie reached down an lightly kissed his forehead. "I love ye too, Drizzt."
With a small smile on his face, he allowed sleep to overcome his senses.
[A/N] AAHH!! Sappy chapter! **Glares at plot bunnies** I didn't expect that! **Sigh** Hope you like, cuz if ye do, review! [Hey! I made a rhyme!] T T F N!!