[A/N] Hey! Hope ya liked the other chapter! **grins** I just had SO
much fun with the descriptions that I had to post that right away! Anyway,
here's another chapter!
Chapter Twenty-Six – Anguish
As Drizzt and Catti-brie entered the room, they slowly made their way to the head table, at the front of the hall. The ranger fidgeted nervously when he saw all of the gazes that had been fixed on him. Most of the nobles of Silverymoon openly gaped at him and Catti-brie. They were apparently surprised that he could look as nice as he did for the night, since most of them were starring at his attire for the night.
Catti-brie felt the tension sing along his arm, and knew that he was nervous about all the attention. She leaned closer, to whisper in his ear softly.
"Just relax," she smiled at Alustriel, who was sitting in the middle of the head table. "Ye don't have t' be this nervous. Look at the decorations instead of the people; it'll take yer mind off o' them. Relax."
Taking a deep breath, Drizzt nodded. He was amazed at how well the artisans had managed to capture scenes of wildlife on the banners. The unicorns sewn to represented Mielikke seemed as if they would come to life at any moment. A smile crossed his face as he looked at all the wonderful decorations. Catti-brie smiled at the child-like awe in which he took in all that was around him, and still had yet to believe that it was all done for him.
Drizzt didn't even realize that they had come to the head table until they slowly came to a halt. He gave a short bow as Catti-brie curtsied before the Lady of Silverymoon. She shook her head as both of them looked up at her, Drizzt with a nervous tension behind his eyes. She knew he didn't like the stares of so many people on him, but most of the people that had been invited had known him for a long while, and knew his heart.
"Ranger Do'Urden," she said with a smile, standing, and watching as everyone else in the hall stood with her, all looking at the drow, many with smiles on their faces. Alustriel was pleased at the how the formal attire that the tailor had made fit the ranger. He looked like the nobility that he had been in Menzoberranzan. She was amazed at how well the circlet complimented the black and silver attire that Drizzt was wearing. She had to admit, it was definitely different compared to his normal ranger garb.
"I invite you to please, take your place besides mine."
"I thank you, milady." He smiled at her, nodding his head in another slight bow. "You have my gratitude."
Alustriel only smiled as she indicated for him to sit down besides her place on the table. A slight smile on his face, Drizzt lead Catti-brie to the placement setting, allowing her to become seated beside him before he sat down himself. Alustriel smiled and raised her arms above her head, smiling at the crowd. With that everyone began to eat.
* * * * *
Later that evening, after most of the people had finished eating, an to everyone's surprise, Gabriel stood, and, with a smile on his face, raised his glass to Drizzt. People openly stared at the tall, winged, Luchielt male, standing in the middle of the great hall. He gave Drizzt a small nod before addressing the rest of the people in the halls, violet eyes sparkling.
"Friends, good people gathered," he began, looking around at the people gathered. Serenity smiled from where she sat at his side. "This ranger, faithful follower of the goddess Mielikke, has performed a very noble deed towards my people, for which I am indebted to him for. I owe him much." He met the curious gazes settling upon him with ease.
"If it hadn't been for him," tears sparkled in the corners of his eyes as he remembered all that his wife had told him about that great deed. "My wife, and the Ruling Lady of the Luchién people, wouldn't be here, and our lands, our people, would've been overrun by a small group of drow raiders and a single human. I thank him for putting his own life on the line to make sure that our Lady Serenity escaped from the captivity of the drow, and gave her directions on how to get here, to Silverymoon. My wife had been near eight and a half months gone with child when she escaped, and barely managed to get to this city before she gave birth to the child two weeks early." He looked at Drizzt and smiled slightly. "And for this, I give him my utmost gratitude."
With those words, he lifted his glass towards the ranger and drank deeply. Many others of the Luchién people followed suit, and drank with their High Lord. Catti-brie smiled and reached to take his hand under the table when she saw the heat creep up Drizzt's neck and into his face. In the corner of the hall, another man stood, addressing the ranger, again with a compliment on his lips.
"As a member of Ten-Towns, I wish to acknowledge Ranger Do'Urden as the person who has saved Ten-Towns on more than one occasion." Pale blue eyes met lavender as the young man smiled. "When Ten-Towns was attacked by the barbarian force near ten years ago, the people of the towns had only known about the attack from the scouting done by Ranger Do'Urden. If he hadn't taken up the duties of a Ranger and looked after those in the town, the people of Icewind Dale would be living under the barbarian tribes."
Several others that had traveled from Icewind Dale stood besides the young man, one of the spokesmen of the towns. "Also, if it hadn't been for this Ranger, Crenshinibon would have destroyed all of us," a sadness flashed through his eyes, "it would have destroyed all the world with its large army of goblins, orcs, and giants. If it hadn't been for him, some of the towns wouldn't have united against them, and Ten-Towns would be no more."
The people from the Dale all lifted their glasses and drank, the Luchiélt drinking it along with them. Yet another noble, this one a native elf of Silverymoon stood with tears in her clear green eyes. By her side was a seven year old child with familiar amber eyes. Drizzt started as he recognized the eyes of Besnell, one of the Knights in Silver that had died in the war against the drow.
"Drizzt Do'Urden also warned the world of an attempt by the drow to over take Mithril Hall and the whole of Toril. If he hadn't given up that warning, we would all be dead or worse." Her eyes were wide, refusing to spill tears. "My husband was the one who led the soldiers from Silverymoon to defend the drow from taking the surface. He died in the fight, but he died honorably and honored Drizzt Do'Urden as a dear friend and ally."
With tears in her eyes, the elven woman nodded to him and drank from her glass. Many people stood and raised their glasses and sipped. Many people also said things. Bruenor even stood and proclaimed that it was Drizzt that single-handedly took Mithril hall back from the Grey Dwarves. Of course, this only served to embarrass the poor drow further.
By the end of the meal, many people had raised their glasses in thanks to the ranger, and by the end of the meal, Drizzt was blushing so hard that people besides the ones sitting next to him, were able to notice it.
* * * * *
Later that night, after people had finished eating, they were led down the long halls to a room. The rest of the night would be filled with singing and dancing, music and story-telling. Drizzt stayed, leaning against the wall and watching as other young nobles asked Catti-brie to dance. He smiled as he listened to her laugh at something one of the young men said. Catti-brie looked like she was having a good time.
After a while, the drow didn't realize that he had become lost in his own thoughts. Catti-brie looked around, trying to find the drow after she had excused herself from the last person who had wanted to dance with her. She was surprised to find that there were many women trying to drag the drow onto the dance floor. She chuckled as she watched the color rise on his ebon-skinned face and the many women almost begging him to dance with them.
Catti-brie pushed through the crowd and stood in front of him a smile on her face.
"Suren ye wouldn't turn me down for a dance," she said quietly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Will ye, Drizzt Do'Urden."
Smiling, Drizzt took her hand, lifting it to his lips for a kiss. "Why, Milady Catti-brie, I would be honored if you joined me for this dance."
Many of the women stared after him as they walked off hand in hand. When Alustriel noticed that they had made their way onto the dance floor, she bent low to talk to the leader of the musicians. Smiling, the conductor nodded, and began a soft, slow song.
On the dance floor, Catti-brie placed his hand in hers, and her other on his shoulder. Almost gingerly, he placed his hand at the small of her back, staring into her eyes, looking deep into those sapphire orbs. Catti- brie smiled at him, looking into his lavender eyes, so open and full of emotion at that moment. She wanted to look into those eyes forever.
As the music continued playing, Catti-brie rested her head on his shoulder, sighing softly and closing her eyes in contentment. Drizzt smiled as he rested his head a top of hers. They danced for what seemed like forever, not even aware of the people watching them. They were both lost in their own thoughts and drunk on the presence of the other.
When the song ended, Drizzt brought Catti-brie out onto the balcony, smiling slightly when she gave him a curious look. They both stood out in the cool autumn air for a while, both of them just looking at the stars. Drizzt's mind was elsewhere, not looking at the brilliantly sparkling stars. He was still trying to work up his nerve, fingering the velvet box he had placed in his pocket, just so he could ask her, before he lost his nerve entirely. The ranger visibly started when she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Ye look distressed, Drizzt," she said quietly, looking into those lavender orbs. "Is there somethin' that ye need t' be talkin' 'bout?"
He took a deep breath, seeing the worry evident in those clear blue eyes. 'Now,' he though, 'is the moment.'
"Cat," he said quietly, looking into her eyes, taking one of her pale- skinned hands into one of his ebon-skinned ones. "There's something that I've wanted to ask you for a while now, and," he sighed, "I just haven't been able to work up the nerve until now."
Catti-brie looked into those lavender eyes, before watching him pull a small, velvet box from his pocket. Her eyes widened as he took a deep breath before starting to open the box.
Before she would see what was in it, a servant burst in on their private moment, panic in her eyes.
"Lady Catti-brie! You must come quickly!" She started to pull Catti-brie through the doorway, back into the ballroom. "Lady Delly needs you! Something's happened and no one knows what to do! Please, milady, she has been calling for you. Please, milady, you must come quick."
Catti-brie looked one last time over at Drizzt, before looking back at the servant. "I'll be back, Drizzt," she said quietly. "I'll come back as soon as I can."
He nodded, placing the small box in his pocket and watching her leave . . .
* * * * *
[A/N] Muahahahaha! Another cliffhanger! **evil snicker** Plot bunnies thought it was necessary. **grins benignly** I agreed, of course. You'll have to wait until later to find out what's happening, and what the question is, if you haven't figured it out yet. **laughs most evilly, fading away in the background.**
Chapter Twenty-Six – Anguish
As Drizzt and Catti-brie entered the room, they slowly made their way to the head table, at the front of the hall. The ranger fidgeted nervously when he saw all of the gazes that had been fixed on him. Most of the nobles of Silverymoon openly gaped at him and Catti-brie. They were apparently surprised that he could look as nice as he did for the night, since most of them were starring at his attire for the night.
Catti-brie felt the tension sing along his arm, and knew that he was nervous about all the attention. She leaned closer, to whisper in his ear softly.
"Just relax," she smiled at Alustriel, who was sitting in the middle of the head table. "Ye don't have t' be this nervous. Look at the decorations instead of the people; it'll take yer mind off o' them. Relax."
Taking a deep breath, Drizzt nodded. He was amazed at how well the artisans had managed to capture scenes of wildlife on the banners. The unicorns sewn to represented Mielikke seemed as if they would come to life at any moment. A smile crossed his face as he looked at all the wonderful decorations. Catti-brie smiled at the child-like awe in which he took in all that was around him, and still had yet to believe that it was all done for him.
Drizzt didn't even realize that they had come to the head table until they slowly came to a halt. He gave a short bow as Catti-brie curtsied before the Lady of Silverymoon. She shook her head as both of them looked up at her, Drizzt with a nervous tension behind his eyes. She knew he didn't like the stares of so many people on him, but most of the people that had been invited had known him for a long while, and knew his heart.
"Ranger Do'Urden," she said with a smile, standing, and watching as everyone else in the hall stood with her, all looking at the drow, many with smiles on their faces. Alustriel was pleased at the how the formal attire that the tailor had made fit the ranger. He looked like the nobility that he had been in Menzoberranzan. She was amazed at how well the circlet complimented the black and silver attire that Drizzt was wearing. She had to admit, it was definitely different compared to his normal ranger garb.
"I invite you to please, take your place besides mine."
"I thank you, milady." He smiled at her, nodding his head in another slight bow. "You have my gratitude."
Alustriel only smiled as she indicated for him to sit down besides her place on the table. A slight smile on his face, Drizzt lead Catti-brie to the placement setting, allowing her to become seated beside him before he sat down himself. Alustriel smiled and raised her arms above her head, smiling at the crowd. With that everyone began to eat.
* * * * *
Later that evening, after most of the people had finished eating, an to everyone's surprise, Gabriel stood, and, with a smile on his face, raised his glass to Drizzt. People openly stared at the tall, winged, Luchielt male, standing in the middle of the great hall. He gave Drizzt a small nod before addressing the rest of the people in the halls, violet eyes sparkling.
"Friends, good people gathered," he began, looking around at the people gathered. Serenity smiled from where she sat at his side. "This ranger, faithful follower of the goddess Mielikke, has performed a very noble deed towards my people, for which I am indebted to him for. I owe him much." He met the curious gazes settling upon him with ease.
"If it hadn't been for him," tears sparkled in the corners of his eyes as he remembered all that his wife had told him about that great deed. "My wife, and the Ruling Lady of the Luchién people, wouldn't be here, and our lands, our people, would've been overrun by a small group of drow raiders and a single human. I thank him for putting his own life on the line to make sure that our Lady Serenity escaped from the captivity of the drow, and gave her directions on how to get here, to Silverymoon. My wife had been near eight and a half months gone with child when she escaped, and barely managed to get to this city before she gave birth to the child two weeks early." He looked at Drizzt and smiled slightly. "And for this, I give him my utmost gratitude."
With those words, he lifted his glass towards the ranger and drank deeply. Many others of the Luchién people followed suit, and drank with their High Lord. Catti-brie smiled and reached to take his hand under the table when she saw the heat creep up Drizzt's neck and into his face. In the corner of the hall, another man stood, addressing the ranger, again with a compliment on his lips.
"As a member of Ten-Towns, I wish to acknowledge Ranger Do'Urden as the person who has saved Ten-Towns on more than one occasion." Pale blue eyes met lavender as the young man smiled. "When Ten-Towns was attacked by the barbarian force near ten years ago, the people of the towns had only known about the attack from the scouting done by Ranger Do'Urden. If he hadn't taken up the duties of a Ranger and looked after those in the town, the people of Icewind Dale would be living under the barbarian tribes."
Several others that had traveled from Icewind Dale stood besides the young man, one of the spokesmen of the towns. "Also, if it hadn't been for this Ranger, Crenshinibon would have destroyed all of us," a sadness flashed through his eyes, "it would have destroyed all the world with its large army of goblins, orcs, and giants. If it hadn't been for him, some of the towns wouldn't have united against them, and Ten-Towns would be no more."
The people from the Dale all lifted their glasses and drank, the Luchiélt drinking it along with them. Yet another noble, this one a native elf of Silverymoon stood with tears in her clear green eyes. By her side was a seven year old child with familiar amber eyes. Drizzt started as he recognized the eyes of Besnell, one of the Knights in Silver that had died in the war against the drow.
"Drizzt Do'Urden also warned the world of an attempt by the drow to over take Mithril Hall and the whole of Toril. If he hadn't given up that warning, we would all be dead or worse." Her eyes were wide, refusing to spill tears. "My husband was the one who led the soldiers from Silverymoon to defend the drow from taking the surface. He died in the fight, but he died honorably and honored Drizzt Do'Urden as a dear friend and ally."
With tears in her eyes, the elven woman nodded to him and drank from her glass. Many people stood and raised their glasses and sipped. Many people also said things. Bruenor even stood and proclaimed that it was Drizzt that single-handedly took Mithril hall back from the Grey Dwarves. Of course, this only served to embarrass the poor drow further.
By the end of the meal, many people had raised their glasses in thanks to the ranger, and by the end of the meal, Drizzt was blushing so hard that people besides the ones sitting next to him, were able to notice it.
* * * * *
Later that night, after people had finished eating, they were led down the long halls to a room. The rest of the night would be filled with singing and dancing, music and story-telling. Drizzt stayed, leaning against the wall and watching as other young nobles asked Catti-brie to dance. He smiled as he listened to her laugh at something one of the young men said. Catti-brie looked like she was having a good time.
After a while, the drow didn't realize that he had become lost in his own thoughts. Catti-brie looked around, trying to find the drow after she had excused herself from the last person who had wanted to dance with her. She was surprised to find that there were many women trying to drag the drow onto the dance floor. She chuckled as she watched the color rise on his ebon-skinned face and the many women almost begging him to dance with them.
Catti-brie pushed through the crowd and stood in front of him a smile on her face.
"Suren ye wouldn't turn me down for a dance," she said quietly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Will ye, Drizzt Do'Urden."
Smiling, Drizzt took her hand, lifting it to his lips for a kiss. "Why, Milady Catti-brie, I would be honored if you joined me for this dance."
Many of the women stared after him as they walked off hand in hand. When Alustriel noticed that they had made their way onto the dance floor, she bent low to talk to the leader of the musicians. Smiling, the conductor nodded, and began a soft, slow song.
On the dance floor, Catti-brie placed his hand in hers, and her other on his shoulder. Almost gingerly, he placed his hand at the small of her back, staring into her eyes, looking deep into those sapphire orbs. Catti- brie smiled at him, looking into his lavender eyes, so open and full of emotion at that moment. She wanted to look into those eyes forever.
As the music continued playing, Catti-brie rested her head on his shoulder, sighing softly and closing her eyes in contentment. Drizzt smiled as he rested his head a top of hers. They danced for what seemed like forever, not even aware of the people watching them. They were both lost in their own thoughts and drunk on the presence of the other.
When the song ended, Drizzt brought Catti-brie out onto the balcony, smiling slightly when she gave him a curious look. They both stood out in the cool autumn air for a while, both of them just looking at the stars. Drizzt's mind was elsewhere, not looking at the brilliantly sparkling stars. He was still trying to work up his nerve, fingering the velvet box he had placed in his pocket, just so he could ask her, before he lost his nerve entirely. The ranger visibly started when she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Ye look distressed, Drizzt," she said quietly, looking into those lavender orbs. "Is there somethin' that ye need t' be talkin' 'bout?"
He took a deep breath, seeing the worry evident in those clear blue eyes. 'Now,' he though, 'is the moment.'
"Cat," he said quietly, looking into her eyes, taking one of her pale- skinned hands into one of his ebon-skinned ones. "There's something that I've wanted to ask you for a while now, and," he sighed, "I just haven't been able to work up the nerve until now."
Catti-brie looked into those lavender eyes, before watching him pull a small, velvet box from his pocket. Her eyes widened as he took a deep breath before starting to open the box.
Before she would see what was in it, a servant burst in on their private moment, panic in her eyes.
"Lady Catti-brie! You must come quickly!" She started to pull Catti-brie through the doorway, back into the ballroom. "Lady Delly needs you! Something's happened and no one knows what to do! Please, milady, she has been calling for you. Please, milady, you must come quick."
Catti-brie looked one last time over at Drizzt, before looking back at the servant. "I'll be back, Drizzt," she said quietly. "I'll come back as soon as I can."
He nodded, placing the small box in his pocket and watching her leave . . .
* * * * *
[A/N] Muahahahaha! Another cliffhanger! **evil snicker** Plot bunnies thought it was necessary. **grins benignly** I agreed, of course. You'll have to wait until later to find out what's happening, and what the question is, if you haven't figured it out yet. **laughs most evilly, fading away in the background.**