Obviously I got everyone very worked up with the last chapter…Good…. I mean sorry! It was the plot bunnies' fault! Honest!
Chapter 18--Bedside Vigil
Catti-brie sighed and straightened her back, feeling it pop. She looked down at Drizzt with sorrowing eyes. It had been three days and he showed no signs of waking up. "I have been so stupid. I should've realized how I be feelin' about ye. Wake up! Damn ye! Don't ye dare die on me or I swear I'll drag ye back from wherever ye end up by yer ear. Ye hear me!" she said.
No answer, no reaction. Catti-brie felt tears rise in her eyes, but she blinked them back angrily. They wouldn't change anything.
Lady Alustriel entered the room, carrying a tray of food. "Hello, Catti-brie I thought we would have lunch together," she said.
"I don't be hungry, but thank ye anyway," Catti-brie said.
"Starving yourself won't help him," Alustriel chided. She set the tray down, filled a plate, brought it over and offered it to her.
Sighing, Catti-brie took the plate. "I guess ye're right," she said and began to eat as Alustriel sat down and fixed herself a plate. The food was surely delicious, but it might as well been ashes. She had to force herself to finish.
Drizzt cried out softly again, brow furrowed in pain.
"Shh, everything will be alright. Fight it, love. Fight it. Come back to us, to me," Catti-brie whispered. She blushed as she realized Alustriel was smiling at her.
"So you have decided how you feel?" Alustriel asked.
"I wish I had decided sooner. I may never be tellin' him now," Catti-brie said. "Have they found who did this yet?"
"No, he may have fled the city, but he will be found. The spell I cast will lead to him no matter how far he flees," Alustriel said.
"Too bad it might be to late to help him," Catti-brie said.
"Don't lose hope, for his sake and yours," Alustriel said. She left the room, closing the door softly behind her.
Catti-brie set her plate aside and returned her attention to Drizzt with another weary sigh. Eventually she fell asleep.
*Meanwhile*
Captain Zarith was hurrying back towards the castle with his soldiers and their prisoner. The man had indeed left the city, but the spell on the arrow had made it impossible for him to escape. He would be taken back and questioned. If fate was kind they would make it in time to save Ranger Do'Urden's life.
Catti-brie watched helplessly as Drizzt thrashed in Wulfgar and Bruenor's grip. He had started having convulsions and she had screamed for help bringing the others at a run. Regis had run to fetch help. It seemed like forever, but was probably minutes before Regis rushed back into the room followed by Alustriel, Delly, and Lana much to Catti-brie's surprise. No one had really seen her since they arrived.
Alustriel didn't waste any time. She moved to Drizzt's side and laid her hand on his forehead. She fought back a shudder when she felt how hot he was. She chanted a spell and Drizzt suddenly went limp. "You can release him now. I have put him to sleep," she said.
Wulfgar and Bruenor let him Drizzt go and moved away, collapsing into chairs. They were both exhausted.
Lana moved uncertainly to Drizzt's side and touched his cheek. Suddenly she burst into tears and fled from the room.
Delly glanced at Drizzt and the others then rose and followed the stricken girl.
Catti-brie looked at Alustriel. The knowledge in her eyes tore at her soul. "He's dying," she whispered.
"I put him to sleep to end the agony this poison is causing. Unless a cure is found he will die, but at least it will be painless now," Alustriel said.
Catti-brie burst into tears and Wulfgar put a arm around her, trying to comfort her. "How long before he…dies?" she choked out.
"There's no way to know, but I don't think it will be to much longer. He is weak and his body is losing the strength to resist," Alustriel said.
The friends exchanged looks filled with torment. It seemed that now they were on a death vigil with no hope…..
Geez, I had an awful time with this….R/R please!
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