Not much to say today…so I'll just get to it. Thanks for supporting me everyone!
Chapter 28--Preparing for the Plunge
Drizzt spent most of the next day in the city. The ball would be held the day after tomorrow and Drizzt had to admit that he wasn't really looking forward to it, though Catti-brie was. That was the least of Drizzt's concerns right now. He had other concerns.
Catti-brie was in the gallery amusing herself by looking at the many pictures and other works of art housed there. A soft noise caught her attention and she looked up to see Lady Alustriel enter the room. "Good day, Lady Alustriel," she said.
"You can call me Alustriel in private, Catti-brie," Alustriel chided gently.
"Alright, how are Randari and Lana doing?" Catti-brie asked.
"They are taking a walk in the garden. Randari didn't want to, but Lana coaxed him into it," Alustriel said. She sounded rather amused.
"I'm glad they have each other to lean on for awhile. They've both suffered horribly," Catti-brie said. She sighed. "I feel so ashamed of myself."
"Alustriel studied her then gestured to a bench. "Would you like to sit down and talk about it?" she asked.
Catti-brie started to refuse then had second thoughts. "Yes, I think that would help," she said. They went to the bench and sat down. It was several minutes before Catti-brie started. "I'm ashamed of the way I acted towards Lana. She has suffered a horrible thing, now two. I disliked her intensely when we were traveling. She kept clinging to Drizzt like a leech. I didn't know why it upset me then, but it did," she said.
"You were jealous?" Alustriel asked kindly.
Catti-brie looked at her. "Yes, I think so. I guess I loved Drizzt though I didn't want to admit that to meself at first. I didn't think Drizzt felt that way about me. I treated Drizzt badly, even slapped him. I've been trying to think of a way to apologize to them both," she said. "I was a bitch. I realize that now."
"I think that you will find a way. At least you have admitted to yourself that you did wrong, perhaps that is what you should tell them both," Alustriel said. She rose reluctantly. I must return to my duties now."
"Do ye be knowin' where Drizzt might be?" Catti-brie asked.
"He went into the city early this morning," Alustriel said and left the gallery.
Catti-brie was alone to consider how she would word her apologies to both Drizzt and Lana. It was going to be hard, but she was going to do it.
When Lana returned to her room after taking a walk with Randari she was surprised and a little nervous to find Catti-brie waiting for her.
"Hello, Lana, I was wondering if I could be havin' a word with ye," Catti-brie said.
"Alright," Lana said, opening the door. "Please come in." She closed the door behind them. "What is it, Catti-brie?"
"I be wantin' to apologize for the way I acted toward ye. I was rude and bitchy to ye and to Drizzt. I had no right to be actin' that way to either of ye," Catti-brie said.
"Why were you so mean anyway?" Lana asked cautiously.
Catti-brie sighed. "I was jealous though I didn't know it at the time," she said.
Lana frowned. "But why were….Oh!" she said. "You love Drizzt, don't you?"
"Yes and I be a fool for not admitting it sooner. I loved him before I even knew what it meant and he has told me that he feels the same," Catti-brie said.
"I may be young, but I understand how it feels," Lana said. "I thought that I loved Drizzt, but I realize it was just gratitude for him saving me. I hope you two will be happy."
"Friends?" Catti-brie asked.
"I would like that," Lana said.
The two women embraced.
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It was late when Drizzt returned to the palace. He had planned to go see Catti-brie, but as he stood outside her door nervously toying with the small box in his pocket he lost his nerve. He wanted it to be perfect, but he was so nervous he was afraid he'd make a fool of himself. Turning, he returned to his room. Tomorrow he would ask her……
Mild cliffhanger! R/R please!