[A/N]
Well people, plot bunnies are getting hungry, so people should probably start reviewing . . . I'm fresh out of carrots to give them, even though they've done a really good job so far. Ducks as the angry bunnies start throwing things at the author. What! I was complimenting you! Sigh. Oh well, on with the story!
Chapter Eight – Revenge
Catti-brie walked away from the small home on the outskirts of Lonelywood, a smile on her face. It had been three months since the wedding and things were better than she had hoped. In a few days, she and Drizzt would be leaving to go to Silverymoon to visit Alustriel and Mikhail. They were both looking forward to the trip.
At that moment, the drow ranger was running about on his normal patrols with Wulfgar. The representative of the small town was relieved and grateful that the ranger had agreed to help with the safety of the place. Delly was going to meet her at the home that she shared with Drizzt, with Colson and the little boy. The thought of the two children made her smile fondly.
She walked through the woods that led to the hot springs near her home, relieved that the day wasn't very hot. In fact, Drizzt had said that morning that it would likely storm that night, judging by the slowly darkening clouds in the sky. Catti-brie smiled when she approached the home and the four-year-old Colson ran out, laughing and calling to her.
"Ant Catty!" She yelled as the young woman scooped her up into her arms, hugging her tightly. "Guess what, guess what, guess what!"
"What, what, what?" She responded, laughing at the little girl's excitement.
"Mama said that I'm gonna have anotter brotter or sister soon!" She squealed, jumping up and down the second that Catti-brie had set her down. "She said that the baby will be comin' in the winner!"
"Really?" Her blue eyes widened slightly as she watched Delly walked out of the house, smiling slightly. "I'm very happy for ye." As she got closer to her, she whispered softly. "And when did I hear of this?"
Delly laughed, heat creeping across her face. "It was goin' t' be a surprise fer me husband, but this little one's goin' t' ruin the surprise." She whispered back, careful to be out of her daughter's earshot. Once they got into the house, she lowered her voice more, not wanting anyone else to hear her. "And what did Liana say?"
Catti-brie blushed, a small smile on her face. "I'll tell ye 'bout it when those two have gone to take their naps." She indicated Colson and the sleepy boy in Delly's arms. "That way these two won't be hearin' anythin'."
Delly chuckled. "I guess ye're right. Colson's been talkin' a lot more than normal."
Smiling, the young woman took a complaining Colson and an already sleeping baby boy upstairs to the guest room where the two children would be able to take a nap, and the two women would be able to talk in peace. Ten minutes later, she was walking down the stairs with a smile on her face. Catti- brie finished with the tea and led Delly to the sitting room where they could wait for their husbands to come back from their patrols.
Sitting down in a chair, Delly was the first to ask her question. "So, tell me what the midwife told ye."
She blushed at the question that the other woman had been dying to ask her since she returned. So far, only Delly and Serenity knew about what had happened on their wedding night – what she was waiting to surprise Drizzt with. "She be sayin' that, for bein' this far gone, everythin's fine."
"How far are ye Cat?" Delly asked softly, smiling at her friend. "How far along is the babe?"
"Three months." Catti-brie took another sip of the warm tea. It was fairly chilly, especially for a summer afternoon. "I only be 'bout three months along."
Delly smiled. "I still can't wait to be seein' the look on his face when ye tell him, Cat. Drizzt will be surprised, don't ye doubt." She laughed softly as she sipped her tea. "Especially since he won't be expectin' it either."
Catti-brie laughed. "O' course he won't be expectin' it. With that ring o' his, he wouldn't be assumin' that it had happened at all." Heat crept up her face and neck as she talked. "But, I'm goin' t' wait 'til we're in Silverymoon t' be tellin' him. It'll be visible by then. He'll be able t' tell easier."
Delly's knowing smile widened as she took Catti-brie's hand in her own. "I have a feelin' that he'll be happy 'bout it. I know he will be."
A sudden knock on the door startled the two women and their conversation was cut off as two familiar voices drifted in from the front doorway – one a deep baritone and the other light and melodic. After a few minutes Drizzt and Wulfgar entered the living room, each taking a seat next to their wife. Drizzt wrapped his arms around her shoulders and lightly nuzzled her neck. She giggled – he knew no much she was ticklish in that spot. Delly smiled as she was buried in the much larger arms and body of her own husband.
"We should be leaving soon. The winds are already beginning to pick up, and the rains will be quick to follow. I think that it would be a good idea to get home before the storm hits full force." He raised his pale blue eyes to meet those lavender ones of the drow ranger. Drizzt nodded his agreement. They had talked on the matter on their way to the drow's home.
"It would be a good idea." His voice was soft and his arms tightened ever- so-slightly around Catti-brie's shoulders, resting his chin on her shoulder. "It's not that I don't want you to stay here . . ."
Wulfgar chuckled and smiled at his wife. "I know, friend. I think it best to be going home anyway. It's been a long day." He kissed Delly on the cheek. "I'll get Colson and Kilun. You get ready to leave."
Without another word, they rose from their seats, smiles on their faces, and began to quickly get ready and leave Drizzt and Catti-brie rose with them, to wish them farewell. After a few minutes, Wulfgar came walking down the stairs, Colson in one arm, and the little boy on the other – the boy sleeping peacefully still. Catti-brie smiled as she hugged the little girl and kissed the little boy goodbye. Colson gave Drizzt a goodbye hug before going back into her father's arms and curling against his chest, falling asleep quickly. She probably was tired, Catti-brie thought as she watched the couple walk out the door. After the family of four had faded from their site, Drizzt slowly closed the door, smiling back at his wife.
"How are you feeling Lady Love?" He asked quietly, walking over to her and wrapping her in a gentle hug. She leaned into the warm embrace, enjoying his comforting presence. "You weren't feeling well this morning before I left."
She only smiled, wrapping her arms around him and leaning her head on his shoulder. "Much better, thank ye, but I haven't eaten anythin' all day."
He smiled, kissing her lightly on the forehead. "Then I'll make something for us to eat. Probably something simple, like a plate of fruits and bread. Is that alright with you, Lady Love?"
Catti-brie smiled as she looked at him. "That'll be fine, thank ye."
His smiled widened and he kissed her. "Alright then, why don't we spend the evening in the front porch? Light a few candles and with those comfortable couches, it'll be a very nice evening. Just sit together and watch the rain fall and the lightning flash." He whispered softly in her ear, his breath warm against the side of her face. "And with just the two of us..."
Catti-brie laughed as she separated from him reluctantly. "Alright, but hurry up, I don't want t' wait fir too long for ye."
Still smiling, Drizzt walked into the kitchen and looked around at the room before beginning to make the meal. The tiles were dark blue with little silver symbols on them. The counter tops were dark, highly polished wood. A modest stove and over stood in the corner and there was a small door that led to the cellar, where the foods that needed to stay cold were kept. The cooking utensils were hanging on hooks around the walls.
Sighing softly, he began to prepare a platter of foods for them to eat while they sat out on the porch. A slight frown marred his smooth features as he thought about that morning, a few weeks after the wedding . . .
= Flashback =
He walked into the house, closing the door quietly behind him. He had gone to see the sunrise that morning, and hadn't wanted to disturb Catti-brie, who had been sleeping peacefully when he left. The door to their room was closed, as he had left it, and when he opened it, he was surprised to find that Catti-brie was no longer in the room. Listening closely, the ranger's curiosity peaked when he heard the sounds of someone retching coming from the privy room just off of their bedroom. Worried, he made his way over to the privy and knocked on the door, calling out softly.
"Lady Love, is that you?" He asked quietly, leaning against the door.
The retching stopped for a minute as a soft, miserable voice spoke back. "Aye, me ranger."
Drizzt bit his lip as the retching continued. Worried, he opened the door and walked in to find Catti-brie leaning against the wall with her head bowed over the chamber pot. Lavender eyes filled with worry, the drow rushed over and knelt by her side, lightly touching her forehead to check. Her skinned burned beneath his fingers and she leaned into the touch, closing her eyes. Without another thought, he pulled her close and held her tightly. He whispered soft words in elvish – she didn't know the language, but the sound of the sweet words would be soothing.
"I'm not feelin' well." She said miserably and she curled against his chest. He smiled slightly.
"That's a bit of an understatement."
Catti-brie frowned as she looked up at him miserably. Sighing and closing her eyes, she leaned against his shoulder, exhausted and sick. "I'm not thinkin' that I'll be doin' much t'day."
Drizzt lightly kissed her temple and wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her head. After a while, he noticed that she had fallen into a feverish sleep, tossing and turning. Smiling slightly, he lifted her up carefully and carried her over to their bed. After pulling back the covers, he laid her down and covered her warmly.
With one last smile, he left to go downstairs and make some tea for her when she woke up – hopefully it would make her feel better.
= End Flashback =
That hadn't been the only morning that he had found her ill in their privy, and he wasn't sure if it would be the last. When he had brought her to the healer to see what was wrong, the middle-aged woman had taken her into a separate room and had spoken to her alone. When they left, Catti-brie had had a small smile on her face, even though she still hadn't been feeling well.
He sighed as he tried to figure out what that meant. He had a feeling, though he wasn't sure, and the ring should've prevented that. But, he thought, she had said that she didn't want to have children, at least not yet . . .
But what if she really had?
Sighing, he banished the thoughts from his mind.
Sometimes it just confused the hell out of him.
"Our plans have been delayed." The cloaked and hooded figure looked around at the group of his companions. "We will have to wait until they begin their journey."
One of the gathered drow looked at the leader in open disgust. "Why do we have to wait until then? Why can't we just hunt down and kill the wench now? We'll get our money sooner!"
A chorus of agreements sounded through the small hall that the group was assembled in. Kelnozz glared around at the drow in his band, one hand coming to rest on the whip at his side. Without warning, he shot it across the fire pit and slashed deeply into the soldier's arms. Angry crimson eyes glared up at him, but he met them all with and even, red gaze.
"Yes, but we want to watch him suffer, remember?" He brandished the whip, eyes hard. His familiar sardonic grin crept across his face and he smiled wickedly. "We want him to pay for what he did to our companions in the fall. We want him to pay for not letting up continue our torture that little elven brat. But, most of all, we want her to die because of her part in killing so many of our number!"
A cheer rang up in the halls and Kelnozz's grin widened. My plan will finally work, he thought, and Drizzt Do'Urden will pay, along with that pitiful human woman of his.
Catti-brie's attention turned to the doorway as he husband walked through, smiling and carrying a tray that had a variety of fruits, two large chunks of fresh, warm bread, and a couple pieces of cheese. Two steaming mugs accompanied the prepared food. He carefully set the tray down on the coffee table that was in front of the couch before sitting down next to her and wrapping his arm around her shoulders. She smiled as she snuggled into his side, enjoying the warmth and comfort that he gave off.
They ate in silence, both of them watching as the rain fell and the lightning flashed. Drizzt looked at her as she ate, and noticed how tired she seemed. The illness that had lasted since a few days ago must've taken a lot out of her. She was still pale and a little weak, but other than that she seemed fine.
Catti-brie smiled warmly at the worried expression that was on her husband's face. Sometimes she wondered why he was so worried about her. Sighing softly and leaning her head against his shoulder she asked quietly.
"Is somethin' wrong, me ranger?"
He rested his chin on the top of her head and sighed softly before speaking. "Nothing really, Lady Love. I was just thinking. That was all."
She gave a small frown. "Is that all?" Her midnight blue eyes were filled with worry. She hadn't really talked much with him during the last few weeks and that always seemed to worry him, when she didn't talk about something. Biting her lip, she looked down at her hands, her cheeks flushing. "What are you thinking about?"
He smiled, his lavender eyes sparkling. "That the last few months have probably been the best of my life, especially being with you, Lady Love."
Her blush deepened as he lightly kissed the gently curving line of her jaw. Catti-brie sighed softly, leaning into the touch of those velvety lips. It felt so right. Moving her head, she turned so that her lips touched his in a searing kiss. These last few months have been the best, she thought, brushing her fingertips along his jaw line, and against the scar on his cheek, and I won't be forgetting them.
[A/N]
O.O That was a long chapter! Sorry I haven't updated in so long, though the length of this chapter ought to help. Sorry! Bows low. Now that the bunnies are hyper, I might be able to get the chapters out faster!
Well people, plot bunnies are getting hungry, so people should probably start reviewing . . . I'm fresh out of carrots to give them, even though they've done a really good job so far. Ducks as the angry bunnies start throwing things at the author. What! I was complimenting you! Sigh. Oh well, on with the story!
Chapter Eight – Revenge
Catti-brie walked away from the small home on the outskirts of Lonelywood, a smile on her face. It had been three months since the wedding and things were better than she had hoped. In a few days, she and Drizzt would be leaving to go to Silverymoon to visit Alustriel and Mikhail. They were both looking forward to the trip.
At that moment, the drow ranger was running about on his normal patrols with Wulfgar. The representative of the small town was relieved and grateful that the ranger had agreed to help with the safety of the place. Delly was going to meet her at the home that she shared with Drizzt, with Colson and the little boy. The thought of the two children made her smile fondly.
She walked through the woods that led to the hot springs near her home, relieved that the day wasn't very hot. In fact, Drizzt had said that morning that it would likely storm that night, judging by the slowly darkening clouds in the sky. Catti-brie smiled when she approached the home and the four-year-old Colson ran out, laughing and calling to her.
"Ant Catty!" She yelled as the young woman scooped her up into her arms, hugging her tightly. "Guess what, guess what, guess what!"
"What, what, what?" She responded, laughing at the little girl's excitement.
"Mama said that I'm gonna have anotter brotter or sister soon!" She squealed, jumping up and down the second that Catti-brie had set her down. "She said that the baby will be comin' in the winner!"
"Really?" Her blue eyes widened slightly as she watched Delly walked out of the house, smiling slightly. "I'm very happy for ye." As she got closer to her, she whispered softly. "And when did I hear of this?"
Delly laughed, heat creeping across her face. "It was goin' t' be a surprise fer me husband, but this little one's goin' t' ruin the surprise." She whispered back, careful to be out of her daughter's earshot. Once they got into the house, she lowered her voice more, not wanting anyone else to hear her. "And what did Liana say?"
Catti-brie blushed, a small smile on her face. "I'll tell ye 'bout it when those two have gone to take their naps." She indicated Colson and the sleepy boy in Delly's arms. "That way these two won't be hearin' anythin'."
Delly chuckled. "I guess ye're right. Colson's been talkin' a lot more than normal."
Smiling, the young woman took a complaining Colson and an already sleeping baby boy upstairs to the guest room where the two children would be able to take a nap, and the two women would be able to talk in peace. Ten minutes later, she was walking down the stairs with a smile on her face. Catti- brie finished with the tea and led Delly to the sitting room where they could wait for their husbands to come back from their patrols.
Sitting down in a chair, Delly was the first to ask her question. "So, tell me what the midwife told ye."
She blushed at the question that the other woman had been dying to ask her since she returned. So far, only Delly and Serenity knew about what had happened on their wedding night – what she was waiting to surprise Drizzt with. "She be sayin' that, for bein' this far gone, everythin's fine."
"How far are ye Cat?" Delly asked softly, smiling at her friend. "How far along is the babe?"
"Three months." Catti-brie took another sip of the warm tea. It was fairly chilly, especially for a summer afternoon. "I only be 'bout three months along."
Delly smiled. "I still can't wait to be seein' the look on his face when ye tell him, Cat. Drizzt will be surprised, don't ye doubt." She laughed softly as she sipped her tea. "Especially since he won't be expectin' it either."
Catti-brie laughed. "O' course he won't be expectin' it. With that ring o' his, he wouldn't be assumin' that it had happened at all." Heat crept up her face and neck as she talked. "But, I'm goin' t' wait 'til we're in Silverymoon t' be tellin' him. It'll be visible by then. He'll be able t' tell easier."
Delly's knowing smile widened as she took Catti-brie's hand in her own. "I have a feelin' that he'll be happy 'bout it. I know he will be."
A sudden knock on the door startled the two women and their conversation was cut off as two familiar voices drifted in from the front doorway – one a deep baritone and the other light and melodic. After a few minutes Drizzt and Wulfgar entered the living room, each taking a seat next to their wife. Drizzt wrapped his arms around her shoulders and lightly nuzzled her neck. She giggled – he knew no much she was ticklish in that spot. Delly smiled as she was buried in the much larger arms and body of her own husband.
"We should be leaving soon. The winds are already beginning to pick up, and the rains will be quick to follow. I think that it would be a good idea to get home before the storm hits full force." He raised his pale blue eyes to meet those lavender ones of the drow ranger. Drizzt nodded his agreement. They had talked on the matter on their way to the drow's home.
"It would be a good idea." His voice was soft and his arms tightened ever- so-slightly around Catti-brie's shoulders, resting his chin on her shoulder. "It's not that I don't want you to stay here . . ."
Wulfgar chuckled and smiled at his wife. "I know, friend. I think it best to be going home anyway. It's been a long day." He kissed Delly on the cheek. "I'll get Colson and Kilun. You get ready to leave."
Without another word, they rose from their seats, smiles on their faces, and began to quickly get ready and leave Drizzt and Catti-brie rose with them, to wish them farewell. After a few minutes, Wulfgar came walking down the stairs, Colson in one arm, and the little boy on the other – the boy sleeping peacefully still. Catti-brie smiled as she hugged the little girl and kissed the little boy goodbye. Colson gave Drizzt a goodbye hug before going back into her father's arms and curling against his chest, falling asleep quickly. She probably was tired, Catti-brie thought as she watched the couple walk out the door. After the family of four had faded from their site, Drizzt slowly closed the door, smiling back at his wife.
"How are you feeling Lady Love?" He asked quietly, walking over to her and wrapping her in a gentle hug. She leaned into the warm embrace, enjoying his comforting presence. "You weren't feeling well this morning before I left."
She only smiled, wrapping her arms around him and leaning her head on his shoulder. "Much better, thank ye, but I haven't eaten anythin' all day."
He smiled, kissing her lightly on the forehead. "Then I'll make something for us to eat. Probably something simple, like a plate of fruits and bread. Is that alright with you, Lady Love?"
Catti-brie smiled as she looked at him. "That'll be fine, thank ye."
His smiled widened and he kissed her. "Alright then, why don't we spend the evening in the front porch? Light a few candles and with those comfortable couches, it'll be a very nice evening. Just sit together and watch the rain fall and the lightning flash." He whispered softly in her ear, his breath warm against the side of her face. "And with just the two of us..."
Catti-brie laughed as she separated from him reluctantly. "Alright, but hurry up, I don't want t' wait fir too long for ye."
Still smiling, Drizzt walked into the kitchen and looked around at the room before beginning to make the meal. The tiles were dark blue with little silver symbols on them. The counter tops were dark, highly polished wood. A modest stove and over stood in the corner and there was a small door that led to the cellar, where the foods that needed to stay cold were kept. The cooking utensils were hanging on hooks around the walls.
Sighing softly, he began to prepare a platter of foods for them to eat while they sat out on the porch. A slight frown marred his smooth features as he thought about that morning, a few weeks after the wedding . . .
= Flashback =
He walked into the house, closing the door quietly behind him. He had gone to see the sunrise that morning, and hadn't wanted to disturb Catti-brie, who had been sleeping peacefully when he left. The door to their room was closed, as he had left it, and when he opened it, he was surprised to find that Catti-brie was no longer in the room. Listening closely, the ranger's curiosity peaked when he heard the sounds of someone retching coming from the privy room just off of their bedroom. Worried, he made his way over to the privy and knocked on the door, calling out softly.
"Lady Love, is that you?" He asked quietly, leaning against the door.
The retching stopped for a minute as a soft, miserable voice spoke back. "Aye, me ranger."
Drizzt bit his lip as the retching continued. Worried, he opened the door and walked in to find Catti-brie leaning against the wall with her head bowed over the chamber pot. Lavender eyes filled with worry, the drow rushed over and knelt by her side, lightly touching her forehead to check. Her skinned burned beneath his fingers and she leaned into the touch, closing her eyes. Without another thought, he pulled her close and held her tightly. He whispered soft words in elvish – she didn't know the language, but the sound of the sweet words would be soothing.
"I'm not feelin' well." She said miserably and she curled against his chest. He smiled slightly.
"That's a bit of an understatement."
Catti-brie frowned as she looked up at him miserably. Sighing and closing her eyes, she leaned against his shoulder, exhausted and sick. "I'm not thinkin' that I'll be doin' much t'day."
Drizzt lightly kissed her temple and wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her head. After a while, he noticed that she had fallen into a feverish sleep, tossing and turning. Smiling slightly, he lifted her up carefully and carried her over to their bed. After pulling back the covers, he laid her down and covered her warmly.
With one last smile, he left to go downstairs and make some tea for her when she woke up – hopefully it would make her feel better.
= End Flashback =
That hadn't been the only morning that he had found her ill in their privy, and he wasn't sure if it would be the last. When he had brought her to the healer to see what was wrong, the middle-aged woman had taken her into a separate room and had spoken to her alone. When they left, Catti-brie had had a small smile on her face, even though she still hadn't been feeling well.
He sighed as he tried to figure out what that meant. He had a feeling, though he wasn't sure, and the ring should've prevented that. But, he thought, she had said that she didn't want to have children, at least not yet . . .
But what if she really had?
Sighing, he banished the thoughts from his mind.
Sometimes it just confused the hell out of him.
"Our plans have been delayed." The cloaked and hooded figure looked around at the group of his companions. "We will have to wait until they begin their journey."
One of the gathered drow looked at the leader in open disgust. "Why do we have to wait until then? Why can't we just hunt down and kill the wench now? We'll get our money sooner!"
A chorus of agreements sounded through the small hall that the group was assembled in. Kelnozz glared around at the drow in his band, one hand coming to rest on the whip at his side. Without warning, he shot it across the fire pit and slashed deeply into the soldier's arms. Angry crimson eyes glared up at him, but he met them all with and even, red gaze.
"Yes, but we want to watch him suffer, remember?" He brandished the whip, eyes hard. His familiar sardonic grin crept across his face and he smiled wickedly. "We want him to pay for what he did to our companions in the fall. We want him to pay for not letting up continue our torture that little elven brat. But, most of all, we want her to die because of her part in killing so many of our number!"
A cheer rang up in the halls and Kelnozz's grin widened. My plan will finally work, he thought, and Drizzt Do'Urden will pay, along with that pitiful human woman of his.
Catti-brie's attention turned to the doorway as he husband walked through, smiling and carrying a tray that had a variety of fruits, two large chunks of fresh, warm bread, and a couple pieces of cheese. Two steaming mugs accompanied the prepared food. He carefully set the tray down on the coffee table that was in front of the couch before sitting down next to her and wrapping his arm around her shoulders. She smiled as she snuggled into his side, enjoying the warmth and comfort that he gave off.
They ate in silence, both of them watching as the rain fell and the lightning flashed. Drizzt looked at her as she ate, and noticed how tired she seemed. The illness that had lasted since a few days ago must've taken a lot out of her. She was still pale and a little weak, but other than that she seemed fine.
Catti-brie smiled warmly at the worried expression that was on her husband's face. Sometimes she wondered why he was so worried about her. Sighing softly and leaning her head against his shoulder she asked quietly.
"Is somethin' wrong, me ranger?"
He rested his chin on the top of her head and sighed softly before speaking. "Nothing really, Lady Love. I was just thinking. That was all."
She gave a small frown. "Is that all?" Her midnight blue eyes were filled with worry. She hadn't really talked much with him during the last few weeks and that always seemed to worry him, when she didn't talk about something. Biting her lip, she looked down at her hands, her cheeks flushing. "What are you thinking about?"
He smiled, his lavender eyes sparkling. "That the last few months have probably been the best of my life, especially being with you, Lady Love."
Her blush deepened as he lightly kissed the gently curving line of her jaw. Catti-brie sighed softly, leaning into the touch of those velvety lips. It felt so right. Moving her head, she turned so that her lips touched his in a searing kiss. These last few months have been the best, she thought, brushing her fingertips along his jaw line, and against the scar on his cheek, and I won't be forgetting them.
[A/N]
O.O That was a long chapter! Sorry I haven't updated in so long, though the length of this chapter ought to help. Sorry! Bows low. Now that the bunnies are hyper, I might be able to get the chapters out faster!