Chapter 4

"The—the baby?" Drizzt's eyes widened, and he froze for a moment.

Cattie-brie huffed a breathless laugh. She couldn't remember the last time she'd heard him stutter. "Aye, Drizzt, our baby." She took his arm and tugged him forward. "And I'd rather have 'im in the house than out in the chill, so let's be going."

Drizzt stared at her a moment longer and then seemed to collect himself, taking a stumbling step as she tugged his arm again. A moment later he was the one leading her along, a strong arm wrapped around her back. "Him?"

Cattie-brie looked sideways at him and grinned. "Or her. Guess we'll find out soon enough."

Drizzt smiled too and pulled her close. Then he frowned. "It was supposed to be another fortnight."

"Uhhn." Cattie-brie stifled her groan and tried not to pause, but she pressed one hand against her back. "Aye. Feels like the babe has other ideas."

Drizzt stopped and pressed his hand over hers. "Do you … do you think it's because we …"

"No, Drizzt." Cattie-brie blew out a breath as the pain passed. "Evka said it was all right to carry on right up till the end so long as we weren't too—er—rough." Her face felt hot as Drizzt stared at her.

"I had no idea you discussed—"

"She brought it up!"

He chuckled. "Easy, che. I don't mind." Then his smile faded. "The cradle's not ready."

She wrapped her arm around his and gestured to the trail. "Ain't nothin', Drizzt. The babe can sleep on our bed, or in a cozy drawer from the dresser as far as that goes. He just needs us. The crade'll be used in good time."

Drizzt sighed. "I wanted everything to be perfect."

She leaned on him as they walked. "It is, Drizzt, so long as all's well between us."

He dropped a kiss on her head. "It is."

Cattie-brie smiled up at him and then winced, the next cramp starting. The sun was set, and the last lingering light fast fading, but she quickly looked ahead. Drizzt would still be able to see her expression in the dark.

"Cat." Apparently he'd seen it. "I can carry you."

She snorted and shoved her shoulder against his side playfully. "Not likely. I ain't injured."

He nodded. "But you are in pain."

She gritted her teeth. "I was raised as a Battlehammer, Drizzt. I can handle a fair bit o' pain."

He squeezed her shoulder. "I know you can. I just want to help you somehow."

"You're helpin' me, Drizzt. You're with me. Besides, Evka said walking is good for moving things along."

"All right."

They rounded a corner in the dark, and Cattie-brie squinted. Only a thin strip of light showed at the horizon now. Maybe a quarter hour more, and they'd reach home. She couldn't really see the trail anymore. Her toe caught on a root, and she stumbled.

Drizzt's hand flashed out, steadying her at once. "Take my hand. I can see."

She took it. "D'ya think our little one'll be a boy or a girl?" she asked, and not for the first time.

Drizzt glanced at her, and his teeth flashed a smile in the last of the light. "I'm sure of it."

"You're sure o' what?"

"That our baby will be either a boy or a girl." He squeezed her hand.

Cattie-brie groaned at the joke, but she huffed a laugh. "You gettin' those kinda jokes ready to tell our child?"

He might have winked, but it was hard to tell in the dark. "Absolutely."

Cattie-brie's left foot hit a rock, and she nearly went sprawling. "Mielikki!" That name might have been part prayer and part protest. Were both the goddess and the forest conspiring against her?"

Drizzt quickstepped and caught her arm, steadying her again. He stopped walking. "Allow me, Cat?" He turned and crouched down, offering a ride on his back. "I can see. I don't want you to trip, and I'll think no less of you." He spoke over his shoulder.

She shook her head. "There—there's this sack o' waters surrounding the babe, Evka said, and it … well, it breaks open. I … I can't." She moved past him.

Drizzt stood. "I'll be careful. The waters won't break just because I pick you up, will they?"

Cattie-brie avoided his face, picking her way along. "Well …"

"Che!" Drizzt pulled her around a jagged stump she nearly blundered into. "Please."

She sighed and felt tears of frustration stinging her eyes. "Drizzt, it happened already. My trousers are wet." Cattie-brie stared straight ahead, face as hot as if she'd been standing over the woodstove boiling preserves for hours.

He cupped her cheek in a gentle hand. "You think I'll be bothered by that?"

A cramp was starting, and Cattie-brie pressed both hands against her lower back hard. She gritted her teeth. "I'll get home. Women have babies every day, Drizzt."

"Yes. And a lot of those women and babies d—" He cut off the word.

She stared at him in the dark, but he had her at a disadvantage now. He could see her face, but she could only see a hint of moonlight reflecting off of his sparkling eyes. "I need to prove that I can do this like the strongest dwarven matron. If I start off with you carryin' me …" The pain of the cramp intensified, and she sucked in her breath.

"You needn't prove anything to me."

Cattie-brie doubled over and wrapped both arms below her belly. She tried not to moan. "All right," she finally conceded. "But don't be tellin' Evka or me Da."

Drizzt crouched down in front of her, and she put her arms around his neck this time. "I'd never intentionally embarrass you, Cat." He lifted her onto his back.

She leaned against him. "Me legs are blockin' yer scimitars."

He chuckled. "If I need to set you down suddenly, I'll say nin."

She snorted a laugh against his hair. "I don't even know what that means."

He stepped over a fallen log with a grunt. "Means now."

He was saving his breath. Cattie felt a twinge of guilt at burdening him, but tried to push it away. "Then why not just say now?"

"Drow might come out first. I still think in it at times."

She thought of her dwarven accent, which had been back for most of the past hour. "Stressful times?"

He nodded. "When … my feelings … are deeper."

She should let him save his breath. Cattie knew that carrying her was like carrying his entire weight again.

They entered the clearing, and he skirted around the firepit and chopping block. He strode right to the doorstep, then turned his head. "Nin," he pronounced with a smile in his voice, and set her on her feet.

Cattie-brie laughed, and they went inside.

Coals glowed softly from the hearth, and a pot of venison stew steamed on the back of the woodstove.

"Mmm," Drizzt said appreciatively. "You settle yourself as you'd like, and I'll get you a big bowl of that delicious-smelling ste—"

Cattie-brie gagged and clamped a hand over her mouth. "Don't say it, Drizzt. Don't say the word. I—I can't handle—"

"Peppermint tea." He took the basket from her arm, the bow and quiver from her back, and her cloak from her shoulders. "I'll make mint tea."

Cattie-brie blew out a long breath. She turned away from the kitchen and the sickeningly savory smell of onions, garlic, and stewed meat. She headed toward the bedroom. "Wintergreen, Drizzt."

"Wintergreen? There isn't any. But mint would be—"

"Drizzt, please, it's—" Another cramp seized her, and she bit off the rest of her reply, stopping where she stood.

He sighed quietly, looking back out through the dark window. "I'll fetch it." He pulled open the door.

"In the basket!" she gasped out between clenched teeth.

"Ah." Drizzt closed the door. He picked up her basket from the wooden countertop, but turned toward her. "I should fetch Evka."

Cattie-brie straightened up. "Not yet. Could be hours o' this."

Drizzt tipped his head to the side. "But, the waters?"

She shrugged. "I don't remember about that part."

"Seems like I should fetch her."

"No, Drizzt!"

He raised an eyebrow at her forceful reply. "I thought—"

"I have to wash." Cattie-brie's face felt hot.

"But I'm sure once the baby is born—"

"I'm going to be clean, Drizzt!" Don't care if it won't last!"

He just looked at her for a moment with those keen lavender eyes and then picked up the kettle. "I'll bring you warm water shortly, che."

Cattie-brie's face crumpled, and she pressed a hand to her mouth, then let it fall. "I'm sorry, Drizzt. I'm bein' rude. I didna mean t' interrupt ye and snap at ye."

"It's all right, xhenshun'nye. I understand."

He could call her darling at a time like this? Cattie-brie felt tears welling up in her eyes, and she smiled through the blur, then stepped into the bedroom and pushed the door gently closed. She wiped her eyes and heaved a sigh. She'd be glad when things returned to normal and she didn't cry or rage over such little things.

The next cramp started, and it was a relief to not have to downplay her grimace for Drizzt's sake, despite what he'd said about not needing to prove anything. She hung onto the edge of the washstand. Her whole life she'd had something to prove. This would be the biggest test yet. Cattie-brie rubbed one hand over the little life in her swollen belly, and excitement mingled with trepidation as the cramp eased. "Soon, little one," she whispered. At least she hoped it would be soon.

Drizzt hung up the bow and quiver along with his scimitars and both of the cloaks. He ladled a large bowlful of Cattie-brie's good stew and ate some hasty bites while he waited for the water to heat. The budding willow branches went into the empty vase on the table, and some of the wintergreen leaves into a large earthen mug.

Drizzt took another bite of stew, and his hand shook a bit. It was like the adrenaline of battle-readiness. His palms tingled, and he tried to slow his breathing. Soon their child would be born. A twinge of fear roused itself in the back of his mind, and he put his hand on the unicorn pendant. Mielikki, let all be well.

A/N: Well, they made it home. More to come. :)

I hope you're enjoying the story so far, and I'd love it if you'd take a moment to leave a review.

Che = love