Hide in the Midnight

Betaing for this Chapter was done by the all mighty Jebus. All bow before his greatness.

Drizzt was startled when the drow woman woke. He was sitting near her rereading a few of the journal’s entries. He caught himself smiling at the happy noises she made as she burrowed deeper into the covers. When she tumbled into the floor he rushed hurriedly to her side. He pulled her up into a sitting position. When she saw his face she did the last thing he had expected her to do by screaming. She pounded weakly at his chest and thrashed in a futile attempt at escape.

Worried that she would injure herself further he pinned her against his chest his arms wrapped tightly around her. The words she screamed rang in his sensitive ears. She continued to struggle for a few moments before slumping against him. Dampness on his shoulder told him that she wept though no sound issued from her.

Stumpet and two guards ran in; the door bounced off the wood paneled wall with a resounding bang. Stumpet stared in at their position in the floor and blinked in surprise.

“What in the Abyss be goin’ on?” Roared Stumpet.

“I tired to help her back into bed but it seems I frightened her.” Drizzt replied carefully.

“How did ye frighten ‘er?” Asked Stumpet with raised eyebrows.

“I believe that she thinks I’m going to try to take her back to the world she left behind.”

The woman had relaxed while they were talking; Drizzt carefully tilted her in his arms. She lay cradled in his arms he stared at her tear stained face. Sliding an arm beneath her legs, he picked her up bridal style and laid her on the bed. Stumpet nudged him to the side and examined the woman for further injures. Seemingly satisfied with what she found Stumpet covered her up.

“Stay ‘ere,” Stumpet commanded quietly.

“Alright. Why?” Drizzt asked raising one elegant eyebrow.

Stumpet left the room without answering him. Shrugging he flopped back into the chair he had vacated earlier and waited. Half an hour later Stumpet returned with Regis, Bruenor, Wulfgar, and Catti-brie in tow. With a curt command Bruenor sent the guards for extra chairs before dismissing them. Once everyone was seated an uncomfortable silence stretched on for several minutes.

Bruenor cleared his throat breaking the silence. “What have ye learned from the book?”

Drizzt stood and leaned against the mantel. He stared at the embers beyond the grate for a few moments before speaking. The words tumbled from his lips. Not everything but enough that they knew that she was most likely not a threat; just a girl wanting to go home to her friends. The others sat listening in silence except for the occasional gasp. At the mention of her spying on her House for Jaraxle Bruenor drew his double bitten axe long enough to test its edge. Drizzt tightened his hold on the mantel and continued.

He told them of her friends the dwarves Drogo Anvilspliter and Bragnor Stoneaxe, the elf Elress Silverleaf, and her human husband Kensin Overfield. He told them of the rock slide that had killed Kensin and Bragnor and had caused the miscarriage that nearly claimed her life.

“Antunia’s all alone now. Drogo died six years ago; the only one left is Elress. Elress wants her to return to Kyo’ nne where he lives.” Drizzt said quietly.

“A human husband?” Wulfgar murmured.

“Yes, human. He was a mage and I’m pretty convinced that she really loved him.” Drizzt said turning to face them.

“Did the lass steal the horse?” Bruenor asked gruffly.

“I don’t believe so. Elress said in his letter that he was looking forward to seeing her new horse.”

“I be goin’ to write Clan Anvilspliter. I’ll tell them the lass is here and safe.” Bruenor said before leaving.

Wulfgar and Catt left to find the horse. Once again Drizzt was left alone with the strange drow woman. He pulled the nearest chair closer to the bed. Propping his elbows on his knees with his chin in his hand, he began waiting.

TBC