Old Enemies

Two months later found Catti standing alone outside her mountain home.
Spring had come at last to the mountain range that housed Mithril hall, cracking the ancient granite with myriad little flowers, cool mountain wind bringing with it everywhere the scent of new life. Catti-brie smiled faintly up into the too-bright and crystal blue air of the noon sky, eyes scanning the horizon for the familiar form she knew would arrive today.
The wind tugged her long red hair, stinging her eyes and gusting in her ears. So engrossed was Catti with her scan of the horizon that she didn\''t note the stealthy approach from the side. From an outcropping of stone a dark form sprang, tackling the woman and rolling with her several yards downhill. Purple eyes sparkled mischievously down at her from the cowl of a green cloak.
\"Drizzt! Ye damn fool!\" she cried in alarm. \"Would ye use your orc-addled brain before you do such a thing again! \" Catti shoved the drow off and stood, checking herself for injury.
Stunned by his friend\''s uncharacteristic sharpness, Drizzt looked at her closely. \"Are you alright?\" he asked slowly.
\"Yes.\" Catti answered shortly. \"It\''s about time ye came home.\"
As the two walked the path to Mithril hall in companionable silence, Catti contemplated the feelings inspired by her long-absent companion. Love, definitely, but of what kind? Catti realized with sudden certainty that, though the feelings between them where genuine, they had still lacked the essential spark that would make Drizzt into more than a dearly loved friend. Catti sighed at the realization, wondering where that left them. She certainty hoped that Drizzt found it with someone; whether it be Innovindil or some other elf, but she knew past doubt that it would not be with her.
Later that night, they sat together in the great hall, surrounded by their family of choice; a diverse yet intimate group huddled around the cavernous hearth. Catti realized she was happy to be at home again, surrounded by these people she loved. Memories of a night two months before were reserved for times when she was alone, and even then, the emotions evoked were not to be thought on too closely.
Over to one side, Bruenor and Regis argued over some minor detail of trade, with Wulfgar standing by, offering the occasional bit of wisdom. Little Colson pattered about, poking at Thibledorf Pwent with a makeshift wooden sword, the so of of her delighted squealing blending with the raucous squeaks of his armor. Catti, Drizzt and Delly watched it all form the sidelines, Drizzt offering the child some well meant advice on strategy. Delly, rocking her baby son, watched with growing concern.
\"Here Catti, will ye rock the baby for me while I put a stop ta that?\"She pleaded.
Catti smiled and took over Delly seat beside the cradle, looking down at the child. Large and healthy, and already with soft tufts of golden hair, he would no doubt be the image of his father. As she rocked the cooing babe, Catti felt a strange and wistful fancy overtake her. This child might have been hers, she thought, had not fate intervened. She thought about what might have been, had Wulfgar not been sent to the abyss. What might their child have become? Would it have been boy or girl, blond like its father or ginger-haired like her? Would she ever even have children of her own? The last thought brought a strange pang to her heart.
Her fantasy altered. The child she looked down upon was indeed hers, no longer large and fair but dark, small, brilliantly black eyes focusing on her face with the utter trust a child should feel for it\''s parent. The eyes were clear and innocent, and held none it\''s father\''s burdens.
\"Are you alright?\"
Catti snapped back to reality with a visible start. Looking into into Drizzt\''s concerned eyes, she answered slowly. \"I think so.\"
\"You had a really odd look on your face.\"
Catti looked away, suddenly unable to meet his eyes,\"Yeah, well, I just had a really odd thought.\"