Darkness fell quickly.

By the time the sun had left the sky, Minsc had a hearty fire roaring. Aerie had some potatoes and a rabbit in the fire, and a pot full of water and Farmer Brun's corn. Smelled delicious. It lifted me up a little, as everyone went about their chores without a word. What was there to say? We couldn't go back there, back into that angry mob. Our friends had returned to wherever they came from. We had what was on our back, and that's it. We had to keep moving, before someone got the bright idea in their heads to kill my Bhaalspawn backside dead. I'm not sure how I would have dealt with that. Held them fast? What else was I to do? Maybe Galvery was right. Maybe I am a blight on the Realms.

Aerie watched me carefully out of the corner of her large, blue-green eyes. I wasn't going anywhere. I had shed my armor, and just sat there. I could hear Minsc nailing down the tent pegs, Imoen fiddling with her gear. Viconia was off communing with her goddess, Jaheira on a walk to clear her mind. It was as close to privacy as I was going to get.

Finally, as dinner stewed between us, Aerie sat on the other side of the fire and watched me. Her eyes were full of concern, wetness. Tears, I guess. My eyes rose from the packed earth, stared into hers. Emotions churned beneath the surface, none that I could read in that state. Her face was as a brand, alight beyond the flames. Her words shattered the early night's silence.

"Do you know why I stay with you? Do you even know why I love you?"

I shook my head. Too much. I couldn't wrap my head around this right now. She mistook my gesture as 'no, I don't know why' and continued speaking.

"I stay with you because Bhaalspawn or not, you're the most wonderful, kind man I've ever known. The instant anyone asked for your help -whether they deserved it or not- you stopped what you were doing. People in need everywhere you went remember you. Remember Trademeet? Remember Tiris?"

I nodded. Tiris, just a kid. Tiris, with his fiancee turned shapechanger. I didn't have it in me to leave her like that.

"The slaves in the Underdark?"

Again, I nodded. I armed them, gave them at least a shot at survival. I remembered- how could I forget? I wonder some nights to this day how many made it out.

"Think of how many peoples' lives you've changed for the better. Even here, with me. You saved me from Kalah, saved me from Bohdi, saved me from death...saved me from myself."

"So? Can you even begin to imagine how many lives I've taken in return?"

Her blue eyes - bluer than the bay of Candlekeep - focused on me. They narrowed. It wasn't judgment, it was her force of will. She wasn't giving in.

"Not once did you EVER give up on me! NEVER! And look at you now. W-w-well, you know what? I'm not going to give up on you, not n-now, not ever."

Her voice was quiet, but it carried such determination that it gave me pause. She turned back to preparing the meal. Her stutter was getting better.

"Hell."

"Hmm?"

"Hell. We fought your demons there, you and I."

I nodded. Not once did she falter. Anyone could see the fear in her eyes, those beautiful eyes, but she somehow managed. Every step forward was a challenge, but she still took it.

"You did so much for them, my love. You did so much for everyone, and it breaks my heart to see them treat you this way."

Her robes fluttered lightly as a breeze kicked up. She stared off into the sky, and I couldn't fathom why she had chosen me above all others, still. I knew that my indifference to her advances had harmed everyone, but especially her. What else could I do? I watched her watching me, standing there. She wasn't judging me, she was begging me. I couldn't stand it anymore, looked down.

Knowing the why made me feel even worse.

A few minutes later, she pulled the food from the fire. It was, of course, some of the best I had had in my life. No one else was around, quite. I suspected Imoen and Minsc were just beyond the clearing in the shadows, but what could I do?

I took another bite of the corn. She was still watching me, her face twisted with pain. Still pleading.

"Why, Aerie? Why?"

"Why what?"

"I don't even know anymore. Why go on, why keep trying, why..."

"Do you remember what you said to me when I asked the same thing?"

I did. That was a long time ago, it seemed. Simpler, even. Just doing what we could to raise money for Linvail, walking places and trying to help people. Before they knew what I am, they always wanted my help. Now...well, I wouldn't be surprised at anything. The Church had probably cast me out, and more than a few people probably wanted me dead.

I looked back at Aerie.

"Well, do you?"

"Yes, Aerie. I remember exactly what I said."

"How is this any different? You gave me the strength to keep going, to go out and experience new things. To help people. Oh, why can't you see?"

I didn't say anything. Really, what could I say? I wanted nothing more than to live out the rest of my years in the Helm and Cloak, or the Elfsong, or Three Old Kegs. Just go there, drink, talk with people, not worry about soul-stealing mages or crazed siblings plotting war. To not have to worry about wolfweres or assassins or undead. Just...peace. Do what I want, when I wanted. To not be dragged around by my blood. It's not too much to ask, is it? Sitting down and talking with some good friends over an ale? Not be hated for things you can't control?

I felt terrible in general, but what could I have done? The road was not the place to take your lover, and being the arrow magnet that I am, romance wasn't a great idea. What would have happened if I finally caught the bolt with my name on it? What if SHE caught it instead?

She still stared at me, as those thoughts ran through my mind. She put down her food, walked over to my side. I barely looked up when she planted a gentle kiss on my forehead and wrapped those thin arms around me.

"You know what? I love you. I don't know if you love me back, and I don't care. I'll always be here for you."

She leaned against me, and I pulled her close. I just lay back, a half-finished potato on my stomach, a beautiful girl's arms wrapped around my neck, and looked up at the slowly emerging stars.

I was very tempted to ask them exactly why they hated me, but Aerie stirred against me. I guess she fell asleep. As my arm went numb under her, I glared at the pinpoints of light above me, pointed a finger up at them and vowed to save my outrageous questions for later.