General disclaimer: I own nothing, even Maiyn generally decides her own path. A lot of small-talk dialogue borrowed from the npc banterpack for BG1 :)
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Consummation
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Maiyn found herself unable to sleep, despite her exhaustion. The night was warm, and despite her window being thrown open to allow air in, her room was stuffy and she felt clammy. She kicked off her cover with frustration, and got up, putting on her tunic, shirt and cloak. She couldn't be bothered with her armour, and despite the bounty hunter they'd encountered in the grounds not long ago, she knew the guards were vigilant and that she would be fairly safe.
She quietly padded down the lit corridor, passing through the empty common room and out into the fresh air. She could see some guards by the gates, idly pacing around as they tried to fight the weariness caused by the heat of the night, and she wandered over to the trees she'd grown accustomed to sitting under.
She'd skipped praying that evening, being distracted by Coran's attention and so she knelt down and closed her eyes, reaching out to her God, apologising for her indiscretion. She could feel no ire however, so she sat and silently reached out to Fenmarel for almost an hour. As usual, the experience left her feeling much less heavy-hearted and she began her meditations immediately. She had only just slipped into the dream-like trance that was part of the ritual when she heard a branch creaking above her and she looked up suddenly.
A figure was nestled into the branches, and she stood glaring up at it. "Who is there?" she called quietly.
A sigh responded to her, and the figure lightly dropped to the ground. "Before you say anything," said Coran, noting her look of surprise, "I would like to tell you that I was out here first."
"Why aren't you in reverie?" she asked.
"Why aren't you?"
Maiyn shrugged. "I usually sleep." She caught his curious look. "Old habits die hard," she muttered.
"I was unable to relax enough to find my memories," he admitted eventually. The ranger looked at him; he was lit by the light of the moon, a pale glow that made him appear almost ghostly. He, too, had neglected to wear his armour, and Maiyn couldn't remember seeing him dressed simply in normal clothes before. She found the sight very appealing.
He caught her looking at him, and she blushed slightly as she turned away, realising that he could likely read what she'd been thinking from her expression. His hand caught hers, and he pulled her to him urgently, his eyes looking uncharacteristically fearful.
"I am lovesick, Maiyn," he whispered to her. "I should have been smarter, I should not have let it take me over so completely, but I recognize the symptoms all too well. You look away - and I am saddened, you smile at something I have said - and I am pleased beyond belief. I crave to tell you time and again how much I love you and how much I want you."
"Coran..."
"Listen to me, please," he pleaded. "I hear 'no' from you all the time and it makes my heart heavy as we travel, as I realise you will not accept the fact that I what I say is true. I ask you - make a wish, a wish which I can fulfil this night to prove my sincerity to you. If I can, accept my feelings for you, and give into your own."
"A night with me cannot be bought or obtained in exchange for something," said Maiyn firmly. Coran sighed, and let her go. "But," she continued softly, "I will make a wish, and if you can deliver it, I shall take a chance on you, accepting your past and all your faults."
Coran looked at her hopefully. "Name it," he said.
Maiyn looked around, and smiled. "A moon from the sky will suffice. Give it to me, Coran, and I will be yours."
"A moon from the sky... that moon over there?" he asked, pointing to the large lunar body. Maiyn nodded and grinned. "The round pale thing? Are you sure you do not want a lovely moonstone necklace?"
"Yes, Coran, that moon," she said insistently, then stood on her tiptoes and pecked him lightly on the cheek. "Good night."
Maiyn turned to walk back to the inn, smiling softly to herself, when his call made her stop.
"I'll need some time to come up with something... oh, wait! Stay where you are... I'll be right back!"
Maiyn watched him dart off towards the stables, and sat back down on the grass. She was in no rush, really, to go back indoors; she had only pretended to leave to spur him into acting, rather than allowing him to rely on his charm, and now she was intrigued with what he would do.
"Here," said Coran triumphantly as he returned, carrying something that looked suspiciously like a bucket filled with water. "Look inside - I brought you the moon and three stars to boot!"
Maiyn peered into the bucket, and sure enough, the moon was reflected perfectly in the dark surface, as well as the three extra stars. She smiled softly as he knelt down beside her, his eager eyes watching her face intently for a clue to her reaction.
"You have indeed brought me the moon," she said, nodding slowly. He extended his hands to her, and she accepted them, allowing him to pull her to her feet. "And I suppose it is now up to me to honour my promise."
She walked back to the inn, leading him quietly up the stairs and to the door of his room. Together they entered it, the fighter locking it securely behind them. Maiyn paused slightly, unsure of what to do. Why didn't I ask Imoen about this!
Coran sensed her hesitation, and pulled her over to sit by him on the bed, placing his palms to hers, and allowing the fingers to slide together, intertwining, and squeezed gently. His other hand reached over to push the hair gently from her face as he whispered softly to her in their native tongue. Slowly she found herself in his embrace, and her instinct carried her through.
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Maiyn roused slowly from her slumber. She frowned as she looked around from her lain position - her room looked different. Then she remembered - Coran. She felt the elf's arms wrapping around her, pulling her back to his embrace.
"I was born far away from the oceans," he said thoughtfully, "and yet I love them as much as the mighty forests or great mountains. Perhaps even more so, because of the feeling of freedom... It is a paradox, because unless you are of the sea-kin, a fish or kelp, you should feel constrained by the deadly vastness of water."
"Often I listened to the voice of the sea behind the tall walls of Candlekeep, and dreamed of a ship with white sails taking me far away," Maiyn said softly, closing her eyes and remembering the memories.
"Were you running from something, fireheart? Or from someone?"
"Myself," she replied honestly. "I felt... alien in Candlekeep, sometimes. An orphan girl, lonely and always cold, despite the warmth of love from a father and a sister. But why would you want to know of my grievances? You love merry women."
"No, I do not love merry women, Maiyn," he replied gently. "I love you. I can still see the beauty, grace, wit and charm in other women, but none of it attracts me anymore. My love for you is just like that ocean, when I look into my heart I cannot see another shore. It is... a novelty; scary yet titillating."
"Let us hope that this fortunate affliction lasts," retorted Maiyn, grinning at him mischievously. He matched her smile, pulling her close for a lingering kiss before reluctantly agreeing that they should go down to see if the others were around.
"It is quite exciting and dangerous to put everything on one card," noted Coran as he dressed. "I think I like it."
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The two elves descended to the common room together, talking lightly and laughing merrily. Maiyn had asked to keep their relationship quiet until she had a chance to speak to the Harpers and he nodded understandingly, giving her a tight hug before they left his room.
As they wandered over to the group however, Maiyn got the distinct impression that they already knew. Jaheira's gaze was quite stern, but nowhere near as stony as she expected, and Khalid just nodded a welcome to her, before turning his attention back to his conversation with Xan. The enchanter didn't acknowledge their appearance, but the others said their good mornings with sly smiles. Even Kivan grinned slightly to them.
Maiyn was dragged away by Imoen before she could sit down, and she threw Coran a helpless glance. He shrugged at her, his expression showing he was just as confused as she was by the party's reaction to them.
"So it looks like ya found someone, eh?" asked Imoen excitedly, dragging her over to the innkeeper to order some food. "Who'd have thought it'd be ol' Coran! Well, I guess I woulda really, after all you'd said, but you seemed like you weren't gonna go fer him! I'm sure Gorion would be happy for you, though."
Maiyn stopped dead, and looked at Imoen with a strange expression. "Uhm... A rogue for a lover? I am not sure Gorion would approve, you know."
"Hey," objected Imoen. "He was okay with me takin' up the art! And Coran's more of a warrior really..."
"I guess," relented Maiyn, continuing to the bar. "I just hope I'm doing the right thing."
"Sure ye are," said Imoen gently, giving her hand a quick squeeze.
Maiyn nodded, and grinned to the thief. "Anyway, I have noticed you glancing at him from time to time out the corner of your eye."
"What?" asked Imoen, looking slightly embarrassed and waving her hand dismissively. "I was, ah, just, um, making sure that he wasn't trying to sneak up on me. Yeah, that's all."
"Is it really?" Maiyn's voice was quiet and serious. She didn't want to hurt Imoen by doing anything that would cause the thief distress.
"Wha?" Imoen flushed slightly. "Really, I'm not. Okay. I admit it, he is good to look at, but that's it. He's really not my type. And this better not go beyond you, or I'll make sure you'll regret it."
Maiyn grinned. "I won't say a word."
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Coran sat down uncomfortably, feeling the watchful eyes on him. He was waiting for Jaheira or Khalid to say something, and so when Yeslick spoke he started in surprise.
"Amongst me people, elf, we take our time wi' things, makin' sure we can depend on 'em - whether they be mine-tunnel supports, vests o' mail... or courtships," said the dwarf gruffly.
"Love is just the same as it was in your day, Yeslick," said Coran carefully. "Brighten up!"
"Aye, it is!" Yeslick exclaimed. "It still needs respect an' propriety. An' this? Hasty, lad, not thought out proper. Mark me words, it will come to no good end."
"Master Dwarf," Coran sighed. "Life is too short and fate too fickle to dally! That's a philosophy I would have thought you would understand by now, if not appreciate."
"Bah!" exclaimed Yeslick, shaking his head.
"For what it is worth," Coran stated, a little louder so the full group could hear him, "Maiyn made it very clear to me in the previous weeks that I would have no chance to court her unless I was capable of changing from how she - and you all, I believe - perceived me to be. If she is happy now, to accept that I might be able to make her happy, I would ask you all at least give us the chance to work at it, without making it harder for her from the start."
Some of the group shifted uncomfortably, but Coran noticed Khalid nodding slowly to him. He replied with a nod of his own, and settled back into his chair. By Hanali! She may be an orphan, but it is like trying to win over a maiden's entire family!
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"Uh oh," said Imoen quietly. "Auntie Jaheira's bearing down."
Maiyn turned to see the druid approaching them, and her heart sank. Please, no, don't destroy my happiness by having a go at me.
"Imoen, Maiyn - did Gorion ever talk to you of the things a girl turning into a young woman should know?" Jaheira's question caught them completely unaware, and they looked to each other nervously.
"Heh, he often talked to me of how I wasn't cleanin' good enough, and how I will never find myself a good husband if I keep climbing on fences and erm... borrowin' things..." said Imoen.
"He used to tell me that unless I studied hard, I'd likely never find anyone worthy to settle down with..." noted Maiyn. She glanced at Coran dubiously.
"Yes, those are useful instructions," said Jaheira impatiently, "but I meant other sort of things. You're of age now, and I think it is my duty to forewarn you."
"Forewarn us of what?" asked Imoen.
"There are a few herbs that a grown up woman should know how to prepare properly, when she starts taking interest in comely lads," said Jaheira. "First there is tansy..."
"Cookin' bores me, Jaheira. I don't need to-"
"We're not talking about cooking, Imoen!" snapped Jaheira.
"Oh, what are we talking about then?" asked Maiyn innocently.
"Eh," said Jaheira, suddenly looking nervous. "Maybe this talk can wait for a while longer."
"No!" exclaimed Maiyn, grabbing the half-elf's arm before she could retreat. "Please tell us!"
Jaheira gave them a perfunctory glance, and ordered them to follow her up to her room when they'd eaten. Imoen gawped at Maiyn as the druid returned to the others.
"You know what she's going to tell us about, don't you?" asked the thief.
Maiyn snorted. "Yesterday, I might not have, but this morning, I can safely say I do," she said slyly. "And I want to know her secrets, because I do not like the idea of suddenly becoming with child."
"Ah, you've got a point," Imoen admitted, resigning herself to a lecture on herbs. "You know she'll have a go about Coran though..."
Maiyn shrugged. Some risks just had to be taken.
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To the ranger's surprise, the druid didn't mention anything negative about Coran, instead she mentioned the worry he'd demonstrated when she remained behind in the mine with Yeslick. Maiyn had shuffled uncomfortably, and been glad when Jaheira returned to the original topic, and both girls had left her room laden with herbs and prepared remedies.
Now they were all relaxing outside the inn, enjoying the sun as it set slowly to the west. Yeslick and Minsc were chatting about fighting skills, the others lounging around, listening lazily to the conversation, or studying their assorted spellbooks.
"Aye, Minsc, I've been a witness ta yer furies. I'm a-wonderin' if ye know how much some envy ye." Yeslick regarded the berserker with respect.
"Envy?" asked Minsc. "Ah, there is much to envy in the pair that is Minsc and Boo! Our mighty swords and claws and teeth are feared by all things evil, as we trample the weeds of villainy to let the beautiful flowers of goodness bloom, and apply a mighty kick in the... errr... Boo says I am ranting again... mmm... was I?"
"Aye, aye..." nodded the dwarf, "but only as ye should! Me, I'm a dwarf o' th' gods; righteous fury, always bound by duty. I find meself caught between a rock an' a hard roof. Seems churlish o' me ta say it, an' I'm not doubtin' Clangeddin's way is a sure one..."
"...but you want to berserk, like Minsc?" The Rashemeni looked excited. "Ohoh, that is a great thing, but not so easy!"
"Ye make it seem so..." noted Yeslick.
"Aah, but in Rashemen, we learn to berserk young..." explained Minsc. "And it was always said I was a mighty berserker even in my tender age. All it would take would be a simple stone in the boot to get Minsc riled! One of THOSE always makes him mad, gets him in a mood to BUTTKICK EVIL! YAAA - what? Oh! Boo suggests you try that."
"Stones in me boot..." pondered the cleric thoughtfully. "Aye, they're always pretty infuriatin'. It can't hurt ta try just once." The dwarf removed his boot and found a small but sharp pebble to place within it. He rewore his shoe, and stood up gingerly, testing his foot on the ground.
"A STONE IN ME BOOT! I HATE 'EM! GRRRR!" Yeslick made some strange noises, as if he was choking on a bone, and Minsc regarded him with curiosity. Maiyn wondered if he was alright, and sat up slightly preparing to go to his aid.
"Errr..." the berserker said, "Boo says you turning red and collapsing to the ground is indeed a sign of mighty furies to come. And he would know."
"Aye... Aye..." said Yeslick, dragging himself to a sitting position. "Just... just let me git me breath back... I didnae realise it was such hard work."
Coran chuckled as he leaned against a tree, and he gently pulled Maiyn into his arms, her back resting against his chest. The others paid no heed to it - after a few surprised comments, they had just nodded and accepted what they'd all seen as the inevitable. It felt to Maiyn as if everyone had seen it coming, except her, and she leaned her head back on his chest, feeling him nuzzle around her ear gently.
Yeslick had turned his attention to Kivan, regarding the silent-natured ranger with a small frown. Kivan had noticed his stare, and was looking back to him questioningly.
"I'm athinkin' we have something in common, elf," said the dwarf thoughtfully.
"What would that be, cleric?" asked Kivan.
"Vengeance, or so I gather. Ye hunt this Tazok ta kill him, aye, ta avenge the death o' yours. I myself long ta see Rieltar again, an' make him feel the hurts he gave me."
"I am sorry, Yeslick, but I do not see much alike in our quests," stated Kivan simply. "You wish to avenge nothing more than hurt pride, and a desecrated grave. That cannot compare to what I know."
"I can see why you'd think so, Kivan, so I won't bark at ye," acknowledged Yeslick, "but a wrong's a wrong, an' some wrongs demand blood price. That's a truth as old as time. For Rieltar an' his thugs ta desecrate me ancestors an' kin so... fer it ta have been me who was the one who betrayed them ta him... how can any dwarf face 'em in the hereafter, eh, without his blood on me hands, ta prove ta them I did me damnedest ta put it all back as well as could be? How can I carry the-"
"-the shame of it. If only you had been stronger... if only your body could have been equal to the pain and the hurt, if you could have held on for a minute more... it might not have been. But as it is now all you can do is fight until their spilt blood overmatches the tears shed by the innocent, and hope that it will serve as justice." Kivan fell into silence, avoiding the dwarf's keen gaze.
"Aye... ye know these things well enough," said Yeslick softly. "I'll take your understandin', then, if not your kinship, eh, ranger?"
"May your god answer your prayers," replied Kivan emotionlessly. "I shall place my trust in my revenge."
"Ye speak hotly o' vengeance," continued the dwarf. "Right spirit an' all. Got me wonderin', if perchance ye're one o' them followers o' Hoar, The Doombringer?"
"I served Khalreshaar, the Lady of the Forest once," murmured Kivan. "Now it is Shevarash I say my prayers to."
"The Black Archer an' avenger o' the Dark Elves?" Yeslick was thoughtful. "Was it a drow's hand that took your wife's life, then?"
"The ones who savaged Deheriana were not of the dark kin," replied the elf, "But my hatred for the brigands and my desire for vengeance are no less than those of the Black Archer when his family was slain on Midwinter night in the great forest of Arcorar."
"Aye," said Yeslick understandingly. "The Dark Court Slaughter is remembered by the Dwarves as well as by the Elven folk. Fer many o' our kin from the realm o' Sarphil were killed by the Drow that night. Fer the feast at the Elven Court they came, but the merriment had been stolen by the traitorous attack o' the drow. Elf, tread with care. Clangeddin is a noble god, an' he views rightful vengeance as fitting enough... but the ways o' Shevarash're devastatin' an' painful."
"Those who serve Shevarash lose the ability to feel pain," replied Kivan stoically, "and all that was dear to them had been taken away, before they turned to the Black Archer. I am but a black arrow on his bow, and his hand should direct me to strike my enemy."
"Forgive me fer saying so, Kivan... but Clangeddin preserve me from such a fate."
Kivan looked the dwarf straight in the eye, his expression sincere. "I sincerely hope he does, Yeslick. This is not an easy path to walk." Without another word the ranger stood and returned inside the inn. Yeslick sighed, but Maiyn shook her head to him.
"You have not offended him," she said gently. "He prefers to keep his feelings to himself, but he is loyal and caring to his companions. He is not used to someone questioning him so."
Yeslick nodded, but was quiet for the rest of the evening, listening to the others chatter before they retired to bed, one by one. Coran walked Maiyn to her room, and she dragged him in behind her before any of the others noticed - they may know of the relationship, but she was not going to advertise it yet.
