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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Peace and Hope

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Xan stayed in his room for the whole of the next day, and Maiyn asked Imoen to take some food up to him. The ranger had a feeling he wouldn't answer if she took it herself, and it was their last day at the Friendly Arms. She didn't want any more arguments to spoil the relaxing break they'd all benefitted from.

She wandered outside, finding Coran and Khalid sitting lazily outside the temple, and she asked if she could join them. They both nodded, and she was pleased to see they seemed to have been getting on.

"Tell me, Khalid, do the maids find your shyness attractive?" asked Coran.

"Sh-shyness?" Khalid looked surprised. "You mean that I d-don't tell every passing girl that the sun of my heart will n-never rise again if she will not smile at me?"

Coran grinned. "Something like that, yes."

"I d-don't know what they may feel, Coran," replied Khalid. "I want n-nobody but Jaheira."

"I do not doubt your fealty, my friend," said the elf. "What about before you met her?"

"Th-that was another world, Coran - my life altered from the p-point I knew Jaheira, n-not only because of our meeting but because of our ... work together." Khalid paused for some thought. "As a youth in C-Calimport, I was thought a p-pleasing enough companion, though k-kisses were all I exchanged, with ladies who wanted n-no more."

"Wanted no more?" exclaimed Coran. He looked disappointed. "I guess the shy approach has its downside." Maiyn shot him a look, and he gave her a mischievous grin.

"But when do you c-consider a woman attracted?" Khalid asked pointedly. "Because I have heard you s-say that a tavern wench fancied you when all she d-did was bring you your ale."

"Oh, but the way she looked at me..." laughed Coran.

"Coran, it was too d-dark for you to tell," replied Khalid, grinning despite himself. "Besides, with the tips you leave b-behind, you must be a legend across F-Faerun. That would be a better explanation f-for her being pleased if she truly did s-smile at you."

"Those poor girls do not have much fun," stated Coran. "A gold piece for a happy smile is a bargain, if you ask me. Now, what about my question?"

"Perhaps you c-could try to be less... outgoing for a change, th-then you will see for yourself what the girls p-prefer."

"Ah, perhaps I could," replied Coran. "I have felt myself changing recently, and it may do me good to take on a new perspective. However, I am hoping that I shall not need to approach any more women." Maiyn smiled at him, and he responded sincerely. "You know, after wandering far and wide one starts longing for his homeland. Even I..."

"You are from T-Tethyr, right?" asked Khalid. Coran nodded. "Can you tell me about your land?"

Coran shrugged, wondering why everyone was suddenly interested in where he came from. "It's changed a lot since the times of Tethyr the Dragonslayer. No more dragons roaming around. There is the city of Suldanessellar and plenty of wilderness. It is beautiful, majestic and idyllic. Not to say boring. That's why I can never stay there for long. But why are you asking?"

"It is J-Jaheira's homeland," said Khalid softly. "I am c-curious about what it looks like. It m-must be very different from Calimport."

"You've never been to Tethyr?"

"No, we never had t-time, unfortunately. Besides, I'm afraid that it could be p-painful for Jaheira. Her whole family was k-killed during a civil war there."

"Oh, that's horrible!" exclaimed Coran sincerely. "My heart aches when I think about it, and a bitter taste fills my mouth, but you would absolutely love Tethyr, Khalid."

"Why are you s-so sure?" he asked.

"Because you love everything related to Jaheira," replied Coran simply.

"You are r-right," smiled the half-elf. "If Jaheira wanted to return to T-Tethyr, I would be g-glad to live there. My home is not a place; it is a p-person."

"I am beginning to understand that sentiment," agreed Coran as he looked over to Maiyn. Khalid noticed the loving gaze he used when he looked to the young girl, even though her attention was taken elsewhere. He excused himself from the young lovers, smiling as he went indoors to find Jaheira.

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He saw her sitting at a table alone, looking to be deep in thought. She worries too much, he thought as he approached her quietly. "My lady wife..." said Khalid gently, sitting down next to her.

"Khalid, not now!" she exclaimed, jumping. "I am trying to puzzle out advice for Maiyn regarding the present state of affairs."

"I am s-sorry, dear," he said, amused by her reaction. "D-do you know that your eyes b-become even greener when you are irritated?"

"I never get irritated!" said Jaheira reproachfully. "I am the calmest woman in the whole of Faerun!"

He smiled. "Yes, so v-very green. Like g-gooseberries."

"Gooseberries?" she chuckled. "Ah, Khalid, the things you say sometimes are... so sweet. Have you ever failed to put a smile on my face?"

"Never, my l-love," he said, embracing her fondly, feeling the warmth from her body as he held her close. "Jaheira, I dreamt a dream last n-night... a bad dream."

The druid raised a concerned eyebrow. "Does the memory of the days when you were captured still haunt you, my love?"

"Maybe it was not that," Khalid said thoughtfully. "I am n-not sure. I saw... saw d-dark places and pain. You w-were not around. But I w-was glad for that, since I thought – if you are not there, th-they cannot harm you."

"And I am free to come to your rescue. Like we did last time, Gorion and I."

He smiled at her. "It is enough for m-me to know that you are s-safe, Jaheira."

"Maybe you are not strong enough yet to return to adventuring, my love?" Jaheira's face was lined with worry. "Those dreams, they worry me."

"My d-dear, I did swear a s-solemn vow to Gorion to p-protect Maiyn," Khalid said firmly. "I will do what I h-have promised." His voice broke into a softer tone. "C-Coran wanted to know whether my shyness was attractive to girls or not," he laughed. "I said I had n-no idea. So I thought perhaps I'd b-better ask someone who was likely to know. D-don't you think my... shyness is attractive?"

"Oh, yes, you are certainly very shy, aren't you?" grinned Jaheira mischievously. "That was a very emphatic burst of shyness you engaged in last night. I'd say that that sort of shyness would be extremely attractive..."

Khalid beamed at his wife. "Th-thank you, my gentle friend," he said, kissing her lightly. He could not help but feel the gravity of the situation they faced paled whenever he was near his beloved spouse, and he idly stroked her hair as she threw him an adoring look.

"Where do you want to go when this is over, Khalid?" she asked suddenly. "Home? To Calimshan?"

"I know you never cared for Calimshan," he replied. "And neither d-do I, for that matter, since my father never c-cared for me as he cared for his true-born sons, and my m-mother is long dead. We... we can go visit Tethyr... for a short while... if you want."

"Even if it had been - for lack of a proper word – my 'home', I'd be much happier to forget its existence altogether," said Jaheira quietly.

"I... I am s-sorry, my dear," Khalid apologised. "I d-didn't mean to bring back the sad memories. W-we do not have to go anywhere in particular."

"Why did you suggest it?" she asked gently. "I am curious."

"When I was t-talking to Coran, I asked what it w-was like. He asked if I had n-never visited it, and he t-told me I would love it there."

"Oh did he?" asked Jaheira dryly.

"Yes, b-but that I'd love it b-because I love everything about you."

"Oh." Jaheira felt herself lost for words - he knew she had not expected the elf to be capable of such sentimental views.

"I told h-him that 'home' was more of a p-person that a place," he said, still caressing Jaheira's hair gently. "He said he w-was beginning to understand that sentiment."

Jaheira nodded slowly. "Perhaps I should re-evaluate my opinion of him," she whispered.

Khalid smiled at her. "Anyway, we c-could always keep travelling with Maiyn, k-keep an eye out on her," he remarked, going back to the subject.

"Thank you for your understanding," said Jaheira softly. "I am afraid that neither your nor my childhood left us many pleasant memories."

"D-do you think we will ever settle anywhere, my d-dearest?" he asked. "Sometimes I feel d-drawn to go on and on, seeing where the next turn in the road takes us... serving the c-cause of goodness-"

"Goodness?" interrupted the druid.

"Oh, and b-balance, of course, how could I f-forget balance?"

"How could you, indeed?" grinned Jaheira.

"But at other times," he continued dreamily, "I want to find a place to s-stop, to plant a garden... to make a f-family, centred in their being as c-creatures of dual heritage, and taught by their m-mother to be proud of everything they are."

"And taught by their father to do what they must without counting the cost," she retorted. "And to know the difference between true strength and appearances, no?"

Khalid smiled. "Yes. I hope one d-day that the chance will come to us. What should we c-call our first son?"

"Our first-born will be a daughter - we druids have such knowledge, you see..." said Jaheira firmly.

"Then she is as beautiful, wise and s-strong as you, and she will be my joy, my d-dear love..." replied Khalid, gazing at the druid warmly. She blushed slightly at him, and squeezed his hand fondly. As long as I am with you, my love, I don't mind where we go, Khalid thought to himself.

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Dynaheir looked up at the cloudy sky and hoped that the weather would improve for the next days travels. She was eager to travel to the city - the time at the inn had been restful and pleasing enough, but there was still much to do, and the thought of the bustling city appealed to her senses.

She saw the familiar shape of her guard approach her, and she smiled.

"Minsc, mine heart always gladdens as I behold thee by my side," she said as she regarded him. "'Tis hard to be far from one's homeland and familiar faces."

"You have two friendly faces!" beamed Minsc. "Minsc and Boo - the two heroes who are here to defend you. The stuff of legend! Oh, those tales that will be told of us in the Berserker's Lodge when we get home! Right, Boo?"

"Minsc," Dynaheir said softly, "it might be well afore I would return back to Rashemen. Dost thou wish to go home sooner, thou needest only tell me. Thy dejemma is all but fulfilled now."

"Where Dynaheir goes, so goes my blade," replied the berserker firmly. "As long as there are evil butts to kick and some cheese for Boo - Minsc is happy!"

"My loyal friend, I most appreciate thy words," smiled the witch. "But I perceive that I have found that which I have been seeking. If I am to believe the lore of the olden days, many events perilous are about to come to pass."

"Minsc and Boo are not afraid of danger!" he said firmly. "You started your travel with Minsc and Boo and with Minsc and Boo you will travel! I will not let you go unprotected so far from home."

Dynaheir smiled to her warrior, and fell silent as she noticed Kivan approach them. The stoic ranger nodded a greeting, and watched Minsc return inside. He spoke before Dynaheir could follow.

"Long is the way from Rashemen to Baldur's Gate," noted the elf.

"What thou wish to inquire about is my purpose in coming here," said Dynaheir, understanding he'd heard part of their conversation.

"True," he affirmed.

"My purpose is knowledge," she replied vaguely. "In that I am no different than anyone else. The Great Othlor gave me a glimpse of words of a truth-seer, and I seek more knowledge about it."

"Prophecy... are you following some prophecy, Dynaheir?" Kivan looked at the witch keenly. "You show a curious interest in young Maiyn - do you think that-"

"I know not yet," she interrupted quickly. "The world is dark, and clear it is not."

"You have to tell Maiyn of your suspicions."

"To what end?" she asked. "Suspicion only clouds minds, and plays tricks with observations. Maiyn has eyes to see. I desire not to dim the light to anyone with an incautious word."

"It is something ominous then?" asked Kivan. "I have come to like our young friend. You are on her side, are you not?" His eyes had narrowed, and Dynaheir was unable to read his expression.

"Thou know that I am on the side that does justice and peace," replied the witch carefully.

"That I never doubted, Dynaheir," he said, also falling silent, walking into the inn with her.

Maiyn was chatting animatedly to Minsc about his fighting skills when they got over to their companions, and the berserker was beaming proudly. Yeslick was sitting by them both, listening to their conversation with interest.

"Minsc is nothing if not the most loyal companion," Dynaheir said, smiling to them both. "Many a time I was grateful for him travelling with me."

"I appreciate Minsc's company," said the ranger gratefully. "And yours. Truly, I consider both of you my friends now, even if I have not known you for long."

"That is my feeling towards thee as well," said Dynaheir, noticing Kivan's glance to her. "On the road friendships are quickly forged and cemented firmly by the challenges comrades face together."

Kivan took a seat next to Coran, and the other elf noticed he was looking pensive.

"You are taut as a bowstring again," remarked the fighter. "I heard you moaning in your reverie from the other room this morning. Don't tell me that you recall the grim memories?"

"I have no choice, Coran, and you know it," said Kivan coldly. "I would gladly direct my thoughts to the days when I knew happiness, but both good and bad memories come to us when we reverie."

"Ah, mellonamin, that is too cruel." Coran's voice was sincerely sympathetic.

"I... I have to look at their faces, sometimes, so that I would not forget even one." Kivan's eyes flashed darkly.

"The faces of brigands who captured you?"

"Yes," nodded Kivan. "These dreams come from Shevarash, I am sure."

"Kivan, I do not know what to say," sighed the fighter. "I resent Shevarash and his horribly grim and single-minded ways, but-"

"Then say nothing," said Kivan sharply.

"-BUT I do not resent you," said Coran quickly, clapping his friend on the back. "By the Nine Hells! You are a stubborn sylvan just like your Shevarash! You are unbearable! You are absolutely insane! But by Hanali Celanil, I always feel like killing that Tazok myself after talking to you!" Kivan almost smiled, but instead settled for a gracious nod. Imoen had approached the two elves, returning from the bar where she'd been getting more drinks.

"Ya know? I think Deheriana was really lucky to know someone like you," said Imoen quietly, taking up the seat at Coran's other side that she'd been on before.

"Lucky?" Kivan looked aghast. "I lead her away from the safety of Shilmista, Imoen, overconfident young fool as I was then! I lead her, mela en' coiamin... the love of my life, to her death. It was my love that gave her to the torturers alive; it was my love that doomed her..."

Imoen shook her head. "I'm still thinking that she feels that way. I mean I'd sure like it if I knew someone I cared about would go to any lengths to get whoever killed me."

"You know nothing, Imoen!" Kivan's voice was patient, not unkind. "Do not wish for anyone to prove his love for you in such a way, just wish for love itself - without obstacles, partings or doubts."

"Well, it's hard to know 'bout someone's feelings if there's no proof, ya know?" she shrugged. "I mean one can go like forever and never notice!"

"Fear not," he replied gently. "You will know when the time comes."

"Maybe," she replied quietly. "But I already thought that time had come." Kivan looked abashed, and he opened his mouth to say something but Imoen had stood up, and approached the berserker.

"Hey, Minsc, have you ever thought of changing Boo's colour? Well, kind of like they turn clothing and hair and such into all sorts of different colours? Boo, wouldn't you look cute with your fur in nice pink?"

Minsc frowned. "Boo wouldn't be Boo, then."

"He would be the same person, err... hamster, Minsc, he would just... hmmm... change his look?"

"What's that, Boo?" Minsc said, listening to the hamster squeak. "Oh, Boo says that it's not in his character to go for a dramatic remake."

Maiyn couldn't hold in her giggle any longer, and Coran grinned at her mischievously.

"Oh, well," sighed the young human. "If he changes his mind, I'd be shopping for more clothes dye soon enough, so just whistle! I'd help him to select something... something heroic."

"Erm..." said Minsc carefully, "Boo says: of course we would whistle!"

"What does Boo like to eat, exactly?" asked Imoen.

"Boo eats nuts, grains and berries mostly," said Minsc, clearly relieved at the change of topic. "They keep him strong, quick and smart, but he also loves to eat cheese. Cheese is his favourite."

"Oh, I have some cheese here," said Maiyn, breaking off a piece from her plate. "He can have that."

"Boo will be quite pleased with this!" beamed Minsc. "I will make sure he knows you gave him this special treat."

"What do you mean, you'll make sure?" asked Maiyn. "Where has he gone?"

"Boo is..." Minsc peered cautiously at Imoen, "resting. He had a, er, long night."

"He looked fine a minute ago," said Imoen.

"It came across him suddenly," said Minsc, nodding as he spoke to appear more convincing. He quickly changed the subject. "Friend Kivan, Minsc thinks that you should go to Rashemen with Minsc and Boo after the Iron Throne is kicked over by the mighty ranger's boots!"

"Thank you for the invitation, Minsc," said the elf ranger quietly, "but I am otherwise engaged after our quest is over." Maiyn looked over to him, and he met her gaze. Her face was sad, and he looked away quickly.

"Ah, nothing can be as important as returning a smile on your face," continued the berserker, unaware of Kivan's meaning. "Rashemi girls know how to re-kindle the warrior's spirit in a man's heart! Besides brewing the best spirit-"

"Deheriana is the only woman for me, Minsc."

"Well, Boo says she is, well, dead." Only Minsc could get away with such bluntness, and Yeslick's gasp could be heard clearly in the ensuing silence.

"Perhaps Boo has not encountered elves before," said Kivan softly. "My kin do not die, Minsc, not truly. They depart to a land far away-"

"Rashemen is a land far away. Maybe Deheriana went there?"

"Further away than Rashemen, Minsc."

"Oh!" Minsc looked perplexed. "That's really far! Then you must hurry, or you'd never catch up with Deheriana!"

"I am making haste, Minsc," Kivan said grimly. "But I cannot follow her until I have killed Tazok. It will be soon though, I feel it." The ranger excused himself before anyone else could talk to him, and as he passed the approaching Khalid and Jaheira, he wished them a good night.

Jaheira threw herself down onto one of the benches, and regarded Yeslick and Maiyn.

"Sometimes I wish that I could have access to some spells clerics have..." she sighed, "to be even more useful to the party." Everyone had now heard about Maiyn's status as a cleric of Fenmarel Mestarine, but she still felt awkward being spoken about as one.

"Aye, don' lose yer patience, lass," Yeslick said to the druid. "To each his... eh, their own. I seen the Druids o' Cloakwood do some amazin' things I could never do! Summon huge hordes o' buzzin' nasties an' clouds o' stingin' little buggers and send 'em at any'un who gets nasty! Eh, not that I'd want ta do that." The dwarf shuddered.

"One ability I desire to learn is to make the live skin into the likeness of metal," mused Jaheira. "I have been fortunate to witness veteran druids gifted with such affinity, and they were fearsome in battle. Almost no one else matches them for staying sword or spell."

"I canna see Khalid bein' too pleased at ye makin' yerself look like some walkin' statue..." pondered Yeslick, grinning to her husband. The half-elven fighter chuckled softly. "But I hear that some druids found a cure for that too turning yerself into beauty appealin' to every eye."

"N-not a difficult task for my wife, master dwarf," said the fighter, smiling at Jaheira fondly.

"Aye, but I bet she'd look bonny in a beard."

"A beard!" spluttered the druid in surprise. Coran and Maiyn roared with laughter, and even Imoen and Dynaheir were giggling by now.

"Aye!" exclaimed Yeslick. "No offence to ye, miss, ye're comely as far as fair folk go... but beardless maidens jus' don't have it, to a dwarven eye."

"Say," said Coran, "is it true that dwarven maids are all bearded?"

"Aye, Coran!" replied the dwarf heartily. "An' such a noble, fair thing it is... but I daresay you wouldna understand."

"You must consider me a beardless youth?" asked Coran, stroking his chin and smiling.

"Yer mincin' brung me ta that conclusion more'n the way ye look, elf," chortled Yeslick with a gleam in his eye.

"Ah," replied Coran with a grin, "Being young is not a sin in the eyes of Clangeddin, I hope?"

"Nay, nay," affirmed the dwarf.

"Your words are music to my ears!" exclaimed the elven fighter. "I love being young, Yeslick, I truly do. Listen Yeslick - could it be that you are a maid?"

The dwarf glared at Coran. "Are ye THAT desperate fer female company, elf?" Maiyn snorted with laughter.

"Just curious," chuckled Coran. "Since both male and female dwarves have beards... it must be difficult to distinguish between sexes."

"No more difficult than ta tell elves apart, surely," snorted Yeslick.

"You got a point, Yeslick!" agreed Coran. "But with the way my kin prefers to dress there is little room left for ambiguity."

"Ha! That's not whatcha said to me before!" interrupted Imoen. "Hey, everyone, guess what? Coran was once so drunk flirtin' that he only noticed that it was another guy when he brought him up to his room! And that guy thought that Coran was a BARMAID!"

Coran laughed. "Ah, yes. Tell a woman to keep it a secret, and you do not have to hire a town crier to make the whole of Baldur's Gate know... and northern regions of Amn as well."

"Sorry, sorry," apologised Imoen, still giggling madly. "It was just so funny I couldn't keep it in."

"Well, to prevent such mishaps in the future I settled for wearing very plain clothes," sighed Coran. "Alas, life is full of sacrifices."

"Yea, that'd work," noted Imoen. "Prob'ly too well. I don't think you'll be attracting as many ladies, either!"

Coran winked at her. "Luckily, women are too intent on the others dames' clothes to notice what men wear. And regardless, I seem to have caught myself a fine specimen, so some forfeits are worth it!" Maiyn beamed over to him, and listened as the genial chatter went on around her. She wished it could always be like that.