General disclaimer: I own nothing, even Maiyn generally decides her own path.

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Changes

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Jaheira led the way to the Seven Suns Guildhouse, then let Imoen take over the control of the group. Both she and Dynaheir had covered their mage robes with plain traveller's cloaks; Minsc and Jaheira had also swathed themselves, and the group were managing to blend in quite nicely with the journeying merchants that frequented the district as they visited the various mercantile houses. No one gave the group a second glance as they swiftly approached the guildhouse entrance and passed through its open doors.

"So, you have come to visit the Seven Suns, have you?" The merchant headed over to them as he spoke, and Imoen found his rather intense stare a bit creepy. "Yes... I've got your faces now, but not your names..."

"My name is Imoen," replied the thief, peering at him suspiciously. He was a tall, fairly plump man with greying hair and a pair of spectacles balanced on the end of his rather hooked nose. His clothes were bright and rich looking, a blatant display of his affluent status. "We were wondering if we could see Jhasso regarding some new trade."

"Ah, I am afraid that he does not see visitors without them, hmm, making an appointment in advance," said the merchant slowly, his eyes seeming to drink in Jaheira's details. "My dear, I have dreamed of adventurers like yourself..."

"We are not adventurers," replied Jaheira coldly, not appreciating the stare or the sentiment.

"Ah, come now," he smiled slightly. "You look as such, despite your obvious attempts to appear as mere traders. Each time I have the visions, I awaken with a groaning belly, you know..."

Imoen shot Jaheira a worried look. That wasn't exactly how they expected him to follow up his statement.

"Pray tell us," said Dynaheir from behind them, "what does thou mean?"

The man ignored her, and turned to the other merchants who had slowly huddled around the group, watching the newcomers with obvious interest. "Come my brothers," he called, "it seems that a feast has been set before us!" He turned back to the group as he continued. "Let us eat before it coolssss."

Minsc whipped out his sword immediately, even the berserker understanding the threat that lay before them. "They want to eat us?" he asked incredulously. "What kind of vile creatures are these?"

A clattering noise behind them signalled the outside door being slammed shut, and an even worse thought pushed its way into Minsc's mind. "They want to eat Boo too?" the berserker roared furiously. "No! Minsc shall crush these things so that hamsters everywhere can be at ease knowing Minsc and Boo watch over them!"

The merchant who had addressed them suddenly trembled violently. His clothes ripped as he shuddered, falling about him in tattered rags, and his skin stretched then burst as his form changed from the chubby trader to a spindly humanoid. Lanky arms and legs protruded from the gaunt body, glowing red eyes eyed the group hungrily and its slavering mouth opened slowly as it advanced towards Imoen.

The other 'merchants' all followed suit, slowly but surely changing into the hungry creatures, and the group hastily readied their weapons, Dynaheir mirroring quickly. This wasn't what they'd expected to encounter at all.

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Xan saw Khalid approaching him as he peered over the top of his spellbook, and could only be glad it was him and not his insufferable wife. As expected the half-elf sat down beside him on the rough bench, and made some small talk about the nice weather. Xan nodded slightly, keeping his eyes firmly attached to the work before him.

"Y-you have been a bit q-quiet recently, Xan," said Khalid, rather abruptly for the usually softly spoken fighter.

Xan groaned inwardly and wondered where this was going. He opted to not reply yet, trying to hope that the half-elf would just give up and go away.

"Is there anything you'd like t-to talk about?"

Xan slowly closed his book, and looked up to the sky with a sigh. "Khalid, I do appreciate your... concern... about my emotional state, but you can rest assured that I continue to think our mission is hopeless and that we are doomed to fail and die in the process."

He noticed Khalid smile, and he hoped that this would be enough to regain his peace and quiet but the Harper made no sign of moving away. Instead he continued the conversation.

"I was thinking y-you were maybe avoiding the g-group," said Khalid casually. "Since M-maiyn has been spending... t-time with Coran, and you have b-been withdrawn, it's felt very quiet..."

"I am sure that Jaheira and Imoen do everything they can to bring an end to any unseemly silences," remarked Xan dryly.

"P-perhaps," admitted Khalid. "I w-was just worried that with the way certain friendships in the g-group are d-developing, it may be having a n-negative effect on you..."

Xan turned to look at Khalid properly, and arched his eyebrow. "I can assure you, I have absolutely no interest in the relationships of my companions."

"That's n-not strictly true is it?"

"Oh, it is," lied Xan, standing abruptly and walking away stiffly, ignoring Khalid's calls to him. His cold and calm exterior hid the fury he felt inside him; partly over the fact that someone was intruding on his personal feelings, but mainly because it seemed that others had recognised what he'd tried to hide from even himself. He couldn't stay with the group for much longer.

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Maiyn followed Coran quietly as he led the way back to the inn. Dusk was beginning to fall, but she was in no rush, having managed to persuade Coran to allow her to carry Namara for a while. She stopped randomly every few steps, showing the alert little girl anything interesting that they passed.

They eventually reached a small shop, seemingly filled to the brim with trinkets and rare supplies. Maiyn ooh'd and wandered in as Coran rolled his eyes, obediently following. The store was dimly lit, further adding to the mysterious mood, and the young elf battled to keep Namara's inquisitive hands away from the strange merchandise.

"Hi folks," said a small gnome, appearing from the shadows and smiling broadly to them. "Welcome to Lucky Aello's, where the prices are so low there's gotta be something wrong. Nobody sells it lower than me because nobody buys it cheaper. If you can find a price lower than mine this side of Calimshan, the item probably kills you."

"Uhm..." said Coran, eyeing something on the shelf next to him. "You are indeed lucky if you are alive among the stuff you sell. Look at this bottle! It has burned an inch deep hole around itself on the shelf!"

"It's just settling in," remarked Aello.

"And this!" exclaimed Coran, finding something else. "This… er, whatever it is! I swear it winked at me!"

Maiyn rolled her eyes. "He thinks everything winks at him," she explained to the amused looking gnome, "especially if it's a female." The ranger ignored Coran's indignant expression as she grinned.

"That?" said Aello, wandering over. "That's the eyes of some lady lich."

"Oh?" asked Coran, narrowing his eyes as he looked back at the jar. Sure enough, one of the eyes winked at him, almost mischievously. "See!" he exclaimed triumphantly to Maiyn, who just snorted in reply, and wandered off to look at the other wares.

Coran frowned at the jar for a few moments before following her. She had stopped to show Namara a strange book with a bird on its cover, which shifted and changed into various other types as they watched. Namara was entranced, and Maiyn was watching her with a fond expression on her face. Coran smiled contentedly at the vision and took Maiyn's free arm gently.

"I have something to ask you, a'maelamin," he whispered gently in her ear, feeling her tense at his unexpected use of the term of endearment. "Spend the night in the room with Namara and me, and let us make the most of the limited time we have together, all of us."

Maiyn turned, gently manoeuvring the small half-elf so that the book remained safely out of her reach and stared at Coran. Eventually she smiled slightly, and nodded, nuzzling into him when he pulled her into a light embrace.

"Thank you," he said simply, caressing her cheek gently before taking over as Namara's carrier.

Maiyn took his free hand, and led him back out of the shop, calling a goodbye to Aello as they left. "Lead us back," she said quietly, her smile becoming larger as they walked along in the failing light.

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"Doppelgangers?"

Imoen nodded to Maiyn. The ranger was frowning, the seriousness of the situation becoming all too apparent.

"As Imoen said, we managed to fight them off, but who knows how many more of them there are," said Jaheira. Maiyn nodded and sat down. She had arrived back at the inn with Coran to find the group freshly back themselves. Imoen and Jaheira had taken her to the side, and quickly told her what they'd found.

"Wait," said the elf, darting off to her room. She returned within minutes, note in hand and placed it on the table so the others could see. "The note we found in the Cloakwood mines to Davaeorn, from Rieltar," she said quietly, pointing to some of the text.

'Things go apace here in Baldur's Gate. We have placed our first agent amongst the Seven Suns Trading Coster, and shall hopefully be ready to work on them soon.'

"Iron Throne agents..." said Jaheira quietly.

"It would appear so," replied Maiyn. "We need to inform Scar of this."

"I agree," nodded Jaheira. "We should move quickly to the Throne first I think."

Maiyn sighed. Her personal issues, though happier, were still unresolved, and she had hoped to put off that particular mission for another few days, until Namara was returned to her mother. Imoen noticed her hesitation.

"Maybe I should lead there too," the thief said thoughtfully, looking to the ranger. "After all, they're probably the ones sending these bounty hunters after you - if you wander in, they'll recognise you immediately. We're just your companions, we might draw less attention."

"Imoen has a point," said Jaheira reluctantly as Maiyn smiled to her friend. "Perhaps it would be best for you to stay here while the rest of us look around tomorrow."

Maiyn nodded with relief, thankful it had been sorted out so quickly and easily. "Coran will still have Namara, so he shall be missing from the group too," she reminded them. Jaheira arched an eyebrow.

"Can the child not stay with you while he joins us?"

"I think he would prefer to spend as much time as he can with Namara before they are parted again," remarked Maiyn casually. "And anyway, if there are too many of you, you will just draw attention to yourselves by being in such a large group."

Jaheira sighed, defeated by the logic of that statement, but undeterred from her ultimate point. "Khalid and I would like to talk to you," she said. "Alone."

Imoen flashed Maiyn a curious glance and the ranger's eyes narrowed as her expression hardened. "What is it about?"

"I think you know."

Maiyn shrugged. "Let's get it over with then," she said simply.

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Jaheira was standing by the window, and Khalid was seated on the bed. Both were watching her, but neither had spoken. Maiyn was perched uncomfortably on the chair by the table in the Harper's room, determined to wait for them to speak first.

Eventually Khalid's began.

"Maiyn, Jaheira and I are a l-little concerned-"

"If this is to do with Coran," interrupted Maiyn, "I believe we have already discussed it."

Khalid and Jaheira exchanged glances, but Maiyn was unable to read their expressions. She sighed.

"Maiyn, we are not looking for a fight or a battle of wits," said Jaheira, surprisingly gentle. "Anything we say about this is because we care for you and do not wish to see you hurt."

"I am an adult-"

"You are of age, yes," said Jaheira more firmly, "but you have led a very sheltered life, and you still have a lot of growing to do."

Maiyn's eyes flashed with temper as she regarded the druid, but she bit back the insults she could feel trying to escape. "As I said before," she said calmly, though through gritted teeth, "I'm not a child, and my personal life is my own." Jaheira sighed.

"W-we appreciate that," said Khalid softly, "and w-we know you c-can look after yourself. What worries us n-now, is the child-"

"Namara?" Maiyn couldn't hide the surprise in her voice. "You're all bothered because he's got a daughter? Even though you knew he was a serial womaniser, and well, after the herb lore lesson you gave Imoen and me at the Friendly Arms, I would have thought you'd have realised that there was every chance something like this might have happened to him..."

Jaheira scowled darkly at the young elf. "We hoped it had not, for your sake, but we also hoped that if it did you would see sense and end things between you both."

Maiyn's eyebrow rose in an amused fashion. "Ah, so because I have not told him that it is over, you are upset? Because this would have been a convenient way to drive a wedge between us, but because I have not acted as you expected, you are now pushed into interfering more bluntly?"

"Maiyn, w-we are not interfering," said Khalid sharply, causing the elf to blink in surprise at his harsh tone. "We are c-concerned at your attachment to his d-daughter, and how it will affect you if you end up l-losing him."

Maiyn stared at the fighter blankly, staying silent. He sighed, and resumed his more gentle tone.

"What if C-coran goes back to his old ways? You will lose him, which would b-be bad enough, but by allowing yourself t-to become attached to the b-baby too you will suffer the loss of her in your life also."

Maiyn's head shook slowly. "Coran and I... he won't go back to his old ways."

"Can you be sure?" Jaheira's question was simple, and there was no coldness or anger in her voice - only concern.

"No," admitted Maiyn, surprising the Harpers. "But I have to believe he won't. I can't live my life on a 'just in case' basis; what will happen will happen, and if we do part ways, then I shall learn from it and grow."

"We're n-not asking you to cease your relationship w-with him just because we think it's b-best for you," said Khalid. "We're asking you to c-consider it before you get in so deep that its ending causes you d-distress that could be avoided. It is one thing to fall in l-love with a man - it's another t-to fall in love with his child too, and to lose out d-doubly if you go your separate w-ways."

Maiyn nodded. "I... I do understand what you are saying," she said quietly. "But I have not gone into this with my eyes completely closed. I have hesitated almost constantly since I agreed to give Coran a chance before we came here, and when his former lover accosted him in the street I wondered if I should just take my experiences from it and cut it clean."

Khalid and Jaheira nodded, and moved to sit closer to her supportively. Maiyn slowly recounted the experiences she'd had with Coran, from his comfort after her initial spider encounter, to the first guard watch they'd shared, when he allowed her to sleep in his arms, and all the way to the night at the Friendly Arms when they'd met outside, both unable to sleep. The Harpers listened quietly, but Maiyn could see their expressions softening slightly - even Jaheira looked quite touched by the tales she shared.

"I know what his reputation suggests," said Maiyn in conclusion, "and I don't have any visions of this being a smooth or easy relationship. But it's mine to figure out, and just now... he makes me happy, and I want to stay that way."

Khalid nodded and took her hand gently. "We understand," he said. "We j-just want you to know we are here for you, if you ever n-need us, and we only w-want you to be careful." Maiyn smiled to him gratefully, and turned to Jaheira. Her heart sank as she noticed the druid's stony expression had replaced the softer look she'd worn only moments before.

"You wish me to speak honestly?" the half-elf asked. Maiyn nodded nervously.

"I think you are foolish if you think you can change a man's habits," said Jaheira simply. "You have already discovered the consequences of one of his illicit affairs - how many other children are out there, waiting for their father to appear? Their birth being the cause of a family split because a weak-willed woman could not resist the wiles of a man who does not understand the general concept of commitment?"

"I..." Maiyn's voice faltered. She'd briefly wondered about there being more children, but had quickly dismissed it. The thought caused too much pain, and she couldn't even bear to think of Coran involving himself with married women.

"Even if there is only this one, do you not feel that Coran's place is with his child, at the side of the mother? He has caused the pain the woman feels, and yet he runs from his responsibilities leaving everyone else to cope with the fallout, even you. The woman still loves him - it was clear from her eyes. He has a duty, Maiyn; you know that yourself."

"Jaheira!" Maiyn shook her head at Khalid before he could say anything else to his shrugging wife. The druid's words were sinking in to her deeper than she was comfortable with. She wasn't stupid - she'd seen the look in Brielbara's eyes as she regarded Coran, and she knew that the move to get Coran looking after Namara was the human's way to encourage his bond with his daughter, ultimately to persuade him to return to them; to his family.

Maiyn had already been certain in herself that he would return, and she had resigned herself to the fate. It was only that afternoon that she'd decided to make the most of the time she had left with him before he departed, but Jaheira's words stung her badly by making her face up to her fears again. She stood shakily, and excused herself without another word, heading straight to her room.

She closed and locked her door, falling onto her bed as a wave of confused thoughts washed through her mind. Why can't things just be simple?

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Xan hesitated before he knocked on her door. He'd seen her run to her room, looking visibly upset and he'd decided it would not be a good time to bother her. That had been almost an hour ago though, and she still hadn't surfaced, while the thoughts were still playing on his mind. He knocked quickly, before he lost the will. Maiyn answered the door, looking surprised, but relieved when she noticed it was him. She ushered him in before he could speak, and closed the door again, encouraging him to sit beside her on the bed, then asking what she could do for him.

He felt his throat constrict as he tried to speak, and he sighed heavily. She looked worried by this, and cocked her head quizzically.

"I... Maiyn, is it possible for you to survive without my services?"

He noticed her eyes widen in surprise, and she sat up a little straighter, asking him to repeat what he said.

"Is it possible for you to survive without my services?" he repeated, finding it easier to say the second time around. She looked flustered.

"Why do you ask?" she eventually managed. "Do you want to leave the party?"

"It is my intent, yes," he replied.

"Why?" Her voice was incredulous. "What are you going to do?"

"For the last few weeks, I have been forcing myself to go on only because of you," he replied simply, surprising himself with the ease at which the words came. "It did not matter that you were probably doomed; nothing was important as long as you were alive. I will still defend you against anyone who wishes you harm, but I am not able to remain in your company any longer. I cannot stay, only to watch you..." His voice trailed off and he was unable to bring his eyes up to meet hers. He knew she understood.

"I..." She faltered, unable to find the words to reply. They sat in an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes.

"I do not want you to leave," she eventually said, quietly. He sighed.

"So I stay for what?" he asked. "To witness your death, and feel the hurt and pain over that, or to watch you survive, and set off into the sunset with another? You have other mages to serve you, I am no longer needed within this group, and I fear I can no longer stay."

"I didn't know you felt that way!" she cried as he stood up and approached the door. "I don't know what to say, except that I am sorry things have gone the way they have. I still do not wish you to leave - we have other mages, but none of them are you."

He looked at her; there was pain in her eyes, but he wasn't sure if it was related to the conversation they were having, or from her earlier distress. He felt his shoulders slump, and he gave in. "You need me in the party, and the feelings of your pet magician do not matter," he said coldly. "Very well, if you wish me to be a silent and obedient shadow at your side, your wish is granted."

He quickly opened the door and came face to face with Coran, the fighter's surprised expression at the enchanter's presence in Maiyn's room amusing him slightly. He excused himself, and slunk off to his room with a sigh. Why didn't I just insist I should leave? This is doomed.

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"What did Xan want?" Coran lingered at the doorway as he asked.

Maiyn shook her head; I don't want to talk about it.

Coran sighed. "I came to see where you were. I thought tonight you were coming to stay with us..."

Maiyn sat down heavily on her bed. "I... I don't think I should," she said.

"May I ask why not?" Coran thought of Xan's presence and her reluctance to discuss it. What had he done to upset her? What have they been doing...?

"I have a lot on my mind," she said quietly. "I just think I need to get my head together."

Coran nodded but didn't move. His voice was distant. "What has changed? Earlier today you seemed happy."

"Please," she said, and he could see tears shining in her eyes as she looked at him. "I just need some rest and time to think."

The fighter shrugged. "When you decide what it is you do want, perhaps you can let me know," he said bluntly before he closed the door after him.

Maiyn got up and quickly locked it before lying down on her bed and closing her eyes. He was right - only hours ago she'd been so happy... and within two conversations the happiness had been shattered into nothingness. With a sigh, she let sleep take her.

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She dreamt of blood. Not of blood on hands or blades, but an ichor that was running across the realms, covering the land wholly. A flood through fields and forests alike, an ocean that floated her to the world's edge and threatened to cascade her off, into the void.

A frightening thing, a massive force sweeping away all resistance from anything caught in it. It was moving as a whole, it couldn't be stopped.

But Maiyn could see that it did not move as one - from within the deluge she could see the small eddies and undertows, the pockets of calm which afforded breathing space, and the violent whirlpools, threatening to drown anyone caught in them. It was undirected, lacking a driving will; something Maiyn possessed in abundance.

She watched it for a moment and realised; there were still options open, still choices to be made.

She steered as she wished, atop a ship called Persistence under sails made of resolve. But a sudden and deliberate wave put an end to her course - and the dream. The flood had some will, and was taking offence to her enjoyment of the ride. She was pulled under; she was drowning.

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"Maiyn! MAIYN!"

She awoke with a start, sitting up abruptly and realising that it was Imoen leaning over her. The young thief looked worried.

"You were callin' out, and thrashin' about," she said. "That musta been some bad dream."

Maiyn shook her head dazedly, trying to focus on coming around. A movement next to her door caught her attention, and she saw Coran's familiar figure, watching them with a slight frown. As he noticed her attention he shifted slightly.

"I'll leave you to it," he said quietly, more to Imoen than the ranger, and he turned and left.

"Coran let me in," explained Imoen. "I coulda probably done it myself though! We heard you shoutin' and yellin' and he picked the lock so we could make sure ya were okay when ya didn't respond to us shoutin' back."

Maiyn nodded and explained the dream to Imoen. "At the end though, it felt as if I was really drowning, it felt so... real."

Imoen reached out and gave her a hug. "Maybe ya just have a lot on your mind? Whatcha doin' in here anyway? I thought ya shared a room with Coran now..."

Maiyn sighed, and explained everything that had happened between her and Coran since Namara joined them, including the reasoning for the separate rooms, the time they'd shared that day, then the conversations she'd had with the Harpers and Xan. Imoen snorted when she finished.

"And you're gonna let them decide what makes ya happy?" she asked. Maiyn shrugged. "Don't worry about Xan," said Imoen, gently. "He'll get over it, and well, he probably already regrets being short with ya. As for Auntie Jaheira... you've already told her once ta keep out of yer personal business, why is it so different this time?"

"Because she said what I was already thinking, and trying to ignore," said Maiyn simply, with a shrug.

"Surely just havin' the sense ta have considered it shows you're mature enough to decide what's right for ya yourself though?" asked Imoen. "And just listen ta yourself when ya talk about him! Stop thinkin' about what other people think of ya, and just make yourself happy!"

Maiyn grinned weakly. "Maybe it's too late," she sighed. "Coran's angry at me, Xan's angry at me, Jaheira and Khalid seem to think I'm still in swaddling clothes..."

"If Coran were so angry at ya, why was he the only one who heard ya shoutin'?"

"But you heard it too..."

"Only 'cause he came to find me and told me what was happenin'!" exclaimed Imoen. "If ya ask me, he musta been lurkin' around, wantin' to come and talk to ya or somethin'."

"Oh." Maiyn wasn't sure how else to respond. She was very confused with everything that had happened, and she wasn't sure what to do next. Imoen decided for her, making her stand up and dragging her out into the corridor.

"Where are we going?" asked Maiyn as she was dragged along the passage.

"You're gonna see Coran," said Imoen firmly. Maiyn protested but put up little resistance until they were standing outside his room.

"He might be sleeping," she whispered, but the young thief just shrugged and knocked loudly on his door.

Maiyn darted off, but Imoen was ready for it, and dragged her back to the fighter as he opened his door. Then she nodded, mumbled 'goodnight', and vanished back up the corridor, leaving Maiyn to watch her as she stood around helplessly.

A hand gently took her arm, and pulled her slowly into the room and into a fond embrace. Maiyn allowed herself to be held, and found herself apologising for earlier.

"It doesn't matter," said Coran softly. "None of it matters, now you're here."