Author's Note: My muse hath returned! My goody goodness, I have even started writing the next chapter!

Please be advised that I was in an angsty mood whilst writing this chapter. Just came out of an 8pm lecture, and my brain refused to shut down (Gods know why...). It also rained on my way home from said lecture, and stopped just as I walked in the door... Hence, angst. Enjoy!

Tranzig

"Tranzig!" Asharia's voice rang out across the room of the Feldpost Inn. The letter they had found amongst Mulahey's belongings in the Nashkel Mines had lead them to the mage, who was standing by his desk, bewildered by the sudden interruption, "We know you aided Mulahey in his plans with the iron at Nashkel. Admit your wrong doing and I may-"

The evil that radiated from Tranzig's sudden dark cackle stopped her. The mage, dressed in regal green and gold robes, raised an eyebrow and looked over the blade, "You, a pitiful bard, stop me? Hah! Not likely. Do you realise who I am, girl?" the venom that emitted from the last word made Asharia cringe internally.

Perhaps I have bitten off more than I can chew...

"Tranzig!" Xan stepped forward, drawing his moonblade, "So it is YOU who is responsible for my capture?" His voice, though retaining its normal gloomy lilt, was slightly agitated, and Asharia noted that the enchanter was clenching and unclenching his fists in anger. Tranzig assumed an abashed expression, "I suffered for months! I shall enjoy watching you fall to your doom!"

The mage laughed again, "Ahhh, the little moonfighter! Yes, I remember now. Your pitiful screams that echoed through the mines were... unforgettable."

Asharia saw a glint of anguish cross Xan's face and unsheathed her swords, "Enough! Let us settle this!"

Tranzig chuckled bitterly a third time, "Very well!" He murmured something Asharia could not hear, then suddenly disappeared.

"Dammit! Be careful guys!"

"EVIL SHOW YOURSELF!" Minsc bellowed, "HIDE WHILE YOU CAN, BUT MINSC AND BOO WILL-" the beserker's words ended abruptly as he was hit with a stream of magic, causing him to fall to a heap on the ground.

"Minsc!" Imoen rushed to his side, attempting to rouse the warrior. "Jaheira, do something!"

She was already busy. Khalid screamed out in agony and doubled over, grasping his stomach. Jaheira threw a pleading glance at Imoen, then ran to her husband, "Khalid! If you die I... I swear you'll never hear the end of it!"

Xan was preparing a spell, his hands creating intricate patterns in the air when a score of Magic Missiles appeared from nowhere, heading in the enchanter's direction. Asharia's world stood still, and she suddenly thrust herself in between Xan and the glowing orbs. She braced herself from the impact, but something felt wrong. So very wrong.

An intense bright light appeared in front of her, and she screwed her eyes shut in an attempt to blot it out. When she reopened them, she was standing in the Nashkel Mines. What in the Nine Hells...

A chilling growl interrupted her thoughts. She whipped around, her hands falling to her blades...

Which were missing. Okay, this is just plain weird!

A dark figure which was hovering no more than ten feet in front of her began to approach her. Horror replaced her confusion when she realised that it was none other than Mulahey. Asharia tried to speak, to scream at the beast, but to her dismay she found herself mute. The figure was coming closer with every passing moment, and Asharia turned to run.

She had not gotten far before tripping on a rock. The rotting corpse did not stop, but continued in its path, its dead eyes on hers. Asharia watched in horror as Mulahey came closer... closer...

And passed through her. The elf shut her eyes, letting out the breath that she had been holding for the past minute or so. After a few moments, she stood and turned, only to be met with the image of Tranzig. Her fear was short lived, however, when she realised that he did not realise that she was there. Am I dead?

A dagger of bone suddenly appeared in front of her, and she felt a sudden surge of primitive rage. She felt an irresistible urge to take it, to plunge it into the heart of the man in front of her. To stop him from hurting any more people. To stop Xan's pain...

With a cry she grabbed the dagger and ran at the mage, her head down, tackling him to the ground as she thrust the dagger into his chest, over and over again, the blood spurting from his wounds covering her sleeves liberally. Tranzig's eyes met hers, a look of absolute panic flooding his features. Something about his expression both revolted and thrilled her. Still, she continued her savage attack.

After what seemed like an eternity, the light in the man's eyes expired, and Asharia, shaking uncontrollably, rose from the scene, dropping the dagger to the floor. She regarded the corpse for a moment, a rush of emotions suddenly overwhelming her. Tears formed in her eyes, but to her confusion, she found herself chuckling bitterly, much like the mage was before the massacre.

An sudden excruciating ache filled her chest, and in a panic she looked down to inspect herself. The bone dagger had now lodged itself into her torso, the blood flowing freely down her body. Against her will, Asharia's hand reached up and clutched the hilt, trying to wretch it from her body. She felt searing pain as the blade came out, and she let out a blood curdling shriek, before collapsing on the floor.

"...aria... ASHARIA!" Imoen's yell brought her back to the present, and she reluctantly opened her eyes, only to be met with concerned stares of her comrades.

You will learn... A sinister voice called from nowhere in particular, and Asharia's world went black.

****

Jaheira watched from the window as the first rays of dawn streamed into the room she was sharing with Khalid. Hardly a room, she decided bitterly. The Feldpost Inn had seemed a nice enough place, however, the tiny rooms that they had been allocated were nothing short of disappointing. Unfortunately, as Asharia was still in an incapacitated state, and with the party being short coined as it was, the group was left with little choice but to stay in the inn for the night.

Jaheira sighed. The child was reckless, that was certain. Her actions in the fight before... She had never seen the young elf so effective in battle. What really disturbed her was the manner of Asharia's attack. How had she known that Tranzig was where he was? She had eliminated the man with so much ease it was frightening. One swing of her sword and the mage collapsed, his invisibly disabled and his life taken.

What concerned the druid most was her screaming and collapsing that followed the attack, the blood flowing from her nose... surely the Magic Missile spell that she absorbed earlier was not the cause of it?

Jaheira sighed and shook her head. Despite Asharia's strange and reckless behaviour, she admitted that she had become quite fond of her. She smiled as she reflected on Khalid's swordplay lesson the previous day. She felt a slight twinge of jealousy as she noted the way the two had bonded over the short period of time, and wondered if she was being a little too confronting with her.

This thought spawned another; what if she was to have children with Khalid one day? Would she fare well enough as a mother?

"Jaheira?" Khalid's drowsy voice suddenly broke her train of thought, "Are you a-alright?"

She smiled, Still so caring, even after all these years... "I am fine, my husband."

Khalid chuckled, remaining unconvinced, "You used the 'f' w-word, my l-love. Clearly, there is s-something amiss?" He patted the empty spot next to him, and she obliged, sighing in defeat.

"It's just," she began softly, "you seem to know how to get along with the girls. I was wondering how you can possess such patience."

Khalid shifted to embrace his wife, "D-dear, it is not so much a m-matter of patience. I mean, it does p-play an important role in a relationship," he smirked, momentarily thinking of the instances where his patience with Jaheira had been tested, "You have to c-connect with them. It's c-crucial. Be s-stern, yes, but also be their f-friend."

Jaheira nodded, slowly comprehending his words, "I understand, but I just-"

Khalid cut her off by kissing her languidly, "I know you've been hurt before, my love, just trust me. If you do not let them in how can you expect them to listen to you?" he whispered.

Jaheira froze instantly, knowing exactly what he was referring to; she had been tremendously close to her younger sister, Eldrien, before their home was sieged by rebels. She recalled the horrors of that night; after witnessing the murder of Eldrien, the pain it created caused her to adopt a cold disposition. Never again, she had promised herself. She had even been reluctant to allow Khalid to be so close to her. She had constantly criticised him when they were assigned together within the Harpers, however, he had seen through her façade, and after months of working together she began to confide in him.

Khalid sighed, bringing her back to the present. "Ahh, Khalid, I know you are right. You always have had a talent for identifying my weaknesses."

Khalid raised an eyebrow at his wife, earning himself a jab to the ribs, "You know what I am meaning, you oaf!"

Chuckling, the jumpy warrior hugged his wife, pressing his face into her hair, "P-perhaps you should attempt to s-speak with her today?"

Jaheira looked out the window, drawing in the sunlight and smiled. It was a nice enough day. Perhaps it would be a good idea to speak with the young elf.

Author's note: A special shout out to Ipsissmus – your last review was marvellous, and I will more than likely use your suggestions! Thank you thank you thank you!

Heh, the 'f' word. A conversation with my significant other inspired me to write that part.

As I said, sorry for the angst and blood in this chapter, just thought it would be interesting to write a different take on the dream sequence! Not sure if it was believable or not... heh...

Let me know what you think!

xx