Authors Note: fdisaocma;vm;nceona. I LIVE! Well, kinda. Let me begin this chapter with an apology as big as Elminster's beard for not updating in eons. So, I'M SORRY! Gomenasai! Mi dispiace! Amin hiraetha! (okay, not as big as Elminster's beard, but hey, how the heck can I show how sorry I am on the internet? Oh! I know – a mega chapter!)

Life outside the wonderful world of fanfiction has taken a few unexpected turns for this humble author, including the death of my mother and grandfather, and, alas, also most of the technology in my life. Including my hard drive and laptop, which contained many other chapters for this story I had planned to post. Even my backups are gone. Poof. Soooo I pretty much had to start again. However, I think this chapter turned out better than its predecessors, so that might be an advantage =) I will not give up as easily as Xan!

Xan: It's a doomed task, you know. She has the attention span of a gnat.

Bonnaroo: Can it, you!

Xan: *sighs, shrugs, shuffles off*

Bonnaroo: Wait, no, I didn't mean it! T_T

Sooo anyway, without further ado, here is an epically mega chapter to make up for my horrid lateness! I hope I haven't become too rusty...

Chapter 8 – Bandits and Bad Dreams

Asharia did not emerge from her bedchambers until mid morning, dark rings lining her vacant eyes, indicating lack of sleep. She had refused anyone – including Imoen - entry into her room after she so abruptly left the common room the night before. However much time she spent in the confines of her bed did little to allow her to free her mind of the disturbing images and thoughts that plagued her mind behind her eyelids. Rest had not come to her that night; she had awoken in a cold sweat from yet another nightmare, and when she had attempted to fall into a reverie, as Xan had shown her, she rested fitfully.

Xan... Again her thoughts returned to her gloomy companion as she dressed, packed and headed downstairs. My gloomy, attractive companion... Asharia shook the notion from her head quickly before her eyes searched the common room to locate the enchanter. She smiled wryly when she found him, sitting in the far most corner of the room; as usual, he was lost within the confines of his spell book, concentration etched into every detail of his face. However, judging by the movements of the pencil in his hand, he seemed to be sketching again rather than reading. I wonder what he thinks after last night. She sighed hopelessly, Probably that I am a weak, pathetic idiot who cannot control her emotions. Or maybe he just doesn't care...

Suddenly, the enchanters eyes flickered from his page to her face. But if that were the case why does he keep on looking at me like that! She lifted her hand in a small wave and was rewarded with a slight smile. Asharia's heart pounded as she held his gaze, biting her lip while Xan's face coloured slightly as he nodded at her and returned to his spell book. Stepping forward, she entered the room when Minsc, who was feeding Boo a small piece of cheese, was the second to notice her. An unnaturally large grin plastered the rangers' face as he paused his actions to tap Dynaheir's shoulder.

"Asharia!" he boomed, his voice echoing throughout the hall, resulting in a number of very hungover patrons glaring daggers at the overly enthusiastic beserker before returning to linger over their breakfasts, "See, Dynaheir? Did Minsc not say that she is a tough one?" Dynaheir sighed, rolling her eyes at her oblivious protector in response, returning to her tea cup.

Imoen approach her friend, concern etched on her usually jubilant features as she embraced her sister in all but blood. Hunched over his spell book, Xan's keen ears detected a faint 'I'll be alright' from Asharia, though he judging by her tone he could tell that she was trying to convince herself of the fact rather than reassure Imoen. He raised his eyes to regard the two, his heart giving an unexpectedly pleasant twitch when Asharia's eyes met his own again for the briefest of moments, only to be torn from his gaze as Imoen held her at arms length.

Jaheira sighed, rising from the lounge she was sharing with Khalid, who was busily sharpening his long sword. The druid approached the two, a bowl of gruel held out to Asharia, who flashed a whimsical smile in thanks.

"Good morning, oh omnipresent authority figure." Jaheira placed her hands on her hips, assuming her usual haughty disposition, which slowly receded as she noted how exhausted her companion looked. She sighed, seemingly shrugging off her initial frustration, " We were worried. I was wondering when you would arise, your breakfast was beginning to get cold and well..." Jaheira trailed off when she felt Asharia's hand touch her shoulder. Seeing how hard Jaheira was trying at playing the mother warmed her heart a little.

"Thank you for the concern. Now, I think we've wasted enough time dallying about here, don't you agree?" She chuckled, and Xan felt an unusual sharp pang when he realised that the girl was trying to don her usual cheerful facade.

No, he thought, not a girl. She has endured more hardships and mishaps than most even consider in their lifespan. Snapping his spell book shut with an audible clap, he placed it in his pack beside the table before rising to join where the others have gathered.

"So," she continued, and began spooning the now cold mixture of gruel into her mouth, grimacing as the pasty substance made its way down her throat (she had never been to fond of gruel), "do we have a plan?"

"Yup!" Imoen piped up, "I did some snooping last night, and guess what! I... erm... ran into this woman," she scratched the back of her head nervously when she saw the dubious looks on their faces, "What? Okay fine, I was breaking into her house – hey, don't look at me like that! I haven't done a lot of lock picking lately, my fingers were gettin' itchy!" Jaheira scoffed while Khalid chuckled.

"S-so, did she report you?" He raised an eyebrow, mirth etched on his features. Imoen stuck her tongue out at him, replying with a playful "Maaaaayyybeeee..."

Khalid chuckled again, louder this time, and shook his head, "Oh, Imoen! We will m-make a shining example of you yet!"

Jaheira rolled her eyes at the two, smacking her husband behind his head. "Fools! This is no laughing matter! We barely have enough gold as it is! We certainly cannot afford to pay for-".

"Whoa, whoa cool it! The lady, Joya, said that she was robbed by bandits, and I bet they have some other good loot on them too, as well as some information on where the rest of 'em are. She said it happened north of here, near where most of the bandit raids have been happenin'. Peldvale forest she said it was called. Joya said that she'd forget all about the break in if we got her ring back for her, 'cause it was all she had left to remember her husband by. I thought that might be a good place to start..." Jaheira raised an eyebrow at the young thief, who was rocking on her heels, grinning impishly.

"Jaheira, I think you owe the girl an apology." Khalid suggested, his voice laced with warning as he nudged his wife with his elbow, still rubbing the back of his head. Jaheira approached Imoen and muttered her apology to the girl, who responded with a "Ye're welcome." before turning to regard her husband, his sulking expression bringing a fond smile to her lips. Upon approaching him, she kissed him on the cheek, "I apologise for being so harsh to you too."

Khalid made a face and crossed his arms, pouting, "Harumph. You're so m-mean to me sometimes." He sighed, "But I suppose I will f-forgive you."

Jaheira rolled her eyes and snorted, "And you, my dear husband, can be a touch overdramatic at times, but we learn to deal with each other's faults I suppose."

Khalid's expression became mock hurt, "J-Jaheira! You wound me!"

Asharia giggled at the banter between her pseudo aunt and uncle, and Xan was pleased to note that this time, it was not forced, "So, does anyone have any quips about a small 'kill the bad guys, get the loot and info' quest?"

Jaheira sighed. Khalid chuckled. Imoen whooped. Minsc cheered and Dynaheir smiled.

Xan shook his head, choosing to say nothing, trying to ignore how beautiful her eyes while she bantered with her companions, and how his heart began to twitch pleasantly again. Fool, how much longer are you going to deny how she affects your heart? You were doomed to fall for her from the very start...

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The quest had taken them a few hours to complete. Asharia was pleased to find that her small group had somehow improved over night. Her own skills, however, were lacking, no doubt accredited to her lack of sleep the night before. The bandits had been beyond foolish; their movements were sloppy and they were overconfident. They had found the ring, and Khalid had proven to be an efficient and surprisingly intimidating interrogator. Before he had slit the bandit's throat, he had coaxed the location of the bandit camp out of the cruel looking man.

The others were engaged in their evening routines: Jaheira was preparing supper, Khalid and Minsc gathering wood, Dynaheir beginning her next lesson in magic with Imoen. Xan took the opportunity to slip away quietly. He needed to talk to her.

As Xan approached Asharia as she cleansed her face in the stream, his breath hitched as he noted how the golden sunset caught the reddish undertones in her dark hair, how made her light bronze skin shimmer...

He shivered, surprised that the feeling was entirely pleasant, and cleared his throat, "Asharia?"

The blade jumped, clearly startled by his approach. Spinning around, she raised a hand to her chest, attempting to calm her heart, "Oh! Xan," she laughed nervously, "I didn't hear you! Have you been taking lessons in skulking from Imoen?" She shot him an accusing look that just resulted in Xan's own heart beat quicken. She was so endearing...

Clearing his throat, he willed himself to speak, "Ah, perhaps.." momentarily forgetting what her question was, he shrugged, a slightly sheepish expression surfacing on his usually gloomy features. This earned an eruption of earnest laughter from the blade as she doubled over, clutching her stomach. What are you doing? Did you suddenly become her personal jester?

Composing herself, Asharia straightened and began advancing towards the enchanter, "Who knew there was a sense of humour beneath all that gloom." She stopped just a few feet in front of him, much closer than he would have liked, "What's up?"

He sighed, regaining his helpless expression, "You did not sleep well last night, and so I decided to see if you were feeling alright." He reached out and took her hand into his, gently caressing it with his thumb in comfort, causing Asharia's eyes to widen and her heart race before continuing in low, hushed tones, "And so that I could apologise for my... prying last night. It clearly upset you."

Asharia's bit her lip, averting her eyes from Xan's sympathetic gaze, tears starting to gather as she recalled their conversation previous night, "It's alright, really I'm fine. And it isn't your fault, you have every right to know the past of those you travel with. And you didn't upset me," she looked back to him, eyes glistening with unshed tears, "honestly." She flashed him what she hoped was a convincing smile.

Xan replied with a half smile and sighed, "If you say so, Asharia, but you may need some lessons in disguising your emotions. While we are on the topic, may I ask, how do you do it?"

His question caused Asharia to blink rapidly, not entirely understanding his question, "What do you mean?"

He took her other hand, "All the optimism. The cheerfulness. You have clearly suffered a great loss, and yet, you still remain so... so... positive." Asharia chuckled as his furrowed brow as he emphasised the last word with a great deal of confusion, "See? You find amusement in the smallest things. Why?"

"Well, I suppose I could mope about all the time, worry about our inevitable doom," she pouted, "however, I could never rob you of your role within the group!" She ended with another light chuckle, however, Xan found this response irritating, and withdrew his hands from hers, "Xan?"

For a moment, he looked as though her words had struck a sensitive chord within him. However, as she opened her mouth to apologise, he raised a hand, affectively cutting her off, "No, forget that I said anything. I knew I would not be able to obtain a serious response from you. Good night, Asharia." And with that, he headed back to the campsite, leaving an extremely baffled Asharia behind.

So much for catching up on missed sleep tonight...

And she was right. Her sleep would not go uninterrupted tonight.

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Asharia woke to a blood curdling scream tearing through the campsite. That's Dynaheir! Thanking the Seldarine that she had decided to sleep fully armoured, she hastily grabbed her swords and exited her tent as fast as she could.

The rest of the group was out shortly after her, with the exception of Minsc, who was lying face down on the ground by the fire. He had been on watch with Dynaheir, however, the illusionist was nowhere in sight. Jaheira was by the ranger's side in an instant, chanting a healing spell of some sort, while Khalid approached the tracks left by the attackers.

"Bandits." Was all he said as he examined the footprints.

Minsc arose with a mighty roar, ignoring Jaheira's attempt to continue to heal his still bleeding scalp wound, "WHERE IS DYNAHEIR? WHERE IS MY WITCH?"

Asharia bravely approached her companion, who was now at risk of butchering everyone in sight in a fit of blind rage as he clutched his sword, "Minsc! It's alright, calm down. It was a pack of bandits, we'll get them!"

"They s-seem to be m-moving rather quickly," Khalid warned, "We'd b-best get a m-move on then."

"You'll need my help." Came an unfamiliar deep, husky voice from the woods, "Unless you wish your friend dead."

A man clad in a green cloak entered their campsite from the shadows, his face shrouded by his hood. He carried an intricate elven long bow in one hand, and wore the amount of weaponry fitting for a woodsman.

"Who are you? What have you done with Dynaheir?" Asharia asked, her voice quivering slightly, her swords drawn as the newcomer approached her.

"Relax, I mean no harm mellon'amin." He withdrew his hood, revealing a tanned and handsome elven face adorned with angular tattoos on his chin and forehead, his thick black hair falling to his shoulders. "Would I be right to assume that you are the leader in this group?"

Asharia nodded, "More or less, I suppose..."

"Good, then may I ask to join you? I have a score to settle with these bandits, and I believe my skills could be of assistance to you."

Minsc approached the elf, his eyes still burning with intense rage, "And who might you be? Maybe you had something to do with Dynaheir's capture!"

The woodsman raised a slender dark eyebrow, "Hardly. I have a distinct distaste for those who have taken your friend. They tortured me, and murdered my beloved wife, Deheriana..." he dropped his head, regaining his composure. Asharia's heart broke for this man, feeling a new hatred developing for the bandits plaguing the Sword Coast. Their new companion raised his head, anguish plainly displayed on his face, "My name is Kivan, and if you are at odds with the bandits, please, allow me to aide you. I would see Tazok's heart ripped from his chest, just as he has done to me."

Authors Note: *gasps for air* whoa, what a chapter! Silly Dyna, getting all kidnapped again!

Also, it would please you to know I have every intent of going through and fixing all the crappy grammar, mistakes and such in previous chapters! I realised that some things don't make sense and sentences are missing – apologies! Thank you all for being wonderful readers and I hope you liked this chapter!