A/N: Very small interlude -- didn't fit as part of any other chapter, however...

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

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Intervention

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Hanali gazed down at the pool, watching the ripples gently career across its surface. At that moment it was doing nothing but reflect the light and colour that was her home -- the Plane of Arvanaith. She loved to sit by this lake; not least at all for its scrying properties, enabling her to gaze down upon those mortals who interested her when she was bored, but also because it was in the hub of the Seldarine's home. Only moments before, Solonor Thelandira had been sitting by her side as they discussed their mutual love of music. But he had gone off to see to other matters requiring his attention, and most of the other gods who were floating around were of no interest to her at that moment.

One, however, was very interesting -- she knew he was approaching, but she kept her gaze firmly down upon the surface of the pool. The intake of breath from Erevan signalled the visitor's approach, and a flash of light was the telltale sign of the trickster god's disappearance. Within moments, she was all too aware of someone standing directly behind her, but still she ignored his presence, trying not to smile in case he caught a glimpse of her reflection.

Several minutes passed and she realised he wasn't going to make the first move. So slowly she turned around, standing from her seat and noting his frown as he gazed at the waters. He knew, of course, what they were used for, and she suspected that he was wondering about the focus of her recent attentions. She didn't doubt for a moment that he would guess correctly.

"It is good to see you here," she said gently. "In your home."

He winced at the word, shaking his head slightly, but otherwise letting the matter pass. "I came to see Sehanine. I would not wish to deny her kind-hearted invitation, though I must wonder at the timing of it, and who was at the root of the request."

Hanali smiled warmly. "I am sure she was missing you," she said. "As we all were. Solonar was here a moment ago-"

"I saw him."

"Yes..." She paused, watching him intently. His gaze was still firmly fixed to the pool and she knew it was only a matter of time before his temper got the better of him. "How are you, young Fenmarel?"

His dark eyes locked with hers, his frown harsh and unwelcoming despite her attempts to be amiable. She could see his hands clenched at his sides, his whole body tense. He was not enjoying his visit.

"Why was it so important to get me here?"

She shrugged slightly, gesturing at the seat vacated previous by Solonar, and settling herself back down beside the waters. He remained where he was, rigid and refusing to move, as if the slightest motion from him would bring about unwanted attention. "Your girl was... lucky," she remarked innocently. "To have plunged through an offensive drow party, like that, and to only suffer the slightest of wounds... to manage to escape the city without drawing more attention than they did..." She looked back up to him, her smile increasing. "To navigate their way down tunnels correctly, when they'd only used them, what... a handful of times before? Or had they even used that particular route before? I know she is a ranger, but I thought their skills were best employed in forests and outdoors... not in the Underdark." She could see him clenching his teeth, his stare only becoming fiercer.

"What are you implying?" he finally managed to ask.

"Nothing!" she exclaimed with an airy wave of her hand. "I am just speculating with a friend on what may have occurred while your divine-blooded follower dashed through the caverns. As I said to Solonar-"

"This is not his matter," Fenmarel hissed.

"As I said to him," she continued, ignoring his obvious anger, "it was such good luck that they managed to head towards Adalon's cavern, so unwavering in their direction. It was almost as if they knew instinctively where to head... and Maiyn was the one at the front for the most part, was she not? We were beginning to wonder if she had started to worship Erevan-"

He turned abruptly, striding away from her.

"I will come and see you soon!" she called after him, allowing herself a small chuckle as he disappeared into the leafy forest. She knew he'd been the one to guide the young elf and her party -- they had been lost and panicking, carrying a body and unable to move with any real swiftness -- yet they'd used such a direct route to their destination that the drow had been unable to cover the ground they needed to catch up with them…

Then, of course, that other drow had appeared -- the follower of Eilistraee. The daughter of Lolth was close to her mother's ex-lover, and they were known to be allies; Hanali was sure Fenmarel had called for her assistance in order to see his young follower to safety. She smiled to herself with satisfaction; her plans were moving along smoothly. Now all she had to deal with was a case of misplaced hearts.