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

-----------------------

Kin

-----------------------

"General Sovalidaas!"

The elven man turned to face his approaching kinsman, the last drow having fallen only seconds before. A swift and hushed conversation ensued before the messenger dashed back towards the surface. The general nodded to his men and they marched off behind him, ignoring Maiyn and her companions.

Jaheira hastily finished fixing a bandage around Minsc's arm as the ranger stalked after him, her face clouded with anger. The elves had made no more attempts at conversation -- not acknowledging the group at all, even in the midst of battle. Rather than providing aid when Minsc was surrounded, they had backed away slightly into their own formation, leaving Maiyn and Kivan to try and help the berserker as much as they could, while Imoen peppered their foes with arrows, and Jaheira was caught up in her own skirmish.

And now they were walking away from them without even enquiring as to how they'd fared. Her patience was being severely tested.

It took less than a minute for them to arrive at the surface, they walked so quickly. The light was fading as the sun drifted towards the horizon, but even the dull glow was enough to cause them to shield their eyes in temporary blindness after the time spent in the darkness. They all cried out with relief, momentarily forgetting everything else as they allowed the free air to caress around them; the faint breeze catching their hair and brushing past their faces, the small sounds of the forest filtering into their hearing. One by one their eye-sights adjusted, and they were faced with the elves once more, who stood before them with unfriendly expressions. The central man bowed his head.

"Welcome," Sovalidaas said in common, pausing as he looked carefully at each of them in turn to take advantage of the better light. Maiyn tutted loudly, looking around for any sign of the others, but they were surrounded by trees and there was no one else present except for her kin. "Yes.. welcome," he repeated carefully. "Now that we are back under the fair sky once more, I think it is time I made myself perfectly clear. I'll have you know I do not trust any of you. I have no reason to trust you. I do not feel that I have to trust you. No doubt the same applies from your perspective."

"Where are the rest of my companions?" Maiyn asked curtly. She ignored his words completely, repeated as they were.

He frowned slightly as he looked at her. His green eyes reminded her of the buds on the trees she used to see around Candlekeep, and his long, fair hair was carefully pulled away from his face and braided intricately. Despite having recently been in battle, his appearance was neat and tidy; elven chainmail that was well looked after graced his body, leather trousers and a brown woolen cloak contrasting with it. She wondered exactly how she must look to him -- covered in dirt and scars, her hair tousled and messy -- then realised she didn't care. He spoke quietly. "They are safe. You will be of use if you supply answers to our questions. Perhaps you will bring enlightenment, perhaps not. Perhaps you are in league with the enemy, perhaps not."

She raised an eyebrow. "I will be of use to you?" she asked, a trace of disbelief in her voice. She looked quizzically at his men -- they were all staring emotionlessly at the group, none of them moving -- few of them seeming to even breathe. She set her jaw determinedly. "Exactly why would I want to be of any use to you?"

"You are strangers here," he said with a slight shrug. "And so Elhan will see you. He will make sure you are comfortable and that you reveal what you must of yourself. He is experienced and... and he has knowledge of the enemy. Mind that you obey him. Regardless of your intent, if you attack any of my elves here, I will have you killed on the spot. We are legion, rest assured."

"The more you threaten me, the less I am inclined to offer any assistance." She said it steadily, but she knew her eyes must be flashing with annoyance. Sovalidaas smiled slightly.

"You are one of our own," he said quietly, reverting to their native tongue. "If you are true of heart, you would do no other."

Maiyn smiled bitterly at him, carefully and slowly moving her hands to her cloak, pulling it back slightly to reveal her necklace. The symbol of Fenmarel glistened softly in the light, and the general seemed to freeze slightly as he regarded it. "Do not use my status as your kin when it suits you," she said in a low voice. "Had you been more inclined to treat me as one from our initial encounter, I might have been more inclined to act as one. But now... now, I'd advise you to cease your expectations."

Swiftly she pulled her cloak back around her, signalling for the others to follow her. She marched towards the general, ignoring his men as they tensed, their hands instinctively reaching towards their weapons. Sovalidaas held out his hand to stop them from readying them, and spoke, again in common.

"We will take you to your friends," he said. "Follow us."

-----------------------

They wandered through the trees, following a trail that was easily invisible to any not trained in the ways of the forest. Before long they a small encampment appeared before them; several green tents had been erected, using the trees as supports. As they got closer, Maiyn saw that they were alive -- trunks and weaved branches provided the support for the walls, and leaves and mud had been used to firm the walls. Maiyn spotted Anomen standing in a small clearing at its edge, and without a word she began running towards him, ignoring the general's calls for her to stop. Her companions did likewise, rushing to greet their friends with unified relief.

Maiyn darted to Xan's side, kneeling beside him as he lay on a makeshift grass mattress, a simple blanket covering him. Sime was in a similar position, though she was making every effort to rise from her seat, while Anomen smiled warmly to Imoen as the young girl checked they were all fine.

The enchanter offered Maiyn a weak smile, and she returned it gladly. "How are you?" she asked, her brow furrowing slightly in concern. "They have treated you well?"

He gave her a curious look. "Maiyn, these are our People -- do you expect them to mistreat us?"

She snorted at him, ignoring his sigh. "They have threatened us, told us in no uncertain terms that we cannot be trusted-"

"Do you trust them?"

She stared at him. "I would have if they'd acted differently when we first met."

He nodded slightly, seemingly appeased by her logic. "You will be encouraged to meet Elhan. He is their leader, at present."

"I have no interest in him," she said dismissively. "As soon as you and Sime are ready to leave, we shall be."

Xan gave her a pained look. "He will request your audience."

"He can request it all he wants."

"Maiyn, you misunderstand me. You will not be allowed to leave without seeing him."

She scowled. "Then-"

"No!" He raised his hand quickly. "Don't -- just don't say what I think you might say at this point. Whatever you feel, they are your kin, Maiyn."

She watched him for a few moments, then stood up slowly, biting her lip. "No, Xan," she said softly. "They are your kin. I... I am nothing like these people."

His expression was one of horror. "You don't-"

"I do." She nodded resolutely. "I was brought up with humans, and I guess... I guess that's what I am, in reality." He didn't reply; instead he looked at her with confusion, and slowly she wandered away, kneeling beside Sime as the girl sat up, checking she was fine.

Within minutes, more elves had appeared beside them, and one of them strode forward, studying them intently. His features were noble and proud, his dark hair shining as the light from one of the small campfires reflected off it. A blue cloak billowed out from behind him, and his chainmail glowed with a blue-greenish tinge, sparkling in unison with the golden chain around his neck. Maiyn countered his symbol of Corellon by displaying her own allegiance once more -- the eyes of Fenmarel causing a faint look of surprise on the both his features, and on the robed elves that stood to either side of him.

"Well, I thank you for coming." He spoke in common, much to her relief. "I am Prince Elhan."

Maiyn rolled her eyes. "Oh please!" she exclaimed, her hands drifting to her hips as she regarded him. Taller than her, and appearing stronger also -- he looked as if he had the wisdom of age, but her vision was clouded by her stubbornness. Instead, she saw only another hold-up to her pursuit of Irenicus and Bodhi. "It's not like I had a choice."

"I agree," he said to her surprise. "You still don't. Realising that will make things easier."

Maiyn's expression grew darker. She noticed Jaheira and Kivan shifting slightly in the background, but her full attention was on the elf before her. "We will be leaving," she informed him calmly. "And soon."

Elhan smiled at her. "I shall keep this brief, as I have little time to waste on you. A few questions answered are all I need, regardless."

She shook her head slightly, a cynical smile playing at her lips. "You are fully expecting me to comply, aren't you? Did it ever occur to you that I may have no intention, whatsoever, of aiding you when your men have shown nothing but veiled hostility to my friends and me?"

Elhan waved his arm towards Xan and Sime. "Would we have ensured the comfort of your injured if we did not wish to believe in your true intentions?" he asked.

"You know Xan wields a moonblade," she countered. "So you provide comfort for him, and do likewise for his companions -- but you cannot extend any trust to go with it."

"No, we cannot," he admitted. "You have come from the heart of our enemy's lair, and I want to know why you were there, and what you intend. If you are no threat to my people, you will be free to go."

"I will go, whether or not you decree me to be a threat."

The elf stared at her for several minutes, but she refused to break her gaze. Eventually it was he who turned away slightly, looking around to the man on his right. "I will ask some things of you, and you will speak what you know. My sages will detect any falsehood. They are very good at that sort of thing."

"I have no intention of answering your questions," she repeated.

"Maiyn." Jaheira's voice was low. "Do not act rashly here."

Elhan's gaze fell back to her. "If you do not answer my questions, I will have no hesitation to give them the order to access your thoughts."

"No!" came Xan's voice as he struggled to sit up. "You... you cannot use the gift like that. I can vouch for her -- you have no reason to doubt her intentions, regardless of how she presents herself."

Elhan looked over to the enchanter. "I am sorry," he said sincerely, "but I will have no choice. You will come to see that it is all in our best interests" He turned back to Maiyn. "Now then, something simple and direct to begin with. You emerged from the home of the drow. Were you fleeing or are you in league with them?"

Maiyn glared at him; she knew her companions were watching, tense and mainly bewildered by the display. Elhan waited patiently for a while, then nodded slightly to the men at his side. Almost instantly Maiyn felt them pushing into her mind, searching for her thoughts. She closed her eyes, thinking back to the time in Irenicus' dungeon when he had tried to perform similar tricks. With every push they tried, she blocked them, hiding away her thoughts, dancing from their prying with relative ease. But she knew she couldn't keep it up -- her logical side emerged, forcing her stubbornness out of the way, and wearily, she raised a hand.

"Stop," she said.

Slowly the tendrils of thought retreated from her mind and she opened her eyes, looking at Elhan. He was frowning slightly -- obviously he was not used to his sages failing him.

"I was fleeing," she said quietly.

"Truth," said the red-robed man to Elhan's right.

"I concur," agreed the gold-robed sage to his left. "Truth."

Elhan nodded thoughtfully. "Well, a good start. You are currently not an ally of the drow. This tells me nothing of your motives though."

"My motives are none of your business," she said coldly.

"I disagree. Let us try a name -- a name that you may know something of. Irenicus. Do you know of him?"

She tensed. Elhan seemed to catch her change in body language, for his eyebrow rose and his keen gaze intensified. Maiyn bit her lip, thinking carefully over her words before she spoke. "My business with Irenicus is my own concern."

"Maiyn!" Jaheira's voice was louder this time. "This is not the time-"

"Strong truth," said the gold-robed mage.

"Very much so," nodded the red-robed sage thoughtfully. "The association is clear."

"So you admit to knowledge of a fiend and criminal," remarked Elhan quietly. "I will have to push this further. Perhaps you are a window to his plans -- a comrade of his. Perhaps you are his ally-"

His words were stopped as Maiyn flew at him, a mass of seething rage at his words. Two guards leapt forward, easily stopping her before she got too close, but it took them several minutes to subdue her enough for him to continue his questioning, and they refused to let go of her arms, despite both her protests, and those from Xan.

"Your bloodlust at the suggestion you are an ally of his certainly helps to illustrate your true feelings about him," noted Elhan dryly. "This has put me more at ease. Whatever manner of creature you are, we appear to be on the same side in this instance at least."

"We can assure you that Irenicus is no ally of ours," said Xan quietly. "He has performed several wrongs against my companions."

Elhan nodded. "We had to be sure."

"Are we done then?" growled Maiyn. "I have things I must do."

"You are certainly less of a threat than I first imagined, but do not think you are welcome as of yet," the prince replied. "This area is still at risk, and I will not take chances."

"You need not bother," the ranger replied bitterly. "I have no intention of hanging around your precious camp while my quarry gets further and further from me."

"Travel in this area is restricted," Elhan said simply. "You might have received a warmer welcome, but Irenicus has triggered the strongest of emotions where e'er he has tread. He has stepped beyond all bounds of decency, and our very city is under the weight of his thumb as he wreaks havoc from within. Suldanessellar is simply gone."

There were several gasps from Jaheira, Kivan and Xan. Minsc stared in surprise while Sime looked confused, and Imoen and Anomen had matching frowns on their faces, as if they were trying to recall where they'd heard the name from before. Maiyn had learned about the great elven city when she was younger, in her heritage classes with Gorion -- she was certainly surprised by the news, but anger still dominated her emotions, and she didn't react outwardly.

"Irenicus is the most vile of villains if he dared destroy a whole city!" the berserker exclaimed. "I can't believe that, and I have believed some amazing things, let me tell you!"

"It has only been concealed," said Elhan, regarding the mighty warrior with serious eyes. "But we cannot penetrate the magics that have hidden it. We are forced to remain here, pestered by drow while supplies falter."

"What has this to do with me?" muttered Maiyn, finally shrugging off the guard's hold and moving away from them as she rubbed her arms.

"You obviously bear no love for Irenicus, making you the enemy of our enemy," noted Elhan. "Classically speaking, this might make you our friend."

Maiyn snorted. "I doubt very much that we will ever have a use for such a term when referring to each other."

The male elf shrugged. "Even if you are not, you cannot reach Irenicus without helping us. He is untouchable, save for one possibility."

"What is that?" asked Kivan.

"Within the temple of Suldanessellar was an artifact of great power: the Rhynn Lanthorn. It is an ancient lantern, etched with the oldest of runes. It is attuned to the Elven nation, and no magic can bar its return to elven lands. We could simply walk to Suldanessellar if we had possession of it."

"If your temple is within your city," pointed out Maiyn, "then it doesn't matter how powerful your artifact is, it cannot help you. And neither can we. So-"

"Someone stole the relic when the temple fell to the drow," he interrupted. "Obviously it was a servant of Irenicus capitalising on the chaos of the battle. We have not been able to determine where the thief went, despite the best efforts of our sages. It makes me think that the Lanthorn is no longer in elven territory."

"Bodhi..." whispered Xan.

Maiyn nodded to him. "He would only trust Bodhi with something so important," she said, despite herself. Mentally she chided herself for giving any sign of her interest in the matter.

"Truth," piped up the red-robed mage. Maiyn drummed her fingers on her arm.

"If he does that once more, we shall leave immediately, whether you let us or not."

"Bodhi... hmm," said Elhan thoughtfully, oblivious to the abashed looks of his sage. "You may know more than we about this situation after all. I propose we exchange our services."

Maiyn's glare returned. "I think not."

"But why? You seek Irenicus, but you will not be able to get to him without aiding us first."

She was frustrated by his logic. "What is your issue with him?" she asked, trying to buy herself some time to think up an argument that would avoid being questioned by Jaheira or Xan. "Why is he doing this to your city?"

It was Elhan's turn to tense, and Maiyn's smile grew wider as she realised his discomfort. "I cannot say more than I have," he said tersely. "Perhaps if I had access to the city I would have insight, but as it stands, I am in the same situation you are."

"You must have some idea," she pushed, enjoying the reversal of power.

"The attack came without warning, born in the mind of a human we did not know," replied Elhan quickly, his eyes glinting dangerously. "This was not in the realm of possibility, and it remains as such. He has dealt with drow, defiled our temple and violated our city. His name is to be spit and spoken of as rarely as possible. He is all that elves are not!" The elf paused and composed himself quickly as Maiyn looked on, amused. "If you know how to find the treacherous servant of this fiend, I suggest that you do it. You seek Irenicus, we seek Irenicus; to help us is to help yourself."

"I am in no rush to find him," Maiyn lied, watching as Elhan's expression grew pained. "You can deal with him yourself -- we have business elsewhere."

"Maiyn!"

The ranger shook her head at Imoen, silencing the girl, then signalled for the others to get ready to march on. Elhan tried to approach her, but she moved away, steadfastly ignoring him as he pushed his point at her.

"We cannot march on human territory," he said to her. "As great as our problems are, they would only get worse if we appeared to be sending agents into the cities of Amn."

"That is not my problem," she remarked, turning towards the forest when her companions were ready. Xan had reluctantly allowed Minsc to support him, but he was throwing Maiyn a reproachful look that she was trying her hardest to ignore. The others were either confused or emotionless, prepared to wait until they were on their own before they spoke their feelings to their leader. With a nod she marched away from the elf, ignoring his mutterings to his sages.

A flash of light later and she was unable to move, held in place by the spell from one of the sages. She heard her friends scrambling for weapons, but Elhan was appeasing them with his soothing voice, apologising for his actions. He moved before her, knowing she was unable to look away from him. With calmness, he spoke.

"You intend to hunt Bodhi, of that I am sure. You have travelled extensively; return to the groups you have already encountered and ask their aid. I am sure you will find some among them to help you. We will provide holy water and stakes -- you must be prepared for anything, as the cause is too important, the peril too great for carelessness. You will find the Lanthorn when she falls -- you know it is the right thing to bring it back to us." He paused momentarily, and she saw beyond his haughty facade briefly; fear and worry flashed in his eyes; he was almost pleading. "Your allies need not know the nature of the emergency, only that a great evil must be routed. The less who know of the shame brought by Irenicus, the better." He stepped back slightly and sighed. "We have talked long. I will make sure the guards know you are free to come and go." He nodded slightly, and she felt her limbs ease up as another glow enveloped her, the reversal of the original spell coursing across her swiftly. Elhan offered her a weak smile and she returned it in a very deliberate manner.

"I have something for you, before we go," she said softly, her eyes drifting down to the ground as she steadied herself. Elhan seemed to be waiting for her to speak more, so she took her chance -- drawing her hand back and punching him as hard as she could. Her fist made contact with his face, causing him to stagger backwards in surprise while she tried to shake away the searing pain in her own hand.

"Maiyn!" Xan sounded aghast.

"I'll get your precious lantern," she said coldly, pointedly ignoring the enchanter, "but before your men try and end my life for striking you, remind them that if they as much glare at me or my companions, you'll be on your own to find it. Then, like it or not, you'll have no choice but to travel to Amn yourself."

With that she stalked off into the forests, Imoen's voice ringing behind her as her sister apologised for the wayward elf's behaviour: "She didn't mean it.. she's got no soul!" She knew her companions had lingered behind, but she didn't care -- they'd catch up with her when they were ready. They needed to return to Athkatla -- despite her apparent carefree attitude for Elhan's benefit, Maiyn knew that she needed to find both Bodhi and Irenicus for her own sake. But knowing it would also benefit the elves grated on her nerves somewhat. She sighed heavily; these were her People, her kin... or were they? She'd been raised by humans, mingled mostly with non-elves... only Kivan, Xan and Coran had provided her any link to her own kind, and Kivan was a self imposed outcast, while Coran revelled in his preference of a 'human' life.

And hadn't she chosen Coran over Xan, the defender of Elvenkind? She nodded to herself -- in her heart she already knew it -- the stronger her bond to Fenmarel had become, the more she knew it inside, despite the fact that it was contradictory to all Xan believed in. She was not, and never would be, one of the People.

-----------------------

"What were you playing at?" Jaheira had caught Maiyn's arm when they'd managed to reach her in a small glade, deep within the forest, causing her to spin around and face the druid. To the ranger's surprise, the half-elf didn't look angry -- not even annoyed. Instead she appeared worried, a troubled frown on her brow.

She shrugged non-committally. "They were not exactly hospitable."

"They tended Sime and Xan's needs and ensured Anomen was safe while he rested a bit," Jaheira pointed out. "Their tone may have been slightly-"

"Slightly?!" Maiyn stared at the druid in amazement. "Were you listening to the same conversation as me?"

"You've encountered worse," noted Kivan. "You've never given in to your anger and frustration as easily before."

Maiyn scowled at him. "Other times have been different."

"Why?" asked the half-elf.

"Because other times didn't involve-" Maiyn stopped herself and bit her lip. Her eyes flickered over to Xan -- he was watching her intently. They didn't involve my people, she wanted to say, but she knew she couldn't. The words rang hollow, like an excuse -- she couldn't see herself as one of them, so to imply it was because she shared a heritage with them to justify her actions felt false.

"You expected them to act differently because they were elves?" Jaheira's tone was gentle.

"Yes."

"They are stressed, Maiyn," interrupted Xan. "Their city has been taken by the madman we seek -- you yourself, of all people, should know the emotions he can stir, as Elhan said. Why were you so difficult to him, when all he wished to ascertain was if he could trust you?"

Maiyn closed her eyes, trying to remain patient. "Because I am not some monster that deserves his mistrust."

"We appeared before them in the tunnels leading to a drow city," argued Xan. "Does that not give them some leeway into suspecting our motives for being there?"

"No!" she exclaimed, glaring at him. "Do we look like drow?"

"There is more to fear than the dark elves," said Kivan softly, "and the Underdark homes many of those creatures. Irenicus is no drow, but he has openly had dealings with them. We could have been in similar situation."

"But we're not," muttered Maiyn.

"Regardless, we could have been," sighed Xan. "Your actions towards him... your tone and conduct... they were disappointing." He was looking at her sorrowfully, but she felt no pang of regret or remorse. Instead she merely shrugged.

"If we are finished discussing my diplomacy issues, we need to get moving," she pointed out. "Bodhi will, I guess, have returned to her lair in Athkatla, and she is probably in the process of rebuilding it. The longer we take, the stronger they'll be."

Jaheira nodded in agreement, and they began to march on, even though the sun had set and they needed rest. Maiyn wanted to get as far away from Elhan's camp as was possible before resting, and none of the others seemed to be prepared to argue about it with her. Quietly she led them through the forest, her temper slowly subsiding as her mind switched to more important things; regaining her sister's soul, being the most important factor.