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

Coran

When Coran was a child, he was full of mischief, joy and boundless optimism about the beauty of living and the wonder of love. These traits stayed with him for much of his growing and then adult life, and he thought he would never face the stark and dull reality that others experienced; the time of their lives when they had 'grown up'.

His sister had chided him about his lack of commitment to anything all through his formative years. He couldn't - wouldn't - dedicate himself to any single path, profession, job, or woman. He had been a loving child, devoted to his parents; but as he experienced more and more of the lands beyond their elven home, his visits became more and more infrequent.

Life was for living, after all, and living meant experiencing new things!

And then a chance meeting by the river in Cloakwood, and everything seemed to turn upside down. He felt heartsick for the first time, his thoughts and daydreams taken up by a vision of one, rather than a fantasy of many. He'd tried various medicines, thinking himself under a curse or having fallen stricken to some outlandish disease. None of them worked.

The only thing that did work was when she let him into her bed. And satisfied with the result, he expected his attentions to roam and his need for adventure to lead him off somewhere else. After all... mission accomplished.

And yet... he kept telling himself; just one more day. One more week, with them. She was in a crowd whose company he mostly enjoyed; and he had to admit to himself, continually seeing her defy the wishes of her guardians by being with him was worth a tendays entertainment, at least.

But still she managed to pull him in, an allure unlike anything he'd ever experienced before. He found himself trying to convince her that he would stay by her side, though she never seemed to truly believe him. He discovered he was a father, and still she was there, making sure he did the right thing. And then when it looked like they faced death itself, he poured his heart out to her. They would survive, he had decided, and his life - his adventure - was better being shared. The world would be open to them, and he'd take her to see things she could only ever have dreamt of before.

Except... he died. Not in the conventional sense, for Coran was anything but. He was pulled from the gates of Arvandor by the clerics of Baldur's Gate, but they could not rouse him from his sleep. And so, she left.

Maiyn; his lover, her mysterious ability to change him that he would never understand. But he'd awoken, he'd found her.

But by then... everything was complicated.

Baldur's Gate had not changed much in his absence, he decided. The buildings were much the same, the people were much the same. The hysteria following Sarevok and his death had settled, and Coran was able to ensure some anonymity for Maiyn as they returned to the city by passing through the gates at night, his elven companion drawing her hood over her face as he paid the entrance toll. The guard on duty was too tired to care much about their identity - two elves were hardly much of a threat, after all, and the he didn't even notice the lynx that crept past, its ears flat against its head in disapproval at its surroundings.

Their horses were stabled near the gates, Coran rubbing Patch's nose fondly. The roads were quiet and they arrived at their destination before long. An older woman answered their knock at the door, peering suspiciously until Coran made their introductions.

"Oh milord, forgive me - we were not expecting you so soon! Come in, come in." Coran recognised Iana, and offered her a warm smile as he crossed the threshold into Brielbara's home. Maiyn followed him, more hesitantly, and Verya stood resolutely outside.

"You can stay out if you want," Coran said to the cat, "but it will get cold, and we willbe going to bed. So..."

Verya's tail swished from side to side as she stalked in, finding her way under a nearby table, two large, green eyes shining out from the shadows underneath.

"I'll go and let Mistress Brielbara know you're here," Iana said, taking their cloaks and showing them into a cosy parlour. "She's in her study, but I'm afraid Miss Namara is already asleep for the night..."

"To be expected, at this hour," Coran said kindly. "Thank you, Iana. You are a real treasure for Briel to have."

The woman flushed at his words, and bustled off to find the lady of the house. Coran watched Maiyn perch at the edge of one of the chairs, looking decidedly uncomfortable in her surroundings. He took a seat next to her and offered her a smile.

"We should be safe here, for a while," he said, hoping to cheer her up. "You can get some rest, and then we can head back to Athkatla to see Imoen and Anomen."

She nodded. She looked pale, even paler than he remembered. She's only had her soul back a tenday, he reminded himself. Give her time.

Their journey north had been peaceful on the whole. The occasional group of kobolds or bandits had been swept aside easily, and travelling on horseback had allowed them to make good time. Things had been strained in the evenings, however; conversation had initially felt forced, but with time their easy understanding of each other had returned, and both were able to enjoy a smile in the other's company. Yet some topics were avoided completely; those they'd lost, those they'd left behind. And... the child. Maiyn had been careful during their travels; careful to protect herself, and also careful not to draw any attention to her abdomen when alone with Coran. But he knew it was there; and he knew that they both needed to talk about it.

But now was not the time.

"Coran!"

Brielbara swept into the room, as beautiful as he remembered. He leapt to his feet and caught her in his arms, returning her fierce hug as she laughed with joy.

"Oh Briel, it is good to see you again!" he said, meaning every word. She laughed, one finger stroking his cheek as endearment before peering around him and visibly composing herself.

"Maiyn," she said, her voice full of welcoming and warmth. "I am glad to see you again."

The elf nodded, managing a smile as she awkwardly stood up. Brielbara quickly moved to her; if she was surprised by the scars on the elven girl's face she did not show it, drawing her instead into another tight embrace. Maiyn hesitantly reciprocated, and as they drew apart the relief etched onto her face was clear.

"I... thank you for allowing me to come," she said, her voice quiet, but thick with emotion. "I know that many would not want..."

Brielbara hushed her, manoeuvring the elf back into the chair and ensuring she was comfortably settled. "I said you would always be welcome here," she reminded Maiyn. "And I meant it. Now... Alice is making some hot drinks for us. Perhaps you could tell me about your past few months?"