The Fighter's Rogue Rose Chapter One: I'm Drinkin', You're Leavin, a baldur's gate fanfic

AN: Aradin is hot AF. I'm willing to die on this hill.

Summary:

She lowered her weapon, a cautious question leaving her of her own accord, unsure what she wanted for an answer. "What do you want from this?"

Aradin's smirking mouth hovered near, not far above hers, fleeting, teasing. He chuckled, more to himself, then murmured, "Only to help you," as if it were matter of fact. "And to walk away with my coin, alive."

Resident blowhard, Aradin, agrees to a deal he never saw coming.

Spoilers for Act 3: Apparently there is an encounter with Aradin in Act 3 where he is pissed about the Nightsong and still vows to find it/her and he ends up ambushing you with his crew and you're either supposed to kill him or lie to him, but we're going to pretend that never happens because JUST NO. I haven't even finished the game yet, but after doing some research on Aradin (there is not a lot of info) and Baldur's Gate 3 in general, that is what I have found. I haven't even gotten to the part where you rescue the Nightsong and I didn't even know she's apparently some sort of celestial being or something, so for this fic, we are blatantly, and casually going to sidestep over that storyline because definitely fuck that. I'm obviously going to mention it for canon reasons, but the entire Nightsong quest as well as the Act 3 bit that I haven't seen yet, I don't know enough to fully write about it so to save myself and everyone else the headache, that whole questline is merely a minor detail. The Elder Brain/Netherbrain – minor detail. We're skimming over those things, because sex, darling. Sex is the most important thing here.

Our Protagonist (Tav) is a half-elf, wood-elf, noble rogue assassin. You'll learn her name soon.

The Fighter's Rogue Rose
Chapter One: I'm Drinkin', You're Leavin'

-\-O-/-

When Aradin had first seen her, she had a small motley band of travelers following after her; a wizard, a gith, the palest elf he had ever seen, and some dark-haired lass he never got a good look at. Their lot went and stumbled upon him and his two remaining comrades while the last of the goblins caught up. It had to be at just the wrong time – or perhaps it was the right time, depending on perspective. Whether or not Aradin wanted to admit it, they'd helped. If it hadn't been for them showing up when they did, he might've died that day in front of the gate.

He hadn't paid too much attention to the details, his pent up rage having been his sole focus, but Aradin remembered they were covered in blood and grime. He remembered her soft but surprisingly commanding voice delegating him and Zevlor apart, her knuckles crackling amidst her fist with the promise of a threat if the both of them did not calm down.

He remembered peering down at her with irate puzzlement, her shrewd eyes, the enticing color of her hair. He'd only spared her a temporary, lethal glare that asked her 'who do you think you are?' before striding away unhappily and unfulfilled, but alive at least.

Then, he wasn't expecting it – which seemed a reoccurring theme with this half-elf girl – but she'd sauntered down his way and actually had the gall to ask him about the druid and his failed mission.

"It's called the Nightsong. Supposed to be hidden under the temple where the goblins jumped us. I'd give you the map and wish you a happy funeral, but my mate Brian kept hold of it like his own todger. Goblins made short of the fat old chunk. All I've got is the contract. It'll show you where we turned back, if you feel like dying."

"Thanks." She'd said. She'd actually told him, 'thanks'.

"Heh, don't thank me." He'd snickered hatefully. "I'll be well on my way to Baldur's Gate when you die." She hadn't responded much by way of his bitter rudeness, taking each and every hit on the chin with a grace he could never have, and didn't understand.

Within just a few days, her small band of unlikely travelers had grown, the 'Blade of Frontiers' and a flaming hot foulblood being among them. Though the girl was prepared and readier than ever, before she went and journeyed onward to the goblin camps, she had visited a last time.

She had, by great feat, snuck up on him while he was drowning down his sorrows beneath the tent, little rogue that she was.

"Easy money, yeah right. Ain't leaving town for a good while after this…" he'd been blubbering to himself at the table when he'd finally noticed her. How long had she been standing behind him? She had almost, almost frightened him, his hand to his blade, prepared to stand. He settled when he saw her tiny, mocking smirk, her ever cool and casual demeanor. "I'm drinkin'. You're leavin'." He told her firmly, the scathing flash of his eyes usually enough to drive anyone away from him.

"Sorry, uh, Aradin, was it?"

"I gave you the contract, what else could you want?"

She leaned beside him where he sat, her long thick braid falling over her shoulder and down her back. He watched the tips of the braid, her pretty, champagne blonde locks sweeping against the dirty table as he studied the creamy rose hues. He had never seen anyone with hair that color before.

Whoever she was, really, she acted like she bloody owned the place, and no matter what Aradin did, everything annoyed him. Everything always did.

"You could try to be a bit friendlier, you know," she'd stated.

Oh hoh, the audacity of this little one. "Thanks, mum. Now please just feck off."

There was a slight intake of air, and Aradin tried not to stare as she chewed her bottom lip in consternation of him, a subtle roll of her dark eyes. "Look, I really don't mean to be such a bother, honestly, but I'd like to get a clear picture of exactly what happened to Halsin, the First Druid."

"I already told you – he was at the temple with us. But it ain't like we forced him to go along." Aradin pulled a large gulp from his ale, smacking and wiping his mouth. "As soon as he heard we had a contract to find that Nightsong relic, he was more eager than a hound in heat." The girl's brows rose in both surprise and amusement, but he went on. "When the goblins jumped us, most of my crew scarpered, just like I taught 'em to. The old codger didn't." Then she was looking at him with something like disdain, judgement in her spine. Aradin shook his head. He couldn't be bothered with what she nor anybody else thought of him. None of them were there, had witnessed the things he'd had to do and the reasoning behind them. "Gobbos are holed up in the temple ruins out west of here – last I saw Halsin, he was right in the thick of 'em. If you head that way, you'll likely smell 'em or hear their drums before you see 'em."

"Right then. Thank you. I really do appreciate your… cooperation on the matter."

Her visit had definitely irritated him, but he was too tired and defeated to give a damn. He lazily shrugged in response and she sighed.

"Well, I'll leave you to your drinking."

He felt sheepish from his attitude, which he usually never allowed but for some reason, this girl had made him feel guilty without doing much to warrant so. As she began walking away he'd found himself standing, gaining her attention once more.

"And what's the name of the lass who walks so fearlessly and naively before death? I think I'd like to know."

"Maybe one day you'll find out, but it won't matter because I'll be dead, remember?"

It had been a cheeky response, one that had left an impression. She had left an impression, and his brief encounters with her, and her words eventually dared haunt him.

At the time, he was sure he'd never see her again. At the time, he had not really cared.

Potentially having your last ever conversations with people and not knowing it; telling your childhood mate 'goodnight, I'll see you tomorrow at the same place we always do', but illness strikes them and they never wake up; getting tucked into bed by your father for the last time before you learn he died at war weeks later; sending your comrade into the front lines only to watch them get obliterated and it was all your fault.

Possibly not seeing someone again, burying your friends… they were all notions he'd been forced to grow accustomed to after all these years, a bleak realization that everyone comes to terms with, sooner or later.

So when the girl, wide-eyed and rosy cheeked skirted off to supposedly finish what he'd started, to succeed at what he'd failed, he had to accept the thought that she wasn't coming back. He'd been convinced there was not a chance in the Nine Hells, in any scenario, where her and those unskilled tossers she had with her made it out alive.

Not that he stuck around in that stinkhole to find out.

Yet she remained in his mind, like a delicately searing brand, a burn. Without a touch, she had burned him, kindling within his memories and he didn't even know who she was.

Aradin thought of her so much more often than he'd ever say.

Months and months went on. He was biding time in Baldur's Gate, broker than he'd ever been, his life a mere joke, his mercenary career in pieces.

At least his mate Liam was with him, alive. A while back, he told Aradin of the strange girl who'd rescued him inside Shattered Sanctum when she definitely didn't have to, had given him a chance to escape, to live again. Aradin had also learned all about how she'd saved Halsin, had saved the whole grove and tieflings alike.

He could respect that all, respect it indeed. Despite his loathing for foulbloods – his loathing for pretty much everyone – Aradin thought it had been a most decent thing to do.

Yet he still didn't know her name, hadn't seen her again. He wondered if he ever might. All anyone truly knew of her was that she was a charming half woof-elf who knew her way around a battlefield and could talk her way out of almost anything… and was incredibly easy on the eyes.

And then they were singing, the bards were singing in the streets outside the tavern he sat, their robust voices, drums, flutes and lutes billowing through the open windows. It was a song of triumph, line after line about some bonnie lass's great victories, her unmatched beauty, toasting in her name.

Her name.

"'Oi," he nudged Liam awake beside him at the bar. It was getting late and about time for them to call it a night, but Aradin only wanted to finish his ale first. "What's that song they're belting outside? I can't hear the name. What's the name, Liam?"

Liam startled awake only just long enough to make out some of the tune. "It sounds like, erhm… fii – er – Lenny. Lenny Finch."

"Lenny Finch?" The name saturated Aradin's tongue, electric.

If it was her name, he thought it an odd one. Sounded like the name of a bird. Lenny must have been short for something, but he'd have had a difficult time trying to guess as he was full of booze.

"They're just saying it bloody everywhere," a softly sophisticated but firm voice peeped by his shoulder.

Aradin jumped out of his skin then, he could not help it. The last thing he expected was to come face to face with the exact object of both his inner ire and perhaps, most secretly, his desire.

"Oh, it's you," she was catching her breath a bit, but was very collected and put together all the same. If Aradin hadn't known any better, he could have sworn she knew it'd been him sitting there. She looked over at Liam who was barely registering the situation. "And you. I remember you, don't I?"

"That's Liam, you saved his life from the goblins, so he told me." Aradin muttered, speech a slurred.

"Oh right, yes. I – but you, it's Aradin, isn't it?"

"I don't know, is it?" He attempted to be coy, as she had.

"I know it is," she replied confidently, a small, playful smile on her pink lips. "I can remember. I remember all the things you told me. What was that, about saying you'd be well on your way to Baldur's Gate when I die? Well, I'm still alive, as far as I can tell, so it looks like you were mistaken."

"And it looks like you're still as irritating as back when I said all that," he sniped and she appeared a little hurt. "Mistake or not," he added, backtracking. "You lived, didn't you? And you saved Liam while you were at it, saved a lot of others, so, good on you. A folk hero now, they're singing your praises. Didn't catch much of it, something about a Netherbrain."

Aradin felt slight jealousy over what she'd accomplished, but one thing he'd learned the hard way was to ignore those pangs of envy he so often felt. He didn't care to be a folk hero though, of all things. He only wanted to make money, anything else was just a perk.

"I figured you'd heard all that, since I caught you saying my name."

"Caught me?" Aradin looked offended. She hadn't caught him. "I was only tryin' to find out who the bloody fuck they were squawking about. I… I didn't realize it was about you."

"Yes, well, it is kind of embarrassing," Lenny told him. "I do prefer to keep a low profile."

"I think I've noticed," said Aradin, but he wished he hadn't. He didn't want her to know he noticed things about her.

Finally, the tavern worker approached and Lenny ordered herself one ale. "Thank you," she told the barkeep, paying him and taking a much-needed, deep drink from her mug. Sweet ale ran down her jaw and throat, Aradin's drunken gaze unwavering from the rivulets cascading over her flushed freckled skin. She wiped her face and neck dry with her sleeve. "Ugh, yess," she moaned sensually, and Aradin's cock twitched inside his trousers. "I've been waiting and waiting for this ale and I finally have it."

Funny, he thought. I think I've been waiting and waiting to find you again and here you are.

Lenny took in another gulp of her saving grace, fully relishing in not just the ale but her freedom from the Mind Flayers. Aradin sat there, wondering what he might ask her. She was here, and he was curious to know more before he lost his chance.

"So," he began. "Where'd all your little friends run off to then? I'm surprised they're not hot on your heels, waiting on your every move like they were before."

Lenny shrugged, aloof but not upset. She thought Aradin sounded envious if anything. "Most of them have got stuff to do, priorities to straighten out, and for once, I don't think I'm needed. For once, I think they can take care of themselves," she snickered and he had to agree with the sentiment. It wasn't a load of dandelions and rainbows, having a group of followers who constantly awaited your every command, vying for your approval and vice versa. He would know, after all. "So, I'm just trying to relax a little, have one drink and go. However…"

Aradin's ears perked up in interest. "However, what?"

"I have a long few days ahead of me still. My work isn't exactly over. There's something I need to do, it's very personal, but after everything that's happened to me and my comrades, I didn't want to bother them with it. So, I've come out looking for hand."

Now Aradin was ever more curious, but tried not to appear as interested as he was, taking the last swig of his ale. "Go on."

Lenny stood there, sipping her mug for a moment as she decided how much she would reveal.

Then suddenly, a large pouch of coins was dropped on the bar in front of Aradin with a loud jangling. His mouth hung open, confusion etching his brow and he slowly peered over to her, bewildered and unsure. "Since I know you'll eventually ask, forget about the Nightsong. It's a hell of a long story but it's all figured out and swept under the rug, so I advise you don't worry about it. There's a large sum for your grief and troubles."

Someone could argue that Aradin did not deserve such kindness, such a senseless rewarding for his past stupidity, but Lenny was as generous as they come, and what no one knew, secretly, just as rich. She'd given away money before and she'd give it away again. Something about doing it, giving to those most in need, it made her feel… well, she didn't know but it made her feel good inside.

Aradin did not know what to say, he was flabbergasted. "I – "

Yet just when he thought she could not have shocked him more, she threw another equally fat pouch beside the other. "A second payment, if you might be the one to help me."

Aradin wanted to throw his hands up in dismissal, to tell her, 'hell no and feck off', for he'd swore off any jobs, at least he had planned to for a great while but well, he really needed the coin, needed it badly. Otherwise, he'd soon have nowhere to live. As much as he liked his mates, he hadn't wanted to encroach on their lives, among other reasons.

When Aradin wasn't leading, he was the lone wolf type anyway. With this impossibly new opportunity and this impossibly real money, he'd have no trouble finding a new little spot in town to shack up in. He definitely didn't want to live where he lived now. It wasn't bad, per say, but he couldn't afford it anymore and it held a lot of pesky, anger inducing memories he'd rather forget. A new place to live was ideal.

"You want my help?" He was still stunned to his core by the sudden turn of events. Liam was snoring beside him and the barkeep was rolling up his sleeves, looking as if he were ready to explode with anger. He elbowed Liam in the ribs so hard the lout almost fell from his barstool. "Liam, go home, mate."

"Right, s-sorry," the unawares boy mumbled, stumbling away and out the tavern with an attention-grabbing ruckus. Liam hadn't even noticed he'd been in the presence of his once savior. He was going to feel so mortified about that later, probably.

"Well now, guess I'm paying for his drinks, yet I suppose that's not a problem anymore, is it?" Aradin exclaimed, motioning to the pouches of coin before him.

"Does that mean you'll help me?" She queried, a sense of urgency to her tone.

"I don't even know the job." He countered, chuckling lightly, but he was more than certain he wouldn't decline.

"It's… I can't exactly explain every detail here, right now, but I will soon enough. All you need to know is that I need help retrieving something."

Aradin scoffed in annoyance, rolling his chocolate brown eyes. "Yeah, of course, retrieving something – as if that didn't get me into bucket loads of trouble before."

"Look, if you can't do it just say so," she reached over to take back the second pouch but his long fingers snatched her much smaller hand in its tracks.

He locked her gaze, his expression most serious, "I can do it." All the blood rushed to Lenny's face, to somewhere lower, and for a moment, she couldn't breathe, only nodding in response. "Good?" he questioned. She nodded again and he returned the nod. "Good." Then he pulled his hand from hers.

"If you're so keen then," she quipped coquettishly, "Meet me in front of the marketplace before dawn."

Aradin wouldn't say he was 'so keen', but he was willing and able, nonetheless. "Right."

"Right, okay," she said, looking very flustered but satisfied. "I'll see you then."

"See you then." Aradin echoed, and just like that, she disappeared behind him.

-\-O-/-

She merely needed a helping hand, nothing more, Lenny told herself as she headed to her room at the inn. It wasn't because he was one of the most attractive young men she had ever seen with one of the most attractive voices she'd ever heard, no, not at all.

She had noticed him right away sitting at the bar when she'd walked in. Literally, he was right there, and she'd recognized the back of those curls instantly, heard her name wrapped around his tongue.

It had felt… serendipitous.

Though he could be infuriating and would most certainly prove difficult to handle, she wasn't worried, and she definitely wouldn't mind the eye candy. Lenny couldn't ascertain whether or not anything more than a simple partnership would ensue, but it was hard to help from wondering.

The worst case scenario – they don't get along and try to kill each other. The best case scenario was still up for debate.

And she was positive that with enough money thrown in his lap, Aradin would keep her secrets too.

-\-O-/-

Anxiousness, excitement, both words were an understatement compared to how he felt waiting for her outside in the twilight of the dawn. The chill of the air hit his cheeks, but it made him feel alive. The long brown cloak he wore was enough to keep him away from the cold until the climate warmed that early afternoon.

Lenny flitted her way through the darkness, the stars still twinkling in the purpled black ocean of the sky. The morning was ever just upon them, and she was eager to get a move on out of the city before the sun rose.

As she finally approached the marketplace and slid up beside her newly hired mercenary in the shadows, Lenny could not help but feel amazed once again; she had forgotten, maybe not even realized, how tall this human man was, now that he was standing right in front of her. Aradin had the build of a fighter, yes, but he was particularly, staggeringly long and lithe.

"Hello," she purred and Aradin flinched briefly.

"Godsdammit," he seethed, humiliated that she had snuck up on him once again. He would not let her do that, not one more time. Lenny giggled girlishly, fully enthralled, the inner prankster that she was. "Do that again," he growled, "And you won't like the outcome. Almost knocked you out, I did."

"I'd like to see you try," she simpered and his jaw clenched, ferocious.

"Don't test me, little girl."

The half-elf fumigated in her boots. "Little girl?"

"Or should I say, little elf?" Aradin allowed a smirk to twist his lips and then motioned for her to lead the way.

Lenny huffed, completely offended but carried onward. "Whatever then, little girl, little elf – I reckon I'm still better in combat than you."

"Big words for such a small creature." He countered and Lenny rolled her eyes.

"I suppose we'll find out." She was used to racism, here, there, everywhere. It made no difference what Aradin thought of her, as long as he helped her get the job done.

-\-O-/-

Soon the dawn and the morn came and went without much trouble or entertainment. It was warmer outside now, the middle of the afternoon and soon they would have to find somewhere to set up camp, unless they wanted to traverse the dangers in the dark of night.

After all day of not breathing practically a word of what their mission fully entailed, Aradin, frustrated with anticipation and knowing so little of his new companion, finally cracked.

"That's it. I'm not taking one more step until you fill me in on what we're bloody doing out here."

"Alright, fine." Lenny conceded, tossing her rucksack to the ground for a short reprieve. Aradin put down his own things, taking on a comfortable stance, ready to learn. She had hardly spoke to him all day, and Aradin had been so, so patient, but he was over it. He needed more from her.

After a temporary pause while Lenny paced, rounding up her bearings, she began to explain. "Well… technically, for a long time now, I've been on the lamb, avoiding arrest, or at least, capture anyway."

"Oh really? From who?" he asked. That reply had been the last thing he'd have guessed.

Lenny gulped back her nerves. "My uncle." Aradin appeared very puzzled but allowed her to continue. "I fled court, abandoned my station as a noblewoman a few years ago." The fighter's brows shot to his hairline. He had no idea he'd been conversing with an upper-cruster the entire time, an aristocrat. She said, "I'm an heiress, you see, and… I was in an arrangement, one I wanted out of, a… a betrothal I did not agree with. My uncle struck me a deal, back before I ran away. He said if I could bring him this important, lost family heirloom, one worth fortunes, I'd be granted the right to marry whomever I want. At the time, it was an impossible task, but now…"

Aradin was not the brightest star in the sky, but he had a pretty good idea just whom exactly this new companion of his was. "It can't be… are you, are you talking about the Finchleywyn's?

"I could be, but only if you promise me you'll keep the information between us. If anyone unsavory were to find out who I am before we make it to our destination – "

"You are," he interjected most annoyingly. "You're that Finchleywyn lass. It's Lorraine, right? You're the one who went missing. Flew the world up in a tizzy. Most people thought you were dead."

"There were many a time I thought I might be. And please try not to make a fuss or say such things so loudly. You'll get us compromised."

Aradin chuckled darkly, and there was a shift of energy that Lenny did not like one bit.

"I can't believe it…" he crooned. "All this time and I could 'ave been making out richer if I'd known who you were and turned you in for that ridiculously big sum your uncle's putting out. I still could,"

In one swift moment, her tiny fist was clenched onto his bicep and a sharp dagger was held up toward his throat, glinting menacingly in the sun. "Tell me you wouldn't do it." She demanded through gritted teeth.

Aradin bit his lip, trying not to laugh. He was only jesting, honest, but the reaction he was getting for the buttons he was pushing did nothing but delight him. Normally she had behaved so calmly, so gracefully. Aradin liked to poke and prod, to get others riled up for the right reasons, and Lenny was going to prove very much entertaining.

His hands came up and curved around her waist, fingers smoothing over the small of her back, gripping sensuously the material of her shirt. "Relax, little elf. I'm not going to turn you in."

The dagger faltered. He could feel her tremble slightly, leaning into his tightening grasp, but then the dagger was raised to him once more, the sharp edge so dangerously close to his skin. "I don't trust you now." She spoke slowly, the fury having risen within her.

"And you shouldn't 'ave trusted me, shouldn't give away your trust so easily," he warned, "To anyone, ever, but – "

"I know that," she seethed. She was not a child. She defeated the Netherbrain and so, so much more, and she could end Aradin's life in a single beat if she so desired.

"But I'm not going to do that to you. I swear it," his deeply soft tone, like smooth but smoky burnt butter, conveyed this with earnest. The sensual warmth of his gaze, the smoldering heat from his body, it told her a bit more than what she could currently fathom. He added, "I don't want that."

Lenny lowered her weapon, a cautious question leaving her of her own accord, unsure what she wanted for an answer. "And what do you want from this?"

She instantly mourned the loss of his electric heat, attempting not to look so dejected. It wasn't like she was hoping to jump his bones or anything, but his fingers, his hands on her body – it'd sent her all aflame. "I see."

Aradin caught her arm before she could turn away. His low, gruff voice was steady but breathless. "And how else might I help you?"

Her brows stitched together in confusion. Just what exactly was he asking her? He was giving her mixed signals, wasn't he? Lenny wasn't a total moron, but occasionally flirtation, and even outright propositions went right over her head. In short, she could be naïve to others' advances. She never liked to be wrong, and so therefore, never assumed or presumed such things.

"I – I don't know." Lenny replied with honesty. Disappointment twinkled momentarily in his eyes but he nodded, letting her go. "Let's just… find somewhere to set up camp, okay? Let's just… yeah."

"Right."

-\-O-/-

AN: this main character is dignified, smart and beautiful, and makes no mistakes because I reload saves like it's my job. I am a horny goblin who knows nothing. I hope my lack of knowledge on the majority of the game still allows the story to be tolerable/enjoyable. More to come soon, including more on Lenny. I know it's a weird name, my character's name isn't even Lenny or Lorraine in any of my saves but idk I just like it I guess. its dumb but so am I xD