The last time I wrote anything for fun was ten years ago. Yikes, I know. But what the heck. Couldn't find any crossovers of Hogwarts Legacy and BG3 so here you go.
Apology
The sun begins to dip behind the mountains as the camp finds itself in a relaxing lull. With Gale's prep for dinner now completed for the returning party, Gale begins to clean himself up in his tent as he picks out his nightwear. He surprises himself as he feels anticipation with a mixture of concern waiting for Tav's return. The last excursion resulted in Tav exploding her way to victory. However, that victory came with a great cost of a deep wound to her side that nearly took her life. He shudders at the memory of Shadowheart nearly exhausted herself healing Tav as her blood seeped into the ground. Gale remembers standing there helplessly, a stark comparison to the many times Tav, without hesitation, handed over her magical items without a thought whenever Gale's condition acted up.
When Gale first became acquainted with Tav, he believed her to be just another sorcerer, more concerned about looking flashy than the actual studies in magic. But with every battle and every selfless act, he is left with more questions than answers. It was obvious that Tav wields a version of wild magic, yet she insists on being called a witch. And after her acquisition of her lost wand, her magic became immediately stable. He remembers Tav fighting, with purposeful wand movements that looked very much like certain sigils…
Astarion's lilt voice rings out as he brags to Wyll of the day's adventure while the sharp metallic scrape of Lae'zel sharpening her weapons overlays the background conversation. Gale recognizes Tav's greeting and he sighs in relief and returns to unbuttoning his robe's clasps.
"Hey soldier," Karlach's voicerumbles low as she enters his tent and Gale feels Karlach's heat engulf the small area. Gale's heartpounds in fear as Karlach glares at him, looking ready to burn another building down.
"Ah! Good evening, Karlach. What brings you to my little abode?" Gale greets nervously. He hasn't really spoken to Karlach in the short time she's joined them. He thought they had a good rapport however the expression on Karlach's face makes him second guess.
"We need to have a little chat." Karlach begins as she immediately closes in on him. Gale's back hits the tent as he throws his hands up in defense and the heat intensifies. "I don't understand the whole wizard and sorcerer thing and I honestly don't give a fuck. But what I do give a fuck about is when you make my girl cry for no good reason."
"What?!" Gale, confused, is now sweating profusely as Karlach grips Gale by the front of his robes and lifts him off the ground. Gale struggles in her grip as Karlach's touch begins to smolder his enchanted robe.
"I'm talking about your fucking attitude." Karlach growls and, as if remembering her condition, immediately lets Gale go and he collapses to the ground. "What gives you the right to treat the kid like that? To treat one of the kindest souls and talk to them like they're no better than the dirt beneath your feet." Pain is now etched into her face along with anger and Gale, flustered and disheveled, attempts to stand.
"Who are you talking about?" Gale cries out in frustration as he attempts to untangle himself from his robes.
"TAV! You insensitive prick! You know, our fifteen-year-old leader and our moral compass?"
Gale balks at this. "She's fifteen years old?!"
Karlach ignores his question. "She's been having nightmares for the past ten-day Gale. Her world isn't like ours where magic is accepted. Magic is hunted in her world, and she still has nightmares because of it. Andyouare the only one who can help her."
"I… had no idea" Gale shakes his head trying to process.
"No. Of course not, none of us did because we were so wrapped up in our own problems." Karlach takes a deep breath and the flames die down.
"Look, she came to you for guidance and you pushed her away because… she was born with magic? I don't fucking know. All I know is I'll do anything for that kid, but I can't give her what she really needs. Wyll is trying but he's just a Warlock. Shadowheart, Lae'zel, and Astarian just want to manipulate her and I can't even give her a hug because then she'll turn to ash so that leaves you." Karlach takes a deep breath and grips her chest. "She needs help with studying for magic school and I haven't read a book since I was ten."
Gale doesn't say anything right away as he thinks about past conversations. Of course, Tav looked young, but the way she took control of every battle with such confidence, he assumed she was skilled in glamor. But then, does it really matter Gale thinks. He has made a friend distraught by his own actions and words. How severely disappointed his mother would be if she saw him indeed.
He runs his hand through his hair. "Is she really fifteen?"
"Yeah, kinda sad that she's the most mature out of our camp."
"You're not versed in magic are you?"
Gale ruminates on Karlachs words, and he cannot comprehend a world where wizards have to hide themselves and their magic. He also can't comprehend a father punishing his daughter for something she had no control over.
"Oh, I do apologize, I meant to ask, are you studied in magic?"
He remembers first meeting her. The elation he felt of his near-death escape and to look into the eyes of a young woman full of determination and warmth. She smiled brilliantly when he introduced himself as a wizard.
"Namely are you a wizard? Which you are not."
Gale now realizes that she hasn't smiled like that after that conversation, at least not towards him. It's dark now as Gale stands outside of Tav's tent holding a bowl of stew as he listens to the soft, muffled crying coming from within. A soft glow of candle light emits from the slits of the covered tent. Taking a deep breath, he steadies himself and enters.
"Tav?" Gale announces and Tav immediately rushes to dry her puffy red eyes with the sleeve of her robe, and Gale pretends to not notice. The black robe, he observes, once pristine with bright yellow trimming, is nearly tattered and caked in goblin blood.
"Mr. Dekarios." Tav greets distantly and strained as her quill continues to scratch against parchment.
"I noticed you haven't had dinner. I'm not one to toot my proverbial horn but this is one of my best recipes." Gale says.
"I'm not hungry" Tav croaks, refusing to meet Gale's eyes.
Gale's voice is soft as he places her bowl gently beside her, "It's important to eat. Our rations are limited and it will not be long until we will have to rely on bread alone."
"I'm a little busy at the moment. Once I've finished my work for the five uses of fluxweed, I'll be able to attend dinner."
Gale looks over the books Tav has poured out onto her makeshift desk that consisted of several barrels and singed plank of wood, all of which was gathered by Tav's concerningly growing collection of junk. Gale's brow dips in concern as he reads some of the tomes littered about, "Transfiguration Year 1", "Defense Against the Dark Arts for Year 5, "Potions Year 3", and "Herbology Year 5". He stands there awkwardly as he observes Tav. Brunette hair haphazardly tied into a bun with abundant flyaway strands hangs before her sunken eyes. Pale skin that is now flecked with forgotten specks of mud and blood. Gale has no idea how to begin his apology, so he procrastinates.
"Are you…reviewing for a test?" He offers as he continues to read the titles of more tomes and is starting to see a disturbing pattern. Many of the books appear to touch the same four subjects, but with different levels of difficulty.
"Yes. As surprising as it may seem, my kind do take studying seriously." Gale grimaced from Tav's sharp tongue, but she must have noticed because she adds softly, "it's not so much as reviewing as it is catching up."
"I see, I just wanted to…wait, did you say catching up?"
It was at that moment that Tav's tired fingers clumsily bumps into the inkwell, causing it to spill across her parchment. Fury etches into her young features as she slams her "Herbology Year 5" onto the table.
"Yes! Catching up. As you have so generously pointed out to me all week, I have no control of my magic. My magical education is lacking because my magic suddenly decided to make itself known three months ago. Everyone in my class started their magic education on their eleventh birthday while the only academic teachings I was given was how to be a proper wife."
Tav's voice is bellowing now, her eyes wild as points a sharp finger at Gale.
"And in those three months of being a witch, I have been abandoned by my family, attacked by a dragon, hunted by dark wizards and goblins, been called a mudblood and now this!" Tav gestures around them wildly. "I didn't ask for this magic! I didn't ask for any of this." Tav is breathing heavy with watered eyes and she begins to curl into herself.
"I have to learn five years of magic before my O.W.L. exams, which are in five months by the way. And if I don't pass, I won't be accepted into the magical world, and then I'll have nowhere to go. They already don't like me because I'm a muggleborn."
Tav's breathing has diminished to gasping as she sinks to the ground. Gale is instantly at her side and sees the panic attack taking hold. He doesn't understand what a muggleborn is or why being gifted with such magic has brought only pain, but he listens.
"On top of that, I can see ancient magic which no one else can and I still have to pass all the trials. And now..." gasp, "now there's a tadpole in my head" a shorter gasp, "that's going to change me into abloodysquid. And if we do survive, I missed too much school, too much work, it's too much- "
Gale kneels by her side and thinks about what helped him in the darkest times. Gale lets Tav lean against him as he conjures a pure white cat. The cat curiously approaches Tav, placing a paw on her leg. Taking Tav's hand, Gale slowly guides her to stroke the cat.
"It is too much." Gale softly agrees. "It is too much for one person." Gale gently lets Tav's hand go, and Tav's hand automatically buries itself into the soft fur. The cat snuggles into Tav's lap and purrs as Gale visibly sees Tav choke out sobs as she fights to breathe normally. They stay like that for a long while, long after Tav's breathing finally evens out.
"I don't think I should be the leader anymore." She mumbles into the silence.
"Because you vented your burdens that you have been carrying alone? Nonsense." They sit in silence for a moment more until Gale felt Tav sit on the ground properly and gently hugged the cat in both arms. Gale internally berates himself for putting off the apology and clears his throat.
"Tav, I didn't want to just give you dinner tonight. I came to sincerely apologize for my rude behavior and my hurtful words to you." Tav looks at him with watered eyes and Gale continues. "I have been ungrateful to you since our first meeting while you have done nothing but show kindness. For Mystra's sake, you give me your magical items even when I refuse to tell you anything more about my condition. Tav, I was wrong. You are a wizard."
"Then why did you say it?" Tav asks in such a small voice that Gale could feel his chest tear into itself from guilt. It's the first time he's really seen her as a young girl than the leader that fearlessly fought by his side.
"I…" Gale begins but stops. A lot of answers come to mind, but Gale doesn't want to give Tav anything less than the full truth. And there's only one true answer as to why Gale felt the need to put himself above a young girl.
"Because I was jealous." Gale answers, his face flushes in embarrassment. Tav blinks in astonishment.
"Jealous of me? Why?" Tav inquires. "You can do magic without a wand! You know so many spells and you were chosen by a Goddess!" The corners in Gale's mouth twitches slightly into a smile as Tav continues to pile compliments on top of one another.
"Because Tav, you not only have a natural ability to harness not just any spells, but pure magic itself." Gale explains. "In this this world, a sorcerer can simply cast a spell with barely any effort, effects varying depending on their discipline. From my experience, many sorcerers do not care for the discipline. But a wizard is not born with that gift. They must spend years practicing and honing their craft." Understanding dawns on Tav's face.
"Muggles can do magic?!" and seeing the confusion on Gale's face, Tav adds. "Non-magical people."
"It depends on each individual. Anyone can play the flute, but some individuals have a better grasp of the music than others. Does that make sense?" Tav nods, lost in thought.
"Tav, you have a wonderful gift," Gale says sincerely. "And I'm glad you are the one to harness it and don't you dare let me or anyone else tell you otherwise."
Tav shakes her head, "Mr. Dekarios-"
"Gale," Gale corrects and Tav gives a small smile. "and If you're about to say that you're not a wizard, perish that thought. It should not matter whether you are a young woman or what family you were born into. If you don't believe me, think about this. You have prioritized your studying between the horrors of the mind flayers, and battling our way through a goblin encampment. You can't get any more wizard than that."
It starts as a giggle, then as though the absurdity of the situation finally hits, Tav laughs clear and strong. Gale joins in chuckling, brown eyes sparkling in mirth feeling as though a wall finally crumbled down. However, tension crept back into Tav's posture as she glanced back at the mounting piles of books and unfinished essays.
Gale grunts as he rises to his feet, and noticing where Tav's gaze landed, holds a hand out for her. "I think a break is in order. How does the last teaspoon of Waterdeep's finest blend sound?" Tav, sounding relieved and exhausted, takes Gale's hand.
"Tea sounds lovely."
"It sounds as though you were interrupted in your own adventure." Gale muses as Tav sipped from a broken teacup. Tav had just finished explaining about Ranrok and Rookwood's attempt at kidnapping and the trials for ancient magic.
"Out of the frying pan and into the fire" Tav agrees. She looks to Gale. "Do you know anything about being able to see magic."
"To see the pure form of magic is to see Mystra herself" Gale answers. "However, the repositories you are speaking of are concerning." Gale runs a hand through his hair in frustration, "If only we were in my tower."
"There must be a library nearby. I tried looking through the Druid's library but they caught me and sent me away."
"I highly doubt that the druids will have anything in depth about the matter. The closest library would be Balders Gate, the Sorcerous Sundries. They have a pretty impressive collection of rare tomes."
"Could you call on Mystra?" Tav asks hopefully.
Gale's face darkens. "Mystra has not answered my calls for over a year now."
They sit in silence for a moment longer while Gale looks over Tav's essay. Tav almost cried again but in relief when Gale made a gesture and the glob of spilled ink separated from her written words.
"For someone that has only been in academia for three months, this is quite impressive."
"You're only saying that." Tav mutters into her cup.
"No!" Gale ensures. "Its really not that bad. You reasoning is sound, you just need to reorganize your paragraph structure and perhaps practice some grammar. And some work on spelling. Otherwise, nothing that can't be fixed." Tav nods silently.
"Say, why don't I tutor you?" Gale asks with excitement. "I was top of my class, and research is my bread and butter. I can have you caught up and ready for your exams when this madness is finally settled."
Tav smiles to herself, immensely liking this Gale a lot better than brooding Gale. Seeing Gale get excited to read her assignments makes her less anxious about her mountain of academia.
"Would it be too much to ask if you can teach me your wandless magic too?" Tav asks meekly and Gale beams.
"Of course not! Oh, this is exciting. I'll have to borrow your tomes to get a sense of how to create your curriculum. And finding time between being attacked and getting the mind flayer parasite out of us."
Tav finishes her tea and begins to pick away at her dinner. "I don't have the faintest idea of when we'll find the time, but... ok."
"Its settled then!" Gale is all smiles with bright eyes. He stands abruptly as his chair precariously tilts. Looking at Tav, Gale places his right hand over his heart.
"I, Gale of Waterdeep, former chosen of Mystra will be your mentor."
I swear this started out as a two pager but I kept adding more. Thank you for reading, I'm always open to critiques and suggestions on improving my writing skills. And if you're curious, yes, Tav is a Hufflepuff because what house would be better equipped to deal with everyone's crazy baggage.
Edit: Thank you Dekuton! I have made the correction from tombs to tomes!