Your days are spent, learning. While you can't remember anything from your past, you expressed interest in Halsin, and what he did, as a druid. In turn, he takes you on long walks through the forest, and you discuss the trees, the animals, the Oakfather, and life in general. And you realize he is exactly as he appears. A large, gentle, patient man. He teaches you not just about nature, but how to hunt. How to cook. How to survive.

Sometimes you would hear him sing, and sometimes he would tell you stories.

And one night, deep in his cups, he slips and tells you about her. About the woman he loved. How he had been so engrossed in first, the grove, then the shadow blight...that by the time he realized what he meant to her, she had already chosen someone else.

He had carved her a wooden duck, and told her, maybe not in so many words, that she could always come to him. That he would be waiting for her to return.

His Cyllien. His sweetheart.

And as the days and weeks, and months pass, as you watch him, as he brings you to check on groves and communities, and watch him interact with other people, you realize that his kindness to you, was genuine. Whether you were this mysterious woman he pined for, or if you reminded him of her, or you were a stranger in need of help, he would have housed you and helped you, and kept you safe, all the same.

That was simply who he was. He was so open. This was his nature. To love. To protect. To nurture.

From the moment you awoke, till now. Not once had he voiced his feelings or made an attempt at intimacy. He gave you respect, helped you slowly find yourself, even with your memory missing. Helped you grow into a person you liked.

A man walks up to the two of you, calling him "Daddy Halsin," as he did. Halsin chuckles fondly, telling him he was no longer a wee babe, and shouldn't call him that, but you could tell he was pleased. After the man left, Halsin turns to you to say "He was one of the kids I told you about, during the party. Who kept asking for bedtime stories." he says.

"Hmm?" You ask. You don't remember this conversation, and you feel as if he might have let something slip.

Jus as a richly dressed, handsome elf walks towards you both.

"Hello, Darling." He greets Halsin, and you feel a headache coming on. You feel Halsin bristle beside you, willing himself to calm down, as the elf arrives.

"It's been awhile, Astarion." You hear him say, as you fight against the pounding in your head. The elf gives you a cursory glance, but dismisses you, outright, turning his attention to his quarry.

"It was difficult to find you, friend." The elf mentions, idly. "I was wondering if you've heard from my consort, recently."

"She would not have left you, easily. If I read your words correctly." Halsin replies. "Maybe you should respect her wishes and let her go."

"Never." The elf snaps, menacingly. "Understand, druid, that if I find out you have her, that you've kept her from me, I will burn all your forests."

The elf steps closer, graceful as a snake, as it whispers, malevolently. "I will poison all your lakes. I will destroy everyone and everything you hold dear. And I. Will. Enjoy it."

You screw your eyes shut, the pain near unbearable, as you push the elf away.

"Leave." you command. Opening your eyes as you do. How he would dare. "You are no friend of his. And we don't have your wife."

He turns his attention to you, but Halsin steps in front of you, effectively blocking Astarion's gaze.

"As my companion bids." Halsin says, with a finality you've never heard in his voice before.

"My, how sweet. I never thought you'd find someone so devoted." You hear the elf say coyly, voice dripping honey. "I guess she wouldn't like it if she had to share your attentions. I will look for my errant bride, elsewhere."

The elf leaves, and you feel Halsin's body relax.

The walk home is quiet, and you wonder what you could do to get him to talk.

"I loved her." He finally says, as he reaches the door to your room. "I loved her, and he broke her."

You could feel it was all he could do, not to break into tears. He started to breathe heavily.

"She chose him. but he broke her spirit. She was magnificent. She was proud. How could he do it?"

He held your hands, stared into your eyes, asking "How could he do it?"

He wraps his arms around you, into a hug, and you allow him. He holds you tightly. "He wore her down. Year after year. Until she couldn't take it."

He releases you and tells you quietly. "One day. When you fall in love. I hope you can choose a man who cherishes you. Someone who worships the ground you walk on. Someone who will treat you preciously. Because that is what you deserve."

Unable to take the misery and hurt in his words, You reach for his face, and you draw him in.

You press your lips to his, open them, and drink him in.

He starts slowly, reverently, breathing in deep, like a man drowning, trying to stay afloat. You hear a low moan at the back of his throat, as he picks you up, and steps inside your room.

He lays you gently on the bed, and stands. A strange look on his face. A mix of sadness, longing, and shame.

"I shouldn't do this." he says. "We shouldn't do this."

You pull him down to you, and he lets you.

"You're wrong" You tell him, as you kiss him again. "It is natural for you to want comfort."

You slowly remove his tunic and run your hands across his chest. "It's natural to comfort someone I care about."

You meet his gaze as it burns into yours, each word you speak, an encouragement.

"As druids, are we not an extension of nature itself?"

You feel the skin against your palm ripple...as fur slowly grows, his body shimmering, until you are face to face with a bear.

It shimmers quickly back into a man, and he smiles at you sheepishly.

"I apologize" he murmurs. "Sometimes, when I'm a little...overexcited, this happens."

You kiss him. Kiss him deep, and he touches you, exploring every inch, with his hands, his mouth, and you shatter, under his attentions.

Over and over. And when he loses control again, turns into a bear and moves away, you pull him closer.

"I want all of you." You say simply.

And that is exactly what he gives you.