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A hackney carriage rumbled along Wyrm's Crossing beneath a silvery gray sky. The horses' hooves rhythmically clip-clopped on the rough cobble stones, accompanied by the creaking and clattering of the wooden carriage as it kept it's steady pace to Twin Songs. It continued around the Dusthawk Hill through Sow's Foot, Whitkeep, Norchapel and Stonyeyes till reaching the Basilisk Gate where it finally stopped at the checkpoint.
The coachman showed his papers to a half-orc guardsman wearing the Flaming Fist livery, and without much more than a few passing words, was allowed to go on his way through to the Lower City of Baldur's Gate.
"Merry Midwinter!" the half-orc called after them, before going to stand closer to a small fire pit where a few other Flaming Fist attempted to stay warm in the brisk winter air.
The streets were noisy with the daily life of Baldur's Gate. Merchants moved wares to and fro, young boys and girls hawked the Baldur's Mouth on the street corners, and folks gathered to gossip or discuss politics and business. From here and there could be heard the calls of "Merry Midwinter!" in parting and greeting.
While life in the city had continued after The Absolute had attempted to destroy it and convert the world into mind flayers, there were still signs of the reconstruction. Repairs on some structures showed like scars and new buildings that hadn't existed long enough to gain the same wear and tear as those around them stood out from their neighbors. Still, there were the familiar buildings like the Elfsong Tavern, Sorcerous Sundries, and the Blushing Mermaid… landmarks that seemed to keep standing regardless of the many tragedies that befell Baldur's Gate.
The carriage trundled past all of this till it finally came to a rolling stop with a low groaning creak. The coachman and footman immediately hopped off their perch to remove a large trunk and some bags from the back.
The side door of the hackney opened and Tav took a moment before stepping out. The winter breeze brushed her long, black curling hair against her lightly freckled cheek as he took in the familiar sight of the city. Around her, people were bustling about, puffs of breath trailing after them. No one took much notice of the elf or gave her a second glance.
She stepped down to the street with a sigh.
Twenty five years after defeating the the Netherbrain, Tav Ellwithen was just another face arriving in Baldur's Gate.
"O'Si?"
At the small voice, Tav turned back towards the carriage and smiled as she extended her arms, "Har tel'quiet quor, Avaewynlean." Her arms were immediately filled with a small giggling little boy. She hugged him tightly before settling him on her hip, "You're growing up so fast, soon you'll be carrying me!'
The boy giggled again, "Noooo!"
"No? You sure? You're not going to grow up to be a big strong elf?"
"M'gonna be a bear, O'Si!" He flung his arms up, "Roar!"
"So fierce! Just like your avar!"
The coachman walked up with Tav's bags while the footman set her trunk beside her. She quickly paid them the coins she owed before one handedly juggling her coin purse and her belongings so she could have a free hand to drag her trunk behind her. When she could manage that while keeping her son balanced on her hip safely, she checked on him.
Avaewyn was gazing at the buildings, people, and streets around them with wide eyes. It was his first time ever in the city — Really, his first time ever being outside of Reithwin and the surrounding forest.
He suddenly seemed so tiny in her arms.
Not for the first time, Tav wondered if this was a good idea.
A wind blew across her face and she shivered, despite the warm fur cloak and layers she was wearing. It was best to get inside and out of the cold. Feeling a bit like a pack mule, she dragged her trunk behind her towards the charming and rustic building in front of her. The white oak sign above read: Honey Moon Bakery.
Upon opening the door, she was embraced with the aromatic warmth of spices and sugar. A central hearth and small lamps illuminated the interior in soft amber that reflected off of the glass display cases filled with cookies, pastries and other confections. Fresh pine boughs graced the walls, accented with ribbons of silver and gold, and small silver bells hung from the beamed ceiling in readiness for the season. The crackle of the fire blended with the chatter of the patrons sitting at the few tables set by the large leaded front windows, eating their buttery treats while sipping hot steaming mugs of cider or chocolate.
Tav sighed at the familiarity of it before carefully setting Avaewyn onto his feet beside her. The little boy's eyes were even wider now, though mostly focused on the display cases that appeared to be beckoning to him.
"Tav!" A raven haired older elf came around the counter to pull her into a hug.
She laughed as she returned the embrace, though it was awkward with her heavy travel bags still hanging on her shoulders, "Uncle Farric, so good to finally see you again!"
The man stepped back to look her over, his expression shifting with some concern, "You must be exhausted."
"I'm fine." She waved off his worry as her attention was drawn by a frantic pulling at her cloak. Her son was clearly anxious, so she immediately knelt by his side, "What is it 'Wyn?"
"O'Si, where's Fluffles?"
Tav looked around at their belongings, "Oh, um. I'm sure he's here." She let the bags slip off her arms to the floor as she began opening them.
"Fluffles?" Farric asked, confused as he too looked about, though he had no idea what they were looking for.
"O'Si!" Avaewyn's eyes were filling with tears as he watched his mother searching.
"We'll find him, he's here," She assured, digging through their things and getting more frantic the longer she couldn't find it. "You had him the whole time we were in the carriage—" Oh gods. The carriage! "'Wyn, stay here!"
Without another word she rushed out the door.
Narrowly avoiding bumping into someone, Tav stumbled past them to see the carriage already rolling down the street
"Wait!" She cried out before breaking into a run. She continued calling out and waving her arms in the air, hoping, by some blessing of the gods, that they would hear her or catch sight of her. People got out of her way, staring at the strange behavior, but the elf didn't care.
When the carriage paused to turn down a road, Tav slid to a stop beside it and banged on the side. The coachman halted the horses and turned in annoyance, obviously about to yell when he recognized her.
Before he could even ask what the problem was, Tav, out of breath, spurted out, "Welefttheduckinside!" At the coachman's confused expression, she tried again, panting, "We… left… his duck…. inside… the carriage!"
The footman was kind enough to retrieve the item from the passenger seat and hand it to her while she gratefully thanked him and the coachman. When the carriage lurched off on its way again, Tav hugged the chubby, lovingly carved and well-loved wooden duck to her chest, whispering "Thank you…" softly. It was Avaewyn's most treasured item and if they lost it, she had no idea what they'd do.
"Tav…?"
The elf turned to see someone in a hooded cloak a few feet away, but she immediately recognized them. There was no mistaking those noble elven features for anyone else. "Astarion!"
His ruby eyes softened in wonder, "It is you…" His gaze traveled over her as if he was still unsure if she was real or a figment of his imagination. "I…" He shook his head slightly, then graced her with a charming smile, "What a pleasant surprise."
"Oh, well—" She gasped in realization, "The sun! What are you doing out!?" Tav rushed forward to do… what? She didn't know — Cover him? Pull him into the shadows?
He chuckled and held up his hands to assure her, "Perhaps one of the few benefits of winter is that the sun spends many a day behind the clouds. And this," he gestured to the hood of the black velvet cloak that covered his head, "helps."
"I see… but isn't that dangerous?" Her pale blue eyes darted up to the clouds, as if the sun was about to break through any moment.
Astarion sighed, "While I've come to terms with living my life in the shadows, it is nice to venture out of them from time to time… Besides," He leaned forward a bit as if sharing a secret, "what's life without a little danger, darling."
Tav felt a familiar pleasant shiver at the term of endearment... Along with a sudden bunch of feelings she didn't quite know what to do with.
"So, you've returned to the city then? When did you get back? I didn't know—I mean, I hadn't heard…"
"Today. Just now, actually." She gave a slight shrug as she shifted from foot to foot, "I didn't really tell anyone," then quickly added, "Not that I was keeping it a secret or anything! It was just… sort of a last minute decision." The elf bit her lip, not sure what more to say. Not sure what she wanted to say. Why was seeing him so awkward?
Astarion hadn't changed at all since she last saw him , standing there in the pale winter light — untouched by the passing of time and memory. The blessing and curse of being a vampire.
"Tav, I wanted…" He paused as if considering his words before speaking again, "I wanted to say how sorry…"
Nerves made her tighten her grip on the duck and everything came flooding back to her — what she had been doing in the first place before Astarion had appeared, "I should get back!"
The vampire's eyes widened slightly at the interruption, but he recovered and gestured for her to continue on her way, "Of course, please, don't let me keep you."
Tav was about to leave, but stopped and gazed back at him, "I… It— It's good to see you," she managed with a earnest smile, before turning had hurrying back towards the bakery, not daring to look back. Her stomach was in knots with emotions she hadn't been prepared for at all, but Avaewyn was waiting and that was who she had to focus on… her son… Not an old friend she hadn't seen in 25 years.
Entering the bakery, Tav saw Avaewyn sitting on the counter, sniffling with dried tear tracks on his cheeks while he nibbled on what appeared to be a sugar cookie. Her Uncle Farric stood beside him, assuring the little boy his mother would return soon. A red headed elven woman came up to the counter with a plate of more cookies, her face a mask of worry.
Upon spotting Tav approaching with the duck in hand, Avaewyn's face brightened, "Fluffles!" he set the cookie aside and held his tiny hands out for the wooden animal, which his mother relinquished to him. "O'Si, you finded him!" He hugged the duck to his chest.
"Luckily the carriage hadn't gotten too far…" Tav brushed some cookie crumbs from her son's chin, "but looks like you had some good company."
"Sugar cookies are good distractions," the red haired woman said as she set the plate on the counter, "C'mere child, let me give you a proper greeting." She then engulfed Tav in a tight hug, rocking her back and forth a bit.
"It's good to see you, Aunt Ennala."
The woman, Ennala, pulled back tutting, "You're too thin, my girl!" She lifted the plate of cookies and presented them to Tav, "Here, eat something!"
With a chuckle, Tav took the plate and set it back on the counter, "I'm fine…"
"Don't start fussing Enny… The poor girl hasn't even taken her cloak off yet." Farric chuckled as he helped Tav out of her cloak, "I brought your trunk and bags to your room upstairs."
"Oh, you didn't…" she sighed, "Thank you, Uncle Farric…" As he carried her cloak to the coat rack by the door, Tav turned to her Aunt, "So, I guess you've already met Avaewyn… I hope he wasn't too much too handle."
"This little one?" She ruffled the boy's dark hair as he pretended to have the duck eat some cookie. "Not at all… Now, you must be hungry and tired… both of you. It's time to close the bakery for the day, so why don't we go upstairs and I'll make us some dinner."
"That sounds perfect."
********************
Dinner had been simple, but filling and warm — just what Tav needed after days of travel in the cold. Over their meal, she told her Uncle and Aunt about the goings-on in the formerly Shadow-Cursed lands that were now healing and recovering from a near century of living death, while they filled her in on gossip and general news from around the city.
After Avaewyn couldn't stop yawning, Tav decided it was time to put him to bed.
He only grumbled a little bit before he allowed himself to be carried to the room Farric and Ennala had made up for them. She wasn't sure exactly how long they would stay there and she had no plans in place yet, so it would serve perfectly for now.
Avaewyn was practically asleep and mostly dead weight as she dressed him for bed, his hands clutching his duck. She tucked him in and kissed his forehead before he snuggled down into the blankets. Her pale blue eyes traced over his features, again wondering if this move had all been a mistake. "Please forgive me if this was the wrong decision, 'Wyn," she whispered before going back to the common area where her Uncle and Aunt were still sitting at the dining table.
Ennala gestured to a mug that had tendrils of steam lazily curling up from the surface of the dark liquid inside.
Tav sat down and wrapped her hands around the mug, enjoying the warmth that seeped through her palms before she took a careful sip. "Mm-mm… Spiced tea. My favorite." She sighed happily.
They drank their tea in silence and Tav took a moment to enjoy the peace as she looked over her relatives. Farric and Ennala were around 500 years old, but didn't look that much older than Tav who was nearing 200 now. Both were attractive in the way of elves, with their features more refined with age — Farric with his narrow features, black hair and dark blue eyes and Ennala's long flowing red tresses and eyes of honey gold.
Neither were blessed with children, so when Tav's parents passed away, they took her in for a time. It was when Tav had left to follow her path as a cleric that they decided to travel and eventually found themselves in Baldur's Gate. The Honey Moon Bakery came later, when they noticed there were few traditional elven baked goods sold in the city… And it was here they continued to live, quite happy in their little community.
"Thank you for allowing us to stay here with you. I'm not really sure how long it will be, but I'll try not to get in the way. And I'll keep 'Wyn from—"
"Don't be silly," Farric assured. "You're welcome here for as long as you want and need. Both you and 'Wyn."
"I don't want to be an inconvenience."
"You won't. Besides, if you would like, we can use the help in the bakery for the holiday."
"Oh? That's great! I mean… it's been so long since I've baked, but I would love to help out."
"Did you not do any baking when—" Ennala caught herself, "When you lived in Reithwin?"
Tav shook her head, "There was so much else to do… settling the refugees… helping with all the orphaned children… building homes… rebuilding things. Even with things more settled now… it's much more communal. Any time I set foot in a kitchen to help I was brushed out the door with everyone saying I had more important things to do than cook… and well after…" She closed her eyes as the soft pain passed through her.
Ennala pat her hand, "You don't have to talk about it, child…"
"It's okay… I don't want to pretend it didn't happen." She sipped her tea to give herself time to gather her thoughts. "After Halsin was killed, everyone was so worried about me doing too much or doing anything really… I don't think they understood that I really needed to be doing something… anything… instead of just feeling the hollow spot inside where he used to be." Her eyes were drawn to the door to her room, "I'm thankful I had 'Wyn… he gave me something to focus on."
"He is adorable," Ennala chuckled.
Tav smiled in agreement, "Sometimes when I look at him, his mannerisms… his expressions are so like Halsin's…"
"He has his father's eyes for sure." Ennala chuckled, "Wonder if he'll get his father's height too!"
"Well, he is pretty determined to grow up into a bear… so we'll have to wait and see."
**********
Later that night Tav lay in bed staring blankly at the beams of the roof, sleep eluding her even though she felt weary to the bone. Beside her, Avaewyn slept, tiny snores slipping from his open mouth, his dark hair half covering his face.
He'd handled the days of travel with about as much grace as a 4 1/2 year old was able to, being more enthralled with the adventure of it all, than the jarring rocking of the carriage, the tasteless hardtack, and lugging around everything you own.
It had been a difficult choice to leave Reithwin, but she hoped it was the right one.
She didn't worry about the community itself — they'd be fine without her. It was running itself and no longer in need of one of the "Adversaries of the Absolute" to help them get on their feet. Besides, every day being there was a reminder of what Halsin had worked to build, which was a community living in balance with nature, and that he was no longer there to see it.
Getting an invitation from her Uncle and Aunt to visit them in Baldur's Gate had been sort of like the opening of a door… an opportunity to begin again. Tav asked if she could actually stay with them as she tried to sort out her new life… and not be in a place where everything reminded her of what she lost…
"It will take a tenday to get there… and then a tenday back. You'll barely notice I'm gone."
Tav huffed and crossed her arms, "Halsin, I don't think you have properly considered the amount of space you take up. Of course I'll notice you're gone!"
Halsin laughed, "Fair point, my love…" He scratched the back of his neck, "But it has been a long time since I have been back to the Grove… I owe them a visit after all this time… After leaving so abruptly to… well…"
"…Follow a bunch of tadpole infected weirdos into the Shadow-Cursed lands and beyond?" Tav finished with a smirk.
"I would not have phrased it that way, but… yes." His expression grew a little more serious, "And while seeing some old friends will be nice, you know I also wish to pick up some medicinal herbs that we can cultivate here to help make us more self sufficient. While I don't mind trading for things we need for the community, it's better if we can sustain ourselves as much as possible."
The wailing of a baby interrupted their conversation.
Tav went over to the hand carved crib Halsin had lovingly made and lifted Avaewyn up into her arms, cooing at him softly.
"I should go while the plants are still optimal for getting cuttings… and before winter makes travel impossible."
"Couldn't you wait… I don't know, another year?" she asked feeling desperate to keep him by her side, though she didn't know why. They were never clingy or needy with each other, no matter that they loved each other.
"I've put it off for a long time now… I had always intended to visit once the Absolute was defeated, but then there were all refugee children in need…" he gazed out the window of their small home, which was actually inside a massive tree that had been wood shaped by druids who had joined the community. "Then we were building things here, growing, healing… there never seemed to be a good time to return. And then…" His green eyes landed on their baby who was settling down and back to sleep.
"I was pregnant."
"I certainly couldn't leave while you carried our child."
She rocked their son back and forth and nodded, accepting that when Halsin had set his mind to something, it was difficult to talk him out of it. For all his patience and wisdom, he could be very stubborn.
Halsin crossed the room to wrap his arms around them both. "I will not be gone a second longer than need be. I can't. My home is here," his fingers brushed over Avaewyn's tiny cheek, "And here," he lifted his hand to cup Tav's face before leaning in to kiss her forehead.
Tav wiped her face of tears trying to shake her mind of the memory. She had always thought that the worst day of her life had been waking up on the Nautiloid and having her entire world turned upside down… It had been replaced by the day that Rath, his expression pale and drawn, came riding up in a wagon that carried Halsin's body covered in a beautifully woven blanket…
After everything they had been through… and there it all ended…
Of course, that's when Astarion's face floated to the forefront.
Seeing him again was something she hadn't prepared for at all.
It shouldn't have been a surprise — she knew he lived in the city. She just hadn't expected to run into him like that — during the day of all things. Gods above and below… It wasn't right that he still looked so perfectly handsome with his pale skin, sharp jaw and those smile lines… 25 years and he looked exactly the same.
And still stirred something in her heart she wasn't sure she was ready to feel again.
In the common room, Farric and Ennala were cleaning up the last items of dinner. Ennala put the final plate away and turned to her husband, "We should have told her, Farric."
"She just got here, Enny. She's exhausted and it's the last thing she needs to be worrying about."
"We can't keep this from her." Ennala walked over and wrapped her arms around her husband.
Farric nodded and kissed the top of her head, "I know… We'll tell her in the morning. Let her at least have the night in peace."
********************
The dawn's sun had just broken through the sky when Tav was in the bakery helping prepare pastries with her Aunt. It was the best time to get baking done before the morning customers, eager for something to start their day with, came into the shop.
The air was filled with the yeasty aroma of baking and the scent of cinnamon and cloves as Tav worked on carefully braiding the dough into the right shape on the large wood tabletop in the center of the baking space.
Farric came down the stairs and took a deep breath before grinning, "That smells delicious! What is it?"
"Tav's making Endevver's Reveltongue!" Ennala said as she slid a wood peel into the large clay and brick oven to slide out a tray that had neat rows of round rolls twisted with cinnamon and glazed with melted sugar. She set the tray on the cooling rack where there were other trays of delicious sweet breads and buns.
"Reveltongue? I haven't had that since… well, I can't remember the last time I had it."
"Probably the last time Tav was here which was too long ago." Ennala chuckled as she carried a cooled tray of Elven seedcakes to the front of the bakery to set in the display case.
Avaewyn was sitting on a high stool that allowed him to sit not far from his mother as he played with Fluffles and switched between eating marruth, a savory hand pastry, and feeding it to the wooden duck. Tav, her dark curling locks pulled up and away from her face, sleeves rolled up, and wearing an apron, lost herself in the process of the mixing dough, kneading it, rolling it out, measuring the spices and sugar, and forming the shapes. There were no questions or worries or wondering… just measurements and the ingredients and things happening in their proper time.
It wasn't till the bells at the front of the bakery rang that she felt like she woke up from a dream. The results of all her hard work filled the display cases at the front and customers were coming in and commenting on how wonderful the new pastries looked. Hours passed in baking and selling, conversation and laughter. It was just what Tav needed.
When the morning rush was done, Tav plopped down on a stool and sighed happily. She rested her chin in her hand as she watched Avaewyn using a charcoal stick to draw on some brown paper, black lines forming bears and ducks having adventures together.
"What's that bear doing?" She asked, pointing to what appeared to be a bear upside down.
"'S updown 'cause he flipped!"
"Oh my!" Tav grinned, "That's a very talented bear."
"Yeah! An' he can eat all da monsters!"
"He's very brave!"
"An' he's friends w'all the animals."
Ennala stood nearby, watching them for a moment before clearing her throat, "Tav? Could… Farric and I speak to you?" She gestured they go to the front of the bakery.
Tav was a little curious as to the expression on her Aunt's face, but nodded. She kissed the top of her son's head, "I'll be back to hear more about the bear, okay? I'm just going upfront."
"Kay," The little boy set his attention back to the very serious business of drawing.
Wiping her hands on her apron, she joined her Aunt and Uncle at a table at the front of bakery. There weren't any other customers at the time, so they had some privacy. Through the leaded glass of the windows, people could be seen passing by, all busy with their day under the cloudy skies.
"What's going on?" Tav asked as she sat down, pulling the tie out of her hair so her raven hair fell about her shoulders.
Farric glanced as his wife before he began speaking, "Tav, you know we're so happy to have you here with us…"
She straightened her back, "Oh, I can find a room at the Elfsong—"
"No, no…" He clasped her hand, "That's not it… Just let me finish…" He used his other hand to scrub his forehead before continuing, "We're happy to have you here with us… And when we extended the invitation, it was in earnest. I just want to say that first."
"Did something happen?" Tav looked from one to the other.
He sighed, "As you know… we own the Honey Moon… the building I mean. The land it's on is owned… well, was owned… by Nordan Rillyn. A good man," Farric averred, " who, like his father and his grandfather before him, we had an agreement with. The rights to the land were passed down from parent to child and we paid rent for use of the land." Tav nodded that she understood so he continued, "Well, Nordan recently passed away…"
"I'm so sorry…"
"Humans, even the longest living ones, have short lifespans… unfortunately… And Nordan didn't have any children."
Tav immediately picked up on the issue, "So what happened to the land?"
"It got passed to his niece and nephew," Ennala answered, "Erin and Nire."
"And that's… bad?"
"It wouldn't be such a big deal except Nordan had said he was leaving the land to us," Farric shook his head, "said he found out that the way his family got this land wasn't above board and there had been enough of a tarnish on the Rillyn name among the Patriars… But apparently his will gives the rights of the land to the twins… And he has the right to do that—"
"Here." Ennala interrupted as she slid some papers across the table.
Tav took them and started reading. As she did so, her stomach dropped.
Effectively after Midwinter, the building was going to be torn down, unless the Ellwithens could pay to buy the land outright from the Rillyns. She kept reading and nearly choked. "Is this asking price real?"
Farric nodded, not hiding the dismay on his face.
"But there's no way anyone outside of a noble could have that type of gold to pay! The property can't be worth that much?" She looked at them despondently, "…can it?"
"Apparently it can…" Farric leaned back in his chair, crestfallen, "I'm sure you can understand that your Aunt and I… we don't have that kind of money. Business is good and we're comfortable… but we just… we never thought…" The man was teary eyed as his blue eyes met Tav's, "I'm so sorry… You were already on your way when he got the letter…"
She dropped the papers and took her Uncle and Aunt's hands in hers on the table, "No, you didn't do anything wrong. You have nothing to apologize for!" Tav squeezed their hands as her mind raced. "I love you… and… and we'll figure this out."
********************
Tav had no idea how to figure it out. She wasn't someone who knew about contracts or legal matters. She certainly didn't know anything about dealing with Patriars.
What she did know was that she had to try and do something.
"You know there's nothing I'd rather do than help you, but… my hands are tied." Wyll said with real regret in his voice. "If the Rillyns own the land, then they are free to do with it as they wish."
They were in the well appointed sitting room of Duke Ulder Ravengard's home, drinking mulled wine by the fireplace. It was quiet with the sounds of the city dulled by the walls and windows.
Initially, Tav had planned to speak to Ulder himself for advice, but was very happy to see her old friend and companion, Wyll, was visiting for Midwinter. After hugs and catching up, she had laid out the problem her Uncle and Aunt were facing with the bakery.
"But my Uncle and Aunt have owned the bakery for almost a century… surely there has to be some sort of, I don't know… grandfather clause or something?"
The man's expression said it all and Tav fell back into the soft cushions of her chair in dismay. Wyll was the only person she knew who had any connection to nobility and she had hoped he might know something she didn't.
She looked over at her friend, no longer the young adventurer, but still the Blade of Avernus. There was some gray in his beard and more lines around his eyes, but he retained his dashing good looks that couldn't even be dimmed by the two curving horns the cambion, Mizora, had cursed him with.
"I could see if my father could perhaps use his name to step in?" he offered.
"No… It's probably for the best he not get into a situation with the Patriars for interfering. I was just hoping there was some loophole or something that could just make this go away."
"There never seems to be a simple solution to problems in Baldur's Gate, does there?" Wyll chuckled ruefully.
"So goes it for the Adversaries of the Absolute…" She sighed. "You're still quite the hero though, Wyll. Traveling to Avernus and fighting devils and demons to keep the people safe."
"True, though I have to admit, I'm definitely not as spry as I used to be. If I don't stretch, I'll put my back out if I sneeze too hard."
She couldn't help the laughter exploded from her, "How does it feel to be the age Gale was when we got tadpoles in our heads?"
Wyll wrinkled his nose, "Let's just say, I definitely feel bad for teasing him when he would complain about this knees." He sighed deeply, "I do envy you for your elf-blood… You look exactly the same as the day I saw you fighting goblins before the gates of the Emerald Grove."
"You haven't changed all that much, Wyll."
"You flatter me."
"No! You look very distinguished!"
He appeared a little bashful, "You always were kind… I only wish I could return the kindness. I'm just not well-versed enough in the law—" Wyll frowned thoughtfully as if something had just occurred to him.
"What? What is it?"
"I may know someone who could help you," he held up a hand as she sat up eagerly, "but I don't want to speak for them in this. Let me talk to them first and ask if they might offer some advice. I can't promise anything on their behalf and I don't want to get your hopes up."
"Any help is better than no help. Really."
He nodded, "I'll reach out to them and if they can help, I'll send them over to the bakery this evening."
Tav was across the room and hugging her old friend, "Thank you, Wyll!"
He hugged her back, "Don't thank me yet… They haven't agreed!"
"Doesn't matter. It's something!" She said as she stood up. Her eyes caught the changing light in the window, "Oh, I should be getting back to the bakery!" She swept up her cloak, "Thank you so much, Wyll!" She kissed his cheek and then hurried out the door. "And tell Karlach I'm sorry I missed her!"
********************
Tav was sitting at one of the tables re-reading the papers from the Rillyn twins — hoping there was something she missed on her first reading that would suddenly pop out and give her a solution, but all it was doing was giving her a headache. While she knew Farric and Ennala weren't expecting her to fix things, Tav owed them so much for taking her in after the death of her parents.
And yes, there was a selfish part of her that worried about what she was going to do if the Honey Moon closed. Where would she and her son go? She hadn't had enough time to even think of next steps. Possibly she could stay at the Elfsong for a bit till she got on her feet, but then what? Would she have to return to Reithwin?
The jingle of the front door caused her to sigh. She didn't even bother to look up this time, "Sorry, we're closing up soon…"
"Well then, it appears I arrived just in time."
Tav shot to her feet and turned, "Astarion, what are you doing here?"
"I'd heard this was the best place to get the most scrumptious treats." His gaze traveled over the display cases before resting solidly on Tav, "And it appears they weren't wrong." His lips softened into a smile that was both impish and charming.
She couldn't help the warmth that spread on her cheeks and she knew they were probably pink if not full red! Cursing her pale skin for not being able to hide her reaction she cleared her throat and folded the papers, "You don't eat."
Astarion sighed dramatically, "True… Everything just tastes like ash on my tongue. Such a shame… Still, my sense of smell works quite well and it does smell delicious in here." He pulled his hood back so it fell about his shoulders, before running his fingers through his silver locks.
In the golden light of the lamps, Astarion appeared to glow and Tav felt her cheeks redden again. She quickly looked away and walked over to the counter to put the papers there, "Not that I'm complaining, but… what brings you here?"
Instead of answering right away, he walked around the bakery, taking in the Midwinter decorations and the decor, "Did Wyll not mention he was going to ask me to see if I could help you out with your little…" He twirled his hand, "demolition problem?" His turned back to her and raised a brow.
"You? You're the person he was talking about?"
"Darling," he set his hand on his chest, "I was a magistrate."
Tav blinked. That was true. But that was also before he had been turned by Cazador. "That was over 200 years ago… The laws have changed since then."
He snorted, "The laws may have changed, but the language is the same."
The back door to the bakery opened followed by the sound of little feet on wood rapidly approaching. Tav turned just in time to prepare to catch her little boy as he leapt into her arms and began excitedly talking, "O'Si! Uncle took me t'the market! An' we saw lotsa stuff! So many people! There was music and dancin' an' dogs an' the dogs was dancing! An' m'not 'posed t'say but we gots candy!"
"Oh, you did, did you?" Tav lifted a brow in judgment at her Uncle who was just coming to join them.
"Well, only a little bit of candy…" Farric admitted a bit bashfully before saying, "Let's… not tell Auntie."
"Kay!" Avaewyn then spotted Astarion and pulled closer to his mother at the sight of the stranger.
Astarion, for his part was staring in wonder at the little boy. Tav realized this was actually the first time Astarion had ever seen her son and it was probably a little strange. She turned to face the vampire and gently bounced Avaewyn as she rubbed his back to silently let him know everything was okay.
"Avaewyn, this is my very good friend, Astarion. He helped me and your avar a long time ago defeat the big mean monster that tried to make everyone a slave."
"The Abalute?"
Tav nodded and chuckled, "Absolute. Yes… He's a hero like O'Su."
The child turned and studied Astarion, his little brows furrowing over eyes the same color as his father's. "Are you a snow prince?"
Astarion seemed to break from whatever trance he was in while staring at the child, his eyes widening slightly as he asked, "A what?"
Avaewyn tilted his head slightly, "Snow prince, like in the stories O'Si tol' me."
"Well, I've been called worse, but no," he chuckled, "Lovely to meet you Avaewyn. Truly…"
Tav wasn't sure why, but she felt relief that this meeting was going well between Astarion and her son… "Uncle Farric, this is Astarion Ancunín. Astarion, my Uncle Farric Ellwithen. He and my Aunt Ennala own the bakery, and they've been kind enough to let me stay here while I get settled back in Baldur's Gate."
Farric reached out his hand in greeting, which Astarion took, "It's a pleasure, son. Read about you and your deeds against the mind flayers. Thank you."
The vampire spawn seemed a little surprised at the welcome from the older elf, but smiled, "The pleasure is mine."
"Are you here to catch up with Tav? I'm sure it's been a while since you've seen each other."
"Actually I'm here to—"
"Take me to the Midwinter Market!" Tav cut in. "He came to take me to the market so we could talk and catch up."
"Oh, well that's wonderful!" Farric reached over to take Avaewyn from his mother's arms. "Weather isn't too cold tonight, so it'll be perfect. You worked hard today Tav and it'll do you good to go out and have fun."
"Um… are you sure?"
"Yeah… We'll get this little bear his dinner and maybe he can help us make some Midwinter decorations for upstairs. How does that sound 'Wyn?"
"Okay!"
"If… you're sure?" Tav suddenly felt like this was all going very fast… But why? Was she nervous about being alone with Astarion? Why was she nervous about being alone with him?
"Go on you two! Have fun!" Farric began shooing her out the front door.
She looked at Astarion who had an amused expression on his face, "Yes, let's go have… fun."
The next thing Tav knew, she was standing outside, holding her winter cloak and staring at the closed door to the bakery with Astarion beside her.
"Was there a reason you didn't want me to tell your uncle that I'm supposed to be helping you with the bakery?"
Tav took a deep breath and turned to him, "I don't want to get their hopes up. They don't even know that I asked Wyll about it." She shivered in the cold and Astarion drew closer as he took the cloak from her hands to wrap it around her shoulders. His fingers nimbly hooked the clasp before he adjusted the fur-lined material around her body.
Her blue eyes lifted to meet his crimson ones and she could feel something she hadn't felt in a long time. Not since Halsin.
Halsin…
Tav stepped back.
Astarion did the same, clearing his throat. "So… regarding the bakery. Wyll told me that the Rillyn twins were given the land in a will?"
"That's what the letter states, but I haven't seen it. And I don't think the Rillyns will just let me see it."
"They don't have to. A will is a legal document. And in Baldur's Gate, all legal documents that transfer ownership of property are required to have a copy in the same place… The High Hall."
********************
Tav stared at the fine calligraphy that neatly danced across the parchment. She'd already read it a few times, but it all appeared to say the same thing over and over again: Nordan Rillyn had given the property upon which the Honey Moon Bakery was built, to his niece and nephew.
She leaned back in the finely made wooden chair and stared up at the coffer ceiling of the small private meeting chamber Astarion had procured for them. It was a quiet space with shelves of books lining the walls, a thick rug upon the floor, and the air scented with paper and ink.
The last time Tav had been in High Hall, it was nearly destroyed — though at the time, she had been more focused on reaching the brain stem of the Netherbrain than the loss of the grand keep. It had been the first thing rebuilt in Baldur's Gate since it had served as such a focal point — being a venue for the city's courts, official record-keepers and other governmental activities and businesses. After High Hall had been restored, there had been a grand celebration in the redone fest-hall for the entire city to attend.
Tav and Halsin been invited to the celebration as heroes, but she had no desire to attend. In truth, she had nightmares about that last battle… about all of it really — the last thing she wanted was to have a party for a building when so many were dead.
Her eyes drifted across the polished wood table to where Astarion was sitting opposite her, pouring over the papers.
His locks appeared to shimmer and his eyes nearly glowed in the candlelight. His long fingers traced over words before turning pages and she found herself fascinated by the simple action of it. She remembered how so much of what he used to do was… so practiced and carefully planned… It was almost strange to see him just… being.
When they'd first met, during those harried and hurried days after the Nautiloid crashed… he had suggested "a night of passion" and she accepted. After all… why not? Who knew what was to come? What was going to happen? How much time would be left?
There were meant to be no strings or commitments (how could there be with their future so unsure?), but Tav grew to care about him…
Then she learned more about Astarion — his past, his master Cazador and all that he suffered… When he confessed to developing feelings for her, Tav suggested that they become friends — something he seemed to need more than a lover. At the time, she didn't know if they would even survive the Absolute, but if they did, perhaps they could have become something more…
But then there was Halsin…
Now Halsin was gone… and Astarion was here…
She shook her head. Astarion was here, but that didn't mean anything. He had a life here. A life in Baldur's Gate and just because she was there, didn't mean it would include her. He was helping her as a favor for a friend, and it was best she remembered that!
The elf rose from her chair and walked over towards the window before stretching out her body. The cushion helped, but few chairs stayed comfortable if you sat in them for hours.
When she turned back to the table, she found Astarion's attention was on her, "Anything?"
He set the papers on the table, "I'm afraid not."
"I'm sorry…"
His brows rose, "Why are you sorry?"
"You've been looking at this stuff for hours. I wasted your time."
"Don't be silly, you've done nothing of the sort!" He frowned down at the parchment, "I wish I could have found something, but it all appears to be in order…"
Tav tried not to feel defeated, "Maybe I can go speak to the twins tomorrow… Convince them to change their minds."
"I… don't think that would be a successful endeavor."
"Why not?"
Astarion leaned back in his chair, "There are no current plans listed for the property. No buildings set to replace the demolished bakery." He gestured towards the will, "I had thought that if there were permits of some sort, I could see what they want to use the land for so badly that they'd have the Honey Moon cleared in such a short amount of time. But there's nothing. It would just be an empty lot."
"What does that mean?"
His jaw clenched, "I suspect the knocking down of the bakery has nothing to do with the land… I… think it has to do with you."
"Me? What did I do?"
He looked down for a moment, "I'm afraid it has to do with what you did for me…" The vampire's expression shifted as if he tasted something sour, "When you helped free me from Cazador."
Tav went back to her chair and sat down, quiet and patient as she waited for him to continue. She was well aware that Cazador was a painful subject for Astarion and didn't want to rush him when it came to talking about that bastard.
"Erin and Nire's Rillyn's father was Duver Rillyn," Astarion sighed. "Duver was afflicted with lycanthropy and became enthralled by Cazador to be in his service. He, along with all the other werewolves and beasts inside Szarr Palace, were killed when we raided it to free me from Cazador."
She fell back in her seat, "…Oh…"
"I suspect the twins put two and two together regarding your family name. Ellwithin is not common and of course, our names and activities became rather well known. Even if that wasn't the case, the other spawn are out there and it's possible word got around about who was responsible for what happened at the palace." He leaned forward, sadness and regret written all over his face, "I'm sorry… this is probably because of me—"
"No," she shook her head, "No it's not. It's not at all and please don't think that for one second." She reached across and took his hand, "I don't regret what I did that day. I'd do it again without a second thought, even knowing what it might cause later. You aren't responsible for anything that happened there. Or any of this," She waved her free hand at the papers.
The two sat in silence, holding hands on the table for long moments. Neither sure what to say or do.
That is till Astarion squeezed Tav's hand and said, "Come with me."
"Where?"
He came around the table and pulled her to her feet, "Well, darling, I seem to recall that you told your Uncle I was taking you to the Midwinter Market and while I'm not averse to bending the truth now and then, I'm sure you don't want to lie to him." Astarion didn't wait for her to answer. Instead, he pulled her after him as he used his other arm to scoop up their cloaks and then led them out the door.
********************
Prisms and crystals that hung in decoration caught the light of candles and lanterns to sparkle and shine in the Midwinter Market. Small bonfires warmed faces and hands as people gathered to drink mulled wine with spices and thick hot dark chocolate. Couples danced to the music of bards under the night sky which was finally clear of clouds to reveal a black expanse dotted with stars like diamonds on velvet. Merchants sold food and trinkets along with some of the more exotic items they didn't have out during the day when there were more families out and about. Magic users showed off their skills by performing light shows and beautiful illusions, while others made ice sculptures that moved and danced along the cobble streets.
Tav and Astarion walked through the stalls, stopping now and then to admire the craftsmanship of some item or another, but didn't speak much. They shared a companionable silence as they took in the sights and sounds.
They stopped at the nearby docks, looking out at bay where ships had magical lights twinkling along their masts and decks, ringing bells as they passed each other. Tav watched it silently, lost in the fun and magical beauty of it all. For the first time in a long time, she was just enjoying herself.
"I'll have to bring 'Wyn here to see this…" She mused.
"I imagine he'd like it quite a lot."
"Definitely nothing like this in Reithwin."
Astarion was hummed softly in agreement before he looked at her, "Avaewyn… does it mean something?"
"Joyous music," she smiled, "It was sort of… an inside joke between Halsin and I." Her eyes trailed over the lit up ships, "We never planned on having children… Not with all the orphans… And when they grew and became more self sufficient, I don't know… We just didn't think about it. And then there I was… pregnant!" She chuckled at the memory of Halsin's expression when she told him. "After 'Wyn was born… it was sort of a miracle I guess. And the first time the baby cried, Halsin exclaimed," Tav deepened her voice in a poor imitation of the druid, "'What joyous music!'" She looked at Astarion's bemused expression and blushed a little, "So we named him Avaewyn."
"That's lovely." Astarion said softly. "He seems to be a charming little boy."
"I'm very lucky that he takes after his father so much."
He furrowed his brow a little, "I would say that he's very lucky to have you as a mother."
She snorted, "I barely know what I'm doing."
"Tav, if you are raising him with the care and kindness you always showed to me and the others during our quest to stop the Absolute, then I have no doubt you are doing a wonderful job with him."
His earnest words and gaze caused her to blush, "I… hope so."
"If… you don't mind my asking… Why did you leave Reithwin?"
Tav bit her lip, and turned her back on the water as she thought about how to word it. "Being there without Halsin wasn't worth being there."
"Ah… I can… imagine you missed him greatly."
She frowned, "No, it was more… I didn't have a place there." Tav regarded him, "The whole of the Shadow-Cursed lands, Reithwin Town, Moonrise… all of that was Halsin's. It was his dream. I went with him because I believed in it and what he wanted to do and… I loved him. But it wasn't my dream. I stayed almost five years after he was gone, feeling empty and directionless. I realized it wasn't what I wanted."
"And do you know what you want?" Astarion asked, his gaze intense and weighted.
Tav's eyes met his, her mind whirling with a thousand thoughts, her heart flipping with a thousand feelings. "I… don't know."
"Well, perhaps now you can find out?"
She smiled, "I'd like that."
Astarion stepped back and offered his arm for her to take, "Come, there is a lot more to see of the market and I'd be remiss if I didn't escort you through it all."
********************
The rest of the night passed with light conversation and catching up — mostly by Astarion who shared dramatic retellings of his adventures as a hero — something he had never seen himself doing, but found he enjoyed a lot. It was very satisfying to put bad people in their place. He still missed the sun, but as he had said so long ago… perhaps the loss of the sun was just the price he had to pay for his freedom… And he'd take freedom over the sun any day.
The bakery was closed and locked up, so Tav used her key to enter the back door. She went over and lit a candle before setting it into a lantern to illuminate the interior in it's soft golden glow.
As she slipped off her cloak she said, "I just want to check on 'Wyn, I'll be right back down."
She hurried up the stairs and passed through the common room towards her bedroom and crept in silently. Her little boy was laying in the bed sound asleep and holding Fluffles. She tiptoed to his bedside and leaned over to kiss his forehead. Seeing him safe and sound was all she ever wanted and while she still had no idea what to do about the bakery, Tav knew he was okay right in this moment. "Ai armiel telere maenen hir." She whispered softly.
When she returned down to the bakery, she saw Astarion looking over some of the left over pastries.
She came behind him and over his shoulder said, "Bouqthi."
He spun about, "I beg your pardon?"
"Bouqthi." She nodded at the pastry, "It's sugared dough stuffed with red rhubarb stalks."
"Oh…" He chuckled, "And this?" He pointed at another one.
"Honeyed knots. It's a with nuts and glazed in honey."
"And this?"
"Endevvor's Reveltongue."
Astarion's brows rose, "Really?" He leaned closer, "Darling, you'll have to tell me more about that one."
She snorted and playfully pushed him, "Honestly…" Then an idea struck her, "Better than telling you about them, you're going to help me make them!"
"I'm going to what?" His head snapped up from the pastry, to her, "Surely you're not serious."
"Quite serious. Come now, off with your cloak and gloves… go hang them up and I'll get you an apron. I need to make fresh pastries for tomorrow and you're going to help!"
"While I enjoy working with my hands, they were not made for manual labor!"
Tav just stared up at him with large pleading eyes.
He glared at her for half a heartbeat before his bravado deflated, "Fine!"
Tav giggled, quite pleased with herself as she went to get the ingredients they needed gathered.
By the time Astarion returned, she had everything set up and was stoking the fires for the oven to heat up. He looked over the items with a slightly lost and nervous expression on his face. Tav retrieved an apron and from the hooks and looped the neck strap over his head, adjusting it around the collar of his shirt. She then wrapped the straps around his waist and tied them in the front. When she was done, she lifted her head u and found herself inches from his face and the intensity of his crimson eyes.
She caught a trace of bergamot and brandy… the familiar scent of his skin before she realized she was leaning towards it and jerked back with reddened cheeks, "There… you're um… all set."
Clearing her throat she went to put on her own apron.
Astarion was smirking as he watched her as if he knew she was flustered, but gratefully didn't say anything. She smoothed the apron down in an excuse of collecting herself before turning towards the table, "So, first things first, we make the dough." She looked him over, "You may want to roll up your sleeves."
"Are you sure you want me helping with this?" the vampire asked as he followed her instruction and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, revealing pale forearms.
Tav blinked and shook her head to refocus, "If Avaewyn can help, you can help." She pulled her hair up and used a tie to keep it up and out of the way.
His eyes trailed to the long smooth expanse of her neck before scanning the table of unfamiliar items helplessly, "I just… don't want to ruin anything."
"You won't ruin anything. I promise… Trust me?"
Astarion appeared to contemplate the question her before he smiled softly, "I do."
Tav's own smile widened, "Then let's make some reveltongue!"
Preparing the dough was not the hardest part, but watching Astarion knead dough did draw Tav's attention. It was almost humorous how focused and serious he was on the task, but it was very distracting to watch his arms flexing as he worked.
She showed him how to roll out the dough and then fill it with the spices, brown sugar and warm butter. Tav took over cutting the dough and rolling them into twisted strips. "Now we make the shapes… Watch what I do…" Deftly, she braided the dough and then rolled it into a circle. "There!"
Astarion attempted to copy her actions and when he was done, he ended up with a lopsided blob. He frowned down at it like it had personally insulted him. He cleared his throat, "So, now what?"
Tav suppressed a giggle as she informed him, "Now we make about 3 dozen more."
"Three dozen?" Astarion gasped before his head fell back, "That's going to take forever!"
It did not, in fact, take forever, but it was Tav had more fun baking with Astarion than she had ever had before.
After she had put the pastries into the oven, they sat down at the table together to wait for them to be done.
Tav sighed feeling a bit contented, "Thank you for what you did today…"
"I would hardly be thanking me for the atrocities currently baking in the oven, my dear."
She huffed softly, "No, I meant with the paperwork at High Hall."
"Ah…" He let out a slow breath, "I don't know that you should be thanking me for that either. In the end, I wasn't much help."
"But you did try to help… and that means a lot to me." She regarded her old friend, noted his more relaxed demeanor, "Living in Baldur's Gate seems to suit you, Astarion."
"It does, doesn't it," He grinned as he leaned back. "Saving the city from a gigantic flying brain determined to destroy the world does help one's reputation. Even as a vampire."
"You know, heroic tales of the Pale Elf reached us in Reithwin. Which was great for bedtime stories."
"I seem to recall Halsin mentioning needing stories for all those orphans at the reunion. Glad I could be of service." He appeared pleased by her chuckle before he grew contemplative, "I've been wanting to say that… I'm sorry I wasn't able to come see you. Especially after Halsin."
Her head shot up, "Oh… no… I understood—I understand. You're limited with travel because of the sun. I never expected you to risk your life to visit."
"Still, you should know… I would have done almost anything to be there." His gaze burned like a red sunset in the fire light as his eyes met hers.
"Oh…" Tav's heart skipped in her chest under the intensity of his attention. The elf swallowed hard, feeling her mouth suddenly dry, losing any words she could think of in response. She wanted to believe there was more he was saying… more in those words… but was she just being childish? Was it just foolish hope? Were they just the words of a very good friend who wanted to be there for her?
Reluctantly, she dropped her eyes from his, "Well, what would Baldur's Gate have done without their hero?"
His expression shifted, just a bit — with regret perhaps? — before his hand gracefully rose as if presenting himself to court, "Suffered the absence of my presence, darling… of course!"
The sudden thought of anything happening to him made her stomach tighten almost painfully. "Just… promise me you'll be careful?"
Astarion's head tilted slightly, "Darling, when have you ever known me to be anything other than careful when it comes to my well being?
She smiled and was about to answer when the light of the sky came through the front windows, "Oh… by the gods, it's sunrise? Have I kept you all night? I'm so sorry!" Her eyes widened, "Are you going to be safe?"
"Always worried about my safety are you? Careful, I'll start to believe you care." He blithely slipped off the stood to investigate the changing sky outside the window. He hummed thoughtfully, "I should be quite safe. The clouds rolled in sometime in the night. Why, it might even snow."
Tav joined him by the window, noting the clouds made the sky a canvas of silvery gray. She knew it wouldn't be long before the city began to awaken and daily life would grind onward, unaware and uncaring of the feelings that she had long forgotten that kept attempting to bubble up in her heart. Astarion's words rolled in her head, "You know I do, right?"
"Do what, my dear?" he asked, regarding her.
"I do care about you. A lot."
Astarion's eyes grew rounder as his expression softened and his lips parted. His eyes traced over her features, almost like fingers caressing along her cheek and down to her lips. Tav felt her heartbeat quicken and warmth spread through her, wanting, and nervous about wanting.
The stairs creaked with the sound of heavy steps, and Tav had the sensation of waking from a dream. She glanced over her shoulder to see Farric coming down into the bakery, dressed and running his hands through his hair. Next to her, Tav heard Astarion mutter something that sounded like "Fuck's sake…"
Farric took in the sight of the two of them and the remains of their baking, "Have you been up all night?" he asked.
Tav quickly pressed a hand to her cheek, feeling warm and like she'd been caught with her hand in a jar of underdark cookies. "Yes, we were um, baking." She gestured towards the oven.
"Smells great!" Farric grinned as he walked over towards the oven to check on the pastries, not seeming to be bothered by them being together all night at all.
Of course, nothing happened, but Tav felt like it had. "I should check on Avaewyn…" Untying her apron she headed towards the stairs before stopping and turning to Astarion who still stood by the window, "I'll be back. I just, need to get him up."
"Please… go ahead." He smiled softly, "I'll be here."
There was something of a promise in his tone… and it warmed her like spiced mulled wine. She met his smile with one of her own before hanging her apron on its hook and heading up the stairs.
While she got Avaewyn ready for the day, Tav couldn't help but go over every moment she shared with Astarion… every word, every look, every little thing that felt like it was almost something more. It wasn't the right time for them during the quest to stop the Netherbrain… He needed time to heal…
But now… his life didn't appear to be a weight on his shoulders. His limbs weren't held in a state of tension — preparation for fight or flight. His words weren't carefully composed to charm clothes off or cut with the same skill as a butcher.
And Tav? While she knew she would always love Halsin and miss him, and would never replace him… She had mourned him for 5 years… She was ready to try to love again — And she really had never fully stopped loving Astarion… Perhaps she just had to tell Astarion that.
After settling her son with some breakfast with Aunt Ennala, Tav started down the stairs back to the bakery. While she had no idea what was going to become of the bakery, or her family, she had to at least try and see what was going to become of her and Astarion — If there was anything to become of them.
She heard Astarion and Farric speaking and paused, not wanting to interrupt.
Astarion's was just saying, "… And right now, I don't want any ties to who I was… all those horrors of the past, the memories of things I had to face during the time of the Absolute… Not when I finally have my new life."
Farric sighed, "I understand."
Tav's heart stopped in her chest.
How could she be so stupid? What has she been thinking? Of course Astarion wouldn't want constant reminders of what he went through when they were trying to survive the Netherbrain! He deserved to be free from everything he suffered through, not made to relive it… And there she was, pulling him back into it as a walking, talking reminder.
It must have taken so much for him to come help her and she had taken advantage of him! And gods above! She forced him to spend the night baking when he probably just wanted to leave and not have his past reopened like unhealed wounds!
He'd been such a wonderful friend to her and she'd been a horrible one in return!
Tav sat down on the stairs, mulling things over.
Maybe this was a sign — perhaps it had all been a sign… With the bakery having to close and everything… Maybe she hadn't been meant to return to Baldur's Gate after all. Maybe her place was back in Reithwin…
When she joined the two men, Farric was just removing the reveltongues from the oven and setting them on the cooling rack. "Some uniquely shaped ones in this batch," he mused.
"Those would be my contributions. I'm afraid I'm not meant for the life of a baker." Astarion chuckled, before noticing Tav, "Ah, you've returned, my dear." He noticed her demeanor and his tone shifted in concern, "What's the matter? Is Avaewyn okay?"
The fact he asked about her son first made her heart flutter, but she stamped it down, "He's fine," she managed a smile, "But I think we will be returning to Reithwin."
Both of the other elves shared expressions of despondent surprise.
"What?" Farric asked, setting down the peel.
Astarion glanced from the stairs to Tav, "Did something happen?"
She shook her head, "No… I mean… something did. With the bakery closing and not really having a solution to it…" With a helpless shrug she said, "I'm thinking that maybe its best Avaewyn and I go back… home."
"But… you weren't happy there," Astarion took a step towards her.
Tav took a step back, "It's familiar for us both… Sometimes being in the misery you know… is better than bringing misery upon others."
The vampire jerked back, his expression unreadable before he composed himself, "I see…" He straightened himself up. "If that's what you think is best." After glancing at the window he unrolled his shirt sleeves down his arms. "I really should be on my way. There are some things I've postponed that I need to attend to." He strode over to collect his cloak and gloves.
"Thank you, again… for your help." Tav managed, the words cracking slightly.
Astarion swung the cloak on over his shoulders and then covered his head with the hood before giving a slight bow to Tav, "I wish you a safe journey… home." His eyes rested on her for a heartbeat before he was gone out the door in a swirl of black velvet.
Farric set a hand on Tav's shoulder, drawing her attention from the door, "Tav, are you really going back?"
She painfully swallowed down the tears that threatened before answering, "I am."
"Okay then…" her uncle squeezed her shoulder and then pat it gently, "Perhaps… Ennala and I will join you." When she spun around in shock, he continued, "Once the Honey Moon is gone, we'll have nothing to stay for. Perhaps its time for us to move on from Baldur's Gate and start over."
"Are you sure?"
He smiled softly, "Are you?"
"I'm sure…"
********************
The sweet buttery fragrance of fresh baking breads filled the charming interior of the bakery that was humming with the conversation of customers around Tav, but she was unaware of all of it. Her attention was on the misshapen Endevver's Reveltongue sitting on the plate on the counter. It was the one Astarion had made and she couldn't bear to put it with the others in the display case for sale.
She, Farric and Ennala had a long discussion about leaving Baldur's Gate that morning after Astarion had left. It wasn't an easy conversation, but they had something of a plan put together. Tav was thankful that Avaewyn hadn't gotten too attached to anything in Baldur's Gate — it would make leaving much easier for him. Hell, they'd barely settled a foot in the city anyway…
"If you can see the future in that sugar icing, can you see if I'll find fame and fortune?" Farric asked.
Tav blinked and jerked her head up from her contemplation of the pastry, "What?"
"You've been staring at that lopsided bun for an hour. I thought perhaps you were using it to take up soothsaying."
She snorted and shook her head, "No… sorry… Just got lost in thought."
He nodded as he moved next to her behind the counter to set some Ruby Racks on a platter in the display case. "Would those thoughts happen to be of a pale elf who can't braid a bun to save his life?"
"No…" She scoffed as she used a cloth to wipe the counter which didn't need to be cleaned.
"You shouldn't lie to your elders. It will give you wrinkles," When he was done arranging the cookies, he dusted his hands off of crumbs and regarded his niece, "I may be older than you, but I can see just fine… and what I see is that you clearly want to be more than friends with him. You don't spend the whole night with someone you don't want to spend the whole night with.
"Uncle Farric…" Tav started to protest, but it just faded away. He was right and there was obviously no point in pretending otherwise, "It doesn't matter."
"Why do you say that?"
"I overheard him telling you he didn't want to be reminded of his painful past with the Absolute and everything that happened. I'm part of that past and I don't want to do that to him."
The older elf stared at her for a moment as he pieced together what she was saying before he gave a said chuckle, "Oh my child… You only heard part of it…" He rubbed his forehead a little embarrassed. "I had asked his intentions about you…"
"What?"
"Well, like I said, you don't spend the whole night with someone you don't want to spend the whole night with! So… I asked him what his intentions were… After Halsin and everything… I didn't want to see you hurt."
Tav crossed her arms and waited for him to continue
"Astarion was saying that now that you had returned to Baldur's Gate, he didn't want his ties to the past preventing his future with you… not when he finally had a new life."
Tav clasped her hands over her mouth, "Oh gods! I'm an idiot!" She could kick herself for jumping to conclusions about this whole thing! "I need to tell him… but…" she shook her head, "I don't even know where he is… Gods his face when I said we were leaving…" The elf's blue eyes widened, "How will he forgive me?"
Farric wrapped his arms around his niece, "We'll figure something out…"
********************
Tav was sweeping the front of the bakery, cleaning away the dried mud and debris that had collected over the course of the day. It was a mindless task and she needed to just do something to occupy herself so she wasn't thinking about how stupid she had been. Fate had given her a second chance and she had, like a fool, thrown it away.
Avaewyn was sitting on the bench set before one of the large bakery windows, playing with Fluffles and humming to himself — unaware of what an idiot his mother was. She sighed as she watched him for a bit before she noted how the pale gray sky was shifting to the dark blue of evening.
There would be no stars tonight.
"Hi, 'Starion!"
"Hello 'Wyn."
Tav spun around to see Astarion standing a few feet away, pale skin illuminated gold in the light of the night lanterns. His full lips pulled into a smile and she felt all the things she wanted to say bubble up in her throat as the broom fell from her fingers.
Before she knew what she was doing, Tav was running and then clinging tightly to him, clutching him close like he might turn to smoke in a moment and disappear. Her whole body was trembling, suddenly afraid of losing him, but when she felt his arms slide around her and return the embrace, she stilled and gave into the hug.
"I love you, Astarion." She said desperately, "I love you and if that's something you don't want, it's okay."
Astarion's whole body sighed.
"I had a plan…" He began whispering in her ear, "A nice simple plan… and yet again… my nice, simple plan has fallen apart… It always seems to with you, Tav."
She pulled back a little to see his face, a little surprised to feel tears rolling down her cheeks, "What?" She sniffled, "What was your plan?"
"Well, if you must know… my plan was to come here, announce that I had saved your family's bakery and then you, in gratitude would throw yourself at me and declare your undying love and admiration for me." Astarion reached up to gently wipe the tears from her cheek with his finger, "And yet here you are, throwing yourself and declaring your love at me before I even said a word…" He smiled as his eyes traced over her face.
Keeping one arm around him, Tav quickly wiped away the rest of her tears from her face, "You saved the bakery?"
"Something had been bothering me since we looked over the papers at High Hall, but I couldn't figure it out… The will itself was in order, I will admit, but I decided to look at some of Nordan Rillyn's other contracts and papers and that's when I saw it!"
"Saw what?" Tav asked.
"His signature, my love. Nordan's signature on the will was spelled wrong."
"What?!" She nearly stepped back, but his arms around her tightened, not letting her go anywhere.
Astarion grinned, "I decided to pay Nordan Rillyn's solicitor a visit and he told me the truth… the will was a fake."
"He just told you… did he?" She smirked almost giddy with the joy of being this close to him.
"I might have been… persuasive in my argument. I can be very persuasive when I want to be… as you may recall, my dear." He squeezed her for a moment, playfully teasing before continuing, "Once he admitted that the will was a fake created by the twins, it was easy enough to get him to produce the real one. With some more… persuasion… I convinced the solicitor to present the evidence to the magistrates and we got the true will put into the records, making the old one null and void… And according to the original will, the land upon which the Honey Moon bakery was built, is now owned by one Farric and Ennala Ellwithen."
"Oh gods… Astarion! You saved the bakery!" She flung herself around him again, "I can't believe it… You're amazing!"
"And beautiful… Not enough people mention that." There was laughter in his voice.
Tav stepped back a bit, "Wait… you called me.. 'my love'…" She gazed up at him with hope and hesitation, "Astarion… I do have a child… and my family and the bakery… and all of this…"
He rolled his eyes and pulled her close again, "I love you. I love this… And I want it all."
"Are you—"
Astarion slid his hand up to cup her jaw and pulled her into a kiss — kissing her her like he had been waiting a lifetime to kiss her.
Every thought Tav had vanished. There was nothing but Astarion and the feel of him, their bodies pressed close, velvet under her fingers as she she clutched him, his soft cool lips against the warmth of her own.
When time seemed to move again, like waking from a dream, Tav leaned back and looked at him with the joy in her eyes reflected in his own.
"It's snowing!" Avaewyn shouted joyfully from the bench before hopping down to come join his mother's side.
Tav looked up to see large thick flakes falling down around them like feathers floating down from the sky. She was about to pick her son up when Astarion did it instead. Avaewyn was grinning up at the sight of the snow and giggled when they flakes landed on his face.
Astarion wrapped his free arm around Tav and pulled her close as he asked, "So, will you be returning to your home to Reithwin?"
"No… that's not where my home is…" She answered softly, "My home is here."