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redlittlefoxari · 4 days

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To The Ends Of Faêrun : Chapter Thirty-Six: Trapped

This series is book two of a fanfic I have already written called Astarion Epilogue: An Adventure in Making Life

Master List

*List includes a prequel that is essentially one-shots of their adventures over the fifty years after the battle at the end of the game*

Warnings: Blood, Sex, Violence, NSFW 18+, Smut

Summary: Tav fights the death knight that’s invaded Astarion’s body while Astarion is trapped in his own mind.

Astarion’s eyes changed from red to green, and Tav knew that her theory was no longer that a theory no longer. The death knight was now nestled inside Astarion, using him like a puppet. Bile made its way up her throat and threatened to make the small meal she just had come back up when there was a flash of red swimming through the green that took over Astarion’s eyes. She clung onto that hope that he was still in there somewhere, just trapped in his own body.

From what Tav saw, Astarion hadn’t died. There was no death blow; Hells Astarion hadn't even been harmed the whole fight. His body had just been taken over. So, there was a chance that the right spell would kick the death knight out and give Astarion back his body if Tav could touch his body and cast fast enough.

‘Astarion’ let out a long sigh before rolling his shoulders. “I haven’t felt this good in ages.” There were several cracking sounds along his spine and neck. “And this body.” He looked over himself with satisfaction. “This voice you have no idea what it's like to go so long without being able to talk.” His eyes skimmed over Tav. “To be locked in a dusty tomb for two hundred years with no one to talk to, to hold.”

Goosebumps broke out over Tav’s skin. It sounded like Astarion, but something in the inflection of his voice was wrong. There was no lilt to his voice nor snarky undertone. To Tav’s ears, it sounded like someone doing an impression: close to the real thing, but in a warped way.

The idea that Astarion was trapped in his own body made Tav see red. How dare this impostor take over, stealing away Astarion’s autonomy and making him a puppet for his own use. And for him to look at her with so much hunger in his eyes was disgusting. Tav was going to rip that rotten knight out of Astarion. Make him pay for every second he was inside the man she loved.

Tav lunged, trying to catch the impostor unawares, only to have him grab her wrist. “Ah, ah, ah. Our mutual friend wouldn’t want us ruining his pretty face, now would he?”

Repulsion coursed through Tav at the mention of ‘our mutual friend.’ “I think he would forgive me, especially after I pulled your wormy ass out of him.”

“Oh, come now. It’s clear to see that the only reason you fell for him was his charming good looks, not his brain.” The death knight squeezed Tav’s wrist tighter. “So I’m sure we could come to the same arrangement that you had with him now?”

“We didn’t have an arrangement other than we love each other and want to be together,” Tav hissed through gritted teeth. “And let me just inform you that whatever you have to say will be a no.” She needed to keep him talking while she looked for an opportunity to attack.

“That’s not fair, Tav, was it?” Astarion flashed a flirtatious smile. “I’m not so different from your husband. We are both undead immortal beings who have a penchant for violence.”

“It’s still a no, but if you could bring back my husband, that would be lovely. Thank you.” Tav noticed a swirl of red in the deep pools of green for a second and knew Astarion was fighting to break free from wherever he was shackled inside his own body. “Besides, he has a child on the way, and I would like some help with diaper changes.”

“Why don’t you terminate the child you already have growing in that belly of yours and let myself or my lord put our own in its place?” The death knight put Astarion’s fangs on full display, and Tav felt sick hearing his words. When she didn’t say anything, he went on, unbothered by her silence. “Did I leave you speechless? Sounds far better than just having a common vampire spawn’s child, does it not? We hold so much power.” He snorted and cocked his head to the side, closing his eyes while he did so. “I could see if he was a full vampire, but this pathetic”

Tav pulled her fist back and drove all her power behind the punch, knocking Astarion back and freeing her wrist from his grasp. “I think I liked it better when your mouth was sewn shut.” Pale purple light glowed between Tav’s fingers. “Astarion, if you can hear me, continue fighting back!”

She launched herself forward, hand outstretched. Tav had cast Protection from Evil and Good, hoping that it would be enough to expel the death knight that possessed him. It was all she had at the moment, so it would have to do because if it didn’t, she wouldn’t know what else to do other than tie him up.

Astarion recovered fast and swung his arm, connecting with Tav to send her slamming into a tree ten feet away. The force of the collision rattled every bone in her body and made spots appear in her vision. Tav fell to her knees, and it took several hard blinks before her vision cleared.

Oliver ran to her side, a low growl reverberating from his tiny body. “Do you need me to scratch out his eyes?”

“No, he would tear you apart with his bare hands.” Tav watched Astarion take his first slow step towards her, a playful smile on his lips. “We need to take him by surprise.”

Keeping her eye on the monster in front of her that held her husband captive in his own body, Tav started formulating a plan. With the injury to her right leg, she couldn’t run, and she didn’t want to cause too much damage to Astarion’s body. She couldn’t stomach the thought of slicing through his skin, so it would have to be a dangerous game of hide and seek.

“Hop onto my shoulder.”

Oliver did what he was told, climbing up Tav’s frame to rest on her shoulder, waiting for her next command. Looking left, a laugh came from Astarion, making her bring her gaze back to him. Tav didn’t care if green was Astarion’s true eye color before he became a vampire; she much preferred his red eyes.

“Do you really think you can run from me?” Astarion mocked. “I am the chosen of Moander, champion of all that is putrid and rotten in this world.” He pulled one of the daggers from his belt. “I will have you, my dear, whether you like it or not. No bitch lays a hand on me and lives to tell the tale.”

“As tempting as that offer is, I will still have to decline. Unfortunately for you, I only like sleeping with my husband, and though you are currently wearing his skin, you are not him.” Tav readied herself for the jump into another space she was about to do. “Besides, you haven’t had sex in, what, two hundred years?” Pulling her lips downward, she gave him a pitting look. “I’m afraid you wouldn’t know what to do once you caught me anyway. You might just blow your load too soon.”

His green eyes burned, turning a brighter shade of green. “You little shit.”

Tav landed thirty feet using Misty Step to get a head start before casting Pass Without Trace and limping her way further into the forest. She did not spare a glance behind her to see just how close Astarion was, only focusing on finding a place to hide. When she thought she was far enough away, Tav ducked behind a tree and listened for footsteps. The fight was going to be one of the hardest things she ever would have to do in her life.

Fight Astarion without harming his body. Too much.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunlight pooled on Astarion’s face, causing a moan of frustration to escape. He was too comfortable to wake up now. Soft sheets and pillows surrounded him along with a warm blanket that smelled like Tav. Vanilla and summer berries. The scent reminded him of long summer days in the sun his favorite when he was with her.

He smiled lazily at a memory of one of their adventures before Apple came into their lives. They had stumbled upon a briar full of blackberries, and Tav had insisted they stop to pick some. She had spent hours snacking on the fruit until her lips and inside of her mouth had turned purple. Gods had her kisses tasted so sweet after. Astarion wanted to relive the experience all over again, but it was winter, and berries only grew in the heat of summer.

Astarion rubbed at his eyes to try and brush away the remaining sleep from them. The dream had messed with his sense of time. It had felt so real, like several weeks had gone by, but that couldn't be. It was still Nightal. He thought maybe he was going stir-crazy. Maybe all the stress of trying to conceive a child had finally taken its toll.

How much of the dream had really happened? Was any of it real? Did Tav break down in their bathroom last night, or was that part of the dream? Astarion removed his left hand from his eye and reached over to find the spot next to him where Tav usually rested empty. He opened his eyes to find it looked undisturbedâ€”almost as if no one had slept there, which was unusual. Tav never made her side of the bed until after he made breakfast.

The smell of bacon wafted into the room, making Astarion sit up in bed. Why hadn't Tav woken him up? Normally, they liked to cook together, especially in the mornings, since it was the only chance they got to spend some quality time together before the chaos of the day came at them in full force. Before appointments and other obligations made it impossible. Maybe the confession in the bathroom did happen, and he had been so drunk that Tav physically couldn't wake him up. But then again, that couldn't be the case because he had gotten drunk off of Tav’s blood. She had been worse off than he had been simply because she had been drinking and he had been feeding on her.

Something wasn't adding up.

A pain ripped through his skull, stealing his attention away from his thoughts. Astarion drew back the covers and stood before making his way to the bathroom. At the sink, he dipped his hands into the cold basin of water, cupping his hands to fill them before throwing the liquid in his face. The coolness helped constrict the blood vessels in his head, allowing the headache to subside.

Feeling satisfied with the pain now gone, he turned to leave before stopping in his tracks when something caught his eye or rather, when he caught his eyes. He could see himself in the mirror with perfect clarity. Not even in his dreams had he been able to do so. Pain split his skull in half again as the last moments before everything had gone black came back to him. The smell of burning flesh, the dead rising and attacking, the knight grabbing him by the throat and forcing his way into Astarion’s body.

“It wasn't a dream.” Astarion stared at his reflection, in awe of his own face. “Where am I?”

“Astarion!” Tav called for him in a sing-song voice.

Turning, Astarion found Tav in the doorway, dressed in nothing but her bra and panties. Her hair was perfectly curled and styled. She had a flirtatious smile on her lips that said, ‘We are not leaving this room any time soon.’

“You look well put together for someone who spent the whole night drinking.” Astarion looked for any hint that something was out of place.

“I guess I can hold my liquor better than you.” Tav’s expression faltered for a second before the careful, seductive mask slipped back into place. She looked too perfect for the night they had.

She crossed the distance between them and placed her hands on his chest. Astarion fought the shiver running up his spine. Everything about this Tav felt off, but Astarion couldn't place just what exactly. An uneasy feeling churned low in his stomach. He had a feeling that this was the death knight playing the part of Tav to keep him from realizing what had happened. Setting up this whole scenario to have him think everything was a bad dream. But the knight had made the mistake of letting Astarion see himself in the mirror. A slip on his part, to be sure.

“See something you like?” Tav placed her hands on his chest and looked up at him through her lashes.

“You know I could never grow tired of looking at you and your perfect body.” Astarion caressed Tav’s waist and pulled her close. He wanted to catch the knight off guard. “Perfection.”

“Astarion” Tav gasped at Astarion’s sudden contact.

“Tell me.” Astarion kissed the impostor's neck again, playing into his role of clueless puppet. “Where is our child?”

“She’s at school.” Tav’s whole body shivered. “Why else would I be walking around the house like this?”

“I thought you would be exhausted after everything that happened last night. All the crying, meeting that goddess, the sex,” Astarion purred, playing into the lie and waiting for the perfect time to strike.

“It was a lot, but nothing I couldn't handle.” Tav leaned her lower half into him. “I had you after all to get me through it.”

It sounded like something Tav would say, but so many things were wrong. The date they had drank and Tav had met Angharradh was on the first day of Apple's two-day weekend from school, not the second, so Apple wouldn't have gone to school. It seemed the knight did not have access to his full memories.

Astarion fought back bile at the thought that his body was not his own once again. After all those years of freedom, it was easy to slip back into someone else’s control. The thought of Tav watching it all happen before her eyes made him want to scream. What was he doing with his body now? Was he hurting her? He needed to eject this parasite from his body before something bad happened.

Thankfully, it looked as if the death knight couldn't glean very much information from his mind. That, at least, was still his own. Astarion wanted to know just how much this intruder could see. Maybe if he distracted the part that was here with him, it would help give Tav some leeway to figure out a way to free him. Swallowing the feeling of being sick down, Astarion readied himself to play the role he had to play.

“Hmm, if you say so.” Astarion kept all thoughts of that night from his head and instead planted seeds of misinformation.

“I know so,” Tav smiled. “After all, Sarah had also been quite a handful, so we needed to drink and have a little fun.”

So it was all surface-level thoughts. Astarion had thought of wanting to go home back to Baldur’s Gate right before everything had gone dark.

Astarion moved his hand until he was just shy of her nipple. “And what did we drink last night? My head is still a little fuzzy.”

“You don't remember? We waited until she had gone to bed, then got into the white wine we like so much.” Tav squirmed under Astarion’s touch. “Maybe you did have too much to drink.”

“Maybe,” Astarion placed his thumb and forefinger around Tav’s nipple. “But I thought we drank red wine.”

“Oh Right, my mistake,” Tav stuttered. “Maybe I had too much to drink last night I can't even remember what we drank.”

As entertaining as it was watching this pretender try and fail to convince Astarion that they were, in fact, the genuine article, it was time to end this. Astarion liked playing with his food, but the sooner he was free, the better. Plus, they needed information about what and whom they were dealing with. And what better way to do so than asking directly?

“Of course You were quite drunk, so I can understand where you got turned around.” Astarion pinched hard, causing her to cry out before he twisted. “Though I’m sure a parasite like yourself wouldn't know the difference to begin with.”

“Astarion, stop. You're hurting me.”

Astarion clicked his tongue. “You almost sound convincing.” He moved his head back to stare into her eyes. “Too bad I'm not falling for it.”

The silence drew out over several heartbeats before a scoff came from Tav. “What gave it away?”

“Everything, really.” Astarion smirked before he shoved Tav off of him. “I do owe you a small bit of thanks for showing me what I look like in the mirror. I always knew I was handsome, but that confirmed it.”

“Well, I figured you deserved something for letting me stay here.” Tav righted herself before snapping her fingers.

The whole scene melted before Astarion’s eyes, including Tav. What was once the vision of his home back in Baldur’s Gate turned into a tavern. Tav turned into a tiefling man with shaggy black hair, red-toned skin, and horns that reached straight up into the air a good two feet. His eyes burned like green hellfire. From the way he sat, legs crossed, fingers laced behind his head, Astarion could tell he was tall, but also that he was thin. Whoever this man before him was, he looked nothing like the hulking knight that had grabbed him.

He was a druid, based on the clothing he wore. Vines and leaves made up the bulk of what he was wearing, but where the crest of Silvanus usually sat for most druids was a different symbol: a hand with a snarling mouth in the center, teeth all as sharp as razors. Astarion guessed that it must be the totem of Moander, the god to whom the death knight had whispered promises about power before he had invaded his body.

“And who is this? Your first victim?” Astarion gestured toward the mystery man.

“In a way.” The thin man smiled. “I was the first to accept Moander's offer of immortality. Talontyr was my name originally. However, no one called me that after years of service to ‘old moldy’ turned me into a walking corpse.” He emphasized the nickname of his god with venom.

“No love lost between the reason for your power, I see.” Astarion raised his brows in question. “What, you’re not happy with the power he gave you?”

“Let's just say he didn’t necessarily tell me what would happen if I accepted.” Talontyr gave a false smile. “I was once the goddess Talona’s consort, you know, but I’m sure no one talks about that either.”

“No one talks about you or your moldy old god, really.” Astarion crossed his legs and leaned back in his chair.

Talona would not have been Astarion’s first choice if a god or goddess had approached him and asked to bed him. The Lady of Poison, Diseases, and Plagues was often depicted as a withered old crone with matted, unruly hair that was often depicted looking much like a briar patch and long boney fingers, and she wore several charms that were said to give to anyone who touched her awful ailments.

“You really know how to pick them, don’t you?” Astarion grimaced. “My friend was the consort of Mystra, and though she's not great to look at, she certainly beats a pile of mold or an old woman.”

“You bite your tongue, elf.” Talontyr slammed his fist down on the table between them. “She has other forms.”

“My deepest apologies,” Astarion spoke in a mocking tone. “What made you choose Moander over Talona’s unseen beauty?”

Talontyr let the obvious sarcasm slide while his attention focused elsewhere. Astarion took advantage of the lapse in attention to get up and open the door to the tavern, which he thought led outside. He wanted to find a way to break free before Talontyr used his body to cause Tav or the others harm.

The door opened to nothing but black. Investigating to see if he would be able to create anything or walk into the dark, Astarion tested the space with his foot only to find that both were impossible.

“The only way out is if I let you go, and that won’t happen.”

Astarion turned to find Talontyr had his attention back on him. “What if I beat you to death in here?”

“Haha!” Talontyr laughed, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. “I needed that, thank you. Unfortunately for you, your body belongs to me now. But don’t worry, I will put it to great use.” He stood, placing his hands in his pockets. “Your wife is quite the little firecracker, isn’t she?”

“If you so much as touch herâ€¦” Astarion closed the distance between him and Talontyr, grabbing him by his shirt.

“You’ll what?” Talontyr leaned in, almost touching Astarion with his nose. “Beat me up? Kill me? I can’t die. I have waited in a dusty tomb for over two hundred years until someone broke the seal, and now that I’m free, there is only one more seal that needs to be broken until my lord Moander is free from his prison.” He tapped the emblem on his chest. “I just need to retrieve the other and then this world will be consumed.” His eyes burned bright. “Do your worst, Astarion, because once I get a hold of your little wife, I’m going to make you watch while I terminate your seed that lies in her belly and plant my own in her womb for our foul god!”

Astarion slammed his fist into Talontyr’s face, and he let out a wet laugh. Again and again, he connected until his knuckles split and blood ran like rivers from Talontyr’s mouth and nose. Blind fury clouded his vision until all he saw was red. He would rip his own mind to shreds to protect Tav and his unborn child. Astarion didn’t have his blades, but he would use his fingernails, and teeth if he had to.

“Are you done?” Talontyr asked, a smug smile on his face.

“No.” Astarion bared his fangs.

“That’s a shame because I am.”

Vines wrapped around Astarion’s legs before they pulled them out from under him, hanging him upside down and off the ground. He tried lighting the vines on fire before they overtook his whole body, wrapping him in a cocoon. The more he struggled against them, the more they constricted his frame.

The tavern dissolved, turning into a tomb with dripping black walls oozing some liquid that smelled of mold. He reached towards his legs and started ripping at the restraints, but whenever he would tear one loose, another would take its place.

There was a heavy sound, like a boulder being dropped, that tore Astarion’s attention away from the task at hand, and in a second, all the moisture in his mouth vanished. A large stone sarcophagus stood behind him and slowly opened. Fear seized him as the vines started to move him closer to the object that would lock him in like a vault. Flashes of his year spent in a dusty tomb long ago flashed in his mind, and he struggled desperately against his bonds, ripping once more at the vines.

“What’s wrong, Astarion? I thought vampires loved sleeping in coffins.” Talontyr laughed. “I slept in one just like this for two hundred years! I think half that time is what I’ll give you for striking me.”

Panicked, Astarion reached for his spells, thinking that maybe burning the vines would do more damage, but nothing came. Talontyr had taken complete control, and the feeling of submission made his skin crawl. He felt helpless, something that he swore never to feel again, but here he was, trapped within his own mind. Forced to do things against his will.

“No! Let me go, damn you!” Astarion screamed, mind racing for something, anything that would help him, but he came up short.

The sarcophagus was underneath him now, and the inside looked like a void, dark and all-consuming. A portal opened in front of his eyes, and Astarion could see the Forgotten Forest, Tav sprinting away before disappearing behind some cover. He looked on in horror, knowing that Talontyr was about to make good on his threat to make Astarion watch as he hurt Tav.

“Relax, Astarion.” Talontyr walked up beside the coffin and smiled at Astarion. “I’ll take good care of her for you.”

Slowly, he descended, snapping his eyes away from the portal to watch as he was lowered into the waiting mouth of darkness.

“No! Just take me! Do anything you want with me. Just leave her alone!” Astarion begged.

“Oh, it’s too late for that, I’m afraid.” Talontyr leaned against the cold stone, coming face to face with Astarion. “I’ll be needing to return to YÃ»lash with something for our lord, and your wife seems like a fitting prize. Plus, I like a woman who fights.” A cruel smile made his lips turn up. “Moander told me I can do whatever I wish to her to taint her for his arrival.”

Astarion snarled, moving to strangle Talontyr, but vines grasped his wrists.

Talontyr sneered down, and the last thing Astarion saw before he touched the bottom of the sarcophagus was glowing green eyes as the lid slid into place, and he was consumed by darkness.

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redlittlefoxari · 10 days

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To The Ends Of Faerûn : Chapter Thirty- Five: Servant of Corruption

This series is book two of a fanfic I have already written called Astarion Epilogue: An Adventure in Making Life

Master List Here

*List includes a prequel that is essentially one-shots of their adventures over the fifty years after the battle at the end of the game*

Warnings: Blood, Sex, Violence, NSFW 18+, Smut

Summary: Tav is undergoing surgery while Shadowheart and Astarion fight off the overgrown hunk of jerky known to them as the Death Knight.

Astarion went to move, and Tav grabbed his arm, dropping the blade from between her teeth. “No, you stay here.” Tav didn’t hide the fear in her voice. She didn’t know if her theory would be correct, but something in her gut told her that it was. Call it mother’s intuition or the fact that she was terrified, which made her paranoid. It didn’t matter; all she knew was that he needed to stay by her side. “Stay with me.”

He cupped her face in his hands before giving her a cocky smile. “I’ll be fine, darling. You and Halsin stay here and finish up while Shadowheart and I take care of the overgrown corpse.”

Freeing himself from her grasp, Astarion stood, brandished a hand crossbow from his pack, moved behind cover a few feet away, and aimed it where he heard the footsteps coming from. A solid ball of light appeared between Shadowheart’s fingers. Tav instantly registered that spell as Guiding Bolt.

Turning her attention back to Halsin, Tav gave him a hard look. “Continue.” With that one word, she places the dagger back between her teeth and readied herself for her own battle.

Halsin said nothing, quickly going back to the task at hand, fully confident that Astarion and Shadowheart had the situation handled. Tav felt like her teeth would shatter with how hard she was biting down on the hilt of the blade. The pain in her mouth was the only thing to distract her from the torture happening under Halsin’s blade.

Another three slow, heavy steps reverberated in the air, and Tav hissed. Somehow, time was moving slower without Astarion behind her, or maybe it was the fact that the death knight was closing in, his slow steps like a fucked up countdown to a fight she would have rather avoided.

Tav turned to see that the thing in question was closing in. Now, it was now only forty feet from where she lay. Taking the blade out from her mouth, Tav gritted her teeth. “Any way you can make this go a little faster?”

“I am going slow for your benefit.” Halsin gave her his archdruid look. “If I go too fast, I could cut away pieces that are healthy. You could lose more than would be required.”

“Right now, I don’t really care, Halsin!” Tav raised her voice, drawing the attention of both Astarion and Shadowheart.

“Tav, put the blade back in your mouth and let him work,” Shadowheart scolded from where she was. “We can handle him.”

Astarion looked at her in confusion before nodding in agreement.

“Just do it,” Tav begged. “Please, Halsin.”

She didn’t know if it was her words or the look of sheer panic in her eyes that convinced him, but he nodded all the same and started on the third wound. There had been no time to place the dagger between her teeth, so Tav did her best to hold back the scream that tore its way up her throat. She only found that, at the end, a small gasp left her lips before there was the smell of burning flesh, followed by the sizzle that accompanied it.

There was another beat of the war drum that was the death knight’s feet, before Halsin started on number four. Tav leaned back, head falling to the earth, preparing herself for the next wave of pain, not able to watch the knife dig into her skin. Not without Astarion at her back.

Everything felt hot and cold all at the same time. Sweat pooled at the base of her neck, collecting in her hair, making her shiver despite everything else. But she couldn’t tell Halsin to slow down. Tav needed him to finish his work so that she could join the fight before she got an answer to her theory.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Astarion didn’t know why Tav was so eager to clean up the wounds on her leg. From where he stood behind the tree, the dead man that walked towards them was just that—a dead man. He was huge, to say the least, but that also made him slow. Which is why it was taking him ages to come near them.

Besides his own size, the biggest thing about the figure slowly making his way to them was the sword he carried. The sword was strapped across his back and peeked out over his left shoulder just short of his knee, but that was where it stayed: on his back. It made him look more menacing than he truly was, judging by the snail's pace he set—just an overgrown piece of jerky.

An orb of light fired from Shadowheart’s hand, landing dead center in the dead knight's face. The undead creature stumbled back a step before collecting itself, turning his green, glowing eyes onto Shadowheart.

“Can you move a little faster? We don’t have all day to kill you!” Shadowheart taunted the creature. “At the rate you’re going, I can pick you off from here, honestly.” She snorted a laugh to herself.

A tearing sound came from the knight before a loud, wordless wail let loose from the now loosened string sewn through his lips, and Astarion felt ice enter his veins. The feeling was familiar, like a ghost passing through his body. Haunting came to mind, commanding even. He could have sworn that the approaching knight had said something in that cry.

Shaking off the feeling, Astarion focused on what was happening just a few feet away from him. Bones rolled in from every direction, lumping together into a pile to form several skeletons that sprang to life before his eyes. Each new creature looked wholly different from the others, mixing parts just based on what fit.

There were four in total: two near where he hid, making their way toward Tav and Halsin on the ground, and the other two prowling toward Shadowheart. Shadowheart could handle herself, and was the lowest on his list of priorities. Protecting Tav and their child was of the utmost importance. He didn’t even really care if Halsin got hurt. Just Tav.

The closer the skeletons got, the more Astarion wondered just what the point of these monsters was. Some had arms that were two different lengths, while others didn’t even have humanoid limbs. One had a wing, and a hoof from what he could only imagine was a deer at one point. Each one looked like a strong wind would blow them apart. So what was the point of them? A distraction? It didn’t matter what they were made of; they would all die the same way—by his hands. And once he was done with them, the knight was next.

Casting Acid Arrow, Astarion fired a crossbow bolt, turning the one closest to him into a soupy mess before they could even get close enough to strike. This got the attention of the one with hooves for feet, who changed its course to move to where he was.

Dodging the undead with wings, Shadowheart placed a gloved hand on it and cast Destroy Undead. It turned to dust, crumpling at her feet, before she kicked the other so that it stumbled to the ground.

“Really? Undead? I’m a cleric of Selûne. Did you really think these pathetic beasts stood a chance?”

“It is rather handy in this case,” Astarion mused while he dodged his other attacker’s strike. “We should have no problem picking off these little distractions while our friend here takes his time.” Pulling his blade from his belt, he proved just that, slicing through the poorly cobbled-together skeleton, making it fall apart at his feet.

“Exactly.” Shadowheart shot Astarion a smug smile. “Now, let’s stop playing around, shall we?” She cast Holy Weapon, and a battle axe filled the space just a few feet in front of the staggering skeleton. With one mighty swing, the skeleton was reduced to a pile.

There was a sound like rolling thunder coming from the golden knight. Tendrils of darkness peeled away from the surrounding shadows cast by the trees before they attached themselves to him, one by one, each obscuring him like a trick of the light.

“Shadowheart, stop baiting him and just hit the fiend.” Halsin chastised from where he knelt in the dirt behind her a mere ten feet away.

“I’m working on it!” Shadowheart produced another ball of light and aimed it at the slowly vanishing target. “Is it too much for me to have a little fun with my prey? I mean, he is moving slower than a turtle on its back.”

“It is when your prey summons grotesque skeletons from piles of bones that are all around us,” Astarion added.

Just when the light left her hands, the death knight vanished into thin air. The Guiding Bolt sailed on, hitting the tree that was close to him just before the hulking brute decided that he wanted to prove Shadowheart wrong.

Looking around, Astarion listened for any sound of heavy footsteps like before. Even if the tin can was invisible, there was no way he could hide the sound of where he was going. It had been impossible mere seconds ago; they had heard him coming from the path that was well over one hundred feet away.

The only sounds came from Tav’s heavy breathing, the blade Halsin used to cut into her flesh, and the sizzling from the dead flesh hitting the fire. It brought him back to the Kennels where Godey used to cut the flesh from him and do the same, laughing when Astarion would scream for mercy. It made him want to wretch just thinking about it. Knowing that Tav was enduring the same pain he once had to on an almost daily basis but it gave him some peace of mind, knowing that she was enduring the pain to heal the wound, not that she was being tortured.

“Astarion, did you see where he we—”

Shadowheart’s words were cut short when the oversized piece of jerky backhanded her. The resulting blow had her slamming into a tree that was a good five feet behind her. The sudden appearance of the knight made Astarion flinch in surprise. How in the Nine Hells did he go from stomping like an elephant to being as quiet as a field mouse? It didn’t make any sense. And on top of all that, how did he cross the distance so quickly? Had he been toying with them this whole time? Watching to see what they would do in order to prep his best plan of attack? There would be time to think about how after he was dead. Right now, it was time to act.

Letting out a loud whistle, Astarion felt electricity dancing in his fingertips. “Hey!”

The death knight turned its glowing green eyes on Astarion and away from Shadowheart. It was just like Tav had described: like a thing plucked straight from someone's nightmares. But he also looked a little like what would happen if Withers took a few elixirs of Hill Giant Strength. A large piece of jerky with an attitude.

“Living dead guy to living dead guy, you’re a little too obvious about the whole thing.” Astarion smirked before throwing his left hand out and throwing a Lightning Bolt straight ahead, hitting the overgrown lightning rod.

Astarion cracked his fingers on his left hand once the bolt of electricity had finished, loosening them up for the next blow he was about to deal. Halsin stood, ready to fight, while Shadowheart got to her feet, and from where Astarion stood, she looked pissed. Hair tousled, blood trickling from the side of her mouth, the knight had hit her hard, swatting her like a bug that had just bit him.

“No more playing games. This ends now!” Shadowheart cast Spirit Guardians, and a ring of angelic fey creatures floated around her gracefully, giving her a ring of protection just in case the enemy stepped into her personal space. Charging with mace in hand, Shadowheart made her way full force towards the knight.

Another stitch broke free from the corner of his lips, and again, a horrible shriek escaped his throat. This time, the sound sent a jolt of electricity through Astarion, which caused him to take a step back. Being closer to him now, the effects were stronger, and it was easier to place why it had felt so familiar the first time. It was something he hadn’t felt in over fifty-six years. Something he had never wished to feel again, never thought he would have to.

The feeling of submission called to him, the same feeling he would get when Cazador compelled him to do something against his will. Bile rose in Astarion’s throat, and he fought the urge to submit to the knight's call. He was free—Cazador was dead—and he would no longer bow to the will of others.

“No...” Astarion swallowed hard. There was a ringing in his ears, followed by the voice of who he could only assume was the knight, speaking directly into his head.

Come to me. Aid me. Join me.

“ Over my dead body.” Astarion thought while trying to shut out the knight.

Bones of different shapes, sizes, and races pooled together in a mass, moving together until they interconnected like some sick puzzle. The result was monstrous, different from the ones before, more like what Tav had described. Head of something that was once human in nature, but it had long, sharp teeth, making it impossible for it to close its jaws. Two sets of arms, one set ending in sickles and the second ending in sharp claws. It had the tail of a manticore dripping with green acid. It laid a piercing stare on Shadowheart, who only readied herself, guardians still floating around her.

The knight turned its green, glowing eyes on Astarion, who stared back, trying to shake off the fear that gripped him. Cold electricity ran up his spine into his arms and legs. All the while, whispers rang through his head, promising anything and everything the world could offer—but only if Astarion chose to join the knight in his destruction of Faeûn. Join the Darkbringer Moander in the restructuring of the world in his vision and be rewarded beyond his wildest dreams.

Astarion knew that the answer would have been yes if the choice had been offered to him before he had met Tav—anything to free him from Cazador. But now everything was different. He had so much more than any god could offer him: a loving, pregnant wife; a sweet, charming angel of a daughter; and a thriving business that provided for them back in the city that he loved. Plus, he knew that he would never truly be free if he allowed himself to fall under the knight's spell. Astarion would be a pawn, just like the creatures the knight conjured out of old bones.

There was a hiss of disapproval. “ Did you really think you have a choice in the matter, little vampire? I was only giving you the honor of choosing the right path. Choosing to either be a slave to your new master or be granted power so that you may be one of his generals.”

Visions flashed through Astarion’s mind, giving him a taste of what power meant under the death knight's master, and it tasted rotten.

“Well, fuck you because I don’t need your moldy old god, and when we are done with you, he will be the next to fall.”

A shout erupted from the knight, filled with anger. “I cannot be killed, only caged and transferred from host to host.” The last few stitches popped, revealing a cruel smile on dry, cracked lips. “ And I’ve decided that it’s time for something a little fresher than the husk I have now.” Rotten teeth peeked out the more his lips drew back. “ It’s as your friend said. I move too slowly in this body. It is worn out and past its expiration.”

Astarion charged forward, blade at the ready, forcing blue tendrils of electricity through the metal. “I will be nobody's puppet again!” All he needed to do was sever the knight's head from his body and stop him from using his powers again to try to control him. “You can tell your master ‘fuck you’ from me personally when I send you back to him! I’m done being someone else puppet!”

“Astarion! No! Stop!”

Tav screamed for him, but he didn't stop; he was the only one who could stop the monster that was standing before him. Halsin and Shadowheart were still dealing with the last creature the knight had pulled together. Sparing a brief glance at Tav, Astarion saw the fear in her eyes and the look of determination as she fired two arrows at the knight. He followed them, watching the burrow holes into the armor barely causing him to flinch.

Once in range, Astarion jumped before he swung horizontally, putting all his power into the blow. The blade met the rotting skin of the knight's neck, slicing through the tender flesh like butter. Crackling filled the air while he pushed electricity out of the blade and into his foe, causing further damage.

The taste of victory grew stronger on Astarion’s tongue the further his dagger sailed through the decaying meat. Deciding to look into the knight's eyes while he delivered the killing blow, Astarion found the same sickening smile plastered in place. His glowing green eyes still burned bright, with no hint of dimming.

Gripping Astarion’s wrist, the knight stopped the forward motion of the dagger and slammed his horned head into Astarion’s face.

Stars danced around his vision, and Astarion lost his grip on the blade. Before he could regain his composure, a hand gripped him around his neck, keeping him suspended off the ground. Foul breath cascaded onto his face, and when Astarion’s sight finally returned, he was inches from the knight.

“Let go of me!” Astarion rasped out while struggling against his captor's grip.

Another screech had Astarion’s mind spinning. The knight was too close. There was nothing to separate the raw power coming from him.

A curse came from somewhere around him and Astarion knew more foul creatures sprang up from the ground. No one was coming to his aid.

Two more arrows sank into the knight in front of him, and this time, they landed in his head. Each one caused his head to split further from his body as a result of the wound Astarion had given him already. Looking from the corner of his eye, Astarion watched Tav nock another arrow before letting it fly, sinking again into the knight's head, and Astarion smiled despite his situation.

“ Does that one belong to you?”

Astarion gave his full attention back to the knight. “ No. ”

Leaning in further, the knight sucked in a deep breath, smelling Astarion. “ We both know that is a lie.” Something wet slid up the side of Astarion’s cheek. “ She smells like you. Death. Though you may try your best to hide it, I can still smell it on you. On her.”

“She’s spent all day in this forest.” Astarion searched for a convincing lie. “ She’s covered in mud from the graves of those buried here.”

“That is true.” Another arrow landed before he continued. “ But how do you explain the life growing inside? Hmm? Both alive and dead at the same time. A very unique trait, don’t you think?”

“No.” Fear had Astarion ripping at the arm that held him, causing his nails to bleed from the force of trying to peel back the metal.

“Do you think she would stay with you and spread her legs more in service of our lord?” The knight positioned himself until there was only a hair’s breadth between him and Astarion. “ Would she willingly follow you into the dark?”

“Tav! Run!” Astarion managed to force out the words loud enough so that Tav could hear him.

“I’m not leaving you!”

Wind whistled around, and Astarion knew what was happening without needing to look over at Tav. “Stay away! Just run—you promised!”

“I lied!”

Everything happened all at once. To the right, Tav came in full force, dagger in hand, hurtling towards him like a meteor. The knight’s eyes glowed brighter until all light went out in them. A cloud the same shade of green sprang from his mouth into Astarion.

Tav tore through where Astarion had tried and failed to sever neck from shoulders, and the knight's grip loosened on Astarion’s neck. The empty husks crumpled to the forest floor, and Astarion gasped, clutching his throat, trying to fight what he knew was already happening within his body.

“Are you alright?” Tav sounded a million miles away. “Did he hurt you?”

Astarion couldn’t respond. His voice was no longer his to control. With the last bit of willpower he had, Astarion looked at Tav, using his eyes to tell her one last thing before the world went dark around him.

Run.

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redlittlefoxari · 10 days

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To The Ends Of Faerûn : Chapter Thirty- Four: Bite Down

This series is book two of a fanfic I have already written called Astarion Epilogue: An Adventure in Making Life

Master List Here

*List includes a prequel that is essentially one-shots of their adventures over the fifty years after the battle at the end of the game*

Warnings: Blood, Sex, Violence, NSFW 18+, Smut

Summary: Tav and Astarion are finally reunited, but some quick surgery puts everything on pause, and a guest appears.

Astarion looked at her in awe. Tav had fallen from the sky and landed in his arms, like an angel crashing down from above. So he supposed that she was a fallen angel. If not for Halsin thinking on his feet and cradling her in the gust of wind, Tav would have been reduced to a broken pile. Astarion looked up and wondered what she had been doing in the sky. What series of events had led her to being carried into the air and then led to her falling?

There would be time to ask those questions once Tav was safe back at camp, once everyone was around, so she didn’t have to waste time telling her tale more than necessary. Right now, he wanted her to be fed and healed. Safe and warm, curled up in his arms for hours to make up for the time they were apart.

Looking at her face, he tried to keep a calm expression, but inside, his emotions raged like a volatile sea. Tav was far from okay. Astarion was glad she didn’t have access to a mirror because what he saw was horrifying.

Cracked and split lips from lack of water and, was sure, a fight, judging by the dark purple bruising that covered her entire neck. In some places, it looked to be fading to green, which told him she had healed a little while she was away. It was no mystery to him how she obtained the bruising; he had heard it in her voice when she spokeâ€”strangulation.

Dried blood covered her from her nose and mouth, stopping only when it got to her armor. The bleeding had stopped at some point, judging by the lack of fresh blood other than what was seeping from her leg. Tav must have healed the most important wounds, leaving the rest to preserve strength.

“I’m going to kill whoever did this to you.” Astarion moved one of his hands to touch the purple flesh.

“That will be a little hard to do since I imagine he’s already dead by now.” Tav’s face tensed before she coughed, turned her head, and spit blood on the ground. Her voice sounded like she had swallowed a handfull of sand. “May I have some water?”

With a small nod, Astarion gently let go of Tav until her feet touched the ground. His eyes took in her full form, looking for any injuries, other than the ones on her neck and face. Two points caught his attention: a shift in weight off of her right leg and the fact that, Tav was holding her ribs using her left arm, or rather, she was holding something against them.

Orange fur wiggled free from where it was hiding, and the angular face of a small fox appeared. With golden eyes, the creature stared back at Astarion, watching carefully, waiting, but not making a move to bolt under Astarion’s own scrutiny. It was almost as if the small creature was lingering only because of Tav. Like the two shared a bond.

Tilting its head to one side, the small animal jumped from where it sat nestled between Tav’s arm and torso and sat on its haunches next to her.

Noticing where Astarion’s eyes tracked the fox, Tav smiled before giving him an answer about what the thing was doing here. “He is my bonded creature, like what Boo and Minsc had.”

Before Astarion could give his two cents on the matter.

“Congratulations!” Halsin spoke, his voice booming, filling the space around them. “I was wondering when you were going to take the step into becoming a full ranger. And what better animal to choose than one so clever as a fox?”

“It is rather cute.” Shadowheart pulled a bit of dried meat from her bag and perched in front of the animal. “But it does look rather fragile.” The fox tore the meat from Shadowheart’s hand and devoured it. “Aren’t you afraid Astarion will try and take a nibble of your beast?”

Bristling at her comment, Astarion said, “I will do no such thing. I didn’t try to eat Scratch or the owl bear when they were in our camp, did I?”

Tav laughed, and the sound eased some of the tension that had built up in Astarion’s shoulders. “I trust him not to eat Oliver.” Looking at Astarion, Tav gave a small smile while extending her hand. “May I have some water now?”

“Of course.” Astarion opened the bag at his hip, pulling a waterskin out, handing it to Tav before clipping it to her waist.

“Thank you.” Tav took a drink from the skin before parting with it and then offering it to Oliver beside her. They exchanged something telepathically before the small fox sucked from the container, saiting its thirst. “I found him trying to wake his dead mother in front of an old forgotten temple deep in the forest.”

Astarion leveled Tav with a stern look. “That is rather sad, but we cannot keep him.”

Oliver growled at Astarion like he understood what he had said, but with one look from Tav. Another silent conversation passed between them. The small animal ceased its growling.

“We can’t just leave him on his own, Astarion. He will die!” Tav glared back at him, no doubt thinking he was cruel for even suggesting they leave the kit behind.

“And that is the circle of life, my darling.” Astarion shrugged. “We shouldn’t meddle in what nature has in store for him. Isn’t that right, Halsin?”

Peeling his eyes away from the cold death stare she was giving him, Astarion asked the question in hopes that Halsin would help him. He was all about balance when it came to nature, and natural selection was a big part of that. Plus, they didn’t need another mouth to feed, and they didn’t need to add another small, fragile creature that would be put in danger to thier party. Apple had proven enough of a challenge already; he didn’t need something else to distract Tav.

“Normally, I would have to agree with you, but this place has shifted the balance of nature.” Halsin tossed some of his own food stores at the fox. “And I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel pride at Tav taking it upon herself to save the creature.”

Fuck, was the only thing Astarion thought while turning his attention back to Tav, who was giving him a feline grin. He knew that if they took the animal back to camp and Apple saw the tiny, helpless animal, it would be over for his argument. Oliver would be a permanent part of the party.

“He saved my life, Astarion.” Tav’s eyes softened, and she cupped his face with one of her hands. “He warned me about an incoming attack, he pulled my dagger free when I was in the air, and he distracted the monster that held onto me long enough for me to get the blade back into my hands and kill it.” Oliver chattered in agreement. “Without him, I don’t think I would be alive right now. I would be a crumpled heap of broken bones for you to find somewhere in these woods if you ever did find my body.”

The image Tav painted made Astarion sick to his stomach. Looking down at the small creature, he saw Oliver standing with his back straight and head held high, pride emanating from the young animal. It was almost like he knew every word that was being said in his honor.

Astarion let out an exacerbated sigh.“Fine! Tell Oliver thank you for saving something that was very precious to me. For doing so he can stay for as long as he wishes.”

Oliver let out a raspy bark, his tail swooshing from side to side.

Tav pressed her forehead to Astarion’s, pulling his attention back on her. “Thank you.”

“Of course, my sweet. How could I say no to the savor of my most precious treasure?”

Astarion pulled Tav closer to his body, planting a gentle kiss on her lips. The need for more swelled low, causing him to deepen the kiss, which pulled a light moan from Tav. Her hand weaved its way into his hair, making his cock stiffen and strain against his pants. She opened her mouth slightly, and he did not hesitate to plunge his tongue inside to explore. There was a coppery tang that he knew was bloodâ€”her blood. Astarion felt two strong emotions start to war within him: desire and fury.

Whoever had caused Tav to bleed was lucky that she got to him before he did, though he wasn’t against raising the bastard from the dead just to kill him all over again. The thought of Tav stomping the wretch into the dirt made his desire for her swell. If the others had not been around, Astarion knew that he wouldn’t have been able to stop himself from peeling off her armor and peppering her with his kisses, lavishing her with his affections, and taking her where they stood. But alas, they were not alone, and he would have to settle for licking every last drop of blood from the inside of her mouth until he could have her.

“Ahem.” Shadowheart coughed, drawing his and Tav’s attention towards her as they broke the kiss. “Whenever you two are done, I would like to take a look at the wound on Tav’s leg.”

A blush crept into Tav’s pale cheeks, and she pursed her lips before removing her hand from his silver hair. “Right. Of course.” Tav looked down the path, pausing to seemingly listen for something before she continued. “But not here.”

“Why? What’s wrong?” Astarion looked down the path, trying his best to listen for whatever Tav was so worried about.

“Let’s just say for now that there is something much more terrifying in this forest than what I just killed.”

With that cryptic answer and the promise of more of an explanation later, the party moved far off from the beaten path. And Astarion swore he heard the cry of a horse coming from the direction Tav was listening in.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Moving off the path, Tav explained just why they needed to get away. While she had been busy dealing with the dead Frankenstein monster that had been the harpy, she had no idea where the tarnished man went. He and his dead horse still rode around, doing gods knew what, looking for gods knew who. If she had to guess, it was for anything alive in these woods, which meant her and her friends. However, she didn’t know if that would include Astarion.

His heart still beat slowly, about ten to twenty beats a minute, depending on how he was feeling and what they were doing. Tav couldn’t help but wonder if he would be able to pass by with no problem. The thought was quickly tossed to the dark recesses of her mind when she remembered that the man had raised the long-dead harpy from the grave. If he could do that with the dead, what could he do with the living dead? She didn't want to find out, and was already thinking of ways to make sure she never would.

Tav didn’t know what she would do if she had to face Astarion in battle. She knew that she wouldn’t be able to hurt him. No, she would find ways to subdue him, but if his body were not his, he would not give her the same courtesy. And the idea of him trapped in his own body, watching his own hands tear her apart Tav stopped the thought before she could imagine the full scenario and shook the idea from her mind.

“Everything alright, my sweet?” Astarion sounded worried.

“Yes, I’m alright. I'm just trying to push some images from my mind.” Tav gave Astarion her best smile, trying to prove to him that she was alright, but she knew it wasn’t working. She knew that nightmares would likely plague her for the foreseeable future. “Stay close to me, please.”

“Of course.”

He gave her his own small, sad smile before helping her to the ground. All the adrenaline had faded, and her body was back to a shaking mess. Pain radiated from the wound in her leg, her throat throbbed, and she was beyond tired. But with her bow back, bag at her side, and a full belt of daggers once more, Tav felt a little more secure. Less vulnerable.

“So tell us exactly what happened.” Shadowheart knelt in front of Tav and started taking off her right boot. “I’m sure you have quite the tale to tell.”

“It was certainly something I never want to go through again,” Tav told those present all that had happened to her in the last twenty-four hours, glossing over what the warlock had been trying to do, the moments in which she thought she was going to die. When blood filled her mouth, stars filled her vision, and desperation surged through her. Instead, she told them that, while he was distracted, Tav broke free, gaining the upper hand, which led to her victory and her escape.

The entire time she told her tale, Tav refrained from looking at Astarion, knowing he would see through her half-truths. She would tell him everything that had happened later. In private, where he could cradle her in his arms and tell her everything was going to be alright. He would wash away that monster's foul touch with his own soft caresses and soothing words. Right now, she didn’t want the others to hear just how vulnerable she was, how the whole thing had rattled her.

“Why is it that bad luck follows you wherever you go?” Shadowheart asked, still trying to pull the boot free.

“I have no clue, but it all started the second I was plucked from my shop in Baldur’s Gate.” Tav looked up finally and looked at Astarion. “Well, not everything has been bad luck.”

“Judging by how you helped every single one of us work through our own bad luck, I would say you are the greatest good luck charm we have.” Astarion handed Tav a jar of blood and some dried meat. “Eat before you pass out.”

Tav took the offered food and drink and began devouring the small meal, starting with the meat. She bit a huge portion into her mouth, placing it in her cheek to soften the hard, jerky before knocking back the blood. It was a struggle to keep it down with the flashes of drowning in her own blood, but Tav managed.

She downed half the jar before stopping to take in a steadying breath. Tav could feel Astarion’s eyes on her. “It’s hard drinking blood when that’s all I’ve been tasting for a while.”

“I’m truly sorry for not being there to stop him.” He handed her more water to cleanse the taste from her mouth.

“Stop,” Tav took the water. “I would rather it have been me than Apple taken, so I’m glad you went after her. Besides, we got some good information out of me being kidnapped. We know more than we did when we entered the city.”

“I would rather not have had to use you to get that information.” Astarion pursed his lips.

“There’s nothing we can do about it now,” Halsin interjected. “All that matters is that Tav is safe, we know where this temple is, and we can go there to get more information about what is going on.”

“I agree with Halsin.” Shadowheart finally pulled Tav’s boot off and hissed at what she saw.

Where the harpy had dug in its claws, decay had already set in. The flesh was dying slowly around the puncture wounds, leaving the skin black and oozing with pus. It was clear that much more than a simple healing spell would be needed to repair the skin. It would need to be wrapped and cleaned daily and made to stay dry. Otherwise, the skin would worsen.

“Gods. And you said that a dead harpy did this to you?” Astarion placed a hand on Tav’s shoulder, moving to kneel down to take a closer look.

“After it had been revived by that dead man on his sickly horse.” Tav watched Oliver walk over and smell the wound. “Get away from there.”

He did as he was told, moving to instead take a seat in her lap while Halsin filled the space, opening his pack and removing several herbs.

“This will not feel pleasant.” Halsin collected some sticks and leaves in a pile and cast Create Bonfire before pulling the small carving knife from his side and placing the blade in the fire. “I need to cut away the decaying flesh before we clean the rest of the wound.”

“Oh boy, that sounds like a whole lot of fun.” Tav tried to sound unbothered by the news, but in reality, icy dread filled her veins. She knew just how much this was going to hurt.

Shadowheart shifted so that her hands hovered just above Tav’s throat. Blue light pulsed, and a cool sensation washed over her. “It’s not much, so it shouldn’t take more than a couple minutes to clear away the dead tissue.” She gave Tav a sympathetic smile. “I just healed your throat, so now you can scream all you want.”

“How kind of you.” Tav sneered at her.

“What else are friends for?”

“Can’t this wait for when we are out of this bloody forest and safe back at camp?” Astarion asked, concern dripping from his words.

“No.” Tav turned to look up at him. “I don’t want Apple seeing this or hearing me scream.”

“And what if I don’t want to hear you scream?” Astarion softened.

“You’ve been listening to me scream for over fifty years; you should be used to the sound by now.”

“Well, I’m not.”

A sizzling sound drew both their attentions back to Halsin. “Then cover your ears, Astarion. This cannot wait.”

Halsin was right. It couldn’t wait. The wound was already slowly growing in size. Whatever had been in the harpy’s claws was spreading, and there was no time to waitâ€”not if Tav wanted to have a leg by the time she got back to camp.

Astarion pulled a dagger from Tav’s belt and placed it in front of her mouth. “Bite down.”

Tav did what she was told, taking the leather-bound hilt into her mouth and gently biting down. Astarion moved behind her to support her weight. She gripped his hand, leaning her head back so that it rested on his shoulder. Eyes closed, and Tav readied herself for the first sting of the blade.

“Ready?”

“Hmhm,” Tav replied, heart hammering. Halsin’s blade sliced through the first section of the wound, and Tav’s arched back in pain. A muffled cry escaped from behind the blade between her teeth. Astarion squeezed gently, offering the only support he could at the moment. Cold sweat broke out all over Tav’s skin, trying to cool itself down as her pain receptors were on high alert.

It felt like the torture had been going on for far too long when there was another sound like bacon frying in a hot pan and Halsin spoke. “The first is done. Just four more to go.”

“Fuck.” Tav let out a muffled moan between the hilt.

“You did great, darling.” Astarion kissed Tav’s damp hair. “It only took a minute.”

Tav sagged against him. Just four more minutes of this, and it was over. She had endured twelve hours of labor fighting off three vampires. This was nothing. At least, that is what she told herself. In reality, this pain was nothing compared to childbirth, but it was still up there. Definitely in her top ten of worst pains she’d had to endure so far in her life.

A cool cloth pressed against Tav’s skin, and she opened her eyes to find Shadowheart dabbing her with a wet washcloth. Unable to speak properly with the blade still between her teeth, Tav spoke with her eyes. Thank you.

“Figured I should do something rather than stand around watching.” She smiled, and it said everything she didn’t voice out loud. Sorry.

“Ready?” Halsin asked again, and Tav nodded, signaling him to go right on ahead.

Halfway through the second round, a loud whinny tore through the silence of the forest. Halsin stopped his incision to look around for the source of the sound, confusion plastered all over his face. Tav’s skin crawled at the sound of hoofbeats coming to a stop where they had once been. Panic gripped her heart, and she cursed herself for being too distracted with all that was going on. She had forgotten to cast something that would hide them from the man on the horse, and now he knew exactly where they were.

Everyone held their breath, waiting to hear if footsteps would come towards where they all hid or if they would continue on the trail, which had its own set of issues. At the end of the trail were Gale and Apple. They were a few hours away on foot, but on that thing you could barely call a horse, the journey would be much shorter.

They didn’t have to wait long to get their answer when a heavy dismount could be heard, followed by approaching footsteps. Each hollow crash of the entity’s boot made a fresh wave of fear surge through Tav. The dead were all around them, but she feared most for Astarion. She feared that her question of whether he could be affected would be answered, and she didn’t want an answer.

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redlittlefoxari · 10 days

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To The Ends Of Faerûn : Chapter Thirty- Three: Walking Dead

This series is book two of a fanfic I have already written called Astarion Epilogue: An Adventure in Making Life

Master List Here

*List includes a prequel that is essentially one-shots of their adventures over the fifty years after the battle at the end of the game*

Warnings: Blood, Sex, Violence, NSFW 18+, Smut

Summary: Tav and Oliver make their way back to Astarion and the others but are stopped when something finds them first.

Tav felt like she had been walking for hours. Around her, the forest stayed the same, the same muted browns playing on repeat. Nothing changed. Every tree and bush looked the same. The forest was so thick that it was hard to tell what time of day it was. Even with the limbs dying above, there was no break in the cover. For all she knew, it could be anywhere between ten in the morning and five in the afternoon. She knew for certain that it wasn’t night due to the little bit of light that did make its way into the tree line. If it were night, darkness would be all around, not the muted shades of the dying trees around her.

Going by the count in her head, Tav knew that they hadn’t been walking for more than roughly thirty minutes. Without the help of the sun, Tav had been forced to hum a list of songs that she knew in order to keep track of time. It wasn’t a perfect way of keeping time, but it was better than walking in complete silence. She wanted to avoid the quietness of the forest around her—wanted to avoid her own thoughts and the gnawing feeling of hunger that was clawing at her stomach.

The scroll had cured her bloodless condition, but it did nothing for the other aspects of her weakness. Food and water would need to make an appearance soon; otherwise, Tav didn’t know how much farther her legs would take her.

She took her hand off the dagger at her hip and held it out in front of her. It shook despite her effort to keep it still. Again, she hoped that Astarion, Apple, and the others were close behind her, and that in the next few minutes, she would be reunited with them and safe. All she wanted to do was wrap her arms around Astarion and breathe in his scent. To spend hours folded up in his arms just talking about nothing while Apple sat nearby, reading.

She wanted her family together and whole once more. She wanted this damned adventure to be over, and she wanted to go back to her boring life in Baldur’s Gate.

I just want to finish this and spend the rest of my pregnancy in the safety of my bed. Tav let out a heavy sigh at the thought.

Oliver whimpered in his sleep, and Tav moved her hand to scratch along his back to give him some comfort. It didn’t take more than a few well-placed strokes of her fingers for the kit to settle.

In all her years of being a ranger, Tav never had a familiar, never bonded with a beast. It’s not like she didn’t want to. Tav loved animals, but over the years, no animal she used for messaging felt right. None of them resonated with her on a spiritual level. Whenever she had talked to Minsc about his bond, he talked about how Boo chose him just as much as he chose Boo. It was like they called to each other.

Looking at the small animal in her arms, she wondered if he would choose to stay by her side after this—if this was her chance to finally bond with a creature. There was something here, to be sure, but was it just her need to protect the small animal who had lost everything, or was it something more? Would he come back to Baldur’s Gate and choose to be safe? Choose to be part of the ever-growing family she and Astarion had started?

Tav was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of a horrifying scream that shook the trees around her. It was a wet, shrieking wail that sent shivers down her spine. Something had woken up in these woods, and she didn’t want to stick around to find out what it could be, especially since it had come from the direction of the temple.

Oliver woke with a start, fur sticking up on its ends to make him look larger than he was. “What was that?”

“I’m not sure, but it can’t be good, given where it came from.” Tav picked up her pace, going from a fast walk to a jog. Any more than that, and she knew she wouldn’t be able to keep it up. “Do you think you can sit on my shoulder and hold on?” She needed to free up her hands just in case she needed to fight something.

“I think so.” Oliver jumped up on Tav’s right shoulder. “I’ll keep watch behind us.”

“Good idea.” Tav was impressed with the fox's suggestion. “Tell me if anything is coming after us.”

“Of course.”

Pulling the dagger from her waist, Tav kept her pace, listening for anything out of the ordinary. After another ten minutes, Tav wondered if she was just being paranoid. The only sound she could hear after the scream was her own footfall.

Tav listened for anything that even remotely sounded off—anything that broke the silence of the forest around her—and found the same nothingness. She huffed a laugh to herself, feeling silly for being so worked up over a sound that was so far behind her. The worst thing that would be able to come after her from the rotting pile she left behind was a zombie, and she could sidestep one easily.

Blowing a shaky breath, Tav steadied herself. The silence of the forest was obviously getting to her if any little sound made her body react that way.

The hollow whinny of a horse interrupted her train of thought. For a moment, Tav thought it might be one of the horses they had brought with them from Baldur’s Gate, but that idea was quickly scrapped when another whinny came from behind her.

Picking up her pace into a run, Tav could feel her throat burning with the effort. Casting Pass Without Trace, Tav moved off the beaten path, choosing to hide behind a dying bush, and found herself sharing the space with the bones of a harpy. The hollow-eyed skull stared back at her, wings spread wide with its feathers under the frame and its bottom jaw missing. How it had gotten here was anyone's guess, but Tav would bet it was called here, like Oliver’s mother.

“I’m going to cast a spell on you so that we can communicate without speaking, okay?” Tav waited for his reply.

“Okay.” He turned around so that he now faced the same way as Tav.

Tav cast Beast Bond on Oliver, and a rush of power filled her. She felt his emotions as clear as her own, feeling the fear weighing heavily on her heart. It was the same fear that filled her, making her stomach twist into knots. Whatever was coming was nothing good; she could feel it in the air the closer it got—the closer the sound of hoofbeats charged towards them.

It didn't take long for the source of the noise to catch up to where Tav had been just beyond the bush and appear on the path. The creature that Tav thought was a horse was a mangled, ugly monster that barely resembled the beautiful creature it once was.

Before them stood a Knight atop a rotting horse. Glowing green eyes scanned the area, looking for any sign of her. It wore a helm with two tarnished gold faces to either side of it and long horns that pointed straight in the air. Its face was ashen grey, looking like if a strong breeze blew, it would blow his flesh away, at least from what she could see. The rest of his body was covered from head to toe in the same tarnished gold. The man’s lips were sewn shut and gave the effect of tattered and torn linen, like he had been screaming when they had done it.

The beast the Knight sat on had white, unseeing eyes. It stood around twenty hands tall, with dilapidated black fur broken up by large chunks of purple, rotting flesh. The mane had fallen out at some point after the creature had died, and something had eaten away parts of its long face that its jawbone could clearly be seen. Tav wanted to put the poor thing out of its misery, and wondered just how the rider was staying supported by the crumbling creature.

“ What is that thing?” Oliver asked, mind-to-mind, using the new bond in place.

“Not sure, and I don’t want to find out.”

Tav waited for the gilded man to turn his head in the opposite direction from where they were before slowly moving behind a tree. She barely made it behind the dead tree before a hiss was fired in her direction, sounding agitated and making her pulse skitter. She estimated the next cover she would be able to use was about five feet away, but Tav was too afraid to peek to see if it was safe. Misty Step would have taken her even further, but Tav wasn’t sure if Oliver would have been able to come with her.

There was another irritated hiss that sounded like a snake. Based on the sound, Tav deemed it safe to start making her way to the next point in her escape, but stopped mid-step when something started up beside her, where they had just been.

Turning her head slightly, Tav swallowed hard and watched in horror while the bones of the harpe, along with other body parts, started to form together. The resulting creature was something straight out of a nightmare.

A bovine head sat atop the harpy’s neck. The figure was slouched, mostly because of the hoofed feet that had attached themselves to the body. Feathers danced around the wings and reattached themselves using the flesh that crawled up the frame like a slug, gluing itself back together. Maggots crawled through its rotting flesh, and a green miasma pooled between the jaws of the newly-formed monster.

Tav started to back up slowly, not wanting to give the creature her back. Her hand went to the blade at her side, and she eyed its razor-sharp talons, the tips grazing the ground. It turned its head away from its creator and cocked its head at Tav, seeming to see her without needing eyes.

“ Hold on, Oliver.” Tav felt him clutch onto her armor, readying himself for what was coming.

An ear-piercing screech left the monster's mouth, spewing more miasma. At the same time, Tav cast Ray of Frost, knocking the head back and hearing a sickening crack. The momentary distraction gave Tav enough time to turn away and cast Misty Step, propelling her and Oliver thirty feet away. She didn’t stop her momentum, veering slightly left, further off the path into the thick wood so that the tarnished gold knight and his decaying war horse could not follow.

Tav was in a full-on sprint now, her lungs and throat burning. With her bow, she could easily take on one of the monsters, but taking on both at the same time in her state was not going to happen. Her spells were tailored for long-range, not close combat; that was where Astarion shined.

“ Behind you! On this side!”

Oliver stomped his paw on Tav’s right shoulder and cried out in warning, giving Tav enough time to change direction, allowing her to dodge the claws gunning for her arm. Turning, Tav shot another Ray of Frost in the creature's face, this time doing little to knock it off balance to give her some time to escape.

“Fuck.” Tav lunged with the dagger, aiming to part flesh from its already mangled body.

The blade sliced through like a knife gliding through butter, but stopped short of severing the arm when its cold, grotesque hand gripped Tav by her right leg, pulling her body out from under her.

With a few flaps of its wings, the monstrosity took off through the tree, paying no mind to the thick cover and tearing a hole right through. Now, above the tree line, Tav could see that the sun was located somewhere around three in the sky. She tucked that bit of information away, focusing on the thing that held onto her leg.

Tav used her other foot to kick at the creature's hand, screaming when its talons dug into her skin, and a burning sensation started leaking in where it burrowed in. Oliver ran up her body, using her like a ladder to climb onto the decaying attacker and slashing at the flesh the dagger was embedded in.

Its other hand started to move towards the tiny fox, but before it could land a blow, Tav shot another Ray of Frost from her fingers, causing the creature to veer south in the air. A strong gust of wind continued to blow, throwing them further east towards Evereska. Tav could barely see the dead city from where they were in the sky, but it still made hope blossom in her chest.

Oliver swiped at the flesh again, making the blade wiggle where it was stuck. “ Knock the blade free!”

“Okay!”

Moving his attention to the flesh around the blade, it only took one more blast of frost and a few more swipes from Oliver before the dagger was between the fox's teeth, and he was making his way back to Tav. She reached with her right hand, taking the blade before stopping Oliver from going back to the beast.

“ No, I need you to hold onto me. I’m tired of being this monster's plaything.”

Oliver nodded before Tav held him with her free arm tight against her body. She felt him dig his claws into the leather of her armor, securing himself further. Tav sent a prayer up to the gods before starting to cast the spell that would hopefully end this. With any luck, the strike would kill the beast and send them free-falling back to the ground. They were only about twenty feet above the treeline, and Tav knew with the new rush of adrenaline that grabbing onto a tree limb was possible. That was, if there was one that wouldn’t break. But she couldn’t think of anything else that would work at the moment.

Wind gathered around her body, mostly focusing on the dagger she held in her right hand. Tav drew back her arm and finished casting Steel Wind Strike. The decaying monster let out one last screech before Tav vanished for a second, her body becoming wind itself and propelling forward, taking the head clean off.

The creature started falling to the ground directly below right before Tav and Oliver did the same, but they fell in an arc further east due to the momentum of Tav’s blow. It only took a matter of seconds before they were at the tree line, and it was now or never.

“Hold on!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Gods, how bloody big is this forest anyways!?” Shadowheart let out a frustrated cry.

They had been following Tav’s blood, and still seemed no closer to finding an end. Or, for that matter, finding Tav.

Astarion let out an equally frustrated sigh before stopping completely, looking toward the sky, unable to see due to the thick wall of trees. He could have sworn that he had heard something just beyond the trees, like the sound of an angry bird fighting with its dinner.

“Did you hear that?”

They all stopped to listen for any hint of a sound. Up until now, the forest had been quiet, the only sound that of their own voices. It made them all feel uneasy.

It took only a few seconds before another squawk could be heard, followed by the sound of something crashing through the limbs just beyond where they stood.

“Shall we go and investigate?” Halsin looked between Astarion and Shadowheart, looking for confirmation.

“We probably should. That is strange since we have been in here for hours and have heard nothing.” Astarion shrugged, going to take a step, but stopping when he heard a familiar scream coming from above, just out of sight. “It can’t be.”

His suspicions were confirmed when a screaming Tav came crashing through the canopy of limbs, cradling something in her left arm, shielding it from the brunt of impact.

Astarion watched in horror as Tav came crashing towards the ground below, grasping for something to hold onto, only for the bark to slip from her fingers. He moved to catch her, ready to use his own body to break her fall, when Halsin cast Gust of Wind, shaping it into a sphere to cradle Tav’s body and slow her fall.

Quickly thanking the druid, Astarion made his way under Tav, nodding at Halsin to let go of the spell once she was just a few feet above him. A smile formed on the druid's lips before he popped his bubble of air, allowing Tav to fall into Astarion’s arms.

“Hello, darling.” Astarion’s voice was feather-light as he spoke. “Where have you been? We’ve been looking for you.”

Tav’s eyes opened, and a large smile spread across her face. “Funny. I’ve been looking for you too.”

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redlittlefoxari · 22 days

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Reblogging for a chapter update!!

To the Ends of Faerun Master List

Summary: The year is 1548; it’s fifty-six years after Tav and Astarion defeated the elder brain with their rag-tag group of friends. So much has changed since then Astarion changed careers and is now a tailor while Tav runs the counter. While their daughter attends Gale’s School of Wizardry. That's right, their daughter. Everything is going smoothly until something dark threatens to destroy all of Faerûn, and it's up to Astarion, Tav, and their Daughter to stop it from happening.

Warnings: Smut, Blood, Violence, NSFW 18+, Fluff, Angst, Pregnancy, Talks of Emotional trama, Talks of Physical Trama

Chapter One: Happy Little Family

Chapter Two: Steady *Smut*

Chapter Three: Worth

Chapter Four: Old Gods

Chapter Five: Pact

Chapter Six: Numb

Chapter Seven: Let it Out

Chapter Eight: Drunk

Chapter Nine: Hide and Seek *Smut*

Chapter Ten: Fair

Chapter Eleven: Wicked Goddess

Chapter Twelve: Binding

Chapter Thirteen: On Hold

Chapter Fourteen: Mother Knows Best

Chapter Fifteen: Shadow Purge

Chapter Sixteen: Something in the Air

Chapter Seventeen: Mind, Body and Soul *Smut*

Chapter Eighteen: Morning

Chapter Nineteen: Distracted

Chapter Twenty: Blood and Fear

Chapter Twenty-One: Scars

Chapter Twenty-Two: Friends Forever

Chapter Twenty-Three: Wants and Needs

Chapter Twenty-Four: Rest and Relaxation *Smut*

Chapter Twenty-Five: Trouble

Chapter Twenty-Six: Promise Me

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Almost There

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Evereska

Chapter Twenty-Nine: List of the Lost

Chapter Thirty: Rotten

Chapter Thirty-One: Get Out Alive

Chapter Thirty-Two: One Step Forward

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redlittlefoxari · 22 days

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To The Ends Of Faêrun : Chapter Thirty-Two: One Step Forward

This series is book two of a fanfic I have already written called Astarion Epilogue: An Adventure in Making Life

Master List Here for Books One, and Two

*List includes a prequel that is essentially one-shots of their adventures over the fifty years after the battle at the end of the game*

Warnings: Blood, Sex, Violence, NSFW 18+, Smut

Summary: Astarion and the gang continue to follow the trail of blood Tav left.

There was silence in the air that caused a whooshing sound to play in the ears of the dying cultist who lay broken and bloody on the grounds just outside his master's temple. He had been so close to giving his master the last sacrifice that was needed, the last body that would feed his hungry desire that was never full, always craving something more, for there was always something to consume.

He had lost consciousness sometime after being bested by that brown- haired ranger he had taken for his master, so he had no idea what time it was. All he knew was that she had been here, talking to some animal while he bled from his face, and now there was only silence. Anger surged, filling his chest and making him see red. The last piece needed to break another chain that bound Moander had slipped from his fingers. The last link to set what was sleeping in the temple free. It had been sealed away in the Forgotten Forest for the past two hundred years. His master would not be pleased with his loss of the girl. There was sure to be a punishment

You failed, Hansoul.

A shudder ran down Hansoul’s spine despite losing all feeling in his body. “I am sorry, my lord. Heal me and allow me to make this right; allow me to collect the girl and free another one of your bonds.” There was a desperate plea in his voice along with a whining, nasally sound.

You do not command me, mortal.

An eerie silence caused a ringing in Hansoul’s ears to start. It was never a good idea to piss off a god, but Moander was one that had an appetite that could never be quenched. It was as if he was always starving, which was one of the reasons he had been sealed away.

“Please forgive me, my lord. I did not mean to offend.” Hansoul wanted power. He had grown up in Neverwinter feeding off garbage scrapes since before he could remember, always getting stomped on by those who thought they were better than him, more powerful than him. This is what led him to Moander in the first place. He had sought a way to get back at those who spat on him daily. He had wanted to teach them a lesson. It was on a particular cruel day in which Hansoul had lost his mother and, lacking the funds for a proper burial, was left with no choice other than to throw her out in the trash like the garbage so many thought that they were. That was when his rotten god had first whispered to him, promising him the power he hungered for. But now that he had failed his god, it meant losing his life. Meant feeding Moander, and that was something he wanted to avoid at all costs. He wanted to grow in power himself, not in the form of feeding his master. No, he wanted to live. “But if you would just allow me to fix my mistake, everything will be as you intended.”

More silence stretched out before Hansoul got his reply.

I grant you your request, and you may rectify your mistake.

“Thank you! Thank you, my lord.” Hansoul waited for power to flood his body, and found that nothing was happening. “My lord?”

A sickening, mocking chuckle sounded in Hansoul’s mind.

Hansoul, you have served me well, and now your own soul will be used as fuel for the greater good. To wake my most loyal servant.

“No! My lord, please! I have served you well these past years! I was the one who brought you what you desired most, who broke the first chain of your bondage! You cannot do this to me!”

All who live serve me and feed me when their times come. You should be thanking me for this gift.

The body closest to Hansoul started to move, reanimating into the tool of his destruction. “If you only let me live, I will break this chain as well, my lord! I will bring you the woman I had here just a little while ago! Her soul will taste so sweet! Please!”

But Hansoul, you will break this chain, but with your own body, your own sweet, tainted soul.

The corpse turned its milky eyes to him; it had been someone he had taken off the streets just over a week ago. It was still fresh compared to the others that lay strewn about. A small, sickly woman that he had found while she tried to break into a local shop that had been closed for weeks. Likely looking for some medicine based on the weak state he had found her in. It had been easy to pluck her off the street and bring her to the temple. Even easier to snap her neck and give her body to his lord to feed the corrupt soil around him.

Hansoul didn’t try to move, finding that he had no strength left in his body. That bitch had caused too much damage. She was supposed to be his reward for his devotion to the decay of this world. For doing a good job in ensuring his master's greatest servant walked Faerûn once again. Stomping away all his power with the sole of her boots to his face, everything had been taken away from him. Everything that he worked so hard for was snuffed out all because he had gotten too greedy.

He felt excitement fill his chest, choosing to accept his fate, his death, with enthusiasm. “May my body feed the rot.” Hansoul found solace in the fact that his body was about to feed the very thing that would hunt that woman down and likely be her end.

May you feed me. Feed the Foul God and become one with what all mortals fear. You have no fear of my embrace, do you, my most loyal servant?

There was a mocking tone to Moander’s voice, but Hansoul didn't care. That was often the case with gods: they used mortals like pawns on a chessboard, and you could either choose to submit to your role and reap the rewards or fight the natural pull of the divine and die weak.

“Yes, my lord— take me so that I might serve you with my mortal flesh after I am gone.”

With his last words spoken, the zombie sprung forward and clamped her teeth around his throat, biting hard. Hansoul felt his flesh split open and blood pour from the fresh wound while the reanimated woman sat back and chewed his flesh between her teeth. The only sound was that of her wet smacks of his flesh being ground between her teeth.

The word around him started to blur at the edges of his vision. Death started to take him, and everything felt cold. For a brief second, Hansoul wondered where he would go when he died. Would he be sent to his lord, or would he live out his afterlife in one of the Nine Hells? The Hells seemed more likely after everything he had done in the name of Moander.

His heart beat its last, but right before he slipped away into death's sweet embrace, Hansoul heard the wet scream of the one sealed in the temple beyond—the one whom he had been sent to release. The one who would lead the charge in breaking their master free of his cage.

Talontyr, the Rotting Man.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

An hour had passed, and there was still no sign of Tav, but there was still a steady trail of blood heading in the same direction. Astarion worried at just how much there was. By the time they had finally stumbled upon the drops, they had dried. The dead grass soaked up the little moisture that was offered. He had been able to tell whom the blood belonged to, but nothing more, other than the amount.

If the drops came from a wound that wouldn’t close, then that meant Tav had been bleeding out this whole time. Meaning that she would be weak and on death's door by the time they found her. What he could only hope for was that the blood came from somewhere else entirely. Mixing it with saliva would produce more of the product and prolong the trail. But the likelihood of that was slim. Tav’s assailant would have surely covered her mouth so that she couldn’t cast any spells.

“Copper for your thoughts?” Gale picked up his strides to catch up to Astarion, who was well ahead of the others.

“Huh? No, I’m just thinking.” Astarion slowed considerably to give Gale some respite. Despite his appearance, Gale was still pushing one hundred, and Chosen or not, that still made him an old man.

“Worrying is more like it.” Gale placed a hand on Astarion’s shoulder. “I can feel your unease, Astarion. You don’t need to put up a brave face for me. Apple is too far to hear us anyways.”

Astarion looked back to find Apple still riding on Halsin’s back off the beaten path, away from the blood trail they were following. Shadowheart was striding next to them, keeping Apple company, playing I Spy to keep her mind off of what was going on. They were distracting her from Tav being missing and the growing smell that only intensified the further they followed the trail of Tav’s blood.

By request of Astarion, Apple was far enough back that if there were trouble ahead, she would be away from it and able to make a quick retreat back to the wagon. He didn’t want her anywhere near the trouble they would find in these woods. But he still wanted her close just in case someone attacked and he wasn’t around to save her.

“I’m worried about all the blood… It’s been a continuous trail this whole time.” Astarion moved his attention back to Gale.

“Hmm, is it really all that much?”

“In relation to Tav not having enough to eat or drink in the last twenty-four hours, yes,” Astarion remembered the pile of vomit. “And the fact that she’s thrown up everything she did have worries me.”

Gale was silent for a few beats before speaking again. “What do you think the smell is from?” He looked at Astarion, a look of dread in his eyes. “Tav can take care of herself, so I’m not too worried about her.” Throwing up a hand, he stopped Astarion from making the snippy retort that lay heavy on his tongue. “I know you are, but we both know she has gotten out of worse situations and lived. Now the smell.”

“Bodies, and lots of them.” Astarion took a steadying breath, trying to focus on what Gale was asking, and not if Tav’s body now contributed to the smell. “If it’s this bad, and we haven’t even seen a corpse yet, I can only imagine what the actual scene looks like.”

He stopped in his tracks and looked back toward Apple, who was laughing. The collar of her light purple dress was pulled over her nose to block out the smell. Whatever was at the end of this path, he knew she couldn’t handle it. She needed to go back before this adventure scared her further.

Following his line of sight, Gale’s face pulled down in a frown. “You want her to go back, don’t you?”

“Yes. Will you take her back and watch over her until we return?” It was a lot to ask of his friend, but Astarion knew that if they didn't return, Apple would thrive in Gale’s care—that was, if Mielikki was somewhere in this forest, at the center of this rot.

“Of course, but you better come back, or I’ll be trying my hand at necromancy to drag you out of whatever Hell you are thrown into.” Gale clapped Astarion on the back twice before moving towards Apple.

Apple looked at Gale, confused. “Why are we stopping?” she asked, turning to Astarion, who had followed behind Gale. “Are we taking a break?”

Astarion gave her his best reassuring smile. “No, I want you to head back with Gale, sweetheart.”

“What!? Why?” Apple stuck out her bottom lip to pout. “I want to find Mom!”

“I know you do, but I don’t want to expose you to what’s at the end of this path.” Astarion placed a hand on her head and smoothed the runaway strands that sat at attention. “I have a feeling it’s nothing you’ll want to see.”

Silence and a look that was all too much like one that Tav would give him spread across Apple’s features. “I can handle it!”

“Asteria, I don’t want you to handle it. I want you to stay away from it!”

At the sound of her given name, Apple looked down, avoiding eye contact entirely. Astarion couldn’t remember the last time he had used her name. They had just always called her Apple unless she was in school or if she was in trouble. This time, he used it to get her full attention, to show her he was serious and that there would be no room for argument—not with this, not with her safety.

Astarion knelt down so that he could look into her eyes. They were watery green pools that fought fight back tears, stars winking in and out of existence— his mortal eyes.

“Apple, I’m sorry for yelling, but you need to go back with Gale.” Astarion decided to be brutally honest with her. “I can’t protect you while also protecting your mother because when we find her, I don’t think she’s going to be strong enough to fight.”

Apple looked concerned. “You think Mommy’s hurt?”

“I do, and she’s going to need my full attention. So in order for me to do that, you need to go back with Gale while the rest of us help her.”

The others stood in silence while Astarion spoke what he knew was true deep in his gut. He had always tried to be honest with Apple about almost everything. Ignorance was bliss, but it also allowed people to be blind to the truth, and he didn’t want that for his daughter. None of his and Tav’s future children really, but right now, they were made of hopes and dreams, and Apple was flesh and blood before him.

“Okay,” Apple finally spoke after thinking over what he had said. “Grandpa Halsin and Aunty Shadowheart will be there with you, so you don’t need me and Uncle Gale.”

“We will bring your mother back to the wagon the second we are able.” Shadowheart gave Apple a tender smile. “I’ve been healing your parents for years now. It’s like a job at this point.”

Everyone shared a collective laugh at Astarion’s expense, and he forced a laugh out so that it looked as if he agreed. Once it died down, Apple dismounted Halsin, who quickly shifted from bear form back into his elven form. He gave Astarion a look that asked why Gale and not him, which came down to a few things that he would explain later. Right now, he just wanted to see them on their way so that they could continue forward.

Astarion kissed the top of Apple’s head before taking her into his arms for a tight hug. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He pressed another kiss to the shell of her pointed ear.

“I love you, Papa. Bring Mommy back safe.” Apple squeezed him tight.

“I will,” Astarion whispered his promise into her ear.

She let go of him, and Astarion watched her turn towards Gale, taking his hand and turning away from him. The rest of the party watched in silence until neither Gale nor Apple could be seen, making sure that they were on their way out of the forest.

It was Halsin who broke the silence, a smile pulling his lips upwards. “I’m so proud of the father you have become, Astarion. I’ve seen such growth in you, and I hardly recognize you from the person I first met all those years ago.”

“He’s right, you know,” Shadowheart spoke up when Astarion didn’t reply. “Fatherhood suits you.”

“I never thought it was a role I would get to play.” Astarion turned his eyes from where Apple had been and looked back in the direction where Tav’s blood led. “Now, come on. I would like to get my wife back before nightfall.”

He didn’t want to wait around to see what creatures stalked around once the sun went down. Nothing good, that was for sure.

“Agreed.” Shadowheart motioned forward. “After you.”

“Why, thank you.” Astarion gave her a mock bow before taking a sure foot forward, getting one step closer to Tav.

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redlittlefoxari · 26 days

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Reblogging For chapter update

Astarion X Female Tav, Angst, Smut, NSFW 18+, Fluff

To the Ends of Faerun Master List

Warnings: Smut, Blood, Violence, NSFW 18+, Fluff, Angst, Pregnancy, Talks of Emotional trama, Talks of Physical Trama

Chapter One: Happy Little Family

Chapter Two: Steady *Smut*

Chapter Three: Worth

Chapter Four: Old Gods

Chapter Five: Pact

Chapter Six: Numb

Chapter Seven: Let it Out

Chapter Eight: Drunk

Chapter Nine: Hide and Seek *Smut*

Chapter Ten: Fair

Chapter Eleven: Wicked Goddess

Chapter Twelve: Binding

Chapter Thirteen: On Hold

Chapter Fourteen: Mother Knows Best

Chapter Fifteen: Shadow Purge

Chapter Sixteen: Something in the Air

Chapter Seventeen: Mind, Body and Soul *Smut*

Chapter Eighteen: Morning

Chapter Nineteen: Distracted

Chapter Twenty: Blood and Fear

Chapter Twenty-One: Scars

Chapter Twenty-Two: Friends Forever

Chapter Twenty-Three: Wants and Needs

Chapter Twenty-Four: Rest and Relaxation *Smut*

Chapter Twenty-Five: Trouble

Chapter Twenty-Six: Promise Me

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Almost There

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Evereska

Chapter Twenty-Nine: List of the Lost

Chapter Thirty: Rotten

Chapter Thirty-One: Get Out Alive

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redlittlefoxari · 26 days

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To The Ends Of Faêrun : Chapter Thirty-One: Get Out Alive

MasterList

AstarionXFemale Tav

*List includes a prequel that is essentially one-shots of their adventures over the fifty years after the battle at the end of the game*

Warnings: Blood, Sex, Violence, NSFW 18+, Smut

You can also read it on my AO3: Link Here!

Summary: Tav fights for her life in order to break free from her captor's grasp before he takes advantage of her and steals her life for his dark god.

Tav hit the soft ground below, and heard an audible sucking sound that drew her in slightly. Trying not to think about what she had fallen into, Tav focused on her hands, pulling them in opposite directions until she heard the sound of ripping and, a second later, the rope falling limp to the ground. A wave of relief coursed through Tav at the freedom of her hands once more, but she quickly pushed it to the back burner, and rage took over.

Ignoring the burning in her wrists and shoulders from being bound for so long, Tav moved her hands in front of her and started speaking the incantation for Ray of Frost. Her captor's face filled with shock, and the look filled Tav with satisfaction that she had gotten the better of him. That was because he thought so little of her; he wasn’t expecting her to be able to break free. From what could be seen, his mouth opened in surprise, rotten teeth on full display. His hood was drawn over his eyes, so Tav didn’t get the full experience of seeing his expression, but her mind could fill in the blanks.

Frost tipped her fingers before a blueish-white light formed in Tav’s palm, alleviating some of the sting she felt all over her hands. “You can tell your god I will not be used in the ritual. Thank you.”

Not allowing him to speak, Tav shot the Ray of Frost straight at the hooded figure's face, causing his head to knock back before his body hit the ground. Knowing she only had a few seconds, Tav began the task of untying the restraints at her ankles. Adrenaline fueled her movements, but desperation had her fumbling with the knot that held fast. The cultist started to stir on the ground, and it was the added desperation that finally had Tav pulling the knot free and throwing the rope to the side.

Scrambling to her feet, Tav initially slipped into the wet earth below her before righting herself and sprinting in the direction she had left the trail of blood for Astarion to follow. “Astarion!” she screamed in hopes that he was close. Maybe even if he wasn’t, her voice would carry on the wind, and he would come. “I’m here! Astarion! I’m here!!”

Tav had made it about thirty feet before there was a crackle of energy in the air. Then, something struck her dead center in the back. The resulting blast of energy propelled her forward into one of the many dead trees that surrounded her. Tav recognized the feeling from when she traveled with Wyll, and he was still a warlock.

The Eldritch Blast, coupled with the impact from the tree, caused Tav to hit the ground once more. The impact made her head spin, causing the world around her to tilt on its axis. Gripping the side of her head, Tav cast Cure Wounds, trying to heal the head wound and get her eyes to focus once more.

After a few seconds, the world stopped spinning, and Tav saw where she had landed: next to the rotting corpse of someone she could only assume used to be an occupant of the city. It had been there for a little under a week, judging by the level of decomposition. Bloated and leaking were the only words that Tav could use to describe the state of the body, which made her skin crawl as she thought about the earth below her. Why was it slick when there was no water to be seen? How many bodies laid just beyond that contributed to the rise in moisture? The answer had to be obscene. So Tav pushed the thought to the back of her mind and decided to focus on the task at hand.

Tav quickly searched the body for anything she could use to fight the hooded man, who was surely advancing on her. She couldn’t take him with only the cantrip that she had at her disposal; she needed a weapon. Anything would do at this point. A club, dagger, butter knife, anything.

She held back her urge to be sick while rooting around the corpse., ignoring the way her fingers found only wetness no matter where she probed. It was when she was about to give up, thinking that the person who once inhabited the hollow-eyed body had been stripped of any potential weapons just like she had been before she was taken, that Tav felt something cold and metal on their inside breast pocket.

Right when the cool metal of a candle stick was gripped in her hands, and she began pulling it free from where it sat, there was a sudden feeling that someone was behind her. Tav felt fingers in her hair. Before she could whip around to cast another blast of ice, the hand that had woven itself into her hair before pulling her head back hard. She felt her hair become loose, no doubt from several follicles being torn open while they lost the hair that was once attached to them.

Throwing her down and to the side of the body she just searched, the cultist stood above her in a savage fit of rage. He quickly moved to straddle Tav so that her legs were pinned under his weight. The Ray of Frost had blown back the hood that shrouded his face, so now Tav could see the full horror that was her assailant. And she could see why he covered his face—it was made of nightmares.

He didn't have a nose to speak of. It was clear at some point it had been cut off, leaving behind two slits like a skull, which matched his hollow eyes lined with black and accented with a green glow. She couldn’t tell if he was an animated corpse or if he was still human. His skin looked pocked and swollen, sagging in some parts where, in others, it was drawn tight. It looked as if he was in varying stages of decomposition. Maybe that was what a pact with this rotten god did to someone.

It rotted them from the inside out.

“My lord said I could have you, and I will have what I am due for serving him!” The dead man gripped Tav’s hands while he screamed in her face.

“You and your lord can go fuck yourselves!” Tav struggled against his weight. “Get off of me!”

The full weight of his upper body was being pressed into Tav’s aching shoulders and wrists. They screamed in pain, begging to rest, but Tav pushed on, still fighting, knowing that the second she stopped, he would get what he wanted, and then she would beg for death. There would be no way she could face Astarion after that. So she would continue to fight.

“What did you say?” A snarl left his rotting lips.

“I said…” Tav spat into his face, and the wet glob of blood and mucus landed right in the center of one green eye. “That the two of you can go fuck yourself!”

His right hand moved faster than Tav could anticipate, cocking back and slamming into the center of her face, producing a sickening crunch. Tav couldn’t tell what exactly broke; her best guess was her nose or maybe a few teeth, but pain radiated through her mouth and nose, and a few seconds later, she was choking on her own blood. She couldn’t get the thick liquid out fast enough when she tried. When she tried, more would take its place.

Gasping for air, Tav turned her head, untangling her hands from his to shove at his chest, trying to get him off of her. Trying to breathe. Trying to live.

Hands wrapped around her throat, pulling her head so that it faced up toward the canopy of dead trees. He squeezed, her panic consumed her, the feeling of not being able to breathe sending terror through her body. She didn’t want to die here on the cold, wet earth. She didn’t want to die at all. The thought of Astarion finding her cold, dead body here, violated, made her struggle against her attacker harder. Tav gripped his arms, tearing into them, feeling skin break away from his body, which did little to deter him from continuing to work on his task at hand.

“Sleep now.” He slowly added more pressure until Tav saw stars. “You’ll be with him soon… with our rotten god, with Moander.”

In a final act of desperation, Tav blindly started searching for anything around her to grab. There had to be something she could use to get this monster off her, something that would break his hold and buy her enough time to escape. There was a brush of metal, and Tav’s only thought was that she had found the candle stick; she had found her salvation.

Gripping the object in her hand, Tav swung blindly in the direction she knew her attempted murderer sat above her. In a savage arc, putting all the power that she had left into the attack, Tav connected with something hard. There was a crack followed by the feeling of air returning to her lungs. The crushing weight that once rooted her firmly to the ground slid off of her, and then her whole body was free.

Tav’s throat burned with the effort of gulping down breaths. She looked towards the dead man, wanting to thank him, but found no words came out. Her attacker had caused too much damage to her throat, resulting in the loss of her voice. But now that Tav had a weapon, her voice was not required to end the life of the sorry excuse for a skeleton that lay beside her, struggling to stand.

Tav stood on wobbly legs, fighting to gain her balance. She would have to make this quick if she wanted to create some distance between her and the temple that sat just beyond the tree line. There had to be other cultists stalking about, and she didn’t want to be near when they all flocked home.

Finally gaining her bearings, Tav kicked the noseless man in the face as hard as she could without falling over herself. The kick sent him sprawling onto his back, and Tav moved to perch above him. Blood leaked from the holes he called a nose, bright red against his ashen face.

So he was alive. Corpses didn’t usually bleed red. No, their blood was black. Tainted.

Staring down at the man before her, he gave her a toothy grin. Several of his black, rotting teeth were now missing, removed by her booted foot upon impact. They had been barely hanging on by a thread before. She had just sped up the inevitable.

He moved to speak, but before a word could leave his wormy lips, Tav raised her foot and stomped down hard on his face, quickly silencing him. She was tired of hearing about his god and tired of hearing him prattle on about nothing of importance. He had already given her enough information that they could go off, and if they needed more, she now knew where the temple sat. All she cared about was getting back to Astarion and Apple—back to her family.

Placing a hand on her stomach, Tav prayed to anyone who would listen that the baby that grew in her belly had not been affected by everything that had just transpired. He was still new, barely developed, just an embryo at this point that didn’t need air, and only lived off of what she fed him. There was a tugging sensation in her heart that told her he was okay; a small mercy from whoever was listening to her.

A moan pulled her from her thoughts, and Tav looked down to find that the cultist was still alive. At this point, she would settle for him just being unconscious. Lifting her leg until she had reached the maximum height it would go, Tav came down hard, putting all her power into the strike. Colliding with the center of his face, there was a sicking crunch under her solid boot, and then silence.

Tav started to search the body, finding a bag that contained two health potions, several items covered in mold, a dagger with carvings of screaming faces in the pummel, and a few scrolls of Lesser Restoration. Judging by the food she had found, Tav guessed that the diet of those worshiping the god of rot left them feeling less than they needed to be. Eating rotten food usually did. It was certainly dedication, to be sure, and made sense why the warlock needed so many scrolls to heal him of his multiple daily poisonings.

Under her touch, the cultist sucked in a watery breath, letting Tav know that he was still alive. However, the lack of any other movement told her that he wouldn't be for long. There was a part of her that wanted to put him out of this misery and kill him now. To end this cruel man who took her away from her family, who tried to give her to his god, but not before taking his pleasure with her. She thought better of it, deciding to let him rot among the corpses surrounding him—the ones that he no doubt brought here over the past few months. Tav looked at his face, taking note of the concave in his face, the jagged bits of bone that were probably now lodged in his brain. Without medical treatment, there was no way he would live. So, in the mud, he would stay. He would die.

After finishing her search, Tav stood slowly, uncapping the first healing potion and pressing it to her lips. The second the liquid touched her tongue, there was a familiar earthy, bitter taste followed by a cooling sensation in her throat. She hoped that since the only issue with her body was her loss of speech, the potion would heal some part of that. Before testing her vocal cords, Tav opened one of the scrolls and activated the spell, curing her bloodless condition. She would, of course, need to actually get something to eat, blood included, but she didn't hold out any hope that she would find something nearby.

Briefly, Tav thought about biting into the dying man before her and shuddered at the thought. Only the gods knew what diseases this man carried. Judging by what he ate and the life he led, she could only guess that at least a couple things that would cause her harm swam through his veins. All the same, she didn't know if she would be able to drink from any person besides Astarion. It was always something they did together, and it had always been an intimate thing.

Looking around, Tav saw the truly gruesome sight that she was surrounded by. Moonrise had been awful, full of body parts chopped and discarded to fulfill the mad necromancer Balthazar’s needs. Even the Bhaal Temple paled in comparison to the grotesque sight of what looked to be hundreds, maybe even thousands, of rotten bodies, human and animal, laid out in various states of decay. Tav nearly gagged, knowing that the mud that coated her was a mix of corpse rot and the dirt they laid on.

The number of bodies seemed to pile higher the further north she looked, culminating at a large temple that had fallen into disrepair—forgotten, it would seem. The building blended into the background, camouflaged by dead vines and other plants. Maybe that was how the forest got its name. It housed whatever used the temple as a base of worship.

Tav took a step towards the forgotten temple and paused. She had promised Astarion that she wouldn't do anything stupid, and going into a building surrounded by dead bodies sounded like a bad idea. Alone at least, and right now, there was no way to tell how far the others were from her. Tav ruminated on the two options she had before her: wait among the dead for everyone else? Or start making her way back in hopes that they were right behind her?

A sound came from beside Tav while she was deep in thought, calculating her options, pulling her attention away from the decision at hand. It didn’t take long for whatever was hiding to make another high-pitched cry. Tav’s heart broke at the sound: a cub of some kind crying out for their mother. The wail was mournful, and so filled with a helpless terror that Tav found herself moving towards the sound, her own sadness being replaced by a strong need to find and protect the creature.

Casting Speak With Animals, the words sounded scratchy and foreign coming from her lips but worked all the same. Tav hoped that Shadowheart would be able to heal her further and that no lasting damage had been done to her vocal cords. Or really anything in her neck.

It didn’t take long for Tav to find the source of the cries, and the sight made her freeze. Off the beaten path, behind a few withering shrubs, lay a dead red fox with two other, smaller ones beside it. They looked to be no older than a few months, old and far too young to be taken from this world, but they hadn’t made the sound Tav had heard. They had been dead for days, judging by the look of them. No, the sound had come from the survivor of the family massacre.

“Wake up, Mom. We have to go.” The kit nudged its mother with its head. “Please.”

There was a pleading cry accentuating each word that made Tav’s heart squeeze with pain. “I don’t think she’s going to wake up, little one.” Tav forced out every word, each one stinging as it left her lips.

The kit whirled around and let out a small growl. “Back away! Or you’ll be sorry.”

“I’m already sorry for you, little one.” Tav lowered her head and took a seat on the soft earth, ignoring the audible sucking sound it made. “What happened?”

He didn’t reply, only fixing her with a fierce look and shifting into a fighting stance, but Tav knew even if he did attack, it would do him little good. Now that she got a closer look at him, she could see how weak he was. The kit likely hadn’t left his mother's side since it had been brought here, and there was nothing to eat besides bodies that looked as if they had been here for weeks.

“I won’t hurt you.” Tav smiled the best she could without wincing in pain, but it didn’t stop the pain from causing one to coming regardless.

“Did they hurt you too?” The kit sat on its haunches, all fierce determination and hatred gone from its little golden eyes, and replaced with curiosity.

“Yes.” Tav angled her throat from him to see and rubbed the bruise gently. “Nearly killed me, but I don’t die so easily.”

“I wish my mom didn’t die so easily, like you…” He trailed off to look back at his mother's lifeless form.

“What happened?”

It took a few moments before the small fox replied. “We were crossing the sea of grass when something started calling to us. So we followed the scent of death into the forest, and in the night, something chased us.” He shuddered. “I ran and hid, but the others fought and died… Now I wish I would have done the same.”

“Don’t say that. Why don’t you come back with me?” Tav wanted to scoop the poor kit up into her arms, but knew if she did, he would bolt. He needed to come to her on his own. “I have food and water back at my camp.”

“But what about them?”

The question made Tav feel pity for the small animal. “I cannot do anything for them, but I can do something for you.” She held out her hand for him to sniff. “I will keep you safe.”

He stood on all four of his legs and took a few hesitant steps forward, until his dry nose touched the tips of her fingers. Tav knew he was dehydrated judging by the lack of moisture on his nose. She knew that he would likely be dead tomorrow if he didn’t get something to eat or drink. She sent out a prayer that the small kit would believe her and come with her back to camp. And to her surprise, someone must have listened.

Taking a few more slow steps, the small, weak kit rubbed his face on the rest of Tav’s hands, making her heart soar. “I will go with you, but only until I am strong enough to go on my own, and then I will leave.”

“Of course.” Tav gave another smile before standing slowly. “May I carry you? We would go a lot faster if I did.”

“Carry?” He tilted his head to one side.

“I’ll hold you in my arms while I walk, so you don’t have to,” Tav explained while miming the action.

“You may carry me, but only for a little while.”

“Of course.” Tav leaned down and picked the fox up in her arms, giving him a gentle scratch.

“That feels nice.” He sighed, leaning into Tav’s fingers.

“Glad you think so.” Tav started moving back towards where the path had been, sparing only a short glance at the cultist, whose chest rose and fell sharply. She pulled her attention from him and started down the path that led out of the Forgotten Forest—that led back to Astarion. “So what should I call you?”

“Call me?”

“Do you have a name?”

“I don’t have a name.” He tilted his head under Tav’s hand. “Why do I need a name?”

“So that you are more than just the fox to me, or a kit.” Tav didn’t know how to explain the concept of a name to an animal.

“I think I would like a name.” The small fox’s tail moved back and forth. “What would you like to call me?”

Tav thought for a few moments before answering. “How about Oliver?”

Names had been on her mind since finding out that she was pregnant, so she had a whole slew of them running through her head. Oliver had been one that she considered, but looking at the small fox in her hand, she knew that it more suited him.

“Oliver… Oliver.” He tried it a few times, and each time, his tail swished faster. “I like it! Oliver!”

Oliver howled in satisfaction, and Tav laughed, causing her to cough. She could taste blood. “I’m glad you like the name.”

The two fell into silence while the careful rocking of Tav’s walking lulled Oliver to sleep in her arms. Tav kept her attention on the path ahead of her, watching for anything and anyone that could be considered a threat. She made sure to keep one hand on the cultist dagger while the other cradled Oliver close to her body.

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redlittlefoxari · 1 month

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To The Ends Of Faêrun : Chapter Thirty: Rotten

This series is book two of a fanfic I have already written called Astarion Epilogue: An Adventure in Making Life

Master List Here for Books One, and Two

*List includes a prequel that is essentially one-shots of their adventures over the fifty years after the battle at the end of the game*

Warnings: Blood, Sex, Violence, NSFW 18+, Smut

Summary: Tav finds out more about who has taken her and what is wrong in the forgotten forest.

Tav’s throat throbbed with pain. The last thing she remembered was hands around her neck squeezing tight, cutting off her air supply until everything had faded to black. A figure in a drawn-up cloak covering the upper half of his face was the cause, and cold bricks pressed into her back. He had said something about his lord, but who that was, Tav hadn’t the faintest idea.

Wherever the figure was now, he carried her over his shoulder. She felt something tight over her mouth, making it hard for her to cast any spells. Not that she would have been able to; when Tav tried to move her hands, she found that they were tied behind her back, and shortly after coming to that conclusion, she found the same was true about her ankles. She was bound and gagged, being carried by someone that she didn’t know.

Kidnapped. Oh, Astarion was never going to let her hear the end of this one. That was if she ever saw him again. From the feeling of nausea growing in her stomach to the pounding in her head, Tav knew that she didn’t get enough to eat the last time she had consumed something. She knew that even if she did escape her captor, she would need to be very careful and plan out every move down to the smallest detail. Tav couldn’t feel her bow at her back, so it was safe to assume that everything she could use for a weapon was tossed somewhere along the way. If she was lucky, the cloaked man would have kept them for himself, but Tav didn’t think she was that fortunate. These days, it seemed like the gods liked testing her.

Her mind was a foggy mess as Tav tried desperately to get a handle on what was going on. Opening her eyes, she found that the city of Evereska was no longer around her; instead, a dark, dead forest surrounded her on all sides. Everything from the grass below to the trees was devoid of life. Dry husks of what they once were.

And the smell.

A gag escaped Tav’s throat at the smell of decay and rot that filled the air around them. The scent was heavy in the air, sticking to her skin and making her feel dirty. The forest smelled like there were hundreds of dead bodies hidden somewhere just out of sight. The sickly sweet stench that was so unique to rotting animals and humanoid creatures alike. No matter how many times Tav’s eyes scanned over the area, there was nothing to indicate that any corpses were nearby, which made her think that they were piled somewhere close or that there were a lot more than she first guessed.

Another retch had the cloaked figure throwing her to the ground. The second she collided with the earth below, a shockwave of pain reverberated through her arms. He had flung her so that she landed on her hands. A moan of pain, along with another wave of sickness, surged through Tav. She was going to puke, and the gag covering her mouth was going to cause her to aspirate on her own vomit.

The stranger straddled Tav, ripping the cloth from her mouth. He moved off of her, which allowed her to relive the feeling of throwing up by turning to the side and emptying her stomach. The feeling of pain in her intensified with the act. It was searing pain, causing her vision to go white for a few seconds before returning.

Tav choked down air, regretting it instantly once she tasted the sweet decay in the air that seemed to live around them. Once she gained back some composure, Tav looked at her captor with disdain. He only looked back down at her with a shit-eating grin.

Now that there was more light, Tav got a better look at the man before her. His robes were still tattered, rotting away, which was in stark contrast to the heavy, gaudy-looking silver chain laying just under the cloak. Rubies, amethysts, and emeralds sat embedded in a hand where the ends of the chains met. Something so fine would normally not be around the neck of someone who looked like a common beggar. No, the chain belonged to someone who was high up on the social ladder of a cult. A god that Tav had never seen before their symbol before.

The longer Tav stared at the piece of jewelry, an open palm with a snarling mouth and jagged teeth stared back at her. It was something she had never seen before, making her think that it belonged to some new god she had just never heard of.

He followed her gaze, and his smile grew, showing her a rotting set of teeth. “My lord has chosen me, and I have become his favorite.” Turning the hand over, there was a snarling mouth with sharp teeth.

“And just who is your lord?” Every word was raspy leaving Tav’s lips. When he had choked her, it was likely he had done some real damage.

“You don’t know the symbol of the Foul God?” He scoffed. “The one who will consume this world and bring a new age.”

“Can’t say I do.” Tav went over the gods in her head and found none that referred to themselves as the ‘Foul God.’

“Doesn’t matter. You will be feeding him soon enough.”

He plucked her from the ground, and she fought. The bastard didn’t even put the gag back into place, probably guessing that Tav was no threat to him without her weapons. The way she was dressed in her armor made it clear that she wasn’t one of the magic classes. At a glance, one would probably guess fighter or ranger, of which she was the latter of. All the spells she could cast required some sort of projectile or an animal, and judging by the smell coming from the forest around them, there were none scurrying about.

“Careful, darling.”

The common name Astarion used for her sounded vile coming from his lips. It made Tav want to cut his tongue from his mouth for even daring to call her that.

“Say that again, and I’ll help you lose some of those rotting teeth of yours.”

The cloaked man simply laughed at her statement. “I like your venom. Maybe I’ll have my way with you before giving you over to my lord.”

A chill ran down Tav’s spine.

“We just need you alive until we get to the temple. No one said you couldn’t be broken in first.”

Tav felt a hand cup her ass, and the act caused her to go still. She wanted to fight back, stab this man with a dagger through his rotted heart, and put an end to him, but if she didn't rein in her emotions, this man would do unspeakable things to her. Tav needed to be careful, wait for the proper time to fight, and think of a plan.

When she stopped fighting, he removed his hand from her and proceeded to move. “We have some time before we make it to the temple. Until then, I want you to think about everything you think I’ll do to you when we get there.”

Another wave of sickness hit Tav. She bit her lip hard until she felt a trickle of blood run across her lip, and then the idea hit her. Astarion knew her blood’s scent like the back of his hand. He would surely be on his way to find her at this very moment, and to ensure that he would find her, he would need a trail.

Biting the inside of her cheek, Tav didn’t stop until her mouth filled with blood. Once it had, she slowly let drops fall from between her lips. Leaving a trail that only a vampire could follow—one that would lead Astarion straight to her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Astarion looked at the dead forest and balked at the smell coming from the thick crop of trees. With the trees so tightly packed together, they would have to head the rest of the way on foot. He hoped that once inside, Tav would be easy to find. Whoever had taken her left a trail in the long grass between here and Evereska, but now, looking into the dark fortress of decay before him, there was no such path. They would just have to move forward and hope for the best.

It had taken them all night to get this far. Apple had slept soundly while the others took turns sleeping. Astarion wanted them well rested for whatever waited for them in the forest where people went in but didn’t come out again.

The entire time, the wind blew away from them, carrying the smell north. Now that they were confronted with the Forgotten Forest and its rotten depths, fear crept into Astarion.

“What’s that smell?” Apple jumped out of the back of the wagon and held her hands over her nose.

“It smells like something died.” Shadowheart did the same.

“More like a few hundred things have died, I’ll wager.” Gale placed his robe sleeve over the bottom half of his face.

“Whoever has done this truly must pay for doing something so abhorrent to one of nature's gifts.” Halsin’s voice filled with rage as he gazed upon the death in front of them.

“Let’s just get in, get Tav, and find out if this has anything to do with Mielikki.” Astarion grabbed Tav’s bow that they had found further down the alley where her daggers and bag had been. “Stay on your guard. It’s going to be harder to sense anything or anyone coming up on us with this smell bombarding our nostrils.”

Everyone agreed, readying themselves before taking their first tentative steps into the forest.

The Forgotten Forest was a massive expanse of trees that stretched across the Marsh of Chelimiber, about fifty miles long. At least, that was what Halsin had told them while they moved through the dead wasteland. There hadn’t been a creature seen since they entered the forest. No little heartbeats could be heard with Astarion’s keen vampiric hearing. Just silence. Only death.

With the dead trees covering the sky, there was no way to track the time. If Astarion had to guess, it had been two hours since they had entered the forest and two hours of nothing. There had been no sign of Tav this whole time. The fact that they had found nothing so far filled Astarion with dread. It made him want to scream her name in hopes that she would be able to shout back, but that idea made him just as weary.

What if they woke something up?

“My feet hurt,” Apple whined while she dragged her feet.

“I’ve got you, little one.” Halsin shifted into a bear and stopped long enough to allow Apple to climb onto his back before trending along once more.

“Tav has to be in here somewhere.” Astarion scanned for anything that could give him a clue, give him hope, but came up short.

“We haven’t been looking for very long, and judging from the tracks we followed, I think they just barely beat us here.” Gale offered support, his voice hopeful.

“They were a few hours old,” Astarion said. He had spent enough time tracking food down to be able to read tracks, and Tav had taught him some tricks over the years. He took a slow, deep breath and caught the scent of blood in the air—Not just any blood—Tav’s. “I can smell her blood!”

“Blood?”

Apple’s voice pitched upwards, and Astarion fixed her with a glare. “Halsin, you stay back. Don’t let Apple come any closer.” He didn’t need her running off into the woods. There was too much at stake for her also to go missing.

Astarion quickly made his way to where he smelled the blood, finding a few drops mixed with saliva along with a pile that looked like Tav’s last meal she had eaten before she was taken. A smile spread across Astarion’s lips. Tav had most likely woken up here and made them a trail to follow. The blood was dried, which confirmed his suspicion about just how far behind they were from her, but this was something.

Tav was alive and fighting the best way she knew how. Without any weapons, this was likely the only thing she could do.

“Tav left us a trail!” Astarion couldn’t hold in his excitement. “We just need to follow the blood.”

“Lead on!” Gale pointed forward. “You’re the closest thing we have to a bloodhound.”

“Normally, I would be offended at your comment, but this time, I’ll take it as a compliment.” Astarion held his head high, setting off in the direction where the blood continued.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The closer they got to wherever they were headed, the more powerful the smell of rot and decay became. They had to be close to the bog that neighbored the Forgotten Forest; either that or the land had atrophied so much that it was becoming a cesspit.

It was about another hour into their journey when Tav spotted the first body. And she now knew where all the animals had gone. They had been used to feed this god of rot and decay her captor worshiped, which was evident by the fact that he didn't care if he stepped into one of the decaying carcasses. He thanked his god for the pleasure of letting him do so. Every time it happened, Tav had to fight the bile that rose in her throat.

Tav’s mouth was sore from all the new wounds she had opened to gather the blood needed to make her trail. Though she tried everything she could, the rope that bound her wrists only gave a little. When she had used her armor in an attempt to cut the rope, it had caused too much movement, and he had put a stop to it with one hand between her thighs. The act made her chest fill with white-hot rage. He didn’t even need to say anything; the threat was plain to see.

Stop, or I’ll make you stop.

So Tav started picking at the strands one by one until her energy was spent. Nausea and the pounding headache continued after she woke up. She needed to feed; otherwise, even if she did escape, she would have no energy. The baby in her belly certainly didn’t care if she was starving. He would continue to feed on her, getting the nutrients he needed, and feeding on her blood until she became anemic and weak.

The cloaked figure had been silent for the majority of the journey, only muttering to himself along the way. Or she supposed he could be talking to the Foul God he spoke of earlier. Hours had gone by, and he had just muttered to himself, giving away information without Tav having to ask.

From what she could gather from the one-sided conversation, Tav was being taken to a temple and was going to be ‘added to the rot.’ Whatever that meant, she wanted to take no part in it. No matter how she spun it, she would likely end up dead in sacrifice to this god.

Along with this, she gathered that she was the last soul needed and that it was his god’s will that he found her. It was Tav’s bad luck that had gotten her into this situation. Anyone could have been the target of this rotten fool. Tav just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Suddenly, Tav felt the ropes around her wrist loosen. A feeling of victory coursed through Her. After hours of picking until her fingers were no doubt bloody and raw, she had finally torn through one of the braids that kept her hands at bay. Now, all Tav needed to do was make a choice. Did she break free and run? Or bide her time and hope Astarion and the others were close at hand?

“We are close.” The cloaked figure started talking to himself again, and a small laugh escaped his throat.

“Close to where?” Tav still wanted to gather as much information before trying to escape.

“May I have her for doing your bidding so well, master?”

“Master?” Tav felt the blood drain from her face.

“It will taint her further and make the return of your most faithful servant all the sweeter, my lord.”

Another slip of information letting Tav know what the sacrifices were truly for: bringing whoever this god was back to this plane. Knowing that time had run out for gathering information, Tav readied herself for what was about to come next.

Though she could not hear the reply, Tav could feel a hum in the air, a sudden shift that made her stomach twist, making her want to vomit again.

“Thank you, my lord, Moander. I will do this in your name.”

A second later, Tav was being shifted, and, another second later, thrown toward the ground.

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redlittlefoxari · 1 month

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To The Ends Of Faêrun : Chapter Twenty- Nine: List of the Lost

This series is book two of a fanfic I have already written called Astarion Epilogue: An Adventure in Making Life

Master List Here for Books One, and Two

*List includes a prequel that is essentially one-shots of their adventures over the fifty years after the battle at the end of the game*

Warnings: Blood, Sex, Violence, NSFW 18+, Smut

Summary: Astarion tracks down someone in town to get some answers about what is going on in the city of Evereska.

Astarion screamed Tav’s name over and over again until his throat was raw. Panic filled every pore in his body, but he quickly tried to gather his warring emotions, trying to keep a level head despite everything that he felt. There was no sense in panicking, no sense in scaring Apple. His chest felt tight from the effort. He was living a nightmare all over again—one where there were far more questions than answers.

Waterdeep came to mind. Tav had run, leaving a trail of her blood behind that helped lead them in the right direction. However, this time, there was only broken glass from a jar that didn’t house her blood, just some animal they had killed along the way to this godsforsaken city.

A curse left his lips. Tav was not weak by any stretch of the imagination. So what happened? Where had she gone? She wouldn’t have been able to go anywhere in her condition, not on her own, at least. Tav had been gulping down the blood and juice mixture when he had gone after Apple. Going almost the whole day without food or blood, coupled with the search, had left Tav weak and exposed.

Despite the city being quiet, Astarion’s guard had been lowered after seeing nothing and no one the entire time they had been in Evereska. That, coupled with the fact that Apple's running shifted his focus away from Tav, made it all too easy for someone to take advantage of the situation. But why take Tav in the first place?

He needed answers. And he was tired of waiting for someone to open the door so that they could nicely ask one of the occupants of this city to give them an explanation of what was going on. Patience had run out for that now that Tav was nowhere to be found. The clock was ticking, and Astarion was not going to wait a second longer.

“Apple, start calling for your mother!” Astarion held out his hand to her. “Grab my hand just in case.” With his free hand, he pulled a dagger from his waist and held it out, ready to strike.

“Alright…” Apple did what she was told. A worried expression pulled her brows together as she started to call for her mother. Her high, scared voice echoed Astarion’s. “Is Mommy in trouble?”

Astarion didn’t want to lie to her, but he had just told Apple that her mother was strong and could handle herself. She no doubt could normally, but she was in no position to fight at the time. He still held out hope, that even in her weakened state, Tav would be able to call out for help. They hadn’t been gone for very long, which meant whatever or whoever had taken Tav couldn’t have gotten far. “I think so, honey, but remember what I said earlier? Your mother is strong. She can take care of herself.”

“Mmhm.” There was doubt in her tone. “Mom!”

When he still heard nothing, Astarion started to check the adjacent allies and found Tav’s bag and the two daggers she kept on her hips. They had been casually thrown to the ground next to the last house Tav had knocked on.

Another curse left Astarion’s lips. “Shit.” He let go of Apple’s hand and knelt down to collect the items from the ground before attaching the bag to his waist. “I need you to hold this until we find your mother. Can you do that for me?”

“Yes.” Apple gave him a firm nod.

“Good girl.” He smiled at her before turning to scent the air, trying to see if Tav’s blood was anywhere, but found nothing. “Do you sense any magic?”

He waited with bated breath for her answer, hoping that there wasn’t any. His worst nightmare was that Tav had been whisked away to some plane of existence he could not reach, like what had almost happened with her father trying to take her back to the Prime, to be sold off and married to some debtor. Astarion hoped that he was lucky in that Tav had just been taken somewhere nearby, like what had happened when she had gone into labor: Tav had been in the city, just transported to the sewers.

Apple closed her eyes, and a silence fell around them. It didn’t take long for her eyes to fly open again and for her to look into his eyes. “Yes, there is a faint taste of magic in the air.” She pointed further down the alley. “But it’s heading in this direction.”

One of the weights lifted from his chest. At least she was still on this plane. Whoever had taken Tav must have used some spell to retreat away from the scene of the crime before anyone caught them in the act. Astarion was willing to bet his whole immortal life that whoever had taken Tav had something to do with the state of Evereska—why no one came out of their home even when someone came knocking.

Moving back to where the glass was on the ground, Astarion thought about what to do next. He worried for Tav, but he couldn’t just leave the others in the dark about what had happened. Then there was the added fact that he had Apple with him, and despite all the progress in her training, Astarion wasn’t ready to test his little girl against an unknown threat. But he also didn't want to leave her behind just in case there were more people around who would kidnap her. He couldn’t bear the idea that he wouldn’t be around to protect her. Even if he left Apple with one of the others, the thought made him uneasy.

“Godsdamn it!” Astarion punched the wall where Tav had been when he had left to get Apple, making Apple flinch beside him. Noticing the action, Astarion turned slightly towards her. “I’m sorry, love… I’m just frustrated… Let’s go back and find the others.”

“But what about Mom!?” There was panic in her eyes. “Are we just going to leave her!? We can’t just leave her!”

Astarion pinched the bridge of his nose. “We can’t go after your mother without at least telling the others where we are going, so that is what we are going to do.”

“But what if she’s hurt!?” Apple started to cry. “What if the person that took her hurts her like the bandit did!?”

These were all good questions. But Astarion didn’t want to know the answers to them at the moment. If he did, his sense of composure would fade away, and he knew that he would not be able to remain calm—something that he would need to be if Apple was around. He had a tendency to do stupid things when he was panicked or in a rage, and knowing that Tav was in danger would cause him to do both.

“I don’t think they want her dead, Apple.” ‘For now .’ Astarion didn’t voice this out loud. No, he kept that all to himself, the thought making his chest ache with dread. “Come on, we need to get back to the others.”

Though he was loathe to admit it, Astarion needed Halsin’s, Shadowheart’s, and Gale’s inputs at the moment. Gale could use a Scrying spell to locate Tav far faster than just going in the direction he thought they had gone. Tav would no doubt need some healing, and Shadowheart would be needed for that. And Halsin knew more about the city and town than any of them combined. Then, when they found Tav, they could beat the bastard who took her to a bloody pulp and get some answers out of him.

Taking Apple’s hand again, Astarion started walking in the direction of the wagon. By the time they saw the others, it was dark. The sun had set, and everything was cast in shadow. With the trees dead around them, there was no light, making the streets look more lifeless than ever. It brought out the ghost town aspect of the city, making a shiver run up his spine.

“Took you three long enough.” Gale had a smile on his face that quickly faded when he realized that something wasn’t right. “Where’s Tav?”

Astarion delivered the news with a solemn tone in his voice. “We don’t know.”

He told the others all that had happened while they had been apart. Their expressions grew more anxious with every new detail—or rather lack thereof. When he had concluded the events of the last thirty minutes, there was a pregnant pause until someone spoke again. Each person thinking of what to do next. How to go about finding where Tav had been spirited off to.

“I didn’t bring the supplies needed to scry, I’m afraid.” Gale was the first one to speak, and the first to dash Astarion’s hopes on the ground. “This city should have a magic shop that has the necessary supplies, but we would have to find it first.”

It had taken them hours just to search the outer parts of the city, and they had been split into two groups. How long would it take them to search the rest of the city for what they needed? And that was assuming they would even have what they needed.

“We know where she was taken. Why don’t we just follow in that direction?” Shadowheart offered up her suggestion.

“Because there are two places Tav’s captor could have gone West, there is no road, but it leads to the Forgotten Forest or North to the Grey Cloak Hills, which is the only clear path.” Halsin gestured in both directions while speaking. “One to the west, and the other heads north. We have to be sure to pick the right one; otherwise, she is as good as lost to us.”

Astarion could feel Apple squeeze his hand the second Halsin uttered the last few words. At least until they gathered the things they needed to scry on Tav. Which could take up too much time judging by the look of the city. It looked as if supplies had run dry, and no one was coming into the city. So, by the time anything could be found, it could be too late. He would never let that happen. Over his cold, dead body, would he allow that to happen.

Letting go of Apple’s hand, Astarion looked over to the door. Where Tav had heard someone skittering behind it earlier. It was time to get some answers to his questions. These people were hiding for a reason. They knew something, and he was going to make them talk one way or another.

“Where are you going?” Gale followed Astarion with his eyes.

“I’m going to get some answers.” Closing the space between him and the door, Astarion pulled a lock-picking kit from his pocket and began moving the pins and levers inside until he heard a click. “Watch Apple for a few minutes while I ask the owners of this house a few questions.”

“You can’t ju—” Gale started to object before he was stopped by Shadowheart.

“Let him. It’s the fastest way to get the information we need.” Shadowheart walked over to Apple and took her hand. “Why don’t we go over here and wait for your father?”

“Is he going to hurt them?”

Her question made Astarion stop what he was doing. Fingers gripping the doorknob, he turned his head slightly so that his profile could be seen. “No, I’m just going to ask them a few questions so we can find your mother.”

After a few heartbeats, Apple removed her eyes from him and turned away with Shadowheart. They remained in sight of the wagon, but moved to the far side of the street. Astarion didn’t plan on causing any pain, but with them so far away, any screams that left the home, should he need to cause them, would be dampened by the distance.

“Come on, Gale.” Astarion motioned for the wizard to come open the door. “I need you to invite me in.”

“Only if you promise not to hurt whoever is inside.” Gale’s face was set in a resolute expression.

“Fine.” Astarion rolled his eyes. “I promise I only want to talk to them.”

Satisfied with the vow, Gale opened the door and walked inside. “Come in, Astarion.”

Astarion gave him a tight-lipped smile. “Thank you.” Though he could walk in the sun, being invited into homes and not being able to wade into running water still vexed him. If they ever went on another adventure after this one, he wanted it to be a way to cure him altogether of his vampirism. Or, at the very least, make it so those two things no longer plagued him.

Moving past Gale, Astarion found a space inside that was dark and devoid of life. It looked staged, like the person living there wanted it to look abandoned. But Astarion knew better; Tav had confirmed it hours before. Someone was in here. They were just hiding. And he was going to find them.

Silently closing the door behind him, Astarion pulled his dagger out from its sheath and followed the signs of life. He could hear a heart racing in the next room.

“Put that away, Astarion,” Gale harshly whisperaed his objection to the blade.

“Oh, calm down. I’m not going to use it unless they try to hurt me.” Astarion continued on, a predator stalking his prey, his hunter’s instincts on high alert. “We just have some questions for you.” He could hear that whoever was on the other side of the wall was tense, readying themselves. “What happened here?”

“We are here to help,” Gale said calmly.

“J-J-Just leave!” A woman’s voice came from behind the wall. “Others had promised the same thing and never came back!”

Astarion grabbed onto the bit of information she gave and stopped his stalking toward her. “Never came back from where?”

Silence.

Not wanting to go back on his promise to Gale or have Apple think he was a monster, Astarion decided to offer up some humanity—some of the truth: “My wife has been taken, and I desperately need to get her back.” Being so truthful and raw was unconquerable, but something deep down told Astarion that this woman was hurting. “Please… She’s pregnant.”

The homeowner sobbed at his admission, and Astarion’s chest tightened. Something he said had struck the woman. She had probably lost her partner, or maybe even a child. It was then that he looked around and saw something he had missed before. The room hadn’t been staged like he had first thought; It had been frozen in time.

How many houses looked just like this one? How many loved ones had also been taken, never to return? The streets were vacant, and that spoke volumes.

“The Forgotten Forest…” She finally spoke. “First, people from the city started going missing, and then others who came followed.” Another sob escaped her before she continued. “My husband and our child never came home after a trip into the merchants' district… They were some of the first to go missing… And then once people started to hide in their homes, the trees started dying, and the animals started going missing.”

“How do you know it’s the Forgotten Forest?” Astarion wanted to be sure before setting off in that direction.

“Others returned from the Grey Cloak Hills, citing nothing odd, and then the forest started dying a little over a month ago. That's when many left.”

“Why have you stayed?” Gale asked, a touch of sorrow in his voice.

She didn’t supply an answer, so Astarion did it for her. “She’s still hoping her loved ones will return home.”

The woman wept, and Astarion got an answer to his previous question. Anyone still left in this godsforsaken city was holding out hope that they would be reunited with the ones they loved. But he knew not to hold his breath for such hope. They were all likely dead, but he was not going to tell her that. She already knew deep down the fate of her loved ones; she was just in denial.

Astarion sheathed his dagger and started making his way toward the door that led outside. There was a scrambling sound behind him, and Astarion knew that the woman was behind him, staring directly into his back.

He turned slightly, his hand poised on the hilt at his side, to see the ghost of a small, dwarven woman with haunted eyes and hollow cheekbones. It was clear that she had gone weeks without something decent to eat. A light breeze would likely blow her over.

“If you find them…” Tears showed in the woman’s eyes. “Please bring them home… Bring them back to me.”

With all the kindness he could muster, Astarion gave her a small smile. “Thank you for the information.” He gave her a quick nod before he walked out the front door.

Saying anything else would only get her hopes up for something that was not going to happen. No, it was better not to give her hope. Plus, he was not going to accept another rescue mission on behalf of someone he didn’t know. They didn’t have time for that.

Gale followed him out the door, closing it behind him just before the woman let out a pained wail. He gave Astarion an annoyed glare. “You could have at least lied to her. What would have been the harm in that?”

“Everything.” Astarion relocked the door before speaking further. “It’s been over a month since she has seen them, and everyone they have sent in the Forgotten Forests hasn’t come out, and everything is dying. Put two and two together, and you quickly realize that anyone who goes in there is most likely dead.”

“But what if they’re not?” Gale’s anger flared.

“Then we will find them in the forest and help them, but for now, I am most worried about Tav and her state of being!” Astarion tried not to let Gale see the fear in his eyes, tried to fill them with cold fury, and knew he had failed abysmally once he saw Gale’s eyes soften.

Gale placed a hand on Astarion’s shoulder. “We will find her.”

“I know we will. I just hope she’s alright when we do find her.” Astarion didn’t shy away from Gale’s touch. He needed the comfort right now. It felt like he was being pulled taut, and that feeling made him feel like he was going to break. After allowing himself a few moments, he finally shook off Gale’s touch and addressed the others. “Let’s get moving!”

“Where, exactly?” Shadowheart spoke, holding Apple’s hand while they walked over to the rest of the party.

“West, to the Forgotten Forest.” Astarion climbed onto the back of the spare horse. With no one out, they could follow the main city streets until they ended. There were no roads to the Forgotten forest, just dead grass. Perhaps that was why it was called that. Is was a place where something lay sleeping. Meant to be hidden away and lost to time.

The rest of the party followed, claiming into the back of the wagon, and with a kind word from Halsin, the horses started moving.

“We’ll be there soon, Tav… Don’t do anything stupid.” Astarion spurred his mount forward, taking the lead, and praying that Tav wouldn’t be added to the list of the lost.

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redlittlefoxari · 1 month

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To The Ends Of Faêrun : Chapter Twenty- Eight: Evereska

This series is book two of a fanfic I have already written called Astarion Epilogue: An Adventure in Making Life

Master List Here for Books One, and Two

*List includes a prequel that is essentially one-shots of their adventures over the fifty years after the battle at the end of the game*

Warnings: Blood, Sex, Violence, NSFW 18+, Smut

Summary: The city is silent, not a soul to be seen, but behind closed doors, quiet steps can be heard. It leaves everyone in the party wondering, what has the city of Evereska’s people so scared?

Ahead was the city that Tav remembered, but it was a shell of what it once had been. Where luminescent blue trees once stood tall, lighting up their surroundings, they now sat dead, dilapidated husks that now housed no light. Even the evergreens that lined the streets had dried up and died.

The waterfalls and streams that accented the layers of the city trickled where they once tore through the naturally carved paths in the land. All signs of life were gone, the animals seeming to have fled far from whatever curse now plagued these lands.

Evereska was a city carved into large hills and low mountains once surrounded by forests on all sides. It had thrummed with life, from the people to the animals that had taken up residence in the trees and waters that made up the geography of the once great city. Now, all it resembled was a ghost town, for not even a soul walked the streets.

Living spaces were built in the natural makeup of the trees and rocks around them and contained large homes with glass roofs and stone bodies. They all seemed devoid of life, no matter what they were made of, yet Tav knew that people were still there. Just hiding, pretending that no one was home.

When she had been here the last time, Evereska had nearly twenty thousand people, from elves to dwarves. A few humans called the city home, along with smaller subsets of anyone who needed a place of safety and security. There was no way that so many people could have just vanished without a trace. Halsin had just said the city was dying, not that the people were, too.

“What exactly had happened here?” Was the first question that entered her mind the closer they got to the gates of the city.

Once everyone had made their way through into the city proper, Tav jumped from the back of the wagon and started taking a closer look at everything. The silence of the dead city was deafening, causing a ringing to start. Her body was not used to the quiet. It took a few seconds before her ears adjusted to the stillness in the air until she could hear the skittering of feet behind closed doors.

Tav inhaled deeply, trying to get a sense of anything they could go off of, and found nothing. Despite all the dead trees, dried up streams, and lack of animals, there wasn’t a smell of decay. She thought that, with so much of the land dead, certainly there had to be dead animals at least. Maybe something was poisoning the plants. Any other reason was just too far-fetched for it to be possible. Even with Mielikki gone, no other forest on their way had looked like this. They had all been healthy; plenty of game roamed them, and any water they passed was fine.

There had to be something else causing this amount of destruction. This death. Something more than just Mielikki’s absence.

“Where are all the people?” Apple asked her question to no one in particular, staring at the wasteland in front of her in horror. “Why is everything dead?”

“They are hiding in their homes.” Tav looked to Astarion and the others who were still by the wagon before strolling over to the closest house and knocking gently. “Hello!” No answer. “We are friendly adventurers here to find out why this city is dying… Hello?”

“I don’t think they are going to come out and talk to you, darling,” Astarion said dryly.

“Well, someone in this city has to! Otherwise, we have no leads as to what is going on, who did this, or if it is linked to Mielikki going missing.” Tav made her way back to the group. “We need to start knocking on doors until someone answers.”

“An excellent idea!” Gale finished tying up his horse to the wagon. “Should we split up into teams to cover more ground and meet back here at sundown?”

“We kind of have to, but I’m not sure that’s the best idea to be separated for that long.” Tav considered other options, mulling it over in her head. “We need to search for clues as well, just in case no one opens their doors for us, which will take up a significant amount of time…” Trailing off, Tav looked around for ideas on what to do.

Evereska was a large circular city made up of several different sections naturally created by the landscape. If they searched the whole city together, it would take up too much time. But splitting the party was never a good idea. That was when bad things happened.

“Why don’t we split into two groups and go in a circle?” Shadowheart offered up her idea. “That way, we won't be separated for long and can exchange any information in a timely manner.”

Astarion looked to Tav and shrugged. “It’s not a terrible idea.”

“If you all think it will work. I don’t have any better options.” Tav let out a long, frustrated exhale. “How do we want to split up?”

“Gale and I will head east and make our way around.” Shadowheart volunteered her preference for partners.

“Someone should stay with the horses just in case someone comes out to try and raid the wagon.” Halsin gestured to the back, where all the supplies lay stacked.

“That would be smart, but I want you to hide somewhere where no one will see you.” Tav pointed to a space large enough for him between two homes. “If they see you in the wagon, they might not come out.”

“Of course.” Halsin nodded along at the suggestion.

“Then that leaves Tav, Apple, and I to head west.” Astarion looked resolute in his choice.

“Are you sure you don’t want to leave Apple with Halsin?” Tav asked, one eyebrow raised in question.

“No, I want her near for as long as we are in this creepy place.” Astarion grabbed Tav’s hand. “I want to make sure the two of you are safe.” He gave Tav a nervous smile.

Tav gave Astarion’s hand a small squeeze of understanding. Though Tav would have preferred it if Apple stayed with Halsin, a small piece of her wanted her close in this place. She would never be able to forgive herself if something happened to Apple and she hadn’t been there to protect her.

“Alright.” Tav addressed the whole group, keeping her voice down so that only they could hear her. “Everyone stay on high alert. We’ll see you after the first round.”

There was a small echo of the same sentiment from everyone before the groups split and the search began. Each hoped to find something that would give them answers to the questions stirring in their minds while also dreading the answers they would receive.

~~~~~~~

“How has no one opened their door for us? This is ridiculous!” Tav blew out a huff of frustration, resisting the urge to just kick the door down and throttle the person inside—a suggestion Astarion had made. But Apple’s shocked expression resulted in him backing down from doing so.

It had now been two hours since they had started knocking on doors and getting nowhere. No one opened their door, but Tav knew that there were people inside most of the dwellings based on the muffled sounds coming from inside. Someone or something had spooked the people of Evereska. It couldn’t just be the surroundings.

That couple and their child had fled the city, yes, but there had to be something more. What that thing was, Tav had no clue. Gale and Shadowheart hadn’t found any hints to what was happening, and neither had she andAstarion. They had to have knocked on over a hundred doors already, and there were probably about three hundred more to go.

“We should probably keep moving if we want to get back to the wagon before nightfall.” Astarion looked up at the sky from where he stood against a wall with Apple.

Tav followed his line of sight. It was starting to get dark. He was right. They could try again in the morning. And maybe if they were lucky, someone would decide to come to them, hearing that they were here to help, and finally give them a clue to what was going on.

“You’re right. Let’s keep going while we still have some daylight.”

Turning away from the door that was currently the bane of her existence, Tav started to make her way back to Astarion. After a few steps, a wave of nausea hit. Tav shut her eyes tight, clutching her stomach while everything around her started to spin. It was then she remembered that the last thing she ate was a small amount of bread and cheese, and before that was breakfast.

No blood had entered her body for almost the whole day, but that hadn’t stopped the baby growing inside her from taking his share of hers. He had been taking his fill all day, little by little.

“Tav?” Astarion moved to her side, holding her body close to his for support. “What’s wrong? Do you need blood?”

“Blood!?”

Tav opened one eye and found Apple’s eyes were wide with panic. Her body was tense, ready to bolt at the first sight of blood. “It’s alright, sweetheart. There’s no blood.”

Astarion lowered his voice. “You need to feed. I don’t want to have to carry you and be vulnerable because I can’t use my hands.”

“We’ll just have to do it here and wait for the dizziness to fade.” Tav felt bile creeping up her throat. “We need to hurry before I get sick and throw up everywhere.”

“Alright, hang on.”

Looking around for somewhere to sit and finding nothing, Astarion settled on just leaning Tav against the wall Apple was still standing at. Opening his bag, he reached in and grabbed a jar labeled Tav’s juice, letting anyone know who it belonged to just in case the others needed to retrieve it for any reason.

“I’m going to let you go to open this. Do you think you can stay upright?” Astarion looked Tav in the eyes, looking for confirmation.

“I think I can lean against a wall just fine, Astarion.” Tav gave him a reassuring smile.

“Just making sure, darling.”

Astarion took a step away, leaving space between him and Tav. Apple watched with rapt attention, eyes fixed on the jar with the red liquid sloshing around inside.

“It’s alright, Apple.” Tav tried to soothe the anxiety she saw growing in her daughter's eyes. “It’s just juice.”

“But Daddy said blood.”

Tav felt her chest tighten at Apple’s fear. “It’s just juice that will make Mommy feel better.”

Taking the jar from Astarion, Tav started to turn the lid until it was off completely. She slowly moved the container to her lips, tipping it slightly till she felt the cool liquid hit her tongue. It tasted sweet from the berries, but there was still a coppery aftertaste that made Tav grimace, breaking the seal and allowing some of the contents to trickle down her chin onto her throat. Years of not having to suck down large amounts of blood had made it so Tav no longer had a taste for blood. Just another thing she would have to get used to once more for this pregnancy.

Apple watched the trickle run down Tav’s throat, her own throat working while her chest started to rise and fall in short succession. Tav watched her from the corner of her eye, panic setting in.

Pausing her drinking, Tav moved the blood and berry blend away from her lips. “Apple, everything is fine. Try to calm down.” Tav could feel the slight stickiness from the juice coating her lips the more she spoke.

It was like she couldn’t hear Tav. Apple’s breath hitched, and Tav winced at her mistake. After being stabbed, she coughed up blood. Her mouth had been covered in blood from doing so. And now her lips were covered in a liquid that resembled it, which still smelled like it despite her and Astarion’s best efforts.

“That’s not juice… I can smell it.” Apple took a step back away from Tav. “That’s blood.”

“Astarion, grab her!”

Despite her warning, it was too late. The second the words left Tav’s lips, Apple fled, running in the opposite direction of where they needed to go.

Astarion reached for her, barely missing the fabric of her cloak. “Dammit.” He started down the street, looking back at Tav for a second. “I’ll be right back. Just stay there!”

Tav watched Apple until she lost sight of her due to the natural turn of the street, Astarion following not far behind. Alone, Tav raised the glass to her lips, tilting her head back and closing her eyes to proceed to drink the remaining liquid. About half remained from the first drink, but Tav wanted the rest gone before Astarion and Apple returned. That way, she had a full stomach, and the nausea and dizziness would pass.

Tav decided that later tonight, it was finally time to start working on Apple’s fear of blood. Or rather talk to her about it in hopes of getting some perspective on what was going on in her brain. To see if there was anything that could be done about it now. Otherwise, someone was going to have to stay with Apple at the wagon if anything did come up, which would mean they would be down a person they could use in battle.

Swallowing the last few drops, Tav started to lower her arm, but before she could, a hand gripped her by her exposed throat, curling fingers into the soft skin, cutting off her air supply. Tav’s body slammed hard against the wall behind her.

Tav opened her eyes to find a man dressed in old, tattered robes, hood drawn down so his face was obscured. The only part of him that was visible was the lower part of his face. Dark purple lips drew back in a smile, full of satisfaction. Dropping the jar to the ground, it shattered against the cool cobblestones underfoot.

Desperate to regain her ability to breathe, Tav started to claw at the arm of the figure holding her captive. Using her feet to kick, Tav managed to connect a few of her blows to his legs. With a curse, the figure’s fingers squeezed tighter around Tav. The sides of her vision started to fade, going black with the increased pressure. Without air, her clawing slowed, and her arms fell to her sides, limp.

The hooded figure still held firm despite Tav’s blows, and started to blur. Tav fought to keep her eyes open, praying that Astarion would come back in time to rescue her from her attacker. She hoped that he wouldn’t kill her and leave her body for him to find when he returned.

After a few seconds, Tav gave up hope that Astarion would return in time. Fully closing her eyes, Tav slipped and started to drift off into unconsciousness, but not before she heard her attacker speak for the first time.

“And here we were starting to think no one would come out and give themselves over to our lord.”

The sound of the figure's high-pitched voice was the last thing Tav heard before slipping into darkness.

~~~~~~~

Apple ran down the streets blind, not caring where she went. The only thing racing through her mind was the need to get away from the sight and smell of the blood. Visions crashed into her mind of her mother lying in the dirt, choking up blood, her father screaming for her to stay awake, begging her not to die. All the while, the wound in her stomach still oozed blood no matter how much her father tried to stop the flow.

Because she had distracted her mother, she had been the reason her mother had almost died. She had pulled her attention away from the fight, allowing that horrible man to hurt her. And she froze, unable to do anything about it. She just cried like a baby while her mother almost died.

Tears stung her eyes at the memory that came crashing into her. So far, the sight of blood made her chest feel tight and chest heave. The one time her father had drank blood at camp caused her to scream, but not panic—not like today. The sight of fresh blood on her mother's lips, he has been too much to handle.

“Apple!”

Her father's voice called out from behind her, making her slow for a second. She knew he had been calling her for a while, but hearing him over her thoughts was hard with the fear.

Hands gripped Apple’s shoulders, stopping her completely. She knew he was going to be angry about what she had just done, but her feet had moved on their own. Uncle Gale had called it the fight or flight response, where your body either readied itself to face something or ran away. Now, there was no question what her body would choose: flight.

Her father spun her around to face him. His face was set in a hard line, eyebrows pinched together and lips turned down. He was beyond angry with her. For a moment, Apple thought the red of his eyes glowed like an ember in a fire, red hot like his rage, but with one blink, it was gone. Just her imagination getting the better of her.

“What were you thinking!? We have no idea what is going on in this city, and you go and run away from your mother and I! Do you want to end up lost!?”

His voice pitched higher at the end of his sentences, making him sound less scary, but his words still hit home.

“The blood… Mommy… choking on blood.”

Between the words, hiccuping sobs broke free of Apple’s throat, making it hard to breathe. Letting the tears flow like rivers down her cheeks, she pawed her eyes to wipe them away, clearing her vision so that she could see her father.

His features softened, making some of the tension in her chest loosen.

“Come here.” He pulled her into his arms and wrapped Apple in a tight embrace, and she used his clothes to help soak up her tears. “Your mother is fine. She just needs to drink that for the baby.”

“The blood makes me remember what happened before… I see her on the ground bleeding… dying.” Another choking sob brokes free after every admission.

“Honey, I'm sorry that you had to go through all that… I wish that I could have spared you from ever seeing your mother like that, but she is the strongest person I know, and believe it or not, your mother has faced worse odds and won.” He pulled back slightly, moving one of his hands to cup Apple's chin and raising her eyes to his.

“Really?”

“Really.” He leaned down to place a kiss on her nose before scooping Apple up in his arms. “Now, let's get back to her before we have to walk back to the wagon in the dark, hm?”

“Okay.” Apple rubbed at her eyes again to get the last few remaining tears. “What’s the worst thing that's ever happened to Mom?”

“I'm not telling you that.”

“Is it because it will scare me?”

“Yes.”

“Can I guess?”

“No. I don't need you having nightmares tonight.”

“What's a nightmare?”

He remained silent for a few heartbeats, thinking about what he was going to say next. “Something scary that your brain makes up while you're sleeping?”

Apple scrunched up her face. “Why would it do that?”

“I have no idea.”

“Why don't you know?”

“Because I try not to sleep, sweetheart. I lived a nightmare for two hundred years and don't need the reminder.”

They walked the rest of the way back to where they had left her mother in silence. Her father's words played in her head in a loop. She had an idea of what he meant. The bad man who turned him. The one mom had helped save him from. She concluded that it was a good reason not to want to dream. That he didn't want to dream about the past, and making that choice made him one of the strongest people she knew. Right next to her mom, who could come back from the brink of death and have it not even faze her. Apple promised herself that, starting tomorrow, she would try to be strong like her parents. But she was going to give herself the rest of today to be weak. To be scared. To be a kid.

“Tav?” her father’s voice sounded scared. “Tav!?”

He dropped Apple to the ground before closing the distance between himself and the pile of broken glass that was where they had left her mom. Looking around, there was no sign of where she had gone. The only clue was shattered into a thousand pieces at their feet. And just like the jar, her father broke down, and Apple now knew what it was like to live in a nightmare as she watched her father try not to panic in front of her eyes and fail.

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redlittlefoxari · 1 month

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To The Ends Of Faêrun : Chapter Twenty- Seven: Almost there

This series is book two of a fanfic I have already written called Astarion Epilogue: An Adventure in Making Life

Master List Here for Books One, and Two

*List includes a prequel that is essentially one-shots of their adventures over the fifty years after the battle at the end of the game*

Warnings: Blood, Sex, Violence, NSFW 18+, Smut

Summary: Evereska is close at hand and Astarion takes stock of those he holds dear while having a talk with Shadowheart.

Astarion couldn't pry his eyes away from Tav and Apple curled up in each other's arms, napping. He wished for a device that could capture the adorable moment forever. Something tangible so he could keep the memory with him. So that it wouldn't fade over time. A wish for another time.

Briefly, he thought about taking up painting. Maybe his skills with needle and thread would translate to paint and paper. Something to consider for later, when they were home in Baldur’s Gate. When this adventure was over.

Evereska sat just over a mile away. Tav had planned to stay awake until they got to the city, but after a few hours of lying around in the back of the wagon, the gentle rocking had lulled her to sleep along with Apple, who was giving sleeping a try. She copied her mother, who slept more often now than she tranced.

Since finding out Tav was carrying her future baby brother, Apple had been joined to her by the hip. Astarion found it impossible to get any alone time with Tav. Normally, they were given two hours every night while she was with Gale for lessons. But the past two nights, Apple had convinced the wizard to let her skip class in favor of spending time with Tav. It created cute moments like the one he was watching now, but also made it so he couldn't show his affection.

All he wanted to do was touch Tav, kiss her, stroke the soft skin on her stomach, and shower her with his affection. She was carrying his child. Their little family was growing, and all he wanted to do was hold her close to him. To show her just how much he appreciated her. Tell her the joy he felt growing inside his chest every time he looked at her, and she smiled back at him.

He could say all that in front of Apple, of course, but he wanted to do far more than just tell her; he wanted to show her. Despite not drinking a drop of her blood the last two days, Astarion found himself hungry for Tav, mind, body, and soul. There was something about her carrying his child that turned up her sex appeal and made him want to be buried deep within her, have her cry his name while he spilled himself in her. There was probably a name for the specific kink he was describing in his mind, but at the moment, it eluded him.

“Stop it, Astarion. I can feel the lust in the air from here. Don't make me splash some cold water on you.” Shadowheart sat adjacent to Astarion, book in hand.

“Apologies,” Astarion coughed and looked away from Tav’s sleeping form. “Couldn't help myself.”

“You haven't drank from her, have you?” Shadowheart closed the book, giving Astarion her full attention.

“No, why?”

“Just wondering why you were so horny is all.” She gave him a wye smile. “Now I just think you're just love-drunk.”

Astarion bristled. “So what if I am? Don’t I deserve to be happy? Besides, have you seen her?” He gestured at Tav. “She's stunning!”

Shadowheart looked down at Tav, who had a trail of drool traveling down her face at the moment. “Breathtaking.” There was a clear note of sarcasm followed by a laugh.

“Even like this, I want her.” Astarion let out a light chuckle. “I'm hopelessly in love with this woman.” Face softening, he moved to wipe the wetness from Tav’s face. “The mother of my children… my children.” The last words came out in a whisper as his emotions got the better of him.

Shadowheart watched the act, a scattering of emotions tearing through her expressions before settling on amusement. “I'm truly happy for you, Astarion. The more I watch the two of you over the years, the more I think the gods sent her to you.”

“What do you mean by that?” He looked at her in confusion. “The gods had nothing to do with how we met. They did nothing to save me or heal me. She did.” Astarion gestured to Tav.

“I only mean that, maybe all those years you were praying for someone to come save you from your old master, the gods were just waiting for Tav to be born.”

The idea that Tav was engineered by the gods for him made a shiver run up his spine.

“I don’t think so, and I will not be entertaining the idea, thank you.” Astarion turned his attention back to the sleeping Tav on the ground.

“If you say so.” Shadowheart returned to her book, deciding to drop the conversation once Astarion brushed her off.

The wagon went over a bump, shaking the whole structure. A tired moan came from Tav, followed by an exaggerated stretch of her arms. Astarion stared openly as Tav exposed her throat, continuing the stretch that started in her limbs. He licked his lips, wanting nothing more than to sink his fangs into the sensitive skin just a few inches below her earlobe—the place she liked to be fed from most. That made her make the sweetest moans.

His cock stirred in his pants, and it was an effort to quiet his thoughts. It had been too long since he had last fed on Tav, going on three days. Animals and other beasts that he caught were not filling the need for her. He was addicted, and thanks to their surroundings, coupled with the fact that her blood had added pregnancy hormones, he couldn’t drink a single drop, lest he be turned into a sex-crazed fool, which wouldn’t do with Apple around.

No, he needed to be home, behind a door that could be locked, and where Apple would be gone for eight hours a day.

Tav opened one eye and caught Astarion staring. He didn’t even try to hide it. She was beautiful, and he wanted to make sure she knew it by the way he stared at her, drinking in her form. By the need in his eyes.

Her answering smile told him she got the message loud and clear. And the pout that appeared on her face a second later told him she was sorry she couldn’t give him what he wanted.

“You two are gross,” Shadowheart commented while flipping to the next page of her book.

“And you are just jealous that you don’t have someone to be gross with.” Tav sat up fully, giving Astarion a wink. “How long was I asleep?”

“About four hours.” Astarion leaned in and placed a kiss on Tav’s lips. “Evereska is a little over ten minutes away if Halsin is correct.”

“That’s good! We can finally get some answers.” Tav looked to Halsin, who was sitting in the front of the wagon. “Can you see anything yet, Halsin?”

“Not yet! But we should be able to once we get closer.” Halsin turned slightly in his seat. “I will let you know when the gates are in view.”

“Thank you.” Tav gave him a warm smile before a loud growl emanated from her stomach, which was replaced with a cringe.

Due to the delay with the wagon a few days prior and that Evereska was so close, they hadn’t stopped to eat, instead opting to feed on bread, cheese, or meat they found in their bags. But Tav had been asleep, and Astarion did not want to wake her unless he absolutely needed to, so Tav had been without food since breakfast.

“Can I have some blood before Apple wakes up?” Tav looked at Astarion. “I don’t want to get dizzy while we are asking around the city.”

“Of course, darling.”

Astarion started to pull out a jar of premade blood-juice cocktail. Thanks to Halsin using a bit of druidic magic and Apple wanting to help with the pregnancy any way she could, the two were able to grow and collect enough berries to turn into juice. Then, when Apple was sleeping, half of said juice had been turned into a special cocktail for Tav to drink, while the other was left for whenever Apple wanted some of her own to drink. This way, they would have it whenever Tav requested it, and Apple wouldn’t have to see any blood. Though it still looked enough like blood.

Tav opened her bag and had begun pulling out bread and hard cheese when Apple started to wake beside her. Panicking, Astarion shoved the jar back into his bag just before Apple’s green eyes opened.

“Are we there yet?” Apple sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

“Almost.” Tav smoothed out Apple’s hair. “Are you hungry?”

“Yeah.” Apple looked at the food in Tav’s hands, and then up into her eyes. “I had a dream about the baby.”

Handing a bit of bread to Apple, Tav freed her dagger to start working on the hard cheese. “Oh? What about the baby?”

“I can’t tell you.” Apple smiled to herself.

Once they had realized Apple could see visions of the future, Tav had made it a rule that she kept anything having to do with the baby's name or what he would look like to herself. A fair rule, Astarion thought. He also wanted to be surprised about what their child would look like. When Apple was born, it was such a special moment. It was only fair that this child be given the same courtesy.

“I see. Well, keep your secret close, okay? Auntie Shadowheart and Uncle Gale have big mouths when they drink wine.” Tav looked at Shadowheart, who was now glaring at her.

“I’m going to get every detail out of her and use the information when I don’t want you to bother me.” Shadowheart gave Tav a crooked smile. “Or leave little notes hidden everywhere for you to find.”

“Don’t you dare.” Tav glared daggers at her. “You wouldn’t be so cruel.”

Cheese forgotten, Tav continued her staring contest with Shadowheart. She had set the blade down on her lap, and Apple started reaching for it before Astarion stopped her, reaching over and plucking it from Tav’s lap along with the cheese.

“Ah, you are a little young to be using blades yet, honey.” Astarion cut off a few pieces and handed some to Apple while keeping some to himself for Tav to eat.

“Can you teach me how?” Apple took the slices from him, squishing one between the bread, folding it over itself to make a small sandwich.

“Maybe a few tricks to defend yourself, but I would rather no one manage to get close enough to you for that.” Astarion grimaced. “That’s why Gale is teaching you combat magic.”

“Okay.” Apple deflated slightly at his words.

“But I will teach you some tricks, but not with this blade. It is far too big for you.” Astarion sheathed the dagger back at Tav’s side.

“Yay!”

Apple celebrated with another chunk of bread and more cheese. Drawing his attention back to Tav, Astarion decided to nudge her with his foot when he found that she and Shadowheart were still having a silent battle with their eyes. Tav broke eye contact to look at him, and he did his best to motion towards the food, begging her to eat something.

She mouthed the word sorry before ingesting her share of the food. Once finished, the conversation turned to other matters, mainly small topics of conversation to pass the time. Apple’s dream was long forgotten.

“You’ve been to Evereska, haven’t you, Mom?” Apple crawled into Tav’s lap once the food had been finished.

“It’s been a very long time, but yes, I came here a few times with my father.” Tav’s brows creased. “Just to deliver supplies from the Prime.”

“You didn’t always live here, in the material plane?” Apple looked to Astarion. “When did you start living on this plane?”

“No, I first lived on the island of Evermeet, and then I moved to the Prime when I was about your age.” Tav snorted. “As for when I moved back here, it was a little under sixty years ago.” She looked directly at Astarion, who was listening closely to her. “A few years before I met your father and everyone else.”

“I never realized how little I knew about you until just now.” Shadowheart shook her head. “We were all so wrapped up in our own problems we never asked you about your life.”

“It’s alright. I didn’t really have much to talk about anyway.” Tav waved her concern aside. “Just a merchant's daughter manning a shop in Baldur’s Gate, nothing special.”

Astarion had already been through the guilt of this conversation during their adventures before Apple was born. Over time, Tav had let out bits of information about her life before him and the others, but they were slim. She hadn’t lived a tortured life leading up to the mind flayer ship. She had been just a simple high elf that ran her father's shop. However, if she hadn’t been taken, her life would have turned into a tragedy. It had only been three years after the battle that Tav’s father had found her in Harrowdale and had tried to take her back home after selling her to a debtor.

A chill ran up Astarion’s spine at the memory of finding Tav in that bar, broken and bloody, being dragged by her hair by her father into a portal that was a death sentence. There was no telling what would have happened if he had been a second late. What would their life have been like now?

“How did you meet Daddy?”

Apple’s new question pulled Astarion out of the past and back to the present.

“Ah, we met on a beach.”

It wasn’t a lie.

“Was he playing in the water?”

“No, he was lost, actually.” Tav looked at Astarion with a sly grin, curving the corners of her mouth slightly. “He wanted to ask me some questions.”

“And I liked her answers so much I followed her back to Baldur’s Gate.” Astarion sneered back at Tav.

“Oh…” Apple looked down at her hands, pondering her next question. “If the baby is in Mommy's belly, how will he get out?”

A burst of laughter shot from Shadowheart's mouth the second the question was released into the air. Tav and Astarion quickly started fumbling for answers that wouldn’t horrify Apple.

A gasp from Halsin broke the conversation, saving them from needing to answer the question. The audible shock in his voice drew their attention away from the shift in topic.

“Gods… Silvanus, protect us from whatever evil has struck these once fertile lands.”

They all moved to see what Halsin was referring to, instantly finding the source of the panic as it came further into view with every step the horses took toward the city that was once Evereska—the city that was now dried up and dead.

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redlittlefoxari · 1 month

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To The Ends Of Faêrun : Chapter Twenty- Six: Promise Me

This series is book two of a fanfic I have already written called Astarion Epilogue: An Adventure in Making Life

Master List Here for Books One, and Two

*List includes a prequel that is essentially one-shots of their adventures over the fifty years after the battle at the end of the game*

Warnings: Blood, Sex, Violence, NSFW 18+, Smut

Summary: The party have a discussion about what to next in regards to Tav's new condition.

The newfound revelation was suffocating under the light of the moon. After months of trying, months of feeling worthless for not being able to conceive a child, one slipped in all because of one magical night. One night when the veil between planes and worlds was thin, and anything was possible. It helped that Tav no longer was restrained by normal elven rules of conception. She was able to create new souls. Have children like all the other races that lived throughout Faerûn.

Tav should have known something was different about that night, from the feeling of the crowd around her to the look in Astarion’s eyes when they snapped together after he watched her dance. He had watched her feeding off the energy of the gathered crowd.

Sitting around the fire, Tav stared into the flames, planning the next steps. She was playing a mental game of chess, trying to stay one step in front of whoever was on the other side because they still had no idea who or what had Mielikki. With the track record of everyone else around her, she knew that there was a slim chance the missing goddess just so happened to be taking a little vacation. No, it was never that simple. But at this point, the only way to get answers and finish what they had started was to move forward.

“I guess congratulations are in order.”

Gale spoke, and Tav only slightly tore her away from her thoughts, barely pulling her back into the present and out of the future, which apparently Apple could see into. It didn’t surprise Tav that her daughter had the ability even when she was nothing more than a small, fragile baby growing in her belly. Apple had led them through the Underdark when they had been lost, channeling her ability through Tav.

It made Tav wonder if Apple had used her power in other day-to-day activities. During school? Or maybe to get up to no good at home. Tav would have to ask some leading questions once Apple woke up. Astarion and Tav had sent her to bed shortly after she had blurted out to everyone about the pregnancy and the sex of the child growing within her. A boy, and trouble at that.

“Tav?”

“Huh?” Tav broke her stare from the flames and looked around to see who was trying to get her attention.

“Are you alright?” Shadowheart was looking at her, concern etched on her features.

“I’m fine, just getting lost in my own thoughts.” Tav reached for Astarion’s hand and found that he was already reaching for hers.

“So are we toasting to your good fortune or are we worried about what this entails?” Gale restated his question from earlier.

“Both, I would think.” Tav pulled two bottles of wine from her bag and passed one to Gale, the other staying wrapped in her own hand.

“You’re more fertile than we first thought, Astarion,” Shadowheart spoke, taking the bottle from Gale before he opened it. She instead took it upon herself to pop the cork, not giving it any time to breathe before pressing it to her lips and taking a long drink.

“I guess so, though I can’t take all the credit.” Astarion squeezed Tav’s hand gently. “We did cheat a little.”

“Many couples find that after midwinter, they are blessed with children.” Halsin shot Tav and Astarion a knowing smile. “Part of the reason I took it upon myself to watch Apple was in hopes the two of you would couple off and take advantage of the magic the night had to offer.”

Tav gaped at him. “You knew the whole time and didn’t say anything? Why?”

Halsin just shrugged. “The saying goes, ‘if you say your wish aloud, it will not come true,’ so I said nothing and was proven right.”

He was no stranger to Tav’s struggles with fertility. Halsin had been one of the first people Tav contacted to ask if he knew anything that would help. But there were no quick fixes, and time seemed to be the answer most everyone gave. But Halsin had kept that little fact about midwinter in his back pocket. He had hoped and prayed to his Oak Father that something would happen, pushing her and Astarion to stay and participate in the festival to for this very moment. Tav wanted to jump up and kiss the druid on the mouth to thank him, but she held onto her restraint.

“It’s not like it wouldn’t have happened eventually.” Shadowheart finished her drink and passed the bottle back to Gale. “With the contract between Apple and Angharradh lifting the elven restraint and the fact that the two of them constantly leave camp to fornicate, I would have bet, by the end of this little adventure, Tav would have gotten pregnant without the help of the festival.”

“That is true.” Gale stroked his beard.

“Hey!” Tav finally handed the bottle of wine she held to Halsin. “We do not have sex that often.” Tav turned to Astarion in search of support and only found him smiling. “We took a break for two weeks…”

“Only because you were injured!” Shadowheart laughed. “Listen, none of us are judging by any means, but the two of you are acting like a pair of horny teenagers.”

“It’s only going to get worse.” Gale took a long drink. “Do you remember when she was pregnant with Apple?” A shudder ran through Gale, causing him to shake. “They had to leave dinner because they were so filled with lust.”

Hormones. Tav recalled the last time, and a rush of heat went straight to her core. It had her crossing her legs in an attempt to quiet the sensations brewing there- an action that she knew Astarion took note of. It was a reaction she couldn’t control, and it made her want him. Made her hungry for him in a way that only he could fill.

After rekindling her relationship with her mother and talking to other mothers, Tav found that the same thing had happened to them. Pregnancy made their libidos go crazy, turning the dial way past the point of want, making it a need for their partners-for sex.

Tav had the added problem of sharing her blood with Astarion in moments of passion or when he needed to feed. When animals didn’t cut it, he craved her taste on his tongue, and she would never deny that. Not after everything he had been through. But with her blood came her hormones, and they found out after Apple had been born that the effects of Tav’s blood had changed.

While Tav had been pregnant, Astarion was more protective and jealous at times if other men had been brought up. Something that in the past would not have bothered him suddenly had him overprotective and needy. They had chalked it up to him wanting to protect Apple inside Tav, but with the added detail of him literally feeding off of her blood, they had come to the conclusion that he was also experiencing pregnancy. Just the hormonal side.

“We will limit his feeding from me for the remainder of this little adventure if that would make everyone more comfortable.” Tav glanced at Astarion, and the answering look was that of reluctance. “Unless you want to be a hormonal mess like last time, you’re keeping your fangs to yourself for now.” Tav tried to give him a reassuring smile. “There’s only room for one of those this time around; too much is on the line.”

“I know you’re right, but I don’t like it.” Astarion stroked his thumb over the skin of Tav’s hand, trying to supply some comfort. “It’s going to kill a small part of me not being able to taste you.”

His declaration caused another wave of desire to crash through Tav.

“Stop making her excited, Astarion.” Gale pointed a finger in his general direction. “It looks as if Tav’s trying not to catch fire at the moment.”

“Why is it that you didn’t get sick until today?” Shadowheart started doing a mental calculation in her head. “You are four weeks along; shouldn’t you have felt sick much sooner?”

“According to Astarion’s favorite pregnancy book, four weeks is when the placenta develops, which is what the baby feeds on throughout the pregnancy.” Tav tried to recall every bit of information from six years ago. “So that’s why I was fine until now. The baby has taken root and started feeding on me, and since it’s half vampire, that includes my blood.”

“If you continue to have children after this one, I would still love to study the effects of a vampire pregnancy.” Gale had a familiar gleam in his eye that spoke of his thirst for knowledge. “I didn’t really get the chance last time due to the circumstances besides the blood you gave me.”

“She’s not an animal to be studied, Gale.” Astarion’s voice held a note of warning.

“You can study me as much as you want, Gale.” Tav gave Astarion a warning look before giving Gale a warm smile. “Since we do share a portal between our homes, popping in for a visit would be easy.”

Astarion huffed beside Tav, looking away from the exchange. “I draw the line at him looking anywhere his eyes don’t belong.”

“I think he just wants my blood, Astarion.”

“Precisely!” Gale threw up his hands and huffed. I would not dare inspect anything on our dear Tav that neither of you was comfortable with.” His face lit up in a dashing smile. “Tav has become like a sister to me, and last I checked, one does not inspect their sister.”

Astarion glared at the wizard. “Just as long as we are on the same page, blood only, and don’t do it around me.” He let out a long sigh. “I don’t even want to smell your blood, darling. If I can’t have a taste, the temptation would be too much.”

“Understandable, and it’s only until we get back home.” Tav smiled reassuringly at Astarion.

Silence fell around the fire while they all got lost in thought. Tav’s stomach rumbled. Since vomiting several times in the last few hours, her stomach was devoid of any substance, and it was now voicing its objections to being ignored. Gale’s soup sat to the left of the fire, away from the bulk of the heat, to ensure it wouldn’t burn. Close enough to the fire that the delectable concoction wouldn’t burn but instead keep warm whenever it was ready to be devoured.

Thinking it better to eat now before she faints, Tav stood, only to be stopped by Astarion, who gave her a tender expression. He moved slowly, gathering a bowl and filling it until it almost spilled over the lip. Tav took the bowl, quickly placing it to her lips, not needing a spoon, and started eating, manners be damned.

It was a heavy, rich vegetable soup, but despite there being no meat did not distract from the flavor. Gale had brought his own kitchen supplies in his bag, along with dried legumes for when the party tired of meat or if there was none to be found. There was a pantry in that bag, Tav was sure, and she was thankful he had brought it every time she sat down to eat one of his meals.

“Does this change our plans?” Halsin spoke, addressing the whole group. “Or will Tav be staying behind to watch Apple just in case anything dangerous happens?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

Astarion and Tav spoke at the same time.

Tav put down her bowl and looked at Astarion. “I am not sitting around, twiddling my thumbs while the rest of you go out and find Mielikki.” She leveled him with a stubborn look. “I am just as capable to fight as the rest of you.”

“You didn’t really prove that with the last fight, now did you?” Astarion sounded frustrated.

“I was doing just fine until Apple got scared.” Tav tried not to sound hurt at his words. Tried not to voice who had made her so scared in the first place. Playing the blame game wouldn’t help, and it would only wound Astarion. “And besides, she’s been training, right, Gale? With me and her bringing up the rear, we should have a solid defense.”

Looking to Gale for some help, Tav begged for something, anything that would structure her argument and fortify her defense for exactly why they shouldn’t just leave her behind.

“There have been vast improvements. She certainly likes blowing rocks up.” Gale offered an enthusiastic smile. “And with her skills in divination, she could turn the tide of battle.”

“See?” Tav turned to Astarion, who didn’t look convinced. “Don’t leave me behind to worry about the rest of you.” She looked at him with pleading eyes. “Do I really need to prove to you that I am still capable of taking care of myself?”

Astarion was quiet, pondering his answer carefully while everyone watched, anticipating what he would say. When she realized that so many eyes were on them, Tav thought they should go somewhere more private, but it was too late. Gale, Halsin, and Shadowheart were already here and privy to the conversation at hand; might as well let them voice their opinions.

After several long moments, Astarion finally spoke. “It’s not that I don’t think you can. It’s that I worry about the unknown.” He deflated slightly, worry etching his features.

“That’s always been the case with our adventures. What’s so different now?” Tav touched Astarion’s face, pulling his eyes to hers and making him look into hers. “Me carrying your child?”

“Yes!” Astarion blew out a sigh. “That, coupled with the fact that, despite knowing that, you put yourself in danger.”

Clara and Sebastian flashed into Tav’s mind- how she had rushed in front of Sebastian’s blade at the last moment to save Astarion. How she still stayed to fight despite being in labor. Or even before that, when she had run out of Waterdeep to get to the Grove. She had run into danger, choosing to be alone and drawing attention away from Astarion because their scent was hard to ignore with Tav by his side.

“What can I say?” Tav shrugged. “I’m a hero at heart.”

“You can say you won’t put yourself in danger.” Astarion gripped Tav’s face between his hands gently. “You can promise me that, even if I am in danger, you will run away and protect Apple and our child growing inside you.” He moved a hand to Tav’s stomach, a silent plea in his eyes. “Because this is far more important than my life. You are far more important than I am.”

His admission lay bare between the two, and felt like a knife to Tav’s heart. The others got up to leave, sensing that the rest of the conversation was not for their ears. Tav stared into Astarion’s red eyes and noted that their whites were starting to turn pink. There was a shine in them that she knew was being mirrored in hers. Tears begged to be set free, but neither one wanted to let them fall.

“I will do everything in my power to save you, Astarion, if it comes to that.” Tav’s throat felt raw from the force of holding back tears.

“I don’t want you to.” Astarion’s voice broke, the only sign that told Tav he was lying. “Just promise me that you’ll run, please?”

Tav watched him blink, and then watched a single tear slip free.

“It broke me when Sebastian told me you were dead the last time. I gave up and was ready to welcome death's cold embrace.” Astarion swallowed hard. “I can’t watch it happen in front of my eyes, not again.”

“How can you be sure we will be put in a position where that’s even a possibility?”

“Because it’s happened since the day I met you on that beach and every adventure after.”

“We have Shadowheart. She can…”

Astarion cut Tav off. “You’re not listening.” He placed his forehead on hers, closing his eyes. “You almost died a few weeks ago. If we had been a few seconds late, you would have bled out and died.”

The scar on Tav’s stomach throbbed at the mention.

“I will not watch you die nor come close to it again, so I’m begging you.” Astarion opened his eyes again; they were red, matching his irises. “Don’t run towards danger. Run away and live for our children.”

There was a war raging in Tav’s chest. An uneasy feeling that tore at her heart. What he was asking was impossible. Living without him would be equal to living without breathing. Tav loved Apple, of course, and she would live for her and the child now growing inside of her, but she would be a shell of the person she was, walking around with a mask to disguise the hurt she would truly feel.

“I promise, but you have to do the same.” Tav let the tears fall freely. “You will not do the same to me, Astarion Ancunin. Do you hear me?” The last word came out in a choked sob.

A smile cracked his serious expression. The kind of rogue-like smile that spoke of mischief and was a part of his very DNA.

“I promise, my love.” Astarion pressed a gentle kiss to Tav’s lips, cementing the deal.

Tav broke the kiss to paw at her eyes, which were now fully leaking. Tears fell freely and didn’t show any signs of stopping. Astarion drew her in close to his chest, soaking up the falling tears with his shirt while crooning soft words in her ear.

“I don’t know why they won’t stop!” Tav pouted into Astarion’s chest.

“Well, you did just promise to leave me to die if need be.”

More tears came at his words.

“Come now, darling. When have I ever put myself in danger and needed you to come rescue me?”

“Cazador… Sebastian… the Djinni.” Tav started listing between sobs.

“You’ve made your point, but this time around, we have the others, so there is no need to come to my aid.” Astarion let out a sigh. “If you get hurt, you’re in danger of harming the baby also.”

“Point made. I will let the others worry about you for now.” Tav suddenly felt tired beyond any normal means. “I think I’m ready for bed.”

“Then let's get some blood in you, and then get ready for bed.”

Tav nodded her agreement. “Do we have any juice? Or maybe some berries?”

“Just what we brought for Apple. Though Evereska is just a few days away, so we can stock up on more when we get there.”

Astarion pulled a jar of blood and a container of juice from his bag. Tav grabbed a nearby cup before taking one of the jars in her hand. At the same time, they both poured equal amounts of the two jars into the cup so that the substances would mix. To the average person, the resulting mixture looked to be wine, or something akin to it.

Tav raised the cup in toast. “To life.” Then she knocked the drink back in one long swallow.

“To life.” Astarion did the same, but with the jar of blood he held in one hand.

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redlittlefoxari · 1 month

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To The Ends Of Faêrun : Chapter Twenty- Five: Trouble

This series is book two of a fanfic I have already written called Astarion Epilogue: An Adventure in Making Life

Master List Here for Books One, and Two

*List includes a prequel that is essentially one-shots of their adventures over the fifty years after the battle at the end of the game*

Warnings: Blood, Sex, Violence, NSFW 18+, Smut

Summary: Tav gets a visit from Angharradh while overlooking a cliffside.

Evereska was just a few days away, and Tav found herself alone on the edge of a cliff, looking off into the distance ahead. Four weeks had gone by since they left the Last Light settlement, and so much had happened. They had fallen behind schedule due to one of the wagon wheels breaking. It had been one of the spokes of the wheel, and Halsin volunteered to head to the nearest forest to retrieve some wood to repair the broken wheel.

So that was what they had done. Halsin took off in bear form and set off to gather the wood needed, leaving the rest of the party to wait. It had taken only a day to find the wood, and another day to fix the wheel. Now, Evereska was just two days away.

Tav let out a long sigh, closing her eyes and lying back against the earth. Nerves were starting to get to her at this point, tying her stomach in knots and making her feel more fatigued over the last few days. The constant swirl of questions waged a war in her head, making it hard to rest fully. What if this trip was all for nothing? What if they needed to backtrack, and coming all this way cost them dearly? The cost for failure was too high, and the idea that they might made Tav want to vomit.

It had been five weeks since they had set out from Baldur’s Gate in search of where Mielikki had gone, and so far, nothing. All the woods that they had seen on the road so far had been full of life, nothing dead in sight. Tav only hoped that what Halsin had told them was true. That Evereska was, in fact, dying and that it would have clues about what had happened to Mielikki.

When Tav opened her eyes, she was no longer at the cliff side but in a place she hadn’t been in for over a month, in a place between worlds-in the home of a goddess. The night sky stretched out before her, and stars winked in and out of existence.

Tav looked to her left and found the owner of the space dressed in a plain white robe with accents of gold throughout. A crown of polished sapphires was placed upon her head. Angharradh sat a few feet away on a chair, looking down at Tav, a bored look plastered on her beautiful face.

“May I help you?” Tav returned Angharradh’s blank expression. “I was enjoying my view.”

This was the last place Tav wanted to be. The last time she had seen the goddess, Angharradh had tricked Apple into signing a contract, forcing them all to leave home, lest Apple be taken away from them. Effectively replacing Mielikki with her own since Tav was going to decline the quest. It was sneaky and underhanded, but also something Tav could understand after she had time to think about all that had happened over the last few weeks.

Didn’t Tav and Astarion tell Angharradh that they would tear apart the realms to get their daughter back?

“Have you found anything out about where my daughter might be?” A worried look split across Angharradh’s face, breaking the carefully composed mask she had been wearing. Tav took note of the dark half-moons just under the goddess's eyes that gave away just how stressed not knowing anything had made her.

“We are working on it. It takes time to travel, you know?” Tav didn’t want to give Angharradh anything after what she had done. She wanted to punch Angharradh right in her smug face, but that wouldn’t do any good. No, it was better to play nice for now since there was no use in pissing off a goddess. Especially not this one, who couldn’t die, or else all elvenkind were said to die with her.

“It’s been five weeks!” Angharradh shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at Tav. “I’m starting to think you are taking your time purposefully! To make me suffer.” There was an audible shake to her voice.

Tav scoffed, but pity filled her, which in turn made her want to give her some relief. “We are following a lead that is taking us to Evereska. Is that all you wanted from this little exchange? Because unless you have something else for me, please return me to where I was before my husband starts to wonder where I’ve gone.” The nausea Tav felt started to churn in her stomach, making everything spin around her. It was clear that she needed to make more of an effort to rest at night. The sleepless nights were getting the better of her, and she needed to stay focused just in case anything happened ahead.

Angharradh spoke once the wave of nausea had passed. “What have you learned about Evereska?”

Looking at Angharradh, it was clear that she was Tav. The goddess wanted to say more, and was warring with herself about whether or not to say it out loud. She didn’t need anything from Tav; Angharradh had already gotten what she wanted, and there wasn’t much the goddess could offer them at this point anyway. So Tav decided to ignore the look and press on.

“One of my party members heard from elves fleeing there that the woods and trees were dying.” Tav shrugged. “We figured since Mielikki was once the protector of Evereska that it was strange and worth checking out.”

Studying her features, it was then that Tav saw it: Angharradh was more than just a goddess-she was also a concerned parent. One that didn’t know where her child had gone, and despite being queen of the elves and an all-powerful being, she couldn’t find Mielikki. And that scared her.

Despite the hate she felt for Angharradh, Tav let go of some of her aggression. Not all of it, but enough. Enough that made it possible not to resent her for what she had done.

Savoring the small amount of information, Angharradh’s face lit up slightly with the lead. A small, delicate smile formed on her lips, making her look regal. Like the queen she was. “Thank you, Tav. That helps ease some of the anxiety I’ve been feeling.”

The statement was direct, which took Tav aback. It seemed that the goddess was trying her best to be cordial. If Tav had to guess why there was a sudden change in demeanor in the goddess, it was due to the fact that she was in the dark about everything going on outside her realm. Faerun was not her domain; Arvandor was, and though she was sealed in a tree on this plane of existence, that had been perniciously why it had happened. Her strength was a fraction of what it could be while in the material plane. The truth was that she needed Tav and the others to hunt her daughter down because she was simply not able to. Something Tav had learned after Talking to Halsin and Gale about the other pantheon of gods the elves worshiped.

“You’re welcome. Now send me back, please.” Tav could feel a headache starting at her temples.

There was a pause before she replied. “You know I only did what I had to.”

“No, you didn’t. You did it to spite me because I told you no.” Tav pointed a finger at Angharradh, anger flaring. “Plenty of other adventurers would have taken the quest.”

“But I didn’t want them,” Angharradh begged her to understand. “I wanted you, someone I knew who would not fail me because you have not failed others in the past.” Something in her face changed as she looked at Tav. “A mother. A hero who has been tested and tempered against many storms. One who has never been broken under the weight of anything thrust upon them.”

Angharradh’s words sunk in bone deep. Tav latched on to the word she had used to describe herself countless times: broken . But the way the goddess used it was somehow healing, as she followed it with the fact that Tav had not been broken despite feeling that she was. Angharradh looked into Tav’s eyes, searching for something, connecting with her on a spiritual level.

“Whatever.” Tav shook her head and looked away, uncomfortable with how Angharradh was looking at her. “Just let me out of here. I’m not going to argue with you, and I’m very tired. I feel sick, and I just want to rest.”

Tav placed a hand on her stomach and closed her eyes in an attempt to ground herself. To try and force the nausea back down and stop its ascent up her throat. Not since the morning after she and Astarion had gotten drunk did Tav remember feeling this bad. But she hadn’t touched a drop of wine since that night, wanting to keep a level head in case something like the bandits happened again.

“Tav?”

Angharradh’s voice pulled Tav back into focus. “Please just send me back.”

“ Tell me, Tav, when was your last menstruation cycle?”

Tav thought it an odd question to ask. Did Angharradh think they were friends now? It was after turning the question over in her head that Tav thought that there was more behind Angharradh’s words.

“I can’t remember… Maybe before we set out from Baldur’s Gate, but there was so much going on during that time I can’t be sure.” Tav removed her hand, but Angharradh’s eyes still remained zeroed in on her stomach. “Why?”

“How are your and Astarion’s attempts at producing a child going?”

“I’m not sure how that is any of your business.”

Though Tav didn’t want to share private information with Angharradh, she couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face at the mention of their efforts. With so many people in the camp to watch Apple, the amount of time they were able to steal away and get lost in each other's bodies was almost nightly. Something about adventuring again rekindled some hidden lust that had been lying dormant for years.

Making love under the open sky, in the grass, or while the bark of a tree dug into her back was exhilarating. And Tav knew that Astarion felt the same because he was often the one who initiated the encounters. He drank from her often, and it seemed to fuel his need for her, almost like her blood was making him want her more.

“You don’t need to tell me anything. It’s written plainly on your face.” Angharradh finally moved to meet Tav’s eyes. “How have you been feeling lately? More fatigued than usual?”

“What’s with all these questions?” Tav glared at Angharradh. “If you have something to say, just say it. Don’t ask me leading questions.”

“I’m just wondering when you will realize that midwinter is a magical time of year, and coupled with the aid of a goddess, anything can happen.” Angharradh smiled knowingly. “How long ago was that? Four weeks, if I’m not mistaken.”

Tav stared at her for a long time, mulling over what she was saying until it finally hit her.

“How long does it take for a child to quicken in a mother's belly? Four weeks, if I’m not mistaken.”

“You’re fucking with me!” Tav took a step towards Angharradh, face hot with rage. “It’s not possible! What do you gain from trying to manipulate me like this?”

“No manipulation, my sweet Tav. Just trying to share with you what you have been denying this whole conversation.” Angharradh’s expression softened. “I can sense life inside of you. It is new and still fragile, but it is there, an unforeseen delight that has come from this adventure, to be sure.”

Realization slammed into Tav, making her feel sick. The reason for the long recovery, why she had felt so tired. The pounding headaches that came with the fatigue at the end of the day. Why she and Astarion had been fucking like two horny rabbits. He was drinking straight from a hormonal fountain. Flashes from her last pregnancy came into her mind. It had been impossible to keep their hands off of each other.

“No… oh no, oh no, oh no.” Tav placed her hand over her mouth, trying to resist the urge to throw up. “Did you do this to me?”

“Of course not. I would have rather you have become with child after my daughter was safe, but the universe had other plans for you.” Angharradh rolled her eyes, a very ungoddess-like thing to do. “Though the terms of the deal did take effect the night your daughter signed the contract.”

“Fuck.”

“You don’t seem happy about this.” Angharradh looked confused. “Is this not what you wanted?”

“Of course I want this. Just not right now!” Tav could feel bile rising. “How do I tell Astarion? ”

“I’ll let you sort that out with him.” Angharradh waved her hand around in a circle. “Please do keep me informed of any new information.” She closed the distance between Tav and herself, placing a gentle hand on Tav’s shoulder. “Until next time, Tav.”

Tav was back on the cliff edge in an instant, looking over to the rocky descent below. Tav fell to the ground, clutching her stomach, fighting the urge to throw up. A losing battle, really. It only took a few more waves of nausea before Tav emptied her stomach of every meal she’d had during the day.

By the time she finished, Tav felt dizzy, eyes glazing over from exhaustion. The only relief came from the wind moving across her face, cooling the sweat that had formed over her skin. Tav was still in denial. After months of trying and nothing, now suddenly, because they had sex on midwinter, she was now pregnant. It just seemed too far-fetched.

Though Tav had heard that once you stopped trying, that is when it happened. That once you let go of all expectations, that was when it would come. Tav remembered that night, the feel of magic in the air, and what it felt like when Astarion had released himself inside of her not once but twice.

“Not even me nearly bleeding to death could stop it from happening.” Tav placed a hand on her stomach. “You’ve got some poor timing, kid.” Despite the panic rising in her chest, a smile pulled at the corners of her lips. “I can already tell you’re going to be a handful.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Apple, would you like to come with me to get your mother?” Astarion kissed the top of Apple’s head while looking down to see what she was reading.

The History of the Gods and Goddesses of Faerûn

“No, thank you. I’m almost finished reading about Mielikki and want to finish it tonight.”

Apple sat near the fire, feet out, clicking her toes together. The model of a perfect child. Gale was not far away, tending to tonight's dinner. Astarion gathered that he was the one who gave her the book in the first place.

“Reading up on our target, are we?” Astarion gave her a proud smile.

“Yeah!” Apple broke her gaze from her book and beamed up at him. “Did you know she saved all of Fearun once? Her and a group of adventurers.”

“Can’t say I did. Why don’t you tell your mom and I all about it before bed tonight.”

The answering look of excitement was enough to tell Astarion that Apple would be doing just that later. No doubt putting them all to sleep with the tale. Astarion made a mental note to spend more time with Apple before he and Tav had a second Gale on their hands. He didn’t know how much a wizard tower would cost to be added to the house, but he didn’t want to find out.��

“I’m going to get your mother to come for dinner now.” Astarion looked to Gale, tending the pot of soup boiling over the fire. “I’ll be back soon. I don’t think Tav went far.”

“Take your time. You never know with her just how far she has gone.” Gale gave him a look that said it all.

Tav did have a tendency to wonder. Whether she meant to or not was another story. But oftentimes, she returned with herbs, mushrooms, or game- the latter usually hidden so that Apple wouldn’t see it. There had been no headway in curing Apple of her newfound fear of blood, but they had been sneaking it into her meals so that she wouldn’t be going without.

“Make sure this one stays out of trouble.” Astarion gestured to Apple.

“I’ll keep her out of trouble.” Shadowheart appeared from her tent, a book in hand. “Now go, before Tav gets into some trouble.”

With a small nod, Astarion set off in the direction Tav had gone the last time he had seen her an hour ago. Tav had been to this mountain pass in the past. She often took trips with her father to Evereska for supplies, buying and selling. Coming to The Material plane from The Prime, where Tav originally lived, was tricky enough. You never knew where you were going to end up. Maybe the general area, if you were lucky. At least, that was what Tav had told them earlier. Then, Tav told them she wanted to visit her favorite spot, which was a short walk off the main road. It was a cliff overlooking a ravine.

Seeing no harm since it was so close to camp, Astarion decided he would give her some time alone, noting how distracted Tav had been the closer the party got to their destination. Instead of pestering her about what was eating her up inside, Astarion judged that it was better to let Tav process what she was thinking before he peppered her with questions. Sometimes, he needed time to think before talking to Tav too. Besides, it was probably the same thing that bothered him at night:

What if Evereska didn’t have any leads?

After twenty minutes of walking, Astarion found Tav lying on the ground, facing off into the ravine beyond the cliff.

“What are you doing on the ground? It’s filthy down there.” Astarion moved closer when she did not reply. “Tav?”

He could hear light snoring coming from Tav, which made him feel better as to why she hadn’t responded. “Really? I don’t understand how you can go about sleeping on rock.” Astarion shook his head and chuckled lightly. “Come on, let's go back to camp to sleep in our bedroll.”

Taking a few more steps towards Tav, he started to smell something sour. Closing the distance, Astarion quickly kneeled beside her and turned Tav over onto her back, the smell of vomit clinging to her skin. A sheen of sweat coated her, making her shine in the moonlight.

Astarion shook Tav by the shoulders. “Tav, what happened? Are you sick?”

“Mmm,” Tav moaned, clutching her stomach before rolling back over to retch. Once finished, Tav sat up and used the back of her hand to wipe away any remaining bile from her mouth. “No, I’m not sick.”

“I’m going to have to call bullshit on that, darling,” Astarion said dryly. “Did you eat something out here that made you sick? A bad mushroom?”

Tav laughed. “Not necessarily.” She leaned against him. “Though I do have something inside me making me sick at the moment.”

“So you did eat something?” Astarion’s voice started to adopt an irritated edge. “We agreed you would stop eating strange mushrooms.”

“I haven’t eaten anything since lunch, Astarion.” Tav nuzzled against his neck. “When was the last time you fed?”

“I hardly think that’s relevant to why you are sick.”

“Just tell me.” Tav moved her face so that her nose was pressed against the skin of Astarion’s neck.

“Before you left camp. Why?”

“Can I bite you?”

Astarion was confused by her question. “I don’t feel like getting intimate at the moment, love. You are acting strange and, on top of that, you’re not feeling well.”

“I will feel a lot better in a minute if you let me bite you.” Tav’s voice was weak, but she still managed a short giggle.

Relenting, Astarion angled his neck so that Tav had better access to his neck. “Fine, but you better tell me what’s going on once you’re done.”

“Once I’m done, I think you’ll understand.”

“Whatever you say, dear.”

Tav moved so that she was leaning on Astarion more, which he took notice of immediately. She was weaker than she had been when she left camp. He chalked it up to whatever she had eaten that she was too embarrassed to tell him about. And whatever it was making her act like a total freak. The vomiting sapping most of her strength away.

“Tav, are you alright?” Astarion wrapped his arms around her, pulling her so that she was flush against him. “Let me carry you back to camp. You’re not alright. I promise I won’t tell the others that you ate something strange. I’ll just tell them that you’re tired.”

“No,” Tav shook her head slightly. “I just need to do this… I don’t know how else to tell you.”

He could feel her teeth against his neck but not yet the pressure of a bite. “Tell me what?”

In answer, Tav clamped down on his neck, and he felt his skin break the second Tav’s teeth sank into him. Astarion went ramrod straight, feeling the blood leave his own body as Tav sucked on the newly created wound. Several moments came and went until Tav released him, licking the wound to lap up any remaining blood that trickled from the holes.

Astarion pulled Tav away from his body to look into her eyes, seeing all he needed to see in them. “Did you just drink my blood for the reason I think? Are you?” Hope ignited in his chest.

Tav bobbed her head up and down in a silent confirmation. “I think so.”

Tav explained all that had happened since he had last seen her, all the while holding in his excitement at what she was telling him, waiting to see her own reaction at the end of her story. And what he saw was a mix of emotions. Happiness, worry, and fear played in equal measure across her face.

“Do we have any way to confirm? Did you pack any tests?”

“No, I didn’t want to think about it during this adventure.” Tav gripped her stomach. “Of course it has to happen now, while we are away from home and possibly facing danger on a daily basis.”

“Is it at all possible that Angharradh is just messing with us? Trying to get in our heads so that we will pick up the pace and find her daughter faster?”

“I don’t think so. Or rather, I don’t want to think so.” Tav pressed her lips together in a tight line. “I think she’s right.”

“When did it happen?” Astarion ran through all the times they had made love since leaving Baldur’s Gate.

“Midwinter.”

“So four weeks.” Last time, it had taken six weeks for Astarion to hear the heartbeat. That left two weeks of not knowing for sure. Two weeks of fumbling in the dark, hoping. Then Astarion remembered that Jaheira had known after a few seconds. “Halsin?”

“Do you think he could tell?” Tav looked at him with hope.

“Only one way to find out.” Astarion hauled Tav to her feet before picking her up and carrying her in his arms like a princess.

“I can walk.” Tav protested even as she rested her head on his shoulder.

“You’re not walking, and that’s final.” Astarion couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. “If you are pregnant, I don’t know how we are going to hide all our lovemaking around Apple because just the thought of you being pregnant makes me want to fuck you right here and now.”

“Drinking my blood less would help.” Tav offered up. “ I’m pretty sure that’s what made us so horny the last time. All my pregnancy hormones.”

“Makes sense, but I can’t promise I won’t take a bite.” Astarion leaned down and pressed a kiss to Tav’s lips. “You are too delicious to stop feasting from, my love.”

They returned to camp, finding Halsin just on the outskirts. He looked between Tav and Astarion with a questioning glance before closing the distance. The others looked on, but stayed where they were, judging that whatever was happening was private and knowing that they would be let in on the secret one way or another.

“Is everything alright?” Halsin looked at Tav. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, but I do have a question for you.” Tav motioned for Astarion to let her down, which he did.

“Ask me anything. You know I am an open book to you.”

Tav looked to Astarion, then back to Halsin. “Can you tell if someone is pregnant?”

“I know of some ways in which it can be known, yes… Why do you ask? Do you think?”

A short nod from Tav was all that was needed to send Halsin into celebration. The large elf scooped up Tav in his arms and swung her around in a circle. A picture of a proud father if he had children of his own, but Astarion knew that Halsin saw Tav as his own. She was the daughter he never had, and Tav had made him her honorary father figure for the one that she had lost.

“Halsin, if you crush me any more, whether I am pregnant or not won't matter because I’ll be dead.”

He dropped her gently to the ground, and Tav stumbled slightly before Astarion braced her shoulders. Holding up a finger, Tav tried to compose herself but lost the battle, quickly turning away from Halsin to vomit up Astarion’s blood.

With the sudden commotion, Shadowheart, Apple, and Gale quickly approached to see what was going on. Coming into view just in time for her to finish.

“We are okay. Tav just got a little sick.” Astarion started to kick dirt over the blood that had come up before Apple could see but her eyes were fixed on Tav. “Are you alright, Apple?”

Apple’s eyes were blank, staring off into something that was beyond what everyone standing around could see. Still holding this stare, she took a few steps forward to Tav, closing the distance between them. Tav was staring at her daughter with equal intensity, worry creasing her brows together.

Placing her hands on Tav’s stomach, Apple’s eyes finally cleared, and a smile, along with a giggle, broke free. “Mommy’s got a baby in her belly, and he’s going to be trouble.”

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redlittlefoxari · 1 month

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To The Ends Of Faêrun : Chapter Twenty- Four: Rest and Relaxation *Smut*

This series is book two of a fanfic I have already written called Astarion Epilogue: An Adventure in Making Life

Master List Here for Books One, and Two

*List includes a prequel that is essentially one-shots of their adventures over the fifty years after the battle at the end of the game*

Warnings: Blood, Sex, Violence, NSFW 18+, Smut

Summary: Tav and Astarion get some much-needed rest as they 'take an evening' to themselves.

They made their way back up the Hill of Lost Souls to a flat surface a little past where the deer fell. The new area was slightly warmer. Tav felt heat seeping through her shoes and decided to stop judging that the surface was hot enough for what she had planned if she could feel the heat seeping through her shoes. A few moments of relaxation-something that Astarion certainly needed after weeks of being the leader and the stress that came with that job. And if she was being honest with herself, there was more to this plan than just to give Astarion some rest and relaxation. She wanted him.

After the few weeks that they had; she craved Astarion, and she knew he felt the same if how he looked at her earlier was any indication. There had been little time for romance while Tav had been healing and had nowhere to steal away. That, coupled with the fact that Astarion treated her like if he touched her, she would break. Only relenting a few days ago.

Tav looked over the large expanse in front of her until she spotted what it was she was looking for. She beckoned him to follow her, and Astarion did, following behind, waiting to see just exactly where the evening was going to take them. The usual meaning of taking an evening to themselves was something so vague that it was impossible to know what was going to happen. Something she knew would pique Astarion’s curiosity enough to get him up here again.

“I need to borrow this.” Tav grabbed the bag at Astarion’s waist before pulling two scrolls for the limitless fabric to then throw it to the ground beside the two of them.

Once they made it to the preset destination, Astarion looked at the hole, and then back up to Tav, a question in his eyes. It wasn’t more than three feet deep and a little over four feet wide: large enough to fit two people, and large enough to use it as a bathtub. She snapped the first scroll open, a great Gust of Wind from the bag at her waist. Air moved over the volcanic rock around them, clearing away any debris that had been in or sat nestled in the hole.

“Do you want me to get in the hole?” He quirked an eyebrow in suspicion. “Tired of me already, darling?”

Tav rolled her eyes. “Haha, very funny.” A smile played on her lips. “You’ll see exactly what I want you to do in a second.”

Unrolling the other scroll, Tav cast Create or Destroy Water, causing a torrent of water to fill the deep cavity in the rock. It didn’t take long for the water to start steaming, and then Astarion to understand the hole's intended purpose. His whole face lit up when he realized what was going on.

A smile pulled at his lips. “I’m so glad I married someone as kind and brilliant as you are.” Astarion reached over and pulled Tav into an embrace. “I have been aching for a hot bath since we left Baldur’s Gate.” He planted a quick kiss on her lips. “Rags and river water just haven’t been doing the trick.”

“I thought you would appreciate actually feeling clean during this adventure.” Tav placed a hand on his chest. “You deserve it after all you have done the last two weeks.”

All the bodies of water that the party had passed over the last three weeks since leaving Baldur’s Gate had either been rivers, which Astarion could not set foot in due to his condition, or stagnant water in ponds or bogs that were less desirable to get clean in. While everyone else at least had the river to wash themselves clean, Tav always felt a pang of sadness leaving Astarion behind and only returning with a bucket of water for him. He deserved so much more than that.

“It’s perfect.” Astarion turned his head towards the water, so much emotion swimming in his eyes it was hard to tell what he was feeling.

“Well?” Tav pushed away from him gently. “Let's get in, shall we?”

Tav took a few steps back and started undressing herself, starting with her shirt, laying the cotton fabric on the rock before pulling off her shoes. Once out of the soft leather that encased her feet, Tav stepped onto her shirt so that her skin wouldn’t have direct contact with the ground. She didn’t want to get the water dirty. She didn’t want to sully the gift she had made for Astarion.

In a matter of seconds, Tav was completely naked, throwing the last article of clothing to the ground and kneeling down to grab a few more items from the bag. Tav pulled two towels, a bar of soap, and a washcloth out before they, too, ended up in the pile that pooled at her feet.

“Alright, are you ready?” Tav looked up to see Astarion staring at her, fully clothed, eyes trailing over her skin like it was the first time he had seen her naked. “Why aren’t you getting undressed?” She felt a light blush creep over her skin at his scrutiny. “I want you to get in first.”

Astarion continued to stare, his eyes surveying her like they saw everything. Like they were peeling her back layer by layer. They saw everything, and under his gaze, Tav couldn’t move. He held so much power in those red eyes. She saw so much in them. A thousand words that he didn’t need to say out loud. But he still did. He voiced the ones that mattered.

“Gods, you’re beautiful.”

Tav knew that she was, but hearing it come from him, despite the hundreds of times he had told her, still made her heart swell. Made her feel unworthy of the words, especially coming from him. She knew that her body was far from what it had looked like when they first met. The first time, he had taken her into those woods near the Grove, and he had her crying his name from her lips like it belonged there. Astarion had worshiped her body under the night sky and, ever since then, had done it hundreds of times over their fifty-six-year relationship.

But for some reason, she still felt unworthy. More so now with the large scar that now sat on the skin of her stomach. Tav knew that she was slightly larger than she had been before she had Apple. She knew that he didn’t care what she looked like. He loved her, and she loved him with all her heart, but there was still a nagging feeling in the back of her mind that whispered things. It told her that one more rip, one more tear, and she would be too broken to be played with anymore.

She knew he saw everything in her eyes. Everything Tav wasn’t saying, his eyes watching as her hands moved to cover her stomach.

“I mean it, Tav.” Astarion eyes bore into hers. “Every inch of you is beautiful, and every part of you is perfect.”

“I know…” Tav trailed off. “It’s just…”

In a few steps, his hands were on her skin, causing her to jump from the sudden contact. “Beautiful is the only word I would use to describe the mother of my child and the person whom I have chosen to share my life with.” Astarion moved a hand to where Tav’s sat on her stomach, grabbing the hand from where it sat and moving it up to his lips, pressing a light kiss on the back. “That and kind, courageous, strong-willed, stubborn…”

“Alright!” Tav gave him a large smile. “I get your point.”

“I’m not sure you do.” His other hand snaked around her waist, pulling Tav’s body closer to his. “You are a gift, and you are someone I will never forget. My heart started to beat stronger the day I met you.”

“That’s only because you were afraid.”

He had been so afraid when they had first met. Afraid of the sun, the tadpole, and of letting anyone in to see who he truly was. But along the way, he had let his walls down. Let Tav in to see the wonderful man who had been forced into hiding for his own security. The man that Astarion had kept behind a thick wall so that Cazador wouldn’t break him.

“It was because I saw you on that beach, and though I didn’t realize it at the time, I’m glad I did come to realize that you are the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

He traced faint outlines, making shivers run through her body. His delicate fingers trailed up the side of her, stopping just shy of her breasts. Tension started building deep within Tav, and Astarion knew it. He could see it in every hitched breath when he touched her in a new sensitive area and the way her nipples grew hard under his touch.

Astarion went to take one of those hardened peaks into his mouth before Tav came to her senses. She placed her hand on his forehead and pushed back slightly.

A frustrated moan escaped Astarion, his eyes cutting up to hers, demanding to know why he was stopped.

“Bath first.” Tav moved the hand on his forehead to his chin, bringing him up so that his face was only inches from hers. “Then we can see where the rest of our time takes us.”

Astarion released a forced breath that further accented his frustration at being denied. “Can I take back what I said before?” He said with a teasing air to her voice.

“We have another hour, at the most, before Apple is finished with her lesson and starts to wonder where we are. Unless I can get a message to Halsin asking him to watch her for a little while.”

“Well, let's find a bird or some other animal so we can get back to what I was doing.”

Tav turned her head slightly to listen for any animals that may be around. “Hang on, I think I hear something.”

A low whistle started that quickly gave way to a high-toned trill. Within seconds, a tiny brown bird appeared on Tav’s shoulder, ready to listen and receive commands.

“I need you to find the druid Halsin and give him a message for me?” There was a crackle of magic followed by a chirp of understanding. “Perfect.” Tav smiled at the little bird. “He is down the hill in a camp, the tallest and largest elf you or I have ever seen.” Another chirp from the tiny animal. “Tell him, ‘ Can you watch Apple for a bit after her lesson with Gale? We are taking a bath.’”

There was another short chirp in understanding before the small animal took off from where it was perched. They both watched until the animal was out of sight, knowing the answer it would bring back—just one of the perks of traveling with a druid. Halsin would be able to return the animal messenger with his own reply.

“While we are waiting, get in the water, Astarion.” Tav pointed to the warm pool she had created. “I want you to relax.”

“Very well.” Astarion smiled before releasing his hold on her. “But don’t think you have won just yet, darling.” A knowing grin had one corner of his mouth turning up. “If I know Halsin, he’ll know what we really want to do up here, and he’s not going to tell you no.”

Tav watched Astarion slowly strip off each article of clothing with fluid grace, almost teasing her with the act. There was an ache to touch him. All she wanted to do was run her fingers over his smooth skin, take him in her hand, and show him just how much she missed touching him.

Which she would. This was about him, not her needs at the moment. Astarion had been the leader for two weeks, and Tav wanted to melt some of that stress away. She wanted him to touch her, of course, but there would be time enough for that. Right now, in the next few moments, he would be crying her name.

Astarion lowered himself into the water, moaning softly once the heat of the water touched his skin. “Gods, I missed this.”

Head tilted back, eyes closed, and arms resting on the ledge, Astarion looked full of bliss. Like all life's troubles had washed away the second the water touched his pale skin.

Tav smiled to herself. “I’m glad you like it so much.” She closed the distance, taking the soap, towels, and bag with her. Keeling down behind him, Tav opened the bag to pull out shampoo. “Get your hair wet. I’ll wash your hair.”

“I love you.” Astarion sighed his declaration while opening his eyes to look at Tav. “Perfection personified.”

“Just doing my wifely duties.” Tav held up the bottle.

Pushing off from the rim of the makeshift tub, Astarion started to submerge his hair into the water, soaking it thoroughly.

While Astarion was wetting his hair, the small bird returned from its trek to Halsin with a message.

“Of course! I will teach her about the nature around us and distract her while the two of you clean your bodies, along with becoming one.”

The bird finished the message, and though it didn’t wink, Tav could feel the slight wink that Halsin sent with the animal at the end of the message. With a small laugh and an eye roll, Tav released the animal from the spell, sending it away so that she and Astarion were finally alone.

Returning to the side of the makeshift bath, Astarion leaned back to look at Tav. “What did our sitter say?”

“He said of course, and to have fun.” Tav placed a good amount of shampoo on her hand before setting the bottle down. “Look straight ahead, please.”

Astarion did what he was told, looking ahead, ready to be pampered. Tav started a slow massage through his hair, working the soap into his scalp and causing a moan of pleasure to escape from his throat. After a few seconds, his shoulders relaxed, some tension leaving his body as Tav continued to run her fingers lightly through his hair and over his scalp.

“This might be better than sex, I think.” Astarion leaned his head back slightly so that his soapy tresses touched Tav’s bare thighs.

“Is that so?” Tav stopped moving her hands. “It’s time to rinse.”

“Already?”

“Yes, already.”

A small whine, along with a pout, had Astarion dipping his head back into the water. Tav watched the suds from his hair float away from him and skim across the surface of the water.

Tav moved into the water behind Astarion and began scrubbing his scalp once more to work out the rest of the soap that remained in his hair. Leaving any soap would weigh down his curls, making them look less composed and greasy, which couldn’t happen.

Over the years, Astarion had shown Tav how to treat curly hair, helping her bring out her own natural curls. She knew that they had been there, but with neither one of her parents knowing how to get the most out of their curls, Tav just threw her hair up to get it out of her face and called it good. So now that she knew what to do, she was going to make damn sure not to mess up on the person she loved, especially since he took great pride in his hair. It was something that was tangible to him. He could style it and knew it was correct even without a mirror.

“I am so glad I taught you how to do this.” Astarion came up from the water, turning towards Tav and reaching just behind her to grab the bag to pull some conditioner.

“I’m just glad I could pamper you.” Tav soaked a hand towel before lathering it with soap.

“You’re next, darling.” Astarion scrunched a tablespoon of conditioner into the ends of his curls.

“No, I’m fine. I just washed my hair a few days ago.”

He made a face. “It was five days ago, and I will be spoiling you, darling.” Astarion finished applying the product before turning fully to face Tav.

“Let me at least finish cleaning you first.”

“Fine.” Astarion rolled his eyes. “But the second you are finished with me, it’s your turn.”

His tone left no room for argument, so Tav just nodded and pressed the lathered rag to his skin. Astarion looked up at Tav while she moved across his skin, leaving bubbles wherever she touched. She stood above him while he knelt in the water, waiting for his moment. Waiting until he got to touch her.

Moving to wash his back, Tav broke eye contact. She watched Astarion shiver the second she touched his back and began moving lightly over his scars.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. It just feels nice to have hot water on my back.”

“I’ll rub some lotion on your back after we dry off, alright?”

“That sounds wonderful, thank you.”

Tav knelt in the water behind him so that the water came to her shoulders. She pressed her body against his so that her breasts touched his back. He stiffened slightly from the contact, waiting to see what would happen next. Tav snaked her arm, along with the rag, around Astarion’s body until she reached the apex of his thighs, finding him hard.

“Tav?” Astarion said her name like a question. Like there was more, but just saying her name voiced everything he wanted to say to her.

“Astarion?” Tav did the same, but she decided to accent her question with a kiss on his back. “Your lower half is the last place I have to clean before I’m all done.”

A hiss left his lip while Tav took him in her hand and started to move the rag over the sensitive skin. She made sure to go over every inch slowly so that Astarion was clean from root to stem. So that when they returned to camp, he was refreshed, spotless, and renewed.

Tav finished cleaning his privates and moved to his ear to whisper her next request. “Stand up so I can wash your legs.”

“Fuck my legs.” Astarion words were breathy. “I want you.”

“I told you once I’m done.” Tav kissed his neck before returning to his ear. “We’re almost done.”

Astarion turned and stood, his hard length bobbing before Tav, water dripping from the tip-a silent invitation. One that echoed in Astarion’s eyes.

Tav leaned forward, coming just short of his tip, and ran the rag up Astarion’s left leg. She watched him through her lashes, a teasing smile on her lips. Once her hand was halfway up him, Tav kissed his tip, granting her a hitched breath from Astarion.

“That’s not fair.”

“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.” Tav chuckled, finishing the left leg before moving to the right.

“Don’t lie to me,” Astarion growled, a hungry look in his eyes. “I know exactly what you're doing.”

“And what would that be?” Tav started moving the cloth up the other leg.

“You’re trying to make me beg to have my cock in your mouth.” Astarion grinned like a cat who had caught a mouse. “But I assure you, I won’t be the one begging, yo-”

Astarion was cut off by Tav taking him into her mouth, a slow glide over his shaft that had her filling her mouth until there was no room left. Tav drew back leisurely until only Astarion’s tip was in her mouth, allowing her to grip his shaft at the base to pump him tenderly. With a swirl of her tongue, Tav moved over his tip, tasting him before pumping him with her hand. Satisfaction filled her, knowing that the act had left him speechless. The only sound leaving him a low grown of pleasure.

“You were saying?” Tav licked his tip. “I wasn’t going to make you beg, Astarion. I’ve been wanting to taste you.” Taking his tip into her mouth, she sucked, moving her tongue around for added sensation. With a pop, she released him while pumping her hand up and down the full length of him. “I was just waiting until we were alone to take you.”

Before Astarion could respond, Tav pulled him into her mouth again, granting her a moan that started low in his throat. She tasted salt at the back of her throat, and moved to lick the precum from his tip. A sigh of pleasure came from Tav, knowing that she was the cause of this reaction. His want for her was plain to see, his body reacting to the pleasure she was giving him.

Astarion threaded his fingers into her hair. Tav moved down his cock with her mouth, using her hand to deepen the sensation over the sensitive skin. He tugged on her hair slightly, throwing his head back to moan her name.

“Fuck my mouth, Astarion.”

All restraint snapped at those words. At Tav’s request, Astarion gripped her hair harder and thrust it into her waiting mouth, stopping just shy of the back of her throat, not wanting to cause any harm.

Astarion set a steady tempo of his hips, thrusting into Tav’s waiting mouth before almost pulling out entirely and going back in. Tav took all of him, using her tongue to add to the pleasure.

With every moan from Tav, Astarion upped the tempo, milking his own orgasm until it came to a beautiful crescendo in her mouth, coating her tongue. Tav pulled him into her mouth, sucking every last drop of his seed until he shuttered against her touch.

“Tav, darling, I think you have sucked every last drop from me.” Astarion moaned with every pass of Tav’s tongue over his tip.

Tav released him. “Couldn’t help it. I’ve just missed the way you taste.”

“Come here so I can taste myself on you.”

Smiling, Tav stood so that they were face to face. Astarion wasted no time pulling her to him, cupping her ass gently. She left her lips parted slightly for him to be able to explore. Taking the invitation, Astarion moved to taste himself on her, deepening the kiss once inside.

Tav felt molten against his touch. The searing kiss added to the sensation of his body touching her. His gentle probing inside her mouth caused heat to pool at her center. And despite the water, Tav could feel herself growing slick with need for him. But she wouldn’t ask him to satisfy her. This moment was about him. It was about his needs, not hers.

Astarion’s hand moved to find her sensitive clit, the light touch of his fingers causing a jolt of electricity to course through Tav’s body. The slight tensing of her inner walls made her whole body react to his hand heading toward where she wanted him most, as if he could sense her growing need. Tav didn’t stop him. She wanted him to find her need for him. Wanted him to find what she knew he was searching for.

Astarion pressed a smile against Tav’s lips a moment before breaking the kiss, his hand finally finding her drenched for him. “Did me fucking your mouth make you wet, my love?”

Astarion plunged two fingers into Tav, causing a shuttering breath to escape her. “Yes.”

“Well, would you like me to return the favor, darling?”

His voice was a whisper that traveled down her skin, accented with heat as he moved to place kisses along her jaw and down her neck. Stopping to nip just below her ear before continuing further down.

“Only if you want to.”

His fingers moved in a curling motion inside her, sending a spasm of pleasure straight to her core. “After what you just did to me…” Astarion placed a light kiss against the most sensitive part of Tav’s neck. “I would love nothing more than to fuck you untill I have to carry you down this godsforsaken hill.”

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redlittlefoxari · 1 month

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To The Ends Of Faêrun : Chapter Twenty- Three: Wants and Needs

This series is book two of a fanfic I have already written called Astarion Epilogue: An Adventure in Making Life

Master List Here for Books One, and Two

*List includes a prequel that is essentially one-shots of their adventures over the fifty years after the battle at the end of the game*

Warnings: Blood, Sex, Violence, NSFW 18+, Smut

Summary: Tav and the others are halfway to Evereska.

Two weeks had come and gone since the encounter on the road. The wound that had been inflicted on the left side of her body near her stomach still hurt despite there only a scar being left. Tav made sure to hide the pain the best she could, not wanting anyone to know that it still bothered her. It had taken a few days for the weakness to go away, and it had taken a week for Astarion to let her do anything other than rest in the back of the wagon.

After a lot of convincing, he finally relented, letting her go out and hunt with him. Tav knew that it had nothing to do with control and everything to do with him being worried about her. But, with a bit of convincing, coupled with the fact that she had been stuffing her face all week with food, water, and all the rest, he couldn’t argue that she needed to stay in bed.

Evereska was still about twelve days away, even with the wagon and horses pulling it. They had set up camp early, just before the Hill of Lost Souls. No one wanted to traverse the dormant volcano. Rather, they thought that taking the long way in the morning would be better. Fewer ghosts from battles long since fought were down in the grassy plains below.

Unfortunately for Tav, that was where the deer she had been following wound up. Noticing the tracks and wanting something other than vegetable soup, she followed them, not realizing where they were leading until the camp was out of sight. The land had almost called her to it like a siren song, thirsting for someone to step foot on the ground once again.

By the time the deer was in her sight, an hour had passed. Drawing back the bow Angharradh had given her, Tav let out a slow, calming breath before firing the arrow.

It was a large male with horns that curved in intricate patterns. Time slowed, and Tav wondered for a moment if the creature had come up here to die. If the stories were true, this place was known to have some magic to it. Hill giants, some goblins, and orcs were even said to make pilgrimages to this place when it was time to move on to the next plane of existence. Did animals also do the same?

The question faded away once the animal moved its head just in time to see her, its eyes seeming to hold no answers. It went to move, but it was too late. It let out a pained scream and fell to the ground, limp. The arrow had done what she had intended it to do. It had plunged into the creature's heart and killed it instantly.

Tav shook her head, shaking the previous thought out of her mind. “I need to get out of this place.” She listened closely, finding an eerie silence. “Better get to work.”

Slowly moving to where the body lay, still twitching with activity, the muscles still containing some energy despite the heart no longer pumping. Tav pulled a knife and a bucket from her Bag of Holding. She knelt on the ground next to the beast to grab its horns and expose the throat, placing the bucket just below. Tav readied the blade to get to work.

With a jerk of the wrist near the jugular, blood flowed into the bucket. The act reminded Tav of when she had been pregnant and running to the Grove, killing what she could to survive off of the land. This time, however, the blood was not for her but rather for Astarion, who, if she knew him, would be not far behind and would probably be furious with her for going out alone.

The trickle of blood stopped, and with no way to hang the body to gather the rest, she moved the bucket away. Tav cracked her knuckles, readying herself for the rest of the work. Looking up to see where the sun was located told her that she had about four hours until sunset.

“Alright.” Tav cut into the carcass carefully, peeling the skin away from muscle and sinew. “Better get started.”

About thirty minutes later, Tav could hear footsteps coming up behind her. The soft cadence told her that Astarion had finally found her. She didn’t look away from her work, wanting to finish and only being halfway through with cutting the meat away from the bone.

“Before you get too mad, I prepared a snack for you.” Tav jerked her head to where the bucket sat a few feet away.

“I’m not mad.” Astarion tried to hide the anger in his voice. “I do wish you would tell me when you’re going to sneak off and hunt, however.”

Tav finally stopped, using the back of her hand to wipe sweat from her brow. “I’m sorry. I meant to stay close, but the deer ran up here.” She turned towards him and pulled a jar from the Bag of Holding. “So, really, blame the deer.”

“How do you not go mad being the leader of our little group?” He sounded bone tired. “I feel like I’ve aged ten years and I know that's not possible.”

Astarion was standing near the bucket and reached over to grab the jar from Tav. “You get used to it.”

“Are you ready to take back the responsibility?” Astarion’s features pulled down.

“I've been ready, I was just waiting for you.” Tav grimaced. “Long as I’m not in trouble for coming up here by myself.”

“I suppose no harm was done. It’s not your fault the creature came up here.” He took a seat on a large chunk of volcanic glass. “You’re covered in blood, darling.”

“Yeah… maybe I should have waited thirty more minutes for you to come along and drain it completely.” Tav wiped her hands on the pelt that she had gotten off the deer. “I’ll have to strip before I get into camp. I don't want to scare Apple.”

“No… we definitely don't want to do that.” Astarion’s face twisted into a pained expression.

In the two weeks since the bandit attack, two things had changed about Apple: one, she and Gale did magical combat training for an hour a day every day, and two, Apple was terrified at the sight of blood.

They had come to learn the second after coming back from a hunt in which they had found a few rabbits and killed them for that night's dinner. Astarion had still been hungry after draining the two animals and decided that a glass of blood would make him feel less peckish. Apple had taken one look at the glass, smelled the blood, and screamed, sending the whole camp into a panic. It had taken several minutes to calm her down, but only after Astarion had left camp with the blood.

Since then, Apple hadn’t had a drop of blood, and Astarion now had to drink outside of camp. It was a mess, going on for two weeks now.

“That’s something I can help you with.” Astarion dipped the jar into the blood, filling it before giving her a flirtatious smile and drinking deeply from the now full container.

“Will you now?” Tav watched him drink, the muscles in his neck working, and felt a need grow deep in her belly. It had been two weeks since the last time they had been together. Not since the night of the midwinter festival. “You’re not mad?”

Pulling the glass from his lips, Astarion leveled her with a cool look. “Irritated, not mad.” He offered up a small smile. “You were just following a deer. I know better than anyone just how quiet you need to be in order to catch one of these bastards.”

Smiling, Tav got up out of her kneeling position to stand. A jolt of pain surged right to her scar, causing her to flinch. Astarion tilted his head, giving her a look of concern.

Tav gave him a tight-lipped smile before answering. “There's still some residual pain from time to time, like if I’m hunched over for too long.”

“Have you told Shadowheart?” He stayed seated, watching Tav closely. “You certainly never told me.”

Tav didn’t miss his clipped tone.

“It only lasts for a second, and then it’s gone.” She made her way to him. “ It’s probably nothing.” Tav hadn’t given it much thought, not wanting to think about what it could mean. “You don’t think it could be…”

“No.” Astarion didn't let her finish the thought, knowing what she was going to ask. “If I had to guess, it’s the result of some damaged tissue. My scars do the same from time to time.” The statement brought a pained expression to his face. “The skin is more sensitive, so prolonged tasks where you apply pressure cause pain, nothing more.”

“Still, it scares me sometimes.” Tav placed a hand on the patch of scarred flesh. “Just one more problem to add to the fire.”

Finally, he stood, leaving the glass jar where he sat, and pulled Tav into a loving embrace. “The wound is nowhere near your reproductive system.” Astarion squeezed her lightly.

“I can’t help it.” Tav squeezed him back.

They held each other for a few heartbeats, letting silence fall between them. No sound could be heard as the dormant volcano continued to sleep beneath their feet.

Astarion spoke first, breaking the silence. “We should be getting back.” He pulled back, moving a hand to stroke Tav’s face with his thumb. “We'll need to clean you up before Apple sees you.”

“When do you think she’ll get over the sight of blood?” Tav sighed, reaching to pull out more jars and frost's giant fur from the Bag of Holding.

“I don’t know, but hopefully soon. I’m not sure how long she can go without blood.” Astarion took the jars and proceeded to fill them with blood, and then wrapped them in the fur to keep them from congealing.

Tav placed what meat she had already cut from the deer into the bag, deciding to leave the rest for the crows and other carrion animals. “Do you want to just clean me up here?” She pulled a scroll of Create or Destroy Water out.

“That would be the smarter choice than letting the blood dry.” Astarion moved closer to Tav, placing the jars into the open bag.

“Why don’t I strip down, use this scroll…” Tav held up the scroll. “...and put on some night clothes?”

“No argument from me.” Astarion pointed to the fur on the ground. “And what are we doing with that?”

“Salting it and placing it near the wagon to dry.” Tav started taking off her armor. “We can use it for padding or sell it when we get to Evereska.” She gave the Bag of Holding to Astarion. “Can you pull me out a set of clothes, please?”

“Of course.”

Slowly, Tav threw the bits of armor aside into a pile until she stood naked before Astarion. Air caressed her skin, resulting in a shiver that seeped into her bones. It was finally starting to warm up since spring was just around the corner, but there was still a chill in the air. When the only thing left on her person was the Scroll of Create or Destroy Water, Tav unrolled the paper, saying the words to cast the spell. Water fell, soaking her armor and washing them clean of any remaining blood.

Tav turned to face Astarion and saw him staring at her. “See something you like?”

“I don’t think I will ever get tired of looking at your body.” He threw her the set of clothes he chose.

“You’re not too bad to look at yourself.” Tav caught them with one hand and promptly started putting them on.

“Thank you.” He stood, moving to collect the wet clothes on the ground and place them in the bag.

“You’re very welcome.” Tav finished putting the rest of the clothes on.

Astarion finished and laced his fingers with Tav’s. “Shall we start making our way down, my sweet?”

“We shall.”

It took half the time to make it down the Hill of Lost Souls. They were not working against gravity this time, so the pace at which they walked was much faster. Once they made it to camp, Tav deposited the deer hide near the wagon, making sure to hide it so that Apple wouldn’t stumble upon it.

Tav looked around for Gale so that she could hand him the meat for dinner, finding that he was in the middle of a lesson with Apple.

“Sorry to interrupt.” Tav waved at him to get his attention.

“Not at all!” Gale stopped what he was teaching, which looked to be a lesson on how to use Magic Missle effectively, and gave Tav his full attention. “We were just about to take a little break to use the lavatory anyway.”

Tav looked at Apple, who was squirming in her seat. “Go pee before you burst Apple.”

That was all she needed, the sudden permission sending her off over to the designated bathroom they had set up away from anyone's tent and downwind enough that nothing could be smelled later.

“How did the hunting go?” Gale gave Tav his full attention.

“Great, but how did you know I went hunting?” Tav crossed her arms.

“We guessed once we realized you had vanished.”

Tav shook her head and smiled. “Good to know I’m predictable. Deer is on the menu tonight.” She threw the bag at him. “Everything you need is in there.”

Gale caught the bag. “Excellent. Maybe I’ll make some steaks with roasted potatoes and rosemary.”

The thought had Tav salivating. “Whatever you want to make will be fine, but if you end up making that, I will be very happy.”

“Then I shall make that. Shadowheart already said that's what she wanted if you did come back with deer.” Gale shrugged.

“I’ll have to thank her for the recommendation.” Tav looked over to where Apple was coming back from her bathroom break. “How's the training going?”

Gale made a face. “I still think she’s too young to be learning how to harm people with magic, Tav.” He held up a finger when he saw she was going to protest. “That doesn’t mean I disagree with teaching her now. I just wish I didn’t have to.”

Tav grimaced. “Me too, but we don’t really have a choice, so how is she doing?”

“Let’s just say she has had no problem learning the spells necessary.” Gale pointed to an outcropping of rock. Large chunks were missing. “We will have to see if she can do the same when the target can beg for mercy.”

Something twisted in her gut to hear him say that. In no way did Tav want her little girl put in that situation where she needed to take someone's life. Apple was far too young for that. And with her new fear of blood, it was possible that she never would be.

“How much longer until she’s done for the day?” Tav wanted to change the subject.

“We just started, so another thirty minutes of this, then an hour of normal school work while I start dinner.”

“Hi, Mommy.” Apple smiled brightly. “Where did you go?”

“I just went for a walk, honey.” Technically, Tav wasn’t wrong; she did do some walking. “Are you having fun?”

“Yeah!” Apple beamed. “Did Uncle Gale show you what I did to the rocks?”

“Yes.” The feeling of guilt was at war with pride for how smart she was. “Well, I’ll let you continue.” Tav gave Gale a quick nod before heading back to Astarion, who was sitting in their tent.

They’d had to diverge from the main road several days ago since Evereska was not an everyday travel destination. Not many people visited, and if they did it was rare. So they were currently camping near a large field at the base of the Hill of Lost Souls, away from any trees, the closest city being Yarthsrain to the west.

Astarion looked at Tav. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I just…” Tav let out a frustrated breath. “I just wish Apple didn’t have to learn how to kill people at the age of six.”

“Better she learn it now after what happened than let it happen again.” Astarion gave her a sympathetic look.

“I know.” She looked at Astarion. “Gale said we have an hour and a half until she’s done.” Tav raised her eyebrows. “Do you want to take an evening to ourselves?”

“I could be persuaded.” Astarion gave her an alluring smile.

Tav turned and began making her way northeast around the hill they just came down. “Follow me, and I’ll persuade you.”

With preternatural grace, Astarion stood and followed Tav away from camp, wondering just what would be used to persuade him. He found that just the thought of her perfect body and that he hadn’t touched her in weeks was enough to make him want her.

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redlittlefoxari · 1 month

Text

To The Ends Of Faêrun : Chapter Twenty- Two: Friends Forever

This series is book two of a fanfic I have already written called Astarion Epilogue: An Adventure in Making Life

Master List Here for Books One, and Two

*List includes a prequel that is essentially one-shots of their adventures over the fifty years after the battle at the end of the game*

Warnings: Blood, Sex, Violence, NSFW 18+, Smut

Summary: Astarion finds Tav and the others doing something very interesting out in the woods.\

Astarion listened for any sign that there was someone other than him in the woods. It was quiet, but ahead, he could hear someone, or rather a few people talking up ahead. The closer he got, the more it sounded like arguing, like whoever they were definitely didn’t think it was necessary to try any form of stealth.

“Can we just get this over with before Astarion comes back and finds us all gone?” Tav’s voice came from deeper in the wood. “I really don’t need him finding out about this.”

He quickened his steps at that.

“Then just hurry up!” This time, it was Shadowheart’s voice sounding more than a little annoyed. “This is not how I wanted to spend my night either.”

Ahead, Astarion saw Gale standing next to a tree, looking in every direction but where the voices were coming from. He was holding a wash rag in one hand, seemingly waiting for someone to give him direction.

“What are you doing?” Astarion spoke in a clipped voice.

“Oh, Astarion!” Gale placed a hand on his chest. “You scared me.” He gave him a big smile. “As for what we are doing, I...”

“Gale?” Astarion looked at him, anger filling his eyes. “Care to tell me where my wife is?”

Gale looked over his shoulder. “Well, you were busy with Apple, and Tav told me that she needed to use the bathroom.” He threw the rag behind him, and there was a sound of someone catching it. “So we got Shadowheart and…”

“I’m peeing, okay!?” Tav’s voice came from behind Gale. “I needed help going to the bathroom.”

Astarion tried not to laugh. “I have to see this.”

“Don’t let him through, Gale!” Tav sounded desperate.

Taking a moment to compose himself, Astarion made to move past Gale, who only blocked his path.

“It was rather embarrassing.” Gale offered a sympathetic look at Astarion.

“Oh, come now, Tav!” Astarion crossed his arms. “I have seen every inch of you. I helped during the birth of Apple, for the gods’ sake! What is so embarrassing that you can’t show me this?”

“The fact that I need help is embarrassing!”

“It is pretty bad that you can’t pull your own pants down or squat,” Shadowheart cut in.

“If you say another word, I will end you.” Tav’s voice dripped venom.

“So I guess you can pull your own pants up,” Shadowheart teased. “Astarion, come help get your wife's pants up!”

Shadowheart made her way to where Gale and Astarion were standing, a worried look straining across her features.

“Is it really that bad?” Astarion asked, grimacing.

“She’s definitely weak.” Shadowheart shook her head. “The main problem is when she stands, due to the mass amount of blood loss, even with the Lesser Restoration, her body hasn’t re-upped her stores yet.” She pursed her lips. “Halsin’s holding her up now.”

“I’m fine.”

Gale turned to reveal Tav using Halsin to steady herself. Astarion watched every wince of pain cross Tav’s face. She held the left side of her stomach, each breath looking like it was hard and ragged. In the dark of the woods, her skin glowed white. Tav looked much like a vampire.

“She wouldn’t let me carry her,” Halsin was quick to add as Astarion glared at him.

“I can walk just fine.” Tav rolled her eyes. “I was stabbed. Nothing is wrong with my legs.”

“Right, because being stabbed and losing as much blood as you did usually makes people dead.” Shadowheart returned her eye roll but quickly switched back to caring at the sight of her friend in pain. “Clearly, you need more healing if your stomach is hurting you this bad.”

“I’m fine, really. My stomach is hurting me that bad, and the other problem isn’t going to be fixed with healing,” Tav spoke, and it was breathless. “I just need to get back to bed and rest.”

“Why didn’t you wait for me?” Astarion closed the distance between them, taking Halsin’s place and continuing to move her forward as they all walked back to camp.

“Well, I didn’t want you to come back from your talk with Apple to having to help me pee, and it’s embarrassing.” Tav let out a sigh. “And I needed help pulling down my pants.” She gave Halsin a smile. “And it’s kinda hard to bend at the moment.”

“So you enlisted the help of our friends instead of asking your husband, who has seen every inch of you, why?” Astarion looked at each one of the friends in question.

“Because we are good friends.” Gale stood tall.

“I didn’t look if that is what you’re worried about.” Halsin took on the look of someone who could be trusted. His leader's face.

“I was the only one that seemed to get the full moon.” Shadowheart smiled at Tav.

“Next time, I’m just pissing in my bedroll.” A blush bloomed on Tav’s face.

“Next time, I’m taking you myself.” Astarion offered her a small smile. “You shouldn’t be embarrassed to ask me to help you go to the bathroom.”

“It’s hard not to.” Tav swayed slightly as all the attention made her blush deepen. “Besides, everyone was happy enough to help.”

Everyone agreed more or less, which made Astarion feel better about the whole situation. They were all just trying to help Tav the best way they knew how at the moment. It felt nice knowing that even when he wasn’t around, there would always be people to help both him and Tav, no matter what. No matter what was asked of them.

“I guess I can only be glad that I have such weird friends.” Astarion rubbed his face with his free hand.

“I promise I’ll ask you to help me pee next time.” Tav looked at him sidelong. “Did everything go okay?”

Astarion wanted desperately to pick Tav up and carry her back to camp, but as if she could read his mind, that thought was stopped with one glare. It was clear that she wanted to walk despite all the pain it put her in. Despite how weak she was feeling, if her needing help getting her pants off was a proper indication.

“It went well.” Astarion didn’t want to say more, not until they were alone. “I feel as if I need to carry you.”

“Don’t you dare.” Tav sounded stern. “I can make it back to camp on my own two legs… I made it there. I can make it back.”

“We already tried to change her mind, and she was having none of it.” Gale followed behind.

“So we settled on using me as a crutch.” Halsin kept pace with Tav and Astarion; his long legs made it easy to do so.

“And I am fine.” Tav swayed once more. “I only feel a little dizzy.”

As if on cue, Tav’s legs gave out. The sudden tug down to the earth caused Astarion to falter, nearly taking him with her. Halsin, hauling Tav back toward her center of gravity, saved them from falling face-first into the dirt. He held onto the back of her pants like a support belt, adding more stability.

After a few seconds, Astarion looked at Tav to find her clenching her stomach and panting. “You are not alright!”

The sound of Tav’s pounding heart beat like a war drum in Astarion’s ears. Her heart was fighting to pump the blood that was left in her body to the places it needed to go. And with all the added movement, it was working in double time.

“I just need a minute.” Tav continued to pant while holding her stomach. “I think I just need to throw up.”

“Don’t you dare,” Astarion growled, scooping her up into his arms. “Just breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.”

“Put me down…” Tav spoke weakly as she did what she was told.

“No, you are clearly not of sound mind to decide what is best for you, so it seems I must.”

Astarion walked the rest of the way into camp and gently placed Tav back in her bedroll. Right after placing a blanket over her, Astarion grabbed a waterskin and pressed it to Tav’s lips. She took a long drink, letting some water spill from her lips to run down so it pooled at her back.

Apple peered out of the tent with worried eyes. “Is Mom okay?”

“Your mother is fine, just a little exhausted.” Astarion gave her a stormy look. “Would you go get your mother another bowl of soup, please, Apple?”

“Yes!” Apple grabbed the empty bowl from where it had been placed and took off toward the fire.

Gale and Shadowheart followed after, fearing that, in her haste, Apple would wind up spilling the whole pot. They didn't need another person injured today, let alone a child who had already had a rough day. Astarion watched from afar. Gale had to help her in the end, but it didn't stop her from proudly marching back with soup in hand.

He looked back to Tav, who had her eyes closed and seemed to glow more iridescently under the light of the moon. Astarion touched her face, causing her eyes to open slowly. She looked at him drowsily, almost like she was drunk.

“A little more soup, and then you can go to bed.” Astarion grabbed the bowl from Apple as she came within range.

“I can’t sit up on my own.” Tav took a deep breath. “Gale had to help me earlier.”

“I saw.” Astarion looked at Halsin, who was still standing around despite the others leaving. “Mind holding her up for me?” He lifted an eyebrow in question.

“It would be my pleasure.” Halsin moved to kneel beside Tav, placing his hands about her shoulders and lifting till she was in a settled position.

There was another wince of pain, and her right hand flew to where the knife cut through her skin. Astarion held the bowl in one hand and, with his free hand, placed it over hers.

“Why does it still hurt this much?” Tav voiced the question, not really looking for an answer.

“Maybe the blade did more than we thought,” Astarion answered anyway.

Tav sat in quiet contemplation, the questions she didn’t want to ask plain to see in her eyes. It was hard not to answer them himself, to tell her that the wound was still fresh and that it would take time to heal. The wound would probably not have any bearing on their ability to have children, but there were too many around that he did not want to be a part of the conversation. Chief among them was Apple, who stood behind him, watching.

Astarion slowly moved the bowl closer to Tav’s lips. “But we can worry about all that in the morning.” He made sure to give her a reassuring stare to let her know that he knew what she was thinking and not to worry. “Right now, it’s more important that you eat and rest, darling.”

A brief exhale escaped Tav’s lips before she leaned forward slightly so that the bowl touched her lips. Slowly, Astarion leaned the bowl up, making sure the hot soup didn’t rush in too quickly and burn her. This went on for several minutes with brief breaks to allow for talking, giving Tav a break. Despite Halsin holding the bulk of Tav’s body, she looked faint.

Once the bowl was finally empty, Astarion pulled it away, handing it to Apple before grabbing the waterskin once more. This time, Tav grabbed it from him gently, pressing it to her own lips. She took a few sips before handing it back to him.

“Thank you.” Tav closed her eyes. “And thank you as well, Halsin.”

“It was my pleasure.” Halsin lowered Tav to the ground slowly. “Get some rest. I’m going to be doing the same after today.” He offered a small smile before walking off to get something to eat himself.

“Mommy…” Apple spoke in a soft, almost whispering voice.

“What is it, honey?” Tav opened her eyes with some difficulty.

“Can I rest out here with you tonight?” Apple looked concerned.

“I don’t see why not.” Tav looked at Astarion before closing her eyes once more. “Is that alright with you?”

“We can all keep your mother company.” Astarion pulled a blanket over Tav’s body. “Go get your bedroll.”

Apple moved towards the tent and began gathering her things. Astarion watched, eyes closely assessing everything around them, searching for any threats that could be hiding beyond the view of the camp.

“You’re not going to bed yet, are you?” Tav pulled his attention back to her.

“Not yet, no.” Astarion took note of every aspect of Tav’s body. Her breaths were slowing, eyes still closed. She was fighting sleep to talk to him. “I’ll wait for Halsin to rest, and then once he’s up, I will.”

“I think you should rest first.” Tav moved her hand out from under the blanket, searching for his. Astarion wrapped his hand in hers, lacing their fingers together.

He could sense the need in her to have him close. “Alright.” Astarion leaned in and pressed a light kiss on Tav’s brow. “Apple, would you send a message to Grandpa Halsin for me?”

“Yes!” Apple made her way back with her bundle of blankets piled high in her arms. “What’s the message?”

“ Will you take the first watch?”

Apple dropped the bed supplies she held and cast the spell. Halsin looked over from where he stood by the fire and gave a quick nod.

“He said okay,” Apple confirmed what the druid had said back.

“Thank you.”

Astarion let go of Tav’s hand and gathered his own bedroll, laying it on the right side while Apple did the same on the left, leaving Tav in the middle. The two crawled between their sheets. None of them spoke as Apple quickly fell into her trance, leaving Tav and Astarion.

They both reached for each other, fingers intertwining once more, connecting them. After a few heartbeats, Astarion heard Tav’s breathing change, letting him know she had finally returned to sleep. He stayed awake, looking up at the stars, praying to whatever gods would listen to keep his family safe. No one answered his call, so he closed his eyes and fell into a trance.

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