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Sunlight filtered through the window of the bedroom that Lae'zel and Shadowheart shared. The auburn-haired woman opened her eyes blinking sleepily. She extended her hand to look for her companion but it was empty and she quickly panicked. Taking a big leap while naked, he landed on the floor without problems, opening the door and running at full speed down the stairs, finding his beloved wife cooking breakfast on the fire, wearing light clothing while holding her swollen belly with her free hand. , fruit of the love of both carrying their son. The Gith gave a long, deep sigh of relief, letting her shoulders fall down and slowly approached her wife, surrounding her with her fine, thin but muscular arms, she rested her chin on her right shoulder, breathing into her neck, how much she loved her scent.Lae'zel since Shadowheart became pregnant, she became overly protective and almost paranoid, she wanted to take care of her joy and her unborn child. Who would have thought since they met in that burning Ghaik nautiloid, being enemies and who even thought about letting the half-elf die in that dome, until today when they are starting a family. If they had told him at the beginning he would have thought it was a joke, but it is real. This, they, is real and destiny wanted it that way, to be a devotee of an istik and an istik a devotee of a gith.Shadowheart smiled happily as he felt his wife's arms surround his body, he loved how his Gith took care of her and their unborn child. Since she abandoned Shar, she was finally free and never regretted it. Her parents were alive in a small cabin nearby and often visited them. Lae'zel was always supporting her in every decision and meeting the Gith and her companions was the best thing she had ever done. He turned slightly and carefully to be face to face with his wife, forgetting about breakfast, to examine the body of his beloved warrior which was naked and as toned as ever. His wife, despite having abandoned the fight and having refused to go with Orpheus, continued to exercise and train without rest, except today when she got up a little later. Maybe sleeping a little more wouldn't hurt."Good morning, love, I'm preparing breakfast," she said happily, practically hugging the Gith tightly, surrounding his neck with her soft arms and planting a shower of kisses on his face and lips. At the beginning of their relationship, Lae'zel didn't like kisses other than having sex, but over time he realized that he loved the half-elf's kisses so much that it seemed like his water source, constantly needing to drink."Good morning, Zak vo'n fynh duj. Shadowheart why didn't you wake me up?" I thought something happened to you and the baby," the Gith said, looking at her with his adorable and sweet puppy eyes, he hugged her, holding the Selunite against his body. He couldn't help but want to protect his family, he wouldn't admit it so easily but he was afraid. With knights of Vlaakith and the Sharran out chasing them, she couldn't rest easy."You also need to rest Lae'zel, we are both fine. Now put on some clothes and have breakfast, we have to go to the city to buy some supplies, don't you remember what day it is today?" The half-elf grabbed her lover's hand, placing it on her belly while staying close to her, Lae'zel He was surprised to feel two kicks in the palm of his hand. He looked at Shadowheart again with his puppy eyes almost begging him to tell him what that was. "Don't worry my love, it's just our son greeting you. Today is the day of the meeting with our friends! We haven't seen them in six months and we agreed that every six months we would get together to celebrate.The warrior smiled widely to feel her son, showing her sharp teeth that drove the Selunite crazy. But she sighed tiredly at the thought of meeting her old comrades again. She preferred to stay at home with her wife on their farm, having to listen to Astarion's incessant mockery, Gale giving her instructions on how to care for a pregnant woman, Minthara talking about revenge. Misc of his crazy antics with that Space Hamster called Boo. But it didn't matter, she didn't want to ruin her wife's joy since she was excited. He went up to the room to get his clothes but felt a small spank, he looked at his wife and promised to get revenge. A few minutes later he finished dressing in something simple.They sat together at a table having breakfast peacefully while laughing and playing with the jam, staining their lips, enjoying their beautiful love nest. When they finished breakfast Lae'zel took his Gith armor that was on the wall of the living room hanging next to his silver sword, he put on the armor because when they went out to the city he didn't trust anyone and refused to let him be harmed in any way. came to his joy, although Shadowheart was not very happy at first, he gave in, since his wife, no matter how much she denied it, still had her warrior instincts. Once dressed and the great sword slung on his back they left the hut, Lae'zel prepared a medium chariot and two horses for the journey. Shadowheart climbed up with the help of his Gith and finally getting on the cart was Lae'zel. Moving calmly along the road towards the city, they both looked at each other for a few moments, smiling and approaching for a small and tenuous loving kiss. They arrived in the city in about an hour. They dismounted and headed to the stalls and shops, while Shadowheart bought what was necessary for the party and spoke with the shopkeepers, Lae'zel was at his side alert for any danger and with one hand on the handle of his sword.The Gith noticed something strange, or rather someone watching them from afar, their warrior instincts never went out and they were thankful for it. He looked for where he felt that danger, but he couldn't find anyone suspicious. Without warning, he gently grabbed his wife's waist and with his other hand he carried all the purchases as if it were nothing, heading to the car, depositing everything in a hurry. Shadowheart knew Lae'zel too well and even though she tried to hide it she was nervous, once they took the path back to the cabin, looking at the Gith the road. The selunita decided to talk to her partner. "Lae'zel, what's wrong? What did you see in the market? And don't try to lie to me, you're doing terrible."The Gith growled slightly and reluctantly looked at her for a few moments ready to respond to his beloved, in her state of pregnancy it was not wise to argue with her, she read books about it and that they would harm the baby."I noticed something or someone watching us, I felt something dark looming over us. I couldn't risk you and our son suffering an attack. I will kill anyone who tries to lay a finger on you." The warrior spoke bluntly, looking back at the road, she couldn't deny that she loved everything about Lae'zel and she knew that Lae'zel loved her with the same intensity. With her she felt capable of anything, to touch the sky with her fingers and when she fell her Gith would be there to catch her.Once home they let the horses rest and Lae'zel worked on the farm helping his wife, they fed the animals, collected milk and other animal products. They watered the crops together and took care of Shadowheart's small nocturnal orchid garden. They visited Shadowheart's parents who were taking care of little Xan today, since they wanted to spend time with their little grandson who was always accompanied by Scratch and the owl bear. They had lunch with them and spent a pleasant time as a family, Arnell, Shadowheart's father, at first had a hard time accepting that his daughter was in love with a Gith, but upon getting to know Lae'zel deeply he quickly changed his mind, and as a good father-in-law he gave her little advice. about his daughter, they even often went fishing together. Emmeline was a little sweeter with Lae'zel, she immediately welcomed her as another daughter, she was delighted with the Gith and how her daughter was happy with the warrior.Night came and the couple said goodbye to go to the reunion party, Lae'zel bent down to place a small kiss on Xan's forehead and caress the two animals, telling them in a whisper to take care of his wife's parents and his little son. With that they left for the meeting, the night and the stars looked beautiful today but what the Gith admired most was his sweet wife and her swollen stomach. She was happy and it was all she really wanted, to be with her family. Finally they arrived at their destination, everything was lively, with music that Volo was playing and some other musicians, a lot of food and drink everywhere, a big bonfire and party chatter. They both held hands and walked towards their companions. The first to greet them was Jaheira who was with a glass of wine in hand next to the bonfire. "Look who we have here, it's our Gith and the Selunite, with the little cub there, eh?" He said clearly smiling looking at Shadowheart's belly."I see you well too Jaheira" Shadowheart responded with a slight smile while Lae'zel dedicated herself to releasing her little "Chk!" from her lips. The harpist laughed at Lae'zel.They were immediately interrupted by the portal that opened, leaving Wyll and Karlach in their armor from hell, while everyone else was elegantly dressed. The tiefling screamed with joy at seeing her best friends and lunged at Lae'zel, lifting her off the ground and crushing her in a strong bear hug, leaving her breathless. The Gith patted the taller woman on the back and then left. descent to the ground. Since he couldn't hug Shadowheart because of the pregnancy, he kissed him on the cheek and Wyll did the same.The man greeted Lae'zel with a handshake and was glad she came. Before continuing with the talk, Astarion approached with a big smile accompanied by Gale who also had another big smile on his lips. The wizard gave Shadowheart a soft hug and congratulated her on her pregnancy, the vampire on the other hand patted the Gith's shoulders also congratulating her but the Gith growled at him, showing his sharp teeth."Who would say that, eh Lae'zel? The powerful Githyanki ended up on a farm and expecting a child, I honestly don't see you milking a cow" The albino laughed in amusement, pouring himself a glass of wine, taking a seat at the large table next to the others, looking at the Githyanki who were glaring at him murderously. "For the love of the gods, don't look at me like that. I don't say it with bad intentions!""Shads, I'm glad I'm going to be your son's aunt! I'm looking forward to meeting you!" Karlach was smiling so much that his lips were almost going to break from such a wide smile, although Lae'zel noticed something strange about her and her smell, she didn't know what it was, but she was sure something was happening with her. "And oh... I think you should already know. They finally fixed my engine and I have my heart back! I come to stay! but the most important. Wyll and I will be parents" Everyone choked on their drinks except Shadowheart who didn't drink, Lae'zel spit the beer he was drinking in Astarion's face who started cursing for ruining his splendid face and hair.Shadowheart quickly congratulated her and also Wyll who was blushing holding Karlach's hand. Gale started to try to give one of his speeches but his vampire silenced him with a kiss in public that embarrassed him into silence, hell that was what Lae'zel missed! but nothing happened, she congratulated her best friend and comrade in arms, she gave Wyll a thumbs up as if to say well done.They chatted, catching up on what happened in their lives, Gale was a schoolteacher in deep water along with Astarion who works part-time as a bounty hunter, Karlach and Wyll will be parents, Lae'zel is a farmer with his wife, sometimes Shadowheart He also has duties at the nearby temple of Selune. Jaheira returned to her home in Baldur's Gate and visits her children. Misc continues having adventures with Boo, Halsin takes care of the young people and sometimes goes to visit Oliver and Thaniel, Minthara spoke animatedly about a rebellion against Lolth the spider queen. Everything was relatively good, they drank, ate, danced, told stories.but someone was watching the group, more specifically watching Lae'zel and Shadowheart. But who could it be?
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The stars shone on the vast horizon along with the full moon glowing in the sky. The night passed over the party near Baldur's Gate. The group was lively, celebrating and talking about their old battles, even about how they met and fell in love.
Lae’zel, as expected, didn't drink too much, only one or two mugs of beer since she didn't want to dull her senses, especially now that she was attentive to her beloved wife and son. She noticed that presence watching them again, but she placed a protective hand on the swollen belly of the Selunite and kept her free hand on the dagger she always carried sheathed and hidden at her waist. She refused to be left unprotected.
“Lae'zel, what's wrong?” Shadowheart called to her, touching her shoulder and looking at her wife's serious and expressionless githyanki face. No one seemed to notice anything, and that was for the best. They didn't want to draw anyone's attention, so the white-haired woman waited for her companion's response.
“Again... I feel something strange...” The golden-eyed gith swallowed slightly, speaking in a whisper only the Selunite could hear. Her heart quickened, and she clung closer to her woman. Shadowheart looked at their companions having fun and talking, so she took the gith's hand and walked with her to the river's edge.
“Honey... please, you need to calm down. There's nothing wrong. You need to eat something; you haven't had a bite all night,” the green-eyed woman tried to calm her wife, who was looking around, hugging one of her strong arms against her chest and resting her head on the gith's shoulder. “I'm the one who's supposed to be pregnant and paranoid,” Shadowheart let out a small laugh, joking to soothe her gith. Lae'zel continued tense but leaned down to plant a sweet kiss on her forehead and rest her chin on her head, enjoying the warmth of both.
The couple enjoyed watching the river's flow, intertwined and smiling. The gith seemed more relaxed with her beloved in her arms. It was all she wanted and the only thing in the universe that gave her peace. In the past, she only wanted the blood of enemies and to ascend to ride a red dragon. In Faerun, she grew spiritually and realized she wanted to chart her own path. Meeting her comrades and Shadowheart truly changed her, for which she was eternally grateful. There was nothing more gratifying than being herself, choosing to be free.
The half-elf initially hated Lae’zel for being a githyanki, whom she and her ex-Sharran comrades stole the artifact from during a mission from Viconia for Lady Shar. That's what they were led to believe, but later discovered it was just plans for the Drow herself. She was glad the gith and her companions opened her eyes to the great lie that was her life. Shadowheart grew fond of all her comrades, but with Lae’zel, she developed something more, a deep feeling she had never known. Even though her memory was erased, she was sure she had never felt anything like it before.
It was as if their souls were somehow intertwined. She felt deep in her heart that she and the warrior were destined to meet. Although their worlds were millions of miles apart, they finally collided like an asteroid hitting a planet, strong and inevitable. Between teasing and assassination attempts, they could no longer hide that they both felt the same for each other. Love in its fullest splendor.
“Girls, is everything okay?” Karlach spoke, approaching as she realized her friends were missing. Both women turned, mouths open to speak, but a purple and dark light, a slight burst, hit Shadowheart, causing her to fall to the ground. Lae’zel immediately held her, growling fiercely and loudly. “Shads!!!” The Tiefling ran towards them while shouting, and the others stopped talking, and the music ceased.
The Selunite had her eyes closed, breathing heavily with clenched jaw and slight sweating. Lae’zel panicked, gasping for breath, holding her wife, examining her, and then raising her head to find who had done such an atrocity to her wife. She found no one, only all their companions quickly heading toward them. The gith felt like she was drowning, looking at her wife's pained face, her heart threatening to leap from her chest. She immediately lifted her gently in her strong arms, walking toward the river's edge. She knelt softly beside her wife, never letting go, and with one hand, she dipped it in the water to splash it on her beloved's face to refresh her.
“Jennevelle... please open your eyes, look at me,” the gith pleaded, looking at her wife's somewhat damp face from the water running down her beautiful face. She placed a hand on her swollen belly, trembling, her lip and fingers seeking to feel that their baby was okay.
“Shadowheart...” The first to approach was Halsin, trying to examine the half-elf but was met with a very aggressive gith, baring her teeth and growling possessively with shining eyes. “Lae’zel, calm down and let me examine your wife. I won't hurt her! I also want to see if the baby is truly okay!” The druid spoke calmly, without losing his composure, and knelt in front of the couple. The others nodded, begging the gith to relent for the half-elf's sake.
Reluctantly, the githyanki agreed, gently placing her wife in the druid's large arms, as if she were made of glass. Gale placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, trying to calm her while Karlach breathed heavily, fearing for her friend and her nephew. Wyll cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention and held his partner's hand to calm her.
“Please, let's stay calm and let Halsin work. Astarion, before you make an unnecessary comment or joke, save it,” the Duke spoke as relaxed as possible, though he was also somewhat nervous for his friend. The vampire pretended to be offended, placing a hand on his chest but kept quiet. Jaheira approached to see the half-elf, who seemed unresponsive.
Several minutes passed, and Halsin finally finished examining Shadowheart. He took a potion from his pocket, opened the woman's mouth, and poured two drops, and the albino woman slowly opened her eyes, somewhat dazed, searching for her warrior. The gith quickly got by her side, holding her and gently taking her from Halsin's arms, hugging her and placing her head on her beloved cleric's neck, trying to calm her nerves. She didn't care that the others saw her like this; in the past, she cared about displays of affection, but not now, and especially not at this moment.
“What happened to her, Halsin?” Gale called from behind the druid, who stood up and turned to look at everyone. “Please explain in detail what happened to our Shadowheart.”
“She received a paralysis spell from a distance. Her vital signs seemed to stop, but it was only that, thankfully. I only had to give her some anti-paralytic, which I luckily had with me. The baby is safe and sound, though there is a problem,” the druid said as everyone listened intently, including Shadowheart herself, who seemed terrified along with the githyanki beside her. “There's not just one baby, but two. You're expecting twins, Shadowheart and Lae’zel, my sincerest congratulations!”
Everyone sighed in relief and joy, especially the couple, who embraced, smiling. The gith carefully helped her wife to her feet, and they all returned near the bonfire, except for Jaheira, who remained kneeling, looking around seriously, searching for whoever could have attacked the Selunite like that.
“Jaheira, what are you doing there? Let's get back to the party!” Minsc shouted, startling the Harper, who let out a tired sigh. Boo peeked over the tall man's shoulder, looking at the older woman.
“It's not the time, Minsc. I want to ask you a favor: stay beside Shadowheart and bring Lae’zel here,” the woman looked at her old friend with determination, almost sounding like an order. The man was about to speak, but Boo told Minsc to obey through their secret language.
Shortly after, the gith was back by the river's edge with the Harper, who was watching her. The warrior initially didn't trust the man, but Shadowheart convinced her to go, that she was in good hands. Karlach, Wyll, and Gale were taking care of her.
“What is it, Harper? I don't like leaving my wife alone,” the golden-eyed woman approached the older one, looking at the river and then around again to find the author of the spell. It was clear that being would pay dearly for that first attack against her joy.
“Lae’zel, you need to know this and quickly. Whoever attacked Shadowheart is a Sharran, and before you ask how I know, it's simple. Only they go after your wife and attack like cowards in the shadows,” Jaheira placed a hand on the gith's shoulder, who clenched her fist tightly, digging her nails into her palm and also bleeding a little. “But the question is who... Halsin didn't notice, but I did. There was a tracking spell on your wife's belly, and I erased it. This doesn't look good.”
Lae’zel felt her blood boil so intensely that she could swear it burned hotter than the sun itself. Her rage grew like a storm, overwhelming and taking over her will. She urgently wanted to hit something, but all that feeling was abruptly extinguished when she felt Withers' hand, so cold and dead that it left her breathless.
"Jaheira, leave us alone. I need to speak with the gith," Withers ordered, and the Harper nodded, signaling the warrior to continue talking about the situation. "Lae’zel, listen carefully."
"Speak quickly, Withers," Lae’zel's patience was running out, and she had no time to waste. She wanted to find that Sharran and return to her wife's arms immediately.
"Fate has decided it this way; you will face a new trial that you have never encountered before. Make the right decisions, child of Gith," the undead retreated back to the party before Lae’zel could ask questions, leaving her alone and bewildered. This man always remained a mystery. She didn't know what he meant by all that, but she was sure she would find out later and all the pieces of the puzzle would fit together.
The mysterious figure retreated, arriving at the temple hidden in the House of Pain. He walked through the hallways and stopped in front of Lady Shar's mirror. The Goddess spoke to that figure.
"You have done well, but your mission is not finished here. I want you to closely follow Shadowheart and that gith who follows her like a watchdog. Stick to them without being noticed, study them, and when their daughters are born, return here for new orders," the dark Goddess spoke with arrogance and militancy to the figure standing in front of the great magic mirror.
"Yes, my lady, I promise not to fail you. Shadowheart will pay for her betrayal." He knelt on one knee and closed his eyes, enveloped in the armor of the dark Justiciar. "I will carry out your mission, but my lady, what do we do about the gith?"
"I hope so, do not disappoint me as your mother Viconia did. I expect much more from you, and I know you will deliver. As for the githyanki, don't worry, I have something for her. Do not fail me, my son." Her words were almost bittersweet, reminiscent of how she spoke to Shadowheart. With that said, the mirror stopped glowing, and the presence of the dark lady disappeared.
The man stood up, feeling the blessing of the dark lady in his armor, and walked to his chamber. Tomorrow morning, he would head to the former Sharran's farm. He would make her pay for her betrayal to his dark lady and avenge the death of his mother Viconia. He said a nightly prayer and dedicated himself to resting.
Shar was mysterious and ruthless, something that made her proud of herself, infinitely hating her counterpart Selûne. The night singer promised to destroy her twin sister at all costs, especially for stealing Shadowheart, though, to be honest, it was she who stole first. That didn't matter now, with a plan in motion that couldn't fail. She had to get revenge on the gith, so she decided to contact Vlaakith telepathically, who was on her throne in the Astral Plane.
"Shar, the night singer, Goddess of Faerûn, what do you want from me? Queen Vlaakith," the queen examined and spoke amusedly with a smile that adorned her thin lips, adjusting herself in her great throne.
"Vlaakith, false queen of the gith, I know it's sudden, but I don't beat around the bush. You want revenge on Lae’zel for freeing Orpheus, right?" The dark lady threw the ball into her court, waiting for it to be received. Vlaakith frowned upon hearing that name.
"Indeed, but why do you say so? Where are you going with all this, night singer?" The githyanki started to grow impatient and still didn't trust Shar. She knew what the goddess was like, but she wanted to know what she had up her sleeve. She desired to crush Lae’zel and Orpheus.
"I want to take down Shadowheart, but also Lae’zel. We have a common goal. It's true I don't like the gith, just as you don't like foreigners or as you usually call them, Istiks," Shar smiled malevolently, seeing that the ball was well received, so she proceeded with her plan. "I propose an alliance, you and me, to eliminate our enemies. Although I am a Goddess, I don't mind cooperating with someone as ruthless as you."
"Everything you say is true. So be it, Shar. A temporary alliance to defeat those who humiliated us. Defeat will not be mine. Count on me," the false queen laughed with determination, ready to destroy Lae’zel. At that moment, a deadly and dark alliance was formed. Both women agreed to meet face-to-face in some time to formulate their plans. The connection was cut.
Vlaakith stood from her throne, approaching a strategy table she had made herself and kept in her hall. She saw the figurines of Lae’zel and Orpheus, crushing them in her hands as a pair of bright eyes in the darkness watched the queen. They were zombified githyanki.
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The party ended, and Lae’zel and Shadowheart decided to go with their companions to the Helf-song tavern to spend the night there. Everyone was really worried about the Selûnite and the gith, so returning home so late was risky due to what had happened earlier. They would return to the farm in the morning. Karlach and Wyll would go back to the palace in the morning, while Gale and Astarion decided to stay a few days in Baldur’s Gate.Jaheira and Minsc agreed to look for clues about the supposed attacker near the House of Pain. The druid and the drow returned to their respective homes but said they would come back once they had gathered some supplies and their weapons.Under a tree, the mysterious man with a potion of invisibility and one to erase footsteps was watching silently in the early morning, almost at dawn, as Shadowheart and Lae’zel. The man thought the companions would be a problem for his mission, so he seriously considered eliminating them. "Lae’zel, you need to sleep already," Shadowheart said warmly in the shared room with her wife, semi-naked on the bed, watching her beloved pace around like a caged tiger. Lae’zel seemed not to hear her and continued pacing nervously, completely flooded with fear, unable to sleep. "Look, gith, if you don’t come here, I’ll get up and fetch you myself!"The githyanki stopped abruptly in front of the Selûnite and knelt beside her, taking one of her hands and kissing the back where the old magical wound from Shar was. "My joy, I can’t sleep. What if they attack you again?""My love, I know you’re scared, and before you answer saying you’re not, you are, and it’s not a bad thing. But don’t fear, Selûne protects us, and so do you, my mighty warrior." Shadowheart leaned in to kiss her sweet wife’s lips, hugging her against her chest. Despite having seen her wife naked many times, each moment felt new to Lae’zel, and she couldn’t help but blush a little, returning the hug and rubbing her small nose against her neck, inhaling her calming scent.Without objection, she let herself be dominated by her half-elf and, as if it were an order, got into bed, covering them both with the thin sheet. The gith positioned herself behind, wrapping her slender arms around her beloved in a spooning position while the half-elf settled in, smiling as she felt the warrior’s large, calloused hands move over her belly.Lae’zel carefully undid her wife’s long braid, letting her hair down, and did the same with her own, placing the hair ornaments on the nearby nightstand. She then protectively wrapped her arms around her joy again, burying her face in her wife’s neck and hair, closing her eyes, pressing her small, firm breasts against her wife’s back. They fell into a deep and sweet sleep, unaware of all that was about to come their way.