Illesrhea

Any thoughts, reviews, comments, and constructive criticisms regarding my fic, Within, can be placed here. Much thanks.
~Illesrhea

Note: Ok, well, this here is my fanfic. It was  concieved before I had finished playing through SoA, so there will be several; inconsistencies with the original game plot. For this I appologise, but they will be necessary for the story. The story is set just after Discord (PC) has defeated Irenicus, but before ToB. (in fact, I'm pretty much ignoring ToB)

Enjoy! Please review in the Comments thread. I've only finished the first few chapters, but I will continue to update as I go. This fanfiction was originally posted on www.fanfiction.net..

Chapter 1: What Now?

Disclaimer: I don?t pretend to own any characters, place names, or storylines which are rightfully the property of Black Isle and Wizards of the Coast. (I suppose even Discord is mostly from BG, as her history and stuff comes from the game) I am just writing this for fun. Please dont sue me.

?Pale was the wounded knight, that bore the rowan shield

Loud and cruel were the ravens' cries that feasted on the field

Saying "Beck water cold and clear will never clean your wound

There's none but the Witch of the Westmorland can make thee whole and sound"

So turn, turn your stallion's head 'til his red mane flies in the wind

And the rider of the moon goes by and the bright star falls behind

And clear was the paley moon when his shadow passed him by

Below the hills were the brightest stars when he heard the owlet cry...?

Haer?Dalis had a beautiful voice. It was soft and warm, reaching both the pure high notes and the aching low notes with ease. He plucked gently at a harp he had lain across his lap as he sang, his eyes closed as sweet, smooth sound dripped from his lips.

Discord?s eyes were closed as well, and the flickering lights of the campfire laid shadows gently across her eyelids. She chewed a juicy stick of long grass, leaning back on her pack, her worn armor in a haphazard pile beside her. Anomen rested his head, relieved of its helm, upon her rising and falling stomach, but his eyes were open as he stared at the stars. Aerie sat cross-legged on the other side of the fire, her hands resting on her knees. Imoen was cleaning a wound on her thigh from an earlier skirmish, but she was careful to be silent so as not to ruin the perfect song. Minsc was feeding Boo a few seeds from off the top of the traveler?s bread, also quietly.

He said, "Lie down my brindled hound, and rest ye me good grey hawk

And thee, my steed, may graze thy fill, for I must dismount and walk,

But come when you hear my horn and answer swift the call

For I fear 'ere the sun will arise this morn ye will serve me best of all."

And it's down to the water's brim he's borne the rowan shield

And the goldenrod he has cast in to see what the lake might yield

And wet rose she from the lake, and fast and fleet went she

One half the form of a maiden fair with a jet black mare's body

And loud, long and shrill he blew 'til his steed was by his side

High overhead the grey hawk flew and swiftly he did ride

Saying "Course well, my brindled hound, and fetch me the jet black mare

Stoop and strike my good grey hawk and bring me the maiden fair."

She said "Pray, sheathe thy silvery sword, lay down thy rowan shield,

For I see by the briny blood that flows you've been wounded in the field."

And she stood in a gown of velvet blue bound round with a silver chain

And she's kissed his pale lips once and twice and three times round again

And she's bound his wound with the goldenrod, full fast in her arms he lay

And he has risen hale and sound with the sun high in the day

She said "Ride with your brindled hounds at heel and your good grey

hawk in hand

There's none can harm the knight who's lain with the Witch of the Westmorland."

The spell lingered for a few moments after the song had ended. ?That was.. breathtaking, Haer?Dalis.? Discord breathed. She heard Anomen?s almost inaudible grumble of jealousy, but ignored it.

Haer?Dalis bowed his head briefly. ?I am glad you liked it, my Raven. A bard?s true pleasure is the pleasure of others in his art.?

Discord smiled to herself. Her pretty face was glowing with pleasure from the song. She was striking in her beauty, once one got used to her coloring. Her skin was a very pale blue, and her hair was pure, shining white. Discord kept her hir cut to her chin for practical reasons, so she would slice it off with a shrp dagger every month or so, much to the dismay of Imoen and Aerie, who admired her soft, shinigh hair for its beauty. Her mother, Gorion had told her, was a half human, half water-elf. Her elven descent provided her unusual colors. Her face was thin, with a slightly pointed chin, and her eyes were slightly slanted and almond-shaped, and colored black. Her lips, despite her skin pigment, were a soft, luscious red, and her smile was bright and radiant. She was a little on the short side, but she made up for it in muscle and prowess, and her bold demeanor was ill suited to her height. Still, those who laughed at her lived to regret it.

?I?ve never heard that song, or any variation, before.? Aerie said in wonder. ?Did you write it yourself??

?The Witch of the Westmoreland, no, its a northern tune.? Imoen said softly. ?Gorion used to sing it, d?you remember, Discord??

Discord nodded, chuckling a little to herself. ?He had no command of tune, but it used to calm me when storms brewed.?

?You are afraid of thunder, my dear?? Anomen said, eager to change the subject to happier and more jovial topics.

?Was, Anomen. I used to be afraid of thunder.? Discord scowled.

?I didn?t think you were afraid of anything, ever!? Aerie joked. Discord?s scowl grew.

?I was a child.?

?Oh, no, ?Cord, you were still afraid at sixteen or seventeen. I remember, when that one was so bad it broke some branches in the main courtyard. You heard the crack! and then the crash as the branches hit the ground, and you were in my room faster than the lightning which had frightened you. I hadn?t even awoken until I felt you shaking me.?

?Shut it, ?Moen.? Discord snarled, as her companions exploded in laughter. Even Anomen laughed, though he reconciled himself a moment later with a kiss to her forehead. Discord allowed herself a discreet smile, toying with her lover?s dark hair. Conversation switched to different topics, but Discord?s eyes lingered on Anomen. He had strong features, a squared jaw and determined brown eyes. He was undoubtedly handsome, although he never listened when she told him so. Too many years of listening to his father, she suspected. She still sensed lingering disbelief in his eyes when she told him she loved him.

Still, he was not completely without self-esteem. Far from it. There were those who would call him arrogant, even, but Discord shied away from such words. Behind his confident actions, doubt lingered always. He often came to Discord for guidance and advice, and she worried sometimes that his dependence hurt himself more then he realized. She tried her very hardest to be his pillar of strength, but feared that she might run out of strength for both of them.

As usual, Aerie was the first to tire. She stretched like a cat, yawning delicately. ?Well, we?ve been walking all day, and my eyes will stay open no longer. I?m going to bed.?

?I will be along shortly, my mourning dove.? Haer?Dalis said softly, kissing her gently as she passed by him to reach their tent.

Discord waited a few minutes after she had gone before filling her pipe. The smoke bothered Aerie?s sensitive eyes and the smell disgusted her, so Discord always waited for her to leave before indulging in her guilty habit. The others didn?t mind. She sat up and drew out her soft leather pouch, where she kept her smokeleaf. She paused a moment to enjoy the rich aroma before tipping it into the engraved bowl of her dark yew wood pipe. It had a long, curved stem which hung conveniently from her mouth. She lit it with an ember from the dying fire and filled her mouth with the heady, strong smoke, before letting it waft from her parted lips, turning blue and dark in the half light.

Minsc followed suit, although his leaf wasn?t as strong as Discord?s, and his pipe was simpler, with a short, straight stem and a plain barrel. Discord grinned at him crudely.

?Minsc, try some of my leaf. Its strong and black, it?ll put hairs on your chest. Trust me, I know.?

Imoen laughed. She always took particular pleasure in her friend?s vulgar humor. ?You smoke, drink and swear like a sailor, Discord. To think you were raised in a library!?

Meanwhile, Minsc shook his head seriously. ?Boo says smoking leaf is bad for my sword skills, so I smoke the light leaf. Boo says that?s all right. Besides, your leaf makes my mouth sore.?

?Hear that, Discord? Even the mighty Minsc dislikes your foul smoke!? Anomen laughed, ?I wish you wouldn?t smoke it so much,? he added ruefully. ?It can?t be good for you.?

Discord rolled her eyes. ?I fight evil throughout the day, I think I earn a little smokeleaf at night.?

?Haer?Dalis?? Imoen said gently. The bard had lay down on the ground by the fire, and his face was obscured by his arm and hair. He did not respond to his name.

?Silly sparrow has fallen asleep.? Discord said affectionately. ?We should wake him, or he?ll just wake up sore.?

So Imoen, gentle as she was, kneeled beside her friend and pushed the hair from his face, shaking his shoulder. ?Haer?Dalis, your lady awaits you. You should go to bed. You can?t sleep out here.?

The teifling?s eyes flicked open, and his whole body twitched as he snapped back to consciousness. Despite the gentle tact of Imoen?s waking, he was still disgruntled and disoriented.

?Oh. I.. I am sorry.? He blinked and sat up, frowning. ?I was dreaming... never mind. Thank you, Starling, I would rather not have slept on the hard ground all night.? Imoen nodded, and sat back as Haer?Dalis shook his deep blue locks and stumbled off to bed. ?Goodnight, my flock. May we meet in sunshine and good health on the morrow.? After all the trials the company had suffered together, each friend within their fellowship had earned a bird-name. Discord was, of course, Raven, Aerie was Dove, Imoen Starling, and Minsc Eagle. Anomen had been the last to receive his bird name, as the two had at first disliked one another, but gradually they came to trust and rely on one another in battle, and finally gained a friendship worthy of a Naming. Anomen was Lark. Beneath his pride, Anomen had been secretly touched at the gesture, and they had ceased all quarreling and conflicts between them.

Imoen was next to turn in, followed shortly by Minsc. Imoen ruffled her sister?s hair affectionately to say goodnight. ?Boo? had told them through Minsc to be wary of evil, as he was going to sleep and could not spring into action quickly enough to plant his boot in its backside. Discord told him earnestly that they would be careful.

Anomen chuckled as Minsc left earshot. ?That big madman. He sees the world so simply.? his words were soft and not unkind

?Aye.? Discord sighed. ?Minsc is a very old, very dear friend. I don?t even notice that he is touched in the head anymore. He is different, yes, but sometimes I think he sees the world clearer in some ways than we do. He thinks in terms of right and wrong, loyalty and honor and love. All the things people commonly compromise and forget.?

Anomen nodded. ?Life isn?t as simple as that. I wish to Helm it were. Sometimes... the ones who seem the purest have... hidden darkness... I wonder what Minsc would think if he knew...? His words shuddered and trailed off.

Discord?s expression softened, and she reached for her lover, pulling him towards her so that his head rested on her shoulder. After a moment, he put his arms around her, holding so tightly it was uncomfortable, but Discord didn?t protest. She stroked his coarse, dark hair gently.

?It will pass, my love,? she said, as she always did when the darkness took him like this.

?I know...? he said with doubt in his voice.

?Let it go... just let it go,? she whispered, placing a tender kiss on the top of his head.

Anomen stopped trembling. He sat up and looked in her eyes for a long moment, studying their dark brilliance. He then gently took her face in his hands and kissed her with passion and devotion. He did not release the kiss for a long time.

When their lips finally parted, a sad smile was on Anomen?s face. He brushed his lover?s lips with his thumb, then ran his palm across her soft cheek.

?My love, you are exhausted. You work hard to lead us all day. Rest now. I will take the first watch,? he said gently. Discord was surprised to realize that he was right; she felt heavy and dull -witted with exhaustion, and her eyelids sank lower and lower as she gave way to fatigue. She was, however, reluctant to leave Anomen alone.

?I will take first watch.? Anomen said. ?You rest. In an hour or so, I shall wake another to take watch and join you in bed.? Discord hesitated, before giving in and nodding her agreement.

?Hurry along, my love. I don?t sleep well unless I am by your side,? Discord whispered. She left a lingering kiss on her lover?s lips and stepped inside her tent. She unloaded herself of her armor, and climbed into her rough but warm bedding.

Shivering, Anomen threw another log upon the fire, and drew his cloak around himself. He cast a glance about the darkness briefly, before turning back to stare at the fire.

o-o-o-o-o-o

He lurked in the darkness with such skill that he was all but undetectable. The cover of night provided him with all the backup he needed. He focused unwaveringly on his task. He watched through narrowed eyes as one by one, her companions went to bed. She stayed up the latest, he noticed, but at last she too retired, and only one was left to stand guard. A smirk hung on his lips as he drew a handful of white powder from one of the many pouches on his belt. Creeping silently, still wrapped in shadow, the man crept up upon the lone sentinel from behind. He held his hand flat out in front of his face, the pile of powder sitting upon his palm. With a quick puff of breath, he launched the dust into the air, right into the face of Anomen. He went rigid, and his eyes stared blankly ahead of him. The man waved a hand in front of Anomen?s face, with no response. He smiled nastily and went about his business.

Discord had left her pouch of smokeleaf out. She was utterly disorganized and a hopeless procrastinator, and this time her folly would truly come back to haunt her.

The man loosened the drawstring and smelled the leaf inside. After a moment?s consideration, he selected a glass phial from his belt and held it up against the light. It held yet another powder, black in color, resembling nothing so much as dirt. He pulled out the stopper and tipped the entire phial into the bag, closed it, and shook it for several seconds to mix in the powder in with the leaves, so that it was almost indistinguishable. He was very careful to replace the bag in the exact way he had found it. Then, with a smirk to Anomen?s still-motionless form, he slipped again into the night.

o-o-o-o-o-o

Anomen looked up. He felt suddenly drowsy, and his back was sore and he couldn?t think why. He glanced at the fire, and stared. The log he had added was all burned down, and the embers glowed a dull orange. That would have taken about an hour, but Anomen could not recall having been out there for any longer than ten minutes. Perhaps he had nodded off. He guiltily checked their belongings, and finding nothing missing, was satisfied that no ill had come of his momentary lapse. He then tossed a second log on the fire for the benefit of the next watchman. He woke Imoen to take his place, then gratefully slipped into his tent, and the arms of his beloved.

o-o-o-o-o-o

Well, what do you think? Please review! I?m sorry this got so soppy. Im usually not a silly romance writer, but the paradoxical Anomen/PC romance really interests me. Trust me, it will get more action-ey later on.

This fic is going to be about people and relationships (not necessarily romantic) The main goal is to explore people and why they do what they do. That's why this was such a passive chapter - I wanted to establish the characters and how they relate to each other. They?re like a family. I thought that would be sweet.

NOTE: ?The Witch of the Westmoreland? is not my work. It was sung by Stan Rogers (rest in peace) and I believe it was actually written by someone else, although I don't know who. I encourage any of you who like folk to go out and listen to a recording of Stan Rogers singing that song. It is one of the most beautiful songs I know.