The Quest for Dawn

Chapter 1: After The Final Battle

Dawn was breaking. The final battle was over. The companions all stood on the docks, with the new dawn creeping over the horizon. They survived – and they had won. The parasitic tadpoles withered and died. They were free from the threat of mind flayers. Free from any horrid mind-control that could have befallen them, from turning into monstrous ilithids. Free.Words of praise were spoken, lauding Tav for leading them to victory. The high elf woman stood, her blue-black tendrils of hair flowing in the morning sea breeze. With tenacity, magic, and kindness in her heart, Tavriel had brought them all together and helped them—loved them. Celebrations were discussed, and Tav fervently agreed. Perhaps the Elfsong Tavern still stood, despite the destruction.

"I really don't care what we do so long as– ow–" Astarion's usual irreverent air turned to panic as he felt his hands begin to smoke and sizzle. The dawning of the sun had begun to burn him once more.

"Oh! Oh gods...Oh no!" cried Astarion, his voice cracking. He looked around at his companions, but Tav was blurred by the tears welling up in his eyes. "Well, it was nice while it lasted! I-I'm sorry. I have to go!" Before another moment could pass, he ran, slipping and stumbling until he disappeared behind the tallest wall of crates he could find.

"Astarion!" Tav called after him, but he was already gone. Her heart broke as she watched him run for his life from something he had cherished and enjoyed for the past few months of their adventure. They hadn't known if they would even survive the battle, and now that they had, something as simple as the dawn could have ended her love's life—and her heart.

After the other companions had said their goodbyes, Tav lingered to bid them farewell, making sure they would be alright without her, as she always did. Then she left and followed Astarion's path.

She found him huddled in a shadowed corner of the dock, shielded by a tall stack of crates, his head buried in his drawn-up knees.

"Astarion?" Tav's voice was thick with worry. She dropped to his side and threw her arm around his shuddering shoulders, without even thinking if he would want it. He was weeping.

"You're safe," she whispered, tightening her hold around him. "Safe with me, Astarion."

Her words were meant to comfort him, but they only made him feel worse. He should never have had to depend on someone else for his safety, and the thought of it disgusted him. Even if it was Tav. Especially if it was Tav.

He sat there for a moment, frozen in time, feeling weak, afraid, pathetic. Then slowly, he raised his arms and wrapped them around her, his fingers gripping the fabric of her tunic as if it were a lifeline.

"I'll never be safe in the daylight again," he whispered, as if saying it confirmed the ugly truth. How could she possibly still love someone like this? She deserved better. But his heart hoped, selfishly, that she never came to know this. Maybe she deserved better, but he didn't want anyone else. Not for her. Not for him. For who could ever truly love a vampire spawn - a monster - but Tav?

Gale, the acclaimed Wizard of Waterdeep with a most insatiable curiosity, poke his head around the stack of crates. After mulling over whether to retrieve the Crown of Karsus from the Chionthar - and thankfully allowing himself to be convinced not to, by Tav - he must have acquired a new curiosity about their vampiric companion.

"Safe from the scorching rays of dawn, then?" he asked blithely. Astarion's silver head was ducked down, buried into Tav's shoulder. He didn't bother to look, feeling squeamish at being caught in such a state. Tav shot Gale with a loaded glare, however.

"Not now, Gale," Tav warned.

"I meant no offense," Gale replied, though the corner of his mouth twitched, clearly aware that his timing was less than impeccable. "Sunlight is notoriously indifferent to personal struggles—be it for mages or vampire spawn."