The Silver Queen [AU]

[Isabela]

"There's a caravan headed to Golden Shores, or what's left of it," she says, her tone still soft. "To see if there's enough left standing to move some of the refugees there. I was thinking about joining it."

[Tethras Clan]

"Please don't leave us," Zevran says, the words coming out without his control. Still, he'll stand by them. "Please."

[Isabela]

Now she glances down at him, briefly, before turning her gaze skyward again. "Funny thing, that." She takes a deep breath. "Turns out I can't. Somehow. I made my plans, I went to tell them I'd sign on, and I just... couldn't."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran sways a little. "Thank the- no, thank you," Zevran breathes out softly. "I- I never- I never meant to..." He stops again. "No. Loving you, wanting you to stay with me, with us, isn't making you less. Isn't putting chains on you. I refuse to allow for love and family to be chains. They're not."

[Isabela]

"No," she agrees, her voice still soft. "I used to look up at the stars and wonder where you were. What you were doing. What you'd think of me, if you could see me. Then I found you, and I stopped looking. Going back to that... it's not what my heart wants. What good is freedom if I don't have the freedom to stay when I want to?"

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran laughs softly. "That is.. very wise, ma'bela. I like it. 'What good freedom if I cannot be free to stay?'" Moving closer, he gently traces the curve of her arm with one finger.

[Isabela]

She turns to look at him again, her dark eyes sad. "I don't know how to be Isabela anymore. I don't know how to be anything but yours. The one thing I swore I'd never be again, I've been all along."

[Tethras Clan]

"No," he says instantly. "You might be mine, but I am yours. We don't not own each other, we are simply... a unit. Partners. Family."

[Isabela]

"Family," she whispers. She takes a deep breath, letting it out slow. "I deeded the ship to you. If anything ever happens to me, the paper's in my desk drawer. It can be yours, you can keep the crew together. I can't marry you, but I can leave my things in your hands just as if you were my-- mine."

[Tethras Clan]

"Yours," Zevran whispers softly, moving even closer so he can rest his cheek against her temple. He wars with himself briefly, then sighs. "I am aware of the deed. Carver snooped. I did not stop him," he confesses. "We spoke with Helene about it, but they are blameless in the matter."

[Isabela]

"I wondered if you would." She sighs, pulling back a touch. "I don't leave things in the desk if they're sensitive. Carver's never been a big fan of privacy." 

[Tethras Clan]

"He is..." The merikos drow ponders a moment, then offers, "youthfully excitable. And not often the good kind of excitement. He feels very, very deeply." He shifts as well, so they can make out each other's profile. "I feel that I should warn you he is feeling very... Well, being left by family is his greatest fear, his sorest spot." Much like how being enslaved is for me or Niashe is to you, he doesn't bother to finish aloud. "Helene and I have... somewhat soothed him but..."

[Isabela]

"Left? Oh. the drafts." She sighs. "I can't deal with him tonight. Maybe in the morning."

[Tethras Clan]

"Understandable. Would you like company or merely your own thoughts?" he asks softly watching how the starlight plays over her glossy black hair.

[Isabela]

"I've had enough thoughts lately," she says, with a wry smile that doesn't reach her eyes. "Please. Sit with me?"