There are so many lovely ways that Gale expresses his devotion to Tav over the course of their romance. And I have to say, I think Galeās best and most poignant lines are often the simplest ones:
āI said exactly what I meant: I love you. You should never, never doubt that.ā
āYou are everything to me.ā
āYou will always be enough for me.ā
āWith you I forget my goddess. I love you.ā
But what I wanted to share is a line that I consider to be one of my favorites, and one that I think gets overlooked because itās only in the Illithid Tav ending. Itās a line that I think perfectly embodies Galeās unparalleled devotion, and itās what he says to Illithid Tav after heās asked them to marry him. Tav responds with, āYouād really wish to marry me, in my present condition?ā
And without even the slightest hesitation, Gale simply says:
āYour āpresent conditionā is that youāre the one I love.ā
He goes on to add: āAnd your current form is merely a reflection of the depths of your sacrifice. It only makes me love you more.ā All of which is incredibly sweet and lovingā¦but that first line. That first line is just so perfect.
This the first time Tav has truly been put into a vulnerable position in regards to their relationship. Not only is Tav no longer in the physical form they were when Gale first fell in love with them, theyāve become something most people would find grotesque.
In that vein, but not quite to that extreme, I have seen many people ask the following:
āWhat would Gale say if Tav felt insecure because (their body changed in a way they didnāt like/they got grey hair/lost their hair/got wrinkles/became ill/scarred/injured etc.)?ā And Iāve seen wonderful answers, all of which have Gale being loving and sweet and supportive, but I really do think he would just say the same thing:
āYour āpresent conditionā is that youāre the one I love.ā
This is what devotion is supposed to be. Thereās no mimimizing or deflecting what Tav feels about themselves, no waffling or insecurity on Galeās part. Just the simple, unwavering fact that Gale loves Tav.
Not for their body, but for their soul.
Thatās not to say Gale isnāt attracted to Tavās bodyāand their musk, and sweat, and their touchābecause he is, in whatever form Tav takes; but physical attraction is not what his love is dependent upon. Gale is attracted to Tav because he loves them, not the other way around.
Real devotion is not about two beautiful people confessing love and attraction to each other. Itās about two people who are imperfect and flawed in their own ways, choosing to love and support one another, again and again and again, despite the difficulties that life throws at them.
Gale is sweet, loving, romantic, funny, charming, and yes, very attractive. But I truly think what I love most about Gale is that he embodies devotion so, so perfectly and so effortlessly:
āYour āpresent conditionā is that youāre the one I love.ā