Long story short, I ran into Lae’zel in the cage just after we wake up on the beach in the very beginning.
I went by her and reloaded for reasons, but accidentally went a different way after that, forgot about it, & just realized she would be good to have as a Companion during combat.
I’m about to kill the goblins, and I went back for her at her previous location but she’s no longer there. Did I lose her for good, or is there still a chance?
Thanks everyone, I’m new to BG/D&D completely so apologies if this is a dumb n00b move, but I am one :)
You can actually come back for her during act 2 too. If you move on to act 3 then it's too late. There are two different ways to get to the mountain pass. She's at the top route. Be ready for a fight. ;)
Edit: there's a big fight in act 2 that is possibly the point of no return for going back. They tell you that it will have several effects on the world before you start it.