02. You're Not Invited
"What is on your mind friend?"
The crackling of fire and rustle of iron and leather roused me from my thoughts, a familiar voice from beside me, halting the memories of what seemed like forever ago. Now fully aware, I tossed a glance his way as he sat beside me, concern upon his face. Whether it was for me, or for the trials ahead, I could never be sure. Truthfully, I believed every look of fear, worry, every heavy sigh was for him, he had more to worry about than I. Or at least I had thought. All of my companions had something else to worry over, many a time I had felt a little selfish believing that they risked their lives for me and my cause...until I came to realize that I was just merely a small part in their own play.
How foolish I was.
"There is nothing on my mind, Alistair."
He let out a laugh, not genuine but more of the kind one would let out in spite of someone's attempt to act nonchalant, "Of all the things you are, liar is certainly not one of them. I would believe Morrigan to be a kind-hearted, sweet, innocent and chaste woman before I believed you a liar."
We had traveled too long together, he knew me better than I thought I knew myself. Though, in my defense I had never been good at lying. Sure I was able to twist my tongue and gush out pretty words that made even the most noble and stubborn of men swoon, but lying...blatantly lying...I could never do. "I suppose your right...Once, when I was a little girl, my Da had bought me a gift with his hard earned money he had saved working at the arl's estate. It was the prettiest thing I had ever had..." I remembered the treasure fondly, a small smile upon my face.
Alistair took notice, "I've yet to see a smile such as that upon your face, do tell what this treasure was so we could keep that look there just a little longer."
I payed no heed to his words, but happily obliged to talk more of my treasure, "It was the daintiest necklace I had ever seen, crafted from rose gold, I never knew that a chain could be fashioned so thin, yet be so strong!" I closed my eyes, picturing the necklace before me, "The crafter had made the ornament taper into the small chain, growing thicker as it reached the middle. Carefully crafted roses decorated the necklace, of varying shapes and blooms, painted with a light pink, sparkling lacquer. It was...beautiful." I opened my eyes, "And expensive."
"Da told me that I would not be allowed to wear it until I was much older, he wanted to see it on me as a grown woman on my wedding day." I laughed to myself, "He wanted me to be the prettiest bride in the alienage."
"Well that was silly, I hardly think you needed fancy jewels to accomplish that. If anything you..."
Quickly cutting him off as I felt a blush rise to my cheeks, I continued, "Anyway...I was a stubborn and thick-headed child. I wanted to wear the pretty necklace and show it to everyone, so I snuck into my Da's room and plucked the bauble from my mother's jewelery box and put it on." Stupidity quickly began to replace the embarrassment, "I ran outside and showed everyone and they thought I was just the prettiest little elf they had seen. Of course, children could be fickle and one such elf who had never much cared for me decided to ruin my fun." Her name slipped away from my tongue as quickly as I had went to speak it, "She called me such...harsh names, hit me and ripped the necklace from my neck, throwing it upon the ground and smashing it to bits."
"Ouch..."
I nodded, "I cried, and cried, and cried for what seemed like ages. When I had ceased my crying, I gathered up all the broken pieces, ran to the bridge and tossed them into the water below."
"What did you tell your dear old dad when he found out the necklace was gone?"
Thinking back on that very moment, I began to laugh, startling my companion, "He was furious of course, threatened to beat me so hard that I'd grow taller!" With a grin upon my face I continued, "When he asked me what happened, I told him that I was just merely admiring the necklace in my mother's box when a terrible dragon had swooped down into our home, squeezed through the door and stole the necklace from the box! I told him I had tried to fight the beast off, 'tis why I was so bruised!"
"By The Maker, did you really tell him that?"
Again I laughed, "My story had been so outrageous and ridiculous that he laughed at me for the longest time, he even laughed when he gave me a fierce lashing...which I assure you, being lashed whilst someone laughs still makes it rather unpleasant."
"That I happen to know!"
"So yes, I am a terrible liar, either I'm too obvious about it...or I panic and weave a ridiculous tale..."
Leaning forward, Alistair caught my eyes with his own, his usual wry smile upon his face, "So, should you start speaking of Darkspawn flying about on Griffons, would it be safe to assume your lying about something?"
"Most likely."
He laughed, "I would hope to hear some of these tales one day, they sound more exciting than our dull lives of ceaselessly fighting Darkspawn..."
"Hmph..."
Alistair let out a yawn, stretching his arms high and wide as he let himself fall back upon the grass, "Now, if you don't mind, what was it you were thinking of?"
"Just...the past."
"Are those boots you're wearing under your dress?"
"Eh?"
A young male elf walked beside me staring down at my feet. I looked down as well, hiking the hem of my dress up to gaze down upon my mother's leather boots. I looked to the young man, with fiery red hair just like Shianni's and grinned. They were so elegantly crafted, they seemed perfect to wear in this situation...
"Plan on being a runaway bride, dear cousin?"
"I would have been already, had someone not been caught!"
"Maybe someone shouldn't have slept in so late!"
Furrowing my brow, I let go of my dress, stomping away from my cousin as fast as I could. Of course he was used to such things and kept up a good pace with me. We were on our way to meet with our...betrothed, oh how the thought sickened me! There was nothing more that I wanted to do then turn on my heel and run the opposite direction. These boots would definitely help...not like I was, well, thinking of doing...such a...thing...
"I caught sight of them earlier...My bride reminds me of a frightened mouse! I swear if I were to scare her she'd fall over and have a heart attack!" Soris exclaimed, looking around to make sure the bride was nowhere around.
With a sly smirk upon my face, I looked back at Soris, "I could happily help you with that!"
He laughed, "I know you'd take some sick pleasure in that...so no thank you. But thanks for offering!" He quickened his steps to walk beside me, "I've seen your man as well, it would seem you've gotten quite the catch, I'm sure your father paid quite the dowry for him."
"Silence your tongue! I care not, I just want to get this over with!"
"Soris! Aislynn! Over here!"
Stopping, we found Shianni standing not far off, waving us down. We looked to each other, ready to greet the girl when several men came up behind her. They were tall and dressed remarkably fancy, definitely not elven. No, I think I recognized the one man, but I wasn't sure, and trying to remember who he was was definitely the last thing upon my mind as the man grabbed my cousin's arm forcefully. "Well look what we have hear boys! Grab a whore and let's have us a party!"
Maniacal laughter filled the air, Shianni prying herself from the man's grasp. "Savor the hunt my lads! Take this young elf, much like a doe, so small, fragile, young and pure...so...so vulnerable." It was hard for one to ignore the lust burning in his eyes. And it was hard for me to ignore the rage building up inside me.
"Keep you're filthy hands away from me, lest I gut you like the pig you are!" Shianni cried as he stepped towards her and the small group around her.
One of the men beside her stepped forward, terrified but willing to stand up to the man, "Please! We want no trouble, we're celebrating weddings today!"
The man turned, a snarl upon his face, "Silence you filthy elf, I will not have you ruin my fun!" Swiftly, he struck the man, hitting him hard with the back of his hand. He fell to the ground, clutching his face in pain. That was the final straw for me, to strike down one of my own, one who was little threat...How dare he, I could care less about the ruining of my impending life sentence to be caged the rest of all time, these were my people, my family! I would not stand idly by as these human scum walked over them and demanded to take what was rightfully not his.
I began to storm forward, but was stopped as Soris grabbed my arm, holding me back, "Aislynn! I know what your thinking, but fighting might make this worse! Think of Shianni...and yourself!"
Glaring back at him, I ripped my arm from his grasp, "Your concern is noted, now stand by me or be a coward!"
"Maker help us..."
The nobleman turned as we approached, a sick smile upon his face as his eyes scanned my body. My stomach turned as I thought of all the horrible things he was thinking about, "What's this? Another lovely elf to accompany me? My my," he stepped towards me, leaning close, "Such pretty eyes..."
"Your flattery will get you nowhere, I will...for the sake of my people, ask you kindly to leave. Now, please, leave us be."
His men laughed at my request. Another reason that I hated begging to humans, when in the company of others they grew bold...stupid and stubborn. My notion apparently made him laugh, his posture stiff and stern, "Foolish girl! Do you know who I am!?" Ready with a venomous retort, the man looked to Soris who quickly shook his head. He turned, only to meet with the side a thick glass bottle. With a loud shatter, he fell, glass scattering about his unconscious body. Shianni stood tall, victory upon her face as the man's friends ran towards them.
"What have you done!?"
"You fools, this is Vaughn Urien, the arl of Denerim's son!"
The feeling Shianni must have felt was fleeting as her face quickly drained of all color, her hands flew to her face as she buried it away from the world to see. "W-What!? Oh Maker..."
Before the men could go on, I grabbed the closest by his finery, "Listen here human, take your man and be on your way. Speak naught of this to anyone and neither shall we!" With a quick shove, he shot a look of death at me, but I stood tall and refused to sink to his human ways. Though my short stature I was not intimidated in the slightest.
"You'll regret this knife ears! You wait..."
They grabbed the arl's son, carrying him away from the Alienage.
"I've...I've...oh Maker, what shall I do!?"
Soris stepped towards Shianni, placing a hand upon her shoulder to try to ease her worries, "Don't worry, they wont say a thing."
"I...I...I need to go, er...clean myself up." She squirmed out of his grasp, running off. Soris started to chase after but stopped, "Shianni! They wont tell! No one would ever admit being taken down by an elven woman!" With the remark I flung my fist at Soris' arm, he let out a cry, looking towards me, "What!? It's only the truth!"
Shaking my head I turned, only to be greeted by the sight of a shocked mousy woman, and a tall, handsome elf. "Is everyone alright?" the handsome elf asked.
"Everyone's so frightened! What's happened?" asked the mousy girl.
Soris laughed, nervously, "Ha ha, er, it would seem the arl's son just started drinking a little too early!" Folding my arms, looking as unhappy as I was before, Soris quickly spoke again, "Well uh, let us not ruin the happy occasion! Cousin, this is Valora, my betrothed. Valora, this is my cousin, Aislynn."
"A pleasure Aislynn! Soris has spoken highly of you!"
I couldn't help but scoff, "I'm sure that they are all lies, silly Soris! You know better!" My cousin glared at me, I shook my head, looking at the man that stood beside Valora, "And I'm too assume that this...is my husband-to-be?"
He nodded, a pleasant smile upon his face, "Yes, my name is Neloros, I'm very happy to finally see you with my own eyes. You're father has told me much about you, Aislynn."
"Oh, is that so? Well Neloros there is plenty of things that I'm sure he hasn't told you! Such as that I am completely agai...ouch!" Before I could finish my sentence, Soris jabbed me hard in the arm with his elbow.
"I'm sure you and Neloros have MUCH to talk about dear cousin, please pardon Valora and I." He looked at me, whispering under his breath, "For once, just do what's right Aislynn and keep your mouth closed!"
"Speak for yourself!" I replied.
Soris led Valora away, leaving me to stand with Neloros on my own, awkward and uncomfortable. My betrothed cleared his throat to gain my attention, "So, Aislynn, Are you...nervous?"
"Actually I feel rather nauseous...er, perhaps it was something I ate this morning. You?"
"I was, until I saw you."
"Well...that's...comforting..."
We stood again in silence, I having no interest of getting to know him. Perhaps I should have been kinder, considering what would happen later...but I couldn't forgive my Da for this. I did have to admit that Neloros was rather handsome, and he seemed kind. But he was too bland for my tastes, I wanted a man of action, of passion, a strong and adventurous man. Not one who dealt many compliments and would probably be as timid as a mouse.
"I'm much looking forward to this, I've made something for you, I hope you'll like it."
A gift? Well, that got my attention, "I would very much like to see it." Which was true, I never had many gifts, any were welcome, not that it mattered from who. Oh so selfish then.
Neloros laughed, "Well, you'll have to wait and see!"
Something bumped into my back, looking over my shoulder I saw Soris, "Come on cousin, we should let them get...reaaady."
Valora smiled, "Yes, that sounds like a good idea!" She laughed, "Don't disappear from us!"
Neloros chimed in, "Or well come find you!"
I shivered, that sounded so...creepy. "I wouldn't dream of it..." grumbling to myself as they disappeared. Oh, I did dream of it, constantly. I was half tempted to run off now and not look back, let them come after me! I cared not, there was a thrill in being chased after all!
"Don't look now cousin, but we have more...company."
"Oh Maker, it isn't Vaughn again is it?"
He shook his head, "No, it's a new human. Quickly, we should deal with him before it turns out like the last."
"Agreed."
