Today is the day! Both Helena's groom and Soris' bride will be here any minute and the double wedding will begin in just a couple of hours. All around, elves are celebrating there friends' special day. There is dancing, there is singing, and there is plenty of drinking.
Along with all the excitement, Shianni would be lying if she said she was looking forward to telling Helena the news. Helena has never liked the idea of an arranged marriage and Shianni just knows she is going to have a fit.
Shianni smiles with enthusiasm as she ties up her final tiny, red ponytail. She takes a moment to look herself over in the mirror. She is freshly bathed, her hair is done, and her makeup is beautiful, but it all looks natural. She has never been the type to put an immense amount of effort into her appearance. It simply seems like a waste of time, although she does like to feel pretty.
There is a distinct knock at the door. It must be the Elder.
"Come in!" Shianni calls as she looks over herself one last time. The only thing left to do is slip into some nicer clothes but that will have to wait. Right now she has company.
She turns around to see not only the Elder but, two unfamiliar faces as well. One, a handsome male with combed blonde hair and emerald green eyes. The other is a woman with copper eyes and short dirty blonde hair decorated with a few simple beads in the back. Most of her hair is kept down but a small part is tied up in a neat braid. Just by looking at them Shianni can sense that they are good people.
"You must be the Bride and groom," Shianni chirps enthusiastically. "It is such a pleasure to meet you!"
"And you...?" the male awaits an introduction.
"Shianni," She answers with a warm and gentle smile.
"I am Nelaros," the male responds.
"And I am Velora," the woman chimes in.
"It is nice to meet the both of you," Shianni says welcomingly. "I should go inform Soris and Helena of your arrival."
Shianni exits her small home, leaving her three guests inside and allowing them to decide weather or not to stay. She looks back, briefly. Part of her wants to go back and get to know the new members of Denerim's alienage a bit better but she knows she should not dawdle. There are things that must be done and a limited amount of time to do it.
As the young elven woman eyes her home she can feel a slight frown emerge upon her lips. The roof is missing nearly half it's shingles, the glass on one window has been largely cracked, and the one bush in her front yard is dying. Inside it is drafty and it smells of mildew from all the years of rain seeping through the walls.
This is how the elves live. The houses in the alienage are in desperate need of repair and, because the elves are treated as second class citizens, they can barely afford to feed themselves. The humans don't offer them much work. The humans rarely offer them anything but cruel words and abuse. Shianni has never understood how the elves could sit idly by while the humans mistreat them as they do. If it were up to her there would have been an uprising long ago.
Shianni shakes the infuriating thoughts from her mind and keeps moving. Today is a day for joy, not indignation or bile.
"Shianni," Cyrion smiles warmly as he allows her into his home. "Helena is still asleep," he says.
"Then I suppose I will have to wake her," Shianni volunteers.
Cyrion nods anxiously.
"Don't worry. I'm sure it will be fine once the temper tantrum is out of the way," Shianni jokes.
"I hope so," he sighs. "Tell her I would like to speak with her, won't you?"
"Of couse," Shianni nods with a reassuring smile.
"Wake up cousin," Shianni coos as she enters Helena's room.
"Hmm?" Helena groans as she sits up slowly and rubs her eyes.
"Guess what today is," Shianni almost sounds as if she's singing.
"I don't know," Helena responds groggily.
Shianni laughs at her cousin's lack of effort.
"Wait, isn't Soris' wedding today?" Helena remembers.
"Yes..." Shianni hesitates for a moment. "And yours is too. Your groom, Nelaros, is here early," she enthuses.
"What?" Helena snarls.
"It's not that bad, Helena. Besides, I already met your groom. He's handsome," Shianni gushes.
She has to force herself to stay relaxed.
It's not like she'll lash out at me with her daggers or anything... right? No, of course not.
Shianni can barely keep from shuddering at the thought but, she knows her fear is misplaced. Helena may be enraged but she still loves her family. Shianni shouldn't expect any worst than a slap, maybe not even that.
"You think that makes it any better? I don't even know the guy," Helena shouts furiously.
"Stop being a baby," Shianni rebukes.
This comment causes Helena to glare at Shianni in anger but she seems uncertain of what to say. Sometimes she has difficulty putting her thoughts or feelings into words.
Shianni takes a deep breath to calm herself and keep from becoming angry with her cousin.
"Look, I have a lot of preparing to do. Your father wants to speak to you. I'm leaving now," she says plainly.
She leaves Helena's room and is out the door before another word is said.
Once all the preparations are made and the ceremony is ready to begin, all that is left to do is wait for the brides and grooms.
Just when Shianni thinks everything is going well, three human men enter the alienage.
One man approaches an elven woman from behind, grabs hold of her, and begins roughly groping her breasts.
"Get away from me," she begs as she tries to squirm away. "Stop, please."
Typical, Shianni thinks to herself. The humans always think they can take advantage of us.
"Savor the hunt, boys," the man says to his friends as he releases the woman.
Then he shifts his attention to Shianni.
"Take this elven wentch, here. So young and vulnerable." he says.
Shianni can feel her blood begin to boil as she glares at him in disgust.
"Touch me and I'll gut you, you pig," she threatens.
The man rolls his eyes and moves on as if her words mean nothing.
"And see the pretty bride," he purrs as Helena comes into view.
Shianni's heart sinks. Helena can handle herself but, it is still unnerving for Shianni to know that her cousin is at risk of becoming a target for this repulsive lecher. She can't let that happen.
Shianni turns her head and spots an empty jug that, just minutes ago, was full of wine. It goes fast but, Shianni can't deny that she did more drinking than most of the others, if not all. Still, she can handle her liquor.
She runs over and grabs the jug from the ground, gripping it tightly as she hurries towards the man.
"Hey," she calls, loud and clear, as if she's not afraid at all.
One thing Shianni is known for is her courage, along with her outspoken attitude and blunt honesty.
The man turns to see who is addressing him and he is shocked when Shianni uses the jug to strike him hard over the head. He falls unconscious.
"Are you insane?" one of the other men yell. "This is Vaughan Urien, the Arl of Denerim's son,"
"What?" Shianni yelps. "Oh Maker," she whimpers as she burries her face in her hands.
"Look, things got out of hand-" Helena begins in Shianni's defense.
"You've a lot of nerve, knife ears!" the third man cuts her off. "This'll go badly for you,"
The two men carefully lift Vaughan and carry him out of the alienage, probably back to the Arl's estate.
"Oh," Shianni groans. "I really messed up this time."
"Don't worry. He won't tell anyone an elven woman took him down," Soris tries to reassure her.
Shianni is almost certain something dreadful is going to happen but she tries to believe Soris' words.
"I should get cleaned up," she excuses herself.
She took a bath this morning, but she needs an excuse to get away. She does not like to be around people when she is feeling weak or afraid. Shianni is strong most of the time. That is the part of her she wants the world to see.
She plops down on her bed, wraps her arms around her knees, and rests her head against the wall behind her.
This'll go badly for you.
The words echo in Shianni's mind. It was a threat and Shianni does not believe it was an empty one.
A single tear slides down her cheek but she immediately wipes it away.
If the elves would just stand up for themselves, and each other, I would not need to be afraid.
Anger swells inside Shianni as she thinks about the fear the humans have instilled in her people. Life would be so much better for all the elves if they were not afraid. Maybe the elves could live happily if they fought back. Maybe they could live like humans, in nice houses with stable jobs and a steady income. Maybe they could be treated as equals.
The elves are spit upon and treated as if they are worthless, and why? It's because they are scared, and because they allow it.
What we need is a revolution.
Shianni screams, furiously, into her pillow. Velendrian would never allow an uprising and even if he did, to few elves would be brave enough to fight.
"Shianni?" Cyrion calls as he taps on her front door.
Shianni jumps to her feet and quickly straightens herself up.
"Come in," she calls.
Cyrion gently pushes the door open and enters Shianni's home.
"It's been over half an hour. We're all waiting for you," he says softly.
Knowing what has just occured, he cannot be angry with her for needing some time to herself.
"It has?" Shianni responds in surprise. "I'm so sorry. I'll be out in just a few minutes."
Cyrion nods and leaves Shianni to get ready.
Shianni rushes to touch up her hair and makeup. Then she darts out the door and to the stage where the ceremony is to take place.
The priestess who will be marrying the two couples is human but, one of the few who treats elves as her equal.
"We are gathered here today-" the priest begins, but that is when Vaughan returns.
He and his two friends march towards the stage, trampling a young boy in the process.
"Come on boys," he slurs with a grin. "It's a party. Grab a whore and have a good time,"
"If either of you vile libertines lay a finger on any of us I will kill you," Helena threatens.
Vaughan eyes Helena in a despicable manner that makes Shianni feel as if she is going to be sick.
"This one's got spirit," he laughs fiendishly. "Take that one, and that one, and... where's the bitch that bottled me?"
At that moment Shianni feels one of the men clasp his hands over her wrists and belligerently force them behind her back.
"Over here lord Vaughan," he calls.
"Let me go you stuffed shirt son of a bitch!" she yells as she tries desperately to squirm away.
Vaughn chuckles softly.
"I'll enjoy taming her." he purrs. "Oh, and let's not forget the brides."
"No!" Shianni objects as she stomps down on the foot of the man restraining her.
"Ow!" he blurts as he releases Shianni and grabs hold of his throbbing foot, only to have Shianni punch him in the chin. "You stupid, knife-eared bitch,"
The man seizes Shianni by her hair and forces her to her knees. Then he pushes her head forward and slams it against the wooden stage beneath them.
Her forehead splits slightly and begins to bleed. She becomes light headed and, by the time the livid man swings her over his shoulder, she has fainted.
Shianni groans as she opens her eyes and slowly lifts her throbbing head. She has to blink several times before she can make out the figures in front of her.
Helena, Velora, and Skyanna, another woman from the wedding party, are intently watching her with solicitude while another woman, Brienna, is kneeling on the tile floor, in the unfamiliar room, and praying.
"Maker keep us. Maker protect us. Maker Keep us. Maker protect us." she says repeatedly.
"Thank the Maker you're awake," Helena sighs loudly in relief.
"Where are we?" Shianni asks as she presses a finger to each of her aching temples.
"The Arl's palace. They've locked us in here to wait until that Bastard is ready for us," Velora shudders.
"Then we have to get out of here," Shianni announces as she stands a bit too quickly.
The room starts to spin and she has to lean against the wall for balance.
"Careful cousin," Helena cautions. "You are injured."
"I'll be fine," Shianni responds dismissively. "Let's move."
"The doors are locked. We're trapped unless you plan to break them down," Skyanna huffs sarcastically.
Shianni closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. It is hard for her to formulate a plan with this head injury.
Think Shianni, think.
This is my fault. I got us into this mess. Now I have to get us out.
Before Shianni can open her eyes the door swing open.
Attack! She commands herself, but she can't bring herself to move.
She can barely manage to stay awake as the guards carry her into Vaughan's quarters.
They drop her onto Vaughan's massive, red and gold, velvet bed. Her vision is blurred.
Where am I? she wonders.
She can hear the men speaking but she can't make out their words. Are they speaking to her or to each other?
She feels thier hands on her, exploring her body. She doesn't know if she is moving. Is she fighting or laying still? She is shocked by a sudden stinging sensation along the left side of her face. Was she just slapped?
Then she hears Vaughan speak and is surpised that she is able to make out a few words.
"She's not aware enough,"
He starts yelling angrily but she does not know what he is saying, once again/
"I'm sorry, lord Vaughan," one man says.
The man who caused her head injury?
Then Shianni puts it all together. This is not simply for Vaughan's enjoyment. This is vengeance. Vaughan wants her to suffer. He wants her awake and, as he said, aware. He wants her to see every repulsive detail, to hear every salacious word or whisper in her ear, and to feel every unwelcome touch.
Shianni's vision and balance return after a couple hours of sleep but the pounding headache, although less intense, remains.
"Look boys, she's awake," Vaughan declares eagerly.
Shianni rolls over and swings her feet over the side of the bed. She moves as quickly as her body will allow in it's groggy state, but before she can manage to stand the men are upon her tearing her cloths, groping her breasts, and running their fingers over the smooth skin of her legs and stomach. Then Vaughn starts to undress himself.
Shianni fights the entire time but she can't manage to free herself. What feels like days of Vaughan's sadistic form of torture turns out to be no more than half an hour.
That is when Helena and Soris burst into the room.
Helena wears her wedding attire and wields an iron longsword while Soris is dressed in leather armor and aiming a crossbow in Vaughan's direction.
At this point Shianni is lying on the floor, in her torn cloths, sobbing uncontrollably.
Helena looks at Shianni with sympathy patent in her eyes. That sympathy promptly turns to fury as her face burns red with rage.
She hurls her sword through the air without hesitation, and it finds it's way through Vaughan's neck and into the wall where it pins his severed head.
"Oh, Maker!" one of Vaughan's friends gasp.
The two men retrieve their weapons from where they lie on a fancy wooden table.
They ready themselves for battle but, it takes no more than two minutes for Helena to slaughter them with a little help from Soris.
"Are you alright?" Helena asks as she kneels down beside Shianni.
Shianni gasps for air between sobs.
"I just want to go home," she cries.
"I'll go find the others," Soris decides.
"What happened? Did they-?"
Shianni nods before Helena finishes her sentence.
"Dear Maker, no," Helena sighs sadly as she wraps her arms around her cousin.
"They were in the prison center of the torture chamber," Soris says as he reenters the room with Skyanna and Velora behind him.
"Where is Brienna?" Shianni asks.
"Were you that out of it that you can't remember?" Velora asks with concern.
Shianni looks up at Velora and awaits an explination but Helena is the one to answer.
"She's dead," she says dolefully.
She pulls back from their hug and looks into Shianni's watery eyes. She had just stopped crying, but now the tears come again.
Helena does not want Shianni to go home where she will be by herself, in case she needs someone to talk to, so when they return to the alienage she brings her home with her.
As soon as Shianni and Helena walk through the door Cyrion pulls them into a warm embrace.
"Thank the Maker you both live," he says in great relief. "What of the others?"
"They are fine," Helena answers.
Despite that fact she is unhappy. Shianni should not have had to endure what she did.
"You don't sound to thrilled," Cyrion replies as he pulls away and looks the two in the face.
Shianni's cheeks are still stained with tears and Helena's frown is more intense than when she learned that she was to be married today. However, Nelaros died during his attempt to help Soris rescue them so those plans have obviously changed.
Cyrion does not even need to ask to know what happened.
"Those bastards," he huffs furiously, but he does all he can to keep his composure. "Shianni, you go get some rest."
Shianni tosses and turns in Helena's bed. How is she supposed to sleep after what has happened?
As she lies, staring at the ceiling, her earlier thought returns to her.
It's your fault.
She hops out of bed and rushes outside. She needs some air.
She runs as fast as she can to get away from the alienage and out of the city where she can be completely alone. She does not dare venture more than a few feet from the city walls. She drops to the ground and begins crying once again.
Then she hears a noise.
She looks up vigilantly. Suddenly all she can see is a blinding white light and all she can hear is a deafening ringing in her ears.