Silver and Gold

Alistair walked into the Gnawed Noble Tavern, his palms were sweating. Alistair felt his heart pounding as he rounded the corner and went to the last room in the corridor. He rapped lightly on the door. Sweat had started rolling down his brow. He thought he might be sick.

"Yes?" came a strained female voice from inside the room.

"Uh…it's me." He fumbled in reply.

He heard the door unlock and then it was pulled open. A small woman stood inside the door, her head covered. She waived him into the room. He ambled past her feeling huge and clumsy next to her small, lithe frame, even if he knew she was no shrinking violet.

Once he was inside the room he froze, and then turned back to the woman who was just closing the door. She looked up at him. "I brought a friend, it's alright, don't worry so much."

He could hear the teasing in her voice and tried to calm himself. "I'm nervous." He stated simply.

"Yes, I can see that. Sit, relax, we'll take care of you. No need to worry." She sat down at the table next to the other hooded woman.

Alistair eased himself into a chair across the table. He looked nervously between the two women. "Uh, this is a bit awkward. I feel dirty, coming here. I hate sneaking around."

The woman who had opened the door pushed her hood down revealing her short cropped red hair and delicately pointed ears. "You asked me here, remember. Sareyna's my friend too. How do you think I feel sneaking around?"

"Right, sorry." He looked expectantly at the other hooded woman. She nodded and pushed her hood back. Alistair was confused. He took in her chin length grey hair and the intricate tattoo on her face. It was almost an exact duplicate of Sareyna's tattoo. There was an extra piece under her right eye but even the color was the same. He stared for a minute trying to determine her eye color but every time he thought he had figured it out it looked different.

"You are staring." She stated simply. She looked tired and a bit sad. She was obviously an older elf, but how old was hard to determine.

"I'm sorry, it's your tattoo. It looks so much like 'Reyna's." he looked away.

"As it should, it was I who gave her Vallaslin."

"Really? She never talks about it, but I know it means a great deal to her. When we were traveling during the Blight there was a Keeper we came across named Zathrian. He was angry that someone had given it to her. He thought she had copied it from someone."

"He always was an angry old fool." She snorted.

Alistair smiled at her. He saw her relax a little.

"I see why he liked you."

Alistair drew his brows together in confusion. "Who? Zathrian? He liked me even less than he did 'Reyna."

She shook a little and sighed in exasperation. "I forget how young you are. No, I meant Duncan."

Alistair sat forward in his chair. "You knew him?"

"Yes, but I doubt this is the reason you are here, may we proceed, please."

He sighed a little but she was right he had come here for a very different reason. He wasn't sure how to start. His mouth opened a few times with nothing coming out. Finally, he stuck his hand out to the older elf. "Hello ma'am. My name is Alistair. My I ask your name please?"

She chuckled softly at him trying so hard to be polite. She took his hand and shook it "Yes, I am Marethari, Andaran astish'an Da'len."

Alistair turned to the red head staring at him impatiently. "I'm sorry Shianni, I get sidetracked."

"I noticed." She harrumphed. "Now why did you ask me here? I am very busy in the Alienage still."

"I, uh…I wanted…I'm going…" Alistair had turned red and was struggling for words. "Do you think she would marry me?" It came out in such a rush it was almost one word.

Shianni and Marethari looked to each other before looking back at Alistair. "You have not asked her? You got her with child and you have not asked her? Alistair what is wrong with you?"

Alistair shrugged sheepishly. "I was going to, before. I wanted to ask her in Redcliffe, it's the closest thing to home I had ever known. But then, Riordan…It doesn't matter. Everything changed quickly and I never got to ask her."

Shianni sighed heavily, not satisfied. "And after?"

"We were helping the king get things turned around. And our friend was on what we thought was his death bed. And then I was summoned to the Anderfels. I came back and then she went into labor early, and we've been concentrated on the baby…Oh Maker, forget it. I was scared she would say no." He hung his head, obviously a bit ashamed.

"Aren't there some shemlen traditions you need to follow? Why ask me?"

"Because she isn't interested in anything related to the Chantry. She wouldn't want a traditional Chantry ceremony. I thought you might have ideas. I don't want to pressure her to do something she doesn't want to, but more and more lately I want to marry her. What do elves do?"

"You do know that neither of you are elves don't you?" Shianni said with a sneer.

"I do, and I hate to put it this way, it feels petty, but we did save the Alienage when no one else was willing to come. And that it was Sareyna's boon from the king that secured lands in the south for the Dalish."

Even as his heart was pounding in his chest, he hated pressuring people into things and he felt even worse that it was elves he was pressuring. Maker, he felt needy and petty. This was all wrong, asking them to do him a favor so he could have what he wanted.

Before either of them had a chance to respond he quickly said "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked for this. It's not right, I apologize for my arrogance."

Marethari smiled and it looked genuine, if a little wan. "Hush, you're right, you two have helped us more than any shemlen in centuries. Your concern about acting poorly is unnecessary. We will tell you of our traditions to see if they might be helpful. Besides, I consider Sareyna part of my clan."

"Thank you, thank you so much." And he was, relief clearly written on his face.

Shianni huffed before telling him. "We get married in a fashion similar to you. Our Hahren performs the service. All of the Alienage is invited and there is a small quiet celebration afterwards. We do not want to give the shemlens a reason to punish us." She tried not to glare at Alistair. She had been grateful for Sareyna and Alistair's help during the attack on the Alienage but finding out who his father was had made her angry. Maric was busy rebuilding the rest of the city while the elves in the Alienage had to fend for themselves.

"I..I had no idea, I am sorry you cannot even enjoy your own weddings. The king needs to make changes. Have you ever thought of bringing a petition before him?" he asked thoughtfully.

"Your kings do not listen to our kind shem." Her eyes flashed anger at him.

Marethari placed a hand on Shianni's arm. "Be calm Da'len, this is not the time for this anger. He is here for a request based on love, surely that cannot anger you. Do they not feel love the same as we?"

Shianni visibly relaxed; she wanted to help her people but her temper would make it difficult. She sat back in her chair and took deep calming breaths while Marethari spoke with Alistair.

"We do not have weddings as such. We can choose to become bonded. It is a similar concept as I understand it. It is an expression of love the two people share. They ask the clan to recognize their bond and ask for blessings from the Elven gods. The keeper helps them to choose a way that is most suitable for each couple to do this task. So each bonding is enacted differently. Do you understand?"

"Are there rings involved?" Alistair asked.

Marethari drew her brows together. "The pair exchanges gifts as a symbol of their gratitude and happiness at being bonded. It is not necessarily a ring though. In fact they usually do not give each other the same gift. A weapon smith might make his or her chosen mate a fine bow they had made. Or a musician might compose a piece for their chosen mate."

Alistair looked at the table thinking. The Dalish bonding made more sense to him then the pointless rituals of a Chantry ceremony. He thought that Sareyna might find it fascinating as well. He made up his mind and made a mental note of what he would need to do. First he would need a Keeper's help, he hoped Marethari would help, but he would be willing to find Lanaya if he had to.

"Ma'am, would you be so kind as to help us if she should decide that she wanted to be bonded with me?" He asked earnestly.

"I am here in Denerim for a while yet, let me think on it and I will send you word."

"I understand, thank you." He turned to Shianni. "Would the elves from the Alienage be willing to come to such a ceremony outside the city if it were to occur?"

Shianni nodded slowly. "They are thankful for the both of you and would feel honored to be invited. But the nobility will not like it."

Alistair shook his head. "No, this is not for them. It is for us and those we care about. There may be a few nobles who are our friends but this will not be a state affair. I will be inviting the King, he is my birth father yes, but more importantly Sareyna cares for him a great deal. So there will probably be a few guards. I just want both of you to be aware of it before making your decision."

Both women nodded and he rose from the chair. "Thank you both for all your help. Now I have to wander around the city and try to find a way to ask her."

"I think you worry too much, all of Ferelden knows how much the two of you love each other." Shianni finally smiled. "Bards and minstrels are already composing songs about the Blight and the bastard prince's epic love affair with the fallen noble, whose family was unjustly slaughtered. There will be songs of you two for years to come."

Marethari smiled as well. "Lanaya said their storyteller Sarel accompanied you to the battle. She says he spins quite the beautiful tale. Perhaps we should send for him."

Alistair blushed. Sareyna and he had purposely avoided as much of the talk about the Blight as they could. They struggled to find their peace enough as it was. He did not realize that their relationship was well known, or that it had been turned into entertainment. He would need to speak with Leliana. He was sure she had had a big hand in that. "Thank you for your encouragement… I think, and please, do what you feel is best. I know Sareyna trusts you both as do I."

He headed toward the door, mind already trying to find adequate words. Suddenly, he remembered Shianni's early frustrations. "Shianni, if you want to bring a petition to the king, or just to speak to him. Come to the castle and tell them I invited you. I will make it happen, I promise."

Shianni nodded her face warring between disbelief and being pleased. Alistair smiled at them both again before closing the door behind him. He left the Gnawed Noble and wandered the market district for a while thinking. He could not think of any words to properly ask her. He could not think of what he might give her either.

After a few hours of wandering the market and palace districts he finally went back to the palace. He went looking for the one person who knew Sareyna as well as he did. He found him in the training yard.

"Zev, could I speak with you?" He wasn't sure if this was a bad idea or not, knowing the assassin's feelings for Sareyna.

"Ah, our wayward Warden returns. Your lady was looking for you earlier. Did she find you?" Zev took in the dust covering Alistair's boots and most of his trousers. "My guess is that she did not. No matter, how can I assist, my friend?"

Alistair looked around to make sure no one was there. "Ho, this will be interesting, we are quite alone I assure you. Have you decided to take pity on a shrunken elf and hop borders?" Alistair blushed. "It is alright, I jest Alistair, truly. How can I help you?"

"I… uh…wow…umm…I want to ask Sareyna to marry me." Alistair looked at Zev. The elf didn't flinch but he saw pain dance briefly behind his eyes. "I am sorry Zev, that's not fair; I'll figure it out myself." He turned to go but Zev called out to him.

"Wait, Alistair. I was just surprised. I figured if it was something you were interested in, you would have asked by now." Alistair turned back towards him looking hopeful, but feeling a bit guilty as well. "Come; tell me what it is you need help with."

Alistair came back and climbed onto the split rail fence to sit next to Zev. "I don't know how to ask her, no words seem right."

Zev was quiet for a moment thinking it over. "Our 'Reyna is a practical woman; I would think she would want you to simply ask 'Would you marry me.' Nothing fancy, just the words. Oh, tell her how much she means to you first. I am sure she will not turn you down, you are the luckiest bastard I know." Zev smiled at his own joke.

Alistair joined him. "I am the only bastard you know."

"It's true." Zev gave an exaggerated sigh.

Alistair chuckled. "I am trying to get the Keeper who did her Vallaslin to help us. I think she would like it better. What do you think?"

Zev nodded "Maybe you should add that to your proposal. She would probably be more willing. We know her feelings on the Chantry."

"That's what I thought too. One more thing and then I shall let you get back to your practice. Marethari says that their bonded elves don't usually exchange rings. They exchange gifts to show appreciation, usually something representative of who they are. I have no idea what to give her?"

Zev gave Alistair a grim smile. "You over think these things. What is Sareyna's most prized possession?"

Alistair knit his brows in confusion. "Her swords?"

Zev huffed at Alistair "She never takes it off." trying to give him a hint.

Alistair shrugged, he was starting to think Morrigan was right, he was a fool. Why didn't he know this? "I guess...I guess I don't know." He sat feeling dejected.

Zev shook his head. "You don't know because you do not even notice it anymore. There is a fine silver chain around her throat with three dark colored rose shaped beads, beads Morrigan helped her make, from your rose. Remember?"

Alistair's eye went wide. "Maker, you're right. I was giddy when she showed it to me, but I almost don't notice anymore." He thought for a moment. "How does this help me?"

Zev chuckled at Alistair. "At this rate, maybe I should be the one proposing." His eyes went dark and he sobered. "Something small, something she can keep with her, something that she will associate with you."

Alistair immediately thought of the two rune stones she had given him. He would have them made into…something. Something useful she could carry with her. "Thank you Zev. That helps, a lot. You're a good friend." He spontaneously hugged Zev and kissed his furrowed brow before hopping down and striding quickly back into the palace.

He never saw Zev's eyes widen and then turn around to follow him with a heated gaze. He didn't see him lick his lips and hop down before taking his frustrations out on the practice dummy he had been using.