Duncan left the other wardens at the inn when he went to seek out his old friend, Valendrian. Valendrian's note said he would come visit Duncan at the inn on the morrow, but Duncan found himself in need of a walk. He thought about inviting Saitada along, but decided her time was better spent on her recently adopted project of teaching Brosca and Harl how to read. He tried not to think about how advantageous her ordeal had proven to him, but he had to admit the wardens were incredibly fortunate to have the former princess. He found himself praying to the maker for the first time in ages, hoping to ensure the dwarf would survive the joining. Already she was proving a capable second and at times he caught himself following her lead instead of the other way around. Perhaps it was for the best. His time was approaching, and Ferelden would need a new commander.
What was the woman's name? The one he'd almost recruited some years back? Adaia Tabris. He'd heard she had a son who was following in her footsteps. Perhaps he'd come away from Denerim with another recruit.
#
Jerath felt a pillow land on his face. He grabbed it and threw it back in the direction it had come.
"Wake up, Cousin! Why are you still in bed? It's your big day!" Shianni's voice was filled with excitement.
Reluctantly, Jerath sat up. "What..." He frowned. "Why are you in my room, Shianni?"
Shianni bounced towards him, picking the pillow up as she came. "What, you're shy now? I sweet-talked your father into letting me share the good news. You do remember what today is, don't you?" She whacked him with the pillow.
Jerath stood, then sniffed. "According to your breath, it's get-drunk-before-noon day."
"No, you idiot." She hit him with the pillow again. "You're getting married today! And Soris too! That's what I came to tell you! Your bride, Nesiara... she's here early!"
"So that means we do it now? I'm not ready!" He grabbed the pillow from her as she attempted to hit him again, then tossed it onto the bed.
"Well, it's going to happen anyway, so hold your breath in! There's going to be music, decorations, feasting... wedding are so much fun! You're so lucky!" She danced around the room, swinging her arms grandly.
Jerath shook his head. "You just want to get to the drinking."
"Which won't happen until you get going, will it?" She threw a bundle of clothes at him, then waited a beat. He lifted an eyebrow, and she laughed. "All right, I'll stop tormenting you. I should go talk to the other bridesmaids and find my dress. Oh, Soris said that he'll be waiting for you outside So move it!"
#
He wrinkled his nose at the outfit. His aunt must have spent hours on the embroidery. If only she hadn't let Shianni pick the colors. He shrugged, then got dressed and ran a comb through his hair before tying it back.
His father was waiting for him the moment he exited the room. "Good morning, my son. It's your big day." His smile was wistful. "Oh, I wish your mother could have been here!"
"Me too, Father." He tugged at the collar, then sighed. "Well, what should I be doing?"
Cyrion smiled. "All right, time for you to go find Soris. The sooner this wedding starts, the less chance you two have to escape."
"A small chance is still a chance."
Cyrion laughed. "Still have your mother's smart mouth, I see." He hesitated, then held out one hand to stop Jerath from leaving. "Oh, one last thing before you go, son. Your martial training... the swordplay, knives, and whatever else your mother trained you in. Best not to mention it to your betrothed."
Jerath frowned. "She'll find out sooner or later"
"Later. Definitely later. We don't want to seem like troublemakers, after all. Adaia made that mistake."
Jerath felt the rage, and forced it down. "The humans who killed her made a bigger one."
"Our world is full of so many injustices." Cyrion handed him a pair of well-made boots. "Take this. Your mother would have wanted you to have it. It's the very least I can give you, as you start your new life. Go on, then. I still have some things to do, and Soris is no doubt waiting for you."
#
Jerath strode through the alienage. His eyes fell on one of Shianni's friends, busily packing belongings onto a small cart. He frowned, and walked in that direction. Nessa's father looked up as he approached. "Many blessings, young one. We hoped to stay for the celebration, but we must be off."
"What happened?" Jerath bent and helped him pick up one of the boxes.
"The human who owns our building has decided to sell it for storage space. We can't afford to live anywhere else here, so we're leaving Denerim."
"Where are you going?"
Nessa gave him a sad smile. "The Ostagar ruins. The army camp there is calling for laborers."
"We wanted to look for work in Highever..." her mother started to say.
Her father interrupted. "But that's just not possible."
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
Nessa's father gave him an almost contemptous look. "You're still a child. You can't do anything." He shook his head. "Enjoy your special day, and put us out of your mind."
"What my husband means is, you're very generous, but... we don't need charity to solve our problems." Nessa's mother put a hand on her husband's shoulder.
"I understand." Jerath flicked his eyes back to her husband. "Good luck to you."
"Many thanks. Again, blessings on your day," he said before turning away, dismissing Jerath entirely.
Nessa hesitated a moment, then rushed after him. "Wait... can I talk to you a moment?" Her eyes were hopeful.
"Of course." Jerath gave her a nod.
"I apologize for my parents. They're too proud to accept help, much less ask for it. My parents will labor in the army camp, and they'll expect me to do the same, but... I don't like the idea of being surrounded by human soldiers who haven't seen a woman in months."
"Maybe you should stay here."
"I would, but my father would have to believe I have a future here..." Nessa sighed helplessly.
"Would some money help?"
"Of course, but I can't imagine anyone here has much to spare. We'd need another three silvers to make it to Highever. And if we got another ten silvers, we could rent a house here. Maybe one large enough to start a business. But... that's just dream talk. Nobody has that much money, and if they did, why would they give it to us." Nessa shook her head.
"Someone must be willing to help." Jerath frowned. Off the top of his head, he couldn't think of anyone. He felt something simmer inside. It wasn't far, how easily their lives could be disrupted. He knew he was going to help. He just didn't yet know how.
"I don't have much hope." Nessa looked back at her parents.
"Stay here. I'll be back if I can find some money."
"Well... here's hoping." Her eyes were bleak. "We'll be leaving soon, though."
#
Jerath shook his head when he saw Soris. Maybe he'd been lucky to have Shianni choose colors for him. Clearly, it could have been much worse.
"Well, if it isn't my lucky cousin." Soris smiled down at him. "Care to celebrate the end of our independence together?"
"Getting cold feet, Soris?"
"Are you surprised? Apparently, your bride's a dream come true. Mine sounds like a dying mouse."
"Maybe you'll get a cage for a wedding present."
Soris laughed, then caught himself. "That's terrible. Let's go introduce you to your dreamy betrothed before you say 'I do'." Soris gave him a considering look. "She's got a couple years and a couple inches on you."
"Could be worse for her. She could be stuck with you."
"Yeah, just surprised Valendrian is actually going through with the wedding. I thought the idea was she'd live here for a year or so. I mean, I think you might be the youngest wedding ever performed." Soris fell into step next to him as they walked back across the alienage.
"I suppose he figured it was as easy to hold two weddings as one."
"That or she'd get a look at you and run away to find the Dalish."
"Also a possibility."
#
Ahead, they saw Shianni start to wave at them. Two unfamiliar elven women stood near her. One was brown haired, and rather mousy in appearance. The other was fair-haired and lovely. Jerath poked Soris in the side and they quickened their pace as a human man grabbed one of the wedding party.
"Let go of me! Stop, please!"
The human smirked as she got loose. "It's a party, isn't it? Grab a whore and have a good time." He laughed. "Savor the hunt, boys. Take this little elven wench, here... so young and vulnerable." He stepped towards Shianni. Jerath's fingers itched for a blade.
"Touch me and I'll gut you, you pig!" Shianni said, jerking away from him.
A man spoke up. "Please, my lord! We're celebrating weddings, here!"
"Silence, worm!"
Beside him, Soris held up a hand to try to stop Jerath's forward movement. "I know what you're thinking, but maybe we shouldn't get involved..."
Jerath looked down at his hand. "Objection noted. Now get out of my way."
"Fine." Soris said, stepping back. He then moved to flank Jerath. "But let's try to be diplomatic, shall we?"
"What's this? The two grooms come to welcome me personally?" Vaughan looked them over.
Jerath moved to stand between the human and the women. "I'd welcome you getting what you deserve."
Vaughan scoffed at him. "Do you have any idea who I am?" He started to step towards Jerath, and then a bottle hit him in the head. He fell to the ground.
"Are you insane?" one of the other humans asked. "This is Vaughan Urien, the arl of Denerim's son!"
Shianni gasped. "W-what? Oh, Maker..."
Jerath moved to intercept the man's approach of Shianni. "Take him home. If you don't mention this, we won't."
The lord sneered down at him, but reconsidered his attempt to reach Shianni. He gestured at one of the other men, who picked up Vaughan. "You've got a lot of nerve, knife-ears. This'll go badly for you."
#
Jerath turned to where Shianni stood. She held her hands in front of her face as she stepped from side to side. "Oh, I really messed up this time."
Soris put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It'll be all right. He won't tell anyone an elven woman took him down."
Shianni smiled. "I hope so." She looked down at herself. "I should get cleaned up." She practically fled.
Soris looked around. "Is everybody else all right?"
The mousy looking, brown haired elf woman nodded. "I think we're just shaken. What was that about?"
Soris laughed nervously. "Looks like the arl's son started drinking too early. Um, well let's not let this ruin the day." He turned to Jerath. "Uh, this is Valora, my betrothed."
Jerath gave a bow to the other woman. "Then this beautiful vision must be Nesiara."
She smiled at him, a little shyly as she looked him over. "I am lucky to finally see you with my own eyes."
Soris glanced from one to the other before moving off a little ways with Valora. "I'm... sure the two of you have a lot to discuss."
Nesiara shuffled her feet a little awkwardly. "Well, here we are..." Her face betrayed her uncertainty as she looked him over. She started to open her mouth, then closed it again. Then she asked "are you nervous?"
Jerath took her hand, then pressed his lips to the back of it. "I was until I saw you."
Her smile lit up her entire face, turning her from merely pretty into beautiful. "I... I'm speechless." Her voice warmed. "I hope I'm worthy of your affection." She squeezed his hand gently. "My stomach was in knots the whole way here."
"How was the trip from Highever?"
"Uneventful, thankfully. The trade caravan we accompanied had little of value."
"Except for you," Jerath said. She blushed. "How do you feel about moving to Denerim?"
"It was hard to leave Highever, but your father's matchmaker spoke highly of you." She gazed at him through slightly downcast eyes. "And rightfully so. You're... younger, than I expected."
Jerath chuckled. "That problem will take care of itself in time." He brushed a lock of hair away from her face. "Maybe I won't be running off to seek the Dalish after all."
She laughed. "Oh! You're a rascal, aren't you? I imagine I'm going to have my hands full."
"Things can only get better," he said. He hoped that were true, at least. Neither of them had a lot of choice in this matter. Making her smile seemed the very least he could do after she'd given up her home.
"Being here with you, I feel the same. I'm looking forward to seeing how life unfolds."
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Soris shake his head. "Come on, Cousin. We should let them get ready."
Valora smiled. "We'll see you two in a bit. Don't disappear on us."
Nesiara released Jerath's hand a bit reluctantly. "Or we'll hunt you down." She laughed.
#
Soris elbowed him. "Had to show me up, didn't you, cousin?" He shook his head, and looked back towards the women. Valora was engrossed in conversation with one of the bridal party. Nesiara, on the other hand, kept sneaking peeks at Jerath, and her cheeks were flushed.
"Not my fault you know nothing about women," Jerath said as they walked towards the other side of the alienage square.
"I know nothing about women?" Soris shook his head, then smirked. "You're twelve."
Jerath shot him a look. "Fifteen."
"Midget."
"Oaf."
"Shrimp."
"Ass."
They threw a few more insults at each other before Soris frowned. "Don't look now, but we have another problem."
Jerath turned to see what had caught Soris's eye. "Is it Vaughan? Has he returned?"
"Another human just walked in. Could be one of Vaughan's or just a random troublemaker." He narrowed his eyes. The man near the alienage gate was armed and armored, abet unusually for the area.
Jerath twitched a shoulder. "Right. Let's go talk to him."
"Let's do this quickly."
#
In his ruminations, he almost didn't notice the two elves move to stand in front of him. They were well dressed, and Duncan briefly remembered it being mentioned a wedding was taking place. He smiled and gave a polite bow. "Good day. I understand congratulations are in order for your impending wedding."
The smaller of the two elves, a black haired boy, returned the bow with a polite nod. "Thanks, but please go. I'd rather avoid any unpleasantness."
Duncan found himself amused. The elf standing before him could easily have been mistaken for a child, even among other elves. He doubted the boy could have been much older than sixteen, and yet apparently possessed of enough confidence to confront a fully armed human politely. "What manner of unpleasantness might you be referring to?"
The young elf shrugged. "The Alienage just isn't a good place for humans to be."
Duncan thought about introducing himself, but decided to let the situation play out. There was something vaguely familiar about the boy, and he was beginning to get an inkling. "I'm sorry, but I have no intention of leaving."
The young man shifted his stance slightly, adjusting his weight. "I will ask once more, politely. Please leave."
"And I refuse, yet again. Now what?"
The young man shifted again, slightly. Duncan realized that subtly, the boy was assuming a combat stance. "I'm not backing down. This is no place for you."
Duncan gave a polite warning. "Surely it has not escaped your notice that I am both armed and armored. Any fight between us would be rather one-sided."
The young elf let his gaze trail over Duncan's gear, as if noticing it for the first time. "Do you intend on using that weapon?"
Duncan responded calmly, "Not unless I'm left without a choice."
The boy nodded, more to himself than anything. "You're not staying, armed or not," he said. Dark green eyes met Duncan's deep brown. He saw something behind those eyes, and for a moment, found himself wondering if he wasn't the one in over his head.
The expression on the other elf's face was slowly growing more and more panicked. At the boy's last comment, the other elf said quickly, "Try not to die; I'll run for help!"
Duncan raised a calming hand as he observed another approaching. "No need, I am not here to fight you. Still, I find such bravery most impressive... do you not agree, Valendrian?"
The elderly elf gave a pointed look to the two younger elves. "I would say the world has far more use of those who know how to stay their blades." The taller of the young elves looked abashed, while the smaller simply shifted out of the combat stance smoothly enough that Duncan doubted the elder even noticed. "It is good to see you again, my old friend. It has been far too long."
The taller of the two younglings was starting to look as though he wished the ground would swallow him up. The smaller nodded to Valendrian before giving Duncan a polite bow. "I am sorry. I had no idea."
Duncan returned the gesture. "I was hardly forthcoming, and for that I apologize."
Valendrian quickly made introductions. "May I present Duncan, head of the Grey Wardens in Ferelden."
Jerath nodded. "Well met, Duncan."
Duncan smiled. "And you, lad."
Valendrian gave the elf boy a nod of approval before turning back to Duncan. "But my question remains unanswered. Why are you here, Duncan?"
Duncan answered grimly. "The worse has happened: A Blight has begun. King Cailan summons the Grey Wardens to Ostagar to fight the darkspawn horde alongside his armies."
Valendrian shifted uncomfortably. "Yes... I had heard the news. Still, this is an awkward time. There is to be a wedding - two, in fact."
Duncan glanced over at the boy again. There was something about him. Though young, he would have made a fine recruit. Still, with three other recruits in his party, two already on their way to Ostagar, and Ser Gilmore waiting in Highever, he could leave the boy. "So I see. By all means, attend to your ceremonies. My concerns can wait, for now." He said reassuringly.
There was still an undernote of worry to Valendrian's response. "Very well. Children, treat Duncan as my guest. And for the Maker's sake, take your places."
"Please, do not let me interrupt further. We shall speak more later." Duncan watched the elves go. The boy hung back from the others a few paces.
Duncan smiled. "Was there something else?"
Jerath nodded. "I have some questions."
Duncan raised an eyebrow. "By all means."
"How do you know the elder?"
"Valendrian and I have known each other for almost twenty years... since the time I tried to recruit your mother, in fact." Duncan responded, a trace of amusement entering his voice.
"You tried recruiting my mother?" Jerath asked, his tone startled.
Duncan smiled fondly in memory. "I did. Your mother was a fiery woman. She would have made an excellent Grey Warden," he finished, a bit regretfully.
"But she didn't join," Jerath responded curiously.
Duncan sighed. "I never made the offer. Valendrian convinced me that it was better for her to remain here with her family. As there was no Blight and thus no immediate need for recruits, I deferred to his wishes. But it seems she passed her training on to you, am I right?"
Jerath nodded. "Until she died."
"So I heard. I am very sorry for your loss. I have already heard a great deal about you, if you must know. But we can speak more of this later. You have a wedding to attend."
The young man gave him a nod of farewell before rejoining his friend.
#
Jerath gestured for Soris to wait a moment, then walked to where Nessa was checking the knots on the cart. She looked up and caught his eye, then called over her shoulder. "I'll be right back, Father."
Her father frowned. "Be quick. We've packing to do."
"So... any news?" she asked Jerath hopefully.
Jerath held out a hand. "Here's ten silvers. Take it. Stay here where you belong."
She held out her hand almost by reflex, and he poured the coins into her palm. "W-where did you get this much money? Never mind, I'm sure not talking you out of this. Thank you! Thank you so much! You saved my family - I love you! Now I just have to handle the parents..."
He nodded, then turned back to where Soris was waiting. Soris gave a low whistled. "Where did you get that money?"
"Old elven proverb - Nobles who start fights should keep better eye on coinpurses"
"You... tell me you didn't pickpocket the Grey Warden!" Soris's eyes were wide.
Jerath gave him an irritated look. "I don't pickpocket friends of the elder." He shrugged, then lifted the corner of his mouth in a small smile. "I nicked from the one that carted Vaughan off."
"I can't believe you did that." Soris tried to inject a note of disapproval into his voice, but failed.
Jerath held out the small silk bag. "Are you saying you don't want your wedding present?" He rotated the bag from side to side.
Soris grinned. "Now now, let's not be too hasty." He accepted the bag, then looked around nervously. He shook his head, then broke into a laugh. "Wow. Um... okay."
"Okay."
"Yeah. Okay."
"In a couple hours, we are going to have wives."
"Maker. Is it too late to run?"
#
Duncan watched the boy hand over the coins and quickly checked his coinpurse. It was still there, and he found himself idly wondering whose pocket, exactly, the boy had picked. He thought back to meeting Adaia. The woman had been a cunning warrior, one that had fought in the rebellion in spite of her young age. She'd a natural gift for the blade, but it had been clear she was already in love with the young man Valendrian had arranged for her to marry. He smiled, amused that Valendrian had repeated the same ploy with the son. Still, it appeared from the way the bride was smiling at Jerath that this marriage also had potential.
He thought about returning to the inn with the others. Saitada was more than capable of keeping an eye on the others. If she survived the joining, and Duncan sent a silent prayer to the Maker on that note, he intended to begin training her to take the roll of his second. Perhaps by the time he went to his Calling, she'd be ready to assume the position of Commander of the Grey.
