Despite all hardships, Denerim's elves are a strong people who take pride in their close community. This is the only world she has ever known… until now. "Wake up, Cousin! Why are you still in bed? It's your big day!" Maeghan's eyes start focusing on the image of Shianni above her. "Ughhh… Just a little longer" she raises her covers above her head trying to hide herself. Shianni laughs it off and pulls the blanket revealing today's blushing bride… not so bridal at this moment. "Come on! Don't make me use cold water again!" With that, Maeghan jumps off the bed "Maker's Breath! Please don't.", she loses her balance a little from the startling threat her cousin declared.

"You do remember what today is, don't you?"

'I wish I didn't' she thinks, instead Maeghan replies "Well Anny, according to your breath it's get-drunk-before-noon day… What did Alarith gave you?". Shianni frowns mockingly at her cousin "First, not your problem and second, no, you idiot. You're getting married today! And Soris too!"

"Missed by that much" Maeghan closes one of her eyes signalizing a tiny space using her index and thumb. Shianni continues the conversation by herself now, telling how Maeghan's fiancée is handsome, he's interesting, he came from Highever, and he's everything etcetera. With her cousin distracted, she tucks the small locks of her pixie cut hair behind her ears trying to get rid of the knotted bed head state she's in. Its ebony color matches her cinnamon tanned skin, she changes her clothes to the wedding attire and with the scraps of make-up Anny and the other maidens managed to get she starts to get her face done, black eyeliner to make her golden chestnut eyes pop. A little bit of wine-red eye shadow for an attempt on a smokey look and the tiniest bit of red in her lips, just to look more… more like a bride.

"That's what I came to tell you, Mae! Your groom, Nelaros… He's here early" Maeghan almost paints her whole face with the lipstick "Wait, what? Already? Then I guess I don't have a choice." Her expression drops a little "I don't like the idea of this arranged match business"

Shianni tries her best to comfort her cousin, but Maker knows how she's awful at that "And who else are you going to marry Mae? Besides, as I mentioned, I already snuck a peek — he's handsome", she carries on about music and dancing, Mae looks through the small window on the room wondering about what lies beyond the walls and gates that surrounded her whole life and how today they fell as they were drowning her more than ever. As Shianni leaves, Maeghan goes to her father who receives his baby daughter with the brightest smile she's ever seen in years "Ah, my little girl. It's… the last day I'll be able to call you that. Oh, I wish your mother could have been here" She sheepishly smiles at her dad "I'll always be your little girl dad. But… Can we talk about this arrangement?"

"Still not pleased, I can see. Of course, we can talk." He answers somewhat sorrowful about how this simple thing could be bringing distress to his kid. Mae continues "Why can't I choose who I marry?", Cyrion looks at his daughter, draws his hand behind his neck and answer "Tradition, child. With so little contact between Alienages and so few chances to travel, you must trust your elders".

"But I don't want to get married to someone who I never met dad… Who I don't love" it uses all of her to keep herself from seeming hurt, she hoped it was enough? Mae wanted her dad to know how she felt, but she didn't want him to mistake it for being unappreciated of his efforts on matchmaking.

He laughs 'Thank the Maker?' she questions herself. "I understand. Before I med Adaia, I was ready to go hunt for the Dalish. Try to be glad I chose the match, child. Without parents to represent you, children like your cousin Soris end up marrying whoever the elder can find." 'Thanks, dad? I guess…' She rolls her eyes as discreetly as she could "I appreciate your efforts dad." Her father hugs her "All right time for you to find Soris. The sooner this wedding starts, the less chance you two have to escape."

"A small chance is still a chance" 'aaand this came out louder than I expected' Maeghan blushes as looking to her father apologetically, laughing Cyrion answers "Still have your mother's smart mouth, I see… Mae, I need to ask you, one last thing before you go, my dear. Your martial training, the knifes, daggers, swordplay, and whatever your mother trained you in. Best not to mention it to your betrothed."

She sighs "I take it you didn't say anything?" He cocks an eyebrow ate his kid "Well, it's not exactly something that would have made easy to find a match for you. We don't want to seem like troublemakers, after all. Adaia made that mistake." It felt like a punch in her own stomach 'Mom…' as her eyes started to tear up she shakes her head, breathes "Mom was a clever rogue…" the house became silent at that. Cyrion takes a deep breath rubs the corner of his eyes, holds his daughter hands and smiles at her the best he can. "Go on then, time to find Soris. He's no doubt waiting for you." He holds her cheek, kisses her forehead and she leaves.