A few hours later, helping organize the stage where the weddings should happen Soris turns to his cousin "Don't look now Mae, but we have a problem." Ice crawls through her spine "Is it Vaughan? Has he returned?" She knows it would be a matter of time, that pride asshole looked like the type to hold a grudge, but Soris responds "Another human walked in. Could be one of Vaughan's or just a random troublemaker." The Alienage could not sustain two problems with two different humans at the same day. She observes the dark-skinned man walking near the Vhenadahl, takes a breath 'Ok, we need to calm down. Let's just try to get him away before things get out of hand… again.' She looks to her cousin "Right Soris, let's talk to him before someone else does something stupid." He nods at her and both start to walk towards the armored man.
She is about to start talking when the human receives her with a warm smile "Good day." He bows "I understand congratulations are in order for your impeding wedding" She looks dumbfounded at Soris, and he shrugs at her, she recomposes herself "Thank you, ser, but please you need to leave now. I'd rather avoid any unpleasantness". He chuckles at her "What matter of unpleasantness might you be referring to?"
'Is this guy serious?' Mae shakes her head "The Alienage ser, it… just isn't a good place for humans to be" She tries her best and kindest smile at the human. "I'm sorry my dear, but I have no intention of leaving" Mae counts to ten as quickly as possible in her own head "Fine. Maybe… we can compromise?" He looks impressed at her politeness "She keeps her composure, even when facing down an unknown and armed human. A true gift, wouldn't you say, Valendrian?" She looks behind herself as the elder arrives "I would say the world has far more use of those who know how to stay their blades. It is good to see you again, my old friend. It has been far too long."
Mae feels her cheeks burn as Soris giggles at her now awkward-embarrassed-uncomfortable posture. "Oh… I'm sorry, I had no idea." She manages to say. Valendrian looks at the elven bride "May I present Duncan, head of the Grey Wardens in Ferelden."
'Wait… Grey Wardens?' She remembers her mother stories about the order, how the defeated the Darkspawn so many years ago, brave, and selfless heroes. "Well met, Duncan." She bows her head at the human. "I'm sorry for before" He shakes his hand in front of him "No need to apologize, I was hardly forthcoming."
"I'm usually more amenable to human presence here, Duncan. But today we've already been through some… stuff" she says. Duncan cooks an eyebrow ate her "Yes I saw stuff being carried unconscious away from the Alienage some time ago". The crimson in her face was now creeping up to her ears, Soris tries to look away, so he also is not deemed responsible for what happened before. "Is there something I am missing here?" Valendrian speaks again, but before Mae starts Duncan interrupts her "Oh not at all old friend, I believe the Arl's son just started to drink early and needed some help around town" winking at Mae. "Very well. Children, treat Duncan as my guest. And for the Maker's sake, take your places!" the elder finishes and leaves to organize the final arrangements of the weddings.
Duncan turns his eyes back to Maeghan "Please, do not let me interrupt further. We shall speak more later." As he's about to turn his back and continue to walk, Mae interrupts "Can we speak a little more now? I have some questions if you don't mind." He bends his head "By all means."
"Well, first of all, why are you here? Are you recruiting?" she asks, he turns to the direction where Valendrian went and returns to her "All in good time. I suggest you have your celebration while you can." Now she's the one who looks at the same direction "Are there elven Grey Wardens, Duncan?" He looks amused at her "In fact, yes. Some of our greatest heroes have been elven. The Warden Garahel, he that slew the last archdemon, was such a one. I could tell you a great deal more about them… but I suspect you have other things to do at the moment." She reaches him before he leaves "Wait… Before I get going… How… How do you know the elder?" She thinks she knows the answer, but she mistakes sometimes memories of her mother stories with her own dreams, Duncan speaks again "Valendrian and I have known each other for almost twenty years… since the time I tried to recruit your mother, in fact" she can help to smile.
"Really? You tried to recruit my mother", he chuckles at her excitement "Indeed. Your mother was a fiery woman. She would have made an excellent Grey Warden." But she never did, Mae asks again dropping her expression "But, what happened? Why didn't she join?" He shrugs "I never made the offer. Valendrian convinced me that it was better for her to remain her with her family." He starts to walk in the direction of the exit with her and Soris "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?" He smiles softly at Maeghan as she blushes remembering her father's words.
"I-I… I have no idea of what you are talking about, ser…" she answers as he chuckles to himself "Worry not, dear girl. 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"
Still astonished by the conversation, she continues "Well, y-yes sure. We…" She points back at her and Soris "We should get going." Duncan retires himself "I'll be back later tonight, if you're still interested, we could talk more about the Order." She smiles, nods and leaves with Soris in the direction of the now fully decorated stage. 'Happiest day of my life… right?'
