this chapter came pretty easy with the first chapter it just took me a while to type it up hopefully i will get to the next chapers just as quickly :)
this story was not only inspired by my favorite game but also by a song called All of Me by Matt Hammitt the words moved me but fit the whole city elf/alistair romance i hope you like it and i cant wait to see what road it travels down
some content rated M and MA for mature audiences only
Buildings were pieced together with whatever wood we could salvage from the city scrap yard other pieces were brought in from just outside the city limits and sometimes traders would come to the alienage with spare cheap wood for us to buy. The road was an old worn path that went through the whole alienage. Wood planks were place over hole in the ground creating small bridges to walk over. The whole place was worn down and in shambles.
I walked into the heart of the alienage looking for Soris. Many elves gave small trinkets and well wishes as I passed. Smiling and giving thanks, I accepted them graciously. I stopped by Vhenadahl taking a moment to touch the great trees base closing my eyes and offering up a prayer to our ancestors.
"She looks just like her mother," Dilwyn gushed.
"I don't see any of Cyrion in her at all," Gethon murmured back.
"Just around the eyes but mostly she looks like Adaia," Dilwyn answered.
My eyes popped open at the sound of my parents' names. I turned from the tree following the sound of their voices. A couple stood watching me closely; I crossed to them offering my greetings.
"Well it's the lucky bride herself. Hello dear," Dilwyn greeted.
Gethon touched his wife's arm, "now love she probably doesn't remember us." I looked them both over confusion on my face.
Dilwyn flustered, "oh of course. I'm Dilwyn and this is my husband Gethon." Their names rang a distant bell in my memory. "We were friends of your mothers. We haven't seen much of you since…well…"
"You knew my mother?" I asked taken slightly aback. Not many claimed to know her even less spoke of her aloud. "Could you tell me about her?"
Gethon paused, "your father still doesn't speak of her, does he?" I shook my head and waited.
"Adaia was beautiful and so full of life. Not to mention a bit wild." Dilwyn laughed. "She had a smile that could light up a room."
"She wanted you more than anything," Gethon revealed. "It's sad that she never got to see you grow up."
Dilwyn smiled taking a long look at my face," we just wanted to see you today and be here for you for her."
A single tear spilled down my cheek, quickly brushing it away I smiled grateful at the couple. "Thank you any friend of my mother is more than welcome here."
Dilwyn hugged me, "it means the world to us to see you happy. This is for you and your betrothed." She slipped a pouch of coins into my palm as she released me.
I bowed," I am honored by your generosity, thank you."
"Maker bless you child," Gethon prayed. I waved goodbye to them, returning to my search of Soris.
I made my way to the gates leading to the road outside of the alienage before I found him propped up next to a tree.
"Well if it isn't my lucky cousin. Care to celebrate the end of our independence together?" he snickered.
"Getting cold feet?" I guessed.
"Are you really surprised?" he countered sarcastically.
"Planning on escaping then?" I teased pointing at the gates.
"Tempting," he said looking at the gates wistfully.
"Don't worry Soris everything will be fine," I reassured him.
"Fine she says," he snorts. "That's easy for you to say apparently your groom's a dream come true. My bride sounds like a dying mouse."
"Soris," I frowned disapprovingly. "Looks aren't everything."
"Sorry cousin," he apologized. "She's not ugly exactly…I don't know maybe it's just my nerves. Anyway let's go introduce you to your dreamy betrothed before we say I do."
I rolled my eyes at him grinning. Together we took off back towards the great tree. My pace was brisk but as we got closer to the wedding party, I slowed down, the butterflies in my stomach churned in full force.
Soris slowed beside me. "Nervous?" he asked.
"A bit, what if he doesn't like me?" I fretted.
"Impossible," he stated venomously. Shianni waved us over, Soris sighed heavily spotting his bride to be. "Well let's get this over with." I nodded in agreement and started walking, three humans came up behind the wedding party, one of the men a tall blond man grabbed one of my bridesmaids. I could hear her screaming for him to let her go one of Soris' groomsmen pulled her away from the human and was rewarded with a punch to the face.
Soris grabbed my arm," I know what you're thinking, but maybe we shouldn't get involved."
"What kind of person would I be if I just let this abuse continue?"I demanded."I will not be able to look myself in the mirror tomorrow if just stand here and do nothing."
"You're right cousin," he agreed glumly.
"However, that doesn't mean we should endanger ourselves needlessly," I reassured him.
Soris nodded, "it makes sense to me." I smiled grimly and refocused my attention at them just in time to hear Shianni yell, "touch me and I'll gut you, you pig!"
The blonde-haired human ignored her as his attention focused on me as I approached, "what have we here?" he purred, "Another lovely one come to keep me company?"
"Sir please you are upsetting my wedding party. Perhaps we could talk this whole thing over and reach a solution that all of us can agree with?" I asked politely.
"Maybe you should invite it over for dinner!" Lord Jonaley jeered.
Vaughan scoffed reaching for me. "Do you have any idea who I am?" behind him, Shianni took her favored whiskey jug and cracked Vaughan over the head knocking him unconscious.
"Are you insane?" lord Braden screamed. "This is Vaughan Urien, the Arl of Denerims son!"
"W-what? Shianni cried, "oh maker."
"Let's be reasonable, things just got out of hand…"I started.
Lord Jonaley cut me off glaring at Shianni, "you've got a lot of nerve knife-ears. This'll go badly for you." He signaled his other companion who helped him carry Vaughan out of the alienage.
Shianni sighed sadly, knowing the trouble she was in, "I really messed up this time, thank you cousin for trying to help though."
I smiled at her kindly, "Don't worry too much Shianni." Shianni was a good person under it all; she just liked to drink a little too much and had a small problem controlling her temper.
Soris agreed with me, "Fìera is right. He won't tell anyone he was taken down by a slip of an eleven woman."
Shianni nodded shakily, "I hope so. I should get cleaned up." looking down at her whiskey covered hands I nodded in agreement. As she left, our fiancés approached us.
Soris cleared his throat, "is everyone else alright?" he asked them.
"I think we are just shaken," Valora said looking at Nelaros. "What was that all about?"
Soris laughed nervously, "The Arls son started drinking early and wanted to join the celebrations. However, let's not let him ruin the day. Uh, Fìera this is Valora, my betrothed." I smiled at her. She wasn't as bad as Soris said beneath her awkwardness I could sense a very proud woman. Under the right circumstances, she would bloom with a little help from new family and friends.
"And this is Nelaros," she introduced him to me drawing my attention to the attractive blond elf standing beside her. My father and Soris both had been right he was handsome.
He took my hand kissing the top of it softly, "a pleasure Soris said much of you most of it was even positive."
"Hey, I just wanted to give you a sporting chance to run," said Soris chuckling as I elbowed him in the ribs.
I flushed crimson dropping in a curtsy, "pleased to finally meet you."
"I am a lucky man to be so warmly welcomed," he purred.
"Let's give these two a bit of privacy I'm sure they have a lot to discuss," said Soris taking Valora by her elbow leading her a short ways away. I smiled gratefully at Soris before casting my gaze to the ground shyly.
"Well here we are…are you nervous?" Nelaros asked drawing my gaze back to his.
"I was until I saw you," I answered coyly. "Are you?"
"I thought I'd stay calm, but finally seeing you has made me… well, let's just say I'm not calm."
I smiled broadly, "well things can only get better from here."
"I think your right. I am looking forward to seeing how life unfolds," he said sincerely reaching his hand up to cup my cheek gently in his palm. "I'll spend every waking moment learning to make you happy," he vowed.
"I'll try and be a good wife to you Nelaros," I smiled demurely my fingers playing nervously with the sleeves on my dress.
"Come cousin," Soris called, "we should let them get ready." I nodded my head scared of the hope building in my heart. He was as kind as he was beautiful to look at. Perhaps this would not be as scary as I thought. I smiled hopefully as Nelaros and Valora headed toward the elders home.
Soris nudged me with his elbow, "don't look now but we have another problem." I turned my head around searching for the new threat, "is it Vaughan or his men again?"
"Another human just walked in he could be one of Vaughan's or he could be a random trouble maker," Soris said.
I frowned thoughtfully, "one human shouldn't cause much trouble."
Soris laughed dryly, "it's not the human I am worried about. Although, he does look capable of doing some damage, I'm more worried about some of the boys. Wine is flowing and I don't thing we want another incident."
I groaned wishing the drama were over; I was actually looking forward to my wedding now, "all right let go talk to him quickly. I wish to get on with the ceremony."
Soris looked nauseous at my words grabbing my arm, "you're no longer nervous." He stated in disbelief.
"Do you yell at the rain because it is wet?" I asked. "No it just is. I cannot change the events of today. I have met my betrothed and we will be married. Nelaros seems to be genially kind as well as handsome what more could I ask for? Besides I want to be happy why should I fight being with someone who wants the same thing as me?"
"I know your right," he answered, "but what about love?"
I looked wistfully at the sky praying to myself, "who knows Soris maybe one day him and I will fall in love like my parents did." Lowering my eyes from the sky focusing on the human in our alienage. "But, for now I will focus on what I can control and leave the rest to fate and the ancestors."