"If you want to marry me, here's what you'll have to do:
You must learn how to make a perfect chicken-dumpling stew.
And you must sew my holey socks,
And soothe my troubled mind,
And develop the knack for scratching my back,
And keep my shoes spotlessly shined.
And while I rest you must rake up the leaves,
And when it is hailing and snowing
You must shovel the walk...and be still when I talk,
And-hey-where are you going?"
― Shel Silverstein, Where the Sidewalk Ends
Justinian, 9:30 Dragon
Nennet wiped the sweat from her brow, returning quickly to scrubbing clothes in the tub. Her knuckles were red and raw, the hot water doing her skin no favors. She was so concentrated on cleaning her skirt that she nearly punched Shianni when she came up from behind.
"Maker have mercy…" Nennet held her hand to her breast.
"I can't believe you're doing laundry...today of all days!" Shianni exclaimed.
Nennet could smell cheap alcohol on Shianni's breath, it made her nose crinkle.
"You haven't forgotten have you?" Shianni asked, pulling on Nennet's sleeve, "Your betrothed, Nelaros, arrived early!"
Nennet sighed, taking off her silky head scarf and throwing it to her bed.
"I'll be on my way, Shianni…" She said emptily.
Shianni frowned, "Oh don't be so down. It'll work out for the best. And he's not too bad looking if I do say so myself."
"Then you should be the one getting married." Nennet retorted, crossing her arms.
Shianni laughed her comment off, "All in due time, cousin. Today is your day."
"And Soris'..." Nennet reminded her.
"Right, right...he asked you to meet him outside when you were ready." Shianni seemed to suddenly remember something, "And don't forget your dress!" She called on her way to the door.
"How could I?" Nennet mumbled to herself. Thinking it was poor taste to wear the same dress her mother had on her wedding day.
She dressed without and further vocal complaint. She knew her father was in the other room, smoking his pipe before he set out to prepare for the wedding.
Nennet slipped on her mother's white dress, embellished with bell shaped sleeves and a soft lace ribbon around the midsection and neckline. The dress has lost its apparent whiteness from years of sitting in a chest, but Nennet wore it as though it had just been made. Her bright blue eyes a sharp contrast from the white.
As she pulled up her curled blonde hair she felt the weight of the events that were to unfold before her. She didn't know this 'Nelaros' and neither did she want to. Too many times she has seen what men really want behind closed doors, and to be possibly be married to one such man?
It made her sick.
She thought back to Isabela. Each time she made port the pirate had always sought the comfort of the Pearl, and Nennet melted at the thought of her touch.
Nennet had just begun working at the Pearl when she saw Isabela saunter in. Her swagger was unmatched, and she emanated a confidence that Nennet found enchantingly desireable.
Ever since their first night together, Nennet knew she was undoubtedly sexually attracted to women. Men were nothing but a source of monetary gain…
Nennet shook her head. Her father would fall in his grave if he heard these thoughts. She regained herself, placing the light blue flower crown Nicolai had made on top of her head.
She looked into the dirty mirror, letting out a heavy sigh before putting on a simple pink lipstick. It wasn't normally what she would paint herself with, usually favoring darker shades of lip and golden glitters around her eyes. But she knew her father would ask too many questions as to how she procured such products.
Picking herself up, Nennet walked out into the main part of her home, seeing her father stand and nearly burst into tears when he saw his daughter.
"Oh, Nenny…" He embraced her, "You look so beautiful."
"Thank you, father." Nennet forced a smile.
"Today is such a joyous day," Cyrion remarked, "If only your mother were here."
"I miss her too…" Nennet held onto her father.
"She would be so proud of you, Nenny." Cyrion wiped away his tears.
Nennet held her tongue, not wanting to say something that would ultimately upset her father. Cyrion lifted her chin and gave her a smirk.
"Think of it as a blessing, not an obligation." He tried to encourage her, "You'll see soon enough that it's not nearly as bad as you'd like to think."
"I'll take your word on it then." Nennet tried to shrug off the subject.
Sensing her discomfort, Cyrion changed the conversation.
"I know Soris was looking for you, best to go see him." He kissed Nennet's forehead, "I love you, my dear. And I am so proud of you."
"Thank you, father." Nennet smiled for a brief moment. She left his embrace and went towards the door.
"Oh, Nennet." Cyrion called after her.
"Yes?"
Cyrion sighed, "Best not mention to your betrothed about all the knife fighting your mother taught you…"
"Why?" Nennet raised her brow.
"Just…" Cyrion thought, "Keep it quiet until after the wedding."
Nennet wanted to sneer, but instead she nodded.
"Of course, father." She opened the door and left her home with no further comment.
Nicolai threw a white wooden archway over his shoulder, hauling it to the raised stage where Nennet and Soris would marry their betrothed. A few of the children running about stopped to watch Nicolai set the arch down with ease. They marvelled at his strength, and made Nicolai chuckle when their eyes went wide.
"Care to help drape the flowers?" He asked a few of them.
The children squealed with delight, grabbing up garlands of woven ivy and pulled dandelions. Nicolai lifted up two of them as a third climbed up to his shoulders.
They carelessly threw the garland over the top of the arch, wrapping it around until their little arms couldn't reach it anymore. Nicolai gave a hearty laugh, carrying the children around with him while he set to finishing any building Valendrian had asked him to do.
He saw Nennet speaking with Nessa, thinking Nennet looked particularly beautiful that day. But the sadness he saw in her eyes made him uncomfortable.
For as long as he had known Nennet they confided in each other about their preference for the same sex. No one else really knew, so it never came as a shock when Nicolai was asked to walk home many of the female elves of the alienage. Not that he ever minded, the city was dangerous and Nicolai felt he was doing his duty.
But now Nennet was arranged to marry a man. Nicolai didn't want to think ill of Nennet's betrothed, but he saw how much it hurt his cousin to think about this marriage. It put the thought into Nicolai's mind that Cyrion would then try to find a match for him as well.
He had to push it away for now, thinking he would fight that fight another day. He shook the thought away and went back to setting up for the ceremony.
"Nicolai!"
He turned around and saw Nennet walking towards him, Soris in tow. He ushered the children away and adjusted his suspenders.
A few of the children that still lingered marveled at how beautiful Nennet had looked in her dress. Nennet waited for them to scatter before she spoke.
"Ready to make a run for it?" Nicolai asked, trying to lighten the mood.
She didn't smile, instead she furrowed her brow, "Soris and I just ran into a Grey Warden…"
"Here?" Nicolai asked, standing to his full height.
"He was speaking with Valendrian when we left." Soris told him, "He's not exactly being secret about wanting recruits. He said he already has a few in the city."
"Mages, Nicolai." Nennet added.
Nicolai frowned, "And?"
"It's no secret you're the strongest one here, Nico…" Nennet said, "You have to make your presence known to the Wardens."
"Think about it," Soris lowered his voice, "The Wardens don't care about your former life. They take in anyone."
"Yes you've both made your points very clearly thank you," Nicolai said, "But my duty is to our people. Brokering peace. Not fighting. That's not what I want, and that's not what our people need."
"Don't be stupid, Nicolai," Nennet spat, "You're going to let yourself be married off to some woman and then spend your life dedicating yourself to a peaceful cause?"
"If it is what is required of me I will." Nicolai signaled the end of the conversation, he sighed, "I've kept myself under control so far, I don't need anyone's help."
Nennet glanced at the scars on Nicolai's arm, "I can see that." She turned away.
Soris sighed, setting his hand on Nicolai's shoulder, "You know not to listen to her when she's angry."
"I thought weddings were supposed to be happy?" Nicolai gave a half hearted smirk.
"You're not marrying someone who sounds like a dying mouse."
"Be kind, Soris."
Their conversation was cut short by a woman shouting. Nicolai's head shot up and he saw Nennet heading towards a group of humans.
"Oh no." He said, rushing over.
"Grab a whore and have a good time." The lead one chuckled, an evil grin growing on his smug face, "Savor the hunt, boys. These elven wenches, so young and vulnerable." He had been looking at Shianni, and Nicolai felt a rage grow in his stomach.
"Touch me and I'll gut you." Shianni promised.
Nicolai stepped between them, "It would be best for you gentleman to leave. We are celebrating weddings today. No need for any trouble."
Nicolai knew if he had been shorter than the human before him he would have been punched in the face. But the other two humans behind the smug one took one look at Nicolai and a visible unease clouded their eyes.
He could hear Soris whispering to Nennet, and Nicolai could feel the heat the was radiating. An energy of hatred and rage. She pulled away from Soris' restraint and pushed through the few group of elves and got into the lead one's face.
"Another lovely whore to keep me company?" He asked.
"Back off, shemlen scum, before I wear your castrated twig as a necklace." She spat.
"Do you have any idea who I am?" The smug leader asked.
Nicolai put his arm in front of Nennet and gently pushed her away before she could make another threat.
"Let's not utter more harsh words before something happens that we would all regret," He said, "I ask again that you gentlemen leave peacefully. We ask for no tro-"
There was a hard crash and glass shattered to the dirt. The human fell to the ground and Shianni stood behind him with a broken wine bottle. Nicolai balled his hands up into fists and his nostrils flared.
"Are you insane?" One of the men said, "This is Vaughan Urien! The arl's son!"
"Sweet Maker…" Shianni whispered.
"Alright," Nicolai suppressed his anger, "I will pay for any tonics he needs, things got out of hand…"
"Fucking knife ears, you've got nerve!" The other human shouted, helping his friend drag Vaughan away.
Once they were out of sight, Nicolai turned to Shianni, "Are you trying to insight a riot?" he looked at Nennet, "Both of you!"
"I really messed up I know!" Shianni said, tears in her eyes.
"Surely he won't say an elven woman took him down." Soris tried to be optimistic.
Nicolai calmed himself once more, "Shianni, go get cleaned up. Nennet, try to keep a lid on that sharp tongue until after the ceremony." He rubbed his temples.
"Shemlen trash, he deserves what he gets." Nennet snarled.
"Will you be saying this when he brings the entire city down upon us?" Nicolai tried to remain patient, "You have no idea the repercussions of your words and Shianni's actions. The peace I will have to broker-"
"Stop pretending to be such a martyr!" Nennet screamed.
"I'm not pretending to be anything, Nennet. What about you?" He felt the vein in his neck pop and knew he had to center himself.
He had to remove himself from the group, breathing heavily as he did so.
Nicolai hid himself in a back alley to stave off his anger. He tore at his hair and stomped the ground, his heart heavy with guilt for what he felt was to come. Hot tears fell from his eyes as he thought of the alienage burning for merely hitting a human with a bottle, let alone a noble.
He wanted to burst out, release all of the magic he kept hidden inside of him, only letting it out for jobs where he had to rough someone up.
He needed blood magic.
"Do it." The voices in his head would whisper. The demon of desire swirling in his conscious, begging him to release his power. Nicolai's lust for the want to use his forbidden magic made it all the sweeter when he could, he longed for that release like a druggie for their next high.
His head hit the wall of the building behind him and he slumped down to try and get a hold of himself. He clenched his fists and released them to find stability.
Nicolai's ears twitched at the sounds of the ceremony coming to a quick start, and he stood up. He dusted himself, fixed his clothing, and decided to not let these thoughts worry him until after the weddings.
Stoically, he led himself from the alley to the group of elves gathered before the stage that he had just been setting up.
He saw Nennet standing with a blond elf she had been talking to earlier, Nicolai could only assume it was Nelaros. Nicolai thought to himself that Nelaros was surely handsome enough, and he seemed to be kind. Perhaps Nennet didn't have much to worry over…
Nicolai's thoughts were halted when Valendrian began to call everyone's attention.
"Today we celebrate not only this joining, but also our bonds of kin and kind. We are a free people, but that was not always so. Andraste, the Maker's prophet, freed us from the bonds of slavery. As our community grows, remember our strength lies in commitment to one another, and tradition." He spoke, Nicolai found his words to be a comfort.
Valendrian turned to the Chantry mother who was to oversee the weddings. She thanked him for his words and stood in front of the two couples and began speaking.
"In the name of the Maker, who brought us this world, and in whose name we say the Chant of Light-"
Soris had caught her attention and she turned. Just as she did so, Nicolai could feel the crowd shift to see Vaughan coming towards the ceremony, a small group of guards following behind. Nicolai felt dread creep into his stomach.
"Milord, this is most unexpected." The mother began.
"Sorry to interupt good Mother, but I'm having a party," Vaughan leered, "And we're short of female guests." He laughed, putting himself behind Soris and his bride, Valora.
"This is a wedding." The Mother said disgustedly, looking at Vaughan with contempt.
"If you want to dress up the pets and play tea party that's your business, but do not pretend this is a real wedding." Vaughan laughed, "We're here for a good time."
Nicolai saw Nennet clench her fist and he started making his way to the stage.
Vaughan began picking all of the women he was going to take, and each word he spoke made Nicolai angrier. He stepped onto the stage and stood before Vaughan.
"I think that's enough." He said.
"So big, so brave." Vaughan laughed, Nicolai could smell the expensive wine on his breath, "But you won't do anything. Now, I want the bitch who bottled me."
"She's here, Lord Vaughan!"
Nicolai turned and saw a man grabbing Shianni's arm.
"Let me go you son of a bitch!" Shianni spat.
"And the bride." Vaughan turned to Valora.
Nennet felt a heat rise in her chest and put herself between Valora and Vaughan.
"You can try." She said.
Vaughan chuckled, "And you...I think I'll enjoy you too."
"Leave these...inexperienced women. Take me instead. Just me. I'm a one woman party." Nennet said.
"While I'm sure you are, it wouldn't be a proper party with just one wench." Vaughan said to her.
Nennet changed her face from seductress to that of pure fury. Vaughan saw this and hit her, tossing her unconscious to the ground.
"Nennet!" Nicolai called, moving to strangle Vaughan where he stood but was held back by four guards, one holding a sword to his throat.
"What're you going to do?" Vaughan asked him," Try and talk it over?" He faked a pout and walked away.
As he did so he shouted, "Round them up!"
Nicolai wasn't let go until the sound of crying women had finally died. He stood there on the stage, he had noticed a few people walking away with their heads hanging low. Nelaros tried to talk them into staging an assault and getting the women back, but no one would hear him.
Nicolai felt something bubble over inside of him, his gentle icy blue eyes began to change color. Soris stepped forward.
"Nicolai?"
Nicolai's eyes went red, a ball of animalistic energy forming on his clenched fist. He looked up at his cousin and Nelaros. When he spoke his voice was distorted into thousands of dark whispers.
"Follow me."