Disclaimer: I do NOT own Dragon Age or anything related to it.

"Oh, my betrothed of a day, if I did not love you, I would not give
you my lips! Take them, for the first time and the last."
— Gaston Leroux (The Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 9:Betrothed

"Mamae!"

The desperate cry of a heartbroken child seemed to echo through the entire marketplace, breaking the stunned and horrified silence that had settled not even a minute ago. Dark brown eyes of a small elven girl widened instantly at the sight before her; her mother, Adaia, with a knife sticking out of her chest, piercing her heart, and the shemlen who'd just stabbed her having not expected for her to return the favor. The shocked shem let out a mix of a gasp and a groan of pain as he slowly fell to the ground, pain-filled eyes closing as he allowed death to take him with one final moan of pain. Adaia's expression was one of peace, however; the dark-skinned elf's pale lips forming into a sad, peaceful smile as she too collapsed beside the dead human man.

"Mamae!" Zoë let loose another cry as she and several other elves hurried to a dying Adaia's side. The little girl fell next to her mother, clutching Adaia's hands tightly in her own and choking out a sob, tears having already begun to run down her cheeks. This simply couldn't be happening. One minute Adaia had single-handingly and bravely taken out a group of despicable shems who sauntered into the market with the intent of taking some women and children with them to violate or maybe even something far worse than that if such was possible, and then the next thing anyone knew, one of the shems had suddenly jumped up and stabbed the elven woman right in the heart, but Adaia, in all her glory and determination, made sure to take him with her. If she was to die by the hand of a shem then she would be sure he would not live to tell the tale.

"Zoë." Adaia whispered, smiling lovingly at her daughter as she gave the eleven-year-old girl's hand a small squeeze."Be good, take care of your father for me. Make Mamae proud, sweetheart."

"Mamae!" Zoë sobbed."Please don't-" She trailed off when the older elf shushed her gently.

"Mamae has to go now, sweetie." Adaia gave a small gasp as she could feel her life starting to slip away rapidly."Don't worry. Everything's going to be okay. You're going to be alright, Zoë. I'll always be watching over you no matter what. So be a good girl and take real good care of your daddy for me." She coughed weakly."And...protect both Soris and Shianni, they need you now more than ever. Be strong for them, for your father, and for me. Promise you'll do that for me, okay?"

"But-"

"Promise me, Zoë."

"I promise!" She nodded vigorously.

Adaia nodded weakly."Good, I'll hold you to that promise, so make sure you keep it. Ugh, g-goodbye, my little girl. I love you...be good..." Another choked gasp was heard before Adaia's dark black eyes slowly closed and her breathing seized soon afterwards. Zoë felt herself begin to shake with pure grief and shock over what had just happened. Her mother was gone, dead, killed by humans, the very people who had once enslaved their people all those years ago. For a moment, she was silent and then before anyone knew it, another heartbroken cry escaped her lips.

"Mamae!"

"Wake up, cousin!" A familiar voice cried and Zoë could feel someone was shaking her vigorously, trying to wake her up. Her eyes instantly snapped open and she sat up abruptly with a loud gasp, causing the person who was shaking her to give a yelp and jump back in surprise. Zoë brought her hands to face, attempting to calm down and stop panting like a dog from another one of her recurring dreams about the death of her mother so many years ago. She willed herself not to cry, swallowing down any sobs that threatened escape her throat and furiously blinking away tears.

"Cousin?" Zoë looked over to the side to see Shianni standing by her bedside with an obvious look of worry on her face as she stared at the older girl."Another nightmare?"

Zoë gave a weak nod, holding her head in her hands and letting out a sigh."And it's only getting worse each time. Wait a second, did I oversleep again or something?" She gave a small groan.

"Yes, your father and I figured you deserved it." Shianni said with a small smile that quickly became a frown."But I can see you obviously didn't sleep very well, did you?"

Zoë offered nothing more than another sigh in response. Uncomfortable silence settled between the two of them before Shianni shifted nervously and smiled again, trying to lighten the mood."Guess what today is?"

"Ugh, please don't say wedding!" Zoë groaned. Shianni just laughed and waved her off, clapping her hands together in excitement.

"A double wedding!" She squealed happily."You're getting married and so is Soris!"

"I'm surprised he hasn't ran away yet." Zoë scoffed.

Shianni laughed."He tried to last night, but your father and I caught him trying to sneak out of the window when he was half-way through."

"Well, that's the third time this weak by my count that he's tried and failed again." Zoë shook her head with a sigh as Shianni continued.

"Anyway, I'm here to tell you that your groom, Nelaros, he's here early!"

"Now? But I'm not even ready!"

"Well, it's going happen anyway, so you're just going to have to hold your breath and jump in, cousin! Besides, I snuck a peek and he's really handsome!"

"Stow it, Shianni."

"But there's going to be music, decorations, feasting...weddings are so much fun! You're so lucky!"

"Shianni, if you say one more word about weddings, I'm going to strangle you. I mean it."

"Alright, alright!" Shianni laughed, putting her hands up."I'll stop tormenting you. I need go talk with the others bridesmaids and find my dress anyway. Oh, and Soris is waiting for you outside, so move it!"

"You really don't understand the meaning of the phrase 'stow it' do you, Shianni?"

"Okay, okay, I'm leaving! Sheesh, lighten up a bit for your wedding at least!" The redhead said as she turned to leave.

"Never!" Zoë shouted only half-jokingly after her cousin.

Sighing, Zoë got out of bed and went to retrieve the most nicest white dress she had, which by elven standards was about as fancy as a servant's uniform. It was certainly nothing when compared to the lovely dresses ofshemlen nobility, but it was still a dress and she'd never been much a fan of wearing them unless she had no other choice anyway so it really didn't matter to her. She slowly slipped into the pale white dress that went down to her ankles and tied her long strawberry blonde hair into it's usual ankle-length braids on either side of her face with golden ribbons her parents had given her on her tenth birthday just a year before Mamae died.

Zoë froze briefly, staring deeply at her reflection in the mirror as if she couldn't recognize herself. She lowered her eyes, pondering on how this forcibly-arranged wedding would go today and didn't even bother preventing the snarl that spread across her features at the mere thought of an arranged marriage. Despite whatever stories people told or heard of the Dalish, they were most definitely not savage and boy did she envy them right now for their freedom when it came to choosing who they married above all. It surely wasn't an easy life always being on the move but at least they were free and if Pol actually had been able to find them like he said he would before escaping to avoid being executed for picking a guard's pocket, well then let's just say Soris owed her a great deal of coin since that would mean she won their little bet from several days ago. She made a mental note to remind him of that later on today.

For her entire life, she'd always loathed the idea of being forced to wed someone she didn't even know, let alone never loved. Honestly, it didn't matter how handsome this betrothed of hers was or wasn't because if anyone thought they could tame her, they were dead wrong. Zoë Tabris was not to be tamed and would purposely make this naive future husband of hers suffer everyday for the rest of his life if he dared think her to be a weak little flower like the shems did their women. It was with an evil grin that she nodded her head in mental confirmation at the idea then heaved a sigh before exiting the room to say goodbye to what her people liked to call freedom.

Zoë grumbled to herself as she came into the dining room where her father was staring out the window as if in deep thought. The sound of Zoë's footsteps tapping against the wooden floor snapped him out of his thoughts and he turned to her with a smile on his face which she did not return, opting continue giving him the cold shoulder as she had been doing for the last few weeks since what'd happened with dinner when she tried to do something nice by making her mother's old soup.

"Ah, my little girl." Cyrion pulled her into a hug which she also did not return."Today's the last day I'll be able to call you that. Oh, I wish your mother could have been here." He let out a sigh when Zoë just stayed silent and stared at him."Still not talking to me, I see. Well, you can't ignore me forever, Zoë. Eventually, you and I are going to have to talk. It's not like you can give me the silent treatment for the rest of your life."

"Can too." She mouthed, crossing her arms over her chest and giving him a very stony look in the eye. Cyrion gave a deep sigh, shaking his head and putting up his hands in a gesture of surrender.

"Alright, keep acting like like that if you like." He said calmly."After living with your mother for eleven years, Maker knows I can handle being given the cold shoulder by my own daughter."

Zoë winced when he spoke of the Maker. She despised the very mention of the idiotic shemlen god who did nothing to help her people whatsoever. Andraste was said to have freed the slaves, but in reality, that stupidshemlen harlot had done nothing but make almost everything far worse for the elves than She ever did better. It was a good thing Her mortal husband betrayed Her, because if this pathetic Maker really did exist, than He knew full well that the only thing Andraste did was ruin other people's lives and thus, deserved to die like the slattern She truly was. And after what She did to the mages, may Her soul never find peace because She most certainly did not deserve anything of the sort.

"I don't want to get married." Zoë blurted out without realizing until it was too late. Cyrion looked surprised that she'd actually said something to him and much to her relief, only chuckled softly.

"I understand. Before I met Adaia, I was ready to go hunt for the Dalish. Just be glad I chose the match. Without any parents to represent you, children such as your cousin Soris end marrying who it is Hahren Valendrian can find for them."

"Like that's any different from who you choose for me." She grumbled."Well, at least tell me about thiswonderful man I'm supposed to waste the rest of my life with then. I think I'm entitled to that much, aren't I?" She put heavy sarcasm and venom on the word 'wonderful'. To her father's credit, he ignored the cold tone and quickly answered her question.

"Nelaros is from a good family in Highever, their youngest son actually and from what I've been told, he's an expert at the blacksmith's anvil. He's also very handsome, just in case you want to know about his looks, that is."

"I don't."

"Well then, I guess it's time for you go find Soris then. The sooner we start this wedding, the less chance the two of you have to escape."

Zoë smiled slyly."A small chance is still a chance, you know."

"Hmm, still have your mother's smart mouth, I see." Cyrion commented."Oh, and before you go Zoë, there's something else I need to tell you."

"What is it?" She questioned.

"Your martial training: the swordplay, knives, and whatever else your mother trained you in, best not to mention any of it to your betrothed."

"You do realize he'll find out sooner or later, right?"

"Later. Definitely later. We don't want to seem like troublemakers, after all. Adaia made that mistake."

"Mother died a hero, Father." Zoë replied rather coldly.

"I know." He murmured, pulling her into a hug."And I don't want the same to happen to you."

Sensing the worry in her father's tone, Zoë stiffened slightly and snuggled her head into his chest. She closed her eyes and nodded.

"Don't worry, Father. Everything will be fine."

"Well if it isn't my lucky cousin." Soris said as he pushed himself off the wall he was leaning against and smiled wryly at Zoë."Care to celebrate the end of our independence together?"

Zoë pressed her lips together, quirking an eyebrow."Is running away still an option?"

"What are you, nuts?!" Soris exclaimed."Where would you go? Into the woods to live with the Dalish elves?"

"Interesting choices of words from someone who tried to escape out the window last night." She said with a smirk while studying her nails with feigned disinterest for her younger male cousin. Soris gave a loud groan at her words and she felt her smirk widen slightly when she heard this.

"Shianni told you?" It was only half a question as he already pretty much knew the answer.

"Yup." She replied, popping the 'p' and giving him a wide grin.

"Please don't tell Hahren Valendrian." He begged."Then I'll never hear the end of it."

"Yes well, I'll be sure to bring some popcorn so I can watch you get berated like a misbehaving little boy, which you still are actually."

"You just love torturing me, don't you?"

"If I don't, who will?"

"No one?"

"Exactly! It would be so boring letting you live in peace, after all."

"Whatever." Soris rolled his eyes."Besides, why would you run? Apparently, your groom is a dream come true while my 'lovely' bride sound like a dying mouse."

"Maybe you'll get a cage as a wedding present." Zoë said with a shrug.

Soris laughed but then quickly stopped and tried his best, which wasn't really a lot at all, to look serious for once."That's terrible!"

She scoffed in playful disbelief."Then why were you laughing?"

"No reason." He coughed quickly."Now come on so we can at least introduce you to your dreamy betrothed before you say 'I do'."

"Hey!" They both nearly groaned at the sound of Shianni shouting to get their attention as she waved them over with the other bridesmaids and elves present too. One of the bridesmaids, Nola, failed to notice a strange human man coming up behind her until he suddenly grabbed her arms and shook her roughly.

"Let me go!" Nola cried, tearing out of his grasp and scrambling away from him."Please stop!"

The human man grinned lecherously and Zoë almost trembled with agitation as it reminded her of how her mother had died protecting her daughter and friends from disgusting shemlen like this one right here. It took all of her self-control not to scream at the painful memories it brought up and she forced herself to breathe evenly without letting any of her emotions show, especially in front of a bunch of shemlen.

"It's a party, isn't it?" The human shrugged."Grab a whore and have a good time." The chilling laughter that came from his lips caused Zoë to clench her fists tightly at her sides to the point in which her nails drew blood from the skin of her palms. She felt her heartbeat go off the roof when the human gestured toward Shianni."Savor the hunt boys. Take this little elven wench here for example...so young and vulnerable."

Shianni sneered."Touch me and I'll gut you, you pig!"

"Please milord!" A male elf beside Shianni cried."We are celebrating weddings here!"

"Silence, worm!" Vaughan growled as he slapped the elf so hard he fell to the ground. It was enough to make Zoë growl softly and start making her way over to him when Soris jumped in front of her with a pleading look on his face.

"I know what you're thinking, but maybe we shouldn't get involved." He whispered urgently.

"Objected noted." Zoë said tersely as she crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her head to the side in feigned consideration before waving a dismissive hand at him."Now get out of my way!"

"Fine!" He sighed."But let's at least try to be diplomatic, shall we?"

"Over your dead body!" She spat, shoving him aside and putting two fingers into her mouth to whistle loudly. The human twisted around at the sound and leered at a scowling Zoë while slowly approaching her with a raised eyebrow.

"What's this? Another lovely one to keep me company?" He asked with a smirk, not even slightly ashamed of himself for ogling a young woman like that.

Zoë rolled her eyes."Dream on, shemlen."

The human laughed loudly."Do you have any idea who I am, wench?" Zoë ignored him, instead glancing over his shoulder to see Shianni grabbing a bottle and going to sneak up behind him. She smirked at the human and cocked her head to the side.

"As a matter of fact, I do." She replied dryly."You're the dolt whose about to get a terrible headache."

The human looked at her in confusion before his eyes suddenly widened in realization and he spun around just in time for Shianni to smash the bottle right onto his head. A strangled cry of both pain and surprise came from the human as he crashed like a rock to the ground with a loud thud. Zoë let out a superior laugh, highfiving Shianni and spitting on the unconscious human man's head.

"Are you insane?" One of the other two humans present exclaimed."This is Vaughan Kendalls, the Arl of Denerim's son!"

"What?" Shianni's face paled as she put her hands over her mouth and looked as if she wanted to pass out."Oh, Maker!"

Zoë placed a hand on the redhead's shoulder whilst throwing a glower at the other two humans."Well, it's such a pity his father never had the opportunity to teach him better manners then."

"You've a lot of nerve, knife-ears!" Another human hissed."This will go very badly for you!"

"Go to hell, shem." She spat back, meeting the human's glare with a superior smirk as they slowly backed off and left the Alienage with Vaughan's out cold body in tow.

"Oh, I really messed up this time, didn't I?" Shianni muttered worriedly.

"It'll be alright." Soris said, trying to calm his sister's nerves."It's not like he'll ever anyone else that an elven woman took him down."

"Soris is right, Shianni." Zoë said with a nod."That human noble may be a big bully on the outside, but he's also a real caitiff on the inside, that's for sure."

"I hope you two are right." Shianni sighed."I should go get cleaned up now." As she walked away, another elven woman came up to Zoë and Soris, followed by a male elf.

"Is everybody else alright?" Soris queried.

The woman nodded."I think we're just a little shaken." She inclined her head slightly in a confused manner."What was that all about anyway?"

Soris gave a nervous chuckle as he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly."It looks like the arl's son just started drinking a little too early."

"That's an understatement." Zoë murmured, crossing her arms.

Soris cleared his throat quickly."Well, let's not let this ruin the day." He gestured toward the elven woman."This is Valora, my betrothed."

Zoë gave the woman a polite nod then turned to the male elf, studying him for a moment before a pleasant smile spread across her face in something greatly resembling approval."And I assume that this handsome young man is Nelaros then, right?"

"I am a lucky man to be greeted so warmly." Nelaros blushed."Soris spoke much of you. Some of it was even positive." He hesitated a little on the last part, casting Soris a discrete glance while raising an eyebrow slightly at the other elven man.

Soris threw his hands up."Hey, I just wanted to give you a chance to up and run!"

Hearing this, Zoë simply raised her foot and slammed the heel of her boot hard into Soris's shin, making him yelp in pain. She then calmly turned to Valora with a sweet smile, ignoring her younger cousin as he hopped on one foot while rubbing his aching shin, whimpering like an injured puppy in pain the entire time.

"Valora," Zoë said in a just as sweet tone of voice that matched her smile,", once this wedding is over, what's say you, me, Shianni, and the other bridesmaids have a nice girly chat and I'll be sure to tell you all about how Soris tried to run away from you last night and how he compared you to a dying mouse just fives minutes ago?"

"Zoë!" Soris shouted, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Valora looked both surprised and hurt by this revelation as she turned to Soris."What is she talking about, Soris?"

"Um, I think Zoë and Nelaros have a lot to discuss." He offered Valora his arm and glowered at a smirking Zoë as they walked away.

"Well, here we are." Nelaros said somewhat timidly." Are you nervous?"

"Not really, no." She replied, uncrossing her arms."Why? Are you?"

He hesitated."I thought I'd stay calm, but now that I'm finally seeing you in person...well let's just say I'm not very calm at all."

Zoë couldn't help but smile at his nervousness. She wondered if this was how her father had felt when he first met her mother."I can imagine it wasn't easy for you to leave Highever for our wedding." She offered him a sympathetic smile.

"It was hard to leave Highever, yes, but your father's matchmaker spoke highly of you, and rightfully so too, I might add." Zoë looked away to hide her blush when Nelaros kissed her hand like a true gentleman. Alright, maybe getting married wasn't all that bad, after all. Besides, it's wasn't like her arranged spouse was anything like that fat drunkard that shrew Elva had gotten matched up with. Nelaros seemed to be a genuinely kind, respectful, and decent young man, not to mention handsome.

"Nelaros?"

"Yes?"

"Try not to be such a flatterer around me and I'm absolutely sure that we'll get along just fine."

He smiled slowly."I'll work on that."

"Good." She smiled back, already starting to like the idea of marriage, after all.

Please remember to review, leave constructive criticism, but no flames!

Elven Translations:

Shem/Shemlen - Humans

Mamae - Mother

Next up: Chapter 10:Til Death Do Us Part