The City Elf Origin – Part 1

He had been back-handed three times now. Faren's cheeks stung, but he ignored the blossoming pain and forced a sweet smile upon his face. Lord Vaughan snorted, but stroked his aching cheek with the pad of his thumb. It was surprisingly gentle. Faren fought off the urge to climb off his lap. The bastard probably wasn't done yet.

"I wonder if your bride will like you all roughed up," Vaughan murmured, studying his pink cheeks. "It's not my favourite sight, but by the Maker do you annoy me sometimes."

"I'm sorry, Lord Vaughan-"

Faren moved with the slap, allowing it to brush against his cheek once more. A wave of pleasure from between his legs made him almost waver, and Faren barely held back a groan.

Fuck, moving when he was still on Vaughan's lap was not a good idea.

"I told you. In bed I prefer 'Master'."

Faren smiled coyly. "But we're not in bed."

Vaughan punched his stomach and tossed Faren aside. The blow barely knocked the breath out of him, but Faren pretended to gasp anyway. It always pleased Vaughan after all. He liked to be the 'tough guy'. Vaughan remained seated, scowling at the wall as he refastened his trousers.

Faren despised Vaughan with every ounce of his being, and loved him all the same. Vaughan probably felt the exact same way about him too. Vaughan who knelt down, pulling him into soft, sweet kisses. Vaughan's hand twisted into the strands of his hair, and Faren grimaced when the bastard tugged harshly at them. Yet the kisses remained soft.

Faren had learned to love money the day his mother died. It was why he put up with all this. His father hadn't been capable of working, lost in mourning, so Faren had taken over.

At first he had just been an errand boy in Arl Urien's household, but then he got noticed, unfortunately by the Arl's son, Vaughan. At twelve years old Faren had looked like a girl. He had long brown hair, and big pretty green eyes. Vaughan had marvelled at how soft he was, how delicate his skin was.

And he had been the first person Faren had ever laid with. Unwillingly. He had been dragged into Vaughan's bed by his guards, kicking and screaming at fourteen years old and had somehow lived through the night. Then the night after that, and the next, and the next.

At seventeen, nothing had changed. Except for the fact that Faren was due to be married tomorrow. Arl Urien had given him time off for this entire week, but Vaughan had his guards drag Faren back on day one. Arl Urien wasn't around to tell Vaughan off anyway, not that he'd bother. He never did.

"I still can't believe how beautiful you are," Vaughan murmured, kissing his neck softly. "By the Maker, if you had been born a woman you would have been memorising."

Faren thanked the Maker everyday that he wasn't a woman. Putting up with Vaughan's shit was hard enough without having to worry about getting pregnant.

"You would have to worry about children," Faren said, shifting against Vaughan when he began to bite and suck on his neck. "I can't stay-"

Vaughan huffed. "I beg to differ. Your whore bride can wait-"

Faren scowled. "You haven't even met her!"

Vaughan laughed. "That's all you elves are good for, sweet. Warming our cocks-"

Faren slapped his hands away. Vaughan growled, shoving him on to his back, climbing back on top of him. Faren kicked out, earning a hiss.

"Little shit-" Vaughan slapped him. "This is why I have to hit you!"

"Sorry," Faren mocked, keeping his voice light and full of honey. "It must be difficult, having to hit someone yourself. I'm surprised you didn't get your guards in here to help you."

Vaughan snarled. "Guard-Captain!"

At last, someone Faren could actually hit back properly without getting his hands cut off. He may not be able to hit the precious Lord, but the Guard-Captain? He'd give the bastard a good bruising.

.::.

"What happened this time?" Kylon sighed.

Faren had ran into Kylon, or limped, because everything was sore in that tender, aching way after a rough night of sex. Kylon looked almost done, like he wanted to go and hit something, and the thought soothed Faren. That a guard actually cared to do their duty rather than bow before their superiors.

It was a noble, yet naive thing to do.

Faren threw him a cheery grin. "I broke out of the Arl of Denerim's jail again."

Vaughan had him locked down in his private prison, chained to the ceiling. Faren had bitten and clawed the Guard-Captain, who had given him a few rough smacks in return. Vaughan had just kept yelling, frustrated and angry. It had taken hours for Vaughan to be done with him after Faren had been chained up, but as soon as he had Faren unlocked his shackles and sneaked out.

He had pilfered more of the bastard's shit on the way out. Not anything noticeable. He didn't want to risk anyone innocent being accused of being a thief. Faren had been robbing Vaughan for years. Probably the biggest bonus he got out of working for the Arl of Denerim. Not that Faren really kept the treasures. He sold them off to his friends in the Thieves' Guild and spent the coin on the orphanage to help out the children there. They were well fed and decently clothed thanks to his efforts. Faren and his bleeding heart. The idea almost made him snort.

Kylon sighed. "Get inside."

Faren snorted. "Are you about to arrest me?"

"No, but I will treat your wounds and let you have a bath," Kylon said. "Now move."

"Sir, yes, sir." Faren saluted, marching into the guards station (well he tried to, limping made it difficult). Kylon smacked his head on the way past.

He decided to serenade to Kylon to pass the time as he got himself cleaned up. He could feel the guard's irritation from the bathing room, and it was glorious. Kylon had been after him, Daveth and the Thieves' Guild for years now. Or at least felt like years. Faren had been apart of the Guild since he was a toddler, learning from his mum's arms the tricks and trades of a true thief. She was the Guild Leader's 'Dark Wolf', the best thief in Ferelden, perhaps even in the world. The Guild Leader was 'The Ghost'. Otherwise he was completely unknown.

Faren had taken over his mother's title, and nobody noticed the difference.

All they saw was pointy ears.

"Faren, you have a pretty voice, but please, for the love of the Maker, stop singing." Kylon groaned, a despairing sound that made Faren cackle.

Faren quickly dried himself off once he climbed out the bath, slipping his rags back on. He walked back into the main room, where Kylon raised a brow from his seat.

"How many weapons are you carrying?"

"None that you'll find," Faren teased.

"Why can't you just stay out of trouble? Get a good job, away from Vaughan-"

"Careful," Faren warned. "You never know who is listening."

"He treats people horridly." Kylon scowled. "And I can't stop it yet. I'm not high enough in the ranks yet-"

Faren snorted. "If you tried to stop him you'd be demoted instantly, or fired. Or murdered in some mysterious circumstance that nobody would question. It's why I can't leave. He's obsessed with me. Had me in his bed the moment Arl Urien left for Ostagar."

Kylon shook his head. "And the King and Queen let this happen-"

"Nobles," Faren reminded him. "Why would they try to help the little people?"

"It's an embarrassment to Ferelden's honour," Kylon growled.

"Yeah, well, what can you do about it?" Faren shrugged, heading for the doorway. "Anyway, I've got a wedding tomorrow morning, or this morning? I know it's a late morning start, but still. I'm tired and sore and want to get some sleep-"

"Faren."

Faren stopped, glancing back. "Yeah?"

Kylon looked amused, and pointed at him. "You've got my cloak."

Faren blinked, and saw that he was indeed, buckling on Kylon's cloak. Kylon threw his head back and laughed, a full hearty laugh while Faren flushed.

He hadn't even realised he grabbed the damn thing.

"I still can't believe you accidentally steal off of people! And here I even see it with my own eyes," Kylon chortled.

Faren huffed. "Well, I'm taking your cloak now."

He turned on his heel and left, ignoring Kylon's protest. It was an embarrassing thing. Faren had twitchy fingers that snatched things without even Faren's own knowledge at times. He always ended up finding things he hadn't realised he'd stolen on him.

Downside to being raised by a thief, he supposed. But his mum and her thieves were still amazing in his book despite that.

"You look rough, kid."

Faren startled. He whirled round, spotting a very familiar face stepping out of the shadows of the alley. Faren grinned.

"Hello, Uncle Kerth."

Uncle Kerth was leaning against the wall, hidden by the shadows of the night sky, smoking on some kind of fancy pipe. Faren neatly hung Kylon's cloak up on a wooden pillar and followed his uncle into the darkness. He heard Kylon's distant cry of 'little shit' and laughed.

"Come work at the Raven's Wing. You're good with people, and the tavern staff like you. You'd be welcome there." Uncle Kerth glanced down at him, smoke gently blowing into the sky as he exhaled. "I'll deal with Vaughan."

"And that would get my family and the Thieves' Guild all in trouble," Faren replied, frowning. "I'm handling this well enough."

He didn't manage to avoid Uncle Kerth snatching up his hand, dragging it up. Faren tried to push up his sleeve, but it was too late. It dropped down.

The thick bruising from the shackles made Faren grimace.

"How many times has he bound you?" Uncle Kerth growled lowly.

Faren shrugged lightly. "It gets me plenty of exercise with my lock picks."

"You're killing me here, Faren. You're my nephew, maybe not by blood, but that has never mattered to me. What matters is that I am here, that I can protect you. I can take your family into my protection-"

"And endanger the Raven's Wing and the Thieves' Guild-"

"We can look after ourselves," Uncle Kerth scoffed. "Why do you never accept anyone's help?"

Faren sighed. "I'm fighting this my own way-"

"Stealing off of Vaughan is hardly 'fighting'. No, to people like him, that's barely more annoying than a fly buzzing in your ear," Uncle Kerth growled lowly. "You want to know how to make bastards like him suffer? You tear them to pieces and let them rot. Just as they deserve."

Faren tugged his wrist free. "That's not the point-"

"Do you think your dad will like this?" Uncle Kerth scowled. "I could tell him-"

"And I'd never forgive you. All he knows is that I get into trouble and smacked. That's it," Faren growled. "He doesn't need to know anymore than that."

He didn't want his dad to worry about him.

Uncle Kerth grabbed his jaw, forcing their eyes to met. "You ain't a parent, Faren. You don't have any idea what Cyrion must think when you come home like this, beaten and bruised. And he doesn't even know about the rape-"

Faren twitched.

Uncle Kerth frowned. "You really hate that word, don't you?"

"It doesn't matter." Faren nudged his uncle's hand away. "Can I go home now?"

"Work as a bartender in the Raven's Wing."

"No."

Uncle Kerth's eyes darkened. "I'm getting fed up of this, Faren. First you tried to lie to me, you tried to tell me he never touched you. You were fifteen and you sought to protect the monster torturing you because you hate to rely on people. At seventeen you still do the very same thing-"

"I'd never say anything sweet about him-" Faren scowled.

"No, you wouldn't," Uncle Kerth agreed. "If you did he wouldn't be alive. We may not be assassins like those damned birds, but I would slit his throat and drag you out of Denerim if you had been lured in by that waste of space. No, what you do is worse, you don't want people to help you because you think you'd burden us. It's bloody frustrating."

"Look, I'm fine. I'll be married tomorrow and go back to work-"

"What is your pretty wife going to say when you come home limping?"

"I'm not going to come home limping. I got a bath-"

"Kylon isn't going to be on shift every night."

"And neither am I."

"Yet you're not even married yet and the little bastard has turned into a jealous bitch," Uncle Kerth growled. "What do you think he'd do when you're married and settling into an adult's life? If you ever got your woman pregnant? He'd burn down the entire Alienage after he dragged you out, kicking and screaming."

Faren grimaced. "I'll sort this out."

"By his fucking Maker's ass, this would be easier if this was just an act of pride. But you don't want people to help you because you don't want to be a burden, and I'm having a horrible time getting it round your head that you'd never be a burden."

Faren frowned. The last person who had protected him was his mum, and she had died to do it. Faren had been small, and looked like a girl as a child, and knew to avoid certain guards because of it. But unfortunately one day he hadn't managed to, his mum had somehow known, and burst into the middle of the guards beating Faren down, tearing at his clothes. She had taken down three of the four men, but the fourth had managed to alert the guards by screaming for help.

Mum had cut his throat open and told Faren to run and not look back.

Faren hadn't wanted to, but Uncle Kerth had leapt in out of nowhere and grabbed him, hauling him away. Members of the thieves guild began swarming the streets, and Faren would never forget the screams in the town market that day.

It had been a bloodbath. Faren had overheard the results from Vaughan himself, who had been gossiping fiercely about it with his friends the very next day. The guards vs the thieves' guild. The thieves' guild had only just won, and that was because Uncle Kerth's wife, Alyndra Surana, had walked out. She had been blind for as long as Faren could remember, but full of so much magical energy. Apparently she had flicked a hand, and everyone had dropped, even the dwarven merchants in the town square. Only the thieves had remained standing.

But sadly, Adaia Tabris had not been one of the ones left standing. She had died upon the Commander of the Guard's sword. He had been found the next day hanging in the town square, right in front of the Chantry doors, body bloody and broken.

His mother had made friends with many people, and none of them were the forgiving sort.

Uncle Kerth sighed, drawing Faren out of his thoughts.

"Adaia wouldn't want this."

Faren frowned. "When Aunt Alyndra had brought her body back to the Alienage, it broke my heart, and it nearly destroyed my dad. If she hadn't died-"

"It would have been you instead, but you would have suffered a fate worse than death before that. That would have destroyed Adaia and Cyrion completely. They would never have recovered," Uncle Kerth said softly, grabbing his head, and pressing a kiss to his brow. "You can't fight forever on your own. We're meant to stick together, both as elves and as members of the thieves guild. So stop shutting us out."

Faren sighed. "I'll think upon it."

Uncle Kerth snorted. "No you won't."

Faren grimaced. He was right. Faren wouldn't. But it was worth a try.

.::.

Uncle Kerth had barely allowed him to go, but Faren managed to convince him. Now he was going through his usual routine. It was mid morning now, and people were out to sell their wares.

Faren bought some flowers as usual off the little girl trying to sell them to help her mother feed her family. He then went and bought some old bread and fruit leftover from a few days back too, then headed for the Alienage. He whistled cheerily as he avoided the bustle of folk setting up for the wedding. The happy cheers and laughter made him soften, but only by a little bit.

He needed to do something about Vaughan and his future wife.

Faren would need to hide his unfortunate relationship with Vaughan so she didn't suffer. This was her new start and he wanted her to have a nice time.

Unless she was an absolute horror. But Faren trusted his dad to find someone nice. If she was a bitch, well, he had dealt with Vaughan for years. She'd have to wait her turn. Only one person was allowed to fuck up his life at a time, thank you very much.

Faren bought some fruit and bread before heading home. He climbed up the broken steps and slipped through the door, nudging up one of the wooden panels to cover a gap in the door. He would have to remember to fix that later, he didn't want the cold to start seeping in and hurting his dad's bones after all.

He sat the bread and fruit on the table before going over to the old sketch one of his mum's friends made on the side table. He sat the flowers in the pot, taking care to swap out the day old ones. He would twist them into some flower crowns later for the kids.

Faren didn't like the flowers going to waste after all, but he was also determined to bring his mum fresh flowers everyday. It was to a drawing of her but it felt good to do it.

"Faren?" Dad hurried through, frowning. "You're running late! What kept you?"

"Worked at the bar after my shift serving Vaughan," Faren lied.

Dad grimaced. "Your mum's friends aren't exactly the best people to work with, Faren. You need to be careful. I know your mum took you to see them often but-"

Faren softened, approaching his dad so he could give him a hug. His dad melted into his arms, gripping him back tightly.

"There's no need to be worried," Faren soothed. "I'm fine."

Better for him to be fine than not.

"You've always been a strong boy, Faren." Dad tightened his grip. "By the Maker, you ended up picking up after me when your mum died..." He pulled away, taking him in. "She would have been so proud of you. I know I am."

Faren kissed his forehead before pulling away. "Thanks, Dad."

Dad wiped his eyes, and Faren pretended he didn't see how they had been watering a moment ago. "Now." Dad sniffled. "You better go get ready.

"Yes sir, boss!" Faren winked.

The wedding clothes laid neatly on his bed were nice. Nothing compared to what a human would wear, but Faren appreciated how much his dad wanted to make him presentable for his future wife.

"I put some fruit on the table!" He called out, hoping to distract his dad. Once he heard his dad walk away with a 'thank you' he began to take his shirt off, wincing with every shift.

Everything ached. Bruises and cuts littered his skin so he quickly shrugged on his wedding clothes. His bruises burned from the hurried movement, but he ignored the pain. Faren smoothed out his face, ridding himself of any signs of pain as his dad's footsteps drew closer again. He could hear the crunch of an apple being bitten into and smiled.

He could give his dad this, and the thought warmed Faren's heart.

Faren quickly began fastening his boots just as his dad walked back over. His dad softened instantly, eyes filled with a warm pride that tugged at Faren's heart strings.

"You look so handsome, Faren." Dad smiled shakily. "By the Maker, your mum would have been so happy."

Faren softened. "Thanks, Dad."

But he trailed the scars upon his cheek and lower lip and grimaced. Vaughan always ordered him to cover the scars with make-up, not wanting a 'hideous thing' in his bed. It made Faren rather tempted to leave them out in the open, but he didn't. Having scars as an elf got him more looks from humans and dwarves. They knew he was a troublemaker.

Only troublemaking elves wore scars after all. Elves weren't warriors or guards after all.

The thought almost made Faren chuckle darkly.

Faren got out his make-up set, the one Vaughan had ordered one of the serving girls to hand over, and began to 'make himself pretty'. He could see Dad's frown from the mirror, but only threw a reassuring smile his way.

"I wish you didn't hide your face, son."

"And traumatise the poor lady?" Faren forced out the joke.

He slipped the braces on his wrists the moment his father looked away. It hid the nasty bruises on his wrists even though they screamed in pain when Faren tightened the braces. They burned, but Faren gritted his teeth and bore it.

He was lucky. They weren't broken, so there was no need for him to whine over some bruises.

"I wish you stopped working for that horrible boy," Dad murmured, gazing at where Faren's scars where hidden. "He always hurts you."

"I'm fine, Dad. I told you ages ago, the wounds are due to some disciplinary actions from the head server. It happens to everyone," Faren sighed.

Apart of him yelled 'liar', but he batted it away.

Better to be fine than not. When he wasn't fine people died.

"You look tired too."

"These three days have been very busy, especially at the estate due to Arl Urien's trip to Ostagar," Faren lied, again.

He lied often for his family's sake. It kept them safe and happy so he didn't feel guilty over it. Or at least that's how Faren wished it was.

But he needed to be fine.

"You think she will like me?" Faren asked lightly. He didn't really know any women outside of the staff back at the estate and his fellow elves within the Alienage.

"Of course, Faren. You're a handsome young man. You've a good heart and you're hard-working too." Dad smiled warmly, eyes wistful. "Oh how I wish your mother could be here."

"I wish mum was here too." Faren squeezed his dad's shoulder gently.

"My boy all grown up and getting married." Dad chuckled sadly. "I wish I could have protected you more."

Faren shook his head. "You did great, Dad. I love you."

"I love you too." Dad smiled, but it softened down into a frown, and he grimaced. "Now, you just make sure you don't tell that girl of yours anything about that training your mum taught you right? We don't want to seem like troublemakers here."

"I've never even had to use that training." Faren dismissed easily, earning a raised eyebrow in return.

"And those extra things from the estate you've been selling are from 'nothing' then?"

Faren's lips flickered into a grin. Dad sighed, shaking his head.

"You're too clever for your own good."

Faren chuckled. "Clever? Nah, I'm just your simple, everyday elf."

"Faren!" An alarmed voice called out.

His dad frowned. "I hope nothing has gone wrong with the set up."

No. That was a frightened voice. Faren plastered a smile upon his face nevertheless, patting his dad's shoulder. "I'll handle it, Dad. You should sit down and eat for a bit."

Faren grabbed an old pear and tossed it his dad's way. Dad caught it easily, used to things being thrown around the house. Faren grabbed his own and took a bite, heading for the door.

"You better come back and eat soon too." Dad scowled.

Faren grinned. "And fill myself up before the wedding cake? For shame, Dad!"

The idea made him snort. Wedding cake. How cute. Unless he was lucky and somebody baked one for him, they could never afford something like that.

Faren's heart skipped a beat. He shut the front door casually, not wanting to alert his dad, and made sure to even stroll down the steps as he normally did. Faren's heart was hammering in his chest as he approached the gathering group. The bridesmaids were being tormented by Vaughan and his friends, Jonaley and Braden.

Faren quickened his pace when he saw Vaughan yank Nora back, the youngest of the lot. Vaughan grinned the moment Nora squealed in terror.

"Stop! Let go of me. Please!" Nora cried.

Vaughan let her go, but it wouldn't be for long. Oh no, he was going to 'savour the hunt'. Nora rushed to hide behind Soris, Soris who was as pale as a ghost.

"It's a party though isn't it? Grab a whore and have a good time!" Faren scowled as Vaughan chuckled darkly. "Savour the hunt boys. Take this little elven wench here..." He was gesturing to Shianni whose eyes were blazing with rage. She didn't understand though. He would kill her. He had killed girls before after he was finished with them and had them tossed into the sewage.

"So young and vulnerable," Vaughan purred while Jonaley and Braden looked over her lustfully. They were all drunk, they had all had too much to drink.

Maker be damned. This was going to suck.

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

"Please, my Lord!" Faren couldn't see who had cried out but Vaughan's expression darkened as he stormed over. "We-We're celebrating weddings here!"

"Silence, worm!" he snarled, batting the man across the face.

"Lord Vaughan!" Faren greeted with false cheer. "Fancy meeting you in the Alienage, my Lord."

Vaughan glanced back at him, and smiled. It was a sly smile, and almost sent shivers crawling down Faren's spine. Fuck. This was just a bloody lure to get a reaction.

Damn attention seeker.

"Ain't that your personal servant, Vaughan?" Lord Jonaley asked, confused.

Vaughan ignored him though and approached. "Ah, Faren. Here to welcome me to your wedding personally? Your fellow groom tried to greet me earlier but he seemed to be a bit scared."

Vaughan's arm slid round his shoulders, shaking him playfully. "So, which one of these beauties is to be your wife?"

Faren raised an eyebrow. "I haven't met her yet."

"Still?" Vaughan huffed. "Well at least most elven girls look beautiful so hopefully my personal servant has gotten someone nice to play with."

Faren fought the urge to squirm when Vaughan said 'play'.

"Speaking of which," Vaughan murmured quietly to him. "How did you get out of the dungeon? I swore I had tired you out after our night together."

Faren smiled sweetly. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"You're being frustrating." Vaughan scowled, but pulled away, shaking his head as he laughed. "You must be ready to have some fun tonight then, eh Faren? Why not share some of that fun?"

"Heh, we're here for a good time with the ladies after all." Braden smirked, eyeing Nora again who whimpered, trying to hide behind Soris even more. "You would think a good servant would share."

Faren snorted. "Forgive me, my Lord, but didn't you say most elves were 'filthy rats'?"

Vaughan grinned. "I've happened to learn from that mistake. These innocent flowers were hiding right beneath my nose-"

"And you don't know someone more experienced?" Faren gasped mockingly. "I didn't know you felt patient enough to teach someone how to please you, Lord Vaughan."

"Shall I smack some manners into your servant, Lord Vaughan?" Braden offered, raising a hand threateningly.

Please, Faren could break that arm in less than ten seconds if he wanted to. Which sure, he did, but probably not a good idea to act out on the urge.

"If I want him hit I'd order it." Vaughan snatched Faren's arm, yanking him closer. "My servant is for my purposes only. He does as I please, I have trained him as such. Do you dislike the way I've trained him-"

Faren tensed. Possessive Vaughan was a nasty Vaughan. Jonaley knew that, so did Braden, but Braden was an idiot-

Glass shattered and the next thing Faren knew was that Vaughan was flopping to the ground, hitting it hard. There was a stunned silence as they stared at Shianni. Shianni had a wild look in her eyes, and she was breathing heavily, her arm that held the smashed bottle shaking hard. Faren quickly took it off her, but her murderous gaze remained locked on Vaughan.

"Are you insane?" Braden screamed at Shianni, pale as a ghost. "This is the Arl of Denerim's son!"

Shianni had completely fucked up.

Faren gritted his teeth but forced his face to smooth out into an unwavering smile. "It seems that things have slightly got out of hand-"

"You've got a lot of nerve, knife-ears!" Lord Jonaley barked as he stormed over, looming over him. Faren had to fight off the urge to grab his dagger, the one hidden in his brace. "I'll be surprised if he doesn't beat you within an inch of your life. This will go badly for you, elf!"

"Well that seems unfair. He started it." An unfamiliar voice spoke up. They all turned as one to meet the eyes of a blonde human girl wearing a Grey Warden uniform. She grinned brightly at them. "I think all three of you deserve a bottle over the head in fact."

"Yes, but unfortunately life isn't fair." The brunette standing at the blonde's side offered, her face buried in a book.

"Shemlens." A redhead scoffed, Dalish markings covering her tanned face, much to his amazement.

There was a Dalish elf in the Alienage of all places. This day was turning out to be eventful, that was for sure.

"Grey Wardens!" Lord Jonaley scowled. "You should be seeking justice for us-"

"For you shemlens? Don't make me laugh!" the redhead spat. "Leave before I slit all your throats and offer you up as a sacrifice to the great deer beast!"

Jonaley and Braden were quick to gather up Lord Vaughan and drag him off, faces full of panic, while the brunette snorted. The blonde burst out laughing, the joyful laugh echoing.

"Epona, is that something your people actually tend to do or are you simply messing with us again?" the woman asked, sounding vaguely amused.

"She's messing with us." The blonde beamed. "She just made that up on the spot."

"It worked did it not?" Epona snorted. "Besides, more them the fools who believe such a thing."

"Fair enough." The brunette glanced over all of them though her green eyes lingered on him. "None of you are hurt are you?"

"We're alright. Thank you, my Lady." Faren bowed his head.

"You're Grey Wardens?" Shianni asked, she was beaming, her eyes wide and bright.

The blonde nodded. "Sure are! Well Epona's a recruit right now, but Ciara and I both are. I'm Lawrien Amell, what are your names?"

"Shianni, and these are my cousins." She gestured to both Faren and Soris.

"Faren Tabris," Faren greeted.

"I'm Soris."

"I'm Ciara Trevelyan and this is Epona Mahariel."

Epona scowled, brown eyes glaring. "I can introduce myself, shemlen."

Ciara only smiled sweetly. "I'm so glad you're letting me know I'm human. It can be so difficult to tell sometimes."

"I'm going to kill you and burn your corpse." Epona scowled, crossing her arms but her voice surprisingly lacked any heat.

"Ah thank you, I did want to have my ashes scattered after all," Ciara cheerfully replied.

Faren only stared, bewildered at the pair while Lawrien only laughed harder. "You guys are funny!"

"We try."

Epona snarled. "No we don't! I don't know why you're laughing all the time, we're in a serious situation here."

"Oh yeah! Duncan's missing!" Lawrien clicked her fingers.

"No you ran off again and we got lost chasing after you!"

"I can't believe you both got lost," Lawrien chided, voice filled with disappointment.

"It's your fault!" Epona screeched. "By Mythal why do I have to put up with this? My daughter is better behaved than you."

Faren only watched as the pair began to wander off, Ciara only offering a small wave as she followed after the two.

"I didn't think Grey Wardens were ever going to be so lively," Soris commented, staring wide eyed at their backs.

"Yeah me neither," Faren agreed, amused as the three disappeared into the crowd still preparing for the celebrations. "Shianni, are you okay?"

"I'm more confused than shocked right now but I'll be alright," Shianni sighed, running a hand through her hair. "That was your Lord?"

"Yes." Faren nodded. "But we'll discuss him later. I'll probably be dealing with whatever happened tomorrow-"

Soris tensed. "You can't seriously be considering going back still! You've been away working for days!"

"It's a busy job," Faren insisted. "Now Shianni, go get cleaned up please. Dad will get stressed out if he sees you looking so upset."

Shianni groaned, massaging her forehead. "I really messed up didn't I? I just couldn't stand the thought of that jackass treating you like that."

"I doubt he'll tell anyone a elven woman took him down," Soris reassured her. "Right, Faren?"

"I'm not sure. He won't let it go but he's also very prideful," Faren admitted. "I'm sure we'll be fine. I'll handle this tomorrow when I go back in, try and settle things back down."

"Okay... Right I'll go get cleaned up..." Shianni sighed, heading off quietly.

Faren hoped everything would be alright. But it was highly debatable.