Chapter Text
SHE HAD ALWAYS BEEN TEMPTED BY ADVENTURE. It called out to her, hands outreached and waiting. It was incessant, and the call had become as familiar to her as the beating of her own heart. She often laid awake at night, contemplating throwing as many of her belongings into her sack as she could and running to find the Dalish. When she woke from those dreams, she could never bring herself to do so. Her mind always went to her father. If she were to leave, then what would he do? He may have had Shianni and Soris, but Dinaya was his little girl. His last and only reminder of her mother.
So when the mornings came, and the adventure continued to call to her, she ignored it. She would dress, would greet her father and Shianni, and go about her day. Whatever menial task a Denerim noble wished of her that day would get done, she’d get her coin, and she’d return home. It was the same endless, repetitive cycle that always made her want to scream in frustration. There was much more to see outside of the Alienage, outside of Denerim, and yet her duties to her family kept her from seeing the wonders she knew Ferelden had to offer.
Perhaps that was simply the way things were meant to be. Maybe she was never destined for greatness. If it was the Maker’s will that she live out the rest of her days in the Alienage, getting married, having children, then so be it. For now, she’d relish the adventure she so deeply craved in her dreams.
Soft hands nudge Dinaya Tabris awake, and she responds to it with a groan.
“Wake up, Naya,” Dinaya’s cousin, Shianni, urges. There is a slight slur to her words, as if she’d been drinking. “Why are you still in bed? It’s your big day?”
Dinaya only rolls over in response, pulling the scratchy blanket further over her head as if it would somehow block out Shianni’s voice. She doubted it would, but sleep called her, and its voice was much more welcome than Shianni’s.
“Just a little longer,” Dinaya groans, hoping that Shianni would get the hint and leave her alone. Her plea is only met with nimble hands pulling the blanket off of her.
“Come on.” Shianni urges, holding the blanket behind her and out of Dinaya’s reach. “Don’t make me use cold water again.”
Dinaya is half-tempted to call Shianni on her bluff. Still, she finally sits up and peers at Shianni with sleep-addled eyes expectantly.
Noting Dinaya’s silence, Shianni’s expression morphs into slight disbelief. “You do remember what today is, don’t you?”
Having been reminded by not just her family, but the entire Alienage, it was hard to forget today’s date. Her cousin, Soris, was to be married today. When her groom arrived in a few days time, she too would be wed. A fact she disliked severely, but she couldn’t find it in herself to crush her father’s hopes. Especially since she knew how badly he wanted grandchildren of his own to cherish and spoil, to the best of his abilities.
“Someone’s wedding?” Dinaya questioned, a slight smirk teasing her lips. She always liked to get a rise out of Shianni.
“A double wedding!” Shianni exclaimed, her smile impossibly bright for how early it was. Dinaya wouldn’t be surprised if her cousin didn’t end up going to sleep after all. Still, the emphasis on ‘double’ made a line form between Dinaya’s brows. Noting the confusion, the younger Tabris continued. “You’re getting married, and so is Soris! That’s what I came to tell you. Your groom, Nelaros…he’s here early!”
Dinaya tried not to let her disappointment show, though she couldn’t help but voice her distaste to Shianni for the whole thing. She’d never say it aloud to her father, but Shianni was Dinaya’s closest confidant. “I don’t much like the idea of an arranged marriage.”
Shianni’s smile grew smaller, though it did not falter. “And who else are you going to marry? Besides, I already snuck a peek- he’s handsome.” While Dinaya was sure it was meant to make her feel better, that at least she wouldn’t be stuck with an ugly husband for the rest of her life, it did not ease the uneasy pit in her stomach. “There’s going to be music, dancing, feasting…weddings are so much fun! You’re so lucky.”
Dinaya certainly didn’t feel lucky, and her growing annoyance with her cousin seeped into her next words, “Maybe you should be the one getting married.”
Shianni waved Dinaya off. “All in good time, Naya. This is your day, not mine!” There was a beat of silence, before Shianni continued. “All right, I’ll stop tormenting you. I should go talk to the other bridesmaids and find my dress.”
Shianni turned to leave, hand on the curtain that separated her and Dinaya’s room from the rest of the house. “Oh, Soris said that he’ll be waiting for you outside. So move it!”
With that, Shianni disappeared through the curtain so Dinaya could get ready. When she finally stood, her limbs felt impossibly heavy. She all but dragged herself to the dilapidated wardrobe, and pulled it open. The doors squeaked loudly on its hinges, and Dinaya cringed at the sound. From within, white silk stood out against the other dull cotton dresses, and Dinaya took the sleeves of the wedding dress between her fingers. It was soft, unlike anything she had ever felt before. Guilt ate away at her, knowing how many of his wages her father sacrificed not just for her dowry, but her dress as well.
She pulled the dress from its home in the wardrobe, and laid it delicately across her bed. She made quick work of her nightgown, and pulled the dress over her body. It fell past her feet, pooling at the ground. The sleeves came off her shoulders and fell way past her wrists, a slit at the elbows for her arms. There was a slight on the right side of her gown. She admired it in the mirror resting against the wall, and she moved her body, watching as the fabric swayed with her.
She certainly looked the bride, even if she didn’t feel it. She slid her feet into the shoes, all lace except for the sole and heel. She tied the ribbon of them around her ankles, securing them. Her eyes caught sight of the woven diadem resting on her nightstand. She was, by no means royalty, but it was common practice in the Alienage for brides to wear woven diadems on their wedding days. The poorer elves were made simply of wildflowers and vines, though it looked like hers was made of small, blooming roses. They were spread across the wooden diadem in pink and white.
She placed the diadem atop her hair after brushing and styling it, simply gathering hair from the front of her face and twisting it away before securing it at the back of her head with a pin. Her hands smoothed out the nonexistent wrinkles at the front of the dress, green eyes scanning every inch of her body in the mirror. She may not have wanted to marry today, but she would not take this opportunity away from her father. He, more than anything, wanted to see his daughter marry. After everything he’s sacrificed for her, especially after the death of her mother, it was the least Dinaya could do.
Satisfied with her appearance, Dinaya pulled the curtain aside. Her father sat at the kitchen table, bringing a mug of coffee to his lips. He read a book in one hand, eyes following the words on the worn pages.
“Father?” Dinaya drew her father’s attention away from his book. Unsure of what to do with her hands, she clasped them together in front of her stomach.
Cyrion stood upon sight of his daughter, and his wet eyes did not go unnoticed by Dinaya.
“Ah, my little girl,” he said, bringing Dinaya into an embrace. He held her impossibly tight, and Dinaya allowed herself to sink into his hold. She was a child again, finding comfort in her father’s arms.
“It’s the last day I’ll be able to call you that,” Cyrion spoke again as he pulled away, and Dinaya reached up to wipe away his tears. “Oh, I wish your mother could have been here.”
There was a sharp twang in Dinaya’s heart at the mention of her mother. Her father rarely spoke of her, and her memories of Adaia were few. She had been young when her mother died.
“Me too, Father,” Dinaya said, bringing her hands back in front of her stomach. Her father placed a kiss upon her forehead, and Dinaya smiled.
“All right, time for you to go find Soris. The sooner this wedding starts, the less chance you have to escape.”
A smile played on Dinaya's lips. “A small chance is still a chance.”
Cyrion chuckled, shaking his head. “Still have your mother’s smart mouth I see.” There was a beat of silence, and then Cyrion added more seriously, “Your martial training…the swordplay, knives, and whatever else your mother trained you in. Best not to mention it to your betrothed.”
“I take it you didn’t say anything?” Dinaya questioned, though she already knew the answer.
“Well, it’s not exactly something that would have made it easy to find a match for you. We don’t want to seem like troublemakers, after all. Adaia made that mistake.”
Dinaya hummed softly. “Mother was a clever rogue, wasn’t she?”
Cyrion nodded, and his eyes got the same sad, faraway look they always did when he thought of Adaia. “Yes, she was.”
“I love you, Father,” Dinaya said softly. Cyrion’s gaze returned to hers, and he smiled at his daughter.
“I love you too, my dear. Go on now. I still have some things to do, and Soris is no doubt waiting for you.”
Dinaya nodded, placing a kiss on her father’s cheek before gathering the front of her dress in her hands and stepping outside the house. Many of the elves had already began celebrating, it seemed, as three drunken elves were gathered not too far from Dinaya.
Upon sighting the bride, one of the elves called out. “Well, hello. Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?”
Dinaya smiled, approaching the three men. “Glad to see you’re celebrating.”
“It’s a wedding, isn’t it?” the second elf said, and Dinaya nodded with a giggle. The first elf cheered, and stumbled. Dinaya took that as her cue to leave, heading further into the alienage in search of her cousin.
There were a few elves gathered underneath the Vhenadahl, conversing or enjoying their day off from labor. What piqued her curiosity, however, was her friend Nessa and her family loading their few belongings into a small cart.
“Many blessings, young one,” Nessa’s father greeted as Dinaya approached the family. “We hoped to stay for the celebration, but we must be off.”
Disappointment took hold of Dinaya, and her shoulders slumped. It had been years since a family had to move from the Alienage, much less on such an important day for the community. “What happened?”
“The human who owns our building has decided to sell it for storage space. We can’t afford to live anywhere else, so we’re leaving Denerim.”
Anger bubbled in her chest. This wasn’t the first time someone had to move from the Alienage due to a human selling the building they owned within, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. Still, it was always angering to hear about an innocent family being kicked to the streets because of a human’s selfishness.
The human who owned her building was nice enough. Dinaya had only spoken with her a few times when she was in the city, and she had known Dinaya and her father by name.
“Where will you go?” Dinaya questioned. She knew the idle conversation was drawing out time she didn’t have, but a small part of her thought that if she took long enough, they’d continue the ceremony without her.
“The Ostagar ruins,” Nessa finally spoke, dejectedly. It was obvious she wasn’t fond of the idea of moving. “The army camp there is calling for laborers.”
Dinaya had heard whispers of forces gathering at the old ruins when she made a trip to Denerim’s market district. Whispers of the darkspawn reappearing, of the possibility for another blight. Until now, that’s all she thought they were. Whispers from noblewomen who had nothing better to do than gossip, and of guards who’d rather be doing anything else. Hearing it from Nessa surprised Dinaya, because then they weren’t rumors after all. They truly were gathering forces at Ostagar.
“We wanted to work in Highever-”
“-but that’s just not possible,” Nessa’s father finished for his wife.
Dinaya frowned. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
Nessa’s father mirrored Dinaya. “You’re still a child. You can’t do anything. Enjoy your special day, and put us out of your mind.”
Dinaya tried not to feel indignant at his choice and tone of words. It may have been her wedding day, but he and his family had just been placed out on the streets.
As if noticing Dinaya’s indignation, his wife said, “What my husband means to say is you’re very generous. But we don’t need charity to solve our problems.”
Dinaya willed a reassuring smile, and nodded in understanding. “I understand. Good luck.”
“Many thanks,” Nessa’s father said, “Again, blessings on your day.”
Dinaya gave the elder man a thankful smile, before turning to search for Soris once again. A soft hand on her shoulder stopped her.
“Wait. Can I talk to you?” Nessa questioned, eyes wide and pleading.
A worried frown turned Dinaya’s lips, and her eyebrows knitted together. “Of course.”
“I apologize for my parents. They’re too proud to accept help, much less ask for it. My parents will labor in the army camp, and they’ll expect me to do the same, but…I don’t like the idea of being surrounded by human soldiers who haven’t seen a woman in months.”
Dinaya shuddered at the thought. She knew where Nessa was getting at, and the idea certainly wasn’t pleasing. Especially since human men had a habit of fetishizing the much smaller frame of female elves compared to theirs.
“Maybe you should stay here,” Dinaya offered, although as soon as the words left her lips she realized it made no sense. Nessa had nowhere else to go besides with her parents.
“I would, but my father would have to believe I have a future here.”
Dinaya nodded, and she quickly racked her brain for something. When Dinaya marries, she is to find a home of her own in the Alienage, if there were any available. That would leave her father and Shianni all alone, but it wasn’t Shianni Dinaya was worried about. Shianni would do well on her own, and Dinaya didn’t count her cousin’s capabilities for looking after Cyrion, but she often worried Cyrion when she’d go into the market district and get drunk.
Perhaps if Nessa were able to stay with Cyrion, she could stay. She’d have to talk to her father about the idea, but she knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t let someone from their community go without a home.
“Let me talk to him,” Dinaya said finally, and the relief that washed over Nessa made Dinaya smile.
“Really? All right, if you think it will help.”
Dinaya once again approached Nessa’s father. “Excuse me.”
“Hello again,” he greeted. “Isn’t your wedding soon?”
Dinaya nodded, although she had been trying not to think about how close her wedding continued to grow. “I wanted to talk to you about your daughter.”
“My daughter?” he inquired, confusion etched across his tired features.
“Yes. I think I have a way for her to stay here.”
This, apparently, was not enough for the older man as he quickly dismissed Dinaya, and whatever she had to say. “I do not take advice from children, nor do I plan to split up my family. Now excuse me-”
“-I’m not speaking for myself,” Dinaya said quickly. She was silently pleading with the elder man to hear her out.
“I’m listening.”
“She should stay with my father,” Dinaya said matter-of-factly. “With me getting married soon, he’d need someone else to help him around the house.”
While the Alienage knew of Cyrion raising not just his daughter, but his niece as well, they also knew of Shianni’s alcohol problem and how Dinaya and Cyrion carried most of the housework. Dinaya had wanted to give her cousin a piece of her mind on more than one occasion, but Shianni did pull her weight when she was sober.
“I see,” Nessa’s father said thoughtfully. “He’d shelter and provide for my daughter?”
Dinaya nodded. “He would.”
“I don’t know,” he said, and looked to his wife. “What do you think, love?”
“Well, she’d be among family. When we’ve made enough, we can return.”
“And you, child?”
“Your will, Father,” Nessa said, and Dinaya’s expression feigned cluelessness. Despite Nessa having been the one to ask for Dinaya’s help, she also couldn’t say so outright. Nessa knew Dinaya was persuasive, having the most silver tongue out of everyone in the Alienage.
“That’s my girl,” he said approvingly, before letting out a soft hum in thought. “Very well, first she’ll help us be away, then return to stay with your family. Thank your father for me.”
“Thank you,” Nessa said, the relief on her face and in her voice making Dinaya smile. She nodded.
“Of course.”
With Nessa’s father agreeing to let her stay with Cyrion, Dinaya supposed she should inform her father of his new houseguest. Nessa wouldn’t be returning for a short while, it was quite the journey on foot from Denerim to the Ostagar ruins, so her father would have plenty of time to prepare for Nessa moving in.
Gathering the front of her dress once more so as to not allow it to drag against the ground, she made her way back to her home. Soris could wait a little bit longer, especially with how often he’d take his dear sweet time when it was Dinaya waiting for him.
“Father?” Dinaya called as soon as the door had shut behind her. Her eyes scanned the living and dining area for him, but found no sight of him. He stepped out of his bedroom, fastening the buttons on his dress shirt.
“Don’t you have a wedding to prepare for?” he asked.
Dinaya glanced down at herself, with her white gown and pinned back hair. She was as prepared as she could get, it was simply a matter of making sure everyone else was prepared. Something that fell to her and Soris, apparently, despite them being the ones getting married. She shrugged.
“I told Nessa she could stay with you.”
“Nessa?” Cyrion asked, stepping back into his room. This time, he left the door open so Dinaya could still hear him as he spoke. “I thought her family was leaving for the army camp.”
“She could help you out here,” Dinaya pointed out. When there wasn’t a response, she added, “please, Father.”
“I suppose she can stay.” Cyrion stood in the doorway of his room. “She is family, after all. And, if we don’t stick up for each other, who will? Very well.”
Dinaya smiled, crossing the threshold to place another kiss upon her father’s cheek. She left a print of pink. “Thank you, Father.”
Leaving her home once more, Dinaya had her eyes set on where she saw Soris leaning up against a tree. His back was to her, and her pace began quickening.
“Well, it’s the lovely bride herself. Hello, dear.”
Dinaya willed a smile onto her lips. She turned to face the elder couple sitting outside of their homes, dressed for the ceremony. The ceremony that Dinaya had yet to retrieve her cousin for.
“Now, love. She probably doesn’t remember us,” the husband said. Dinaya glanced over her shoulder to where Soris was still leaning against the tree.
“Oh, of course,” the wife said, and Dinaya turned to them. It would be rude to dismiss them, and she hoped Soris wouldn’t mind waiting a while longer. It appeared everyone wanted to have a conversation with the bride before she wed.
“I’m Dilwyn, this is Geothan,” the elder woman continued, introducing herself and her husband. Dinaya smiled politely at them, but made no move to speak. She hoped that they would get the hint she couldn’t stay long for a chat and let her go. “We were friends of your mother. We haven’t seen much of you since she…well…”
Dilwyn trailed off, unable to bring herself to speak the four letter word allowed. However, her comment piqued Dinaya’s interest, and she asked, “What can you tell me about my mother?”
Dilwyn and her husband frowned, noting how this young woman, clad in white and looking absolutely ethereal, suddenly looked like a young girl with the way she asked about her mother. Everyone in the Alienage knew that the match of Cyrion and Adaia had been of love, one of many the elves were lucky enough to say they had.
“Your father still doesn’t speak of her, does he?” Geroth asked, and Dinaya shook her head.
“Adaia was beautiful, and full of life,” Dilwyn said, and Dinaya’s heart clenched tightly. As an afterthought, she added, “and a bit wild.”
Dinaya laughed lightly, knowing that she was often compared to her mother in that sense. She had inherited not only her mothers beauty, but her wit as well. It made Dinaya a force to be reckoned with, and made them all sorry for any poor sod who’d dare try her. Her wide eyes and innocent enough appearance betrayed the cunning woman, and many of the elves often thought that she’d one day run away to become a bard. Perhaps there was still time yet.
“She wanted you more than anything,” Gethon said, and he smiled at the young Tabris softly. “It’s sad she never got to see you all grown up.”
Dinaya nodded, and she cast her gaze down to the floor. She had wondered what her mother would say, how her embrace would feel. Perhaps her mother wouldn’t have even made her marry at all. Perhaps her mother would let her daughter go out and chase the adventure that only ever teased her in her dreams.
“We just wanted to see you today and express our good wishes,” Dilwyn said, noting the sadness in Dinaya’s disposition. The younger woman met the elders' gaze with a smile.
“Thank you.”
“We’ve saved a bit of money for this day.” Gethon shook some coins out of his pouch and into his hands. He placed them into Dinaya’s. Fifteen silvers, she counted. “We’d like you to have it to help you start your new life.”
“That’s very generous of you,” Dinaya said with a grateful smile, opening up the pouch tied around her waist. She dropped the coins into it. “Thank you.”
“Maker bless you,” Geothan bid, before he and his wife turned to gather by the makeshift stage where the wedding would take place. Dinaya followed them for a moment, noting how many of the elves had started gathering, chatting amongst themselves.
She turned, making her way finally towards Soris. Part of her was thankful for the many interruptions, but at the same time, she’d also rather have this over with.
“Hello, there.” A voice interrupted, and Dinaya stopped. She closed her eyes, biting back an annoyed response. She had to remind herself it had been a few years since a wedding in the Alienage, and so many were excited to speak with the bride. Why none of them bothered Soris, Dinaya did not know.
“Congratulations on the big day,” the voice said, and when Dinaya turned, she recognized him as Taedor. Taedor lived only a few houses from hers, and he and Soris were good friends. “Have you seen Soris?”
“I’m actually looking for him myself,” Dinaya said. She glanced over to where he was before, and noted that she could no longer see him.
“Well, if you see him, ask him to come by and say hello, will you?”
“I will. Thank you, Taedor.” Dinaya smiled at him, trying her best to look polite, before rushing to where Soris was before anyone else could stop her.
Upon hearing the sound of Dinaya’s heels against the stone, Soris turned and grinned. “Well, if it isn’t my lucky cousin. Care to celebrate the end of our independence together?”
He opened his dress jacket to reveal a flask. Dinaya plucked it from his pocket, screwing open the lid, and taking a long swig of it. The alcohol was surprisingly sweet, and whether that was Soris' or the brewers doing, Dinaya didn’t really care.
“Is running away still an option?” she asked, handing the flask back to Soris. He took a drink of his own, before tucking it back into his pockets and scoffing.
“Are you insane? Where will you go? Into the woods to live with the Dalish elves?”
She had considered it.
“It could happen.”
“Live in the forest with the savages, far away from the humans? Sounds like a dream.” Soris’ voice was dripping with sarcasm, but then he hummed as if he’d actually considered it. “Not that we’d know where to find them. Besides, why would you run? Apparently, your groom’s a dream come true. My bride sounds like a dying mouse.”
Dinaya didn’t tell him that was mean, and probably an over exaggeration, because he knew those things already. Like Dinaya, he had just as much distaste for this as much as she did, though wasn’t quite as vocal about it.
Instead she said, “I’m sure she’s quite nice.”
“Great. I’ll spend the next fifty years with a ‘nice’ girl who hides grain away for the winter.” Before Dinaya could bark a retort for his harsh words, he continued, “Let’s go introduce you to your dreamy betrothed before you say ‘I do’.”
Dinaya grumbled something under her breath, too low for Soris to hear, and knowing his cousin, it was probably some poorly thrown together insult. She looped her arm through his when he offered it though, and allowed him to lead her where everyone was gathered by the stage.