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Blood Bond	By : Hikari86 Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4278 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
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Chapter List
- 5
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- 7
Jus Primae Noctis

“So have you met your betrothed yet, Soris?” Arawin asked as they made their way to the pavilion. It was located next to the Vhenadahl, and where most of the elves were crowded around, waiting for the ceremony to start.
“Yes, and she seems very nice,” he answered.
“So, what do you know about her? Where is she from? What are her dreams? Is she excited or nervous about getting married?”
“I don’t know any of that,” said Soris. “I didn’t really get to talk to her much. She said it wasn’t proper.”
“Wasn’t proper?” Arawin was puzzled. “She would prefer to know nothing about you until the very last moment?”
“No, it’s just tradition. It used to be that we could never meet our betrothed until we stood at the altar. Now we're able to at least see each other before that time.”
Arawin belched. “At least that’s changed. I don’t think I could do it if I didn’t have the chance to meet Nelaros.”
“Well, that’s what we’re doing right now.”
Arawin looked around at the crowd, trying to see if she could spot Nelaros. So far everyone she saw was familiar. No new handsome elves in the crowd. She then noticed something that she didn’t before. Many elves were standing next to packed carts. They appeared as if they were dressed for traveling instead of for a wedding. “What’s going on with them?” she asked pointing to a group of elves next to a wagon.
“You mean you haven’t heard?” Soris raised an eyebrow.
“If I have to ask, what do you think?”
“One of the apartment building's landlord kicked everyone out. He said he needed the building for storage. Now if they can’t find a place to stay, then most of them are heading to Ostagar. Apparently there’s an army there that is in need of help. Course, it would be servant help.”
“Ostagar? Where is that? And why is an army there?”
“I don’t know. We aren’t at war with anyone that I know of.”
“Hffp. Of course the landlord would have to be human to do such a thing to so many elves.” Arawin and her father were one of the few elves that owned their home. They didn’t have to worry about a landlord over renting them or kicking them out. It seemed the human landlords could kick the elves out of their homes for any reason that they wished. Even if the elves paid their rent on time. It was something that Arawin had seen many times before. Occasionally, her father would allow others to stay at their house. They had room since it was just the two of them. Not like where Shianni and Soris lived. Their house was only slightly bigger, but it held two families. This was the norm in the alienage.
“Well, there is nothing you can do about it, so don’t even try.”
“Who said I was going to do anything?” said Arawin. “I’m getting married, remember? Those days of getting into trouble are over.”
“I sure hope so,” Soris breathed. “Course now I'll have Nelaros to help me out.”
“And your own betrothed if she's anything like you.”
As they stood next to the great tree, Arawin spotted Shianni. She was with several other bridesmaids and when she spotted Arawin and her brother, she waved at them. It was then that Arawin saw something behind them that she did not like. Another very common thing in the alienage.
Three humans had come into the alienage. They were dressed very nicely, and the way they acted told Arawin they were not here for the wedding. They were stumbling, and one of them snuck up on one of the bridesmaids and grabbed her arm from behind.
She screamed. “Let go of me! Stop... please.”
“It’s a party, isn’t it?” he said with a slur. “Grab a whore and have a good time. Savor the hunt, boys. Take this little elven wench, here...” he said walking up to Shianni. “So young and vulnerable...”
“Touch me and I’ll gut you, you pig!” Shianni spat.
“Please my lord,” said one of the elves. “We're celebrating weddings here!”
“Silence, worm!” the human said as he slapped the elf. He fell to the ground and cowered from the human. It made Arawin sick and angry. She clenched her fists and gritted her teeth, ready to storm over.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Soris whispered. “But maybe we shouldn’t get involved...”
“Objection noted. Now get out of my way!”
“Fine. But let’s try to be diplomatic, shall we?”
Arawin stormed past Soris and marched right up to the human. He at first didn’t notice her as he was laughing at the elf still cowering on the ground.
“Hey, ugly!” Arawin yelled.
“What’s this?” the human said finally turning to Arawin and not really noticing what she had just called him. “Another lovely one come to keep me company?”
“Human scum! You’ll regret what you’ve done here!”
The man scoffed. “Do you have any idea who I am?”
“All I see is a man that wants to get his ass kicked!” Arawin noticed Soris was beside her. He was shaking his head, and raising his hands a little in protest. At first, Arawin thought he was doing this to her, but then noticed his eyes were looking past the human. The man seemed to notice this as well and looked confused by Soris’s gestures. It wasn’t until a loud thunk sounded and the man rolled his eyes into the back of his head and fell to the ground that Arawin saw what Soris was trying to do.
Shianni stood over the man with a bottle in her hand. Arawin hadn’t even noticed that she had left. She looked at her cousin with pride. “Very good,” she smiled.
“Are you insane?” shouted one of the other humans. “This is Vaughan Urien, the arl of Denerim’s son!”
Shianni’s eyes widened. “W-what? Oh, Maker...” she said placing her face in her hands.
“Maybe his father should’ve taught him better manners,” Arawin hissed. “Now get him out of here before we decide it would be best to kill you all.”
“You’ve a lot of nerve, knife-ears,” the second man said as he and his buddy picked Vaughan up and dragged him toward the gate and out of the alienage. “This’ll go badly for you.”
“I’m so scared,” mocked Arawin. She turned to Shianni and Soris, seeing Shianni looking distraught and afraid.
“Oh, I really messed up this time,” she said.
“It’ll be all right,” said Soris. “He won’t tell anyone an elven woman took him down.”
“I hope so.”
“I couldn’t have done it better myself,” said Arawin. “You should be proud. That was a nice sound his head made. Tells you that it’s empty.”
“Empty or not, he was still the son of the arl. I should get cleaned up.” Shianni walked off, still with her face in her hands. Arawin only hoped she would be all right. This wasn’t like Shianni at all. It was usually Arawin who did such things. Arawin was always picking fights with humans or anyone who treated Shianni or Soris badly. She was the one with the combat training, even though Soris and Shianni knew a little, it was Arawin who was the best.
“Is everyone else all right?” asked Soris. Arawin looked at him questioningly.
“Who are you talking to?”
Two elves came up beside them. One was a woman with light brown hair and a mousey look to her face. The other was a handsome looking elf with blonde hair and interesting blue eyes.
“I think we’re just shaken,” said the woman. “What was that about?”
Soris laughed nervously. “Looks like the arl’s son started drinking too early. Um, well let’s not let this ruin the day.” He turned toward Arawin. “Uh, this is Valora, my betrothed.”
“Nice to meet you,” said Arawin. “And who’s the fellow with her? Not mine, I hope.”
“By the Maker!” cried Soris. “I can’t believe you sometimes. Yes, this is Nelaros. Your betrothed.”
“Do I really make such poor first impressions?” said Nelaros. He didn’t seem very hurt by her statement, but Arawin felt bad for what she had said.
“No, of course not,” she said. “I apologize. I’m just... nervous.”
“I... understand,” he nodded. “I’m trying to find a way to calm my nerves myself.”
“I’m... sure the two of you have a lot to discuss,” said Soris. He and Valora turned away from the two and began a discussion of their own.
“Well, here we are...” said Nelaros. “Are you nervous?”
Didn’t I just say that? Uh! Here we go. “Sort of nauseated, actually,” Arawin sighed.
“I thought I’d stay calm, but now we’ve met... Let’s just say I’m not calm.”
“Do you know my name?”
“What? Oh, of course. It’s Arawin, right?”
At least that’s a start. “How was the trip from Highever?” she asked.
“Uneventful, thankfully,” said Nelaros. “The trade caravan we accompanied had little value. I think that kept the bandits away.”
“That’s good. How do you feel about moving to Denerim?”
“It was hard to leave Highever, but your father’s matchmaker spoke highly of you, and rightfully so. Denerim itself seems friendlier than Highever... perhaps because it’s so large that humans take less notice of us.”
“Did you not just see what happened with that noble?” Arawin pointed out.
“Yeah. Does that happen a lot?”
“Not really. Well, nobles at least. But we do get the occasional humans in here causing trouble. But there was something I wanted to ask that I thought interesting. My father said you were a blacksmith, or at least knew how to use the anvil. What sort of things did you make?”
“Uh, well.” He seemed a little reluctant to answer. “Just simple things, really. Like decorative ware, cutlery, you know, stuff like that.”
“What about weapons? Swords and such?”
“Oh, no,” he said shaking his hands. “I wasn’t allowed to do that. I was only permitted the small things. I wasn’t even able to repair armor or anything like that.”
“Because you were an elf, I’m sure.”
“In part. I did my apprenticeship with a human. He was reluctant at first, but he owed my father a favor. And can I just say how beautiful you look?”
Arawin’s eyebrows shot up. She could tell he was trying to change the subject. There was something he was telling her that didn’t seem like it was the entire truth. She would have to discover it later.
“Thank you,” she said. “I’ve been getting that a lot today. And you look very handsome. My father was right.” He smiled at her, and it almost made her weak. She had to be careful. She was beginning to like him.
“Come on, Cousin,” said Soris as he nudged her. “We should let them get ready.”
“We’ll see you two in a bit,” said Valora. Even her voice seemed to squeak. Arawin understood what Soris meant by ‘dying mouse’. “Don’t disappear on us.”
“Or we’ll come find you,” said Nelaros. The two of them disappeared behind the pavilion and Arawin slumped herself against the great tree.
“Is this day ever going to end?” she moaned.
“Not if you keep up this attitude,” said Soris. “Come on, now that you met him, it isn’t so bad, is it?”
Arawin took in a deep breath then exhaled loudly. “I guess not. What did you think about that lordling, Vaughan?”
“I’m trying not to,” said Soris. “You handled him well, but he seems like the type to hold a grudge. I wish Shianni hadn’t done what she did.”
“He’s a bully, but a coward inside. I would've loved to be the one to hit him with the bottle.”
“I hope you’re right.” Soris looked down at the ground and joined Arawin on the tree. He placed his hands in his pockets and kicked a pebble.
Arawin could see the worry in his eyes. “If you’re worried about Shianni, don’t. She's strong and can take care of herself. And if not, she has me.”
“That’s what I’m worried about,” said Soris. “You’re a bad influence.”
“Ha! How many times have I heard that? Look, since I’m getting married, I guess I’ll have to cool down now, won’t I? So that means Shianni won’t be getting into any more trouble since I won’t be able to. And she’s not going to be doing anything stupid without me, so don’t worry about that either.”
“She’s my little sister. I’ll worry about her until she marries and both of you are kept from making trouble.”
Arawin gave him a small punch on the shoulder and he returned the favor. “Admit it,” she said. “You’ll miss the adventures we had.”
He smiled. “Yes. But now we're on a new adventure. One that won’t get us thrown in a dungeon.”
“Hey, it’s still early. You never know.”
***
Arawin and Soris stood near the tree for awhile. They weren’t sure what they should be doing. No one had told them anything except to get ready and they had already done that. Arawin was starting to get fidgety. She wanted to either get it over with, or run as fast as she could in any direction. The silence was also not helping.
“Do you know who’s preforming the ceremony?” she finally asked, wanting to break the silence somehow.
“Mother Boann, I assume,” said Soris. “No other priest would come down here.”
“Why aren’t there any elven priests?”
“I’m not sure... Maybe we could ask her when she arrives.”
“How are the bride and groom doing?” Arawin looked up to see her father and Valendrian, the alienage elder, walking over to them.
“Hello, Uncle Cyrion,” said Soris.
“I hope you’re keeping my little girl out of trouble.”
“Hi, Daddy,” said Arawin. “What kind of trouble would I get in with Soris’s consent moaning?”
“I'm not the one moaning,” Soris protested. “You’re the one crying how you don’t want to get married.”
“Still on this?” Cyrion asked. “Arawin, I had hoped you would be over this by now.”
“Sorry, Daddy.” Arawin thought for a moment. There was something bothering her and she wondered if maybe that was what was keeping her from enjoying the day. She turned to Valendrian. “How much longer do we have before the ceremony starts?”
“We're ready now,” he said. “All we're waiting for is Mother Boann, and I believe she's on her way at this very moment.”
“So I still have time.” Arawin starred up at the tree and she knew what she had to do. “I’m sorry, Daddy, but I have to do it.”
“Arawin, no,” he frowned. “You're not properly dressed, and--”
“I'll make sure nothing happens to the dress, Daddy. I just need to... say good-bye.”
“Oh, Arawin,” he sighed. “Alright.”
Arawin went to step on the knobs of the tree trunk. They had been worn down and shaped into a step like structure after years of many feet. She made her way up and around, following the worn-in ladder until she got to the bottom of the foliage. Here, on the right, the ladder turned into many large branches that allowed for easy climbing. Most went this way, as it was the safest. The large branches could hold a lot of weight. But Arawin and Shianni preferred going left. That was their secret way. The left presented far less branches, and few large enough ones for safe passage, but if one knew how to maneuver, the left part of the tree provided a great many treasures.
Arawin made her way towards this path. She carefully scaled the tree, making sure not to ruin her outfit or fall. Arawin had transversed this way so many times, she could have done it blindfolded. She had, after all, done so time and again while also stone drunk. Finally, she came to the area that was her and Shianni’s secret hiding spot. A large branch, which stuck out perpendicular to the main trunk then wrapped itself around, hung like a balcony. A smaller branch lay parallel over it, acting like a rail. Here, Arawin sat on the larger branch, resting her back on the tree trunk and hanging her arms over the smaller one. The canopy of the leaves provided a perfect window.
A view of Denerim was laid before her. She was high enough to see over the buildings and stare off at the Amaranthine Ocean. She could see off in the distance the sails of ships as they came in and out of port, dropping off and reloading goods onto their decks, then heading back out to sea to lands beyond.
Many days Arawin and Shianni would sit and watch the ships. They would dream of one day sailing off to some of those far off lands and have adventures like the ones they read about. Arawin didn’t necessarily like the idea of sailing. She would have been just fine walking across Ferelden first before going to any other country. There were things in Ferelden worth seeing as well. But it wasn’t the sea that Arawin had come to this spot to see for what would be the last time. No, she had something different in mind.
“Hello, Mamae,” she said. “I guess it’s finally happened. I’ve finally come of age and now I’m going to get married. Gee, it still makes me sick just thinking about it, but Daddy says I need to grow-up. I can’t be a child forever. I know he’s right, but... I don’t know. I just feel like there’s more for me out there then getting married. If I get married, then I won’t be able to travel like me and Shianni wanted. We talked about it so much, and we decided that once we were old enough, we would leave the alienage and go forth on adventures and see the world. I guess they were only childish dreams.
“Anyway, I’m up here because I just wanted to say good-bye. I mean, I know I’ll still be able to talk to you if I need to, but I won’t be able to come up here anymore. I also wanted to get your approval. I like Nelaros and all, but is he the right one for me? Will he like me for who I am once he gets to know the real me? I’m sorry, Mamae, but I don’t want to end up like you. I know you and Daddy were happy, but I could tell you wanted more. The city life just wasn’t enough for you. And that’s why you trained me the way you did. I think you wanted to give me something that you didn’t have. Although what that might be, I still don’t know.
“So then please, give me a sign. Tell me that what I’m about ready to do is the right thing. That marrying Nelaros is what is meant to be. Oh, and I also need ‘something blue’, if you can do that. As you can see, I have your dress on, and Shianni provided me with ‘something new’ and ‘borrowed’. I would just gladly love your input.”
A sparrow flew past Arawin’s head and perched itself on a branch over her. Arawin looked up at it. The sparrow looked down on her. It chirped, fluttered it’s wings and bobbed it’s head. Arawin smiled at it before the sparrow then flew away in a blur of feathers and behind it, Arawin noticed a small blue flower growing out of the tree trunk. It was only the size of Arawin’s thumb nail, but it was enough. Arawin pick it and placed it in her hair. It was odd, but the blue flower didn’t seem to clash with her red hair or green ribbons. It was the perfect shade.
“Thanks, Mamae,” she said. “I love you so much.”
Arawin began the descend down the tree. She felt different coming down. She felt ready.
***
Cyrion, Valendrian, and Soris waited at the base of the tree for Arawin to complete her good-bye. It wasn’t long before Valendrian spotted Mother Boann making her way to the pavilion. “I should go and speak with her,” he said to Cyrion. “When Arawin comes down, we will start the ceremony.”
“Thank you, Valendrian,” said Cyrion. “I know she needs to do this.”
“I understand.” Valendrian walked over to the pavilion, while passing him, coming up to the tree was Nelaros.
“Why, hello there, Nelaros,” said Cyrion. “What brings you over here?”
“It's good to see you again, Cyrion,” he nodded. “I look forward to spending many days in your household.”
“You can call me, Dad, if you want, considering you will be part of the family here pretty soon. And it will be your household as well, don’t forget that.”
“I understand, it just still feels weird. I don’t feel at home quite yet. But I came over here because I saw Arawin making her way up the tree. May I ask what she's doing?”
“Trying to stall,” said Soris.
“No, don’t believe him,” Cyrion sighed. “Arawin is just saying... good-bye is all.”
“Good-bye? To who? Or what?”
“First, let me give you some advice. Arawin is a free spirit, so don’t try and tame her the first year. I made that mistake with Adaia. She will calm down soon enough.”
“I will take that into consideration.”
“As for what she is doing, Arawin goes up there to talk to her mother. It’s one of the reasons why I tolerate her climbing the tree, but now that she’s becoming a woman, she will no longer be able to that.”
“I don’t see the reason why she can’t,” said Nelaros. “If it’s her mother, then she--”
“I hope you guys aren’t talking about me,” said Arawin as she hung from a branch. She dropped down to the ground in front of her father.
“Are you all right?” he asked her.
“I’m fine, Daddy. If Mother Boann is here, then I’m ready.”
“Good.”
“Finally,” said Soris. “Now we can begin.”
The four of them walked to the pavilion together. When they reached the stairs, Cyrion hugged Arawin once more before he made his way to the side, next to Shianni and the other bridesmaids. Arawin, Soris, and Nelaros made their way next to Valora who was waiting for them.
“Ooh! Soris!” she cried happy. “There you are. I was afraid you’d run off.”
“No, I’m here, with Nelaros’s blushing bride in tow.”
Nelaros settled himself next to Arawin. “You look radiant,” he smiled, his blue eyes gazing into her own green ones. They made her feel weak again, which was something she still wasn’t sure if she liked or not.
“Thank you,” she said.
“I really like that blue flower in your hair. It seems to bring everything together some how.”
“It was one last gift from my mother,” she said lightly touching the tiny petals.
“You know,” said Nelaros. “I will not stop you if you wish to speak with her in the Vhenadahl. I'm getting a sense that your mother is very important to you.”
Arawin looked at him surprised. She figured her father had told him what she was doing, but she did not expect Nelaros to be so kind. But then again, what else did she expect? Complete domination and cruelty? That Nelaros was going to try and control her and make her do what he said? It was something Arawin laughed at.
She smiled at him. “That’s very sweet of you, but it’s okay. I'll find a new place to talk to her. There are plenty of hidden places in Denerim. I’m sure I can find one.”
“I just want you to know,” Nelaros continued. “I promise to make sure you are happy every day. I will not rest until this is true.”
“That’s a very big promise,” said Arawin. “If you don’t fulfill it, I won’t hold it against you. Just so you know.”
“You may not, but that doesn't mean myself won't.”
Arawin wasn't quite sure how to take Nelaros. Was he already falling in love with her? It seemed fast, all of it did.
The crowd around them was buzzing, but soon grew quiet when Valendrian and Mother Boann made their way up the steps of the pavilion. Mother Boann was the only human Arawin respected. She was a priest for the Chantry, one of only a few who seemed to care about the elves. She would always make sure there was a place in the chantry for elves with no homes to stay. She had also saved Arawin one time from two guards and a merchant who claimed she had stolen from his bazaar. It had actually been another elf who had stolen one of his goods, Arawin being too close to the scene of the crime and getting blamed for the deed. She ran to the chantry, which was right next to the market district, and found Mother Boann. Lucky for Arawin, Mother Boann, along with one of her templars; knights of the Chantry; had seen what had truly transpired. The word of a priest and a templar was enough to keep the guards from hauling Arawin to Fort Drakon, and perhaps a slow, painful death.
“It looks like everyone’s ready,” whispered Soris.
“Good luck, Soris,” Arawin said back to him.
“You too, Cousin. Maybe it won’t be so bad, after all.”
Arawin wanted to hit him, but held back the urge. She still didn't like it, but there was no getting out of it now. Even if she was the best scrapper in the alienage, she certainly wasn't the fastest.
Valendrian stopped at the edge of the pavilion and gestured throughout the crowd. “Friends and family,” he began. “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 that our strength lies in commitment to tradition and to each other.”
Mother Boann made her way next to Valendrian. She was dressed in the traditional orange and red robes of the Chantry. A sunrise, the symbol of Andraste, blazed on her chest. “Thank you, Valendrian,” she said. “Now, let us begin. In the name of the Maker, who brought us this world, and in whose name we say the Chant of Light, I--” She stopped for a loud commotion from the crowd had interrupted her. Everyone looked to see Vaughan and his two lackeys and a number of guards behind them pushing their way through the elves and stepping on the pavilion.
“My lord?” Mother Boann said shocked. “This is... an unexpected surprise.”
“Sorry to interrupt, Mother,” said Vaughan. “But I’m having a party and we’re dreadfully short on female guests.”
“My lord, this is a wedding!”
“Ha!” Vaughan laughed. His two lordlings laughing as well as they made their way behind the bridesmaids. They stared at them with lustful hunger. Arawin clenched her fists. She might not have wanted to get married, but she didn’t want it to be interrupted like this. “If you want to dress up your pets and have tea parties,” said Vaughan. “That’s your business. But don’t pretend this is a proper wedding. Now, we’re here for a good time, aren’t we boys?”
“Just a good time with the ladies, that’s all,” laughed the first one.
Vaughan looked around at the female elves, analyzing them as if they were nothing but livestock. “Let’s take those two, the one in the tight dress, and... where’s the bitch that bottled me?”
“Over here, Lord Vaughan!” said the second lordling as he grabbed Shianni’s arms from behind.
Shianni struggled against him, trying to free herself, but he was able to hold her easily. “Let me go, you stuffed-shirt son of a--”
“Oh, I’ll enjoy taming her,” said Vaughan with a wicked grin. He then laid his eyes upon Arawin and Valora. “And see the pretty brides...”
Arawin gritted her teeth and took a step forward, only to be stopped by Nelaros’s hands. “Don’t worry. I won’t let them take you,” he said.
She only glared at him. “I won’t let them take Shianni!”
“Ah, yes... such a well-formed little thing,” Vaughan said as he stood before Arawin. “I remember you as well.”
“You villains!” cried Nelaros as he placed himself in between Arawin and Vaughan.
“That’s quite enough.” Vaughan laughed. “I’m sure we all want to avoid further... unpleasantness.”
Arawin huffed and pushed Nelaros aside and pierced her gaze at Vaughan. She wasn’t about ready to let him do anything to anyone, especially to Shianni. “Don’t you dare touch me or anyone else! I’ll kill you!”
The look on Vaughan’s face was more of amusement than of fear. He laughed in her face. “Ha! This one has spirit! Oh, we’re going to have some fun. It’s only my right, you know. The Lord's Right.”
Arawin made herself ready to fight, but was taken by surprise when one of the lordlings appeared at her side. She was unable to react before his fist connected with her face, sending her falling to the ground. She was unconscious before her head thudded on the wood.
The blue flower fell from her hair. It became crushed as many feet ran to and fro in the chaos.

A/N: A little trivia on the title of this chapter: 'Jus Primae Noctis' is a Latin phase which means 'Right of the First Night'. It's not really the correct phase for this chapter, as Vaughan says that it's 'The Lord's Right', which is a French term 'Droit de seigneur'. I chose to use the Latin phase for the chapter title because I thought it sounded better and is more widely known.
Paraphrasing from Dragon Age: Origins
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Blood Bond