Dragon Age Origins: The Tale of Solana

Chapter 3: Wedding Planning

"Are you nervous?"

Solana looked up at the sky and saw two mourning doves fly overhead to roost on a clothesline. They say doves have mates for life. Is this man really mine? Solana looked over at Soris who awaited an answer. She saw a cousin she had always been with. He was more than just family; he was her best friend. They told each other everything. "A bit. What if he doesn't like me?"

"That's... Impossible," Soris said with a sigh in between. He saw Solana's vacant expression and looked down. "Well, let's get this over with."

The two cousins wandered back into town square where the great tree stood vigilant. A man stood there, Solana's age named Taeodor, and he was waving them down. "Hey, there's the happy man now! How are you Soris?"

"I'm well," Sorris says a little soft spoken. He was down, Solana could tell. "This is my cousin, the bride—" Soris' face lite up in bright shade of pink, "the other bride... not my bride."

"We've met on occasion," Taeodor smiled charmingly, to of which Solana returned with a frown. The man was a flirt with every girl in the Alienage, of course they had met. "Blessings on the day, both of you," he ended with a bow.

"Thank you," Solana said pretty plainly, hoping she could push Soris away from the creep.

"There is something you should know, Soris." The man paused, looking at the ground. It was the first time Solana had seen the man look anything but happy. "My brothers won't be coming. They... Left to find the Dalish, you see."

"The Dalish elves? Really?" Solana was shocked that Taeodor's older brothers would be so naïve.

"Oh, you mean the elves that supposedly live free, wandering the forests," Soris said more than a little hurt. He shrugged, "I don't think they really exist, though."

"Well, my brothers certainly think they do. Even Alarith, the store keeper, swears that the Dalish elves saved him on his way to Denerim." Taeodor scoffs, looking mad at himself and his brothers for listening to that old shop keeper. "Nonesense."

"Alarith really said that?" Solana asked.

Taeodor, looking mad, crossed his arms. "Indeed. He told my brothers and I that when he was fleeing his homeland, he found a group of Dalish elves, or to be precise, they found him. I don't really remember."

"I wouldn't worry about it," Soris laughed with Taeodor. "They were probably just taken in by another old story." Solana was bored to tears. She tugged at Soris' sleeve, wanting to get away from the flirt who had been eyeing her weirdly since they got here. Soris picked up on the hint.

"It was nice to see you again, old friend. I'm sure your brothers will turn up in a few days, hungry and embaressed."

"I hope so," Taeodor winked at Solana and she groaned. "Best wishes to you both."

Solana didn't like it when Dalish elves were talked about around town. They sent the Alienage into a frenzy last time, and it was all everyone talked about. Solana was with Soris, she didn't think they existed. It was just rumors, and even if it was real, most likely just bandits. The Dalish elves are told to be the ones who lurk in the wilderness, and prey upon travelers and isolated farmers.

Soris and Solana continued their walk, talking about the Dalish elves and other trivial matters that got their mind off the weddings to come. Getting closer to the stage area, Shianni was there with a crowd filled with the other bridesmaids and other elves Solana and Soris have known their whole lives. She wore a light pink gown that really brought out her soft blushing cheeks.