Dragon Age Origins: The Tale of Solana

Chapter 5: Worry and Bad News

A Blight? Solana rolled the word over and over in her head. There was to be a Blight? She thanked the Maker that she had talked Nessa's family into letting Nessa stay with Solana's father in Denerim. She shivered at the thought of evil darkspawn, the demons from the old stories, raining down destruction on her home. She looked over at Soris who looked just as pale with worry.

Valendrian shook his head with a disappointed look. He had hoped the rumors of a Blight were false. "Yes... I had heard the news. Still, this is an awkward time. There is to be a wedding—two, in fact."

"So I see." Duncan put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "By all means, attend to your ceremonies. My concern can wait, for now."

"Very well," Valendrian turned to Solana and Soris. "Children, treat Duncan as my guest. And for the Maker's sake, take your places!"

After the Elder wandered off towards the stage, Solana was surprised to see Duncan approach her. She shifted nervously in place. "Please," he reassured, "do not let me interrupt further. We shall speak more later."

Soris was the first to run off to get ready. Solana hung around the vhenadahl, pondering the Grey Warden. "What are you doing over here?"

Solana nearly jumped out of her skin. She whipped around coming face to face with a steel chest plate. Looking up, it was found to be Duncan smiling down at her. "You have been looking over in my direction for some time."

"What are Grey Wardens exactly," Solana asked. "I know what the Elder said, but what are they really?"

"Well, we dedicate our lives to fighting darkspawn wherever they appear, doing whatever it takes to stop them. It is our only charge."

Solana thought on that for a second. A ferocious battle of brawn and smarts against the fabled Ogre, or even the dreaded Shrieks. She shivered. "I need to get going..." She turned to leave before she got too spooked. Solana quickly sped walked away.

Hours later, Solana was beginning to grow uneasy. Was she ready to marry Nelaros? She barely knew the man! She took in a sharp breath as she pictured family life without her daily martial training. It was a hard thing to imagine.

She would, at the very least, try her hardest to love Nelaros. He deserved that much.

As the time candle grew smaller, it was time. Solana and Soris got up onto the stage next to their betrothed. Soris took his place next to a blushing Valora, and Solana took hers next to Nelaros. Valora smiled brightly and hugged onto Soris' arm. "Oh! Soris! There you are. I was afraid you'd run off."

"No, I'm here," he said in a downcast manner. "And here's Nelaros' blushing bride in tow!"

Solana's and Nelaros' eyes met. "You look radiant."

Solana felt embarrassed by the compliment. She only smiled shyly and took her spot. She saw that he had changed clothes and was even more handsome than before. Very clean cut. She tried once more to see her life with him. It was a very ordinary life and somehow it didn't feel complete.

"It looks like everyone's ready." Soris glanced all around and then looked to the ground helplessly. Solana could tell the pressure of the arrangement was eating at him more and more.

Then again, it was at Solana as well. "Good luck, Soris."

Soris smiled. "You too, Cousin. Maybe it won't be so bad, after all." Valora saw the exchange and shook her head. She understood Soris' uneasiness to marry her, but she would do her best to make him happy.

Valendrian stepped forward and raised his hands into the air. "Friends and family, today we celebrate not only this joining, but also our bonds of kin and kind. We are a free people, but that wasn't 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."

Valendrian came over and hugged Soris and Solana both. A Chantry priest, Mother Boann, stepped forward. A human woman that the Alienage knew well. She was always kind to the elves no matter when or what reason she came here for. Solana kept the woman in high regards.

"Thank you, Valendrian. Now, let us begin...

In the name of the Maker, who brought us this world, and in the name who I—"

Mother Boann was quickly cut off as the crowd was split. Vaughan was making his way up the crowd with his band of selfish men and a gaggle of guards following him. He came up on stage and began to drunkenly laugh around. "Look at all the fuss over insects! I pardon the intrusion, it's just that, I'm having a party! And we are short on female guests. Enjoy the hunt boys. We will take this one and that one—"

"Milord," Mother Boann announced. "This is a wedding!"

Vaughan laughed again. "Ha! If you want to dress up your pets and have tea parties, that's your business."

He moved over to Mother Boann with a scowl. "But don't pretend this is a proper wedding. Now, we're here for a good time, aren't we boys?"

The other men with him laughed and shared looks of lust towards the elven women present. It sent shivers down Solana's spine and her anger began to grow. She narrowed her eyes as Vaughan leisurely walked down the edge of the stage pointing women out. "Let's take those two, the one in the tight dress, and... Where's the girl that bottled me?"

As he looked around, Shianni, who stood on stage, cried out. Lord Jonaley had her by the hair. "Over here, Lord Vaughan!"

"Let me go, you stuffed-shirt-son-of-a—"

Vaughan erupted in laughter. "Oh, I'll enjoy taming her."

Solana made a move to save her young cousin when Nelaros put out a hand to stop her. Vaughan noticed and pushed his way over to them. "And see the pretty bride..."

"Don't worry." Nelaros frowned and shot the young Lord a glare. "I won't let them take you!"

"I'm not just going to let them take Shianni," Solana burst. She spits in the direction of the shem in front of her. He only grinned and crossed his arms. "Ah, yes... Such a well-formed little thing."

Nelaros had heard enough out of this brute! He stepped forward in front of his betrothed in one step. "You villains!"

Vaughan laughed at the elf with a sudden snort. "That's quite enough. I'm sure we all want to avoid further... Um, unpleasantness."

He said this last statement at Solana, who was seething. Valendrian stepped forward. "Now young man I—"

One of the other Lords with Vaughan stepped forward and quickly seized the Elder in one swoop. Solana darted around Nelaros. "Let them go! You have no right!"

Vaughan pretended to give it some thought before shrugging. "Let me think... Hmm, no." He took a few lazy steps away from Solana, who only followed in step. "Oh, we're going to have some fun!"

"Why you selfish little prick—" Solana could not even get the last word out as something hard hit the side of her face. She saw stars swirl all around as she hit the hardwood of the stage.