Let's all pretend an anon sent me this prompt for the Rook&partner's asks (I got real asks from real people, but this was the first headcanon that came to my mind):
5. Do they have different cultural backgrounds (e.g. a Rook who was raised in Antiva with Harding who was raised in Ferelden)? If so, do they ever share parts of their culture with each other? If they're similar, how do they celebrate their culture together?
I like to think there are some cross-clan songs among Dalish (like children songs, in this case), and I totally picture Ayanne, Bellara and/or Davrin to hum them randomly sometimes. If the song is catchy enough, the others would join, more or less willingly ;)
Rook and Bellara are particularly satisfied when they succeed in making Davrin sing <3
I made up a Dalish festival for this chapter, and I also used some Dalish words and phrases for my own purposes.
Source of the words/phrases are the DA wiki entry on Elvhen language.
Din’al – the death gathering (din: death, ‘al: gather)
Enansal (blessing)
Enansan Din’al – Gathering for blessing of the dead.
Sa'vunin Lethallen – Next day with friends. (sa'vunin: one more time, lethallen: friend)
las – grant,
hamin - peace
Fandom: Dragon Age. Words: 2816 (this part)
Beginning | Part 5 || Start on ao3 | read this on ao3 || Part 7
Iwyn Lavellan x Solas | modern AU | romance
Rating: Teen (this part.Overall explicit). Family, holidays, made-up Dalish traditions.
Chapter 6
Iwyn’s phone is vibrating on the shelf. It vibrates again. It’s probably Raina, with well wishes for the holiday. Or maybe it’s Solas. She smiles, and turns to get it, but her mother calls her.
“Help me in the kitchen, Iwyn. Branwen can light the candles.”
“Coming.”
She hands her brother the matches, and he lights more candles. In the tradition of Enansal Din’al there are some on every surface where it’s safe – and some Iwyn deems a little questionable on the bookshelf.
Her phone buzzes once again behind her, but she is already in the kitchen. Her mother is slicing lemons and has two trays and three bowls out, and some dough rising in the corner. The kitchen is warm and familiar, and there are candles in the windowsill. It’s like every Din’al always, in the best way.
“Where’s papae? Did he go with grandmamae and grandpapae on their walk?”
Branwen picked up her grandparents on his way from the farm, they all arrived last night. She washes her hands, and starts chopping the herbs her mom points at.
“He went to pick up a cake at a bakery.”
“I could have brought something on my way here.”
“There is a new Dalish one on 5th St, I wanted to try it. Besides, I think he wanted to stop by Ellan and drop off some of his spirits too.”
“A new Dalish bakery?”
“Well, the proprietor is Dalish, I believe. I don’t know if they do proper hearthbread, but we can make that ourselves.”
“Why aren’t they closed today?”
Most Dalish are celebrating the holiday, and most businesses are closed in Wycome. With the large Dalish population everyone relishes the chance of two extra days of vacation.
“I guess they need the business. I think they close early, though.”
Iwyn nods, and scrapes the herbs into the tiny glass bowl.
“What’s next?”
“Can you do the carrots?”
There is plenty more to do, and it’s much later when she finally remembers her phone. The carrots are roasting in the oven and the fish is ready to cook. Her grandparents and her dad are back, and he has poured wine for them all. She sinks into the couch next to her grandmother. Her grandparents ask about her job, and how proud they are of her. She doesn’t think it’s that special, but they’re her grandparents. Then the talk drift to Branwen and the farm, and the plans he has. They are good plans, but she’s heard most of it, and takes a moment to check her phone.
There is a message from Raina, as she expected, and two from Solas. She opens Raina’s first.
[Happy holidays, Las Hamin]
[Las Hamin Din’al. See you tomorrow!], she replies.
Raina doesn’t reply, as expected. She is busy celebrating with her own family.
Next, she reads Solas’ messages.
[Iwyn, I wanted to tell you I have been offered the job at Wycome, and I intend to accept. They want me to start in Wintermarch, right after First Day.]
[I assume you are celebrating the holiday. Las Hamin Din’al Enansal, Iwyn. Talk to you later.]
He got the job! He is moving to Wycome? Three more months, and he will live here. She feels hot all over. It has been a few weeks with lots of texting, and longing, and calling. She misses him more than before, but he accepted, and she’ll be able to see him a lot, to have him sleep in her bed, to –
“What are you smiling about, Iwyn?” Branwen asks. “You’re looking at your phone like you won the lottery.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Doesn’t look like nothing.”
“It’s none of your business.”
“But it’s something.”
“Yes, it’s something.”
“Looks like happy news. You should share.”
“We always want to hear happy news, dear,” Grandmamae says.
“Branwen!”
Her brother smirks at her.
“I’m seeing someone, and he just told me he got a job in Wycome. He lives in Jader right now.”
It’s not like it’s a secret.
“Solas? Since when are you seeing him?”
This is why it’s a secret.
“For some time now.”
“That’s lovely, Iwyn,” Grandmamae says, “How did you meet? What does he do?”
“Solas is the guy who purchased Mythal’s house. He’s my neighbor, but he doesn’t live there.” Branwen replies. “I suppose he met Iwyn this summer, though I’d no idea they were dating.”
“Who’s dating?“ her mother asks, as she returns from the kitchen.
It’s going to be a very long family dinner.
--
In the end it’s not that bad. Her grandparents are happy for her, if she is happy then they are. And she is happy. She can’t help the warmth in her chest when she talks about Solas. Branwen says Solas is nice enough, even he does seem a little aloof. Her parents are happy for her too, and they want to meet him. She isn’t sure she wants them to, not yet, but maybe at some point. If he lives in Wycome, it’s inevitable and it would be nice to have him here, with her family. The lights are melting, and she is full and happy and maybe a little tipsy from her dad’s spirits. She wants Solas with her now, leaning up against him on her parent’s couch.
She misses him terribly.
She’s already snuck in a quick message of congrats and cheering, but she wants to talk to him. Does he have a place to live? Does he plan on moving here before his job starts? They’ve been talking and texting often, but they haven’t really talked about what would happen if he moved here. He didn’t say anything, and she didn’t want to pressure him. But now it’s settled there are so many things they could do, and so many more they need to figure out.
Later, when her grandparents have gone to sleep, and she’s escaped to foldout bed in her mom’s office – she’s drunk too much to go home and her own old room has been converted to a guest room long ago – she finally has time to talk to Solas.
[Hey, are you awake?]
[I am now.]
[Sorry! I didn’t mean wake you! I’ll call tomorrow.]
He is typing, and then he isn’t. She thinks he might have fallen asleep, but then his name pop up on the phone. She picks up.
“Hi Solas. Congrats, I’m so happy you accepted the offer. And I hope I didn’t really wake you up.”
She doesn’t want to be a nuisance, or expect him to call and text her at all hours.
“It is fine, Iwyn. I was only halfway asleep. And thank you. Did you have a good celebration?”
“Yes, it was real nice. Everyone wants to meet you.”
“Everyone?”
She can see his raised eyebrows in her mind, and she giggles a little.
“My grandmamae and grandpapae were here. Well, they’re still here, just sleeping. And mamae and papae. Branwen you’ve already met. I… they figured it out when I was excited over your message. I hope you don’t mind. You don’t have to meet them immediately, or before you want to or—”
“It’s fine, Iwyn.“ He chuckles a little, and she feels warm. “So, you’re excited?”
“Yes, I am. Quite a bit. I hoped you would take the job here, of course. I miss you, Solas. I can’t wait to see you more often.”
“Ah. I wasn’t – I miss you too, Iwyn.”
“I didn’t want to influence your decision, Solas. I want the job to be nice. I hope it will be, that the offer was good.”
“Thank you. It was as expected. Academic jobs don’t tend to compete on salaries. But the position itself should offer me more research opportunities than in Jasper. The head of the department has an… interesting collection of artifacts.”
Iwyn flops down on her bed, listing to his voice.
“Good. That’s good.”
“I suspect you didn’t want to talk about ancient elven artifacts, though.”
He chuckles again, and she wishes she had her head on his chest.
“I like hearing about that stuff. But yeah. I wanted to congratulate you and – when do you think you’ll move? Do you know where you’ll live? And I just wanted to hear your voice.”
“I don’t know when I will move, but I would like to be settled a week or so before First Day. That should give me time. I’m not sure where I will live. I’d hope to get your opinion on where to look. And maybe – maybe help me look at apartments.”
“I’d like to. I’ll think – I’ll think of where makes sense.” She wants him to not be too far from where she lives, and he wants to be close to his work at the University.
“Thank you. I hope to come for three or four days to look at places. You could go with me. I’d like your opinion, if you don’t mind.”
“That would be lovely, Solas. I’d love to help.”
I love you, she wants to say, but she’s not drunk enough to do so. She’d like to tell him to his face, and soon he’ll be here. It’ll still be too early though. She’ll have to wait.
“I appreciate that, Iwyn. I haven’t settled the exact dates, is there any that would work for you?”
Anytime. Now. Tomorrow.
“I don’t have a lot of plans coming up. I usually spend Santalia with my family. I don’t know if we’ll go to the farm this year, now that Branwen lives there. But we might? So around that time I’m not sure, but otherwise I’m here.”
“I see. I’ve no desire to battle the airport mobs at Santalia in any case, but maybe after will work.”
“Sounds good. I’m looking forward to seeing you. Very much.”
“Me too… Iwyn.” He makes some sort of noise she can’t place, and goes on, “I’ll look at dates this week and see what I can arrange.”
“Stay at my place,” she blurts out. “No need for a hotel. If you want to, that is. If you don’t that’s fine too, if you don’t feel comfort –”
“I’d love to stay with you for the trip, Iwyn. That does make it easier… and more interesting.”
Good. Her heart beats faster.
“Interesting, how?”
“Are you alone?”
“I’m at my parents, but everyone is asleep. I think.”
“Let’s hope so…”
--
The next day, while her parents and grandparents have the somber task of visiting the dead, Iwyn makes her way to Raina’s house. She managed to get out of the house before Branwen asked any more questions. He has formed opinions on his vacationing neighbor; she’s sure. She’ll take as a good sign that he trusts Solas enough to let him help him with the farm.
Raina usually hosts Sa'vunin Lethallen, the next day gathering of friends and younger couples. Raina has a whole house she inherited from her grandmother and she fills it easily with her many friends and friends of friends. Sometimes it seems like she’s connected to half the Dalish Wycome. The house is always bustling full of happy people and delicious food at festival time.
Raina has gone all out this year, the entryway to her house is littered with melted candles. They can’t stand up to rain, but every third one is an electric one, so all in all it gives an effect of real candles fighting against the wind.
Raina opens the door before Iwyn knocks, perfect red lips and bouncy curls. She pulls Iwyn into a hug.
“Come in, it’s raining. You’re the first. Did you bring the dough?”
“The candles look great. I love it Raina.” Iwyn pulls off her winter boots, and hangs up her coat. “The dough is in the red bag. It needs to rise a little more.”
“Great! Come in, come in. And thanks, I really like the candles. Wait till you see the living room. “
Iwyn follows Raina through the hallway and into the living room. She stops and takes in everything. Raina has put fairy light nets under the ceiling, all of them wrapped in tree branches. There are more electric candles everywhere, and a garland of colored leaves at the old fireplace. It’s burning brightly.
“Amazing. You’ve outdone yourself this year.”
Iwyn snaps a couple of pictures, she wants to show Solas.
Raina has already put the dough out on the kitchen table with a towel over it, and Iwyn unloads the rest of her bag on the tall bar separating the kitchen from the living room. A bottle of Dalish spirits, courtesy of her father. Two halla cheeses from the farm, a jar of spicy nuts she roasted yesterday and some olives she found on sale. There is already a batch of brownies and tray of Ferelden and Orlesian cheeses, and she decides to add the halla cheeses to the plate.
“Let me fold the dough,” Iwyn says, as the doorbell rings.
Raina nods and heads to let people in.
It doesn’t take long for the home to fill with people, and the table filled with food. Everyone is chatting, catching up, and eating. Iwyn returns to the kitchen and starts rolling out the hearthbreads.
“Yay, bread!” someone yells from the back.
“You can do the next batch,” she yells back. It’s some tall dark-haired guy she doesn’t know. Normally she wouldn’t be above flirting a little, but now she just misses Solas. The house is full of elves, her friends, acquaintances, friends of friends. It’s the holiday tradition, and even if Solas isn’t Dalish, she wants to share it with him. He wonders if he likes hearthbread, and if he’s ever had it fresh and homemade. She imagines him here, in the house, in the kitchen. Maybe he’d put his arms around her, kiss her neck --
“Where are you off to?” Raina asks. Iwyn didn’t even hear her enter the kitchen.
“I’m here.”
“Your mind was elsewhere.”
Iwyn puts the bread on the baking sheet, and takes another ball of dough.
“I was just… missing someone.”
“The boyfriend. The mysterious, brilliant boyfriend in Jasper.”
“Yes, Solas. I wish he were here.”
“So, things are going well?”
Raina grabs her own ball of dough and rolls it out. Iwyn has told Raina most of it, but maybe not that she’s already in love. She’s barely told herself.
“Very well.” She can’t help grinning. “He’s moving here. He got a job offer from the University, and decided to take it.”
“That’s awesome.” Raina is smiling, and Iwyn knows she means it. Iwyn hopes Solas will get along with her, but then again, very few people don’t get along with her friend.
“Did he move here for you?” she continues, “that’s very romantic.”
“No, he didn’t. I mean I don’t think so. He was already looking for the job here, that’s how I ran into him again.”
“Yes, after a month of pining.”
“I didn’t pine.”
“Sure.” Raina grins, and Iwyn doesn’t argue. Her friend is a more than a little right. “I’ve never heard so much about a summer fling. I’m glad he is moving here, and I can meet him, and I’m happy he makes you happy. He better make you happy. When is he moving? Where will he live?”
Iwyn takes the first batch of bread out of the oven and puts the next in.
“I don’t know where he will live. He asked me to look with him. I’ve no idea what his budget is, but I assume he wants to love close to the University campus.”
“Or maybe he want’s to live close to you.”
“He is moving for the job. I didn’t want to pressure him.”
“I get it, and I don’t get it. It’s a lot of pressure, but you can’t just wait around for people. Sometimes you have to, you know, move them a bit.”
Iwyn nods, and makes bread.
“Oh, do you know Lisa? She does real estate. Rentals too. I’ll send you her info.” Raina pulls out her phone, and scrolls through her contacts. “Unless he just moves into your place. Might be easiest and your place is pretty big. Found her! There you go.”
“Thank you. I don’t think – I’m not quite sure I’m ready to have him move in.”
“Well, it does bring some advantages.” Raina waggles her eyebrows, or attempts to. It’s silly, and Iwyn laughs. It would bring advantages. Waking up in his arms, staying in together. She might never get to work though. Not to mention they don’t know each other well enough. People don’t just move in, do they?
“Mmmm, this is so good. Your mom’s recipe is the best.” Raina rips another piece of hearthbread, and dips it in honey.
It’s enough for others to descend on the kitchen and the bread, and Iwyn snatches a piece for herself before they’re all gone.
The year before they are given they’re vallaslin as part of the rite they spend a year in a human city. It does not have to be large, and they get to choose where.
This sometimes causes them to loose clan members, as sometimes ill fates are had or the elf decides to stay for some reason.
Most times, this only increases their numbers as city elves will join the clan when they return, or the occasional baby happens.
This is to strengthen they’re understanding of the human’s machinations and help share the dalish culture with the elves in the city.
