Chapter 46 - Cultural Exposure

A/N: An even shorter chapter than the previous one, cause I don't want to go overboard on detail. Thanks to Fierymatter and Ascalon on SB for beta-ing.

Chapter XLVI: Cultural Exposure

18 AC

Rhoyehom (Godsgrace)

Elaegelle Targaryen

Elaegelle had to admit, her first Dornian wedding was an exceptionally bright, colourful and festive affair. More specifically, it was a wedding conducted in the Bhreynar customs heavily influenced by Rhoynar customs.

Young girls danced by a large fire pit, their moves flowing like water, graceful and free-spirited, matching the upbeat and energetic tune played by musicians with harps, drums, flutes and ocarinas. Hydromancers joined in the dance, dazzling the wedding guests with water shows and rainbow-coloured mists, and there was much applause and laughter that brightened the mood.

As an honoured guest of House Rada, she sat at the table where Arin and his direct family ate, eating her first taste of Dornish fare and drink. Instead of Omsyak, she was served chilled fruit juice and lemon tea. Elaegelle noticed that rather than use the standard high tables and chairs as was standard, the Bhreynar sat cross-legged on plush cushions and rugs, eating at very low tables that reached up only to their ankles when they stood up straight.

She coughed slightly with watery eyes, drinking deeply to douse the fire in her mouth.

"Is it too spicy for you, Your Highness?"

Elaegelle looked at Arin with envy, who was feasting just fine.

"I'm used to spicy food, but not this spicy!" She exclaimed.

"Perhaps we should request less spicy food, Your Highness?" Asked Ser Jaehaerys, who was similarly sweaty from eating his repast.

As Princess Elaegelle's sworn shield, he was given the honour of eating at the same table with her and House Rada, both to facilitate his duties and as a sign of respect.

"No, it's already been served, no sense wasting it. And it's quite tasty too!"

Elaegelle was already stuffing her cheeks like a beaver with every course served, and Arin could not help but smile in amusement, contemplating poking her cute cheeks before deciding against it.

"Enjoy as much as you wish, Your Highness," Arin said, "If you'd like, you could order an extra portion."

"I'm good, but thank you for offering, Grand Duke," Elaegelle politely rejected.

Azella and Temujin were seated at the very front as the spouses on a throne-like backrest, elaborately carved and decorated with depictions of the Udohanar and riding horses, dressed in strikingly colourful garb made of the finest silks. Many wedding guests offered gifts as part of her dowry, which servants carried away for safekeeping.

Elaegelle had to admit, she never heard of a marriage in history where an older woman married a younger man; it was always the other way around when age disparity between spouses was involved, primarily to ensure the wife's capability to sire children.

But the two are clearly in love with each other, and according to Lord Arin, they are a match made in heaven. I suppose I don't have a choice but to trust his word here.

"So tell me, Elaegelle, how do you find your experience here?" Asked Arin.

"...I don't know how to describe it," Elaegelle admitted, "I've been to the Andal kingdoms before, and we both know their culture can hardly compare to that of Paletillia. Their weddings always seemed… boring, for lack of a better word."

"I get the feeling," Arin nodded in agreement.

"And yet, I never believed anywhere else other than Paletillia could be a modern nation, rich and culturally advanced as Valyria of old before I came here," Elaegelle admitted, "Dornia is rich, modern and culturally advanced as my home, and it has yet more room to grow. As if that were not enough, you hold profitable trade deals in the Summer Isles and much of Essos, and are at the forefront of pioneering countless new technologies that increasingly enter common usage in Paletillia, Dornia, and our allies. To top it all off, you civilised and allied with the Dothraki of all people - a people none believed could be civilised - and even married your daughter to their leader. What other message could this send than the fact that even the Dothraki can be welcome in your dukedom?"

Arin smiled at Elaegelle, impressed at her deduction.

"As always, you offer exceptional insight, Your Highness," Said Ser Jaehaerys.

Such a compliment was often construed as brown-nosing, but Jaehaerys was anything but a sycophant, and Elaegelle only trusted the non-sycophants who could speak their mind without worry of repercussions.

"Might I offer a slight correction, Your Highness?" Said Arin, "It was not me who civilised the Dothraki refugees into the Bhreynar, but my daughter Azella, who they call their khaleesi. She is the one who should be credited for accomplishing what would have been a herculean task."

"Herculean?" Asked Ser Jaehaerys, "Pardon me, but I've never heard the term."

"Ah, right. It is what we used to refer to a task so large and difficult to tackle even by teamwork," Arin explained, "By the way, I actually find it a waste that you are picked on simply because you are dragonless, Your Highness, not to mean offence."

"None taken, Lord Arin," Elaegelle reassured.

"Still, I truly find it a pity," Belandra pointed out, "If only your siblings saw past their prejudices and appreciated you for who you are."

"That is just the way of things in Daro Vilinion (King's Landing)," Elaegelle muttered sadly, "It is a… punishing expectation."

"That might be so there, but here we recognise people through their talent and hard work," Belandra firmly reassured, "If there is anything we can do for you, please let us know, and we will do our utmost to help."

"I appreciate it, Lady Belandra," Elaegelle smiled with thanks.

The Targaryen princess soon noticed something odd about herself and her hosts. For one, she was openly talking to Arin and Belandra as if they were long-time friends, confidants even. The only times she ever talked this way was with her parents and Ser Jaehaerys. What exactly happened to her during her weeks-long stay here?

For two, she was treated with far greater decency and acceptance. Granted, she knew the Dornians did not put stock in dragon-riding abilities or lineage, and her hosts were far more tolerant and accepting than most, not to mention they were used to having Paletillian courtiers, but this pace was much too fast.

And yet, she instantly preferred this to her old life in Paletillia, despite some initial regret.

They heard a gong ring, and Arin and Belandra nodded to each other.

"It's about time," Arin remarked.

Elaegelle watched as the Rada parents approached the wedded couple, with another man carrying a plush box in both hands which he held out reverently to the Grand Duke and Duchess. Arin and Belandra each took a ring from the box - pure gold with intricate engravings and a diamond set in the centre - and presented them to the bride and groom, who placed the rings on each others' fingers.

Then they saw the Maihyeram move forward, placing her hands and intoning her blessing, and everyone went silent as the ceremony approached its climax.

"Azella Rada, do you take Temujin to be your lawfully wedded husband, to care for him in sickness and health?"

"I do."

"Temujin, do you take Azella Rada to be your lawfully wedded wife, to care for her until your dying days?"

"I do."

"Then by the covenant sealed upon thy rings, I pronounce you man and wife," Said the Maihyeram, "Please, drink from the cups."

The spouses were to drink a mixture of Omsyak, goat milk and a variety of herbs and spices, to signify health, joy and endurance in the harshest of climates, that they may always be fleet-footed to tread the vast, expansive plains of the world. Served in glazed ceramic cups, they carried a fragrant scent that tingled the nose. Clinking cups, they downed the mixture.

And all let out a round of applause with beaming smiles. Arin and Belandra wept tears of joy, wiping them discreetly.

Elaegelle could not help but envy the wedded couple; unlike most families, they got to wed for love.

Would the Fourteen permit me this luxury?

Only time would tell.