Dowif's Collar

Consequently, Faftam went to the pack's jewelry-maker. "I want to commission you," Faftam said. "Make a wedding collar out of the finest silver and silk."

"Oh? Are you truly proposing marriage?" asked the jewelry-maker. "For whom will this collar be?"

"Dowif," Faftam said their name like a prayer. "Make it as beautiful and as delicate and as a great a treasure as they."

The jewelry-maker made three parallel silver chains and sewed them into a wide band of the softest purple silk. On the outside of the fabric, the jewelry-maker arranged long, thin silver beads to look like flower petals.

When the collar was finished, the jewelry-maker called Faftam into the workshop. Faftam was so happy they nearly cried. They wanted to propose to Dowif right then and there, so they asked a pack member to bring Dowif to the workshop.

Dowif entered the workshop to find their pack leader kneeling on the dusty workshop floor, eyes lowered to the ground. Faftam held the collar in their hands, close to their chest. They lifted their head, looked into their beloved's eyes, and asked for their hand in marriage. Dowif laughed, asked Faftam to stand, and accepted Faftam's proposal.

Faftam held out the collar, and Dowif marveled at its beauty. "It's almost perfect," Dowif said.

"Almost?" Faftam nearly died on the spot.

Dowif turned to the jewelry-maker and asked, "Would you add my name and my spouse's name to the collar, so no matter where we go, everyone will know who we are and we belong to each other."

The jewelry-maker followed Dowif's instruction, and Faftam did cry this time.