For almost a year Eamon spent every waking moment educating Alistair in court etiquette, politics, dancing, and the life stories of possibly every known noble in Thedas. From the crack of dawn he would barge into the king's chambers and start to rattle off boring information that Alistair should know while the servants scurried about getting him fed, bathed, and dressed, and then for the next 16 hours Alistair would be handed off from one tutor to the next as Eamon oversaw his "education."
The only breaks that Alistair received were during meal times and that too was spent with Eamon as he went over the affairs of the country and had Alistair sign legal documents. This would go on well into the night until Wynne would rescue him or until he quite literally doubled-over from sheer exhaustion.
To top it all off, tomorrow dozens of eligible noble women from just about every noble house in Thedas would start to pour into Denerim for the upcoming festivities. It had been two years since Alistair was crowned king and the Ferelden nobility had become extremely relentless in their efforts to have him married off and produce an heir. He knew as king that it was his obligation and duty to do so; however, he couldn't help but feel like some prized mabari being paraded around and sold off to the highest bidder.
In what Eamon had considered a stroke of genius, he had decided that the best way to find Alistair a suitable bride would be to invite every eligible noble woman to attend the now annual anniversary celebration of the blight's defeat. It would be two weeks of non-stop parties, parades, tournaments and balls in which Eamon felt would give Alistair enough time to mingle with the ladies and pick a worthy candidate to propose to.
Finally, tired of all the endless prattle, Alistair decided that he had earned himself a well-deserved break and decided to talk to his fellow Warden and best friend, Darrian, about a way to sneak-out of the castle for a few hours.
Eamon led the way down the corridor to Alistair's next appointment. When Eamon's attention was averted elsewhere Alistar slipped into the shadows of the hallway using a few of the stealth techniques that Darrian had taught him during their blight travels. Once free, Alistair quickly made his way to the castle's training grounds.
"Thank the Maker you're always so predictable!" Alistair smiled, running up to his friend as he sparred against a wooden dummy.
"Alistair, long time, no see!" the young elf grinned. "Did Eamon finally decide to give you a day off?"
"I wish! No, I managed to sneak away while he was going on about Orlesian flower arrangements or some other equally as boring subject. I swear how you managed to talk me into becoming king I'll never know!"
"Well it was either you became king or Queen Anora would take the throne. And before you say anything, you know damn well that if she had become regent you never would've been able to pay Loghain back for what he did at Ostagar."
"I know, you're right," Alistair sighed. "Still, I swear I'd rather kiss a broodmother than to have to listen to one more second of Eamon's lectures on court etiquette."
Darrian chuckled. "Being king isn't as cozy a job as it sounds, huh?"
"No, it's not, which is why I have a favor to ask."
"No need," Darrian stated, as he held up his hand up to stop Alistair. "I had a feeling I already know what you're going to ask for and I've already come up with a plan."
"That quick?"
"Well, to tell the truth I've had it planned for a while now, I was just waiting for you to ask." Darrian smiled as Alistair punched him in the arm.
'By the Maker, it feels good to finally be outside!' Alistair sighed as he took in a long breath of fresh air. He had hid in the back of a travelling merchant's cart, and when he was a safe distance from the city's gates he jumped out. There was a path that led towards a small pond not far from here. During their Blight travels they had camped there numerous times. It was a peaceful place and it would be a great place to relax and enjoy some much needed rest.
Alistair was truly grateful that Darrian had everything planned out in advance; he only wished his friend had told him about the plan sooner. It was an ingenious in its simplicity and its execution.
Darrian would hide Alistair in the back of the merchant's cart while Wynne told Eamon that Alistair had suddenly come down with something, a side-effect from all the long nights of studying that he had recently, and that she had sent him off to bed to rest. She then gave Eamon and the staff explicate orders not to disturb him.
"That should be enough to buy you several hours of freedom," Darrian had told him. Alistair hoped. Still, there was always the chance that someone might insist on a visit and that's where Part B came in.
If anyone did pay him a visit then they would walk into a dimly lit bedroom with the curtains would be drawn closed to allow him to sleep better. Anders was in his bed and would pretend to be him. This would require some acting on Anders' part, but if everything went according to plan Alistair would be back in plenty of time before Eamon or anyone else became too suspicious.
How Darrian had managed to convince Wynne and Anders into their little rouse was beyond him, but he was glad none the less to have their support. Perhaps Darrian owed his cunning and persuasiveness to his life in the Alienage. Alistair made a mental note to talk to him about this and see if and how he could possibly improve the living conditions for Ferelden's elves population.
Alistair pulled off his hooded traveling cloak as he strolled down the path towards the pond. As he drew closer to the pond he could hear several loud voices. As he entered the small clearing, he saw a group of bandits having a rather animated argument with a tree; however, as he drew closer he began to notice what appeared to be the silhouette of a beautiful, but strangely clad woman whose backpack was stuck on one of the tree branches.
"Dun go worry'n yer purty 'ed, we promise we won' 'ert you. We jus want ter 'ave sum fun, ain't dat right fellas?" The leader stated, smirking widely.
"Yep, dat's ri', boss," chuckled the shorter, fat thug.
"Well, when you put it that way…NO!" Alex yelled down at the group of men. "I swear, if you losers don't leave me alone I'm gonna kick your ass!"
The three men laughed.
"An how ye plan on do'n dat when you iz up der an we down here, aye?"
Alex grimaced, she hated that he had a point. How exactly could she hurt them when she was currently stuck dangling from her backpack in a tree? 'Damn it,' Morrigan either miscalculated the portal's exit point or she had a twisted sense of humor.
The men, noticing her frustration, began to laugh even harder.
"Perhaps I could be of service?" Alistair smiled as he walked up to the men.
"Fella, dis non of yur concern," the leader said.
"Oh, but it is," Alistair said as he drew his sword and shield and he advanced toward the leader, he smashed his shield three times into him, knocking him to the ground. Alistair glared at the man and hissed, "No one harms defenseless ladies in my kingdom," as he brought the pommel down on the man's temple knocking him unconscious.
Alistair quickly spun to face the three men that were advancing toward him. Alistair swung his sword back and forth as he pressed the attack. The closest bandit swung his sword in a defensive gesture, but was too slow as Alistair's blade slipped past and connected with the man's iron breastplate driving him back. Alistair pulled his blade up and the man had to lean back to keep the tip from slicing his chin. The man stumbled, fell, but managed to roll to the side. Alistair crossed to him quickly and kicked him in the stomach once and then again.
Alistair left the man graveling in pain as he turned to the right, his sword lead the way toward the last two bandits just as one of them charged towards him. Alistair deflected the bandit's sword with his and bashed him with his shield as the man stumbled Alistair brought the broad side of his sword down on the man's shoulder driving him to the ground and knocking him out.
Alistair fell into a defensive crouch as he advanced toward the last bandit, but the bandit turned and quickly ran in the opposite direction.
"Wow!" Alex beamed. "You're so going to have to teach me how you did all that!"
Alistair chuckled. "Maybe later. Right now, how about I help you down from there Miss..?"
"Alexandria Seymour, but my friends call me Alex." Alex smiled, as she watched her rescuer started to climb his way up towards her.
"Well, Alex, care to tell me how managed to get yourself stuck up in this tree like this?"
"I'm not quite sure of that myself, but believe me when I say that I'm going to have a serious talk with my travel agent when I get back."
Alistair looked at her inquisitively as he reached the branch that she was caught on. "What is a travel agent?"
"Well, where I come from it is someone who helps you make arrangements when you are traveling abroad."
"Oh, that sounds like someone who would be very useful. I may have to get one of those," Alistair replied. Alistair climbed past her up to the next branch so that he could unhook her pack from the above limb when he said, "That still doesn't explain what you were doing up the tree."
Trying to think quickly Alex replied, "Well, I climbed up there to get a better view of the area and I slipped. Lucky, for me, my backpack caught on a branch and stopped me from falling all the way down."
Alistair examined the straps that were tangled in the above branches and said, "Your backpack is knotted in the branches and I won't be able to untangle it without cutting one of the straps,"
"What? You have got to be kidding me. I love this backpack," Alex replied.
"I'm sorry, but it's the only way to get you down. I have a great armor smith who will be able to repair it in no time." Alistair climbed back down to the branch that she was on and slid in behind her. "Now before I cut you free let me get a good grip on you so that you don't fall." Alistair leaned back against the trunk of the tree, wrapped one his arms around her waist and with his other hand he drew out his sword and cut at the strap. The strap freed itself of the branch. The sudden release of the weight caused Alex to lose her balance, but Alistair pulled her against his chest to steady her. Alex could feel the strength in his arm as he held her against him. "Don't worry, I have you," Alistair said. His breath on the back of her neck sent chills down her spine.
Alex grabbed a nearby branch and moved away from Alistair and began to climb down the tree. Once she was on the ground Alistair quickly descended behind her and took a better look at what she was wearing. She had on black trousers that were very tight fitting. They accented her curvy hips and firm buttocks; her shirt wasn't any better. It too hugged her every curve. The shirt lacked sleeves, but cut across her shoulders and crossed down her back. It took every ounce of templar training to pull his eyes away from her body. "Were you about to bathe in the pond before you went up the tree?" Alistair asked.
Alex narrowed her eyes at him and said, "No, why do you ask?"
"Oh, I just thought since you were in your small clothes that you might have stopped by the pond to cool off," Alistair replied.
"My what?" Alex asked.
Alistair gestured his hand at her outfit and said, "Your small clothes….your undergarments."
Alex looked at the workout clothes that she had put on after work and it dawned on her what he was talking about. "Oh, these aren't my undergarments. Where I come from they are clothes that we use when we are going to work out." She saw that word didn't register with him so she said, "Exert oneself physically in order to be more physically fit."
"Oh, like sparring or working out with a wooden dummy?" Alistair asked.
"Yes, like that but without the swords," Alex replied.
"Oh, wouldn't be too much fun without swords," Alistair replied.
Alex looked at him and then glanced over his body. It made him uncomfortable how freely and casually she looked him over. "You have a several cuts from your fight with those bandits. Let me take a look at them."
"You don't need to do that," Alistair said.
"Trust me, I'm a doctor." Her hand brushed over the cut on his forehead and down to the one on his cheek. Her hand was warm and soft as it rested on his cheek while she examined his cuts. He felt his face begin to become flush and warm under her touch. He wanted to pull away from her, but at the same time he didn't want to break the connection.
She removed her hand and said, "Please take a seat. I have some things in my bag that will help these." Alistair lowered himself to the ground and leaned against the tree. Alex knelt in front of him and reached for her bag. Alistair averted his eyes from her scantily clad breasts that were now in front of him.
Alex removed her first aid kit and pulled out an alcohol swab. "This is going to sting a little, but I need to clean up these wounds before I bandage them." Alex gently ran the alcohol swab across his forehead.
Alistair jerked away and grabbed her wrist, "Bloody hell, woman, are you trying to kill me?"
Alex raised an eye brow and said, "You can take on four men and defeat them, but you are going to act like a baby over a minor flesh wound."
Alistair pouted a little, "Well, it really stung."
Alex finished cleaning the wounds and said, "The cuts aren't deep so they won't leave any scars to that handsome face of yours." Alistair felt his face blush over the compliment.
She applied some Neosporin that helped numb the cuts and Alistair smiled up at her, "That feels much better," he said. She smiled back at him and he was dazzled by her beautiful smile and sparkling blue eyes.
"You never did tell me your name. What should I call my timely rescuer?"
"Well, that is very poor manners on my part. I'm Alistair."
Alex stared at him in disbelief as she whispered, "Alistair…as in King Alistair."
Now, Alistair stared at her, "Oh, so I see you have heard of me."
"Yes, I read all about you and your travels during the Blight."
"Well, don't believe everything you read. Those news tabloids tend to over exaggerate the facts," Alistair chortled. "Which tabloid did you read - The Ferelden Mirror or the Thedas Enquirer?"
"Hmmm, neither. It was in a journal," Alex said. "Your Majesty-"
Alistair held up his hand, "We were getting along so well. Please don't call me that. It's just Alistair."
Alex looked at him for a long moment, smiled and said, "As you wish, Alistair. There is something I need to tell you."
"Well, it's never good when someone starts out a sentence like that," Alistair replied warily.
"As you can probably tell I am not from around here-"
"Oh that's obvious," Alistair interrupted. "Where are you from?"
"A place that is very far away from here; I have traveled a great distance to meet you," Alex began.
"So you are one of the noble women that came here for the festivities?" Alistair said disappointedly. He really liked Alex. He didn't want her to be some stuck up noble trying to marry the king.
Alex looked at him confused and asked, "What festivities?"
Alistair smiled as he realized that Alex sincerely didn't know about the celebrations and was here just to see him because of his travels not because she was trying to land herself a royal husband.
"Look Alistair, I am here from another dimension. I read about your adventures in an old journal and I was fascinated by your tale and I -"
"You're from another what?"
Alex took a deep breath and said, "Another dimension."
"What in Andraste's arse is a dimension?"
Alex rifled through her backpack and pulled out a piece of paper. She folded it like a fan the way Morrigan did. She then told Alistair the exact same thing that was told to her, "Imagine each one of these folds as another dimensions or world. All of these worlds are living concurrently with each other, overlapping each other, but never coming into contact with each other. There are thousands of worlds out there and the Fade is the portal that leads to these other worlds. My world is one of those worlds."
Alistair slowly eased himself up and began to back away from her, "Well, Alex it was really nice meeting you, but I really need to get back to the Palace before I am missed."
"Alistair, I know this sounds crazy," Alex said.
Alistair held up his hand and showed his thumb and forefinger inches apart from each other and said, "Ooh, maybe just a little bit."
"It sounded crazy to me too, but Morrigan said-"
Alistair stopped dead in his tracks and demanded, "Who did you just say?"
Alex looked at him unsure of herself, but replied, "Morrigan."
Alistair ran his hands through his hair and said, "Morrigan is dead."