Chapter 3

"Well, I have seen my fair share of corpses and if she was dead then she held up really well because she looked awesome." Alex retorted.

"Where did you say you talked with Morrigan?" Alistair asked

"In this place she called the Fade," Alex replied.

"If this is some kind of cruel trick of hers…"

"Alistair, please believe me. This isn't a trick. I promise," Alex pleaded.

Alistair continued to back away from her. Alex grabbed her backpack, dug through it and pulled out a small rectangular object. "Alistair I can prove that I am not from around here." She held up the object and asked, "Have you ever seen anything that looks like this?"

Alistair stopped backing up, looked at object in her hand and shook his head. She continued, "This object is very popular where I come from. You put these little ear pieces in your ears and music comes out."

Alistair started to back away again. Alex ran up to him and grabbed his arm. "Please Alistair, please at least give it a try," she pleaded with him.

"Okay," he conceded and she placed the ear buds into his ears and slide the control button on the object she then hit another button and the sound of a woman's voice came through into his ears. The music was like nothing he had ever heard and the lyrics stirred his heart.

"I don't want another pretender, to disillusion me one more time
Whispering words of forever, playin' with my mind
No No (no no no no no no no)
I need someone to hold on to, the kind of love that won't fly away
I just want someone to belong to someone every day of my life, always, so come and take me away."

The lyrics spoke to his deepest desire to belong to someone and to have them belong to him always and that is when it hit him. He pulled the ear pieces out of his ears and threw them at her, "You're a desire demon. Get away from me."

Alex looked dumbfounded, "I'm a what?"

"A desire demon, and you're a damn good one. That explains the provocative way you are dressed, the fact that you are exact type of woman I have fantasized about - with your long raven black hair, sparkling blue eyes, right down to the dazzling breathtaking smile, but it's just my luck that I had to get some crazy demented desire demon."

"I am not a desire demon," Alex reached out and touched him. "Please, Alistair you have to believe me. If I was a desire demon why would I be stuck in a tree?"

"Yes, because you know that I couldn't resist helping a damsel in distress," Alistair retorted.

"Hey, watch who you are calling a damsel in distress," Alex snapped. "I can take care of myself."

"Oh, yes, it looked like you had everything under control," Alistair said sarcastically.

"If I was a desire demon would I be having this completely stupid argument with you? Wouldn't I be trying to seduce you or something?"

Alistair thought she might have a point on that one, but he wasn't ready to believe the outrageous story she had just told him, but before he could respond she said, "Alistair, from what I read in the journal I gather that demons use magic by gathering power from the Fade. I also read that you were a Templar and that Templars neutralize magical powers. Is this correct?"

Alistair looked at her suspiciously, but nodded so Alex continued, "So couldn't you unleash one of your Templar talents on me and if I was a desire demon it would cause me physical harm?"

Again, Alistair just nodded. "So why don't you work your mojo and let's see what effects it has on me?"

"My mojo?" Alistair asked.

"Your magic," Alex replied.

Alistair thought about this for a moment and then nodded in agreement. "Okay, this could work," he supposed. Alistair gathered his strength as he concentrated on the source of the energy, he let the energy build until it was at its most powerful and then he flung his arms outward as the energy was released. The force of energy burst hit Alex in the chest throwing her to the ground. Alistair looked as saw Alex land on her back and he ran over to her. She pushed herself to sit up; she looked dazed. He extended his hand and said, "Are you alright?"

"I just had the wind knocked out of me, but I will be fine," she said as she took his hand and struggled to her feet. She then said in a breathy voice, "Do you believe me now?"

"I believe you're not a desire demon, but I'm still not sure about the crazy," Alistair said skeptically.

"Oh for God's sake, this is becoming exhausting. What about the little music box? You don't have anything like that here." Alistair still looked doubtful. So Alex continued, "I told you that I knew about you because of Morrigan's journal. She had all kinds of information in there. For example I know that you were raised by Arl Eamon, you defeated the Blight with a city elf named Darrian and that that you were raised in the Chantry and are still a virgin."

"All of that is public information…well except for that last bit and it isn't true anymore."

"Oh, so you're not a virgin anymore?" Alex asked.

"Hmmm, well it's kind of a long story," Alistair said sheepishly.

"Actually, it's not. It's really a yes or no question," Alex said coyly.

"Well, I don't want to discuss it right now with someone I don't know and who I think is mentally deranged," Alistair retorted.

Alex sauntered up to Alistair, gently touched the side of his abdomen and said, "I know that you took a sword through your side from a Hurlock and it took three days of healing before Wynne and Morrigan had you out of the woods. I am sure that there is a nasty looking scar there if you are ever so inclined to show me."

Alistair felt the heat rise to the surface of his skin under her touch and heard his breath catch as she gazed up at him with warmth and compassion in her eyes. His hand clasped hers by his side as he said, "Aaah, yes, well there is a scar there and only the people in our traveling party knew about it. I've never told anyone."

He stepped away from her, looked at her along moment and then conceded, "As crazy as it sounds, I do believe you."

Alex smiled her dazzling smile at him and said, "I'll bet you now regret all the things you said about me being your perfect fantasy."

"Yes, about that, let's just forget I ever said any of those things," Alistair said a little flustered.

"You want me to forget that you have fantasized about my sparkling blue eyes, and my dazzling breathtaking smile. Oh, I think not. That little tidbit will be stored in the memory bank to be brought up at the most embarrassing and inopportune moment," Alex said as she grinned at him.

Alistair sighed and said, "Great, looking forward to that," he paused for a moment and then remembered that she had said that she had come to Ferelden specifically to see him. "So why did you come here?" He asked.

"Well, it's like I said, I read about you in Morrigan's journal. I found you fascinating and intriguing. You have this epic, romantic tale and when Morrigan gave me the opportunity to visit this world I couldn't resist."

"You find me fascinating and intriguing. Really?" Alistair asked doubtfully.

Alex nodded with a slight grin on her face, "Really!"

Alistair smiled and then looked up at the sky and noticed that the sun heading towards the horizon. He must have been gone a several hours now and Eamon would only be held at bay for so long. "Look I need to head back to the Palace before anyone misses me," Alistair said.

"Oh, okay, let's go," Alex said as she grabbed her backpack.

"Aaah, I don't…" Alistair hesitated.

"Oh, you don't want me to go to the Palace," Alex said slightly dejected.

"NO! It's not that. It's just that you don't look like a noble or like anyone in Ferelden for that matter and it will raise just a few questions - more than either one of us really wants to explain," Alistair said. Alistair thought about it for a moment. He walked behind the tree and picked up his traveling cloak that he had discarded just before the altercation with the bandits. He walked back to Alex and wrapped it around her. "Okay that should help get us into the City gates without anyone noticing your attire."

It was about a twenty minute walk to Denerim and as they walked Alex thought out loud, ""Next time I show a Ferelden a song from my iTouch I think I am going to pick a different song!"

Alistair stopped dead in his tracks, looked at Alex for a long time and then asked, "Pardon me, but what are you talking about?"

"Well, that song choice was obviously a fiasco. I don't want people thinking I am a desire demon so maybe some Lady Gaga or a little Michael Jackson might workout better."

Alistair stared at her in disbelief, "Alex, just because I believe you doesn't mean that everyone else will. You can't go around showing people your music box and not expect them to think you're crazy or that you are some kind of demon. You need to blend in."

Alex thought about this for a moment, nodded and said, "Your right. I didn't think that through."

Alistair started to walk again and asked, "So tell me how you meet Morrigan?"

As they walked Alex told him how Morrigan was brought into the hospital as an accident victim and how they had saved her life. She recounted Morrigan visiting the bar that she worked in and how she had left her journal there. She told Alistair about reading the journal that night, falling asleep only to wake up in the Fade where she met Morrigan again who explained about dimensions and gave her the opportunity to come here.

Alistair thought about what she had said before asking, "So let me get this straight, she is a spirit in the Fade, but when she enters a dimension she takes on a physical form. However, if she dies in a dimension she ceases to exist." Alex nodded and Alistair muttered, "That's very interesting."

"Alistair, maybe Morrigan was never really from Ferelden. Maybe she was just visiting," Alex speculated.

Alistair raised an eye brow, "Would you visit a dimension where you were fighting for your life everyday and trying to save an entire nation? No, she is from Ferelden. Her mother was a very powerful witch so maybe Morrigan discovered something in her mother's grimoire that helped her exist in the Fade and travel throughout these dimensions."

"Well, there were a lot of spells in the journal. So how did Morrigan die?"

Alistair thought about his answer for a moment before he replied, "You read in the grimoire about the magic ritual that was performed before the final battle to ensure that Darrian and I didn't die?" Alex nodded so Alistair continued, "Well, true to her word, Morrigan disappeared right after the final battle and no one ever saw her again. About nine months later rumors started to come out of the Frostback Mountains that a powerful mage had died while giving birth. The rumors stated that it was an extremely difficult labor and that both the mother and child were in mortal danger. The rumors said that the mage cast healing spells on the child through the birth and to ensure that the baby was born alive, but by the time the child was born the mage was drained of her mana and was unable to heal herself. She died shortly after and no one knows what happened to the child. If the rumors are true then that would be the first selfless act that Morrigan ever did which is why I don't believe the rumors. They both probably died during child birth."

Alex didn't say anything right away, but finally replied, "The woman that I met in the Fade was truly grateful for me saving her life which is why she offered me this opportunity."

"When you told me about this opportunity my first thought was, 'What's in it for Morrigan?' I don't trust and you shouldn't either."

They walked the rest of the way in silence each lost in their thoughts. As they approached the City Alistair kept his head down trying not to make eye contact with anyone and prayed to the Maker that no one recognized him. He escorted Alex to the Market area and headed towards a house that use to be occupied by Marjolaine, but was now the home of his good friend Leliana. Just before he knocked he leaned into Alex and said, "I need you to just go along with everything I say." Alex was about to protest, but he knocked on the door and it was quickly opened by a pretty red head with beautiful blue eyes.

She took one look at him, grabbed his arm and pulled him inside. "Alistair, where have you been? Half the royal guard is looking for you."

"Argh, how did Eamon find out?" Alistair asked.

"I don't know, but you need to get back to the Palace before he starts a door to door search looking for you," Leliana said.

"Okay, I will, but first. I need your help," Alistair replied and then took Alex by the arm and led her forward. "Leli, this is Contessa Alexandria Seymour from Nevarra. She is here for the festivities and celebrations. She was robbed on her way here and has lost all of her personal items. At my expense, please have all of her dresses, jewelry, and personal items replaced and if you would have Zevran escort her tomorrow night to the Opening Celebration I would appreciate it."

Leliana looked at Alex and exclaimed, "Oh, you poor dear. What a horrible ordeal you have been through." Leliana put her arm around Alex and lead her into her sitting room. "I will have Neva, my personal dress maker, come over immediately. I am sure she has dresses already made that she would just need to alter to fit your small frame."

"Thank you, Leli. Please have all of her belongs sent over to the Palace. I feel personally responsible for what has happened to her and I want her to be my personal guest at the Palace," Alistair replied.

Leliana raised an eyebrow, but said, "Of course, Alistair."

Alistair turned to leave and Alex walked with him to the front door. She whispered so that Leliana couldn't hear, "Thank you, Alistair."

He smiled down at her and said, "Well, you did travel across dimensions to meet me. It's the least I can do."

"That was a great story that you just came up with on the spot. I think that is the story you should use on Eamon. Tell him that you heard a rumor of bandits wanting to rob the nobles coming in for the celebration and before you caused a panic you wanted to investigate it yourself."

Alistair grinned at her, "That's brilliant, thanks. He won't be happy that I went to investigate it personally, but it is believable. I will see you tomorrow night." He leaned in and nervously kissed her check and then headed out the door.

Alex and Leliana spent the rest of the day and a good part of the following day trying on dresses, accessories and having their hair done. It had been a long time since Alex had pampered herself and she was enjoying it. She was never a dress person, but she was getting into the spirit of the dimension she was in and enjoyed the change.

Leliana helped Alex get dressed for the opening celebration that was taking place in the Royal Gardens. The dress that she was wearing this evening was exquisite. It was strapless dress with an empire waist. There were white delicate pleats that wrapped around her breasts. A thin cord of rhinestones separated the material around her breast and velvet bodice that clung tightly to all of her curves. The red velvet bodice was accented with rhinestone cords that made a chris-cross pattern across the front. As the dress reached the floor its white satin billowed out from in between the red velvet.

Leliana gasped, "Contessa, you look stunning."

"Thank you, Leliana."

Then a knock came at the door. "That must be our escorts," Leliana said as she went to the door and let the gentlemen in.

"Leliana, mi gioiello di Tesoro, you are looking ravishing this evening," a man said with an Italian accent.

"You look very dapper yourself, Zev," Leliana replied. Then Alex heard her exclaim, "Oh Ser Perth you look absolutely debonair. I knew you would clean up well once we got you out of that armor."

"Thank you, Leliana and I must say that you look particularly beautiful yourself. It is an honor to escort you to the Opening Celebration this evening," Ser Perth replied.

"Gentlemen, please come in so that I can introduce you to our guest," Leliana said.

Alex stood up as a beautiful tan elf walked in to the room followed by a handsome solider. Leliana walked in behind them. "Gentlemen, this is Contessa Alexandria Seymour from Nevarra. Alex, this is Zevran Arainai. He will be your escort this evening."

Zevran stepped forward, took Alex's hand, brought it to his lips and "Alistair did not exaggerate your beauty. I am looking forward to having such a beautiful woman on my arm this evening."

"Thank you Zevran. I am looking forward to getting to know the infamous ladies man," Alex replied.

"Aaah, so my reputation precedes me. This is good. That way we can skip all the small talk and get right down the art of seduction."

"And who will be seducing who?" Alex inquired.

Zev let out a boisterous laugh, "Charming and quick witted. I don't think Alistair deserves such a Bella Tersoro."

"Careful Zev, I believe Alistair already has his eyes set on our enchanting Contessa," Leliana said. She then turned toward the solider and continued, "This is Ser Riley Perth. He is my escort for the evening."

Riley stepped in front of Alex took her hand, kissed it and said, "It is a pleasure to meet you and welcome to Ferelden."

"Thank you, Ser Perth," Alex replied.

"Please, my Lady, call me Riley."

Alex smiled at him and said, "Only if you will call me Alex and drop the, my lady."

Riley smiled back at her and said, "As you wish, Alex."

Zev took Alex's arm in his and said, "Your carriage a waits," and the four of them headed out the door.

Alistair stood at the main entrance of the royal garden so that he could greet each of his guests as they arrived. He was speaking with Arl Sighard and his family when the guard announced, "Contessa Alexandria Seymour of Nevarra escorted by Zevran Arainai of Antiva." He glanced up just as Zev removed her cape and handed it to the servant. The curls in her raven black hair spilled onto her creamy white shoulders. The red in her dress accented her dark hair and eyes perfectly. She was a vision and Alistair felt his stomach twist and heard his breath catch as she made her way over to him.