Chapter 7

As they entered Alistair's study Alex turned to one of the servants that was standing in the hall and asked them to go to her room and get her backpack. They nodded and headed in that direction.

Alistair closed the door and sat behind his desk while Darrian and Alex sat in the chairs in front of the desk. Alistair ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. "Darrian, I wanted to tell you about this from the very beginning, but it's the craziest thing I've ever heard and I hardly believe it myself. I didn't know how to explain it so that you would not think both Alex and I are crazy."

Darrian looked back and forth from Alistair and Alex and demanded, "Tell me what?"

Alex looked at Alistair and said, "Why don't we ask Anders here? As a mage he has experience with the Fade."

Alistair nodded and said, "Good idea." He got up and went to the door and asked the guard to send for Anders. He turned back to Darrian and said, "Just give us a minute and we will explain everything."

Anders and the servant with Alex's bag arrived at the same time. Alistair handed the bag to Alex as Anders settled into a chair.

They all looked at Alex; she took a deep breath and started, "Where I come from…"

"Nevarra?" Darrian interrupted.

Alex smiled and said, "No. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California in the United States of America."

Anders and Darrian stared at her like she had grown a third eye. "Where in Andraste's ass is that?" Darrian finally asked.

Alex pulled the same fan piece of paper out of her bag that she had used to show Alistair how dimensions work. Alex held up the fan and pointed to the top fold of the fan and said, "Imagine this top layer of the fan as Thedas," she then pointed to the next layer and said, "Imagine this layer as the place where I come from and all of these other layers are different places. All of these layers simultaneously exist, overlapping each other, but these worlds never come 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."

Darrian looked at Alistair and said, "And you believed her when she told you all of this? I think you're crazier than she is for buying into these lies."

Alex looked at Alistair and said, "Should I show them my iTouch?"

Alistair shrugged and said, "I don't see why not. At this point it couldn't hurt."

Alex rifled through her bag and pulled out her iTouch. Then an idea came to her and she pulled out her laptop too. All three of them were now watching her with intense curiosity. She held up her laptop and said, "This is a computer. Where I come from we use this to gather information, store information and for entertainment purposes." She started up her computer, prayed that the battery wouldn't die and plugged her iTouch into her laptop. She scrolled through the menu and selected the folder that had her music.

"Okay, my computer can play songs and you can hear them through these speakers that will amplify the music. The song is about where I'm from," Alex said as she hit play.

A strange noise came out of the computer and a man's voice said, "Greetings loved ones, let's take a journey."

Than a woman's voice began to sing.

I know a place where the grass is really greener
Warm, wet and wild there must be something in the water
Sippin' gin and juice laying underneath the palm trees
The boys break their necks try'na to creep a little sneak peek (at us)

You could travel the world but nothing comes close
To the golden coast once you party with us
You'll be falling in love Oooooh Oh Oooooh

The song was upbeat and had a contagious rhythm. Alistair noticed that Anders' foot was taping to the music. The beat in the song began to pick up and Alistair also noticed Alex's hips begin to slightly sway back and forth and bounce in time with the music. By the Maker, he had never seen a woman move her hips like that; try as he might he couldn't take his eyes off of her behind.

California girls we're unforgettable
Daisy Dukes bikinis on top
Sun-kissed skin so hot
Will melt your popsicle Oooooh Oh Oooooh

California girls we're undeniable
Fine, fresh, fierce we got it on lock
West coast represent now put your hands up Oooooh Oh Oooooh

Alex hit pause on the computer and Anders said, "Ooooo, I want to go there. California sounds like fun, but you have to tell me what popsicles are?"

Alex laughed and replied, "They are frozen flavored ice that has a stick for a handle and you suck on them."

"Sounds tasty," Anders said in a sultry voice.

Alex pursed her lips and said, "Ooooh, they are."

Alistair's face turned slightly red, he coughed and said. "Well, that was a much better song selection then the last one. No one would mistake you for a Desire Demon this time."

"Don't be too sure of that," Darrian said skeptically. Then he continued, "Okay let's say for argument sake I believe you. How did you get to our dimension and why are you here?"

So Alex once again told them how Morrigan was brought into the hospital as an accident victim and how she had saved her life. She recounted Morrigan's visit to the bar that she worked in and that she had left her journal there. Alex described how she had read the journal that night and fell asleep only to wake up in the Fade where she met Morrigan again. It was there in the Fade that she explained about dimensions and gave her the opportunity to come here.

Darrian stared at her for a long time and then said, "So let me get this straight, Morrigan 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.

Darrian looked at Anders and said, "Is that even possible?"

Anders thought about it for a moment and then said, "The few times that I had been in the Fade I saw a multitude of doorways; most of those portals were inaccessible so it is possible that those gateways could lead to other worlds."

Darrian thought about what Anders had said and then asked, "When you were in the Fade were you a spirit?"

Anders hesitated and then said, "No, because I am mage I can enter the Fade in my physical form."

Comprehension dawned on Darrian's face as he asked, "So if the cheese hasn't slipped off Alex's cracker and she is telling the truth then if Morrigan is a spirit in the Fade does that mean she is dead?"

Anders looked at Darrian for a long time before he answered, but he slowly nodded his head. "I'm sorry, Darrian. I know that you cared about her a great deal."

"Don't be sorry, I'm not even sure I believe her," Darrian said.

"Darrian, I can understand being skeptical. But the more time you spend with Alex the more you realize she isn't from around here. I don't just mean not being from Ferelden. Her manner of speech and the things that she talks about indicates that she is telling the truth," Alistair said.

Alex smiled at him and said, "Thank you, Alistair." He nodded. Alex turned to Darrian and said, "I am so sorry. I hate to be the one to bring you this news. Alistair has told me that you were close with her."

Darrian stood up and headed to the door, "I need to be alone for awhile and process all of this information."

A pained expression crossed Alex's face as she looked at Alistair and said, "I really am sorry."

Alex spent the rest of the day in her room and decided to have her dinner sent there too. She liked Darrian and she hated to be the person that caused him distress. After one too many glasses of wine she decided it was time to head to bed. She quickly fell into a deep sleep.

She recognized the fuzzy outlines of the distant buildings and how all of her surroundings felt a little out of focus. She was back in the Fade. She walked down the pathway that led to a purple doorway. She passed through the portal and found herself on a cliff that overlooked a great abyss. Standing at the edge of the precipice was Morrigan.

Alex felt her heart increase at the sight of her. It dawned on her that if Morrigan was here to send her back that she wasn't ready to go. She liked Ferelden and it' people; in a short period of time she had developed a strong friendship with Zev and Anders and she was beginning to really care about Alistair.

She slowly approached Morrigan. The mage must have sensed her apprehension and said, "Tis only I, there is no need to be afraid."

"I'm not afraid," Alex replied. "It's just that I am not ready to leave yet if that is why you are here."

Morrigan smiled and said, "So you are enjoying your stay in Ferelden?"

"Yes, it's very different from where I'm from; not as hectic or fast pace and I enjoy the people. Everyone is so kind and trusting, that's rare in my world," Alex replied.

Morrigan nodded, "Yes, your world can be much harsher, but its advancements are fascinating and that's what makes your world a captivating place to visit."

"So are you here to send me back?" Alex said.

Morrigan shook her head and said, "It is not time for you to go back yet. So you can continue your flirtation with Alistair, but I warn you not to let it proceed further than that. You two come from very different worlds."

Alex thought about what she said, but to be honest she thought it was too late for that warning. Alex had boyfriends and lovers throughout college and med school, but she never felt that nervousness in her stomach or found herself daydreaming about them when she had been with those other men. The very sight of Alistair gave her butterflies in her stomach and made her head spin. The few times that he had actually touched her or held her it felt like her skin was on fire and it burned down to the pit of her stomach.

Alex didn't reply about Alistair, but asked, "If you aren't sending me back then why am I here?"

Morrigan hesitated and then said, "I need a favor. I know that Alistair has told you about the rumors of how I died. I wanted to give you an actual account of the events." She paused, Alex nodded for her to continue so Morrigan began her tale, "After the final battle, true to my word I left immediately, and set out for the Frostback Mountains. I had heard of several old ruins in the mountains that I could find shelter in. By the time that I arrived at the foothills I was very far along in my pregnancy. I only had a month or two left; snow was beginning to fall so I found an old Tevinter Magisters' temple and took sanctuary there. I felt an unknown presence there, but I was too far along to seek out a safer haven. I had been there a month when the Tevinter Magisters made their presence known to me. They said that they wanted to offer their help. At first I refused, but as I became weaker they just assumed my day to day care. They questioned me about the baby's father, but I never revealed the circumstances around the child's conception. They must have sensed that the baby was powerful - that it had very old magic. They weren't sure where the source of the power came from but they wanted the baby for themselves."

"I had a long and painful labor. I bled a lot, but the Magisters cast healing and rejuvenation spells throughout my labor. However, once my daughter was born they stopped casting their spells. They brought in a Templar so that I could not heal myself and they allowed me to bleed to death."

Alex was horrified at the senselessness and cruelty of this act; at the same time a righteous anger coursed through her body and she wanted to seek out and destroy these ruthless killers. She had never been one that believed in taking justice into her own hands, but this merciless deed could not go unpunished.

"Alex, these Tevinter Magisters have my daughter….they have Darrian's daughter. They don't know what she is, but they are trying to figure that out. She has the soul of an old god and she is powerful. If raised in the wrong hands she could be used for evil even though that isn't her nature. I can sense through the Fade that she is fighting them off, but she won't be able to hold them off forever."

"What do you mean hold them off?" Alex asked.

"They want to tap into her power and see what she is. They have to enter the Fade to do that. She has built up defenses around herself and so far they haven't been able to penetrate them, but eventually they will break through. I need you to tell Darrian what is going on and tell him he must save his daughter."

"Darrian thinks I'm crazy. He is never going to believe this. How am I going to convince him of this?" Alex questioned.

Morrigan thought about it for a moment then said, "Tell him this word for word, 'Lindarin, I need you to save our daughter. She is good I can sense it in her. She is a part of you and a part of me. Please do this for me. I never told you I loved you because I thought it would make me weak, but I want you to know that I do love you'."

"Lindarin?" Alex asked.

"It's Dalish and it means both beautiful and chaotic and Darrian is both of those things. It was my nickname for him when we were alone. I never shared that information with anyone and I doubt he did either."

"Why can't you visit Darrian in the Fade and tell him this yourself?" Alex asked.

"The Fade is different for elves because of their own beliefs and traditions regarding the afterlife. I have not been able to find the portal that will allow me into the Fade that exists in Darrian's mind. Does that make sense?"

"As much sense as this whole crazy scenario can. I will talk to Darrian tomorrow," Alex replied.

"Thank you, Alex. I really appreciate your help," Morrigan said with a sigh of relief.

Morrigan's figure began to disappear gradually. The scene changed to the beach near Alex's apartment and Alex spent the rest of night dreaming about surfing those big waves.

The sun streamed across Alex's face slowly waking her up. She lay there as her mind become more alert; she stretched and heard her stomach growl. She let the sun flood across her, warming her; she lay there thinking about Darrian and his reaction yesterday when the dream of Morrigan came flooding back to her. She bolted out of bed and threw on a robe and headed to Darrian's room.

When she reached his she heard loud voices coming from within. "Alistair, you're a fool if you believe her," Darrian yelled.

"Well, then I guess I'm a fool," Alistair roared back.

"Stop thinking with the little head and start thinking with the one sitting on your shoulders," Darrian retorted

"Hey, that was uncalled…"

Alex knocked loudly on the door so that they could hear it above their voices. There was a pause and then Darrian opened the door. "Aaah, if it isn't our little storyteller," Darrian said sarcastically. "We were just talking about you."

"Yes, I heard. I think half the castle heard. Can I come in? I need to talk to you," Alex said.

Darrian stared coldly at her for a long moment and then said, "Sure, have you come to spin us another fairy tale?"

Alex pushed aside her angry retort. Darrian had every right not believe her and if she was in his shoes she doubted she would believe her story either, but for Morrigan's sake she had to try and convince him.

She took in a deep breath and said, "Darrian, last night while I dreamt I went to the Fade and I saw Morrigan again…"

"That's it; I can't stand here and listen to her spin another tall tale about Morrigan and the Fade! Please get out of my room!" Darrian bellowed.

"Please Darrian you have to listen to me," Alex pleaded.

"No, I don't and if you aren't going to leave my room then I will."

Darrian yanked the door open and Alex called out, "Lindarin!"

Darrian stopped dead in his tracks, spun to face her and demanded, "What did you say?"

"I told Morrigan that you wouldn't believe me. She said to call you by the nickname that she gave you, Lindarin," Alex said.

Darrian rushed toward Alex, gripped her by the shoulders, "How do you know that name? I never told anyone that was her pet name for me."

Alex looked into Darrian's despondent eyes and compassion flooded her. She had seen that desperate look on the faces of countless people when she delivered the news that their loved one had passed away. "I told you, Darrian, Morrigan told me last night in the Fade."

Darrian released her, he shook his head back and forth vigorously and mumbled, "No, no, no, no."

Alistair walked over, put an arm around his friend and led him to the side of the bed. "Darrian, I am so sorry. I know that you loved her very much and I know that you don't want to accept that she is gone. That is why you refuse to believe Alex, but you have reviewed the scouting reports and there hasn't been one sighting of her for almost a year."

Darrian buried his head in his hands and wept. Alex felt like she was intruding on a very private moment so she quietly said, "I will leave the two of you alone. Darrian, I am so sorry for your loss. When you are up to it, Morrigan gave me some more information to pass onto you," Alex said as she headed out the door.

She felt anxious and frustrated. She needed to release some of this pent up energy. She decided to head down to the training ring and work out on a dummy. She quickly changed into a pair of form fighting trousers and a loose lace up blouse that Leliana had bought for her. She grabbed her blades and made her way down to the training ground.

She looked at the wooden dummy and decided that just wasn't going to do. She went to the stables, found some padding that went on the horses' back under the saddle and some twine. She tied the padding around the limbs and torso of the dummy and stood back to admire her work. That should work.

Alex stretched out her legs and arms. She picked up her blades, swung them back and forth a couple of times and then she advanced toward the dummy.

xxXxx

Alistair stayed with Darrian so he could try to comfort his friend. He asked the servants to have lunch brought to Darrian's room and a bottle of their best Antivian wine. As they ate and drank, Alistair was able to get Darrian to open up. They talked about their travels with Morrigan and to Alistair's surprise he even laughed at several of the memories. He never liked Morrigan and trusted her even less, but he always tried to be accepting of her for Darrian's sake.

They had finished the bottle of wine when Darrian looked at Alistair for a long moment and then asked, "Did Alex say that Morrigan had more information that she wanted passed onto me?" Alistair nodded. "Well, I think I am ready to hear the rest of her story," Darrian said.

Alistair stood up, went to the door and asked the guard, "Could you send a message to Lady Seymour that I would like to see her in Darrian's room?"

"Yes, your Majesty. I saw her heading down to the training ring about an hour ago. I will send a message," the guard replied.

"If she is at the training ring, let's just head down there ourselves, Alistair. I need to check on a couple recruits anyways," Darrian said.

As the two of them approached the training ring they saw Zev and Anders as they sat on the rail intently observing someone as they worked out on a training dummy. As they got closer Alistair realized it was Alex. She was a blur of movement as she danced, twirled, and kicked at the dummy. Her blades worked in tandem as they struck at the dummy, then she flipped backwards and landed in the stance he saw the other day in the sparring ring. Her right foot was planted behind her and her left foot out front. She swung the right leg around and kicked the side of the dummy's head. She planted her right leg behind her, shifted her weight, pulled her left leg back and kicked the body of the dummy. She then moved in close with her dagger in her left hand delivered a blow to the neck.

Zev let out a low whistle and said, "That was an awesome combination move. She really has to teach me some of this."

"How long has she been out here?" Darrian asked.

"Well, it took her about an hour to get the dummy the way she wanted it; since then she has been working the poor thing over for about forty-five minutes. Something has her nug in an uproar because she has been oblivious to us. Even when Zev made a comment about her perfectly round and fit behind she acted like she didn't even hear us," Anders replied.

At the mention of her behind Alistair glanced in that general direction. The pants that she wore did a very nice job of emphasizing her bottom. Zev's assessment was correct – it was perfect in every way. The sun moved out from behind a cloud and the light shined through the light fabric of her shirt and highlighted the silhouette of her small frame and flawless breasts.

"Thank the Maker for the sun," Anders sighed.

Alistair looked at Anders and the man was practically drooling. Alistair didn't like Anders leering at her so he entered the ring. When he got close enough to get her attention, but far enough away that he couldn't accidently get hit and called out, "Alex, I think you should give that dummy a break."

Startled, Alex whipped around. "Oh Alistair, I didn't hear you approach," she said as she walked up to him.

"I think you beat the tar out of that poor dummy. What did it do to make you so mad?"

"Oh, I'm just frustrated and thought a good workout would help release some of the energy."

Alistair smiled at her and pushed a stray hair out of her eyes. "And did it?"

She smiled back at him and said, "Yeah, I think it did."

"Good, I had a long talk with Darrian and he is ready to hear the rest of your dream."

They walked over to the rest of the group. "Mi Bella Terso, those were some very impressive moves and your flexibility is astounding. I'm sure it is very useful for other, more pleasurable endeavors," Zev cooed.

Alex grinned and said, "Oh my friend, I got moves you've never seen and never will."

"Ouch, that had to hurt," Anders chortled.

"Alex, that was very impressive. I would love for you to show me some of those moves sometime," Darrian said humbly.

"I would be happy to," Alex replied.

"I wanted to say I'm sorry for my behavior earlier," Darrian said.

Alex rested her hand on the elf's shoulder and said, "There is no need for that. I completely understand."

"I would like to hear about the rest of your dream; if you would be willing to tell me."

"Of course, I would. Do you want to go someplace more private to talk about this?"

"Let's go back to my office," Alistair said.

The three of them headed toward the Palace. Zev and Anders jumped off the fence and raced up beside them. Darrian looked at Anders and he sheepishly said, "I filled Zev in on everything."

"On everything?" Darrian asked.

"Yes, he did," Zev said as slid an arm around Alex's shoulder and continued, "And to tell the truth it makes perfect sense."

"It does?" Both Alex and Darrian asked at the same time.

Zev laughed and replied, "Why yes, there were too many things that were off and didn't make sense about you my Sweet. Most people would just pass it off as you being quirky, but to a trained assassin I knew something was up."

They reached Alistair's office and they all settled in as Alex told them Morrigan's tale. She tried to soften the part about Morrigan's painful death, but there really was no way to sugarcoat it. When she told them about the Templar being there so that she couldn't heal herself Darrian gripped the side of the chair. She told him about his daughter and that Morrigan could sense her in the Fade and sense that she was fighting them off.

When she came to the end of the dream she paused and then said, "Morrigan had a message for you, Darrian. She told me to tell you, 'Lindarin, I need you to save our daughter. She is good, I can sense it in her. She is a part of you and a part of me. Please do this for me. I never told you I loved you because I thought it would make me weak, but I want you to know that I do love you'."

Alistair noticed a tear slid down Darrian's cheek. Alistair reached over and rested his hand on his shoulder.

"No one deserves to die like that," Anders said.

"No they don't," Alistair said.

They were silent for a moment and then Darrian whispered, "I have daughter."

Alistair smiled at him and said, "Congratulations! And now we need to get her back for you."