Chapter 16
The following day Alistair and Alex took Sienna for walk in the garden behind the castle. The young toddler wobbled a few paces in front of them as they strolled through pebble covered path. Alistair had his arm wrapped around Alex's shoulder and he imagined one day their child walking in front of them as they strolled through the royal gardens. He knew it would be difficult for them to conceive, but a grin spread across his face when he thought about all the practice they would get while trying.
As they walked along the path a butterfly flew in front of Sienna. The child squealed with delight and began to chase it. Both Alistair and Alex laughed as they hurried to catch up with her. Enthralled with the butterfly Sienna didn't see the large tree root that poked out of the ground and she tripped over it. Her delight quickly turned to a cry of pain as Alistair and Alex rushed to the child, but in her hast to get to Sienna Alex stumbled over the same root. She fell, but managed to catch herself with her hands; she picked herself up, noticed the blood that had started to form on her scrapes, but she just wiped her scraped hands against her dress as she rushed forward.
Alistair had scooped Sienna up in his arms as large tears rolled down her chubby cheeks. Alex joined his side, looked at the child's knee and gasped. Alistair looked down and saw what startled Alex. The skin on Sienna's knee was rapidly repairing and resealing it's self; within a matter of seconds the gash had completely healed and the only evidence that there was ever an injury was the blood that remained behind. Sienna then reached over and grasped Alex's hands; Alex felt a surge of warmth flow through her body and watched in amazement as the scrapes on her hands closed up and disappeared.
They both stared at each other and then back at her. "Have you ever…" Alistair voices trailed off.
Alex shook her head, "No, that's….that's impossible." Alex stammered.
Just then Anders and Connor rushed through a nearby bush, "What in Andraste's arse was that?" Connor demanded.
Anders looked at Sienna and then back at Alistair and Alex. "What did she just do?"
They both had astonished looks on their faces. "How did you know anything happened?" Alex asked.
"I felt the same power I felt when she caused the stuffed animal to spin around the room, but this time it was even more powerful. Didn't you feel it Alistair?"
"Now that you mention yes, I did feel it. I just wasn't paying attention at the time because of what she was doing had my complete and undivided attention," Alistair replied.
"What was she doing?' Anders asked.
So Alistair explained how she had healed herself and Alex. "Wow! That's amazing," Anders said astonished.
"What is she?" Connor asked.
"Aaah, I can't tell you that Connor without Darrian's permission. I need to let him know what just happened. I will tell him that you were nearby and that you felt it. I think he will want to explain this to you himself," Alistair responded.
They made their way back to the castle and as the entered the main hall where Darrian was going over a few Grey Warden matters with Eamon. Darrian must have been able to tell by the looks on their faces that something had happened so he excused himself from Eamon and started toward them when the castle guard announced a visitor.
"Ser Cullen from the Circle of Magi here to see Arl Eamon and Connor," the guard called out. A handsome, yet stern looking templar entered the room. He hesitated for a moment when he saw Alistair, but then continued into the hall. He crossed his arms and bowed to the group.
Eamon stepped forward and inquired, "Ser Cullen, what can I do for you?"
"I am here by order of the Knight-Commander to escort Connor back to the Circle," Cullen commanded.
"But I don't want to go back yet. Father, is still healing and needs my aid. First Enchanter Irving said I can stay until I am no longer needed here," Connor replied.
"The Knight-Commander has overruled the First Enchanter and demands your return," Cullen retorted.
"He did what?" Darrian demanded incredulously.
"Well, that's just like that stuffy pompous arse. Take a mage back to the Tower where he can be controlled instead of letting him do some good," Anders said sarcastically.
"That's enough out of you apostate," Cullen countered.
"Hah, you wouldn't know an apostate if one came up and bit you in the arse. You overzealous celibate fool," Anders spat.
"That will be enough, Anders," Darrian said calmly.
"I am not ready to go back. My father still needs me," Connor countered again.
"That is not my problem. Go pack your things," the Templar ordered.
"Father, I don't want to go back. I want to stay with you," Connor pleaded.
Eamon sadly shook his head, "I'm sorry my son. I have no authority here. You must return with this templar."
"Unless…" Darrian said as grin spread across his face.
"Unless?" Connor questioned. Darrian leaned in and whispered in his ear. Connor eagerly nodded his head.
Darrian's grin became even broader as he loudly boomed out, "I hear by invoke the right of conscription."
"What? Never! I will not allow it," Cullen demanded.
"Is that the standard company response? You guys need new material," Anders said jovially.
"Your Majesty, are you going to stand by and let this happen?' Cullen asked.
"Why yes I am. The Wardens still hold the right of conscription so they have every right to recruit this mage," Alistair replied.
"So why don't you run along now and tell the Knight-Commander that he has lost another one to the Wardens. Ask him if he now regrets not helping me during the Blight after I saved his ass and everyone in the Towers," Darrian said dryly.
Cullen just shook his head and left the room. "You know, Darrian, you are going to make an enemy out of Gregior," Alistair said.
"He became an enemy when he accepted my help, promised me aid and then backed out," Darrian replied coldly. Darrian continued as he turned to Connor, "Welcome to Wardens, Brother. While we remain here at Redcliff Zev and Anders will train with you. When we get back to Vigil's Keep we will have you complete the Joining."
"Thank you, Darrian. I have heard the Joining is dangerous and at times deadly, but I would rather take my chances with the Joining then return to the Circle," Connor replied.
"Wynne had mentioned in a recent letter that the Knight – Commander was becoming overly obsessive with controlling the mages. How bad has it become?" Darrian asked.
"He definitely has become a lot stricter, but so far Irving has managed to keep inline. However, ever since the fall of the Circle Irving has become weaker and I fear what will happen to the Circle if he should pass," Connor replied.
Alistair nodded in agreement. "Before that happens I will talk with the Reverend Mother about the situation and see if we can come to a solution."
"I think that would be wise," Darrian replied.
Eamon stepped forward, "Thank you, Darrian. I appreciate you stepping in. I would rather Connor face the Joining and become a Warden then return to a place that makes him so unhappy."
Darrian smiled and touched the man's shoulder, "Eamon, Connor is strong. I have every confidence that he will survive the Joining. I am proud to call him, Brother."
Eamon nodded, "Thank you, again."
Later that evening, Alistair stood in the garden behind the castle and admired all the preparations that he had coordinated with Eamon. The entire garden was covered with the warm glow of hundreds of candles. In the center of the garden an elegant table had been arranged with flowers and candles; encircling the table from the above tree branches were garlands of flowers and candles. To further set the mood, Eamon had hired musicians from the village to play in the background for ambiance. Alistair had been surprised that Eamon had been so willing to help with tonight's preparations. Alistair knew the man had reservations about Alex, but Eamon had been willing to put aside his own doubts for the sake of Alistair's own happiness. He had warned Alistair that he was risking everything for Alex and could possibly lose everything because of her. Alistair knew the risks, but decided she was worth it and he prayed that Zev would come through with that paper work.
Alistair turned as he saw Alex as she glided toward him. She looked breathtaking; he heard his breath catch in his throat and felt his heart begin to race as his fingers fumbled with the box in his pocket. Thank the Maker that Zev and Bhelen had managed to acquire what had to the most beautiful ring he had ever seen. It was an emerald cut purple sapphire that sat on an eternity band of diamonds.
She smiled radiantly as she approached him. He took her hand and spun her around as he looked her up in down. She wore a lilac crushed velvet dress that was cut low in the front and was accented by a silver beaded cord that crisscrossed under her breasts and wrapped around her body to tie in the front. The beading pushed her breasts up and showed off the top of her luscious curves of her breasts. She wore her hair down and her curls framed her beautiful face and made her blue eyes sparkle. "By the Maker, you look stunning, Alex."
She ran her hand down his chest; he could feel the heat that radiated from her fingertips and it coursed hungrily through his body. With her hand still resting on his chest she leaned forward and whispered against his neck, "Your Majesty, you look incredible sexy too."
The warmth of her breath against his skin immediately ignited his desire for her and his arms instinctively went around her waist as he drew her to him. He nibbled at her ear as he quoted her, "'Sexy… could be a person, a place, a situation, and a song, anything that turns you'. Do I turn you on, Lady Seymour?"
She ran her fingers through his hair as she purred, "Oh Alistair, you have no idea how badly I want you right now."
"Oh, I have a pretty good idea. If it's half as much as I want you I don't know how I am going make it through the entire dinner without ripping that tantalizingly alluring dress off and having my way with you," Alistair moaned into her ear as his lips began to work their way down her neck.
She giggled, "That would give the servants something to gossip about."
At the mention of servants Alistair came to his senses and remembered they weren't alone. He grinned down at her, "Well, at least they could never accuse me of not being virile."
Alex slid her hand down his chest to his pelvis as she roughly rubbed her hand across his privates that were already beginning to respond and harden under her touch. She murmured, "No Sire, no one could ever accuse you of being impotent. Your way to fervent and impassioned – just one of the many things I love about you."
Alistair pulled back from her, he ran his hand along her cheek and then through her curly locks, "What else do you love about me?"
She nuzzled her head against his neck as her lips brushed a tiny kiss against his skin, "I love how after I have spent the day with you my clothes smell fresh and woodsy like your skin." Her lips trailed another kiss up his neck and he felt a smile spread across her lips, "I love the way your eyes light up when someone mentions cheese." She ran her tongue up his neck as his head began to spin from her intoxicating, sultry voice, "I love the warmth of your laughter." Her lips pressed against his ear as she purred, "I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night." His skin felt like it was on fire as her lips closed around his ear lobe and tugged. "I love how you call me, 'my Love' with such sweet tenderness and devotion." She ran her tongue lightly against his ear and a small moan escaped his lips. "I love the way your lips on my skin sets my body on fire." She blew cool air against his ear as his body shivered with delight, "I love you, Alistair. I love everything that I know about you and all the things I don't, but can't wait to discover."
If he was ever going to make it through this dinner Alistair needed to regain control of himself; he pulled her close to him, kissed the top of her forehead as he tried to find his voice, "Alex, my Love, I feel the exact same way about you. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life discovering everything there is to know about you. I never knew that this is what love was supposed to be like. Now all the bard's songs finally make sense."
Alex laughed, "Yes, that's very true. You have to be in love to truly understand what they are singing about."
Alistair's head finally stopped spinning and his breathing returned to normal. He took Alex by the hand and led her over to the table. They spent the next several hours relaxing and enjoying each other's company; occasionally they would get up to dance when the musicians would play a song that they liked. Holding her in his arms he could feel the heat from her body as she pressed against his while he twirled and spun her around under the candles and moonlight; it took every ounce of templar discipline that Alistair possessed not to completely ravish her under the stars right there in the garden. The things this woman did to him, not just physically, although what she did to him regarding that aspect was incredible; but it was the way she made him feel about himself when he was with her, the way she made him want to be a better person, a better king, a better Warden, a better partner and a better lover. And as they finished dessert that is exactly what he told her.
Alistair slid off his chair and onto his knees in front of her. He clasped her hands in his, "Alex, you told me why you love me. Now I want to tell you why I love you," Alistair paused, kissed her hands, drew in a deep breath and then continued. "Alex, through you I have found poetry in my life. Through you I have found adventure and above all I have found love. The kind of love that overthrows all resemblance to life as I once knew it. Ever since you have come into my life you have awaken my soul - you make me reach for more, you make me want to be a better man, you have planted a fire in my heart and you have brought peace to my mind." Alistair paused as he looked into her lovely eyes, he saw tears brimming there and a lone tear ran down her face. He smiled lifted his hand to brush the tear away. "Every one of my senses is filled with you, my Love – everywhere I go - I inhale you, I taste you, I feel you. I see my unborn children in your eyes, and I know my heart at last has found home. My life begins with you and without you I know it would surely end. Alex Seymour you have my body, my soul and my heart. I love you and I wish to never be a part from you. Will you be my wife?"
The tears were now falling freely as Alex slid to her knees, kissed him and cried out, "Oh Alistair, of course I will."
Alistair drew her into his arms and hugged her fiercely, "You have made me the happiest man alive." He pulled away from her as he cupped her sweet face in hand; he caressed her cheek with his thumb as it came to rest on her lips. He gently ran his thumb over her mouth as he lovingly traced her soft swollen lips; he brought his lips toward hers and kissed her tenderly. Alex leaned into him as she coaxed his mouth open with her tongue and Alistair tightened his embrace as he pulled her closer to him; their tongues played, danced, tasted and indulged each other. Alistair deepened the kiss as his hunger for her began to consume him. Her lips against his were hot - persistent and he could feel her raw need as she moaned his name against his lips. While he was still thinking clearly he pulled away – his breath harsh and rapid. He stood up, pulled her to her feet and then swung her up into his arms.
"My Love, I think we should head to my room and work off that meal," Alistair breathed against her lips as his mouth once again reclaimed hers. The warmth and silkiness of her tongue captivated him as their tongues entwined together once again. He could kiss her forever – over and over again and never get enough of her.
She pulled away, buried her head in his neck as she whispered, "Alistair, I need you now. Let's head to your room." That was all the encouragement Alistair needed as he hurriedly made his way to his room.
Several exhausted hours later Alex fell against Alistair's chest panting as she tried to catch her breath. She kissed the sculpted muscles on his chest as she sighed, "Once again, you have out done yourself."
Alistair laughed, "Me? I out did myself? You're joking right?"
"Noooo, you were fantastic," Alex cooed.
"I was just a long for the ride, sweetheart…no pun intended. You're the one that suggested that awesome position – what did you call it again?"
"Reverse cowgirl," Alex replied.
"Right, the reverse cowgirl – that was fantastic and I nearly lost all concentration when you reached down between our legs and…." Alistair's voice trailed off dreamily while he relived the moment.
Alex snapped her fingers in front of him, "Earth to Alistair…come in Alistair."
"Huh…oh yeah, I'm still here," he replied. He pulled her closer to him and kissed the top of her forehead. "I can't believe you are going to be my wife."
Alex smiled, "Same here. I guess we will need to start making wedding plans."
Alistair suddenly sat up in bed. "Oh by the Maker, I completely forgot…." He jumped out of bed and ran over to his trousers. He pulled the tiny box out of his pants, took out the ring, ran back over to her, crawled onto the bed and pulled her up so that she was sitting facing him. He took her hand in his, "I was so overwhelmed that you said yes and then you started kissing me and I lost all reasoning and I forgot to give this to you." Alistair slid the ring on her finger, "Alex, I can't wait to be your husband. I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life making you happy."
Alex looked at the ring and smiled up at him. "Alistair, it's the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. Thank you." She sat up on her knees and leaned into him as her arms went around his neck. Her lips pressed against his and he fervently returned the kiss. He heard her murmur, "I love you, Alistair" as he leaned her back against the pillows.
He brushed the hair out of her face as he gazed into her beautiful face, "I love you too, Alex." He rested his head on her stomach as his fingers gently stroked the skin on her torso. "Alex?" He said hesitantly.
"Hmmm," she replied.
"Are you okay with never being able to go back to your world?" Alistair asked.
Alex was quiet for a long moment and then softly replied, "I will miss my family terribly. I love them deeply and they have always been there for me. I know that they have to be worried about me and I wish there was a way to let them know I am safe and happy and to say good-bye." She paused as she collected her thoughts, "But the thought of leaving here and never seeing you again rips at my heart. The pain from just the sheer thought of you not being in my life is unbearable. I can't go back to my world because my world is where ever you are, Alistair. My world is here with you."
Alistair drew in a deep breath as the weight of her words wasted over him. In order to be with him she willing was turning her back on everything and everyone she knew because she loved him. In his entire life, Alistair had never experienced true unconditional love until this very moment and he was in awe of this wonderful selfless woman. He planted little kiss on her stomach as he continued to stroke her skin. He loved her so much. "Alex, my Love, I will make sure that you never, even for a single moment, regret your decision to stay here with me."
Later that night they fell asleep in each wrapped in other's arms. Alex dreamed of home, of her patients, of surfing the big waves of Cali and of her father as he trained her in the ring. His eyes sparkled with delight as he worked on a new move with her. The scene shifted and once again she was in the Fade. She saw Morrigan standing near a fire and she walked over to her.
Morrigan smiled at her as she approached, "I wanted to thank you, Alex, for all of your help recuing my daughter. Knowing that my daughter is safe and with her father I can now rest in peace."
"You're welcome, Morrigan. I am glad that I could help. Darrian already loves her desperately and would do anything for her. He will make an excellent father," Alex replied.
Morrigan smiled sadly, "Yes, he will. I wish I would be able to see it, but my time here in the Fade is coming to an end and soon it will be time for me to move on."
"Why must it come to an end?" Alex asked.
"I was allowed to remain behind in order to save my daughter and to save Thedas. Sienna is very powerful and raised in the wrong hands could be extremely dangerous," Morrigan said.
"Yes, I have seen her powers. They are very impressive," Alex replied.
Morrigan laughed dryly, "You have only seen a very small amount of what she can do, but you are about to experience her power more profoundly." Morrigan saw the inquisitive look on Alex's face. "You will find out what I mean soon enough." Morrigan reached for Alex's hand and studied the engagement ring, "I see Alistair has excellent taste in women and in jewelry." Alex blushed, but didn't reply. Morrigan looked sternly into her face, "I told you not to fall in love with him, Alex."
Alex nervously bit at her bottom lip. "I know, but you can't stop yourself from falling in love with someone. Those things just happen."
"Alex, you aren't from this world and it's time for you to return back to your own world," Morrigan replied.
"What? NO! I don't want to go. I choose to stay in Ferelden…I choose Alistair," Alex demanded.
Morrigan's expression became very solemn, "I'm sorry Alex, but this isn't a choice you get make. If I could help you I would, but there isn't anything I can do to save you. Once I enter a world I can't go back to that world to visit. So I can't go back to your world to help you."
Alex looked at her dumbfounded, "What are you talking about? I am not in my world. I am the world of Thedas."
Morrigan's face remained grave, "Do you remember me telling you that when I was killed my spirit resided in the Fade, but when I enter a new world my spirit takes on a physical form. For you it's very similar, your physical form remains in your world. When you entered the Fade and consequentially when you entered Thedas your spiritual form took on a solid form."
Alex shook her head vigorous, "I don't understand. What the hell are you talking about? Are you saying I'm dead?"
Morrigan tilted her head, "Not yet, but your body is growing weaker. It won't be able to hold on much longer. It is time for you to return before it's too late for you to return to your body."
"Again, what the hell are you talking about?" Alex demanded.
"Alex, the day that we met you took a serious blow to the head in the MMA cage. Do you remember that?" Alex nodded in frustration so Morrigan continued, "You were knocked unconscious. You didn't think anything of the hit, but the blow was strong enough to actually cause a small blood vessel in your brain to burst causing blood to slowly seep into your brain. That night when you fell asleep you slipped into a coma. You weren't discovered until late the following day; by then there was little they could do help you. For the past ten months you have been in a hospital unconscious."
Alex shook her head as tears streamed down her face, "No, no, no, that couldn't happen. I have a DNR*."
"Your father found your DNR and refused to turn it into the hospital. He can't let you go, but now your body is growing weak – he doesn't have a choice, but to let you go." Morrigan said sympathetically.
Tears ran down Alex's cheeks, "Morrigan, I don't want to go. I love Alistair. I want to marry him. This will devastate him. This will destroy him."
"I know and I'm sorry. I tried to warn you, but sometimes love has a mind of its own," Morrigan replied.
Alex fell to her knees as she cried out, "I don't want to leave. I don't want to leave him. Please stop this!"
Alex thrashed around in bed and screamed, "I don't want to leave, please, don't make me."
Alistair grabbed her by the shoulders, "Alex, wake up. Wake up, Love. It's just a dream."
Alex opened her eyes and stared up into Alistair's warm honey brown eyes. Her arms went around his neck as she hugged him tightly. "Oh Alistair, I had the most awful dream."
Alistair stroked her hair as he clung to her tightly. "It was just a nightmare. It's over, my Love. You are okay."
"But it seemed so real. Just like the last time I saw her," Alex mumbled.
"The last time you saw who?" Alistair asked.
Alex threw the covers off as she crawled out of bed and headed for the tray that held a pitcher of water. She poured herself a glass and turned toward him, "The last time I saw Morrigan in the Fade, but this time she said it was time for me to come back." She took a long sip of water as she tried to recall the dream. "She said my body was growing weak and that it was time for me to head back before it was too late." She drank some more water, set the glass down and headed back for the bed.
"I begged her not to make me leave. I told her that I love you and I didn't want to leave you, but she said my body was dying and I had…"Alex paused as she placed her hand on the nearby mantel to steady herself. After a moment she started to walk towards him, she paused again and Alistair scrambled out of bed, but before he could reach her he watched as she staggered forward and then collapsed. He ran to her and pulled her into his arms. He brushed her hair away and stared into her unconscious face. In the distance he heard someone screaming. He didn't realize it was himself until the guards rushed in.
"Your Majesty, are you okay?"
"Are you hurt?"
He stared down into the motionless face of the woman that he loved, the woman that was to be his wife, his Queen as the anguished cry ripped from his chest.
*Do not resuscitate order