Chapter 17

Alistair never left her side. He sat beside her bed, slept beside her, ate his meals in her room as he waited for those brief moments that she would regain consciousness and he could look into her beautiful eyes and see her radiant smile. With each passing day she become weaker and weaker; Anders and Connor had tried everything they could to heal her, but Anders said her organs were slowly shutting down and he couldn't find away to reverse the process.

Darrian had even brought Sienna in to try and heal her. He had rested the child beside Alex on the bed. Sienna touched Alex's arm for a moment and then shook her head.

Alistair let out a cry of agony and frustration. "Why not? You healed her in the garden!" Alistair exclaimed.

Sienna looked at Alistair with pity in her eyes as if she completely understood what he had said and the situation. She opened her mouth and in a high pitched sing song voice said, "In the garden her injuries were minor and only inflicted on her spiritual form not her physical form." Everyone in the room except for Darrian looked at her with complete shook and amazement.

"S-s-s-she can speak?" Zev asked.

"Yes," Darrian replied calmly.

"How long has she been doing that?" Anders inquired.

"Just after we arrived here at Redcliff," Darrian replied.

"Look that's fascinating, but can we get back to point here?" Alistair asked. "Sienna, are you saying that you can only heal minor injuries?"

Sienna shook her head and in a soft trilling voice, "No, I can heal anything that isn't dead; no matter how serious the injury."

Alistair shook his head in frustration, "Then why can't you heal her?"

"Because it's her physical body that is sick not her spiritual body. I need her physical body present in order to heal her," Sienna replied.

Now it was Anders turn to be frustrated. "Isn't that her physical body there?"

The child remained calm and unflustered by the impatience of the adults around her. "No that is her spirit in physical form. Her physical body is back in her world." Sienna turned to Alistair and said, "Morrigan explained this to her. Did she not get a chance to tell you?"

All eyes turned to Alistair as he ran his fingers through his hair. "She had just woke-up from a nightmare. She was rambling on incoherently about Morrigan and how she had begged her not to make her leave…" His voice trailed off as the memory resurfaced and look of horror rippled across his face. "She said she was dying."

Sienna nodded somberly, "Yes she is. Her physical body in her parallel world received a serious brain injury. That injury caused her body to shut down and it put her in a coma. It was in this unconscious state that Morrigan with the aid of magic brought Alex to the Fade and was able to give Alex's spirit a physical form so that she could enter our parallel universe."

"So Morrigan brought her spirit into the Fade before her spirit had physical body?" Zev asked.

"Yes, that is correct," Sienna's high pitched voice sung out.

"Wow! That takes some powerful magic to create a physical form for a spirit. Most impressive." Anders said.

"Okay, so if she was a spirit when she entered the Fade then how was Alex able to bring her backpack into the Fade with her," Zev asked.

"You have entered the Fade, Zev. When you entered were you naked or did you still have your clothes on?" Sienna asked.

"I guarantee it would have been a completely different experience if I had been naked so no I had my clothes on," Zev replied with a chuckle.

"Your clothes went with you into the Fade because they were attached to your body. It is a mystery why the Fade will allow you to bring items that are attached to your person, but will allow nothing else to enter," Sienna said.

"Maybe the Maker doesn't want a bunch of ugly naked people running around in his Fade so he allows them to bring their clothes," Anders chortled.

Zev nodded, "Very true, the number of people that I wish to never see naked is definitely lot higher than those I do want to see without their clothes on."

They all chuckled except for Darrian. "Hey, there is a child present keep your dirty innuendos out of the conversation please."

Sienna smiled and touched Darrian's hand, "It's okay, Dad. I am an old gold in a very tiny body. I know and understand a lot more than you are comfortable with." Darrian looked stunned, but before he could ask her exactly what she meant she continued, "Alex's backpack was attached to her body when her spirit entered the Fade. That is why it arrived in Ferelden with her."

"So if her physical body dies in her world what will happen to her spirit's physical form?" Alistair asked.

"You can see as her physical body grows weaker so does the physical form of her spirit. When her physical body dies her spirit will need to pass over into the Fade and because it is her spirit's physical form that exist in our universe her form will cease to exist in our world."

"What? You mean her body will literally just disappear?" Alistair asked. Sienna just nodded.

Alistair was quiet for a moment then spoke softly, "I would like to be alone with her. Please leave me."

After they had left, Alistair curled up on the bed beside her and pulled her into his arms. He needed to feel the warmth of her body pressed against his. He kissed the top of her forehead and breathed in her sweet scent. The tears came as he realized that he didn't know how much longer he would be able to do this.

He must have cried himself to sleep because as he looked around at his current surroundings he immediately recognized it as the Fade.

"Hello Alistair," a voice said from behind him. Alistair spun around and saw Morrigan standing there.

"You! You did this," Alistair exclaimed.

"Yes, I did," Morrigan said with a sad smile.

"Is this your idea of a cruel joke? Your way of getting back at me," Alistair demanded.

Morrigan laughed, "Is that how you viewed your time with Alex…as a cruel joke? Maybe you don't deserve her than."

"That isn't what I meant and you know it. I love her…more than I love myself," Alistair's voice cracked as a tear ran down his cheek. "I would trade places with her in a heartbeat if I could….is there away to do that, Morrigan? Is that why you brought me here? Because I'll do it if it means she will live."

A smile spread across Morrigan's face, "It seems that our brat prince has finally discovered the meaning of true love."

"Please Morrigan, I will do anything to save her," Alistair begged.

"There is away to save her Alistair, but it will mean a huge sacrifice on your part and on the part of one of your companions," Morrigan said.

"What is it? Tell me and I will do it," Alistair declared.

"Anders stole one of the Tevinter Magister's dairies and spell books. The diary goes into great detail about how the magisters found an old god and used the god's blood to physically enter into the Fade so that they could storm the Golden City of the Maker. You will need Anders, the book and a few drops of blood from my daughter so that you and Anders can physically enter Fade. Once you are here, I can lead the two of you to the correct portal to her world. Once in her world, Anders can heal her," Morrigan said.

"Why do we need to physically enter the Fade? Why can't we enter the way Alex did?" Alistair asked.

Morrigan breathed a sigh of frustration, "Because it's Alex's spirit in physical form in your world. Without the use of very powerful magic her physical body would be unable to enter the Fade. I do believe you are going to want your physical body with you in her world or would like me put you into magically induced coma for the rest of your life?" Morrigan asked sarcastically.

"Well, it's good to see that death hasn't changed that charming disposition of yours," Alistair replied just as sarcastically. "So let me get this straight Anders and I through the use of blood magic enter the Fade and then into her world where Anders can physically heal her body. Well, that isn't so bad and I get to see what her world is like."

Morrigan looked at him with pity as she shook her head, "Alistair, you don't understand. In order for you to physically enter the Fade and then enter her world it will require a large amount of lyrium – which is available in Ferelden, but unavailable in her world. Once you and Anders leave Ferelden and enter Alex's world you will never be able to return."*

Alistair was stunned, "What? I can never come back." He ran his fingers through his hair as he thought about all the ramifications of leaving and never returning. He mumble more to himself then to Morrigan, "What will happen to the throne and the Therin bloodline? And Darrian, my brother - I could never see him again. And what if I hate her world? Then I'm stuck there."

Morrigan looked at him coldly, "And a moment ago you were willing to die for your true love, but the thought of leaving your precious Ferelden is too much of a sacrifice for you. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe you don't understand the meaning of unconditional love."

Unconditional love…the words he had used to describe Alex's love for him. She had been more than willing to leave her life behind for him and she never even hesitated. When faced with the same choice why was he being indecisive? He loved her and without her his life in Ferelden would never be the same. His world was her and as long as she was alive he could live anywhere.

"How am I going to convince Anders to leave Ferelden behind?" Alistair asked.

"Oh that shouldn't be too difficult; other than Zevran and Darrian he has no close ties there. And once you explain that he is going to a world where he can still practice magic and there are no templars I think he will be very eager to go. Not to mention I plan on paying him a little visit when we are done here to help convince him," Morrigan said.

Alistair looked at Morrigan for a long minute and then said, "Why are you doing this?"

Morrigan snickered, "It's not for your happiness I can guarantee you that. It's for Alex's happiness. She saved my life in her world and then she saved my daughter's life and reunited her with her father. It's the least I can do for her. Now you must hurry. There isn't much time left," Morrigan said as loud crack of thunder roared.

Alistair jerked awake as the memory of the thunder rolled through his head. He looked down at Alex and was pleasantly surprised to see her awake. He leaned over and brushed his lips against her soft mouth. "Hello, Love. I am glad you are awake."

She smiled at him radiantly, "Same here. I was afraid I wouldn't see you again."

"Sssh my Love, don't talk like that. I am going save you, Alex. If it's the last thing I do, I am going to save you," Alistair whispered as he planted a soft kiss next to her ear.

She reached up and stroked the side of his face, "You don't have to brave for me, Alistair. I'm a doctor, remember. I know I am dying. I can feel my body growing weaker. I am so sorry that I have to leave you before we really ever had a chance to get started." A tear slipped out of her eye as she looked into his eyes.

Alistair cupped her face and gently wiped the tear away with his thumb, "You don't understand. I met Morrigan in the Fade and she told me of away to save."

Alex looked perplexed, "How?"

"There is away for Anders and me to enter your world. Once there, Anders can heal your physical body. You are going to live…you are going to live and sorry to say you are going to have to marry me. You promised – no going back on that now."

Alex smiled, "It is a promise I will gladly keep." Her hand reached up and cupped the nape of his neck as she pulled him towards her. "I can't wait to be Alex Therin," she sighed against his lips before her mouth covered his and the feel of her velvety lips caused the world to just slip away. All the pain, all the fear slipped away and it was just the two of them again holding on to each other for dear life.

Just then the door slammed open, "Okay love birds, that's enough of that. We have a trip to plan Alistair," said as he jovially walked into the room.

"Morrigan has already spoken to you," Alistair said.

"Yes, now that a mage that can really get around," Anders replied.

"And you're okay with this? You understand the consequences?" Alistair said as he glanced at Alex.

She looked at both of them sternly, "What consequences?" Alex demanded.

Anders raised an eye brow, "You haven't told her that she will be stuck with your sorry arse in her world for the rest of her life? A place where you aren't king - your just one of the common people."

Alistair furrowed his brows, "You're going to be stuck there too you know," he retorted.

"Will someone tell what the hell you are talking about?" Alex asked weakly.

Anders walked over and sat beside Alex on her bed. "You see, my dear, it's a one way trip. We have enough lyrium here in Ferelden to perform the ritual to get Alistair's physical body into the Fade and through the portal however your world doesn't have lyrium so even though I can perform magic in your world I will be unable to perform a spell strong enough to bring us back without the aid of lyrium. So you see, my Sweet, you will be stuck with us in your world."

Alex looked horror struck, "Alistair you can't be stuck in my world. You are the King. Ferelden needs you. Your people need you. You can't desert them like this," Alex said as she gasped for air.

Alistair rushed to her side and eased her back against the pillows. He brushed the hair out of her face, "My Love, I need you. I can't do all of this without you. It's like you said, "my world is where ever you are'. If this is the only way then so be it. Ferelden was doing just fine before I came along, it will survive without me. Fergus Cousland will make an excellent king. Hell, he was raised to be king more than I ever was. Now please don't worry yourself over Ferelden politics. You need to rest."

Alex looked at Anders, "And you're okay with never returning to Ferelden?"

Anders laughed, "Are you kidding? To live in a place where I can practice magic freely without the fear of templars I will think I have died and gone to the Golden City. Besides, I get to taste that lovely concoction you called a Popsicle."

Alex laughed, "Popsicles are good, but there are even tastier treats then that. Wait till you try a Ho Ho."

"Oh, I think I tried her last weekend," Anders replied dryly.

Alex giggled, "It's a cake. It's chocolate creamy goodness."

"Well, then add it to the list of things to try," Anders said.

Alex looked at them with all seriousness, "Look it was easier for me to try and pass as one of you here in Ferelden then it will be for you to pass yourselves off as someone from my world."

Anders laughed, "Oh honey, don't lie to yourself, you didn't fool anyone."

Alex frowned at him. "That maybe so, but you will have a even harder time then even I did. Ask Morrigan to place you as close as possible to my apartment. I keep a key under the flower pot on my porch. In the spare room you will find some of my brother's clothes. He is about the same size as both of you. Wait until after midnight to visit me in the hospital. At that time of night there will be no visitors and the hospital staff will be minimal. Here get me a piece of parchment and I will write down the address for both my apartment and for the hospital," Alex said.

"You have been sick for a while, Alex. Do you think your father would have kept your apartment?" Anders asked.

"If he refused to turn in my DNR order then he is holding out hope that I will recover; which means that if I recovered he would want me to return to the place that I felt most comfortable – which would be my home. Money wouldn't be an issue; my grandparents would continue to pay for the place," Alex replied.

"What is a DNR order?" Alistair asked

Alex bit at her bottom lip before she replied, "It means do not resuscitate."

Alistair looked worried, "And what does that mean?"

"It means that if I were in a coma that no extordinary measures should be taken to save my life," Alex replied.

Alistair was shocked, "Why would you do that?"

Alistair saw a change come over Alex's face and as she spoke it was void of emotion. "Because as doctor I know that family members can't always be counted on to do what is best for the patient because their logic is clouded by their emotions and attachment to the patient. I have seen patients kept alive on life support for years because the family couldn't let go. I did not want to end up like that," Alex said coolly almost clinically.

"Well, I thank the Maker that your overly emotional father's logic was clouded and that he didn't turn in your DNR. If he had we would have never met because you would already…..be dead."Alistair's voice caught as he pushed out the last words. He composed himself and continued, "And I believe that I am taking extordinary measures to keep you alive because I can't bear the thought of living without you."

Alex saw the pain etched on Alistair's face. "I'm sorry, Alistair. I didn't mean to upset you. I too am happy that my father didn't turn in the order and I am overwhelmed by the sacrifice you are willing to make to save my life."

Alistair leaned over and kissed her, "It's not a sacrifice. I would do anything for you so please don't talk about your death so coldly or casually. I could still lose you before Anders reaches you."

"I'm sorry Alistair. In my line of work I see a lot of death and I have to tell loved ones that their family member didn't make it. In order to do that at times I have to distance myself from their pain. I didn't mean to do that with you," Alex said as she yawned.

"Love, you need to get some rest so we will leave you for now. I will come see you before the ritual is performed," Alistair said as he kissed her cheek.

Alex nodded and the two men headed for the door, "Anders could you stay for a moment?"

Anders looked at Alistair who nodded his consent. So Anders returned to the side of Alex's bed. "Anders, tell me about this ritual."

"Well, it requires a great deal of lyrium, some of Sienna's blood, and a few magical incantations." Anders asked.

Alex thought for a moment before she continued. "When you collect Sienna's blood collect enough so that if you had to perform the ritual twice you could. Also I need you to find out what the physical properties of lyrium are."

Anders wrinkled his eye brows, "Why?"

"How many times do I need to remind you people? Because I am a doctor; I had to study chemistry for years. My world may have lyrium on it, but it may go by a different name. I can't identify the element without knowing what its physical properties are," Alex said exasperated.

"You're going to try and get us back home," Anders said.

"I would like to give you the option to come back if I can," Alex said.

Anders nodded, "Okay, I will find out for you."

"One last thing, when you exit the portal from Ferelden you need to mark it so that you can find it again," she said as she yawned again.

Anders leaned down and kissed her forehead, "Thank you."

She looked at him inquisitively, "For what?"

"I don't know if I will ever want to come back here, but thank you for trying to give us the option if we want it. That means a great deal to me," Anders said tenderly.

Alex smiled weakly as she drift off to sleep. "You're welcome," she mumbled as she slipped back into unconsciousness.

Author's note- I have known from the beginning of this story that this was the direction I wanted to take the plot line. The inspiration came from a possible epilogue in Awakenings that stated: "If the Warden was in love with Alistair, but not married to him (even if you make him king in Origins): Some claimed she returned to Alistair, her true love, and a life far away from both Ferelden and the royal court. Some say that she served the Grey Wardens elsewhere, Alistair at her side, or that the two of them were seen often at the palace in Denerim. After a number of years, however, neither she nor Alistair were seen again. perhaps they undertook some mission on behalf of the Grey Wardens, or departed for their own adventures, or... simply disappeared. Most assume their tale is far from complete..."

The idea that the King of Ferelden could completely disappear fascinated me and I wondered where the two of them went. Although Alex isn't a Warden I thought I would use Alex and Alistair's story to explain that possible epilogue outcome. I hope that you are still enjoying the story.