Although he was the more experienced Grey Warden, Alistair willingly gave leadership to Aedan. Throughout the course of the Blight, Alistair became good friends with Aedan Cousland. Six months prior to the Fifth Blight, he was trained as a templar in the Chantry but was conscripted into the Grey Wardens by Warden-Commander Duncan before he took his final vows. In time, when he was old enough, Eamon told Alistair of his father’s identity. Upon his birth, his mother Fiona, an elven Grey Warden mage, convinced King Maric to have Arl Eamon Guerrin raise Alistair away from the royal court and tell him his mother was a human servant maid, and Duncan agreed to keep watch over him.
King Alistair I Theirin (born 9:10 Dragon) is the legitimized bastard son of King Maric I Theirin by his elven lover Fiona. To deliver unpleasant news and witty one-liners.' ―Alistair
