There was a band of merchants who ... were not so lucky, running into the bandits. They were grateful for our help. If it was cursed, I would think they'd have put it in the back of their caravan and not given it to their rescuers.

[Which isn't to say he still didn't feel a taking it from their little box of things, but it does mean that he in fact spent some time picking it out from among the other options. Alistair sees more than people give him credit for, more often than not.

As for why he is giving it to her, well -- he isn't sure how to answer that. 'Because I want you to like me' sounds small and childish, so even if it's the closest to the truth, he doesn't say so.]

You didn't have to help out at Redcliffe, in the Fade. You could've just pretended to walk about and try to find the boy, but you didn't.

[So it was -- what, a reward for good behaviour? Andraste's tits, that sounded even worse than wanting her to like him. He kicked his foot in the dust again.]

So I wanted you to have it. As a thanks. From -- ah, me.