I really enjoyed the deconstructed fantasy elements in Alistair's story and how he was a reasonably humble, realistic person rather than the tropeish Must Reclaim My Title and Lands type. This made him feel very real and psychologically fleshed out. Add in that his end-point story branches either make him live the trope straight (become king), make him suffer failed disgrace (exiled or executed for trying to become king--a classic tragedy), or give him the very tragic-romantic (asian-style) ending, or take him completely off the tropeish path in a modernist way by letting him be happy being who he is as a warden. It's really pretty brilliant storytelling, all in all.

So, from the perspective of multi-branched story writing, I think Alistair works so insanely well (and has such a huge fan base) because his end points have something for everyone who romances him.

Yes, his reveal was no surprise but I loved how well it was written. Alistair carried the psychological scars of the cast out bastard prince. All of his awkwardness and insecurity just plain made sense. But more on this later -- I typed up my fave LI a few days ago. It needs a final revision before I post tomorrow. ;)