After much merriment and food cleared away by Bodahn, Orana and Hawke herself, it was time to open their presents. Hawke insisted that she would open hers last, just so she can see the joy on her friend's faces at the gifts she gave them, since she thought very thoroughly over each and every one of them.

Carver opened his gifts first: a mabari pendant from Varric, a Chantry symbol from Sebastian, a book titled: "The Grey Warden's Griffons" from Anders, a voucher for a free-night at the Blooming Rose from Isabella, a small halla carving from Merrill, a small dagger like Hawke's from Fenris, a bottle of Orlais wine from Aveline and Donnic. Finally, Carver reached the extremely large package from Hawke.

"Open it, Brother," Hawke's eyes were wide as dinner plates, glistening with excitement and hope.

Carver's eyes widened as he ripped off the paper and string, revealing an almighty greatsword forged from the finest blue steel that money could buy. It was obvious this was custom made. The Warden's hand slid over the intricate carvings that were obviously of Fereldan origin.

"Sister this is…thank you, everyone. For the gifts I mean," Carver smiled the first genuine smile Hawke had seen from her brother.

One by one, her friends opened their presents:

Sebastian received many new sets of arrows for his grandfather's bow from Varric, Carver and Fenris, a book on Andraste from Isabella (Maker knows what that will be about), a book on "Mages in the Circle" as a friendly reminded from Anders, a new hunting cloak from Aveline and Donnic, a fruit cake from Merrill (which he will give to the orphans at the Chantry), and finally, a brand new pair of expensive gloves that were specifically for archery from Hawke. The Chantry brother thanked all his friends before excusing himself to leave since he had to attend the festival at the Chantry, he murmured something into Fenris' ear and the elf nodded. Hawke frowned, trying to figure out what they were planning.

Now it was Isabella's turn. Contraceptive potions from Anders, Maker she was going to kill him later. A new set of Rivaini daggers from Varric, the largest he could find which brought a smile across the pirate's face. She also received a bottle of wine from Aveline and Donnic from Orlais, but this was the strongest wine that was able to be produced over there.

"Trying to say something, Fenris?" Isabella snickered as Fenris' gift turned out to be a book on 'Karma Sutra'.

Fenris smiled smugly, "I just thought you could improve your performance for Carver."

Isabella laughed heartily whilst Carver's cheeks burned red with embarrassment. Their one night at the Blooming Rose together all those years ago still burnt images into Carver's mind, even though Isabella had done most of the work and he had been with Peaches before her, Carver still had quite strong feelings for the Rivaini pirate.

"Quiet, elf," Carver snapped.

"Alright children stop fighting now," Hawke giggled, "Anders, open your presents."

"Anything for you, Hawke," Anders smiled, squeezing Hawke's shoulder before going to his pile of presents.

A book on Kirkwall law (a friendly reminder from Aveline and Donnic), several rare herbs from Merrill, Carver and Sebastian, a book on the 'Magisters of Tevinter' from Fenris, and finally, he came to Hawke's present; it was a small painting of a cat that look a lot like Ser Pounce-A-Lot. Anders squealed, like a girl, in delight and flung his arms around the startled mage.

"Thank you so much, Hawke!"

Hawke giggled, patting her best friend's back before gently pushing him away.

Merrill was next to open her presents: various elven tomes of magic from Anders, Carver and Fenris, a new flowerpot and daisy seeds from Isabella, a halla hair blanket from Aveline and Donnic, a new neck scarf from Sebastian, and Hawke gave Merrill a shard of the eluvian that she had so longed for to finish the mirror. A few scowls came from the group but Merrill thanked Hawke in her usual, blubbering manner. But then her face saddened.

"Varric, have you forgotten about my present?" Merrill turned to the dwarf teary eyed, Varric's cheeks blushed bright red and he rubbed the back of his neck to try and ease his nerves.

"I'll give it to you later, Daisy. When I take you home, alright?" Varric said with a smile, reassuring Merrill as her frown turned into a beaming smile.

"Ooh I like surprises!"

Varric chuckled nervously before starting on his pile of presents:

Crossbow bolts from Anders and Sebastian, a bottle of real dwarven ale from Isabella, several bottles of ink from Aveline and Donnic, and a brand new journal from Fenris, a ball of twine from Merrill, to replace the one she had borrowed from him, which put a huge smile on the dwarf's face. Hawke's present was a silver-tipped quill with a deep red feather protruding from the quill tip.

"Hawke this is simply beautiful, I've needed a new quill for ages, thank you."

Hawke smile and reached to hug her dwarven friend, who laughed and patted her back.

"Now enough of the lovey-dovey stuff, Hawke, you'll make me cry. Now it seems that its Aveline and Donnic's turn now, correct?" Varric snickered and winked at Isabella, who giggled as the pirate gave the Captain and her Guardsman their presents. Aveline's eyebrow rose before frowning as she and Donnic opened their shared presents:

A new whetstone from Fenris, bottles of wine from Carver and Sebastian, a tome on fighting against mages from Anders, a fruit cake from Merrill, and then it came to Varric and Isabella's shared present for the couple…

"Oh my…" Donnic gasped as Aveline's face slowly reddened with anger and embarrassment.

Varric and Isabella had bought the newlyweds a set of new toys for the bedroom, complete with two books: one on "Roleplaying for Beginners" and the other on "How to Spicen Up Your Sex Life".

"Dwarf…Slattern…" Aveline's voice was trembling with anger as she glared daggers at the two rouges, rolling on the floor laughing with tears in their eyes.

"We should go home, thank you for the presents everyone," Donnic grabbed his wife by the arm before she could break Isabella and Varric's legs.

"Hold on!" Hawke cried out and gave the distressed Donnic a small parcel before whispering something in his ear and the guardsman nodded and escorted his raging wife from the estate.

Hawke turned to the dwarf and the pirate who were still rolling on the floor laughing, even the rest of the group were smirking and giggling with the two rogues, a look of sincerity across her face.

"That was simply cruel you two, but by the Maker it was brilliant!" Hawke burst into laughing, joining in with her companions.

After the laughter died down, it was Fenris' turn to open his presents. He was still adjusting to the idea of giving gifts to his friends, since slaves were not allowed presents or friends, and it was Hawke who made all this possible for him. Ever since meeting her, Hawke had chipped away at the stone wall he kept around his heart until it was all but completely destroyed. He now counted Carver and Sebastian as his closest allies, as well as Hawke of course. But Fenris loved Hawke, and he hoped she still felt the same way after that one night…

"Fenris?" Hawke's voice sang through his soul as it brought him back into reality.

"Oh? Sorry," Fenris simply said before Hawke thrusted presents into his arms, her eyes glittering with excitement and compassion. He knew she had something planned for him.

One by one, Fenris opened his gifts from the others:

A bottle of agreggio pavali from Carver, a new whetstone from Sebastian, a chocolate cake from Merrill, a 'Free Night at the Blooming Rose' card from Isabella, several small story books from Varric, a box of chocolate chip cookies from Aveline and Donnic. But no present from Hawke.

"Hawke?" Fenris looked to the side of him to where Hawke was sitting right beside him, a huge grin on her face.

"Oh, I thought I had forgotten someone this year…sorry Fenris," Hawke pouted and looked away from the elf.

Fenris felt his heart break in two. How could she forget him? He had gotten her an amazing present that he knew would love. Tears sprang in his eyes and Hawke instantly noticed them and presented Fenris with a small, black box.

"Happy Gifts-Giving Festival, Fenris," Hawke smiled before kissing him gently on the cheek, making the elf blush furiously before opening the gift, tearing away the paper.

A polished wolf's fang was attached to a small silver chain. Fenris's eyes widened as his gauntleted finger gently stroked the fang, his eyes widened in shock as he looked at Hawke then back at the pendant.

"You're welcome, Fenris."

"Hawke I…"

Hawke leaned into Fenris slightly and whispered into his ear something he thought he would never hear:

"Join me after everyone else has gone, then I'll give you your real present."

Fenris felt a lump appear in his throat as he tried gulped before looking into Hawke's eyes with desire and passion. He had waited too long for this and he wanted her now.

A cough from Anders' direction snapped Fenris and Hawke out of their little world, causing Fenris to growl at him.

"Hawke still needs to open her presents," Anders snapped at the elf.

"Come now children, no need to fight now," Varric cooed, laughing nervously at Anders and Fenris.

"Oh you guys didn't need to-"

"Well we have, so shut up and open your presents," Isabella laughed as Hawke sat down in front of the fireplace, her legs tucked to the side of her, as Merrill and Sebastian lay the presents by her feet.

Hawke firstly opened her present from Sebastian: it was a deep purple silken scarf with her family crest emblazoned in gold at the ends. It was far too regal for Hawke's taste, but she thanked the archer gratefully.

The next present was from Isabella. Hawke closed her eyes as she tore off the paper, hoping it wasn't something as embarrassing as last year. She opened her eyes and they widened in embarrassment. In her hands were a pair of silky, black lacy underwear with matching breast band, which were literally see-through.

"Isabella-"

"Don't need to thank me Hawke, you'll certainly get Broody in bed if you wear them tonight," Isabella snickered, making Hawke blush brightly, almost matching the colour of her hair.

Fenris, on the other hand, had a small smile which was tugging at the ends of his lips. Hawke looked amazing tonight. Her legs were not fully exposed but those legs he had been in-between those few years ago beckoned for his touch again, his teasing and his length pounding deep into her. The elf bit his bottom lip as he tried to shake away those thoughts before they got the better of him.

"Distracted, Fenris?" Anders said smugly, a huge grin on his face to mask his disgust for the way the elf was glaring at Hawke.

"It is none of your business, mage. What extra gift I'll be getting from Hawke tonight is certainly much better than what you'll be receiving from the Blooming Rose."

Anders' eyes flashed blue for a moment as he felt Justice come through, but he suddenly stopped himself.

No, this would ruin Hawke's day. Don't let that elf get to you Anders. Come on, you're better than this.

Whilst the two were arguing and glaring at each other, Hawke had opened Carver's and Varric's presents: the latest story of Hawke's adventures with her dealings with the Qunari. But Caver's present caused tears to pour down her soft cheeks; Carver had manage to recover the family portrait they had commissioned whilst being in Fereldan by a travelling painter.

Hawke was about sixteen at the time this was being painted, Bethany and Carver were seventeen. Their father stood behind his children with his arm around their mother's waist. By her father's deep red hair, piercing green eyes and brilliant smile, it was obvious who Hawke took after in the family, whilst the twins were the spitting image of their mother.

Everyone crowded around Hawke to see the family portrait, Isabella giggled about how young and innocent they all looked.

"Your father was quite the looker, Hawke," Isabella cooed, licking her lips as she saw Malcolm Hawke in the painting.

"Now you see where I get my stunning good looks from," Hawke smiled at the pirate, tears still pouring down her face and she looked back down at the painting.

Fenris', now un-gauntleted hand, gently wiped away her tears, making Hawke smile as she gently rubbed her cheek into his hand, causing Fenris to smile affectionately at her and Anders to scowl at the elf's romantic gesture.

"Thank you, Carver. So much," Hawke gave Fenris the painting before flinging her arms around her little brother, who was taken aback by his sister's embrace.

"It's fine sister, I made sure no Blight could get to the picture and had it sent to our cousin in the tower, where the templars kept it safe, and since I became a Grey Warden, they allowed me to take it back," Carver smiled.

"Surely they would have just destroyed the item? And especially since what happened in that tower-" Anders started to say before Carver butted in.

"I made sure Irving had it securely locked, he owed our family a favour in the first place," Carver explained.

Hawke gently laid the painting beside her before opening Merrill's present, which turned out to be a hooded cloak made out of halla hair which had been dyed a deep purple colour, trimmed with the natural white of the halla hair. It seemed that her companions knew her favourite colour by now. She thanked the stuttering elf who tried to explain something about it not being as good as the present Hawke had given her.

It was now Anders' turn to give Hawke his present, which was a small, hawk-shaped silver brooch. Hawke smiled as she realised that the eyes of the mini-hawk were two small diamonds. The brooch would go perfect with the cloak that Merrill brought her.

"Thank you, Anders. It's beautiful," Hawke smile as she gave Anders a friendly hug.

"It's perfectly alright, Hawke. I'm sorry I couldn't get anything better, you deserve better."

Hawke just smiled at her best friend before turning to Fenris. She had not received a present from her handsome elf yet. She knew he had hidden something in her pocket, put he presented her with a slightly larger gift than what he had placed in his pocket.

"You will like this Hawke, I assure you," Fenris smiled at the bemused Hawke and she carefully undid the ribbon around the parcel before tearing off the paper carefully. Hawke gasped as her eyes widened in surprise.

In the box, a brand new mage's belt lay in folds of careful velvet. Hawke took out the black leather belt, soft fur lined around the edge of the belt and a large, silver belt buckle with the Amell crest carved into it in ruby held the belt in place around Hawke's waist. Several brown leather pouches were attached to the belt for the little things Fenris knew she collected during their travels; shells, flowers, herbs. Little, childish things that Fenris found adorable, even though the rest of their group found it frustrating when Hawke ran off or stopped to look at a shell on the Wounded Coast.

"Fenris I-"

Before Hawke could speak, Fenris' lips crashed against Hawke's in a sense of desperation and pure passion. Hawke wrapped her arms around her elf and he pulled her into his embrace. The kiss was long and passionate, their tongues intertwined with each other's as the finally pulled apart after realising they were still in company.

"I guess we'll be leaving you two love birds to…whatever, see you around Hawke," Varric waved goodbye and took Merrill with him, so that he could escort her home.

Anders nodded to Hawke and left with Sebastian who hugged Hawke and thanked her kindly before leaving with the mage.

Isabella on the other hand, begged to join in the fun:

"Please Hawke, it will be fun."

"Go home Isabella, Fenris is not one to share, as you very well know."

Fenris growled at the two women and Isabella laughed.

"Fine, I'll just find my fun somewhere else."

"I'll join you, in fact," Carver quickly added as he and Isabella linked arms, Isabella already teasing Carver.

And with that, Isabella left with Carver as they made their way to the Blooming Rose, leaving Fenris and Hawke alone.