The years went by, the Hawke estate ever changing, much like the world around them. Sadie got bigger and bigger, looking much like her mother. The little girl with the raven black hair always found trouble, but no matter the cause, she would bat her eyelashes and her fathers would be twisted around her little finger. Hawke often sighed, remembering how she was with her own father when he was alive. She was always Daddy's little girl, exactly as Sadie was now. It was usually she who had to be the discipliner of the house.

It came to no surprise when at the age of six, Sadie had begun to develop magic of her own. It was a subject that had often plagued the household with worry. Hawke, a noble and trusted member of Kirkwall's society, had been preparing for years. She met with the Grand Cleric often, and protested the ways of the Circle. Yes, she believed that while the Circle was good in some aspects, but it should in no way be the prison that the Chantry had made it into. Her cries and pleas fell on deaf ears, as the Grand Cleric was set in her ways. Once again, a mage rebellion had begun in the Circle, several mages escaping after staging a fight. Both Hawke and Anders knew well that if the Circle had been less strict, there would be less tension among the mages and Templars. But still, Elthina would not budge.

A few years went by, and Elthina grew ill. She passed away from consumption, leaving the title of Grand Cleric to someone else. The woman who eventually replaced her as Grand Cleric was younger, and more open to listening what Hawke had to say. She knew of all the good Hawke had done for the city. Hawke was a mage herself, so the Grand Cleric thought perhaps that spoke in volumes on just what a mage could become if they received the proper training and lessons.

The Cleric met with the nobles and Templars after a petition had been signed. Many of the nobles were worried about setting the mages free, but others, ones who had been saved by Hawke at one point or another, debated how safer the city could become with more protectors like her. It took years, but one day, the Kirkwall Circle changed. No longer was it a prison, but a school. Every mage in the city would be free to return to their families at the end of the day. Some still stayed at the Circle, having nowhere else to call home, but many began to make a life for themselves outside of the walls. When Sadie turned ten, she went to the Circle herself. Her parents had been apprehensive about coming forth that their child had been touched with magic, afraid that the laws would once again change. But with the new rules, the mages of Kirkwall were no longer feared as they once had been. Blood magic was practically unheard of within the city, and many of the mages came forward, helping to protect the city at night from criminals that lurked the streets. The crime rate dropped, and soon, many of the city's inhabitants became grateful for the new law. No longer were the streets to be feared at night, for someone was always watching.

Eventually, duty would call to Hawke and her companions once again. Sometimes they were forced to leave the city they had called home for so long, but they would always return after a time. Precious friendships had been made there, bonds that neither time nor destiny could force apart. They had all been bound to each other, in one way or another.

As for Hawke, Fenris, and Anders, they lived their lives to the fullest, ever grateful for the time they had been given. They knew just how dreadful the world could be. Hawke swore to protect her family, her loved ones despite whatever life threw her way. It was a promise she would keep. She was not only a protector to the city, but to her home as well. Anders, capable at wielding a sword now, often shared in her responsibilities, whenever she needed a hand at her side. There were times where he and Fenris would still be at each other's throats, but never like before. Prejudice was erased from the mens' hearts. Jealousy was no longer an issue. There was a new-found respect for one another, a respect that touched them both deeply, more than they would ever admit.

They knew one day, the taint would consume Anders. It was no longer something he feared, for he had Fenris to look after their family when he was gone. It was thoughts like that which made the former mage incredibly grateful that they had welcomed Fenris into their home, into their hearts.

For now, whatever time they had left together, they would not squander a day. Each moment, each breath they took, was a blessing. Hawke had the family she'd always wanted; no longer did she spend nights alone in the estate, feeling empty from the death of those she'd lost. There were new precious memories to be made. She had built her life from nothing, rising from a refugee apostate to the Champion of Kirkwall. There were no doubts in her mind that she couldn't have done it without Anders and Fenris, and she vowed that for the rest of their days together, she would show them just how much she valued their love.

And she did.

Fin

End notes: Wow, this is finally done. I feel bittersweet about it. It was so much fun to write, but I am looking forward to new projects that I've been wanting to hash out for awhile. A huge thanks goes to Shink and Hatsepsut for helping me along the way.

And my readers, honestly, you guys are the BEST. I never expected this story to gain the popularity it did. Every single review I have gotten has put a smile on my face. Thank you endlessly!

I have some new chapters for Royal Retribution coming out soon, and I will be posting a short story about Hawke/Anders post DA2 that I have had planned for well over a year. I hope to hear from you guys again in the future. Much love,

Jennifer