Anders had never given any consideration to blood magic. It was malicious, self-destructive, and served only to give the Chantry more fuel for their infernos of ignorance and hate against mages. But for the first time in his life, as he had listened to his wife's tormented screams, he had considered it. Anders was certain that if a demon had appeared before him and offered a way for his wife and child to survive he would've accepted without hesitating. But after what seemed like an endless night the trial was over and the miracle Anders had prayed for had manifested: both mother and daughter lived to see the sunrise.

Marian slept soundly next to him on the large bed in Isabella's quarters as Anders leaned over and gently kissed her brow. Isabella, Varric, and Merrill had all mercifully volunteered to stay with the baby so that he could ensure Marian would rest and recover fully. She had been so weak the last few days of her pregnancy, having barely eaten or slept, that the midwife feared she would be unable to deliver the child. But somehow Marian had found the strength. The long hours blurred together in a haze of fear and exhausted vigilance as Anders did everything in his power to keep the child's taint from contaminating her mother. At one point he felt nothing but searing panic. Marian's life had begun to ebb as she drifted away from him toward the Fade. But the moment she realized what was happening her gaze hardened. Fire and steel manifested behind her eyes as she drew strength from pools unknown. That same strength had kept her alive during her battle with the Arishok, when Orsino had transformed into a monstrosity, and when Meredith had nearly doomed them all.

Only when the midwife finally pulled their daughter from Marian's body, and the child's healthy cries filled the air, had his wife's eyes finally softened. She gazed tenderly at Anders before letting herself slip into unconsciousness, leaving her terrified husband to heal what he could before nearly collapsing next to her.

Anders pulled his wife closer as he took comfort in the warmth of her skin and her slow steady breaths. His fear from the night before had steadily been replaced with a dizzy sense of euphoria. Never in his wildest dreams had he ever thought of having a family of his own. It was simply not possible for a mage. Assuming two magic wielders could live with the idea of being together amidst Templar oppression in the Circle they would never be permitted to keep their children. The Chantry would rip the child away to be sequestered in some orphanage where they would wait and see if the child showed any magical potential.

But Marian, who had been lovingly raised as a mage with her parents and siblings, had never held any doubts. Though their family had been on the run, they had been together. Marian often spoke of her life before they settled in Lothering; days of playing in muddy creeks, chasing Bethany and Carver across sequestered meadows, knowing they were running but never truly understanding the danger had given her many years of blissful innocence. Leandra and Malcolm had shielded their children as long as they could to prevent needless worry. It was a childhood Anders could only fantasize about. And though it held its dangers it also held the promise of happiness for his daughter. She could grow up with her family, feeling loved and safe, rather than being isolated in a gilded cage. Perhaps they could return to one of the remote villages they'd found on their travels and settle for a little while...

Dread wormed its way into his fantasies. He knew he and Marian were hunted in ways the Hawkes had never been. Even the knowledge that Malcolm and Leandra had managed to raise a family felt bittersweet, as Malcolm had been slain by Templars in the end.

Anders pressed his eyes closed and decided that it didn't matter. His wife and daughter were safe for the moment. And Maker help him he would do whatever it took to keep them that way.

Fenris glared down at the small thing squalling in Merrill's arms. The little abomination seemed content to simply yell, leaving the elf with a feeling of perpetual discomfort. Merrill, however, seemed unaffected by the loud noises and continued to feed it while whispering soothingly in Elvish.

Varric appraised Fenris with a grin. "What's your problem Elf? Haven't you ever seen a baby before?"

"That… thing is not a baby. It is an abomination."

"What? I thought for sure when Hawke came through unscathed you'd drop the whole 'doom and gloom' act."

"Have you forgotten that this thing nearly killed her?"

"Yeah, well, the same could be said about you. Wasn't there a thing in the fade where you-"

"That was different!"

Isabella rolled her eyes. "Oh break it up will you? Merrill, hand the baby to Broody."

Merrill pouted for a moment before reluctantly handing the infant to Fenris, who looked as if the thing in his arms would rise up and strangle him at any moment.

"Oh for the love of… here!" Isabella sighed irritably as she corrected the elf's hold, positioning the baby in the same way Merrill had held her. They handed the small skin filled with goat's milk to the elf and showed him how to position the corner above the child's mouth so it could eat. "There!"

Glaring down, Fenris felt his anger falter. The eyes looking back at him most definitely belonged to Anders: whiskey colored pools of curiosity. But everything else about the child resembled Hawke, down to the wisps of ebony locks. She seemed to appraise the elf silently for a moment before she smiled, causing fear to stir within Fenris. He was startled by the very real fear that this extension of the woman he so cherished, the friend who had changed his life, would be brought to some harm. The thing was so small and helpless…

"Oh yes," the elf murmered as he fed the infant. His words were threatening but the small grin annulled any menace. "You are dangerous."