AN: Warning, spoilers for DA Inquisition.
...
...
...
"Fenris would have killed himself to protect me. I didn't want to give him that chance."
That was what Hawke had told the Inquisitor. It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth. Yes, Fenris would have died for her, but that's not why he hadn't joined her at Skyhold. Fenris knew where she was, that she was aiding the Inquisition, and he had reluctantly agreed to stay behind. They had argued about if for hours. He had always prioritized her and their life together. The rest of Thedas could fall into the Void for all he cared. Now, however, he had more than her to think about.
...
Fenris sat by the fire holding Varric's letter… the letter he had been unable to open for three days. He was afraid to read what was inside.
He hadn't wanted Hawke to go. Hadn't she done enough? Couldn't they leave her in peace? Hawke had reminded him of what he already knew. She was well and truly afraid of any chance of another Blight. She felt responsible for Corypheus. She had seen firsthand how horrifically dangerous red lyrium was. In the end, Fenris knew that no amount of shouting or growling or glowing was going to convince her to stay.
With a rumbled sigh, Fenris tore open the letter.
Hey Broody,
Before I go into details, Hawke is alive and well.
Fenris took a long, deep breath. The rest of the letter hardly mattered. Hawke was alive. That was everything. Even so, Fenris kept reading.
I know how frustrated you get with me when I don't get to the point. Anyway, Adamant was a shit show. Venatori blood mages, demons, Warden thralls, a corrupted dragon, you get the picture. Even with all that, the craziest part was falling into a rift and literally WALKING around in the Fade. It's not an experience I recommend.
Here's the part that's gonna make you mad… There came a point when there was no way we'd be able to get out of there without someone staying behind. Both Hawke and Warden Stroud offered to stay. Hawke's rationale was that Stroud needed to survive so he could rebuild the Wardens. In the end, the Inquisitor chose Stroud, but I know you'll be pissed that Hawke even offered. Don't tell Hawke I told you, and let her off easy alright? You know how awful the Blight was for her, and how much she values the Wardens because of that. You know she worries about her sister, too.
Hawke left for Weisshaupt, to tell the Wardens what happened. I'm sure Weisshaupt is a mess too, so it may take her a while. Give her my regards when she gets home, and tell you-know-who that Uncle Varric says hi.
~ Your Favorite Dwarf
Fenris re-read the letter a few times before tossing it into the fire. It was a lot to process. Varric was right, his first reaction was anger. How dare Hawke even consider such a thing? Fenris's anger soon cooled, however. He understood… more than he cared to admit, he understood. They couldn't just let the world go to the Void.
They had their children to think of now.
Fenris walked across their simple home and stood in the doorway of the next room. There, the twins were curled up fast asleep on Hawke's side of the bed. Of course, they had their own beds, but Fenris didn't have the heart to scold them when they missed their mother so. Hawke's scent on the pillows comforted them, he was sure.
He looked down at them, sighing and smiling. They both looked so much like Hawke. That was how it worked with elf-blooded children, after all. The boy, Malcolm, had Hawke's personality too. He was clever and kind, though even Hawke would admit that his patience probably came from his namesake more than either Fenris or herself. Their daughter, on the other hand, certainly had Fenris's temper. Yes, she was… spirited. Fenris supposed that was what he got for naming her Eleuthera. He'd heard the name once, and noted how beautiful it sounded. When he learned it meant freedom, he felt there could be no other name for his daughter.
Only time would tell if his children were mages, but they were his children. No matter how the Inquisition turned out, Fenris knew he would destroy anyone who tried to drag them away, Circle or no Circle. That was also why only Bethany, Varric, and Aveline knew the children existed. Hawke and he had agreed, not even the Inquisitor could be trusted yet.
Fenris shook his head. The Maker must have a sense of humor, because he was starting to sound like Anders. He sat down at his desk and took out of sheet of paper and began writing in a large, clear hand. Malcolm and El were starting to learn to read, and he knew they would love a letter from their mother about fighting a dragon. Someday they'd see through his ruse, but for now, it made him happy to see them happy.
...
...
...
AN: Thank you everyone for reading. I know I didn't get into anything steamy, but I like how things turned out. It was fun to write Fenris.
In case you didn't know, Malcolm was Hawke's father's name. I wanted the daughter's name to mean something to Fenris, and Google provided me with a Greek name that means freedom. This epilogue has inspired me to write a few little shorts about these Hawklings I've made up. Usually OC fics aren't my thing, but writing Fenris parenting them is half the fun. I will post them soon as a separate fic.
