Dearest Father,

I have been thinking a lot about what happened yesterday with Varania. I wonder now if I should have fought for her, tried to convince Fenris not to kill her. Will he have regrets in doing so? And will he blame me for letting him make the decision? For his entire life that he remembers, he's been told what to do. I didn't want to continue that; it's bad enough I drag him into things he may not be comfortable doing, but family matters should always be kept within the family.

It's impossible not to think of what the future holds for Carver and I. The tension between the mages and Templars grows daily, and we are at opposites in this brewing war. Carver has chosen his side, and I have yet to decide mine. I do agree that the Circle is necessary, though it doesn't mean I am willing to walk to the Gallows and surrender any time soon. While Anders has a point that mages shouldn't be punished just for being born with magic, Meredith is correct when she points out the corruption that has occurred within this city alone. There doesn't appear to be a middle ground.

So what then Father? If the time comes that Kirkwall goes to war, will I be able to kill my brother as easily as Fenris killed Varania? Will Carver not hesitate to strike me down as he has been trained to do? I suppose it may be harder in our case since we've known each other our entire lives, and Fenris knew nothing of his sister. But it's starting to weigh heavily on my mind.

Just thinking about that kind of confrontation is upsetting, so I'm going to check on Fenris and see how he's holding up. The loss of his family, the freedom from Danarius, it must be a lot to take in all at once. I hope he's willing to talk about it, and not just hide in his mansion.

"You don't need to stay in this pit anymore you know," Hawke and Sebastian heard Varric saying as they entered Fenris' home. "Not that you haven't fixed it up nicely, with the cobwebs and rotting corpses."

"It's falling apart," Aveline stated. "The property value in this area is dropping, and the seneschal isn't going to ignore that for much longer. You're just lucky there's no viscount breathing down his neck at the moment."

Fenris agreed. "I am well aware Aveline. I do appreciate what you've done, and now that I'll have some free time on my hands, I'll work on that."

Hawke and Sebastian entered the room just in time for Varric to reel them into the conversation. "Do you hear that Hawke? The broody elf is staying! He could go anywhere now, and yet he just can't get enough of Kirkwall."

"Where does one go when one does not remember anything else?" Fenris asked.

Varric shook his head. "Yes, I suppose freedom is a terrible burden. Guess that means I'll see you later for drinks at the Hanged Man."

"I should go too," Aveline said, excusing herself. "But I mean it Fenris. Clean up this dump, or else I will be forced to throw you out."

Fenris nodded, and waited for the two to depart before continuing his thought. "They just don't understand," he told Hawke and Sebastian. "Yes, I am free. With Danarius dead, I could go anywhere, do anything. But his death has left me more confused than before."

"You thought killing him would solve everything," Hawke said, knowing how the elf was feeling. "Revenge drives you, but in the end it solves nothing."

"Exactly," Fenris agreed. "I thought if I didn't need to run and fight to stay alive, I could finally live as a free man. But my past has died with my sister. Which leaves me with nothing. No family, not even an enemy. What good is a former slave to society?"

"Maybe that's the problem," Hawke told him. "You still see yourself as a slave, when you are much more than that. With Danarius gone, you can do anything you like. You answer to no one but yourself, and that is the meaning of freedom."

Fenris thought on her words. "The future of a slave is never uncertain, but you are correct, I am no longer a slave. Perhaps it's time I start remembering that."

"If you're looking for a place to start a new life, you are welcome to come with me when I return to Starkhaven," Sebastian offered.

"What would I do, exactly?" Fenris asked. "Apart from assisting Hawke, I have no real skill for any sort of work."

Sebastian disagreed. "You're a fine warrior Fenris, and my army will need a strong leader. If you could train men to fight like you do, no one would dare try to steal the throne from the Vaels again."

"I'm no leader," Fenris said. "And I doubt humans would want me training them."

"Things will be different in Starkhaven," Sebastian told him. "Once I secure the throne, I plan on abolishing the alienage, and welcome the elves to live free among the humans of the city. My cousin has already recruited elves into the army through competition, so I have no doubt that by the time we get there, you will be welcomed as their teacher."

"A worthy goal," Fenris said, considering the offer.

"It's a new start, if you want it," Sebastian said. "Though keep in mind, it's not entirely selfless on my part."

"How so?" Fenris asked.

"I would trust no other to protect Hawke within my kingdom," Sebastian stated. "Knowing you were there keeping her safe when I cannot would help me be a better ruler. As my wife, she'd be as much a target as I would."

Hawke turned to look at Sebastian. "I'm sorry, did I miss the part where you proposed marriage?"

Sebastian laughed. "Not at all. But one day, you will be, assuming you agree. I'm only preparing for our inevitable future."

Hawke nodded. "Well then, good to know."

"Leader of an army, a mage for a friend." Fenris shook his head. "When I came to Kirkwall, I would never have imagined either. I can certainly think of worse things in life."

"And your life has only just begun," Hawke said. "There is nothing from your past to run from, no need to hide. Life is whatever you make of it. Your future is yours."

"In that case," Fenris said, reaching for a bottle of wine, "whatever the future holds, I hope it is at your side." He poured them both a glass, and raised the bottle in the air. "To the future."

"And to freedom," Hawke added. "For all of us."