EPILOGUE, NOT PROLOGUE

**************Six Months Later****************

The stream of sunlight pouring through the bedroom window warmed Hawke's face, and she sighed contentedly as she finished fully emerging from sleep. She rubbed her feet against the warm legs intertwined with hers, and savored the light, rhythmic breathing of the body beside her. She looked over to admire Fenris' face, so peaceful and soft with sleep, his black brows relaxed and smooth, eyelashes resting on the satiny skin of his cheek. When she reached a hand over to his chest, his lips flicked up in a little smile and he opened automatically, letting her slide into the little nook of his body. She still smiled at how he reacted to her in his sleep now, no longer jolting anxiously awake with the resounding of painful memories. They were busy making new memories together, memories filled with crystal clear pools, long late night conversations in bed and family dinners with her Mother, Bodahn and Sandal. Fenris was no longer holding anything back from her, letting her help him work through the pieces of memories that occasionally emerged, and talking freely about his hopes for their future together.
She nuzzled her face into the hollow between his shoulder and his chest, and ran her fingers lightly along the markings on his neck, following the curving lines that she now knew as well as the back of her hand. He exhaled a breath that turned into a light giggle and then he gave a little shudder. "That tickles," he said, his voice still crackling with sleep. She slid her hand flat along his skin and ran it down his chest and then around to rest on his lean hips. He rolled toward her and his rosebud mouth found her lips, delivering a sleepy good morning kiss. She ran her fingers through his soft silver hair and felt a deep sense of peace.
"What's on the agenda for today?" he asked as he nipped at her jaw, kissing lightly down her neck.
"As much of this as possible," she sighed. "And then another meeting with the Arishok."
"Mmm, yes, the demands of Qun…" he groaned.
"But I don't want to think about that yet," she said, rolling on top him. "Not when there are more pressing matters at hand,"she said and she slid herself into place over his hips.
He laid his back flat against the bed and bucked up toward her, his hands finding hers and lacing through her fingers. "Think about what again?" he asked wryly, his lips curling upward as he closed his eyes.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Some time after they returned from the Circle, Fenris and Hawke entered the Hanged Man, finding two stools together at the bar.
"Shall I order you an ale?" Fenris asked, sliding his arm around her waist.
"Nah, I've got my heart set on that other bottle of Finale tonight," she answered, leaning into him as his arm tightened. She saw Isabela giving her a smirk from the other side of the bar. She picked up her drink and began walking around the bar to where they sat.
"Well don't you two look nice and cozy," she commented with a raised eyebrow.
"That's right. What of it?" Fenris asked as he nibbled Hawke's ear.
"Nothing! Just noticing. Congratulations and all that," Isabela said with a smile, raising her flagon to Hawke and then taking a deep gulp.
"I'll be back as soon as I can," Hawke said to Fenris, giving him a lingering kiss.
"Keep my seat warm?" she asked Isabela as she turned to walk back toward the door. Isabela slid into her seat and nudged Fenris affectionately in the ribs.
Hawke closed the door of the Hanged Man behind her, and set out for Anders' clinic.

The lanterns in front of his open doors were lit to signify that the healer was in, and she saw Anders consulting with a patient on one of the new tables. He looked up and nodded to her as she entered, and she sat herself in the corner of the room while he finished up.

"Come have some tea," he beckoned, motioning her back toward his kitchen.
"How are you?" she asked as she sat herself at his table. The shiny new scar across his neck peeked out from the collar of his coat, brushed by the tips of his blonde hair. He seemed to be letting it get longer than usual lately.
"As good as can be expected I suppose," he said, sitting himself before her with two mugs of tea.
She sighed, figuring she might as well come out with it.
"I'm so sorry Anders," she said softly, reaching for his hand. "I can't even tell you how much I care about you. If things in our life had gone just a little bit differently…"
"I know Hawke," he said sadly. He squeezed her hand and looked down into his steaming mug. "You've said from the beginning that you loved him."
"I love you too, you know. I do," she said as she felt the tears threatening to emerge. "This is the hardest decision I have ever had to make in my life. But it is time for me to make one and stick with it," she continued. "It's not fair to either of you to keep dragging this out."
"You're right. I am not arguing. I just hope that we can remain friends."
"I hope so too."
"Fenris isn't going to come after me if I talk to you?" he asked, looking up at her with his deep brown eyes.
"No. We have an understanding."
He nodded. "That's good. Maybe he's a little less beastly than I thought."
Hawke laughed sadly, "He is not an unreasonable man. And for some reason, he is willing to trust me again. I can't screw that up this time."
"Well that is a credit to him I suppose. He certainly has good taste in women."
"Anders, you can't… try to seduce me any more,"she said, "No more professing your love and breaking out all the charm. It's not nice. And keep those damn lips to yourself please," she laughed.
"Sweetheart, I can't help it if I'm charming and irresistible," he said with a gentle smirk.
"Yes, well, please have mercy on me. I really need you to respect my decision. I'm going to do my best to do my part," she said, "If we are going to be friends, then let's be friends. That is just going to have to be enough."
She took a sip of her tea and met his gaze over the lip of her cup.
"I just want you to be happy," he said softly. "I mean that."
"I want the same for you Anders," she responded as a tear dripped down her cheek.
"Don't worry about me. I've made plenty of plans. I'm going to be staying very busy for the foreseeable future," he said and he wiped her tear away. "I won't have even a single free moment to think about you."
"Plans, huh? What kind?"
"Oh you know… magey stuff."
Hawke laughed softly. "Well if you need any help, you know where to find me."
"I'm sure I will."
Hawke stood and pulled him in for a final hug, squeezing him as tightly as she could, and then bid him goodbye to make her way back to the Hanged Man.