Epilogue

It was springtime in Denerim. The sun was shining through a sparse distribution of fluffy, white clouds, and new leaves waved lazily in the breeze, shimmering in differed hues of green as they moved. A small pond outside of the city that was surrounded by rolling hills had a number of willows lining its banks, and daffodils were just beginning to show their golden crowns. A young girl with flaxen pigtails crouched by the side of the water, the hem of her blue dress soiled with mud.

She glanced back at her father who was lounging against a nearby tree, his head lolling peacefully as he slept. With a grin and mischievous nod of approval from her mother, the girl grabbed her bucket and scooped up some of the frigid water. Her blue eyes that were the exact match to her mother's shone with anticipation as she tip-toed over to where her father lay blissfully unaware of her approach. With a squeal of delight, launched the water at him, then ran away to hide behind her laughing mother. Much of the water had sloshed straight to the ground in the hands of the girl whose fifth nameday had just passed, but the rest managed to soak her father's left side thoroughly.

Sputtering, Alistair jumped to his feet, and found the two loves of his life holding one another and laughing at his predicament. A lopsided grin stole onto his face, and he ran playfully after his daughter. He caught up to her slowly, giving her the thrill of outstripping him for a moment before he scooped her up in his arms, and tossed her into the air before catching her again. Her giggling echoed across the pond, and Alistair glanced at his wife, giving her a soft smile before turning back to the girl who was begging him to remember his promise to show her how to catch the silvery fish that lived in the pond.

Hoisting her to sit on his shoulder, her small hands clasped around his forehead for balance, they pair walked over to the basket they had brought along, and Alistair began piecing together a line and hook for the girl.

The trio had managed to get away from the castle for the afternoon, and a small contingent of guards kept out of sight so as not to intrude on the family's day. It was a blissful time, and Hawke, who had lived much of her life on the road or as an outsider, finally felt as though she were truly home with her husband, Alistair, and their daughter. Born into a new age in Thedas, Bethany Theirin's time was just beginning.

A/N: This is it, folks! I truly hope that you have enjoyed Alistair and Hawke's tale, and once again I must thank each and every one of you who has taken the time to read! If you have enjoyed this story, feel free to check out some of my other pieces and let me know what you think… I'm also beginning a new story that will feature Cullen across both DA:O and DA:2! Cheers