Fenris Romance

Fenris Romance is the non-binary ship between Fenris and Hawke from the Dragon Age fandom.

Act 1
Fenris and Hawke first meet when Hawke takes on a job to “recover stolen goods” by Anso. Upon fighting bounty hunters and exiting the abandoned house, Hawke and party approach the steps to the west where they see Fenris stepping down, having just killed Tevinter forces. Fenris apologizes for there being numerous bounty hunters, as when he had asked Anso for help he was unaware that there’d be so many. From there, Fenris introduces himself, before claiming that he himself was the “lost property” that the hunters were after.

Searching the corpse of a hunter, Fenris discovers that his former master, Danarius, had accompanied them to the city. He asks for Hawke’s help so he can “confront” Danarius before he has the chance to leave. Should Hawke refuse, Fenris will pay them and leave; no longer recruitable or part of the story. Upon accepting, Fenris tells Hawke to meet him at Danarius’ mansion in Hightown as soon as he can, as they must enter before morning.

Meeting back with Fenris, Fenris explains how he has not seen anyone leave the mansion, and has heard of nothing within. Assault on the mansion beings nothing, firming that Danarius is not there, much to Fenris’ disappointment. Fenris assumes Danarius had left valuables behind, leading to him telling Hawke they can take anything they’d like before he steps out for air. Outside, Hawke and Fenris speak, where Fenris also pays Hawke for their trouble in helping him. Fenris talks of his former master and how he doesn’t want him, but rather just the lyirum makings on his skin, even if he must “rip it from Fenris’ corpse.” Hearing this, Hawke flirts, “Seems like a waste of a perfectly handsome elf.” In responses, Fenris chuckles before quickly coughing into his fist. With Fenris now squatting in Danarius’ mansion, he offers to be at Hawke’s “disposable” should they need him.

Upon Fenris being recruited into the party, Hawke and Fenris speak alone in the mansion. Fenris brings out wine he found in the cellar, telling Hawke how he used to pour it for Danarius’ house guests back when he was slave, as his appearance had intimidated them, which Danarius enjoyed. Hawke flirts, “I can’t imagine why they would be put off.” The two sit down and talk more, where Fenris explains he’s been on the run for the past three years. He tells Hawke he should thank Anso for find him someone so capable, leading to Hawke flattering Fenris by saying, “Maybe I should be thanking Anso.” Fenris stands and lets Hawke know that he’ll work on his own flattery for Hawke’s next visit.

Act 2
Three years later, Hawke and Fenris speak in the mansion, where Fenris again lets it known that he’s been on the run from Danarius, having not seen him. Fenris begins to wonder if his former master has finally given up on trying to locate him. As the two talk, Fenris tells Hawke how when he received his lyrium markings, the agony had whipped away everything, leading to him not remembering his life before the event. The more Fenris talks, he realizes he’s unloading a lot on Hawke at once, commenting that he shouldn’t trouble Hawke with this, as his problems are not Hawke’s. In response, Hawke claims, “I might be able to help with your problems or give you a few more.” Fenris looks to them, telling them it’s a “tempting” offer, before commenting on how they’re a handsome man or beautiful woman. He asks them if there’s no one else who has their attention. Hawke tells him no.

Sometime later, on the anniversary of Fenris’ escape from Danarius, Fenris drinks to the occasion with Hawke as his company, asking if they’d like to hear the story. Hawke replies, “I enjoy listening to you talk.” Fenris tells his story, ending with how he’s never told this story to anyone before, as he’s never wanted to, leading to him realizing this is perhaps what it means to have a friend. Hawke claims “it might mean more than that,” with Fenris responding he’s never allowed anyone to get too close. Upon his lyrium markings being branded into his flesh, the pain was “extraordinary,” causing him to not like being touched. He however comments on how Hawke is “unlike any other,” that with them it “might be different”. Hawke is willing to find out. Fenris ends up telling them, “On another evening, perhaps.”

Sometime later, Hawke travels outside of Kirkwall with Fenris in their party. It’s there an ambush of Tevinter slavers sent by Danarius’ apprentice, Hadriana, attack the party. The lead slaver demands Hawke hand over Fenris, with Hawke refusing. A battle ensues, ending with each slaver dead. Fenris asks Hawke to go to the abandoned slaver den in order to face Hadriana before she has the chance to flee. If his request is not resolved in a timely manner, the quest is completed and Fenris permanently leaves the party.

Upon finding Hadriana, she informs Fenris of his sister, Varania, in hopes of him sparing her life. Fenris gives his word, however he kills her anyway having the information. Hawke asks Fenris if he wants to talk about it with Fenris exploding in a rant, that no, he doesn’t. At Fenris’ attitude toward the situation, Hawke suggests they leave, while placing a hand on Fenris’ shoulder. Fenris shakes Hawke off of him, claiming that he doesn’t want Hawke comforting him. Seemingly exhausted all of a sudden, Fenris tells Hawke he needs to go.

An undisclosed about of time goes by before Hawke sees Fenris again. Fenris sits outside of Hawke’s room of their estate, waiting for them to emerge. When Hawke exits their room, Fenris stands and walks for them, saying he’s been thinking about what had happened with Hadriana; Fenris apologizing for taking his anger out on Hawke. Fenris soon again apologizes for “burdening” Hawke further with his problems. As he turns to leave, Hawke gently grabs him by his arm, lighting up Fenris’ lyrium markings. At the touch, Fenris slams Hawke against the wall with his markings dimming back down as he relaxes. Hawke grabs and kisses him, turning to slam Fenris against the wall instead. The two stand and make out for a bit before taking it to Hawke’s bedroom.

The morning after, Hawke wakes to find Fenris not next to them in bed, but rather standing over the fireplace, before asking if the sex was “that bad”. Fenris turns to them, telling them it was “fine,” before realizing how bad that sounded, he clarifies that “it was better than anything he could have dreamed”. Fenris however begins to explain that while he and Hawke were having sex, he had flashes of his old life that he doesn’t remember; his life before the ritual that gave him his lyrium markings. Fenris apologizes, telling Hawke he can’t, that he feels like a fool and that all he wanted was to be happy for just a little while. As he walks out of the room, he asks for forgiveness with a sorrowful expression.

Act 3
Three years later, Fenris has information on his long-lost sister, Varania. He asks Hawke to accompany him while he goes and meets her for the first time, fearing it may be a trap set up by Fenris’ old master, Danarius. Hawke agrees and the two head for the meeting place. Noticing Varania is acting strange, Hawke attempts to warn Fenris that this is a trap, just as Danarius descends the stairs. Depending on player choice, Fenris could be given back to Danarius, permanently losing him as a party member, or a battle ensues ending with Fenris killing Danarius. Because Varania sold him out, Fenris seeks to kill her as well; Hawke can either stop him or allow her death. With Varania either having left or had been killed, Fenris voices that he is alone. Hawke steps forward, telling him, “I’m here, Fenris.” Fenris cups Hawke’s cheek, before he smiles at them. His smile is short lived however as Fenris turns away, before telling Hawke he needs to get out of there.

Hawke goes to speak with Fenris at Fenris’ mansion where they find him recount that even with Danarius dead and he a free man, freedom does not “feel like it should,” however noting that moving forward is “what’s important now,” he just doesn’t know where that would lead. Hawke tells him, “Wherever it leads, I hope it means we’ll stay together.” Fenris agrees, proclaiming that is his hope as well, while smiling. Fenris soon brings up what had happened between he and Hawke three years ago, as the two had not spoken of it since. When reminded that it was he who didn’t want to talk about it, he tells Hawke how he felt “like a fool,” and how he thought better if Hawke hated him, before claiming “that it isn’t better”. He continues by saying how he “remembers Hawke’s touch as if it were yesterday,” and how he should have asked for forgiveness long ago. Needing to understand, Hawke asks why he left. Fenris tells them how he had “thought about the answer a thousand times,” how the pain and memories their night together brought up was too much for him to handle at the time. He continues to say that he was a coward, and if he could go back, he’d stay and tell Hawke how he felt. When asked what he would have said, Fenris tells them, “Nothing could be worse than the thought of living without you.” Hawke informs him that they understand, that they’ve always understood. Fenris moves closer to Hawke’s face, telling them that if there is a future to be had, he’ll walk gladly into it at Hawke’s side. Hawke stands to kiss Fenris, with Fenris welcoming them in.

Depending on whom Hawke sides with — the Mages or Templars — and if the player has a high enough friendship or rivalry with Fenris, Fenris will join them in the final battle. He’ll tell Hawke, ''“I… may not get the chance to say this again. Meeting you was the most important thing that ever happened to me, Hawke. Promise me you won’t die. I can’t bear the thought of living without you.”'' The two share a passionate kiss. Similar to the other romances, it can be assumed that following the battle, Fenris and Hawke are on the run as whomever Hawke didn’t side with, will become their enemy.

Dragon Age: Inquisition
Hawke arrives to Skyhold at the request of Varric Tethras to discuss battling Corypheus with the Inquisitor. After their talk, the Inquisitor can ask Hawke why they’re alone. Hawke tells them, ''“Fenris would have killed himself to protect me. I didn’t want to give him that chance.”''

When Hawke is brought into the Fade, Nightmare, a fear demon, plays on their greatest fear, telling them, ''“[…] Fenris is going to die. Just like your family and everyone you ever cared about.”''

If Hawke survives the Fade, Varric will comment that Hawke has told him to write letters back to everyone in Kirkwall regarding Hawke’s whereabouts — Fenris will want to know. In dialogue between Varric and Cassandra Pentaghast, it’s mentioned that Hawke and Fenris will likely join up again.

If Hawke doesn’t survive the Fade, Varric will mourn and comment he has some letters to write — that he should be the one to tell Fenris.

Dragon Age II

 * Hawke can flirt with Fenris outside of Danarius’ mansion.
 * Hawke can flirt with Fenris outside of Danarius’ mansion upon Fenris being recruited.
 * Hawke can flatter Fenris upon Fenris being recruited.
 * Fenris smiles at Hawke, telling them perhaps he’ll work on his flattery for them upon their next visit.
 * Depending on which gender Hawke is, Fenris can call them a “handsome man” or “beautiful woman”.
 * Hawke can tell Fenris they enjoy listening to him talk.
 * Hawke is willing to find out if they might be different for Fenris.
 * Hawke places a hand on Fenris’ shoulder.
 * Fenris apologizes for taking his anger out on Hawke.
 * Hawke was concerned for Fenris, having no idea where he went.
 * Hawke and Fenris make out against a wall.
 * Hawke can gift Fenris a book.
 * Fenris attempts to comfort Hawke about Leandra, Hawke’s mother’s, death.
 * Fenris and Hawke have sex.
 * Hawke is there for Fenris.
 * Fenris cups Hawke’s cheek.
 * Hawke and Fenris want to stay together.
 * Hawke and Fenris can get back together, sharing a kiss to make their relationship official again.
 * Hawke can gift Fenris a sword.
 * Fenris cups Hawke’s cheek.
 * Fenris can’t bear the thought of living without Hawke.
 * Hawke and Fenris share a passionate kiss before the final battle.

Fanon
Fenris Romance is a popular ship within the Dragon Age fandom. Fenris being a particular fan-favorite of the series, making his romance highly sought for. Fenris is only romanceable in Dragon Age II. He can become involved with a male or female Hawke, making it to be either a slash or het ship, depending on player choice.

Fenris, as a former slave, never learned how to read. Dialogue with Hawke can open up the option to teach him how, leading to many fan works having just that – Hawke teaching Fenris how to read and/or they two of them reading together.

On AO3, Fenris/Female Hawke is the 7th most written ship within the Dragon Age - All Media Types tag, while Fenris/Male Hawke is the 10th most written ship. Dragon Age II has it’s own tag on AO3, where Fenris/Female Hawke is the most popular ship, and Fenris/Male Hawke the second most.

Fandom
FAN FICTION
 * Fenris/Hawke tag on FanFiction.net
 * Fenris/Hawke tag on FanFiction.net
 * Fenris/Hawke tag on FanFiction.net
 * Fenris/Hawke tag on FanFiction.net

DEVIANT ART

TUMBLR
 * — Blog dedicated to Fenris and male!Hawke
 * — Blog dedicated to Fenris and female!Hawke
 * — Blog dedicated to Fenris and male!Hawke
 * — Blog dedicated to Fenris and female!Hawke
 * — Blog dedicated to Fenris and male!Hawke
 * — Blog dedicated to Fenris and female!Hawke
 * — Blog dedicated to Fenris and female!Hawke

WIKIS
 * on

Trivia

 * Fenris can be romance by a male or female Hawke.
 * Upon Fenris being successfully romanced, he wears a red band over his right wrist and also wears Hawke’s sigil on the left side of his belt.
 * According to party banter between Fenris and Varric, male!Hawke is taller than Fenris.
 * It is possible to miss Fenris completely. Should the player not accept the Bait and Switch quest or if they do accept, but then refuse to help Fenris by clearing out Danarius’ mansion, Fenris will pay Hawke and leave; no longer recruitable or part of the story.

Variations

 * Fenhanders refers to the ship between Anders, Hawke and Fenris
 * Fenhawkebela refers to the ship between Isabela, Hawke and Fenris