She let him go after he shook her off his arm. Being alone for so long had made her a seek out contact more than she ever had before. She felt isolated, and more that a little abandoned, but due to her stubborness, she could never admit that. She would simply barrel down the path before her as she always did.

She realized long ago that Anders never really recuperated the friendship she tried to instill, and perhaps that never would change. He would always see her as an enemy, a perpetural part "them", whoever "they" happened to be.

"I'm trying to give them a future. A better life than we had, without the pain and...loss. Better opportunities. But, even more pressing, I'm trying to keep people fed. Keep them warm, give them a roof over their heads. Keep them safe. I feel like everyone's looking to me to save them, but I'm not-" her voice cracked a little, but she clamped it down. "I will never be Hawke."