It was. . . exhausting! I'm only sixteen and I didn't expect this to be my life. But my parents were slain and a Grey Warden rescued me. [bitterly] However, he required that I join the order as payment for my life.

I miss Alistair. I miss my friends. I would that they were here or I with them, but perhaps that cannot be. Without them, it will be a poor holiday.

[she tries to not look as dejected as she feels, but it's difficult to maintain a brave face all of the time. she could manage it with the help of her lover and her friends during the Fifth Blight, but here she feels very alone]