"After Kirkwall" – 1

They left the Gallows courtyard and ran through the streets of Kirkwall until they found the tunnels that would lead them out to the Wounded Coast. All of them ran without saying a word. All faces grim, anger and frustration clearly showing through. They might have just fought their largest battle ever and won without anyone sporting more than a few scratches, but it didn't feel like victory for any of them. They ran as a pack, the only one trailing is Anders; none of them are ready to forgive him for what he has done just yet.

Coming out of the tunnels, the run slows to a quick march. As they round the corner of the hill, Kirkwall comes into view, in the twilight they can see pillars of smoke rising from several points around the city and at last they halt to stare at the image. They all stand still for a long time until Fenris moves behind Hawke to place a hand on her shoulder; she raises hers to lay it on top. Merrill moves beside Varric and reaches to hold his hand he grasps it tight as soon as he feels it. The first to speak is Aveline with one word,

"Donnic"

Hawke turns towards her, "We could go back."

Aveline turns her head, "We could...you can't. It's all right Hawke, Donnic has sense, he was keeping people safe, and he knows how to do that. I just miss him right now." Hawke nods at her old friend,

"I won't let you lose another husband."

"It won't happen again Hawke, he will be safe. You are the one I have to worry about this time."

"Me?"

"You killed Orsino and Meredith and your friend here killed Elthina." Aveline glances towards Anders who hangs his head, "The only people who will not be coming after you will be the city guard. It will take them a day or so before they get themselves organised, so you don't have much time. I suggest we make camp, make plans and make ourselves scarce."

"Succinctly put Aveline, let's do it." Hawke turns to Carver and Anders and asks them to find somewhere suitable for them to stay the night. As they run off Aveline moves towards her,

"Hawke, will you be all right? I ask only to remind you that all this is not your fault, please remember that."

Hawke looks back at her, sadness and frustration evident in her face, "I don't know Aveline, a lot of people died today because I tried to stop a lot of people being killed. I'm finding it hard to reconcile that it didn't matter what I did. I was caught between two people intent on wiping out the other. I know they both had to be stopped, Elthina couldn't do it, Kirkwall needed its' Champion. I just wish that so many other people didn't have to die along with them. In the future when they look back at this day, will I be viewed as a demon or a prophet? "She shakes her head; she can feel the shock of today's events wearing off and the realisation of the consequences wearing at her soul. Thedas is changing and it won't change easily or without more bloodshed. The thought that it started with her is overwhelming. She sits down in the dirt and puts her head in her hands.

Fenris turns to Aveline, begging her with his eyes to do something. Aveline kneels down beside her,

"Hawke, you have done nothing wrong. Don't do this to yourself. What history writes of you will be mostly rubbish, what people think is of no consequence. We are your friends and we know what you have done and we love you for it."

"I doubt Sebastian sees it that way."

"That boy will calm down. He only thinks of you as having saved the life of the murderer who killed his teacher. Anders did what he did, it was not you, and he has to live with the burden of that. Kirkwall never deserved you. It's time to move on; it's time for someone else to deal with Kirkwall. You did enough."

"All that time Aveline. We both did so much to make that place better. It's all been such a waste."

"It's not a waste! Never think that. There are so many people out there that you have helped and who live because of you. Today was only the wakeup call that Thedas requires to change. The Chantry, Templars and mages have been kidding themselves for too long that their system worked. Resentments were always going to build up. They need to change. When that change happens and everyone learns to live with the new world, you should be proud about the part you played in it." Aveline puts out her hand and Hawke stares at it a moment before grasping it and they stand up together.,

"Thank you Aveline ,I'll be all right."

Carver races back,

"I've found a good place, it's not far." He points a way up the path. Hawke recognises where he is indicating and remembers it was where she found a bunch of escaped mages. Carver is right, it is a good spot. They begin to move off towards it.

"Fenris, wait a moment." Aveline holds his arm and he looks at her expectantly, "Take her far from here, find somewhere quiet you two can settle down, let her talk when she wants to, but distract her when she doesn't. Don't let her dwell on today. Give her children Fenris; give her something to live for besides you."

Fenris nods and moves to follow the rest of them. Aveline turns to have another look at Kirkwall as the darkness begins to fill the sky, "Stay safe my love, I'm coming for you"

The next hour is spent readying the camp. It is sheltered enough for them to build a fire and be sure it can't be seen outside the hollow of the camp. Varric manages to shoot a couple of rabbits and Merrill finds some roots and between them they get a stew cooking. As the smell of food begins to waft, Hawke makes her way round all her companions. She knows this may be the last time she has a chance to talk with them.

Carver looks up from setting out a bedroll as she approaches him and grins at her,

"We haven't had a chance to talk little brother, I've missed you." They stand and hug each other before he steps back, "I didn't miss you for a long time big sister, but I was young and stupid then." They both laugh and sit down to catch up on all that happened since she had left him in the deep roads. He tells her of how much he enjoys being with the gray wardens, despite the negative effects of the taint, they grieve together over the death of their mother and then laugh as she tells the story of how Aveline and Donnic had got together.

"I suppose you'll be going back to the Wardens then." states Hawke, "Will they give you trouble about coming with me today?"

"Maybe a little." He answers, "But I think not too much. They have talked of you a lot. I think they will want to keep track of what you are up to. I will probably be asked to spy on you regularly, so we'll be able to keep in touch."

"Is that good or bad?"

"Mostly good, I get to decide how much I tell them and I don't have to be sneaky. I probably wouldn't be much good at that anyway."

Hawke bows her head for a moment, "I have a favour to ask of you. I want you to take Anders with you when you go."

Carver nods, "I thought you might. There is nowhere else for him to go. Do you think he'll come?"

"I think so, he owes me big time. Thank you Carver."

As Hawke gets up to leave Carver, Anders walks towards them, a look of resignation on his face,"You're sending me back to them aren't you?"

"What else would you have me do Anders? You belong with them, I know most people do the murdering and thieving before they join the Wardens and you've done it the other way round, but at least with them you'll be safe."

"I sort of hoped I could go with you." Anders looks hopeful. Hawke looks at him in disbelief,

"Anders, I didn't keep you alive just so that Fenris could kill you! "

"Still hates me then does he?"

"No Anders I don't think he does hate you, but Elthina spent time answering his questions on his visits to the Chantry, he respected her and Sebastian was his friend. You took both of them from him. He can't be shifted from seeing you as anything other than an abomination. I'm going to have a hard enough time explaining to him why you aren't dead already. Look, go with my brother, I'm trusting you with his life, keep him safe. If anything happens to him I'll find you and kill you myself, there will be no second chance."

Anders smiles, "I guess I really used up my first one. You're right, I'll go with Carver. The Wardens are the only ones that will have me now I suppose." Carver comes up behind and slaps him on the back, knocking the wind out of him.

"Welcome back to the fold brother. It'll be good to have company on the road."

Hawke moves away, smiling to herself as Carver asks Anders what songs he knows that are good to travel with and if he knows any good mage jokes.

Merrill is sitting by the stew, stirring occasionally and sniffing at herbs as she decides which ones are to go in. Hawke sits down beside her interrupting her muttering as she names the herb and listing its uses. She looks round at Hawke and grins,

"This has been the most exciting day ever! I'm so glad you let me come with you Hawke."

Hawke looks at her, slightly bemused, "I'm not sure exciting is the word I would have used Merrill, but it was good to have you along for the ride. Thank you for all your help."

"Not sure I was much help, but thank you for thanking me." She says, "Varric says you'll be leaving now. I hope you don't think badly of me Hawke, but I don't think I'll be coming with you."

Hawke gives Merrill a wry grin, "What are your plans Merrill?"

"I can't go back to my people as they won't have me," Merrill states sadly,"But they can't stop me searching to find out more about our history." Her voice lifts and she begins talking with enthusiastic rapidity, "I'm going to go travelling all over to search for clues. I'm going to fill in as many gaps as I can. Varric says I can stay with him when I'm not travelling and write my books about it. He says he will watch for items too, if I help him research the dwarven artefacts he wants to look for. I would like to explore the safe ways of using blood magic. I saw so many of the mages in Kirkwall use it, but they kept turning into monsters, how can they not control it? I found it easy and I didn't become a monster. I think those mages need to know about that. I think I want to see all the other Alienages as well. In Kirkwall the elves did not know much of their history; I want to see if the other ones are the same, I might do some teaching as well! Do you think the other elves will let me do that Hawke?"

"I'm sure they will Merrill. It sounds as if you are going to be busy. I wish you luck."

Merrill turns suddenly and hugs Hawke tight, "I will miss you Hawke, you have been the best friend to me."

"I will miss you too Merrill." Hawke hugs her back before moving on.

Aveline stands at the top of the camp, her arms folded, looking outwards...standing guard over them all. She turns and watches as Hawke approaches her, a small smile on her face.

"This is it then Hawke, now we go our separate ways."

"I'm afraid so Aveline. "

They both look out to the darkness and the spot of light where fires in Kirkwall are still burning.

"What are you and Donnic going to do?" Hawke asks.

Aveline dips her gaze before answering. "He's agreed to go back to Ferelden with me. It's where we want our baby to be born."

Hawke's eyes widen and she turns to gawp at her friend, "You're going to have a baby?"

"Yes Hawke. It's generally the next step after you marry someone."

Hawke grins widely at Aveline, "That's wonderful Aveline, but won't you miss the guard here?"

"I've trained them well Hawke; there are plenty of good candidates to take over. As long as Donnic is with me I won't miss them too much."

"They will miss you, as will I."

"Don't go all sentimental on me now Hawke, you'll make me cry and you know how I hate that. What about you? What are you and Fenris going to do now?"

"I think we are about to become pirates." She states baldly.

Aveline looks at her stricken, "What? You're going to go with Isabella? What are you thinking? Can you not stay out of trouble Hawke?"

"I want to see a bit of the world Aveline and I want to have some fun. Kirkwall has been so intense and serious. I don't think it will be forever. One day I will return to Ferelden, when I do, I'll look you up."

"You had better Hawke; if you're still alive!"

"Can I ask one last favour...Could you take my dog with you? I don't think he will enjoy life on board ship and I know he likes you."

"Gladly, I've grown fond of him. He will be useful when travelling back to Ferelden."

"Good luck Aveline."

"I wish you well Hawke."

Hawke turns and walks back to the camp as Aveline turns to face outwards again.

As she walks back Fenris falls in beside her an arm going round her waist as he leans in to say,

"Are you still sure this is what you want to do? "

"Yes, I'm sure. What about you, are you still all right with this?"

"As long as you remember the deal breaker."

They approach Isabella who is rooting about in a stray chest that has been left behind by some other long ago camper.

"Damn it." She mutters, "What is the point of leaving a treasure chest lying about with no treasure in it?"

"Isabella?"

She jumps at the sound of Hawke's voice and turns to face them,

"Dark spawn balls! When did you learn to creep up on a body like that?" she cries, and then looks suspicious, "What have I done that I get you both talking to me? I helped out today Hawke, so you can't get me on that one!

Hawke smiles back at her, "You've done nothing but be the best friend a girl could have Isabella."

Isabella leers back at them, "I don't suppose it's something interesting like proposing a threesome tonight, just for old time's sake?"

Fenris coughs and blushes slightly as Hawke laughs out loud, "I thought you understood I don't do that! No! Threesomes are not on the agenda!"

"Pity." Isabella says, "I'll just have to settle for your brother tonight then won't I? Well. What the hell is it? Please don't be doing the lengthy tearful goodbye thing; I won't play if you are."

"No, quite the opposite in fact." Hawke pauses, casting a glance at Fenris before going on, "We hoped you could use a couple more crew members."

Everyone in camp turns at Isabella's loud scream of excitement, "I get to keep you!" she squeals, "Of course I could use you. I thought when you said you would come with me when I left, was you just being nice. I didn't think you'd actually do it. This is great! And you're coming too?" she turns to Fenris,

"Only if you let Hawke deal with my 'alone time'." He says.

Isabella pouts at him, "So unfair of you to deny your Captain. It could be considered mutiny, but I'm sure I can bear with that. I have a small cabin I can fit you two in. Oh, this will be so good! The ship is moored not far from here; I saw the writing on the wall ages ago and moved it. I didn't think Kirkwall's docks would be the best place. A skeleton crew is on board just now, we can leave in the morning. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'm ready for your brother."

Isabella struts away towards Carver as Hawke rolls her eyes, "I'm not sure I can get him out of this one."

"He's a big boy now; he can take care of himself Hawke." Fenris smiles at her.

They both turn to look at Varric, sitting by the fire and poking it with a stick and chatting with Merrill. He looks up as they approach,

"I wondered how long it would be before you got round to me," he says.

"Leaving the best for last Varric, you know that." Hawke says as she sits down beside him.

Varric chuckles, "We've come a long way Hawke. By the Ancestors, it has been good...mostly. So you're leaving with Isabella and with this broody bastard I take it?" Hawke looks up at Fenris, who harrumphs,

"Yes, the broody bastard comes with me." She giggles, "You'll go back to Kirkwall?" she asks as she turns back to Varric,

"Yes, to that absolute mess of chaos that you leave in your wake Hawke. You get to walk away. I must say that was one hell of an exit. You leave me with great tales to tell."

Hawke's voice turns quiet, "I'm hoping you can help to tie up some loose ends Varric."

"Sure Hawke, what do you need me to do?"

"If you could let Bodahn and Sandal know that they are free to go to Orlais now, I would be grateful. Tell Bodahn he can take whatever he wants from the house, he'll need it to sell in order to get there, and tell him thank you. If you could let my uncle Gamlen know he can move in I'd appreciate it, it's time I got him out of that hovel. I'm worried about Orana; I doubt she would enjoy working for Gamlen..."

"Don't worry," Varric interrupts, "She can come and work for me, and I've seen how good she is."

"Thank you Varric. Lastly, how much of those investments can you convert into coin? I think I might need it."

"Enough Hawke, you are still a wealthy woman. I'll get it to you before you go. What about you elf? Need anything?"

"Nothing I can't deal with myself."

"Thank you Varric, for everything."

"Right back at you Hawke."