A/N: Damn that writers block... and damn those exams! I dont have time to write because of them -.- Sorry again for the long wait. I didnt know what to do with this chapter, coz I was thinking of finishing the story with it... but the blockade! It took me a week to write the last 4-5 sentences! -.- So I decided there will be one more chapter, dealing with the (probably) battles with Meredith and Orsino and (definitely) the aftermath...


"Elthina! No! Maker, no! She was your most faithful, your most beloved..." Sebastian was on his knees crying for the unnecessary loss of life, and praying for the souls of the victims, while Hawke watched, with horror, the ruin that was Chantry just moments before.

No way. This is some kind of dream, a nightmare. I must be trapped in Fade or something... Anders wouldn't do this! He is not a murdered, he's a healer! Andraste, please let me wake up! Hawke thought, overwhelmed by various emotions, ranging from horror, over bewilderment, to surprise. She realized that her mouth were open, so she quickly shut them with an audible click. She then heard what Meredith was speaking.

"... hereby invoke the Right of Annulment. Every mage in the Circle is to be executed - immediately."

Orsino started pleading for her help, but she silenced him with a raised hand "What? You cant do that! It wasn't a Circle mage who did this. It was an abomination!" She said the last word with disgust, glaring at Anders, who avoided looking her in the eyes.

Orsino relaxed a bit, but not completely, when he saw that the Champion is on his side.

But Meredith had other plans for the Champion "I demand you stand with us! Even you must see that this outrage cannot be tolerated."

Hawke took a deep breath before she spoke "I understand. But you cannot expect me to stand idly while you execute innocent mages." She averted her gaze, looking at the ground "Not when... I helped him do this." It came out as a whisper, the only way for Hawke to prevent her voice from cracking.

There were gasps all around her. She felt, more than saw, Isabela, when the pirate came to stand by her side, looking at every person defiantly, like she was daring them to say or do something.

This gave her strength to confront the facts. "I helped him collect the ingredients he needed... And I helped him to get inside the Chantry without being seen..." She discreetly took Isabela's hand, seeking strength to continue, and the pirate gave her a slight squeeze.

As Hawke opened her mouth to speak again, Anders cut her off, defending her against the accusing looks of everyone around them, including some members of their party. "But she didn't know! I never told her my plan, I just said it would be a personal favor to me. If you want to blame anyone, BLAME ME!"

Hawke gave him sharp look, disgust in her eyes, but was once again prevented from speaking. This time it was Sebastian who spoke "Why are we debating the Right of Annulment, when the monster who did this is right here!" The Prince said with a sneer.

He then turned towards Hawke "I swear to you, I will kill him."

Hawke turned her glare at Sebastian, but said nothing. She then looked at the Knight-Commander "Meredith, please, listen to reason. I agree with you, and will stand by your side, but ONLY if you revoke the Right of Annulment. I will not watch as you slaughter the innocents. Lock them up, conduct your search for the maleficars, but don't kill them all!"

"Even if I whished to, I could not stay my hand. The people will demand blood."

Hawke closed her eyes, not knowing what to do. "Follow your heart." Isabela whispered so only she could hear. She opened her eyes to look at the pirate. Isabela gave her a small nod.

Hawke looked at Orsino "I wont let her slaughter all of you." First Enchanter gave her small nod and a smile of appreciation.

"But what of Anders?" Sebastian asked, but before she could answer, the others joined in.

"Hawke, if you do this, I don't know if I can follow." Aveline said grimly.

"I know we can do this. I believe in you Hawke" Merrill quipped in.

Meredith didn't look pleased at all "Think carefully Champion. Stand with them and you will share their fate."

Hawke looked at all of them, before answering "I made my choice. What must be done, will be done." She glared at the Knight-Commander.

"No, I wont fight to protect these mages, not even for you Hawke." Fenris said, as he approached Meredith.

But Hawke ignored him. She was looking intently at her best friend, as Aveline waged war within herself; help a friend, or do her duty and stand with Templars?

She finally looked at Hawke, with a grim expression "I see what you are trying to do, and my place... is with you."

Hawke relaxed a little, letting a sigh of relief escape her lips, as she gave her friend a small smile.

But Meredith decided that this was enough "You are a fool Champion. Kill them all! I will rouse the rest of the order" She screamed, while retreating.

Hawke released Isabela's hand, so she could grab her weapons. She glanced at her other companions. Fenris and Sebastian have gone with Meredith, but Aveline, Merrill and the rest already drew their respective weapons, ready to defend the mages against the advancing Templars.

Orsino ordered for his mages to retreat to Gallows, while the First Enchanter himself, as well as Hawke's sister Bethany, decided to stay and stale the aggressors. Hawke scowled at that. I don't like for her to be on the battlefield. She is a healer, not a warrior. She thought, moving closer to Bethany, so she could protect her little sister better.

The first Templar came at Hawke, swinging his large sword over his head. She sidestepped him, dodging his blade, while going for his ill-protected neck with her dagger. She sliced his throat, immediately going for the next.

This one was a little more careful, using his shield to block her attack. His eyes widened, when she disappeared in puff of smoke, reappearing moment later behind him, thrusting her twin daggers with all her might into his back. That was enough to drop him on his knees, but not kill him, so she finished him off by stabbing him downwards through his neck.

As she was pulling her dagger free from the dead Templar, fireball flew inches from her head. Hawke whirled around just in time to see another Templar going off in flames, few feets from her. She shot a surprised look at her sister, who just smirked at her, before turning around to freeze another Templar that was charging at her, his shield on the ready and his sword held high. For all the good that did him. Aveline charged at the frozen Templar, shattering him to bits with her sword.

Soon all Templars that were left behind to cover Meredith's escape were dead, or dying. The latter were being taken care of by Isabela and her daggers. Orsino took Bethany to the Gallows, to organize some defense, leaving Anders in Hawke's hands, to deal with him as she sees fit.

"Be careful Beth." Hawke said as her sister turned to leave with First Enchanter.

"You too, sis." Young mage said with a small smile, before turning again to go after Orsino.

Hawke watched them go a while longer, before turning towards Anders. He sat on some crate, looking directly ahead of himself. He opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off, coldly saying "Save it, I don't want to hear it." She began pacing behind his back. "I mean, what were you thinking? Were you thinking at all? Makers breath Anders, you destroyed the CHANTRY!"

"This is the justice all mages have awaited!" Anders defended his actions.

"Sincerity does not justify THIS!" Aveline shouted at the mage.

"I don't even know you anymore, Anders." Hawke stated sadly.

"You never really did know me. You only saw what you wanted to see, ignoring what you didn't like. Just like with your pirate queen, or your little pet, the blood mage..."

"Hey! Watch you tongue you bastard, or I will cut it off!" Isabela shouted. Merrill just looked like she was about to cry.

"Enough!" Hawke put an end to the quarrel.

"Whatever you do, just do it." He said quietly, still looking at the far wall.

Hawke didn't know what to do. Anders was my friend, but this... I cant let him go away after this. She looked at Isabela, who was comforting Merrill and glaring at Anders. She noticed that Hawke was looking at her and she gave the other rogue a short nod. Hawke's expression darkened as she looked at her other friends who had similar reactions as the pirate.

Damn it Anders, you give me no choice...

"You have to pay for what you have done." She said, her voice devoid of any emotion, as she pulled out one of her smaller knives.

"I know." He whispered, preparing himself for what he knew was coming.

"Stand up." Hawke struggled to keep her voice steady. Anders obliged, facing her. He gave her a small smile and a quick nod.

Hawke felt her hand tremble, so she gripped the knife harder. She put her other hand on the mage's shoulder, letting her knife hover over his heart a few moments, before she gathered her strength to thrust it in.

Anders gasped as the metal pierced his body, grabbing the Champion's shoulders for support, before his strength failed him, and he slid down to his knees. He looked up with the last of his fading strength, to see a lone tear going down Hawke's cheek. His eyes turned glassy as he slumped down on his side.

She stood there, staring at the body of a person she once considered a friend, but who betrayed her for what he believed in. She wanted to cry. She wanted to hit something. She wanted to... I don't know what I want to do. Hawke thought grimly.

She felt someone's hand on her shoulder. She didn't need to turn to know that was Isabela. Somehow though, even the smallest gestures from pirate were able to give her back the strength, the fire, to continue fighting.

Hawke lifted her head to look at her lover with a new resolution in her eyes. I will protect Bethany and the mages. And I will not let Meredith's terror to continue. She thought defiantly, looking the pirate in the eyes.

Isabela saw her determination and smirked, trying to lighten the mood. "You ready to go and kick some Templar butt?"