A/N: Because the last chapter was so very short, I decided to be nice and put up the next chapter as well. I would like to thank all of you for your continued reading and reviews, you are all so helpful to me and you are what keeps this story going! Thank you all so much! Enjoy! :D
They ran into Hawke just outside the Viscount's keep, to her relief. He led them into the building, and as they burst through the doors of the throne room, Kierrai saw hundreds of nobles fearfully crowded into the chamber. Viscount Dumar's head rolled on the ground, and she sighed. They were too late to save him, but there was still a chance for everyone else.
"Shanedan, Hawke. I expected you. Maraas toh ebra-shok. You alone are basalit-an. This is what respect looks like bas! Some of you will never earn it! So tell me, Hawke: You know I am denied Par Vollen until the Tome of Koslun is found. How would you see this conflict resolved without it." The massive Qunari asked. Kierrai heard groans of pain behind them and she turned to see Isabela stepping over the body of a Sten.
"I believe I can answer that." She said wryly as she approached. Kierrai grinned widely. She knew Isabela wouldn't betray them like that. She handed the tome to the Arishok. "I'm sure you'll find it mostly undamaged." She said.
"The Tome of Koslun." The giant said reverently. Isabela turned to Hawke, whose eyes held a small smile.
"It took me a while to get back, what with all the fighting everywhere. You know how it is." She said happily. Hawke grinned.
"Heroic acts of sacrifice? What will people say?" he teased. Isabela rolled her eyes.
"This is your damned influence, Hawke. I was halfway to Ostwick before I knew I had to turn around. It's pathetic." She replied with a fond smile. The Arishok turned back to them after handing the Tome to one of his men.
"The relic is reclaimed. I am now free to return to Par Vollen-with the thief." He said seriously. Kierrai stepped forward at the same time as Hawke, both of them looking to protect Isabela.
"What?" Isabela asked in surprise.
"Oh, no, no, no. If anyone kicks her ass, it's me." Aveline protested.
"She stole the Tome of Koslun. She must return with us." The Arishok stated as if he were commenting on the weather.
"You have your relic. She stays with us." Kierrai growled.
"Then you leave me no choice." He said, turning to Hawke. "I challenge you, Hawke. You and I will battle to the death, with her as the prize." He challenged. Hawke started to nod in agreement when Isabela spoke up.
"No! If you're going to duel anyone, duel me!" she exclaimed.
"You are not basalit-an. You are unworthy." He denied. Hawke stepped forward.
"Alright. Let's dance." He said, a cold determination in his blue eyes.
"Meravas! So shall it be!" the Qunari leader shouted. He drew his blade, which was larger than Kierrai, and ushered Hawke to the center of the room. Kierrai pulled Isabela away.
"He cannot die. Not for me." The pirate whispered. Kierrai squeezed her hand.
"He won't die." She said, to herself as much as to her friend. Hawke pulled his staff from his back and waited for the giant to charge. It did not take long, and he easily dodged and tripped the Qunari on the staff. Causing him to stumble to the floor. He hurriedly shot ice and lighting at him in quick succession. Kierrai sidled over to Anders and Merrill, who were watching intently.
"If he gets hurt, I want you to heal him, understand? He will not die today." She ordered calmly. The two mages nodded in understanding and resumed watching the battle. It appeared to be nearing its' end when suddenly the Arishok drove his blade into Hawke's side, lifting him into the air. Kierrai shrieked and blood came out of her friends' mouth. To her amazement, Hawke raised his staff and drove it into the Arishok's heart, causing the giant to drop to the ground. Hawke removed the blade, knowing he had won, and dropped to his knees. Anders and Isabela rushed to his side, and Kierrai felt relief when the blue glow of healing surrounded her friend. Hawke stood and turned to the Arishok, who was dying on the stairs.
"One day, we shall return." The giant threatened with his last breath. Hawke turned just as Knight-Commander Meridith and First Enchanter Orsino burst through the doors.
"Is it over?" The Templar leader asked.
"It's over." Hawke said with a growl.
"The city has been saved!" One of the nobles in the room shouted. Everyone began cheering Hawke's name, but he did not revel in it. Meridith walked over to him, and Hawke took a step back. Kierrai stepped forward, ready to defend her apostate friend if the Templar leader tried to take him away.
"Well done. It appears Kirkwall has a new champion." She said in her cold voice. Kierrai raised her eyebrows in surprise, and noticed that Revin had the same expression. Everyone slowly cleared out, leaving their group of companions alone.
"We have things we need to discuss, I think." Hawke said to Isabela. She nodded nervously and followed him out. The rest of the group stood there a moment before going their separate ways. Kierrai was the last to leave, and when she stepped outside, heavy rainfall soaked her instantly. It was as if the Maker himself wanted to put out the burning city. She raised her face to the storm and smiled. Things were calm for the first time in years. She began to walk back to her home in Lowtown, and was glad to see that it was undamaged.
"Kierrai!" a thick brogue called from behind her before she reached her door. She turned to see Sebastian running toward her through the storm. She bit the inside of her cheek, realizing that they were probably about to have another confrontation over what she had said earlier that day. They stood there in the pouring rain for a moment before he said anything.
"You were right." He said, breaking the silence. She raised an eyebrow.
"What?" she asked in surprise.
"Everything that you said today was true. I have no right to lead you along and tease you with my indecision. So I decided." He explained. Kierrai frowned.
"What did you decide?" she asked softly. Sebastian grinned at her before pulling her to him. He planted his lips on hers, and she had never tasted anything so sweet. His hand touched the small of her back and pulled her closer as their kiss deepened, and she entangled her fingers in his auburn hair. She couldn't believe that this was happening, but she went along with it anyway. If it was a dream, it was the best one she'd had in a long time. She sighed when he finally pulled away.
"I decided that I cannot live without you. I love you, Kierrai. I never stopped loving you. You are the most important thing in my life, and I want you to be by my side when I retake Starkhaven." He said roughly, his accent getting thicker with his emotion.
"You're certain?" she whispered, not daring to hope. He smiled and kissed her again.
"I've never been more certain of anything, my love." He murmured. Kierrai kissed him joyously.
"Maker, I've missed you." She said against his chest. They stood there, the rain falling around them. A mischievous gleam entered Sebastian's eyes and he grabbed her hand and pulled her toward her home. She raised an eyebrow as she realized what he was implying, but she stopped in her tracks.
"What is it?" he asked, his voice sounding hurt. She stared at him for a long time.
"You should know that I want to do this more than anything, but I have a condition." She explained.
"What condition, love?" he asked in confusion. Kierrai stared at him for a long time before deciding that she was certain about this.
"Marry me." She stated calmly. His eyes widened in surprise.
"What?" he blurted. She giggled.
"I said marry me, Sebastian. That is my condition. I don't want you to completely turn your back on the Chantry, and marrying me would make our…fun… acceptable." She replied. He smiled widely at her.
"If that is your condition, I have one of my own." He said, dropping to his knee. Kierrai raised an eyebrow as he took her hand.
"What are you doing?" she asked. He grinned and pulled a ring, her ring, out of his pocket.
"Kierrai, you stole my heart years ago, and it will always be yours. I want you by my side until the day I die. Will you marry me, my love?" he asked. She beamed at him.
"Of course I will." She shouted joyously. He slid the ring onto her finger and stood, kissing her passionately.
"Shall we visit Elthina?" he asked cautiously. She threw her arms around him and kissed him in agreement.
"Let's go. We should have a witness or two, though." She said with a happy grin. They hurried around Kirkwall, collecting their friends before going to the Chantry. Elthina stood in the foyer as if she was waiting for them.
"It seems you have made your decision, Sebastian. I am happy for you. Is there something I can do for you?" she asked.
"We would like to get married, Elthina. There is no point in waiting any longer." Sebastian requested. Elthina nodded in approval.
"Of course. Follow me, then." She agreed. Kierrai grinned as they made their way to the chapel. The ceremony was quick and simple, and Kierrai and Sebastian did not stay for the celebration afterwards. Everyone congratulated them, but they were eager to leave and celebrate on their own. When they arrived at her home, their home, they kissed each other deeply. Kierrai had a mischievous gleam in her eyes as she looked up at her husband.
"Are you ready to see what I've learned over the years?" she said with a wink. Sebastian grinned.
"I'll see if I can keep up." He growled.
Kierrai woke up the next morning with Sebastian in her bed, and she had never felt so happy in her life. She smiled and rested her head against his chest. Nothing could ruin this moment.