The companions all sat around the Clinic waiting for Hawke to wake up. It was early afternoon, and she still hadn't stirred.
"Are you sure you should have let her go to sleep on her own?" Isabela asked.
"Yes," Anders answered for what seemed like the hundredth time.
"I'm awake, I just don't want to be yet," Hawke startled the room. "I am sure that I have things to do, want to start filling me in?"
The healer couldn't help but grin, "as you wish, fearless leader."
"You don't need to do anything too soon, Hawke," Aveline said.
The healed mage opened her eyes and groaned as she sat up on the table, " you should consider investing in something more comfortable, Anders." She turned her ocean blue eyes to the Guard-Captain, "what good will waiting do? The world doesn't stop when stuff like this happens. It should, but no one asked me."
Fenris stepped forward and started recounting the events after she had lost consciousness. Hawke reached for Cullen's hand when she heard how he had demanded that she be taken to Anders instead of the Circle. The healer stopped poking and prodding Hawke for any more sore spots to look at the Knight-Captain questioningly.
"Those mages at the Circle know Hawke by reputation only. Some respect her, but others resent her freedom. You are the only healer I would trust with her life on the line like that," Cullen replied nonchalantly.
Hawke tried to laugh, but her ribs were still sore from the healing. Hearing her choke on air, the healer turned back to his task. He did everything he could to ease the pain, but there wasn't much more to be done. Anders assisted Hawke from the table, and all eyes were on her expectantly.
"Thank you, Anders," the healer touched her cheek, a sadness in his eyes, then moved off to check the remaining patients.
"What now?" Fenris asked.
"She goes home to rest," Cullen answered.
"She has had enough rest," Hawke retorted. "We have a date with the Knight-Commander, best not to keep her waiting longer than we have to."
Hawke felt like her old self, but her companions weren't convinced. They slowly made their way to the Docks from Darktown. A large host of the Healer's patients had followed them out, " the Knight-Commander is going to think we are marching an army against her," Fenris said looking back at the crowd.
Hawke winced when she saw Aveline turn to address them, "go easy on them."
The Guard-Captain grinned and it was not reassuring at all, "Spread word that the Champion of Kirkwall survived the aftermath of her battle with the Arishok! We are going to see Meredith to figure out if there is any thing else that needs to be done."
Great, Hawke thought. "Aveline, we don't even know if I am going to be walking out of the Gallows!"
"You are a mage, every single one of your kind is at risk of not coming back from the Gallows. There will be an army of common folk prepared to swim across to rescue you if it comes to that."
"Let's hope you're right," Hawke mumbled as she stepped onto the boat that would take them across.
"How is the situation not resolved," Hawke countered, pacing the Knight-Commander's office.
Cullen stood beside Aveline and Fenris, a safe distance away from the mage's path. Orsino sat off to the side of the room. He had taken the liberty of asking the Grand Cleric to sit in for the debate. She sat on the other side of the Knight-Commander's office, across from Orsino. Mereidth had not been pleased when she heard that Elthina was to be a part of this decision. She had every right to do so, but it took away from the Knight-Commander's authority.
"The Viscount is dead, apostate. Seamus, the heir to the Viscount seat is dead."
"The Arishok is dead," Hawke finished the list since it seemed like Meredith was not going to.
"The city is claiming her the Champion of Kirkwall," Aveline grinned behind her hand at Elthina's words. "It would cause more problems out there than she would. Especially since all the deaths you are accusing her of, Knight-Commander, were not committed by Hawke. The Arishok however, which is the important one, is this mage's doing."
"She is an apostate, Your Grace! Are you suggesting I let her go?"
"She is the Champion of Kirkwall, Meredith. Are you suggesting a Civil War to keep her?" Orsino stepped in. He was loving this.
"I won't let her leave this building, as Knight Commander I have a duty to the people."
"It I may speak," Cullen stepped forward.
"No, you-" Meredith began to snap.
"Please, Ser Knight," Elthina reprimanded.
"The Knight-Commander allowed Hawke her freedom before as long as she had a templar Handler. I took the oath as a temporary solution, until the Arishok and his Qunari had been taken care of. She is an apostate, and with the public display of the duel, rumors fly fast. Everyone who didn't know, does now. Let me continue my role as Handler over Hawke. Rebel mages and those who are opposed to free mages will see the templar's touch still. It is a win-win situation."
Hawke stopped pacing. Could this work?
"Would you allow this, Knight-Commander?" Elthina voiced the mages thoughts.
Meredith knew that no matter what Hawke, was going to walk away free. This was the only way for her to save face. She wasn't sure how much Cullen had come to care for his charge, but she knew he had some feelings for the apostate. The man had been a victim when the Ferelden Circle fell. Meredith may not like the situation, but she had faith that Cullen would take care of any issues if it came to it. "It seems I have little choice," the Knight-Commander replied bitterly.
A wave of shock filled the room.
"You are free Serrah Hawke, be careful," the Grand Cleric warned, breaking the silence.
"Congratulations, Champion!" Orsino exclaimed with a silly grin. Hawke was paving the way for future mages everywhere.
"I-I can go?" Hawke wanted to make sure she was hearing everything right.
"Quickly, before the Knight-Commander comes up with a reason to change her mind," Elthina stage whispered with a chuckle.
"Thank you," Hawke said as she took measured steps out of the building. It would have looked silly if she dashed to her freedom.
The docks were filled the people of Kirkwall when they pulled up. The crowd tore the air with a deafening cheer and Hawke grinned, hoping the Knight-Commander could hear them.
"Welcome home, Champion," Cullen whispered in her ear. He stepped off the boat and reached down to help her out. She took his hand and he pulled her against him. He wanted to kiss her, but didn't think it was a good idea to make such a public display.
"Speaking of home," Hawke whispered back as she pulled out of his embrace. She just wanted to be cozy in her bed, with Cullen's hands running through her hair.
"Soon," he promised.
Not soon enough, the p+eople insisted on celebrating. Hawke was lifted up and taken to the Hanged Man. Everyone bought drinks for everyone, and almost all of them were drunk. Hawke sipped at the drinks bought for her, and smiled. She had been forced to sleep most of the day before, and had been drunk enough last night. She wanted to have some control while she digested the fact that she had gone from a Ferelden apostate to The Champion of Kirkwall over night, and then was granted her freedom, when she had been sure Meredith wasn't going to let her go. She downed her drink. On second thought, she needed it.