Finale
It wasn't the hardest thing to do, leaving behind the title of the "Champion", leaving a crazed city with two power figures ready to claw at each other's throats for power and with the city populated with zealots, power scheming nobles and a very indecisive chantry.
But the hardest thing Hawke had to do? Saying farewell to his followers and friends.
The moment he told them he'd be leaving Kirkwall to ensure a safer environment for his lover and their child, many of them had seen a shift in their paths. Sure many of them were rather saddened they'd have to leave, Varric in particular saying Kirkwall will be a sod lot quitter and significantly more dull without the two.
Yet many of them understood the sacrifice, although saddened. So there several bits that were to be resolved before they could leave the city of chains of course, such as the estate.
Hawke had left the home to Fenris of all people, stating that the mansion of his own would soon become to much of a liability to him the longer he avoided the papers and legal documentation requirements. By handing him both the contract and rights to the estate, he would officially become the owner of the "Hawke" estate and a proper member of the "Amell" clan.
So as of that day, Fenris went by Fenris Amell.
In regards to his former master, Varric received word from one of the many contacts outside of the Free Marches that Danarius was no more. It turns out he was *ahem* "replaced" by another magister and unfortunately for the latter, his knowledge of Fenris was practically none existent. Plus even if he even fathomed the thought of trying to re-capture the elf, Varric had confirmed that he was more fixated on furthering his position in the court to even consider the elf's whereabouts.
Meaning Fenris was finally a free man.
Everyone else?
Well Aveline remained with the guards as anyone would expect, but with more determination than ever. With Hawke gone no one doubted some opportunists would take advantage of the city without its Champion so the captain had begun recruiting both elf and dwarf that had a good sword arm and a positive outlook on the guards. Mostly the right to punch criminals, the elves greatly enjoyed that aspect of the job.
Aveline was still married to Donnic and was currently with child soon, to which meant she was forced to take leave of the guards for the time being. They're currently being led by Lia of all people.
Sebastian eventually left Kirkwall to reclaim his throne in Starkhaven. After a long discussion about the state of Kirkwall with the grand cleric, the prince said if he wanted to help Kirkwall he would need the men and the power to do so. Surprisingly he managed to claim his throne rather easily compared to say king Maric, with Elthina as his witness and even dropping Hawke's name.
Suffice to say his cousin, who was already a bit of a simpleton, was more than happy to hand over his kingdom in exchange for his estate being within his own name. An estate for a kingdom? A rather fair deal you'll never find again. So with Starkhaven back in the ruling hands of the Veals, Sebastian has been doing whatever he could do to ease the tension and troubles within the white city of chains, at least until they could choose a new Viscount.
After delivering Hawke and Merrill to Ferelden, Isabela went back to her pirating ways. Castilian, much to her delight, had been assassinated by the antivan crows. A noble man who he just so happened to cheat in a deal, didn't take being screwed over very well and had sent some of the very best at the man.
Needless to say the pirate queen returned to her life upon the endless seas of Thedas, with a firm promise to visit Merrill on a regular bases, especially when the elf promised she'd be made the god mother of their new born. Suffice to say Hawke was strongly against allowing Isabela to be alone with the babe, after all what father would want their child's first word to be "shite" or maker forbid "slattern".
Reks, much to his sister's disappointment, had returned to his life as a mercenary after getting his sister settled in. He wasn't ready to settle down and retire yet and decided to make use of his youth and vigour. He was recently recruited into a band of mercenaries that were well known in Orlais, led by a qunari of all people.
He writes to his family often, but has yet to pay a proper visit to them.
Varric remained within Kirkwall, regaling everyone in new tales of the Champion and his bonny lass. Among all of the party Varric was the only person to regularly visit Hawke and Merrill whenever he could(which was often) and even minded the little tyke when he was asked.
Sadly his brother's recovery was…slow to say the least. Though he clings onto the hope that one day he'll get back to his greedy self, it was becoming more and more clear to Varric Bartrand would not return to his old self and that it was looking more likely that he would have to take over his family business but that's another story for a different time.
Carver became the next Knight-Commander after Meredith had a mental breakdown, being forced into a sanatorium after a near attempt to invoke the "Right of Annulment". With Carver being both a more experienced warrior and with his own tales being spoken by Varric, he was made the ideal candidate for the future templars.
Along with that, he made peace with the next First Enchanter
As for Anders…
After Hawke announced he was leaving, the Champion headed into the chantry to stop whatever plans the fellow mage was attempting. However upon arrival, the Champion found nothing and even heard from a sister that a man resembling Anders had been seen recently in the chantry, looking like a man who had lost everything.
The party had spent days searching for the mage but their efforts bore no fruit. Varric was the only one who found out the smallest bit of information of the mage. He was apparently seen on a ship to the Anderfels with several refuges. At the request of Hawke, several spies were sent to follow the mage but much to their dismay he managed to vanish. And several months later, Varric had no choice but to pull his men back after no results.
Wherever Anders had gone, it would take the Maker himself to find him…
Ahh, but what of the two of this story?
*Redcliff*
The benefits of being a mage would always remind Hawke that he was a lucky sod. Farming was a simple task to maintain and producing fine vegetables was as easy as walking. Using his magical talents to water his plants even in the driest days of the year, along with keeping them nice and cool in the cold weathers that this land was known for, he had possibly the best farm in the age.
Leaning against the wooden frames that covered his farm's perimeter folding his arms as a proud look formed upon his face as he gazed upon the crops that were growing steadily and surely. With winter slowly crawling closer to the cold country they would have enough supplies for the season before he would have to spent coin for provisions once more.
Ever since he left the Free Marches Hawke had ultimately retired from battles altogether, even leaving his armour in the basement of their home among the other weapons they've acquired over the years, his proud black champion armour stood upon a mannequin that would hopefully lie there for the rest of his life, along with his staff. Of course Hawke still practiced magic to maintain the power he was feared by, after all bandits are a forever threat.
As the sun had slowly descended behind the Frostback mountains, Hawke clapped the dirt from his hands and pushed himself off the rails. He picked up his hoe and walked down the small road leading back to the cosy cottage that belonged to him and Merrill. Redcliff was a small village once but ever since the incident during the blight the village had greatly been rebuilt by the king and the arl, even expanding it to a small town.
The old cottage used to belong to a black smith that passed away during the blight, and with a few coin exchange Hawke managed to turn this dusty old home into a cosy welcoming home for them. He smiled warmly at the potted flowers hanging upon the wooden frame of the home, the scent of jasmine easily tickled his senses in that beautiful familiar scent of home. Entering the cottage with a quiet greeting, he spotted his lovely wife on their large chair by the hearth, bathing the gentle warmth of the golden light.
Wearing a set of grey and silver winter robes that greatly hugged her not so smaller frame, her hair longer now and all tied into an elegant tail behind her back. She smiled warmly at him, a finger pressed delicately upon her lips to signal the quiet. She gently lowered her gaze to the small bundle that rested upon her, gentle breathings so small yet peaceful. The human, with the stealth of a rouge, approached his two treasures.
Gently, he peeked in to see their miracle happily asleep in her mother's arms. Soft tuffs of black hair crowned upon her head, a small nose that was occasionally brushed by her tiny hands. 'She's been sleeping for a bit now', the wife whispered softly to her husband. The human mage gently trailed a small finger upon her cheek. The babe let out a sigh of comfort, a magic touch from her father soothed her.
As the fire crackled in the hearth, the two mages sat together in silence as they refused to look away from their babe, smiles of content and love adorned their faces.
The End
A/N: So…as you can tell, this is the last chapter.
I've put this story on hold since April, and ever since then I haven't gotten the motive to continue this story. I dunno what it is, but I think I've just lost interest in Dragon Age lately, with Bioware and MEA.
Believe me when I say I wanted to do more, I wanted to expand and heck maybe even make it to chapter 60, but every time I started a new chapter it was like staring at a wall. So I am sorry for those who were hoping for more, and I know I'm gonna disappoint a lot of people, but I just want to put an end to this story so I could work on more stuff.
So thanks to everyone who's reviewed, favoured, followed and supported me throughout the two years of this, the feedback and creative support that's kept me going, and I hope that if I do make another story, you'll like it.
Thanks for reading, stay awesome but most importantly, stay safe.
