Disclaimer: I do not own Bioware or Marvel Cinematic Universe.

"'Champion of Kirkwall,' that was the reward. A fine title. Every noble at the Keep owed the Champion their lives. She wasn't just a hero, she was now the most important person in the city. Except for Knight-Commander Meredith, of course. With the Viscount dead, she stepped in to keep order. Things quickly got out of hand. The more she squeezed the mages, the more they resisted. The more they resisted, the tighter she squeezed. At the three years of that, it all came crashing down."

Three years ago, Kirkwall

Marian had received a metal and had been named the Champion of Kirkwall after defeating the Arishok and sending the Qunari away. It became clear, very quickly, that the title came with a few strings attached. As Champion, solving Kirkwall's problems was now her official duty, instead of just a hobby, which frustrated her, even more, when Wanda was not around anymore to help things make easier for her. When questioned about where did the Scarlet Witch, as people in Kirkwall called her, go, Marian said that she had returned to her friends.

Sanctum Sanctorum

Wanda was training with a sling ring as she read from a book before the Cloak of Levitation flew towards her.

"What is it?" Wanda asked.

The Cloak pointed at Strange, who just entered.

"Wanda. I think you should visit your friends." Strange said.

"What is it, Stephen?" Wanda asked.

"I think things are going to get heated and we need to intervene." Strange said.

"Why exactly are we here again?" Sam asked as he entered with Bucky, Clint, Steve, Bobbi and Hunter. They did not invite more Avengers, since they would attract too much unwanted attention towards them.

"I think we're about to see." Wanda said. She had been training Eldritch magic with Strange for a time, so she was able to visit Kirkwall at a whim as she picked her sling ring and opened a portal.

Kirkwall

At the Viscount's Keep, the First Enchanter Orsino was on the stairs leading to the Viscount's keep with the whole crowd of people looking at him.

"There's Marian." Wanda said as she touched Marian's shoulder. Marian whirled around in shock but breathed out.

"Maker's breath." Marian breathed out.

"Is everything alright?" Wanda asked.

"Not really. The templar-mage argument is getting more and more heated. I've barely been able to keep order." Marian said as Wanda nodded before they turned to Orsino, who was ranting.

"I know you fear us! Knight-Commander Meredith uses that fear to take control of your city! She opposes every effort to a place Viscount Dumar, and you have seen the chaos of her reign! Will you allow it?"

"He sounds a lot like the protestants we've seen." Sam noted.

"That can't end well at all." Steve nodded.

And on cue, Knight-Commander Meredith herself had just arrived with several templars at her side.

"You just had to say it." Wanda sighed.

"Return to your homes. This farce is over." Meredith ordered.

"Wait! Perhaps there are some who might disagree with you, Knight-Commander." Orsino glanced at Marian, who groaned, wishing they had not noticed her.

"Do not hide behind the Champion. She has no role with this." Meredith said.

"It would be better if you both calmed down, before this gets violent." Marian suggested, hoping that they would be more reasonable than Petrice was.

"I should remain calm while this mage provokes an uprising?" Meredith snarled as she narrowed her eyes at Orsino. "I think not."

"What exactly are you afraid of?" Steve asked.

"I think the Champion's views would be appreciated." Orsino walked down the stairs. "Or do you fear what she has to say?"

"I fear nothing. My only interest here is in keeping order and protecting the innocent." Meredith said.

Steve and the rest of the Avengers glared, it was obvious to them that the Knight-Commander of the templars seemed to be interested in far more than that.

"She's just like Ross." Steve growled.

"You have no idea…" Marian sighed. She had never met Ross but she had heard enough from Wanda about him. "What are you trying to do here? Cause a rebellion?" She asked Orsino.

"The people of this city need to know what is really happening!" Orsino replied.

"And then what?" Meredith scoffed. "They tear down the Gallows with pitchforks and torches? That would be better?"

"It cannot be worse." Orsino glared at her. "Your refusal to listen to reason leaves me no choice."

"What I refuse to listen to are excuses!" Meredith pointed a threatening finger at Orsino. "Perhaps you are ill-fit to your position if you cannot understand this."

"Reminds you of something?" Bobbi asked.

"Coulson and Gonzales and then Daisy's mother." Hunter nodded.

"Threatening each other isn't going to help matters." Marian said.

"And what should I do instead? Allow this to continue?" Meredith demanded.

"Your measures have become more extreme over the past few years." Marian pointed out.

"And you could do better?" Meredith scoffed. "How well did you guard your own mother? Did she not die at a blood mage's hands?"

The Avengers glared. That was a low blow. "Just two minutes and I already hate her." Sam said.

"Yup. Things got heated, while you were gone Birdie." Varric nodded as Sam and the remaining Avengers shook their heads at the dwarf giving them nicknames.

"Why don't you just stab me in the back, while you're at it?" Marian sneered.

"Cold corpses speak louder than abstract freedom, do they not?" Meredith pointed out. "As long as that's true, Kirkwall needs its templars more than it needs a new ruler."

"Paranoia and constant vigilance are not going to help." Steve said. The Knight-Commander was starting to remind them of Ross every minute.

"And when will that end?" Orsino asked. "When will you stop seeing evil in every corner?"

"When it's no longer there." Meredith said coldly.

"If I heard right, the first enchanter accused you of trying to take control of the city." Steve said.

"The city!" Meredith spat. "I'm trying to keep order until there is a new ruler capable of succeeding where Dumar failed."

"And if not? Will the templars rule Kirkwall forever?" Orsino challenged.

"We will not stand idle while the city burned around us." Meredith said.

"The Templar Order exists to guard the Chantry and the Circle." Orsino reminded. "I suggest you let the nobility rule the city."

Meredith glared at him. "I do not need you or anyone to tell me what my duty is, mage."

"If Kirkwall needs a ruler, I will step in." Marian volunteered.

Wanda and the Avengers seemed to have approving looks. Marian had shown on more than one occasion that she tried to keep peace, whenever she could.

"That is not going to happen." Meredith sneered as they glared at her.

"Do you see? She is incapable of reason!" Orsino exploded.

"Rogue mages are constantly threatening the city." Marian pointed out.

"Exactly. Would you have us do nothing in response?" Meredith said.

"I would have you not paint us all with the same brush!" Orsino shot back. "Not all mages are waiting for the opportunity to wreak havoc!"

"You know as well as I that temptation preys on every mage, no matter how noble their intentions." Meredith said.

"You push us into desperate acts, and then use that as justification to press even further!" Orsino snapped.

"The templars are only making things worse." Marian said.

"I will not sacrifice the well-being of innocents for a few mages! I will not!" Meredith snapped.

They had to admit that Meredith and Orsino both had excellent points, but the fact of the matter was that Meredith had no right to rule the city, she had already insisted to have her templars to guard the halls within the keep. At first it was because the guard had lost quite a few numbers, but most of the templars within believed that the guard served them.

"You're both at fault here. I'm not supporting either of you." Marian said, much to Wanda's surprise. Usually, she would do whatever she could to intervene, when there was a problem. But seeing the look in Marian's eyes, Wanda realized that the person she had grown close to as a sister, was obviously tired of being caught of in the mage-templar scuffle.

"You are naïve, Champion." Meredith said.

"You will find that not everyone bows to your will, Knight-Commander." Orsino sneered.

Meredith glared, about to reach for her sword as they were about to intervene until the crowd parted to allow Grand Cleric Elthina through as Wanda gestured for the Avengers to stand down.

"My, my, such a terrible commotion." Elthina said.

"This mage incites rebellion, Your Grace. I am dealing with the matter." Meredith said.

Elthina nodded, her expression serious. "Ah, Orsino. So frustrated. Do you think this is truly wise?"

"I… no, Your Grace." Orsino said lowly, looking sheepish, like if a mother was just scolding a boy, who was misbehaving.

"Of course not." Elthina turned to the templars. "Young men, would you show the first enchanter back to the Circle? Gently, if you please."

"Your Grace! He should be clapped in irons, made an example—"

"That's enough, Meredith." The Grand Cleric's voice was firm, and sharp. "This demeans us all, surely you can see that? Go back to the Gallows and calm down, like a good girl." Elthina waited until Meredith had stalked off before turning to Marian. "You have my thanks for stepping in, Champion. If you had not…"

"Isn't the Grand Cleric in charge of the templars and mages?" Wanda asked as Elthina turned to her.

"Ah, the Scarlet Witch. It's good to see you." Elthina smiled. "It's been too long. You have quite the estimation of my abilities." She then turned to the crowd. "Gentle people of Kirkwall… return to your homes, I implore you. This will not be resolved today."

The crowd began to disperse and Marian and the Avengers wondered whether they would ever be peace between mages and templars. If the solution was not to be found, they feared war would start and they had no idea who would become the victor or who would be left standing.

"It's become worse since I left." Wanda whispered.

"So, looks like we're sticking around in Kirkwall for a while." Clint said.

"I think we should make sure things aren't going to get out of hand." Steve nodded in agreement.

"Thanks." Wanda nodded before turning to Marian, who hugged her tightly.

"I'm glad you're back, Wanda. Although I wish you had come under better circumstances." Marian said.

"I missed you. But obviously, things are worse than when I had left." Wanda said.

"And they are about to get worse. I'm not sure we can do this without you." Marian said.

"If you need our help, we'll be here." Steve said as Marian nodded.

"Thank you, Captain Steven." Marian said. "The estate is big enough for all of you to stay."

Present

Leliana paced thoughtfully. "It was Meredith who named her Champion, after all. If Varric is being truthful, she certainly seemed to expect Marian's allegiance. And we know both she and Grand Cleric Elthina made requests of her, in that position."

"Yet it's strange that Meredith would ask for an aid of notorious mage sympathizers. Some things still don't add up." Cassandra said.

"No. Meredith was simply being prudent." Leliana gestured at where a map was laid out on the table, and then touched her finger to several markings. "Kirkwall was threatened four times during Marian's time as Champion and when the Avengers decided to intervene. Faced with similar threats, Markham, Ostwick, and Wycome sent armies. Kirkwall sent the Champion." She shook her head. "Let us not forget that the Champion was an Amell. It could just be as simple as she did not wish to suffer the losses she would no doubt incur if she did attempt to take Marian and the Avenges in against their will."

So, what do you guys think about it?

Please review and let me know if you are enjoying this so far and want for me to continue.