Sorry for the long wait! I intend to write 3 chapters at a time and then publish them all over a couple of days. Anyways! I hope you are all liking the story so far :)
The sea was unusually rough by the time they set sail for the Gallows. But with death and destruction bursting from every turn, Hawke wasn't surprised that captain of each boat struggled to maintain control. There was no looking back now.
Hawke stared up at the sky; it was still tinged red with Anders' magic, and with the darkness of the clouds, she couldn't tell whether it was still night or if day had arrived without them noticing. Not that it mattered anyway; Thedas was on the brink of war, and Hawke was the only one who could try and prevent that from happening.
Time seemed to slow as she looked at each of her companions, both old and new.
Varric; the witty dwarf who she could officially call her first true friend in Kirkwall, had his arm wrapped around Bianca, with Blaize resting his head on his father's free shoulder. He had just recently found the woman he had never stopped loving for many years, as well as gain a son he never knew he had. Hawke remembered Varric once telling her that if he ever had a family; he would either be the luckiest son-of-a-nug in the world, or drunk in an alleyway. But even when he looked exhausted as he did now, Hawke knew he would be smiling as he protected his little family.
Her attention then turned to Carver and Merrill, who were both staring out into the distance as they waited to pass under the Twins. Carver had his hands placed on Merrill's shoulders protectively. Although he was a complete and utter bastard most of the time, Merrill always brought out the kinder, gentler side of him, and even with their wedding night cut short, the dalish elf still seemed to be happy.
Sebastian, Isabella and Aveline were all taking up one bench. Isabella was still desperately trying to get Sebastian to cheer up as the prince held his head in his hands. Hawke could sympathise with Sebastian; Grand Cleric Elthina was like a second mother for him, and the other lay brothers and sisters were like the loving family he never had. He had stayed so strong when his family were killed off by the Harriman family, and with attempting to reclaim the throne, Sebastian never saved time for himself. Exactly what Hawke had done, in a matter of speaking?
Aveline had her eyes still fixed on the Viscount's Keep that was merely a speck of grey amongst the charcoal clouds. Hawke remembered her mentioning that she left Donnic behind with the rest of the guards to prevent any threat to the Keep from entering, not caring if they were templar or mage. She couldn't imagine the worry going through Aveline's mind right now, but she also knew that the Guard Captain trusted her guards completely, and that there should be very few casualties by the time it was all over.
Hawke suddenly felt Katherine's intimidating glare on her; knowing that the Warden Commander was still trying to figure her out. She knew that for Alistair's sake, she needed to get along with Katherine. Hawke watched as Alistair wrapped his arms around Katherine from behind, his head resting on her shoulder, but Katherine's gaze suddenly softened the moment Alistair touched her. Chuckling softly to herself, Hawke knew exactly how that felt; the feeling of knowing that someone who could calm you down, even if it was by meeting the eyes of that one person.
"Hawke," Fenris hushed voice in her ear brought her back to reality.
"Fenris?" Hawke whispered back, quirking up an eyebrow when she watched as Fenris hid his eyes behind his hair in an attempt to hide a troubled frown.
"I have a…request."
Hawke turned to face him fully, narrowing her eyes slightly to try and understand what Fenris is getting so worked up about. So she just bit the right side of her bottom lip, waiting for him to speak.
"I don't want Winter to take part in this fight. If the templars see her casting spells they will kill her instantly, I just know it," he spoke quietly, his eyes nervously meeting hers before looking at his niece. Winter was kneeling in front of Blaize; gently tending to a head wound he received from a small piece of debris when the Chantry was blown to pieces.
"I know Fenris, I'm worried too; for Blaize and Bianca as well. But don't worry, I have a plan. I know not everyone will agree with it, but it's for the best," Hawke smiled reassuringly at Fenris, taking his hand in hers and squeezing it softly.
Hawke knew today would be the last day she would have to spend with some of her companions for an extremely long time, and she prepared to talk to each one of them before they threw themselves into the fray with Meredith and her templars. But she needed to get one thing straight with the Knight Commander before fighting alongside the woman she hated, and feared slightly, since she arrived in Kirkwall.
She sighed, the wind suddenly stopping as soon as the boats passed under the Twins, yet the boats still carried on towards the Gallows. Hawke stared up at the intimidating bronze statues, mentally preparing herself for what was to come; knowing that she needed to be strong for everyone, no matter what happens.
But a few questions plagued her mind; will Katherine and her Wardens fight alongside her despite the fact that they cannot get involved in politics? What of King Alistair? What did they exactly want from her?
Hawke gagged at the smell of burnt flesh and the coppery smell of the blood spilt by both templar and mage as she stared at what the Gallows had become; a bloodbath. Burnt bodies of templars were piled in heaps as both mage and demons strewn across the stone floor, turning the usual grey stone a vivid red. Fenris immediately tried to cover Winter's eyes, but she refused to remain innocent to the slaughter of both templar and mage.
After slaying another mage, Meredith marched towards Hawke with a sinister smile on her face. Her sword and armour was splattered with the blood that she had been craving for all these years.
"Champion, you took your time. We will be marching to the Circle shortly but may I ask one question," Meredith sheathed her blade, a few templars behind her standing ready to strike.
"Sure but I want to make one thing clear; I will not kill any mages that do not use blood magic against me. Any who do not attack me on sight will be spared by me, no matter what you say. It will be up to you to slaughter them as if they are cattle," Hawke spoke plainly as she kept her eyes locked with Meredith's, showing no emotion but Fenris noticed her hands balled into fists, shaking with rage. "I am a mage, and I'm proud to be one. It was a gift given to my father that has served me well, and my allies. Not because I can burn flesh or conjure lightning storms; but the healing magic that can stop one of my friends from dying, one that not even a poultice can cure."
Meredith glared at Hawke with both disgust and hatred, but behind those steely blue eyes and that deathly glare she knew that Meredith respected her. It took a few moments for the Knight Commander to maintain her cool composure before coldly smiling at Hawke, sending disturbing chills down her spine.
"Very well Champion, but note that I will have to deal with you personally later, along with your other…companions," as Meredith spoke, her eyes darted between Merrill, Winter, Bianca and Blaize before returning to Hawke. Carver stood protectively in front of his wife, whilst Varric did the same to his family. Fenris snarled at Meredith as he placed a reassuring hand on Hawke's shoulder, his other arm protectively holding Winter close to his side.
"And I would keep your guard dog at bay or I'll have him finished as well. To the Circle men! The Rite of Annulment needs to continue," Meredith ordered her templars, using her sword to point towards the Circle. "I suggest you organise your battle plans and team; this may be your last chance," and with that, the Knight Commander charged towards the Circle.
Hawke sighed as she watched the Templars disappear through the archway towards the Circle. Meredith was right; she needed to speak to everyone before the final battle. She knew deep down in her gut that this fight will be her hardest one yet.
"What now then, oh wondrous leader?" Varric spoke confidently with a smile, knowing what precise thing Hawke needed right know; confidence to pull this off.
Hawke nodded to her trusty dwarf before looking at each one of her companions, all of them standing ready to fight by her side. Her eyes immediately went to Katherine and Alistair.
"The Grey Wardens have no intention of fighting, do they?" Hawke folded her arms, a serious look on her face. Fenris immediately went to stand by Sebastian; knowing that Hawke needed to be alone where she stood.
"No, but we have already lost what we can here for. Thanks to you," Katherine replied coldly.
"You were only going to kill him anyway…" Hawke replied sadly, running a nervous hand through her hair before shaking her head, erasing the tears that were yet again forming in her eyes.
"Well then, we could then take a few of your companions with us if they don't want to join the final fight then. It's only fair on them," Alistair smiled goofily, trying to lighten the mood slightly; "I certainly know that Zevran will want to leave."
"Oh Alistair how you think so low of me! I admit this mage-templar business is not my own but if Hawke needs me, I shall follow."
"You are your own man Zev, but I don't think Leliana will be too happy if you left this in more than two pieces. Or burnt to a crisp," Varric pointed out.
"True…If Hawke is completely sure she will not need me, I shall leave with the Wardens," Zevran bowed slightly towards Hawke and she chuckled before placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Zev, thanks for everything," Hawke smiled as she hugged the elf, who just patted her back after receiving the death glare from Fenris.
"Ah Trinity you do not need to thank me, I have done very little compared to the amount of times you saved my sorry ass and that you have managed to get this old Crow to find love again," he chuckled before walking over to join Katherine, who was immediately babbling about him and Leliana.
"Anyone else, Hawke?"
Hawke nodded, clearing her throat loudly so that Katherine would pay attention also, "Your Highness, I want you to take my brother and his wife with you."
"No way! I am staying here and fighting with you, Sis. There is no way in hell you are going to get rid of me that easily!" Carver snapped, storming towards Hawke as he stood over her with his eyes red with anger.
"This is not up for discussion Carver; you have just been married to the woman of your dreams and you would throw that all away for glory? I would never forgive myself if one of you died in the final battle; it would pain me to see either one of you without your other half. Please Carver, for once in your damned life just think about your loved ones!"
Defeated by Hawke's rant, Carver hung his head in shame, turning his head slightly to see his wife already saying her goodbyes to Isabella and Varric. If Merrill could realise the risk they would be taking if both took part in the fight, then he could too.
"You're right…You always have been right," Carver spoke quietly, giving his sister a reassuring hand on her shoulder, "Just make it out in one piece," he then turned to Fenris, "and make sure Hawke doesn't do anything stupid." Fenris nodded as he knelt down to speak with Winter.
"I'll miss you, brother," Hawke suddenly flew her arms around the back of Carver's neck, hugging him awkwardly due to his Grey Warden armour. Carver just chuckled before waving to the others, saying his goodbyes alongside Merrill as they joined the group of Grey Wardens.
"This is all very touching, but we need to get moving if we are to get to the dock in one piece. Send word when this mess is over and Alistair will meet at the estate, since the Wardens will set sail ahead of the Royal ship," Katherine explained and as her group of Wardens, Carver, Merrill and Zevran turned to leave;
"Wait!" Fenris suddenly spoke out, stopping them in their tracks, everyone turned to see Fenris with both his hands on Winter's shoulders, his face as emotionless as always but his eyes failed him, showing the tears he had obviously been crying, "Could you please take my niece along with you? I need her to be...Safe."
Tears poured down her cheeks as Winter's eyes darted from Fenris to Hawke, "Uncle Fen? Auntie Hawke?" Hawke immediately knelt down beside Winter and hugged her tightly, "Everything will be alright sweetie I promise you. Now behave yourself around King Alistair and Queen Katherine, and be careful."
Winter nodded before looking up at her Uncle with a sad smile on her face, "Now I don't want to hear that you've become an abomination. You're the only real family I have left," she chuckled as Fenris simply smiled and tucked a strand of ginger hair behind her half-pointed ears.
"I will come back to you, I swear it."
After hugging his legs, Winter skipped towards Blaize and hugged him tightly, the pair whispering to each other as they held onto each other. Hawke swallowed a lump that was forming in her throat; this could be the last time the pair would see each other, and it broke her heart to know that Blaize and Winter, despite meeting under terrible circumstances, became the best of friends anyway.
"It seems like Winter has his very Highness protecting her," Katherine chuckled as Alistair bowed courteously at Winter, "and Alistair will bring her back to you after the battle. Is that everyone, Hawke?"
As her eyes met the ones of her companions, Hawke knew no one else would leave her side; none of them would leave her after everything they had experienced together, as a team and what they discovered within themselves individually.
"I believe that's everyone. Thankyou, your Highness," Hawke smiled and bowed to Ferelden's royalty and with a nod in return from both the King and Queen, they left taking Zevran, Carver, Merrill and Winter in tow.
Everyone watched as the Wardens boarded a single ship back towards the Dock; Merrill kept waving to Isabella like a madman, both women shouting things to each other; silly promises about meeting each other soon. Hawke noticed Winter waving at both her and Fenris, but Fenris had already turned his back on the ship.
"Fenris…?"
"She will be safe with them, right?" he spoke quietly, hiding his face behind his hair.
"Of course she will Fenris, don't worry so much otherwise people will start to think you're going soft," Hawke chuckled, discretely holding his hand and squeezing it reassuringly.
Fenris smirked, "I could not bear the thought of someone believing I have turned soft."
"So Hawke, what's the plan?" Varric said, interrupting their conversation.
Hawke stretched out her arms in front of her, cracking her fingers in the process as she wore a wicked smile on her face, "Well let's just say it includes fireballs, kickass skills and a whole lot of luck."