A/N: Sorry for not keeping up to my promise for not updating The Final Stand weekly; I really wanted this chapter to be special since it could be the final time Trinity, Winter and Fenris would see their friends again. I know its really much longer than most of the other chapters so hopefully you will enjoy it! :D Each conversation with the different companions will be titled and seperated out so it makes sense (sort of).
Anyway! Enjoy and review (if possible)! :)
The early morning sun poured through the small gap between the heavy curtains that were draped over the balcony window. Despite being held in Fenris' arms the entire night, Hawke didn't sleep at all; her mind completely focused on what to say to each of the friends she had made since she had arrived at Kirkwall a complete nobody. She also knew that the survivors wanted to hear a speech from her, or so the newly appointed Viscount Brann had said in a letter. People were obviously angry with her and wanted her head on a spike; if only they knew the real cause of the destruction of the Chantry. But everyone was too weak or in grief to bring a dagger to Trinity's throat. Hawke immediately sent a reply after that saying that she couldn't since she had 'other plans'.
Carefully, Hawke pried herself from Fenris' vice-like grip and sat upright to try and gather her thoughts as she hastily began unknotting her hair with her fingers. When Hawke left Fenris' arms, the sleeping elf immediately grabbed the pillow she had been sleeping on and hugged that instead, burying his face into it. She chuckled softly at his innocence; a man that had gone through so much still acted like a small child at times.
Bruiser raised his head from his bed placed at the end of the bed as his mistress got out of the bed and simply snorted as he went back to sleep after a scratch behind the ear from Hawke. Trinity then went about preparing herself for the day ahead; she didn't want to wear her champion robes; that could send the completely wrong message to everyone. Instead, she chose to wear a baggy white blouse, deep purple corset with black leggings tucked into black leather boots.
She perched on the stool in front of the dresser and simply stared at her reflection in the mirror; Trinity couldn't recognise the woman who was staring back at her. This woman appeared to be completely broken down emotionally; sure she had that vertical scar that started from her left eyebrow and finished halfway down her left cheek from that ambush in the Frostback Mountains, but her eyes had lost their usual mischievous sparkle unless she forced herself to act more like the Trinity Hawke everyone else knew. This was the Trinity Hawke that she kept hidden; the emotionally scarred, unstable mage that has been through more than anyone her age had been through. She was pushing on her twenty-seventh birthday this year, and she wasn't getting any younger of course.
"Some 'Champion of Kirkwall' I am," Hawke quietly whispered to herself as she brushed her hair properly, not bothering to put it in a plait like usual. She struggled to tie the necklace that bore the bone carving of a wolf's head with bright green emeralds as its eyes that matched her own around her neck, the very same one Fenris had presented to her back in Orzammar. Usually, Fenris would assist her with this but Hawke couldn't bring herself to disturb him from his deep slumber.
Hawke tied her staff in its holder to her back, grabbing a few essentials she needed for the day and tying it to the belt around her waist. She wrote Fenris a note telling him where she had went and left it by the bedside cabinet before silently leaving the bedroom, whistling for Bruiser to join her; in which the mabari stretched out his body before trotting out of the door and bounding down the staircase.
"Good morning mistress!" Orana chirped, being the first to greet Hawke in the morning.
Hawke smiled sweetly as she made her way down the stairs, "How many times have I told you not to call me that? Hawke is perfectly fine," she chuckled.
"I-I'm sorry mistr- I mean Hawke. Is there anything you wanted Sandal, Bodahn and I to do today?" Orana simply bowed to Hawke and her eyes immediately almost popped out of their sockets as Hawke placed several sovereigns into the elf's trembling hand.
"Could you pack my clothes, documents and essentials away into as few cases as you could, and then take them to the Fereldan Royal Frigate? It's time that I left Kirkwall; you and Bodahn could finally go to Orlais like you had originally planned."
"But Hawke-"
"No buts! I really have appreciated your help with the mansion over the years, so feel free to take my mother's old lute in order to replace the one you had that Bruiser thought was a chew toy," Hawke smiled, closing Orana's trembling hands before she simply strolled off to wake Winter, but was surprised to find the young girl already up and dressed in her usual 'borrowed' Circle mage robes, that were deep blue with a white fur-lining, probably what Bethany would have worn if she ever went to the Circle, or if she were even alive.
"Good morning, auntie Hawke!" Winter skipped up to Hawke, dropping the book she was reading and simply hugged her. Hawke smiled weakly before kneeling down to meet the young girl's height, tucking a loose strand of ginger hair behind Winter's half-pointed ear.
"Winter…We need to talk," Hawke tried to keep her voice calm, but the shake in her voice was evident and Winter immediately became distressed.
"Am I in trouble? Has Blaize been hurt? Uncle Fen? What's happened?" Winter blurted worriedly, her eyes beginning to brim with tears. Hawke's eyes widened at how quickly Winter became upset.
"Nothing like that at all sweetie! But it is very important."
Winter instantly calmed down before they both perched on Winter's bed, the tears left Winter's eyes as she blinked them back.
"Well out with it! I'm fourteen years old! I don't need to be wrapped in cotton wool," the girl said sternly, a determined look in her eyes. Hawke just chuckled and sighed, never understanding the way a teenage girl's minds work, since she never really had the chance to be a teenager.
"We're moving to Ferelden to live in the castle with King Alistair and Queen Katherine. The Seekers are on the move to hunt me down and they will go through anyone to get to me; we will be safe in Ferelden."
Hawke could see Winter begin to process her thoughts at a rapid pace, the young girl's eyes darting from Hawke to her hands, and she suddenly burst into tears and wrapped her arms around the back of Hawke's neck. Trinity wrapped her arms around the crying Winter, knowing that this was what the young mage wanted.
"This means I will never see Blaize again…" she sobbed as Hawke gently rubbed her back.
"I'm not going to sugar-coat this for you, but you might not. Since Bianca is going to be the First Enchanter, it will be nigh-on impossible for Blaize to make it to Ferelden without being escorted by templars or accused of being an apostate."
This made Winter sob even harder, her cries of heartbreak and desperation were muffled into Hawke's robes. Hawke could only comfort Winter, knowing that any other words would make it worse. Bruiser gently laid his head in Winter's lap, whining softly and the young girl chuckled quietly through streams of tears pouring down her cheeks as she stroked the mabari's head.
Wiping her eyes, Winter spoke calmly in her usual bubbly tone; "when do we leave?"
"Tonight at sunset."
Winter nodded, "Then I best make myself look decent again before going to spend time with Blaize for the last time in a very long while," the young girl then stood up and started to brush her hair in front of the mirror. Hawke suddenly had a brain wave:
"Let's get you ready for your last date with Blaize," she chuckled as she started sorting through what little clothes Winter had, trying to find something for Winter as the young mage squealed with delight at the thought of having a make-over session with her auntie Hawke.
Fenris awoke to the sound of giggles and squeals of delight coming from within the main hall of the mansion. Groaning, Fenris raised his head from the pillow, still groggy from sleeping in for much longer than usual (probably because from how much energy he had used the previous night). Opening one of his eyes, he noticed Hawke was already awake since he was hugging her pillow, and from the fact that her laughter could be heard throughout the estate.
Grumbling in Arcanum under his breath, Fenris got himself ready into his usual armour as fast as he could before leaving the bedroom. The sight that was revealed in front of him when he reached the banister overlooking the main hall made his jaw drop and a hidden anger knot in the pit of his stomach.
Winter was dressed in one of Hawke's old dresses which had been altered to fit the young mage's small and slim frame. Her usual pigtailed hair now hung loose in long, luscious curls and the dress itself was a deep forest green that matched her eyes perfectly, and it was a little too revealing for Fenris' tastes, especially when it was his young niece wearing it. The fabric clung to Winter's form like a second skin and the dress was cut just above her knees and a paler green satin-type fabric formed a circle to just hide the cleverage of Winter's forming breasts, providing the shoulderless sleeves to keep the dress in place. Winter also wore tanned leather boots that were a little worn, but it didn't matter to the young girl, it seemed.
Fenris stormed down the stairs and marched right up to Hawke and Winter, who were too busy fussing over the young girl's hair to notice the glowing elf behind them.
"What do you think you're playing at Hawke?! Getting Winter all tarted up as if she just had a makeover from Isabella!" Fenris growled, his eyes darting between the pair. Winter just stared at her boots whilst Hawke glared back at the elf.
"She is not tarted up! Winter is going to see Blaize for the last time and wanted to make the effort," Hawke put her foot down, standing up for the young mage.
"She will get mugged in the street and taken for wearing…this!" Fenris snapped, gesturing at Winter's outfit with his hand.
Hawke remained calm, "Bruiser will be accompanying her don't worry. The second a stranger tries to lay a finger on her, Bruiser will bite it off. Calm down, Fenris…"
Fenris hit his forehead with the palm of his hand, sighing deeply as he calmed down. Of course he overreacted as always; he was just very protective of his girls.
"I'm sorry for snapping Winter; I'm just…"
"Not used to teenage girls?" Hawke added and Fenris nodded before kneeling down in front of Winter, gently stroking her cheek with the part of his gauntlets that exposed his palm, "You look beautiful, like always. Just tell me if Blaize makes a move on you, and I will tear him apart with my bare hands."
Winter beamed a huge smile before kissing Fenris on the cheek as she whistled for Bruiser, who instantly glued himself by the young elf's side as she left her mansion and made her way to see Blaize.
"Well, you took that better than I expected."
"Festis bei umo canavaram."
Hawke simply chuckled before nervously intertwining one of her hand's fingers in Fenris', both silently acknowledging what they were both about to do; say farewell to each one of their friends.
~Sebastian and Cullen.~
Most of the rubble outside the Chantry had been cleared away over the past few days; bodies had been burnt and survivors, templars and mages all took part in clearing the way up the stairs to actually see the real damage on top of the hill. Both Sebastian and Cullen had ditched their usual armour and wore simple clothing as they loaded rubble onto carts to be carried away. Hawke had not been here since that fated night and could still smell the intense coppery smell of blood and the heavy scent of smoke.
"About time you two showed up, come to lend a hand?" Sebastian called out enthusiastically from on top of the rubble, making his way down as other survivors started muttering under their breaths, about Hawke no doubt.
Hawke clenched her fists as she kept her head held high, trying to ignoring the unkind remarks being made from the survivors. Fenris had already stridden off to meet Sebastian before her. Suddenly a rock came hurtling towards her, and it was immediately caught by Cullen.
"I apologise for this Hawke; many people blame you for what happened," Cullen whispered, his voice emotionless.
"And this is why I must leave tonight," she replied casually, but she could see the heartbreak in Cullen's eyes, she simply placed a gently hand on his shoulder, "You're a good man Cullen, you will make a woman happy one day."
The templar simply nodded before getting back to work whilst scowling at the man who had thrown the stone at Hawke. Trinity started walking towards Fenris and Sebastian, who were both deep in a hushed conversation that she just caught the last part of;
"…Are you sure that's wise Fenris? What if she isn't ready yet?"
"All I want is for her to be happy, and I know this is something she has always wanted."
"If you say so, my brother. Just don't screw- Oh hello Hawke!" Sebastian grinned innocently, nudging Fenris to do the same, but when the usual scowling elf tried to copy, it failed miserably.
"What are you two up to? Maker, I swear you two are worse than Isabella and Varric most times," Hawke chuckled before slinging each arm around both of their shoulders.
"We're completely innocent of all the wrong doing you think we are conjuring," Sebastian smirked before his smile slowly faded, "But seriously; Fenris told me the plans you two had for tonight; and I want to wish you the best of luck. Once I have finished establishing the Chantry's presence here once more, I will be returning to Starkhaven to reclaim my throne as well as send aid to help rebuild Kirkwall, with Viscount Brann's permission of course."
"Sounds like a plan, my friend," Hawke chuckled before hugging Sebastian tightly, and briefly since she could feel Fenris' burning gaze of jealousy, "Take care Sebastian, don't wear Isabella out too much," Hawke winked before casually strolling away, ignoring the remarks from the other survivors.
"Hawke isn't one for goodbyes, I see," Sebastian thought out loud as the pair watched Hawke wait for Fenris outside the judgemental eyes of the crowd.
"She never has been."
"Fenris; I just wanted to say that you are a very dear friend of mine, and if you, Hawke and Winter ever need assistance, I will be here for you," Sebastian turned to his brother-from-another-mother, a reassuring smile on his face. Fenris simply nodded, not one for showing his emotions but he hoped that his dearest friend would know him well enough by now to know how grateful he was.
"Don't forget to write to me," Sebastian simply smiled before hugging Fenris in the usual manly way; not clinging on for too long and three firm pats on his back. But what the prince whispered in Fenris' ear completely took him aback; "Don't mess it up."
Fenris firmly nodded goodbye to Sebastian before marching towards Hawke, wanting to get away from showing too much of the sadness he had inside from leaving Sebastian behind. The man was like a brother to him, and Fenris had always hated goodbyes.
~Aveline and Donnic.~
Viscount Bran had sent all of the guard to help clear up around Hightown, especially the residential areas. Aveline had already expressed how angry she was of this choice even after Hawke had specifically told everyone that Hightown would be last. But would that bastard listen? Of course not.
Aveline was pacing back and forth in front of the Viscount's Keep that was still completely intact, with Donnic trying to calm his wife down as the other guards had left to start in the residential areas.
"Hawke! Thank the Maker you're finally here; my wife is about to batter something with that giant 'don't' sign that Varric had made for her," Donnic chuckled nervously as his wife simply glared at him.
"Have you heard what that bastard you made Viscount said? He's gone completely against his word and has started cleaning up Hightown before the worst affected areas! If I had the power to strangle that idiot with my bare hands I would-"
Hawke simply stood right in front of the enraged Aveline, placing her hands on the guard captain's broad shoulders. Even if Aveline was a human battering ram, Hawke still seemed to calm her down.
"Aveline; I came here to say goodbye."
"What?" This only enraged Aveline more as she threw her hands up in the air, "You are a part of this now Hawke, and you're going to abandon us all to deal with the mess you helped create?"
Trinity just stared at the ground as Aveline continued her onslaught of rage; blaming Hawke for what had happened with Anders and for how stupid she was to let him go off without properly searching him first. Fenris and Donnic watched on with Donnic feeling completely helpless and Fenris seething with rage until he could hold back no more:
"Aveline, Hawke is being chased down by Seekers and they are going to kill anyone that gets in her way!" Fenris growled as he stood in front of Hawke protectively, his markings faintly flaring. "She has been through hell and back, not to forget that you wouldn't have been here if it wasn't for Hawke! So be grateful that you didn't end up rotting with that templar husband of yours back in the Wilds."
"You little-" Aveline raised her fist to punch the elf in the face but then suddenly calmed down, a defeated frown forming on her face, "You're right. I'm sorry Hawke; I should have been more sensitive…You really have helped me with getting my life back and I will always be grateful for it. Take care out there," Aveline simply nodded before marching off to join the rest of her guards, Donnic waved goodbye to his friends before following.
"Hawke…" Fenris gently cupped one of Hawke's cheeks, trying to not scratch her face with his spiked gauntlets.
"I'm fine Fenris, I know that deep down she is upset even if she doesn't show it," Hawke smiled at her lover sweetly, affectionately leaning into his touch. Fenris lovingly brushed her fringe so that he could see her full face before gently kissing her forehead.
"Aveline is a strong and proud woman; she will hide her insecurities in front of her husband and fellow guards until she is completely alone. Do not feel bad, Trinity."
Hawke smiled and nodded before the couple started strolling towards their next destination; the Hanged Man.
~Bianca and Varric.~
The route to Lowtown seemed to be cleaner than what it used to be; and construction had already started on repairing the damage caused by Anders, his Revolutionists, the abominations and the templars. They all had a part in Kirkwall's downfall, and Hawke had only tried to protect and prolong it as much as she could. Despite everything that had happened, Lowtown seemed to be bustling as normal as if blood had not been spilt a few days prior.
Of course, the Hanged Man was open with its new owner tending to the thirsty patrons, still completely intact.
Hawke and Fenris entered the tavern which many happy memories still stood firmly in place; Hawke's twenty-sixth birthday dance with Fenris, the many rounds of Wicked Grace, victory drinks after a successful mission, too many drunken nights to count and just spending time with the people she cared about; the Hanged Man would always be a second home to Hawke, even if it did reek of stale vomit and desperation.
As always, the Hanged Man was full of patrons who were drowning their sorrows, and Varric was nowhere to be seen. Corff and Norah were still here and taking orders from the drunks, both seemed much happier than usual. Probably because Varric owned the Hanged Man instead of that other bastard.
Fenris' elven hearing never failed him as he nudged to Hawke, pointing in the direction in front of the fireplace; a crowd had gathered and a hairy-chested dwarf stood there in all his prime, conjuring tales about Hawke again.
"…I shit you not, my fellow patrons, Hawke had frozen twenty abominations completely solid, and Fenris smashed each one of them into tiny pieces in one clean sweep of his greatsword. They all were turned to mush in a second!"
"Varric darling, that never happened," Bianca was perched on a stool beside him, her arms folded and she clearly appeared to be unimpressed.
"Oh come on B, I'm trying to show the lovely people of Kirkwall how wonderful, seductive and tempting the Champion of Kirkwall is!"
"All they know is the bullshit that flows out of your mouth," Bianca smirked and Varric pretended to be wounded as he clutched his heart.
"Oh ma'am, how you wound me so!"
Hawke chuckled to herself before slinging her arm around the back of Bianca's neck, "Now come on Varric, let's try and tone down the daring and brave adventures I have for one day."
"Shit, I feel like you're about to tell me some bad news. Let's take this merry gathering to my quarters, shall we?" Varric smirked as all four of them left the disappointed listeners behind to speak privately in Varric and Bianca's room. They all slumped into their usual seats; Varric and Hawke on opposite ends with Bianca on Varric's left side and Fenris on Hawke's right side.
"Come on, spill the beans Hawke; what's the bad news," Varric confidently said in his usual cocky way, calling to Norah to order them all a round of ale.
"The Seekers are after me, Alistair has offered to put me up in the castle for a while until it all blows over, although I very much doubt that," Hawke explained calmly, nodding her thanks to Norah as the woman served the drinks, and Hawke gulped down a huge mouthful of ale. The ale, for once, was real ale and not the swill they used to serve. How did Varric get his hands on this already?
"Are you sure his information is correct?" Bianca quirked an eyebrow, obviously sensing something else is afoot, and it certainly wouldn't be pleasant.
"His information is from Leliana; of course it will be solid," Hawke frowned.
"Then you will really be leaving us behind? Oh I can feel my heart already breaking," Varric chuckled in his usual tone, but Hawke could pick up the hidden pain in his voice.
"Oh Varric, what would I do without my dearest, trustiest and most handsome dwarf?" Hawke smiled warmly, trying to hold back tears as she hid them with humour instead.
"You better take care of her, Broody. I need my latest edition of Lyrium Lust to fly off the shelves with some truth behind it."
Fenris instantly began to glow before he calmed himself down and simply chuckled, "If you ever need more material, I will gladly provide."
Hawke almost spat out her ale after hearing the words come out of Fenris' mouth in such an alluring tone, instantly making her blush as she felt a deep desire begin to burn between her legs.
"That seems a fair deal; you owe me twenty sovereigns anyway! Now go and sail into the sunset before you start crying. You know I hate seeing a human cry," Varric chuckled as Hawke downed her pint.
Tears were already streaming down her face as she bent down to hug her best friend with everything she had, "Take care of him Bianca, the cocky bastard needs it, and Thankyou for taking up the position of First Enchanter…"
"No problem sweetie, I need some kind of power to protect Blaize from any more harm, and this is the perfect cover."
Hawke smiled and wiped away her tears before Varric could see them, waving the couple goodbye as both her and Fenris left the Hanged Man for the last time.
"Varric…Are you crying?"
"Oh don't be so stupid B, I…simply have a bit of dust in my eye."
~Isabella.~
Hawke was literally sprinting now; it was almost sunset and they couldn't find Isabella anywhere. They searched Darktown, Hightown and even the Gallows; she simply was nowhere to be found. So they checked the place she would be most likely to lurk; the Lowtown docks. Isabella's laughter could be heard as soon as they entered as the couple watched as Isabella twirled and tangled her way down the rope of her new boat that she renamed The Siren's Call II. She had already found herself a fine crew and seemed to be preparing to set sail.
"Isabella!" Hawke called up to the pirate queen, who immediately sprinted down across the gangplank and pounced on Hawke.
"Sweet thing! I finally have you beneath me," Isabella wiggled her eyebrows suggestively as she smirked.
"Oh Bella, you know I really love it when you are," Hawke winked.
"You kinky minx," Isabella chuckled as she helped her friend up, "Now what can Captain Isabella do for you two?" She curtsied in jest to her title.
"I'm afraid I will have to fulfil the promises I made to you a little later; the Seekers are chasing me down and Alistair has offered safety in his castle; although I think he just wants more eye candy," Hawke jested, trying to make light of the situation.
"Ooo! Does this mean I get to…babysit Fenris for you?" Isabella chuckled as she licked her lips seductively at Fenris, as if she was undressing him with just her eyes. Fenris simply growled in return, muttering something in Arcanum.
"I'm afraid Fenris is coming with me, unless he wants to share one last intimate moment with the two of us," Hawke purred as Isabella wrapped an arm around Hawke's waist, grinning mischievously as the pair both knew this was winding Fenris up to no end.
Fenris simply glared at the pair before raising his hands up in the air in defeat, letting them fall to his sides as he turned around, his back to the women, "I will never understand women for as long as I live."
"Oh hush Broody, we were only messing around with you. I will be seeing you very soon my dear," Isabella kissed Hawke on the cheek but when Hawke turned to question the rivaini pirate, she had already crossed the gangplank and had begun ordering her crew about.
Hawke then spied a man in grey warden armour approaching them; it was time for them both to leave, and Winter was still nowhere to be seen; where on earth was she?