A/N: Fellow readers this tale has come to an end! Well more like I'm ending it so I can start writing the sequel! And although I already have a fic that takes place after this "Origins: Hawke and the Wilds" that is not the sequel I had planned. Read, enjoy and review. I'll leave more about the sequel at the end.

Chapter 18: The Final Proposal

Well it had happened, Blondie, as Varric so casually called him, had gone and played the role of terrorist mage and blown up the Chantry. Hawke wouldn't have minded the Chantry being blown to smithereens, as she didn't particularly care for any faith on any Maker forsaken day, but the needless and uncalculated loss of lives was what fueled Hawke's heart as she readied to judge Anders' fate. In some sense, he had played right into Meredith's hands and placed the mages' lives, he spent hours caring for in Darktown, in great peril. Now she was rampaging through Kirkwall and smiting anything that might have an essence of magic in it. Elthina was not her favorite person in the all of Thedas, and in Hawke's opinion she hadn't done enough to quell the strife between the mages and templars. While blood may have been on her hands for doing nothing; Anders had shed just as much by taking action. She sighed as her friend stood before her; she had woken up with a massive hangover, and there was nothing like chaos ensuing all around her to snap her out of it.

"I will not take your life Anders," Hawke's voice was resolute, and although she received some incredulous looks from her allies, her judgement did not falter. "Killing you won't do us any good, it won't bring back the innocent lives you ended and it won't stop the templars from slaying the rest of the mages. There would be no justice in killing you..."

"Hawke, how can you not see that this had to be done!? I had to set things in motion; it was only a matter of time before-"

Hawke whacked him with her staff, "what you have set in motion is death and nothing more! Killing Elthina was not the answer, or a step in freeing the mages… you could have easily just blown up Meredith or some other monster. In fact, that's what you'll do… you will fight with us to end the slaughter that you incited."

"Help you… fight Meredith?" Anders had thought Hawke would cut him down. He had used her and made her an accomplice to his deeds even if unknowingly. "Of course, I would be-"

"Please, don't say anything more… you once saved my brother's life; consider that debt paid ten times over." Hawke turned away from him and her blue eyes flashed to Isabela's.

Isabela did not approve of Hawke's decision, that much was clear, but the responsibility of making that choice was not hers. Just yesterday, Isabela thought that Hawke and her would be able to have a few days of peace; it was terrifying to realize how fate had a way of changing one's world so quickly. After this, the pirate knew her mage would not be sanctioned regardless of her past heroic deeds. She had warned her lover that Anders was up to no good, but Hawke had vouched for the man's sanity. If it weren't for Hawke's wishes, she'd gut the maniacal mage where he stood, but her blades remained still as she prepared for the battle ahead.

The events of that day taught Isabela two very important things: 1.) never play with red lyrium for fear that you will turn into the most grotesque statue there ever was and 2.) Hawke needed to get the hell out of Kirkwall. Everyone convened at Hawke's estate which had been somewhat pilfered during the ensuing chaos; books were scattered on the floor, vases were missing and rugs were streaked with dirt and blood.

Everyone was silent as they took in the surroundings; what could be said after a battle as awful and crazy as the one they had with Meredith? Aveline leaned against the wall and then looked at Hawke who was allowing Feros to lick her injured hand.

"Hawke, I hate to say this, but you can't stay here." The guard captain eyed her friend with a worried gaze. "News travels fast, and you'll be the one to take the blame instead of that idiot Anders."

"I know, I know…" Hawke groaned as she picked herself off the floor. "I didn't plan on staying here, but I hadn't really planned on where to go… I feel like there are templars everywhere."

Isabela's brow raised as an idea occurred to her, "there aren't any on the sea… Circle of Magi, templars or any of that."

Everyone looked at the pirate, and Varric was the first to respond.

"That's perfect Rivaini! You could take Hawke for the cruise of her life; at least until things are a little more stable." Varric combed a hand through his hair. "I'll stay here, and throw them off… you know someone is bound to come looking for you, and Aveline here isn't the greatest story teller."

"Watch it dwarf," Aveline muttered but was too exhausted to do much else.

"No offense, Hawke just needs someone who will be able to tell her story without giving her away." Varric soothed the warrior's pride and then looked back at the rest of the gang. "I'd recommend everyone else also go into hiding."

"Leave the alienage?" Merrill chirped somewhat nervously.

"Kitten, you could come with us." Isabela took hold of Merrill's slightly quivering hand and offered her a warm smile.

"Really, I could? I've never been on a boat before."

"And you never will be on a boat; I have a ship, courtesy of Hawke."

"Maybe this time will be better than my voyage over here." Hawke shivered as she recalled the ghastly voyage that she survived alongside her family.

"Of course it will, sweet thing, I'm not going to stuff you below the deck. You'll get to be my personal assistant… on account that you wouldn't be able to be my first mate seeing as you know nothing about sailing a ship." Isabela smirked, "not yet anyways."

The party gave each other weary hugs and goodbyes; promising to keep in touch if possible. Hawke whispered a request to Varric and the dwarf responded by asking if she was sure, to which Hawke nodded. She gathered a few personal belongings: the tome she and Isabela had procured, some spare clothes that hadn't been looted, and a good stash of treasure that she had hidden away. Everything else was merely mementos, and Hawke wasn't sure she wanted it to follow her. The noble life, the one of painted pictures and dance parties, that was never going to be her life, and although she knew it was what her mother wanted for her, her mother was gone.

Isabela watched as Hawke collected her belongings and thought it curious that she would bring the tome with her, but leave behind other private items. She couldn't blame her for leaving Anders' Manifesto behind, but she was also leaving behind many of her mother's belongings and family heirlooms.

"Have you got everything?" Isabela asked as she waited by the doorway.

"I believe so; I have enough treasure so that we'll be comfortable for a time, and a few other belongings. We should meet Merrill by the docks."

Isabela agreed and helped the mage carry one of her bags. The walk to the pier was eerie; bodies were scattered everywhere and people scurried across, either checking on loved ones or looting them, Hawke wasn't sure. Isabela leaned in closer to Hawke who had been trying to hide her limp-the battle had cost more than she thought. The mage thanked the pirate and used her as a crutch of sorts. When they reached the docks, Isabela stepped right into her role and started shouting at some of the men and women on board.

'A whole crew… when did she have time to find a whole crew?' Hawke chewed the the inside of her cheek but stopped as soon as she felt a gaze following her.

"Are you nervous about the boat… I mean ship?" Merrill asked her companion as she lugged a giant artifact with some help from her magic. It was the mirror that the Keeper had warned her against keeping.

"A little… I got pretty seasick the last time I was on a boat." Hawke replied and noticed that Merrill was struggling to keep the gigantic mirror steady. "Are you really taking that huge thing?"

"Yes, of course, I can't just leave it behind," The elf muttered as she concentrated her mana.

"Here let me help," Hawke raised her hands and focused her force magic to gently aid her friend in steadying the mirror.

"Thanks Hawke," Merrill smiled and then looked up ahead to see Isabela approaching them with a handful of men.

"Alright boys help them with their luggage. Kitten do you mind if they show you to your room?"

"Not at all," Merrill chirped and allowed the men to help in transporting her things.

Isabela motioned for Hawke to follow her, and led them to her private chambers. Ever since Hawke had procured the ship for her, Isabela had spent all of her earnings in finding a decent crew and making her ship a home. She sat on the bed and the mage followed suit.

"I finally get to kidnap you and take you out to sea," Isabela met Hawke's blue gaze as she spoke. "Maybe we can make a pirate out of you yet."

Hawke laughed at the idea and leaned on her pirate; she smelled like a fresh summer day with a pinch of sea salt now that they were setting to sail. Her back ached, but rolling her shoulders would only cause new knots to form. Being close to Isabela and having her warmth near was enough to make the mage feel safe. Isabela wrapped her arms around the fatigued woman and held her close. She wasn't sure what lay ahead for her and Hawke, but she was glad that they'd be together for awhile more. Perhaps she could make up for her lost time, and surely Hawke would make for a fine Captain's assistant. The pirate's eyes gleamed with mischief as she thought of all the wonderful and raunchy experiences she could have with Hawke on her ship.

Just as she was going to make good on her daydreaming, Isabela felt Hawke's head fall onto her bosom. At first, Isabela thought Hawke was being bold and plunging right in, but on second glance, the pirate found the mage's eyes closed peacefully.

'Bollocks,' thought Isabela as she let go of her desire and held on to the mage. 'Still she is rather adorable."

The pirate gently swept Hawke's hair away from her eyes and moved to lay Hawke on the bed and off of her chest. The mage mumbled something about her "pillows"and clumsily held on to the pirate. Isabela chuckled and wondered if Hawke knew how clingy she was being, or if this was something only a deep sleep could induce. Either way, the pirate didn't mind. She would give her first mate the order to take off soon, but for now she would hold her weary mage and dream of their adventures that were sure to come.

A/N: Alright so I know it's cut a bit short, but it's only because everything else that I'd like to write would be better suited to belong to the sequel than remain on this one. It'll be fun writing about these three ladies on a boat, I mean, ship. I have so many ideas already rattling around in my head; let me know if there's anything you'd like to see fleshed out!