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Chapter Fifteen: Epilogue

The soft giggles drew Hawke's attention. She looked over the two small children playing on the floor. They were twins, one boy and one girl. They were both blonde haired blue eyed beauties that had their father wrapped around their fingers. She smiled as she watched the two of them play. Carver and Alea were born two years ago. She had held the small bodies cradled against her chest and knew that she would do anything to give them the life that they deserved.

Hawke had received a message not even two months later from Varric telling her of his visit and interrogation from the Seeker. She had crushed the letter in her palm and tossed it in the fire before returning to her two children. The two month old twins had slept peacefully in their cradles and Hawke had stood there watching them for what felt like hours before she made her decision.

She walked slowly to her writing desk and pulled out multiple sheets of papers and jotted down the same message onto each of them. She then gathered her messenger Hawk and sent him with the letters.

A scream of laughter brought her back to the present and she laughed at the antics of her two children. They had several toys scattered between them and were happily tugging away at them.

Gabriel and Morrigan were the first to arrive with their small family. Emile was five now and they had another small child, Elena, who was snuggled happily into her mother's arms. Velanna arrived next with Zevran, her eyes shooting angry glares at the Antivan elf who just gave her his signature smirk and followed her. Bethany and Nathaniel arrived after the elven couple, the first rushing to hug her sister. Fenris and Isabela were the last to arrive dragging Merrill behind them. The elf had been staying in Kirkwall with Varric but had answered with Hawke's message.

They gathered in the small living room draping themselves across the different furniture. Hawke smiled softly as she felt her Husband's arms wrap tightly around her. "I've gathered you all here for a reason." She smiled at each of them, though the hardness in her eyes told of how serious the subject would be. "I received a message from Varric last week. The seeker is searching for me." She turned her eyes towards her cousin ignoring the soft gasps. "Leliana has been sent for you." He nodded in understanding.

"Now, I've got a plan. I know exactly what we need to do to change this pathetic situation, but I'm going to need your help…" They had all nodded their ascent and she told them of her plan.

Hawke rubbed her arms, realizing that it was beginning to grow cold in the house. She sent a small burst of magic at the fireplace causing the logs within to burst into flame. Heat began to fill the house and she sighed in relief as the bumps on her arms began to disappear. She frowned down at the two toddlers.

"Carver, Alea, come here babies." She called softly to them. They both turned towards their mother and with wide smiles stood on their short chubby legs and toddled over to her.

"Mama." Alea said with a large smile as her small hands clasped against her mother's knee. Carver reached her seconds later and grasped her other side. She stood up and took each hand in hers, wincing at the pain that speared her lower back as she led the children to their room.

Seven magnificent birds flew through the doors of the grand cathedral before they closed. There were startled gasps and a few screams as the people inside caught sight of the creatures. The seven Hawks were beautiful, each of them a different color ranging from the purest white to the blackest night. No one thought of danger when they saw the birds, no shout made to the guards as the birds swooped over the heads of unsuspecting sisters and mothers bellow.

Divine Justinia V was seated in her throne like seat upon a dais. One of the birds squawked as it headed towards the woman pulling back at the last minute. The other six joined it and soon they all seemed to float in place, their wings beating heavily as they began to glow softly. A flash of light appeared, blinding everyone looking and when their eyesight returned there before the Divine stood seven knew bodies. Five of the bodies were women dressed in various robes, some scandalous, some not. The other two were men who each wore black robes, though one had feathered plumes on its shoulder. The woman in the middle stood tall, she was dressed in black leather robes with an armored shoulder. Her long black hair flowed freely down her back, her blue eyes stared defiantly at the woman in front of her.

"Your Grace." She announced as she did a slight bow before standing straight and staring the woman in the eyes. "I've heard you've been searching for me." Divine Justinia's eyes lit up in recognition.

"You must be the Champion of Kirkwall." The older woman answered her voice soft though it seemed to echo across the hall. Whispered gasps were heard from the speculators as they watched the proceedings.

"That I am. Now I've come to make a deal." More gasps were heard, the sound of footsteps running across the hall following them. "I wouldn't do that my dear." Hawke announced as Anders' staff swung out, connecting with the young woman who had been running for the guard. "Now be a good girl and let me talk." The young girl nodded, too afraid to do anything else.

"As I was saying, I've come to negotiate and I brought a few friends. Behind me are six of the strongest mages in Thedas, they are here to help me get my point across if any of you have…trouble understanding." Fear spiked in the eyes of the Divine.

"Now, I will agree to help you get the circles back under control, but only if you agree to my terms. " The Divine nodded, not daring to speak a word. "The circles will be more like a school. Mages will volunteer to help teach the young apprentices. The children and mages alike will be allowed to go home to their families every night. The laws denying the right for mages to be married will be abolished. You will not steal children from their homes just for showing signs of magic. You will show up in a polite manner, with two Templars and two mages to explain things to the family and children. Do you understand me so far?" The Divine nodded her head again, so far things weren't too bad, not really.

"There will be Templars at the circles, they will guard against misuse of magic but they will not harm a mage without at least two other Templars and two mages also agreeing to the misuse. Lastly, when a mage goes rogue for the use of dangerous magic that has purposely caused harm to others then you will send a mixed group after the mage. Mages and Templars will go, together. These are my terms for helping you get the circles back under control." The Divine remained silent, her wise eyes staring into those of the woman below her. She looked at these mages, these people who had lost so much trying to save people and she made her decision.

"I accept." As soon as the words escaped her mouth a hush fell over the room. Hawke smiled back at her companions before looking once more at the Divine.

"Thank you, Your Grace. We shall leave now. I will send out my message and gather those who have fled. Things will settle soon, this I promise you." And with a swish of her robes and a flash of light the seven beings became birds again and rose to the sky, seven screams of triumph piercing the ears of all around.

Hawke winced as another pain shot through her lower back, pausing in rinsing the soap out of Alea's hair. She was giving the children their baths before she put them down for bed. It had been a long day, she had taught her students before coming home to make dinner and playing with her children. Each day seemed to get longer. She was so tired. A squeal from Carver drew her attention back to the splashing children. Carver was cupping water in his hand and throwing it in his sister's face.

Hawke sat in the middle of the group, bottles of lyrium sitting next to each mage as they all focused on the fade. She was casting out her net, drawing in all of the sleepers currently in the fade. Once she knew she had their attention she sent out her message.

"Listen to me children; it's safe to come back now. My name is Elyssa Hawke, champion of Kirkwall. My cousin, Gabriel Amell, who many of you know as the Hero of Ferelden have a message for you. The Divine has agreed to our terms. The circles will no longer hold you captive. All we request is that children attend classes daily until they pass their harrowing. They will be able to return safely home to their families each night. The marriage law has been abolished. We are free my brothers and sisters. Free to live our lives. Come home now." She felt the surge of disbelief and then happiness as the minds of fellow mages contemplated this new revelation. She knew they had won. They were coming home.

A moan escaped her throat as the pain hit her again. She paused in placing Carver in bed, leaning against the railing of his crib to hold herself up. The pains were getting closer and closer together.

"Mama?" The small child asked, his big blue eyes wondering at her pain. She smiled softly at him and finished tucking him into bed, pulling the blanket up and kissing him softly on the cheek.

"Good night babies. Momma loves you." She whispered as she blew out the candles.

"Ni' mama." They whispered back. Hawke moved down the hallway, her hand clasped against her back as she winced from another pain.

"Mistress?" Orana's voice broke into her concentration. Hawke looked up sharply at the woman. "Are you alright?" She asked softly as she made her way closer to her mistress.

"Is Anders home yet Orana?" She questioned through gritted teeth.

"Yes Mistress, he arrived home just a few minutes ago. Would you like me to fetch him for you?" Hawke nodded to the elf.

"Yes please. Tell him to meet me in our bedroom." Hawke moved slowly down the hallway, edging open the door of her bedroom and made her way across the room towards the bed. She caught herself just in time as another wave of pain caused her legs to fold out from under her.

"Elyssa!" Anders worried shout filled the room as he rushed to his wife. "What's wrong? Are you…?" His question trailed off as he helped his wife up and eased her onto the bed.

"I think it's time." She whispered as her hand trailed over her swollen abdomen. Anders eyes flashed worriedly as he watched her.

"Already? But the baby isn't due for another three weeks." He yelled for Orana, telling the girl to fetch him Bethany and some boiling water and cloths. He would need them soon. The elf rushed off to do as she was told.

"I…"She gasped for breath as another contraction hit. "…know but there isn't anything we can do about it. The baby is coming now." He nodded and helped her out of her clothes and into the bed. He ran his hand over her abdomen and between her legs, inserting a finger to find out how dilated she was. His eyes widened when he realized how close she was.

"How long have you been in labor?" He asked as he moved to wash his hands and removed his robe. Orana arrived then with Bethany bringing the water and cloth with her.

Not even an hour later a screaming baby boy made his way into the world. He had a head full of black hair and moments later when he deemed it safe to open his eyes bright blue stared up at them. He was gorgeous, a spitting image of his mother. He felt Justice rumble his agreement inside his head and smiled. It was good to have Justice back and not the hate filled vengeance. And it was all thanks to this amazing woman before him and the precious children she had given him. When he had held his first child in his arms and stared in wonder at the small precious life he had felt all the hate wash away.

Anders smiled at his wife and kissed her cheek, laying the new baby boy in her arms. They held each other and their child through the night, sometimes near early morning the twins joined them. Their family was complete.

The End.