Note: I don't own anything, all belongs to Bioware.

Marian Hawke stared blankly at the burning silhouette of Kirkwall as it faded into the fog. For nearly a decade the city had been her reluctant home. And though she had done everything in her power to protect its people there was nothing she could have done to prevent this. The city had been slowly self-destructing since before she had arrived. All her efforts had merely served as a postponement of the inevitable.

"Hawke?" She ignored the gentle summons, still staring over the open water. Varric stepped in front of her and placed a gentle hand on her arm. "You all right?"

"My mother's ashes are buried in Kirkwall." Her voice came out choked.

"I know. I'm sorry Hawke." Varric allowed his struggling friend another moment before he cleared his throat. "So where are we headed? Rivaini needs some kind of direction or we may all wake up naked in Antiva."

"I don't know. I guess I haven't planned that far ahead." Marian thought for a moment as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other restlessly. "We need to leave the Free Marches. Perhaps we should go back to Ferelden. It would be wise to stay out of sight for a while."

"Nearest Ferelden port is in Highever."

"No. That is too close to Kirkwall. What about Jader?"

"Technically that's an Orlesian city. You sure you want to risk it after that business with the duke?"

"We should be able to go unnoticed easily enough. No self-respecting Orlesian would give a second glance to a group of refugees."

Varric chuckled at that. "Fair enough. I'll let Rivaini know."

Marian took a deep breath and settled herself against the railing of the ship. Kirkwall had faded completely from view, leaving nothing but fog and the sound of waves lapping against the hull of Isabella's ship. Whatever life she had built there was gone. But the things that mattered, the people she cared about most, were safely aboard this ship with her. The thought brought an immeasurable amount of comfort.

A gentle hand on her shoulder brought a small smile to her face as she turned to face Anders. He looked as exhausted as she felt after such a long and difficult battle. But they had made it. "Marian… about the Chantry… I-"

Soft fingers on his lips stopped any explanation he may have attempted. "It's done Anders."

"Yes but-"

"No. I will hear no more. I love you Anders. And when I said 'until we die' I meant it." The relief on her lover's face instantaneous.

"What did I do to deserve you?" he asked quietly as he brushed dark locks away from her eyes. Marian chucked as she slipped into his arms and burrowed her face against his chest, basking in the warm feeling of his embrace, cherishing what she had fought so hard for. "Are you all right Love?" he asked quietly as she let out a shuddering sigh.

"Just… hold me Anders. Please?" His arms tightened around her trembling frame and he rested his chin in her hair. How could he possibly refuse such a request after everything he had subjected her to?