Elizabeth narrowed her eyes as she saw Meredith wielding her sword in the courtyard. "We both knew this would happen. The question is, why now?"

Meredith laughed and Varric raised an eyebrow at her sword and the way she laughed, almost as though she were crazed. "They will say you died protecting the city, killed by blood mages."

Elizabeth laughed and smeared a streak of her own blood over her nose. "No, Meredith. They'll say she eliminated all the threats to Kirkwall. Namely, you." She grabbed her staff and brought the Maker's fist down upon Meredith, laughing inwardly at the irony that the knight-commander was hurt by the Maker himself. Fenris charged in, fighting Meredith with all his might. Aveline stood in front of Elizabeth, acting as a bodyguard while Varric shot a volley of arrows as the statues came to life to join the fight. Elizabeth sent jolt after jolt of electricity coursing through Meredith before Aveline knocked her down to shield her from a statue. Varric shot a miasmic flask at Meredith before shooting a bursting arrow at the statue. Fenris took advantage of the miasma and whirled around, slicing Meredith up several times before she could react. Elizabeth formed a crushing prison around the nearest statue before sending a fireball at one on its way. Aveline slammed her shield into the statue, knocking it down before blocking another statue's fist. Varric took careful aim and shot the statue in its head, which seemed to cause more damage than ordinary. Elizabeth drank a lyrium potion before gathering energy from the Fade to hasten everyone and summoning a firestorm.

The last statue fell and Elizabeth, Aveline, and Varric approached Meredith, who was starting to glow red. Her breathing sounded labored, but she was still hysterical. Varric's eyes widened as he made the connection, realizing that Meredith was the one who'd bought the idol from Bartrend. Elizabeth nodded her head, understanding the same. She smirked as Meredith turned to stone, a look of agony forever on her face. Elizabeth eyed the templars who came to examine the new statue. When she was convinced they would not attack, she turned and led her friends out of the Gallows and to the Hanged Man for some well earned drinks, this time on the house.

After several rounds, Elizabeth sighed and squeezed her eyes shut, wincing slightly. "Varric, have you ever told your listeners a story that involved me being injured?"

Varric laughed and raised his mug. "Now what would be the fun in that?"

Elizabeth smirked. "Then they're in for a shock." She looked at Fenris and nodded. Aveline cleared a spot off a table and Elizabeth laid on it on her stomach. There was a hush among the crowd as Fenris stood beside her, running his fingers along her muscles in an attempt to relax her. He glowed blue and plunged his hand into her back, not going all the way through but still clearly entering her. Elizabeth opened her mouth to cry out but no sound came, her hands clenching into fists as her arms shot out in front of her. Then, just as quickly, the pain was over, replaced by loss of breath. She trembled slightly as she rolled onto her side, looking up at Fenris.

Fenris held up the half of the arrow that had been stuck in Elizabeth's spine, miraculously not paralyzing her. Varric nodded, holding a hand out toward Elizabeth. "Your Champion fought and killed the Harvester in the Gallows with four arrows sticking out of her back. One could not be removed, so she bravely had Fenris here break the shaft so she could still fight if needed. And more fighting was needed, for Meredith turned on us, mind twisted by a corrupted idol. Injured and very nearly paralyzed, our champion fought Meredith and four statues that came to life until the insane knight commander fell, killed by her own vanity."

The crowd cheered and applauded, another round finding its way to the group. Elizabeth smiled and sat up, looking at Fenris. She mouthed the words 'thank-you', to which he replied "I am yours. Ask, and it is done."