Forgiveness

Forgiveness is offered by a moral superior to a sinner or villain. God, being without sin, can forgive sins; also, the son of God had the authority to forgive sins - even before his crucifixion; see Jesus Christ. Lesser mortals have the option of forgiving an offense: indeed, it is taking the moral high road to do so, and Jesus recommended it (even 77 or 70 x 7 times).

Is forgiveness free, or does it come at the price of some sort of apology? Can even Christ forgive those who do not repent?