I LOVE YOU

It was dusk. The light from the sun was fading and the grounds of the palace was slowly descending to darkness. Only the soft lighting from a few lamps on the walls of the courtyard gave a glowing illumination.

In a day, she would be married. A nagging doubt tugged at the back of her mind. She couldn't stay indoors, the confinement of walls just made the doubt too intense, so she took a walk in the evening's cool breeze. It was the only way she could think of to help clear her thoughts.

There was no one around as she slowly strolled through the courtyard. There was no one to disturb her as she pondered her future and that of her country, that was until she saw him.

The doubt she had hoped to alleviate came back with a strength of dizziness.

A smile drifted across her face. It stretched from ear to ear as he came closer, her heart began to throb and pulse uncontrollably and for that moment, the world around her disappeared.

They came to a standstill beneath one of the lights and from that faint glow of the lamp, Ashe couldn't help but stare. This was no silly doubt, for she reacted the same way in his presence. Her throat became dry, every breath was difficult to exhale and her palms and face slicked with perspiration.

It happened every time. She couldn't control herself, but Ashe certainly couldn't speak or say anything to him. She was lost, lost at the sight of his strong handsome features and burly stature, lost in the gaze of those deep blue eyes. She would be completely lost in the sound of his voice.

It was just her and the Knight. Staring, smiling, unable to say anything, but there was so much hope swelling up inside the young princess. Just being close to him, was more than she could ever bare. He invoked a feeling of such need in Ashelia, need and desire, love…this man made her feel so alive.

She wanted to tell him everything and how she wished now, there wouldn't be a wedding to the prince. Rasler was not a man like Basch. Again, her voice couldn't speak those important words she had felt for so long.

It was silent. The time lingered on and it felt like hours as Ashe stood starring at Basch with a smile so wide on her face. His soft response was a rarity, but a smile from him was a treasured gift She shifted on her feet and she tried to hard to either say something or carry on walking. Her feet refused to budge. But his feet had no such problems.

He bobbed a courteous nod, then he began to stride off down the stone path.

She felt shattered. Ashe spun round and watched as her Knight walked away. He never looked back, he never even stopped or paused. The night suddenly became very cold.

"I…" Ashe clenched her fists. He was gone and Ashe felt angry at not having made an attempt to stop him, she wished she could have expressed just what he made her feel. Now her legs felt weak, her whole body was weak and she leaned against the wall for support. She had wanted to utter those three words. The words she knew were for him as soon as she met him upon his return.

"I…love you."

The smile had vanished along with Basch.

A single tear strolled down her cheek.

The night dragged on and when she finally came back to the confines of her room, the princess began to grieve. She should have told him.

000000000000

Author's note: Well…this is the starting point. This will be a long line of one shots, inspired by various bands or musical artists for my favourite pairing. The first chapter you've just read was done with the Song I Love You by Sarah McLachlan in mind. It's the feeling of knowing you love someone so much but were afraid to tell them. Then it's too late. This worked perfectly for Basch and Ashe. They day before her marriage…a day or so before he is taken prisoner and branded a traitor? It would have been easy to have said what she felt? How different would have things played out? Tell me what you think. J