The Protector

Summary (Becaue I couldn't fit all this into the main page):

It is about a year after Vayne Solidor was defeated, and everyone has gone their own separate ways. (Basically you could say this is right after the FF12 ending). Everyone includes Ashe, who is to be crowned Queen in less than a month or so.

There is a slight problem, however. The Dalmascan senate had a discussion with Ashe regarding her future; a discussion about her options as Queen. Because her husband Rasler died years before, there is isn't a king of Dalmasca. And if there is no king of Dalmasca, then there is no heir to the throne. The senate suggested Ashe marrying again, and thus having an heir to support the Dalmascan bloodline. Ashe did not want this, and therefore declines this option.

On the other hand, there is one other option she has. If she doesn't marry, then she would have to adopt. This, of course, would be kept secret from the rest of Dalmasca; if the public knew that Ashe's adopted child was not of true royal blood then there would be controversy. But Ashe agrees to this, and in secret goes to the Rabanastre orphanage to find an heir.

Chapter I-The Rabanastre Orphan

Disclaimer: If FF12 were mine, then I'd be so overwhelmed that my head would probably explode. But of course, that's only me.

Rabanastre Orphanage, The Royal City of Rabanastre, Dalmasca

"He's in the bed chamber now, Lady Ashe. This is really suppossed to be play time, but he does not usually go outside like the other kids." The matron told the princess while walking down the long hallway of the orphanage. "Would you like to see him now?"

"Of course." Ashe looked away slightly; she was finally going to find an heir to the throne, and it was all happening too quickly. She wouldn't tell the child of his destiny, because that would be saved for the future.

After over three years of waiting, Ashe would finally have a child of her own to take care of. Raising a child was something that she had always wanted, despite the fact that she no longer had a husband to help make this possible. Yet Ashe had been stripped of the privilege to become a mother years ago; apparently her first child, the last heir her dead husband Rasler would have was gone. Ashe had spent less than several hours with her son when she was told by a friend that he died because of complications. Extremely distraught as well as confused about this, Ashe tried to believe somehow that this was not true, but as time passed she began to believe that her son really was with Rasler...up in the heavens and watching down upon her and the rest of her kingdom.

Before coming to the orphanage Ashe's head had been swimming with various thoughts. What if she didn't find a child who suited her? Or what if the public discovered that the adopted child was not of her blood? Controversy would arise and then the Dalmascan senate would force her to marry, and thus produce a child of a man she did not love. She would continue to remain loyal with Rasler, even though he no longer walked upon Ivalice.

But Ashe tried not to think of any more negative thoughts about the future. Why did it matter that adopting a child was different than having one of the same blood? This adopted child would be cared for, as well as kept away from harm that Ashe had come across when she was younger. Ashe would even love the child with all her heart, blood releated or what not. The death of her eight brothers, not to mention her father King Raminas's assasination had forced her to fend for herself. Ashe did not even meet her mother, who died shortly after she was born.

After a little bit more walking the matron eventually stopped in front of two large mahogany double doors, and opened one of them cafefully.

"He's in here, Lady Ashe. The other orphans here have about half an hour of breaktime before dinner, but you can stay with the boy as long as necessary." The matron replied, using her hand to gesture Ashe in. "If you need anything then come see me in my office."

"Thank you, Rina. Oh by the way..." Ashe turned around to face the matron known as Rina, and spoke in almost a whisper even though no one else was nearby. "Whatever happens here tonight will remain between the two of us. Right now you, the Dalmascan senate members, and everyone in the castle are the only souls around who know what I'm doing. No one else in Rabanastre must know. Please, let's keep this a secret."

"You have my word, Lady Ashe. I'll come back in a little while."

As Ashe stepped into the dark room, Rina closed the door behind her gently. Ashe turned around, and before proceeding took a long look at her surroundings.

Despite the fact that it was still light out in Rabanastre, the large area was quite dark as well as soundless. Well, if one ignored the quiet page turns of a book in the far corner then the room would be completely silent.

There were over twenty beds in the room, with ten on each side. The beds only consisted of torn sheets and one pillow each; even though they were Spartan in appearance, they still served their purpose. To be cheap, to keep orphans warm when it is drafty in the room, and nothing more. The old blinds covering the windows around the room were closed, giving the bed chamber an even more ghastly appearance. Ashe knew that the Rabanastre orphanage did not make much of a profit, so there was very little they could do to shapen up the quality of the maintenence.

After she was done gazing around the decrepit room, Ashe heard more page turns and took a glimpse at a small boy in the far corner, lying on his bed with a book in front of him. She did not understand how he could read in the dark, but instead quietly moved to the boy, not wanting to disrupt his reading.

The boy seemed to take no notice of Ashe, but when she sat down on the bed opposite his he set his picture book off to the side.

Ashe gave the boy a smile, and he returned a slightly nervous one, while gazing at her with awe.

"I thought you were Miss Rina." The boy told Ashe softly. "She keeps trying to get me to play with the others, but I'm not one of them."

"But why don't you?" Ashe asked the youngster, who turned around to face her better. "It can get quite lonely by yourself."

"The bigger kids always pick on me, 'cause they say I'm too weak." The boy sighed, and looked down at his book again. "But how do you know what it's like being lonely?"

Ashe paused for a moment. Because she was in the Resistance for two years, she felt isolated from everyone else, and this all because her and eight brothers were murdered. How many people in the Resistance lost that many people in one go, anyway? Even though she was often consoled, Ashe felt that there was nothing anyone could do.

"I've lost some people in the past who were very close to me," Ashe answered, leaning back on the stiff bed. "You know, you haven't told me your name yet."

The boy looked at Ashe once more, this time with more interest.

"Alix. I'm Alix." He replied quietly, but at the same time giving Ashe a small smile.

"I am Ashe. Nice to meet you." Ashe told him, thinking to herself silently. For a moment there Ashe thought the boy would recognize her as not just a stranger, but the Princess of Dalmasca. Ashe was quite surprised when Alix did not seem to take notice of her nobility.

It wasn't until that exact moment when Ashe studied Alix's face and overall appearance in great detail.

Despite the fact that Alix rarely went outside Ashe noticed that his complexion was slightly tanned, and his face flushed each time he looked up at the older woman, making him only appear cuter than before. His short, forward combed and trim caramel colored hair as well as bright amber eyes completed his overall facial ensemble. Underneath his baggy shirt and pants, Ashe could see that he was rather thin.

Yet Alix's main feature that made him truly stand out were not his bright eyes or cute face, but his smile. Even though Alix had to put up with many issues at the orphanage, his smile made him seem perfectly content and happy.

At the same time, Alix's overall appearance gave Ashe an awfully powerful dose of deja vu.

"Have we...met, before, Alix?" Ashe asked him curiously. "I might have seen you walking around Rabanastre in the past."

"I usually don't go outside. I feel safer by my bed, and nowhere else." He sighed before looking away. "I remember when everyone here had to evacuate to the northern part of the city when that skyship nearly crashed. Ever since then I haven't really gone outside, unless Rina forces everyone."

Alix stood up, and sat down next to Ashe on the bed opposite his. After several moments, the boy spoke again.

"But you seem okay." Alix told Ashe, who was listening intently. "Well, better than Miss Rina and the other kids. Miss Rina can be nice, but she's doing different stuff to even care about me and everyone else."

"That's just what happens, sometimes. But after a while you eventually learn to take care and fend for yourself." Ashe told Alix truthfully, recalling her days in the Resistance. "Say, by any chance is Alix your real name? Or is it a nickname?"

"I think it's my real name. That's what Miss Rina told me."

"Oh." Ashe paused for a moment, her once slightly raised hopes had gone down. "You know, I used to know someone very dear to me. His name was like yours, in a way."

"What was he called?"

"Ralixan." Ashe answered simply, sighing.

"Where is he now?" Alix asked curiously, not realizing that he had hit a nerve.

Just like before, Ashe was at a loss for words. Her son had died shortly after his birth. She hadn't believed the ones who told her at first, and didn't know how she could go on after losing the last link to her husband and the only family she had left. But Ashe had endured the mental agony and now she was being given new chance at happiness, or at least contentment.

"I don't know, Alix." She shifted in her seat slightly, before moving the conversation into a new direction. "Do you remember anything in your past at all? You know, before you came to the orphanage?"

"Nothing. Miss Rina only said that I was left at the doorstep here with a note saying to take care of me. That's how I know my name, 'cause it was on the note. I've lived here all my life."

"I see." Ashe answered quietly. "How old are you now?"

"I'll be turning four in a couple of months."

"Hm, you're pretty sharp for a nearly four year old." Ashe commented. Alix smiled once more at her. "I don't think I've met any boys quite like you."

There was silence for several moments, until the book on Alix's bed caught Ashe's attention.

"Alix, what's that book you're reading?" Ashe asked, while pointing to the book on his bed. Alix picked it up and came back to where Ashe was sitting.

"I can't read yet, so I only look at the pictures. Miss Rina gave it to me when I was little." He sighed, flipping throught the pages and handing the book over to Ashe. "I keep asking her to read it to me, but she says she doesn't have enough time. And when she even does say she'll read it, she'll forget and I can only look at the pictures."

Alix frowned slightly, while Ashe took the book from his hands gently. It was titled,

Adventure of the Dragon King. Ashe flipped through the short book several times, pausing every now and then to browse at the beautiful illustrations.

"Do you want me to read it to you?" Ashe asked Alix, showing him the book again..

"Okay!" He answered eagerly, settling down next to the older woman. Ashe began, to read the tale, with Alix listening intently.

"Gale was a boy who lived out in the beautiful countryside of Avilcei. He was very lonely, and lived with his aunt and uncle. Gale especially missed his mother, who abandoned him when he was a baby. His only companion was his trustworthy bird named Flint. Whenever Gale had free time, both he and Flint would roam the surrounding lands, looking for both adventure and amazing discoveries..."

At first Ashe thought Adventure of the Dragon King would be a simple children's book, but as the short book progressed it became more interesting. Eventually Gale and Flint met many more friends along the way, a few of which betrayed him in the process. Despite the book being for children, it did have some meaning to it.

While reading Ashe couldn't help but think to herself.

"This is almost like Vaan, Basch, Balthier, Penelo, Fran, and I on our adventures. We sure did go through a lot, and meet some people whom we thought were friends."

About fifteen minutes later, Adventure of the Dragon King was coming to a close. Earlier on Alix was sitting up straight and listening with great interest to Ashe, but now he was leaning against her shoulder tiredly.

"And so Gale eventually did return to his homeland with Flint perched on his shoulder, ready to tell his aunt and uncle about his adventures with his new friends and the Dragon King. Gale realized he couldn't tell his mother yet, but he knew that someday he would find her and tell of his wonderful journey." Ashe finished, setting the book down. "The end."

Right after Ashe set the book down, she saw that Alix was still awake, but looking much more tired than earlier.

"Did you like it?" She asked Alix as he set the book back onto his bed.

"Yeah, it was good." Alix told her. "But I wish he had found his mother. Both of us are similar, you know? 'Cause I wish I knew where mine was, too."

Ashe felt a pang of guilt. If she did adopt him, then she would have to endure the feeling of replacing his true mother, which would not be easy.

"Just like Gale in the book, she abandoned me too, right?" Alix asked, looking back up at Ashe again and sitting on his bed.

"Yes Alix, but I'm sure she wanted to keep you safe from harm, too. Especially when the war had been going on." Ashe answered, standing up and looking at Alix. He was looking up at her with mingled curiousity and hurt, as if he did not want her to stand.

"It is getting dark out. I should get going, Alix." Ashe told Alix, who was looking downcast.

"Y-you're leaving me?" Alix told her with a hint of worry in his voice. "You'll return, right Ashe? 'Cause the older guys might come back."

Ashe smiled, and replied, "Of course I'll come return. Probably sooner than you might think."

She smiled once more as she began to walk down the aisle between the beds.

"Bye." He called out, picking up Adventure of the Dragon King.

"Good-bye, Alix." Ashe answered back. "We'll see each other soon."

As Ashe exited the large room, she quietly shut the door behind her and found Rina walking quickly in her direction, followed by a group of boys several years older than Alix.

"Lady Ashe..." Rina asked, "Did you meet..."

"Yes, I met Alix." Ashe told her quietly, and looking from Rina to where the boys entered the bed chamber, and saw them heading towards Alix.

"He's such a sweet boy, isn't he?" Rina asked, her back facing the large double doors, "Alix may not say much, but he is definitely one of the nicer boys in this orphanage."

"He sure is..." Ashe was not paying much attention to Rina, but to where Alix was in the room. He was in the center of the five boys who entered the room, all of them taller than him. They were tossing his book around aimlessly, roaring with laughter as Alix tried to retrieve his belonging. While the boys were roughly pushing Alix around, he looked like he was about to cry.

"Come and get your stupid book, dummy! Oh yeah, you're too short to reach it!"

Ashe bit her lip, but continued her conversation with Rina who seemed to take no notice of Alix or the older boys at all whatsoever.

"Rina..." Ashe started, not taking her eyes off of the helpless boy. "I...I would like to ad---"

"Guys, stop it! I want my book back! Hey, g-get off me!" Alix cried loudly. This time the boys were kicking Alix and hitting him across the face, and one of the boys was even hitting Alix with his own book. Alix was doing all he could to protect himself, but shielding his small arms across his face were no match for the larger boys.

"What are ya gonna do this time, Alix? Cry again!?" One of the boys roared loudly as he kicked Alix in the stomach. "Are you gonna cry for your Mommy, Alix?! Is she gonna rescue you?"

Ashe had definitely seen enough; she couldn't bear to see Alix take anymore beatings.

"Alix!" Ashe rushed into the bed chamber, with Rina following close behind. Once Ashe approached Alix, she hugged him, her hands clamped around his back tightly. Alix was taken aback at her action, and even Ashe was for hugging the kid. She didn't expect to do it, which was an even bigger surprise.

Even though Ashe had only known Alix for about half an hour or so, she felt that she had to protect him, no matter what.

"Are you okay?" Ashe asked him quietly, standing up yet keeping her hands on his shoulders.

Ashe rubbed both of his eyes dry with her hand, while Alix looked up at her again. "I'm fine, thanks Ashe."

He picked up his book off the ground; one of the boys had discarded it when Ashe and Rina

ran in.

The five boys were nestled in the corner of the room, all of them staring up at Ashe. While some were looking at her with shock, others were gaping at her with mixed expressions of curiosity and utter bewilderment.

Right before one of the boys was about to speak Ashe immediately figured out why they were staring at her. But she only had a few seconds to prevent them from going too far.

"Y-you're Pri---"

"---Boys, it's time for dinner." Rina said quickly, glad that the boy didn't finish his sentence. The group of boys did nothing for a moment, for they were still staring at Ashe and Alix. "Go, now!"

After the boys ran out, Alix was just about to follow them until Ashe spoke up.

"Wait, Alix. Stay here." Ashe told him. "Rina, I'll take him."

"You'll adopt him, Lady Ashe?" Rina answered quietly, looking back and forth from the princess to Alix.

"I-I...am I going with you, Ashe? I can live with you?" Alix asked curiously, craning his neck to get a better view of Ashe, who was looking down at him.

"You are." She answered, realizing in full how lucky she was to get a second chace at motherhood.

"Lady Ashe, there is still the matter of paperwork to fill out." Rina pointed out. Both Ashe and Alix looked in her direction; for a while they had forgotten she was in the room.

"Of course. Alix, you can get some of your things ready while I sign some papers." Ashe told him. "And if the boys come back then they'll have to deal with me, okay?"

"Right!" Alix grinned. For the first time in his life he actually had something to look forward to, living with someone who cared. No one in the Rabanastre orphanage really cared about him; Rina did the best she could, but she had over twenty other kids or so to deal with. His needs were not greater than theirs, so he did not receive special attention.

Alix stood up and moved back to his bed, excitedly packing away a few of his things to take with him. He would be leaving for good, and with a person whom he could finally trust.No more half-warm meals, kids who made fun of him daily, drafty evenings, or getting hung by his underwear from the banister of the stairs. It really was an unnerving feeling to him, leaving the orphanage at last.

As Ashe walked behind Rina out of the room, she knew that this was just the beginning of yet another adventure. It would most likely not be filled with as much action as when her friends fought alongside her against Vayne Solidor and the Archadian Empire, but it would still be interesting.

Ashe couldn't help but think to herself as she left the room to Rina's office. While she was pondering, a powerful surge of emotion swept through Ashe's body.

"I am not replacing you at all, Ral. It's just that being lonely for so long can be such a hardship for someone who has been through a lot. I know I only knew you for a short time, but I'll never forget you. Now that I think about it, if you were here I'm sure you would love to meet Alix. He really is something, isn't he?"

It was about ten o'clock in the evening when Ashe and Alix finally left the Rabanastre orphanage. Few people were walking around, so Ashe could get back without being noticed. After all, if the future queen of Dalmasca were seen holding hands with an ordinary boy at a late hour then questionable and scolding fingers would begin to point in Ashe's direction.

"Ashe," Alix asked her, while holding onto her hand, his other clamped onto a small suitcase. He still called her Ashe; addressing her as 'mom' would take some time. "When am I gonna get the rest of my stuff? I only have some clothes and my book in here."

Ashe looked from the half moon she was gazing at back down to the light haired boy.

"We can get those things later. Besides, you can get new clothes after you've settled in."

Ashe looked back at the moon, and conversed with Alix until finally they finally reached the palace gates. Alix looked around wildly at their location, with Ashe smiling to herself in amusement. She had just remembered that she didn't tell Alix she was to be Queen of Dalmasca in about a month.

"Say Alix," She began, walking by some guards and signaling to them. Of course, they let both her and Alix in and the two walked to the front entrance of the large palace.

"Yeah, Ashe?" He was still looking around, but focused his attention onto his adoptive mother.

She grinned and continued, "Have you been to the Royal Palace, before?"

A/N: It's strange, but several weeks ago this sudden idea just hit me in the face---about what happened to Ashe when she was in the Resistance and after the end of FFXII. I couldn't stop typing once the idea showed up, and I even have most of the plot mapped out for the future. Chapters 2, 3, 4, and even parts of 5 and 6 are already done, maybe because I really want to finish this. I know, I've said that I'd finish my other fics as well, but this is different. Possibly my most ambitious project, and one that I'll try hard to update quickly.

When writing this I thought that Alix sounded too much like a seven or eight year old than one who is suppossed to be three. Well, you could say he is just smart for his age.

The relationship between Alix and Ashe is not the only focus throughout the fic, but Ashe deals with many of the other characters. I'll develop that as the fic continues.

Anyways, it wasn't until I finished this chapter when I added the part about the Adventure of the Dragon King. I dunno, I thought it would be important somehow, maybe because it sort of strengthened Ashe and Alix's relationship. It might be important later on, but I really can't say for sure.

And that's it. When Chapter 1 hits a certain number of reviews then I'll put in Chapter 2, so watch out for it later.

-Remember, do review! I really want to know what people think so far!

-Abzan342