Final Fantasy XII:

Forget Me Never.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Final Fantasy characters or anything. Do not use or post this story on any other sites without my permission.

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This story takes place after the ending of Final Fantasy XII. It mostly follows Penelo and Ashe. This is not a pairing between the two girls so don't even go there...

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Chapter one: The invitation.

Rabanastre was as it used to be, the people were more happy in their lives, running their shops and markets going about their daily chores. The sun shined down from a perfect blue sky over the city. The climate was especially hot today, everyone lingered in the shaded area's to avoid getting a sunburn, except for the Bangaa's, who seemed to enjoyed the warmer weather.

Penelo walked slowly along the busy streets towards Migelo's place, children ran past her laughing as they kicked a ball along the streets. Women gathered together at a jewelry merchant gazing into the precious gems and stones. Penelo casually stepped into the shop greeting a few of the regulars that stood around gossiping about varies topics. The lighting was dim against the dark wood of the counters and walls, the air was tinted with the scent of potions and other various scents of herbs used for medicine. Migelo sighted her and waved his hand motioning her to come over.

''Ah Penelo..! Its good to see you here.'' he said nodding happily. She smiled sitting up on the hard wooden counter next to him.

''Hey Migelo. Got any errands for me today?'' she asked tilting her head to the side looking at Migelo in hope that he might have a chore for her. The old Bangaa shook his head slowly.

''Hmmm... Nope. Sorry Penelo not today, I've already sent out some of the others to run errands.'' he looked at her curiously as she sat staring at her boots. ''You seem alittle down today. Everything okay Penelo?'' she frowned looking up at him, then back down at her boots once more.

''I'm abit bored with Vaan off in his Airship again...'' she replied in a slight sulking tone.

Migelo nodded in sympathy to her. He knew she liked Vaan. Even though Vaan was abit slow to realize just how much she did. Sometimes Migelo thought maybe a slap upside the head would make Vaan think abit harder. But then again maybe not.

''Ah..! I just remembered a message came for you earlier today.'' he moved over behind the counter. Penelo's eyes brighten up alittle as she looked up watching him poke through a box of papers. After a few moments, he handed her a fancy white envelope. Taking it she studied its exterior.

''Maybe it'll be good news and cheer you up abit.'' Migelo said encouraging her to open it. Breaking the seal she unfolded the piece of paper within. Penelo's eyes lit up as she began reading. She smiled brightly as her eyes scanned over the note. Migelo watched her intently, her hand was placed over her mouth hiding her smile, he was curious to know what it said and waiting patiently for her to finish. Placing it down in her lap she looked to Migelo with bright eyes.

''Its from Ashe..! She's invited me to come to the castle for dinner! '' Jumping down off the counter she held the note tightly in her hands in excitement. She never thought she'd actually have the chance to go inside the palace. She looked at the old clock hanging on the wall and gasped.

''I have to get ready..! She says an escort will be arriving incase I decide to go mid day! It's already noon!'' she had a look of worry on her face.

''That's wonderful news Penelo..! Now hurry on girl, You wouldn't want to be late.'' Migelo said cheerfully, happy to see her sudden change of mood. Penelo smiled at Migelo then quickly dashed out the door. Migelo shook his head thinking to himself. Guess the soon to be queen wasn't forgetting about her old friends and companions after all.

Penelo changed into a clean outfit and brushed her hair. After she finished doing her braids and double checked herself. She wanted to look decent, she didn't know who else might be there. She went back to Migelo's to wait for the escort to arrive. Sitting down on the curb outside the Migelo's sundries, she waited patiently watching for any sign of her escort. A young man came up to her bending down alittle to catch her attention.

''Excuse me miss..'' Penelo looked up shielding her eyes from the sun as she narrowed her eyes to see the man speaking to her. He had a kind face and was well dressed in a grey and blue vest the buckled up the front and matching pant. His eyes were blue-gray in color, with sandy brown hair falling just above his eyes. Penelo nodded to him as she stood up brushing out any wrinkles in her pants.

''Are you here to bring me to the palace?'' she asked smiling. The young man raised his brow and blinked confusedly. Tilting his head slightly to the side he rubbed over his brow the his index finger in thought.

''Uh, No.'' he replied smiling at her. She quickly covered her mouth in surprise, and feeling alittle embarrassed.

''I'm sorry..! I... I.. Thought you were someone else!'' she said apologetically to him. He shook his head slightly.

''No, Don't apologize. Migelo told me you were waiting for the lady Ashe's people to arrive.'' Penelo looked at him surprised.

''Oh, so you know Migelo?'' she asked smiling at him. He nodded looking over his shoulder at the door to Migelo's place.

''Yes I do.'' he replied. Looking back at her he smiled. ''I'm Tristian, Migelo hired me awhile back. I believe it was around the time you and Vaan had gone off on your journey.'' Penelo's eyes were wide as she stared at him. She was surprised Migelo hadn't said anything to her about the new guy working for him.

''It's finally nice to meet you Penelo, Migelo and Kytes told me much about you and Vaan both.'' Tristian smiled holding his hand out to her. Penelo also smiled and shook his hand gently. A middle aged woman approached the two of them, walking gracefully she stopped before them looking to Penelo.

''Miss Penelo?'' she asked cheerfully. Penelo turned facing the woman and nodded.

''Yes... I'm Penelo...'' she replied slowly, not sure if she should assume the woman was her escort. The women smiled keeping perfect posture as she spoke.

''The lady Ashe has sent me to escort you into the palace.'' she paused and looked at Tristian. ''She also says that the young man 'Vaan' may acompany you.''

Tristian looked to the woman and shook his head. ''Sorry Madam, But I'm not Vaan...''

''Oh. My apologies sir.'' she replied, then turned back to Penelo. ''Shall we be going miss?'' Penelo nodded and turned back to Tristian.

''Well I have to be going. It was really nice meeting you, Tristian.'' he nodded smiling at her.

''It was nice meeting you too, Penelo. I have to get back to work now anyway or Migelo will have my hide. Well, maybe I'll see you around sometime. Take care.'' he said as he headed into Migelo's. Penelo waved bye to him and followed the woman towards the palace. She was feeling excited as she walked along with the escort. This Day had started out quite dull for her, but now it was beginning to be very interesting.

Reaching the front gate to the Palace, the woman spoke with the guard and she and Penelo were allowed to pass without hesitation. The inside of the palace was grand, Penelo stared around at the beautiful architecture and paintings along the halls. Large grooved pillars stood along the dark gray walls, the floor was a beautiful dark marble tiling polished so well she could see her reflection in it. Various exotic flowers were placed about the corners in elegant vases. Paintings of the members of the royal family were hung between the pillars fashionably. The woman turned and opening a large solid forest green colored door for Penelo. Turning to her she motioned through the doorway.

''Please wait here while I go inform her majesty of your arival.'' she said to Penelo as she motioned through the doorway. Penelo nodded walking into the room.

''Okay thanks.'' Penelo replied looking back at the woman. The woman just nodded to her and carefully closed the door behind her. Penelo peered around the room smiling, the walls were a creamy white, long burgundy drapes hung over the tall windows. She gazed up studying a large painting above a large cherrywood desk, it was of a young girl embracing a chocobo, Penelo smiled brighter realizing it was Ashe in the painting. She walked over to a large velvet covered sofa that faced a large elegant black stone fireplace. She sat down slowly picking up a small crystal bowl that sat in the center of the table that sat beside the sofa. She gazed into it, the crystal captured the sunlight into glittering sparkles within it. Penelo nearly dropped the bowl as the door creak opening startling her. She quickly placed it back down and stood up turning her attention to the door. Ashe walked in closing the door behind her.

''Penelo, It's good to see you again.'' Ashe said walking over to her. Penelo smiled happily as Ashe approached her.

''It's really good to finally see you again Ashe...!'' she said taking Ashe's hand's giving them a friendly squeeze in hers. Ashe smiled slightly at her and looked down.

''Yes... It has been awhile... About that...'' she paused and nodded to the sofa. '' Please, let's have a seat.''

Penelo gave a simple nod still smiling brightly, but she felt there was a sadness in Ashe's voice. Sitting down at the end of the sofa Ashe locked her hands together in her lap and took a deep breath. Penelo sat quietly at the other end watching Ashe, waiting for her to finish what she wanted to say. Ashe looked up at Penelo and sighed.

''I am sorry for not keeping in touch with you more...'' she paused and looked at the window high up aside of the fireplace. ''I just... Have not felt the same since...'' her voice drifted off as her eyes shifted in thought. Penelo studied Ashe's face, she looked sad, a small frown came over her lips as she stared at the window. Penelo shook her head placing her hand over Ashe's.

''It's Alright Ashe, I know how you feel.'' Ashe turned back to Penelo her eyes showed alittle surprise.

''You know what I was going to say...?'' she asked her slowly. Penelo nodded and smiled.

''Yeah, kind of.'' she replied tilting her head slightly. ''You were going to say that you've been sad and alittle depressed since everything happened.'' Ashe took a deep breath gave a slight nod. Penelo continued. ''And since you thought Balthier had died on the Bahamut.'' Ashe looked up at her in shock.

''What... Why would you think that?'' her voice sounded abit nervous. Penelo laughed slightly and shook her head.

''Oh come on Ashe, it wasn't any secret that you liked him.'' Ashe gazed down away from Penelo. ''Beside's, now your acting abit more like your old self since learning he is still alive.'' Ashe closed her eyes and smiled wryly. She looked back up at Penelo smiling still.

''Just... Try not to tell anyone...Okay?'' Penelo nodded and giggled. ''I won't, I promise..!'' she replied cheerfully. Biting her lower lip slightly Penelo stared at Ashe for a second before speaking. ''Do you.. Uh, ever miss Basch?'' she asked slowly. Ashe sighed and smiled nodding, her eyes lost in thought. ''Yes, quite often actually...'' She paused looking down. ''He was always there for me, even after the incident with the Bahamut and all... He was there to comfort me when I was feeling all those mixed emotions with becoming the ruler of Dalmasca...'' she paused smiling slightly, her eyes half closed in memory. ''I miss him very much.''

Penelo smiled and nodded happy that Ashe talked openly with her. ''Then, why not go and see him?'' she asked. Ashe just shook her head and took a deep breath. After a moment Ashe stood up and fixed her fancy white skirt.

''Now then, Shall I show you around the rest of the palace before dinner?'' she asked looking down at Penelo, who stood up nodding. She really would like to see around the place and especially the view from the top. Ashe and Penelo walked around the palace talking. Penelo told her about how things were going about with her and Vaan, and how he had his very own airship now. At last Ashe took Penelo out to the balcony that overlooked Rabanastre. Penelo leaned slightly over the railing gazing down at the city below. Ashe stood beside her smiling slightly at how excited Penelo was. The breeze blew her hair softly over her face as she looked out at the view.

''Perhaps next time Vaan can join you.'' she said looking to Penelo as brushing some sandy colored hair from her eyes. ''Maybe he would like to see the palace also.'' Penelo shrugged titling her head to the side as she looked over at Ashe.

''Maybe, but he's not around quite as much anymore.'' she replied sadly. Ashe narrowed her eyes in question.

''Ah... I was going to ask why he couldn't join you today, but I'd rather not ask now.'' Penelo smiled at Ashe standing up straight.

''It's alright, I'm glad we have this alone time for 'girltalk' anyway.'' she replied grinning. Ashe laughed nodding slightly in agreement.

''Yes, it's nice to have someone to talk with again.'' Ashe paused and looked up at the sky for a moment then back to Penelo.

''So, are you ready for dinner?'' Penelo stretched her arms and sighed.

''Sure am!'' she replied cheerfully. She turned and looked out at the view once more, the reckage of the Bahamut could be seen in the far distance on the outskirts of the city. Ashe probably looked at it all the time she thought taking a deep breath. She sighed turning and following after Ashe.

The two sat alone at dinner, Penelo couldn't believe how big the dinning table was. It was covered in a laced white cloth, silver candlesticks were placed down along the center. A large chandelier hung high above the table, the room was fairly empty though, whenever Penelo said anything she could here a faint echo. Penelo wondered if Ashe often ate her meals alone. The food was delicious, they talked over wine for a few hours. Ashe seemed alot more cheerful then she was when Penelo had first arrived. After dinner they returned to the den were Penelo had waited and sat infront of the fireplace drinking tea and having some cake. The sky outside the windows was dark. It must be late, Penelo thought sipping her wine quietly.

''I should probably get going...'' she said to Ashe with a sigh. ''It's getting late.''

''You are more then welcome to stay here tonight.'' Ashe said placing her glass down on the table. Penelo's eyes brightened.

''Really? I'd love to!'' she replied. Ashe stared into the fire for a moment before speaking.

''Well, I will show you to your room. You can stay in the one across from mine.'' Penelo followed Ashe up a long flight of stairs then down a hall with soft violet colored carpeting. They stopped at a large door, Ashe turned to Penelo and smiled.

''Perhaps we can have breakfast together in the morning before you leave..?'' Ashe asked her in hopes that she would say yes.

''Sounds great.'' she replied smiling. Ashe took a deep breath and exhaled pursing her lips in a small smile.

Then I shall see you in the morning. Goodnight Penelo.'' she said and turned walking to her door across the hall. Penelo waved slightly and smiled.

''Goodnight Ashe!'' she replied and turned into her room. Closing the door behind her she gazed around at the room, it was much bigger then any room she had ever stayed in before, the was a huge vanity dresser against the far wall. Tiny bottles of perfumes and oils were placed neatly on it surface, a few different style hair brushes laid in line neatly. She walked over to the large canopy bed, a light blue nightgown was laid out. She picked it up, it was her size. She smiled and giggled shaking her head, obviously Ashe had anticipated on her staying.

After she changed out of her clothes she climbed into bed sliding between the large soft blankets she took a deep breath and smiled. She was happy Ashe was making an effort to be closer to her old companions. Penelo exhaled slowly as she closed her eyes and began to drift into slumber.

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Authors notes: Well what do you think? Read and Review please!