Chapter One - The Letter

It had been nearly a year now since Ashe had seen them all - her once companions. She had been fortunate enough to stay in contact with each of them after she had reclaimed her throne, though as the days wore on, her life was slowly becoming completely consumed by her duties as Queen.

Time continued.

Things changed.

People moved on.

Such was life.

For a Queen, it was nearly impossible to have any life other than the one set before her by birthrite. Her time was little; her schedule was strict. Being of royal blood had never burdened Ashe before, though - not once. Her sacrifices - no matter how large or small they might have been - were all well worth it to her in the end. The B'nargin name had been resurrected from the constricted betrayals and lies that had once bound together the Empire. Dalmasca had been restored to its former glory from the ashes of a ghost life long forgotten. Ivalice was once again a free people.

The Queen silently made her way down the corridor towards her room. Whenever she was passed by someone, she'd smile towards them as a form of acknowledgement. With her proud chin held high, Ashe appeared alert and aware of her surroundings. One could not recognize the true story behind her dark eyes unless they looked into them. Her story was long and eventful and new chapters were being added to it everyday. Some knew the elements to her story, yet most did not. Ashe was thankful for this - there were some memories she wanted to keep all to herself.

Ashe's coronation had been the event of the year. Everything had been planned out months in advance. It had been a truly remarkable day. Nothing had went astray. Everything had went according to plan. Ashe smiled to herself as she recalled the faces she had met this day - some old, some new. It had been grand seeing all of her former companions again. They had all been so different, yet still the same. She truly could not wait to cross paths with them again.

Now the dark-blonde could think of nothing she would've liked more than to have a nice, long bath and then to feel her soft, warm bed beneath her. Those were the only times she could have peace and quiet, not to mention the peace and quiet to herself. It was a time when the Queen could reflect on her past - on the things she had seen, on the things she had done, and on the friends and comrades she had lost. It was also a time when she could think about the future - Dalmasca's future. Her father had been a great leader, and Ashe was prepared to do everything in her power to surpass his legacy.

Once she reached the east wing, the Queen walked out onto a balcony, savoring a few extra minutes alone as she gazed out at the land. Ashe glanced down at her slender fingers then, and used her thumb to idly brush over the area where her wedding band had once been. She had only recently removed it for good. She had faced the truth, that Rasler was gone, and like her people and her kingdom, Ashe knew she had to move on. She curled her fingers inward and brought her hand to rest lightly against her chest as she resumed looking out over Dalmasca. A few moments, she retraced her steps back inside and continued on towards her chambers.

A short time later, Ashe entered through her bedroom doors. Two servants gently closed them behind her as they took their leave. Ashe's dark gaze immediately fell on the small circular table near the center of the room, where upon it lay a letter. She suspected it was nothing more than another business proposition or perhaps even another marriage proposal. She blew out a deep sigh just thinking about the absurd thought of marrying anytime soon. In the past, it may have been the proper thing for her to do - perhaps it still was - but, Ashe was a strong woman, and she wanted to prove to every person in Ivalice that she could rule perfectly well on her own. Marriage was not in her future. Her people were solely in her future. She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth, struggling with herself whether or not to open the sealed letter. She sighed again, knowing she had a duty to tend to whatever matters were contained in the letter.

Gracefully, the Queen walked across the room. She snatched the letter from the table and held it up to the light to read its envelope. Her eyes widened, and Ashe smiled with un-tameable excitement as she realized who the letter was from. Quickly, the dark-blonde retrieved her small letter opener and unsealed the envelope in her hand. She eagerly pulled out the letter, unfolded it, and then began reading.

It read:

"'My Dearest Ashe,

Today's coronation was better than anything I could have ever hoped for you. It brought me much joy to watch your official crowning and to see and hear the excitement shown by the people of Dalmasca. I know as well as you do that despite any past doubts or fears, Dalmasca has always been yours from the very beginning. Her people are loyal; they will never forget everything that you've done for them. You've sacrificed so much for the cause of peace, and for that, the people of Dalmasca will always cherish you as their Queen, their savior, and their leader. In time of peace or need, they will look to you, and I'm confident that you will show them the way...'"

Ashe smiled to herself. Larsa had always been so generous with words. He may still have been a boy, but inside, Ashe knew that Larsa was going to be a great Emperor. The Queen continued to read the letter then.

"'...I was so pleased to see our friends at the coronation as well. Basch and myself had been absolutely ecstatic at the thought of meeting you all once again (though you know Basch - he can only be openly ecstatic so much!) I know he was happy to see you again, Ashe, as was I. We must set up a date for us to meet again in the near future. We'll make a day out of it away from the business and politics. You must agree; I will eagerly await your response!

Penelo has written me several times in the past month. She and Vaan have commandeered their own ship. Neither of them have ever asked for anything in return for the aide they had given both you and I a year past. I was more than happy to help them fulfill the dream of having their own airship. My generosity came out of gratitude perhaps, but also out of friendship. I would've been more than glad to do it again had I the chance.

With that much said, I've almost forgotten to tell you the most important part of this letter! Penelo informed me that the ship, Balthier's ship, that had been in the care of she and Vaan has vanished! Stolen! When I read those words on her letter, I very nearly dropped the paper in shock! I nearly called out Basch to assemble the crew of the 8th Arcadian Imperial Fleet to go out in search of the airship. As I further read on, though, I realized that when Penelo had said The Strahl had been stolen, she had actually meant that it had been reclaimed by its rightful owner...'"

Ashe gasped, clutching Larsa's letter to her chest for a moment. Her breathing became heavier as the words she had just read continued to play over in her mind. The Strahl had been reclaimed by its rightful owner? Rightful owner...Balthier? How could that be? Ashe quickly smoothed the letter in her hands back out and finished reading the letter.

"'...I was so glad to hear that despite our former conclusion of their deaths, both Balthier and Fran are alive and well. Vaan and Penelo have already taken their leave to return to Balfonheim Port where the two of them are meant to be staying. Basch and I will be travelling to Balfonheim in two fortnights to welcome our friends' return. I encourage you to join us if your schedule will allow it. Until we meet again.

Fondly yours,

Larsa Solidor'"

Ashe's lips parted as a long, almost strained sigh was released. She took a few short paces back until her shapely legs touched the end of her bed. She slowly sat down, her hand resting on the letter in her lap. Her emotions were all over the place. She was so confused at what she should be feeling in those exact moments. Balthier was alive. He was alive. Ashe was many things - happy, overjoyed, angry, relieved. Ultimately, she allowed her emotions to momentarily overcome her. She lay down sideways on her bed; Larsa's letter was still in her hand as she cried herself to sleep. Ashe never cried.