Galbana Lilies for Ashe – Chapter 1

Vaan rushed down the mucky sewer waters, with flowers preserved in a bag to keep it fresh with one thing in mind. 'Ashe'.

Ashellia B'nargan Dalmasca. Hmmm, what a divine name. What a strong name. What a strange name – now that Vaan had time to ponder it was quite a strange name, but he ws too busy trying to sneak into the palace through the sewers, into her majesty's chambers while trying to keep the flowers fresh. He had spent all day in the markets of Rabanastre with Penelo (modelling a rather unpleasant face, he may add) to find the perfect flowers. And now that he had them he wasn't going to waste his gil by getting lost in the sewer.

But it seemed fortune favoured him as he reached the steps which he so clearly remembered led to the hallways of the royal Palace. Now – to find her room.

In theory he should have idea how to find her room, but after several failed attempts prior to this date of finding her room just for idle chat, and being found and most probably would've been put into that condemned hole of a dungeon again, if it wasn't for her majesty's intervention.

Just like his Ashe, taking time away from her probably busy schedule specifically for him. Which only strengthened his liking to her. If it were anyone else she wouldn't even intervene and let the judgment system do its work. But because it was him... and with this thought Vann treaded down the palace hallways, carefully and silently skipping pass any wandering guard he spotted. Until he came face to face with the overlarge doors of Ashe's room. It was about 6pm now, and he was unsure if this was a common time for the queen to be in her room.

Even still, he opened the door carefully and exhaled with delight that she wasn't here. This will give him time to come up with an excuse for why he was here. An excuse that Penelo so rudely prompted he create.

"Seriously what's up with her? I mean, she was in a bad mood all day. And she was more nagging then usually. I am a goddamn sky pirate – well in training. Still don't have an airship of my own. Hard to believe its been half a year already since we pretty much saved Ivallice from Vayne. Man time flies." Vann sighed as he walked to Ashe's desk and place the flower pot on it. "What does she want from me? I'm being as romantic as I can. I thought she want to help me, but no. being a stuck up bitch is more her thing."

"I think it rude for you to speak of your friends in such a vulgar manner."

Vaan froze. He vaguely remembers the door thudding shut as he ranted about Penelo. Must've been too wrapped up in his thoughts to here.

He turned around. "Ashe." He forced himself to say.

"Vaan?" Ashe gave him a questioning look. "What are you doing here?"

'Shit!' Vann thought inwardly. In his complaints on Penelo's attitude he had forgotten to come up with a feasible excuse for his arrival. "Umm…" He stammered, "Flowers!" Ah god. The one thing he didn't want to admit to, 'Well' he thought 'Time to get this over with.'

"Flowers?" she said, fatigued by the days duties. "You snuck into the royal palace for the umpteenth time, to hand me flowers?"

"Um, yeah." Vaan's face reddened with embarrassment of how stupid his plan was. This did not go unnoticed by the queen.

She giggled and spied the flowerpot resting on her desk. "Galbana Lilies?" She asked as she stared at the light red flower. When Vann nodded she smiled to herself. "Why thank you, Vann. They are lovely." She turned to face Vaan again. "Now tell me Vann, why bring these for me?"

"So many questions, my queen." Vaan replied sheepishly.

"I could call the guards once again. I fear they are becoming accustomed to your 'Visits'." She smiled. "They search for the entrance you use, but so far have been unsuccessful. I may call them if you wish."

"I don't."

"Then speak, Vaan. And while you at it, you can tell me all the things that you so obviously dying to tell me the past 6 months. Are you castle break-ins an annual event now?"

Vaan blushed once again and gave a smug smile to try and hide it. Again, unsuccessful.

"I bring them purely because I want to…give you something, my queen. I try not to make it a habit of breaking into castle. Until I get my own airship."

"That is right." Ashe said sitting on her bed. "You dream of the skies."

"Yup!" Vaan said joining her. "Gonna have my own ship and go on my own adventures with Penelo. Going wherever we want to, whenever we want to!" Vaan exclaimed gleefully.

"That must be nice." Ashe said with a hint of sadness. "To go where you want." She sighed.

"Don't tell me your bored already, Ashe. You are going to be the greatest leader Dalmasca will have ever seen. Trust me."Vaan smiled.

Ashe looked away and Vann thought he saw a tinge of red in her cheeks. 'Success' he thought. Finally he got her to blush. He complimented her and she responded positively. Vaan had a smile that stretched from ear to ear. "Is that a blush I see, my queen?" Vaan asked sarcastically.

"Hmm," Ashe replied. "Yes it is." She leant closer to Vaan until her head rested on his shoulder. "Do you think that there is room for more on you airship?"

"Ashe-." Vaan was cut off.

"I am still talking, don't interrupt me. Have you not learnt that yet?" Vann just chuckled. "I am not abandoning my post as queen. I am just wondering aloud." Ashe sighed again. "Well if you are not going tell me of your arrival and there is nothing else you want to discuss or… achieve." She spied a glanced at Vaan, before resting her head on his shoulder again. "Then you should probably go now."

"Oh." Vaan felt deflated.

"Not like that!" Her sudden outburst startled Vaan. Seeing this, Ashe composed herself and continued. "I just require some sleep is all."

"Ha." Vaan smiled before jumping off the bed. "Well goodbye, Ashelia B'nargan Dalmasca." Vaan pondered on a thought. "Has anyone ever told you that your name is quite odd?"

Ashe played at mock insult. "You would be the first."

"Well it is. At least to us commoners." Vaan turned on his heel to leave and when his hand grasped the door handle, Ashe called out.

"Vaan."

He turned his head to look at her. "Yes."

"You may come back tomorrow…if you wish."

"U-." Vaan stammered again. 'Stupid, stupid! C'mon Vaan keep your cool.' "I think I may." Vaan smiled brightly and then left.

Ashe clutched her pillow around herself, trying to calm her breathing. She hoped with all her heart that Vaan did not hear the beating of her heart like a drum. And maybe, just maybe, she thought she heard his heart do the same.