Authors Note: I get weak in the knees when I picture Balthier and Ashe together, but I have a soft spot for Basch and Ashe as well... So... I'm having trouble deciding which pairing I want in this story. When you comment, please pick which you'd like:)
Of Blood and Honor:
Chapter Two: A Wedding Proposal
They had only been dining together for thirty minutes when Ashe finished her third cup of coffee. She still felt tired from the exhausting day, but now her body buzzed and her hands shook from the caffiene overload. Still, she requested another cup from the servant that stood watch over the table.
Basch took note of her beverage consumption. He had been watching her carefully since she arrived. Not that she was surprised by his stare. He was, after all, her loyal knight for years during her youth. It felt good to trust him again, after she had spent two years blaming him for the death of her father and of her kingdom. Vossler had trusted him, and even though Vossler had deceived them all, he still had a very good intuition about people. Still, Ashe had a lion's pride, and refused to admit her fault for slapping him when they met again last year. She missed Basch greatly since he became Gabranth, but would never tell anyone her feelings over the matter.
"Are you sure you are alright," Basch questioned quietly.
"Of course," Ashe replied. "Do not worry, Basch. You are no longer my guardian; keep that in mind."
The six of them sat three to a side of the table. On the one side sat Basch, Ashe, and Fran, while Balthier, Penelo, and Vaan sat on the other. They had discussed their year apart. Vaan talked the most, discussing his new airship and what it was like to fly it. He admitted he stole, and quite frequently, but only from those who deserved it.
"What Vaan doesn't know is that I give much of what he steals to the homeless," Penelo said with a mischivous grin.
Vaan looked surprised. "So, that's where all the missing loot went."
"Vaan always says he's going to give it to the needy," Penelo explained. "Yet he always keepts it for himself- and myself, of course."
"Sounds like my kind of man," Balthier said. "I always knew you had it in you, Vaan."
Fran smirked at these words, but remained silent.
"I blame you, Balthier," Penelo joked. "You took him under your wing, after all. You were his 'teacher'."
"A good one, if I may add," Balthier grabbed a piece of bread off his plate and took a bite. "But he still has much to learn."
Ashe smiled and glanced over at Basch, who chuckled under his breath.
Vaan and Penelo... they are still such children, Ashe thought. This I should have expected. In a following year, perhapes they will have grown.
The three became silent, each looking down at their half empty plates. Balthier continued to eat his bread while Penelo picked at a distasteful vegetable on her plate.
"You are troubled," came Fran's unique voice. Looking over, Ashe realized the viera was peaking to her. "You wish to speak of it. We are listening."
Fran's intuition is more accurate than Basch's, Ashe thought. I must tell them at some point.
All eyes were on her. Balthier sat down his bread and leaned forward on the table, appearing interested in that of which she was about to say. Ashe remained quiet for a minute, enhaling sharply and deeply. She didn't have to tell them, but they were the only friends she knew, and she needed advice. They had always given her advice while she was on her journey a year prior, and she hoped they would continue their words of wisedom.
She cleared her throat. "A month ago, I stood in my room, having just received my ring back from its captor..."
Ashe picked up the tag that had been laid neatly next to her wedding ring on the table.
Give this to our Queen for me, would you?
A slow smile entwined her face. So it is, Ashe thought pleasently. Balthier and Fran live. It has been a full year, and this is the first word I have received on them.
Ashe was stunned by her surprise. They are sky pirates, she reminded herself. They do as they please, thinking not of others. I should consider myself lucky to have be given back my ring.
The letter still in one hand, Ashe raised her ring to her finger, which still bared a circular tan line from where it once lay. Without hesitation she moves to slid it down her finger, but then she falters. She had been free of much pain during the time in which it was missing. Did she really want to be reminded of her husbands death?
It is my duty as a wife, Ashe told herself. To keep my sorrow out in the open for all to view.
Breathing deeply, she once again went to apply the ring.
"Have you gone and married again, without my knowing?"
Ashe spun around and faced the doorway to her bedroom. She knew who stood there before she saw him. She recognized that voice, rich with its accent and confidence. Al-Cid Margrace, one hier of many to Rozarria's throne. Ashe wrapped her hand tightly around her ring, keeping it protected, and raised her fist to her heart.
"Have you no manners," Ashe demanded sharply. "A knock would have been preferred!"
Al-Cid chuckled, entering even furthor into her bedroom. Behind him came his faithful and brunette female servant he always seemed to have by his side. A smile rested on his full lips, and he removed his sunglasses. His servant took them from him before they were fully off his face.
To have such servants, Ashe wondered. He has no independence to speak of.
"I knocked," Al-Cid explained, polite as he was. "Yet there was no answer. I wondered that maybe you had been captured, so I had to let myself intrude in order to make sure of your safety. Here I find you ignoring any visitors. Pray tell, where is your new husband?"
A dull pain began to throb from her hand, and Ashe realized she had been clutching her ring too tightly. She turned and quickly set her ring on the table before once more facing her guest. "My apologies," she explained. "I did not hear you knock. Please, come in. This is from my former marriage, not a new one."
He waltzed straight over to her. Being a good foot taller than her, she was forced to look up to him. His confident smirk remainded forever on his face, and he took her right hand in both of his. "My Lady," he whispered, raising her hand to his mouth and giving it a soft kiss. "I come with a request."
He released her hand, and she looked at it briefly before clasping it tightly with the other one. "I will do my best to obligue, considering your previous attempt to help my cause."
"I bring grim news, yet with it I bring hope," Al-Cid explained. He moved away from her, pacing back and forth slowly as he spoke. "The Rozarrian empire has not yet completed peace offerings with the Archadian empire. While they both have an understanding and temporary treaty, it can easily be broken, and I fear this will occur sooner rather than later. As you know, his Highness Larsa Ferrinas Solidor wants nothing more than peace. Though the senate below him, Judges included, seek more power. And other members of house Margrace do not quite see eye to eye with me on this matter. To be short, Lady Ashe, I fear more bloodshed is imminent. The Rozarrian empire is filled with greed, as is the Archadian empire, despite their peaceful leader. Lady Ashe, I propose a solution to end this current cold war."
She swallowed, angered by his words. How dare the Rozarrian empire, whom which sided with the Resistance, decide to cause more pain to us all!
He walked back over to her, looking her square in the eye. "Your kingdom remains safe. Rozarria is at peace with you, as is Archadia... Should something bind all three empires together, no war would occure."
"What are you saying," Ashe demanded, feeling confused by the scenario.
Al-Cid retook the hand he had previous kissed and knelt before her, biting his lip as if in deep thought. "Consider, Lady Ashe, your marriage to one of the two empires. Should you marry into one, Dalmasca would be directly alligned with the empire you have chosen. To be specific, if you were to marry into house Margrace, an attack from Archadia would be a direct attack onto Dalmasca as well, and the same holds true in the reverse scenario. None wish to make Dalmasca a battlefield any longer. Lady Ashe, should you chose to remarry, peace would be permanent throughout each empire."
To marry again? Ashe's mind spun at the concept. She was not yet fully over Rasler's death.
Yet if it were to bring peace, true peace, it will well be worth my sacrifice meant on my part.
"Who would I marry," Ashe asked carefully.
Al-Cid stood and grinned. "In the Archadian empire lies only the young Larsa. I assume this would be no fun for yourself. In the Rozarrian empire lies many, yet none of which wish to avoid such war. I am afraid your choice is between the young emperor or myself."
Ashe kept her composure quite well. "Forgive me, for I am consumed with work. I have been working to restore my land, and my coronation arrives soon. Your proposal lies heavy in my heart. May I request time to weigh my options?"
Upon hearing these words, Al-Cid headed to her doorway, preparing to leave. His servant handed him his glasses, and with a graceful swoop, he bowed and placed them over his eyes. "I shall return a week after you are made Queen. Will that be enough time?"
"Yes."
"I shall return then, your majesty." He began to follow his servant out. "I await your favorable response."
He closed the door behind him, leaving Ashe only to her thoughts.
