Author's Notes: Wee, another update:) Well then, I thank you all you reviewed, and I followed the advice of Laguna's twin sister :) , as I changed a little aspect of my "english grammar". Actually, I confess it looks better. As a "no-english" girl, I used dashes instead of quotation marks until now - in my language, we don't use quotation marks to signal conversations. I changed that in every chapter and I hope that makes it easier to read! So, the conversations are now between quotation marks instead of dashes :)

I read all chapters several times before submitting them, to try to correct the grammar... but I say it again, I do apologise for any errors that might appear.

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy XII do not belong to me. It belongs to the almighty team of Square Enix.

.: LOCKED IN MY HEART :.

Chapter III

- The Wisdom of Viera -

The dawn arrived, slowly bathing the sky city of Bhujerba with its glorious light. The streets were still empty, stores were still closed, windows were still shutted, Ii fact, the ones awake were the watchers, guarding the main arteries of the sky city. The palace was also well guarded but, like the rest of Bhujerba, it didn't show any signs of activity. In one balcony, however, a small form was standing, waiting for the first sunshine to greet her. She was standing still, leaning on the banisters, already wearing her usual clothes. In her back, a brand new sword rested in its delicate sleeve and its reassuring presence in her back made Ashelia B'Nargin Dalmasca remember the previous night and the smile of a certain captain that certainly touched something in the very depts of her concealed heart. Rarely she saw him smile, let alone, smile like that. Like what?, she thought.

Just… like that.

His smile sent shivers down her spine.

Last night he accompanied her until they arrive to her quarters, saying goodbye to her, still smiling. A weaker smile, but still a smile. She was burning inside, wishing to ask of his thoughts, wishing to stay with him some more, but she couldn't speak. He could very well refuse, and she would be spoiling an already wonderful evening. Back then, she opened the room's door, while watching him go to his, disappearing in the dark corridor and never look back, still with the burning feeling in her heart, that she couldn't explain.

She never felt that before in her life.

At the balcony, the very first sunshine came, stroking her face, warming her, and she closed her eyes protectively, until she adapted her vision to the fiery rays. When she could manage to open them again, she witnessed all the splendor of Bhujerba in golden tones. In a impulse, she draw her sunflower from its sleeve and her eyes widen, while gazing upon her sword, graciously illumined by every ray of light, reflecting each shining sparkle. Ashe smiled, a smile as radiant as her sunflower's glow and, once again, her thoughts wandered about her sworn protector. Her smile continued to grace her lips, however, she sensed somewhat a feeling that she left something important to say to him.

Another day was arising, and it was time to go. Leaving the palace safety and embrace the outside world. She sheated Tournesol in her back, and carefully stored Ragnarok in the closet, near to the grey dress.

Penelo was exploring the large garden in front of the palace, while waiting for the others to wake and meet with her in the front yard. Everything was so beautiful, so fresh, so elegant, so different from her Lowtown. She imagined that the Royal Palace of Rabanastre was equally luxurious and she though how hard it must been for Ashe, a princess used to a life of previleges, to be forced to live in hiding in the dangerous, filthy sewers of Garamsythe Waterway for two whole years. And now, she was fighting in the name of all Dalmasca.

But she is not alone.

Penelo stopped in front of a beautiful fountain at the center, her gaze captured by the beautiful water-lilies. Deciding to sit in the edge, she began to watch the colourful fishes swimming back and forth during some time, while singing a tune in a low voice, a trick she often used to higher her spirits. Then, she saw Ashe crossing the garden to meet up with her, in a slow pace.

"Good morning, Penelo."

"Morning, Ashe! Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, thank you", she smiled, "where is everyone else? We should depart as soon as possible."

Penelo didn't answered immediately; instead, she stared upon Ashe with a suspicious looking in her face, like she was… reckoning her.

"Is something the matter?" Ashe asked, shaking her partner out of her quite indiscreet attitude.

"Er.. you look different, but I don't know-"

Then, as she spotted what it was, she sprung up. "What do you have on your back? Let me see… wow!!" Penelo gasped as she spotted Tournesol; staring upon it, she was gaping in awe, oddly resembling the fish swimming in the fountain: "May… may I see it?"

Ashe smiled fondly. "Of course, Penelo," she agreed, as she drew the sword and handed it to the younger woman.

While Penelo took it and admired the delicate blade, both women heard the footsteps of another, a sound of high heels signalling Fran's approach. The viera walked over to them, catching Penelo's stunned expression and regarding the sword in her hands. Penelo was never fond of weapons, considering them tools of war that took her family away from her - though never doubting that they were also a symbol of strength and freedom - yet, gazing upon Tournesol shining in her hand, and feeling the lightness that most two-handed swords did not have, she acknowledged it was indeed the most beautiful weapon she had ever seen. Fran did not show any surprise, but her eyes ran through the sword, from one tip to another, and a small smile adorned her exotic face.

Penelo then broke her awe, while handing the sword back to Ashe, who sheated it back onto her back.

"Ashe... it is so gorgeous!! And I bet it's deadly too! How did you get it?"

"Well…" Ashe's cheeks turned a faint shade of red.

Fran took the word instead of the princess who, surprisingly, did not complain.

"It was plain for Basch to see that Ragnarok and you heeded not each other. Thus he spoke to me and I agreed with him that a lighter yet still powerful weapon would serve you better. Yet, though I have some knowledge of weapons, he was the one who remembered Tournesol, the Sunflower; I knew the forging of such blade was most difficult and labouring, but Basch willingly accepted the challenge."

At Fran's words, Ashe smiled a bit, distractedly allowing Basch's image to seep into her mind. She could not help to feel a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach, yet she quickly dismissed it.

"Still," Fran continued, "this blade holds an interesting feature: its existence alone makes any attempt to forge another impossible. Therefore, yours is and will be the only one in the world now. And even more curious... besides this blade, only another sword like Tournesol ever graced this world."

"Another sword like Ashe's existed… so where is it now?"Penelo asked, admiring the extent of Fran's knowledge. "And why can't we forge another one?"

"That is a secret that you, Ashe," Fran stated, looking at the princess, "must know, to hold a full grasp of both sword and its power. I suggest therefore that you seek the one who forged this weapon for you," Fran added with a somewhat cryptic smile.

The sound of rushing steps, announcing the arrival of Vaan, Balthier and Basch, fully equipped and ready to depart, brought an end to their discussion.

"Morning, guys!" said Vaan, cheerfully. "Penelo, you could have woken me up! Is this how you thank me for carrying you in my arms last night?"

"Yes, and I suppose I should also thank you for that bump in my head! It still hurts, you know?"

"What happened?" asked Ashe, while Balthier was shooking his head impatiently at the two orphan's argument.

"Let's say me and Fran have top info about our upcoming jouney… but not thanks to these two brats," he pointed at Vaan and Penelo.

"Hey, why didn't you wake us up back then?" complained Vaan, with his hands behind his back, referring to his and Penelo's quick nap at the Strahl's cockpit.

"They were sleeping?" Basch asked to Balthier, hiding an uncharacteristically mocking smile.

"And snoring," Balthier replied.

"I thought they were tougher than that," Basch added, almost successfully hiding a teasing tone, "I guess Gilgamesh worn them out."

"That old geezer?" Vaan retorted. "I can defeat him everyday."

"Not without my help, mind you!" Penelo reminded him.

Balthier was once again with the look of someone who was watching some comic play, arms crossed and slightly grinning. Ashe and Fran were just listening: the first, instead of sighing impatiently like she used to, was now watching Basch with a fond smile playing in her lips, enjoying his cheerful mood; the latter, just looking at everyone and shooking slightly her beautiful head.

"We should go," she finally said.

"Right," replied Balthier. "Nono said the Strahl isn't in her top shape to fly yet, so we take a commercial airship to Nalbina and then, we proceed exactly like we did in our little trip to Archades. However, once we reach Salikawood, we won't travel further east, to the Phon Coast; instead, we will cross the northern road and cross Nabreus Deadlands to reach Nabudis."

"Balthier…" called Fran, in a slightly warning tone.

"Oh, right, and when we reach Salika, we make a quick stop for the night. Me and Fran want to brief you about the Deadlands. Nothing of concern, though" he plainly stated.

"Why not go through Salikawood?" asked Vaan.

"Such choice leads to the most dangerous paths of Nabudis," said Fran, "terrible beasts lurk there; moreover, I believe the spear is nearer to the other entrance. I would not worry, though. We have the guidance of someone who knows Nabreus well."

"Who?" asked Penelo.

"Me. I fought in Nabudis, before it has finally turn into what it is now," Basch replied; a sudden weight lodged uncomfortably in Ashe's heart, as she remembered her father telling everything about it.

Basch's announcement of the fall of Nabudis… and Rasler's eagerness to make a stand against the Empire. For Nabradia... and for Dalmasca.

"Very well, then. Shall we go?" she demanded in a stern voice, firmly dismissing the unwelcoming memories. She turned around and began to stride towards the front gates, a gesture that allowed everyone else to catch the gorgeous vision of Tournesol, elegantly attached to her back.

She smirked when she heard the sky pirate whistling, before asking: "What is that on your back?" he simply asked, while Vaan had his jaw completely dropped.

"A sword" she said matter-of-factly, half-turning her face to the others; dismissing further questions, and trying her best to hide her grin, she then resumed her way.

Fortunately, Basch explained everything to the sky pirate and his apprendice. Ashe felt very grateful for that, because she felt her cheeks burn at that precise moment… and she was unwilling to show it to anyone else.

Especially Basch.

Part of the journey occured without incidents, travelling by airship to Nalbina, by chocobo in the Mosphoran and crossing Salikawood by foot. The beautiful forest was still the same, unchanged, full of live, some peaceful, some not as peaceful. After bringing down a group of Marlboros and some Pumpkin Heads, asking directions to a couple of moogles who were again skipping work, and running after Vaan who decided to ride one of the wild chocobos who were quietly grazing nearby, they finally found the right way to Garden of Decay, where they would spend the night, at the protection of the bungalows – if they weren't being occupied by lazy moggles. Relenting a little her vigilance, Penelo addressed Fran, who was walking by her side.

"Fran, may I ask you something?"

"Of course, Penelo," Fran smiled to her. She was very fond of this young hume straighforwardness; a rare virtue among her kind, that was even more evident in her partner.

"Why Basch would go through so much to get Tournesol to Ashe?"

Fran was expecting this.

"Well, the princess carried not a sword suitable for her."

But Penelo wasn't satisfied.

"Right then, but there are plenty of swords that could do the job, like Durandal andwith this blade, she could also carry a shield and then she would be well protected, right? Like Basch wants her to be," during her rambling, she placed herself in front of Fran, walking backwards because the viera didn't seem willing to slow down her quite tridden pace.

"The princess is fond of greatswords," she said.

Penelo thought that vieras could be very stubborn, if they wanted to.

"But… so be it. In that case, she could handle Save the Queen, or something like that. Right?"

"Basch would think it would not do just as well; that Save The Queen, though a mightly blade, still was not a sword proper for his liege. He is her knight and wants but the best of protection for her."

"You think it's only that?" the emphasis Penelo put in her words, along with her mischiveous grin, forced the appearance of a discreet smile in Fran's face. The viera was aware of many things about her companions, and now she was sure she wasn't the only one. With a smile and without any further words, Penelo turned around and walked over to Vaan.

Vaan was running ahead, and he was soon followed by Penelo who decided to join him in a race. Fran witnessed this burst of energy from the younger ones and she remembered the days that she used to play tirelessly with Myrn at Eruyt, as Jote preferred to sit quietly to study the Green Word, or mend her bow and arrows, or making slaves, while lecturing her younger sisters now and then.

Shouldn't you be studying to be a Wood Warder, Fran?

Jote. The only viera who managed to achieve both Salve Maker and Wood Warder ranks, quickly outstanding herself among her people.

No, Jote, please, let Fran play with me!

Mjrn. The younger sister, energetic, stubborn and cheerful. With a natural disposition to find trouble, loving Fran more than anyone else, and always trying to follow her footsteps.

Fran dismissed her wandering thoughts about her sisters and instead observed Ashe wielding Tournesol, bringing an end to three Marlboros with a combo of flawless strikes, while Basch followed her with his Excalibur always ready to assist her. Her demeanor was so graceful, with her elegant sword; and she noticed she was not being the only one to realise it so, for she witnessed, once in a while, the enraptured glances that Basch kept stealing from the princess.

Yet, her memories assaulted her again.

Will you leave your sisters Fran? Will you discard your life as a viera?

My own path I must follow, Jote. You follow your own path… do you not?

I follow the viera path. I follow but the Green Word and my life belongs to the bounds of the wood.

I see… then… goodbye, sister. Please… do take care of Mjrn. Will you say her goodbye for me?

Why not say it yourself?

Because she would follow me… Goodbye, Jote.

Wait, Fran... take this with you. I hope Sagittarius will assist you as much as it assisted me.

Memories, again. She hated when her memories invaded her mind without warning. Distractedly, she touched the fine black walnut wood of Sagittarius behind her back, the bow that she used to see on Jote's back at all times.

She was fine. She will be fine. And she was not alone.

Her eyes caught Balthier, walking alone; a strange expression tainted his usually mockering face, a distinctive mark of any seductive sky pirate. His expression was… a serious one that moment. And despite being young, Fran was a wise viera, even wiser than many of her race, who always lived in the security of the woods. For she alone wandered in the world of humes, engulfing every teaching that the new world offered her. She alone found Balthier, helped him discard his future as a Judge, while she discarded herself a future as a Wood Warder. And together, they journeyed through Ivalice, always a lone couple, and a strong bond of thrust and understanding grew between them both. They understood each other more than anyone else. So, the fact was that in the present times, Balthier was managing to hide his feelings from everyone, except from her.

And he knew it. So, it was no surprise to the sky pirate that she went to him, touched his arm and said, distancing from the others: "You are not alright."

"I can never fool you, right?" he said, his eyes never looking at hers.

"I would not be much of a partner if you succeeded."

"If only I could get into the mind of Dr. Cid," He finally blurted.

"You mean your father."

"My father died in the day that he discovered nethicite," he stated a bit harshly, trying to put an end to an already painful conversation.

"You know that it is not true. And you know it so much, that you hope to show him the path of reason. That is why you went to Archades. That is why you crossed Draklor Laboratory, risking your life and freedom, knowing that your head is under an enormously high bounty. You feel responsible for his actions, thus you want to stop him, do you not? So do I, and them as well," she pointed at the group of four ahead, two laughing and other two chatting, "Yet, you wish to see him as well, perhaps in an attempt to make him accept who you are now."

"He only accepted me when I was a tool of the Empire."

"But you will try, anyway. Only after that, you can fly away and embrace your life in the sky, with his support or without it. You must try peace with your only family. As for myself... I left long ago, yet only recently I made peace with myself and the choices I have made. For it was just recently that I could make Jote and, hopefully Myrn, understand my reasons."

"I undertand, Fran," he then glanced at her and smirked, "sometimes I do wonder what I would do without you."

She smiled, before replying: "I would say the feeling is mutual, if you did not get cocky afterwards."

Thank you all who reviewed! Thanks to you, I feel so encouraged :) and the ones who read only... drop me a constructive, mature review, I would really appreciate :)

And I want to regard several points: (1) Zodiac Spear's location: I am inventing it, and it is suitable for me if I put it nearer the passage Nabudis - Nabreus than Nabudis - Salikawood. I want them to cross Nabreus! Ha!! I am meany :D

Sagittarius gift: Well, instead of buying it in the bazaar, I wanted Fran to recieve it from Jote. This is called "writer's freedom", I guess ;)