CHAPTER NINE

The Strahl landed at Balfonheim's Aerodrome as the sun sank behind the sea.

The high emotions and events of the day had left the party drained as they filed out of the ship and into the main terminal, Balthier pausing to give his girl an affectionate pat as he left. Even though Fran had recovered from her collapse at the Pharos, she still kept a hand on Vaan's shoulder to steady herself as she walked.

It was unsurprising that they found themselves greeted by Reddas's three right hands, waiting for their leader's return. Upon seeing them emerge, the lady - Elza - ran straight up to them.

"At last! You all took your sweet time coming back. Flying casual, Balthier? Very unlike you." She said, giving the Sky Pirate a wink and a flirtatious smile. Balthier did not offer one back.

"Where is Reddas?" The man - Rikken - asked. The party exchanged awkward glances, not knowing how to break the news. Ever the honourable man, Basch stepped forward.

"I'm truly sorry to tell you, Lord Reddas has fallen. There was a great explosion atop the Pharos Lighthouse. Lord Reddas sacrificed himself so that we might escape. I am sorry."

"He saved our lives." Penelo chimed in quietly and Ashe took the young girl's hand. The three pirates were stunned.

"There was a great light." Elza began slowly, her voice thick with emotion. "It was like the sun itself had exploded. That was him?" Basch nodded.

"It was like he'd been searching for a way to die." Spoke Raz, the only non-Hume of the three. "I just never thought…"

"I'm so sorry." Ashe felt so responsible for what had happened to their leader, she was convinced that they would blame her. Rikken looked into her sad eyes.

"Before Reddas left he told us about Nabudis. He was being haunted by his past for so long, death was the only solution he could see to find peace. If this was the end he chose, a noble end, then we've just got to accept that and mourn the man he was to us. This was his choice."

They all stood together for moment, remembering their fallen comrade and friend. Elza broke the silence.

"We should get you back to the Manse. You must all be tired and hungry. You're welcome to stay there as long as you need."

"Actually there's someone there to see you right now." Raz piped up. "He's been waiting all day. Some Rozarrian. Come on." The three pirates lead the way. The party all looked at each other, confused, before following.

Balthier fell back to walk with Fran and Vaan. The streetlamps had already been lit and the sounds of an evening's play after a hard day's work had started to fill the Port. It was one of the reasons Balthier liked this town so much. It was always full of life. 'Even when they learn of Reddas's sacrifice they will drink to his memory and celebrate his life, not weep over his death.' He thought with a rueful smile.

"Hey, who do you think this guy is waiting for us?" Vaan asked. "How does anyone even know where we are?"

"I don't know about how but I can hazard a guess as to who." Balthier answered. "Raz mentioned our visitor was Rozarrian and there is only one Rozarrian who has any knowledge of Ashe's existence. Al-Cid Margrace." He didn't intent to but he found himself saying the aristocrat's name rather bitterly. The smallest smirk found Fran's lips and even Vaan noticed his hostility.

"That guy we met with Larsa?" He asked. "What's wrong with him?"

"I do not believe Balthier cares for Prince Margrace." Fran said, as neutral as ever but Balthier could tell she was amused and he went on the defensive.

"It's not that I don't care for him as much as I desperately want to give him a haircut." He said, earning a laugh from Vaan. Balthier grimaced.

"I understand that he is an important ally for Ashe and that he is probably not a bad person, but there is just something about him that's just so…" He searched for the right word to describe the Prince.

"Pretentious." Vaan finished for him.

"Precisely, Vaan." Balthier was thankful that he wasn't the only one that could see it. Fran continued to look entertained.

"To have gone to the trouble of discovering us, our visitor's words must be of consequence. Pretentious or not." She said. "We must make haste. We fall behind."


The party met with Al-Cid - for it was indeed he - in Reddas's study. There the Prince had informed them of the battle that was about to rage in the west over Dalmasca, and of Doctor Cid's parting gift to the world; a sky fortress called The Bahamut. Named after the king of dragons and intended to be equally as intimidating. Vayne Solidor himself, was to command it.

Even though all six friends had immediately stepped up to face this upcoming battle, as they sat in one of the Manse's lounges to formulate their next moves, the realisation of what the following day may bring began to dawn on them. This felt much different then battling fiends.

'Tomorrow, we go to war.' Was the collective thought. 'Tomorrow, this all ends.'

That was the truth of it, one way or another. If they succeeded, Ashe could reclaim her throne and their quest would be at an end. If they failed…

Both Ashe and Balthier were being uncharacteristically quiet and both were sharing the same thoughts. 'Tomorrow'. The word kept repeating itself over in their heads. It was only a few short hours away. What then? Would they ever see each other again? Pirates and Queens don't usually have a habit of socialising. The very idea terrified them both.

Balthier's eyes kept flicking around the room, never settling on anything for longer than a second and constantly over at Ashe, who was doing a similar thing. Every time their eyes met they were full of questions and fears. Balthier felt a constant tightness in his chest and Ashe bit her fingers nervously. There was one big question they were asking themselves:

'Could I cope with loosing you?'

Their eyes met again and both instantly knew the answer.

'No.'

Ashe didn't know what to do. The sudden reality of how her life would change after tomorrow had numbed her. All she wanted to do was bury herself in Balthier's arms and just hold him until it was over. To smell his skin, feel his warmth, his firm body…

Her next thoughts brought a flush of colour to her cheeks, reminding her she was in company. She looked up and caught Balthier again and this time he offered her a shy smile, which she gave back. It calmed her a little. She didn't realise how much the nerves had gotten to her. She tried to return her attention to the room and to Basch, who had been talking. The Knight had led the discussion, being a seasoned solider. They needed his calm and level head right now.

He now addressed the Princess. "Would you agree, Your Majesty?" He asked. Ashe felt a little embarrassed.

"I'm terribly sorry, Basch, I'm afraid my mind was else where. Would you mind repeating that." Basch gave her a soft, almost fatherly smile. He remembered how he use to feel on the eve of battle when he was still a young solider.

"That's quite alright, Ashe. It's understandable." He never called her by just her name but he felt all his young friends could do with a little comforting. "I was just discussing our plan of action for the morning. We must wake as early as possible to re-supply before leaving for Dalmasca. Is that acceptable?"

"Of course." Ashe agreed. "It makes the most sense." A rare grin came to Basch's face.

"Actually, I was checking to see if you would be pleasant when we woke you. We all know how you love the mornings."

Ashe couldn't help but smile as her mouth fell open at her Knight's gentle teasing. She was grateful to him though, as his jest had stopped Vaan looking ill and returned Penelo to her normal colour when she was so pale a moment before. Balthier was grinning at her from his seat across from her and she chucked a cushion at him.

"You're all mean." She said, still smiling. "When I'm Queen, none of you are getting to stay at the Palace."

"That's what you think. We know the way in, don't we, Vaan?" Balthier said with a smirk, and he and Ashe just smiled at each other before Fran brought them back the to room.

"The hour is growing late. We should all attempt, at least, to get some rest."

Balthier's chest became tight once more and he looked back to Ashe to see the same look of panic reflected back. He didn't want to sleep, he wanted to stay up, with her. They only had a few guaranteed hours left together, he didn't want to miss a moment of her. But everyone else, including the Princess, had started for the stairs and he felt obliged to follow.

At the top of the stairs, Fran - who had made the sleeping arrangements with Elza earlier - was directing them all to their rooms as they were different from the ones they had stayed in previously. She sent Vaan, Penelo and Basch down the hall to the left but as Ashe and Balthier made to go the same way she stopped them and shook her head.

"There are only four rooms this way." She said, ignoring the suspicious glare her partner was giving her. "You will find yours open, to the right."

Ashe looked back to Balthier, bemused but went in the direction the Viera had pointed. Balthier immediately began one of his and Fran's 'silent conversations' as Vaan called them.

'What exactly are you doing?' His face read.

'Giving you a push.' Her own expression came back. 'And some privacy. You will thank me later.' Balthier just scowled at his best friend as they both turned in their respective directions. Basch was still in the hall and Balthier caught his eyes before he entered his room and he gave the Pirate a meaningful stare. 'Tell her.' It said.

'Basch, do you really know what you're encouraging?' The Pirate thought as he walked to where Fran had pointed. He found Ashe standing in a doorway, as if she was waiting for him.

"The room opposite is unlocked." She said, pointing across from her. He nodded. He didn't seem able to speak, his heart was beating ridiculously fast and his chest was beginning to heave. He had never felt this anxious in his entire life. Ashe was still talking.

"I thought I'd better point it out." She said with a weak smile. "Didn't want you not knowing where you were sleeping again." He smiled, knowing she was referring to the Phon Coast but it faltered when he remembered the outcome of that incident.

"We wouldn't want a repeat of that now, would we?" He managed to say, in voice so unlike his own. Where was the smooth lady-killer he had become so proud of? The one who could charm a lady without even having to say a word. He had vanished and seemed to have taken Balthier's confidence with him. His eyes met hers and they simply looked at each other for the longest time. Balthier felt he had forgotten how to breathe.

Eventually, Ashe spoke. "Well, I guess we should say goodnight then. Tomorrow is going to be a difficult day." Her own voice was shaky.

"Yes." He managed to whisper but nether of them moved. Finally, Ashe shook her head, as if to break from a trance.

"Goodnight, Balthier." She quickly stepped into her room and closed the door. Balthier growled, furious with himself, at his inability to convey how much she meant to him. He opened the door to his room and flung his bag in, hearing something break on impact. He paced between the room and the hall, gripping his hair and rubbing his face in frustration. He wanted to punch something, where was Vaan when you actually wanted him? He had to tell her. He had to. There was no way he would be able to even stand still if he didn't. It was his last chance. And she felt the same way, he knew she did. Hell, everybody knew she did.

His decision made, he took a breath to compose himself, then strode towards Ashe's door, his hand raised ready to knock.

Ashe opened her door.

That was the moment Balthier knew he was in love with her. The second she opened the door, her face changing from determination to surprise to find him directly outside it. He looked straight into her eyes - 'Those damned eyes of hers' - and he knew. The world suddenly stopped. There was nothing else but this woman.

A second may have passed, a minute, an hour, a lifetime, as they just stared into one another. At last Balthier's brain started to function again. Without saying a word, he moved the hand that had been hanging in the air, mid-knock, to cup her head and kissed her.

It was exquisite. Balthier was not a man who would usually use such a word but that's what it was. He pulled her firmly to him as she threw her arms around him, focusing on the feeling of her kiss. He had never tasted anything as sweet as her mouth, it was addictive. The sensations of Ashe's fingers in his hair, her tongue upon his was almost too much to bear and his knees actually began to feel weak.

Ashe hadn't been kissed in two years and never with this much desperation. When they eventually had to break apart for air, the look he gave her made her heart convulse. 'I need you' it said. Her hands traced his face and she gave him the slightest nod as she lead him fully into the room before quietly closing the door behind them.

Balthier's hands were on her waist and his lips were on hers again immediately as she pushed him slowly to the bed. His kiss was so intoxicating she could barely register what they were doing. It was as if they were electrically charged. Every touch tingled and sparked, every stroke of his tongue against hers was enough to blur her vision. She realised she was taking the initiative which surprised her, given she was more the novice at this sort of thing. She had taken off his vest (somehow, without separating their mouths) but he was struggling to remove her collar from around her neck. She broke the kiss and took his hands giving him a seductive look and sat him down on the bed, while she removed it herself, throwing it across the room when she was done. 'Ta-dah!' She seem to say.

That was when Ashe noticed Balthier wasn't his usual, confident self. In fact she almost thought he looked worried. She sat down next to him and gently stroked his face, her eyes searching his, tenderly. After a second he exhaled in disbelief.

"I'm nervous." He confessed, with a small smile.

And that was the moment Ashe realised she was in love with him. That this amazing, charming, witty, beautiful man in front of her, who was usually so self-assured and bold, could allow himself to be this vulnerable in her company. And at this moment. She loved him.

She lent over and kissed him gently, easing into it but keeping it just as passionate. When she pulled away she captured his eyes and gave him a reassuring smile.

"Don't be." She whispered and started to undo his shirt buttons.

That night, Balthier made love for the first time. He was no stranger to sex, being as attractive and naturally flirtatious as he was, but this was completely different. In his own way he had cared for every woman who he had slept with in the past, but none could match this level of intimacy, this feeling of yearning he felt with Ashe. It was as if, if they weren't to be joined together then his heart would stop. Ashe kept it beating. It was the best he had ever had.

Because he loved her.

The first time they took it slow, drawing out the pleasure, learning each others wants and rhythms. It was also as kindness to Ashe, who hadn't been with a man for two years and even then was still reasonably inexperienced - her marriage had only lasted a few weeks (though Ashe did pride herself on being a fast learner, however). Hands were everywhere, fingers interlocking. Every caress, every moan, every kiss, all was committed to memory. The movement of each others bodies driving the other wild. It was both fierce and gentle at the same time.

It was perfect.

They called for each other again and again, gradually increasing in urgency, until they were brought to stillness and were left trembling, looking into each others eyes. After that, with all nerves and inhibitions gone, their passion simply grew.

"I thought you said you were nervous?" Ashe asked at one point, as she tried to refocus.

"I said I was nervous," Balthier replied cheekily. "I didn't say I didn't know what I was doing." And he kissed her again for another round.

That night, none of them spent the night alone. Halfway through the night, Penelo had snuck into Vaan's room and they curled up together like they use to when they were young and one of them had a nightmare or a bad storm was raging. Basch had gotten up and wandered the Manse, unable to lie still in his room any longer only to discover Fran in a library, examining the books. The two of them had stayed up into the small hours, swapping stories and just enjoying each other's company in a way they couldn't normally with the rest of the group around them. They eventually fell asleep together in one of the large chairs.

No one spent the night alone, but only one couple found true peace in each others arms.


"Ashe? Ashe, are you awake?"

Balthier looked down at his love, who had settled happily against his chest, still wearing a faint smile as he absent-mindedly stroked her shoulder. Ashe did not stir at his call and her calm and even breathing told him she was soundly asleep. She had never looks so beautiful to him.

"Good, because I don't think I could say this to you if you were awake." He said, aware of the irony of this sentence. At this current moment as he lay with her in his arms, waiting for sleep to come, he felt so content. He didn't think he had ever felt so at ease and as a result he was feeling incredibly honest and had a need to confess his feelings to her. Having never done this before however, it was an act made a lot easier by the simple fact that Ashe was unconscious.

"Listen, I'm very aware that I should be saying this to your face but I'm new to this so just bear with me." He spoke out into the dark room, quietly but firmly. "I don't actually know where to begin, I just know that I have to say this out loud, even if it's this once, I need the words to be out there, into the world, not just in here." He placed a hand to his chest.

"The truth is, I've never done this before because I've never, ever, felt like this way before. No one's made me feel like this. It is the most terrifying but somehow, most exhilarating sensation." He laughed in realisation. "In fact, do know what it reminds me of? It's just like flying. It's exactly the same, the same rush, the same excitement, the same joy." He smiled to himself. "I'm good at flying." He mused.

"You make feel the same way, Ashe. That same feeling of being alive. I get it now." He reached over and touched her face. "You're the most amazing, intelligent, feisty, stunning, sexy, stubborn woman I have ever met. And you're the one. The only one. And I just want you to know," He took a deep breath. "I love you, Ashe. I love you." He kissed the top of her head and wrapped both arms around her.

"I love you."

As sleep finally took him, Balthier was still repeating his love for her.