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Chapter 40: Good Friends

The Garif village in Bancour was named Jahara. Here, a chieftain elder watches over the old ways and so administer the tribe. Though many other villages dot the area of Bancour, there is little direct communication between them. The Garif home worshipped magicite since ancient times, and tribal legends tend much wisdom concerning the stones.

When the time is right, the elders teach the lessons to the youth of the village and on rare occasion to visitors on other lands.

Abhorring machinery and iron, much of the Garif material culture is based on wood and other unmanufactured things. Their houses are made out made out of grass and strips of leather allow a breeze avoid climate. On the hill overlooking the village is a meeting lodge, warmed always by a bonfire. Near the lodge are the elders' huts and below the hill is a clearing ringed by a healer's hut and the tents of craftsmen, as well as a place to take care of the nannas. Dalmasca has for many years honored the ways of the Garif and so kept up peaceful trade relations with these isolated people.

So when Larsa's company arrived at Jahara by sundown, the Garif only had to look and recognize the Lady Ashe in his company did they welcome them inside the village. The elders had greeted them warmly, and offered them a place to stay for the night. Without consulting the others, Ashe accepted, that was why the party found themselves still in Jahara when night fell.

The party had dined with the Great Elder that evening and as much as Larsa wanted to ask about this Shadow Nethicite, the young Emperor had been raised to keep political diplomacy and avoided the subject at the moment. Instead they skirted upon many subjects and more than once, Larsa thanked the Great Elder for his hospitality. The old Garif meanwhile just looked at him through the great mask he wore and nodded steadily.

"Hume hearts are often more troubled than necessary," was all the Great Elder said and soon the party returned to the hut that was lent to them. Actually, only Penelo, Ashe, Vaan and Larsa had made their way back to the hut as Basch was still entrapped in the healers hut ever since they arrived and Yvelle had offered to assist him. Penelo, knowing full well how stubborn Basch could be when it comes to people fussing over him, had been glad that she for once was not stuck with this job. Though Basch did not get injured that often as he was a formidable warrior, but in those times that he did get injured, it was easier trying to make him ride a chocobo rather than make him accept any medical help. Before, Penelo always took care of the former Captain when he got injured because nobody else in the party had the patience to do so and as a result she and Basch became close. Nevertheless, Penelo relished the opportunity to be excused from this task now, so she allowed Yvelle to help him, seeing as how the new hunter really looked concerned for the former Captain of the Dalmascan Knights.

Penelo figured that Basch was still in the healer's hut since even after the group had retired, neither Yvelle nor Basch returned. When she sat up in bed, she was surprised to find that she was the only one still in the bed and it seemed her tent-mates had departed in the middle of the night, having several bouts of insomnia themselves. Sighing, Penelo looked about the tent to see if her companions really where not there, before deciding to leave the tent herself.

XOXOXOX

Vaan had been staring absently at the hut ceiling after dinner, hearing Penelo's deep breathing from across the hut as well as Larsa's tossing and turning on his own bedroll when he heard Ashe leave the hut. For once, Vaan was not glad she left his presence. Cursing this innate ability of his to be concerned over her, he resisted following her and instead turned over to his side to avoid looking at the hut entrance. Only when he felt Larsa growl under his breath and leave the hut as well, Vaan no longer had the ability to contain self-control and he left the hut too.

He saw Larsa make for the healers hut and Vaan knew he went to see where Basch disappeared. Vaan really could not blame him. After all, despite Basch's appearance of being unapproachable, the Judge Majister was wise and would know the exact words needed to be spoken in any situation.

Vaan suddenly frowned. He remembered back then when they first attempted to rescue Ashe back at the Leviathan she had not been pleased at seeing Basch. Though when time passed as they traveled, Vaan remembered how it seemed that Ashe seemed to trust Basch out of all the others, including him. So it would not be surprising if she too would be at the healer's hut. Chewing his tongue, Vaan decided perhaps a good walk about the village would help him clear his thoughts, figure out things exactly why he was in this journey again and if was willing to see this journey through.

A couple of minutes later, while walking through the other huts that dotted Jahara village and trying to stop the memories this place offered about their previous journey, he heard footsteps in the distance and when he went over to check, he was surprised to see Ashe walking slowly and deliberately as if not really caring where she went, allowing her legs to do most of the walking.

Now this struck Vaan as weird, as there were very little moments in which he saw her wander aimlessly. That sort of behavior was reminiscent of Penelo behavior and never Ashe so without thinking it out, he ran after her.

XOXOXOX

Penelo left the hut and spotted Vaan running somewhere in the distance. Sighing and thinking he must have run after Larsa, she made to go back inside the hut when Larsa himself appeared from the healers hut and made his way to the lower village.

Now this struck Penelo as odd. Why would Larsa wander about? She never struck him as an insomniac, but she supposed ruling a country at the age of fifteen may tend to give out sleepless nights.

She sighed now, remembering how she had slapped him and accused him of being a coward in front of all their friends. She had not meant to be so violent, but seeing him falter and give up on himself was not something she wanted him feeling. After all, Penelo knew that Larsa dealt with more things than she could ever hope to achieve and she had always thought of it as admirable trait. Perhaps it was the mention of Larsa comparing himself to Vayne that struck a chord in her and she had not been able to control her anger. No one should ever compare themselves to the deeds of that man, or that man in general for that matter. To think that Larsa thought himself like Vayne was too much. More so that it reminded Penelo that Larsa was Vayne's brother.

She had apologized to Larsa as soon as she was able, and though Larsa acted very much like an Archadian gentleman, Penelo knew that he had been hurt at some if not all of the things she said. He had, however, accepted her apology, and told her to forget it. But forget it she could not. Not if Larsa would continue to avoid her, or ignore her when she was there. After all, she had thought they were good friends and would not want something like this stupid fight to end that friendship. So with a greater resolve than she thought she had, she ran after Larsa, not even noticing that Vaan and Ashe were having a conversation that they were not bothering to keep low.

XOXOXOX

"I do not understand why you should be concerned about me, Vaan." Ashe was saying in a tone that Vaan recognized as dismissal. But Vaan was not to be discouraged. After all, he was not like those people who worked for her in Rabanastre. He was unlike any of her subjects and he told her so. Vaan had caught up with Ashe at the bridge where they last had a conversation in Jahara village. She had not looked very pleased at seeing him and as expected, her voice had been exasperated.

"I know you Ashe," Vaan added. "Something's got you worked up. Why don't you just tell me what it is before you start biting everybody's head off tomorrow with your foul mood?"

Ashe, who had been staring at the water underneath the bridge that leads to the village, looked up now. "Is that what you think of me?" she asked in an uncharacteristically soft voice. A voice, Vaan recognized as the voice she used the last time they were here in Jahara.

Vaan sighed and brought his hands at the back of his head. "Do you really want to know what I think of you?" he asked and his voice sounded older, and much more mature. Ashe stared at him now, her silver-grey eyes gazing at him intently.

"Why'd you ask to come with Larsa?" Vaan asked and Ashe blinked in surprise. He was staring up at the stars that dotted the black velvet of the sky.

"I…" Ashe started, breaking off and staring at the clear undisturbed water that mirrored their reflections. She looked at Vaan now and she found herself closing her eyes as if trying to compose herself.

"I think I just want to be forgiven." The words were out of her lips before she could hesitate any further and she felt Vaan shift beside her and she opened her eyes to meet his blue orbs.

Vaan, whom she had thought was easy to read and always carried his heart in his sleeve, had a look that could not be determined in his face. His blue eyes were so unreadable and Ashe found herself, for once, afraid. To think that Vaan's opinion mattered greatly to her was something close to astonishing.

"Oh." He spoke in a soft voice and broke his gaze away from her. "By whom?" he asked turning once more to the stars.

Ashe gave a soft gasp and Vaan turned to her. Silence fell between them and a long look passed. Without another word, Vaan approached her and Ashe did not realize that she was frozen on the spot until Vaan was standing directly in front of her. Blue eyes met silver-grey and held them for a long time. There was such a scrutinizing look on Vaan's eyes that the Queen of Dalmasca was racked with a kind of apprehension that she never experienced before. As if the hunter was searching her soul and she did not know if she wanted him to find out.

"Isn't it about time you did the forgiving?" he whispered to the expression in her eyes and Ashe knew that if she did not step back or say something, something might happen that she was not sure she wanted to happen.

After all, she had gone living for so long without feeling any feelings of affection for anyone and loving someone was a totally different thing. She remembered that Rasler, though being a prince and very much a gentleman, had not been modest about showing his affection and more often than not, he would stop whatever it was that he was doing and go to her. She had loved Rassler so much and losing him was much more unbearable than she let her people think. She had been forced to act as the strong princess rather than a grieving wife and she only shed the tears that were appropriate, bottling everything else inside her. Because of this, she knew she had locked her heart away, not allowing anybody to come near enough to soften and unlock it. She knew that no matter how much she wanted to, her heart reacted by it, following a path it was familiar with and burying itself deeper and deeper into a cold void where no emotion could touch it. Ashe, despite trying so hard, was suddenly acutely aware that if Vaan dared to come close enough, she might do the things she did three years ago and push him away and this time, a simple sorry would not be enough to bridge that gap.

She need not fear because Vaan though he had raised a hand as if he meant to touch her face, turned around and went to return to the village and to their hut.

"Forgive yourself, Ashe." He whispered so softly and Ashe would not have heard it if she had not stepped forward. "I already did." He added.

"Vaan," she whispered in an aching voice, reaching for his arm. Of all the things she wanted to say to him, she wanted to make him stay and listen to it. She wanted him to hear and tell her that everything was all right. She was getting so tired of wearing this mask and being this person everybody expected her to be. Her father would be ashamed of her, but Ashe knew that Rasler would have understood and Ashe knew that Vaan would understand. He was a Rabanstran and out of all people she knew he would know what that meant. She knew that having Vaan at her side would allow her to drop her mask at times when she needed it and just be.

Vaan allowed her to stop him, the thoughts that raged through his mind bouncing back and forth and none making any sense. When he felt Ashe clutch more desperately at his bare arm and draw closer, he sighed.

"Tell me what you want me to do Ashe." He asked, turning around. "You confuse me so much. I'm not sure if you want me to stay or you want me to go. Just do me a favor and tell me."

When he met Ashe's eyes again, he was surprised to see the silver glisten with unshed tears. She stared at him pleadingly and the answer was evident. Without hesitation any longer, Vaan, in a move he thought he might regret later on, brought his Queen closer and embraced her, his strong arms going about her waist and back holding her against him.

"I'm sorry." Ashe whispered, the tears finally erupting and landing upon Vaan's chest. "I am not supposed to be this weak. I am the Queen of Dalmasca, my role is to…"

Vaan shushed her gently, his hand stroking her back gently, his voice whispering through her light brown hair. He was taller than her and his chin rested softly on top of her head.

"Let it go, Ashe." He whispered and he felt her shake her head against his chest.

"I should not have left Dalmasca, it is unheard of. A queen should stay with her kingdom."

Her voice was quaking, her tears rushing out and desperately she clung to him and Vaan held her back. He would never let her go, he now realized and he would always be concerned for her, even if only as a friend.

"Hey," he whispered in her ear and Ashe met his eyes her own silver shining with tears and Vaan felt a wrench at his heart at the sight of her helplessness. This made him clutch her to him tighter. "You're still at your kingdom aren't you? This is still Dalmasca."

Ashe gave a bleak smile at his jest and Vaan returned it with his own smile. Vaan ran a hand once more down her back. "As long as you're around your people, you won't be leaving Dalmasca. So I say, if you still want to help Larsa, just stick with Penelo and me. We're still Dalmascans, you know, despite the whole hunter thing going on. But it is not too late for you to return to Rabanastre if you want to. Larsa and Penelo would understand, I'm sure. Basch would too, after he gives you a lecture for leaving in the first place. But don't worry," he winked at her now. "I'll ask Yvelle to stop his medication if he gets too vicious all right?" Vaan gave her a brighter smile, attempting to cheer her up.

Ashe gave a weak laugh but she nodded and a blush erupted at her cheeks as she gazed at their position. Vaan followed her gaze and he cleared his throat. Almost silently, they stepped back from each other, Ashe wiping her eyes hastily to get rid of her tears.

"Thank you," Ashe managed to whisper after a few minutes of awkward silence.

"Like I said before" Vaan said as the two of them made their way back to the hut, silently agreeing not to talk about the previous incident.

"You've got good friends."

This time, the smile on the queen's face was brighter than any smile Vaan had ever seen and it was the hunter's turn to blush, his cheeks reddening into the color of Belias the Esper's glyph.

A/N: All right, I had a little trouble trying to get the right emotion here...so please spare me if it's a little bit awkward...but I still love this, no matter how cheesy it may sound...hahaha