I didn't think I would do very good on this chapter, but I have to admit that this is one of my favorites so far besides Rinoa. The funny thing is, I haven't played VII or V, so it's all a little foreign to me. I don't know if Lenna is as ecstatic as she is in this chapter, but I think her like this makes a perfect match for Bartz. So I apologize if Lenna isn't actually like this in the game. R&R please!

Chapter 6- V Prologue

For a while nothing would change…

((((()))))

Kingdom life was boring. I really wanted to be with Faris at the moment, sailing the seven seas without a care. But no, I was stuck being the princess.

I didn't need any big prize for defeating Exdeath, but everyone else was quite demanding. Krile practically lived in a mansion now (Since my father owed her grandfather, she got double the prize money).

But I wanted to know Bartz hadn't come by yet to pick up his prize. I mean, I know the boy's scatterbrained, but to turn down that much gil? Now that's a little too eccentric for him.

And then there were Kelger and Krile, trying to tell me that Bartz was gone. Well, duh he was gone! Off his crazy little chocobo somewhere, obviously lost. I swear, it was like he couldn't even find his way home without one of us to lead him there! He was too adventurous for his own good.

They told me that "Exdeath was a tough foe" (of course, I was there and I remember) and "It was hard to get out of such an attack". So… that means Bartz was somewhere… in that tree…?

"Well… I guess you could say that," Kelger said slowly. Krile looked like she was about ready to burst into tears.

I cocked an eyebrow. "And what else about him?"

The two looked at each other a moment before saying, "No one has found him yet."

I hopped down off my throne and walked towards them, smiling. "Then let's go find him!"

Krile caught my sleeve. "Lenna, what Kelger is trying to say…. I mean, I'm sorry, but… he means that Bartz is gone. We can't ever find him."

This somehow made my chest hurt. My smile was little forced now. "No, Krile. He's not 'gone', just lost."

"Bartz is dead, my dear."

I froze at my father's voice. I turned slowly. "…What?"

He sighed, shaking his head. "Lenna, no one was able to find Bartz because he is dead."

"No… you're wrong. Bartz isn't… h-he can't…."

They gave me a sympathetic look. I stomped my foot. "He's not dead! I know it! I'm going back to the tree, and I'm bringing Bartz back with me!"

As I rushed out, my father reached out for me. "Don't worry about me, father!" I called. "I'll bring Faris with me!"

"LENNA!"

But I kept running. Bartz was not dead. I would know. I just would.

It was time to bring the Wanderer back home.