"If only I had the chance to say this then…"
A lone figure knelt upon a grave site, eyes watering.
"Then again, how was I to know if you wouldn't have thought me foolish. You intrigued me from the moment we first met in the waterway, and captured my heart through our travels."
The tears streamed harder. "But now you're gone… Gone in such an unfair manner! Damn it Ashe! I should have been there!" Balthier's voice dropped to a whisper. "I should have been there to protect you… At least I got the satisfaction of seeing those bastards hang for what they did to you."
He shuddered, remembering the sight of Ashe's lifeless form, an image so horrible he broke down at the sight of it. Penelo had fainted when she saw just what those men had done to her friend, Vaan looking on with anger and pain. Fran had let a few tears leak from her eyes, and Basch had grown pale, excusing himself from the room.
His hands traced the engraving on her tombstone. "But just the thought of those… those scoundrels even being near you… Why wasn't I there! Why couldn't I have stayed as you asked! Why…? Why…"
A hand was lightly placed on his shoulder and he jumped, not realizing his partner had approached. "You must go… The guards shall soon be near."
"Let them find me here… I don't care."
Fran sighed in concern. "She would not wish to see you like this…"
"Damn it Fran! How do you know that? You don't… you didn't know her thoughts!"
Footsteps were heard coming up the path. Fran gently helped him stand. "I knew she loved you as well."
His eyes grew wide, and filled with more tears.
"Let's be off…" He continued to stare at the tombstone. "Goodbye, Ashe… I…" He cut off abruptly, and walked off without a word.
Fran followed silently, looking once at her dear friend's grave.
"The Queen Ashelia Dalmasca. Savior of her Kindgom, Friend to All. "