This was request I received, to rewrite the scene shared between Arya Stark and Gendry in Game of Thrones as Ashe and Balthier.

"What are you doing?" Her tone was questioning, though slightly accusatory. Ashelia Dalmasca, the youngest daughter of Raminas Dalmasca, Lord of the Dalmascan lands of the North, entered the small room in which Balthier was working. It was late, and she had not knocked, but she knew he could forgive her less than polite entrance. The smith looked up with a small smile, knowing it was her before she had even spoken, then put down what he had been working on and sat.

They had been traveling together for… well, honestly she had lost track of time a while ago. Everything after that day, the day that hardened her heart and took her father from her… well, they blurred together. The day she was no longer Lady Ashelia, but Ash, an orphan 'boy' much smaller than the boys 'his' age. She had cut her long, blond hair, bound her chest, and dressed in rags. She was supposed to travel to the headquarters of the Clan with Master Vaan- Leader of Ivalice's most illustrious group of protectors- so that she could be returned to her home in the North. One of her companions also headed for the Clan, a man named Balthier, had become the closest thing she had to a friend at the time. Balthier had defended her, protected her from less than savory companions they had been traveling with. He had also realized she was a girl… though he had not known she was Lady.

"And I've been pissing in front of you an' everything! I should be calling you m'lady."

"Do not call me m'lady!"

"As m'lady commands." He had bowed jokingly, earning a push from her. "Now, that was unladylike." He teased, and she had grown so furious she pushed him over, him laughing the entire time.

She could laugh at this now, though at the time she had been much more concerned he would betray her identity. Now, she knew he would never have done so, that he had an honest and kind heart. Even though they had been through hell trying to travel, taken and tortured and forced to watch the murder of Master Vaan, they remained strong and escaped. Though they had been caught and been brought to the resistance headquarters so she could be bartered off to her brother, she still had faith he would remain with her.

"Just mending Lord Azelas's armor." The brunette nodded towards his work, the torchlight illuminating his face.

"Why?" Her face scrunched, as she had a rather strong dislike of that man.

Balthier paused, and let out a small sigh. "I'm going to stay on and smith for the resistance."

Ashelia stepped forward, eyes wide. "Have you lost your mind? When the Solidors find this place, do you think they'll spare the smiths?" Her words got more heated, while Balthier rolled his eyes slightly at her words. "They'll cave your head in with your own hammer!"

"The Solidors wanted to kill me long before I joined the resistance." It was a matter-of-fact statement, one that would seem he had rehearsed even. He knew not why they wanted him dead, but his assumption was it was due to the Emperor's second-in-command, first an older man and then Ashelia's father, questioning him. Perhaps they thought the men had told him something?

"You don't have to do this." Tone still harsh, but pleading slightly. She was holding back tears, not allowing herself to be weak. She had thought he would stay with her… She had thought… but perhaps she was mistaken.

"I want to." His voice sincere, but also sad. "They need good men-"

"My brother needs good men too!" Now it was all emotion in her words, which she quickly checked. "We're leaving tomorrow and then you can-"

"What? Serve him?" He raised a brow, keeping his eyes locked with hers. "I've served men my entire life. I served Master Cid in Archades, and he sold me to Clan. I served Lord Margrace at the Ambervale, wondering everyday if I'd get tortured or killed…" His voice was becoming harsher. He shook his head slightly, and looked away for a moment. "I'm done serving."

"You just said you were serving Lord Azelas." Her tone was now accusatory. Why did he contradict himself there?

He continued to look away, and then turned back towards her. "He may be their leader but… They chose him. The resistance members… they're a family."

Ashelia shook her head, and turned, not going to continue an argument that could lead to the breaking of her strong façade anymore than it already had. However, as she was half-way out the door, he spoke quietly.

"I've never had a family."

She froze. The debate to turn around or keeping going… Internally sighing and knowing she would be too honest with her emotions, she turned back and made sure her eyes spoke what she wouldn't say. "I can be your family." The tears were barely restrained, heard in her voice.

Balthier smiled faintly, though he blinked a few times, seemingly struggling himself. Finally, he spoke, his voice as raw as hers. "You wouldn't be my family… you'd be m'lady." With that, he dipped his head as a servant would.

Their eyes spoke for them, locked in debate for a few moments before the first tear leaked from Ashelia's eye. She turned away quickly, shooting him a pained glance as she did.

As she walked away, Balthier watched her, swallowing to hold back tears. He looked to the ground, debating if he had done the right thing by saying that to her. But this… it was something he had to do for himself. He couldn't let emotions sway him any more than she could. She was a lady… he was a nobody bastard, not even given the honor of a bastards name, with a smith's hammer who didn't even know who his father was. He was probably the son of some solider… Nothing that would make a proper match for such a highborn lady.