Finally I've updated the last chapter. Sorry for such a huge delay, guys. I got caught up the holidays. On a positive note I'm playing Revenant Wings right now...it's pretty decent if you're a fan of the series. Thanks so much for reading this, and here's the final chapter:

Balthier and Fran were sitting inside their airship, scanning over papers. "This place seems as good as any." He pointed to one advertisement.

They were deciding on a destination to become married. Fran waved his suggestion away. "Perhaps we ought to consider the holy land in Mount Bur-Omisance. The Wood is nearby and the architecture is very impressive."

"Ah, yes, I see your point. Hm?" He peered through the airship's window. "Fran, look there."

Basch was boarding another small airship nearby quietly. He extended his hand, and Ashe took it, lifted her dress slightly, and stepped inside.

Balthier whistled. "Dear, dear. A secret rendezvous, I wonder? What do you think, Fran?" He glanced over at her.

She smiled slightly and looked back down towards the papers. "That we must not spy on them, I believe." She elbowed him.

He winced. "…Right." They continued to pour over the possible suggestions.

The two were indeed flying off somewhere. Ashe, specifically, wanted to go home. Basch was escorting her. There was no secret why they arranged her arrival home this way.

They were quiet for most of the journey. Eventually Basch, who was piloting, spoke up. "Have you given any more thought regarding what we spoke of earlier?"

But Ashe was rummaging through a bag and didn't answer. He sighed.

They reached Rabanastre a little while later. Basch landed carefully in one of the royal airship docks. They stepped outside and were at once greeted by a fleet of royal attendants, guards, and other officials. Basch stood back and watched awkwardly. She was the person who felt home here, not him.

"Judge Magister Gabranth!?" One of the maids cried. "My Lady, is this the man you're going to marry??"

"We've heard so many rumors!" Another chimed in. Everyone started talking at once.

Ashe turned and looked at him. Well? Her face seemed to say. What shall we tell them?

Basch cleared his throat. "The Queen has had a long journey. She needs rest. Allow me to escort her from here." He extended his arm helpfully.

She winked at an angle where no one else could notice but him. Ashe gave a staged yawn. "Yes, it has been quite an adventure. Thank you, Gabranth. That's an excellent idea." She hooked her arm around his. "Please prepare a large dinner." She said as an afterthought to a nearby steward. "A celebration is in order, I believe."

He bowed. "It shall be done at once."

Ashe nodded to the rest of them gracefully and walked up the nearby stairs. "This way." She whispered once they were out of the others' sight.

Basch raised an eyebrow. "To where?"

She shook her head. "It will become obvious soon enough. There will be castle guards along the way, but say hello and act naturally and they'll pay us no mind."

After some moments of walking, Basch realized they were headed towards the outer walls of the castle. He glanced out a window as they passed by. All of Rabanastre could be seen from here.

Soon she walked around a corner and outside on a balcony. The breeze fell coolly against their faces. She gazed down below. "A magnificent city. Beautiful, isn't it?"

He nodded. "You are lucky to live here, your Majesty."

"Yes. I live for my people." She peered around to the different streets.

"They are grateful for this, I am sure."

"This was the same balcony I stood on my wedding day. Here, with my husband."

The two said nothing for a few moments. Doubt was beginning to settle in his mind. Was he a fool to hope?

Finally Ashe spoke suddenly. "I have decided."

Basch jumped slightly. "Yes, your Majesty?" He saw her cringe a little. "Yes…Ashe?" He spoke softer.

She looked at him with one arm on the balcony's rail. "I…I accept. My memories of him have been banished. I'm sorry it took me so long to struggle with them-"

He grabbed her hands and proceeded to kiss one. "Thank you, Ashe. My feelings for you cannot be denied. You have released me from the torment of the unknown."

"You have a strong-willed heart, Basch. I believe everyone will approve." She smiled.

"They already do." He winked.

And then they reached for each other and gave a tender hug. Basch bent down to place a small kiss on her forehead. She blushed slightly.

Ashe never blushed.

Suddenly she chuckled. It started out quietly, but her mirth grew louder and louder. This was the first time since he died that she has been truly happy, Basch realized. In the spur of the moment he reached for Ashe's legs and spun her around twice, laughing with her. She reached for his face and brought it closer to her lips.

Vaan shifted uncomfortably. He was seated next to Mjrn inside one of the holy temples atop the mountain. They were the only witnesses to the ceremony that was taking place. Mjrn, because she was Fran's sister, and he because Balthier wanted his budding sky pirate to be there. The others were away, also. Ashe and Basch were going about official business in Rabanastre (or so he thought), and Larsa and Penelo were tiding up the Solidor home in the Emperor's absence. But the happy couple wanted the occasion to be as quiet and private as possible. One never knew when more of their enemies would hear word of the event and become party-crashers.

Fran looked as pretty as ever. Mjrn had helped her pick out a tall dress from one of the Archadian shops. Her hair was neatly combed down. Vaan hardly recognized Fran without the head armor. And Balthier was full of wide grins that he did not attempt to hide. He wore nicer pants and a cravat, borrowed from Larsa's collection.

A tiny Nu Mou was officiating the ceremony. He squeaked out his usual words, they said their vows, and sealed the agreement with a kiss. Soon after they ran out of the temple and were off in the Strahl in no time.

He shook his head happily. "Those two will never change." He was caught off guard when Mjrn took his hand and squeezed it. Vaan looked at her.

"Did my sister not look beautiful?" She asked. He nodded meekly.

"You did a great job finding a dress for her, Mjrn. She's so tall!" Vaan put a hand behind his head.

She giggled. "Well…" Her face fell. "I suppose now that this is over, I must return to the Wood. Will you take me there?"

Vaan frowned. "I don't want to do that, Mjrn. I want you to stay in the outside world, with us." With me, he added silently.

She looked back towards the direction of her home. "But, Sister…"

"Leave it to me!" Vaan puffed out his chest. "I'll convince your sisters this is what you really want…it IS what you want, isn't it Mjrn?"

She nodded with a puzzled look. "You would do that…for me? But why?"

"Because I like it when you're around. Isn't that reason enough?"

She turned her head to the side. "Humes are so strange." She answered quietly.

"Yep, that's us!" Vaan jabbed a thumb towards his chest. "C'mon Mjrn, let's get outta here and let the newlyweds enjoy their company." The two walked towards Vaan's airship, where they took off towards Rabanastre. Everything will be okay, Vaan thought to himself while slyly glancing at her.

Penelo and Larsa were walking through his gardens, hand in hand. It was a bright sunny day, perfect for an afternoon outside. They strolled past the flowerbeds, the hedge maze, and several benches and statues. She admired the careful architecture that seemed to require much effort.

"Have you heard?" Larsa broke the silence suddenly. "I received an interesting letter from Rabanastre. It seems as though there is to be a royal wedding in the coming year."

Penelo raised her eyebrow. "Oh? It's not…Ashe? But with who?"

"Indeed, it is Her Majesty of Dalmasca. And it appears as though Basch has grown fond of her."

She gasped. "No!"

He nodded. "You know I would never lie to you, Penelo my dear. I suppose their guise became true after all."

Penelo contemplated this bit of news in silence. It was too shocking of a thing to imagine. But the two, as she began to recall, were exceptionally close the past few days.

"I wonder when I shall become married?" He thought out loud. Penelo looked at him sharply. "And to whom?"

"You still have many years before that, I would think." She answered simply.

"Ah. In two years perhaps, when I reach eighteen. Then it's settled." He kissed her hand. "I hope you shall be around then. You would make a fine Empress."

She blushed heavily. "Larsa…"

"My Empress." He kissed her cheek gently. "Come, let us return to my dining room. Supper awaits. And after that we shall correspond a letter back to Ashe and Basch."

Penelo nodded happily. Their future was bright and hopeful…

All sorts of people were pouring out the Dalmascan castle's doors. Their queen, elegant and lovely, had just been wed. Every citizen was invited to witness this, and many had to stand in the streets, craning their necks. The guards kept their excitement at bay, shuffling them over to the tavern, where a celebration for the common people and merchants would take place. Migelo brought in plate after plate of exotic foods from every corner of Ivalice.

Within the castle itself were three men engaged in conversation. Basch was inquiring about Balthier's own wedding, and Vaan laughed as he retold the stories about their adventures that eventually led the princess becoming a queen.

One of the men walked a short distance from them over to his own wife, who was, at the moment, cradling their beautiful baby daughter. He admired the scene tenderly.

Across the room the Emperor was walking briskly from guest to guest, saying his piece to the nobles he knew. At the other end of the hall he spotted Penelo—who was in a radiant dress, as the Maid of Honor—and his face lit up. So different from the dull of royalty, he must have thought. He walked over to her, where they would eventually make an escape to a balcony.

Meanwhile, all rose, as the Queen was now approaching. She gazed at her handsome husband from afar. He smiled back, in a bit of a roguish way. They would bring a strong alliance towards the two countries. But, more importantly for the two, they had fallen deeply in love. It was the kind of faithful love they did not choose to show frequently in public. They both knew it was there. But anyone could see the feeling was there simply watching the two interact. Basch strode over to Ashe and carefully helped her sit down by pulling the chair close. Normally Ashe would not tolerate such feminine treatment, but with this man it was different.

They had just come from a beautiful ceremony. Migelo placed an order of the special flowers only found in the Dalmascan sands. Petals had been sprinkled everywhere. And, best of all, their friends were all able to attend. Surely this was the highest peak of happiness.

"Forgive me," Ashe spoke suddenly, "but when I was determined to see Larsa about the matters at hand, I did not ever conceive that this would happen as a result."

Basch laughed. "We always seemed to be pushed together…even the others. It is the fates that bind us."

Ashe leaned forward to give her husband a gentle peck. "Then I will be sure to thank them. Do you dance, Basch?" She asked in a bored tone.

He looked behind him. The floor dance opened up. Basch stood up. "There is only one way to find out, I believe. May I have the honor?" He extended a hand. She took it and they walked together towards the others. The party lasted for hours. Outside the whole country celebrated. Peace had been strengthened through a love that would last for many, many years to come.