Author's Notes: This is my first chapter of my first fanfic ever... so don't be too harsh on me, ok:) Let's see if I don't forget anything: this fanfiction starts after the events at Giruvegan and follows the story to Ashe's coronation. It is a story that holds a hidden plot, being a prelude for a pos-game story. Being this way, it has spoilers, you have been warned :) Another thing... I am not english born, so if you find out spelling errors, forgive me...

I also want to say this will be a pretty long story! I am aiming for 20 chapters, and it is centered around Ashe x Basch, although minor pairings will pop up once in a while...

Disclaimer: I do not own FFXII. But I would love to belong to their team.

Without further notes, I hope you enjoy it!

.: LOCKED IN MY HEART :.

Chapter 1

- A Better Spear -

"What a weirdo" Vaan said airily to his partner, Penelo, who was sheathing Masamune in her back and was walking by his side.

"Weirdo, but powerful! Must I remind you that you were almost knocked off, saved in the nick of time by Fran's Curaga spell? What were you thinking anyway?" Penelo snapped.

"I was just having a better look at his swords. The watery blue one looked really cool. Pity that he ran away with them."

"Or what, Vaan? Would you ask him in what bazaar he acquired the Brotherhood?" Balthier chimed in. "That shabby water sword can't ever be compared to that Gunblade of his. Much less to this wonder of mine." He said, as he fondly admired his Fomalhaut, carefully wiping remains of dust off it, and placing it behind his back.

"I just need a better weapon." Vaan snapped, as he glanced at his Whale Whisker. "That man almost broke mine with the Gunblade you fancy so much."

"Let me see," said an exotic voice from behind.

"Fran? Hey!"

Fran swiftly seized the pole from Vaan's grasp and examined it, measuring its weight, her face frowning further and further. Then, without warning, she ran away from the group and into the next junction, where some bats were flying around. Followed by the others who were watching her, she finished off six bats in three skillfull and flawless swings, as Penelo watched her in awe.

"Not bad! See Vaan, there's nothing wrong with Whale Whisker! You just have to learn how to use it, that's all." Penelo stated what seemed to be obvious to almost everyone, while ooking at his rather annoyed partner.

"Yes there is" Vaan and Fran stated, plainly, at the same time. Vaan looked twice at Fran, to see if she was really serious or just mocking him.

"Come again?" Penelo inquired, glaring suspiciously at them. Balthier had his arms crossed over his chest, his eyebrows frowned and was leaning against a pillar nearby, waiting for an explanation as well.

"You are in clear disadvantage from all of us, Vaan" Fran said, "and that will be a problem. In our party, we need two members skilled in speed attacks, and neither of us, except Penelo and her Masamune is good enough with speed and surprise attacks. She needs a partner in speed, and that would be you, Vaan. Balthier and I are ranged fighters and Ashe and Basch have strong, but heavy weapons that do not grant them the ability to partner with you, Penelo. The enemies are becoming stronger. We have to grow strong as well, and I should have noticed before that you are not dealing well with Whale Whisker, Vaan. It is an excellent weapon, but not for your skills. I advise you to seek a more suitable weapon."

Vaan, Penelo, Balthier and Fran were having their argument near the exit of Lushu Mines. After the journey to Giruvegan, the party had made a small detour as a special request from Montblanc of Clan Centurio, who had been told stories about a certain Ancient Man of Mystery, who was on a rampage along Ivalice, searching and stealing rare weapons. Vaan requested to his partners to search for him. Everyone agreed, not only due to the much needed reward as they were running out of supplies, but also because of Ashe.

The Occuria had made a quite appealing proposal, as they granted her the power she craved to restore Dalmasca. To restore her kingdom and destroy her enemies. Destroy all the Empire. In the name of her kingdom, her people, her blood. A decision to be made only once, as it did not allow one to turn back.

Ashe needed time to think over this; then, they would move on, whichever decision she would take. Within this time, Vaan went to Clan Centurio in search for new and thrilling marks to hunt, and returned with Montblanc's request. They travelled to the Lushu Mines, and met Gilgamesh. Fran seemed to be the only one aware of the real menace that man and his faithful dog could represent. He was very dangerous, not to be taken lightly, despite his laughable demeanor and pitiful sense of humour. Vaan, Penelo and Fran had stepped forward. They fought, and they won. Then, the party made their way back to Bhujerba, discussing the performance of Whale Whisker and the wonderful possessions of Gilgamesh.

As Vaan, Penelo, Balthier and Fran were leading the group towars the exit of Lushu Mines, Basch and Ashe were walking a little behind, not taking part in the discussion. She was awfully calm, quiet, a little injured, silently cursing Ragnarok, which was placed in its sheat behind her back. It was a powerful sword yet too heavy for her to handle, and more than once, she wasn't fast enough to block an enemy attack and Basch had to leap forward to block it. She would never admit it, but the cuts and bruises which began to decorate her arms were proof enough about how her relationship with Ragnarok was faring.

Ashe was interrupted from her predicament by a very familiar gruff voice.

"Majesty, are you well?" Basch asked.

"Majesty. Of what kingdom?" she thought. Her eyes locked at the path ahead, when she called: "Basch."

"Yes?" He stopped in his tracks.

"Please, let's continue to walk. It is not my wish to delay anyone," she requested, not stopping her pace. He followed.

"How long have we journeyed together?" she asked.

"For more than two months, I believe. But why do you ask?"

"Do you know what our partners have been calling me?" she stated airily, without looking at him. "They call me Ashe. Because it is my name. Not Lady Ashe, Majesty or even Your Highness. They are right: I am hardly a Princess, even less a Queen. Not without a kingdom to serve."

"Majesty-"

"As you can see, I have no crown on my head, only a sword in my hand. That makes me a warrior. Like you. Like our partners. They see me as one of them, and I wish for it to remain that way. And you, Basch? How do you see me?" she stopped in her tracks - which made him stop as well - and glared at him, daring him to clarify her.

"Lady Ashe, this is hardly the time-"

"I can see no better time. We do know not what lies ahead, waiting for us. It can either be freedom or death."

Ashe waited patiently for either an answer from him, or an attack from any beast to interrupt the embarassing silence that fell upon them both.

"Lady Ashe. As you have granted me the honour of serving you once again, as I am your knight, who vowed to protect you, I see you as the Princess and the future Queen of Dalmasca. Even without a kingdom to serve. You will restore Dalmasca, fight for what is rightfully yours, and I will be by your side to aid you and protect you with my life."

She sighed, her own impatience shimmering through her sharp exhale of air.

"Ever honourable," she stammered. "And predictable," she added. "And hurtful", she thought. "I grow weary of that, Basch. I know you for so long, but it was only lately that you lay upon yourself a distance that I try hard to cover, but you are not letting me to."

"Lady Ashe, my allegiance and my life is all I have to offer. Forgive me if it is not enough."

Ashe felt taken aback as she noticed a bit of sadness imprinted in his words and wondered if he thought she was ungrateful for his allegiance, when in fact, she truly appreciated and treasured his allegiance to her. She was about to clarify her point of view to him, but he took the word first.

"Your Highness, let us proceed. Our partners stopped ahead, surely waiting for us."

"Very well," she replied, in a slightly cold tone that she didn't manage to hide.

As she was leading the way, Ashe thought that Basch improved his skills of not only dodging her increasingly cunning questions but also making her feel quite uncomfortable afterwards.

In the first place, she somewhat knew that this was going to happen. But, still the same, it hurt more than she expected. He was cold, distant to her, only to her and not to anyone else, and she though that was because she once believed him, of all people, to be a traitor. He was never more the young knight who used to greet her with a kind smile when she was little. Now, he looked like the older knight whose heart was hidden behind walls she couldn't - and seems that she wasn't allowed either - to break. She tried so hard to reach him, but he seemed to be always beyond her grasp. And she wasn't able to tell if it would be wise to insist on breaking those defenses… or leave things as they were. Her reverie was interrupted when she heard the excited voices of Vaan and Penelo, arguing about something, and Balthier tossing his arms in the air in impatience. When she arrived to the source of all the commotion, she only heard Balthier say:

"Fran, my dear, you speak with wisdom. But we must press on, we have to meet Reddas in Balfonheim. Unless this wonder of weaponry is waiting for us in some shabby shop, which I don't believe, I don't know how we can solve your problem, Vaan."

"What is the problem?" Basch asked.

As the party started to walk again, they told him and Ashe about Vaan's weapon, and the need of fetching something better before they proceed further. They head off for the exit, and only when they reached the town of Bhujerba, Ashe blurted out of nowhere:

"I know where to find a weapon you may find useful."

Everyone turned around to face her.

"Well, let's go then! Where is it?" Vaan asked, stopping suddenly when Penelo threw him a would-you-behave glare.

"Don't interrupt me, Vaan. Let me finish. I am talking about a spear told in many legends, with the power of the stars engraved in it. Surely, it has the speed you require, for it is not only a spear, but also the most powerful one ever crafted in Ivalice."

"The Zodiac Spear," Basch added.

"Precisely."

"You know about it?" Fran asked, surprised for she, with so many knowledge of weapons, had never heard about its whereabouts.

"Rasler told me about it. It is a spear that it has been well guarded, generations through generations, from father to son, since immemorial times. And the families who have been wielding it is no other than the royal family Nabradia."

Silence fell upon them, as no one could find words to express their shock. Ashe bent over her head, as a memory of a distant afternoon in the Royal Palace of Nabudis assaulted her. Vaan, ever clueless, dared to break the silence.

"So, the Zodiac Spear is in Nabudis?"

"I reckon it is in the treasure chambers at the Royal Palace of Nabudis, yes. Even considering that the Dusk Shard destroyed everything else, it is possible that the spear still remains hidden in the ruins."

"A spear so powerful... one would think your… er… Rasler would wield it," Vaan ventured to say.

"He knew better how to wield a sword. One-handed swords, actually, and a shield; not a spear. So, if you want to get it, I will not object. I believe its purpose is to serve whoever wields it, not resting in a forgotten chamber… Well, feel free to do what you want with this information. If I may be excused, I would like to rest. We are all welcome at Ondore's Palace, of course."

With those words, Ashe retired to the palace. No one followed her, instead they watched her retire into the palace.

"So, what do you think, Basch?" Penelo chimed in. "You know her better than anyone else here. Do you think a trip to Nabradia… well, you know… being her late husband's homeland and all... will she be alright?"

"Aye, I wish to believe so. And I put my trust in Fran's judgment. Let us get this spear for you, Vaan, and then continue our mission."

Vaan beamed.

"In that case, we should rest. Tomorrow will be a long day," Fran proceeded to the palace, followed closely by everyone but Basch.

"I am not tired yet. I will take a walk, and perhaps go to Cloudborne's. I will join you later."

"To the Cloudborne's eh?" said Balthier "I will join you."

Basch opened his mouth to retaliate but the Viera was faster. She seized Balthier's elbow.

"I need your assistance in the Strahl. We have to study the best route for tomorrow, as everyone is counting on us."

A slight raise of her eyebrow told the sky pirate more than her words. "Ah, alright" he said, shrugging "Let's check those maps then. You two," he glanced at Vaan and Penelo "care to join us? Might as well learn something."

Author's Notes: This chapter was edited on 25 September 2008, with the help of my friend Aorin :) I wish as well to edit the following chapters as I found major flaws in them (but I only edit regarding grammar errors, and improve descriptions and character's speech). I will not change the story.

Ah, of course that is needless to say that reviews are always welcome. Thank you :D