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[xqueen-asheliax.livejournal.com]

Who: Snow, Ashe, Basch and an angry mob!!
What: The Queen and King-to-be return home.
Where: Rabanastre
When: Afternoon
Rating: PG-13


The Queen was grasping onto Snow, her head rested against his back as they hurtled into Rabanastre on the Shiva Sisters. The boat ride had been nothing short of pleasant and the entire trip, in general, was absolutely perfect. She couldn't have hoped for anything better. She was happy, relax and -engaged-! Speeding onto the cobbled streets, the young woman hugged her fiancee a little tighter. Even for the wonders in Spira, she was glad to be home.

Snow smiled as she gripped him, though he wondered why people were pointing and shouting. Oh, right, he'd kidnapped her.. when he slowed the bike, near the Palace, they were ringed by guards, and angrily shouting people. "That's the man who kidnapped Queen Ashelia!" "That foreign pig's likely done god knows what to her!" "Queen Ashelia has returned, thank goodness!" and most chillingly, the calls for his hanging. "Er.. Ashe..?"

Stepping off the motorcycle, she was just about to speak but she was suddenly swept off her feet and carted away from Snow, kicking and screaming the whole time. Well... not screaming... but shouting angrily. "Get him!" And with that, the guards began to drag Snow from his bike, kicking and punching the foreign man as much as they could muster, causing the young royal to thrash at her guards, trying to get away.

He didn't really fight back, not wanting to harm guards that were so loyal to Ashe. He figured she'd save him from being killed, but a beating was almost nothing. His breath was driven from him by heavy, gauntleted punches, and when he hit the ground, vicious stomping greaves followed him. His shouts, grunts, and gasps for air were lost amid the heavy, wet noises of blows and blood.

Breaking free, Ashe shoved her way through the crowds, managing to get to Snow, throwing herself to her knees in her long white dress, protecting him from harm. "How dare you?! How dare any of you?! If I were kidnapped would it be that I showed affection for such a man?! Do you think your Queen a fool?!" Her words were harsh and everyone stepped back, watching. Ashelia looked at Snow, brushing his hair from his face. "Snow...?"

"Get the Queen out of here." one stern Guard ordered, and several seized her again, "She is obviously striken with an illness. Likely dehydrated. Get her inside, and get her some drink." she likely had Stockholm's Syndrome, in his view. And Snow had this coming, kidnapping her -twice- now. "We will handle this.. outsider." mob mentality had taken over pretty quickly.

Ashe turned her hard gaze on them and glared. "Keep your filthy, vicious hands off me," she hissed, startling everyone. "I am stricken with no -illness-, I am defending an innocent man!" The Queen looked to the motorcycle. "Shiva Sisters. Aid your master. Help me get him inside the palace." She only had them to rely on now.

The Sisters sprang to life, slamming people aside with little regard for their safety. Eidolons, unfortunately for their l'Cie, needed commands to function. He was scooped up, as was Ashe, some guards dealt vicious blows in the process, then both were whisked quickly into the Palace, Snow's quite nearly unconscious form lolling in the lighter one's arms.

The Queen clung to the darker of the Sisters, sighing slightly to the violence. So much for a happy return home. Once they were safely in Ashe's chambers and Snow was on the bed, the young woman began to gather medical equipments from the bathroom, filling a bowl with water and lacing it with potions and ethers. "Thank you, Sisters. Please, rest, you have been a great aid." She smiled to the Eidolons, soon sitting on the bed, beginning to tend Snow.

The two waited by the door, keeping it closed against the inevitable pounding fists. One spoke, sharply, and people seemed to back off, perhaps in fear. Snow swooned, looking up at Ashe with a light smile.. or what might have been a smile; his face was rather puffy at the moment.

"I am so sorry, Snow... I had no idea that would happen... that my own people could treat a man so cruelly..." she spoke as she cleaned the blood from his face, the magic-laced water soothing his wounds. Gently, she began undressing him as best she could considering her size and her shaking hands. She needed to tend his wounded body but she could barely keep herself together.

He shrugged weakly, "As far as they knew, you were kidnapped.." his voice was weak, but he didn't appear to be in danger of dying or anything, and the water already had his wounds going down. Nothing had been broken, though he likely had bruised ribs and some internal issues that more extensive magic could fix.

Ashelia sighed heavily, smoothing the water over his chest, now she finally had him shirtless. "It still..." She shook her head, cutting her sentence mid-moment, lowering her gaze to what her hands were doing. After a few more moments, she set the cloth aside and lay her hands gently on his chest and stomach, casting a very powerful Regen spell. She was quite adept in magick, because of royal studies as a child.

He gave a sigh of relief as the magic took hold, and shook his head slightly, "N-no.. it's gratifying that they care so much for you.. a little frightening, but certainly.. good to know." his hand came up, and he cupped her cheek with a small chuckle, "Y'know, I've endured two beatings on your behalf, now."

"I know, Snow, I'm so sorry... I... I'm sorry," she murmured, trying hard not to let herself cry. It was hard to do; she felt completely to blame for the actions of her people and the fact that the assault had been against Snow, the man she loved, was the worst part. Holding the back of his hand and tilting her head to kiss his palm, she closed her eyes to keep from having to look into his eyes.

Snow's eyes weren't accusing, and his tone had been joking, perhaps at a bad time, "Hey.. don't worry, I've had worse than a pummelling. Don't punish those men for protecting you, if you do anything, punish them for disobeying your orders." he smiled faintly, and reached up to pull her down, kissing her with sore lips.

She returned the kiss gently, soon lifting up, brushing her thumb over his lips and whispering a Cure spell. It would take away the majority of the imediate pain, but it wouldn't completely heal, like a gradual Regen would. "I shall. I cannot believe they would so openly disobey me..." It made her feel a little powerless.

Having heard the commotion from Ashe's office, the Judge strode down the hallways, his armour making that ominous noise it rang out. He swiftly ordered everyone to their posts and waited until they'd gone before he knocked the door. "Majesty. It is... Gabranth." Calling himself Basch whilst in the presence of others would be foolish.

Snow waved his hand, and smiled slightly, "Let him in, girls." the Sisters stepped aside, and allowed the Judge to enter, as Snow struggled to push himself into a sitting position, groaning as he did. "They were frightened, and happy to snatch you away from me. A lack of discipline, but not malicious in it's intent.."

"Hn, well, I shall show them just what discipline is." She pouted slightly, sitting on the edge of the bed, drawing her knees to her chest and hugging them. Really, she could sometimes show just how much of a spoilt little princess she'd once been. Being the ninth child and the only girl, it made her father dote on her more. When Basch entered, she smiled slightly, silently greeting him.

The Judge removed his helmet and gave the Sisters an appreciative nod before letting his gaze fall on the couple. "Ah... then, the people have punished Her Majesty's kidnapper?" He could see Snow was in a bit of a state but giving a slight amount of humour could lighten most situations. He'd learnt that well fom Vaan and Balthier during their travels.

"Mmh, quite so. Kidnapper X shall never show his face in Dalmasca again." then, in a bout of humour and to try to get Basch off-guard, "Instead, he shall rise as Queen Ashelia's husband." he grinned, teeth still somewhat bloody, but he glanced to Ashe's hand, then to Basch. Take -that-, funny man.

Ashelia blushed brightly, giving a slight laugh, wiggling her engagement ring of holy spring water frozen eternally, she smiled at Basch. "Indeed. The Queen has fallen captive to the charms of Kidnapper X." It was still amusing her that there was this whold persona for them to place the blame on, instead of Snow.

At first, Basch hadn't quite caught the meaning then Snow glanced to Ashe's hand and the Queen raised her hand to show off that exquisite ring. "By the Gods! The Queen Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca is to wed? And a foreigner at that? How absolutely..." he paused, softening his tone a moment later. "...wonderful. I am truly happy for you both." He gave a practised bow before getting on one knee in front of Ashe, bowing his head. "My Queen, I would ask that you grant me command of the preparations." It was, after all, the royal's father than should have the final say and Basch was nearest to her father.

Snow smiled lightly at both Ashe and Basch's responses, managing to sit cross-legged on the bed, feeling much better by this point. He rubbed one of his arms, still not entirely used to the manner in which everyone reacted to news, the court was still somewhat strange to him. He stayed silent, though, not wanting to interrupt something that sounded, well, important.

Ashe gasped slightly then nodded, grinning at her Knight. "I would have no other man play that role, Sir Basch. You have shown me nothing but faith and loyalty, even when I thought you a traitor. You've proved your honour to me." She smiled and leaned to kiss his cheek before taking hold of Snow's hand, smiling brightly at him.

Basch gave a broad smile then stood, bowing to his Queen again. "Then, it is to be King Snow?" He asked, becoming entirely casual, compared to the proper, business-like manner he held when making that request of the royal. It was honestly a good thing, in his eyes, to see Ashe so happy and ready to be married.

Snow nodded a little, and smiled lightly, "I did not wish to marry Ashe simply for her titles.. I would be her equal, her.. partner. Sharing the bad times as often as the good." he reached to her and took her hand, smiling softly. "Can't say there's anyone, besides Ashe, that I trust more 'round here than you Basch.. thanks for takin' care of Dalmasca for us."