The Prince and I Chapter 1: Memories, a final fantasy xii fanfic

The Prince and I

Chapter 1: Memories

It's been a while since we've been together... I don't know why, but something about that kid seemed so inviting to me. Perhaps it was the fact that our lives were very similar. We'd both been alone most of our lives, and had never actually had a place to call home. To grow up without a family, without any friends… no one seemed to understand the pain I had been through in my life. No one, that is, except Larsa. But why? This one detail… this one little fact that eludes me is driving me completely insane. It had been days now, since we met at the Lhusu Mines. Larsa seemed indifferent towards me at first, but every so often, I managed to catch a glimpse of despair and passion in Larsa's eyes. What could it have meant? Why had Larsa bothered to save Penelo? Was it because he was a good person at heart? Or was there a deeper meaning, a different reason for Larsa's actions? I've never had to think so hard about something in my life. I lived for the day. Everything I did was spontaneous and done for the thrill, never thinking of the consequences. But I still can't figure out just what was on this little kid's mind. He's just a kid! Is it really that hard to figure him out? I don't know. I'm not sure of anything anymore… not after the way Larsa looked at me… the way he blushed whenever I got close to him. I just can't stop thinking about his eyes, about his voice, his touch… What's wrong with me?

Vaan didn't know what was going on with him. This feeling made him uneasy, and from his confusion stemmed anger. Or so Vaan thought. Vaan knew exactly what he was feeling, but he refused to acknowledge this emotion he had never felt before. He was scared, and it was all because of him… because of little Larsa Ferrinas Solidor, future emperor of Archadia.

The first time they met, Larsa seemed to be most attached to Vaan. This perhaps, because Balthier and Basch had a rough and tumble appearance, and Fran didn't acknowledge his presence.

"You're on your way to the mines?" a young boy nearby asked in a shy, yet domineering voice.

We all turned to see who was beckoning us, but it was his eyes and mine that met, and would not part. "Then please, allow me to accompany you." he said, jumping from the railing, and striding towards us. "I've an errand to attend to there," he said as he made his way towards Balthier and Basch, maybe because he was too afraid to approach me.

"What manner of errand?" Basch asked, starring at him intensely.

He gave me a provocative smirk and moved in closer me saying something like, "What errand? I might ask the same of you." But I wouldn't remember exactly. I was too busy just staring at him. I was well aware it was rood, but still, there was just something about him I couldn't quite put my finger on. I managed to snap out of my daze just as Balthier spoke up and said, "Right, come on then."

"What?" I stammered rudely, surprised that he's heed to this kid's demands just like that.

"Excellent." the kid said, glancing once again in my direction and smiling. That smile… I remember it well. For some reason, it inspired warmth in me.

Balthier held his hands on his hips and said, "Do me a favor and stay where I can keep my eye on you. Should be less trouble that way."

"For us both." the kid said, shifting his attention from me to the many guards roaming about Bhujerba.

I looked at him and gathered the courage to ask, "So what's your name?" I crossed my arms, trying to play it cool, even though I just had to know who this guy was. He turned to back to me and seemed to position his eyes on my face. He nervously began to stammer, "Oh, I…" He looked nervous as he continued staring but managed to say, "I'm Lamont." Still trying to act cool and collected, I said, giving him a slight wink, "Don't worry. I don't know what's in that mine Lamont, but you're in good hands." I smiled as I saw his eyes sparkle slightly, and walked over to him, placing my hand on his shoulder and said stupidly, "Right Basch?"

My companions looked at me like I was an idiot. We we're trying to be incognito, and I just totally blew it. I'm not sure what went through Larsa's head just then, but he didn't seem to care who we were, or even know who we for that matter. Did I get lucky that time, or was it something else…?

We went through the mines, fighting our way through the stench, the bats, and the undead corpses. Halfway through, Lamont seemed to be losing his composure. I asked him what was wrong once everyone else left the room we were in. He looked at me, trying ever so hard to hide his weaknesses from me. "Vaan… I ...," was all he could say in this state.

Lamont seemed very nervous, but managed to reassure me he was fine. I put my arm around him in an attempt to comfort him, and I could feel his body temperature rise as I did. I didn't know what I was feeling at that moment, and I don't think I can explain it. But now, here in Jahara, I would do anything to feel that way again. How could I have let some punk kid have so deep an effect on me?

We went deeper into the mines, eventually running for our lives from a vicious head hunter named Ba'Gamman. Lamont, terrified of the menacing Baanga, ran off far ahead of me. Try as I might, I couldn't catch up to him, but I would swear on my life I heard him call my name as we neared the exit. He and I made it back to the exit first, and he gave me a hug, his eyes producing tears from the fear he felt. I didn't know what to do. I was motionless and turning redder by the second. His last words were "I'll see you again very soon…"

After that, he ran into Bhujerba, where the Marquis and a Judge Magister halted his advance. They addressed him as Lord Larsa, and at that moment I immediately knew who he was. But why did he lie to me? Sure, to keep your name a secret when you're a prince is understandable, but… I just don't know how I should feel, or what exactly it was I felt that day.

Vaan was tired of wondering. He wanted answers and he wanted them now. He and his party were headed toward Jahara, but all Vaan wanted to do was run across the globe to Archades, to confront this boy who made him feel this way. Fran's voice broke his concentration.

"We have arrived. Jahara, Land of the Garif. If anyone knows how to wield the nethecite, it will be them," she said to Princess Ashe. The group inquired with the war-chief of the village, and managed to get Ashelia an audience with the Garif Great-chief. The chief couldn't help them harness the stones power. Their efforts seemed at this point hopeless. Then, Vaan heard a familiar voice beckon the group from behind them. It was Larsa.

Vaan broke into a cold sweat. He felt as if someone had punched him in the stomach, and the anxiety he felt as he witnessed Larsa speak to Ashe and not pay so much as a second glance his way killed him.

Was this what I wanted? Here he is in front of me, and I can't move again. Why?! What is it about his that's so special/? What is this power he has over me? Why is he ignoring me?!

Vaan was too wrapped up in his thoughts to fully pay attention to Larsa and Ashe's conversation. All he could make out was that their next destination was sacred Mt. Bur-Omisace, past the Golmore Jungle and the Parmina Rift. Such a long journey would give him time to think, and to act. But what was he to do?

I have all this time now, but just how am I supposed to go about approaching him? What do I say? Why am I even going to approach him? It doesn't matter. I have to do something. Having this… Feeling this way for so long without knowing what's going on is tearing me up inside. I know! I'll go up to him tonight, as everyone is sleeping. If we're alone, it'll be easier to do… whatever it is I'm gonna do.

Larsa approached Vaan, taking his hand and stroking it gently. "So we meet again Vaan. I told you we would. I've something to talk to you about. Would you mind meeting me at the entrance to the village later this evening?"

Vaan was in shock, yet he managed to get the words out of his mouth before the silence between them became any more unbearable. "Sure Larsa. I'll meet you there in a little while."

"I'll be waiting…"