Disclaimer: I'm not an owner, I'm just a random shipper.

Epilogue

Ruby picked Sapphire up and twirled her around, but she tripped on a fallen tree branch attempting the unfamiliar dance move, and the two went tumbling down a hill, laughing all the way.

However, their laughter died away as they looked up at the tall, thin warrior woman at whose feet they had fallen. She was a picture of deadly grace, radiating confidence and danger from every pore, threatening even if her sword had been in in its sheath instead of pointed at them.

Ruby moved to shield Sapphire with her body, who embraced her from behind. "Don't hurt her!" They both yelled, Ruby demanding, Sapphire pleading. "Don't hurt...me?" Ruby asked in confusion, still not used to having someone be concerned for her well being. Sapphire hugged her tighter.

But the tall warrior did not speak. She merely kept looking down at the unlikely pair with an unreadable expression, until another even larger figure approached, and she turned and dropped to one knee, head bowed and a hand over her heart in reverence.

"Relax. No one is going to hurt you if I have anything to say about it. Either of you." The giant woman reassured Sapphire.

Sapphire and Ruby gasped. They both knew this woman by description. Everyone did. Rose Quartz. The leader of the only rebellion in Gemland's history to last more than a day or two, currently the most wanted criminal in the empire.

"I started this war for freedom, to make this kingdom safe for people like you. People like us." Rose continued. "I would never let anyone hurt you for being what you are."

"And what are we?" Sapphire asked, her curiosity overtaking her fear. "What is this connection I feel with Ruby? Why do I feel like she's more important than anyone or anything else?"

"Yes, why does Sapphire care so much about me even though I'm a nobody? Why is she willing to sacrifice so much just to be with me?" Ruby put in.

"You stop that." Sapphire whispered fiercely, squeezing Ruby tighter still. "You're not a nobody."

"Because what you two have is worth every sacrifice. It's worth fighting for, worth dying for, worth starting a war for." Rose Quartz knelt and placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "And so I'd like to invite you two into my army. Come with me. Fight for me. Fight for yourselves. Fight for everyone like you." She raised the two of them up and looked them each in the eye. "Fight for love."