As was graciously pointed out by a reader, there were a few things I didn't explain or explain properly. I mean, it has been about five years since Lani was hired to follow (not kill!) Dagger, I would have thought in that time she could have come to forgive her if only because of all the other things in her life that suddenly became more important. And also in that time, they could have spent time together and even become friends. I mean she's even living in Madain Sari at the end of the game which says a lot about forgiveness on the part of Eiko and the Moogles. And let me tell you how much fun it is to write about these two characters! They both have this wonderful tendency to just say whatever comes to mind but take it in such opposite directions. Well, anyway, here's a minor rewrite to tide you over until the next chapter (which is almost done). Until then, have fun everyone...
"What are we doing here?" Steiner sighed defeated as Lani knocked on the ornately carved wooden door of Queen Garnet's private chambers. He had been unable to find his gauntlet after he threw it in the armory so he felt unbalanced in wearing only one. Plus he had put his helmet back on in a hurry, not giving himself the chance to rearrange his hair properly so it felt all hot and sweaty against his neck and forehead. This was not how he wanted to feel when interviewing the Queen. Also he did not enjoy his company and he was certain her Majesty would not appreciate it. When did he start spending time with such rabble? He would certainly get a scolding for bringing her here.
Lani rolled her eyes. "Quit being dramatic, Rusty, I'll do all the talking."
He narrowed his eyes at her. "That is exactly what I'm worried about."
"Come on, loosen up! At worst I'll embarrass myself, so don't worry."
"As you being my guest, your embarrassment is also my embarrassment."
"Have you no faith in me?"
"No, I do not have any faith in you."
"Ya know, you have trust issues. Not everyone is trying to tarnish your good name."
He shook is fist at her, which sounded weird because of his single metal glove. "Why you!"
"Steiner?" A sweet voice came from behind the door. "Is that you out there?"
"It is indeed, your Majesty." Steiner answered, coming to attention. "I have someone here who seeks an audience with you."
"An audience? Is it someone I know?" She pushed open the door.
Lani smiled as she took in the queen. Not much had changed over the years. Her hair was still short but now was in more like a pixie cut. She hadn't gained an ounce even through two children, Lani noticed with a stab of jealousy. And most importantly, she wore a warm, happy smile. This was a very happy woman.
"Lani," She said, "It's been a long time."
Lani reached forward, taking both the Queen's hands and shaking them warmly. "Too long." She stepped back, looking her up and down. "You look amazing."
"Oh, Lani." She blushed slightly.
"Absolutely glowing! I don't think I've ever seen someone look so wonderful. Especially with all the pressure you're under. I mean, what with the kingdom, two kids, husband who may as well be a kid."
"I would say thank you, but that's the kind of thing you say when you want something." She said, stepping aside, ushering them into the chamber.
"Now whatever gave you the impression I wanted something?" Lani asked, taking a seat at the table in the center of the Queen's grandiose bedroom.
"Most people don't lay it on that thick." Garnet said with a smile.
"I do apoligize for her behavior, your majesty," Steiner said, standing at attention next to the door, "I did not mean to bring such a scoundrel here."
"Why are you always so negitive?" Lani asked, turning in her chair to glare at him.
Garnet placed her hand on Steiner's breastplate to silence him. "It is time to be nice."
"I simply remind you, your Majesty, of the threat she poses." Steiner said, "Not only as a formitable warrior but also as someone who will kill for money."
"Guys!" Garnet interjected, trying to keep the room calm.
Without standing, Lani removed her axe from it's harness, sliding it across the floor to Steiner. "There! Feel better?"
Suddenly a shrill baby's cry began eminating from the crib next to the Queen's bed. "That's what I was trying to avoid." Garnet said, walking over and hoisting the crib's tiny occupent into her arms, whispering to him softly.
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to upset the baby." Lani said, "But you need to understand-"
Garnet cut her off, "Lets not go down this path."
"No, I want to get it out there. Not just because of you," She turned and glared at Steiner. "But for you too, your Majesty, I want to clear the air." She settled down into her chair. "I was hired by Queen Brahne to tail Princess Garnet and bring back the Falcon Claw. When I asked what I should do if met with resistence, she said the jem was my priority. I'll be the first to admit that I sounded perhaps a little to anxious for a fight but you have to understand, I need to convince my employers they're making the right choice or I may not get hired. And, yes, I did fight you but I never killed you and I never stole your jewel."
"Maybe so, but you did terrorize Eiko." Steiner said, "Drugging a child and taking her hostage. She told me everything."
"Is that really so different from what Beatrix did in Cleyra?" She turned and looked at him, genuine searching in her eyes. "And I didn't kill anyone." She turned back to the Queen who had taken a seat in her nursing chair. "I won't insult you by saying I'm sorry, because I'm not, it was a job. But think about it, Red got hired for the same thing and you didn't have any problems forgiving him."
Garnet shrugged. "It was a long time ago. You know, time does heal all wounds. Besides, I know Eiko forgave you, and she talks about you often."
Lani rolled her eyes. "Yeah, and you have no idea how many dishes I had to wash to earn it too." Garnet rocked in her chair, trying her hardest to calm the fussing child in her arms. He kept making faces like he wanted to cry but thankfully kept the loud noises to himself. Lani stood, walking over and leaning over the infant prince. "Come on, cutie, it's not the fussing hour."
"Would you like to hold him?"
"Are you sure thats wise, your Majesty?" Steiner asked.
Garnet smiled up at him. "I have not had a day without a diaper since Scorpio was born. If she wants to take him for a few minutes, she can have him."
"I'm surprised you don't have a nanny or something." Lani said, gently taking the baby in her arms.
"Since my sons were born, people have been encouraging me to leave them with someone else." She said, removing the spit up rag from her shoulder. "And I know I need to be keeping up with my courtly duties, I do have a whole country worth of people depending on me, but I have always felt that if one cannot take care of their children then they should not be having any. Besides, I have children to have children, not just to create the next in line for the throne."
"That's very admirable, your Majesty, I'm quite impressed."
"But then again, as tradition dictates, I must have a girl for her to ascend to the throne."
"Seriously?"
Garnet nodded. "Truly."
"The people of this country love you, somehow I doubt they would not accept your child as ruler just because he has a willy."
She cracked a smile. "That's what Zidane said. Perhaps I am just paranoid."
"Paranoid is such a strong word. There's nothing wrong with worrying about your children, and certainly not with wanting the best for them." Lani smiled down at the baby. "Besides, who would not want the absolute best for such a handsome young man!"
"You know, I am rather surprised you never had any children."
She shrugged. "I don't think kids have ever really been in the cards for me. Be it lack of time, lack of money, lack of man, lack of... desire. Besides, I think I'm getting past my childbearing years by this point."
"Well, for what it's worth, I think you'd make a wonderful mother."
"Thanks, that means a lot coming from you." Lani just stood swaying slightly, swooning quietly down at the baby prince. Suddenly something warm and fuzzy touched her wrist and she started. "Oh, my god." She said, looking down as the boy's tail wrapped around her arm. "That is the cutest thing I have ever seen!"
Garnet smiled, "As much as I enjoy our visits, Lani, what did you really come for?"
She slowly sat down at the table, careful not to jar the baby. "I came representing a mutual friend."
"A mutual friend? You must mean Amarant. How is he?"
"As far as I'm concerned, he's lying in a ditch, covered in petrol, on fire."
She just stared for a moment before shrugging, deciding not to push it. "Then who are you here for?"
Lani half turned her head toward their masculine companion who still stood glaring by the door. "I'm with Mr. Negitivity over there." Steiner shifted uncomfortably but kept his eyes strait ahead.
Garnet's face fell. "It's that time of year again, isn't it?"
"It's that day again." he mumbled.
"I'm so sorry."
"You know something, don't you?" Lani asked.
Garnet didn't answer, only sat up straiter in her chair.
"Perhaps it's just my opinion," She looked down at the baby in her arms distractedly, "But it seems that you aren't really protecting anyone anymore."
"I was never protecting anyone." The Queen began slowly. "Had you asked, I would have told you everything. The simple fact is she was unhappy with her life. We had many long conversations before she left, and I can happily tell you that her problem was never with you." She could tell Steiner was grinding his teeth, still unable to look at her. "She told me the problem was with the notoriety of being married to you. How could she go from being the Mighty Female General of Alexandria to simply the wife of one of the Champions over Death? Quite frankly, I saw her point and encouraged her, told her that the first person she needed to stand up for was herself. I guess the conversations she had with you must have been more terse than I can even imagine."
"There were no conversations." Steiner mumbled, clearly upset even though he kept a very regal composure. "She left without saying a word."
"I won't defend her, what she did is inexcusable. But I will say she must have somehow thought it was what was best for her or perhaps best for Alexander."
He finally looked over at her, fire burning in his dark eyes. "She left me the day after he was born. I only got to hold him once. How could totally removing me, his father, from his life possibly be good for him!" He yelled. But he quickly regained his composure and looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry, your Majesty, I don't know what came over me."
Garnet stood and walked over, standing in front of Steiner. "Don't apologize. You have never been anything but loyal to me, even sometimes bordering on zealotry. You have done more for me and my family than anyone else in the country. And you have my most sincere gratitude." She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek.
"Thank you, your Majesty." Was all he managed to say.
"But your whole life has been committed to me and to this country, maybe it is time you let your life be your life." He looked at her confused. "I say this as your friend, not your Queen; lay down your knighthood, go after them." He looked down at the ground. "You have spent your entire life in servitude, you owe this to yourself."
"Besides," Lani said, standing up, "It's not like you'll be alone."
"Look, you even have a volunteer escort."
"Well, hardly a volunteer, he did pay me."
Garnet looked her up and down. "You stole money from him, didn't you?"
"You cut me to the quick, your Majesty."
Steiner glared at her. "Actually, she did."
"Hey, I may not be young anymore but my time is still worth something."
He looked around hesitantly. "I take pause not because of any insecurities in my abilities," He said, "I simply have no idea where to even start looking."
Lani thought for a moment then turned to Garnet. "I know it has been a while but can you remember Beatrix talking about any friends or relatives before she left?"
"She does not have any relatives to speak of," The Queen answered, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "And she did not speak often of friends, everyone she know was in the service."
"Damn, she had a sheltered life-"
"Language!" Garnet chided.
Lani looked sheepish. "Oops, sorry."
Garnet just rubbed her son's head gently.
"So you can't think of anyone outside of the country she might have contacted?"
"During our adventures she became rather close with Freya." Steiner said.
"You're right." Garnet cocked her head to the side thoughtfully. "And now that I think about it, she mentioned a couple times how much she wished to visit her but thought she would never be welcome in Burmecia because of her military exploits."
"Well, then," Lani said, "We know where our search will begin." She turned to Garnet, carefully handing her baby back to her. "Good luck, Prince Taurus til Alexandros-Tribal, you be good to your mama, don't be too rough on your brother and," She kissed his forehead, "Be sure to give your dad hell."
"Didn't know you knew his full name."
Lani smiled impishly. "I take it that's not common knowledge."
"Their birth announcements didn't list Zidane's last name as their own."
"Or indeed even Zidane as their father. I must admit, they were very artfully worded. But how could the people understand that your bodyguard, not your husband, sired your children? Sired their future leaders? But Zidane couldn't go without having his exploits very well documented. So their birth certificates not only list their full family names but officially list him as their father."
"...Nice sales pitch."
Lani grinned. "I know, I've made a bundle off that story."
"You turn a profit off selling the Queen's family secrets?" Steiner shook his fist. "You scoundrel! How do you sleep at night?"
Garnet silenced him with a wave of her hand. "You are a very sharp woman, Lani, if you were a little more on the right side of the law, I could have seen you being a very valuable advisor."
"Yeah, but there's no money in government jobs." Lani said dismissively. "Better job security though." She turned to Steiner with a giant smile on her face. "Lets go find your wife. Next stop Burmecia!"
"Next stop Burmecia!" He repeated, dashing out the door. "Wonder if we could borrow the Red Rose?"
"Sorry, Burmecia has a very strict no fly policy." She was about to follow but a soft hand on her arm stopped her.
"I will not ask you what your intentions are with him, but I will tell you he is a very important person to a lot of people; do not let anything bad befall on him." Garnet said with utmost seriousness.
"Once they become a paying customer, their life out values mine." Lani said, "Don't worry, I'll bring him back in one piece."
"And speaking of paying customers," Garnet said with a glare, "I won't tell you to give it back as long as you promise to spend it on him."
Lani grinned. "I actually planned on it, I even already have something in mind.
"Are you coming?" Steiner's voice echoed from down the hall.
"Hey, don't get your panties in a bundle, I'm coming." She grabbed her ax from where she dropped it and ran out the door. "Besides, we have one stop to make before we hit the road."
"What could we possibly need to stop for?" He asked as she came up next to him.
She looked him up and down. "You need some new clothes."