Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy IX (If anyone has the song You're not alone! Could you email me and tell me or something? I really want that song, and I can't find it on Napster....and also the Japanese version of Eyes on Me, by Faye Wong for Final Fantasy VIII...please...)
Dedication: To all who love me and my fics and to those I cherish dearly.....
~*~Chapter 1~*~
*~*" I was asked to propose... "*~*
//12 years later\\
A walk down the street was all he had asked for, nothing more, nothing less. There was nothing he could have done about the accident. It had all happened so fast that he didn't even have any time to react, he just ran from it and left her to be burnt alive. Zidane Tribal shook his head against the painful memory as tears quickly brimmed his eyes.
So many nights, he dreamt of her. Her cries and screams of pain echoed over to him in his sleep as he dreamt about her body being burnt, her flesh melting and being charred. Zidane ran his tongue over his lips and then continued to walk down the street, Marcus, Blank, and Cinna following him closely.
" Hey! Zidane? Do you know where you're taking us? ", Cinna called out from behind as he waved his hammer in the air as a threat if Zidane didn't have the answer for him.
Blank and Marcus both sighed and shook their heads. Zidane smirked and shoved his hands into his pockets, " Look, like Baku said before.... we're to go see the Queen of Alexandria. We have to ask something of her and that's what we're on our way to do now.... ", he explained.
" But why? What's the big thing that we have to get this Queen involved? ", Marcus called out from behind.
Zidane lowered his gaze to the ground and remained silent. Blank quickened his pace and fell in step beside Zidane. He glanced over at his troubled expression, " Hey, bro.... what's eating you? Is there something you'd like to talk about? "
Zidane looked over at him and then looked back down at the ground as he frowned, " Nah.... I'm alright. I was just thinking about Sarah...... "
Blank nodded and gave his shoulder a light pat, " We all miss her, Zidane.... I know you miss the most since you guys we -- "
" That's enough, Blank! ", Zidane's demand came out harsher then he thought.
Blank blinked his good eye and then nodded, " Geez, I'm sorry, Zidane..... ", he apologized lightly.
Zidane shook his head and then reached up behind his head to pull his dark honey-gold hair from the black elastic that held it together. He slid the elastic into his pocket and allowed his shoulder length hair to sway slightly in the breeze of the warm wind that caressed his bare shoulders and arms.
" You have no need to apologize, Blank. It's alright.... I just don't want to be reminded of her.... not after what happened.... ", Zidane muttered lightly under his breath.
Blank nodded and then stopped. Zidane frowned and stopped as well. He turned around and looked at Blank's pale face. Marcus and Cinna both went over and stood beside Blank. Zidane cocked an eyebrow and watched as fear filled Blank's brown eyes.
" H-hey.... Blank? What's wrong? ", Zidane asked as he walked over to him.
Blank stared at the front doors of the castle and shook his head as he began to back away, " S-something's wrong, Zidane.... d-don't go in there. Not today.... just leave what Baku asked of you alone.... ", he whispered before turning and fleeing quickly.
Zidane stared after him, " What's up with him? Why's he so scared? ", he asked the other two men.
Cinna looked at Marcus and he shrugged, " I don't know, Zidane.... I don't feel anything wrong about being here. Maybe he's just chickening out about having to see the Queen.... ", Marcus answered quietly.
Zidane closed his eyes and placed a hand to his forehead. Marcus walked over to him and gently touched his shoulder. Zidane's eyes flew open and he looked at him, " W-what's going on? ", he asked lightly, confusion weaving it's way into his voice.
Marcus gave a brief shrug of his broad shoulders and looked up at the castle. Zidane followed his gaze and to his surprise, he spotted someone standing right on the edge of the castle roof, their arms spread out at their sides and their long dark hair blowing freely and wildly in the wind. Suddenly it took a step forward and dropped from the roof like a dead rock....
*** ( Jaws music plays )(hehehehe;D)
The wind rushed past her face and she snapped her eyes shut. Her long dark brown hair was flung about wildly around her face. She brought her arms up and crossed them over her chest, praying that this would end quickly and not painfully. This world wasn't the right place for her. Ever since her mother had died, she had been alone, the only ones to talk to were her two most loyal bodyguards, but, even they weren't any good to talk to.
Garnet Til Alexandros 17th's bottom lip trembled and she felt tears slowly slide down her cheeks as she continued to fall to her death. She couldn't take it anymore. Garnet shook her head and then let a loud scream escape her throat as fell.
' This really is the end.... goodbye world.... ', Garnet thought as she prayed for the ground to slam into her body, smashing every bone in her body now, instead of this long downfall....
***
Zidane blinked and watched as the woman fell, ' She has to be about..... twenty..... ', he thought as he stood there frozen to the ground.
Something snapped in him though. Zidane pushed past Marcus and Cinna and he ran as fast as he could to where the girl would fall. He reached out, quickly grabbed a large and wide blanket off of a nearby wagon and grasped one of the four corners tightly. Cinna and Marcus quickly rushed over and grasped the other corners.
" Quick! Someone else, grab the other corner... ", Zidane shouted out to the gathering crowd behind him.
" I'll do it... ", a deep voice assured him as a tall man about a year older then him walked over to the last corner and held onto it tightly.
Zidane watched him for a few minutes, taking in the very handsome features, the deep lavender eyes, the long pale blonde hair that was pulled back in an identical black elastic as Zidane's, the well built body with slight envious deep green eyes. The man looked at him and nodded briefly.
" I'm Cernd Tethyr.... ", he introduced himself to Zidane and the others quickly.
Zidane blinked, nodded curtly and looked up at the girl who was approaching fast, " Here she comes!! "
Marcus and Cinna both closed their eyes and held onto the corners of the blanket tightly as soon as they heard Zidane's shout of warning. The girl landed on the blanket roughly, but gently. The blanket slightly sagged under her light weight and her bottom touched the ground lightly before she fell back onto it, her deep chocolate brown eyes wide with shock and fear.
Zidane gently lowered his end of the blanket to the ground as he reached over and grasped the girl's small, delicate hand in his own large callused one. He slowly pulled her up into a sitting position before reaching out with his other hand to brush aside the dark long strands of feathered hair from her face.
" Are you alright? ", Zidane asked gently while he searched the girl's soft, beautifully featured face.
Garnet blinked at the deep, velvety tone of the voice and turned her face up to look at him, " I... I... why did you save me? ", she blurted out while wretching her hand from his.
Zidane looked at her, completely taken aback by her question, " I... well, you were falling, and I thought that it was a good thing if we saved you.... ", he stammered.
Cernd watched the two young adults with interest in his lavender eyes. Marcus and Cinna backed away to mingle with the crowd that was staring at the two young adults. Garnet closed her eyes and felt her body tremble as a sob escaped her throat.
" You should've let me die! ", she shouted as she jumped up, but then stumbled back to the ground.
Zidane lunged for her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her to him, " I... I couldn't do that.... ", he replied softly.
Garnet placed two hands to his toned chest and kept her unwavering gaze on his strong neck, watching the main vein push against the skin at a fast pace with the heartbeat that she felt so strong and so sure under her hands, " And why not? If I wanted to die, then you should've let me! "
Zidane shook his head, " I couldn't do that... "
" Why not! "
Zidane looked down at the top of her head and bit his lip, " Well... protecting girls is my one main thing that I do, and since you were in trouble, I had to save you, and two.... you just remind me of a very good and special friend that I once knew before... that's why. By the way? What's your name? ", he asked softly.
Garnet sighed, a little exasperated, " My name is Garnet Til Alexandros 17th.... now please.... will you rid yourself of your hands from me? "
***
Cernd tilted his head to the side and looked at Garnet, ' So... she's the Queen of this dump? Interesting to have saved her as she basically threw herself from the top of the castle... '
Cernd watched as a shocked look slid onto his ruggish features, causing him to smirk slightly, ' He looks like the boy I remember seeing back in Madain Sari... oh... say about twelve years ago. Rather odd if you ask me.... '
***
Zidane blinked and unwrapped his arms from Garnet's slim, tiny waist to cross them over his chest, " You're the Queen, I take it, then? ", he asked, his eyes set on her face that she kept lowered to the ground.
Garnet looked up at him and nodded once, " Yes.... "
Zidane frowned deeply and brought a hand up to gently scratch his jaw, " Then.... you wouldn't be Sarah.... ", he muttered outloud.
Garnet blinked a few times, ' S-sarah? How is it that I remember hearing that name before? '
Marcus emerged from the crowd that was beginning to go on with their daily life and he walked over to stand beside Zidane.
" Zidane.... here she is. You might as well go ahead and do what Baku asked you to do... ", he reminded the younger man gently in the ear.
" Huh? ", Zidane blinked and glanced over at him. " Oh... yeah, right.... "
Garnet knitted her perfect brows together and watched Zidane, " You never told me your name... "
Zidane looked back at Garnet and quirked an eyebrow, " Oh, right! Sorry.... my name's Zidane Tribal.... "
Garnet quirked her own eyebrow at him, " Zidane Tribal.... ", she quietly breathed the name slowly, as if testing out first and last name.
Zidane watched her, a suddenly dawning coming onto him, ' Why does this... feel so familiar? She couldn't be Sarah... Sarah died in that fire... unless... '
Zidane quickly reached down into his pocket and fished for something. Garnet watched him with interest as did the rest of the people who had saved her. Zidane grasped the two thin black leather straps and pulled out the necklace that held a small bluish-purple jewel in the middle of it all.
Zidane brought it up to his face to examine it before holding it out in front of Garnet, " Have you ever seen this? Or even remember it at all? ", he asked, his voice full of hope.
Garnet stared at the jewel in the middle of the necklace before looking at it all. She slowly shook her head and looked into Zidane's eyes, " I... no. I'm sorry. Why? Where'd you get it? "
Zidane's heart sank and he quietly placed the necklace back in his pocket. He shook his head and waved a hand in the air, " Nevermind... you wouldn't understand.... ", he replied.
Garnet blinked, " And why not?! ", she demanded.
Zidane frowned lightly, " Beacause... you just wouldn't. Now... I'm going to go now... since you don't seem to want to talk to me.... goodbye, Majesty.... ", he replied with a slight bow before turning to brush past Marcus and head back to the Prima Vista.
Marcus looked after him, his jaw open, his eyes wide, " Where the hell do you think you're going?! Get your ass back here, Zidane! ", he shouted. To Garnet he said, " I'm so sorry, Majesty... we'll be right back... "
Garnet watched in confusion as Marcus spun back around and ran after Zidane, " Hey!! ", she suddenly shouted.
Both Zidane and Marcus turned around to face her, " What? ", Marcus asked. Zidane remained silent, his eyes clouded with something unknown.
Garnet looked at Zidane, ignoring Marcus, " Z-zidane... come back... ", she called out, her voice sounding weird to her own ears.
Zidane frowned, " Why? "
Garnet rolled her eyes, " Because... you were suppose to ask something of me and I want to know what it was! That's why... ", she replied.
Zidane lowered his head and looked down at the ground, ' Should I? '
Marcus glanced over at Zidane, " Well? Get moving, Zidane! Baku's going to have your ass again if you don't do it.. "
Cernd sratched his neck and looked at Garnet, " Majesty? Perhaps it would be best if you returned to the castle... "
Garnet glanced over at him and knitted her brows together as she took in the handsome looks. She shook her head, " I'll be alright... you have no need to worry about me. "
Cernd shook his head, " But we do... what with your mother dead.... "
Garnet flinched slightly and looked at the ground, " Please.... don't remind me of that. "
Zidane looked up and frowned as he walked over to Garnet. He bowed slightly and then scratched his head, " What I was asked to do was... uhm, well... I don't know if I should ask you just yet.... ", he muttered uncertain now.
Marcus walked over to him, " What exactly did Baku ask you to do? ", he whispered into Zidane's ear.
Zidane closed his eyes and swallowed. He could feel Garnet's eyes watching him. Cernd looked at Zidane and nodded, " Yes... what exactly were you told to do or ask? "
Zidane opened his eyes and looked at the ground, " I was asked to propose.... "
***
Garnet blinked and took a step back, " W-what?! Propose! ", she nearly shrieked.
Marcus blinked and almost fell back, " W-what?! Baku asked you to do that! "
Zidane kept his eyes to the ground but when he looked up into Garnet's wide eyes, he saw something that sent shivers down his spine and yet brought warmth to his body, " Yes... ", he replied lightly.
Garnet crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head slowly as she brought a hand up in the air to silence the suddenly protesting Cernd, " Whoa, whoa, whoa!! Back track for a short minute.... you were asked to... propose to me because? Why? "
Zidane ran his tongue over his suddenly dry lips and plowed a hand through his blonde tresses, sending them back away from his face, " I don't really know myself, your Majesty. I don't know how Baku's mind works.... "
Garnet looked at him, " If you're proposing to me, Zidane Tribal.... my answer is.... ", she paused to glance over at Cernd and then over at Marcus.
Zidane watched her, not really caring what her answer was. She was beautiful and perfect in everyway possible, but what would she see in a petty thief like him? Nothing that would amuse her. But, Sarah had liked him enough to except his proposal, though they didn't get married, they were only engaged. He eyed her body that filled out in perfectly in every place that a man would enjoy to touch and a slight smirk came to Zidane's lips.
Garnet watched him and remained silent while she pondered her answer quite aware of his eyes on her body, " I'm going to have to decline, Zidane Tribal.... ", she finally said.
Zidane shrugged lightly, showing that he didn't care, but deep down, he felt his heart sink deeply to the empty pit of his stomach, " That's quite alright, Majesty... I knew you wouldn't be THAT stupid to go along and marry a poor, petty thief like me... ", his reply came out softer then he had intended.
Garnet cocked an eyebrow and tilted her head to the side as she looked at him, " Alright... I really am sorry though. I do want to thank you for saving me... even though I didn't want to be saved.... "
Zidane frowned, " Yeah... why did you jump anyway? "
Garnet pursed her lips together as she thought about it, " I... I can't quite explain it. I felt that I didn't - and still don't - have a place in life. My being Queen of Alexandria isn't for me. I don't really remember most of my past, and I want to know what it was like, having to grow up in the castle at a young age, to have tons of servants at your side, everything like that.... but I can't remember.... "
Zidane placed his lower lip between his teeth and began to nibble gently, " I'm sorry to hear that... "
Garnet shrugged away his apology lightly, " It's alright.... "
" Majesty!! Where in the name of Alexandria have you been?! ", a deep voice cried as the sound of rusty armor banging up armor floated into the air, followed by two pairs of footsteps.
Garnet whirled around to find herself facing Adelbert Steiner and Beatrix; her two most protective and loyal guards. She frowned deeply and placed a hand on her hip, " I'm alright, Steiner. Don't worry... ", she assured the panicky thirty-seven year old guard.
Steiner frowned and looked at her with beady black eyes, " Yes, I can see that you're alright, but where have you been? Haer'Dalis of Athkatla has been waiting for you to see him for the past half an hour. And... who are all these people? ", he asked as he suspiciously eyed Zidane and the rest of the men standing around Garnet.
Garnet blinked, " Haer'Dalis of Athkatla? Who's that? "
Beatrix cleared her throat, " He's the Prince of Athkatla and he wishes to ask for your hand.... ", she replied briefly, her deep brown eyes sparkling as she rested her hand on the handle of her ' Save the Queen '.
Garnet snorted unladylike and Steiner and Beatrix glanced at each other in confusion. She then placed a hand to her forehead and shook her head, sighing, " I don't understand what it is with men these days... ", she muttered as she ran her tongue over her soft, full lips.
Beatrix looked back at Garnet, " Majesty? "
Garnet looked at Beatrix and shrugged slightly, " Don't worry about it.... let's just go meet this Haer'Dalis... "
Steiner looked over at Zidane and cocked an eyebrow, " Who's he? "
Garnet looked over at Zidane who kept his eyes on Steiner as if challenging him for some reason, " That's Zidane Tribal, Steiner.... "
" Did he hurt you? ", he blurted out.
Garnet snorted again, " No! He actually saved me... "
Steiner blinked, " How so? "
Garnet lowered her eyes to the ground, " I jumped off the castle roof... ", she murmured lightly.
Steiner's eyebrow shot up in surprise and Beatrix took a step towards Garnet, but Garnet held a hand up, stopping her, " Don't worry about it. We'll discuss it later... ", she said smoothly as she brushed past her two shocked guards to make her way back into the castle.
Steiner looked at Zidane and bowed slightly, " We thank you for saving her, Zidane.... "
Zidane waved away his thanks and turned his back as he began to head to the little theatre that Ruby had made in the back alley, " Don't worry about it, Steiner... I was just doing what I normally do... ", he called over his shoulder.
Steiner watched him go. Marcus looked at the retreating Zidane and then at Steiner's completely confused expression, " Don't worry about what he said. It only means that he does what he always does, and that's saving women who are in danger... "
Steiner looked at Marcus and nodded, " I see.... well, thank him again for me and take care... ", he replied before turning to chase after Beatrix and Garnet.
Marcus sighed heavily and Cinna came up to stand by him, " What's the matter, bro? "
Marcus shook his head, " Don't worry about it... "
Cinna cocked a light brow, " And why shouldn't I? ", he demanded as he waved his hammer at him.
Marcus pushed aside the hammer and began to walk after Zidane, " Just drop it, Cinna. We all really know who she REALLY is.... "
Cernd blinked, obviously completely forgotten by the band of thieves, ' What do they mean by that? Who do they mean at that? '
***
Garnet sat in the chair, an elbow propped up on the cushioned arm, her chin resting on her hand as she tried to concentrate on the deep voice of Haer'Dalis, but she couldn't. Zidane's face and voice kept coming in her mind and it would make her smile.
Haer'Dalis looked at Garnet and frowned lightly as he tilted his head to the side, " And... that my dear, is why I have come to ask for your hand in marriage... "
Garnet blinked and looked at him, " Huh? Oh... I understand... "
Haer'Dalis knitted his light brows together and plowed a hand through his long strawberry blonde hair and blinked his deep violet eyes, " Is something the matter, Majesty? ", he asked in concern as he reached out and gently covered Garnet's hand with his own.
Garnet looked down at his hand covering hers and she immediately saw Zidane's hand instead of Haer'Dalis, " Zidane.... ", she whispered lightly.
Haer'Dalis blinked and cocked an eyebrow, " What? Garnet... are you alright? Would you like to lie down for awhile? "
Garnet looked back up at him and slowly shook her head, " Uh... I, no. I'm just off in my own little world at the moment, Haer'Dalis. I'm sorry... ", she apologized quietly.
Haer'Dalis smiled kindly and shook his head, " It's alright, Garnet.... so... will you accept my proposal? "
Garnet stared at him, ' What do I do? I don't even know this man... '
Haer'Dalis blinked a few times and then reached over to gently place a warm hand on her smooth forehead, " Well... you have no fever... so... why are you so quiet? "
Garnet shrugged and looked at the table, " I don't know what to say, Haer'Dalis... "
Haer'Dalis grinned, " Say you'll marry me.... "
Garnet bit her lip, ' Why is he so persistent? I don't understand this man... why did he have to ask me of all women in the Gaea.... '
" You still thinking about it or something? "
" I... I don't know. My mind isn't quite with me at the moment, Haer'Dalis... "
" Oh... I see. "
" .... "
Haer'Dalis frowned lightly and then sighed as he gently took his hand from Garnet's and dropped it in his lap. Garnet looked down at the oak table and then reached out to trace little drawings that only she could see in her mind. It was completely silent, until Garnet looked at Haer'Dalis and nodded her head.
" What? ", Haer'Dalis asked lightly as he watched her deep chocolate eyes slightly sparkle.
Garnet smiled gently and nodded her head again, " Haer'Dalis... I accept you proposal! "
(A/N**: *grins deviously* hehehe.... I'll let you ponder about what's going to happen next... MWUAHAHAHAH!!!! Have fun... next chapter will be in on Monday or Thursday... not quite sure yet!! *waves* Ciao!! Will Zidane go back to the castle to try and talk to Garnet? How will he react to her new news about her proposal? Find out next time on Remember me Always... )
Dedication: To all who love me and my fics and to those I cherish dearly.....
~*~Chapter 1~*~
*~*" I was asked to propose... "*~*
//12 years later\\
A walk down the street was all he had asked for, nothing more, nothing less. There was nothing he could have done about the accident. It had all happened so fast that he didn't even have any time to react, he just ran from it and left her to be burnt alive. Zidane Tribal shook his head against the painful memory as tears quickly brimmed his eyes.
So many nights, he dreamt of her. Her cries and screams of pain echoed over to him in his sleep as he dreamt about her body being burnt, her flesh melting and being charred. Zidane ran his tongue over his lips and then continued to walk down the street, Marcus, Blank, and Cinna following him closely.
" Hey! Zidane? Do you know where you're taking us? ", Cinna called out from behind as he waved his hammer in the air as a threat if Zidane didn't have the answer for him.
Blank and Marcus both sighed and shook their heads. Zidane smirked and shoved his hands into his pockets, " Look, like Baku said before.... we're to go see the Queen of Alexandria. We have to ask something of her and that's what we're on our way to do now.... ", he explained.
" But why? What's the big thing that we have to get this Queen involved? ", Marcus called out from behind.
Zidane lowered his gaze to the ground and remained silent. Blank quickened his pace and fell in step beside Zidane. He glanced over at his troubled expression, " Hey, bro.... what's eating you? Is there something you'd like to talk about? "
Zidane looked over at him and then looked back down at the ground as he frowned, " Nah.... I'm alright. I was just thinking about Sarah...... "
Blank nodded and gave his shoulder a light pat, " We all miss her, Zidane.... I know you miss the most since you guys we -- "
" That's enough, Blank! ", Zidane's demand came out harsher then he thought.
Blank blinked his good eye and then nodded, " Geez, I'm sorry, Zidane..... ", he apologized lightly.
Zidane shook his head and then reached up behind his head to pull his dark honey-gold hair from the black elastic that held it together. He slid the elastic into his pocket and allowed his shoulder length hair to sway slightly in the breeze of the warm wind that caressed his bare shoulders and arms.
" You have no need to apologize, Blank. It's alright.... I just don't want to be reminded of her.... not after what happened.... ", Zidane muttered lightly under his breath.
Blank nodded and then stopped. Zidane frowned and stopped as well. He turned around and looked at Blank's pale face. Marcus and Cinna both went over and stood beside Blank. Zidane cocked an eyebrow and watched as fear filled Blank's brown eyes.
" H-hey.... Blank? What's wrong? ", Zidane asked as he walked over to him.
Blank stared at the front doors of the castle and shook his head as he began to back away, " S-something's wrong, Zidane.... d-don't go in there. Not today.... just leave what Baku asked of you alone.... ", he whispered before turning and fleeing quickly.
Zidane stared after him, " What's up with him? Why's he so scared? ", he asked the other two men.
Cinna looked at Marcus and he shrugged, " I don't know, Zidane.... I don't feel anything wrong about being here. Maybe he's just chickening out about having to see the Queen.... ", Marcus answered quietly.
Zidane closed his eyes and placed a hand to his forehead. Marcus walked over to him and gently touched his shoulder. Zidane's eyes flew open and he looked at him, " W-what's going on? ", he asked lightly, confusion weaving it's way into his voice.
Marcus gave a brief shrug of his broad shoulders and looked up at the castle. Zidane followed his gaze and to his surprise, he spotted someone standing right on the edge of the castle roof, their arms spread out at their sides and their long dark hair blowing freely and wildly in the wind. Suddenly it took a step forward and dropped from the roof like a dead rock....
*** ( Jaws music plays )(hehehehe;D)
The wind rushed past her face and she snapped her eyes shut. Her long dark brown hair was flung about wildly around her face. She brought her arms up and crossed them over her chest, praying that this would end quickly and not painfully. This world wasn't the right place for her. Ever since her mother had died, she had been alone, the only ones to talk to were her two most loyal bodyguards, but, even they weren't any good to talk to.
Garnet Til Alexandros 17th's bottom lip trembled and she felt tears slowly slide down her cheeks as she continued to fall to her death. She couldn't take it anymore. Garnet shook her head and then let a loud scream escape her throat as fell.
' This really is the end.... goodbye world.... ', Garnet thought as she prayed for the ground to slam into her body, smashing every bone in her body now, instead of this long downfall....
***
Zidane blinked and watched as the woman fell, ' She has to be about..... twenty..... ', he thought as he stood there frozen to the ground.
Something snapped in him though. Zidane pushed past Marcus and Cinna and he ran as fast as he could to where the girl would fall. He reached out, quickly grabbed a large and wide blanket off of a nearby wagon and grasped one of the four corners tightly. Cinna and Marcus quickly rushed over and grasped the other corners.
" Quick! Someone else, grab the other corner... ", Zidane shouted out to the gathering crowd behind him.
" I'll do it... ", a deep voice assured him as a tall man about a year older then him walked over to the last corner and held onto it tightly.
Zidane watched him for a few minutes, taking in the very handsome features, the deep lavender eyes, the long pale blonde hair that was pulled back in an identical black elastic as Zidane's, the well built body with slight envious deep green eyes. The man looked at him and nodded briefly.
" I'm Cernd Tethyr.... ", he introduced himself to Zidane and the others quickly.
Zidane blinked, nodded curtly and looked up at the girl who was approaching fast, " Here she comes!! "
Marcus and Cinna both closed their eyes and held onto the corners of the blanket tightly as soon as they heard Zidane's shout of warning. The girl landed on the blanket roughly, but gently. The blanket slightly sagged under her light weight and her bottom touched the ground lightly before she fell back onto it, her deep chocolate brown eyes wide with shock and fear.
Zidane gently lowered his end of the blanket to the ground as he reached over and grasped the girl's small, delicate hand in his own large callused one. He slowly pulled her up into a sitting position before reaching out with his other hand to brush aside the dark long strands of feathered hair from her face.
" Are you alright? ", Zidane asked gently while he searched the girl's soft, beautifully featured face.
Garnet blinked at the deep, velvety tone of the voice and turned her face up to look at him, " I... I... why did you save me? ", she blurted out while wretching her hand from his.
Zidane looked at her, completely taken aback by her question, " I... well, you were falling, and I thought that it was a good thing if we saved you.... ", he stammered.
Cernd watched the two young adults with interest in his lavender eyes. Marcus and Cinna backed away to mingle with the crowd that was staring at the two young adults. Garnet closed her eyes and felt her body tremble as a sob escaped her throat.
" You should've let me die! ", she shouted as she jumped up, but then stumbled back to the ground.
Zidane lunged for her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her to him, " I... I couldn't do that.... ", he replied softly.
Garnet placed two hands to his toned chest and kept her unwavering gaze on his strong neck, watching the main vein push against the skin at a fast pace with the heartbeat that she felt so strong and so sure under her hands, " And why not? If I wanted to die, then you should've let me! "
Zidane shook his head, " I couldn't do that... "
" Why not! "
Zidane looked down at the top of her head and bit his lip, " Well... protecting girls is my one main thing that I do, and since you were in trouble, I had to save you, and two.... you just remind me of a very good and special friend that I once knew before... that's why. By the way? What's your name? ", he asked softly.
Garnet sighed, a little exasperated, " My name is Garnet Til Alexandros 17th.... now please.... will you rid yourself of your hands from me? "
***
Cernd tilted his head to the side and looked at Garnet, ' So... she's the Queen of this dump? Interesting to have saved her as she basically threw herself from the top of the castle... '
Cernd watched as a shocked look slid onto his ruggish features, causing him to smirk slightly, ' He looks like the boy I remember seeing back in Madain Sari... oh... say about twelve years ago. Rather odd if you ask me.... '
***
Zidane blinked and unwrapped his arms from Garnet's slim, tiny waist to cross them over his chest, " You're the Queen, I take it, then? ", he asked, his eyes set on her face that she kept lowered to the ground.
Garnet looked up at him and nodded once, " Yes.... "
Zidane frowned deeply and brought a hand up to gently scratch his jaw, " Then.... you wouldn't be Sarah.... ", he muttered outloud.
Garnet blinked a few times, ' S-sarah? How is it that I remember hearing that name before? '
Marcus emerged from the crowd that was beginning to go on with their daily life and he walked over to stand beside Zidane.
" Zidane.... here she is. You might as well go ahead and do what Baku asked you to do... ", he reminded the younger man gently in the ear.
" Huh? ", Zidane blinked and glanced over at him. " Oh... yeah, right.... "
Garnet knitted her perfect brows together and watched Zidane, " You never told me your name... "
Zidane looked back at Garnet and quirked an eyebrow, " Oh, right! Sorry.... my name's Zidane Tribal.... "
Garnet quirked her own eyebrow at him, " Zidane Tribal.... ", she quietly breathed the name slowly, as if testing out first and last name.
Zidane watched her, a suddenly dawning coming onto him, ' Why does this... feel so familiar? She couldn't be Sarah... Sarah died in that fire... unless... '
Zidane quickly reached down into his pocket and fished for something. Garnet watched him with interest as did the rest of the people who had saved her. Zidane grasped the two thin black leather straps and pulled out the necklace that held a small bluish-purple jewel in the middle of it all.
Zidane brought it up to his face to examine it before holding it out in front of Garnet, " Have you ever seen this? Or even remember it at all? ", he asked, his voice full of hope.
Garnet stared at the jewel in the middle of the necklace before looking at it all. She slowly shook her head and looked into Zidane's eyes, " I... no. I'm sorry. Why? Where'd you get it? "
Zidane's heart sank and he quietly placed the necklace back in his pocket. He shook his head and waved a hand in the air, " Nevermind... you wouldn't understand.... ", he replied.
Garnet blinked, " And why not?! ", she demanded.
Zidane frowned lightly, " Beacause... you just wouldn't. Now... I'm going to go now... since you don't seem to want to talk to me.... goodbye, Majesty.... ", he replied with a slight bow before turning to brush past Marcus and head back to the Prima Vista.
Marcus looked after him, his jaw open, his eyes wide, " Where the hell do you think you're going?! Get your ass back here, Zidane! ", he shouted. To Garnet he said, " I'm so sorry, Majesty... we'll be right back... "
Garnet watched in confusion as Marcus spun back around and ran after Zidane, " Hey!! ", she suddenly shouted.
Both Zidane and Marcus turned around to face her, " What? ", Marcus asked. Zidane remained silent, his eyes clouded with something unknown.
Garnet looked at Zidane, ignoring Marcus, " Z-zidane... come back... ", she called out, her voice sounding weird to her own ears.
Zidane frowned, " Why? "
Garnet rolled her eyes, " Because... you were suppose to ask something of me and I want to know what it was! That's why... ", she replied.
Zidane lowered his head and looked down at the ground, ' Should I? '
Marcus glanced over at Zidane, " Well? Get moving, Zidane! Baku's going to have your ass again if you don't do it.. "
Cernd sratched his neck and looked at Garnet, " Majesty? Perhaps it would be best if you returned to the castle... "
Garnet glanced over at him and knitted her brows together as she took in the handsome looks. She shook her head, " I'll be alright... you have no need to worry about me. "
Cernd shook his head, " But we do... what with your mother dead.... "
Garnet flinched slightly and looked at the ground, " Please.... don't remind me of that. "
Zidane looked up and frowned as he walked over to Garnet. He bowed slightly and then scratched his head, " What I was asked to do was... uhm, well... I don't know if I should ask you just yet.... ", he muttered uncertain now.
Marcus walked over to him, " What exactly did Baku ask you to do? ", he whispered into Zidane's ear.
Zidane closed his eyes and swallowed. He could feel Garnet's eyes watching him. Cernd looked at Zidane and nodded, " Yes... what exactly were you told to do or ask? "
Zidane opened his eyes and looked at the ground, " I was asked to propose.... "
***
Garnet blinked and took a step back, " W-what?! Propose! ", she nearly shrieked.
Marcus blinked and almost fell back, " W-what?! Baku asked you to do that! "
Zidane kept his eyes to the ground but when he looked up into Garnet's wide eyes, he saw something that sent shivers down his spine and yet brought warmth to his body, " Yes... ", he replied lightly.
Garnet crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head slowly as she brought a hand up in the air to silence the suddenly protesting Cernd, " Whoa, whoa, whoa!! Back track for a short minute.... you were asked to... propose to me because? Why? "
Zidane ran his tongue over his suddenly dry lips and plowed a hand through his blonde tresses, sending them back away from his face, " I don't really know myself, your Majesty. I don't know how Baku's mind works.... "
Garnet looked at him, " If you're proposing to me, Zidane Tribal.... my answer is.... ", she paused to glance over at Cernd and then over at Marcus.
Zidane watched her, not really caring what her answer was. She was beautiful and perfect in everyway possible, but what would she see in a petty thief like him? Nothing that would amuse her. But, Sarah had liked him enough to except his proposal, though they didn't get married, they were only engaged. He eyed her body that filled out in perfectly in every place that a man would enjoy to touch and a slight smirk came to Zidane's lips.
Garnet watched him and remained silent while she pondered her answer quite aware of his eyes on her body, " I'm going to have to decline, Zidane Tribal.... ", she finally said.
Zidane shrugged lightly, showing that he didn't care, but deep down, he felt his heart sink deeply to the empty pit of his stomach, " That's quite alright, Majesty... I knew you wouldn't be THAT stupid to go along and marry a poor, petty thief like me... ", his reply came out softer then he had intended.
Garnet cocked an eyebrow and tilted her head to the side as she looked at him, " Alright... I really am sorry though. I do want to thank you for saving me... even though I didn't want to be saved.... "
Zidane frowned, " Yeah... why did you jump anyway? "
Garnet pursed her lips together as she thought about it, " I... I can't quite explain it. I felt that I didn't - and still don't - have a place in life. My being Queen of Alexandria isn't for me. I don't really remember most of my past, and I want to know what it was like, having to grow up in the castle at a young age, to have tons of servants at your side, everything like that.... but I can't remember.... "
Zidane placed his lower lip between his teeth and began to nibble gently, " I'm sorry to hear that... "
Garnet shrugged away his apology lightly, " It's alright.... "
" Majesty!! Where in the name of Alexandria have you been?! ", a deep voice cried as the sound of rusty armor banging up armor floated into the air, followed by two pairs of footsteps.
Garnet whirled around to find herself facing Adelbert Steiner and Beatrix; her two most protective and loyal guards. She frowned deeply and placed a hand on her hip, " I'm alright, Steiner. Don't worry... ", she assured the panicky thirty-seven year old guard.
Steiner frowned and looked at her with beady black eyes, " Yes, I can see that you're alright, but where have you been? Haer'Dalis of Athkatla has been waiting for you to see him for the past half an hour. And... who are all these people? ", he asked as he suspiciously eyed Zidane and the rest of the men standing around Garnet.
Garnet blinked, " Haer'Dalis of Athkatla? Who's that? "
Beatrix cleared her throat, " He's the Prince of Athkatla and he wishes to ask for your hand.... ", she replied briefly, her deep brown eyes sparkling as she rested her hand on the handle of her ' Save the Queen '.
Garnet snorted unladylike and Steiner and Beatrix glanced at each other in confusion. She then placed a hand to her forehead and shook her head, sighing, " I don't understand what it is with men these days... ", she muttered as she ran her tongue over her soft, full lips.
Beatrix looked back at Garnet, " Majesty? "
Garnet looked at Beatrix and shrugged slightly, " Don't worry about it.... let's just go meet this Haer'Dalis... "
Steiner looked over at Zidane and cocked an eyebrow, " Who's he? "
Garnet looked over at Zidane who kept his eyes on Steiner as if challenging him for some reason, " That's Zidane Tribal, Steiner.... "
" Did he hurt you? ", he blurted out.
Garnet snorted again, " No! He actually saved me... "
Steiner blinked, " How so? "
Garnet lowered her eyes to the ground, " I jumped off the castle roof... ", she murmured lightly.
Steiner's eyebrow shot up in surprise and Beatrix took a step towards Garnet, but Garnet held a hand up, stopping her, " Don't worry about it. We'll discuss it later... ", she said smoothly as she brushed past her two shocked guards to make her way back into the castle.
Steiner looked at Zidane and bowed slightly, " We thank you for saving her, Zidane.... "
Zidane waved away his thanks and turned his back as he began to head to the little theatre that Ruby had made in the back alley, " Don't worry about it, Steiner... I was just doing what I normally do... ", he called over his shoulder.
Steiner watched him go. Marcus looked at the retreating Zidane and then at Steiner's completely confused expression, " Don't worry about what he said. It only means that he does what he always does, and that's saving women who are in danger... "
Steiner looked at Marcus and nodded, " I see.... well, thank him again for me and take care... ", he replied before turning to chase after Beatrix and Garnet.
Marcus sighed heavily and Cinna came up to stand by him, " What's the matter, bro? "
Marcus shook his head, " Don't worry about it... "
Cinna cocked a light brow, " And why shouldn't I? ", he demanded as he waved his hammer at him.
Marcus pushed aside the hammer and began to walk after Zidane, " Just drop it, Cinna. We all really know who she REALLY is.... "
Cernd blinked, obviously completely forgotten by the band of thieves, ' What do they mean by that? Who do they mean at that? '
***
Garnet sat in the chair, an elbow propped up on the cushioned arm, her chin resting on her hand as she tried to concentrate on the deep voice of Haer'Dalis, but she couldn't. Zidane's face and voice kept coming in her mind and it would make her smile.
Haer'Dalis looked at Garnet and frowned lightly as he tilted his head to the side, " And... that my dear, is why I have come to ask for your hand in marriage... "
Garnet blinked and looked at him, " Huh? Oh... I understand... "
Haer'Dalis knitted his light brows together and plowed a hand through his long strawberry blonde hair and blinked his deep violet eyes, " Is something the matter, Majesty? ", he asked in concern as he reached out and gently covered Garnet's hand with his own.
Garnet looked down at his hand covering hers and she immediately saw Zidane's hand instead of Haer'Dalis, " Zidane.... ", she whispered lightly.
Haer'Dalis blinked and cocked an eyebrow, " What? Garnet... are you alright? Would you like to lie down for awhile? "
Garnet looked back up at him and slowly shook her head, " Uh... I, no. I'm just off in my own little world at the moment, Haer'Dalis. I'm sorry... ", she apologized quietly.
Haer'Dalis smiled kindly and shook his head, " It's alright, Garnet.... so... will you accept my proposal? "
Garnet stared at him, ' What do I do? I don't even know this man... '
Haer'Dalis blinked a few times and then reached over to gently place a warm hand on her smooth forehead, " Well... you have no fever... so... why are you so quiet? "
Garnet shrugged and looked at the table, " I don't know what to say, Haer'Dalis... "
Haer'Dalis grinned, " Say you'll marry me.... "
Garnet bit her lip, ' Why is he so persistent? I don't understand this man... why did he have to ask me of all women in the Gaea.... '
" You still thinking about it or something? "
" I... I don't know. My mind isn't quite with me at the moment, Haer'Dalis... "
" Oh... I see. "
" .... "
Haer'Dalis frowned lightly and then sighed as he gently took his hand from Garnet's and dropped it in his lap. Garnet looked down at the oak table and then reached out to trace little drawings that only she could see in her mind. It was completely silent, until Garnet looked at Haer'Dalis and nodded her head.
" What? ", Haer'Dalis asked lightly as he watched her deep chocolate eyes slightly sparkle.
Garnet smiled gently and nodded her head again, " Haer'Dalis... I accept you proposal! "
(A/N**: *grins deviously* hehehe.... I'll let you ponder about what's going to happen next... MWUAHAHAHAH!!!! Have fun... next chapter will be in on Monday or Thursday... not quite sure yet!! *waves* Ciao!! Will Zidane go back to the castle to try and talk to Garnet? How will he react to her new news about her proposal? Find out next time on Remember me Always... )
