------- Chapter I: A Queen's Sorrow---------

Garnet walked silently by the shore, the waves lapping soothingly against the still gondola. It had been so long since Zidane had disappeared on his gallant effort to save his brother and former arch-nemesis, Kuja. She hoped he would return, but as her hair had grown to former length once again she redeemed little hope of Zidane keeping the promise she had forced upon him before she waved a tearful farewell to the sweet man she had grown to love.

In her heart she knew that if he were still alive he would spare nothing to keep the promise as soon as he was able. The pain brought forth by thinking about him brought a fresh wave of grief for her loved ones lost, her father, her mothers, and sweet dear Vivi who still lived, barely; the day of his death growing near.

Garnet wished to be by his side the day he 'stopped' in terms, but he refused her wish and told her to lead her kingdom with head held high and to give Zidane his regards.

Vivi had always been certain that their dear friend would return, in fact Vivi's hope was what had kept Garnet strong; but, as he died she felt herself dying as well, her hope to go on.

Stupid, she thought. Always depending on someone else, even after I have become Queen I still rely on Steiner, Beatrix, and Dr. Tot, foolish.

She snubbed herself and sat on the cool stone steps of the west tower.

"I'm almost Nineteen," she whispered to the ghosts she felt near.

"If I don't marry soon the people will suspect me as odd, oh Mother what am I to do? I wish to wait for Zidane, but I don't know what is best,"

"How about following your heart?"

Garnet turned her head in surprise to the cultured accent of Dr.Tot her soft, brown eyes settling on the stout figure of the old philosopher.

"Dr. Tot! You startled me I did not hear you," she said feeling ashamed that he had been listening to her self-pitying session.

"Come child! Didn't I always teach you to reach for the stars and to never doubt the trust of your people?" The doctor quizzed disregarding Garnet's disheartened look.

"Yes, but-,"

"But nothing my dear, if you love the man than he will return to you, if not in this lifetime than another, your people will not question love," the doctor lectured.

Garnet knew he was right; she had all along, she'd just needed a little push. She smiled inwardly her sadness forgotten.

"Thank you Dr. Tot, I am sorry for being distrusting of my people, I shall try to work on that."

"Good, good; now I have some pleasant news, your Majesty; it seems that Tantalus has just received a new theater ship and as a birthday present to you they have decided to perform 'I Want to be Your Canary' isn't that wonderful?" The doctor mused seeming happy to be the bearer of this news.

It made Garnet happy to hear this but yet again she was awash with a certain sadness of the last birthday Tantalus had preformed at.

"Oh, yes wonderful," she said forcing a cheery tone as she felt the tears so familiar rush to her eyes once again. She dropped her eyes to the heavy stone around her neck refusing to allow the doctor to see her cry.

"Your Majesty?" the doctor said provoking the tears even more.

"If you want me to cancel-," Tot began.

"No!" Garnet cried more harshly than she had intended she locked gazes with the old doctor, her delicate face pinched into a mask of desperation, accented by the streaks of sadness down her cheeks and her watery eyes.

"Do not cancel, I want to see them again if I can't see Zidane or Vivi fine, but I want to see my other friends. I miss them all so much," to Garnet's surprise the old doctor smiled and placed one weathered hand on her shoulder.

"Your mother is smiling down on you my dear, you have truly become a great woman."