-------Chapter III: At Long Last-------------
Alexandria was awash with excitement for Garnet's birthday. The young Queen felt herself lost in the excitement of the servants and soldiers.
She felt as if something bigger more ominous was going on that everyone knew about, except her. She knew it was silly but she couldn't help but wonder as she approached the kitchen where Quina was busily preparing for the birthday feast.
"No, no I want two chocobo egg, not one!" s/he cried to the little kitchen tenants scurrying about.
Garnet stood in awe in the door for a moment amazed at all the food that was about and the gourmand wasn't stuffing her/his outrageously large mouth.
"Hey, Quina," Garnet said slipping into the more relaxed speech of her persona Dagger.
The gourmand turned her/his bulbous head looking delighted to see the Queen as s/he scuttled to the door where Garnet stood.
"Ahh, Your Majestyness, I been meaning to talk to you, what you prefer on cake, Garnet or Dagger?"
"Well," Garnet paused to think.
"Dagger, seems that's the best choice," She said smiling at the gourmand.
"Ahh, I thought so, is good choice fit you best." the gourmand replied turning to scold one of his/her workers.
"What do you mean by that, Quina?" Garnet asked confusion playing across her face.
"Is simple," the gourmand said turning his/her attention back to Garnet.
"Garnet is red, correct?"
"Yes..." Garnet replied not sure where this was heading.
"Aha! See? You not red, but you sharp, like dagger." The gourmand said pleased with his/her statement.
"Oh. Okay I..I get it," Garnet said nodding in comprehension.
"Good. Now Her Majestyness must go, I have much preparation," the gourmand said ushering the Queen into the hall.
"Oh-okay. Goodnight Quina," Garnet said turning to leave.
"Goodnight to you too, Dagger. Tomorrow be a happy day!" the gourmand said to the Queen's back.
Garnet walked down the hall suddenly feeling drained of her energy and turning to her chambers. Of course, she laughed to herself. Anyone can feel drained after talking to Quina. Even Zidane....
**************************
"Aaaahhh!!! Can't this stupid tub move any faster?!" Zidane whined from the top bunk in the crew's quarters. Blank had been trying to compose a romantic letter to Ruby telling her how he really felt but with Zidane's constant whining all he had was 'Dear Ruby,' hardly a start.
"Would you please shut up?! Geez man, you waited three years can't you wait just three more hours?!" Blank yelled as he jumped off the bed.
Zidane somberly looked at Blank.
"Well I really miss her I mean I wonder if she kept her hair short, if she has changed in any way; and plus I wanna see how Alexandria has recovered," he calmly replied.
"Hey I have an idea!" Blank stated enthusiastically walking to the door and opening it.
"Why don't you sleep it'll make the time go faster," Blank said sticking one foot out the door.
"Yeah..." Zidane said
"Hey-wait a minute how am I gonna-,"
"Nighty-night, I'll come back before showtime," Blank grinned cutting Zidane off and slamming the door shut locking it.
"Hah! Bug me now!" Blank yelled at the door.
"Bastard!" came Zidane's muffled reply.
Blank grinned to himself as he walked off to find somewhere quieter.
*********************
Garnet sat alone on the balcony overlooking the city. I can't wait she thought gazing down at the large crowd spotting her old friends.
She smiled down at them as they noticed her and Eiko started jumping up and down in her seat swinging her arms over her head in excitement.
Garnet laughed and waved at the little summoner as Hilda stopped the bouncing of the girl and sat back down.
Garnet leaned back in the plush throne and sighed.
"The theater ship will arrive any minute." she said her smile softening.
"It's been so long... I can't wait to see everyone. But..." she said pausing leaning further back closing her eyes to shut in the tears that threatened to come.
"It'll never be the same. Not without him," she whispered opening her eyes again, gazing at the silly little ring she had gotten in Conde Petie, her only reminder of the day she had begun to feel differently towards Zidane. When she had started to realize that she was falling for his silly antics, his mangy style, and… his crystal blue eyes. The eyes that had always gazed at her fondly with such a deep kindness.
Garnet shook her head and quickly wiped away a tear that had escaped down her cheek.
"It makes no difference I am Queen now," she spoke aloud trying to reassure herself drawing her eyelids over her dark eyes. But that's not what I feel, she thought.
" I have to let go of the past…," she firmly told herself.
" I have to move on, just like he taught me." she sighed opening her eyes again to the arising applause as the ship floated into view.
It only a few minutes for the ship to dock and for Baku to step out on to the stage wearing the oh so familiar King Leo costume.
"Ladies and Gentlemen!" he began.
"Tonight's performance is about a story that takes place long, long ago. Our heroine, Princess Cornelia is torn from her lover, Marcus. She attempts to flee the castle only to be captured by her father, King Leo."
"Tonight's story begins when Marcus and Cornelia decide to run away together." Baku finished.
"And now Your Royal Majesty, Queen Garnet, Lord Steiner, Lady Beatrix...Noble ladies and lords, and our rooftop viewers, Tantalus proudly presents 'I want to be Your Canary'!" Baku then turned and left the stage.
Garnet felt her mind begin to wander during the first scene as Ruby and Marcus began the play.
I remember the last time I saw this play, she thought. It had started after Cornelia was captured. How ironic that my favorite play should lead me to the love of my life, and the beginning of so much suffering.
And here I am watching it again, ha I wonder what will happen this time, she thought. Will the ship blow up still inside the castle? Or will something worse happen?
Garnet dismissed these thoughts from her mind, focusing back on the play.
Marcus had just decided to pray to the moons for his beloved.
"I beseech thee, wondrous moonlight, grant me my only wish! He cried bending over as if sick.
Then suddenly he spun around ripping of his dark cloak.
"Bring my beloved Dagger to me!! Zidane cried.
Wha- Garnet stood unable to believe her eyes. Is it really- yes it's him! She cried in her mind as she gathered her skirts running to the back of the balcony to the twin doors that would lead her to him her beloved Zidane.
When she reached the doors she stopped in despair as the two large arms of her sworn protectors stood in her way.
-Not gonna let me pass she thought; but to her delight the doors began to swing open. She glanced eagerly at Steiner he looked at her and grinned, then she looked at Beatrix. The general smiled and motioned for Garnet to pass.
"Go on, he's waiting," Beatrix whispered as Garnet ran past.
They knew he was here, she laughed to herself as she flew down the stairs, her palm glancing of the golden railing to keep from falling. As she hit the bottom step she stumbled, but kept going her heart screaming for the man who had haunted her dreams for so long.
The two guards at the doors tried to stop Garnet but she was too fast, she pushed through the doors into the bright sun.
Without thinking she began to rudely push her way through the crowd. As she shoved and dodged nobles the only thing she was focusing on was the stage uttering an apology here and there.
Then she was almost there she could see the polished wood of the stage. She could see it just beyond two nobles that stood shoulder to shoulder. She was impatient enough not to even ask them to step aside she placed her hands on each of their shoulders and pushed them apart accelerated from the push she broke into a full run, but was stopped abruptly by a commoner who must have heard the commotion from behind. He hit Garnet's shoulder knocking the Royal Pendant from her neck.
Garnet spun at the force and watched helplessly as the pendant flew through the air, glinting in the sun. It hit the cobblestone and slid a good ten feet from her.
Garnet clasped her hands about her neck not sure what to do. She stood there, staring at the fallen stone her mind rasping for a solution to her dilemma, and then she squeezed her eyes shut remembering Dr. Tot's words, 'Follow your heart.'
Nodding to herself Garnet spun and ran towards the stage. She ripped the tiara from her head and flung it aside as she caught sight of Zidane.
She flung herself into his arms screaming his name. He caught her with expert skill, swung her in a complete circle, then pulled her close. She looked into Zidane's face, taking in his warm features, his handsome blue eyes and felt tears start to roll uncontrollably down her cheeks.
He grinned at her and she let out a deep sob burring her face in his shoulder; then, she started hitting him, she didn't know why purpose was lost after the second contact she sobbed again hitting him one last time.
He gently placed his hand on her hair.
"You grew it out," Zidane whispered
Unable to speak she just nodded. She pushed away from him to look at him again. They met eyes and then Zidane pulled her close again. His strong arms held her tight, as he gently stroked her hair.
Garnet heard an eruption of cheer from the people around them, but that didn't matter. The only thing she cared about was the man who held her close now.
After a moment she felt compelled to ask Zidane a question; she pulled far enough away from him to look into his eyes.
"How did you survive?" she asked
"I didn't have a choice," Zidane replied.
"I had to live," he began gently touching her cheek.
"I wanted to come home to you...So, I sang your song," he finished
Garnet smiled at her sweet love and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Our song," she whispered.