Author's Note: Hey, everyone! I would like to thank everyone for the feedback for the last couple of chapters, but I've been asked, "Is that the end?" Well, here's a new chapter, so the answer is, "no." It's not quite the end—not yet anyway. I also want to thank TabletsofDreams for his critical review, and I wish that I would receive more like his. But I also wish that he would have left an email address, because there are some comments I had to his critical review. Other than that,please continue to read and review.

Told you once about your friends and neighbors.
They were always seeking, but they'll never find it.
It's alright. Yes, it's alright.
Where to go and where to see?
It's always been that way, and it can never be.
It's alright. Yes, it's alright.
Give it all and ask for no return.
And very soon you'll see, and you'll begin to learn,
that it's alright. Yes, it's alright—

"It's Alright"—Black Sabbath

A Time of Peace. A Time of War

Chapter XVII

On Monday, Mortimer—and some of those close to Haldan—returned to Alexandria to take their leader and friend's body. Haldan was dressed in his armor, with his sword by his side—both were still stained with his blood. Mortimer and those close to Haldan bowed before their former commander. It was decided that Haldan would be buried in Caesarea.

The next day Zidane and Garnet returned to Alexandria. They were dressed in the clothes from their adventure two years ago. The two stood in Alexandria's square. Beside them were Steiner and Beatrix. And before them were Alexandria's citizens.

Zidane addressed them. "Hey, everyone! I want to say first of all that I'm glad to see all of you! Alexandria's been through a lot—first the incident with Kuja, the situation with the reparations, Haldan, and now the re-conquest. Well, our queen would like to address you. So, I'm going to turn everything over to her."

Zidane stepped back.

And Garnet stepped forward.

Many of the citizens applauded her.

Garnet smiled. "Thank you very much. I appreciate that. But I have to confess that I know there was a time when a lot of you wanted to throw stones at me. All I ask is that if you stone me, please aim for my face, and not my stomach."

Garnet rubbed her belly, and the people chuckled.

So did Zidane, Beatrix, and Steiner.

"This is good. I'm glad that the people're seeing Dagger's funny side."

"But now I have to turn to something serious…A couple of years ago, Alexandria attacked the peaceful countries of Lindblum, Burmecia, and Clerya…Many people died during those attacks. You didn't have anything to do with it—and neither did I—but it was still Alexandria's fault; and as queen, I was responsible for paying the reparations…Unfortunately, I went about it the wrong way. The increased taxes were wrong. I simply followed bad advice. And for that mistake, I ask your forgiveness. The only time taxes would ever be raised again is if it's a situation that benefits Alexandria; and from my talks with Zidane, I've decided to create a Parliament from the various towns and cities throughout the empire. Membership will not be based on class. And a public debate'll be held between all candidates regardless of how much money one candidate has. I've also decided that once every year, I'll meet in public with my subjects to hear their concerns personally—unless certain circumstances keep me from doing so."

The citizens were stunned. The queen had just created a new form of government—one that gives the people of Alexandria more power.

"Second, I would like to speak to those of you who had a home or business damaged in the recent attack. I'll be giving out funds to help you recover and rebuild your home, or your business, or both."

That statement was met applause.

Garnet smiled. "Thank you again, but now I'd like to turn to something else. During the occupation of Alexandria under Haldan you heard propaganda spread that brought into question my lineage to the throne. That I'm not actually my mother's child…Let me state that, that was not propaganda. That was true."

The citizens of Alexandria gasped.

And Garnet nodded. "I understand your surprise. It's perfectly legitimate. I was in fact born in the village of Madain Sari, on the Outer Continent; and I came here twelve years ago, when I was six years old. My biological mother and I were escaping a demonic eye—one that some of you might remember seeing two years ago when Alexandria was attacked."

Many in the crowd nodded.

"When my mother and I reached the shores of Alexandria, she was dead; and I was now motherless. As it turns out, the king and queen had recently lost their daughter—who was named Garnet. Because I looked so much like her, I was re-baptized as 'Garnet' and would become the heir to the throne.

"There's a reason why I'm telling you this. I see Alexandria as a family, with me at the head—thus I'm a mother to all of you. And as a family, I don't want there to be any secrets—unless it could potentially harm someone or the kingdom. That's why I wanted you to know the truth about my family. And I hope that even though in a sense I'm a foreigner; I'm my mother's appointed successor, and this country's just as much my home as it's yours; and I'm going to give my all for Alexandria. I pray, therefore, that you'll accept me—and those who come after me—by choice and not by force."

Once Garnet finished her speech the crowd began to applaud and cheer. Shouts of 'God Save the Queen' were heard. And Garnet turned to Zidane and smiled.