It had been horrible since he'd left her. Her nights were lonely and filled with grief. She missed Zidane greatly and nothing, not even the restoration of Alexandria, could take the edge off of the pain that she felt. She often spent hours on end staring out her bedroom window, waiting for him to return. Her heart felt as though it were caught between Bahamut's powerful jaws, ready to burst from the strength of the terrifying eidolon.

Her comrades, the ones who had remained, had attempted to cheer her up, but to no avail. There was no person who could relieve the queen's suffering but one; the one who had left her.

But he did promise to return; you must give him that much.

Yes, he had said that he would return, had he not? And she trusted him. Even if she had to wait until the end of time, she would not forget him. Their melody would live on…

The faint sound of a muffled knock roused Garnet from her sad musings. She blinked before turning slowly, regally towards the door. After a moment of conferencing, no doubt about her, Steiner and Beatrix hesitantly made their way to their queen's side.

"Highness," Beatix began, almost nervously. "The festival is about to begin." Seeing no reaction in the royal lady's eyes, Beatrix's resolve hardened and she stepped directly in front of the queen, cutting off her train of thought. "Garnet, this is ridiculous! I know that you miss Zidane, we all do! But Steiner and I can no longer sit here and watch you let Alexandria fall to ruin! You are the queen; start acting like one!"

Silence fell. Finally seeming to realize that she might have gone too far, Beatrix straightened and stepped back once, never taking her eyes from the grieving woman before her. After a moment, Garnet rose.

"You're right," she whispered. She felt as though she were finally awakening from a long sleep. And perhaps she was. Perhaps it was time that she really awaken and let her people know that their queen was still alive and well. "Steiner…Beatrix…thank you…"

But then, was this really what she wanted, Garnet asked herself as she smiled at the throng of people before her. She sat where her mother had once sat, observing the play that the travelers performed. It was her favorite play, or had been, before her adventures with Zidane…

Zidane. Just the very thought of him chills my heart and brings back memories of…

"…bring my Dagger back to me…!"

Garnet started. Had she just heard…?

Peering over the edge of the balcony, she saw him, as handsome and dashing as he had looked before the Lifa Tree incident. Her heart stopped, breath hitched in her chest, a bubble that was painful but welcome all the same. She was not dreaming; he was really here! Her mind had not registered that fact that she was running until she was descending the main stairs. Burning pain seared her side but she welcomed the discomfort. The pain only meant that she was really awake, that he was really here waiting for her.

Rushing into the crowd, Garnet was jostled by the commoners. She shoved her way through as brutally as she was being shoved. She had to get to him; she had to reach him before he disappeared from her life again!!

There was a tug at her neck as her jeweled pendant caught on the coarse material of a peasant's robe. The delicate silver chain snapped, flinging the jewel out into the crowd. Garnet froze, staring at the spot that it had flown to, then glancing back at her hero waiting for her on the stage.

If I turn from him now, he might…

With sudden assurance that if she took her eyes off of him again he would disappear forever, Garnet left her birthstone, rushing for the man instead. He was more important than any jewel, after all.

He held his arms out as she made her way up the stage steps, getting ever so closer to him. Garnet's eager body slammed into his waiting arms, relaxing for the first time since he had left. She could smell the sent of a thousand adventures, of hundreds of journeys, of him. She held on to him tightly, relishing the feel of his chin resting on her head, his hand stroking her hair. This was all that she had ever wanted; all that she had ever desired. This was heaven.

The mouse-like man closed his eyes, his expression a mix of pleasure and pain. The sight of the two lovers who had finally found their way back into each other's arms sent a ripple of joy through the crowd of people who watched. This was better than the play that had been interrupted; this was real love, strong as granite and sure as gold and the onlookers felt their own hearts melt at the sight of it.

Finally, the couple managed to separate enough for the man to gaze into the queen's eyes. Within them was a softness that rivaled the fleece of a baby lamb. Her love poured out from her gaze, warming the young man even as a trickle of grief wound its harsh hand around his heart. He opened his mouth, wishing that it had been different; that he would not have to be here now, telling her this. His hand touched her cheek, softly, tenderly.

"Garnet," he whispered.

I am not…