Closure
A simply delightful story by Niftee1

Author’s note

Okay, yeah, “Closure” is a stupid title.  I admit it.  But you see, loose ends drive me nuts.  Sure, it is only a game, but I always find myself rather attached to my video game characters as I play, and when there is no solution to an obvious problem, well, I just can’t handle it.  So, here it is, because I cannot find another fan fiction on FF2 that is currently finished (but mind you, the unfinished stories that I have read are quite good), I have to create my own closure to a specific situation, one that will drive me nuts if I don’t!  And please, don’t make fun of me.  I haven’t written too many of these stories in the past.  I am a decent essayist, but when it comes to creative writing, I leave much to be desired.  Feel free to help, but please, be gentle with your criticisms!  And should someone have a suggestion for a better title (is it just me, or is the title the hardest part of the story to come up with?) please email me your suggestions.

So here goes…Closure


She trudged slowly home thinking, somewhat longingly, of the site she had witnessed the day before.  Oh, how happy they seemed!  Cecil and Rosa’s wedding was the buzz of the Blue Planet.  Anyone who was anyone attended the spiritual union of the king and queen of the world’s most powerful kingdom.  And Rydia was one of the lucky guests, along with the other chosen heroes.  

Rydia let out a deep sigh as she stood outside Queen Asura’s chamber—if the basement of the library could really be called a chamber.  It was good to be home.  It always felt good to be back among the creatures in the Land of the Summoned Monsters.  They understood her, especially Queen Asura.   Yet, happy as she was to be back after her short visit to Baron, she couldn’t shake this feeling…this unsettling desire…something she would rather not acknowledge.  Well, maybe her surrogate mother wouldn’t notice.

Yeah right!  Queen Asura noticed a change in Rydia immediately.  She greeted her daughter fondly.  “Oh Rydia, you are home so soon.  Not that it is a bad thing.  I rather missed you!”  

True, Rydia was not really her daughter, but who really needed to know that.  She loved the beautiful child like one of her own.  She reached out for a hug, and Rydia fell into her tentacle-like arms.  Sensing her child’s distress, she held her.  She held her until an annoying damp spot on her shoulder forced her to let go.

“Why, what is it little one?  Did something happen?  The wedding went all right didn’t it?”  Asura stroked Rydia’s long, emerald green hair waiting for her to calm down and speak.

Drying her eyes on the sleeve of her dress, Rydia finally felt able to talk.  “Oh Asura, the wedding was beautiful.  I saw all of my friends, well, all of them except Kain.  He was off on some mysterious quest, something about building up his Dragoon capabilities.  But, the ceremony was beautiful.  The castle was alive with music, color, and laughter.  Cecil and Rosa look so happy together, and I just know that with the two of them reigning together, Baron will continue to be a great power.”

Something didn’t fit.  If all was so wonderful in the overworld, why was this child crying on her shoulder?  Asura had to know!  “It sounds terrific.  I do hope you sent the newlyweds my and Leviathan’s regards.”

“Of course I did.  They were ever so grateful for the gift!”  Secretly Rydia chuckled.  What in the world were her friends going to do with a collection of rodent tails?   Sure, the rat’s tail once had a purpose, but now what were they to do with an assortment of them?  “In fact, Rosa claimed she would put it on display in the entry to the castle.”  She actually claimed she was going to hide it in the dungeon along with the thirty-three sets of china, sixteen silver tea sets, and fifty-one blenders that her friends and family sent her.  They just didn’t quite understand that the new queen doesn’t have to worry about cooking anymore!

“Well that is lovely!  I am so glad that our small gift was so appreciated.”  She hesitated, afraid to send the girl into tears once more.  “And how are your other friends.  You mentioned Kain was not there, but what about Cid, the twins, Edward and…”

Rydia abruptly cut her off.  I am getting somewhere, thought Asura.  I knew it had to do with that self-absorbed, pain-in-the-butt, yet strangely attractive, Eblanian king!

“Oh they are all doing so well!  Cid is back in Baron helping to redesign the airship fleet.  Of course in this time of peace the world doesn’t need them, but Cid just needs something to keep him occupied.”  She giggled.  “I think he just likes an excuse to order the young engineers around.  He always tells me how headstrong and stupid they are and how they are lacking the control and skill of a superior craftsman!

“And the twins are growing up so fast!  I guess they had a lot of studying and whatnot to catch up with after the stone incident, but the Elder told me that they finished all of what they were behind in and are still ahead of any of his other students.  They are such bright children, and oh how they make me laugh!

“Edward too, is doing well.  Things have been difficult for him since losing Anna, but I think he is getting back into the dating scene.  He brought a girl to the wedding.  Her name is Shyla, and she is the daughter of the Damcyan court musician.

“Yang was there too, with his wife.  They…” She rambled on aimlessly about the reparations at Fabul and some other stuff that Asura soon lost track of.

She had to know.  This was ridiculous.  “And Edge?” Queen Asura cut off Rydia’s update.

The sparkle in Rydia’s dark eyes disappeared.  Her body tensed and a long moment of silence followed Queen Asura’s question.

“Uh, he was there,” was all she could muster before the tears came again.

“Oh, my child.  Hush,” crooned Asura.  She again held the girl as she cried.  “I am so sorry.  I never should have pushed the issue.  I should have known.”

“He, he wouldn’t talk to me,” sobbed Rydia.  “I don’t know what I did to him, but I went to say hello, and he just stared at me.  Then he turned the other way, refusing to even look at me.”  She mopped her face with her sleeve, a look of defiance crossing her face.  “He’s such a jerk!” she shouted before a fresh set of tears rushed from her eyes.

Asura knew all too well that this would happen.  Just days before the wedding she had received a note from Eblan’s chamberlain.  It seemed that the young king had been somewhat reclusive and moody, definitely not his snotty self since the defeat of Zeromus.  He came home to a great celebration in his honor, and all he wanted to do was hide in his room.  When the chamberlain approached him, Edge only tried to send him away.  He sat brooding in the window as the chamberlain told him about the many lovely ladies downstairs just waiting to meet his highness.  Edge still just sat, fiddling with something.  Before the chamberlain left the room, he caught a glimpse of what Edge was holding.  It was a lock of green hair.

“Rydia, look at me child.”  She looked up, tears still running down her cheeks.  “Edge does not hate you, and he is not mad at you.  You are young as is he, and you both have much to learn about your emotions.”  Asura stopped knowing that her next words were likely to upset Rydia further.  However, she knew she had to say them.  “What you must do now is calm down and think rationally.  Don’t be angry with him.  Just be honest with yourself.  Why are you so upset?  
How do you really feel about the young ninja?”  

Immediately Rydia lost eye contact with the queen.  She stared at the floor, obviously not wanting to be there at that very moment.  Queen Asura stared knowingly at her child.  “I think we both know the answer.”  She left Rydia alone to think…and cry.



Edge stormed into his castle.  “Welcome home, your highness!” greeted one of Eblan’s sentries.  Edge ignored him and continued his flight through the castle and up into his private room in the tower.  All he wanted was some peace.  He just wanted to be left alone.

“How could I be so stupid?” he asked himself.  “Edge, you behaved like a child.  What is wrong with you?  She is just a woman, a woman like any other.  You have had your pick of the ladies your entire life.  This one is no different!”  

He sighed and said aloud, “But she is different!”  

More quietly he whispered, “She’s wonderful.”

He stared at himself in the mirror.  He looked terrible, and felt just as bad to match.  His hair stood on end, sweat drenched the collar of his suit, and his coat was wrinkled.  He caught a terrible stench and realized it was his breath.  The moment he could politely leave the wedding reception he bolted.  He barely bid the newlywed couple good-bye before he was out the door.  There was too much happiness…too much beauty…too damn much love!  He had to get out of there before he went crazy.  He needed a drink, hence the bad breath and the miserable headache.

A knock on the door brought him back to the present.  “You really don’t want to come in here,” he shouted to be heard through the heavy wooden door.

“I’m sorry my lord, but the chamberlain thought you could use some strong coffee,” replied a servant.

“All right, enter.”

The young woman entered.  She was short and rather petite with long blond hair and innocent, puppy dog, brown eyes.  On any other day Edge might have made a pass at her.  She was kind of cute.  But today he could only watch the tray she carried.  She walked carefully, and Edge noticed that she did not spill a single drop of coffee.  He did not, however, notice her attractive smile or her perfect figure.  He didn’t even notice the cleavage she revealed when she bent over in front of him to pour his drink.  He really must have been upset!

“Can I get you anything else?” she asked sweetly.

Edge stood at the window.  Below him a group of ninjas were in training.  Servants hustled this way and that.  And in the midst of this, a young couple sneaked a private moment in the courtyard.  He turned back to the young lady.  “Not unless you have the answer to mankind’s greatest mystery,” he replied dreamily.

Very confused and somewhat scared the young woman responded, “I am not sure which mystery you are referring to.  I, uh,” she took several steps backwards toward the door, “I think you need a nice hot shower and a couple pots of coffee.  Excuse my forward behavior sir, but you are not making any sense.  I will go draw your bath, and then I am leaving.  Somebody else can bring you your clean clothes!”  She quickly went into the bathroom leaving Edge to himself.

Ten minutes later the bathtub was overflowing and the chamberlain walked into the room. Edge did not seem to notice his entry, nor did he notice when the chamberlain shut off the water.  He stood in his same spot by the window.  The pair sneaking kisses in the courtyard had just been caught by the girl’s mother.  It was quite a sight to see!  The angry mom chased her daughter’s lover through the park attempting to beat him with a spatula.

“A-hem.”  There was no response.  A little louder, “A-hem, your highness, are you with me?”

Edge turned away from the window to greet the chamberlain, if you could actually call Edge’s blank stare a greeting.  “Welcome home sir.  Since your departure, nothing particularly interesting has occurred in the castle.  You did however receive this letter from Damcyan.”  He handed the envelope to Edge.  “Sir, I do recommend a bath and bed to cure that dreadful hangover.”  With that he left the room.

Outside the chamberlain could only shake his head.  Something happened at the wedding he could tell, but there was no way Edge would talk to him about it, especially in his drunken stupor.  Perhaps in the morning he could address this unkingly conduct.  In the meantime he knew he must check for correspondence from Queen Asura.  Surely she must have responded to his letter by now.



It was two weeks before the chamberlain heard from Asura.  She showed up personally at Eblan to meet with the chamberlain.  Edge, fortunately was away.  The letter he received was an invitation from Edward.  Due to all the reparations in the kingdoms, no one had proper time to hold a bachelor party for Cecil.  Edward decided to have an after the fact party just for the gentlemen.  Edge had not wanted to attend, but the chamberlain all but kicked him out of his own castle.  So, well, having no choice in the issue, he took off.

“Queen Asura!  What a delightful surprise!  Please, come to my office so we can talk.”

The queen and the chamberlain made their way to the throne room.  To the left of Edge’s special seat was a door leading to the chamberlain’s private quarters.  Inside the two began speaking at once.

“My little girl is miserable…” began Queen Asura.

“The kingdom is doomed…”started the chamberlain.

They stared at each other and laughed at their folly.  “Please, your highness, you start.”

So she did.  She told him of the conversation she had with Rydia.  He listened sympathetically and when she finished, briefed her on Edge’s condition.

“I just don’t know what to do with that young man.  He needs a wife.  Our kingdom needs a queen.  However, where I used to have to follow him on his many, many dates—for the decency of the lady involved mind you (Queen Asura laughed at this statement)—now he won’t even look twice.  His lady friends are practically banging the castle door down begging an audience with the newly appointed king, but he wants nothing to do with them.  He sits and broods at his tower window.  He seems content to watch the world pass by without him.”

Queen Asura smiled sadly.  “What to do, what to do…” They sat in silence for several minutes before Asura’s smile turned to a grin of pure mischief.

“What are you thinking, my lady?”

“Well, I think it might work…but even if it doesn’t it will be lots of fun.”  

The chamberlain moved in closer.  “Please, continue.”

Outside the room, sentries overheard delighted laughter from both the queen and the chamberlain.  They just shrugged their shoulders and continued with their duties.

*****

“Well, Cecil,” laughed Edward, “I am glad to know that you enjoyed the cake, even without the traditional entertainment.  It just seemed inappropriate for a scantily clad lady to jump out of a cake for a married man!”

The men chuckled.  Around the table sat Yang, Cecil, Edward, Edge, and Cid.  Although only five of them, they were quite a rowdy bunch.  Thinking about it later, Edward supposed he had provided a little too much wine, but on second thought, he realized that they had a heck of a lot of fun!

“A toast to our married friend,” shouted Yang.  All the men held up their glasses in celebration.  “So, how does it feel?”

“To be married?”  Cecil laughed.  “Well, I can’t leave my dirty socks on the floor anymore, my bed is mysteriously made every morning, oh, and Rosa is already begging for a child.”

“So, is she pregnant yet?” asked Cid.

“Not yet, but, uh, well, how can I put this politely?  Um, we are still trying, and having a lot of fun doing so!”

The slightly drunken men roared with laughter.  Well, all of them except Edge.  He had set his wineglass down and was staring into space.  This conversation was too much for him.  

“What troubles you my friend?”  Yang looked worriedly at Edge.

“Take it from an older man.  A look like that means only one thing.  He has a troubled heart.”  
He turned to Edge, “So, who is the lucky woman?”  As if he didn’t know!!

Edge didn’t answer.  Instead he put his head down on the table.  It was obvious to his friends that he was fighting the urge to challenge his macho man image and cry.  It must be serious.  Cecil broke the silence and said, “It’s Rydia isn’t it.”  

When he didn’t receive a response, he continued, “Rosa noticed your standoffish behavior at our wedding in general, and especially toward Rydia.  In fact, that is all she could discuss that night.  Our wedding night for crying out loud!  And instead of wanting me, she wanted to discuss her friend’s love life!”

That brought a faint smile to Edge’s lips.

Edward spoke.  “Edge, it has been obvious to us how you feel about Rydia for quite some time.  Sure, we noticed your flirtation, and we also got a kick out of Rydia’s behavior in return.”

“You mean you guys talked about us?” Edge seemed almost horrified.

“Well of course we did.  Duh, we’re only human!” responded Cid.

“Hush Cid,” scolded Edward.  He turned back to Edge and said, “I just want to tell you something.  I have been in love, and I have lost too.  But at least I had a chance.  Edge, take my advice.  Don’t let her go without a fight.  You will spend your life wondering and hurting.  And perhaps she will too.”



Queen Asura and the chamberlain got to work on their plan almost immediately.  The hardest part was choosing a neutral territory.  They couldn’t use the Land of Summoned Monsters or Eblan because both places would arouse suspicion.  Finally after much disagreement they decided to let Edge and Rydia’s friends in on the plan.  At Edward’s suggestion they chose Kaipo.  In any case the lovers couldn’t leave too easily.  The only thing surrounding the town is endless desert!

“All right,” began Asura, “Getting Rydia in on this should be easy.  All we have to do is write a bunch of lovey-dovey stuff on paper and she’ll swoon over it.  She has become something of a romantic fruitcake lately.  I don’t, though, recommend signing it from Edge.  She is not happy with him.  I won’t say she is mad, but she is definitely hurt.”

“So, what do we write,” laughed Cid, “You’re Secret Admirer?”

“Actually, that might work,” said Rosa thoughtfully.  She pulled out some attractive, yet masculine stationary and a pen.  “Chamberlain, will you write?”  She handed him the pen and paper.  “Rydia is not likely to recognize your penmanship.”

So, Asura, Chamberlain, Rosa, Cecil, Cid, Edward, and Yang sat around the table in the inn at Kaipo composing a love letter.  When they were finished they read it aloud.  All agreed it was cheesy, but for their purposes it worked.

Dearest Rydia,

Days have passed, weeks in fact, since you crossed my path, yet I think only of you.  I am plagued with dreams and thoughts of you.  Your beauty haunts me.  I must see you again, but until you agree, I will not divulge my identity.  

I remain your anonymous lover.

“It took us three hours to write that!?!” Cid was disgusted with their efforts.  “I really hope Rydia is as love sick as you say Asura, or we are making fools of ourselves!”

“Ah, just attach it to a bouquet of roses and get on with it,” ordered a frustrated Yang.  This romance stuff was too much for him.  It made him feel quite unmanly.  He began wondering just how it was that he hooked up with his wife.  Knowing her, she probably bashed him over the head with a frying pan and dragged him to the altar!

“Well, here is to letter number one,” said Asura.  “I really didn’t think it would take that long.  Let’s call it a night, and we will worry about Edge’s letter in the morning.  After this, I am way too tired!”  All agreed.  Cecil took the letter and some roses and instructed a carrier pigeon to deliver them to the Land of the Summoned Monsters.  He watched the bird fly away then joined his friends for dinner in the inn.


Funny enough, Rydia’s reply arrived at the inn the next morning.  The party was sitting at breakfast arguing over how to lure Edge to Kaipo when the innkeeper delivered the note to the table.  He smirked as he handed it to Asura for he too knew what this crazy bunch of travelers was up to.  He couldn’t knock it though.  If they really did lure the lovers to his hotel it meant more GP in the bank!

Dear Anonymous,

I feel rather silly responding to your letter.  If I were in my normal frame of mind I would have laughed this off.  But as things are right now, I have nothing better to do than make a new friend or reacquaint myself with an old one.  I will meet you at the Kaipo Inn tomorrow afternoon.

“Signed ‘Rydia,’” finished Asura.

“Oh dear, we only have one day to get Edge out here!  How are we ever going to manage that?  We don’t have time to write another letter.” The chamberlain was noticeably frazzled, and his friends could only stare at him.  “You just don’t get it.  Cecil, to get him to go to your unbachelor party I had to lock him out of the castle.  I threw him out and the sentries locked the gate.  He is damn impossible!  How in the world can we make this work?”

“We’ll lie of course.  Just like we did to Rydia.  And if our lies are good enough, we will fool him too.” Cid stared at everyone.  “Come on guys.  We have come this far.  If those two kids aren’t going to take care of this themselves then we as their closest friends had best take care of it for them!”

Knowing Cid was right, the debate continued.  How would they get Edge to Kaipo?  Many suggestions were thrown out.  

“Stage an attack on the city,” suggested Yang.  But his idea was quickly chopped down.  No one around was at war.  Besides, that would be stupid and likely to stir up trouble in the town.  Imagine Edge busting into the quiet city with a band of his fellow ninjas!

“What if we had some kind of ninja contest?  Would Edge’s ego really resist something like that?”  Although a tempting offer, all agreed this would be impractical.  Besides, in his current state of mind Edge wasn’t in the mood for competition.  

Finally Edward said, “Why can’t we just be honest with Edge?” He quickly recounted the conversation they had at the unbachelor party.  “I know he is on the borderline.  Anytime now he is going to breakdown and go crawling to Rydia.  But she is stubborn and upset enough not to accept him.  So, it is necessary to get them up here together.  We can be honest with Edge though.  Well, somewhat honest anyway.”

“How do you propose this?” questioned the chamberlain.  “I told you how difficult this is going to be.”

“Queen Asura, I need you to summon Edge’s parents.  They’re monsters now.  You could find them couldn’t you?” She nodded and he continued, “Explain to them the situation and tell them that Rydia is awaiting a visit from her secret admirer in Kaipo.  They will visit Edge, tell him of this dreadful news and he will come running right into our trap.”

“But why would he bother running if…oh wait, I get it!  If they say ‘secret admirer’ Edge will feel that he has to compete with another guy.  Of course he will come.” Cecil thought this was a great idea.  Not only did this appeal to Edge’s competitive spirit, but it would also require bringing his parents in on the deal.  If Edge wouldn’t listen to his parents, then who else would he pay attention to!?!

“Edward, that is brilliant!” praised Rosa.  

“Yes, it is,” agreed Asura.  “I am good for that.  Chamberlain, you know Edge better than I do.  Do you think that this will work?”

“Yes, I do.  The only people he loves and respects as much as Rydia are his parents.  This will get his attention.”


Edge lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.  He was thinking about what Edward said.  He was right.  He couldn't lose her.  It would mean misery for the rest of his life.  But what if she didn’t want him?  He treated her abominably.  He wouldn’t blame her if she never spoke to him again.  He couldn’t resist it anymore.  He cried.  Edge cried harder than he had ever cried before. Desperately needing a mentor and friend he shouted, “Oh Father, I really wish you were here!”  

Thoughts of his parents only made him cry harder.  Life sucked.  He lost his mom, his dad, and now he was pretty sure he had last the woman he loved too.  He looked up, expecting to see his window, but instead there were two creatures in his path of vision.  Feeling foolish, he quickly dried his tears to see who or what was standing there.

“Mom!  Dad!” he shouted.  Not even thinking twice about how they got there, he ran and grabbed the grotesque monsters he recognized as his parents.  “Oh, help me.  Please help me!”

Queen Eblan looked sadly at her son.  She reached a tentacle toward Edge’s face and wiped away a lone tear.  “We sensed your loneliness, son.  But it wasn’t until Asura contacted us that we could understand.”

“Queen Asura?  The monster from the underground?”  Edge perked at the name.  

“She’s the one,” spoke King Eblan.  “She told us of your love for Rydia, the way you treated her at the wedding, and of your behavior now.  It seems that she and the chamberlain have been communicating over the last few weeks.  Both are concerned about your behavior, and Rydia’s.”

“Honey,” began his mom, “Rydia is in love with you.  You have hurt her though.  She is very upset, but unlike you she is trying to get on with her life.  She just received a letter from a secret admirer and she will be meeting him in Kaipo tomorrow afternoon.”

Clenching his fists in anger, Edge ordered, “Who is this admirer?  If I find out, I will run him through with my Masamune!”

Seeing his spirit revive, his parents had new hope for their lovelorn son.  “Edge, go to her.  Only you can stop her.  Tell her the truth, tell her you love her.”



Edge lost no time after his parent’s visit.  He left for Kaipo in the wee small hours of the morning.  He knew he could get there before this other mysterious creep.  He just knew it.

Upon arriving at Kaipo he stepped into the inn.  To his surprise he met with Queen Asura.  Actually he was not surprised that she was there.  He expected it, but as always, he was not prepared for her somewhat gruesome appearance.  He shuddered.

“Hello, your highness,” greeted Asura.  “I would ask what brings you to Kaipo, but I already know!  How are you?”

“Please, spare me the formalities.  I’ve got to know.  Who is the jerk chasing after Rydia?  I must stop him!”  Stopping to actually breathe, Edge realized he was ranting like a maniac.  Slowing himself he said evenly, “He can’t get to her until I have had my chance.  If she rejects me then fine, she deserves happiness with someone else.  But I need to see her first!”

“Edge, would you really like to see Rydia’s ‘jerk’?”  It was all she could do to keep from laughing.

“Yes.”  He pulled out his blade.

“Put that thing away!” commanded the queen.  “There is no need for violence.  Follow me.”  She stopped at the entrance to one of the inn’s rooms.  “Meet Rydia’s admirers.”

“Admirers?  What?”  He looked in the room and suddenly understood.  Sitting around in their pajamas were his friends.  “Oh my…you guys.  You wrote the letter to Rydia?”

“That we did, young fellow!” said Cid.  “The rest is up to you!”

Edge said a quick hello to his friends then decided he wanted to freshen up before meeting with Rydia.  He approached the innkeeper and rented a room.  “Six hundred GP!  What a rip off!   Sir, you had better hope Rydia forgives me or I am going to shove that money where, well, where you really don’t want it!”  His friends overhearing this exchange could only laugh.  Things were looking up.



Edge paced nervously in his room.  He had showered, shaved, and brushed his teeth about four times.  He even put on cologne!  It was the first time in a few months that he could remember feeling so clean.  He was terribly anxious though.  Every five minutes it seemed he was checking the underarms of his shirt for dampness or any obnoxious odor.  

He checked himself out in the mirror once more.  After straightening the orange collar of his cape he nodded approvingly at his reflection.  “All right Edge,” he said aloud to himself, “This is your big moment.  You love her so tell her so.”

His little pep talk was cut short by a knock on the door.  It was Rosa.  “Rydia is here.  The innkeeper is sending her to your room, so I am going to leave the door open.  Good luck!”  She gave him a quick hug and hurried out of the room.  He stood in the corner of the room waiting for Rydia to appear.

A few moments later there she stood.  She looked radiant.  Her hair hung loosely down her back.  She wore a simple, long skirt with a matching light bleu sweater.  There was nothing particularly sexy about her appearance but Edge couldn’t help staring.  She looked gorgeous.  He felt his mouth go dry.  Whether it was nerves or hormones he wasn’t really sure.  

She stepped in the room cautiously looking around.  “Hello?”  She had yet to see him.  “Hello, it is me, Rydia!” she called.  

The slam of the door made her jump.  She turned around, and heard giggles outside.  Someone shut it on purpose.  She tried to open it, but it was stuck.  “Hey!  The door is stuck!  Can someone help me?  Hello?”  Fighting tears of panic, she banged hopelessly on the solid wood.

“Allow me,” sounded a masculine voice.  Rydia recognized it immediately.  It was coming from behind her, but she dared not turn around.  What if she was wrong?  What if it was someone who only sounded like him?

Rydia, grow up, she told herself.

“Oh, my knight in shining armor,” she quipped.  He laughed with her and walked silently in her direction.  “Or might he be wearing an orange cape?”

He stopped, and Rydia turned to find him right behind her.  Everything about him looked perfect.  The phrase “Tall, dark and handsome” came to Rydia’s mind.  Their eyes met, and Rydia could feel her body pulling toward him.  Edge felt the same pressure.  He needed to be close to her!  Before either one could stop it, their lips were just inches away from touching.

Rydia snapped out of the trance first.  “You wrote the letter,” she accused.  “You didn’t have the nerve to talk to me and apologize in person.  Anonymous lover my butt!  Instead you chose to drag me away from home and lie to me.  What was I thinking?”  She tried the door again.  “Fudge!” she cussed.  It was still stuck.  Actually, it was locked courtesy of the innkeeper.  He really wanted to keep his six hundred GP in a place it would be easily accessible!

Edge tapped her shoulder and she stiffened.  “Rydia, please, hear me out.  I did not write that letter.”

Still dizzy from the electricity in his touch, Rydia was not sure she had heard Edge correctly. “What?”  She heard a commotion outside the room.  

“Hi Rydia!”  A chorus of voices greeted her from behind the heavy wooden door.  She recognized the voices of her friends and Queen Asura.  Suddenly laughing, she shouted hello back at them.

Queen Asura spoke, “That is quite enough eavesdropping everyone.  Let us return home and give them some peace and quiet.”

Rydia turned to Edge.  “You mean, they did this?”  She sunk exhaustedly into a nearby chair.  “They did this for us?”

Edge nodded.  “How did they get you here, Edge?  Please don’t tell me you ran at the summons of a secret admirer.”  Standing up, she turned away to hide her now scarlet cheeks.  “I am so embarrassed!  That is not me, I promise!”

“No, I know it is not you.  Don’t be embarrassed, please!  I am so glad you are here.”  Quickly he explained how Asura had summoned his parents.  “I actually was not happy at all to hear of your secret admirer.  I was ready to do him in if I got my hands on him.”  Rydia caught a sly twinkle in his eye and laughed at his statement.  He continued, “It just wasn’t fair to think that another man would get a chance to…” His voice trailed off.  

Sensing his nervousness, Rydia took his hand.  “Would get a chance to what?” she asked.

With his free hand he reached up and touched her cheek.  Her skin was softer than he ever could have imagined.  Rydia tossed her head back, welcoming his caresses.  He ran his fingers through her long hair, feeling its silky texture.  While bringing his hand back to her cheek, he took a deep breath.  Looking into her eyes he said, “It just wasn’t fair to think that another man would get a chance to fall in love with you before I could tell you that I already am.  Rydia, I love you.”  There, he said it!  Somewhere in the back of his mind he heard angels sing a chorus of hallelujahs.  A weight lifted from his shoulders.  He said it again. “I love you.”

A tear slid down her cheek.  He followed its wet trail with his finger and wiped it away when it reached her chin.  She smiled.  The kiss they shared was gentle, a soul-searching kiss, both of them seeking truth and love in each other’s hearts.  And when they found it, the kiss deepened.  Months of hidden passion and lust took control and the kiss grew into something powerful, something they both knew they needed.

Hours later, Rydia awoke in Edge’s arms.  Realizing she was completely naked she blushed.  She was forced to stifle a giggle as she thought about what she had just done.  It was wonderful.  Feeling her stir, Edge tightened his grip around her.  She snuggled closer to him, breathing deeply the scent of his skin, and whispered, “I love you too, Edge.”

Edge smiled to himself.  He definitely got his six hundred GPs worth and a lot more!


Again, the Blue Planet was buzzing with excitement.  The handsome king of Eblan had finally found a queen, and, again, anyone who was anyone would be at the wedding.  Two months following their friend’s sneaky plan, Edge and Rydia vowed eternal love to one another.  Of course their friends were there to witness the event.

By late evening all of the guests had left except for Cecil, Rosa, Cid, Yang, Queen Asura, the chamberlain, and Edward.  They sat with the newly married couple around the large banquet table in Eblan’s dining hall.  Slightly drunk and quite tired, the group wasn’t ready to let the party die.

“So Chamberlain,” Asura asked, “Just what is your real name?”

Everyone looked up.  This was actually an interesting question.  “Yes,” Edge piped up.  “I have known you my entire life, and I haven’t the faintest idea what it is either!”  Because everyone, well, everyone other than Rosa anyway, was rather inebriated, they found this funny.  Rydia, a little younger than the rest of the group, and therefore having less exposure to alcohol, was quite beside herself.  She laughed so hard that she fell out of her chair.  Edge couldn’t quite stand up straight and needed Edward’s help to pick her up.  By that point everyone was laughing so hard Queen Asura’s question was long forgotten.  Oh well, perhaps that is a mystery for other times.

Once the laughter quieted, Edge spoke up, “Thank you, my friends, for everything you did for us.  Sure it was deceitful, underhanded, somewhat cruel…”

“Ah, shut up, and have some more wine!” shouted Cid.  “We did nothing that you two kids didn’t deserve.  I mean, you got the girl didn’t you?”

Everyone laughed.  “I am just so happy,” said Rydia, “Thank you.  I love you all.”  She glanced at Edge.  “Especially you!”  She gave him a wet kiss on the cheek.

“Well, since everyone is so happy, can I add my great news?”  It was Rosa.

Cecil looked up.  What great news could she have that he didn’t already know about?

“Guess what?”  Everyone looked at her expectantly.  “Cecil and I are going to have a baby!”

Cecil almost fell through the floor.  “Guess the fun’s over now man!” teased Yang.  The men roared with laughter.  The women, having no idea why they were laughing so hard only smiled at each other.  Cecil ran to Rosa and kissed her.  

“What is so funny Cecil?” questioned Rosa.  “Why is everyone laughing?”

She looked so innocent.  How could he tell her what this was all about?  “I, uh, I will tell you when you are older.”  That set the men off again.  Rosa rolled her eyes at Rydia.  They, too, cracked up at their own private joke.

The party continued long into the night.  It just kept going.  That night became morning, which led to night and then to morning.  It continued for the bunch everyday of their lives.  They had found happiness, friendship, and love.  Who could ask for more?

The End