Author's Note: Greetings, everyone! Well, this is it. The last chapter of A Time of Peace. A Time of War. I want to thank everyone who has read this story so far. Of all the stories I've written this one has received the most hits. Maybe not the most feedback—but definately the most hits. This chapter is just a simple conclusion; but if anyone has any ideas for a sequel, email them to me. Again, thanks to everyone who read and reviewed!

And did those feet in ancient times,
walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God,
of England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the countenance divine,
shine forth on our clouded hill?
Was Jerusalem built here,
on England's green and pleasant land?
Let it rain. Let it rain.
Wash the scales from my eyes.
Let it rain. Let it rain.
Let me see again—

"Jerusalem"—Bruce Dickinson

A Time of Peace. A Time of War

Chapter XVIII

Fourteen months after the conclusion of the re-conquest, Garnet—dressed in her traveling clothes—brushed her hair, while a brown hair-brown eyed child—with a tiny summoner horn and a pacifier in its mouth—stumbled past her.

"Hunter, I need to brush your hair in a minute, baby."

"No!" the toddler replied, short and to the point.

Garnet giggled. "What's wrong? Don't you want to be a handsome boy like Daddy?"

"No!"

Garnet continued to giggle.

And Zidane entered the royal chamber, picked up his young son, kissed his cheek, and sat on the bed with him. "You need to have your hair combed, Hunter. It'll make all the girls like you better."

Hunter Tribal prepared to voice his disapproval again, but the fingers of his father stopped him. He giggled instead.

While his son giggled, Zidane turned to Garnet. "Here, give me the brush. I'll comb his hair."

After Hunter Tribal had his hair combed, the toddler climbed off his father's lap and entered his nursery—where a rocking horse awaited him.

Garnet finished with her hair, sat beside Zidane, and smiled. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For combing his hair."

"Why're you thanking me for that? I'm his father. Isn't it my job to take care of my boy?"

"Yes, and you're pretty good at it; except when it comes to changing his diapers."

Zidane chuckled. "Sorry, but that's a bit out of my league."

Garnet returned the chuckle. "So I've noticed…every time you've tried."

Zidane smiled. "So, are you ready to go?"

"Yes, I just need to get some things for Hunter."

"All right."

"By the way, what play's Ruby performing?"

"I'm not sure. She didn't really say—more than likely something from Lord Avon."

"That'll be good. I haven't seen any of his plays in a while. I wonder if we can get Tantalus to perform for us again?"

"I'm sure I can arrange that. Tantalus loves coming here, and it gives them a chance to see me and Hunter…They love that little guy, you know?"

Garnet smiled. "Yes, they do, but I think Hunter likes Baku the most. He loves pulling on his beard, just as much as he loves pulling on Uncle Cid's moustache."

Zidane chuckled. "Yeah, I know."

"By the way, do you think Blank's ever going to ask Ruby to marry him?"

"Who knows? He doesn't talk about that stuff much with me—or anybody else for that matter…It's kinda weird though. He's been dating Ruby since before you and I were married."

"Yes, I know. But I guess we'll have one new wedding to go to in the future."

"Right, Beatrix and Steiner…Those two're exact opposites, you know?"

Garnet chuckled. "Well, so're we! Haven't you ever heard that opposites attract?"

Zidane paused. "Yeah, I've heard it. I just never thought anything of it. I always thought what made us similar, not what set us apart."

Garnet smiled, and kissed him.

Then she entered Hunter's nursery. "Time to go to the theater, baby."

The End

+ Cody the Impaler +

"Up the Irons!"