Chapter Text
Light exploded across her view, practically burning her eyes as Ruby fell out of the dark void of Luna Fracta's domain. A brief rush of air screamed past her ears, a quick glimpse of a full moon and stars hanging above as she twisted around, then a crash into cold water.
Silence fell back over the oasis, until she broke the surface with a splash, coughing and hacking as she drifted to the shore with what strength was left. After the last of the water in her lungs was gone and was replaced with the fresh air, the spluttering turned to laughing, and the laughing onto victorious shouting.
Alive. Alive and home in oasis near the Xaio Long's camp.
Something hit the water nearby as Ruby neared the shore, a familiar voice called out her name as they waded closer. Ruby turned, just in time to be crushed into a hug. The heat radiating off Sienna drove the chill of the water out from her clothes and helped with her aching muscles. It was all she needed as the exhaustion caught up with her, leaving her hanging in the Kata princess's arms.
Then came the news. Ruby had been gone, wandering that void, for months. Crescent had shown a dream to Sienna, possibly the only way they knew she was still alive. Finding Crescent gone, and now in the charm that had led her home. Shattered, and waiting for a choice to be made.
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The stars blinked out one by one, dark sky receded into blue as the sun began to rise beyond the dunes, golden light ready to break across the sands. Sienna guided them over to a nearby horse, helping Ruby up into the saddle to then swing up behind her. With her arms on either side to hold the reins, Sienna wasn't leaving much to chance of the queen swaying too far and off the horse.
"I'll be alright." She said as they tightened around her as she wavered. "Just... there's a lot to do." Sienna was quiet in response.
"...You know, this would be a good opportunity to elope, don't you think?" Strange that there was enough energy left for the joke, but it was worth the startled laugh that slipped out above her.
"All that time spent in that Grimm damned place... and the first thing you can think of is to run off together."
"What, does it not sound like a good idea?"
"I'd say having two members of royalty go missing after each other would lead to the biggest hunt our kingdoms would have ever seen." Gripping one wrist gently, she pulled up Ruby's hand to her, brushing a kiss to the back of it. "And I'd prefer to enjoy this without more to worry about." Her lips soon moved onto the queen's cheek, Ruby turning her face to meet her all the way.
Sunlight spilled gold across the sands in front of them as the sky grew brighter with each passing minute. The temperature continued to rise along with the sun, the familiar press of it on their backs. Regardless of the pain and exhaustion, Ruby looked onwards to home, ready to keep moving forward.
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With the alliance with the Kata set in stone, Princess Sienna Khan returned to her country. It took time to fully embrace having peace with Vale, by the time Sienna eventually took the throne, the countries' ties were stronger than it had been in a century.
As the borders between them became less enforced, travel became more frequent over the next few years. Especially for either side of royalty. Most figured it was because the two queens had formed a bond over making the alliance, though only their councils knew exactly how close that 'bond' was before their engagement was formally announced.
Two royal lines, once bitter enemies, became one.
They would go on to have three children, including one set of twins.
THE END