Elden Ring: Putrefaction of Gold

The Golden Queen of the Sun and Silver Princess of the Moon

The inability to secure herself an official audience with the Queen left Ranni worried. It was almost a clear message behind her father's words that Ranni did not hold the place of respect she once enjoyed. Without the stars moving about in their proper order, Ranni had nothing by which she could threaten or promise Queen Marika, and as such, she was not effectively invalid.

Queen Marika was still her stepmother, and as such, Ranni had access by which she could speak with Marika. Of course, nothing was official in these audiences, and Marika had no obligation to keep anything promised within these discussions - a mistake she made when discussing the details of her taking Queen Marika's place.

Despite the risk of Queen Marika breaking her word again, Ranni had to try to convince the Queen to take action in Limgrave. So, she came to the throneroom outside the Erdtree, where Marika spent most of her time and waited for the Queen to do whatever the gods did with their time. There was a part of Ranni that was curious, but all she'd ever seen was a bright golden light.

Ranni just hoped Marika wouldn't do one of her "peek-a-boo" tricks, as Rykard called it when she appeared out of nowhere without warning. However, she only did that to Rykard, probably as revenge against him, vexing her so often. Ranni even slightly chuckled when Rykard recruited her for some mischief or another. Sure enough, Marika appeared from nowhere, grabbed Rykard by the ear, and dragged him away for what Ranni could assume was a stark rebuke. The Queen had never laid a hand on her stepchildren before or since, so this was a surprise.

Ranni tried to stay focused, as even a moment of lapsed concentration might mean she missed her stepmother entirely. But it seemed impossible. She kept looking back at the bedchamber and what had happened between her and Godwyn, which was challenging to come to terms with. She knew that the dew of the Erdtree was the source of all life in the Lands-Between. Godwyn knew this, too, but insisted on continuing even after Ranni grew uncomfortable and asked him to stop.

"I've always been impressed with thine patience, Luner Princess Ranni," said Queen Marika as she descended the stairs leading to the Erdtree.

Ranni looked and saw that it was already late evening. When Ranni arrived, it was early afternoon. In fact, what day was it? The throne room was filled with brown leaves that had fallen from the tree, where before, Ranni was sure there was none.

"I beg thy pardon for my intrusion, my queen," said Ranni.

"It's no worry. It has been some time since we've talked as two women," said Marika. She cocked her head and pointed to Ranni's swollen stomach. "My son's?"

"Yes," said Ranni.

Marika took Ranni's cheeks to have her kneel before her and kissed the top of her stepdaughter's head. She continued to embrace Ranni as she cried, "My beloved grandchildren. I hear thy names Aurelia and Aureletta. May these names always be blessed by grace. May ye know that ye are loved. Within thy veins is the blood of two great queens and the legacy of the Golden Lineage.

"Ranni, my dear stepchild. What hath thou come to ask of me?"

"I ask thee for thy intervention between my fiancee and brother," replied Ranni.

"And why shall I do that?"

"They tear the lands of Limgrave and Caelid apart," replied Ranni.

"Homes can be rebuilt. Crops can be replanted. And by the grace of the Erdtree, all life can be reborn anew," said Marika.

"Thou insists on maintaining the faith of the Erdtree's blessings, but I have seen thy lands. I have seen the roots of thy very tree tear apart the soil and drain it of all the nutrients," said Ranni. "Thou hast ran this land to ruin for thine impossible promises. I beg of thee to allow me to make that right. And it begins by stopping this conflict and bringing all together."

"That will not be necessary. Miquella now has everything he needs to bring about an age of the Golden Order that will undo all that has cursed this land. An age of infinite abundance."

"This has nothing to do with ages and orders. I have forsaken my ambition for power for the sake of my children. Whatever age may come in the future means nothing at this time. We have only now. I beg of thee, Queen Marika. As one mother to another."

"And who would you have me side with? Thy brother or thy fiancee."

"Why must I choose?"

"Because it is you who makes the request of me, Ranni. This is why thou hast lost thine Age of Stars. Thou hast always fool-heartedly believed that compromise can always be made and both sides can always be spared without sacrifice."

"All I ask is that all I have come to love be spared."

"Very well," said Queen Marika. "You will regret sparing them both, but it is what you wish."