Link placed the face of his shield against Milo's back. It was as close to comforting his brother as he could come. Milo bobbed his head without looking back and shifted the spear in his hand. The front lines were only a few yards away now. The heavy infantry in the vanguard was already fighting. Already dying.
xXx
xXx
"With the cavalry routed by the Elites," Princess Zelda explained to her generals as she leaned over the battle plans. "We'll be working against two phalanxes comprised almost entirely of infantry. Once the cavalry has been cleared, our Right will start retreating steadily." Zelda slowly slid the Hyrulian figure backwards and the Philian figure forwards.
"Our Left will hold their position, our heavy infantry making up the vanguard and giving up as little ground as possible," Zelda continued. "The Philian Right will become separated further and further as their Left continues to press on our Right."
xXx
xXx
It was hard not to become distracted by the fighting only a few lines ahead. Even with so many bodies between he and the carnage, Link still had to duck under his shield from the occasional thrown javelin. As tempting as it was Link couldn't try to peer over Milo's shoulder at the fighting, he had to look East. The Right, almost half a mile away now, was waving the retreat flag. The maneuver was starting.
After an exhale to steady his nerves Link began slamming his shield and sword together. The soldier next to him, a burly lad from Castle Town, nodded and began banging his own sword and shield. The soldier next to him followed suit, and the one next to him after that. The sound was a signal to the whole unit, but little more than additional noise to the chaos on the front lines.
xXx
xXx
"Once the Philian Right is almost an entire length ahead of the Left, the light infantry from our Left will break away and charge the exposed side of the advancing Philians," the Princess said. "The heavy infantry will have to hold their line to keep the Philian Left planted."
"Respectfully, Princess," one of the generals said after clearing his throat. Zelda looked up and recognized the man as Baron Theodorou. "It may look as simple as moving a chess piece from square to square," Theodorou said in a lecturing voice. "But that charge you're expecting the light infantry to make could be as long as a mile. The Philians will have plenty of time to shift formation and meet our boys with spears, shields, and javelins."
Zelda stood up straight and crossed her arms over her chest. "Then I guess our boys will have to charge faster."
xXx
xXx
The fighting was closer. Milo and Link were rocked backwards as the men in front of them clashed, shield against shield. With a growl Milo pressed the soldier in front of him forward and reached up and over with his spear to jab at the enemy.
His stance recovered Link turned to his right once more. He could see more Philians than Hyrulians. The gap between the two Philian phalanx units had stretched to almost three-quarters of a mile. If he waited any longer his team would be exposed in the open field for too long.
"With the Goddesses, Milo," Link called over the noise. He couldn't turn to see if Milo heard, and he couldn't hear any response from his friend, but there was no time for last words between brothers. Link reached back and slapped the men beside him with the flat of his sword. Everyone knew their role.
"CHARGE!"
Link exploded from the right side of the Hyrulian formation, the rest of the light infantry hot on his heels. A javelin, thrown by an attentive Philian, flew mere inches in front of Link's face. With a growl Link tucked his head a little lower and pumped his arms and legs. The noise of the battle behind him was blanketed by the wind rushing past his pointed ears and the air rushing to fill his lungs. He thanked the Goddesses the ground was even as he willed himself to run even faster.
xXx
xXx
"Princess," Baron Theodorou said almost in exasperation. "Even if the light infantry could cover the distance fast enough, they are completely exposed to archers. Not to mention if ANY portion of the cavalry sneaks around our Elites, the light infantry will simply be trampled."
Lord Heydron answered before the Princess could. "The Elites don't make mistakes," he said very loud and clearly. His brow was furrowed as he glared at the assuming Baron. "Better riders than the Philians have tried to out maneuver my men, to no avail. Unless they're mounted on leopards, my men will chorale them away from the battlefield."
Knowing better than to challenge the commander of the Elites, Baron Theodorou turned back to the Princess.
"Even if they clear the gap between the units, how is our light infantry going to contend against even a single line of the Philian phalanx?" the Baron asked. "Our light infantry wears chainmail and carries little more than broadswords and kite shields. They'll skewer themselves on heavy Philian spears or simply bounce off Philian tower shields."
xXx
xXx
His lungs burned, his heart was beating like crazy, and his legs already ached. But none of that compared to the churning of his stomach as the Philian Right got closer and closer. A row of soldiers would see them, there's no way they wouldn't, Link knew. He only hoped that Commander Ballard saw them too.
He tightened his grip on his sword while he ran. There wouldn't be time to draw it completely once they met the phalanx, he'd warned his team. They would run with their weapons drawn, ready to meet the enemy regardless of whether Commander Ballard saw them or not.
Link glanced over his shoulder to make sure he hadn't outpaced too many of his men. The last thing he wanted was to be isolated in a sea of enemies. He hadn't been able to handpick these men, and he had to admit he was concerned about their caliber. Red in the face and covered in sweat, the closest soldier was only a few yards behind him.
Good, he thought. He turned back to the exposed Philian flank. Less than a half mile to go and they hadn't noticed him yet. Link didn't dare hope that he would reach them unawares. They would see him, face him, and he would be the first of his men to leap into their midst.
xXx
xXx
"Our Left will be made entirely of heavy and light infantry, the light infantry separating to make the charge while the heavy infantry holds the line," Zelda answered the Baron, arms still crossed in front of her chest. "Our Right will be layered with heavy infantry in the front, archers in the middle, and light infantry in the back to respond to any unexpected enemy maneuvers."
Zelda walked around the table to point at the formation layout she'd brought to the war council. "Commander Ballard will be waiting for the light infantry's charge," she continued. "When the enemy nearest the gap turns to meet the charging infantry, Commander Ballard will order the archers to focus their fire on the turned soldiers. The limitations of the Philian phalanx is that each soldier can only protect he and his comrades in one direction."
Zelda looked at the Baron, her intense blue eyes baring into his. "The Philians will have to choose between catching arrows in their left, or broadswords in their right."
Baron Theodorou let out a 'hmph' and crossed his arms. "And if the Philians pair up? Two men side by side, perpendicular to each other, one facing the infantry while the other faces the archers, protecting both of them with their tower shield?"
Zelda didn't say anything at first, just continued to stare hard at the Baron. As much as she disliked the man and his impetuous nature, he was right. That was the worst-case scenario, the light infantry would be poorly equipped and too tired from their sprint to meet a fully prepared shield wall.
"I doubt the Philians will be that organized," Zelda answered. "But if they are, there will at least be gaps in the shield wall that our light infantry can take advantage of."
Theodorou snorted and shook his head. "Overlapping spears will fill those gaps, just before Hyrulian corpses make a wall in front of them."
xXx
xXx
A javelin thrown short by about ten feet told Link they had been spotted. Less than a quarter mile to go and the Philians were starting to turn and face him and his men. No sign of Commander Ballard's archers yet.
90 seconds, Link thought as he pushed himself even harder.
The longer he was exposed out here the more javelins he'd be dodging. Link wondered what he and his men looked like from the Philian's perspective. A few hundred soldiers, lightly armored and barely equipped charging at them in no formation with reckless abandon. He hoped they found the sight unsettling.
60 seconds.
He was drenched in sweat and gasping for air. His arms ached from the added weight of his sword and shield, and his thighs felt like they were on fire. The churning in his stomach had amplified as the reality of what was about to happen began to settle.
30 seconds.
He had to swerve to the side and cover himself with his shield. One javelin met the ground where he would have been standing and the other one grazed his shield sending a jolt up his arm. The projectiles were few and far between. Link hoped that meant only a row or two had spotted them, the rest of the Philians facing forward towards the Hyrulian Right.
20 seconds.
He could see the whites of their eyes. They looked confused but confident. They were even starting to aim their spears at Link's chest, counting down the seconds until they earned their first kill.
15 seconds.
Link wanted to let out a battle cry but he knew his throat was too dry.
10 seconds.
One of his men cried out behind him, caught by a projectile spear.
5 seconds, this is it!
Like dark murderous rain the arrows from Commander Ballard's archers descended on the unsuspecting Philians. The entire wall of shields and spears facing Link dropped before his eyes in cries of anguish. Despite his parched throat Link did let out a war cry. He bellowed ferociously as he leapt over the porcupined dead and into the panicking Philians.
He forgot his fatigue, forgot his fear, even forgot his humanity. Link slashed and stabbed, refusing to sacrifice his momentum just because bodies stood in his way. The war cries of his men behind him only drove him to push harder. Blood splattered against his tunic, stained his blonde hair, drowned his sword. The lances and spears of the Philians did nothing but get tangled amongst each other while the short swords and broadswords of the Hyrulians carved through flesh and bone.
xXx
xXx
"When the light infantry breaks through the phalanx," Zelda said, anxious to keep her war council focused on the tactical advantages of her plan. "The Philians nearest the front line will instinctively turn around to face our light infantry. Again Commander Ballard will focus his archers on whichever line turns around. Again the Philians will have to choose whether they want arrows or swords to lash at their backs. This will give our heavy infantry a chance to surge forward and gain the momentum they need to route the Philian Left."
Zelda slid the Philian figure to the right towards the end of the table.
"Once they begin to flee, away from their comrades, our reserve of light infantry will give chase to ensure they don't circle back, and our heavy infantry and archers will rush to the aid of their comrades who should still be holding the Philian Right."
One of the younger generals, General Blumenshine, began clapping.
"Brilliant strategy, Your Highness," he said. Several other generals nodded and voiced their approval.
Zelda ignored them and looked to Lord Heydron and Baron Theodorou. One of them would be able to find any flaws she'd missed in her planning.
"You are putting much faith in the heavy infantry on our Left," Heydron said. He was scratching his chin and staring at the formation layout. "If that line is pushed too far back, broken, or routed, the Philian Right will descend on your light infantry runners and the entire Hyrulian Right, with nothing but the reserves to fend them off."
Heydron looked up from the plans to meet his Princess's eyes. "Our unit commanders are not idiots. They will recognize the gravity of what you ask of them. A few lines of heavy infantry, with no back up, long-range support, or flanking defense, must hold off an entire unit for what could be hours."
"That's a lot of faith you're putting in a pack of farm hands and plebs," Baron Theodorou said. "What makes you think they won't flee and save themselves? Love of country? Loyalty to their monarch?"
Zelda gave the Baron a warning look.
"Love of family, and loyalty to their comrades," she answered. "They will hold the line knowing their brothers' lives depend on it. Knowing that four-fifths of the army depends on it."
The rooms was quiet. Every general was thinking about his men, about the mothers and wives of those men who they would have to answer to.
"My final question for this war council," Zelda broke the silence by saying. "Is who will command the heavy infantry of the Hyrulian Left?"
The silence returned instantly, as Zelda had expected. Not only would this prove to be the second most dangerous position of the battle, but there was no glory to be had in holding a position. The general Zelda trusted most was Lord Heydron, but he would be leading his Elites, a position that nobody else could fill.
"I'll do it," General Blumenshine said. "For the Princess."
"Bah, shut your trap!" barked Baron Theodorou. Zelda turned to the Baron confused while the young general looked like he'd been slapped in the face.
"E-excuse me?" Blumenshine asked.
"Nobody is going to hold that line with a child yipping at them from behind," the Baron said. He turned to the Princess. "I'll hold your damned line. But I want to be in charge of choosing who leads the light infantry runners."
Zelda blinked, not expecting the argumentative Baron to give up his comfortable spot in the rear.
"Um, sure, Baron Theodorou. You may appoint whomever you deem capable."
Still frowning and looking entirely too argumentative to have just volunteered for anything, Baron Theodorou nodded and began heading for the door.
"If you'll excuse me, Lords and Lady, I've a young soldier to promote and some men to inspire." With that he pulled the door open and stepped out, sure to slam it as he went.
Princess Zelda couldn't help but wonder who Baron Theodorou would choose for what would be the most dangerous position on the battlefield.
xXx
xXx
Link's energy had been almost fully expended, but the energy in the Hyrulian army was growing. The Philian's had all but surrendered their shield wall and were backpedaling as the heavy infantry surged forward.
As the immediate danger around him began to lessen Link realized there was a stabbing pain in his shield arm and a throbbing pain coming from his right foot. He wanted to fall back behind the heavy infantry but he needed to set an example for the light infantry runners who were still fighting. It wasn't enough for the Philians to retreat, they had to retreat further towards the East, so they couldn't rejoin the group Milo and the heavy infantry were fending off.
Growling through his pain Link advanced on a Philian who was trying to stab over the shield of a Hyrulian. He caught Link in his peripherals just a moment too late as Link slashed at his head. Fatigue had stolen the accuracy from Link's strike, causing his sword to miss the enemy's head and neck and instead graze his shoulder. The distraction was enough for the Hyrulian soldier the Philian had been facing though. The Hyrulian reached over the Philian's lowered shield and buried the head of his spear through the flesh between the man's clavicle and shoulder.
The Hyrulian, a random soldier Link had never met or seen in his life, gave him a nod then charged on ahead. Link bounced his shoulders up and down, willing more adrenaline to come to his aid, then charged right behind his comrade.
He and the heavy infantry soldier whose name he didn't know killed two more Philians before the horn blew. Relief exploded from Link in the form of a triumphant cheer. The horn meant the Philians were retreating towards the East, and that it was time to rescue the heavy infantry in the Left.
"We're coming, Milo," Link said aloud.
An officer ran by, barking orders and commanding the heavy infantry to get back in formation. Link moved to get out of their way and began looking for some of his light infantry runners. They had done their part, triumphantly, and had not but the smallest part left to play. Since the reserves would be chasing the routed Philians, it was the job of the exhausted runners to fall in behind the heavy infantry and archers to prevent flanking maneuvers. With the renowned Elites keeping the cavalry away, Link trusted this meant there would be very little combat left for his exhausted me.
Good, he thought, they've earned the respite.
"Runners!" Link called when he'd backed away from the lines being formed by the archers and heavy infantry. "On me! Runners on me!"
Slowly soldiers wandered towards Link. They didn't form a line like everyone else, and Link didn't blame them. All of them looked near death from exhaustion, not to mention the many injuries visible beneath the caked Philian blood. Some of the men didn't even have their weapons anymore, a lost and bewildered look in their eyes.
The freshly assembled Hyrulian unit began its quick march while Link was still gathering his men.
"Take heart men!" Link said putting his hand on the shoulder of a comrade. "We have already won, thanks to your efforts. All that is left is to meet up with our brothers and protect the sides."
Some of the men were nodding their heads, others had their hands on their knees while gasping for air, and still others were wrapping up their wounds. Link could tell there was no fight left in these men.
"If you're injured, give your weapon to your brother and fall in behind the center of the archers," he ordered. "And if you've not yet satisfied your thirst for Philian blood, meet me on the far right."
He gave his team - the first men to ever be under his command - a salute, then turned for the advancing army.
"I'm coming, Milo," he said as he jogged ahead to catch up.
xXx
xXx
After Baron Theodorou left there was little for the war council to discuss. The generals each excused themselves then left to update their subordinate officers. Zelda stopped Lord Heydron before he could leave.
"This battle will likely end the war with King Aguirre, but I'm worried the expansion of Hyrule will alarm the Tandemorians." Zelda confessed.
Lord Heydron took a measured breath before answering. "I fear you are right, Princess, as always. But we did not start this war with Philiroth, and you would have faced a civil war if you'd forsaken the Gerudo."
Zelda nodded, not the least bit comforted to hear her worries were not unique.
"The realm cannot survive another war," Zelda said.
Lord Heydron nodded but let out a quiet chuckle. "General Ganondorf seems to disagree. Maybe threaten the Tandemorians with him."
Zelda chuckled too, despite the seriousness of their situation. "Thank you, Lord Heydron, and go with the Goddesses on the field tomorrow."
Lord Heydron smiled at the young Princess then bowed. "With the Goddesses," he responded.
Princess Zelda allowed the door to close behind him. She was alone in her war room, as she'd been for the eight hours before the council arrived. A growl from her stomach got her attention.
"Oh," she said to nobody in particular. "I haven't eaten, have I?"
She gave the table one last look. The Philian and Hyrulian figures were positioned for a Hyrulian victory; the Philian Left near the edge of the table fleeing and the Philian Right surrounded. Thanks to her planning, so much of this battle would depend on the will of individual soldiers.
She prayed her subjects were up for it.
Author's Note: Amid the rewrite of my main piece I realized I have never actually written a large scale battle scene. While I was researching historical battles I ended up reading about different strategies used by Philip II and Alexander the Great. Those strategies inspired a story for my favorite fandom, Legend of Zelda! So this story is in an AU and will attempt to utilize some stratagem, theory, and philosophy while being fun and entertaining. Wish me luck! With writing like this, it is really easy for me to think I am writing something clearly when in actuality none of it makes sense SO if you read this chapter, or read any of the following chapters, and you are just totally lost due to my poor presentation, please let me know. If one person comments that they don't understand, there are probably dozens who also didn't understand but didn't comment. Anyway, thanks for reading and checking out my new piece!