A/N This is the first reworked chapter of Outbreak of war.
Myrideen placed a small green rupee on the counter of the store as he retrieved the news letter printed that morning, normally he didn't buy what they were trying to sell in these things as most of it was lies though it was the main article that caught his attention. On the front page was a picture of the Princess wrapped in the arms of a faceless man and the title read 'Princess chooses a suitor? Truth?' as he studied the picture he growled a bit they had gotten his body structure all wrong and he was too short, if he wasn't a moral man and a stickler for keep his identity hidden until he could finish his business in Calatia he would march down to the press and beat some sense into the engraver. He opened the paper to where the story was continued and with every word he read his anger continued to mount as they brought up all the times the Princess had faked suitors in the past, she told him everything the next morning after he and his parents arrived in Hyrule he wasn't angry just a little confused but when she explained why he whole heartedly agree with her actions and motives. If he had been in the same position he would have done exactly what she did, as he continued reading he reached his limit and angrily balled up the paper tossing it into a trash bin, he was ready to leave when a chuckle and someone speaking caught his attention. He raised a brow "Excuse me?"
The man who was dressed in regal clothes laughed at Deen "I said it can't possibly be true, the only suitor the Princess will choose is me."
Deen's earlier thought about beating the engraver came back save only with this man in mind but he schooled his emotions and placed a look of confusion on his face "Why do you say that, if I may ask?"
The man laughed again mocking Deen's seeming confusion "There is no other out there for her except me, and I know its me she has chosen to introduce at the ball this evening."
Deen snorted turning away he waved dismissively "I'll take your word for it" 'not' he added in thought, the Princess would never go for an arrogant, pompous, narcissistic fool. He smiled as he turned his back on the man he was happy that he had finished everything that need to be done yesterday as the ball was soon approaching and he need to be ready for he was sure the Princess after announcing him as her suitor would parade him about. He chuckled at the memory of Zelda introducing him to her father needless to say the king was surprised that she actually chose a suitor but was more surprised at her choice, a high noble family from Calatia. Royalty rarely married outside of royalty but it had happened before so it was well within the laws of the kingdom, Deen had never known this in Calatia this wasn't the case so when this bit of information had been shared with him he knew it sounded cheesy but he felt like he could fly.
Deen walked to his mustang Saidin stroking his snout affectionately before mounting him and with a slow pace exited Kakariko Village, his thoughts were still wrapped around a certain beautiful Lavender haired Princess he smiled remembering their first kiss under the moon, afterwards they had stayed in each others embrace staring off into the light that was produced by it. The next morning with Link tagging along he escorted her back to the Castle and just as their father said the bandits had gotten free, it had been two months since that day and the deal Link made with the king about the land had worked out in everyone's favor and with the uniting of their family with the Lon's the king combined the Al' mere farm with Lon Lon Ranch. The lager area had been blessed as well as had protections spells placed around it to prevent the rising or intruding of evil beings much like that of the Ranch, thinking of his brother and his soon to be wife they had gone to Castle town two days prior and have had yet to return he knew they were working on their wedding and he couldn't be happier for his little brother. Of course he teased and tortured Link when they were kids but they were brothers and Deen would go to the ends of the earth for him and he knew Link would do the same, in the time he had known Malon she had grown close to his heart had become his sister.
He smiled at the memory of Malon coming in to the kitchen that morning everyone was still asleep except the two, Deen from being in the military and Malon from being used to farm life with cows. Deen had been sitting at the table dressed in a white sleeveless shirt and a pair of golden pants sipping at a cup of Tea reading a letter when she stepped in wearing her night gown wrapped in a robe, she hadn't expected anyone to be up and smiled as her eyes landed on Deen, he looked up at her from the letter smiling before pointing to the pot and turning back to the letter. She poured herself a cup before sitting across from him sipping hers gingerly she found the silence between them comfortable and not awkward like she thought it might be, when he finished the letter he folded it and placed it back on the table and moved to refill his cup before returning to his seat when he looked out the window "Father will be up soon."
She looked up at him after taking another sip "Really, are you sure?"
He chuckled as he looked to her "He was military remember, and a former farmer."
She giggled "Oh I forgot" she got up and started to make breakfast.
Deen sipped his steaming drink again and started without looking up "So how has my brother been during his time here?"
She smiled thinking about the day Link first arrived on the ranch "He has been good, looking at him now I never would have guessed he used to be" she paused trying to find the right word "a twig."
This earned her a hearty chuckle from the man at the table "That's true" he said taking another drink "so if you don't mind my asking how did he managed to capture your heart and vise versa."
She paused for a moment before resuming cooking trying to find the right words "Well," she started pain evident in her voice "when he first arrived Gannondorf had already seized power and kidnapped Princess Zelda. He threw my father off our Ranch and put Ingo in charge who in turned abused the horses, he would have done the same to me except men from Kakariko saw the abuse and threatened if he touched me he would pay for it. The day Link showed up Ingo stopped caring and hit me" her voice had been steadily breaking during her explanation but she continued "Link came to the Ranch he found me huddled in a corner of the stable badly beaten, when he asked what was wrong I couldn't lie to him and I told him everything. As he was helping me into the house Ingo found us and tried to stop Link, but he easily turning the beating around usurping Ingo and giving the Ranch back to me and my father" by this point Malon was in full blown tears sobbing as hard as she could.
Deen had listened his fist clenched unconsciously in anger and aside from that his heart went out to her when she had finished and started breaking down he stood from his seat and wrapped her in a protective embrace, she had cried into his chest for the better part of an hour. They stayed that way Deen stroking her hair telling her she was safe and no one was going to hurt her again the whole time and when she was done crying she looked up into his face she smiled and closed her eyes as he kissed her forehead. From that moment Deen swore that anyone who hurt Malon would suffer and since then they had become very close, she always came to him when she needed advice about dealing with Link or most things. Deen had been so tied up in his trip down memory lane he didn't notice he had reached the family home he dismounted putting Saidin away and headed into the house. As he moved through the house he sighed going to his room to prepare, the ball was still sometime away but he needed quite a bit of time to get ready he growled at himself for sounding like a shallow, high maintenance woman, he opened the wardrobe the only classy dress ware he had was his Captain of the guard uniform. Pulling it from the wardrobe he set it on the bed and stripped his casual clothes off, unlike his brother he preferred shirts and pants rather than tunics.
His Calatian Guard uniform he had specially made instead of the tunic version this was more in his style of dress the pants were black with two small red stripes running down each leg, the shirt was a dark blue with the Calatian royal crest over the left breast where his heart would be. Tucking his shirt in he pulled his belt tight and used the mirror to study his appearance, his hair styled the way he liked it parted over the right and covering the left side of his face his gray eyes belied his inner emotions for on the inside he felt like a little boy again. He couldn't quite explain what Zelda made him feel but he loved it so as he finished dressing for the ball he looked out the window and sighed he had been right about the time to get ready, even though he had the clothes made they were still complicated to adorn he tied his ceremonial blade which was a one sided straight blade that was about two feet in length and about three inches wide, the sword smith told him it was called a Ninjaken. Even though it was ceremonial it was built for battle as well but he rarely used it only drawing it when he felt he needed to, having been trained for hand to hand, and hand to weapon combat. The sheath was wrapped in a black cloth that was mostly concealed in an intertwining dark red and blue wrappings that criss crossed leaving the black cloth showing in diamond shapes down the cover, within each diamond the in lay a deep green emerald. The handle was made of ivory and had thin lines carved into it that revealed a serpentine dragon on either side with ruby's where the eyes would be.
He sighed donning his white cloak on he moved from the room to find his parents dressed in a similar manner, his father had on his Captain of the Knights uniform and two ceremonial blades one was three feet and curved and was sheathed in a similar case to his, the small one was about half the length, he also wore a white cloak while his mother wore a deep blue dress outlined with silver bindings that held the long sleeves on as well as covered her neck and bosom and gold hooped earrings hung from each ear, Kaden was dressed in a similar fashion though in a green gown and with out the ear rings. Both had their long hair braided to the middle of their backs, Deen smiled as he watch his mother kneel and fix Kaden's dress a little and motioned it was time to go. They nodded as they headed out Deen picked his little sister up and carried her out, seeing the horses hitched to the wagon reminded him they had hired servants really only to help with things like this and for field work, placing her in the wagon he moved back to his horse who snorted at him. He chuckled and patted the horse's neck and climbed on and they left the farm at a slow pace not trying to wear the horses out, they were about halfway to the Castle when Arn decided to make fun of Deen "So, Deen how you doing?"
Deen grumbled a response his mood had turned a little sour as he didn't like a whole lot of attention but he could deal with it "Fine."
Arn chuckled "Nervous" picking at him.
Deen glared "No, for your inform..." his father cut him off with a hearty laugh "I knew it."
Medilla swatted him on the back of the head "Dear leave him alone" she turned to Deen and smiled "it will be alright Deen."
He sighed and smiled sadly "Its just I wonder sometimes if she is making a mistake being with me."
She gave him a critical look "Why do you say that" she questioned.
"I" he paused "Don't know" he admitted.
She smiled "You love her, don't you" he nodded "does she love you" he nodded again "there you go, that's all you need. If she thought she was making a mistake by being with you she would leave, you just have a case of cold feet." Arn laughed earning a death glare from his wife and his mouth shut quickly as she spoke "I seem to remember you have a very bad case of cold feet especially at our wedding" Deen nearly fell off Saidin he was laughing so hard at the expression on his father's face who had gone white as a ghost and mouth hanging agape. Deen decided it was time for a little pay back "I see, so dad isn't the big and tough man he always claimed to be when you weren't around?"
Arn looked to his son shocked that he had been ratted out before looking to Medilla whose glare intensified "What is he talking about dear" Arn tried to speak but no words came to him as he tried to come up with a believable lie, Medilla was getting tired of waiting and looked to Deen "Now what did he say?" Deen chuckled evilly as he all to willingly answered his mother "He said and I quote" he said making quotes with his fingers "on our wedding day your mother had such a case of cold feet her father had to drag and chain her to the alter so we could get married." Medilla was beyond outraged but being around politicians for most of her life she calmly looked at her husband giving him a look that clearly said 'You are in BIG trouble Mr, and we will talk later.' Deen smiled knowing what would happen she would berate him a little make him feel bad and get an apology out of him but that would be as far as it would go, though he remembered last time his father got that look for his little sister was born nine months later.
As they rode into the royal stable they dismounted letting the royal stable men take the horses and put them away before moving inside, Deen smiled as he saw his parents hands intertwined but was broke out of this thoughts as someone pulled him to the side his instincts instructed him to strike at the figure but when a small pair of lips latched on to his mind was lost, the taste to her lips sent his stomach for a flip and made him kiss back much more aggressively wrapping her in his arms. She moaned into his mouth as he kissed her hungrily, Princess Zelda had been waiting for Deen and his family to arrive and when they did she couldn't help but take the opportunity to steal a few kisses before she announcing her decision and introducing him and his family to the public. She had sulked around the castle the whole day and most of the staff were worried that something was wrong with her but only two people knew the truth of what was wrong, her nurse maid Impa and her father. As the day had progressed and it time came closer for the Al' mere family to arrive her spirits lifted and she was almost bouncing around the castle, when the need for air made itself known they pulled away and rested their foreheads together and she whispered breathlessly "Hello there."
He smiled "Hello to you" he pecked her lips "I missed you."
She smiled "I missed you too, I have been waiting all day for you to get here" she pulled away to study his outfit, he watched as her gazed shifted from the curiosity of a cat to that of a lioness eyeing a piece of meat. He inwardly chuckled at the thought of the dignified Princess openly lusting after him, but he couldn't blame her as he was doing the same he just hid it better, but their tender moment wasn't to last forever as they heard voices and foot falls coming through the corridor. She stepped away from him both mourning the loss of contact but she spoke clearly "I shall see you soon Master Al' mere" and curtsied.
Deen bowed "I look forward to it my Princess" with that she swept away from him his eyes trained on her he sighed rubbing his eyes keeping his urges under control was difficult in and of itself but she wasn't making it any easier, he sighed and spoke softly "I know you there Impa."
He heard a chuckled come from shadow that was cast by the wall and Impa stepped out her silver hair gleaming in the light along with her long dark blue gown "How long have you known I was watching" she asked.
He gave her a look "The whole time" he said. He knew she was the one to interrupt their intimate moment but he didn't begrudge her for it, left to their own devices they would have continued. If they had been allowed they would have missed the ball and the introductions completely. He turned to Impa and smiled.
She smiled in return "Not even the Princess noticed me how did you seeing how you were wrapped up in kissing each other."
He chuckled "Well she was trained by you, and you can avoid being detected by her. Though not by me. I have had to track people who are far more skilled in stealth than you." The subtle sound of music penetrating the walls drew his attention, turning to Impa he held out his elbow to her with a smile "In need of an temporary escort Ms. Impa?" She would have felt insulted by his comment but by the look on his face he was being completely honest so she laced her arm with his and they started off toward the ball room, glancing to him from the corner of her eye she spoke "The Princess has chosen quite well as I knew she would."
Deen raised his eyebrow "What do you mean by that?"
She kept her eyes forward "I have a few contacts Calatia and after doing a bit of research I found about some of your exploits, turning down proposal offered from even the royal family who would rewrite the law just so you could marry. Then there are your exploits in battle an outstanding General and Diplomat and when you fought personally you were the factor that turned the battle from what seemed a loss into a victory. What surprised me the most was you making a deal with the Termainia royal family placing the two best fighters form each side against each other and winning effectively preventing unnecessary blood shed, even sparing your opponent. So the Princess has chosen her future husband wisely."
Deen absorbed all of what she said of course he wouldn't place himself in the light she had but it was true he fought in those battles to save lives not to take them, and the Termaina incident he was a sergeant in the guard and the higher ranks were away from the field putting him in charge, he had sent word to the Termianian army that he wished to parlay. What he didn't know at the time was the Royal family had been inspecting the camp and would attended the meeting, Deen had proposed the fight to avoid the coming battle and unnecessary loss of life. When he found out the royal family would be attending he was sure they would deny him though it surprised and pleased him greatly when they accepted. In that particular duel he faced a man who was considered a hero amongst the people. The battle had been long and brutal and when the fight was over Deen had been wounded stood over his opponent who was on the verge of death. He summoned his personal surgeon, though it had been touch and go for a while the man survived. After everything had been squared away he put together a council with members from both sides with himself at the head, he himself dictated the contract when both sides heard what his plans were they both agreed eagerly.
Impa noticed his pensive face "Rupee for your thoughts?"
He turned to her and smiled "Just thinking about what you said. You make me sound like a Hero rather than a man who did what he had to" he said.
She gave him an incredulous look "You are a Hero!" she exclaimed.
He merely shook his head "Hero or Legend is a title other people give you, something I have no interest in. Personally being called a Hero I find it insulting."
She pulled away from him aghast "why would you say that?"
He sighed and rubbed his eyes "What would the family of the men's whose lives I took, what would they call me" he asked "murderer, savage, or maybe a demon" he said putting emphasis on each name. He never wanted to share this next bit of information with anyone "The reason I left the guard was during the last battle I had been involved in" he paused collecting his thoughts "it came down to me and the General from the opposition." tears started to fall from his eyes, which startled Impa "After killing him I never knew his family had been watching the fight. His wife and daughter rushed to his broken and lifeless body sobbing and cradling it, calling me a murderer. Though that wasn't what cut the deepest it was his six year old child asking 'Why, why had I taken her daddy away from her" he said before falling silent.
Impa watched on as this man spilled a pain in his heart that she was sure that no other knew about, and at the sight of a broken man she now understood why her contacts never revealed his reason for leaving they didn't know. It was strange Impa thought that this God among men who fought in battles and faced adversaries who were ruthless only to be brought to his knees by the words of a child, but staring in to his pain filled eyes she found the truth and spoke "That taught you to value life, didn't it" she asked"
He nodded trying to regain composure "I had valued it in a way, but when that little girl spoke those words it came to me" he looked her in the eyes his gray peering her azure eyes "I saw how I would feel if I lost my mother or father and it destroyed me, and when I thought about all the orphaned children and widowed wives I left in my wake." He paused letting his words sink in "I'm sorry, I will never view myself as a Hero only as a monster" he finished effectively putting an end to the discussion.
Deen reined himself in and offered his elbow again she smiled sadly at him silently apologizing, he merely nodded and smiled saying it was fine. They continued until a large set of gold embroider double doors impeded their path, they stopped in front of the large double doors that led to the ball room with only one arm he opened one door and as they stepped in Impa pulled away giving a small smile before making her way into the crowd. Deen turned his head but a streak of red pass in front of his eyes and slammed into him he grunted with the impact and looked down smiling at Malon who was hugging him tightly he returned the embrace looking up as his family strode over smiles on their faces. Link smiled he knew how close Malon and Deen had grown and he was happy about it, but his smile turned mischievous "Deen what would Zelda say, you in the arms of another woman?"
Deen mock growled "Can it twig."
The family laughed together and Deen preformed his ritual of greeting his brother with a headlock and mussing his hair, Malon looked to Medilla with a raised brow asking 'You want the honors' she smiled and shook her head 'no' Malon shrugged and broke the two apart muttering about the men in this family acting like children. Link and Deen laughed hard and Link turned to Deen "I heard you told mom what dad said" the brothers fell into hysterics at the memory, Deen looked to Link "Speaking of telling secrets how is the wedding coming?"
He smiled sheepishly "Its coming along great, we set the date for next week."
Deen smiled patting his brother on the back "I'm happy for you bro I really am" gripping him in another headlock he growled playfully "treat her right or else." Medilla smiled at the antics of her children she remembered breaking up many play fights between them and not that she would admit it aloud she really missed it. She enjoyed raising her boys, a lone tear escaped her eye because they had grown in to such fine young men and she was proud. She looked to Kaden realizing that her daughter was growing up quickly and that the two brothers currently bickering about treating their significant other properly exchanging headlocks and or light punches made her realize she wanted one more addition to her family. It came back to her what Deen had mentioned her husband had said, she turned to him and when he looked at her she smiled not bother to conceal the glint in her eye. The room suddenly quite and everyone turned to look at the stage as the King began to address everyone "We are gather here today to celebrate a monumental occasion" he said earning him a hiss from his daughter "Dad this isn't a wedding" she said silently. He chuckled and continued "now you all know the incidents behind the false suitors and the lies. But that has changed and my beloved daughter has chosen a suitor to whom she will now name."
She smiled as her father motioned for her to take his place and as she looked over the crowd she spotted Deen silently making his way toward the stage somehow avoiding notice, she cleared her throat intent on helping him "It is true, for a while I had no interest in finding a suitor or marrying" she paused for effect "but the suitor I have chosen is a man among men, he and his family have just returned to Hyrule and by the graces of the goddesses we will marry" she said looking at Deen for his thoughts and was rewarded with a smiled that said he felt the same. She looked back over the crowd "Now I know you have been anxiously awaiting the name of said suitor and I shall present him now" Deen watched as the man from Kakariko start to move up but Zelda saw this as well and spoke "Myrideen Al' mere" he smiled at not only his full name but the look on the mans face which was a mess of confusion then contorted with rage at who he really was, as he stepped onto the stage he swiftly moved toward Zelda and before she could react he pulled her into a passionate kiss, she was shocked at first then melted into it wrapping her arms around his neck and returning it with fervor forgetting where they were. As he kissed her there were catcalls especially from Link and Malon, the rest of the crowd cheered but were overall in a state of shock, Deen remembered where they were and when he pulled away he rested his forehead on hers he smiled as she did he whispered "How was that for an introduction."
She smiled and reluctantly pulling away she faced the crowd a pink tinge to her cheeks which went dark red as he embraced her from behind "Ladies and gentlemen I present Myrideen Al' mere former Captain of the Calatia Guard, and current head of the Al' mere and Di'tian houses" at the name of the high Calatian name there were gasps and she continued "I will now introduce the members of the Al' mere house. First Arn Al' mere and his wife Medilla Di'tian Al' mere along with their youngest child Kaden Al' mere" they took their places behind Deen and Zelda "Link Al' mere the hero of Hyrule and time and his fiance Malon Lon" Link and Malon took their place next to the rest of the family. "Master Arn was a former Captain of the Hylian Knights, as his son Link is the current captain. Mistress Di'tian is the eldest member of noble Di'tian house who standing is just below royalty." she finished before herself and Deen took their place at the family's side.
Zelda watched as her father step to the podium smiling at Deen and spoke "I know this comes as a shock to most noble house's who were vying for my daughters hand in marriage" at that there was a burst of outrage that Deen wasn't who he said he was causing the king to call for silence his usual quite voice boomed "Myrideen's blood line has been researched along with my personal knowledge of the Di'tian house and its members" he said pausing to let them calm down before continued turning to Deen "I believe you have something to ask my daughter."
Zelda was caught off guard and turned to him "What do you have to ask?"
He merely smiled "Thank you, your highness" his voice loud and clear "Zelda Helene, I know this is short notice and your father has given his blessing so" he trailed off pulling a small box from his pocket and dropped to one knee causing Zelda to gasp and hands to cover her mouth and Tears of happiness streamed down her face "I ask if I may have your hand in mar.." He was cut off mid sentence as she yelled "Yes, yes I will marry you!" Deen and his family smiled as he placed the ring on her finger and he stood kissing her, most of the crowd were clapping but one man stood off to the side with a scowl before sweeping out of the room.
Deen inwardly chuckled that he had been right about Zelda, after the introductions were over she did parade him about her arm linked with his moving from one noble family to the next. He had to admit that where he didn't really like attention to being with Zelda made his apprehension flee, the reason being he liked meeting the nobility of Hyrule. As they were on their way to meet another family he saw a set of glass doors adorned with white curtains that had gold embroidery, he smirked changing course this time instead of Zelda pulling him he pulled her. Zelda tried to protest and when he pulled her out on to the balcony he kissed her and all thoughts of protest left her. Deen pulled away wrapping her into an embrace smiling as she nuzzled into him, and it was then he decided to ask her something that had been on his mind since they met "Zelda" he said cautiously.
She noted the way he approached what ever it was he wanted to talk about "Yes Deen" she asked lovingly.
He ran a hand through his hair and somehow if fell right back into place "I wanted to ask did your mother have Lavender hair?"
She pulled back giving him a confused look while thinking about it "No, she had Blonde hair like my brother Sheik." She said "Why do you ask?"
He started to run his fingers through her Lavender locks "Its just that the only country where I have seen your particular color and features is a small island nation far from here."
She stared at him pulling away "What do you mean" she placed her fist on her hips, something that made the princess seem dangerous he noted. "Why, do you think my father cheated on my mother" she growled out."
Deen raised his hands in defeat speaking quickly to save his skin "No, no I didn't mean it like that. I was just wondering if you were adopted" he said honestly.
At this Zelda tilted her head to the side confused and now that she thought about it there were a lot of times she had asked her father questions only to receive a 'I will tell you when your older' she frowned looking back to Deen "Why didn't you say something when we first met" she asked.
He shrugged "I didn't really think anything of it at the time" he lied.
Zelda narrowed her eyes and stepped closer crossing her arms under her breasts indicating she was angry "Deen" she said in a warning tone.
He sighed "Alright, alright I was more than a little nervous to talk to you about it. I wasn't sure how you would react, that and I didn't know if your father had told you anything" he said trying to abate her anger. He watched her pensive face wondering if she was putting it together. Of course his princess was a smart cookie and she knew he had a valid argument, she latched on to his arm as her face turned serious "Let's go find my father he has some explaining to do."
He was happy that he wasn't going to be on the receiving end of her wrath though he did feel for the king, when it came to his little girl he was nothing more than a push over. As they made their way through the crowd he noted that their faces were nothing but a blur, he then realized that when Zelda set her mind to something nothing will stand in her way. It didn't take long for them to find the king and pull him away from the few nobles he had been speaking to, Deen noticed that Zelda was pulling him as well as the king with little to no effort and only stopped when they exited the ballroom. Zelda released them and rounded on her father "Father" she said it wasn't quite anger but there was a sternness to her voice "I want you to tell me the truth."
The king knew what she meant and internally debated on wether to tell her or not but the engagement ring she wore was a reminder that she wasn't a little girl anymore, he looked to her soon to be husband whose face was blank but his eyes held a comfort and urging for him to speak the truth. He turned back to Zelda he never wished to tell her this but he figured since the young man who would soon marry her probably traversed the world, and he probably pointed out her uncommon hair color and features. He swallowed hard as she was glaring at him expectant of an answer "Zelda you were adopted by me and my wife shortly after you were born." He sighed "The woman who carried and gave you life died shortly after you came into the world. She was a beautiful woman with long Lavender hair" he looked to Zelda and smiled softly "just like yours. At the time my wife and I were on a return trip from one of the neighboring provinces when we found her. She was sitting on the side of the road heavily pregnant trying to stay warm by edging closer to the small fire she had going."
He continued "Normally we would have kept going but something told me to stop, I ordered the drive to halt and when I stepped out of the coach she stood backing away. The young woman was frightened of me yelling in a strange language, she only calmed when I started humming your lullaby. After that we brought her to the castle where she lived her last month in comfort until the day of your birth. She lived for a while telling us to give you something when you were old enough." He reached into his pocket and withdrew a folded letter and handed it to her "Since she gave it to us I have been trying to have it translated but to no avail" he looked to her sadly "I'm sorry, I should have told you sooner."
Zelda cradled the letter trying to read the cover but was unable to as they symbols meant nothing to her, but as Deen looked over her shoulder he spoke "To my precious daughter whom I will never meet." Both father and daughter turned to him in wonder, he shrugged "well that's what it says roughly translated."
They continued to stare "You can read it" both said together.
He nodded "Yes" he said simply.
Zelda handed him the letter "Deen please read it for me" she begged.
He took the letter opening it before scanning the page and reading it off to her "It says."
To my little princess.
I leave you this letter for when the time comes, I had to leave you in the care of the rulers in this land so that you may live a life of comfort and have access to the collective knowledge of the land. The night you were conceived three goddesses came to me in my dreams urging me to leave my family in search of a distant land. I was scared of leaving them behind but I knew that I must follow their instructions. I know that by growing up in this foreign land you will not know of your true language, I pray to the creator that you will find a man either from our home or one in this land who knows of us. Some one who can tell you how much love I hold for you. I left my family in the middle of the night boarding a ship headed for a country called Termainia but a storm blew the ship off course and I arrived in Hyrule. The voyage took many months and in that time you grew in my belly getting ever stronger.
The time for you to be born draws near, I know I will not survive it. But you my darling daughter will and you have a full life ahead of you, but there is trouble brewing in this land. I felt it when I landed on the shores, the evil is still young but its power is growing. When you are old enough I hope whoever can read this will tell you that you have heritage as a priestess and where your power come from. When you should learn the contents of this letter please say a prayer for me in our true tongue, even though I will never meet you I still love you my darling little girl.
And look after you adopted brother he is quite a handful and will be a good man.
He finished the letter before folding it back up and putting it away, he handed it back to Zelda and as she took it she cradled it tears flowing from her eyes. He silently wrapped his arms around her letting her cry into his chest. He noticed the king had taken the hint and left quietly, he had translated the letter to the best of his abilities which was difficult due to the major differences in the languages. He figured some of the words were a little off though the overall message was clear, he looked to the heavens and smiled speaking in a foreign tongue that Zelda didn't hear "I will do as you ask Priestess. She will say the prayer over where you rest" he promised the mother of his soon to be bride. As she pulled away and dried up her tears they returned to the dying ball Deen and Zelda found his family as they were preparing to leave. Deen kisses Zelda goodbye before picking a sleepy Kaden up from the floor and carrying her out, Zelda watched as her fiance walked out with his family and smiled. She looked down to her hand admiring the ring before heading to bed.
As she neared her chamber the sounds of fighting could be hear and she stopped as a blood drenched man came into view.