Direct sequel to Legendary, hence why it ended the way it did. I'm considering turning this one into a multi-chapter thing, but I haven't decided yet. We'll see how it goes. Sorry this is so short.
"I'm so sorry. You've come all this way, and now he's not here!"
Shad held up a hand to forestall the apologies, smiling wanly. He still wasn't quite sure how he had arrived. He had told Rusl that under no circumstances would he go to Ordon to interview Link. And Rusl had nodded, and seemed to accept that.
Shad feared that some horrible practical joke was being played on him. The brandy had tasted funny, and Thelma had been smirking at him. Even Louise had been more smug than usual.
But he had to put aside his questions -- and his hangover -- for the moment. There was the Mayor's daughter to deal with here.
"It's all right," he replied weakly. "I can wait – this isn't very urgent."
"That's what Rusl said," Ilia admitted, setting the open teapot on the table. She retrieved the whistling kettle from the fire, and looked enquiringly at her guest. "What kind of tea? I've got green tea, purple cone flower, hawthorn berry, peppermint –-"
"Peppermint," he said firmly. Anything to get rid of the queasy feeling in his stomach.
Ilia smiled even wider, if that was possible, and began bustling around preparing the tea -- first, pulling out the lavender-green leaves of the plant itself, and then a teapot and cups. She washed the previous tea leaves out of the pot with some boiled water at the sink, and then put the fresh ones in to steep.
"Anything you want to eat?" she chirped.
"Just the tea, thank you." Shad pressed two knuckles against his temple; his headache had suddenly spiked.
The silence that followed was by no stretch of the imagination comfortable. Ilia shifted now and again and stared at the teapot as if waiting for some sort of signal. Shad cleared his throat once or twice.
"So," she said suddenly, trying to break through the silence. "Why are you here?"
There's something in the water here, Shad thought. Something that brings out this forthrightness, this lack of grace.
The desire to know.
"Remind you of anyone?"
Damn that strange impish creature that had lurked in Link's shadow, for putting the thought in his head. Damn Rusl, for trying to play matchmaker.
Why am I here?
To get Link's account, like Rusl had suggested? To study Ordon culture, which was easily the most obscure of all the ones in Hyrule --? Because Shad had seen the horns mounted on outside every door, had seen the weaves and patterns on the women's skirts and the men's leggings. Ilia had offered him food and drink before asking him to state his business; an uncommon custom.
There were secrets to be discovered here. Ancient ones.
"Did you think it was coincidence he came from there?"
Why am I here?
Ilia was looking at him. She required an answer, but he had none to give.
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Green tea – Prepare this one weak. Benefits general health.
Purple cone flower – Echinacea. Strengthens the immune system in general, and relieves cold symptoms.
Hawthorn berry – Has a very strong reputation as a safe remedy for the heart. It also tends to normalize blood pressure. Consult with an expert if you have a heart problem and want to have this as an alternative to medicine.
Peppermint – A strong muscle relaxant, and helps with digestion. Stronger alternative to the lighter chamomile. Also soothes nausea. If you find the taste too strong, then make it weak.