Ooops… forgot to mention, that I DO NOT own Zelda, nor will I ever. Apart from the games of course… which I am now on the 5th time of playing Twilight Princess - I swear I am addicted!
Anyhoo… Here is the second chapter of Concisus, have fun reading and please review! You know if your not too busy or anything, because just saying "Your good/ Rubbish" takes soooo long… ;D
P.S. those lovely people who have reviewed; you get a virtual cookie. Nom.
Link hummed under his breath, earning a few odd stares from the stable boys.
He simply smiled at them and continued attaching the numerous bags to Epona, tightening her saddle along the way.
Sat in her saddle he lead her into the courtyard where the army waited. Some, Link noted, looked brave; ready for what the war entailed. Others looked as if they were going to pass out and he bit back a laugh.
He had trained them all that he could, and that was the best he could do. What happened from now was in the hands of the Goddesses.
Link turned as he heard a horse approach, smiling when the rider came nearer.
"Morning, your majesty."
Zelda smiled, and his stomach back- flipped. "As to you, General."
He nodded, facing his men.
"Well, here we are. You have assembled here before me, and I must say that I am proud. When I first joined this army, most of you were pathetic - you could not hold a sword let alone use it in combat. I am glad to say that this is no longer the case. You stand here now as every bit a true warrior. Brave, fearless and valiant, I could not have a better army with me to lead Hyrule to battle and return home victorious!"
A cheer erupted at the end and Link smiled. Once the roar had quietened, Zelda spoke;
"The general's words ring true and honest. My faithful army, I have every confidence in that you will succeed in the trials before you, though it would do you well to remember that a sword holds no strength unless the hand that hold it has courage. Be courageous my men and you will not fail!
Link looked at her, how did she know the Hero's shades words? Adding it to her list of enigmas he steered Epona closer so her could take her hand.
Zelda meet his gaze, questioning his motives.
Slowly he brought her hand up to his lips, placing a small kiss upon her glove he heard her gasp along with whistles from the crowd.
"Stay safe, my queen."
Zelda grasped his hand in her own, "I will as long as you do too."
He smiled, letting it grow larger when he realised that she wore his necklace.
"Of course" he replied, spurring Epona into a gallop he gave Zelda one last glance before he rode into the horizon, Hyrule's army close behind.
Zelda dove out of her bed, listening carefully to any sounds around her. Hearing none, she walked to her wardrobe, throwing open the doors to pull out a dark blue, skin-tight cat suit.
She slipped it on, tightening the accompanying belts. The material hugged her body closely and she smiled. How improper for a woman to wearing such an outfit that revealed her shape.
Her laugh was silent, she remembered the first time her mother had given her it at eleven. She had thrown it on instantaneously, more than willing to be rid of the stuffy dresses.
From there on her mother had taught her the ancient sheikah training, building her upper body strength, improving he stamina and learning the ways of the multitude of weapons. Her favourite was the throwing daggers.
There was no sheikah's who resided in Hyrule and so her mother was her only trainer… then she had passed into the sacred realm when Zelda was fourteen…
Tears rose to her eyes, but she did not let them fall. The past could not be changed and there was no point in grieving over the unchangeable.
She briefly wondered what the council would think about her escapade if they knew the real reason behind her leave. She had told them that she was visiting each province; discussing any improvements as she, the Queen, could do to help. And, thankfully the council had believed her; it was her one of her duties to maintain the welfare of her country, and she was… Just in a different manner. Besides, when they asked for a report she could give them the one Link had provided her with several weeks back…
Zelda wrapped the bandages around her fingers, adjusting the cowl over her face. Closing her eyes, she whispered the old Hylian magic under her breath, feeling it change her auburn hair to blonde, her violet eyes to a deep red.
She stared at the new transformation - she resembled the ancient warrior Sheik almost identically save for her longer hair.
Ready, she slipped onto her balcony, diving off 30ft to land silently on her feet; a perk to being a sheikah. Rising, Zelda whistled for her stallion, his black coat blending well into the night.
Swinging onto Ebenus' back she rode into the night, hidden in the shadows.
Link stretched, his muscles groaning from having been straight for so long.
He reclined back onto the hot sand, though it was also cool enough to not scold his skin.
The enemy was approaching from the east- meaning that to enter Hyrule they would need to cross Gerudo Mesa first.
And that was where they waited. The natural trenches in the sand offered the right coverage for an army of this size and gave them the element of surprise.
Sure, it was tough. The horses were unused to the terrain and the carriages sunk into the sand when they stopped, but Link thought, if he could brave it as a human with only the company of a sarcastic imp, the men cold too.
Still, he was thankful that a route leading up to the desert had been discovered from Lake Hylia. (There was no way that Fyer's cannon could have gotten everything up here)
Though he could have done with it when he had to transverse the two areas instead of gathering the several burns off the scorching sand.
Link poked at the fire, the last remaining embers burning into ash. The army was asleep aside from the look-outs yet he was restless.
The last time he had been here was with Zelda after Midna's departure. Nayru knows how they would have got back to the castle if Zelda hadn't used her magic to transport them.
He stood up, looking over to where he could see the tops of the Mirror Chamber.
Even now, Arbiters ground still freaked him out. He chuckled, possessor of courage and yet he was spooked by a couple of re-deads.
At least in this war he wouldn't be facing any of those things…
Link carried on walking with no destination in mind, his sword strapped to his back over the thin shirt.
He had forgotten how bright the stars where up here and he smiled - reminded of Zelda's eyes. Gods it had been four days and already he was missing her.
He shook his head clear. The men had already giving him enough crap about being Zelda's "Knight in Shining armour" he didn't need them to see that he was pinning after her too.
Still he kept walking when he spied a horse in the distance. Black as the night itself, he hardly noticed it at first but his sharper senses bode to his advantage.
Keeping low to the ground, he slid further to the stranger, watching as they dismounted.
Only then did he realise the figure was a sheikah. He had read up on the old Legends and this person fit the bill exactly.
Yet, male or female - he couldn't tell from this distance.
Moving closer, he slipped his sword from his sheathe, feeling the familiar weight in his hand.
No master sword, but the sword Zelda had presented him with in the knighting ceremony was just as effective.
The sand muffled his steps as he drew closer. He was directly behind, rising his sword he made to attack when the figure moved.
Swift and agile he was knocked off his feet, recovering fast he saw them pull out what looked like a dagger - sharp and deadly.
He made to attack when they stopped. From here he could tell the figure was a woman; a man did not have those kind of curves.
He almost laughed - he was admiring someone who was a potential enemy. Smart, Link. Real smart.
Still, he wondered why they had paused, a sheikah tactic?
The woman sheathed her dagger and Link stared thoroughly confused.
"It seems your sleuth skills are lacking, Hero."
Link shrugged, "I was giving you a chance."
She laughed and there was something pleasantly familiar about the sound. "Do you offer chances to all who attack you?"
"Only the pretty ones." he could have sworn that behind her cowl she blushed.
"A foolish rule."
Link gave her a supercilious look, "why did you stop then?"
She tilted her head, a smirk in her red eyes. "Why, because of your dashing good looks of course."
"Seems my rule is not as stupid as you thought then" he laughed.
"On the other hand, I did not want the Hero's blood on my hands."
"Mess up your outfit?"
She glared at him, her eyes darkening. "Why aren't you conceited?"
"Perhaps… Still, why are you here?" as she opened her mouth, he cut her off "and do not give me any crap about wanting to see me."
"I wanted to join your army."
Link's eyebrows rose. "Why?"
"Why not? I am the last of my kind, and I wish to be of assistance rather than stay hidden in the shadows."
"Much like the queen."
The sheikah froze momentarily, rousing Link's suspicion. "How so?"
"Simple." Link smiled wolfishly, "you don't want to be useless and so you would do anything to fight for your country. Including wearing a disguise O great ruler of Hyrule."
Her eyes widened, her body tensing, "what makes you think that I am the queen?"
Link's smile grew. "I can tell when someone is lying. Call it a gift from Farore, but I just know. Almost like an itch in the back of my mind."
"You could quite easily be mistaken," he noticed how her voice dropped.
"Really? So explain how you are exactly the same height, have the same features and oh, that Triforce on your hand is glaringly obvious…"
She tackled him, pushing him into the ground, her dagger pressed against his throat.
"You tell anyone Link and I swear I will hunt you down and..."
His eyes rolled, "so much for not wanting any of my blood on your hands… though that does sound fun."
The dagger was pushed closer, but Link was unperturbed. "I will hurt you, Hero."
He laughed, suddenly rolling so that she was beneath him; her hands locked in his above her head.
"No, you wouldn't. Besides, what advantage would it give me to tell anyone?"
She simply glared at him.
"Now, Zelda. Are you coming back with me or are you staying here, bearing in mind that a single tent would draw a lot of suspicion to it?"
She sighed reluctantly, "I will come with you."
Link helped her to her feet, brushing the sand off his clothes. "Brilliant, that saves me from having to drag you there"
All he got in return was an icy glare.