Disclaimer: To start off, I don't own any of the original Legend of Zelda characters, places, ideas, etc. Shigeru Miyamoto takes that cake. But I do own all of the original characters, places, and ideas that don't exist in his world. That's my cake. So enjoy, Faithful Reader, and please don't forget to review. ^_^
(Note: I've also banished all use of numbers to identify chapters; FF.net just won't abide by my preferences, so I'm only going to use chapter names from now on.)
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The Sailor's Dilemma
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Each night began the same way, with a dream, and ended the same, with her praying for the sun to come up and a new day to begin. The dreams had grown with clarity and perception each night since Link had told her how he truly felt. Miyako sat in her armchair, a blanket pulled up around her so that she could not feel the cold of the dawn, and huddled there, waiting for life to begin again.
She could not tell him about the dreams; they might only worry him, or worse, cause him to shrug it off and tell her they were only dreams. Dreams were an omen, an illness, but almost always right.
Miyako didn't want this dream to be right.
When it grew light enough outside her window, the red-haired Kreyan got up from her armchair, dressed, and headed to the dining hall for breakfast. She was always there before Link, and sometimes there before Lance. This time, though, she was there before both of them, but not alone. King Edward was eating his breakfast thoughtfully, as though testing each bite.
"Well, young one, what brings you here so early?" He inquired, waving a hand at some servants to bring her food.
"I need to ask a favor," she said hesitantly, looking down at the spotless tabletop. The king nodded for her to continue. "You've heard of the Island of Light, right, sire?"
"Please, call me Edward. You can skip the formalities after helping save my kingdom. Of course I've heard of it; I'm sure all royalty have been learned in that area. Raveth and Kiefer and all those good heroes, eh?"
"Well... I need a ship to take me there." The King of Selinta raised both eyebrows at her.
"Pray tell, why?"
"...Your Majesty, it's just too complicated to explain. I... I've talked with Link and Lance about it, and they both want to go with me..." King Edward nodded again and continued eating. "Have you felt it? There's an evil there."
"If I understand this, you and the two young men, you want to go there and investigate the temple, correct?" Miyako agreed. "You know of the Ring Rock of Doom...?"
"I know about it, but... even knowing that, we still need to go there."
"I am sure Captain Lance will be willing to take you there, if I ask him. Or he may not. We shall see, but when the next ships come into bay, I will send Mystu to inquire about. You will get a ship there, one way or another."
"Thank you, sire," she murmured as other people began to enter the dining hall.
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Link rose from his bath and toweled off vigorously. Yesterday Mystu said that he'd received another messenger bird and King Chandler and Princess Zelda would be in Ontharn before full night. A part of him dreaded meeting with the princess, and another part of him looked forward to it, as he had not seen her for a month.
'I wonder how she is, what she's been doing,' he thought absently, putting his arms through the sleeves of a white dress shirt and buttoning it up. No doubt they would hold the celebration tonight and tomorrow night. General Aston had reported several small victories at the Tophetian port of Jursh, and the Selintan troops were marching ever steadily towards Castle Hellis.
After dressing, the Hero of Time studied himself in the mirror, running his fingers through his still damp hair. He felt a little strange without his Kokiri hat, but he couldn't wear that. Well, not tonight, anyway. He'd find another time to wear it and his tunic as well; he missed his old clothes, though they were in dire need of a tailor.
Still, his best feature would always be his eyes; Link admired them, feeling slightly narcissistic. But he was a hero; he could afford to be a little egotistical every once in a while. They were icy when he was angry, and as soft as the sky with puffy clouds when he was happy. They were a true fighter's eyes, gentle and harsh at the same time.
Whistling merrily, Link exited his chambers and strode down the hallway to the dining hall. He'd become accustomed to castle life, though hopefully that would change soon. While he enjoyed peace and relaxation, he'd also become a bit restless, wishing for some action.
'I'm sure we'll be in for some adventure when we leave for the Temple of Life,' he contemplated, entering the dining hall. He espied Miyako sitting with the king, talking in low tones. "Good morrow, sire, Miyako," Link greeted, sitting down beside them.
"Ah, Link," the king stated, "we were just discussing securing a ship for your departure to the Island of Light. I'm quite sure I can talk Lanceton into taking you there, if he seems reluctant, but that seadog will probably want to. I can't think of another man who loves the sea as much as he does." The king rose from his seat and nodded to a servant. "Well, I've several important matters to attend to, one being the grand soiree tonight, so if you'll excuse me." With a quick bow Edward was striding off.
Link turned to Miyako, smiling broadly, then he noticed how tired she looked, and his smile dissolved. "You don't look so well this morning, are you all right?" She shook her head at him.
"I'm fine, just a little lost sleep, that's all." There was no chance in hellfire she'd tell him about her dream. "Well, you're looking squeaky clean today. I'd imagine you, being the rugged hero type that you are, would frown upon such womanly things as bathing." He flicked an ear at her.
"Rugged hero type, eh? Then please, remind me, who was the one who kept stepping on the other's feet when we were learning how to dance?" Miyako scowled at him but said nothing. "I rest my case."
"So I can't dance. You're not so hot yourself!"
"That's beside the point," he dismissed.
"What /is/ the point?" She asked, looking at him askance.
"I'm not a rugged hero type. Anyway, it's going to be a good day. So let's not argue." Miyako gave him a mischievous look.
"This isn't arguing, Link; trust me."
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Zelda took her first step on Selinta that morning, breathing in the fresh salty breeze and looking around admirably. Her father, who would never be fond of sailing, stood beside her, visibly relieved to be off the ship.
"The city looks beautiful," the princess said to her father, "and this is only the port?" The King of Hyrule nodded.
"Yes, but I must tell you; the Tophetians burned all of Ontharn to the ground, and they are still rebuilding it. Still, the castle is in good shape, and that is where we are headed. We should be there shortly before supper."
As the servants gathered their belongings, Zelda couldn't help but wonder what she would find at Castle Dythia.
"Oh, so this is Ashara!" Tyriso, a traveler from Mellifluous Bay, commended. "Well, I've never seen the like!"
His companion remarked, "It's nothing special, Tyriso. Valletta, now there's a port what makes your heart stop! But we're not here to admire the city; we're here to find a ship that'll take us to the Island of Light."
"You're right, Martin, we'd better ask around now," the other young Hylian agreed. Before Zelda could ask her father something, an elderly castle official came bounding up to them.
"Oh, Your Majesties," he breathed, bowing deeply and trying to catch his breath. "I'm terribly sorry you had to wait a few minutes; I was running a little late this morning. I am Mystu, I believe we met at Hyrule Castle's Reconstruction Celebration." King Chandler nodded.
"Yes, I remember. Shall we be on our way to Castle Dythia, then?"
"Of course, sir, but you must be hungry. We'll take a brief comfort at one of the restaurants here abouts," the court official replied. He looked around nervously, then nodded. "Yes, those servants better hurry with the horses! Well, then, shall we?"
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"En garde!" Lance shouted, hopping across the room and waving his sword around foolishly. Link put a hand to his forehead and tried not to laugh at the hilarious sight his friend made. "What?"
"You look like a demented jackrabbit," chuckled the Hero of Time. The sailor bowed deeply, his dark blue hair falling into his eyes.
"Why, thank you, kind sir! As you can see, I've put much time and effort into my strategies... I'll laugh my enemies to death."
"Somehow, I don't think that'll work," Link replied smiling, leaning on the Master Sword. Lance shrugged and etched a picture in the air with his weapon. "So, matey, I hear tonight's the celebration, eh? Princess Zelda will be there."
"Yes, she will." That statement instantly dried up his merriment.
"How do you feel about that?" The Kreyan/Aquarian stopped fooling with his blade and looked at the Hylian.
"I don't know... A little apprehensive, to be honest. I wonder how she'll react to Miyako. Or how Miyako will react to her..." Lance sat down on a nearby bench.
"Aye, I know what you mean. But 'tis safe to say if Zelda's courteous to Miyako, then she'll treat the princess the same way. There's only one way to find out, though, for sure." Link sat down next to his friend.
"Lance... you've been acting kind of strange lately. So has Miyako. Are you two hiding something from me?" The sailor blinked, obviously surprised.
"What in Din's name? Miyako? I dun know about her, but... do you remember during the siege, when I left the castle to go to the shore?" The Hero of Time nodded. "Well... I met... Prince Kellen there."
"Prince Kellen?" Link repeated, looking down at the Master Sword in his hands. "What was he doing there?" The dark-blue-haired young man reached into his pocket and pulled out the silver medallion.
"He came to tell me that his brother, Venoli, poisoned him. He was dying, Link, and he still came to warn us that his brother's going to launch a plan to keep ships from sailing on the seas. The Aquarians will attack every single ship. Kellen... he wanted us to stop his brother. He gave me this. Do you know what this is?" Link looked at it carefully.
"It looks like a silver medallion to me, a lot like the ones the Sages gave me. But there's a different symbol on it."
"Aye. It's the crest of Aquarian Royalty. Link, for the life of me, I didn't know, but my mother was Kellen's aunt." The blonde Hylian digested this information for a moment, narrowing his eyes in thought. "If we go and stop Venoli like I promised him, I'll be the remaining heir to the throne."
"Which makes you a prince, or so close to it, it doesn't matter." Link turned his head and stared at Lance. "My Gods..." The sailor sighed heavily.
"Exactly, matey. Exactly. And I don't want to be one. Not for the life of me. I'd not doubt they'd tear me apart or overthrow me; no matter how forgivin' Kellen was at his death, his people ain't gonna feel the same as he did. And that's not all; he said you had to protect what he gave you, at all costs."
'The necklace,' Link thought, his eyes widening slightly. 'Gods, I'd forgotten all about it!' Thankfully, the necklace would be right where he put it, his magically enhanced pouch.
"I don't want to be the Prince of the Aquarians, matey; I'd rather stay above the water and live my life here. But I promised him we'd stop Venoli, for his sake and ours, and if we do stop his brother, then I'll be the prince. I don't know what to do." Lance put his head in his hands and stayed silent for a moment.
"There's no way to renege the throne?" Link asked, though he suspected he knew the answer.
"Not unless there's another heir, and I don't think there is." Lance passed his hands over his face and made a fretful noise. "I've gotten meself into a right fine mess, ger fada. What am I gonna tell my father? Does he know? No, he would've told me... This is gonna break his heart. He knows the Aquarians'll kill me on sight!"
"Won't the medallion help you at all?"
"Nay, matey. They'll think 'twas me what killed Kellen, and Venoli's no doubt tellin' 'em 'twas an outsider who done it." In his remorse, Lance's accent seemed to get thicker instead of disappearing.
"...Well... I don't know what to tell you. This isn't something we can deal with now, that's all I know."
"Aye. We'll be going to the Temple of Life, so we will." The sailor hesitated, then continued, "Link, 'twon't be safe to travel with me. The Aquarians... they might be out for my blood."
"Lance, I wouldn't abandon you for the world," the nineteen-year-old replied truthfully. At once his friend's spirits seemed to lift.
"Shiver me timbers, you speak true! Link, you're a real matey! Now, what say you we get to the garden? 'Tis a fine day, much too fine to be indoors, eh?"
(Note: I've also banished all use of numbers to identify chapters; FF.net just won't abide by my preferences, so I'm only going to use chapter names from now on.)
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The Sailor's Dilemma
-----------------------------------
Each night began the same way, with a dream, and ended the same, with her praying for the sun to come up and a new day to begin. The dreams had grown with clarity and perception each night since Link had told her how he truly felt. Miyako sat in her armchair, a blanket pulled up around her so that she could not feel the cold of the dawn, and huddled there, waiting for life to begin again.
She could not tell him about the dreams; they might only worry him, or worse, cause him to shrug it off and tell her they were only dreams. Dreams were an omen, an illness, but almost always right.
Miyako didn't want this dream to be right.
When it grew light enough outside her window, the red-haired Kreyan got up from her armchair, dressed, and headed to the dining hall for breakfast. She was always there before Link, and sometimes there before Lance. This time, though, she was there before both of them, but not alone. King Edward was eating his breakfast thoughtfully, as though testing each bite.
"Well, young one, what brings you here so early?" He inquired, waving a hand at some servants to bring her food.
"I need to ask a favor," she said hesitantly, looking down at the spotless tabletop. The king nodded for her to continue. "You've heard of the Island of Light, right, sire?"
"Please, call me Edward. You can skip the formalities after helping save my kingdom. Of course I've heard of it; I'm sure all royalty have been learned in that area. Raveth and Kiefer and all those good heroes, eh?"
"Well... I need a ship to take me there." The King of Selinta raised both eyebrows at her.
"Pray tell, why?"
"...Your Majesty, it's just too complicated to explain. I... I've talked with Link and Lance about it, and they both want to go with me..." King Edward nodded again and continued eating. "Have you felt it? There's an evil there."
"If I understand this, you and the two young men, you want to go there and investigate the temple, correct?" Miyako agreed. "You know of the Ring Rock of Doom...?"
"I know about it, but... even knowing that, we still need to go there."
"I am sure Captain Lance will be willing to take you there, if I ask him. Or he may not. We shall see, but when the next ships come into bay, I will send Mystu to inquire about. You will get a ship there, one way or another."
"Thank you, sire," she murmured as other people began to enter the dining hall.
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Link rose from his bath and toweled off vigorously. Yesterday Mystu said that he'd received another messenger bird and King Chandler and Princess Zelda would be in Ontharn before full night. A part of him dreaded meeting with the princess, and another part of him looked forward to it, as he had not seen her for a month.
'I wonder how she is, what she's been doing,' he thought absently, putting his arms through the sleeves of a white dress shirt and buttoning it up. No doubt they would hold the celebration tonight and tomorrow night. General Aston had reported several small victories at the Tophetian port of Jursh, and the Selintan troops were marching ever steadily towards Castle Hellis.
After dressing, the Hero of Time studied himself in the mirror, running his fingers through his still damp hair. He felt a little strange without his Kokiri hat, but he couldn't wear that. Well, not tonight, anyway. He'd find another time to wear it and his tunic as well; he missed his old clothes, though they were in dire need of a tailor.
Still, his best feature would always be his eyes; Link admired them, feeling slightly narcissistic. But he was a hero; he could afford to be a little egotistical every once in a while. They were icy when he was angry, and as soft as the sky with puffy clouds when he was happy. They were a true fighter's eyes, gentle and harsh at the same time.
Whistling merrily, Link exited his chambers and strode down the hallway to the dining hall. He'd become accustomed to castle life, though hopefully that would change soon. While he enjoyed peace and relaxation, he'd also become a bit restless, wishing for some action.
'I'm sure we'll be in for some adventure when we leave for the Temple of Life,' he contemplated, entering the dining hall. He espied Miyako sitting with the king, talking in low tones. "Good morrow, sire, Miyako," Link greeted, sitting down beside them.
"Ah, Link," the king stated, "we were just discussing securing a ship for your departure to the Island of Light. I'm quite sure I can talk Lanceton into taking you there, if he seems reluctant, but that seadog will probably want to. I can't think of another man who loves the sea as much as he does." The king rose from his seat and nodded to a servant. "Well, I've several important matters to attend to, one being the grand soiree tonight, so if you'll excuse me." With a quick bow Edward was striding off.
Link turned to Miyako, smiling broadly, then he noticed how tired she looked, and his smile dissolved. "You don't look so well this morning, are you all right?" She shook her head at him.
"I'm fine, just a little lost sleep, that's all." There was no chance in hellfire she'd tell him about her dream. "Well, you're looking squeaky clean today. I'd imagine you, being the rugged hero type that you are, would frown upon such womanly things as bathing." He flicked an ear at her.
"Rugged hero type, eh? Then please, remind me, who was the one who kept stepping on the other's feet when we were learning how to dance?" Miyako scowled at him but said nothing. "I rest my case."
"So I can't dance. You're not so hot yourself!"
"That's beside the point," he dismissed.
"What /is/ the point?" She asked, looking at him askance.
"I'm not a rugged hero type. Anyway, it's going to be a good day. So let's not argue." Miyako gave him a mischievous look.
"This isn't arguing, Link; trust me."
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Zelda took her first step on Selinta that morning, breathing in the fresh salty breeze and looking around admirably. Her father, who would never be fond of sailing, stood beside her, visibly relieved to be off the ship.
"The city looks beautiful," the princess said to her father, "and this is only the port?" The King of Hyrule nodded.
"Yes, but I must tell you; the Tophetians burned all of Ontharn to the ground, and they are still rebuilding it. Still, the castle is in good shape, and that is where we are headed. We should be there shortly before supper."
As the servants gathered their belongings, Zelda couldn't help but wonder what she would find at Castle Dythia.
"Oh, so this is Ashara!" Tyriso, a traveler from Mellifluous Bay, commended. "Well, I've never seen the like!"
His companion remarked, "It's nothing special, Tyriso. Valletta, now there's a port what makes your heart stop! But we're not here to admire the city; we're here to find a ship that'll take us to the Island of Light."
"You're right, Martin, we'd better ask around now," the other young Hylian agreed. Before Zelda could ask her father something, an elderly castle official came bounding up to them.
"Oh, Your Majesties," he breathed, bowing deeply and trying to catch his breath. "I'm terribly sorry you had to wait a few minutes; I was running a little late this morning. I am Mystu, I believe we met at Hyrule Castle's Reconstruction Celebration." King Chandler nodded.
"Yes, I remember. Shall we be on our way to Castle Dythia, then?"
"Of course, sir, but you must be hungry. We'll take a brief comfort at one of the restaurants here abouts," the court official replied. He looked around nervously, then nodded. "Yes, those servants better hurry with the horses! Well, then, shall we?"
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"En garde!" Lance shouted, hopping across the room and waving his sword around foolishly. Link put a hand to his forehead and tried not to laugh at the hilarious sight his friend made. "What?"
"You look like a demented jackrabbit," chuckled the Hero of Time. The sailor bowed deeply, his dark blue hair falling into his eyes.
"Why, thank you, kind sir! As you can see, I've put much time and effort into my strategies... I'll laugh my enemies to death."
"Somehow, I don't think that'll work," Link replied smiling, leaning on the Master Sword. Lance shrugged and etched a picture in the air with his weapon. "So, matey, I hear tonight's the celebration, eh? Princess Zelda will be there."
"Yes, she will." That statement instantly dried up his merriment.
"How do you feel about that?" The Kreyan/Aquarian stopped fooling with his blade and looked at the Hylian.
"I don't know... A little apprehensive, to be honest. I wonder how she'll react to Miyako. Or how Miyako will react to her..." Lance sat down on a nearby bench.
"Aye, I know what you mean. But 'tis safe to say if Zelda's courteous to Miyako, then she'll treat the princess the same way. There's only one way to find out, though, for sure." Link sat down next to his friend.
"Lance... you've been acting kind of strange lately. So has Miyako. Are you two hiding something from me?" The sailor blinked, obviously surprised.
"What in Din's name? Miyako? I dun know about her, but... do you remember during the siege, when I left the castle to go to the shore?" The Hero of Time nodded. "Well... I met... Prince Kellen there."
"Prince Kellen?" Link repeated, looking down at the Master Sword in his hands. "What was he doing there?" The dark-blue-haired young man reached into his pocket and pulled out the silver medallion.
"He came to tell me that his brother, Venoli, poisoned him. He was dying, Link, and he still came to warn us that his brother's going to launch a plan to keep ships from sailing on the seas. The Aquarians will attack every single ship. Kellen... he wanted us to stop his brother. He gave me this. Do you know what this is?" Link looked at it carefully.
"It looks like a silver medallion to me, a lot like the ones the Sages gave me. But there's a different symbol on it."
"Aye. It's the crest of Aquarian Royalty. Link, for the life of me, I didn't know, but my mother was Kellen's aunt." The blonde Hylian digested this information for a moment, narrowing his eyes in thought. "If we go and stop Venoli like I promised him, I'll be the remaining heir to the throne."
"Which makes you a prince, or so close to it, it doesn't matter." Link turned his head and stared at Lance. "My Gods..." The sailor sighed heavily.
"Exactly, matey. Exactly. And I don't want to be one. Not for the life of me. I'd not doubt they'd tear me apart or overthrow me; no matter how forgivin' Kellen was at his death, his people ain't gonna feel the same as he did. And that's not all; he said you had to protect what he gave you, at all costs."
'The necklace,' Link thought, his eyes widening slightly. 'Gods, I'd forgotten all about it!' Thankfully, the necklace would be right where he put it, his magically enhanced pouch.
"I don't want to be the Prince of the Aquarians, matey; I'd rather stay above the water and live my life here. But I promised him we'd stop Venoli, for his sake and ours, and if we do stop his brother, then I'll be the prince. I don't know what to do." Lance put his head in his hands and stayed silent for a moment.
"There's no way to renege the throne?" Link asked, though he suspected he knew the answer.
"Not unless there's another heir, and I don't think there is." Lance passed his hands over his face and made a fretful noise. "I've gotten meself into a right fine mess, ger fada. What am I gonna tell my father? Does he know? No, he would've told me... This is gonna break his heart. He knows the Aquarians'll kill me on sight!"
"Won't the medallion help you at all?"
"Nay, matey. They'll think 'twas me what killed Kellen, and Venoli's no doubt tellin' 'em 'twas an outsider who done it." In his remorse, Lance's accent seemed to get thicker instead of disappearing.
"...Well... I don't know what to tell you. This isn't something we can deal with now, that's all I know."
"Aye. We'll be going to the Temple of Life, so we will." The sailor hesitated, then continued, "Link, 'twon't be safe to travel with me. The Aquarians... they might be out for my blood."
"Lance, I wouldn't abandon you for the world," the nineteen-year-old replied truthfully. At once his friend's spirits seemed to lift.
"Shiver me timbers, you speak true! Link, you're a real matey! Now, what say you we get to the garden? 'Tis a fine day, much too fine to be indoors, eh?"