Disclaimer: I Don't own The legend of Zelda or Fire emblem
The walls of castle town loomed over them. Link walked along, head cocked upwards nearly the entire time they followed the moat that ran alongside the great wall.
The city gates were already opened and the drawbrigde lowered. People bustling in and out of the city without a care.
"So this is Castle Town... capital of Hyrule... I've never seen so many people!"
"It appears the capital was spared the choas we encountered, thank the goddesses. I see no evidence of the great quake. It must've been limited to the forest." Impa sounded both relieved and concerned.
"Well thats a relief." Spryte chirped.
A man nearby stopped in his tracks. "Look! The Queen has come to see us!"
A head of them, surrounded by townspeople, a woman dressed in an elaborate and sagely outfit walked by, waving to the people with a soft smile on her features.
"The Queen is your ruler, yes?" Link asked.
"Yes," Impa answered. "Her name is Lady Seline."
"Is it safe for her to walk among commoners like this?"
"The Queen is a symol of peace- Hyrules most prized quality. Long ago, at the dawn of our age, the fell king tried to destroy the world. But the first ruler of Hyrule joined forces with the Divin Queen and laid the beast low. Queen Seline reminds us all of the peace we fought for then."
"And with Lorule at our borders, the people need her. She's a calming presence, when some might otherwise call for war." Zelda added.
"Then the Hyrulean people are indeed lucky to have her."
Spryte nudged Zeldas shoulder. "She's also the best big sister anyone could ask for, right, Zelda?"
Link nodded. "Yes, I imagine she... Wait, what? She's your... But wouldn't that make you and her..."
"The Queen and Princess of the realm, yes." Impa said. "You remember Zelda's name and not this?"
"I thought you said you were Knights!"
"And so we are." Zelda smiled. "And Spryte herself is a Princess as well."
"Z-Zelda... I mean, Princess Zelda! Ma'am! Forgive my dreadful manners!" He dropped to one knee.
Zelda waved her hand. "Just Zelda is fine. I've never been much for formalities."
He stood, hand on his head. "Princesses... that explains why Impa tolerates all the teasing, eh?"
"Indeed. Oh the sacrifices I make for the good of the realm..."
Zelda pointed towards the shrinking figure of the Queen. "It looks like Sel is returning to the palace. Would you like to meet her?"
When the doors to the grand hall opened, the Queen let of a cry of joy and ran towards them.
"Zelda! Spryte! Welcome home. Oh, and good day, Impa. How fared you all?"
Zelda scratched at the back of her head. "Well- We shouldn't have any bandit problems for a while."
The Queen smiled. "Wonderful. And our people?"
"Safe as they can be, Sel. But we still need to watch the borders. The brigands crossed over from Lorule.
A man standing by the wall spoke up. "Forgive me, My lady. My Loftwing knights should have intercepted them."
Zelda waved her hand. "No, Eagus. Your duty was here, with the Queen."
"And besides," Spryte chirped. "We had plenty of help!"
The Queen looked to Link. "Ah, you speak of your new companion here?"
Zelda motioned between him and the Queen. "This is Link. He fought bravelyy with us against the brigands. I've decided to make him a Knight."
The Queen smiled. "It seems as though Hyrule owes you a debt of graditude, Link."
"Not at all Milday!"
"Forgive me, Your grace, But I must speak. Link claims to have lost his memory, but it is only that: a claim. We cannot rule out the possiblity that he is a brigand himself or even Lorulean spy."
"Impa!" Zelda shouted.
"Yet you allowed him into the Castle, Zelda? Does this man have your trust?" Seline questioned.
"Yes. He risked his life for our people. That's good enough for me."
The Queen turned to him. "well then, Link. It seems you've earned Zelda's faith. And as such you have mine as well."
Link bowed. "Milady."
Seline turned to Impa, "But thank you, Impa, for your prudence, as always. Zelda and Spryte are blessed to have so tireless a guardian. I do hope they remember to mention that from time to time..."
"They occasionally express something akin to gratitude, Your Grace. Eagus, I assume you heard about the deathly creatures we encountered, Yes?"
The man named Eagus nodded. "Yes, Milady. They've been sighted all across Hyrule."
Seline turned to Zelda. "Zelda, we are about to hold council. I was hoping you might join us."
"Of course."
"I think thats our cue, Link! C'mon there's a place I want to show you.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
"Here we are! The Knights garrison. Make yourself at home." Spryte motioned wide to the large room before them.
A colorfully dressed girl with thick blonde hair came running up.
"Spryte, my treasure! Are you alright? I've been on pins and needles!"
Spryte shot the girl a friendly smile. "Oh hey, Mila.
The girl named Mila stomped her foot on the ground. "Oh Hey yourself! I've sprouted fourteen gray hairs fretting over you!"
Spryte waved. "Aw, you worry too much. I can handle a battle or two! ... Although I could do without the bugs and the bear barbecue..."
A man with bright red hair slicked over his head lumbered towards them. "Hey, Squirt! Where's Zelda? I bet she had a rough time out there without ol' teach and his trusty axe!"
Spryte snorted. "Oh, so you're 'Teach' now, Groose, is that it? Hee hee! And here I thought people were just born lacking wits. It can be taught?"
The man grinned. "Ha! Never doubt the Groose! ...Wait, was that an insult?"
"Beg pardon," A boy with short blond hair and a nervous posture approached. "But when might we see the captain?"
Mila twirled a parasol in her hand. "Poor Fledge. Hes simply been besides himself with concern... His eyes were scanning the horizon all day during training. ...He might have earned fewer bruises fighting blindfolded."
Spryte put a hand over her heart. "Aw, Fledge, thats so sweet of you to worry about Zelda."
The boy shyly looked to the ground. "Worry? Well, I... Shes our captain and our princess- of course I'd worry!"
The man named Groose leaned down close to Link. "So, who's the stranger?"
"No one's stranger than you, Groose... But allow me to introduce Link! He just joined the Knights. Zelda's made him our new swordsman. You should see all the tricks he's got up his sleeve!"
Groose crossed his arms. "Oh yeah? Can he do this?" Groose let out a long belch.
Mila stomped again. "Ugh, Groose! That was abhorrent! Must you baseborn oafs pollute even the air with your buffoonery?" Mila threw up her hands and stormed out of the room.
Fledge quietly spoke. "Don't take it to heart, Link. Mila warms slowly to people."
"Or burns to quickly." Spryte giggled. "But yeah, just give her time."
Fledge lit up. "Ah! Captain! You've returned! I was- I mean, we were so-" Fledge took a step forward only to trip and fall on his face.
Zelda helped the fallen boy up. "Fledge! Are you alright?... Those boots of yours again?"
"No! I mean, yes! I mean..." Fledge sighed.
Zelda offered him a small sympathetic smile before turning to the rest of them. "All right, listen, everyone: in the morning, we'll be marching to the Death Mountain range."
Links head tilted to the side. "Death Mountain?"
"A territory north of here that while technically is a part of Hyrule, is home to giant stone monsters, or so its said." Fledge explained.
Zelda cleared her throat. "Gorons, are what they are, and we'll need their strenght to quell this new menace. Typically, the Queen or King would request such aid in person. But given recent events... well, the people might worry should my sister suddenly leave the capital. So the task has been passed to us. Now, this mission is voluntary. So if, for any-"
Spryte shot her hand up. "I volunteer!"
Groose cracked his knuckles. "Me too! You'll be needin' ol' Teach along for such a delicate mission!"
Fledge rung his hands together. "I... I, um..."
Zelda turned to him. "Yes, Fledge?"
"Its just that... I'm not sure i'm quite ready for a proper mission just yet. I'd probably just get in the way."
"Well, you could stay behind the main group, and if a battle is met, just watch and learn? Your choice, of course. But some lessons can only be learned on the battlefield." Zelda offered.
"W-well if you think it'd be wise, captain."
"Just stay behind me and you'll be fine." Zelda smiled.
Fledge stood to attention. "Oh yes! I mean- Yes Ma'am I'll do that!"
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
The group met at a crossroads in Hyrule field.
"Is everyone ready?" Zelda questioned. "We've a long march ahead."
"W-wait for me!" A man came riding up on a horse.
Zelda seemed surprised by the new mans presence. "Kafei?"
"Why am I the last to hear about this expidition to Death Mountain?" He questioned.
Spryte scratched at her her. "Huh? Groose was supposed to... Groose! Did you forget to tell Kafei about this mission?"
Groose looked anywhere but Spryte. "The Groose never forgets!... I just don't always remember, is all..."
"Ugh... I swear, you'd forget our own name if you weren't constantly saying it yourself!" Spryte chided. "Speaking of which, are you sure you remembered your axe this time?"
"Hey! That was one time!... Okay twice, but training sessions don't count. Anyway, I got it right here. Teach is loaded and ready for action! Glad to have you along, Kafei, ol' buddy."
The man named Kafei rolled his eyes. "That makes one of us. I was in such a hurry, I had to miss breakfast.
Link approached him. "Your name is Kafei, right?"
Zelda spoke up. "Oh, I'm sorry, Link. This is Kafei, one of our finest."
Kafei offered him his hand. "Hello, Link. Shad told me we had a new Knight. Er, Shad is one of our mages. He should catch up soon."
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
They'd only marched a few miles when a horde of monsters appeared on the horizon.
Zelda scowled. "Gods, have the dark forces spread this far?"
"Dark forces?" Link asked.
"We needed a name for this new threat, so the council gave them one." Impa explained.
Groose laughed "They'll remember ME once I drive my axe into their ... wait... My axe. Where's my axe?! I had it a second ago!"
Zelda rubbed her head. "Groose, this is no time for jokes..."
"I'm serious! It's gone, but I JUST had it! It's got to be around here somewhere..."
"Keep to the rear, then!" Zelda growled. "The battle is nigh!"
They charged after the band of small red monsters.
A thin man with large round glasses ran towards the group. "Splendid! It seems I've caught up. Now to exirpate these brutes..."
He pause as something in the grass caught the sunlight. "Hmm? Is that an axe? Why yes it is... Perhaps someone mislaid it? I'd not thought such dereliction permissable among the Knights. Still, I'd be remiss to not return this implement to its owner. Perhaps along with a stern word or two of disapprobation!"
It didn't take him long to spot the one Knight not fighting off small red monsters.
Without a word he held the axe out to Groose. "Whoa! My axe!"
"I wondered what manner of ignoramus would mislay their weapon. Now I know."
"Thanks, Shad! ... Er, for the axe, anyway."
"Perhaps next time I'll use a spell to fasten it to your hands... permanently."
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Zelda wiped the sweat from her brow. "Finally over. And good riddance! But if they're appearing this far up the Northroad..."
"Then no path is safe." Impa said. "We'll need to stay wary."
The march continued Link stopped in his tracks. "Well, what to we have here?"
Spryte flew up to him. "Hey, is that what I think it is?"
Not far ahead a giant purple bird laid on the ground.
"It's a loftwing, all right. I think it's hurt. Lets just have a look here..." Zelda said.
As she tried to approach the beast it let out a fierce cry and beat its wings.
"Whoa! Down, girl! Easy there!"
"Captain, one moment!" Fledge ran towards them, only to trip and land on his face again.
"Fledge! Are you alright? ...Those boots of yours again?"
"No! I mean, yes! I mean..."
"Well, come no closer." Zelda warned. "This beast is crazed!"
"Its okay captain. I can handle this." He inched toward the bird. "Shhh... Easy now, girl. I won't hurt you." The bird seemed to be calmed by the boys presence.
"How did he calm it so quickly?" Link asked.
Spryte flew in a circle excitedly. "Thats incredible, Fledge!"
Zelda nodded in agreement. "I've never seen anything like it."
Red color rose to Fledges cheeks. "Oh, its... It's nothing. Really. I just have a way with animals, I guess."
"I should say so!" Zelda praised.
Fledge waved them on. "You all go on ahead. I'll dress her wounds and catch up as soon as we're able."
"We can make time to wait for you."
"Thank you, captain. But I can manage. Every moment is precious when all of Hyrule is in danger."
"Right, then. Be safe, Fledge.
"As you command, Ma'am."
