A/N: So as promised, a chapter for Mother for a Year. Tomorrow will be another update for 'An Angel to Guide Me'.
Chapter four: a duel of blades, a duel of words
The day Rusl comes back from the forest, he is bleeding from a head wound and a broken arm. He tells everyone it wasn't a big deal, just carelessness when dealing with some of the loose bandits, but Zelda knows of the man. From Link's stories she came to the conclusion that age was catching up to him.
And she knows that Collin and Uli knows this.
And at the same time, she can't help but worry a bit for Link…wherever he was. It truly frustrated her to no end, that her guide for her holiday hadn't turned up for the past few of weeks.
Today, the younger generation had an outing outside the village in a small meadow. This group consisted of Zelda herself with Hylia, Illia, Talos, Beth, and a fidgeting Collin.
"Engarde Collin!" Talo shouted, rushing forward with a roar, swinging wildly with his wooden sword.
"Wait, Talo!" Collin exclaimed, barely dodging the strike, blocking the next one. "I wasn't ready!"
"Your enemy is not going to wait till your ready," Talo huffed, charging again. "Take this Collin! ULTIMATE TECHNIQUE! SOARING SKY BLADE!"
With an 'impressive' wind up, he threw the blade forward, to which Collin ducked under, a small yelp escaping his lips. The wooden sword soon lost itself amongst the tall grass. Silence filled the meadow, as Talo's stood back up from his throwing position, clearing his throat.
"As expected of my rival, you were able to dodge my ultimate technique."
"Don't worry, I'm sure your enemies would die of laughter either way," Beth muttered, just loud enough for Talo to hear.
He reddened, and Collin looked panicked at Talo's expression. Steam seemed to roll out from his ears, as he balled his fists tightly.
"Collin, we are having a rematch!" he yelled. "Get my sword!"
"B-But you were the one who threw it…"
"Only because you dodge it. Come on, we don't have much time before we go back home."
Sighing, Collin started making his way towards where the wooden blade went, before he was stopped by Zelda, who had already retrieved the sword from the grass without him noticing.
"Here you go Collin," she smiled gently.
"T-Thank you."
"Oi Collin, hurry up!" Talk called out impatiently, swinging his sword wildly. Beth and Ilia both rolled their eyes.
"Hey Zelda!" Ilia called out. "Why don't you show Talo some basics? He seems to be the perfect sparring partner."
Something must have been humourous, because Collin and Talo watched as both Beth and Ilia tried to hide their laughter. Zelda looked at them curiously, raising an eyebrow. She looked back and forth from the boys, before smirking slightly.
"Is that okay with you both? Talo? Collin?"
"It's no fun fighting a girl, come on Collin, pick up your sword."
A small tick appeared in the graceful appearance of Zelda, as she tensed, raising the sword and testing it's weight. She patted the flat side of the blade on her palm a bit, feeling it's texture.
"It'll do," she whispered, and Collin remembered that look.
He paled and started sweating, before quickly making his way to the other two girls who were smirking and waiting for the show to start.
"Where are you going Collin?" Talo complained, pointing his sword at him. "You running away?"
Suddenly another sword found itself pushing his sword away.
"It'll be for a few rounds Talo," Zelda said, trying her best to maintain her emotions.
"We'll have plenty of time."
Now normally, anyone that had any decent situational awareness would have realised they were in a terrible position, but Talo felt confident. He raised his blade, and cheekily smirked.
"I'll let you have the first move," he stated.
Zelda smiled.
"That's awfully gracious of you."
"Well, I want to make this an even fight."
The smile disappeared. There was a blur of motion, and in a spilt second, Talo's world went black.
It wasn't that she was untrustworthy, but ever since she appeared in that river bleeding with that child of hers, Rusl was suspicious. Clothes to fine for a peasant, he would have thought she was a daughter of a rich merchant, or maybe a lord of some sort. But she could help with house work, and seemed to merge well with the rural town. Despite knowing Zelda is a kind hearted girl, there was something she wasn't telling them. His years of experience could see that she was hiding something.
He took a sip from his cup, looking at the Collin and Zelda from across the dining table. The veteran swordsman had his left arm in a sling, his other hand holding a cup of coffee.
Zelda and Collin were sitting in silence, a dark shadow adorning Zelda's expression. She looked incredibly guilty, and refused to look into the older man's eyes.
"You look cheerful," Rusl commented, peering at Zelda.
"She just got scolded by Talo's mom," Collin explained. "Talo has a huge bruise on his head now."
"I didn't mean to hit that hard," Zelda moaned.
Rusl almost chuckled from the pout that was unusual for the young woman. But decided against it, it wasn't the best idea to further press her guilt.
"So you're good with a blade?" he asked curiously, changing the topic.
Zelda seemed surprised by the sudden question, looking at Rusl. He raised an eyebrow to her when she didn't say anything. Zelda kept quiet, thinking of how to respond.
"I've been learning the art of swordsmanship ever since I could walk."
"Is that so?" Rusl took another sip from his cup, before putting it down onto the table. "Who taught you?"
"A family friend," Zelda replied, thinking to herself, "Though in reality she's more of a nanny…"
"I see," Rusl stated, smiling. "Do I know or them?"
"Her name is Impa," Zelda answered. "She's from…the far east near Gerudo."
Zelda was regal, smart, and beautiful. That much everyone knew. But despite all her perfections, she was a terrible liar, and Rusl saw through it immediately. Though he didn't press it, giving Zelda the benefit of the doubt as he hasn't seen any dangerous aspects to the woman, he did however noted down in his mind to possibly bring up her past. This was his home, and he would prefer a full story from a guest at his house, regardless of how dire their situation might be.
"Of course," he played with Zelda's lie. "The Gerudo women are very talented in their arts, you are very lucky to be taught their ways. Do you usually use a scimitar or a rapier?"
Zelda opened her mouth to answer, but stopped seeing Rush take a slow sip of his drink. His eyes boar into hers, and…was he trying to read her. She stopped and thought of her answer…the Gerudo don't use rapiers, only Hyrulian nobility usually do, as they did not wear armour and a rapier was the easiest sword to carry in self defence. Rusl was no doubt trying to get information from her discreetly. Of course he would, she recently stop using the sling around her arm already, so she was no longer an injured guest needing attention. She was a guest in his home.
"A rapier, I am Hyrulian after all," Zelda answered, smiling back at Rusl.
"Oh, that's an interesting choice in weapon," Rusl continued. "A very common noble's weapon."
"I have a very weak physique, it is not so uncommon for a merchants daughter to be able to defend herself in trying times. Bandits, criminals of similar brethren, one can't underestimate their presence."
Rusl grinned a fake smile. Despite being confident that she was lying, what she said made sense, so he could not call her out for hiding the truth.
"Your father was a merchant?"
"Mother as well."
"What kind of wares did they dwell in?"
"We traded with nobles quite often. Books, clothing, daily accessories for noble women, and the occasional weapon. We had quite a variety. Growing up with nobles in a sense."
Collin watched the two talk back and forth, and despite the contents of the conversation being normal…he got the feeling something was off. The hairs on the back of his neck raised, and cold sweat began to trickle down his back.
"I didn't know one could learn noble mannerisms from being a merchant," Rusl stated. "I must say I'm impressed.
"Well, I must show respect in ones home. It's compulsory in my line of work."
"And forgive me for bringing it up, your husband was a knight right?"
"Yes. The best if I say so myself."
"What's his name? I am an acquaintance with the general of Hyrule's army. I know every name of every knight."
Zelda went quiet. Was he bluffing? His face showed that he was serious, but would a swordsman in a rural town really know that information. Should she just tell the town now about Link? No…that was too embarrassing, she needed Link by her side to shoulder part of the repercussions. Plus there wasn't a guarantee that the townsfolk would necessarily believe her, as she is still practically a stranger…albeit a kind one. She mentality reminded herself to hit Link when she next got the chance. She opened her mouth, as the door was slammed open, revealing Uli heaving a basket of groceries.
Zelda immediately stood up and was by her side in an instant.
"I got that for you," she stated gently slipping the basket into her own arms. The pregnant woman was about to respond, but Rusl was already by her side, arms wrapped gently around her as he directed her to her seat.
"Honey it's alright, you can't strain yourself," Rusl reassured, gently directing Uli to sit down on one of the couches nearby. He began massaging her shoulders, as she leaned back into his embrace.
Rusl looked up at Zelda, who in turn looked away from him. It was clear that he wanted to finish this conversation, but as he opened his mouth, Hylia started crying upstairs. Whether it was due to the cry, or not wanting to be interrogated, Zelda disappeared like a blur up the stairs.
He sighed, and decided to worry about Zelda's past later. For now, his wife's comfort was his priority.
"Mmmmm, that's the spot Dear," Uli complimented. "I don't know how your massages got better with you only using one arm."
From the thick tree line of the forest a figure walked out, tired, thirsty and on the brink of collapse. But the sheer will and determination of Link pushed him forward. A few bruises, dried up cuts here and there, with a bit of tear in his tunic. By his side Epona followed. He stood at the entrance of his childhood home of Ordon. He was grateful to be back home.
A/N: So if you don't know, I'm starting commissions next year. Articles, reviews, fanfics, stories, and even D&D adventures are what I'm offering to write for money. In regard to that, I am offering till the New Year free commissions for anyone, so feel free to pm me or visit my tumblr, my new blog, or even Twitter (all are under HKGlenstid) as I'm going to start using it there. Till tomorrow guys, have a great day!
