A.N: Hi, everybody! So sorry I haven't updated in a little while. I've been both busy and forgetful. Any way, here is my fourth chapter, and I have chapter five on my account. I just need to edit it.
Here's a little note before you go on: In my story, I didn't really like King Zora being this huge, fat fish-thing. It didn't really even look like he was a Zora! So, for my story, try to picture a normal Zora, but with a mustache (or whatever it is called for a Zora, since they don't have hair but rather flesh-like pieces) and whatever King Zora wears.
Also, for King Harkinian, try to picture a younger and less portly version of the King from Wind Waker (or whatever you want to think. This is just my state of mind.) I kind of estimated that he's around 27 in this chapter (Aril's 25, Riel's about the same age) so I couldn't have him be the same character.
Any way, enough of my ranting. Onward!
All of the royal members were shocked at what they heard.
It was King Zora who spoke next. "You have verified these reports?"
Harkinian looked at him. "I sent out three different spies at different times. They all wouldn't lie, would they?"
Riel then spoke, "But how can you be sure?"
Harkinian replied by pulling out different reports by the spies, as well as stolen reports of Gerudo troop training and progress of armaments. "I believe these will satisfy the doubt you all feel." Everyone reviewed the reports as they were passed around.
Darunia looked up from them after reading. "So they will attack soon, then?"
"Ah, but they cannot. Yet."
Darunia frowned. "What do you mean?"
"At this current moment, they have neither the number of people nor the amounts of armaments in order to invade any part of Hyrule. They know that if one part of the kingdom is attacked, the other parts will rush to its aid, thus bringing complete destruction upon their race. No, they know that they will need thousands in order to attack."
Impa leaned back into her chair. "How many troops right now?" Harkinian pulled out another sheet and looked it over. Once finished, he then looked up.
"About 5,000 total. However, that includes trainees, and reserves." He then pulled out yet another sheet. "Also, there are reports of a small group among the Gerudo that oppose the invasion, which diminishes their numbers a tiny bit. The main force that could attack now, minus those who oppose, is about 2,400. All of our Zora, Goron, and Hylian forces amount up to 10,000, not including reserves or trainees."
Aril looked at Harkinian. "So, when do you think they WILL attack?"
Harkinian thought some more. "In about two to three years at least. At the most, I'd give it nine to ten. However, let's hope that they don't wait for that long, because by then, the force might just be too great to deal with."
Darunia leaned back in this large armchair and spread his hands. "What do you propose we do about this?"
Harkinian looked around the table. "I propose we attack first and hinder their growth somewhat. That will then probably give us enough time to obtain an even larger force in order to defend ourselves with if they do not submit."
King Zora looked at Harkinian. "And how do you propose we get this 'larger force'?"
"There are other lands that would most likely help us. Termina, for example, would be very willing."
Darunia raised a finger. "True, they will most certainly help us, but every one else will have a certain price, which, I believe, might even turn out to be your own daughter. So, unless you intend to sell Zelda off for marriage in exchange for some military help, we might be right back where we started."
Harkinian stroked his beard with his hand. "Well then, what does everyone else think?"
Impa leaned forward. "I have an idea. Can't call it very smart, but it's an idea nonetheless."
Brandon was walking along with the three women as they all walked to the top of the city via a large staircase that connected the top level with the bottom.
It was truly amazing how the Gorons built this place. With about twenty levels or more descending down, the entire city was like a deep hole, yet it had its own air of elegance. Each level had some sort of purpose. The first few bunches of levels were where markets were located. Lower down were other assorted businesses and homes carved out of the rock wall. Still further down were more homes. Then finally, on the deepest floors of the city, there were the royal levels, where Darunia and others resided. The place was quite large, and in the middle of it all, suspended by ropes, hung a platform that held the Spiritual Stone of Fire, otherwise known as the Goron's Ruby.
Brandon looked to the two hyperactive princesses, who were looking around at everything that happened while Arafin held on to their hands.
Zelda exclaimed, "Look at that!", and Brandon averted his attention to see what Zelda was so excited about. He saw three Gorons rolling around a track in some sort of race while the spectators gambled their rupees on the supposed winner.
Ruto looked towards the market. She then pointed towards it as she exclaimed, "Ara, Ara! Let's go there!"
Arafin smiled. "Of course, princess." She then looked to Brandon and said, "Brandon! Come along!"
Brandon merely nodded and followed. They all then started to walk through the busy and crowded area.
"Impa, what is this idea of yours?" Aril looked at her, curious of what she might be thinking.
Impa looked around the table. "I think that right now would not be a good time to attack. Even if we won, we ourselves would suffer casualties, since the Gerudo are very able fighters. One would probably be able to take out five or more of our own men, leading to higher casualties on our side, which we do not want."
The others murmured in agreement. Impa continued, "However, my plan is this: I say that we send in a one-man task force to assess the current situation, and, if there is a near threat, to neutralize or hinder it. I believe that this would be a good idea because it minimizes casualties, and if the person is discovered and/or killed, we could deny everything, saying that the soldier was a renegade."
Harkinian raised his eyebrows. "Very interesting. And who would you propose for this task?"
Impa leaned back and closed her eyes. "That's the problem. In all of the combined armies, I don't think we have anyone skilled enough to go in, achieve the objectives, and get out alive. A Sheikah could most likely accomplish it, but since the deaths of King Rathion and Queen Celenia, nearly all of them have gone into hiding. I doubt there is one that would risk his neck for a king or queen that is not theirs."
Aril then stepped in. "Which leads us to our next item of business."
Harkinian looked at his wife and whispered into her ear, "You sure you want to tell them now?"
Aril looked back at him and said, "Yes, he is somewhat able enough to understand. Besides, I believe it should be known to at least the council."
Harkinian leaned back into his seat. "As you wish. I just hope you know what you're doing."
Aril then looked back to the rest of the council. King Zora leaned onto the table. "What is this next item?"
Aril took a deep breath. "The business that concerns the Sheikah prince."
The market was full of people. Brandon looked around at some of the vendors calling to potential customers about their goods, buyers haggling for the best prices that they could afford, children running around playing, and others. Brandon looked at Zelda and Ruto. Their eyes were wandering from place to place as they tried to catch everything that happened. Arafin was also looking around with interest, and Brandon guessed she was looking for a weapon's dealer to barter with.
Soon, they descended another level and something caught Arafin's eye. It was the weapons dealer she was looking for. She got down on her knees as she pulled Zelda and Ruto closer to her. "Princesses, I shall need you to come with me as we make a small stop. All I need you to do is to keep close to me for a few minutes, okay?"
Both the girls looked at each other, and then nodded their heads in agreement. Arafin then looked around for Brandon and saw that he was already walking towards the shop entrance. She smiled as she then led the girls towards the shop.
When they entered, a man appeared behind the counter. He bowed his head towards the Zora woman as he said, "Good day, madam. How may I help you?"
"I would like to see your display of light swords, please."
After ten minutes, Arafin had picked out the sword she wanted and purchased it at the price of her liking. Once she paid, the man then said, "Thank you. Will there be anything else?"
Arafin looked around and was surprised to see Brandon looking at an assortment of daggers. He picked one up and removed it from its sheath. After holding it and looking at it for a moment, he put it back into its sheath and turned to the shopkeeper. "How much for this dagger?"
The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow as he said, "I don't know if your mommy or daddy would like it if I sold that to you."
It was Brandon's turn to raise an eyebrow. "Really?" he said. "They didn't seem to care when they gave me THIS." He then put his kodachi onto the counter.
Both Arafin and the shopkeeper gasped. Arafin wondered how he managed to keep such a large thing, even a kodachi, completely concealed on his small body.
"How much for the dagger?" Brandon asked again.
The shopkeeper regained his composure and began to think for a bit. "I'll sell it to you for 125 rupees."
Brandon shook his head. "I'll buy it for 50."
"That's too low. 115."
"There are swords less expensive than that. 75."
"That's still not a reasonable enough price. 100."
"80."
"90."
"85."
The shopkeeper smiled. "Sold. However, I am curious to know how you plan to pay for this."
Brandon looked at him straight in the eyes, and the shopkeeper flinched. "I plan to pay this like anyone else would, unless you'd prefer something else."
The man gulped in reply.
Brandon reached into his black cloak and pulled out a wallet. He looked through it and pulled out 4 red rupees and 1 blue. He handed the rupees to the shopkeeper. Brandon then picked up his newly purchased dagger and his kodachi and put them in his cloak.
"Thank you, young sir," the shopkeeper said.
Brandon nodded his head and started for the exit of the shop. Arafin was already outside with Zelda and Ruto waiting for him. Brandon then walked up to them and said, "Well now, shall we get going?"
Arafin nodded, and they then continued their journey through the market levels.
Yet again, almost everyone in the council room was shocked.
Riel looked at Aril and said, "Celenia's son still lives?"
Aril nodded. "Yes, he has been living with us for a few years now. He has been training under Impa and learning the secret arts of his people."
Darunia then asked, "You mean the boy that came with you? Does he know of his lineage?"
Impa answered the question. "No, he does not. We personally felt that he should not know until he was at least ten, when his mind would be much more able to comprehend this."
Aril then leaned in towards Impa, and whispered, "Should we tell them about the OTHER news about Brandon?"
Impa whispered back, "Whatever feels best to you, my lady."
Aril then turned towards the others. "There is actually more to him than just what we told you. Not even my husband knows of this."
She looked to Impa and took in a little breath. "We have also found out that he is telepathic."
This time, the council room erupted into laughter, as the rest of the council members practically fell out of their seats laughing.
Harkinian was the first to regain his composure. "Aril my love, you are joking, right?"
Aril looked at him and said, "Well…no."
The room again erupted into laughter. Aril looked around. "I don't see what's so funny about this. I'm serious."
But the other members continued in their laughter.
Aril looked hurt. She was really being serious about this issue, and they all though she was making a joke.
With her eyes welling up, she got up and said, "Fine. Don't believe me. I'm actually being serious about this, and you all think that I'm pulling some kind of prank. I guess my opinion was never valued here in the first place."
With that, she stormed out of the room in tears.
By the time that the group had reached the bottom, they arrived to see Aril run out of the meeting room.
Zelda cried, "Mama!"
Aril turned to see them and she smiled despite her sadness.
Zelda ran to Aril and said, "Mama, why are you crying?"
Aril picked her up and said, "It's nothing, dear." She put Zelda's head on her shoulder. "It's nothing you need to worry about." She then looked towards Arafin and said, "Thank you for watching her. Was she good?"
Arafin nodded. "Yes, she was. She stayed by my side the entire time we were in the market levels."
Aril looked at her daughter and smiled. "Did you have a fun time with Ruto and the others?"
Zelda smiled and nodded her head. "Uh-huh. A REALLY fun time."
"That's good." Aril then put her daughter down and said to Arafin, "Could you take them all back to the playroom until dinner is about to be served?"
Arafin nodded. "Yes, my lady." She looked to the three children. "Come along, you three." She then escorted the girls to the playroom while Brandon followed them.
After the others had entered the room, Brandon turned his head around and looked at Aril. He could tell that she was hurt, not just by the tears that she had on her face, but also by what he felt coming from her. There was pain, sorrow, and anger all emanating from her body. He turned towards her.
"Brandon!"
He heard Arafin's voice and entered into the room.
After Brandon had gone, Aril quickly turned, ran up the stairs and into her room, locking the door behind her.
A.N: I know, I know, a little boring. But don't worry, you'll get some action pretty soon. Review please!
