"Surprised? Well, one of my reviewers, who is known for persuasiveness, has asked for an epilogue. So, I decided to perform a little fan service and write one last chapter for this story. That makes this a fourshot (if that exists at all)! I would like to also take this time to thank all of my reviewers more personally. The following is a list of people who have my thanks for reviewing:
Reader 123456789—first review for the story
Reyser3000—hostess of the contest
AmyFan111—snarky (I mean that in a nice way) but loyal reader
Hawktakesflight—loyal follower and kind reader
LxZrulez—cliffhanger-hating, but loyal, follower and rabid LinkXZelda fan
NinjaKrabz—anon reader who likes the story. Note: I am in college, so I get out earlier. Sorry, NK.
Sippurp123—great enjoyer and anon reviewer
Laguzgirl13—new follower and highly complementary reviewer
.Chibi Dot princesea—new follower and avid LinxXZelda fan
"You all deserve a pat on the back, but I'm not going to stalk you, so do it yourselves if you really wish. Now, for the disclaimer thing is Rusl."
Rusl steps out. "Foxpilot doesn't own Legend of Zelda, else Link would be able to turn into a fox somehow. Wait, what do you mean 'turn into a fox'? Isn't a wolf good enough?"
"Hey, you're not supposed to know that! Burn the spy!" Foxpilot summons psychic fireballs as Rusl makes a dash for the exit. "While I mess with this guy's head, you all go on. Let it…Begin!"
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Bong! Bong! Bong! Bong-bong-bong! The bells of Hyrule tolled as the guards opened the main doors to the outer perimeter. Two figures, one slightly advanced in age and the other young but seasoned, stepped through, heads held high.
The older man wore a white headband, which partially blocked his receding hairline from view. His clothes were a patchwork of greens, tans, and browns, arranged in a fashion as to appear organized like he was wearing a coat over a shirt. His shoes consisted of brown sandals, clearly repaired for this special occasion. Strapped to his back was a large package stamped with a goat's head.
The younger of the two wore a simple white tank top, tied around the waist with a large belt. His pants were a forest green and his sandals were similar to his older companion's, only slightly smaller. The younger companion also wore a headband, this one a green matching that of his trousers. Strapped to his back were a plain sword and a worn wooden shield that had clearly taken many years of abuse.
The duo approached the castle, circumventing the ornate fountain and reaching the doors in tandem. The ornate passage was opened and they were let inside by another pair of guards. The two were met by a third guard, who led them through the twisting passageways of Hyrule Castle to the throne room.
The doors to the throne opened slowly as yet another pair of guards opened them from the outside. Here, at the top of the castle, the wind whipped through the hair of both figures, identically blonde, as they made their way up the stairs to the seats of the King and Queen of Hyrule.
To the pair's left was the queen. As the true head of Hyrule, she wore her status with pride and dignity that surrounded her like a blizzard at the top of Snowpeak. Her clothes were ornate, lined with gold and mother-of-pearl trimmings that held in the flowing dress of pure silk. Her crown, though smaller than the king's, was more ornately decorated with numerous jewels crafted by the greatest Goron smiths. On her left hand's ring finger was a band of the purest, most radiant gold that could be found in the land. On top of the ring were two gems: the emerald and the amethyst sat ninety degrees apart.
The king was plainer, showing his modest roots. Though he still wore the tunic that he was known for, it was outlined with gold fringes inlaid with silver threads. His pants, once purely white, now had inlays of gold thread that spread out in an ornate pattern. His crown was large and wrought from gold, but contained few jewels to boast of. Around his shoulders was a heavy red cloak with thick white trimming around the neckline, which bore the symbol of the Hyrulian Royal Family. On his left hand was a thick golden ring studded with small emeralds.
The older one of the visiting pair dropped to one knee, though his younger companion simply gawked at the royal couple. Indeed, they were quite a sight to behold. A somewhat discreet nudge from the kneeling man brought the young warrior back to his senses. The younger man mimicked his elder's position, bowing his head and placing one hand on his risen knee.
"Rise, Rusl and Colin of Ordon, and face us without fear." The feminine voice was full of confidence and power, but was also gentle and familiarity. Though they were the royal leaders of Hyrule, the king and queen were still good friends to the two Ordon residents. Rusl and Colin followed the gentle command and looked their leaders straight in the eyes.
"Guards, if you would be so kind as to leave us alone and in privacy, we would like to take personal time with our friends." The king's voice, though less confident than his wife's, still held power and sway. The defenders of the throne strode past the diplomatic visitors, eyeing the weapons and package carried by the duo. Though it had been twelve years since their royal employers had been married, there were still discontents that would have preferred the former princess to have married a royal ambassador rather than a "commoner hero."
Once the guards had left the throne room, Link and Zelda rose to meet their esteemed friends. Zelda gave Colin a gentle, friendly hug as Link and Rusl shared a manly embrace. Greetings were tossed around before the quartet settled and discussed the matters of Colin and Rusl's visit.
"First, I'd like to say congratulations to the King and Queen of Hyrule," Rusl started. "Then, I'd like to present them with the annual gift from Ordon for their new year of matrimony." As the aging warrior said this, he slid the package off of his back. Link and Zelda thanked Rusl graciously before, each using one hand, they tore the package open with practiced and experienced movements, each complimenting the other's actions.
Inside was a metal statue of the royal couple. Their bodies were flush in an embrace, their lips meeting in perfectly-crafted passion. Around their feet were miniature horses and Ordon goats in various actions: sleeping, eating, prancing, and charging. The diminutive creatures gave the metal lovers a larger-than-life, almost godlike, presence. The entire construct stood about half as tall as Zelda, and when Link knocked upon it, a hollow ringing reverberated through the statue. "So I could carry it," was Rusl's answer to Link and Zelda's querying expressions.
Link, never particularly one for speeches, his little "ring explanation" years earlier notwithstanding, merely grinned widely and muttered a small thanks, clearly embarrassed by the wonderful gift. Zelda was far more outspoken. "Rusl, Colin…thank you! This is a wonderful gift that we shall keep beside the throne at all times, so as to show visitors no doubt of Ordon's grace and allegiance." Link nodded his affirmation to the idea. Though it was the same color as a recently-crafted Ordon sword, the detail was stunning. Link noticed some text engraved into the base of the statue. Link stooped down for a closer look and his eyes widened in surprise as he read the words.
"These are the signatures of everyone in Ordon, right?" Rusl nodded.
"Even Ilia put her name there. Actually, that reminds me that she had a question that she wanted me to ask. How's Epona doing?" Link smiled at this. Ilia had hardly changed a bit.
Link's grin took on a more somber tone. "I'm afraid that Epona passed away a few months ago. It wasn't surprising; she'd been ill for some time now. But it was still a hard thing to let her go. I'm sure Ilia won't be too happy to hear that." The king's sad smile glinted with humor. Rusl smiled back; Link sure had grown emotionally over the past decade-and-a-half. Zelda, and perhaps the responsibility of helping to rule a country, had helped him develop far more than being a ranch hand could have.
"Speaking of Ilia and her kin, how is her family doing?" It had reached the ears of the Royal Family that Bo had married off Ilia to a fine gentleman from Kakariko Village by the name of Loustan about eight years ago. Ilia hand her new husband supposedly lived in Ordon, raising the famous pumpkins, Cuccos, and their son Byrne.
"Well, Your Highness," Colin spoke for the first time, tingeing his address to Zelda with a bit of friendly humor, "as you know, Mayor Bo died a couple years ago after a long and valiant battle with an infected stomach wound. Ilia was hit hard by this, as was Loustan, who had come to think of Bo as a second father. Ilia got over it in time, as did Loustan after she ordered him to 'suck it up like a man' in front of the village, but Byrne is still secluded from the others. He doesn't have anyone his age to talk to, you know? But he still helps where he can. But guess what? Father was chosen as the new Mayor last month!"
Rusl grinned in a goofy manner as he tried to remain humble in the face of his son's boast. Congratulations from the Royal Couple pelted him like two needles. Though he was indeed the new Mayor, the process had been taxing. With Link as the next in line before the Twilight's invasion, the thought had never occurred to anyone that another candidate should be chosen in the event of an emergency. Ordon had spent about two years leaderless before Fado decided to take charge. Fado's first and only act was to recommend Rusl as the better Mayor. This was met with overwhelming approval despite the aging fighter's protests. Rusl's responsible conscience couldn't leave the people without a leader, so the town warrior and blacksmith had taken up the post, leaving the village's defense and metalworking in Colin's hands. As Rusl struggled to make sense of the world of politics, Colin took to heart his father's teachings and kept the tools of Ordon in top shape and occasionally defending against stray Bulbins that wandered into the forest looking for a free meal or a defenseless traveler to harass. Though the state of affairs slowly improved during the last month, Rusl found himself more tired than ever.
The powwow was broken up when the four heard the grinding of a stone door opening. Turning their heads towards the thrones, the group saw two young ladies appear from a secret door. The first one was tall for her age, bearing a fountain of brown hair that flowed down to her hips on the left, right, and back. He dress was a simple, silk gown of sky blue, clearly made more for sleeping in than for public appearances. Her eyes shone softly in the dim light, dancing with uncertainty as she stared at the king and queen's friends. Nonetheless, she set a reassuring smile on her face and looked back at something.
Behind her came a smaller child, perhaps three years the first's junior. This girl's hair was cut shorter than the other's and reached only to her shoulders. The dress she wore was similar to the older girl's except that it was dark brown. It still glistened, but the tone was certainly more subdued. Unlike her older companion, her eyes shone joyously as she gazed at Colin and Rusl. It wasn't long before she was running as fast as her gown and bare feet would let her. "Sir Rusl! Mr. Colin! Hi!" The older girl shook her head and followed at a more sensible pace, grin spreading at her sister's antics.
Colin stepped forth and picked up the younger girl by the hands and swung her in a circle. His passenger let out an amused laugh about halfway through the circle, which continued for several moments after she had been set down. Colin ruffled the older sibling's hair once she was close enough. "Princess Nabiki! Princess Fara! It's great to see you looking so well! My, look how you've both grown! Especially you, Princess Fara. Last time I saw you, you hardly came up to my waistline! Now you reach my belly!" Fara, the younger of the two, giggled at this.
"Fara, Nabiki, what are you doing here in your night clothes? It's hardly proper to be seen in them by people who aren't a normal part of the castle." Link's tone was authorative, but not without kindness and understanding. Rusl and Colin had been there for both princesses' presentations to Hyrule and were trusted family friends. It would make sense that the young ladies would want to see them on their first visit in a year.
"We just wanted to see our family's friends before we went to bed." Nabiki's explanation confirmed Link's guess. The King of Hyrule grinned.
"Well, alright. But don't stay up too late, okay? You both have falconry practice early tomorrow and you need to be alert in order to keep your birds' attentions." Zelda had agreed before Nabiki's birth that their children should know at least some of the nobler parts of Hyrule's "commoner life," so as to understand more about their heritage as well as empathize with the troubles of their subjects.
"Yes, Father," both sisters droned. While it was still early in the evening, the princesses were required to be asleep early once a week so that their early morning lessons wouldn't tire them out.
Fara strode over to the statue and examined it. "This is nice! Is that supposed to be Mother and Father? And look at the little animals! I bet you did this, didn't you Mr. Colin?" Fara's comments and questions caused the warrior to blush a little. He rarely got this kind of praise at home since he was still new to metalworking. But it was true; he had put everything he had into this gift.
"W-well, Princess, it wasn't just me. Mr. Talo, Mrs. Beth and Mr. Nick, her husband; Mr. Malo and my Dad also helped. Mrs. Ilia and Mr. Loustan also put a bit into it, too. It's a gift from all of Ordon." Fara giggled as Nabiki examined the statue.
A moment of peace descended upon the group before the silence was broken with the tolling of the castle's bells. Bong! Bong! Bong! Bong-bong-bong! Bong! Zelda turned to Rusl and Colin. "Would you like to stay for the night? It's dangerous to head out into the fields during the evening, and awful lonely."
Rusl looked at Zelda, then Link, who smiled, then back at Zelda. "Well, Your Highness, if you so insist."
"I do." Zelda's eyes flashed as she thought back to that day, twelve years ago, when she had said those same words to Link. Had it been twelve years already? Incredible.
"Very well then, Queen Zelda. We shall take you up on your offer." Rusl laughed lightly as Link led the way through the secret door and into the castle. Zelda followed, trailed by Colin and the royal sisters. In the background, the noise of the town began to diminish, settling slowly as the light from the sun faded into millions of peaceful pinpoints.
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"My apologies for shoving this up a notch on the stories list, but I forgot to do the author's notes. These are important to me, especially this one as it has a special dedication in it.
"First, I'd like to say that I felt I rushed the ending a bit, but I wanted to get this out. I have other stories that I have to work on, and I'm in two other contests right now. As such, my writing life is a bit busy. Plus, I'm lazy, so my stories take some time. My apologies to all my fans of my normal chapter-divided stories, but I may not return to them for a bit. Please be patient with me.
"More importantly, I have dedicated several names to creatures or characters. The first one should be obvious to avid Zelda players, as it was in a recent game. The second name is the most important. 'Nabiki' is the name of a cat one of my favorite professional artists owned. On Wednesday, this cat passed away after several weeks of hard struggle. I have dedicated Princess Nabiki to this artist's cat, since I enjoy her and her husband's work a lot. If you want to contact them and offer condolences, go to www Dot ozfoxes Dot com and follow their links. Please do not mention me, as I have never talked to them myself.
"The third name should be recognized by avid, and perhaps rabid, Star Fox fans. Princess Fara is indeed named after Fara Phoenix from the Nintendo Power comic version of the original Star Fox. While I may be an insane FoxXKrystal idiot, I have nothing against Fara and I suppose she should have been included in recent games somehow. This is a tribute to her.
"Finally, the last tribute is Mr. Nick, Beth's husband. Mr. Nick is named after one of my cats, Nicky, who was also male. He died some time ago, but he still remains with us in spirit and ashes. Cremation, you see. I was never close to him, but he never disliked me and was really loving. This is in honor of him.
"Please don't say that all of this was bad, though. While this may truly end 'Rings of Change,' this should be a celebrated event, as it ends on such a wonderful scale. I thank you all for your patience with me, and I hope you look forward to future good times while remembering the defining past moments. 'Never give up, trust you instincts,' as Peppy Hare would say. But also don't let the small things ruin your day. Good Lord, I sound preachy! Long story short, I would like to dedicate this story to all the brave pets and friends out there who lived and gave themselves unselfishly, which is relative for a cat, for their friends and family.
"This is rather depressing, I suppose, but I won't rewrite this because it is all true. Ciao chow, all, and fair winds to all of you."