Some notes on this chapter:
In terms of agriculture, I have made Hyrule itself as a kind of mixture of France and Britain. Basically, an archetypal Western European setting, though, as I am fixated on food and drink, I insist on some further description, given that there are social implications to what people consume in any society. Just some little tidbits:
-Vineyards and farms can be found throughout the fields of Hyrule, even though they were never shown in the game itself (the food has to come from somewhere)
-It would seem that from the continuous reference to milk and cows made in Zelda games in the past, that cows are likely the most common animal raised, perhaps after cuccos – as such, dairy is extremely important to the Hylian diet, though beef is not consumed with too much frequency
-Bread from wheat is the most common food and beer from barley is the most common drink
-Wine is not completely inaccessible to the general public and enjoys some popularity, though nowhere close to beer – wine is the drink of choice for the nobility
-Both whiskey and brandy exist and are available in Hyrule to all classes though brandy enjoys an image considered more sophisticated than whiskey
-Wine genres have made-up names in my story because using the names of grapes from our world wouldn't be very appropriate
-
Chapter 4
Unceremoniously, everyone poured into the main room of the tavern. The room had been entirely deserted, save for Telma, but it remained well-lit from the previous hours' business. Telma came in from the kitchen, rinsing a wooden flagon with a wet rag. "Oh wonderful! Done at last."
"Yes, at last," Link smiled, kicking his feet around to excite his legs back to their typical spryness. Like an overgrown child, Link became very restless during prolonged periods of sitting.
Telma curtsied low before Zelda, exhibiting a grace that the inattentive would have thought impossible of her. She asked the Princess, "Will your Majesty be dining with us tonight?"
"Yes and thank you for your hospitality."
"No need for thanks, my Princess. Come, be seated." Telma indicated to all who stood about to sit at the table where the guild normally met, seating Zelda at the head. Telma was a bit perplexed about what to do with the servant that had accompanied Zelda, though she soon found that he needed no direction and moved to stand at the corner behind Zelda on his own accord.
Once seated, Zelda removed her gloves and held them outstretched in one hand. Without a word, the silent man took them from her and returned to his post.
With no provocation, conversations among everyone commenced sporadically. Auru and Shad, who sat on either side of her, kept Zelda engaged while Link, Rusl and Ashei talked to each other at the other end of the table. The hunger and restlessness produced from the meeting created an enthusiasm among them all that spurred such interactions excitedly. They talked loudly and fiercely and emitted laughter frequently. All this while Telma went about to each of them acquiring their preferences for the meal to come.
She came to Link. "And you, sweetie?"
"Remind me what we have tonight," Link smiled, an energy in his hunger.
"Well, I've got my boys turning a boar in the kitchen, but there's some fresh pheasant I'm going to prepare if it suits your palette more."
Link's eyes widened at the mention of main course, implying more food would come as well. He often became this way with food ever since his great adventure. If he saw food, he wanted to eat it, something deeply rooted in him spurring him on. Link tried his luck, "That sounds wonderful. Perhaps I might have both?"
Telma laughed. "Such greedy young man. You're never quite satisfied are you?" She smiled, "well, certainly you may have both. There will be no sparing this night."
"You are too kind."
"Think nothing of it." She bent over and lightly placed her hand on his shoulder. "And how will I prepare your feast, hon?"
"You know how I like it."
"Of course, as raw as possible," Telma said, some playful condescension in her voice. Again, Link's odd tendencies were apparent to his comrades through his penchant for raw meat. Of course, none but Zelda knew the whole story. At least, it remained a secret that he was once a kind of lycanthrope.
"I don't see what's so strange. I only wish to enjoy my meal as unchanged as I can. There's no cause for alarm when a man seeks only to enjoy something's natural beauty." Link gazed, in a feigned attempt at subtlety, from Telma's cleavage to her eyes. Masterfully, Link made this series of movements obvious to her while making it as if he believed it was unnoticed. Link, of course, had no real interest in Telma (though there was no doubt that the view down her shirt was indeed a marvel), but he knew such playful coquetry made her more agreeable. And, without a doubt, Link was good at what he did. In his time in the city, he had learned the art of flirtation nearly from scratch, being little more than a bumbling country boy during the great adventure. It was easy too. Probably one of the easiest things he ever learned to do.
And yet, when Link thought on Midna, his confidence and self-assured ability faltered. Link quickly became aware that these coy powers he boasted of were trivial. They worked only on frivolous girls whose affections for him would just as quickly fade as the setting sun lowers beneath the horizon. But Midna, she was the setting sun. Her majesty made such meaningless banter seem pathetic. These thoughts made Link shrink.
But they did not come to his mind at this moment. Instead, he used his flirtatious advancement to coax some more hospitality from the generous Telma. "Untainted, unaltered, unmixed. Pure, you could say. Like a spirit of a single mash, undisturbed in its cask – ten, maybe fifteen years," Link smiled with a hint of jovial avarice. "It would be appropriate for the occasion, no?"
Telma shook her head in an exaggerated display of exasperation, "There's just no end to you, is there?" Telma moved on to the rest of the table, accommodation apparent in her reply.
When Telma finished taking orders from all at the table (not bothering to ask the severe man in the corner), she returned to the kitchen. In minutes she returned, everyone still as talkative as when she left. With her, she carried a tray where rested two plates of fruits and chesses and two loaves of bread. She placed them at the two ends of the table and turned to go back to the kitchen, informing the table, "I'll be back with the wine in a moment."
Link's angled ears pricked up. He rose and quickly caught up to Telma, turning her towards him and taking the tray from hands. "Let me, my lady. You should sit and enjoy the first glass."
Telma exhaled loudly, "the food will never be ready in time if I sit with you."
"Nonsense, nonsense. But a glass." He led her to his own chair. "What's the wine?"
She sat, smiling more widely, content that she had been "persuaded" to take a glass and rest a while. It was a fine wine she had planned for the appetizer, after all, and she was not always able to indulge herself so well. "Top shelf at the end of the cellar. There's two bottles of Lakebed Yellowvine. Bring them with some glasses sweetie."
"Glasses? You have wine glasses?"
"Of course I do. I'm not as uncultured as the men that make up my patronage," she said, eyeing him with mock insult. "Bring some water while you're at it," she added.
"Gladly." Link flourished a bow and an about face, a motion as ridiculous as Link had intended. Despite Link's stronger sense of desire (that is, stronger than the modest boy who saved the Kingdom two years ago), he did not mind playing the fool.
Smiling, he set off for the cellar. He entered the kitchen and moved towards the narrow staircase that led downwards, passing by the two young local boys who were roasting the boar for Telma. As he passed, he inhaled the delicious smell of cooked meat and seasoning and was forced to stop and appreciate the sight. It was of modest size, but it was indeed fresh, though Link could not name the spice he smelled. One of the boys took charge of the spit and the other was taking care applying spices and sauces. The boys, around twelve or thirteen years old, looked up from their work as Link halted before them. Noticing their stares, Link looked back, "Excellent work young men. How long have you been back here?"
The one holding the spit answered, "My guess is two hours." He looked at the other boy, who seemed to agree.
"That is quite some time." Link noticed the perspiration that rest on their faces and he knew they were not lying. "You must be tired. I thank you for your work. Just a moment." Link continued towards the staircase.
He descended into the small cellar of the tavern. Considerably longer lengthwise, casks of ale and lager lined the right wall, allowing for a path along the left wall to the shelves in the back. As Link made his way there, he eyed around for the spirits. He found them near the bottom of the shelf that held the wine Telma indicated. Looking around, he found the oldest date possible. It was a clay jug whisky with the cork sticking out. Its mold read "Kakariko Foothills 23" and the colorful tribal designs of the pottery furthered its claims of desert origins. He scratched his sideburns with wolfen anticipation. Link grabbed it and the two bottles of wine and returned to the kitchen.
He set the wine bottles down on a table next to the boys where he had placed the tray he took from Telma. Sill holding the whisky, he asked, "Where does Telma keep the wine glasses, fellows?"
The boy holding the spit pointed to a cabinet on the other side of the room. "Over there, sir."
"Excellent." Link set down the whisky and went where he was directed. There, he found a variety of glasses in a cabinet towards the back, surprising him very much. 'Telma never uses these with us,' he commented in his head. He took seven white wine glasses and placed them on the tray with the bottles. Taking a few empty containers, he filled them up with water kept in a cask in the kitchen and placed them on the tray as well. Lastly, he grabbed seven short glasses. Trying to place these on the overcrowded tray was difficult, but he eventually managed.
The two boys looked at him curiously. "Need any help, sir?" asked the one with the spit.
"No, no, I think I've got it."
Content with his arrangement, he took the whiskey and came to the boys. "You know, I really do appreciate all the work you've been doing here and I imagine you must be thirsty." He held up the jug as he said this. The boy with the spit was about to tell him that they had plenty of water and that he shouldn't trouble himself, but his friend, who now held a basting brush and a cup of sauce, elbowed him before he could say anything.
"Why yes sir, we are," answered the eager one, eyeing his friend with a cautionary gaze.
"Of course you are." Link removed the cork with his hand and took a deep swig. The taste was certainly rustic and reminded him of the smoky drinks they enjoy in those parts. After swallowing, he exhaled loudly. "That's really good. They make it strong in Kakariko!" Smiling, he passed the jug to the eager baster, who had by now put down his instruments. He took the jug excitedly with two hands. Attempting to emulate Link, he overambitiously drank of it and was barely able to keep it all down, coughing at its strength. Trying to pass it off coolly, he handed the jug to his friend who took it hesitantly. This one was much more cautious and managed to swallow with only slight irritation in his throat.
Link took the jug from him. "It's good, huh?" Link smiled. He knew these boys had absolutely no concept of a good whisky, but he enjoyed giving them opportunities to act mature, as boys of that age like to do. They nodded fiercely, for they could not just yet open their mouths to say anything. "Well then, my young men, I must return with the wine. Again, thank you for your hard work." The boys nodded some more, still unable to speak.
After some fumbling, Link fastened the handle of the jug to his belt and began his careful, slow trek back to the main room carrying the overburdened tray. His entry was an amusing sight, having to crouch in order to maintain stability, his head now obscured by the bottles and glasses on the tray.
Those at the table, who had already commenced eating the fruits and cheeses, began laughing at this comical sight. Rusl, even, was not afraid to openly poke fun at him, "A bit overzealous, aren't we?" he called over to Link, still inching his way towards the table.
Link poked his head over the mountain of glass, a wide grin across his face. "There's nothing wrong with enthusiasm in service"
Just as Link turned around the corner of the bar, he realized he did not bring a corkscrew. He placed the tray on the bar and hurried back into the kitchen, reappearing in another twenty seconds before returning to his slow advance towards the table. All this only caused further laughing and jeering from the table.
Finally, Link reached the table and gently set down the tray, exhaling with relief when he was done. In an almost disconcertedly ravenous fashion, those seated at the table began picking apart at the tray with surprising speed and setting the bottles and glasses across the table. In this frenzy, Link managed to grab the corkscrew from the tray. Taking the nearest wine bottle, Link unceremoniously stabbed into it. Upon pulling out the cork, Link was careless to sophistication, an audible pop emitting from the bottle. He began filling the wine glasses which, by now, were situated in front of their owners.
Coming to Zelda, who had to hold her glass up to him as she was at the end of the table, Link tried to smile at her, pleasantly addressing her, "Your Highness." She looked back at him and Link no longer doubted her hatred for him. Her face was completely expressionless and she seemed to stare at him in a manner that demanded he move on as quickly as possible. When he had finished pouring, afraid the entire time that he would somehow mess up, perhaps even spill, and incur further hatred, he was glad to end that bitingly awkward exchange.
It was all Zelda could do to look at him. Consciously, she tried to stare through him, imagining the wall behind him. It was difficult. Link held a big presence about him.
Link filled his own glass last, proving he knew at least some degree of etiquette. Just as Link set down the bottle and began to raise his own glass, Auru quickly stood up, his own glass already above his head. Though Link himself did not intend to make the toast, Auru wanted to make sure he didn't. To be sure, Auru was appreciative of Link's enthusiastic humor, but he questioned whether he could make the most tactful of speeches in the presence of royalty.
At Auru's movements, everyone seated rose as well, glasses in hand, and a silence fell. Auru spoke in a big voice, "It is from the graciousness of the Crown that we may sit here tonight and it is for her protection and in her eternal service that we live our lives. It is both from our most heartfelt duty and in our most joyous pleasure that we commit ourselves in lifelong fealty to her, the Crown, and to her present human beauty, Princess Zelda." Enthused responses of agreement, mostly exclamations of "here, here!" and the like, came from the members of the guild. Zelda gave a polite smile. Finishing, Auru declared, "Goddesses save the princess and peace in Hyrule!" Similar concordant statements were said as glasses were brought to each other, a series of soft clinging noises going about the table and then imbibing of their glasses. After the toast they seated themselves, though Link remained standing between Rusl and Telma, having given his seat to the hostess.
Link drank deeply from his wine, finishing half the glass. It was a very good wine. The taste was subtle, though Link rarely expected much from white wine, his experience with it being minimal. There was certainly a sweetness to it, but it was not obnoxious but pleasant, and the aftertaste carried a sharp excitement with it. Duly impressed and continually surprised by Telma's good taste, until this moment a mystery to him, he said as much, "Telma this is delicious. How come you never serve this to us?"
"I'm upset you seem so shocked. I'm more of lady than you can imagine," Telma responded with a sly expression, evidently willing to continue their previous flirtatious nonsense. "Though I'm sure it's more than you could ever afford, young man, so I never offer it. Truly, you would spend every night under the stars if you chose to drink the likes of this wine."
"You know, I'm quite accustomed to such bedding and I think I prefer it to that dank cupboard I was somehow convinced to actually hand over rupees for. Besides, that would leave me only with more to give to you – in exchange for this delicious wine, that is."
"Well, if you stay as careless as you were last night, you won't have anything left to give me, though I can't imagine the thief thought himself too lucky when he cut your purse. An empty bag of wind, I'm sure, just like your words."
"You hurt me with your words Telma. A veritable lance to the heart."
"More sting from her tongue brings a woman's bite / Than the mightiest blows of any knight," Rusl put in, summoning an askew gaze from the silent Ashei.
"Well said, Rusl. The issue of payment, however, I'm glad to say we can put aside. After all, it is from Shad's generous pocket, and not mine, that this wine would be purchased."
Shad, who had been engaged in conversation at the other side of the table, turned his head at the mention of his name. "What's this? Is Link trying to drive me into debt again?"
Link grabbed a chair from the nearest table and brought it next to Shad, placing it where there was most room. He did this all very quickly and with an air of haphazardness, but, as is typical with Link, he managed to accomplish it successfully and without causing undue collisions. As he sat, Link responded to Shad's concerned inquiry, "It's nothing. I wouldn't suggest worrying about it. But here, let's finish this wine and take on the whisky." Link leaned into Shad's ear and whispered "Kakarikan, twenty-three years in its cask." Shad, not just a little impressed turned to look at Link, seeing Link's eyes still widened. Shad occasionally worried about his friend's enthusiasm in these matters, but these concerns had never been justified in being expressed.
"That does sound very delicious."
Link smiled, happy that he easily coerced his friend. Realizing the jug was still attached to his belt, Link turned his body from the table and attempted to undue his it without drawing attention. Quickly, he removed the jug and set in front of him, redoing his belt beneath the table so that no one could see.
"That's a lot of whisky," Shad said with some surprise.
"Yes, and I expect us to drink all of it." This statement was, of course, completely ridiculous. However, behind it lay an implication that Shad dreaded internally: Link was going to drink him sick again. It was a sort of game that Link played, testing the limits of Shad's tolerance. No one would have guessed it by looking at the frail man, but he was capable of easily drinking the worth of two men. In fact, none of the members of the guild had ever managed to go drink for drink with him, though Link was always trying.
Link began filling up two of the shorter glasses he brought in from kitchen that were next to he and Shad. Having finished pouring generous servings into these glasses, Link turned to his right and offered to the man in front of him, Auru, holding up the jug to him. "Kakariko's finest?" Auru nodded in agreement and Link filled a nearby glass.
It was during this time, while serving Auru the whisky, that Link finally made the realization that he had placed his chair between Shad and Zelda. This created a twofold discomfort, Link was aware. Not only was Zelda now witness to his immature antics and generally loud behavior – characteristics that Link was sure she would hold against him – but he would be obligated to offer her, the Princess of the Realm, Matron of all Hyrule, to drink whisky with them. Kakarikan hillbilly juice. Though a discerning tongue could appreciate the liquor, it was not something one presents to a princess. 'I might as well offer her moonshine,' he mentally grieved.
Finished with Auru's glass, he inhaled as he turned to Zelda. He was startled to see she was already looking at him. Staring, that is, with not a hint of kindness, as if she had been waiting for him to look at her.
In fact, she had. Ever since Link had pulled up the chair, Zelda became rigid. Auru continued to talk with her, but she looked down at the table the entire time, unable to really listen. All she could hear was the exchange between Link and Shad.
He was so different now. Of course, she had never really known him during the Great Ordeal, but he seemed so quiet then, so dutiful. 'He was also a wolf for most of that time,' she had to remind herself. 'But even so,' she continued, 'when we battled the Recurrent Evil, his resolution overcame him. I suppose this is his natural self, the one suited for peace.' She saw him pouring whisky into Auru's glass. She stood up straight, ready to meet him.
"Your Highness?" He held the jug of whisky to her, trying to maintain a composed look, though Zelda could almost see an sort of plea for mercy behind it. But she could not smile. It hurt too much.
After two and a half awkward seconds of silence, Zelda managed to abruptly shake her head and hurriedly turned back to Auru to continue not listening to him. The worst of it, she realized, was that Auru doubtlessly saw everything. 'Damn his perception,' she cursed to herself. He was too good a spy. Though he would likely never mention anything of it to her, she would have to live knowing he knew. Knowing that Auru could see what was supposed to be her hidden regret, her torment alone.
She heard the clinging of glasses next to her. Looking up, she saw that the three men around her had toasted. "To our hostess," they proclaimed in unison, apparently having agreed beforehand what to say. They drank of their glasses.
Having heard their toast, Telma spoke across the table, "My gracious boys, you are too kind." Turning to those around her at the other end of the table, she admitted, "And now I must return to the kitchen. But, please, have the other bottle of wine and, should it suit you, that dreadful desert spirit Link seems so attached to." With that, Telma rose and returned to the kitchen.
Just as she stood, the sound of Link and Shad's glasses pounding against the table could be heard, followed by exhales. Auru still held his glass, having enjoyed his drink. "That is not how a man appreciates whisky, boys," Auru scolded them, taking another sip.
"There's time enough to slow down when old age demands it of me," Link came back, pouring himself and Shad another glass with a defiant look on his face.
"Yes, time enough to sit and think 'what was all the rush for?'" Auru looked at him with a degree of severity.
"Yes, and a grand question it will be," Link returned, bringing his renewed glass to Shad's, likewise full. Together, they mercilessly drained them. This time, however, Shad had to quickly finish his wine to keep the whisky down and Link, without another drink, gracelessly crammed an apple slice into his mouth from the nearest plate of food. Auru took great pleasure from this spectacle of emasculation, evident by his wide smile – all the wider upon his massive jaw.
Link had kept his shoulder at a considerably severe angle away from Zelda this entire time, so as to shield him from her presence, though he was keen to not appear disrespectful. Knowing he couldn't keep this up for long, after the second glass of whisky, Link, a smile on his face, arose. "I think I'll take my original seat back, I don't want to crowd you," he excused himself.
Now seated at the other end of the table, Link felt his chest lighten and he breathed easier. Zelda, too, felt her muscles relax once Link had displaced himself.
The time passed jovially enough with conversations arising both among a few people as well as across the table. In about a half hour's time, Telma, followed by the two young boys who carried the roasted boar on a great platter, made her rather ceremonious entrance from the kitchen. She herself masterfully carried in one hand a plate where rested two more bottles of wine and glasses for all. When they came to the table, Telma waited for the boys to set the boar down, which, naturally took some time and required that Rusl and Ashei make room. The boys returned to the kitchen quickly while Telma placed the wine plate down. Uncorking the first bottle, she informed them, "Plates, knives and sauce will be out in a moment and the pheasant should be soon to follow." She began pouring the wine into glasses and distributed them about the table.
Much of the table seemed to stare in slight wonderment at the giant bounty of meat that lay before them, the heat emitting from its body easily reaching the beaming faces of the onlookers and carrying with it the intoxicating odor of rightly seasoned flesh. 'Saffron,' Zelda detected. She smiled, delighted. It was a favorite spice of hers.
In very little time, the two boys returned. One carried the plates stacked upon each other and with all the knives piled on top. The other carefully carried two truncheons of sauce. Once everything had been placed appropriately, the boys left once more for the kitchen. Telma addressed the table, "Please, begin. The pheasant will be out shortly for those who requested it."
Eagerly, those at the table not expecting fowl – excepting Link, of course - came down upon brown-reddened boar, cutting off pieces with their knives and dipping them into the truncheons before completing the task with ravenous enthusiasm. Zelda was amused. The way the Guild ate was certainly not unseemly to her, but she could not help but notice a distinct difference in decorum between her current setting and the situations in which she normally dined. There was something in watching a group of well-grown adults (she was being generous with Link) attack their food with such fervor and in such a frenzy that she found highly tickling.
Auru looked to the Princess and asked, "Would you like some, your Highness?"
"Yes, just a little please."
Carefully, Auru cut off some small pieces for her and placed them on her plate. Lightly dabbing them in sauce she ate of the dark meat with no small relish. In the public sphere, Zelda normally chose not to eat meat, for it was important for a woman with authority to appear merciful. No longer under such a judgmental gaze, she indulged her desire for strong, perhaps even overbearing, flavor. The delicious bitterness of the saffron combined with the richness of pork made her mouth as if to melt from pleasure. However, she could only take so much power and heaviness before her tongue grew weary.
Fortunately for her, Telma and the two boys came out in only a few minutes with the pheasant, cut into strips upon three plates. Zelda, Auru and Link each received one, though Link's was distinctly without steam and the coloration was off. Ashei and Rusl looked at his plate quizzically. "Did it even touch the fire, yeah?" Ashei doubted.
Link chuckled. "Let's hope not." Though Link still preferred the taste of raw meat, he had come to the disappointing realization that he maintained only his lupine mannerisms and desires while his stomach remained wholly human. To his dismay, he had learned that he must cook most of his food, if only a little.
Link took deeply from the new wine, a bitter drink of a strangely bright red color, to clear his palette. Rusl and Ashei looked on with somewhat bemused expressions. They had come to know Link's eating habits to be strange, though Rusl remained more perplexed than the others, having never known Link to enjoy such unattended meat when he was a boy in Ordon. Many things had changed the boy that was once his ward, but this was by far the most bizarre. 'I guess he never had time to cook his meals during his quest," Rusl postulated to himself.
When all the plates of pheasant were put down, Telma spoke up, "Now, I know the cooking has made me perhaps unpresentable…"
She was immediately interrupted by exclamations of denial.
"Of course not!" came from Shad.
"No, never!" put in Link.
"This could never be!" refuted Rusl.
Telma smiled and continued, "But, having served the main course, I should like to join you." She curtsied to sounds of cheering from the table. Link was even clapping. She moved to the empty chair that Link had left between Shad and Zelda and sat there. In minutes, one of the boys from the kitchen, the baster, delivered her a plate of pheasant as well.
The night continued with merriment as everyone took to their meals. Link made short work of his pheasant and quickly returned to tearing through the beast that lay in the middle of the table. In time, however, even Link became unable to continue, nearing the limits of his stomach's capacity. He leaned back in his chair and washed down a morsel with the last of his fourth glass of wine. He exhaled in contentment.
"Vanquished, yeah?"
"I will never admit defeat!" Link sat back up and reached for his knife with his right hand and an opened bottle of wine with his left. Clumsily, Link managed to pour himself another glass of wine at the same time that he cut off a chunk of meat. Putting the knife and bottle down, he grabbed the meat and placed it on his plate. He stared at it. Some moments passed.
"You gonna eat it or what?" questioned Ashei, impatient.
"Excuse me for savoring it. Some of us are trying to maintain some sophistication," Link shot back at her, his new cloak of dignity fitting too loosely around the shoulders. Ashei did not quite understand the humor, as usual, and gave up on watching Link torture himself.
Link never did finish that particular slab of meat. Whether he had the resolve or not was never answered before dessert was presented: a raspberry crème brûlée and an appropriately flavored dessert wine. Link was stunned. He had never had such a rich meal before. In fact, he had never had this dish before or even knew what it was. Nonetheless, he delighted in it.
As the last course was finished, a general satisfaction pervaded the room complimented by the excitement now achieved by the abundance of wine and whisky. Even Zelda, who normally demanded great restraint of herself, had finished her third glass of wine. So excited were some, in fact, that they grew a little restless. Rusl stood and walked around the table, his eyes on Telma. When he reached her, he held out his hand, smiling. She smiled as well, for she knew what he had come for. "Telma, my most precious lady of the city, we must kick up our feet now."
"Must we? A symbolic casting of discretion, I imagine. Well, you must know I cannot refuse you, you devil." She took his hand and he guided her to the open space in front of the bar.
As they left the table, he called to Auru, "A song please, old friend. Ordonian."
Telma laughed, "Oh no, the Goatcanter?" Rusl only smiled.
Auru nodded to Rusl. He appeared to fidget with something at his belt and, as if out of nowhere, produced a small black case the size of two fists. Opening it, Auru pulled form it a small concertina. He turned his chair towards the makeshift dance floor and began to play a simple tune at a moderate measure. Perhaps one of the less striking advantages to Auru's wordliness was his ability to play regional songs of most any land. Link smiled. He knew the song. They used to play it often at the festivals in Ordon.
Those at the table watched on as Rusl led Telma through the silly Ordonian dance involving a large amount of skipping and quick sliding motions in a given direction (known as charges in this particular dance's terminology). With no mistake, Telma was an excellent dancer having caught on quickly to the Goatcanter the last time Rusl had taught it to her.
Auru finished the song with a flourish and Rusl, trying to agree with it, spun Telma around. Not perfectly timed, but a good display, nonetheless. By now, Link had moved to the bar and leaned against it, waiting for his chance to interrupt. Just as he stepped up, Rusl turned to him, "Not so fast, boy. I won't have you steal her from me quite so quickly."
Link assumed a swagger, "Is that so, old man? What do you propose? Swords? Fists?"
"Neither. The Courting Duel," Rusl said with humorous drama.
Telma smiled with her eyes widening as Link narrowed his own, "It's you're funeral, old man. Took long enough." Auru struck up the appropriate song involving many sharp and sudden notes.
By now, those present uninitiated with the nature of Ordonian dances had begun to notice shared theme relating to goats. The beginning of this dance was entirely choreographed. The three lined up, Telma in the middle, and they began dancing in unison all facing the same direction. This portion took them both side to side and back and forth, involving some standardized footwork and hand motion (though the hands normally rest on the hips, the left was brought above head when the dancer began spinning motions). However, after some measures of this, the dance became unpredictable. Telma skipped away from the line as Link and Rusl danced towards her. Rusl made it first, inserting himself between Link and she. They begin dancing each other while Link essentially dances in place waiting for an opening. As they move about the floor, Link follows them.
The table watched, very amused. Not all knew the rules, but the entire process was intense enough to indicate its purpose tacitly. Those who did know the rules were aware, however, that the first among them that can spin the lady three times wins. Still, should an opponent be able to, he can place himself between the other man and the lady, initiating a duel. This is most likely to happen when one of them attempt to spin the lady. Thus, to win, he must be able to position himself correctly and time his moves wisely.
It wasn't long before Link inserted himself and the two took to the dueling stances. This involved them looking at each other face to face, hands on their hips, legs widespread in firm positions and their bodies leaning over. They would skip side to side, before rushing at each other (termed "headbutting"), though being sure maintain their motions in keeping with the dance. The winner was he who could first flank the other successfully. Unfortunately for Rusl, Link excelled in physical competition - especially anything combative - and Link made himself the victor of this confrontation. He skipped to his prize, who had remained on her own, occupied in dance as well. Taking her up, it was then his turn to attempt his three spins as Rusl stalked him attentively.
The dance continued like this for some minutes. Zelda, who had never before seen this dance, could not keep from smiling. Its absolute ridiculousness entertained her greatly, though she found it very endearing as well. As silly as the dance was, however, she had to note the admirable skill with which Link moved himself (and Telma for that matter). She would have never guessed that the stern, though boyish, warrior she had first known would be capable of such mastery over gentle skills like this.
To little surprise, Link eventually won the duel. Rusl put up a good fight, however, having been performing the dance many more years than Link. He bowed to Link, "Take her. She's yours." Link bowed in return.
As Telma turned into Link, she questioned aloud, "Are all Ordonian women treated this possessively? That is, as if cattle?"
Rusl laughed as he returned to his seat, "No, though some better than others."
The reply went unnoticed by all except Link. In his mind, it burned him as a brand. There it lay marked, the reminder of his shame and cruelty smoldering in his thinking. Rusl did not strike at him with that blow for the dance. Link knew him too well to believe he would be so petty. Rusl needed to remind him, for he should not forget.
Doing his best to shake it off, Link called to Auru, "The Fountainhead."
This request was decidedly of a different vein from the last two dances. The song he called for was very much of the city and the tune was designed for the local Three Step dance - so named for it's basic movements of three steps and then a slide. As the music began, a grounded and melodic tune, Link led Telma with much more fancy than the previous dances had allowed. Telma too, now in a dance more familiar to her (one she had taught Link, in fact), did not deny herself the numerous opportunities for embellishments the dance allowed left room for.
Zelda still looked on, more intently than she was aware. 'He really can be quite debonair if he wants to,' she realized, surprised given his loudness earlier. Zelda was quite used to graceful men, almost repelled by them, but confidence and ability accompanied with kindness was something she still appreciated. It was that last factor that was so often missing in those who possessed the other two, but this was not the case with Link, she decided. She caught herself, 'What is this nonsense? Why do I go on like this?' Her mind moved quickly, as if evading something. 'He's quite self-centered, isn't he," she settled on.
Link's finishing flourish was right on time, he being accustomed to Auru's method of playing. The dance now ended, Telma, her face entirely flushed, let out with exhaustion, "I must rest boys. You have worn me out with your games." She and Link returned to the table where there again commenced those jovial conversations.
The night wore on this manner and, in an hour's time, Zelda conceded she must depart. The table expressed much reluctance, but did not stop her. Their bowing was low as she and her silent companion exited into the night.
-
Outside, Zelda fell to thinking. Her head was bent low as she passed those citizens still awake and active along the main, lamp-lit avenues, back towards the castle. Doubtless, her appearance gathered looks and hushed whispers, but there was no one who could know it was her. But these things did not come to her mind. No, her thoughts rested on the Adventurer's Guild. A part of her was concerned with business. Would they succeed in the task set to them? Were they in more danger than she anticipated? But more of her thinking was directed to they themselves. That is, the adventurers. Though she had known Auru for many years, she was generally unacquainted with the rest. 'I will remedy this,' she resolved. Curiously, for the briefest of moments an image of Link holding a large piece of meat in one hand and a wine glass in the other, a gigantic smile on his face, came to her. She blinked and shook her head.