Chapter Seven: Diplomacy
Impa was watching intently from the corner as each leader of Hyrule entered the room. Though the Sheikah were among the race of Hylians, she herself was included in these talks as the leader of the Sheikah. She was well acquainted with each representative, as she had been even before her appointment.
Though it had been some time since Impa had needed to involve herself with the politics of the entire kingdom, she felt oddly at home. Especially around Chancellor Cole. He was the most familiar kind of politician that she used to deal with every day. As a Hylian, she knew where his concerns would lie, and as a schemer, she knew how he'd try to turn thoughts in his favor.
She was most apprehensive about the new Gerudo Chief. The girl was younger than Zelda, and had barely had any time to be trained by her mother for leadership. As a young girl still learning the ropes, Riju was Impa's biggest concern, especially with the warrior whispering confidences in her ear. Impa would have no idea what she'd be suggesting.
For years, she had been conversing with Boss Bludo, King Dorephan, and Chief Kaneli. They were all predictably unchanging in their ways. Dorephan would favor peace, but since the death of his daughter Mipha, he would never put another race's problems ahead of the Zora's again. Kaneli and Bludo were older and favored isolation with trade routes as their primary communication, but she also knew that they could be swayed in matters of great importance.
Each of them sat on the ground with their guards around the room, with Riju and Buliara as the only exceptions, Buliara close to the new Chieftain at all times.
For Impa, Dorian and Cado took their places along the walls. Several armed members of each entourage followed suit, and Link moved from the Princess's side to join the others as well. It surprised Impa to see him do so. It had to be more of an instinctive memory of habit. She'd fully expected him to take a seat, considering his close relations with the leaders and his service to Hyrule.
"Well," Impa said again when everyone had settled. "Let us begin to address several of the matters at hand. I believe it goes without saying that we must acknowledge the defeat of the Calamity that has plagued us for the past century. Link, Hylian Champion and Goddess-Chosen, was chief among the players responsible for bringing each Divine Beast back into our control and saving someone who only few have met before.
"The last Crowned Royal of Hyrule, Princess Zelda, who became Queen Apparent following her father's death, was responsible for sacrificing herself to hold Ganon back from our kingdom until Link could awaken. Both were instrumental in defeating the Calamity and restoring our land to a peace it hasn't enjoyed in many an age."
Everyone in the room clapped for the heroes, some bowing their heads in deep-seated reverence for the monarchy and the Goddesses. But others, like Chancellor Cole, simply watched and waited until the room died down.
"On that note," Impa continued when the room had quieted, "May I introduce to most of you the Queen of Hyrule, Zelda. You may know the legend of Zelda, but most of you have never seen her in the flesh."
"We have no queens or kings in Hyrule," Cole spat. "Besides, you said yourself that she was never crowned as Queen, therefore, this Zelda holds no higher rank than any of us."
"The title in question is one of the reasons you have all been brought here today," Impa all but snapped back. "But, Chancellor Cole, you'd do well to respect the Goddesses' Chosen, title or not."
Cole sat back, arms crossed as he glared across the room at Zelda.
She watched his eyes boring into her. Though she tried to watch the reactions from the rest of the room, something about his eyes beckoned her to challenge him. She refused to look away.
Impa's eyes uneasily darted between the two before she continued, hoping the topic change would ease the tension… at least for now.
"I believe the first matter of business can be settled rather quickly. The Champion's of Old have perished. Their spirits have moved on and passed into the Goddess' hands. Now, these beasts need new masters." She looked to Link, and he nodded. "Master Link and I have spoken. He and the Queen have spoken. Now it is time that we all speak. With the defeat of Calamity Ganon, it is unlikely that we will ever need to have use of these Beasts, but we must have some who are trained, just in case. I believe we should allow each race to offer their own Champion's name to succeed their predecessor."
Immediately, a murmur came over the room as everyone began to speak at once.
Zelda could hear several names being shouted out, some fighting amongst themselves, others sitting silently, without opinion.
From the Zoras, several shouts of 'Sidon' were being contested by cries for 'Dunma.' Zelda's ears perked at the suggestion, curious who this other Zora was.
"She's young!" one Zora shouted. "And practically royal. Her lineage is pure, and her skill innumerable."
"How can you suggest anyone other than the Champion's own brother?" another asked. "It should be a true royal's task!"
"True royal? Dunma is not even close! How could you put those two in the same sentence?"
"She is the granddaughter of Trello, one of our council members. Besides the royal family, he is of the highest order."
"Royal blood was spilled to protect the Domain! We should honor Princess Mipha's sacrifice by choosing Sidon!"
She could see Sidon's face, a mask of stoicism, hoping not to betray an emotion either way. She had a feeling this was a difficult thing for him, both the role itself and his own masking of feelings. Something he'd have to get used to as the future royal.
Her ears wandered to the Rito, who's quiet debate was harder to hear.
"We should elect several members, all of whom would be trained. One would take the primary role, and should anything happen, the next would succeed."
"But who?"
"Of course it should be Teba. He fought with Master Link."
"But Kass has also been a great help in fending off the Calamity."
"Let's not forget Harth!"
"We shall vote on each," Harth said with a scowl. "Do not speak over one another."
Zelda could hear no more of their hushed conversation, and turned to Riju and Buliara . Neither spoke to anyone, and Riju sat patiently, her eyes alight with amusement as she watched the chaotic room.
The Gorons were the loudest. Each shouted names at Boss Bludo, his own included, and he sat stoicly, waiting to hear each name. Though Zelda recognized very few names at all, she did not hear Link's suggestion, Yunobo, come up once.
And she turned to the Hylians last. They had no Divine Beast that needed piloting, and their Champion had resurrected from the dead. There was no need to replace him. She couldn't tell if this pleased Cole, or if it made him angrier. His face was impossible to decipher.
After several more minutes of intense debating, the room began to quiet down, and Impa stepped forward with her hands raised. "Have you decided already?"
She looked first to Riju, who seemed to decide a long time ago.
Riju pushed her long red hair over her shoulder and adjusted the jewl on her head. "I will follow in Urbosa's footsteps. She proved it was not impossible to lead, deal with the Yiga threat, and maintain the Divine Beast. I will do no different, and it will always remain the Chief's place to pilot Vah Naboris. Besides," she said with a wink at Link, "I've been up close and personal with Naboris before. I'm not afraid of anything she might throw at me." She sat back and crossed her arms. It was an opened and closed matter for her.
"Very well," Impa said, pleased that it would be done so easily. She turned next to the Rito representative, Harth. "Have you decided?"
Harth stood up and bowed. "We have come up with a preliminary plan of action which we will bring to our Chief before we fully commit. Speculatively, we would appoint several Rito to learn about Vah Medoh, but there would be one Champion. Should that Champion fall, there will always be someone to take their place. The children will be trained young so they may grow up with Medoh as something other than a looming adversary, as most of us did."
"Who, might I ask, do you have in mind?" Impa asked.
"Primary Champion would be Teba, ma'am, since he has fought with Master Link with Medoh before. If he's not willing, next would be Kass, then myself, then Huck, and Tulin."
Zelda noticed the distinct lack of female names on the list. She had hoped that the Rito might progress further over the past 100 years, but apparently female warriors were still not permitted amongst the Rito.
Impa grunted in acknowledgement of their unofficial plan. There wasn't much she could say. "Very well. And you?" she asked, looking at Sidon.
"Well," Sidon said, his voice much more chipper than his downtrodden expression. "We have decided that it wouldn't sit well with my father to leave Zora's Domain without an heir should anything happen to me as it did my sister, so we have chosen Dunma as our Champion. She has accepted, and I, on behalf of my father, recognize his authority."
Zelda turned to get a better look at the Zora he gestured towards. She was a strong, blue-finned Zora with her face steeled in a guard's expressionless stare. But Zelda could see Link out of the corner of her eye, same expression, but his head moved side to side in barely noticeable disapproval.
"And you?" Impa asked, as she finally turned to the Gorons.
Bludo shakily stood to his feet, though his stature never wavered in the confidence of a young Goron warrior, despite his elderly age. "We have decided that Master Rohan would be best suited for the task. He is a legendary blacksmith among our people, and his skillset will be more than adequate for the role of piloting the Divine Beast!"
Zelda could see Link's eyes close at the name, the unfamiliar name. Again, this wasn't who Link thought was best suited for the role.
"Wait," she found herself saying, despite herself. "Wait!"
The room turned its attention on her. The first thing she was saying to this room who would decide her fate would be something that went against two of the leaders. She wanted to bite her tongue, but her promise to Link echoed through her mind.
"I do not begin to question any of your choices, for I feel you know your people best. But, I was among those who first brought the Divine Beasts to life. We did not employ those who were young, or who were most skilled or capable to repair the Beasts. We chose warriors who were strong of heart. It was the heart of the champions that guided the Divine Beasts through the Calamity. I only ask that you are sure your choices are those who are strong of spirit as well."
"Do you have a specific objection?" Cole asked with a smug grin. "You seemed awfully in denial of the Goron choice. Do you have anything against Master Rohan?"
Zelda shook her head, hoping her vigor assured Boss Bludo. "I know very few people, as I have only returned from the Spirit Realm recently and have yet to see this land. It very well may be that Master Rohan is the most capable, but I urge you to search within yourself to be sure these are your choices."
Boss Bludo scratched his head, his eyes passing over each Goron. Finally, he turned to the Princess again, though his words were addressed to another in the room: "Brother, who do you believe bears the spirit of our fellow Brother, Daruk?"
Link stood against the wall with wide-eyes, not expecting the question. He almost needed it repeated, unsure it was meant for him, until Bludo's gaze and his locked.
"I… uh…" Link started before clearing his throat. "Yunobo. His courage is on par with Daruk's, though he hasn't quiet found the belief in himself just yet to harness it with the same confidence that Daruk did." He was about to stop, but something spurred his words on. "And Prince Sidon," he said as he looked at the Zora's, "Your sister knew the risks when she accepted the position as Champion. She knew it could leave your people with a new heir. And she loved you. Her spirit would choose you in a heartbeat to succeed her. While I have seen Dunma in action, and her talent is exceptional, not every warrior wields a weapon. Divine Beast Ruta doesn't need to be piloted by a soldier, but by a leader."
"How dare you," Chancellor Cole balked. "You may be the Goddess-Chosen, but until late, you were an amnesiac with little more than a name. How dare you question the choices made by your betters? You're a soldier, nothing more."
Before anyone could respond, Zelda stood up. She winced as a feeling of pain radiated to her hand, and she gripped her palms together, trying to hold in the powers of the Goddess.
"Were you elected, Chancellor?"
Cole turned to her with wide eyes. "How dare you? You're not queen here, and you do not inherently possess the right to insult those around you!"
From his response, Zelda guessed that somehow, he had not been elected. It had not been her intention to truly question his election, but to segue into a separate question. She couldn't deny her satisfaction at that knowledge, however.
"Instead of simply enjoying the sound of your own voice, you may want to listen to yourself speak. Hypocrisy is an unflattering trait."
Cole went to speak again, but Zelda huffed, sitting back down in an attempt to calm herself. "Let me guess? 'How dare I?'"
She could hear a snicker from Riju, one that made no attempt at discretion.
Otherwise, the room had become uncomfortably quiet. It was only when Boss Bludo had enough that he broke it. "Well, as a Champion yourself, and as a personal friend of the Great Daruk, I trust your opinion. The Goddesses act through you and the Queen. You won't find me questioning their plan. I see no strength in Yunobo to lead, but perhaps Daruk's successor can be unconventional, even if he is a direct descendant."
The room turned its attention to Sidon, as the other Champion put fourth by Link. Sidon smiled, a true smile this time. "I'd be quite honored, but with the matter of the line of succession in question, this is not a decision I can make as a proxy for my father. I can only authorize another to become Champion, but not myself."
"Despite the lack of urgency surrounding this situation," Impa interjected, "This is not a light decision. As the Rito will do, I urge you to take the matter to your King. It is enough for now to know that there are two candidates for Champion of Vah Ruta, and that either would be a strong choice.
"But let us move past this rather… inharmonious topic and shelf it for the time being. We shall accept Riju as the uncontested Champion for the Gerudos, and we await the responses from the others regarding their compliancy with the plan. Also, Riju, you mentioned the Yiga earlier. Were you aware of their continued efforts, despite the end of the Calamity?"
Riju sat back. "I had sent some of my warriors to their hideout which Link helped to flush out. It showed evidence of recent habitation, but I was unaware there was an incident post-Calamity. What was it?"
Impa turned to Link, her head gesturing for him to step forward.
He did and cleared his throat again. "The Pri—Queen—and myself were ambushed just three days ago. Yiga members claiming to be the children of Master Kogha said he was alive, and their mission was to eliminate the two of us to force the rebirth of Ganon."
"I see they were unsuccessful. How?" Riju looked Link over slowly, then turned to assess Zelda.
Link could see that Zelda's eyes had darkened, and she clutched her hand so tightly that the tops of her fingers had gone white.
"I killed one of the Yiga," Link said quickly, though his eyes darted to Impa. She and Zelda were the only two in the room who knew he was lying, and neither said a word to contradict him.
Riju grinned, though it was like she knew something was suspicious about his tale. "And they were so frightened of your physical prowess that however-many zealots retreated and have yet to return?"
Link narrowed his eyes, though it was not without a hint of playfulness. "I cannot say why the other two retreated and have yet to return, but you've seen my skill with a sword, Chieftain. Would you, as a Yiga foot soldier, challenge the two people who defeated the Demon Lord after losing one of your own?"
Link could feel Chancellor Cole's seething eyes boring into him, but his attention stayed on Riju. She sat forward this time, and she crossed her arms. "All three of these Yiga were Kohga's children?"
"So they claimed."
"Very well then," she said, relaxing. "I will have my warriors search their hideout again. We will scour the desert, though I doubt they will call the same area home for a second time. I recommend to the others here that you begin to search for their new base. Their presence in your land will affect everything from peace of mind, to commerce on a day-to-day basis."
The others nodded in agreement.
"Then," Sidon said, looking at Link, "You and the Queen are in rather an amount of danger, my friend."
"If they're looking to kill her," Bludo added, "They could easily do it at night, in her sleep, infiltrated by spies."
"They have to kill Link, too," Riju sniggered. "And I don't see that happening anytime soon."
Harth spoke for the first time in a while. "Is Link not Her Majesty's Appointed Knight? He guarded her then, can this not happen now?"
"He was," Sidon said. "They came to Zora's Domain together when I was a child, and from what I remember, the arrangement kept them both safe."
"Both?"
"Yes, I remember Mipha telling me a story about Link attacking a Lynol…"
"Stop!" Zelda said suddenly, standing up again. She could see Cole's satisfied smile at her second outburst. "Link is not my Appointed Knight. He fulfilled his duty to me 100 years ago. The appointment was until his death. I cannot ask for anymore than he has already given: his life. I am not his responsibility."
Link stepped forward, "Do I have no say in this?"
Zelda shook her head and lowered her voice so only he could hear. "Not this time. I will not allow you to die for me again. This time, your life is yours. I'm gifting you with your freedom. I couldn't offer you that when my father kept you from living your own life to protect mine."
The room was in a commotion again, discussion ways to keep the two of them safe and to prevent the rise of a second Calamity. No one could hear their hushed conversation. But when Link pulled out the Master Sword and dropped to his knee, laying the sword on the ground.
The room instantly fell silent, and all eyes and ears had turned towards them.
Link kept his head bowed as he spoke. "Your Majesty, you say I was released from your service upon my death, but I do not feel dead. Not yet. So as I breathe today, I'd offer myself back into your service. Not at the order of a king, but of my own free will."
Zelda looked around. It would be impossible to deny his request, especially with everyone's concern for potential for the Second Calamity should they both die. A public spectacle, she thought wryly. He knew exactly what he was doing.
"Very well, then, but I will amend the terms we had once set. You are released from you vow of service not with your death, but whenever you choose to leave."
Zelda offered him her hand and he stood. The room began to liven up once more.
Link leaned closer to Zelda, a smug grin planted firmly on his lips. "You're stuck with me now, Princess. I don't think I'll choose to leave my position anytime soon."
Zelda scowled. "You just gave up your chance at a normal life! Now you'll be stuck guarding doors and following me around. I tried to give you a chance."
Link picked up the Master Sword and sheathed it. "No, you gave me a choice."
The noise died down again, and Link moved back to the wall.
"Well," Impa called out with a satisfied grin on her face, "That was quite the turn of events. I believe that can be summed up as each of us sending out teams to find the location of the new Yiga hideout. We cannot allow any harm to befall the Goddesses' Chosen, and we must try to find some logic behind the rebirth of the Calamity. This will spread, and it will cause panic. We must work to quash that fear before it becomes our new way of life."
Chancellor Cole couldn't sit still any longer. "What is this Zelda to us, then? Does she send out her people to find the Yiga? Well, her 'people' seems to be Link. You call her 'Queen,' but what is she queen of? Hyrule is a republic, a democracy!"
Zelda shifted uncomfortably. She didn't want to force a reign on anyone, especially if the people no longer wanted it.
"That's untrue," Sidon said. "I am a prince; my father is a king. Our subjects do not choose us."
"Your people always worked counter to Hyrule. Your father was king when her father was. Whose authority do your people bow to, in the end? Your sister died because your father answered to the King of Hyrule, not his own authority."
Sidon's flesh turned redder than usual. "My sister died for this kingdom, not because of a political miscalculation."
"Besides," Cole continued, as if he'd never heard Sidon, "When was the last lone Queen to rule Hyrule? Her mother was made to marry before assuming the throne. There have always been two figures to wear the crowns. No one monarch reigned alone in centuries."
Zelda sat up. "What?"
"If you were to be monarch, you would need to be married!"
Zelda scoffed. "You're archaic, Chancellor. Besides, you either you want me on the throne, or you want me to stand aside. You cannot have it both ways."
"She does not need to marry, Chancellor," Riju said with exasperation. "But she does need a decision."
Zelda turned to the young girl. "Hyrule as a democracy is unfamiliar to me, and I am equally unfamiliar to its people. Let me meet them. Let me see this kingdom as it is now. And let the people decide whether or not they'll have me as their Queen."
Cole fumed in protest. "That would take some time. Besides, the people elected me and these others to serve as their leaders. They will not vote to oust their choices in favor of a stranger."
This time, it was Zelda who ignored Cole. "With the support of the leadership here, I'd like to be given a chance to speak to the people of Hyrule, and to understand what it is they'd want. I want them to know that my rule wouldn't mean that any of you would be removed. I want them to vote."
"That's preposterous!" Cole exclaimed.
"Why?" Zelda asked. "Do you not trust your citizens to decide what's best for themselves?"
"Of course not," Cole hissed. He lowered his voice, his eyes narrowing at her. "But I do fear for your safety. The Yiga are no joke. I would hate to see something happen to you before any coronation."
"Threats don't frighten me, Chancellor. I look forward to hearing what Hylians think of you."
Cole snorted and turned on his heels. "I suppose we're done here. Send word if there is anything else, but my people need me to return. I'll share with them the wonderful news. Guards!"
As they left, Zelda let out her breath that she didn't realize she'd been holding. And with a glance at Link, whose hand was hovering just over his sword, she wasn't sure that the Yiga would be the only threat to her life.
A/N: Heyyy! First off, I have to apologize if there are more typos in this chapter than usual. I have these annoyingly long fake nails that I need to tolerate for now, but now I can't type to save my life! I tried to find as many of the typos as I could, but it's 3am as I'm writing this and I don't think that's helping anything! SO! I'll fix this chapter's typos eventually, but I apologize for the quality right now!
Second off, I don't want the Master Cycle in this story (at least not yet) because I like the horses more. If Link was going to constantly use the Master Cycle, Catherine wouldn't be hanging around, and then Cloud probably wouldn't be needed because they'd just both ride the Master Cycle because it's faster and I'd be super sad because I've started to like Catherine and Cloud (though they're no Epona). Therefore, Link has no Divine Beast at this time!
Reviews! James Birdsong: Thank you! Good to see you back! Guest: I can't even remember my reactions from the first time I played WW. I forgot that the princess reveal was a big deal until you said that! Maybe it's because my memories of my first WW playthrough are tainted by how long it took me to find all the Triforce pieces. But that's all totally beside the point. I still like the idea of Link's family, even if they have no role in the actual plot like ALTP's uncle. Bladeofthebookworms: I am dying to drag them to Gerudo Town. Why? I have no plot related reason at the moment, but I WILL find one! And if I don't (I have nothing in this story preplanned so anything could happen at any time), then I'll be really upset with myself. Maybe you're right not to trust Cole! Maybe you're wrong and he just acts like a jerk but is really a harmless Deku Baba in disguise. Wouldn't that be a plot twist? YeetusTheeFeetus: If only I could post a chapter every day! But I got distracted by the long weekend and completely forgot to write anything except "Chapter Seven" for my usual Monday-ish post. BUT there are no more long weekends (sadly), so I'll be good again! I LOVE cliffhangers! And by that I mean writing them... not reading them. Spoilers? Everyone dies! Just kidding! Or am I? You'll never know! Or you will, but not for a while. Loliipqp: I could see a brief cameo for wolf Link somewhere. But to me, Wolf Link is always way more TP than BOTW, even with the amiibo, so it wouldn't feature in this story. Blainebawesome: Thank you!I'm definitely going to keep writing this fic!
