Disclaimer: I do not own nor claim to own the characters or land in Legend of Zelda games. However I do own the following characters: Linweh (Princess of Telthar), Lir (Prince of Telthar), Nightrunner, Maiku, Rimar, and the entire land of Telthar and the people within it as well as any other characters that happen to come up. The creatures from Legend of Mana belong to Squaresoft (now known as Square-Enix) but they are too cute not to use. Enjoy the story.
Legacy of a Hero
Chapter 7 - Royal Twins
It wasn't much to go on but Maiku had become quiet, with the thought of never having Oni with him, the male began to feel some fear. Do not fret Maiku. All will be well, you will see. For now focus on what you can do right now. Find out who these abductors are and what they truly want with the princess of Telthar. Maiku silently nodded as he listened to Rimar converse with Linweh about arrangements to be made for her return to the castle. His name hadn't been mentioned yet so he decided that it would be good to talk with Oni more, Oni...are you really a deity? There was an echoing laugh as he replied, Trust those dreams of yours Maiku. They will never lead you astray. Always remember that I will never leave you. I am a part of you and you a part of me. Understand? He nodded once more, Maiku was put at ease with his companion's words. He leaned back against the couch, wondering what the next move should be, getting Linweh back to the castle was a good idea but he didn't want those people hunting her to know that he'd found her.
"What to do?" he asked himself. There were many scenarios running through his mind, all of which seemed to have her out in the open, and it appeared that there was going to be no easy way than to have Nightrunner enter a full gallop in order to get her to the castle safely. "If only the deities would lend us a hand, it would be helpful but I doubt the Goddesses can use their powers here or if they'd even listen to my menial prayer." Maiku rubbed his hands over his face in frustration before allowing his fingers to entwine his hair.
There were soft footsteps followed by heavier ones, her warm green eyes only softened at the figure who had his hands tangled in his hair. She sat down next to him while the others followed in and took some seats. She patted him on the shoulder, which caused him to dislodge his hands, and look at the people gathered in the room. "What's wrong Maiku?"
"I was just going through some scenarios in my head. If we were to let whoever was hunting you know that we have you then it could spell trouble for the village. But if we take you back to the castle then that's troublesome too because they may ambush us in the field. So I'm at a loss as to what to do right now."
She squeezed her hand and he looked at her with his emerald eyes, "Don't worry too much about it. We'll figure something out, all of us, together. This isn't just your burden Maiku." The son of Link smiled at her and nodded. They began to converse about what to do but Linweh could see that he was still worried about something. She leaned hin and asked, "Is there something bothering you?" He nodded, "Can you tell me what it is?"
His voice was a hoarse whisper, "I'm sorry but I cannot." Linweh nodded which pleased him so he added, "Don't worry. I'll be fine okay?" She nodded once more before withdrawing her hand from his shoulder. Once her attention was diverted to Link, Rimar, and Sergei, only then did he allow himself to open up to the conversation. As he listened to the others, it seemed that they were at as much of a loss as he was, and he could clearly see that Sergei and Link were the same. He leaned back against Rimar's couch, his eyes looked towards the ground while his hands entwined themselves within each other, and he felt that he should say something. "Princess Linweh doesn't know her abductors but what we do know is that they're after a way to release Ganondorf. So we've deduced that whoever these people are, know about the legends of Telthar and the history of Hyrule. Of that we can be certain."
The others nodded in agreement but it was Rimar that broke the silence, "But it's not just Linweh that's in trouble." When the collected group stared at him he pointed to Naria, who was hanging around Maiku's shoulder. "She's in just as much danger since the Spirit Realm can be opened with the sacrifice of a Lunaria." At this Maiku could clearly see her pale blue light turn even more pale. He patted her gently, since she had shown herself to him, he knew of where her body truly lay. It seemed to calm her down but even the ranch hand knew that some fates could never be changed no matter how hard one may try.
"The best idea would be to get the princess back to the castle and have someone with her at all times," stated Sergei. The princess nodded and he continued, "But how do we get her there quickly without those abductors knowing about it?"
"We don't." Everyone looked at Maiku, "They probably already know that she's been found by us. Whatever their means of getting inside the castle, I'm sure that magic was involved. So the only thing that we can do is have Princess Linweh ride Nightrunner with me. He's the fastest horse in Telthar and Hyrule, he can get us to the castle much more quickly. Naria can stay with Blaze in the pouch; this way she won't be found out either. Once inside the castle walls, I won't leave the princess' side until Sergei and Link arrive." There was silence as the others contemplated the rancher's words. "If it eases your minds a little, Nightrunner can move really fast when he wants to." There was a collected laugh from everyone present but it was apparent that they were considering the man's words. I know better than everyone here that Nightrunner can move better without his trappings but he'll have to make do. I'm sure he won't mind a full gallop to the castle.
Although he was still deep in thought, Linweh had turned her attention to him, it was still clear that something was bothering him but the princess could do nothing. But his words clicked into her mind, "Maiku?" He looked at her, "When you said that you wouldn't leave my side did you mean all the time?" He nodded, "Could you elaborate?"
"Well, I would be by your side no matter where you went."
"Even to tea time with the courtiers?" He nodded and she smiled, "That's devotion."
"No I call it a surefire way to never have you abducted again. And since I don't trust the people in the castle except for the king, queen, you, Sergei, Link, and Rimar then it makes my job easier. Being distrustful of those you first meet make it easy to read their actions. Sometimes they slip up."
"Did you learn this all on the ranch?"
"No. I watched the merchants in the market." She laughed cheerfully at his reply and he smiled warmly at her while the others simply stared. It was surprising to see them talk so freely to one another despite their stations and Link knew that this was going to cause problems with Lir. When Link cleared his throat, Maiku turned his emerald green eyes onto the blue ones of Hyrule's hero. "Yes?"
"Be sure to treat her with the respect of her station at the castle. Prince Lir will not take kindly to you treating her as a commoner so speaking so freely with her will have to change." The ranch hand looked at Linweh, whose face showed sorrow, and he patted her hand that was clasped in her lap.
"Don't worry, just because I have to talk with you differently doesn't mean that we still aren't friends. You can consider me your personal guard and order me as you wish when in the presence of others but in your room we can be as we are now."
Her spring green eyes widened, "My room?!"
"Yes. I told you that I wouldn't be leaving your side." Linweh could not believe what she was hearing but somehow it made her feel comfortable. She sighed and conceded to his wishes, he simply gave her a smile. "I'm glad that's been settled. Now I think we should depart as soon as possible. The faster we leave here then the less trouble that will bring to FireFly Village."
Rimar nodded, "I agree wit the kid. It's a good plan." Link and Sergei both looked at one another and sighed in defeat. They agreed and the blacksmith grinned as he turned to Maiku, "Kid you got a good head on yer shoulders. I bet yer dad must be proud."
At this Maiku looked at the ground, "I don't know who my father is." He got up and left the room, he exited the house and headed for the stables to get Nightrunner ready. Rimar looked guilty but he was assured by Link that it was alright, it wasn't his fault. The rest of the time was spent talking about when Sergei and Link would leave the village. In the mean time, Maiku had saddled up Nightrunner, Blaze was watching him with concerned orange eyes, he knelt down, picked up the pup, and hugged him. "Don't worry Blaze, I'm all right." The pup barked once and he put him inside the pouch, Naria had flown into it as well, he closed the flap, and double checked all the trappings to make sure they were tight enough for the race to the castle. He grabbed the reigns and turned around only to bump into Linweh, the force was strong enough to knock her off balance, and he swiftly wrapped his free arm around her lower back. "Sorry, I should have watched where I was going."
"No it's my fault. I should have announced my presence to you."
The two of them stayed like that for a few moments before Maiku pulled her to feet and removed his arm from her. "Still sorry. Are you ready?" She nodded even though there was a blush on her face, the princess had not realized how strong he truly had become. He looked at her, "Are you alright? Your face is a little pinkish."
"I'm fine." Maiku nodded and they walked side by side out of the stables, she kept taking furtive glances at the man who was older than her. She could not get him out of her head and the fact that he would be staying with her all the time made her heart beat faster. What am I to do?! Is he going to give me a bath too? Will he not trust my maid servant either? This is going to be complicated but maybe I could have it so that he's my personal servant or something like that... Maiku had looked at her as she thought aloud, "Perhaps it would best to have you as my personal servant instead of a body guard. Even guards have their own quarters and so do servants...this can get complicated."
"It's easy." She looked at him with her spring green eyes, "Just tell them that I'm your personal servant and you don't want me out of your sight. I'm sure they'll understand. You are the princess of their land and one who is known to do strange things so it's not as complicated as it seems." He smiled at her and she returned it warmly. Maiku mounted Nightrunner but he sat further back in the saddle and the others exited Rimar's house. Sergei hugged Linweh as did Rimar and Link. "We'll be safe, I'll take good care of her." They all nodded as he put out his hand for her, when she took it, he pulled her into the saddle in front of him.
Link watched the scene and he was reminded of Impa taking Zelda from the castle when they were children and he smiled. "Be safe Maiku, Linweh." They both nodded but they all noticed he wrapped one arm around Linweh's waist to the point where he gripped his own belt. This would prevent her from falling off while his other hand was locked onto the base of Nightrunner's mane. Hooves beat agains the ground, they kicked up dirt as the Teltharian horse left FireFly Village in pounding hoofbeats. Link sighed and knit his brown, "Be safe my son."
He felt a pat on each of his shoulders, he looked from Rimar to Sergei. Rimar stated, "One day you can say ta him openly." Link looked at Sergei who nodded and the three of them returned to inside the home but Link had asked Rimar how he knew and the smith laughed. "I can see tha 'semblance!" At this they laughed with the smith and began to plan their own strategy in case of Ganondorf's return. Link would have asked Rimar how he knew that Maiku was his son but he had a feeling that Sergei told him.
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Her parents had agreed to the idea of him being her personal servant just so that he could protect her better. Boots thudded against the ground, it echoed against the stone walls, and his emerald eyes took everything in as they traversed the halls. Linweh was taking him to her room, he memorized the path so that he would be able to know his way around in case of trouble, and yet he had no idea how much trouble he had gotten himself into until he entered her room. "You can put your things over there and there's only a bed in here so we can share if you want to." He shook his head and she only shrugged. "If you'll excuse me, I need to bathe and change since I haven't been able to do either in a while. Since you're my servant, you're going to have to bathe me." Maiku tripped on his feet but managed to catch himself, he looked at her, and she was smiling at him.
"I..I can't do that, princess."
She sauntered up to him, "Oh but you can. You're my servant now so you have to." There was a mischievous gleam in her eye as she left to get her change of clothes. Maiku sighed, put his things down, allowed Blaze and Naria out, which both bolted for the bed, and he followed Linweh into the bathing room that was adjacent to her own bedroom. The water was already there in the tub, Linweh looked at him, "Well help me undress." He visibly gulped and approached her, his fingers traced her gown until he found the ties, he undid them with shaking hands, and the princess let out a musical laugh. "Don't be shy! If you can bathe cows and horses then you can do the same with me. Pretend I'm one of them."
"It's not that easy. I've never seen a cow or horse that can best your beauty." The compliment surprised her so much that she turned around just as Maiku pulled the last tie. The dress fell from her body to her waist, his emerald eyes averted instantly to the far wall, and once more she laughed. Her warm palm was pressed onto his cheek, she wanted him to look at her, but he refused, and this prompted her to laugh once more. When she turned back around, he openly sighed, and ran a hand through his hair. She's having far too much fun with this! Oni laughed, This was your idea and now you have to keep your promise. Maiku thought, I have no intention of breaking a promise that I made. You taught me that. Oni laughed once more before receding to the depths of his mind once more.
Linweh was grinning as she stripped out of her dress, she left it on the floor, and stepped into the bath. She settled herself down and looked at Maiku, "Come wash my hair." She giggled as he sighed again and moved to sit behind her outside of the tub. The moment that she felt his hands in her hair, she was about to grimace from the pain since others were rough but there was none. Her spring green eyes stared up at the ceiling, his fingers stroking her hair felt like bliss, and she visibly relaxed in the tub. "It feels so nice...I didn't think you could be so gentle, not even the best maid servant I had could do it like you." Her eyes were half lidded as she glanced at Maiku, there was a warm smile on his face, and his emerald eyes seemed to sparkle.
"I've done this to many horses, their mane and tails are rough and you have to be gentle otherwise it tugs and pulls on them. I would never harm the equines, I love them far too much to cause them pain and getting kicked in the face didn't sit too well with me either. My mother taught me how to do it properly." Linweh sighed gratefully, a content smile on her face, and this made Maiku happy; for once he could do something without having to feel embarrassed about it. Once her hair had been soaked and washed thoroughly, only then did he realize that he'd have to bathe her naked body. The male openly sighed once more, "What have I gotten myself into?"
"Apparently something too embarrassing for you." He only looked at her and there was that mischievous gleam once more. "I have other plans for you Maiku. Since you're my servant, this is going to be a lot of fun. Supper is almost ready and I don't want to keep my father and mother waiting too long. I hope you don't mind wearing what clothes you have."
"I'm fine." She nodded while handing him a sponge, once more he sighed, and hoped that he wouldn't mess anything up. The last thing he needed was to be too rough on her but it appeared that she was watching him closely. "Can you look the other way?" Chuckles escaped her as she averted her eyes from him, he dipped the sponge into the bath, lifted her arm, and gently rubbed it against her pale skin. The contact made her sigh contentedly. "Am I doing alright?"
Linweh had closed her eyes as he washed her arms and started on her legs, "You're doing everything too well. Perhaps I should have gotten ranch hands as my servants."
"You wouldn't want that."
"Why?" her voice was raspy and low and caused Maiku to smile.
"Most ranch hands are extremely rough. They didn't grow up with a kind mother like mine."
"I see. Then it's a good thing that you suggested this idea." Once more Maiku noticed that she was so relaxed that she was on the verge of sleeping. He smiled warmly at the princess as her eyes fluttered open to stare into his emerald orbs. "Are you this gentle with the equines and bovines too?" He nodded, "Then they are definitely spoiled." Maiku let out a low laugh that made her heart skip a few beats. The male was getting used to his task, so he had her lean forward so that he could get her back, as he washed it gently, he watched her, and he could tell that she was enjoying herself.
Once everything was finished, she stood up, grabbed a large cloth, and was about to step out of the tub but slipped on something. Maiku was already there, she found herself pressed against his chest with her bare backside showing. "Are you alright, Linweh?" he asked quietly. She nodded unable to help the blush on her face as he said her name. "That's good. Be careful." She nodded once more while he let her go so that she could dry off herself while he went to retrieve her clothes. Spring green eyes watched him leave, the clinking of his sword reminded her that he was a warrior but it still didn't stop her heart from racing. Maiku picked up her dress and let out a quiet breath, I need to calm down! Oni laughed, It's only natural Maiku. You are attracted to her so things like this will make your heart beat faster. Maiku sighed, How do I control it? Oni chuckled, Practice. He grumbled something unintelligible while Oni chuckled in his mind. He returned to see Linweh waiting for him, he handed her the dress, and watched as she turned her back to him, and he averted his eyes. Once she stepped into it, she called to him, and he quickly tied off the back. "There all done."
She turned around, "Now it's your turn!"
"Huh?"
"I'm not going to supper with a dirty servant. Now go wash, you can use the bath water that I used." Maiku eyed her closely and she smiled at him. "Go on then. I'm sure you don't need my help." He shook his head while removing his sword and clothes. Linweh had left him alone so that he could bathe, it wasn't long before he returned with the cloth wrapped around his waist. He rubbed the back of his head, "You forgot your clothes." Her eyes wanted to wander across his bare torso but she watched as he passed her by, her eyes then looked at the muscles that rippled beneath his skin, and she felt her heart quicken once more.
"I know." She gave that musical laugh which made his ears twitch and she watched him as he headed for his bag. He knelt down to dig through it while her eyes riveted onto his back, the large scar there made her intake a sharp breath. "I got these a while ago so don't worry about them and don't worry so much about me either. I can handle myself." Once he retrieved his clothes, he stood up, and when he turned around he bumped into Linweh once more. This time he pulled her to his body instead of just holding her, "Sorry. I really need to look where I'm going." He noticed that her breathing had quickened, emerald eyes looked down at her, "Are you alright?" Linweh pushed away and nodded, "I'll get dressed then."
He disappeared once more and she sat on her bed, Blaze and Naria were napping on her pillow, she smiled at them. Her voice was barely audible to her, "Is this what it's going to be like from now on?" She felt her face flush once more and shook her head, it was clear just as Maiku returned. He was wearing black pants with a dark blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up past his elbows, black boots, and his sword strapped across his chest. "You clean up really nice Maiku." He grinned at her and ran a hand through his hair that forced it to spike up. "Well let's go."
"Hold on." She stopped and watched as Maiku grabbed two long pieces of fabric. He parted her hair and began to thread the fabric through it. Once her hair had been completely braided, he allowed her to see herself, she smiled happily towards him, but he motioned for her to come to him. When she stood in front of him, he began to place a few small flowers in her hair and she exclaimed that she loved it. "I'm glad. I did this for the horses too. To make the mares look pretty."
"You're so sweet. Now come, supper is almost ready and I want my parents to see how wonderful of a servant you are!" Maiku grinned at her as he followed her out of her room, she noticed that he closed the door, locked it, and kept the key around his neck on a piece of leather. He tucked it into his shirt, "To protect Naria and Blaze?" He nodded and she smiled at him as they wound their way through the corridors, Maiku was only a few steps behind her, and the pair soon reached the dining room.
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The supper was not one that Maiku had enjoyed, he had watched her eat and made sure that no one came too close to her, smelled her food, and drink before she even took a bite. The king and queen smiled at one another at such devotion but Prince Lir could only scoff. Maiku felt as if he wanted to be in a foul mood as he stood there facing Lir in a ring with the knights of Telthar watching. Linweh was told to stay in the ring as well so that he could keep an eye on her. He sighed, How did I get myself into this mess? Oni asked, Shall I help? Maiku replied, No, I want to beat him with my own strength even if it means getting another scar. Oni agreed, Alright then. Be careful. The ranch hand took in a deep breath, focused his mind, and was about to draw his sword until a knight gave him one of their own to use. Maiku nodded to him while he retreated to join the others.
"Just because you found my sister, pretend to be her servant, and wield a sword doesn't make you worthy of her!"
Maiku quirked an eyebrow at him, looked at Linweh who only shrugged, and turned back to the prince, "What are you talking about?"
"Enough!" With that said, Lir charged at Maiku with his sword drawn, the ranch hand felt the weight of the sword he now held and realized that it was far lighter than his own. Lir swung down on Maiku but he parried it with too much force, the sword felt inferior in his hand, and Maiku could already see a hair line crack forming. "Stop dodging and fight back! Unless you really are worthless!" The prince laughed at Maiku, he ground his teeth together but Linweh noticed that he never let his anger show.
"How intriguing," came her mother's voice. She looked at her, "This boy is truly remarkable. He keeps a lid on his anger in battle, no matter how many insults are thrown at him, he just keeps blocking. I truly wonder what will cause his anger to open up." She winked at her daughter and Linweh returned to looking at the duel between Maiku and Lir.
"Your mother must not love you enough to let you go on this quest!" Maiku balked on his feet, Lir took advantage and sliced him across the front of his chest. The rancher had moved back just enough so that the tip grazed him, emerald eyes hardened as he stared at Lir. "Oh? So insults directed at your mother have an effect on you. This is going to be interesting. I hear you don't have a father so that makes your mother a tart!"
Maiku took in deep breaths, his anger was rising, and Linweh saw this, "Lir please stop! Don't make him angry!" Lir waved her off and she was about to dash out there but her mother stopped her. "Mother please!"
"Linweh, it's alright. Maiku knows what he's doing. He won't harm your brother, that would look terrible on him and our kingdom. Give him more credit. He's a fascinating young man." She nodded and watched as the duel resumed. This time he was actually on the offensive, the princess and the queen were in shock of his raw power. The sword he held was beginning to show signs of wear even though they had only been trading blows for a short while. "He has too much power, our swords are not strong enough." Linweh nodded and neither woman realized that the king had taken up watching from the shadows.
Maiku spun his sword expertly in his hand, when Lir tried to shield charge him, Maiku simply dodged, and put all of his power in one swing. The Teltharian sword hit the shield, the sound rang through the clearing, and a crack was heard. The sword shattered into pieces, Lir backed up to stare at the ranch hand. "Your swords are inferior. You should have Rimar make your weapons."
Lir ground his teeth together but there was a commanding voice, "You should have let him use his own sword." Everyone looked to see the king standing there. "Maiku, you may use your own sword for this duel. I know that you were being courteous by using one of our own but these are not meant for you. Your Hylian body is far different than our Teltharian bodies so use what you know." Maiku nodded, he reached up behind him and drew out his sword, the black blade shone in the light, and there were gasps from the collected crowd.
"Shall we start again your highness?" came his cold question. Linweh shivered along with her mother but it was apparent that the king grinned. But before any more blows could be traded the siren went off to indicate intruders. Maiku immediately ran to Linweh's side, he motioned for her mother and father to go with her. "I'll follow behind, we'll go to her room. I can hold all of you there." Maiku darted around and grabbed Lir by the collar of his tunic. He yelped which caused his parents and sister to stare at him. Maiku returned with Lir in tow, "We're all going since you're all important to Telthar. Now hurry!" Maiku followed behind them since he had the key, he quickly reached into his shirt, pulled it out, tore it from his neck, and handed it to Linweh. "I'll be right behind you!"