Author's Note: Guess who forgot to upload her files? *ahem* My bad? Ooh, and it's a short one, too, sorry! .
Bleh, less than happy with the fight scenes here. I'll have to go back and re-work them eventually, but I'd rather get the rest of the story put together, first. At least we're almost up to the chapters I've been working on out of order (one of which was the first chapter I wrote for this story :3)! Yes, I realize that I'm two chapters behind again, but rest assured that you'll get them over the next couple of weeks.
Enjoy!
Chapter 10: Young Love
"Ha! Hyah! … Again!"
King Harkinian stood on the balcony, looking down upon the ranks of soldiers in synchronized practice below. He frowned as he counted the regiments and calculated his total forces. Even with the recruitment drive, the army was still at a meager four hundred men. The entire Gerudo populace were warriors, and though they were less abundant than Hylians, their forces were half again as numerous as his own. He closed his eyes and sighed. They would have to do; there were only four years left in which to act. The sky began to shift colors as the sun set, and the King headed back inside. Twilight always reminded him of those he had lost, as well as all his regrets.
***
Zelda sat in the parlor, her ankles crossed beneath her straight-backed chair. She was clad in a long white gown with purple trim and no petticoats, perfectly cool for the early summer heat, and the royal tabard hung from a chain around her waist. She lifted a gloved hand to adjust her diadem while she waited. Two maids brought in a small table laden with biscuits and finger sandwiches. A third arrived shortly after, bearing a silver platter with the tea service.
The last maid lingered at the door, knowing she had brought service for two, but that the princess was currently alone. "Will that be all, your highness?"
"Hmm?" Zelda looked up, distracted. "Oh, yes, Claire," she smiled, "That will be all, thank you."
The woman bowed respectfully and left. Zelda let out a puff of air and stood. Glancing out the window, she began to pace between the door and the table. She straightened with a start when someone knocked on the door. Forcing herself to relax, she moved back to her chair and sat down, smoothing the wrinkles in her dress.
"Yes? Come in!"
The door eased open, and Link tiptoed inside. He looked around nervously as he made his way to the chair opposite Zelda.
"Relax, we're alone." She smiled.
He sighed with relief and attempted to lounge in the stiff chair. He turned around to prod at the cushion a few times before giving up and sitting as straight as he was able. "So..." He looked at the princess and picked up a finger sandwich in each hand. "What have you been up to lately?"
The pair sat and talked for over an hour, but when Link looked out the window to see the sun beginning to dip lower in the sky, he stood. "Shoot, Zel, I have to go right now or I'm going to be late!" He rushed to the other side of the room and opened the door.
"Link?" At the sound of her voice, he turned around, one hand still on the door handle. "Next week, I would like you to meet me for lunch in my gardens. We shall have a picnic, like we used to."
Link's smile stretched from ear to ear. "I'd like that."
He turned and walked out the door. With a spring in his step, Link headed back to the barracks. This afternoon's training suddenly didn't seem nearly so dreadful.
***
After the past few days of sparring, Link was feeling extremely confident. As he walked onto the training field, he spotted a group of young soldiers; recruits, not too much older than himself. The group looked the boy up and down, smirking the whole while, but with the Triforce of Courage, Link was more than a match for them.
The four older boys grinned and slowly circled Link. He quickly took stock of the situation, noting the other boys' heights, distance, and speed. Link spun around quickly, remembering his old sword maneuvers. He swung his leg as he spun, striking each of the other boys, sending them flying outwards. The smallest of them skidded to a halt just in front of a pair of well polished boots.
The four teenagers scrambled to their feet, forming broken salutes. "Captain Lawrence, sir!" They shouted in unison.
The captain nodded his head and dismissed the boys to go nurse their wounds. The instigator of the fight turned towards his superior. Link extended his shield arm, palm up, and flexed his fingers. The captain narrowed his eyes. It was his job to keep any trouble under control. This boy was trouble. He slowly stripped off the uniform shirt and what little armor he was wearing.
Captain Lawrence stepped forward. He and Link began to circle each other, the older feeling a pang of guilt over fighting a barely teen-aged boy. Link was the first to attack, lunging forward and throwing a left hook toward the captain's head. The older man dodged, taking the blow on his shoulder instead. He sidestepped, connecting his fist with Link's eye, violently twisting the boy's head to the side. Link staggered backwards, away from Lawrence's swinging limbs. He regained his balance to see a fist flying towards his face. Ducking, something hard impacted his left knee with a sickening pop. He fell, his leg unable to support his weight.
Captain Lawrence took a step back, bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet. Link rose to his hands and knees, giving his head a quick shake to clear the fog that was quickly settling over his mind. He stood, and rushed towards the older man, intending a left hook to Lawrence's jaw. The captain brought his foot around in a high arc, the top of his foot connecting squarely with Link's face. The young hero felt his feet lift off the ground with the force of the blow, and he flew backwards through the air, landing harshly on his back.
The captain sauntered over to where Link lay on the ground, groaning. The older man looked down at him, the toe of his boot nudging the boy's hip. Link attempted to sit up, but only managed to lift his shoulders from the ground.
"This fight is over. Report to the medic, then get your ass inside and clean up." The older man turned and began to walk away. "Next time, soldier, show some respect."
Link laid his head back down on the grass, closing his eyes. Definitely not as strong as I used to be.
***
"Goddesses, Link, what happened to you?!" Zelda brought her hands to her mouth in shock.
Link had arrived in the courtyard at the appropriate time, but hardly in an appropriate state. The skin around his right eye was deep purple and swollen. His lip sported a large scab, and he was favoring his left leg. "I... I, uh... I got in over my head during training." He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, staring at his feet.
"Would you like me to call a nurse? The doctor?"
He shook his head in dissent, but immediately regretted it. Pain flashed behind his eyes, leaving a dull throb between his ears. "No, no, I'll be fine. I've got a few days rest from training for it, too!"
Zelda shook her head, the boy was unbelievable. "At least let me help you clean up a bit."
She picked up a napkin and went over to the stream that ran through the garden. She placed the cloth in the cool water and wrung out any excess. She went back over and knelt next to her Hero, dabbing gently at his swollen eye. He visibly relaxed, letting the damp cloth soothe the hot throb of the swelling. He smiled slightly as the princess moved on to his lip, wetting and wiping away the dried blood. He closed his eyes in contentment and let the woman, girl, he loved take care of him and ease his pain.
***
"Now, Princess, this will be a drastic change from what you have been learning. The Sheikah use vastly different techniques than the Gerudo."
"Impa, I know that. I still remember most of what you taught me, I just need to re-train my muscles. Age aside, I am nowhere near as strong as I was then."
The older woman nodded. It was easy to forget that the girl had an extra seven years of memories in her head. "Stealth first, then speed, then strength. I am going to turn around. When you can reach me from across the room without me hearing your approach, then we will move on."
Zelda sighed. Just because she remembered, didn't mean she had to like it. She took a deep breath, and began to run, bounding lightly across the room, her feet barely touching the ground.