To Fix a Wrong
Zelda's POV
It had been around two months since the Twilight war was officially over. Link, had apparently tried to get up shortly after she had left. It had taken a not so subtle threat from Midna and apparently some herbal teas with sleeping drugs infused into them to make him relax and heal. Those had worked for about two weeks but of course they could not hold him down long but they had managed to keep him contained within Kakariko, barely.
The whole of Ordon and the Resistance group, Renado, his daughter Luda; along with Princess Midna were now gathered in one of the grandeur large ball rooms as the throne room currently was not inhabitable thanks to the great battle that had taken place. As she looked about Zelda could make out the more jovial faces of those with more humble origins verses the faces of many of the nobles who scowled at the 'riff raff' that had been allowed in the castle, as she overheard one man. Still she smiled inwardly to herself, her outer appearance as stoic as ever, much was soon to change.
The Princess soon called for attention and began what was sure to be a historical beginning for her Kingdom. "My dear people many of us contributed in some manner or another to the end of the recent Twilight War but there are those among us who contributed more so than others and deserve to be recognized for their deeds. These people I speak of did not run and hide from the terrors that encroached upon our lands but instead used their individual and unique skills to fight back. This group met within the very walls of our capital and I would now like to acknowledge their service. Auru, Telma, Rusl, Ashei, and Shad would you please come forward?" The people named came to stand before her all wearing various expressions from apprehension to stubborn pride and everything in-between.
"All of you made great contributions towards ending the dark plague that was inflicted upon our land. Therefore I would like to award each of you respectively, please take a knee." They all complied as she removed her ceremonial sword using the long practiced movements she'd learnt as a child she titled each; "Sir Auru, Dame Telma, Sir Rusl, Dame Ashei, and Sir Shad."
After the last she bid them rise as a polite applause rang out for each of them, though the Ordonians were a bit louder for Rusl. Smiling she allowed them to return before continuing.
"Not all heroic deeds are merely done on the battle field though. There are those among us who cared for those who were either battling or who could not care for themselves. Renado and Luda would you please come forward?" The father and daughter stepped out of the throng of guests standing before the Princess of Hyrule.
"These two selfless individuals contributed in a far different manner by taking in and protecting an entire village's children. They also provided aid in the form of medical care, lodging, and substance for those who were fighting. Because of their great endeavors I have decided that they each will receive the highest Medal of Honor this Kingdom is able to bestow on any who work to save lives. I present you both with 'The Piece of Heart' medals for your services. I have also given orders that along with the restoration of Castletown, Kakariko will also be renewed to its former glory." More polite applause followed this presentation as the pair returned to the crowd, Luda was blushing slightly from the high praise.
Once everything had settled down once again Zelda continued with her speech, for she had purposefully save this part of last. "As noble and selfless as all of their help was there are still two among us who made the greatest contributions to ending this war. Princess Midna and Link, would you please come forward?" Both complied though Zelda noted that the Ordonians had become slightly nervous with Link being moved away from their inner group. They had been more or less hiding him from view during the ceremony but now they could no longer keep him from notice.
"Princess Midna, I cannot title you as your title far exceeds any I could give nor would any medal that is within my power to give suffice to honor your great deeds and suffering. However, I can offer the eternal thanks of my Kingdom and a promise that from this day forth you and your people will be welcome here. I believe we may be able to form a strong alliance between our two realms."
"Please Princess Zelda" Midna interrupted, "though your words are kind your thanks appreciated they are unnecessary as we both worked to the best of our abilities to save both of our Kingdoms. Our thanks should be going to another."
"Yes Princess Midna you are quite correct we owe much of our thanks to another and I would ask that you stand with me as we give that man our thanks." Midna nodded as she moved to stand beside the Hylian Princess. Link seemed to squirm under the scrutiny of the two beautiful Princesses but he resolutely stayed where he was.
After a moment Zelda spoke, "Link, my gratitude towards you cannot be expressed by mere words. Where others would have run and cowered you stood fast facing down all manner of evil. Whenever there was one in need while others turned a blind eye you took it upon yourself to help; asking nothing in return. When many believed all hope was forever smothered in a veil of darkness you pulled back that curtain and showed them where to look for the light. You have done a far greater service than I am sure will ever be fully known for not only the Kingdom of Hyrule but for the Kingdom in the realm of Twilight as well.
Your deeds are reminiscent of the heroes of the past and your story will forever be told alongside theirs in our land. I am afraid though that I cannot knight you as I have done the others, nor can I bestow you with any medal."
There was a pause and Zelda could almost feel the indignation coming off some in the room; she continued after but a brief silence not wanting to cause too much unrest. "For you see even if I were to bestow you with every medal in the land it still would not be enough and the title of Knight or Sir would not do justice to your great deeds. There is but one title that befits you and all you have done for us.
In Hyrule it is foretold that whenever the land is in peril a hero shall come forth and vanquish that which has threatened the land. This has held true for as far back as our history has record of. Each of the brave individuals like yourself were given a special title created solely for that great individual and while it is unique to that person it still carried with it a connection to those who have held a similar title.
This is the title of Hero and each ruling Monarch adds to that title making it exclusive for each Hero's and their brave deeds, the Hero of Time was the last to receive this honor and now you shall be the next. With this title you will be second only to myself in rank upon the land and your name shall be spread throughout the whole of Hyrule declaring both your valor and integrity. So please Link take a knee and allow me to place upon you the title you have more than earned."
The room waited with bated breath but Link did not kneel before the Princesses instead he took a deep breath before speaking. "Your Highness, I appreciate your sentiments but I am afraid I cannot accept the title you offer for it would be a lie."
Several gasps followed this and Midna actually raised her hair a bit in a threatening manner while growling out, "Link don't do this just accept the damn title." Link merely shook his head before continuing on.
"Please Princess Midna I can no longer live this lie or endanger those I love with my presence," the last part was said with a glance back to the villagers who had cried out and moved forward. They halted their advance with a look from Link though. "I made a vow to protect those I love in whatever way I could and I will keep that vow." The Princess heard a strangled cry come from the group, she was sure it was Rusl who had made that desperate sound.
"You see your Highness I should have never been allowed the opportunity to step any further onto the blessed lands of Hyrule than the floor of my cell or the path leading to the Inquisitorial Chamber. I am afraid Your Highness I am an escaped prisoner and have been living the life of a free man for over a decade now. I was sentenced at birth to live my life in the dungeons for it was believed I harbored a demon within me; inherited from my father who was a Knight of this castle. I cannot find anyway to dispute this belief and as such, I cannot accept such a glorious title when my honor has been tarnished since before I understood what the word honor meant.
I now humbly stand before you my Princess; do with me as you will but I want one thing to be made perfectly clear. It was I who escaped and there has never been a time that I was unaware of my status; so it is me who should bear the brunt of any punishment and me alone."
Link fell silent after that and for the span of several heart beats the room too was just as silent as tension filled the air but a loud voice soon broke the tense atmosphere. "You should have been dead!" A thin older man marched up to them uncaring that he hadn't acknowledged either Princess. Instead he looked at Link squarely in the face with a sour expression before spouting loudly off again.
"I should have recognized you sooner for you look just like that loathsome demon that enchanted my fair sweet daughter. Well I'll tell you now boy I still have say over you as patriarch and you're going right back to that black hole where you belong. Sir Raol take him down to the dungeons and see to it he is put in constant chains even while in his cell so he may not escape again. I'll discuss his trips to the Inquisitor later as it seems we'll have to increase them from what they were before."
As soon as Marquis Milos had ordered it the burly Knight had stepped forward gripping Link tightly to prevent escape and though Zelda was sure he was more than capable of outdoing the man he did not fight it. It seemed he was truly willing to go back to that endless realm of darkness just for the sake of protecting others. He was both a Hero and a martyr thru and thru.
There had been another cry this time from all of the residents of Ordon and they along with the Resistance now rushed forward to help, but at a look from the other Knights and nobles they stopped, though a few of their hands still rested upon their weapons.
Sir Raol turned to Rusl grinning while still holding Link tightly by the arms. "I knew you'd taken something from the castle; I just never thought it was that worthless kid. I should have known something was odd with him when he managed to finish off that nutcase Majora though. A mere child shouldn't have been able to beat her unless of course they had a demon's soul in them. And I know you had something to do with helping him escape so now I'm going to be watching your every move and first time you step out of line I'll have you in a cell next to this pathetic excuse for a hero so fast it'll make your children's heads spin."
Rusl snarled at the man and the only reason he did not attack the Knight was because Bo and Ashei were holding him back. Midna stood beside the Hylian Princess hair poised and ready glaring daggers at the men and occasionally at Zelda too. The Princess of Hyrule, however, had every intention of making her own opinion heard, unlike her father who had left the running of the Kingdom up to his council and the Gentry class, she was a hands on ruler.
In truth her father wasn't to blame, at least not entirely. The man had never really gotten over the loss of his dear wife and so he had wiled away the days; walking down her favorite garden paths and enclosing himself in her favorite rooms. The former King had drowned in his grief losing all sense of himself and his obligations.
"I believe I was in the middle of a ceremony Marquis Milos and Sir Raol if you would please hold your stead until I have had my say." The two men froze in their tracks both alarmed that the Monarch would dare interfere, especially the Princess as she was just a figure head until she wed and a proper king could take the throne. To their credit though they did not speak or interrupt the Hyrulean Princess.
"Link it was quite honorable of you to come forward as you did; few in your position would, yet I would expect nothing less from the Chosen Hero. However, the recent revelations must be taken into account when deciding how to proceed with this ceremony. I will start with the village of Ordon for even though you would have us believe they were ignorant of your sentence I would believe otherwise.
The village has long been protected by Hyrule but has not been a part of any Noble's lands. As such they have provided yearly gifts to the throne to show their allegiance, but maintain their independence. Taking into consideration everything that has happened I believe it is time the village came under the direction of Nobility as part of a parcel of land. The village will answer to the Noble there and pay taxes to them as required. I believe that the estate currently under the care of Marquis Milos would be ideal as he has been requesting the village be added to his own province for some time now."
There were several indignant sputters at this but Zelda did not give any the chance to argue with her. "As for you Link I am afraid with the knowledge I have now I cannot let you return to being a resident of Ordon village." Marquis Milos and Sir Raol had greedy conniving smiles upon their faces as they watched the villager's fallen faces, but the faces of all changed immediately with the Princess' next words.
"Link I would like you to take over for your grandfather's estate as I am, from this moment on, revoking his title and claim. After today he shall no longer be welcome in the castle nor would I advise letting him onto your lands." Link's jaw was on the floor as were most of the Ordonians, Milos was the only one who managed to find his voice.
"Your Highness you can't do this I am…"
"That is where you are quite wrong Milos. We can do as we please for we are the Monarchy of Hyrule and we have been very displeased even before this war broke out." Zelda momentarily slipped into the traditional way of speaking for the reigning King or Queen of Hyrule so as to fully impart on the man that she had the last say in this matter. Though her coronation had yet to take place she would force them to recognize her authority now.
"You see sir I may not have had my coronation as of yet but there is an old law that enables me to bypass the normal regulations and make any and all decisions for the good of the Kingdom during times of crisis. As it so happens our Kingdom is going through a crisis having just come out of a war and having with much of its land and many of its people traumatized or obliterated. During the past two months that this war has been over I have seen none of the nobility step up to help their people and many have only now returned as they fled at the first hint of danger to begin with. This is discouraging since many such as yourself had sworn to aid the castle during times of battle.
Before the Twilight came I had entrusted a few of my most loyal guards to perform discreet reconnaissance on those nobles with lands to their names. The information brought back to me was most disturbing and I had every intention of making things right for my people after my coronation. As of this moment and until I can either find suitable replacements, as I did with Milos's land, or until it is proven to me that they can change all lands and titles are here by suspended. Their families may continue to live on the estate but all matters of state shall be dealt with by the Crown until otherwise noted."
Milos seemed to have recovered from his shock and in his most wheedling voice started to ply on Zelda's decision. "Your Majesty you cannot possibly handle all of these time consuming affairs. Your revered father understood how complicated these matters were and left to us the more intricate decisions so he could worry about other matters. As for this boy Your Majesty, you cannot honestly mean to put the lives of so many in his hands; you know not what a vile wicked creature he is. He is a demon who stole the life of my precious daughter before he was even a minute old taking after his father who bewitched her so he would be able spread his dark powers across the Kingdom. He may have destroyed that vile Ganondorf but that is only because the evil in him was far greater. If you allow him to run free any longer our Kingdom shall surely succumb to despair once again."
"Milos while your conniving words may have worked on my father they hold no weight with me. My dear father, may he rest in peace, was broken after the loss of my mother. He cared not for anything any longer only continuing to live in the past. For many years he left the Council and Nobility unchecked as he wasted away in the realm of memory. During that time he was easily influenced and that is the only reason I can think of as to why he would agree to what you did to those poor people that day, Milos. For I am very aware of Link's backstory for I researched it after first meeting him."
All eyes looked up at the Princess in wonder but she did not hesitate to continue. "You see every prisoner is given a tattoo on the inside of their left arm when they have been convicted and sentenced to the dungeons. Depending on the length of their sentence the tattoo's properties varies. For those who are merely sentenced to short times of imprisonment it is nothing but a simple number. For those of longer stays the tattoo is imbedded with a certain magic that will glow anytime they are above the dungeon level. When they have served their sentence the magic is removed. The glow may only be seen by certain people and no amount of clothing or jewelry may cover it.
I noticed the glow the first time I met the hero and after he left managed to find the scrolls pertaining to his imprisonment. I was mortified by what I read and could not believe that anyone would condemn a child to the lowest of dungeons for his entire life for the mere act of being born. Sir Milos after having read that I do believe there was a monster present that day but the monster was you. Your daughter was in love and you should have embraced their happiness instead of reviling it.
It is with great fortune that Sir Rusl stumbled upon Link when he did and that he and his wife had the goodness in them to raise him; not to mention that the entire village protected him. They are all to be commended for that act alone, for imagine how the Goddesses might react if during our time of need the hero they sent us was locked in the dungeons still; fully unaware and incapable of helping us.
Now we will no longer tolerate being questioned on our decision. Sir Raol you will release Link as you no longer hold the authority to apprehend any. Your earlier comment about Link defeating Majora contradicts what you reported all those years ago. Your title was given to you under the persuasion of Milos here and as I have never read a report that shows your desire was to help the people your title too is here by removed. We will also personally be looking into every Knight here, how they obtained their title, and rather they are worthy of keeping it.
This Kingdom has a long road of rebuilding ahead of it but it will bring us together and we will be stronger for it in the end. Now I would like to get back to the ceremony as it was before being interrupted, if you would Link take a knee."
Link, as with the rest of the attending crowd were too dumbfounded to do anything but obey and so Link fell to one knee before the Princesses. Midna was grinning toothily now at Zelda's revelation. She had thoroughly enjoyed watching the Hyrulean Princess work and the looks on the Nobles faces was priceless.
"Good and honest Link," Zelda began, "you came to the aid of our Kingdom during its time of need. You worked tirelessly to restore it to its full glory and vanquished the evil that plagued it. For your valiant efforts I bestow upon you the title of Hero of Twilight, this is the greatest title I may present you with and I know you will bear it well," said Zelda again using her ceremonial saber.
Before she allowed Link to rise though Midna stepped forward. "Link, my words are not quite as poetic as Zelda's but I too wish to thank you for what you have done. I will not give you a title but instead a gift. I will bless you with the magic we used to complete our quest only now it will allow you to use it of your own free will without the need for crystals and swords."
Midna's hand came up while the room looked thoroughly confused at her cryptic words. A red and black ball of energy formed in her hand then shot down onto the young man's head sending crackling red energy lines down the entirety of his body. Link stiffened slightly for a second, but it was over almost as soon as it began, and though none could see any great difference Link could feel it.
"Link, this will be different than the curse Zant placed on you, you will no longer fight for control and will be able to keep in your mind when you use my gift. Now stand up already." Link did so though he looked begrudgingly towards Midna.