After the Battles are Done

Ch.14

They arrived at the city the next morning. It seemed that the mood of depression surrounding the family was also hanging around the city. Hardly anyone was on the streets and the few that were had their heads down and walked quickly to where they were going. Usually loud merchants were simply gesturing towards their products and most shops and homes had there curtains drawn. "Black curtains" noted Elsia to Cithe. "It's like the people are already in mourning,"

Cithe smiled grimly. "Yeah, It's pretty spooky," He gave her hand a squeeze.

She lips formed a thin line as she gazed at the dismal surroundings. It seemed that the farther into the city they got, the more depressing it became until they reached the towering castle in the very center of the city.

Elsia and Cithe were both knocked speechless at the building that loomed overhead. If the city had seemed like it was in mourning, then the castle was the absolute source of depression for it all. It was made of smooth, midnight black obsidian that seemed to reflect everything around it, which right now, were just shades of gray. It was an intimidating site and it made Elsia want to turn around and go home. "Maybe the city always looks like this," Elsia thought briefly, sending a shiver down her spine. No one Lady Surora had left. Imagine growing up in this… this fortress. Elsia leaned closer towards Cithe for comfort.

The wagon soon came to a stop inside of the inner courtyard and a servant came to open the door. Slowly, first Cithe, then Elsia got out from the back. They were joined by Cain and Surora and followed the messenger that had brought them through the front gate, to the interior of the castle. Elsia couldn't help but look back as it closed behind them with a soft thud. She hadn't even realized that she had stopped moving until Cithe tugged gently on her hand.

His eyes seemed to mirror the wariness and fear of her own. He smiled slightly. "It's okay," he reassured. She smiled back and they continued down the hall, that, thankfully, wasn't nearly as dark as the exterior. It was made of a much warmer sandstone and was adorned with tapestries every few feet. Both Elsia and Cithe found themselves entranced with the different pieces of art that showed Cycania's history. They heard Surora chuckle slightly as she heard them gasp at a scene again but even that small laugh was extremely strained.

Elsia looked up at Cithe in concern and once again his eyes seemed to mirror exactly what she felt. Soon, the small party had reached the end of the hallway, which opened up to a huge throne room that was as richly dressed as the hallway if not more.

"The King's advisor will be with you shortly" The messenger informed them as he walked out bowing.

Lady Surora caught him before he could leave. "Surely, you can just take me to my brother now," she said, her eyes pleading.

The messenger kept a blank face. "I was told to bring you here to see the advisor. He will be with you shortly and take you up after certain matters are attended to," he said robotically. His eyes softened though, ever so slightly, as he added "I'm very sorry My Lady, but those are the rules," and he did truly seem to mean it. Quickly, he bowed once more then turned on his heels and left.

Lady Surora threw up her hands. "What matters could be more important than me viewing my own brother?" she exclaimed to no one in particular, then she began crying. Cain put his arms around her and held her as she cried.

Elsia looked at them with sad eyes. "I wish there was something we could do for your mom," she whispered to Cithe, squeezing his hand again. He squeezed her hand back, but at that moment his attention was drawn away from her, to another doorway.

"Wha-" started Elsia as she followed his gaze.

Standing in the doorway was a beautiful girl. She was tall and slender, with hair the color of the night sky down to her waist. Her golden eyes sparkled with knowledge and she held her head up high with authority. Slowly, gracefully, she crossed the room to where Cithe and Elsia were standing. She turned to Cithe.

"Hello cousin," she greeted him.

Cithe nodded in politeness. "Hello Marita," he replied "How have you been?"

"Quite well, thank you,"

Cithe gestured towards Elsia. "This is Elsia, my parent's ward,"

Marita smiled towards Elsi slyly. "And the girl you fancy,".

Elsia felt herself blush and she looked down. Next to her she could see that Cithe's face was red as well.

Marita's smile grew larger. "It's nice to meet you Elsia. I am Marita, only child of the king," .

Elsia looked up in surprise first at Cithe then to Marita. Why would Cithe be offered the thrown if Marita is the king's daughter. She was just about to ask when a cold, familiar voice sounded through the hall, sending a chill down her spine.

"Greetings Lady Surora, what a pleasure it is to have you return home at last,"

Slowly, Elsia turned around and caught her breathe. Not standing more than ten feet from her was the man from her nightmares. Her parent's murderer.

He had finally found her.

---xXx---

I peered into the door of Link's room again, craning my neck to see what was going on. But just like the other twelve or so times I couldn't see crap around the people who were currently crowding his bed. It seemed that every single medic in the valley was here, trying to help him, which was more than I could do.

Dejected, I went to sit on the living room couch to wait for someone to talk to me. Already sitting in the room were the twins and Walen. The twins were having a hushed discussion but instantly stopped when I approached, obviously wanting to hear what was going on.

"Nothing," I reported "Far as I can see nothing has changed," . I slumped on the couch. Walen patted my shoulder reassuringly.

"I'm sure everything will be fine," he offered, giving me one of his rare smiles.

Sirah turned around from her position on the floor and put her chin on my knee. "Yeah, don't worry, Link's a fighter,". Her sister nodded in agreement.

I smiled. "Thanks guys,". I sighed and laid my head against the back of the couch. "It's just been stressful you know? With the collapse and now this, I feel like I haven't slept in weeks. There are so many things I need to do and I just don't want to deal with," I sighed again.

"Oh my gods, is everything alright?" came a shrill voice.

I closed my eyes. "Speaking of things I don't want to deal with," I mumbled under my breath. Keeping very still, I tried to ignore Hyra as she walked into the room.

She spoke quickly. "Oh my, when I heard that Link had collapsed I just came rushing right over. I mean, can you believe it? Link coughing up blood from all that dust from the cave in while I am just fine. I tell you I am so lucky I am alive right now, cause gods know I just don't have the same strength Link has to deal with that kind of illness," she took a deep breath and shook her head in thanks.

"An illness you caused," I whispered to no one in particular.

Hyra's polite tone broke through my composure."I'm sorry Malon," she said sweetly."I didn't quite catch that,"

I opened my eyes and looked at her, sitting up. "Oh I was just thinking about the fact that Link got this from the cave in that you caused because you were being a jealous bitch, that's all,". Hyra's eyes narrowed at me and there was dead silence in the room. I smiled sweetly "No offense,".

My stinging words were all it took to break through Hyra's sweet composure. She hissed at me through her teeth and turned strutted out of the house like she ruled the world. I couldn't help but laugh when she tripped over Link's shoes in the doorway. And once I started the twins joined in. Even Walen couldn't surpress a grin as he shook his head from side to side. With one last murderous glance she walked out, slamming the door behind her as Togi entered.

Instantly we were all silent, anticipating the news. Togi looked at each of us slowly, then down at the floor. I felt my heart falling into a dark hole of despair, already prepared for the what was next. "I'm sorry,guys…". I heard all the others take in quick breath. I closed my eyes as if that would help. "… but Link's gonna be just fine!"

My eyes flew open and I glared at Togi with as much anger as I could muster but I couldn't hold it. I cracked and a huge sigh of relief escaped through my lips. " Geez, Togi!" I complained "Did you really have to be so dramatic?" .

Togi ran a hand through his hair and grinned at us. "Sorry, it's just that everyone's been so uptight the past couple of days,"

Kirah looked up and smiled happily at Togi. "It's okay Togi. Whenever we need comic relief we can just call Hyra over and hopes she trips over shoes!"

Reminded of Hyra, we all burst out laughing again while Togi just looked at us in confusion. Walen just looked at us like we were all crazy, but the good kind of crazy.

"Hey!"

We all froze as a familiar voice called from the bedroom.

Link called again. "What do I have to do to get some food? C'mon guys I'm starving!"

"Link!" we all chorused and ran to his room.

The spy looked down at the village from his viewpoint on the high plans above it. It was well defended he noticed but not impossible to attack. No challenge for the well trained soldiers of the Hyrulian army.

"Child's play," he whispered to himself. Sighing, he took a few more notes and packed up. He had enough to report with now. The princess will be pleased. He looked down at the village one last time and smirked. "I hope you have fun while you can Malon, but you will be mine,".

And with that Sethe rode on back to Hyrule.