Chapter Twenty: Trial
Bluefoot: I'm sorry I killed Caber. I'll explain why in this chapter (the first POV is Twinrova's.) and there will be a longer battle between Nadia and Twinrova, just not quite yet. Replying to your PM, I believe that was what Twinrova meant by "We (or 'I' in the 3DS remake) will haunt you!" that they'd haunt Link's family as well. Enjoy the chapter.
Darklantern12: Thanks! The Gerudo that killed Caber was Hylian, at least I think so. I mean if Twinrova (Hylian) recruited her, then she has to be. The two branches of Gerudo, Terminian and Hylian, stand completely opposite. The Terminian Gerudos will stand against Ganondorf, the Hylian Gerudos stand with Ganondorf. The reason I think that the Terminian Gerudos will stand against Ganondorf and Amaro is because Aveil is their leader, and she stands against Ganondorf and Amaro. But there are exceptions, like Nabooru, who is the Sage of Spirit and a Hylian Gerudo. And we know where Nabooru will stand. Sorry about the lengthy explanation, enjoy the chapter!
Twinrova POV: Gerudo Valley
"Oh, Koume? Why couldn't we play a little more with the girl? I wanted to really make her suffer!" Kotake said.
"Kotake, we had to feign being weaker because we want her to live, remember? If she doesn't live, Ganondorf will never be restored." Koume said.
"I still wanted to make her suffer a bit more. I mean, it would've been fun." Kotake said.
"I agree, it would have been fun but think of it this way, our dear grandson just might let us take her down! Plus, the Iron Knuckle killed off that damned horse of hers." Koume said. Kotake cackled.
"Oh, that is true, Koume!" Kotake said. The witches waited outside the Gerudo Fortress until Amaro showed. Both witches cooed.
"There's our boy!" Koume said, getting off her broom and hugging the Gerudo Prince. Kotake followed Koume's lead.
"Is Nadia still alive?" Amaro asked.
"She is. The horse is dead." Kotake announced.
"Good. That beast was just in the way. Plus, making Nadia suffer through grief in a time of turmoil is perfect." Amaro smiled.
"Oh, you are your father's son!" Koume said.
"And even more so after you hear me out. I have a plan to make Nadia suffer more." Amaro said.
"Do tell, Grandson!" Kotake said.
"We set Rayne and Kade against each other after my father is released. We'll offer them the ultimate prize in their eyes." Amaro said, his golden eyes gleaming.
"What's that?" Kotake and Koume asked in unison.
"Not a what, a who. Nadia." Amaro said. Both witches cackled.
I'll make you suffer, Nadia. You'll wish to be dead and you'll finally give up your will and just release my father. Amaro thought with a lecherous smile.
Nadia's POV, Lake Hylia
I turned away from my father and walked to the entrance to Lake Hylia. I patted Calla's shoulder as I stared at Hyrule Field. My eyes were sore from crying, and heavy as well. I somewhat wanted to sleep. Maybe Caber's death was a horrible nightmare I could wake from.
"Naddie?" Mother asked. I turned to my mother.
"Yes?" I asked. Mother smiled sadly.
"I know how you feel. I remember losing Storm. It was horrible, and I'm here for you if you need me." Mother said.
"I know." I said. I looked to the ground. Mother needed an explanation. Now.
"I went to Termina to find out why I looked why I do." I said suddenly. Mother looked to me, blue-green eyes shocked.
"What did you find out?" Mother asked.
"I found out that… I was cursed by Kade." I said carefully.
"You know about Kade?" Mother asked.
"She does. She's met him. Kade's been hurt critically and we had to bring him back here to Hyrule. He's in the Kokiri Forest." Father said.
"He tried killing me!" Mother protested.
"Amaro wants him dead." I said softly. Mother looked to me with question.
"Who in the Goddess's hell is Amaro?" Mother demanded.
"Ganondorf's Terminian son. Amaro is the Interloper of Power. I," I paused, sighing heavily, "I'm also an Interloper. Of Wisdom and Courage." Mother's blue-green eyes were concerned.
"You inherited the Triforces?" Mother whispered.
"I only inherited part of the two Triforces, more Wisdom than Courage. Although, the Courage part gets me in trouble sometimes." I chuckled. Mother actually smiled.
"So, this Amaro, what do the Triforces do for your Interloper?" Mother asked.
"Free Ganondorf." Father said softly. Mother looked between Father and I.
"Amaro wants to free his father?" Mother asked. Father and I nodded.
"Has he thought about his death possibly?" Mother asked.
"A real father would give his life for his children." I said unwaveringly.
"You lie! A true father would want his children to give their lives for him!" Amaro protested.
"No! You know I'm right! You know what I say is true!" I said, two tears falling off my face.
"No! In the Gerudo way of life—" Amaro said.
"Screw the Gerudo way of life! There is only one male born every hundred years in Hyrule! You're the exception because you were born in Termina! But because of your father, being the only male born in Hyrule, he was the King of the Gerudos; therefore, a child would give their life for him because of that status! Screw statuses! You're his son, he should feel something for you!" I snapped.
"Obviously not. He wants Ganondorf free to take over Hyrule. But he's missing one thing." I said.
"The other Triforce of Courage and Wisdom holder." Mother concluded.
"That's right. He has me secured. The other holder could be within the family, Mother." I said. Mother's eyes lightened up in fury.
"He's not touching a hair on any of my children's heads!" Mother snapped.
"Actually, too late. He beat the living hell out of me. I was near death, I'm sure of it. I still ache from it. I just keep pressing on, for if I don't, who'll save Hyrule and Termina?" I asked my mother. Mother's eyes darkened a bit.
"He's not going to touch you again." Mother said.
"Zelda," Father began.
"No, Link! I won't let him." Mother said.
"You won't have a choice! You can't fight him, Mother." I said.
"What do you mean?" Mother asked.
"You've lost your Triforce to me and another. Father, too. But the thing is, Father can defend himself without his Triforce. You can't. I'll have to fight myself." I said.
"Over my dead body!" Mother snapped.
"Enough!" Aveil snapped. We all turned to the Gerudo Pirate.
"Nadia wants to fight. I say we let her. She's Gerudo-worthy. I'm proud you and Link have raised her well," Aveil looked at my mother, "but Nadia has an advantage that none of us have."
"That would be?" Mother asked. I looked to the ground and shifted forms into a wolf. Mother gasped.
"Zelda, it's okay. It's part of her being an Interloper. That wolf of hers is actually damn strong." Father said. I shifted back.
"He's right. As long as I can learn an enchantment to keep Amaro from putting a wolf detain spell on me, I'll be fine." I said. Mother looked to me with a look I'd never seen in her eyes before.
"You've grown in these past couple days, haven't you?" She asked.
"I have. I never would've grown though," I walked over to my mother and took her hands, "if you hadn't had Impa teach me to be self-reliant. Otherwise, Amaro could've snapped my neck before my journey began. I learned how to be strong from you." I said. Mother smiled.
"You have grown. As a mother, my heart sings and despairs all at once. My oldest baby bird has learned to fly." Mother said.
"Your oldest baby bird will have to end a threat on her own. Will you let me?" I asked.
"I will, as long as I know that you're protected." Mother said.
"She will be. A man from Termina, Rayne, he's come to serve as a companion to her. No doubt Kade would jump at the chance to redeem himself, either." Father said as he approached Mother and me. I looked to my father.
"You—you'll let me do this too?" I asked him.
"You'll be protected by two men who care for you in different ways. And you can defend yourself. I trust you to make the right decision." Father smiled.
"Thank you." I whispered. Mother chuckled and brought me into a hug.
"Enough of this talk. Let us gather this Rayne and Kade and go home for now." Mother said. I simply nodded my head and listened to her heartbeat, the very primal beat that had soothed me while she was pregnant.
"Home sounds about damn amazing." I said.
Rayne's POV, Kokiri Forest.
Kade and I sat in utter silence. I could sense his apprehension from across the room. I wanted to say so many things. I wanted to yell at him for what he had done to Nadia. I wanted to tell him how wrong he had been in placing a curse on her.
Most of all, I wanted to tell him Nadia was mine, and mine alone. She wanted me. She had proved that to me back at Romani Ranch.
"Rayne?" Kade finally broke the silence. I turned to him.
"Yes?" I asked.
"I know, I know. We are so starkly different, and we," Kade paused, chuckling and pushing his hair back, "we're in love with the same girl."
"We are. How are we going to fix this?" I asked.
"Let's make a deal." Kade said.
"All right?" I asked.
"When this is all over, I'm most likely going to die because of my connection with Ganondorf." Kade said.
"And?" I asked.
"I want to know you'll watch over her if I die." Kade said.
"I will. And Kade?" I asked.
"Yes?" Kade asked.
"If I die, I expect the same of you. I expect you to keep Nadia safe and strong." I said.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" Kade smirked. I smirked back at him. Suddenly we both snapped out of the moment we had shared.
"This doesn't mean we have to become blood brothers, do we?" I asked.
"Oh, Goddesses no!" Kade rebutted.
"Good. Because I still hate you with a passion." I said.
"Same here, ginger. Same here." Kade said.
Everything became quiet again. The only thing heard was a single cricket chirp. I tried desperately not to pay attention to anything. I thought about Nadia, and I prayed she was safe.
"Hey, glad to see you two didn't kill each other!" Link's voice rang through the room. Kade and I turned our heads. I saw Aveil enter, then a blond woman I assumed was Queen Zelda, as she had an arm around Nadia, whose eyes were puffy and red. What had happened to Nadia?
"What happened?" I asked Nadia. Her copper eyes met mine.
"I…" Nadia looked to Zelda. Zelda cleared her throat.
"Her horse was killed by an Iron Knuckle." Zelda said, her pure voice bringing melody into the room. I walked over to Nadia, putting a hand on her upper arm. Nadia flung herself into my arms and leaned into my chest. She didn't sob, or cry. She just wanted my comfort.
I put my arms around her and stroked her back. I could almost feel Kade's angry gaze on my back, but I didn't care. Did this mean Nadia had chosen me? Did she make it obvious it was me who she loved?
After a bit, Nadia backed away, a light blush on her face.
"Where are my manners? Rayne," Nadia said, gesturing to Zelda, "this is my mother, Queen Zelda. Mother, this is Rayne. He's been helping me throughout my journey."
"Pleased to meet you, young man." Zelda said with a smile.
"It's my honor, milady." I bowed to the Queen.
"Please, stand straight. I don't require everyone to bow to me." Zelda said, her melodic voice bringing a sense of calm to the room. Zelda's eyes met Kade's. The Queen's eyes narrowed into blue-green slits.
"You!" Zelda snapped.
"Hey, Zelda." Kade said nervously. I was surprised the Queen didn't try to hurt Kade. She stayed still, keeping posture.
"So, I see Termina treated you well." Zelda's voice was dripping with sarcasm.
"Mother…" Nadia whispered.
"It didn't actually, my Queen," Kade began, "I actually have been banished from all Hyrulean Society now, not just Hylian."
"You deserve it for what you've done!" Zelda snapped.
"Mother!" Nadia said indistinctly.
"I never meant to hurt you, Zel'." Kade's voice trickled with disrespect.
"Oh, bullshit." Zelda said.
"That's enough." Link's baritone voice made the argument cease. Nadia shivered and stepped outside. I walked after her.
I followed Nadia to the Great Deku Tree's meadow, where the Great Deku Tree came to life upon Nadia's entrance.
"You've returned. You know your destiny now?" The tree asked.
"I do. I know it's my duty to save Hyrule and Termina." Nadia said.
"You are a smart young Hylian. I always knew you were like your father in many ways." The tree said.
"Where do I go from here, Great Deku Tree? I can't easily just face Amaro now. Do you know the other Triforce Holder?" Nadia asked.
"That I do. She lives in Kakariko Village, awaiting her destiny. She's known about her destiny for her entire life." The tree said.
"Who is she?" Nadia asked.
"A mix. Sheikah and Gerudo. She looks more Sheikah, but her hair is red like her eyes." The tree said.
"A woman of Shadow and Spirit." Nadia concluded.
"Like you are a woman of Forest and Light. Like Amaro is a man of Fire and Ice." The tree said.
"Fire and Ice? Oh, Twinrova!" Nadia said.
"Yes, his grandmothers are passing the power to him. You must tread lightly, Princess. For you are no longer fighting by yourself, even if you are alone." The Great Deku Tree said.
"What do you mean?" Nadia asked.
"You will see, Interloper. Just don't be surprised by anything." The tree said. Nadia nodded as the tree fell back into sleep.
"I never have been, and I probably never will." Nadia said evenly.
I saw Nadia's hands form fists. She was either frustrated or angry. As I watched, I saw her shoulders move as if she were sobbing silently. Was this journey getting to be too much?
I wanted to reach out to Nadia, but I let her be. It was best that way. I turned and went back to the Kokiri Forest, leaving Nadia to her personal thoughts.
But, the tree's cryptic wording of how Nadia was never alone… what was that all about?
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Chapter twenty done! Did you guys like my references to the temples? I know ice wasn't one of the temples, I know it was water, but ice and water are basically the same thing.
Anyway, a woman of Shadow and Spirit. Of Sheikah and Gerudo. Why does it seem that I'm giving the new Triforce holders Gerudo or Sheikah blood? In fact, the only one that is a full-blooded race is Amaro, because Nadia's grandfather (Link's father) is Sheikah and the Triforce holder is Sheikah and Gerudo.