Hello everybody! I was a little worried this wouldn't be on time, but I got over my writer's block on chapter 25, which is a relief. Guess I'd best get busy on chapter 26, hm?
Here's a little stat check: as of now, this story has 236 reviews, 102 favs, and 126 alerts. Wow!
Inspired by Ocarina of Time.
Chapter Twenty-Four: Of Confrontations
"I'm afraid of what I do not know
I hate being undermined."
Darkness ~ Peter Gabriel
"Hullo, Master Link." Deana said, carrying a small platter into Link's study. The boy blinked up owlishly at her, setting his book aside. It was late, as he was wont to studying at night. "I brought fresh Kalika, and some snacks. Kancha has finally gotten the balance of citrus and froth right."
"Thank you, Deana. But where is Lirina? Not that it isn't nice to see you, I mean." He added hastily, and the young, glossy-haired woman smiled sweetly.
"Poor Lirina is ill, so I'm covering for you tonight." She handed the steaming mug of Kalika into Link's outstretched hand, and uncovered the plate, revealing hot spiced nuts and a little meat tart, the crust all golden and flaky. "Also, I wanted to thank you for that lovely mud," Link had given it to her on a whim, thinking Zelda had no need for it when he could teach her far more useful things. "And I have messages straight from the leyline center."
"Really?" Link perked at that, and Deana giggled.
"Don't read them tonight – well, you can't because I spell-sealed it to open tomorrow at noon. Tanner told me to, I hope you don't mind." Link sighed gustily.
"I guess I would spend all night reading it, so it's all right." He allowed.
"You need to be rested tomorrow, Master Link. After all, Lord Rauros' duel with Karlen of Rosethorn is tomorrow, early in the morning, just after breakfast."
"Right." Link agreed.
"I'll leave you to your studies, then, shall I?" He nodded.
"Thank you, Deana, and goodnight."
"Goodnight, Master Link." She closed the study door behind her, and Link heard her pad across the living room, and leave via the servant's door.
Link flipped open his book with one hand and reached for the meat tart with the other. Breaking into it with his fork, he found the filling was minced beef, tomato, herbs and melted cheese. His mouth watered. The little pie was quickly eaten up, as were the spiced nuts.
At long last, he set his study materials aside and prepared for bed. Link made short work of washing up, and gratefully climbed under the light summer coverlet.
That morning, Link dressed carefully, briefed Tanner on the day's activities, and headed for the Great Hall, where he scarfed down a plate of fried eggs, honey on toast, and wonder of wonders, freshly mixed Kalika still steaming from the kitchen fires.
He was on his second helping of eggs and Kalika when the other boys reached the table. Harlan plopped himself down with a sigh, and reached for the bread basket. Arek peeled an orange, and Danek did the same. Finnes sat down, and began to fiddle with a hot waffle. Meticulously, he spread a little pat of butter in each indentation, letting the butter soak into the bread, then ripped it into pieces to dip in maple syrup. According to Finnes, Arris was helping Karlen get ready for his duel. No one spoke much of the upcoming duel – out of respect for Link's mentor. He knew though, what they were thinking – that Ferrick Rauros would quickly lose.
The morning was hot and dusty in the nicest of the many training courtyards belonging to the Black Wing. Because this particular yard was meant for nobles, there was a viewing gallery for lady observers.
Karlen and Ferrick stood clad in traditional duel clothes – a belted tunic and leggings. Southerners added a long-sleeved shirt beneath the tunic, to better protect the arms. Link stood in a ring with the other male viewers around the edge of the yard.
"What?" Karlen sneered, adjusting his belt, "No Gerudo weapons? Everyone knows you use them." Indeed, Ferrick wore only a belt-knife and a rapier.
"I do use them. But this duel ought to be fair – and played with equal instruments." The taller man said gently, pitching his voice to carry to even the ladies watching up on the gallery. "But honestly, Karlen of Rosethorn, I thought we were beyond this." Karlen eyed Ferrick distrustfully.
"Beyond what?" He queried, tilting his head.
"We now live in a world where wit gets one by better than brawn. Military prowess is important in an imperialist society, but there is no more of Hyrule to conquer by force. There is still expansion in Imally, up against the Lost Woods, as there is in the marshes beyond Lake Hylia, but those inhospitable lands can only be conquered with technology and a hard day's work. There is no more to consume – we must now focus on quality rather than quantity." Karlen blinked, trying to absorb all those words. Up in the gallery, a woman tittered. Some of the guards and soldiers began to mutter to each other, grinning. Ferrick stood tall, and gangling. "Duels are, frankly, an outdated concept. Let's examine it – rather than resolving a difference of opinion or insult with thought and compromise, why don't we try to stick and slash at each other with a long blade, and whoever comes out alive or least injured is clearly in the right. In a duel, injury is a guarantee (unless the person who knows he is outmatched forfeits), and it's not uncommon for such fights to end in death! Now," He continued, blithely ignoring the growing restlessness of the observers, "If two common men were to be caught fighting with knives, possibly to the death, they would be separated, jailed, and fined for a disruption of the peace! Not encouraged and even bet on. Nobles comprise the select few who are trained from birth to lead the people they rule over. Our blood is costly, and shouldn't be so vulgarly spilled on a yard of packed earth. And the winner of a duel is not always correct, and sometimes he will have deprived a people of a sorely-needed leader, one who was born to guide them, one who is accustomed to the land and its needs. You can't just pick a noble out of a hat and send him to rule a random territory in our fair country. It just isn't logical. It's not sane. Of course, the strongest argument that supports the duel is that it is the traditional way of solving such matters-"
"But it is!" Karlen protested, making a sharp gesture. Ferrick shot him a quelling look.
"Tradition is not the be-all and end-all, Karlen."
"Tradition holds because it is right! Because it works, and it always will!" Ferrick sighed, letting his shoulders slump, his hands splayed and turned outward to theatrically display his disappointment in the younger boy. Link had to shove his hand in his mouth to keep down the belly-laugh he so wanted to release.
"Come now, Karlen. You needn't interrupt. Tradition also dictates that a man may make a speech before he enters a duel. After all, each duel might be his last. Now, where was I? Ah, yes. Tradition. Tradition holds not because it is right, nor does it always work. Tradition holds because it's easy. They say only madmen try the same thing and expect a different result. But we follow tradition because if things go wrong, we are not to blame. Nobody likes change, but stagnation is just as bad. It's a new world out there, in the South. We've reached the borders. Now it's time to fill things in, to perfect what we do. Think, Karlen! You are heir to the oldest, wealthiest seat in the country. And if you want it to retain its wealth, well, then – you'd better keep up." Ferrick wiped his hands off on his pant, then clapped them together in a move that reminded Link very much of Rabiyu. "There! That's me done, then. I've had my say, so I'm ready for my duel, Karlen of Rosethorn."
"Well said!" A bright, musical voice rang out gaily from the gallery. The Crown Princess leaned over the wooden rail, sheer purple hair veils flapping in the stale breeze. Karlen blanched, then reddened unhealthily.
"You!" He exploded, thrusting a finger at Ferrick, "You're stealing everything I deserve! First the attentions of our Uncle the Duke, my allies, and now the Princess herself!"
"Don't be ridiculous, Karlen." Ferrick dismissed, "I'm not eligible for the ruling seat. There are twelve others between me and that possibility. I wouldn't know anything about these allies, whomever they are, and as for the Princess…?" He turned to look at Zelda, who smiled at him.
"Gracious Princess!" He hailed her, and she inclined her head graciously. "Have I stolen you?"
"You have not, Sir Rauros." She replied, voice like a bell. "Clearly, I stand here where I belong! Are you a thief, Sir Rauros?"
"I was married to one!" This got him some laughter from the spectators. Karlen gulped as he realized how far the situation had gotten out of his control. "Unfortunately, not long enough for the habits to wear off on me."
"And you have no nefarious plans to steal the throne by way of marriage to me?" Ferrick's mouth made an unhappy twist.
"No, Princess. I know my place." Zelda frowned briefly, then smiled again, the mask back on just as quickly.
"As we all should." She falsely approved, to murmurs of agreement from the ladies around her. "Lord Karlen," She started, and the older boy bowed deeply. "While I must approve of your… eagerness to right perceived wrongs, such misunderstandings are easily solved by the very methods Lord Rauros described. This duel was to defend my honor, was it not?"
"Yes, my Princess Zelda." Karlen said faintly.
"As you have learned, this was not the case. Your claims are therefore spurious." Link took great pleasure watching Karlen mouth 'spurious' in bewilderment. "My honor needs no defending, and truly, Lord Karlen of Rosethorn, a lady prefers to be asked in such matters." She pulled away from the railing. "I'm done with this," She muttered, then spotted a welcome face in the practice yard. Well, of course he would be there for his sponsor's duel, she thought wryly, "Lord Link of the Gerudo!" He looked up in surprise.
"Yes, Crown Princess?" He saluted her, then bowed.
"Would you do me a great favor?" Zelda took care to appear fluttery and feminine.
"That would depend, Princess," Link said carefully but cheerfully, "On the favor!" Zelda rolled her eyes to herself, then smiled again, saccharine sweet.
"Would you kindly escort Lady Impa and I to my quarters. The sun is hot, and the shade is ever so much cooler." Link did not smirk.
"Gladly, Princess." Karlen paled as his audience turned away from him, to watch his true rival gallantly lead his once-future wife back into the palace, leaving him with the now rapidly decreasing crowd and the man who'd turned out to be no threat at all.
"So, Karlen," Ferrick Rauros said mildly, eying his sixteen-year old bully of a distant cousin. "Do you still want that duel? I can use Gerudo weapons, if you want."
Zelda got as far as an outdoor alcove in the exterior of the Silver Wing before she dared look at her escort's face. Their secretive smiles inescapably grew and grew, fueled by each other's mirth, until it burst, and they clutched at their bellies, laughing hard enough to cry.
"Did – did you see Karlen's face?" She chortled, veils askew.
"I… want to be Ferrick… when I grow up!" Link gasped out, grin all but splitting his face. "He went into a duel and he… and he!" His words dissolved into breathless laughter.
"He went into a duel armed with nothing but words and he won!" She marveled.
"Actually, he can use those weapons." Link corrected, snickering. "And he knows fisticuffs as well."
"Huh!" Was Zelda's eloquent reply. A few paces away, Impa looked on in amusement.
"Are you quite finished?" She asks dryly, and Zelda sobers up.
"Yes, Impa. I'm sorry for making a spectacle of myself."
"I'm not." Link commented, and the Princess shot him a glare, but it had little venom.
"I wish I was a boy, and then I could have told Karlen exactly what I thought of him." The boy smirked.
"Your way was better. He knows now, and you were polite the entire time." Zelda smiled lopsidedly.
"I suppose."
"Hey – could I play a little with Elba?" He wondered shyly, and her smile mirrored it. She liked that he found her little sweetheart charming, liked how gentle he was with the cub. So Ferrick Rauros would make no bid for her hand, she knew now. Zelda could deal with that, so long as there was an acceptable prospect in the vast group of men who would vie to marry her.
"All right. Let's go, then." She acquiesced, and he straightened up, offered her his arm, and off they went, Impa following briskly behind.
"You know what, Rauros?" Karlen said, "I think… I need to go now. Yeah. I'm going to go."
"All right…" Ferrick said, and watched Karlen flee, a little bemused.
Elba, as it turned out, was on the couch in a sitting room, still deeply under, taking yet another one of those intense, periodic naps kittens and children both seemed to have,. Link and Zelda played a little music together while they waited for Elba to wake, Link on his ever-present ocarina, and Zelda on her harp.
At last, the little cub murred softly, blinking golden eyes. She sat up, stood, and stretched her back in a little arch, then began to wash her spotted tail thoroughly. Link got her attention by dangling a long silk ribbon in her face, which prompted an eager swat. When she bored of play and vocally demanded affection, Zelda picked Elba up and nestled her in her skirts, stroking and scratching until the cub was purring thunderously. She quickly fell asleep, and Zelda and Link started a discussion of various local legends.
"You know, Link, I can't believe you've never heard of the Hero Thereo."
"Heard of him, yes, but not his story."
"How strange! You look very much like him, except your hair. His was gold." Link uncomfortably stayed silent, and kept his true hair color a secret. He thought of himself as a red head anyways. He was only blonde for a few moments when the spell faded away every two months.
"Hunh!" He replied, and she smiled back, fiddling with her hair veil.
"Would you like me to tell you the legend of Thereo, Thrice Hero of Hyrule?" Zelda asked.
"I think I would enjoy it, so yes, by all means, Princess." She smiled.
"Very well. Thereo was born Thereo of the Streets, in a land far, far beyond the borders of Hyrule…"
1. I made most of this chapter up on the fly. Yay me.
2. Also, there really was supposed to be a duel, but Ferrick's not supposed to be that badass, and really, it was far more fun to just talk like he wanted to.
3. Karlen is a bully, and a little dense and stuffy, but he's not evil. I hope he's learned a lesson to remember. We'll see…
4. Funny thing, I have the hardest time getting my parents to read this, even though they're my biggest fans. Hmm…
5. Next chapter we will finally hear about Thereo, the mysterious hero who Link resembles.
I like reviews. I do, I do.