"Members of the Hyrulean Royal Court and the Army of the Goddesses, may I have your attention please."
Zelda stood atop a natural hill overlooking the camp where the free Hylians resided outside Zora's Domain. It was late evening, and the people were preparing for their last night alone; the next day they were to take up residence in the Zora capital and form their exiled government there. However, Zelda had far more adventurous plans than hiding in the midst of the wet race.
All across Hyrule, war had broken out in a chaotic free-for-all. Tatl had arrived with a message from Gerudo informing the Hyrulean government that a civil war was flaring in the deserts between Royalist and "Ganonist" militias. Meanwhile, the Gerudo cheiftain Nabooru was assuming a neutral position as she instructed her forces to arrest members of both the warring parties to maintain order. The vast majority of Gerudo pledged allegiance to Nabooru, not Hyrule's monarchy, or Ganondorf.
Zelda was not going to stand idle while the biggest cities and the most important races were killed off by Ganondorf and each other. But with an army smaller than the population of the Skull Kids in Hyrule, she had little chance of fighting out in the open. Instead, she intended to form an elite group of warriors that would work in the shadows. Defeating Ganondorf would be a mere formality of magic if it were not for the dissenters and sorcerers manipulating the situation. Zelda wanted to eliminate all the rebels and lesser foes and slowly unite the masses of Hyrule together. Only then would she be able to make a unified assault on Ganondorf's stronghold in the castle.
After having a vision of some extreme necessity lying far across the oceans, the princess planned to take a small detour first, however. Recent prophecies suggested that a clash between the Triforce owners would cause much prolonged suffering and loss of life. Zelda wanted to avoid such bloodshed by quickly arming Link with the Blade of Evil's Bane and strengthening her own powers which she hardly perceived.
With the undivided attention of everyone present, even the Zora representative Princess Ruto, Zelda spoke boldly with Impa at her side:
"Fellow citizens and warriors of Hyrule, it is time for action. Tomorrow morning, I shall set out with an assigned body of individuals to begin preparing for counterattack." Several gasps and exclamations passed through the people. "I am aware that this is a bit sudden, but I am acting on what I believe to be divine inspiration from the goddess I owe my existence to." She was referencing Hylia.
"I leave in my stead General Gaepora to be the leader of the Hylian forces. Most of you will stay here under the protection of our Zora allies, but I must depart punctually at dawn. The task at hand is beyond difficult, and I am forced to keep most of our forces on the defensive presently. I intend to wage a guerilla war with the help of loyalists around the kingdom, thus keeping this domain an untouchable stronghold. Only a small group shall accompany me." Zelda paused to look at her previously developed list. "I will now select those that I want to bring with me. Please assemble here when your name is called: Sir Sahasrahla, Lord Auru, Captain Shad, Sergeant Ashei, Sir Link, Sergeant Alfonzo, Fairy Elder Tingle, Messenger Navi, Cadet Pipit, Cadet Karane."
After they all came to her, Zelda quietly told them to wait and continued speaking to the Army of the Goddesses.
"Of course, Lady Impa will be with me also. I want everyone else to continue on to Zora's Domain. It will be your duty to entrench yourselves there and keep the world aware of our presence. Are there any questions?"
That was blunt. An overwhelming number of people raised their hands. Zelda randomly chose one.
"Yes, Chancilor Cole?"
The uncomely midget stood up and asked, "How shall our government be funded? We have lost nearly all the Hylian taxpayers to Ganondorf."
Zelda warmly replied, "The Zoras have guaranteed our economic security, but you do remind me of something I forgot to discuss. The royal court will naturally not have many of its usual duties but must rather focus on the war and raising an army. I will expect all the court members to cooperate and work together to make government operations smooth. Many of you will be reassigned to different wartime positions, and the soldiers will be asked to have a delay in their salaries. Sacrifices will have to be made. We must not be afraid to get our hands dirty and do common work."
A general murmur of agreement satisfied Cole. As long as the rest of the court was willing to give a hand, he did not have to worry. Zelda went on to the next person.
"Yes, Ruto?"
The Zora princess seemed a little bit embarrassed. "I absolutely hate to bring this up now, but it seems relevant."
Zelda nodded, prompting Ruto to continue.
"A soldier named Mikau of the Zora volunteers serving under you has become the subject of much dispute in my land for his inconstancy; for this some want him ousted. I think it would be for the best of everyone concerned if you took him with you. He was once a friend of my family, and as I am sure you know, he is an excellent warrior. But...we don't want him here."
Zelda awkwardly stumbled upon the delicate matter. "Yes...yes, I suppose I could replace someone with him."
Zelda looked over her squad. She had honestly picked out the people on impulse.
"Er...Auru?"
The aged man quietly replied, "Understood." He was probably too old to be doing special operations anyway.
Zelda went on, "Very well, Lieutenant Mikau will take Lord Auru's place. Now then, who else had a question?"
Secretary Renado stood up. "Princess, I do not wish to sound prejudiced, but what makes you think that you should personally leave our safe haven with such a small detachment? If you insist upon action, at least take some more soldiers with you. I mustn't let you be so poorly unprotected. You are too important to the unity and morale of this nation."
Zelda was prepared for that question. "I completely understand your worries, but there are several things we need to consider. One, this is no common war, and it is my personal duty to see to the demise of Ganondorf. Two, my central aim is not to fight directly, but rather forge alliances, seek out the relics required, and tip the balance of power. Three, I am bringing with me Triforce owner Link as my personal guardian, as well as many of our elite, including those representing Castilla's Resistance, a group specifically trained for this sort of work." She was speaking exceedingly fast. "And lastly, I shall not disembark as Princess Zelda preparing to make war. Our appearance and intentions shall be cleverly disguised, and our destinations will be kept secret. It will be certain that I am not targeted. I should also reiterate that I am not solely on a warpath, though you can be sure that there will be much resistance because of the revolution."
Renado sat down in defeat, for there was no use arguing. If there was one trait the princess inherited from King Harkinian, it was stubbornness. Her sudden assumption of power was a bit of a sting to the royal court, but most of Hyrule was willing to follow her leadership anyway.
Zelda continued to answer the rest of the court's questions about politics and small considerations until it was nearly sunset. She then dismissed the people and spoke to her selected warriors about their assignment. She addressed Auru first.
"Lord Auru, I am not sure if you are disappointed that I called on you and suddenly elected not to bring you along."
The minister smiled. "To fight in a platoon lead personally by a princess would have been quite a novel honor, but I do believe any inclination on your part is a manifestation of your wisdom." He gestured to her right hand that bore the symbol of the Triforce.
Zelda wished she could live up to his expectations. "Thank you." Zelda looked at Impa who twitched her eyebrow to remind her of something. "Oh, but Auru, there is something I still want done." He nodded. "Since Hyrule must temporarily be under military rule, I am going to use my royal power to reappoint you as Gaepora's formal military adviser."
Auru listened tolerably but added with a grin, "As the minister of defense, wasn't this always my job?"
Zelda replied by handing him a cap with the insignia of a general. "Not exactly. I want you to be second in command."
Auru took the promotion thankfully. "I haven't legitimately been in the army since I was thirty-seven."
Zelda blurted out, "You were a major then."
The newly-risen general chuckled. "Heh heh, yes...uh, how did you know, Princess?"
Zelda had spoken faster than she was thinking. She was not even alive when Auru was part of the military. Yet she was certain that he was a major—a major in the Fifth Guards Brigade. But how did she know that?
"I—well..." she stammered.
Somehow Zelda felt that Link had something to do with her supernatural recollection. For some odd reason she was beginning to know things about the past and future.
Impa humorously remarked, "You must forgive the princess for reading people's minds. It is a bad habit I should have never taught her."
That lie generated some laughter.
Zelda looked at Link for consolation and, without even thinking about it, she telephatically said to him, "You understand, right?"
"I do" was the telephatic reply.
Thoroughly surprised that she had not only spoken to Link but also received a response, Zelda stared questionably at him and blushed. Since when did he know how to communicate that way? And why did she ask him such a thing? Telephatic speech was usually used by the princess only for the utmost necessities. It was not polite to randomly brand words into other people's minds.
Observing the princess and Link's puzzled expressions and mutual eye-contact, Shad asked obliviously, "Are you all right, Princess?"
Zelda turned aside. "Yes, excuse me." She recalled Impa's disrespectful joke and decided it was time to assume sovereignty. "I naturally will want to be shown some deference as your new commander." Zelda looked at her former nanny who was actually the most influential woman in the royal court and arguably the most frightening. "Even you, Impa, must agree to follow my lead."
Impa noticed that there was no playful crinkle in Zelda's nose.
The Sheikah rolled her eyes. Surely she understood Zelda's vantage point, but that did not mean that the princess needed to humiliate everyone in the court. Was Zelda really letting her new authority get to her head? That would be a most regretable quality for the future monarch of Hyrule to have. Impa would eventually need to find some way to rid the princess of her vanity. As her guardian, nanny, and teacher, Impa was personably responsible not only for Zelda's protection and livelihood, but also for her preparation for probable autocracy. Zelda was a sweet, good-natured girl, but she was far from being a flawless queen.
Impa saw Link's grin hiding his laughter; apparently he thought it was funny to see grown people being lorded over by a young princess. He was going to be a troublesome one too. Oh, yes, once the Ganondorf thing was over, and Hyrule was back on its feet, Link was going to be the most mischievous young man in the kingdom. Impa could imagine having to throw him in the dungeon multiple times for insubordination or inappropriate conduct around the princess. The Sheikah warrior certainly had her hands full with those two chosen ones. However, Impa knew her present duty and swore her allegiance, though be it with defiance.
"I will be willing to oblige to your orders, Zelda, but only because I know it is for the benefit of Hyrule."
Zelda ignored Impa's retort but let out a sly smile. "Good."
Lord Auru cleared his throat uncomfortably. He wished Rauru were there to keep order. Why did that obnoxious trio—Zelda, Link, and Impa—have to be so awkward?
Indeed, the royal court lacked the formalities Hyrule was so accustomed to. The light atmosphere in the face of crisis was frivolous at best, but maybe it was good for morale. Perhaps some leniency ought to be granted to Zelda considering that her parents were not there to guide her. The Army of the Goddesses was going to be a unique body in which royalty, lords, soldiers, and commoners all worked together as one. Of course, Zelda's forces still required some form of hierarchy.
She addressed her outfit. "Now then, I need to assign rank to those of you who are new to military protocol. Tingle,"
Tingle was the most immature and silly of the royal court. What place did he have in Zelda's little group? For years, he had served the royal family whole-heartedly by making maps and presenting communiques to the great fairies he was rumored to have a fetish for. The dwarf man was considered crazy for the way he dressed and his ardent declaration of being the very reincarnation of a fairy. He had his place in the court, but on the other hand, he had no qualities for the military, forget about Zelda's contingent.
The little man replied worriedly, "Yes, your majesty?"
The princess acted nonchalantly about the matter. "Since you will not be of any help in Zora's Domain, I am going to recruit you as our navigator with entry-level rank."
Impa clarified, "Like an officer cadet."
Tingle swallowed nervously and tried to ease himself into realizing that he might have to learn how to slice monsters with swords. Link hoped that Tingle would be at least a little useful and not a burden. Spending only fifteen minutes with that man was intolerable for most people.
Zelda went to Sahasrahla next. "Sir, I am aware that you are much too old to be traveling on your feet and fighting like a youth, but I feel that your knowledge and advice is irreplaceable. Though I will not expect you to follow us into something like a firefight, I would not be comfortable without you at my side to help with my main quests, finding the Master Sword being the priority." She paused. "But...do you feel physically able to accompany me?"
The old man replied positively. "I live to study and studying is best done first hand. It will be quite a singular blessing to help you with ancient Hyrulean lore and finding that extravagant magic that is yours and young Link's to claim ownership of. I'd jump at the chance to travel. There is still some spunk in my frail bones yet."
Zelda replied with an outstretched hand. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, but if at any time you feel unable to go on, please know that I will understand. I could never forgive myself if you were to come to harm because of my selfishness."
The old Castillian man bowed his head slightly and assented. There was a special sparkle in his eyes and a golden hue to his wrinkled skin. He had a wonderful feeling that everything he had learned over his many years of research might finally be of good use in the reaccuring conflict that stained the pages of Hyrule's history with blood. Maybe this was to be his moment: the purpose of his existence.
Not allowing herself to be choked up by Sahasrahla's good heart, the princess quickly explained the rest of her plan.
"This unit will be code-named the 'Sheik Battalion.'"
Link spoke inside Zelda's brain. "Speaking of Sheik, I should like to know what—"
"Link, please!"
The princess forgot to us telepathy and spoke out loud as she sternly stared down the Hero standing innocently across from her. For Nayru's Love, was he going to abuse his newfound telephatic power? What a terrible fate that would be for Zelda.
Unable to retain her silence anymore, outspoken Ashei of the Castillian Resistance expressed her annoyance. "Goddesses, will you two stop making faces at each other and just get over it already?"
Impa distastefully questioned the younger woman. "Get over what?"
Auru shifted on his feet and tried not to look at the others. Link burned ashamedly red while Zelda felt insulted; now that she was determined not to like Link in THAT way, she was particularly hostile to anyone daring to suggest that there might be something between them.
In Zelda's brain, Ashei was practically implicating that she and Link ought to admit they had a mutual crush and stop flirting. Although the real cause of their glancing back and forth was telepathy, the two of them really were struggling to keep each other in the friend zone. The teenagers were hard pressed by their instincts, but that did not excuse a lack of self-control. It was time to kill Ganondorf, not play mind games with each other.
Ashei wished she had not spoken so fast and apologized. "Well, heck, I did not mean it that way." She was only making the situation worse. "Look, uh...I'm sorry, Princess; that was rude. I guess you're right about us needing to learn some manners, yeah?"
Shad was eager to end the social mess. "Yes, you'll have to forgive us for lack of etiquette. In Castilla there is no code of chivalry for common soldiers; the Resistance are simply hand-selected warriors. With all our different backgrounds, it will take some time for us to get adjusted. The important thing is that we all are going to support you, Princess Zelda, no matter where you lead us."
Everyone mouthed their agreement, and Zelda took a deep breath, regaining her confidence and being sure to ignore Link, who was the cause of all her troubles—well, most of them anyway.
"Very well, let us get on."
She brought out her carefully constructed plans and addressed the two youngsters she had picked, Pipit and Karane. They were an odd choice; at seventeen, they were really children like Link and Zelda and had absolutely no combat experience. The princess looked at the two cadets and hated herself for drafting them into her team. But a hunch was not just a hunch when it came to Zelda; it was divine leading. For some reason she needed the two greenhorns.
She spoke to the girl first. "'Kärān:' that is how it is pronounced, correct?"
The shy cadet nodded and spoke silently but in a sweet tone that broke Zelda's heart. The princess had to swallow a lump. All the turmoil was Ganondorf's fault. It was Ganondorf's fault that innocent young girls like Karane had to prepare themselves for battle. Why did the goddesses not forbid it? Was the elimination of the greater part of the Gorons not enough?
"I have heard high praises about your agility. Both you and Pipit are going to be privates now, and I want you to be our scout."
Karane dipped her head to acknowledge.
Zelda spoke to the boy. "And you, Pipit—Instructor Owlan told me that you are one of the most promising young archers in Hyrule."
Pipit was quick to assume modesty. "Your highness, I am sure Sir Link can best my shooting any day." He smiled at the boy in green who replied likewise.
Sergeant Alfonzo could not help but comment, "I think anybody can be bested by Link."
Impa half-jokingly warned, "Please, Sergeant, you'll give the boy overconfidence."
That only created more laughter.
Auru chuckled and excused himself. "I think I shall leave all of you to quarrel among yourselves. I ought to go and tell Gaepora that the princess has put me in his military." The older man winked at Zelda and left with a smile.
Impa called out to him, "I'll be expecting to find a well-disciplined army when I return!"
He shouted back, "You can count on it, Sheikah!"
Zelda had forgotten that Impa probably knew most of the royal court members from sixteen years ago when the old Sheikah was Leah's companion. The princess began to wonder just how much influence Impa had had on the government, her mother Leah, and consequently King Harkinian.
The Sheikah crossed her arms. "So, Zelda, you still have not told me what this adventure of yours is all about. You had another vision, didn't you?"
"Yes, I did." Zelda ignored the first question and went back into queen mode. "Now as I was saying, we shall have two squads, one led by Impa, and the other by Link; they will be referred to as Alpha and Omega respectively. Alpha squad shall comprise, Impa, Shad, Ashei, Pipit, and Karane. Omega will comprise Link, Mikau, Alfonzo, Tingle, Sahasrahla, and Navi. Your ranks will be observed loosely.
"Alpha squad shall be entrusted with special operations. Their combination of skill, good teamwork, and stealth should not be underestimated. We already have seen a demonstration of their feats. Accompanied by Rusl, Shad and Ashei played a vital part in helping Link and Phillip get to my tower only two nights ago when Ganondorf seized the castle. The Resistance have shown the world what a great impact a small body of elite can make.
"Omega squad's responsiblities will be more scripted. Mikau and Alfonzo's job shall be defense and outright fighting if it comes to that. Once I get the Master Sword—and I will get it—Link will become our fighting machine and shall continue serving as my formal guardian. Meanwhile, Sahasrahla and Tingle will stay close with me as advisers, and Navi will act as our messenger should we separate; she can also provide us a bird's eye view of the objectives."
Sahasrahla interrupted, "This all sounds like a well-thought out plan, but...how are we going to make a difference? Attached to an army I could see us doing wonders, but all alone, how shall we succeed? If we are not going to face the monsters and our enemies directly, why then are we being organized militarily?"
Zelda was confident. "We shall find our friends and support them. I have the Gerudo in mind."
Sahasrahla scratched his beard. "The Gerudo? That could be highly political."
Zelda nodded solemnly. "Indeed. That is partially why I need to personally lead us."
Impa asked skeptically, "Suppossing we did act as a deadly task force attached to a larger army, such as the Gerudo, would you be staying behind the lines, Zelda?"
The princess put her hand to her chest and seemed surprise. "Me? I shall be in the thick of it disguised as a Sheikah and fighting in the shadows as you always taught me!"
Impa threw her head back. "Zelda..."
"Now Impa, before you bombard me with your protests, let me show you my first objective. Remember, war is not my goal; the Blade of Evil's Beign is."
The princess spread out a large map of Hyrule and pointed to a small dot lying across the Great Sea.
"Tingle, what is the name of this chunk of land lying in between Koholint and Outset Island?"
The map Zelda was using was a general atlas and did not have small details. She only knew the place she was referring to from a vision she had received. The fairy man put one hand on his beard and the other on the back of his head and moved his eyes as though he were searching the filing cabinets of his brain for an answer. It came to him suddenly
"Ah! Koolah Limpah! That island is known as Stone Watcher Island. Recent studies show that humans have lived there, and the place is sparsely populated by some wildlife and chu-chu monsters too."
Sahasrahla added, "and fierce Bokoblins, Moblins, and friendly Koroks. I should also note that there is rumored to be a secret tunnel on that speck of land—might be interesting."
Zelda lit up. "A tunnel you say?" She whispered to herself, "So my vision was real..."
Link handed the princess a famaliar piece of old paper. "Remember this?" It was the map he had found in the graveyard dungeon in Kakariko—Labrynna's Labyrinth.
Zelda took the relic daintily and noticed that it focused on the archipelago surrounding what was labeled as Old Watcher's Island. With all the dots connecting, Zelda was ready to start her quest for the Master Sword.
"Everything is coming together beautifully." The princess had a fixed gaze and quickly made a decision. "Tingle, where is the nearest port?"
He showed Zelda one of his own maps and traced a path. "If we get permission from the Zoras, we can travel on this road by the sea until we come to the Hylian port of Mido due west of Kokiri. We would not be far from Gerudo's rocky province here to the north."
Zelda was satisfied. "It's settled then. Tomorrow morning we shall travel to Mido. From there we will go to Stone Watcher Island. If we are quick, we can be back on the mainland and on our way to Gerudo before nightfall."
Impa was not very open to Zelda's rash plans. "If you really deem it necessary to go to this island—whatever it's called—how do you plan to cross the perilous Great Sea?"
"Any boat in Mido's harbor will have to do. I would even board a pirate ship at this point." The princess was starting to have Link's recklessness.
Impa's exasperation was far too great for her to express. She opened her mouth and closed it with a huff.
Zelda bid her warriors goodnight. "Sheik Battalion, you are dissmissed. Make sure all of you are up at the crack of dawn."
The party scattered, prompting Impa to give Zelda a good talking to.
"Zelda—"
The princess looked back at her nanny and responded haughtily, "Impa, from now on, my name is Sheik."
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