Guess who's back with another chapter? For the record, this is Part Two: Chapter Fourteen; Book One. And thanks to ShadowSage006 for the follow, and to dreadfort1453 for the favourite. I must admit, I really enjoy writing chapters from Hilda's point of view. But writing from the boys' perspectives is far more entertaining. Speaking of entertaining...
Enjoy!
- Familiar.
Hilda stared at her reflection, hardly daring to believe that the person in the mirror was actually her. Her fingers had brushed the silk of this dress in her search for a gown to wear to Vilen's funeral this morning, and when she pulled it out, she knew it was time. Time for her to step up and take her place as Queen. The dress had belonged to her mother and she could still remember her words to this day, even now:
"One day, Hilda, you'll know you're ready for your birthright. And when you do, when your heart is whole and the person standing by your side is the one you can see yourself spending the rest of your life with ... I want you to wear this dress for me. I won't live to see you all grown up, my baby girl. You know that.
I won't be there for there for your coronation. And I won't, I'm sad to say, be there to see you pledge yourself to the man who steals your heart. Your father won't be there to give you away, either. Oh, don't give me that look. I'm your mother, I know this sort of stuff. Ruling a kingdom is a partnership, my dear.
But when you're ready to step up and take your place as Queen of Lorule, know that I am proud of you. No matter whatever you've done to get to that day, you're still my daughter and I will always love you..."
A knock at the door shook her out of her reprieve, and she cleared her throat. "Come in."
Ravio appeared in the corner of the mirror, and she turned in surprise. The man in front of her appeared to be stoic and silent; a figure who commanded the respect he deserved. But it was the cloak he wore that caught her attention. It was satin of deepest black, held in place by a pin shaped like the royal crest. The falcon's wings were flared, and her eyes widened as her eyes traced the shape of the shield behind it. She knew who this cloak had once belonged to – the cloak pin told her everything she need to know.
"It was your father's," Ravio whispered. "He gave it to me before he died."
Hilda nodded slowly, blinking back tears. "I know. I'd recognise that cloak pin anywhere."
He gave her a sad, crooked smile. "Need some help with the last piece?"
"I..." Her breath caught in her throat. "...Yes, please. I don't have the courage to do it myself."
"Then allow me, Princess."
Exhaling nervously, she gathered herself and approached the velvet pillow where the crown sat nestled, gleaming back at them. It wasn't just a crown anymore – it was hers. Hilda nearly baulked at the weight of responsibility she would bear, but then she glanced to one side and smiled. She wouldn't be alone.
She took a deep breath in. "I'm ready, Ravio."
He merely nodded, and lifted the crown from its resting place. The jewels glimmered in the light, the rubies blood-red crimson and full of fire; the diamonds glowing like tiny stars in the base of the diadem. Her eyes fluttered shut as he set it on top of her head, removing his hands so that she could get used to the feeling. If she were honest, it was a little heavy but ... 'heavy is the head that wears the crown'.
But she knew she was ready. Her heart was whole; and the person she could see herself spending the rest of her life with was right beside her. Where he belonged, come hell or high weather. At her side.
She opened her eyes, and looked her reflection in the eye. She stood tall and proud, suddenly very conscious of the way the dress hung off her body and flowed towards the ground. The silk was a dusky grey, complemented by the white of the sleeves and petticoat; and the delicate silver embroidery. Her regalia was all silver and chips of obsidian, which just made the rubies of her crown stand out more.
Ravio stood half a pace to her left, clothed in dark purple and black, one hand on her bare shoulder. What armour he wore was freshly polished – gauntlets, bracers and pauldrons gleaming gold in the early light. His boots were also polished; black leather to a soft shine. Her father's cloak rested over the top of a dark purple tunic and storm-grey pants, the cloak pin winking at her when it caught the light.
He smiled softly, nodding at their reflection. "We make quite the pair, don't we?"
"That we do. In fact, bold as it may be, I'd say it's almost royal portrait worthy."
"Now, come on, Hil. What do you want little ol' me standing next to you in a portrait for?" he asked.
She chuckled. He didn't get it. "Think about it, Ravio. What's the significance of such a portrait?"
"...O-oh." he stammered. "Hilda, you can't be serious! Me?! As in me, me?!"
"I've never been more serious in my life. And who else could rule beside me but you?"
"...Nobody."
"Yes, exactly. Now, come on. We're going to be late if we don't hurry."
Hilda swept out, giggling as he trailed behind her in a daze. They reached the door that separated her wing of the castle from the throne room, and he strode ahead, working on autopilot as he opened the door for her and entered the room after her, taking his place beside the throne, as was proper. Still, she fought to keep a straight face when his eyes darted sideways to settle on the dais and he shuddered. Poor fellow.
At a nod from her, the doors leading from the main hallway to the throne room opened, and the coffin bearers hoisted it up onto the bier. The procession would follow them out onto the plain in front of the castle gates, where they would then burn the body on a funeral pyre, according the former Ambassador's native tradition. It was a process she'd had explained by the Duchess herself, so she wasn't all that interested in the proceedings. It was far more entertaining to watch Ravio squirm.
She settled herself next to Zelda, who flashed her a friendly smile, and joined her in her search for Link. They found the blonde hero standing next to Ravio, who, when he caught her looking, jumped in shock and drew his shoulders up around his ears. Hilda smothered a laugh – he was trying to hide! From her! Oh, he wasn't serious, was he? The embarrassed grin he directed Link's way told her that, yes, he was.
"What's Ravio's problem?" Zelda hissed in her ear. "He's all jumpy this morning."
"You noticed?" she asked, momentarily surprised.
"I think everyone noticed, Hilda. He's normally quite composed. And he looked scared."
Hilda chuckled. "I paid him a compliment and he couldn't handle it. That's all."
"That's all?" she repeated dubiously. "Um, Hilda, he can't even look at you!"
"Well, it was a big compliment. I'd be freaking out too, if our roles were reversed."
"If your roles were reversed? Hilda, what are you going on about?" Zelda demanded.
She merely smiled. "You'll find out with time, Zelda. Don't you worry about it now – it'll be fine."
And fine it was, for when Hilda allowed her eyes to wander, they met a pair of green eyes so familiar it was like looking at a reflection. He lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug, the faintest traces of a smile lingering on his face. Chuckling, she pressed her fingertips to her lips and mouthed those three little words you can always say too often but never enough all at once. His smile broadened and she knew they'd be okay. They always were ... it was far too silly to keep fighting over trivial things like this.
As if they were fighting in the first place. Good Goddesses, the idea of them fighting over such a thing nearly made her fall over in horrified amusement. No, it would have to be something much, much worse. For example, if he pulled a stunt where he worked a fortnight straight on nothing but caffeine and his magic reserves just to get something done for the kingdom, then yes, there would be a problem. A big one, as a matter of fact.
But if he ever did something like that, she would deal with it when the time came. It was not today – but knowing him as well as she did, it would be one day. They were not children, had not been children even when they were supposed to have been; duty and responsibility shouldered when they should have learned and been loved those around them who loved them. They didn't know any different. While his dedication to the kingdom was something she loved about him; Din above, there were times she wanted to slap him for being stupid and not taking his own health into consideration. He was such an idiot.
Idiot or no, he did his job; and did it to that one-hundred-and-ten percent standard he was known for. People didn't come to the castle to seek her advice – it was for their combined advice; or sometimes, not even her advice at all. Sometimes they had to all sit down and take it one at a time ... and Ravio was always the one with a level head and patience unbound. She might have Wisdom, but he was far wiser.
It felt like so long ago but what she'd said then was true. He was brilliant and he was a natural leader; and to her annoyance, she couldn't run the kingdom without him. Her parents would have found this most amusing, she was sure. She owed him the lives of her people and eventual restoration of her kingdom, and that was a big debt for a ruler to owe. And what did he do? True to his word, he took it all in stride, and continued the list of duties he'd acquired, hardly asking for anything in return. Even if she didn't the idea of not paying him in any way, he would still refuse. No matter how hard she tried.
"I ask for nothing more than this."
One more chapter to go after this until Part Three. And boy, is it a fun one. Thank goodness for Ravio - even if he does end up in the doghouse. Hey, hey, he does the right thing ... regardless of the fact that he gets a little payback. Narbitts, honestly. They can't help themselves - it runs in the family.
Bye, and see you next time for the final installment of Part Two!