Dear Diary,
Today I announced my betrothal.
And, to my surprise, there was barely any objection. Quite the opposite, actually.
There was a roar of thunderous applause once I mentioned Link's name.
The affair, in the end, was quite simple: I spoke to the public to inform the event, introduced my betrothed - a very unfamiliar face to the whole of Hyrule - to the people, and informed the wedding date would comply with Hyrule's royal wedding traditions.
That is, I have to be married within three moons - a strange measure designed, in my opinion, to avoid having any doubts on the legitimacy of the firstborn - which seems very far in numbers, but soon in actual time.
And considering we have little time, and a royal wedding is an expensive affair, I have decided to be as austere as possible: a fancy dress I shall only wear once is useless, so I will repurpose the one I wore at my crowning - maybe add some embroidery or something similar.
Naima and Amina were shocked to hear that. They explained that Gerudo brides wear beautiful, ornate dresses, with jewelry that is handed down from mothers to daughters. Both convinced me to take the dress and bring it to the seamstress that made their wedding gowns.
'If you are reusing your dress, at least make it fabulous!', were Naima's words.
I know they will come up with something truly stunning - the Gerudo always wear very elegant clothes for what I have seen in the Stone Oasis and from the ones traveling here.
Which reminds me it is about time I go oversee the progress on the route between the desert and the rest of the regions. I might schedule it to be in a couple of weeks, or sooner, depending on the weather.
The one leaving next week is Link. He is to go to Snowpeak to supervise the finishing works. I hope I shall not miss him as intensely as before - he leaves for five days only, not six weeks.
Someone is knocking at the door. I shall keep on writing later.
Yours,
Zelda
P.S.: I just got back from quite an escapade.
The ones at the door were none other than Ashei and Naima. The former looked actually upset, and nervous.
'Ashei, you tell her', Naima started.
'No, you tell her', Ashei elbowed her. A very mature kind of dialogue indeed.
I took them inside, and asked about the subject matter - it should be something relevant enough to come in the evening, right before I go to bed.
And it was: 'I think I could be pregnant. I haven't got my monthlies in a fortnight'.
My face should have been of such surprise, Naima started laughing.
'Oh, no', Ashei gasped, 'Naima made the same face before, what am I gonna do?'
'But why do you come to me?', I asked.
'You are the smart one!', both said in unison.
The smart one! Can you believe it? As if the Triforce of Wisdom was any guarantee - If they read this diary, and/or knew of some things I have done -specially involving a certain someone - they might have a slightly different opinion of me.
'Actually', Ashei added, 'I can trust you with this. Link would probably panic, then run to you. We're not besties, but I really appreciate you'.
I was moved by her words - Ashei is a "tough cookie", like Link says. So, her opening to me is no small deal. So I was compelled to help her as much as possible.
We discarded Dr. Borville and Shaman Renado on first thought, the former for being mistrusted in general, the latter for being part of our inner circle, although is absolutely trustworthy.
'Renado has a daughter, doesn't he?', Naima asked.
'Luda', Ashei answered, 'but I don't know if she has enough skills yet'.
'Ilia!', her name came to me fast as lightning, 'She is Renado's apprentice, and Link told me she helped deliver babies in Ordon before that!'
'That tiny girl?!', Naima was shocked, 'I feel so much more respect for her now'.
'Her mother was a midwife, an passed her skills on to her'.
I told them to meet me in half an hour at Telma's. I put on simple clothes and cloak, left a note through the mirror door for Link, and sneaked out to meet them.
I found Telma talking to Ilia at the bar, both really merry. When they saw us, Telma just winked and pointed to the private room, both joining me on the way.
'Ashei told Telma and I the situation', Ilia whispered. 'We were waiting for you'.
Once in the private room, completely closed for obvious reasons, Ilia asked Ashei some questions and examined her: she palpated her belly, and used a stethoscope to check for another heartbeat.
'If you are actually with child, you should be over two moons', she explained. 'I should be able to listen to the heartbeat, but there is none, and your lower belly isn't hard to the touch… you also have none of the general symptoms, besides missing your period'.
'What the heck do you mean?', Ashei asked nervous.
'You're not preggers, girl'. Ilia was unequivocally conclusive. 'Your blood didn't come because of physical exertion, stress, or other worries'.
She handed Ashei a small bottle with a translucent, lilac color liquid. 'This is will help you be regular again. It's just a herbal extract made with artemisia, sage and lavender. Drink a sip every morning for a week'.
'What if it doesn't work?', she asked again, less worried.
'It will', Ilia assured her, 'it's made with the best of Ordon's herbs'.
'If it's as good as your moonshine, then it will', Ashei chuckled, going back to her usual self.
I enquired Ilia about the extract, for I have been always irregular, and feel sick or tired during those days. But my words, accidentally, gave something away.
'Not every woman has perfectly regular cycles, and that's alright. You just have to observe the changes on your body, and you'll have a clearer idea on how long your cycles are', she commented, 'But…why are you worried on being… Oh, Goddesses', and her eyes widened. 'You did the do!'
My face was probably redder than Telma and Naima's hair combined. All their eyes turned to me.
'You pretty scamp!', Ashei yelled, eyes full of laugh. 'look what you were hiding!'
'That is none of your business', Telma scolded her, and held my shoulders, 'just Zelda's'.
'I know, I know', she admitted, 'but it means you made really good use of the mirror door'.
Now, that was a surprise. I turned ever redder.
'I discovered it', Ashei cleared out, 'Auru considered it would be useful for your safety; I thought otherwise - it would be better for a little mischief. Your secret is safe with me, anyway. You are our ruler, but we all know some people would use anything to discredit you'.
'In our lands, people don't criticize others so easily', Naima commented, patting my head. 'We don't forget our leaders are beings with flaws' .
'My lips are sealed', Ilia added, with a wink, 'We all know you both are sensible people - nothing is wrong if you love each other'.
After they saw me more calmed, we had a complicit pint and left for the castle.
'We are a good team, for sure!', Naima bragged, 'like a sisterhood of sorts'.
As strange as it seemed, she was right. I feel like we banded together, either to support Ashei or cover up my sexcapades (Ashei's word, not mine) through the mirror door. I wish my father's goddaughter would know them. She is the sweetest girl, she loves insects and her knowledge about them is vast. I haven't seen her in a while - I am the most ungrateful friend in the land!
Despite the merry conversation, a doubt buzzed in my head.
'Ashei, were you telling Shad about this?', I asked worried.
'Yup, but after seeing a medic', She answered, really serene. 'It was not about having kiddos, actually, but more of the things involved'.
'What do you mean with that, sister?', Naima was quizzed.
'Shad would have probably proposed to me immediately', she affirmed, 'But I'm not ready for that… I pretty much don't believe in marriage - no offense, Zelda, Naima'.
Who would get offended? Her point is completely valid.
'We're happy just as we are, we don't need rings or other things to prove we love each other' - she blushed - 'Goddesses know how much I love that nerd'.
Her words rang true, and I feel them deeply. Maybe I would do the same if I did not have a title; if I were just Zelda, free from all - the crown, the Triforce of Wisdom, you name it.
Considering all the events of this evening, perhaps I shall dream of being an Ordonian wildflower tonight, in love with a handsome wrangler.
I better get some sleep - I am already rambling nonsense. I peeped through the mirror door when I came back, and my darling is sleeping all bundled up. I did not had the heart to get closer, or wake him up.