A/N: HOLY MONSTER OF A CHAPTER. HOPE YOU ENJOY READING ALL 20 PAGES!
Shameless disclaimer. I only wrote this chapter because I wanted Link to look cool and dance. So I hope you enjoy it because I certainly did.
As for the "Gerudo" that's spoken… you, the readers, will DEFINITALLY have to let me know if you like it or not. It's a mix of Cebuano, Official Nintendo Gerudo, and fan-made Gerudo (from this website: va-eheniv. conlang englishgerdo .html ). I worked way too hard on those few sentences (I'm-a perfectionist linguist), but if you guys like it, I'll keep at it. Personally, I think I prefer writing everything in normal English and just italicizing everything when there's supposed to be a second language. But I can see how having bizzar words pop up helps clarify that character speaking a different language. There's pros and cons to both. Again, it's up to you guys! There will be more Gerudo-Hylian conversations, so tell me which style you prefer.
**All the translations are located at the end of the chapter. For this specific chapter you don't have to know immediately what they're saying to understand what's happening.
Also, feel free to listen to Forest of Mystery (ALBW) when the waltzing begins. :D Mabe Village was also the song that was played before that one, so feel free to listen to that as well. They're great songs. Wish I could waltz to them someday.
Time's Saga
First Life: Prince of Power
"What I'm trying to say is that you're our proof, Link. Proof that the Gerudo are not simple savages. That we can not only teach our children courtly manners, but things far above and beyond that. …We've raised you to be better than us."
Chapter 45: Dance with Me
Having at last unbuttoned his shirt, Link carelessly tossed it on what was apparently his bed. He stared at it for a long while, lost deep in thought. But then he ground his teeth together and snatched the shirt back. He wasn't some uncaring Hylian who tossed lovingly crafted items around like they were petty trinkets. Tightly he clutched the black cloth, but still his hands wouldn't stop shaking. Ragged breathing escaped him. It wasn't quite a laugh, but it wasn't a cry either.
He had done it.
Somehow, against all that he had believed, somehow he managed to secure their commanding start in the negotiations. It had seemed like an impossible task when King Ganondorf first brought it up. But now, the idea that he was just a boy and simply brought to the castle according to the Hyrulian King's good wishes was completely and utterly shattered. Somehow, he had managed to turn his thinly veiled captivity into a worth-while bargaining chip. Now everyone in court knew why Prince Link was truly there, and they couldn't simply send him back.
The Gerudo were out for blood, and they would get their price paid in full.
It was simply a matter of time before those fiends got what they deserved. Link brushed his fingers against the scar on his chest. It was bright white and puckered but thankfully it no longer hurt. Once that scar's scabs had fallen off Link could easily forget it was there. But the other scar, the one that took his voice, that was different.
Slowly, Link turned around to look at himself. A full-length mirror was positioned in the corner. It was one of the clearest looking glasses he had ever seen, and he couldn't help flinching at the disfigured, haunted-looking kid staring back at him. It was hard to wrap his mind around the fact that that was what he looked like.
Short, with tanned skin, pale lips and a cold look to his eyes. Part of him was grieved that he looked that way. He was told on multiple occasions that he should lighten-up, but those few moments where he thought he felt happy were quickly chased away by overpowering feelings of guilt and anger. The only time those feelings passed were when he buried himself in his studies and that was because he had a goal in mind.
His fingers now trailed elsewhere on his chest. The ridges they ran over he had felt a thousand times before but seeing his ribs in such a sorry state was worrisome. He could feel it already, the exhaustion threatening to take him into sleep. To be fair, he had skipped the common afternoon nap because apparently Hylians didn't believe in resting. But it was more than that. Despite the abundance of food they were provided with at lunch Link found he could only eat a quarter of what he was given. His body simply couldn't take in anymore. It was going to be a long road to recovery, but the only thought Link had was how to get that abundance of food back to the Fortress.
But for now, he needed rest. That first meeting caused a lot of chaos, so it ended early. It was a blessing, as it gave him extra time to sleep and recuperate. Slowly, he sank into the soft, cloud-like bed to sleep.
Link was shaken awake far too early. It was like he had only just put his head on the pillow just moments before. So with a grumble he cracked open an eye.
"Really hate to wake you, Prince Link," Hayate apologized. Some of her red bangs fell over her eyes so she brushed them away. Link was about to accept her apology until she chuckled with her next words. "But that little girl has come to help make you ready. Honestly, do they really think you so unable to do anything?"
"Standard procedure in the castle," Link groaned as he sat up. "What time is it anyway?"
"Thirty after sixteen," the Gerudo guard winced.
"What?" Link cried. He flopped back to the floor. Putting an arm over his eyes he whined, "I could have slept for another twenty minutes."
"We were going to let you sleep for another ten, but then she came around all in a panic. So we figured we could spend some extra time prettying you up."
Link parted his fingers to peer at Hayate. A new sense of dread was rising within him as he saw her outstretched hand that led to the excitable grin. Trying to put on his most authoritative frown, Link pleaded, "Just don't overdo it, please. I'm supposed to be approachable, not scaring the noble ladies half to death."
"So we'll just scare them all the way and we won't have anything to worry about, right?"
As soon as she said it, Hayate was met with that cold, imperious stare. Faintly, she had to wonder when Prince Link had perfected that look. It was so much like King Ganondorf that it made her freeze. Trying to disguise her discomfort, Hayate lowered her hand a little more.
Rolling her eyes, she said, "Fine, fine. Have it your way. It's just that me and the girls really want you to shine, ya know?"
At last Link grudgingly took her hand and stood up fully. He walked past her, lifting his arms in a stretch. Just a footstep behind, Hayate shadowed him.
"So why'd you choose to sleep on the floor? Wouldn't the bed be more comfortable?"
"You'd think so, but did you try sitting on the thing? It's like falling into a sand trap. It sucks you in and you can't get out."
"Huh, I'm going to have to try it, then."
"Be my guest," Link waved his hand as he opened the door to leave the bedroom. Unthinkingly he walked right in and was met with a gasp.
Snapping his head around he saw Lady Peatrice quivering in the middle of the sitting room. She had both hands up to her potion-red face. She looked as if she was about to cry.
"Lady Peatrice, what's wrong?" Link asked with his eyebrows raised.
"You-you-you" She stuttered. For a split second she cracked her fingers open, but immediately squeaked and hide her head. In a burst she explained, "You're naked!"
Link took a step back and felt his body in surprise. Half turning his head he looked to Hayate in suspicion. He wouldn't put it past her to pull a trick like taking all his clothes. But no, he was perfectly fine. His pantaloons were maybe a bit rumpled, but nothing catastrophic.
"Oh." It finally dawned on him that he wasn't wearing the formal shirt anymore.
The other two Gerudo in the room seemed to realize it at the same time he did and burst out laughing. Link shook his head and ignored them as he made his way over to the bathroom.
Hayate was kind enough to go to the girl, even though she was probably laughing the hardest. Pulling Peatrice's hands away from her face, she explained in highly accented Hylian, "Vai, that's not naked. It's what Prince Link usually wears in the Fortress."
Dumbfounded, Peatrice allowed her hands to be forcibly pulled away. But her eyes were saucers. "But-but-but there's so much skin!"
This ill-thought comment gave the Gerudo another round of laughter.
"Mahal vai," Hayate shook her head. "You Hylians wear too much. Think of it. We live in the hot desert where the heat can truly kill you. If you wear anything more than what we do you're certain to have a stroke."
Properly educated, Peatrice tried defending herself. "But, you're in Hyrule now."
"Quite right," Link said as he walked out of the bathroom. Peatrice made the mistake to turn to look at him while he spoke. Instantly the hands were back. Link was a little sad about that, because she totally missed his smirk.
"Don't worry," he assured her as he crossed back into the bedroom. "I'll be wearing more than this."
"I thought you said you would be wearing more."
"I am wearing more," Link said brightly. "Vest and shoes are more than just pants."
So exasperated was she that Peatrice dropped her hands to protest. Her argument died in her throat when she saw him again. He was sitting on a stool as tall and straight as could be. He had changed out his black pants for another pair of black pants, but these ones matched the vest and shoes. At least, Lady Peatrice thought they matched. They had the same thick colorful embroidery running along the edges, but that was all she got in the quick glimpse, before turning away.
Link winced when his hair got pulled a little too tight. Glancing at the noble girl, he sighed. "You know, you going to have a hard time doing your job if you can't even look at me."
The girl flinched but she didn't turn around. It took her so long to respond that Link worried he had irrevocably offended her, but surprisingly she was the one who apologized.
"I'm sorry," she said so quietly Link had to listen carefully. "I'm sorry for troubling you like this. It's just… I'm not-"
"I get it. You're not used to it." Link closed his eyes as he tried ignoring how fussy his sisters were being. They kept tugging his hair this way and that. Honestly, a high ponytail would be just fine. "If I have a chance tomorrow, I'll sort this out. I think both you and I can agree that I don't need a lady-in-waiting to help me feel more comfortable in Hyrule."
So surprised was Lady Peatrice that she turned around dumbfounded. "So-you… you knew immediately, didn't you?"
Slowly opening his eyes, Link arched a brow. "It was fairly obvious from the start. Normally they have experienced adults greet international envoys."
Now Peatrice looked crestfallen. Hoping to avoid any more hurt feelings, Link quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, back to the topic at hand. I really don't need a lady-in-waiting, but I sure could use a friend." For an added measure, he smiled.
The affect was immediate. Lady Peatrice's eyes grew wide and her mouth formed a small 'o' as what he said sunk deep into her heart. If there was anything Peatrice had wanted since coming to the castle, it was a friend. Someone she could talk to and giggle with and just spend lazy minutes strolling in the gardens with. Granted, a boy wasn't what she imagined engaging with in these sorts of activities, but for anyone to so blatantly state such a desire and for her to be the recipient of that request, it was almost enough to send her whooping in joy. That smile was so friendly and warm that Peatrice didn't mind one bit that Link was a boy. It was nice to be looked at like she was a human being.
"Hara, Lalaki Link! Biaf mus kuno sa woo ang vaibas hangtud sa bangkete."Hayate called from where she was lounging on the couch with a devilish grin on her face.
Link jerked his head and scrunched his face. His hairdresser tisked as all her careful work was undone, but he didn't care. Apparently, his sister saw something funny in what he said. Quickly, he responded, "Kaf das ikaw targim? Es yano nindot."
"Ug kana kaf ikaw ah gipangita kayo ves-voe. Ikaw dasn bisan pa makaamgo mid ikaw buhaton ah vai-e dokiki mopitik." Hayate slowly shook her head in jovial exasperation.
It was hard for Peatrice to follow what had happened once the conversation had turned Gerudo. Trying to get over her emotions, she allowed her curiosity to lead her.
"Pardon me, but what are you saying?"
"It's nothing," Prince Link looked a little relieved at her question as he quickly responded. "Hayate is just teasing me."
"Oh, alright then," Peatrice said a bit awkwardly. But she couldn't help noticing how Link's ear tips got a little bit red over the course of the conversation. Whatever was said it was probably for the best that she didn't understand it. The Gerudo were quite strange.
Surprisingly, Prince Link began to chuckle. "Hayate, I win the bet!"
Over Hayate's sudden squawking, Lady Peatrice tilted her head and asked, "Bet? What bet?"
Looking a little smug, Link folded his arms and smirked at her. "Hayate said that you wouldn't be able to look at me for more than a minute straight. I bet her that you would before the night was over."
Peatrice's eyes couldn't have gotten any bigger when she realized that she had indeed been staring at the Prince for so long. It made her face go redder than the heart-piece looped around Link's neck. Quickly, she turned back around and put her head in her hands. She heard him get off the stool and his footsteps were near-silent on the carpeted floor as he approached. Nearly leaping out of her skin when his hand gently touched her shoulder, Peatrice was instantly calmed by that unusually soft and soothing voice. It was the opposite of his earlier rasping which she had just gotten used to.
"Lady Peatrice, I hope you'll forgive my early rudeness, but plainly speaking, is not it easier to have a conversation with a person face to face?"
It took a moment for her heart to sink back into place before she could answer. But slowly, of her own free will, no less, she dropped her hands and looked at him. He was so close that it could be called inappropriate but somehow Peatrice didn't feel threatened at all.
"Yes. Yes, that's true," she finally admitted.
That friendly moment was broken by Hayate intently gazing over the couch at the two and whispering loudly, "Ves-voe!"
Link flinched, then quickly backed away. He shot the grinning Hayate a glare but then composed himself. With a light cough he returned to the stool. The Gerudo who was braiding his hair savagely tugged on the hair, not at all happy that her work was ruined. Lady Peatrice politely covered her laughing smile. She knew how frustrating it was to redo work like that.
Now that she was more comfortable in the Prince's presence, she dared to ask the question, "Your voice, it wasn't always like that, was it?"
Link looked up from staring at the floor. Automatically his hand went to his throat and Peatrice winced when she saw that scar underneath the necklace.
"No, it wasn't," he rasped. Flickering his eyes away, Peatrice waited to hear more. She realized, though, he wasn't willing to expand on that story as the seconds ticked on in silence.
"I'm deeply sorry for your loss. Both your voice and for your Queen."
The words came unbidden. Though it wasn't her conscious intention to tread on such a sensitive topic, Peatrice found that she was surprisingly happy about her honesty. It had been a long time since the words she uttered were unfettered with worry or white lies. The Gerudo seemed to have sensed her genuineness, as the hairdresser had stopped midway in her brushing. Hayate sat up straighter with her golden eyes studying Peatrice, but then she settled back with a small smile.
But Prince Link's reaction was more than gratifying. He stared at her, with his lips slightly parted. He was so still that Peatrice was sure he could have been mistake as a statute in the gardens, if they were there. But then the hands that gripped the edge of the stool began to tremble. For once, his beautiful blue eyes didn't look like they were on guard. Instead, it was like she was staring into blue waves of emotions that cascaded over the Prince. Hurt was the first, a reflection of the pain he bore as witness of the crimes. But then there was a flash of fear quickly followed by suspicion. But as her words were left hanging in the air, that intensity left him, opening him up, for a moment, as a totally unguarded child. For one brief second Prince Link was nothing more than a scared boy caught up in the same entangling web of deceit that she was, though Peatrice knew full well her circumstances were far better off despite her lower standing.
Hoping to not lose that small bit of comradery that had somehow formed between them, Peatrice offered a small, honest-to-goodness smile, and dipped in a curtsey. Bravely, she finished what she started, "Truly, no one should have to suffer like you did. I pray to the Goddesses that you will be paid in full."
Strangely, Link opened his mouth, but nothing was heard. Quickly he closed it as bent over with a dry cough. Instantly, the guards were around him, patting his back or rubbing his arms. One thought to pour a cup of water and handed it to him.
Peatrice felt utterly useless at that moment. Instinctively, she had taken a step forward, but she was far slower than the guards and was left hanging on the edges. It took several moments for Link to straighten but even then, he still tenderly rubbed his throat.
The small clock on the mantel chimed and Peatrice jumped. Looking at its face, she cursed under her breath. She had spent far too long in here. With another curtsey, she backed away from Link, who was looking more alert.
"My apologies, but I must be leaving. I'll come by in ten minutes to guide you to the banquet hall."
Link nodded his head, but it didn't look like he was going to say anything. So she dashed out the door. But as it was closing, she thought she heard him speak. It was something in Gerudo, so he must have been talking to his guards.
"Sarqso."
Tucked away in a far corner of the banquet hall was a young girl. She didn't look at anyone, nor did anyone pay attention to her. Which was all well and good, because she preferred to be alone and hated to be interrupted. In her lap she held a small board with parchment on it. With her gloves carelessly laying on the spotless table in front of her, she was free to take the pastels to the paper however she chose. Right now, she slid the dark grey chalk in a swooping curve and filled the shape in. Then she took a lighter grey and mixed that carefully into the drawing.
Art was an escape to her. She knew she created beautiful portraits not because her teacher told her so, but because she loved them. And there were very few things she loved in this dark world. Carefully, she picked up the light yellow and was just about to touch it to the paper when the call was sounded. For a heartbeat, she considered ignoring Chancellor Cole's droning, but then quickly set her pastels down. Last time she rebelled she had three of her paintings torn to shreds. So grudgingly, she stood up with everyone else. Keeping in mind that no one of importance was watching her, she casually dusted off her hands and jerkily pulled on her long, white gloves.
While the Chancellor continued to drone on the aristocrats slowly melted into their positions along the tables. A shadow fell over her and immediately the girl's face sank into a stony mask. The tall, domineering woman that stood beside her tapped her foot impatiently.
"Of all things, why do we have to wait for Gerudo?" the fancifully arrayed woman muttered.
Wisely, the red-eyed girl made no comment to her mother. The High Duchess of Shame was in a mood again, and if she wasn't careful, her current pastel set could easily be trashed. So, she stood quietly, her eyes downcast, dearly hoping that the unfortunate noble assigned to their table wouldn't be offended by mother's sore mouth.
A swish of dark robes to her right gave the dark-haired girl a smile. It seemed the Goddesses were merciful to her today. A good companion stood next to her; her teacher, Mr. Yuga. Seeing her happy stare, the foreigner gave her an imperceptible wink but said nothing as he politely listened to protocol. A minute later Chancellor Cole finished looking important and banged his cane against the fine granite tile.
"Announcing the presence of the King of Hyrule, Sir Nicholas enters the banquet hall with his daughter, Princess Zelda. All arise."
Well that was pointless, the girl thought as she scanned the crowded hall. Everyone was already standing and waiting for the show to end. Across from her she saw the huge form of the Gerudo man. He had changed out of that leather armor that caused such a ruckus earlier. A smile threatened to cross her face. The whole situation was quite funny, though her mother had plenty to complain about. And undoubtedly, she would find so much to talk about regarding the prince. The boy was dressed in black, like he was earlier, although he changed out the puffy shirt for nothing but a vest this time. She felt a blush creep across her face as she realized she could see right into his bosom.
Thankfully, at the moment her cousin crossed her vision. Like always, Zelda held her head high. She would have looked noble if it wasn't for her constantly shifting eyes. Poor little Zee had never quite gotten over her suspicions of people ever since that dark day, and it showed in how she constantly fidgeted. Now that the Royal Family was seated, everyone else sat down. There was a moment of scraping chairs and short pleasantries exchanged, but it quickly fell to a hush as the King of Hyrule rose to stand again.
Holding out his cup was the signal to everyone to hold out theirs. Immediately servants stepped forward to fill the goblets with watered down wine. As they did, the King began his speech.
"As the day comes to a close, we sit together for a united moment to enjoy this meal. It brings me great pleasure to welcome Sir Ganondorf, King of the Gerudo, to sit with me and sup."
Having been coached of the formalities, the green-skinned man rose to stand. The cup that he held in his hand looked small, but it was in fact one of the largest goblets the castle had.
"I am also grateful for your hospitality, Sir Nicholas. May these next few days be profitable for all of us." The melodious baritone voice of the Gerudo floated over the hall. As he spoke, his cup was filled, and as soon as the servant pulled away, the two men turned toward each other. Clinking their goblets together they nodded in acknowledgement of each other.
"To peace," the Hyrulian King said as he pleasantly smiled.
"To prosperity," the Gerudo King smiled back.
Then they drank the wine. That signaled the end of the formalities and the banquet began. A swell of chatter arose as everyone at their separate tables began talking.
"First the Labraynnians and now the Gerudo. What on earth is my brother thinking?" the dark haired, dark eyed woman scathingly asked as she took a sip of her wine. A moment later she spit it out. "Oh, this wine is atrocious! Steward, get me a new bottle," she demanded as the first course was set before her.
"Yes, your grace," the man humbly muttered, but he needn't bother. The woman was already caught up in her own worries to listen to a servant.
"Is he trying corrupt Hyrule? I mean, look at that Gerudo! He's not a king!" She furiously stabbed at tomato, but it fortunately missed its cruel fate. Snapping her teeth together, the woman gripped her fork so hard her pale skin turned so white that girl could see the blue veins running underneath.
"But he is the leader of his people," Yuga pointed out. "So what if he's called a king? I mean no disrespect, Duchess Ivee."
"It matters," Ivee narrowed her eyes in disgust, "because the royal lineage of Hyrule has always been one of truly noble Kings and Queens. We are descended from the gods, you know. But if course, it's easy for a foreigner to make the mistake that we are simply leaders." She added haughtily.
The girl beside her flinched. The bit of salad that had managed to make it onto her fork fell back to the plate. Yuga licked his pale lips nervously.
"I apologize, your grace. I won't make that mistake again."
"I certainly hope not. You are teaching my daughter, and I would hate for her mind to be corrupted by such silly notions."
"Yes, of course," Yuga readily agreed. Sensing his way out, he took it. "As far as Lady Hilda's studies go, she's a marvelous pupil. I didn't know she had already memorized the Eight Noble Family's ancestry. It made this week's lessons that much easier."
"Family is something I take very seriously, Scholar Yuga. It's the only thing that keeps this world together." Lady Ivee sighed. There were sad notes to her comment, and beside her, her daughter dropped her head.
"Absolutely correct, your grace." Yuga agreed again. After a moment's chewing, he started up the conversation again. "I couldn't help but notice, Lady Hilda, that you were drawing again. Would you care to show me after the meal?"
Hilda was brought out of her depressing shell. With a small smile she looked to her tutor and readily agreed, "Yes, absolutely, although it's not finished."
"Ah but works in progress are so delightful, simply because I don't know what wonderful addition you will think of next."
Hilda positively beamed.
"Hilda," her mother's strict voice scratched along her eardrum. "I don't want you to waste away your sharp mind. I want to see those portraits so I can give you a proper critique."
The jubilation Hilda was feeling was immediately crushed. No doubt her lovely works were going to be picked apart again. It was always a disaster when her mother bothered to checked up on her. But obediently she submitted, "Yes, mother duchess."
"Good. I'll set aside some time for you tomorrow, how does that sound?" The long fingers that ended in colorful points patted Hilda's wrist. It was supposed to be a motherly gesture, though Hilda had never once felt warmth from those cold, pale hands.
"It sounds wonderful," Hilda replied with her teeth included in her smile. Inside her stomach roiled, and suddenly she couldn't eat any more of the salad.
Her mother pulled away at the same time Hilda set down her fork. Noticing how quickly she stopped eating, Duchess Ivee inquired, "Hilda, dear, are you feeling well. You've barely touched your plate."
Unable to speak the truth, Hilda simply said, "I just have no appetite tonight."
"I can understand why," Ivee said as she allowed her cutlery to fall with a clatter. Shooting a poisonous glare to the Royal Family's table, she muttered, "We're in bad company. It leaves a foul taste in my mouth as well. Now, where on earth is that wine?"
She threw her head back to glare at the servants standing along the walls. One of them came out of the doors in a hurry, carrying an aged bottle.
"Finally," she muttered. With high criticisms she shrieked, "How long does it take to get one bottle from the cellars, steward?"
"My apologies, your grace," the man wheezed. But without losing a beat he uncorked the bottle and poured the contents in a new goblet that he near magically procured. "But I thought that you would appreciate a barley wine from 682 with tonight's meal."
The woman narrowed her eyes and stared hard at the man. The steward stopped pouring to look at her in fear. The sweat that had gathered at his brow coalesced into a drop and slid down his face. He gulped and the goblet trembled in his hand. But then High Duchess Ivee the Ashamed turned her frown upside down.
Gesturing quickly she demanded, "Quickly, poor the whole bottle if you can."
Spurred on, the man then handed her an overflowing cup. Some wine spilled onto her expensive purple satin dress, but the duchess didn't seem to mind. Instead, she drank as much as she could before handing the goblet back. Without a word, the cup was filled again.
Hilda folded her hands in her lap in silence. The second course would be starting soon, and she didn't want her appetite ruined any more than it already was by looking at her disgraced mother.
Link was stuffed. It was about as bad as the fall feast, when they had one. But what made being full a problem this time is that he couldn't go take a nap. No, somehow Hylians could eat this much and still move. And because he was in Hyrule, he had to do as the Hylians did. Thankfully, this was mainly a banquet so the dancing would be limited.
"A wonderful dinner, your highness. I never knew duck could be so succulent."
"Please, it was all the cooks. They're the ones that can take such simple ingredients and make turn them into foods fit for the gods," Sir Nicholas waved Ganondorf's compliment away. "But now that the food is out of the way, I assume you would like to become acquainted with some of the court?"
"Certainly," Ganondorf rumbled, "The sooner the better."
"Well, let's not waste any time then." With that said, the King of Hyrule stood and left the dining table with King Ganondorf walking beside him. The impression they gave off was not of two rulers holding a stiff conversation about politics, but one of old friends joking about adventures of the past. It was a sight that made Link smile as he trailed a step behind Ganondorf. So far, the evening had gone well.
Link had wanted to speak with Princess Zelda more, but the entirety of their conversation was limited to formal greetings. It was the adults who talked here. And when Link thought he had a chance, she had to excuse herself for the evening prayers. Such was the princess's duty, apparently.
"Ah, Chancellor Cole, it's good of you to join us."
Indeed, the man in the funny green suit had spent most of his time wandering between the tables talking to various nobles and only occasionally sat down to eat his meal. But now that the crowd had moved to another spacious room, the ball room, Link figured considering its checkerboard tiled floor and wide expanse unencumbered by pillars, the man had found his way back to the Hyrulian King's side.
"Always ready to serve, your majesty," the man stretched his smile.
"If you would, please gather the High Nobles. I'm sure they would love to speak with Sir Ganondorf."
"Very well," Chancellor Cole said with yet more smiles. Link didn't like his smiles. There was something repulsive about them, but he didn't know what.
"Good evening, Lord Brother," a feminine voice spoke up from behind.
The group turned to find a tall, thin woman gracefully approaching. She had pale skin that brightly contrasted against the dark hair coiled about her head. Her eyes were a piercing ebony, but her beautiful look was marred by deep-set wrinkles and a scowl. In her right hand she held a goblet in which she slowly swirled her amber wine.
"Good evening, Lady Sister Ivee," Sir Nicholas said a bit too jovially. "And what brings you to me at this hour? Could it be that you want to play a game of chess?"
"Nothing of the sort," she sharply replied. Smoothly she recovered from her outburst and passed the goblet to her left hand. Offering her right to King Ganondorf she sweetly said, "I've just come to make my acquaintance with the Gerudo King. Duchess Ivee Oceanus Nohansen Hyrule. It's a pleasure to meet you, Gerudo King Ganondorf."
Gently taking her hand in his, Ganondorf had to bend low to bring it to his lips. "The pleasure is mine, Duchess Ivee. I'm glad to find you in good health."
Taking her hand back she smoothly replied, "Yes, I was in mourning when you last made the journey to Hyrule Castle. It's good that we are finally able to meet officially."
"That it is, your grace."
Though is wasn't anything worth calling out on, Link knew by the set of Ganondorf's jaw and the odd twitch in the duchess's eye that this meeting was anything but pleasant. It was merely a formality and a way to measure the enemies' capabilities. As far as he could tell, it looked as if Ganondorf won this round, but Lady Ivee didn't seem to want to acknowledge defeat. She still stood before him with that slightly drunken smile plastered on her face.
One-hundred percent aware of the storm that was building, the King of Hyrule intervened. Smoothly, he broke the invisible strain by directing the attention to the girl standing obtusely behind her mother.
"Ah, Miss Hilda! How has my favorite niece been lately?" The King stepped forward and positioned himself in such a way that forced the two adults to break eye contact.
Hilda jumped like she was a fish caught on a line and for a moment, panic was all that was in her deep, dark red eyes. But a sharp glare from her mother immediately set her straight. She quickly dropped to a curtsy.
"Lord Uncle, it's wonderful for you to inquire about me, but there's really no need. Life is as it always is."
"I hear that your paintings are growing more refined. Undoubtedly they'll come to grace the hall of this castle and make it more beautiful."
With that praise a light blush crossed the pale girl's face and she ducked her head in gratitude. "Your words fill me with happiness," she replied, and Link got the feeling that statement was truthful.
"Ah, well, dear sister," Sir Nicholas address Lady Ivee again, "If you don't mind, Sir Ganondorf and I will leave you now. There's much mingling to do tonight."
Link was surprised. Instead of glaring at him, like he thought she would, Lady Ivee simply smiled and backed away with a bow.
"Of course, my King."
And just like that the tension was gone. Link couldn't help but watch the two walk away, somewhat fascinated by the pale girl. There was something about her that seemed at the same time familiar and unusual. It was a niggling feeling that wouldn't go away, despite the minutes that passed and the various nobles he met and listened to. So when the orchestra began playing and Link had to take up his role, he knew who it was he had to dance with first.
Hilda didn't enjoy these events. They were simply boring, and she had to keep watch on her mother constantly. Honestly, if she wasn't there to guide her mother away from danger, their apartments would have surely been lite on fire long ago. Thankfully, mother seemed rather subdued tonight. That meeting with the Gerudo King was frightening, but thankfully Uncle Nic came to the rescue at the right time. After that, mother sat at one of the small tables and continued to stare at her drink. This left Hilda with plenty of time to finish her drawing.
It was coming out nicely, though she had lost a lot of inspiration over dinner. But still the dark grey and black background contrasted nicely with the bright yellows and whites at the forefront. But the image in her head wasn't as clear as it used to be. That was the problem with protocol and etiquette; it left no time for spontaneity, which was a shame. Hilda undoubtedly could have copied much more accurately those images that randomly popped into her head, and if she could do that then maybe she had a chance at putting her life together.
As the final notes of Mabe Waltz sang out, a flurry of hushed whispers echoed across the room. Hilda, as the boorish and uncaring girl she was, ignored the gossipers as best she could. She had more important matters to think about, like whether a tint of red or blue would make the image stand out more. But the excitable noise grew ever louder until the people standing closest to her hissed at each other.
"What does that boy think he's doing?"
"Honestly, he's prowling around like a lynel. Who is going to be the unlucky father of the Prince's first pick? It won't be my Isabella, that's for sure."
"Nor mine. If he gets within two feet of my daughter, I'll intervene. I don't care if it offends the Kings. I can't have him stomping on her toes and ruining her dancing for the week."
"I'm glad you and I think alike."
Normally Hilda would have ignored such pointless drivel if the aristocrats hadn't snapped their mouths so quickly that she could hear their teeth clink. Surprised at such crude manners she automatically lifted her head. The boy in question was walking in her direction. That wasn't surprising. Where she was positioned was a perfect location for plenty of people to pass on by to avoid the dancing floor. What scared her was the look in his eye. It would be clear to a blind man that the Prince of the Gerudo was on a mission. The surety of his footsteps was also troubling. They weren't hesitant at all, like most boys were when looking for a dance partner. No. He knew exactly who it was he wanted for his first dance, and with ever growing dread, Hilda deduced who it was.
Maybe if she avoided eye contact he would just walk on by? Yes, that sounded perfectly reasonable. To make it look like she was busy with her drawing, Hilda quickly picked up a pastel and just randomly began scribbling. Her heart cried out with the mess she had made, but silently she pleaded that having lime green scratches against the grey clouds was perfectly normal. Or at least it was worth the risk.
But no. The way her mother tensed up beside her and with that disapproving, sharp intake of breath, Hilda's stomach sank to the floor. She knew a heartbeat before he said it.
"Lady Hilda, if I may please have this dance with you."
Hilda looked up sharply. That wasn't the voice she was expecting. It was sweet, beautiful even. Not at all like the rough and cracked pleading voice she heard earlier that day.
He was staring at her with a smile. There was something unnerving about that smile, and it took her several seconds to understand why. He was smiling. At her. And it wasn't a forced smile either. He genuinely seemed to happy to approach her.
Hilda wouldn't say she was an expert at reading people, but she had a fair amount of experience in watching for the warning signs when following her mother around. She could tell when a person was bored and wanted to leave. Or when they were secretly irritated but chose to keep a frozen smile in place. But genuine cheerfulness at this level? It was downright frightening.
A strangled growl from her mother snapped Hilda out of her stupor. Lady Ivee was glaring at Prince Link but the Prince didn't seem to notice. Instead his focus was solely on Hilda. And she realized with horror that the whole room was staring. Even the musicians had paused to tune their instruments which left the hall strangely muted.
Slowly she put down her pastel with her hands shaking. It wasn't like she hadn't been asked to dance before. She was royalty, no matter how disgraced her blood was, and royalty had certain duties. This time, that duty seemed so hard to undertake.
But somehow, despite her nerves, she found herself saying, "It would be my pleasure."
Prince Link patiently waited as she put on her gloves and when she rose to stand, he extended his hand. With a grace from years of practice she took it and walked with him to the dance floor. His grip was firm but gentle and she couldn't help but examine him out of the corner of her eye.
He was the same height as her, which would thankfully make the dancing easier. His blue eyes held a sort of reserved excitement, and even though they flickered over the crowd that parted to let them through, he didn't appear worried. Faintly, she wondered if the crease marks that formed on the forehead would make that interesting piece of silver fall off his head. It was beautiful. Made from pure silver, the plate was so thin it almost looked as if it had been surgically implanted into his skin. But the curious part was the scribbles written on it. She assumed it was Gerudo, but she couldn't tell. And that sapphire in the center looked just like a rain drop. Its color is what she would consider the perfect water-blue, it's depth only increased with the many facets it was cut into.
And that sapphire wasn't the only rock he wore. She wondered how many of the court ladies were jealous of his jewelry. Clearly it was all finely made, from the necklace, to the earrings, to the broad wrist and ankle cuffs he wore.
But perhaps the single most impressive piece Prince Link wore with pride was a bright red, broken gem. It was tightly bound in thin layers of twisted leather, but its magnificence was lost on no one. Heart pieces, though rare were highly sought after by any member of nobility. The item's magical properties made the gem worth its weight in gold five times over, even if it was a broken part. Hilda wouldn't consider her aptitude for magic very high, at least according to royal standards, but the tingling of magic that leaked from the heart piece sent goosebumps racing along her arms. It was a good thing she wore those long gloves.
Another odd thing about the Prince was his ear cuffs. The silver sapphires that drooped from his ear lobes, though unusual, weren't entirely unheard of for a male. What set Link apart was his blasphemous cuffs located along the top length of his ears. They were clearly specially made, as Gerudo had short, rounded ears, and these cuffs were almost an inch long and flattened against the edge perfectly. No doubt the Prince would receive a call from a priest before the end of the week to set him straight. Regardless if he was raised Gerudo, the boy still had the long ears of a Hylian, and it would not do to desecrate the sacred ears that the Goddess' chosen people were so blessed to have.
But Prince Link's strangeness didn't stop there. His hair was a dark blond, no doubt tanned along with his skin. But instead of being cut short and close to the ears, it was grown out like a girls. A quick estimate made Hilda believe that Link's hair was possibly longer than her own. At least he didn't have it pinned up like a lady's, or else Hilda might have found it very difficult to look him in the eye without laughing. Currently it was tied into a thick, lose braid with the end tired off with again, a simple piece of humble leather. His bangs and side burns were long, but they perfectly framed his face.
And it was quite a handsome face. His blue eyes were the perfect contrast to the light brown of his skin. His nose, though small, was still pointed nicely. His face was round though an apparent lack of nutrition sharply outlined his chin and cheekbones. Soft wasn't a word to describe the desert prince, but there was something comforting about him that lent a certain charming look. His Hylian heritage mixed with the foreignness of his clothing made Prince Link at once a familiar and altogether strange entity to gaze at.
Truthfully, it was very difficult to look away once Prince Link had caught your eye. It was something Hilda was currently struggling with as she was forced to stand with him. She felt like blushing when she thought that Prince Link wasn't wearing a shirt, but the careful control over her emotions allowed her face to stay pasty white. It was a constant struggle, though.
Before she knew it, they were standing on the dance floor. When she made the mistake of glancing over the crowd watching them a wave of nausea flooded her. Her hands began to shake, and Hilda wondered how bad it would be to faint right now. His gentle squeeze grounded her.
"Nervous?" he asked out of the side of his mouth. His lips didn't even move, and it was barely louder than his breath.
Automatically, Hilda gave the correct response. "No, of course not."
Prince Link's eyes flashed with something incomprehensible. It wasn't a look Hilda was used to deciphering. But as his lips curled into a lopsided grin, she thought she had him figured out a second before he spoke.
"Good," he breathed, "Because I'm excited."
Hilda wanted to scathingly retort that only an idiot or those at the top of the pecking order would be happy to dance in this ballroom, but she bit her tongue instead. She was losing confidence despite Prince Link's assuredness. In her mind she was already taking the bandages off her feet in the morning studying the bruises that were sure to appear because of this one dance.
But she couldn't back out now. The musicians had finished tuning and the lead violinist played a few short notes as a signal to the dancers. As Hilda curtsied, her heart dropped. What were they thinking? They had just finished playing a quick eight-step, so to do a second waltz right after was against protocol. Unless someone had requested it. As she took Prince Link's extended hand she surreptitiously looked to the musicians. A simmering rage filled her as she saw the tall figure of Lady Isabella smugly walking to the dance floor, arm in arm with the chancellor's son.
"Are you angry at them?" Link whispered in her ear.
Hilda felt like cursing herself. She slipped up. She stared for too long. Again, she almost answered automatically with the lie that would keep the peace, but when she looked into his eyes she didn't. Her hands trembled, but for once she took a chance.
"Yes, I am," she quietly whispered, surprised at her own honesty. She flickered her eyes to his and with a bit of sorrow she said, "I don't know how much you know of the court, Prince Link. But right now we're like hunchbacks caught in a stockade; fit only to be laughed at. They're going to play one of the more difficult waltzes, a quick eight-step, to quite literally trip us up."
Her hands were squeezed tightly as she looked away. She felt pathetic for what she asked next, "I apologize for being so blunt, Prince Link, but I do kindly ask that you keep your feet off mine as much as possible."
"Lady Hilda." His voice was raspy and for some reason his face was turned away. Her stomach rolled and she felt like she had made a terrible mistake with her words. Oh, Hylia, have mercy on her. But when he looked back at her, she again felt off balance. His blue eyes burned with a fire, but its heat wasn't directed at her.
"Lady Hilda, all I ask is you trust me this once. I assumed that you have something to prove, as do I. And I'm going to prove it right now. Will you join me?" He whispered as he guided her hand to his shoulder.
Hilda wanted to cry out. She wanted to stop him and expose all the wrongs of the court to him right then and there. To explain to him how bad it would be to challenge the court and the consequences that were sure to follow. But the arguments died as soon as the first notes sang through the air. Instinctively her feet began to move, and it took her several steps to realize that she was following.
She was following Link. That should have been impossible! He had never danced in court before, how did he know the steps to The Forest of Mystery? He was a boy raised by a band of barbaric women, how in Din's red earth could he be so elegantly guiding her, a high lady of standing even among the court?
"Relax," Link breathed as his hand pressed against her back. "It's not more enjoyable to forget others and just dance?"
Sharply she looked at the Prince. Oh, how she had underestimated him! Din, Nayru, and Farore, he was a terror. He was grinning at her with that stupid lopsided grin. He was bloody enjoying himself! He hadn't had a single misstep, and he even compensated for her lack of concentration so perfectly. It was infuriating, but as she continued to glide across the floor, Hilda reconsidered her feelings on the matter.
When they passed Lady Isabella and her partner, Hilda found herself smiling. Lady Isabella wasn't happy in the slightest. Even though she pirouetted perfectly Hilda saw that she was losing her cool.
Finally, she came up with an appropriate response to Link's earlier question. "No. I don't think I would want to forget a look like that," she subtly indicated to the other young couple that had moved away. Peering at Link with hooded eyes, she casually continued, "As for wanting to prove something… you are correct, Prince Link. But you'll have to be a lot more than just a good dancer for me to join your cause."
Curse that smile! Her short reprieve from his dangerous look as she was twirled away was not nearly long enough. Honestly, how could anyone be so open and honest while holding so many cards that close to their chest? Prince Link was unilaterally, inexcusably, inexorably, an enigma.
As her toes barely touched the floor, Hilda felt a new emotion bubble within her. It took nearly a full measure to realize that her smile was genuine. It was ridiculous. Gatherings like this were only to reassert the pecking order, but it seemed like Prince Link had turned the whole thing upside down. It was almost wholly unfair, how one smile changed everything. But as they continued to dance and twirl around each other, Hilda finally decided on the correct name for that peculiar emotion she wasn't used to feeling.
Excitement.
This wonderous new insight brought to her mind a myriad of new images that she absolutely, positively had to set down on parchment tonight before the clock struck and she would have to return to that glum reality. Oh, Hylia, have mercy! She didn't want this dance to end. She knew the others were watching, actively seeking a subtle flaw or glaring mistake in order to assert their authority over her, but at the moment she didn't care. It was as if her heels had grown wings and that music pulled on her heart strings. She knew without a doubt that any and all complaints about her performance were tittle when compared to the moment. No one would be stupid enough to say that Lady Hilda and Prince Link didn't dance beautifully together.
Alas, the music slowed, and the dance ended. Breathless, Hilda stepped away and curtsied. When she stole a glance at him, she again grew irritated. Somehow the Prince of the Gerudo didn't look the slightest bit winded. That was a difficult song, but he didn't seem any worse for the wear. As she politely took his extended arm to walk back into the crowd, she again changed her mind. Perhaps it was a good thing he was so athletic. With that performance it seemed a number of noble ladies had lined up to be his partner.
"Oh nat."
Hilda looked at him and for once he looked somewhat afraid. Apparently, he had seen the gathering of women. To conceal her snort of laughter she quickly brought a hand to cover her mouth.
"Prince Link, I hope it isn't too improper of me to overstep my bounds, but I feel that I should remind you that this is simply a social gathering after a banquet. There's no more than eight songs played in total."
"Thank you for that information, but I'm not sure that really helps my decision, because now I have to pick and choose."
Here a small giggle was appropriate. After lowering her hand again, Hilda offered, "Well, it all depends on which alliances you wish to achieve. Lady Illia Ordona is the daughter of Baron Ordona, who owns some of the most plentiful land in all of Hyrule. She's the taller one dressed in cream. Lady Bethany, standing beside her, is the only daughter of Governor Hanch, who manages a great number of traveling merchants under the merchant's guild. Lady Karane may be a good choice as her family is descended from a long line of noble knights. She's in the forest green dress."
Prince Link nodded slowly at her words. Just before they reached the table, he asked the inappropriately innocent question, "And does no one dance for fun?"
A bit scathingly, Hilda turned to him. Carefully thinking about his question she answered, "Perhaps in another age. Perhaps you'll be the only one on that dancefloor tonight who enjoys what you're doing. But I'll give you a piece of advice as a royal. If you are a true prince of your people, you will always do what's best for your people, and that includes carefully choosing your dance partners."
"Thank you for your wisdom, Lady Hilda," Prince Link said as he bowed again with his arm folded across his waist. "It was a pleasure dancing with you."
"As with you," she politely, and surprisingly honestly, returned.
Then he left. With that same determination as when a approached her, he approached the group of girls she had directed him to. Hilda gratefully reached for the glass of water that was placed before her but before she could take a drink her mother spoke.
"A lady of wisdom, hmm?"
A cold shiver ran down Hilda's spine. Of course her mother heard that.
"He was merely thanking me for the advice I gave him," she said all too quickly. Was she being defensive over Prince Link?
"I think not," Lady Ivee sharply pronounced. "He was mocking you and your bloodline. But no matter, my dear Hilda. You are going to be a lady of wisdom. The lady of wisdom."
"Mother!" Hilda sharply hissed and sat up straighter. Quickly she checked the surrounding area for any prowling ears. Though she was terrified of the consequences, she snatched the goblet away from her mother.
"Mother, you've been drinking too much! You're saying some quite funny things. Now please, if we could, let us retire tonight. I've danced enough."
Duchess Ivee didn't move. Instead she stared long and hard at the nearly empty goblet that was trembling in her daughter's hands. Then a wicked smile stretched across her wine-red stained teeth. Licking her blush lips, she whispered in a low, sultry voice, "Yes, dancing with the Prince of the Gerudo. And dare I say, you were enjoying yourself, weren't you?"
"M… Mother." Hilda trembled.
But Lady Ivee ignored her daughter and abruptly stood up. "It's getting late. You should soak your feet. No doubt they'll be bruised in the morning from that boy stomping all over your delicateness."
Hilda opened her mouth to protest. Link didn't come anywhere near to stepping on her toes, but her mother wouldn't believe her. So instead, she simply went along.
"Yes, lady-mother." It would be best to leave now, before mother made any other ludicrous and dangerous comments.
Hilda quickly gathered up her parchment and pastels, but as she was placing them in their bag, she glanced at the drawing she was working on. It was similar to a lot of the ones she had created recently. Dark, thunderous clouds were gathered over a darker landscape. The only source of light came from a bright pillar, though it's jagged outline was more reminiscent of lightening. But this one was different from all the others because of that silly mistake she made as the Prince approached her. That random pastel she had grabbed was green. And the way her hand fumbled over the page the largest green smudge landed in the center of the yellow pillar. It was highly abstract, but she fancied she saw a vaguely human figure in that smudge.
"What a silly mistake," she moaned. There was no way she could show Scholar Yuga this. For a brief moment she thought of simply discarding it in the closest trash, but a sudden tightness in her chest warned her not to. So, she wouldn't show it to anyone, but keep it safely hidden and only bring it out to remind her of that one time where she was excited to dance. Yes, maybe it was a good thing a green smudge appeared in that pillar of light.
Translations (in order of appearance):
"Mahal vai" = "Dear girl" (A form of expression.)
"Hara, Lalaki Link! Biaf mus kuno sa woo ang vaibas hangtud sa bangkete." = "Careful, Prince Link! You're not supposed to woo the ladies until the banquet." (viabas directly translated means elder women, but it can also mean noble or important women)
"Kaf das ikaw targim? Es yano nindot." = "What do you mean? I'm simply being nice."
"Ug kana kaf ikaw ah gipangita kayo ves-voe. Ikaw dasn bisan pa makaamgo mid ikaw buhaton ah vai-e dokiki mopitik." = "And that's what makes you a highly sought-after attractive man. You don't even realize when you make a girl's heart throb." (Rough child-appropriate translation. She's basically saying he's man-candy.)
"Ves-voe!" = "Man Candy." (It's usually one of the best compliments a Gerudo can give a Hylian man, but here Hayate is both teasing Link and pointing out to him how his actions can be taken as somewhat intimate to a Hylain lass.)
"Sarqso." = "Thank you." (Come on! If you've played BOTW you should have come across this one. Do I have to point it out?)
"Oh nat." = "Oh no." (Its use is similar to "Oh great." or "Oh bother.")
So? Do you like the Gerudo language I sort-of created? Yes/ No please tell me in a comment, because I would really like to know! Thanks!
-TFC
