I'm back and it's summer time. Which means I'm writing like mad. Woohoo! Let's see, I suppose I at least owe you guys this particular chapter before we do anything else, yeah? Glad you think so. Enjoy.
Zelda moaned softly as the sunlight shone on her face. Slowly waking, the Hyrulian princess sat up and stretched, looking about.
Good morning, princess.
Zelda jumped at the voice within her own head but not of her own mind. Midna?
That's right, Princess. Zelda could hear the Twilight Princess smirking.
So it wasn't a dream then? You and I can actually hear each other's thoughts?
Pretty much. Midna stood up from where she had been sitting in her bed meditating and stretched, popping her back and arms before cracking her knuckles.
Did you find anything yesterday? Zelda inquired, jumping out of bed and moving to her closet to select a dress for the day.
Nope. Just a whole bunch of rules on how to use vortexes and how to tend to portals so that they don't close or fray at the edges. Midna moved to her own closet to select a new loincloth.
So I have two days off before the next ceremony. Shall we head to the library and search some more today?
Depends, will you talk to me?
Of course. Zelda's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Why would I not?
Just asking, Zelda. Don't get confused. It was meant as a type of joke.
Oh. I see. Well, I am going to bathe. Talk to you soon.
As am I. Talk soon, my princess.
Zelda felt tingles spread through her body at being addressed, not as Princess but as Midna's princess. Moving to the bath, she ran the water and wondered absently if they would be able to find the right spell in time for Midna to come back for the third and final ceremony.
Midna sank into her bath with a sigh of contentment and thought of Zelda. My princess. Sounds about right. She is my princess and I am her warrior. We are meant to be together. I wonder if I'll be able to return in time for the next ceremony in two days. I would hate for Zelda to be unable to continue her family legacy because of her love for someone who isn't there. Of course, I would hate it even more if she were to choose someone who wasn't me to be her king simply because I couldn't be there.
Setting her jaw, Midna nodded to herself. I will return. No matter what the cost. She will be MY queen and no one else's. She's already told me that she loved me.
After their baths, both princesses made their way along the hall to their separate libraries. Midna nodded to servants that called out to her as she passed, giving a few a small smile or a wave as she passed, causing quite a few to become giddy and nearly drop or spill what they were holding.
Zelda made her way through the hallways as the princes were getting ready for their days and several pointed ears perked up at the sight of her. Not paying any mind to the princes that were beginning to follow her, the young princess made her way to the Castle Library and looked around at the vast assortment of books. Running her fingers along the shelves, she came to one spellbook in particular and began leafing through it.
At the same time, Midna had made her way to the library as well and was going through several different vortex books at once, all open and ready to be read.
Zelda found three vortex books she thought may help and set them out, opening them all to the table of contents and beginning to look through all three at once as well.
The princes cocked their heads in curiosity, wondering what she was doing.
"Hey Leyre, maybe she's looking for a way to make you more handsome." Prince Deas chuckled to the green-haired man.
"Or she could be looking for a way to make your jokes funnier, Deas." Noremac shot back with a snicker.
"She could be trying to find a way to make Prince Fin less muscular so he won't crush her when they make love." Princes Ekaj and Bocaj guffawed.
"Or to make all of you as muscular as me so that she has a real man to please her." Prince Fin retorted, flexing with a smile and wink.
As the princes all continued joking and taking guesses, none of them noticed the brother and sister stroll into the room with them all.
Prince Freido was wearing a simple T-shirt that fit his slim, muscular frame, a pair of long blue shorts and some regular sneakers. His hair was down and slicked back out of his eyes as he gazed at Princess Zelda for a moment. The young princess was looking determinedly through the stacks as if looking for something very important and he couldn't help but wonder exactly what that could be.
Princess Inuri walked into the Castle Library wearing a simple blue vest to cover her breasts and a pair of leather pants, nothing adorning her feet as she leaned against the wall and watched Zelda move throughout the books, a relaxed expression upon her face. The younger princess looked like she was concentrating hard on finding the books she needed and Inuri noticed that the majority of the books she was picking up all had one thing in common, they all involved vortexes and portals. What could she possibly be planning to do with a portal? The redhead wondered, musing over the matter as the princes continued taking guesses.
Glancing around at all of them, she noticed her brother watching her and she gave him a sly grin. Freido frowned at her, his hazel eyes narrowing in worry. Inuri rolled her eyes, her smile not fading. I wish he didn't know me so damn well.
Freido watched Inuri carefully, not at all liking the smile upon his sister's face as she watched Princess Zelda go about her work. She can't possibly be planning to do it again. He mused to himself. She's likely to get caught this time. No one messes with the Hyrulian family for a reason. They have too many guards, too many allies, too many assets. If she does it this time… she'll end up dead.
Zelda glanced up at the princes watching her, briefly enough that only Inuri and Freido saw the look, before going back to her books. Most of mine are about how to maintain the portal as well. She told Midna.
This is ridiculous! Midna growled as she browsed the stacks once more. There has to be something somewhere that will be able to tell us how to make a portal.
Perhaps the writiers expected the readers to already know? Zelda suggested. They may have thought that we would know how to make one and would be-.
Wait! Midna interrupted. I've found something! She slowly looked over the page and read:
When someone of the Hyrulian heritage, thus having light, gives forth their soul to the body of a Twili, the mergence of souls commences for as long as the Hyrulian is within the body of the Twili. However, upon reemergence from the Twili's body, the Hyrulian comes away not without a slight price. Being merged together, the two will have merged for good. When the Hyrulian comes away, only half of its soul remains, the other half remaining within the Twili. Likewise, only half of the Twilight soul remains within the body, the other half staying with the incomplete Hyrulian soul to complete it. This process, therefore, locks the two as soul mates whether they wish it or not.
"Holy shit." Midna muttered to herself.
What did you find? Zelda inquired curiously.
We're soul mates. Midna told her, sending what she had seen over their link.
So that's why we have this connection? Zelda inquired. Because by me saving your life, I became your soul mate?
Looks that way, Princess.
Both Inuri and Freido raised an eyebrow at the look of happiness that crossed the young princess' face. She dimmed it down to a simple smile as she turned back to the shelves, but it was unmistakable. What was that about? The fraternal twins wondered, surveying her behavior carefully. Her back had straightened even more so and her stance seemed to have become more determined as if something had dawned on her.
Inuri licked her lips in interest. What could have possibly enlightened her so that would cause such a delicious look of joy to cross her pretty features? Is there an equally pretty mind beneath them?
Freido's thought process was along the same lines. Something interesting must be going on within that beautiful brain of hers in order for such an expression to cross those elegant features. Perhaps her mind is not like the other princesses I've met, but instead is like Inuri's: intelligent, insightful, cunning. If I could get her on my side, Leganeles would be the most powerful kingdom in the world, right after Hyrule itself, of course.
Zelda moved among the bookshelves, looking for another tome on portals or vortexes and was startled when Prince Fin stepped from behind the bookcase.
"Hello, Princess Zelda." He bowed to her politely. "Perhaps I can help you find the tome you wish?"
"Or I could?" Prince Leyre inquired hopefully, stepping out from behind her.
Zelda turned about for a moment before giving both men a polite smile. "No thank you. I would rather keep the topic I am looking for private, if you would."
"Of course, Your Majesty. Just call if you need any assistance." Both Princes bowed and made their way back to the others, sharing what little information they'd gotten.
What pigs they are. Midna shook her head at the behavior of the princes she was seeing through Zelda's eyes. They were trying to see if you were looking up anything on them or their kingdoms.
You do not know that for certain. Zelda scolded, not putting her heart into it because she didn't know if they were or weren't either.
When the sun began to set and neither woman had found anything that was useful to their cause, they both agreed to retire in. Zelda had to go to dinner after all and that meant that she had to look presentable to the princes that she would be sharing dinner with.
As Zelda and the other princes exited the library and headed for their separate rooms to get ready, Freido watched his sister move through the hallways in the opposite direction of her rooms. Following Inuri quietly, Freido cocked his head to listen as she spoke with some servants in a crevice of the wall.
"I simply enjoy sleeping outside more than sleeping indoors, that's all. When you have everything ready, send a messenger to me and I will escort you to the place where I would most enjoy it, understood?"
"Yes, Princess Inuri. As you wish." The servants replied, only slight confusion in their eyes as they hurried to carry out their orders.
Freido dipped into an empty room nearby and sat down as Inuri passed his hiding place. What could she possibly be planning? He wondered anxiously. She can't really be thinking of doing the same thing she's been doing all these years. It's too dangerous; she'll be hunted down and killed before she even has a chance to carry it out fully. I have to warn her.
Zelda lifted her head from the water and gave a soft sigh of relaxation. The water felt nice and it helped her to think. So Midna and I are soul mates. That explains our connection, but does it explain our love for each other? Surely not. She said that that was how she felt when she first saw me, before our souls even merged together.
Midna's thoughts were following the same path as her companion's. We're soul mates. She mused, running the washing cloth along her legs. We're meant to be together no matter what. No matter how many times we're reincarnated, our souls will find each other. But… is that why she's in love with me? Surely the connection couldn't be the only reason Zelda's in love with me. I mean, she had to have cared about me at least a little in order to merge with me, right? Maybe she just cared about me at first and it slowly morphed into love. Link and I were on the hunt for quite a while.
Shrugging it off, Midna continued her bath, wondering what she'll hear from her princess' thoughts that night.
Zelda stood from the bath, dripping water all along her body as she stepped over to the towel she kept near and wrapped it around her body. Moving into her room and into her closet, Zelda picked out a simple baby blue dress to wear to dinner, not wanting white because there were odds something could spill on her. Securing her crown in her hair, the young princess let her hair flow freely. Might as well test their resolve. She told herself.
Moving out into the corridor, Zelda held her head high as she did every other day and made her way down to the dining hall. Many of the princes looked on in confused awe as she moved among them. Never before had they seen a princess who was to be courted simply change her visage at will. Hair free flowing, her dress fluttering around her and the lack of a corset underneath weren't things normally seen from a princess when guests were in the castle.
She's got bravery. Prince Leyre thought as he watched her hair flow behind her.
She's got brains, real brains, to test us like this. Prince Bocaj mused, seeing her dress fluttering around her almost ghost like.
She's got beauty. Princess Inuri drooled as she watched Zelda glide past without looking at anyone. Look at those hips, that waist, the swell of her breasts is just perfect, even without the corset. I must have her.
Prince Freido simply watched Zelda pass by, not much thinking anything, simply admiring all of the attributes that the previous three were thinking. She will make a wonderful mother. What she is showing right now is not only bravery, but her inner beauty and her brilliant mind as well. This must be a test to see if any of the other princes will be shocked or offended that she did not bother dressing herself better to be in their presence. She played it out very well, not bothering to wear a corset and only adorning her hair with her crown. She truly would be a magnificent addition to the family. Glancing to his sister, Freido amended, Of her own terms.
Zelda entered the dining hall and Chief Advisor Delak rushed up to her, his eyes bugging out of his head. "Y-your Majesty, what are you doing?"
"Coming to eat, Advisor." Zelda replied calmly, all of the princes gathering behind her to watch how she handled this.
"B-but you are not dressed properly for-."
"For what?" Zelda interrupted, her voice still in that smooth calm tone that she hardly ever let waver. "For a dinner in my own palace? Surely you do not think I will change the way I live simply because I have company. They are guests, but it is still my home."
Delak nodded, understanding what she meant. Clever girl. Just like her father. He thought, bowing out of her way. I wish I could marry her myself, but I made a promise to her mother that I would watch her from afar. And that I shall.
Zelda waited until the other princes had found their seats before sitting at the head of the table, giving them the signal to sit as well. At the very moment they all sat, the musicians began to play and several princesses and princes stood once more to dance as the servant brought out platters of food. As some began to dance and others began to eat, a few princes (Ekaj, Leyre, Fin and Euro among others) decided to try integrating Zelda into conversation.
What a bore. Midna groaned, looking through Zelda's eyes at the many princes around the Hyrulian.
There's a simple way to solve this. Zelda told her with a secretive smile upon her face. Turning to Prince Ekaj, she asked him, "Prince Ekaj, if it is not too much of a bother, would you mind telling me about your home in Niltiac?"
The prince looked astonished that she had asked him and he immediately launched into an explanation of his homes terrain and lifestyle.
Well played. Midna smirked at what Zelda had done with her cleverness.
Thank you. Now, if you wouldn't mind… can you tell me about YOUR home?
My home? Midna asked, bemused.
Yes. I wish to know more about the Twilight Realm. If that's alright with you?
Well, of course it's alright with me. Why wouldn't it be? Midna had barely finished the question before she heard Zelda's mental laughter. You little goblin. She grinned. You're loosening up around me, aren't you?
You make me feel comfortable, Midna. Zelda replied, nodding to something Prince Euro said about the farming in his land as she took a drink.
The blue-skinned princess felt warmth rise to her cheek sat Zelda's admission. Thank you. I'm glad I could make you feel as such.
Zelda smiled at the shy tone that had entered Midna's voice. Prince Leyre, who had been on the physical receiving end of the smile, took that as his turn to start up. So, he began telling Zelda about his home, Eisej. I don't really have to do anything. They really think that princesses are simply here to listen to them talk about their greatness.
That's men. Midna snorted, picking up her practice sword and beginning to run drills with herself. They think women are here for their pleasure rather than their own.
Zelda mentally shrugged and at least tried to focus on what Prince Leyre was saying. I wonder how they would react to knowing my heart will never be with any of them. The young princess mused, forgetting for a split second that Midna could hear her thoughts.
Oh? The question made Zelda jump slightly. And why's that, Princess?
Zelda felt a blush creeping to her cheeks and replied, Because my heart is with you, remember?
Ah, yes. I do remember you saying something of that sort just last night.
Right after you yourself did.
No, I believe you said it first.
Zelda blushed harder when she realized that Midna was right and she had said it first. Fine, I admit, I said it first.
Midna chuckled as she continued her practice sword play. I like teasing you, Zelda. I can almost see the blush on your cheeks right now.
Zelda thought her blush couldn't get any deeper, but that comment turned the red to crimson and she ducked her head to hide this fact from the men surrounding her. They all noticed a slight blush come to her cheeks and turned to Prince Ripies, who had begun talking when the blush appeared.
So then, he is the most likely to be chosen? They all wondered eyeing the man enviously.
Midna chortled as she watched the way the men all turned jealous gazes to the man, not knowing that she was the one causing the blush. Fools. She snorted, spinning her sword expertly and grinning.
While Zelda, Midna and the princes around the Hyrulian went back, forth and around in circles with their conversations, off to the side a little ways down the table, sat Freido and even further was Inuri. Both twins watched their target just barely interact with the men around her. Her eyes are glazed. Friedo noted. She must have detached herself from the conversation and instead, is locked within her own mind. Interesting. She truly is brilliant.
She's detached. Inuri mused, taking note of Zelda's glazed eyes and slightly parted lips as the men around her took turns talking. She really does have a pretty mind behind that beautiful grin. To have her as part of my family would make most other kingdoms bow out of sheer cowardice.
The two siblings caught each other's eye and reacted slightly. Inuri ducked her head behind her scarlet tresses as Freido ran a hand through his dark brown hair. They looked to each other again and cocked their head to the side. Freido was trying to figure out what Inuri wanted with those servants and Inuri was attempting to gauge how much Freido knew already. When neither could come up with anything, they broke eye contact and returned to their meals.
At last, the night drew to a close. The princes began heading off to bed, one by one. Then Zelda told the men around her that she was feeling a bit tired and that she would be turning in. They all seemed a bit disappointed at such an announcement, but bowed to her nonetheless. "Good night, Princess." They all chorused, their heads bowed again as a further show of respect.
Zelda curtsied and made her way up the stairs. That was exhausting. She thought with a yawn.
You should probably get some sleep then. Midna told her gently, almost cooing the words to her.
I plan to. Shall we talk tomorrow then?
Of course. Midna replied, moving back down to the library. As Zelda got bathed anad ready for bed, she dug around in some of the old books for a bit, just wondering if she might come upon something useful merely by chance. As she was looking through one tome, an interesting spell presented itself to her and she filed it away for a bit later, not thinking she would truly need it for the task at hand. Rustling through more books, Midna set her jaw in determination. I will get back to you, Zelda. I swear it.
Aw, Midna's determined to get back to Zelda. This is going to spawn some interesting results, that's for sure. I wonder what Inuri's up to and what Freido's afraid of her doing. Review, I'd appreciate it... maybe. Depends on the review, actually.
PS Please excuse my snippyness. I just lost my cat and I'm irritated. I wonder why...