Back with another one! Enjoy, alligators!
The next few days passed quickly for both princesses. There were a lot of preparations to go over for the wedding, and Midna had to make sure things were running smoothly in her own kingdom before she could return to Hyrule for the night. She snuggled with Zelda every time, her heartbeat lulling the younger princess into sleep.
One evening, as they were finalizing some of the wedding details, Zelda's head snapped up. Something wasn't right. She couldn't just have half a kingdom of people come over to Hyrule with no prior understanding of the terrain or the people. That would be unfair to both Midna's subjects and her own people. Turning to her warrior, Zelda cleared her throat.
Midna glanced up, cocking her head. She was in the middle of the guest list from her kingdom. She didn't want anyone suspicious coming to Hyrule and trying anything. She would be caught dead before she let that happen again. However, at Zelda's look, she set the list down.
"What's wrong?" the Twili inquired.
"I think we should open the portals sooner than the wedding," Zelda stated.
Midna blinked. "Why is that?"
"Our kingdoms cannot meet for the first time at our wedding, Midna," the brunette explained calmly. "The tension will be too high. Neither of them will know the other, and Hyrule is very expansive. People will be coming from far an wide to see our wedding. I want your people to be able to experience Hyrule without all of the extra pressures of celebration, so that when the wedding arrives, they will be more relaxed."
Midna chewed that over for a few moments. Zelda had a point. Her people were somewhat mistrustful of outsiders; her own adviser was a testament for that. She didn't want them to possibly do something rash during the wedding and cause a ruckus. Likewise, Zelda's people were unpredictable, so there was no telling what their reaction would be either.
"What do you propose we do?" Midna asked at last. She knew the plan needed to go through, but she was unsure how to put it into motion.
Zelda merely smiled at her. "Well, considering this is slightly unfamiliar territory, why don't we consult the very people employed to help us?" Midna smirked.
Over the next few days, Zelda made trips to the Twilight Realm with Midna, and Midna accompanied Zelda in speaking with Delak. The first time Gronuk officially met Zelda, he pulled his sword, immediately prompting Midna's ire.
"What are you playing at, Gronuk?" she snarled, lifting him by the scruff of his neck. "If you try to hurt her-!"
"Of course not, Your Majesty!" Gronuk exclaimed. "Please, I meant no harm. I didn't wish to alarm you."
Midna dropped him and stepped back to Zelda, ready to defend her if necessary. No way was she going to let harm come to Zelda, especially not in her kingdom. Gronuk approached and placed his sword tip-down to the floor, kneeling beside.
"Princess Zelda, it is an honor to meet you at last. I have heard so much about you from Princess Midna. Please pardon me for startling you, but I wish for you to know that if you intend to marry our princess, then you have my complete loyalty."
Zelda looked to Midna before gently touching Gronuk's shoulder. He tensed slightly, but looked up at the continued contact. "It is my honor as well, Gronuk," Zelda murmured. "I wish for our kingdoms to be allies, and it warms me that you are already making strides in fulfilling this desire."
Gronuk hadn't known how to respond and had, instead, opted for standing and sheathing his sword. From there, preparations to open the portals ran smoothly between both kingdoms. Midna and Zelda worked with both advisers, using maps to figure out the best places to open the portals and when.
At last, the big day arrived. All of the preparations had been made and both women stood on their balconies, awaiting their advisers.
"Are you ready, Your Highness?" Delak inquired softly, stepping into the room.
"I am," Zelda responded. "As is, Midna. It is time to unite our kingdoms." Her adviser nodded dutifully.
Zelda strode along the halls with Delak. She was in full attire, needing to come off as formal for this very special occasion. Delak, of course, mirrored his ruler, decked in his finest clothes for the day. Neither said a word as they strode from the castle together.
Midna made her way through her palace, Gronuk dutifully following at her side. Servants stood at attention as they passed, taking note of their ruler's full attire. It was rare for the princess to adorn formal wear. Several of them trailed behind, curious to know what the big deal was.
Zelda stepped into the square of the Castle Village. Townsfolk gathered around curiously, all of them watching their ruler to see what she would do. Delak nodded encouragingly to the young ruler and Zelda cleared her throat.
"I'm certain all of you must be wondering why I've come here today," she began. "And most of you know of my engagement to a ruler from a distant kingdom."
Murmurs lit the air and Zelda smiled. "I have been in constant contact with my finance's kingdom and we have come to the understanding that, if our kingdoms are to be united, the inhabitants should get to know each other so there is no uneasy tension. Don't you agree?"
There were calls of agreement and acknowledgement all around. Zelda turned to the spot she wanted to open the portal. "Because of that, I will be opening a portal to their realm here in the town square. With this portal, the people of the Twilight Kingdom and those of Hyrule can come to an understanding with one another and form a strong bond."
"You Majesty," someone called uncertainly. "Is that wise?"
"I have spoken to the true ruler," Zelda reassured them. "Should any trouble arise, because of the unity of our kingdoms, we will be able to deal with it more efficiently in the future than we did months ago."
Whispers circulated the crowd and Delak stepped up. "Please give Her Majesty some space to prepare. We are simply waiting for the signal from the Twilight Kingdom. Then, we will open the portal."
Whenever you're ready, Midna, Zelda told her love calmly.
Midna smirked and turned to the crowd watching her curiously. "I have good news," she called. "It seems we have permission from the Princess of Hyrule to visit her kingdom as we please."
Gasps lit the air and murmurs of excitement circulated through the crowd. "I understand that our previous encounter with their people was not the best, by no fault of ours, of course. However, I assure you that we are being welcomed as guests to the kingdom.
"Princess Zelda and I have been speaking since our engagement and we think it best that our two kingdoms integrate before the wedding. Hyrule is a largely peaceful kingdom, however, their security isn't exactly the best. Our own kingdom is made up of warriors and could use a bit of help connecting with other areas. Both kingdoms would benefit from a merge."
"Your Highness, what if they decide to attack us?" someone in the audience called.
"Princess Zelda and I are aware of the risks opening a portal could cause. However, we also understand that our kingdoms can not properly integrate with each other if they don't even meet until the day of our union. In order to lessen the likelihood of another attack by either kingdom on the other, it is best to open the portals now, so that you may all experience the kingdom of Hyrule for yourselves."
She gave them all a grin. "I cannot express just how beautiful a full dawn is. You all simply must see it for yourselves."
Whispers rustled through the crowd as Midna turned to where she wanted to open the portal. Ground spun his spear above his head and called, "Everyone keep back. Her Majesty is just waiting for the signal from the Hyrule Realm before she begins."
Ready when you are, princess, Midna chuckled.
As one, the two rulers began to chant.
On either side of the portal, the subjects watching their rulers work stared in shock as a vortex appeared in the air. Winds swirled around the two monarchs, showcasing just how much power was necessary to open the portals. Delak and Gronuk eyed their rulers warily, not wanting either to overdo themselves.
At last, the portal lowered to the ground, just barely above the stone as it swirled in blues, reds, and violets. Zelda took deep breaths as Midna held a hand to her chest. This portal was more difficult to summon due to how large and powerful it needed to be. No one moved for a few moments before Midna strode to the portal and stuck her hand through. The crowd on the other side drew away slightly, but Zelda smiled and moved forward, slipping her hand in Midna's.
The Twilight Princess smiled back at her people before slipping through the portal. Zelda guided her back to where Delak was waiting and the pair faced the gathered crowd calmly. Zelda dropped Midna's hand and stepped away to curtsy to her.
"This is my official welcome to you and your people, Warrior Princess Midna of the Twilight Realm. Welcome to Hyrule."
It was a show, of course. All of it was. They needed their people to know that both kingdoms were affable. In order to do that, they had to show good faith, including an official introduction.
Midna bowed, also playing her part. "It is my honor to accept your invitation, Princess Zelda of Hyrule. I hope for amicable relations between our kingdoms for many years to come."
"As do I," Zelda responded.
Midna held out her hand and Zelda took it without hesitation. Some of the townsfolk tensed as Midna led Zelda back to the portal. Before she allowed herself to be taken beyond, the tanned princess called, "For any who wish to join us, feel free to come across as well. It would be my honor to present some of my people to those of the Twilight Realm."
This made a few people perk up curiously. Some of them followed after Zelda, including Delak. They stepped across the portal and gazed around in wonder at the setting, cast in oranges and blues of sunset.
Now, it was Midna's turn to present Zelda. As with before, she guided Zelda to where Gronuk waited. Some of the people tensed as more followed their ruler, but Delak took note and motioned for those who had accompanied to stay back. This seemed to calm the Twili people and they turned to their ruler as she bowed once more to Zelda.
"This is my official welcome to you and your people, Princess Zelda of the Kingdom of Hyrule. Welcome to the Twilight Realm."
Zelda smiled with a deep curtsy. "It is my honor to accept your invitation, Warrior Princess Midna of the Twilight Realm. I hope for amicable relations between our kingdoms for many years to come."
"As do I," Midna responded, taking Zelda's hand and kissing it. Turning to her people, Midna smirked, "Would some of you like to show these brave people some of the kingdom? It is their first time here, after all. I would hate for them to think we lack hospitality. And both kingdoms must learn of each other somehow."
Whispers circulated the crowd before some of the warriors cautiously made their way forward. The two groups watched each other hesitantly for a long moment before one of the people from Hyrule walked forward and held out their hand. With a smile, a warrior clasped their forearm and both led their respective groups deeper into the terrain as some of the Twili people stepped through the portal with Delak guiding them.
Zelda and Midna watched their people slowly mingle. It would take some time before either side was completely comfortable with each other. However, that was fine. So long as they weren't on edge around each other for the wedding, neither princess could complain. Zelda leaned against Midna and the older princess wrapped an arm around her fiance's waist affectionately. They could make this work after all.
There we are, alligators! Hope ya liked it. Heads-up, Midna is still a little aggressive, she's still a bit prone to jealousy, and that's going to come up in the next chapter. Let's go!
Remember, sneak peeks and update info can be found on my tumblr, gothalbinoangel-fanfiction! I just opened commissions!