I do not own Zelda. If I did, I wouldn't be taking the time to write
stories for web sites, I would probably be basking in the sun near a giant
swimming pool while the beautiful afternoon crawled by and I did whatever
really rich people do.
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Captain Farhill ran into the room, panting. "Ion! Zenk!" he cried. "Antia's here! Levin Bastor and his soldiers held them off so the water carriers and I could get inside. I doubt they'll last much longer!"
Ion and the Prince leapt up. "Sound the alarm!" Zenk ordered a guard. "Farhill? Line up the archers on the south wall. Have them stay low and out of sight until Antia comes into sight. Train all your arrows on her. I will do the rest." Farhill saluted and ran off.
Zenk hurried to the gates, Ion at his heels with Leen, Aridwyn, and Zegonin. Much to the others' surprise and confusion, Zenk opened the gates and stepped outside, joining Levin Bastor in front of a score of defensive hylian soldiers.
Antia strode into view and smirked at him. "You are greatly outnumbered, even with any more troops you have inside," she said. "Turn the castle over to us or die."
Zenk calmly stood out in the open, sitting duck for any stray spear or arrow. "Go ahead, traitor," the prince said, trying his very best to hide the hatred that was swelling up inside of him at his father's killer. "Slay me as you did Sonefor."
A sound of spears being drawn and raised followed throughout the Gerudo ranks. Zenk's face was expressionless. Suddenly, Antia saw at least two score archers appear on the ramparts of the castle. Every bow was aimed straight at her heart, every arrow notched back and ready to strike down the queen on the spot.
"It's your choice, Antia," Zenk laughed at the look of terror on his enemy's face. His voice lacked pity for the Gerudo queen, and his cold, blue eyes were fixed upon her in a hardened stare. "Either we both live, or we both die," he went on. "Decide now."
Everyone waited with baited breath for Antia's answer. "Lower your weapons!" she finally commanded her troops. They obeyed, and the queen turned back to Zenk. "You haven't won," she growled. "We will be back."
The Gerudos turned and marched back towards their fortress, defeated but not yet finished. A ragged cheer of relief arose from the hylian soldiers as they retreated to the safety of Hyrule Castle.
* * *
Ankor and his fellow zora captives were in despair. It seemed as though Antia and Raker had thought of everything. They had boarded up the shortcut to Lake Hylia, posted experienced guards at every exit, and even started to pour different kinds of poisons into the water, trying to force the zoras to the surface.
Ankor sighed. They were prisoners in their own home.
* * *
The siege the Gerudos had planned was not going well. Farhill's water carriers had been clever enough to hide the buckets so that Antia knew nothing of the huge store of water in the hylian kitchens.
A little heat was rising between the two generals. "Open your eyes, Queen!" shouted Raker. "It will be another eight seasons before they even begin to thirst!"
"Obviously, you have a better idea. Let's here it, scum face!" Antia shot back.
Raker threw himself at her and grabbed her collar roughly. "Say that again," he growled.
Antia spun around, forcing Raker to lose his hold, and whipped out her scythe. Raker drew his sword quickly. The blades clashed, and the two eyed each other with hate.
A young captain named Arfan came running up to them but stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the grapple. Antia straightened up and slung her scythe across her back. "What is it, Arfan?" she asked irritably, her eyes not leaving those of Raker.
"Mightiness, there has been no sign from the castle that the inhabitants are suffering at all."
Antia turned to face her, a fire blazing in her maddened eyes. Arfan recoiled in fear.
"What else is new, flea brain?" the queen yelled. "I will not retreat again!" Arfan knew not to talk while Antia was in this state.
But one was brave enough to interrupt the queen's rage. "You asked if I had a better idea," came the soft voice of Raker, "and I do."
Antia's mood quickly changed. "Listen friend," she said, smiling openly as she turned back to the Desert General. "Why don't you come a little farther this way with me. Arfan, you may go. Do not bother us any more with trivial information."
The Gerudo captain was greatly relieved. She wasted no time in getting away from the unpredictable queen.
Raker kept his hand on the hilt of his sword as Antia led him away from the Gerudo host. "I can't see why we are fighting," she said, a mixture of apology and sincerity ringing in her voice. "I don't want to fight you," she went on, now smiling almost lovingly.
Raker did not believe the queen for one moment, but he stayed silent to see where Antia was going with it.
Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I can't fight you, Raker. Do you know why?"
The Desert General shook his head silently.
Antia looked up at him, an expression on her face that Raker had never seen before. "I love you," she whispered to him. "Go ahead, don't believe me. Run me through right now."
But Raker did not. The great double-edged blade fell from his hand and landed harmlessly upon the moist grass. He stepped forward and took her hand in his. "I believe you, Queen," he comforted her softly.
The sun disappeared beneath the horizon, and long shadows covered up the scene as Nayru did her work.
* * *
Raker was beginning to see Antia in a whole new light. If he wasn't convinced before that she meant what she said, he certainly was now. The two generals walked everywhere together hand in hand. When the Gerudos noticed this, many of them lost faith in their leaders.
One of the captains, a swift and strong warrior named Aboora, sneered at the sight and whispered to Arfan who was sharpening her sword beside her. "She's gone soft," murmured Aboora. "I bet she only recruited the desert Gerudos for Raker."
Unfortunately for her, Antia had keen hearing. In an instant, the queen's scythe was pressed up against Aboora's chest. "Do you think you could rule any better than I?" Her voice was surprisingly calm.
Aboora swallowed, but she was not about to be bested in front of the whole Gerudo army. "Drop that scythe and then we'll talk," said the captain.
Antia raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you hold this," she said, smiling, and handed Aboora the scythe. Se turned and called to Raker, exposing her vulnerable back to Aboora, daring her to go for it. Aboora closed her eyes and thrust the scythe towards the queen. In a flash, Antia rolled to the right and the scythe struck nothing but air. Antia quickly kicked it out of Aboora's hands and leapt up.
"Come on, now," she taunted. "It has come to rebellion, so why don't you rebel?"
Aboora's nerve left her at the sight of the maddened queen, eyes flashing dangerously. She turned and ran.
With lightning-quick reflexes, Antia flipped and landed in front of Aboora. A quick kick to the stomach sent the captain crashing to her knees, and a powerful jab between the eyes laid her flat. Antia calmly walked over to her scythe and flipped it up into her hand.
Aboora looked up in terror. Antia's pitiless eyes blazed with victory.
"My Queen, please," Aboora whimpered. "I didn't mean it! Arfan told me to, I swear on the wind of Fa-" Her pleas were cut short as Antia stabbed her through the heart, silencing the once powerful Gerudo captain forever.
The Queen's face showed no emotion as she strapped her scythe across her shoulders. "Arfan, dispose of the body. Raker, come with me." She turned to her troops. "I'm leaving Foralin in charge," she said. "Follow him as you would me."
Even the hardest warriors shuddered in fear.
Foralin wasn't kokiri, hylian, zora, or even Gerudo. Foralin was death. Foralin was goron.
* * *
Though Zegonin displayed good manners and was obviously a seasoned warrior, there was something about him that Zenk didn't like. He was sure it wasn't just because of Aridwyn. Nevertheless, the young prince treated him with respect and tried to forget about the beautiful maiden he was engaged to.
That night, Leen was shown to one room and Zegonin and Aridwyn to another.
Zegonin spoke softly to the maiden. "Is this place safe?" he asked.
Aridwyn took his hand. "These people are so nice, but they are at war," she whispered back. "I doubt it's safe to stay for much longer."
They took a seat on the bed. Silence followed.
Zegonin looked into her eyes. "You are so beautiful," he said quietly. "It's a pity I have to kill you." Suddenly, he drew his sword and swung it at the frightened maiden.
But Zenk was there in a flash. With a mighty leap he put himself in between Aridwyn and the traitor. Zegonin growled. "You aren't supposed to be here!" he yelled as the swords clashed in midair.
"Aridwyn, get out!" ordered Zenk. "Get Captain Ion and bring him here!" The maiden awoke from her state of shock and ran from the room.
Zegonin lunged at Zenk. The young prince parried the blow and took a step back from the powerful swordsman.
"Traitor," he accused. "Why have you come here, Zegonin?"
The dark man twirled his sword and laughed. "If you are going to ask me questions, address me correctly," he said. "I am not Zegonin-I am Dak, brother of the Queen Antia, scourge of the Gerudo people."
Zenk narrowed his eyes. "And she sent you to kill me," he finished.
Dak grinned. Suddenly, he picked up a small wooden table and hurled it at Zenk. The prince was pinned to the ground. "You haven't seen the last of me!" Dak snarled and leapt out the open window just as Ion, Leen, Aridwyn, and two guards rushed in.
The head captain helped Prince Zenk to his feet. The prince turned to the Aridwyn and Leen.
"Your escort Zegonin was really the brother of my father's killer," he said angrily. "Lucky Sonefor appeared in my dreams, or none of us would be here now. I thank you dearly for bringing the enemy in my home!"
He stormed off, leaving Ion speechless and the two hylian women wounded by his harsh words.
* * *
The next morning, Antia and Raker appeared at the castle gates with a score of desert warriors at their backs.
Atron Doren, working atop the ramparts, stuck his head out and called down to them. "What do you want, scum bags?"
Antia stepped forward and looked up at him. "Where is Prince Zenk?" she asked. "I would like a few words with him."
"The prince has more important things to do than deal with the likes of you!" Doren retorted.
Antia smiled. "No doubt he has," she called up to him. "Then we'll just have to slay these nice zoras." The Queen nodded to one of her captains and the Gerudos knocked five bound zoras to the ground at the feet of Antia with the butts of their spears.
Doren narrowed his eyes.
Ankor managed to raise his head. "Atron don't! Don't give in to these-" he was knocked unconscious by a swing from Antia's scythe. "Good night," she grinned as she lifted the blade high over her head.
"Wait!" shouted Doren. "What do you want?"
Antia lowered the scythe and looked up at him. "I knew you would come to your senses," she laughed. "Listen. You must all leave the castle and bow down to the new King and Queen of Hyrule. All those who refuse will be slain. Do we have a deal?"
Doren snarled at the thought of Antia ruling Hyrule, but he kept his cool. "The decision is not mine to make," he called. "The captains will discuss the issue. Come back on the marrow at sundown. We will have your answer."
Antia agreed and the Gerudo force marched away.
Doren pounded his fist against the wall and cursed. What were they supposed to do now?
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Captain Farhill ran into the room, panting. "Ion! Zenk!" he cried. "Antia's here! Levin Bastor and his soldiers held them off so the water carriers and I could get inside. I doubt they'll last much longer!"
Ion and the Prince leapt up. "Sound the alarm!" Zenk ordered a guard. "Farhill? Line up the archers on the south wall. Have them stay low and out of sight until Antia comes into sight. Train all your arrows on her. I will do the rest." Farhill saluted and ran off.
Zenk hurried to the gates, Ion at his heels with Leen, Aridwyn, and Zegonin. Much to the others' surprise and confusion, Zenk opened the gates and stepped outside, joining Levin Bastor in front of a score of defensive hylian soldiers.
Antia strode into view and smirked at him. "You are greatly outnumbered, even with any more troops you have inside," she said. "Turn the castle over to us or die."
Zenk calmly stood out in the open, sitting duck for any stray spear or arrow. "Go ahead, traitor," the prince said, trying his very best to hide the hatred that was swelling up inside of him at his father's killer. "Slay me as you did Sonefor."
A sound of spears being drawn and raised followed throughout the Gerudo ranks. Zenk's face was expressionless. Suddenly, Antia saw at least two score archers appear on the ramparts of the castle. Every bow was aimed straight at her heart, every arrow notched back and ready to strike down the queen on the spot.
"It's your choice, Antia," Zenk laughed at the look of terror on his enemy's face. His voice lacked pity for the Gerudo queen, and his cold, blue eyes were fixed upon her in a hardened stare. "Either we both live, or we both die," he went on. "Decide now."
Everyone waited with baited breath for Antia's answer. "Lower your weapons!" she finally commanded her troops. They obeyed, and the queen turned back to Zenk. "You haven't won," she growled. "We will be back."
The Gerudos turned and marched back towards their fortress, defeated but not yet finished. A ragged cheer of relief arose from the hylian soldiers as they retreated to the safety of Hyrule Castle.
* * *
Ankor and his fellow zora captives were in despair. It seemed as though Antia and Raker had thought of everything. They had boarded up the shortcut to Lake Hylia, posted experienced guards at every exit, and even started to pour different kinds of poisons into the water, trying to force the zoras to the surface.
Ankor sighed. They were prisoners in their own home.
* * *
The siege the Gerudos had planned was not going well. Farhill's water carriers had been clever enough to hide the buckets so that Antia knew nothing of the huge store of water in the hylian kitchens.
A little heat was rising between the two generals. "Open your eyes, Queen!" shouted Raker. "It will be another eight seasons before they even begin to thirst!"
"Obviously, you have a better idea. Let's here it, scum face!" Antia shot back.
Raker threw himself at her and grabbed her collar roughly. "Say that again," he growled.
Antia spun around, forcing Raker to lose his hold, and whipped out her scythe. Raker drew his sword quickly. The blades clashed, and the two eyed each other with hate.
A young captain named Arfan came running up to them but stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the grapple. Antia straightened up and slung her scythe across her back. "What is it, Arfan?" she asked irritably, her eyes not leaving those of Raker.
"Mightiness, there has been no sign from the castle that the inhabitants are suffering at all."
Antia turned to face her, a fire blazing in her maddened eyes. Arfan recoiled in fear.
"What else is new, flea brain?" the queen yelled. "I will not retreat again!" Arfan knew not to talk while Antia was in this state.
But one was brave enough to interrupt the queen's rage. "You asked if I had a better idea," came the soft voice of Raker, "and I do."
Antia's mood quickly changed. "Listen friend," she said, smiling openly as she turned back to the Desert General. "Why don't you come a little farther this way with me. Arfan, you may go. Do not bother us any more with trivial information."
The Gerudo captain was greatly relieved. She wasted no time in getting away from the unpredictable queen.
Raker kept his hand on the hilt of his sword as Antia led him away from the Gerudo host. "I can't see why we are fighting," she said, a mixture of apology and sincerity ringing in her voice. "I don't want to fight you," she went on, now smiling almost lovingly.
Raker did not believe the queen for one moment, but he stayed silent to see where Antia was going with it.
Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I can't fight you, Raker. Do you know why?"
The Desert General shook his head silently.
Antia looked up at him, an expression on her face that Raker had never seen before. "I love you," she whispered to him. "Go ahead, don't believe me. Run me through right now."
But Raker did not. The great double-edged blade fell from his hand and landed harmlessly upon the moist grass. He stepped forward and took her hand in his. "I believe you, Queen," he comforted her softly.
The sun disappeared beneath the horizon, and long shadows covered up the scene as Nayru did her work.
* * *
Raker was beginning to see Antia in a whole new light. If he wasn't convinced before that she meant what she said, he certainly was now. The two generals walked everywhere together hand in hand. When the Gerudos noticed this, many of them lost faith in their leaders.
One of the captains, a swift and strong warrior named Aboora, sneered at the sight and whispered to Arfan who was sharpening her sword beside her. "She's gone soft," murmured Aboora. "I bet she only recruited the desert Gerudos for Raker."
Unfortunately for her, Antia had keen hearing. In an instant, the queen's scythe was pressed up against Aboora's chest. "Do you think you could rule any better than I?" Her voice was surprisingly calm.
Aboora swallowed, but she was not about to be bested in front of the whole Gerudo army. "Drop that scythe and then we'll talk," said the captain.
Antia raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you hold this," she said, smiling, and handed Aboora the scythe. Se turned and called to Raker, exposing her vulnerable back to Aboora, daring her to go for it. Aboora closed her eyes and thrust the scythe towards the queen. In a flash, Antia rolled to the right and the scythe struck nothing but air. Antia quickly kicked it out of Aboora's hands and leapt up.
"Come on, now," she taunted. "It has come to rebellion, so why don't you rebel?"
Aboora's nerve left her at the sight of the maddened queen, eyes flashing dangerously. She turned and ran.
With lightning-quick reflexes, Antia flipped and landed in front of Aboora. A quick kick to the stomach sent the captain crashing to her knees, and a powerful jab between the eyes laid her flat. Antia calmly walked over to her scythe and flipped it up into her hand.
Aboora looked up in terror. Antia's pitiless eyes blazed with victory.
"My Queen, please," Aboora whimpered. "I didn't mean it! Arfan told me to, I swear on the wind of Fa-" Her pleas were cut short as Antia stabbed her through the heart, silencing the once powerful Gerudo captain forever.
The Queen's face showed no emotion as she strapped her scythe across her shoulders. "Arfan, dispose of the body. Raker, come with me." She turned to her troops. "I'm leaving Foralin in charge," she said. "Follow him as you would me."
Even the hardest warriors shuddered in fear.
Foralin wasn't kokiri, hylian, zora, or even Gerudo. Foralin was death. Foralin was goron.
* * *
Though Zegonin displayed good manners and was obviously a seasoned warrior, there was something about him that Zenk didn't like. He was sure it wasn't just because of Aridwyn. Nevertheless, the young prince treated him with respect and tried to forget about the beautiful maiden he was engaged to.
That night, Leen was shown to one room and Zegonin and Aridwyn to another.
Zegonin spoke softly to the maiden. "Is this place safe?" he asked.
Aridwyn took his hand. "These people are so nice, but they are at war," she whispered back. "I doubt it's safe to stay for much longer."
They took a seat on the bed. Silence followed.
Zegonin looked into her eyes. "You are so beautiful," he said quietly. "It's a pity I have to kill you." Suddenly, he drew his sword and swung it at the frightened maiden.
But Zenk was there in a flash. With a mighty leap he put himself in between Aridwyn and the traitor. Zegonin growled. "You aren't supposed to be here!" he yelled as the swords clashed in midair.
"Aridwyn, get out!" ordered Zenk. "Get Captain Ion and bring him here!" The maiden awoke from her state of shock and ran from the room.
Zegonin lunged at Zenk. The young prince parried the blow and took a step back from the powerful swordsman.
"Traitor," he accused. "Why have you come here, Zegonin?"
The dark man twirled his sword and laughed. "If you are going to ask me questions, address me correctly," he said. "I am not Zegonin-I am Dak, brother of the Queen Antia, scourge of the Gerudo people."
Zenk narrowed his eyes. "And she sent you to kill me," he finished.
Dak grinned. Suddenly, he picked up a small wooden table and hurled it at Zenk. The prince was pinned to the ground. "You haven't seen the last of me!" Dak snarled and leapt out the open window just as Ion, Leen, Aridwyn, and two guards rushed in.
The head captain helped Prince Zenk to his feet. The prince turned to the Aridwyn and Leen.
"Your escort Zegonin was really the brother of my father's killer," he said angrily. "Lucky Sonefor appeared in my dreams, or none of us would be here now. I thank you dearly for bringing the enemy in my home!"
He stormed off, leaving Ion speechless and the two hylian women wounded by his harsh words.
* * *
The next morning, Antia and Raker appeared at the castle gates with a score of desert warriors at their backs.
Atron Doren, working atop the ramparts, stuck his head out and called down to them. "What do you want, scum bags?"
Antia stepped forward and looked up at him. "Where is Prince Zenk?" she asked. "I would like a few words with him."
"The prince has more important things to do than deal with the likes of you!" Doren retorted.
Antia smiled. "No doubt he has," she called up to him. "Then we'll just have to slay these nice zoras." The Queen nodded to one of her captains and the Gerudos knocked five bound zoras to the ground at the feet of Antia with the butts of their spears.
Doren narrowed his eyes.
Ankor managed to raise his head. "Atron don't! Don't give in to these-" he was knocked unconscious by a swing from Antia's scythe. "Good night," she grinned as she lifted the blade high over her head.
"Wait!" shouted Doren. "What do you want?"
Antia lowered the scythe and looked up at him. "I knew you would come to your senses," she laughed. "Listen. You must all leave the castle and bow down to the new King and Queen of Hyrule. All those who refuse will be slain. Do we have a deal?"
Doren snarled at the thought of Antia ruling Hyrule, but he kept his cool. "The decision is not mine to make," he called. "The captains will discuss the issue. Come back on the marrow at sundown. We will have your answer."
Antia agreed and the Gerudo force marched away.
Doren pounded his fist against the wall and cursed. What were they supposed to do now?