Crystal Tears
Impending Betrayal
---
Zelda was standing her own private watch at the base of Hyrule Castle's tower, looking over the countryside from the upper wall of the castle with a wistful stare. Her mind was focused on nothing in particular, though her brow was creased with the increasing concern the young princess felt for not only her obviously unwell father, but for her entire kingdom. Her gaze wandered across the green landscape before her, and her eyes reflected the pain she felt at envisioning it all laid to waste by the ambitions of one man -- a powerful man, but one man just the same.
She knew the descendants of the Sages were coming, and she accepted that there was little she could do to prevent it. As a descendant of the woman who had been chosen by either fate, or perhaps the goddess Nayru herself, to carry the essence of the Triforce of Wisdom with her spirit, she had been blessed with certain abilities. Sadly, these supernatural powers had been dilluted through the centuries, until they were barely accessible to her and only vaguely effective when she could use them. Zelda knew she could speak with people telepathically, but several issues arose with utilizing that ability, hampering its usefulness. Not only did she need some sort of contact point with the target to initiate a telepathic communication, she had to have a vague sense of where this person was, and the level of concentration required over long distances was all but debilitating. She was doubtful that her connection to the hapless girls undoubtedly on their way to the castle was strong enough to initiate a telepathic warning, and she certainly had no idea where any of them could be in any case.
She sighed, burying her face in her hands.
---
(What am I getting myself into...? I can recognize a call if need be, but something about this feels... terribly wrong...)
Saria knew the forest arguably better than any being that had ever enjoyed the capacity to successfully navigate its many pitfalls, but outside of the forest edge, she was perfectly, hopelessly lost. Her fairy, Nyeave, read her thoughts so naturally that they were practically her own. (It doesn't matter how hard I try to convince you to stay in the forest, Saria -- Why do you continue prodding me to try?)
The green haired girl sent a sidelong glance at her winged companion that clearly indicated her displeasure at this reply. She was in a state of moral turmoil; she wanted desperately to return this summons, but simultaneously her ever-reliable sage's sixth sense warned her to ignore it. Even so, she found her booted feet plodding ever on to the southeastern edge of the trees she had called home for thousands of years. Immortality certainly had its benefits, but as she looked beyond the shaded comfort of the Lost Woods, she reflected that it certainly had its disadvantages as well. For centuries she had perservered while her closest friends had wasted away in the span of a natural lifetime; while the Kokiri were her people and she enjoyed their peaceful existence together, she never ceased longing for the companionship her mortal friends had given her. Piggy back rides from Darunia, all too serious conversations about men and honor with the ever-cynical Nabooru, discussions on philosophy and magic with the ancient Princess Zelda... those things had been lost forever, and she mourned the loss each day.
Now she looked upon the world outside the forest for the first time in two thousand years.
(So much has changed, Nyeave! Which direction do I go from here?)
(I suggest we turn around and go that way,) The fairy replied in a matter of fact mental tone, the faint aura around the tiny winged body darkening with apprehension. (The world outside is unsafe...)
(Surely it is not as bad as you think.)
Saria breathed deeply and left the shadow of the trees, squinting at the suddenly bright sunlight. She relied on instinct alone to guide her -- the vision she had been granted remained fresh in her memory, and with it a sense of direction that both relieved her and gave a palpable sense of unease. Time passed, but after living so long Saria hardly recognized it. Time was in as much abundance as air for her... she kept to the main roads, heading toward the southeast. It did not take much time for even her child sized legs to cover the distance, and soon she saw the fortified form of Hyrule Castle looming on the horizon before her. She faltered slightly and tried to brush the feelings of disquiet from her unsettled mind.
---
"The first of the six on their way approaches," Aghanim informed one of the guards pointedly. The man nodded his understanding, glazed eyes fixed attentively on his puppeteer. "You will apprehend her. Assure her that she is being escorted to the friendliest of accommodations -- don't use force unless it becomes unavoidable. She should suspect nothing. The dungeons are located below the castle -- I've shown you the way already."
"I remember, sir. We are to take the women to the dungeons, without harming them, as peaceably as can be managed."
"Good. The first should be arriving any second now. Go to her." Aghanim's voice was fairly commanding on its own, but to one under his spell, the will of the goddesses themselves couldn't sway their effects. The man immediately sprang to action, leading his well armored platoon out to meet the unfortunate woman drawing ever closer to the brink of Hyrule's destruction.
"A fantastic irony," Aghanim chuckled to himself.
---
Zelda was snapped to attention in an instant when her wandering eyes caught sight of the lone traveller, approaching the castle gates with an air of uncertainty and obvious discomfort. A small creature hovered over the child's curiously green hair, alternating between shades of rose pink and orange-yellow. (That's a fairy,) Zelda realized almost at once. She focused all of her attention on the girl, certain that she was one of the maidens Aghanim had sent for. The familiar sense of disorientation that came with telepathic outreachings settled in her, but she tightened her grip on the stone wall of the castle and tried harder to get her message through.
She could not quite do it, but just before the gates were opened, she saw the girl whirl around to face her. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and the girl's widened in what could only be a pure shock. The emotion in her eyes threw Zelda off, breaking her concentration in an instant. (Who is that girl?) The princess wondered, (and more importantly, what is Aghanim going to do with the poor thing?) She spun around, and dashed toward the stairs at once to see what sort of greeting the wizard would find appropriate for the occassion.
A veritable platoon of Hylian guards stood in a semi circle around the newely opened gates. Armor clanked noisily as the men collectively figdeted when the girl from outside was brought into the center of their half circle. Zelda was surprised to hear her voice -- she had expected the high tone of an inexperienced child, but was instead subjected to a commanding tone, well beyond the girl's possible age in terms of maturity.
"Why was I called to this place?" She demanded, clearly and without faltering.
"I assure you, miss," A blue armored man stepped forward, bowing lightly before her. "Your summons was based on only the finest intentions. We are having a meeting in a private chamber beneath the castle... if you will only follow us, we will have you there in no time."
The child nodded her consent, and marched confidently with the soliders, toward whatever fate Aghanim had decided upon for her. Zelda wondered briefly where the fairy she had seen earlier had gone, but her question was answered only moments later. She was certain she alone saw the faint yellow gold glimmer from behind the girl's collar, where a small figure hid, staring out behind her. An odd ripple cut through the air just before her, and Zelda recognized the magical influence as telepathy -- could the fairy and the child communicate that way, as well? The princess was almost positive it was so.
At the moment, however, there was the matter of following the guards without being seen to take care of. She was certain there was no secret room on the lower floors of the castle -- in fact, the only place of notice she could think of so far down was the dungeon. (But surely the wizard wouldn't have that kind of audacity... he must at least try to put on a show for them, however brief!) Zelda shook her head slowly, and prepared to follow the guards down into the bowels of her home. (I hope I can get a word in with that child soon... to call this merely of utmost importance would be the understantment of a lifetime.)
Impending Betrayal
---
Zelda was standing her own private watch at the base of Hyrule Castle's tower, looking over the countryside from the upper wall of the castle with a wistful stare. Her mind was focused on nothing in particular, though her brow was creased with the increasing concern the young princess felt for not only her obviously unwell father, but for her entire kingdom. Her gaze wandered across the green landscape before her, and her eyes reflected the pain she felt at envisioning it all laid to waste by the ambitions of one man -- a powerful man, but one man just the same.
She knew the descendants of the Sages were coming, and she accepted that there was little she could do to prevent it. As a descendant of the woman who had been chosen by either fate, or perhaps the goddess Nayru herself, to carry the essence of the Triforce of Wisdom with her spirit, she had been blessed with certain abilities. Sadly, these supernatural powers had been dilluted through the centuries, until they were barely accessible to her and only vaguely effective when she could use them. Zelda knew she could speak with people telepathically, but several issues arose with utilizing that ability, hampering its usefulness. Not only did she need some sort of contact point with the target to initiate a telepathic communication, she had to have a vague sense of where this person was, and the level of concentration required over long distances was all but debilitating. She was doubtful that her connection to the hapless girls undoubtedly on their way to the castle was strong enough to initiate a telepathic warning, and she certainly had no idea where any of them could be in any case.
She sighed, burying her face in her hands.
---
(What am I getting myself into...? I can recognize a call if need be, but something about this feels... terribly wrong...)
Saria knew the forest arguably better than any being that had ever enjoyed the capacity to successfully navigate its many pitfalls, but outside of the forest edge, she was perfectly, hopelessly lost. Her fairy, Nyeave, read her thoughts so naturally that they were practically her own. (It doesn't matter how hard I try to convince you to stay in the forest, Saria -- Why do you continue prodding me to try?)
The green haired girl sent a sidelong glance at her winged companion that clearly indicated her displeasure at this reply. She was in a state of moral turmoil; she wanted desperately to return this summons, but simultaneously her ever-reliable sage's sixth sense warned her to ignore it. Even so, she found her booted feet plodding ever on to the southeastern edge of the trees she had called home for thousands of years. Immortality certainly had its benefits, but as she looked beyond the shaded comfort of the Lost Woods, she reflected that it certainly had its disadvantages as well. For centuries she had perservered while her closest friends had wasted away in the span of a natural lifetime; while the Kokiri were her people and she enjoyed their peaceful existence together, she never ceased longing for the companionship her mortal friends had given her. Piggy back rides from Darunia, all too serious conversations about men and honor with the ever-cynical Nabooru, discussions on philosophy and magic with the ancient Princess Zelda... those things had been lost forever, and she mourned the loss each day.
Now she looked upon the world outside the forest for the first time in two thousand years.
(So much has changed, Nyeave! Which direction do I go from here?)
(I suggest we turn around and go that way,) The fairy replied in a matter of fact mental tone, the faint aura around the tiny winged body darkening with apprehension. (The world outside is unsafe...)
(Surely it is not as bad as you think.)
Saria breathed deeply and left the shadow of the trees, squinting at the suddenly bright sunlight. She relied on instinct alone to guide her -- the vision she had been granted remained fresh in her memory, and with it a sense of direction that both relieved her and gave a palpable sense of unease. Time passed, but after living so long Saria hardly recognized it. Time was in as much abundance as air for her... she kept to the main roads, heading toward the southeast. It did not take much time for even her child sized legs to cover the distance, and soon she saw the fortified form of Hyrule Castle looming on the horizon before her. She faltered slightly and tried to brush the feelings of disquiet from her unsettled mind.
---
"The first of the six on their way approaches," Aghanim informed one of the guards pointedly. The man nodded his understanding, glazed eyes fixed attentively on his puppeteer. "You will apprehend her. Assure her that she is being escorted to the friendliest of accommodations -- don't use force unless it becomes unavoidable. She should suspect nothing. The dungeons are located below the castle -- I've shown you the way already."
"I remember, sir. We are to take the women to the dungeons, without harming them, as peaceably as can be managed."
"Good. The first should be arriving any second now. Go to her." Aghanim's voice was fairly commanding on its own, but to one under his spell, the will of the goddesses themselves couldn't sway their effects. The man immediately sprang to action, leading his well armored platoon out to meet the unfortunate woman drawing ever closer to the brink of Hyrule's destruction.
"A fantastic irony," Aghanim chuckled to himself.
---
Zelda was snapped to attention in an instant when her wandering eyes caught sight of the lone traveller, approaching the castle gates with an air of uncertainty and obvious discomfort. A small creature hovered over the child's curiously green hair, alternating between shades of rose pink and orange-yellow. (That's a fairy,) Zelda realized almost at once. She focused all of her attention on the girl, certain that she was one of the maidens Aghanim had sent for. The familiar sense of disorientation that came with telepathic outreachings settled in her, but she tightened her grip on the stone wall of the castle and tried harder to get her message through.
She could not quite do it, but just before the gates were opened, she saw the girl whirl around to face her. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and the girl's widened in what could only be a pure shock. The emotion in her eyes threw Zelda off, breaking her concentration in an instant. (Who is that girl?) The princess wondered, (and more importantly, what is Aghanim going to do with the poor thing?) She spun around, and dashed toward the stairs at once to see what sort of greeting the wizard would find appropriate for the occassion.
A veritable platoon of Hylian guards stood in a semi circle around the newely opened gates. Armor clanked noisily as the men collectively figdeted when the girl from outside was brought into the center of their half circle. Zelda was surprised to hear her voice -- she had expected the high tone of an inexperienced child, but was instead subjected to a commanding tone, well beyond the girl's possible age in terms of maturity.
"Why was I called to this place?" She demanded, clearly and without faltering.
"I assure you, miss," A blue armored man stepped forward, bowing lightly before her. "Your summons was based on only the finest intentions. We are having a meeting in a private chamber beneath the castle... if you will only follow us, we will have you there in no time."
The child nodded her consent, and marched confidently with the soliders, toward whatever fate Aghanim had decided upon for her. Zelda wondered briefly where the fairy she had seen earlier had gone, but her question was answered only moments later. She was certain she alone saw the faint yellow gold glimmer from behind the girl's collar, where a small figure hid, staring out behind her. An odd ripple cut through the air just before her, and Zelda recognized the magical influence as telepathy -- could the fairy and the child communicate that way, as well? The princess was almost positive it was so.
At the moment, however, there was the matter of following the guards without being seen to take care of. She was certain there was no secret room on the lower floors of the castle -- in fact, the only place of notice she could think of so far down was the dungeon. (But surely the wizard wouldn't have that kind of audacity... he must at least try to put on a show for them, however brief!) Zelda shook her head slowly, and prepared to follow the guards down into the bowels of her home. (I hope I can get a word in with that child soon... to call this merely of utmost importance would be the understantment of a lifetime.)