Thievery
Disclaimer: Alexis is mine. That's about it – oh, and the plot!
Right about now, Alexis is within the Angel archives; awaiting whatever explanation Loki is going to give her about the current situation in Hyrule. Let's take look at what's going on, shall we?
[] = Alexis' thoughts (just like old times, hey people?)
I looked squarely at Loki, waiting for him to turn away from his fond farewell smile to David. When he did turn back, I registered just how solemn his face was through my slightly sleep clouded mind, and mentally shook myself to wake up a little more. "So.....what's so different this time then?" I asked, beginning to look over some of the papers, before realising that I had forgotten most of my Hylian, and putting them down again.
"Many things – perhaps I should explain the history a little before we get to the task at hand?" he left a space, no doubt expecting me to refuse and want to know about the trouble immediately. I didn't say a word – it wasn't as though I had been keeping close tabs on the place since I left.....that would be altogether too painful. With some obvious surprise at my silence, he spoke again. "All right. Well, first of all, fifty years have passed there." I nodded - that was the one thing I had known.
"Which of course means the Hero has aged somewhat – sixty seven or so, if I guessed his age correctly at the time of Ganondorf's fall?" I nodded again. "Right – well, he's the Lord Protector of Hyrule, and lives in one of the wings of the palace with his children and grandchildren – the girl Malon was his wife, but she passed two years ago." I felt a slight jolt as I thought of that bright smile being extinguished in death.
[At least it wasn't a death at the hands of darkness.]
"Now, the Princess Zelda committed suicide," Loki looked down at the notes in his lap for the date, and so didn't notice my shock until he looked up again. "Oh – sorry, that was a little blunt.....uh....."
"Don't worry about it – you're telling me a swift history, so make it swift," I bit back, unable to contain the bitter tone. [Suicide?] Then, I sighed, [I thought of that once.....it's not so strange I suppose.]
"Right – well – uh – she y'know, about ten years ago."
"What of the Tri-Force of Wisdom?"
"It passed to her daughter, Thelia. I believe it's a most odd occurrence for the Tri-Force to be passed through bloodlines, so people admire her even more than her mother. However, she herself does not hold much stock by the piece, and thinks of Link as a burden upon her household.....she cannot turn him out, because he has such high social standing, and the population still adore him as the Hero." He shuffled the sheaves of paper on his lap, and discarded one, before looking to another.
"How long did you take on those notes?" I asked, trying to lighten the atmosphere. He gave a wry smile, and held them up, to show lines of his tiny neat print adorning the pages.
"Oh, not that long....." he dropped them again, and I laughed as best I could.
"Liar."
He just shrugged, and then began to read from the second sheet. "Ah, here it is; I listed the names of all of Link's family, and also the current lover of Thelia." I raised an eyebrow,
"How old is she exactly?"
"Late thirties," he said immediately.
"And she's not married yet?"
"Many people don't get married until later."
"But, Loki, you great fact-file dolt, royalty usually marry quite young, for heirs and alliances. Any of this ringing a bell?" He frowned, and nodded.
"I know that – but Thelia is very unconventional. She even keeps a sorcerer in-court – by name of Aghanim (sp?) or something like that. That's not common practice by any stretch of the imagination in Hyrule. She has also not produced any heirs, and has declared that she will choose her successor when she so chooses."
"Pretty unorthodox," I breathed.
"Aye. And that's not all – she also has her own army – and I don't mean the Royal Guard, I mean an actual army. Most of them are of Gerudo descent, the children of Gerudo and Hylian unions, and she has both men and women in the army. Apparently 'they make her feel safe', but some people speculate that they're there in case the public choose to rise against her, and put Link on the throne."
"So the population aren't happy bunnies then?"
"You could say that..... Link doesn't wish to be upon the throne, by all reports, and has told many people so."
"Such modesty must just make him even more popular!"
"Exactly! It's a vicious circle, and that is one of things that will make it so damned difficult for you."
"Goodie – I get to traverse a possible civil war," I grumbled. [Why does everything have to be so complicated?]
"That's about the top and bottom of it I'm afraid – and this is just the history part – I haven't told you the worst bits yet."
"And that makes me feel so much better," I said sarcastically, causing my Godfather to smile widely.
"Ah, ever the optimist?" he chuckled, and I joined in with the infectious merriment. I had learned over the years just what amusing company he could be, and here, within the comforting must of the archives, some of my anxiety was drifting away. And, it was quite interesting to listen to how Hyrule had been getting along in the fifty years of peace Link, Sheik and I had managed to bring it.
"Hang on – you've not said a word about Sheik," I said accusatively.
"Well – I – I'm afraid to say, there isn't much to tell. All I can tell you is that he was seen leaving Kakariko, the day after you left. From there, he went missing for about a year, and then turned up again at the rebuilt palace, where he was given the post of a Captain of the Guard. He stayed for five years, then upped and left, and wasn't seen since."
"I don't like the way you said wasn't there," I growled, and he flushed slightly.
"Well, it only stands to reason – over forty years, and you think that he may still be alive?" I looked down at the floor – of course he was perfectly correct. Hoping any differently was a futile thing to do. It was just, being told in such blunt, no nonsense terms, made it seem a hundred times as bad. "I'm sorry little one, but it's easier to say this now, than for you to get hurt later on." He leaned over the desk, and embraced me, and I clutched my arms around him, before letting go and sitting up straight again, composing myself.
"Of course.....it's just hearing it in such certain terms makes it seem all the more real." He nodded in his sagely way, and then turned to the third page of his notes. "The look on your face tells me we're now getting to the first class horror?" Another nod, and a sympathetic smile.
"I'm afraid so."
"Tell me and get it over with."
"Well, you already know Ganondorf has escaped the Realm – damn David and his big mouth." I snorted quietly. "Well, he's escaped – but it is going to take perhaps eight days for him to reach Hyrule proper, which gives us some time to get a plan in motion." He paused and looked up. "I've just thought – perhaps someone else could do this? You really shouldn't be going out again so soon after your last mission after all." I just glared at him. "Or not....." he cowered slightly, and stared down at his notes, waiting for me to stop giving him a death-glare.
"OK. If Ganondorf gains the Tri-Force of Courage from Link, and the Tri- Force of Wisdom from Thelia – Hyrule will be fucked. Pure and simple. So, you need to stop it. The only problem is, there are only two solutions to the problem that we know will work. The first one is to find a carrier, who holds balanced Courage, Power and Wisdom, and pull the pieces out of the current three holders, and put them into the carrier. Of course, the carrier would have to be one completely pure of heart – someone totally good-"
"Rules me out then," I cut across him dryly, and he stared at me. I didn't carry on with what I was going to say. "Sorry – carry on."
"The carrier needs to be pure and good of heart, so that when they wish, Hyrule will go into an age of prosperity – and then the Tri-Force will return to the Realm, and not even Ganondorf will be able to get it back, because the Ocarina of Time was destroyed after his first fall."
"Destroyed?" I echoed in surprise. "But – that was the treasure of the Royal Family. The most magical object that existed in Hyrule, bar perhaps the Master Sword!"
"Exactly. For them to keep something so powerful would have been dangerous. So, it was destroyed." He reached the last paper in the pile now. "Now, the other solution will hopefully not need to be used. But, if for some reason, the carrier does not work."
"Hang on – where am I to find this balanced, pure and good of heart carrier?" I cut across him again, and he sighed in annoyance.
"Don't worry about that – she's already been found."
"How long have you been working on this?" I asked suspiciously.
"Long enough," he said brusquely, and I decided not to push it. It didn't matter – after all, I didn't have to find that blasted carrier, which was going to be a help. "Now, the other is only in the failure of the first. The Tri-Force pieces must not be allowed to meet within Ganondorf. They must converge in either Thelia or Link, so that the wish can be made, and the fiasco will be over with. So, in order to stop them meeting in Ganondorf, two of the current carriers must be disposed of," this last part was said tentatively, and he cringed away as I jumped up from my chair.
"So you're telling me, I have to choose which one gets to live?" he quailed, and nodded. "So now I'm an Angel of Death you say?" I let out a wild laugh at the unintended pun, and then flopped back down into the chair, face impassive. "Of course, it won't come to that. I will never allow it to come to that, because I'm not going to spill innocent blood. This carrier?" I prompted, and Loki stopped cowering like a tiny animal, and sat up straight again.
"Oh – yes. You will find her arriving in the Temple of Time four days after you arrive in Hyrule."
"Four days?" I exclaimed. "But then that gives me only another four to prepare her!"
"Don't yell at me about it, I can't change when she arrives – it was the quickest she could be bought!" This time, I quailed, and he quickly dropped his angry stance, and placed a hand over my one, which lay across the tabletop. "Didn't mean to yell, sorry," he said shortly. "Can I go on, without you exploding?" a playful smile swept over his lips, and I nodded. "The carrier will arrive – she's a child of fifteen, with red hair, and round ears – much like a Gerudo."
"I don't like the sound of that – what do you mean 'much like a Gerudo', as opposed to her actually being a Gerudo."
"Well, I would have thought by the fact they had to bring her through a portal, that you would have guessed she's not from Hyrule."
"Oh great – does she know anything about Hyrule? And if she doesn't yet, will she by the time she gets there?"
"Only the languages and the legends of the Tri-Force."
"So I get to baby-sit a teen who's been ripped from her own world?"
"May I remind you that she's the same age as you were when you first fought Ganondorf," he scolded.
[Of course – how could I forget?]
"She'll be fine – you however, will need to control your temper. You'll have to lie low, so that you don't stir up suspicions. And Aghanim.....I suspect that he is not what he appears. I know that he practices the dark magics as well as the regular ones, and he's far too interested in getting into Thelia's good books."
"You really wanted to say 'Thelia's bed' there, didn't you?"
"Yeah, just a bit," he smiled guiltily, and looked like a little schoolboy who'd been caught doing something bad. "It would probably be an apt assumption that that's what he is trying to do anyway. They're both about the same age I believe, and Thelia seems to enjoy his company more than is acceptable for a Princess and her court sorcerer."
"How romantic – they could have little sorcerer children with great wisdom together," I sighed in a fake happiness. "Sickening." Loki raised an eyebrow – I ignored it. "Any other terrible news to give me? Like my cat's died or something similar?" He tried to keep his face straight, but I cocked my head to one side, made a small mewing noise, and laughter escaped. [I've got a knack for making him laugh now!] I thought triumphantly, and waited for the laughter to die down. "When is it I leave?"
"A few hours – I'll need to summon a portal – and you need to go and say goodbye to a few of your friends I'll warrant." I nodded, thinking of the close circle of friends I had built up over twelve years. "And," I looked up, "you'll need to excuse yourself from teaching the younger recruits."
"Shit – how could I forget about them?" I rushed out of the room, and Loki called after me.
"Be back here after lunch!"
"Right," I called over my shoulder, and carried on my speedy way to carry out the tasks I needed to before departing on another mission.
"Another mission?" Ollie wailed as he tied his horse up in the stables. "But 'lex, its only been a month since the last, and you were away almost a year on that one!"
"I know, I know – but this is Hyrule, and you know I can't pass Hyrule up damn it! I'm not having some amateur fuck up there." He grinned widely at me, and I smiled guiltily.
"Bit over protective, aren't we now?" he quipped, taking a brush from the wall of the stable, and beginning to brush his steed down.
"Well – if you'd been there, you'd understand. And anyway, I would have though you'd have loved it, with a whole race of only women to look forward to!" I punched him lightly on the arm, and he blushed. "Maybe I'll try and find one for you, shall I?" He blushed even darker, and then turned around from his task.
"Umm – well – actually....." he scratched the back of his neck.
"You asked her?!" I squeaked, grabbing both his hands, so that he dropped the brush, and spinning him around in dizzying circles. "When did you ask? How long has this been going on? Wait, can't be more than four days, that's when I last saw you, and this definitely hadn't happened then. So? Spill the beans!" I stopped spinning him, and he swayed slightly, and put a hand to his head.
"If I tell, will you promise never to do that again – it's made me feel queasy."
"'Course," I laughed. "Now, tell all, and make it quick, I've other people to see!"
"Oh, that makes me feel loved!" he pouted, and I punched him again. We sat down on the overturned, empty trough in the stable stall. "Well, I asked her because I was so bored of you teasing me about it really. Plus – the ball seemed like the perfect thing to ask her to – you know....." he trailed off, and I gaped at him. The ball.....I was going to miss it for the fourth year running. He blinked, and then asked suddenly, "Who are you going with?"
"I – I'm not," I admitted. "The mission probably won't be over by then."
"Damn – because I was going to say, if you didn't have anyone, I'm sure Jamie would do the honour."
"Jamie? Don't be daft, he and Carla are the strongest thing since.....I don't know what." He shook his head. "OK, how do I miss these things?" I asked.
"You don't pay enough attention," Ollie laughed. "Mind you, the break up happened before you got back, so that might be why you don't know. Carla's on a year-long mission to Dreadnought, and Jamie's due back from Trench in a week."
"A year in Dreadnought – ouch, she must be really pissed!"
"That's a nice way of putting it. She threatened to cut his....." Ollie trailed off with a mischievous grin.
"You're kidding!"
"Nope."
"Why did they break up?"
"Well, she was actually with Louis behind his back – so I don't see why she should be the one after revenge," he ended ponderously. I felt enraged that I had fallen behind on the happenings with my friends.
"Louis? That pompous bastard over Jamie? Did she go blind, deaf and dumb?" Ollie just shrugged. "I'll have to get a message to her – she needs talking to."
"I wouldn't – I don't think Jamie would want her back – he was pretty upset about it."
"How upset?"
"Almost a whole crate of beer upset."
"Demons, how do I miss these things?"
"You work too hard."
"And you're not a workaholic?" I countered with a snigger. The sound of footsteps drew out attention, and looking up, I saw the very girl that I had finally goaded Ollie into making a move on. Lara: tall, slim and beautiful – as well as being one of the sharpest wits in the whole of the warrior division. Not to mention one of my best friends. I jumped up off of the trough, and exited the stall, to lean over the edge and talk to the two of them.
"Lara, I've got another mission – dunno how long it'll be, but I should think pretty long."
"You're off again?" she said in annoyance. "What about the ball, hmm?"
"Hyrule can't wait," I answered sadly. "And neither can I, I have to go and say a few more goodbyes."
"All right – well, 'bye." She called sadly after me – I waved as I left.
"We love you!" Ollie called in a stagy voice, and he and Lara cracked up. I just smiled, and headed towards the offices. Now to break it gently to Gary that I wouldn't be able to teach the young warriors for about two months or so. [This isn't going to be pretty.]
I fled the office, assaulted by numerous paper aeroplanes that Gary always kept stacked on his desk, seemingly especially to throw at me. I ducked and dived around and between them, and Gary's curses floated after me. I couldn't help but to grin as I began to make my way to say goodbye to the last of my friends in various places around the training grounds.
[Hyrule might be nice. But there really is nothing like home.] I thought, smiling even wider as the sun shone down, and the sounds of the younger warriors play-fighting reached my ears. [I'm so damn glad I always have this to come back to.]
The portal was ready and waiting when I returned. A small pang of guilt and remembrance ran through me, but on seeing Loki's grinning face, I brushed it aside. "Your portal milady," he bowed like a gentleman, and held out his arms to the portal. "All set with the rigs to make your stay as comfortable as possible." I shook my head in amusement, and then looked around.
"Where's David?"
"Right here!" he laughed, and caught me in a bear hug from behind. "Good luck tyke!"
"How many times? I'm not a tyke!" I protested, whilst laughing and trying to get the Master Angel to relinquish his grip. "Don't make me drop-kick you again," I threatened, and he let go immediately.
"Demons you're vicious!" he ruffled my hair, and I returned it with a good- tempered scowl. "Ah, but seriously 'lex, you be careful, all right?"
"I always am," I answered.
"Oh – and," he reached into the back pocket of the trousers he was wearing. "Just a good luck charm." He handed me a Mithril and silver armlet, which was carved in the shape of a snake biting its own tail. "Put it on – it may not be the prettiest thing, but it's got some charms on it."
"Thanks," I slipped it up my arm, and then let the sleeve of my tee shirt fall over the cold metal. "You worry too much!"
"It's my job," he said with a wink, and then looked over my head to Loki. I turned around, and found myself yet again trapped in a bear hug.
[This could get on my nerves.]
"'lex, promise me you'll be careful," he muttered.
"Hey, I already promised that."
"Not to me – now, promise, or someone else is doing this mission."
"Fine! I promise I will be careful."
"Good girl – now – good luck, all right?" I just nodded, and turned away from both him and David to look at the portal. Flashing a smile back and dropping a wink back to them, I stepped in. All the changes and advances arrived in my mind, and my outfit shaped itself into a suitable style.
I landed with surprising grace within the quiet green of the Lost Woods, and saw the very same pool I had seen upon my first journey to Hyrule. With slight curiosity, I wandered over to observe how I had changed. I was slightly taller, my face had gained a softer edge and I had become accustomed at last to the curves I had acquired. Going with the fashion of the times, I wore a tunic of dark grey, this time with black tights instead of the trousers of my original venture here. Turning my head to the side, I admired the pointed ear, through which were pierced three silver hoops at the very tip – the other was exactly the same. And, I noticed with a sigh of relief that my hair was cropped to a suitably short length for once.
Forest spirits congregated around me, tiny voices squeaking their greetings to me. I just nodded and smiled, and the sounds slowly subsided – a cloud of wispy lights followed me as I lazily strolled in the general direction of where I thought Kokiri village was. When I came into a clearing filled with the skeleton of a great old tree, and a thriving sapling, I knew I must have taken a wrong turn somewhere. No matter – the village was just beyond the sapling, through a winding pathway walled by thick trees on either side. [Hmm – I could probably go to lake Hylia and do some fishing or something whilst I wait for the carrier.]
"Other worlder!" the tree called out to me, it's voice sweet and mellow. I changed my course towards it, a fond smile on my face as I bent down in one knee before the forest guardian. "How fare you child of the forest?"
"Verily, I fare well. And thee?" It was surprisingly easy to speak in the old fashioned way of the tree, now that I had my knowledge of Hylian back.
"Not so well, I am saddened to say. Once more, dark things are creeping over our land. And, I know not how this evil shall be combated."
"Rest assured, it shall be. I have returned to aide this world again, and hopefully this time, the Dark Sire Ganondorf will not be able to escape the punishment he truly deserves. And then, this fair land will be rid of worry and fear for once and for all!"
"Aye, I believe that with your help all this shall come to pass. But, what of the Hero and the Sheikah? I heard tales that you did not leave this world with your companions in the best of spirits." I hung my head, and sighed heavily.
"That is something I have not dared think on too much. Besides, both Link and Sheik will have grown old by now – perhaps with their years they have managed to forgive – or at least forget – what I did. And, alas, even though thou art wise, I myself suspect that Sheik is.....dead....." The tree hmmed a little, and seemed to want to say more, but stopped itself. I got up from my bended knee, and bowed slightly to the guardian before walking away.
"Just remember that things aren't always what they seem. It is a lesson that particularly you can relate to," the Deku Tree called after me, and I nodded my agreement. Things never were what they seemed in this place. I strolled past a few tiny Deku-Baba, not even bothering to swing my sword at the creatures. They were no threat. The village came into view before me, and I roved my eyes from side to side in order to take everything in. It had not changed one bit (apart from the monsters disappearing, that was).
A small red haired boy hurtled towards me, green hat spiralling off of his head as he hurried over. "Blaise! Blaise, it's me, Mido!" I was surprised when the child wrapped his arms around my waist and hugged me so hard that I was finding it difficult to breathe. "Wow, it's so good to see you! Hey, everybody, look, it's Link's old friend! Come on, come say hello!" And before I knew it, I was swamped by more of the green-clad, pointy eared, eager eyed Kokiri children. All of the crowded around, clamouring to know where I had been all this time, and did I know whether any of their nightmares might mean the same as Link's had so long ago.
I had to sit down to prevent myself from being knocked over, and the Kokiri copied my movement like very well trained sheep. "I'm afraid I can't tell you anything for certain as to what your dreams mean.....however, the Great Deku-Tree does suspect that it could mean something bad is on the way. But," I called over the worried murmurs, "do not worry. You will be protected from any danger, that I promise. Now, as for where I have been, it is a long story, and I don't think I have time right now to tell it to you." I stood up, and began to walk towards the exit into the field.
"Oh, please tell us the story!"
"Yes, please Miss Blaise!"
"Don't go yet, wouldn't you like something to eat or drink?" They all tugged at the hem of my tunic, and I smiled slightly, even though I was also annoyed by being waylaid. So, I turned around and bent down to be on their eyelevel.
"I'm afraid I can't stay right now – but when I next come back (which could be quite soon), I will tell you the story. OK?" This seemed to satisfy them, and I was allowed to walk out into Hyrule field without dragging about twenty Kokiri with me. [I'll give them credit – their memories are fantastic if they can remember me.]
The field was as I remembered, the same hills and slight valleys around it, and there, in the distance to the northwest was the Ranch. It seemed to have expanded slightly, and searching through my new knowledge of the land, I discovered that it in fact had gained two extra paddocks, and now its horses were renowned not only in Hyrule, but in the lands across the waters as well. [Fantastic – I bet Malon was proud of what it's become.]
I wondered whether I should go there, and get myself a horse, or if I should just walk everywhere. After all, nothing in the field was more than five day's travel to something on the opposite end. Mind you – five days could be too much in this mission, so the horse was probably a good idea. I dug around in my tunic pockets, and found, to my great surprise, that as well as the fifty or so rupees I had collected myself (in the form of two red rupees, one blue, and five green), David and Loki had added another four hundred to my funds, in the form of two gold rupees.
[I could buy five horses with this, not just one!] I thought – then again, if I wanted to get a really good horse, the price could possibly go up into the two, and maybe even three hundred range. So, I was thankful for the foresight of them to give me more funds. [I wonder how long it will take me to get to the Ranch from here? How long did it take last time?] Well, if I remember rightly, most of one day – from dawn till dusk.
[I suppose I'd better start moving then.] I set off towards the silhouette of the Ranch, turning my head right and left as I went to look at the exquisite greenness of the grass. When I had left fifty years ago (Hyrule time) it had all been yellow and wilted, more weed than grass – but, the land had come into a time of fertility and plenty, which the grass managed to altogether prove. It was springy underfoot, and smelt sweet. I registered the fact that it was perhaps early spring, as there was still a chill bite in the air, though the sun shone down brightly, and a few flowers were beginning to make their presence known.
To the east, I could see the meandering silver coils of Zora's river, and even the curve in the land at which it came out from Zora's domain. I wondered how it was now that it would be completely unfrozen, and what the waterfall would look like now. [Ack, I'm getting so sentimental.] I thought, but I just couldn't wipe the fond smile from my face. I was wrong – Hyrule was like a second home.....[I could be happy here – just as happy as at home really.]
[But.....no, here I would have no friends, I would have to hide who I am. I need to be somewhere that I can be myself.]
The sound of hoof beats wormed their way into my consciousness, and I turned to the direct west, away from the sun, to see a rider galloping at a fast clip about a mile away, riding along a ridge in the field towards the Ranch. As I watched, another four or five riders came into sight, and all of them seemed to be bowed low in the saddle. When the first rider passed a tall tree that had evidently been struck by lightning (maybe more than once), a flare went up with a bang into the sky, and I could hear the faint sounds of cheering.
[It's a race!] I realised suddenly, and laughed out loud. Of all the things to see! Hyrule truly had become a peaceful place once more. [And I can't let it fall again.....] With a new determination, I carried on to the Ranch, now taking swifter and longer strides. If I could get there long enough before sundown, I could buy a horse today, instead of having to hope for lodgings and buy one tomorrow.
[That's a point.....where am I going to sleep tonight?] I thought about going back to the Kokiri village, but I knew I might not be able to tear myself away from the inquisitive little folk again. Then, I contemplated the Castle-Town.....but that was far too close to the palace, and consequently too close to Link. I had not changed so much that it would be hard for him to recognise me, and I didn't want to explain the fact that I might end up having to kill him at some point. [Way to spoil the day there,] I scolded myself, and sighed heavily as I kept on at my swift pace.
[Kakariko?] I quickly dismissed this as well – not for reasons of keeping myself hidden. More for memory's sake than anything else. That was just asking for trouble, going to that place again. [So where then? Lake Hylia?] I decided that would probably be best. But, before I could continue to worry about where I was to stay for the night, I had to get a blasted horse.
Tadum! And now she's in Hyrule – and evidently she's going to be buying a horse in the next chapter – yay! I'm having more fun with this now that I've actually got it started, and got the plot somewhat worked out in my head. Now at least, I know what's going to happen (most of it anyway).
I'll see you all next update!
RR – Soda XXX