A note from the Hime no Argh herself–
I recently thought up an idea of what could become yet another multi-chapter Zelda serial and have been itching to start writing...but there's still this fic to write and I've got to end it before I can start any new ones (at least any long new ones). ;_; I'm feeling rather desperate because I have writer's block again, but I'll push myself through it eventually, I'm sure. But another Zelda fic may yet follow this one, so look for it at The Destined's conclusion, I suppose.
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Chapter 27
Plans
Massive confusion followed the return of Zelda and Sages of Water, Fire, Spirit, and Light. The thieves swamped Zelda once again, admonishing her for sneaking away without them. The Sages reunited joyfully and emotionally, and even Impa could be seen shedding a few tears. The dragon disappeared to be replaced by a small woman with dark hair, who leapt into Ronin's arms. Once Impa had recovered herself, she dragged Link into the sages' midst.
"Link," she said breathlessly, "meet my fellow sages. This is Ruto– " Link shook hands with a very regal-looking Zora.
"Nabooru–"
"Heya, hero," said a Gerudo with a very strong grip, grinning.
"Darunia–"
A massive demon of Goron clapped Link on the back, knocking the wind out of him.
"And the old geezer here is Rauru." Impa squeezed the old Sage of Light's shoulder, smiling broadly.
"I wouldn't talk if I were you," Rauru said dryly to Impa, "you're far older than I am." He fixed Link with a light blue, penetrating stare. "So you're the Link of this time. And you understand your task?"
"To protect Zelda and kill Ganondorf?" Link asked in his own dry tone. "Yes, I understand it well enough." He cast a glance in Zelda's direction just as she looked up. Their eyes met. Zelda looked at him numbly, then her eyes filled suddenly with such abject apology that Link's anger with her dissolved in an instant. He gave her a small smile, which she returned, hers full of relief.
"I expect he's up for the job?" Rauru was saying to Impa.
"He has potential," Impa replied, her crimson eyes gleaming as she stared at Link. "He and I have a bit of work to do."
Link grinned at her. "I look forward to it."
Impa then introduced the sages to Dagger, Bolo, Marek, and Oberon, and Link saw Zelda slip quietly into the temple. He waited for a few minutes, then followed inconspicuously.
Zelda was pacing the foyer anxiously when she entered. She turned to him and began breathlessly, "Link–"
Link realized she was going to apologize and found he didn't need to hear it. "It's okay," he told her seriously. "Just as long as you promise me one thing."
"What?" she asked apprehensively.
Link smiled. "Next time you decide you want to take destiny into your hands, take me with you."
Zelda stared at him for a moment, then broke into a wide, relieved smile. Shaking her head ruefully, she went to him and put her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his shoulder. "Did you have fun time-traveling?" he asked, hugging her close.
"Oh yes," she said dryly, chuckling a bit. "I met some rather interesting characters."
"Ah. More interesting than the ones we already know, you mean?"
Zelda nodded. She was silent for a few moments, then added quietly, "I met my mother."
Link pulled away to look at her, shocked. "You did?"
"Well, sort of." Zelda glanced up at him and smiled crookedly. "I met a Sheikah who claimed to be my mother's alter-ego. It's a long story," she said apologetically when Link raised his eyebrows at her. "I'll tell you some other time. Right now we need to worry about–"
"Ganondorf?" Link suggested. "The fate of Hyrule? Damn, with the sages out of the way I thought we could finally have a vacation."
Zelda laughed and pulled away. "I'm glad I have you, Link," she said, sobering. "You keep me from getting too serious. And I'm really glad you're not mad at me," she admitted, looking at the floor.
Link shrugged. "I should be mad, but it wastes too much energy. I have to save it all for Ronin," he added wickedly, and Zelda laughed again.
"Well," she said, sober once again, "that's that. We have the Sages, the Feather Man, and the Half. The pieces of the puzzle are assembling. I think it's time for us to take action."
"You have a plan?" he asked.
Zelda smiled. "I do. Involving more danger and mayhem, no less."
"My favorite kind," Link assured her, grinning.
* * *
Zelda allowed one afternoon for everyone to rest, relax, and become acquainted or reacquainted. There were a lot of newcomers to become acquainted with. First the sages, all of whom observed Link and Zelda very closely, interested in what these Destined were like. Ronin also had a new companion.
"This is Blue," he informed Zelda with a smile, indicated the small woman at his side. She was wiry and strong, the grip of her tiny, claw-like hand fierce as she shook Zelda's. A cloud of dark hair curled about her small, delicately-featured face, illuminated by her enormous eyes, as blue as the deepest ocean.
"At least, this is her human form," Ronin explained. "I first met her looking like this."
"Thank you very much for your help finding the sages," Zelda said to Blue. "I truly appreciate it."
The woman merely shrugged. "She's quiet in her human form," Ronin explained. "But don't worry about thanks. We'll both do whatever we can to help you from now on," he added, smiling.
Zelda blinked at him. "Why?"
Ronin laughed. "Because it's fun, why else? My life has taken a far more interesting turn since the day I met you. A tyrant in power, needing to be vanquished–a lady and a hero to stand against him–an entire land to deliver–rather romantic, isn't it?"
Zelda shook her head. "I think you take things far too lightly, Ronin. We could all die."
"And you take things far too seriously," Ronin said airily. "We could all not die, and you could end up as the Queen of Hyrule. Now wouldn't that be fun?"
* * *
That evening, as dusk fell over the Lost Woods and the first twinkling stars appeared in the sky, Zelda requested that her friends and allies assemble outside of the forest temple. Pacing through the grass, she thought for a few moments, then looked at her waiting audience.
"It's time," she said quietly. "Time for many things, but first, I think, I owe an explanation to many of you here." She spoke particularly to her thieves, who knew only some of the details of what had happened since that fateful night in Hyrule Field. Taking a deep breath, Zelda launched into an explanation, glossing over no detail, however grim, as she recounted her and Link's audience with the goddesses, their encounter with Ganondorf, and her search for the sages. "We all know why we're here," she added at the end. "Link and I are fated to defeat Ganondorf and restore this land, but we can't do it alone. That's where all of you come in."
Azura snorted. The Gerudo sat on a fallen tree trunk apart from the rest of the group, her glittering eyes fixed on Zelda. "You think this group can defeat the mast–defeat Ganondorf? The Black King has armies of monsters and men at his command. This?" She looked around at their assembled numbers disbelievingly. "This is a joke."
Zelda closed her eyes and counted to ten, then opened them and looked at Azura. "That's why we need to assemble more," she said as calmly as possible. "Believe me, Azura, I am as realistic about our chances as you are. As we stand, we have no chance. But a prophecy was told to me, from the mouth of Nayru herself. You will have the Sages, the Feather Man, and the Half at your side. The people will come to you and accept your command. The power of the Goddesses will be yours, and you will embody the Immortal Three-Who-Are-One. When all pieces are joined together, the cycle will be fulfilled, and Balance restored."
Azura raised her eyebrows. Zelda saw Rauru lean close to Impa and begin muttering in her ear.
"Anyone who knows me," Zelda continued, "knows that I don't like sitting around and waiting for destiny to come to me." She diverted a small smile to Link, who stood protectively by her side. "We have already assembled some of the pieces. We have the Sages–Impa, Saria, Rauru, Darunia, Ruto, and Nabooru. And me," she added as an afterthought.
"We have the Feather Man. For anyone to whom it's not blatantly obvious, that's Ronin. And we have the Half." Zelda met Azura's eyes. The Gerudo blinked at her.
"Me? I'm part of your prophecy?"
"You're a twin," Zelda said quietly. "With your sister you were one. Your sister is dead, and now you're half."
Azura's mouth set in a tight, bitter line. Zelda looked away from her. "The next part of the prophecy tells us that people will come to us, ready to ally themselves with us. I don't think many people are going to find us here in the forest. We have to go and find them."
Bolo raised his hand as though he were in a classroom. "How are you gonna get people to follow you, Miss Zelda?" he asked frankly. "Sorry, but you're a thief, y'know."
"And a queen's daughter," Dagger shot at him. "Weren't you listening?"
"Bolo's right," Impa said calmly. "Zelda is a thief, and a notorious one at that. She's wanted by Ganondorf. No one will take her seriously. They'll think her a laughingstock. What we need is proof that she's the real deal. That's where Rauru and I come in," she added, exchanging a crooked grin with the Sage of Light.
"What do you mean?" Zelda asked.
"Use your brain, girl," Rauru said petulantly. "Do you honestly think that your mother took no steps to ensure her daughter's future? She left birth records in my care, for one. Records that prove you are descended of the Royal Family."
"That's not all," said Impa. "When Ganondorf attacked the kingdom years back, the survivors of his raid fled to the nearest haven–Kakariko. It was only two decades ago that your parents died and Hyrule fell to Ganondorf. The survivors of the Hylian Kingdom still reside in Kakariko. They will be the first to swear their allegiance to you."
"And not the last," Rauru added. "Thousands of people throughout Hyrule remember those golden days, and nearly everyone wants to see Ganondorf fall from power. But they will not follow you unless they are sure you can defeat Ganondorf, which means that you must spread your message throughout the land and become a strong adversary against Ganondorf and all his forces."
"I know that," Zelda said grimly. She was quiet for a moment, looking at those assembled before her, her closest friends and only allies. "I am prepared to take the steps necessary to build a strong offense against Ganondorf. I am prepared to declare myself as his opponent, openly if necessary. That is, if all of you are as well, because I can't do it alone."
"I am," Link said quietly. "I'll follow you anywhere."
Zelda smiled at him. "Thank you."
"Hear, hear!" Rauru said firmly. "Look, all of you, you thieves, you rogues, you sages–you stand in the presence of royalty! You stand in the presence of the heir to the throne of Hyrule, the rightful monarch! Link shall defeat Ganondorf, Zelda shall ascend the throne, and I for one shall be at their side!"
"Hear!" the thieves cried.
"Hear!" echoed the sages.
"You're all crazy," Azura informed them flatly.
"I hear it's the new fashion," Ronin said, grinning.
"Thank you all," Zelda said, overwhelmed by the show of support. "I'm glad I have you all on my side, because we have a lot of work ahead. And I have work for all of you."
* * *
To be continued.