The Legend of Zelda: The Lost Princess
Chapter 6: Reunions: Part 2
Thanks to all my reviewers- it means the world! And if you want action Marinawings, you get it girl! Enjoy!
As Link's firm hands helped secure Ariana in her saddle, she blushed slightly, feeling her aunt's eyes on her. Nabooru smiled impishly as Ariana met her gaze and before Ariana could help herself, she invoked a power she'd once thought long forgotten. She reached out and touched her aunt's mind with her own.
I know what you're thinking, auntie- and you can just stop it now. This is business only.
Nabooru smirked at her niece, the color still blazing on her cheeks.
I see you haven't lost all your gifts, my dear. And if this is business, how come he can't come near you without you blushing like a schoolgirl? Business indeed. The hero just better see to it he handles his "business" like a real man. It IS a champion's duty to satisfy his charge in every way….
Ariana's eyes widened at the sensual undertone Nabooru's mind-touch carried and she gasped slightly. Link, thinking he'd hurt her in some way, drew back.
"You alright Milady?" he questioned anxiously. Nabooru tittered and Ariana sent a mental Behave yourself in her direction.
"Fine, Link- it just took a minute to get accustomed to the saddle again." Impa, witnessing the exchange, took a chance and injected her own mental comment into Ariana's thoughts, not really expecting a reply, just in an endeavor to soothe the tension she detected in her ward.
Easy girl, calm yourself- don't get too flustered now.
I have no intention of that happening Impa, Ariana countered, a small smile hovering upon her lips. My aunt just needs to learn to choose her battles. And Ariana sent a mental snapshot of the previous conversation to Impa, who was still reeling at discovering the princess's telepathic abilities.
You have the Gift! And what's more, you rival your sister in its use! I never knew…
I've learned the value of subterfuge, Impa- it kept me alive, Ariana rejoined, smiling at Link as if nothing was happening as he settled into Epona's saddle.
Impa smiled ruefully at Ariana and gathered up the reins of her own horse. Nabooru did the same and the two sages positioned themselves behind their princess and their hero, setting off at a brisk trot across the desert, the knights of Hyrule and the Gerudo guards flanking the cortege. Ariana noticed the admiring glances Link cast at her stallion, who arched his neck proudly.
"Isn't he something? I raised him from a foal after his mother died. He was such a small little thing- all legs. No one thought he'd amount to much, but I knew better. I named him Greatheart, for the spirit I saw in him. I was only 7 at the time. He was my best friend….the only one I had when…."
Ariana's eyes clouded over with memory, regret, and pain. Link reached over and placed a hand over hers, gripping Greatheart's reins tightly.
"It's all right, Princess. I know. You'll never have to be alone again. I won't let it happen. None of your people will. You're back to stay, and all of Hyrule is waiting."
Ariana lifted her head and smiled, the haze of memories gone. "Yes, you're right. I have a new life to live, thanks to you. I shall never stop thanking you for your kindness, Link."
"I shall never cease to give it, Milady," Link said chivalrously, a mischievous gleam coming into his eye. "Now," he said slyly, "I propose a challenge. Don't you think Hyrule's waited long enough to meet its princess? What say you to expediting the process? Let's see if that brute of yours is all bark and no bite!"
Ariana's own eyes began to gleam. "You're on, Hero! Prepare to see just WHY we're called the best riders in all of Hyrule!" And with that, Ariana dug her heels into Greatheart's sides and streaked off, without so much as a by-your-leave or a listening ear to Impa's protests. Link laughed aloud, gathering up his reins and pursuing her on Epona, only a hoofbeat off the pace set by the big golden stallion. Nabooru laughed heartily as her niece flew by, skirts billowing out behind her.
Impa threw her hands up as the rest of the sages caught up. "She'll have that dress ruined in five minutes! Honestly, you would think after seven years she'd grow up!"
Saria giggled. "Maybe a Hylian would have- but she's got Gerudo in her blood. And Gerudo never settle down, do they Nabi?"
Nabooru grinned wolfishly. "Nope- and the Hero will be grateful she doesn't 'settle down.' Methinks the Hero likes a challenge."
Ruto blushed as she caught the meaning behind Nabooru's comment. "Nabooru for heaven's sake remember yourself! You are a sage! Put that filth out of your mind!"
Nabooru leered at her. "O come now fishypants, you can't tell me you haven't entertained thoughts of our Hero in that way….you'd have to be blind not to! And just because I'm a sage doesn't mean I've lost my womanhood! Admit it- he's a morsel!"
Stung by the jibe, Ruto lapsed into silence as Rauru glared at Nabooru.
"The water sage is correct. You forget yourself, Spirit Sage." With that frosty rebuke, Rauru nudged his horse into a canter to overtake the Princess and her Hero, shrinking into the distance. The rest of the sages followed suit, with Nabooru rebelliously sticking her tongue out at the older man, sending Saria into peals of laughter. Nabooru winked at her and held a finger to her lips as Rauru turned around. Slanted golden Gerudo eyes full of innocence met Rauru's deep sapphire orbs, an almost righteously indignant expression plain on Nabooru's face. Any further jesting was cut short as a distant yell coupled with a startled scream rang out across the desert. Impa's face blanched. "ARIANA!" she yelled, setting her horse at full speed.
At that moment, Link was desperately trying to calm Epona, who reared and snorted at the frightful apparition that was looming before them. Greatheart had nearly unseated Ariana, who clung to mane and pommel with one hand, smoothing Greatheart down with the other.
"Easy boy, steady!" she yelled over the din. "Who dares impede my progress? Do you not know the penalty for waylaying strangers in Gerudo Valley is death?"
The group of bandits responsible for the commotion rose to their full height, scimitars, daggers, and bows much apparent. Link drew his sword with a deadly whisper of steel, brandishing it in a businesslike fashion.
"Weeeelll now don't she talk all high and mighty, Cap'n!" One of the bandits leered at Ariana. "And all we was wanting was a few of them coins beauties such as yerself carry!"
Ariana's indignant expression changed to one of supreme trusting innocence. "O you MUST forgive my assumption kind sir! I was under the impression you meant to do us harm! Well then, if coins are all you wish, come and get them!"
Link's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Ariana!" he hissed. Then, mentally,
Have you lost your mind?
Ariana's eyes flashed self-assured amber fire at him.
I know what I'm doing, trust me.
Link, surprised at the strength of her Gift, sat back, intent on seeing just what Ariana was doing. The bandit who had challenged her gaped at her in astonishment before adopting a less than intelligent grin and advancing toward her, dropping his guard. As soon as he did, Ariana whipped out a long dagger, her other hand shot out wrapping around his throat as she pulled him against the side of her horse, the tip of the lethal blade nicking his throat.
"You ignorant fool! How dare you ambush decent law abiding citizens in their own land? I should make you pay for this outrage, and take the payment out of your miserable hide!"
Ariana pushed the now-sobbing bandit away and dismounted in one smooth, fluid motion. The bandits shrunk away at her approach and the one she'd been menacing fell at her feet.
"P-p-please, M-Milady, you w-wouldn't harm honest men fallen on hard times! We don't know no other way to feed our families! The king demands all what we have and THEN some! We tried all other honest means Milady, really we have! Please don't harm us!"
Ariana bristled at the reference that her father was tyrannical or unjust. However, her heart went out to the man, and also his companions, who stood half afraid, half in awe of her.
"Stop your crying, sir, it doesn't become you. I will try to set matters right. What are your names?"
The motley group blinked in astonishment. "T-Toran, Milady, I'm called Toran. These here are my brothers, Saybo, Keetch, and Goffa. We really didn't mean you no harm," the bandit at Ariana's feet managed to say.
Ariana smiled and motioned to Link to help the man to his feet, which Link did, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. Toran nodded his thanks before the recognition of who Link was dawned on him.
"You- You're the Hero of Time! You're Link!" With that Toran and his brothers fell to their knees once again, wailing at the justice they felt sure the Hero was about to wreak upon them.
Link rolled his eyes. "Well Princess, what do you will of me? What shall I do with these miscreants?"
Ariana seemed to deliberate on the answer as the brothers regarded her. Goffa spoke up.
"Didjer just call the lady Princess? I knows of only one Princess, the Princess Zelda! Who be you?"
Ariana dipped a graceful curtsey. "I am Ariana, Princess of Hyrule and heir to the Gerudo throne. I am most pleased to make your acquaintance, good sirs."
Keetch just gaped. "Ariana? But we thought you was dead- killed by that same cult that killed yer dear mother, Goddesses rest her."
Ariana nodded sadly. "And so it had to be to protect my identity during the Seven Years of Terror. Ganondorf could not know I was alive or I WOULD have been done away with. But now that my Champion has vanquished such evil, I am now free to serve my people as I always should have. And I WILL make the matter of taxation right when I meet with my father. Count on it, as my first act as your princess."
With that the bandits fell at Ariana's feet, proclaiming with one voice "Long live Ariana, Princess of Hyrule!"
Toran straightened up and bowed. "We thank yer fer yer kindness Milady. And we're awful sorry for any trouble we caused yer."
Ariana touched his shoulder gently. "I cannot fault you for your desperation Toran. There are many weaker men who have resorted to much worse. You are to be commended for your strength. You all are."
Any further comments were cut off as Ariana's cortege arrived on the scene. Ariana put her hands up placatingly.
"No harm done, Sages, peace, PLEASE! I have been making the acquaintance of a few of my people and we startled each other unfortunately. They're quite harmless. In fact," Ariana looked to Link before stating, "I would like them to join us in our travel to the castle. I have promised them a hearing before my father, and I'm sure they could stand with a good meal."
Link shook his head in wonder as the bandits broke down crying at Ariana's kindness. Nabooru caught the motion. "Amazing, isn't she? Hasn't changed a bit since she was a baby- always taking in stray animals and people and looking out for them. It's a quality that will serve her well as Princess."
Link regarded Ariana, a newfound respect growing for her. "It already has, Your Grace. If she treats the rest of Hyrule like she has these poor peasants, there will be nothing that can separate this people from her side. I am truly honored to serve her."
Nabooru nodded, watching the peasants kiss Ariana's hand. "As we all should be, hero. A rare gem like her comes along only once in a great while. She will be the guiding light to aid Hyrule through turbulent times. We will all come to rely on her wisdom, and her strength. Always watch for her, be her solace, her comfort. You never know what form that comfort may take."
Link nodded, the full import of the Sage's words not registering in his brain. All he heard was 'always watch for her, be her solace, her comfort.' He would do so if it cost him his very life.
