I still don't own Zelda...my quest continues...Thank you all for reviewing!
Please continue to R&R! *bows* Sorry this chapter took an
eternity...school. How long has it been? Months, now? Goodness...Ara is
sorry!
** Ch. 14: Help is on Its Way
"Well, that was interesting, and no mistake," Gate said as he flew into the guestroom with Airaen, who nodded.
"What I don't get," Airaen said, "is how he could've known so much about...well...me, I guess, for starters."
"The Lord of Sidar is wiser than you can know, some say as wise as your mother. Speaking of your mother, a day ago you didn't seem so eager to help both your parents, as I recall." Airaen shrugged and sat down on the bed, the last remnants of the setting sun creeping in through her blonde hair from the window that overlooked the sea. After nothing was said, Gate said, more out of pity than scorn, "You are much too quiet to be the obnoxious Airaen that I know of. What's wrong?"
"He...won't last very long, will he." It was not a question.
"I doubt very long, at any rate. He hides most of the pain, but his eyes, to those who see it, betray him. It took a lot more than a strong will to have him meet you at that gate this morning; it would have killed him," Gate replied sadly.
Poor Roh, Airaen thought sadly. "You should go to bed, you know, even though it's not that late. Three days of hard travelling...you deserve the rest," Gate said softly. She nodded. "Go on and go to sleep. I'll come back to get you in the morning."
"Where are you going?"
"Just to have another look around. This is a very beautiful place," the fairy said and flew out the window.
Yawning, Airaen slipped into a nightgown that had been set on the pillow and slipped into bed. She fell asleep before her head even hit the pillow.
**
The shadow that stood between her and its intended victims loomed closer. She couldn't move in her fear, yet she knew she had to get at them before the shadow claimed them, too. But, her legs were heavy, refusing to move, though she screamed at them to do so. The shadow loomed up in front of her, filling her vision as she shook with fear. I have no sword, she thought desperately, Goddess, where is my sword? As if in answer, the shadow lifted a long, gleaming, evil-looking sword as laughter like the sound of a dying horse escaped from the black form. It flung her to the ground as it raised the weapon. Flinging up her hands in defense, she screamed aloud as the sword came ringing down upon her.
**
Airaen awoke with a small cry, her arms out in front of her to ward off the sword. But there was no sword, no sword in that little room in Sidar that lay near the beach. Chilled sweat trickled down her face and back as she shivered with fear. Gathering her blanket around her, she rocked gently back and forth, squeezing her eyes shut in an attempt to push the vivid nightmare out of her mind. Despite her efforts, it remained: the shadow, the sword, the two fearful figures, even her own helplessness.
Over a time, she calmed down, though still fearful of the darkness that lay around her, desiring above all things the bright light of day. But, she knew it would not come for a few more hours. Exhausted, Airaen lay back on the pillow. As she closed her eyes, she thought desperately, What am I going to do?
**
It was at least two hours after that finally Gate came flying back through the window, his wings exhausted from flight. Not enough soldiers to even turn Ganon's damnable head towards them, he thought glumly as he came into the room. His thoughts were broken by the sound of a muffled moan. Startled, he glanced over at Airaen, who, to his surprise, was tossing and turning in her bed as if in a fever, talking in her sleep. "Mother..." she whispered softly, "Mother...where are you? Momma, I...can't....find you...Daddy...Daddy, help her..."
Pity breaking his heart, he flew over to her. As his fairy light illuminated her face, he was shocked to find her feverish. He knew, being a fairy, many spells of calming and sleep, but many of them were forbidden by Fairy Law to be performed on mortals except as a last resort. Gate knew this, yet couldn't bear to see Airaen's fevered sleep, filled, he knew, with nightmares and visions of events yet to come: an inescapable trap of the mind, yet another "wonderful gift" from the goddesses. I know I shouldn't do this, he thought bitterly, but I can't just let her be like this. Floating just above her face, he murmured a calming spell in the fairy language, his voice like the soft jingle of bells on a soft, foggy morning. Slowly, Airaen settled, her creased brow relaxing and her murmured talk ceasing until she finally fell into the welcoming arms of deep and untroubled sleep.
Sighing, Gate decided to "sleep," whispering to himself, "This is too much a burden for anybody now."
**
Airaen awoke from her first untroubled sleep in a week late that morning. Yawning and stretching as the sun filtered in from the window, she got into a light pink dress that one of the servants had laid out for her earlier, and slipped on some comfortable-looking sandals that lay beneath the dress. It was then that Gate came flying back through the window. "Well, it looks like you've finally woken up today, Princess," he said. Airaen flinched at the title.
"Whatever, I was tired. Is there any breakfast? Did Roh and his father have any yet?", she asked.
Gate replied, "Well, yes and no...there is some breakfast left for you, but Roh's father was unable to get up this morning. His fever has reached a peak...he's dying, Airaen..." His voice lowered to a whisper, as if afraid the words would reach out and kill the Lord at that very instant. Airaen's heart tightened, and she dug her nails into her hand in anger.
"And all this," she said through gritted teeth, "from that goddam bastard Ganon. I hate that shithead's guts." Her thoughts went immediately to her sword, which lay on the chair by the window, sheathed and silent.
"Come on, kid, let's get you some breakfast. We can talk about this at a later time. You really should see more of Sidar. It's beautiful," Gate said, trying to change Airaen's mood. Sighing heavily, she nodded and followed the fairy as he led her to the dining hall.
**
Airaen was not surprised that Roh was nowhere to be found after her breakfast of bread, cheese, and fruit. It was a pity, though; she had, she thought with a surprise, wanted to talk to the poor boy. However, she followed Gate's advice and wandered around Sidar for the rest of the day. After spending much time in the market, she made her way down to the port that lay at the end of the village and watched the sailors tend to their boats. A few of them even gave her some advice on sailing to which she listened to eagerly.
It was nearly sunset when Airaen made her way back to Rohkensagen's home. Though she had shared a lunch with a girl she had met in the market, she was getting hungry again. The very air seemed tense as all waited for a report on the Lord's condition. Airaen shook her head sadly; she knew he would die.
She softly padded into the house, which was eerily deserted. Airaen was just about to find something to eat when she heard a voice calling her name. Spinning around, she saw the same maid who had given her clothes yesterday at the spring. "Netha! I'm over here," she called in reply. Netha trotted over immediately, shocking Airaen with her tear-stained face. "Netha...? Hey, what's wrong?"
The maid wiped her face with her sleeve even as fresh tears welled up in her eyes. Staring at her feet, she whispered, "It's his Lordship, my lady...he...he has...Oh, lady Airaen, Lord Rohkensagen has died!" She broke out in sobs, falling against Airaen's chest. Instinctively, Airaen pulled her into a hug as her own tears formed in her eyes. She refused to let them go.
After a time, she pulled the crying Netha away from her and asked, "Roh...where is Roh, Netha? Where is he?"
Still crying slightly, the maid pointed behind her, saying, "My Lord Roh has gone to the spring, I have heard...wait, my Lady!" she called as Airaen ran back outside towards the spring, "His Lordship ordered that none should disturb him! Lady Airaen!" But Airaen would not listen. Wiping the few stray tears off her face, she ran the familiar path around the house towards the spring, not stopping until she finally reached it.
Looking around, she could not find Roh anywhere among the rocks. Frowning slightly, she yelled out, "Roh! Roh, are you there!? Hey, I'm talking to you, idiot! Roh, answer me!" Her lonely words echoed among the rocks. Damn it all, she thought, clenching her fist. She made to leave when she heard a soft rustle behind her. Turning, she saw the boy sitting against the tree, his face hidden in his arms as he sat with his knees against his chest. "There you are," she said, slightly out of breath, "I've been looking for you..."
"Go away," he said, his voice muffled, not looking up.
Sighing, she moved over to him, saying, "I'm not going away, Roh. You need to talk..." The boy did not reply. Her heart nearly breaking with pity, she sat down on a rock nearby, placing her chin in her hands as she gazed at him. "Roh..." she began.
"LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!" Roh cried, looking up at her in his fury, tears running down his face. "I DON'T NEED ANYONE! ESPECIALLY NOT FROM SOME STUPID LITTLE GIRL! YOU THINK YOU WANT ME TO HELP YOU?! YOUR STUPID PARENTS CAN ROT FOR ALL I CARE!"
Airaen stood up and stared down at him, tears forming. Calming herself, she asked, "What do you plan on doing, now? I won't judge you...you're free to do as you will."
Roh stood up, enraged, yelling, "WHAT DO I PLAN ON DOING?! I DON'T KNOW AND I DON'T CARE! I'M NOT GOING TO RULE ANY OF THIS! I DON'T CARE WHAT HAPPENS TO SIDAR NOW! I JUST DON'T CARE ANYMORE!"
Airaen moved over to him and did the only thing she knew that would calm him down; she slapped him hard across his face. Holding his stinging cheek, he glared at her. "How dare you!" he cried.
"How dare I? How dare you, you selfish brat! How dare you refuse to do your job! I don't care if you help me anymore...that I can do alone! You, on the other hand, should be ashamed of yourself, carrying on like that! Do you really think your father would have left his beloved country in the hands of a selfish little brat? I don't think so! You need to do your job as ruler of this place, idiot, not prance around in self-pity and abandon your people!" Angered, Roh, crying out, swung his fist at her. However, much to the surprise of both of them, Airaen whacked his hand away nonchalantly, slapping him again. "Stop acting like a scared little boy and lead your people, Roh! I know it hurts to lose a father, but the time to grieve isn't when you're at the brink of war! You've got to keep a clear head for your people right now!"
Roh looked at her, tears still streaming down his face. Slowly, he sank to his knees and sobbed, pounding the ground with his fist. Slowly, Airaen knelt down in front of him and held him as he cried into her dress. Is this how a mother feels? she found herself asking herself, thinking suddenly of her own mother. After a time, Roh's sobs ceased, and he pulled away from her, wiping his face with his own sleeve. "I'm...I'm sorry..." he said slowly, looking at her again, "It's just...it's just, I've lost everything. My father taught me everything he knows about ruling, and I know I can do it, it's just...I want him alive so badly. I hate that bastard Ganon for doing this! He's taken too many lives away, enslaved people, and now he wishes to take over the whole world again! When the late King of Hyrule was murdered by Ganon when he invaded the Sacred Realm and claimed the Triforce, it was all my father could do but have our land overrun by that maniac's followers! Without the Castle's support, we were helpless...and now we're in the exact same position; without Zelda, we can't do anything! Our armies are just not enough! I wish my father was here to set things right again, and I don't even know if your plan will work at all. It's not like we have enough resources...but I know that saving the Queen and your father will give us a greater advantage. Not only will Lady Zelda be able to rally her own forces, we'll also have the Hero of Time on our side!"
Airaen stood, brushing the dirt off her dress, and sighed. She leaned over and helped Roh to his feet, subconsciously brushing him off, too. Silently, and without knowing why she did it, she softly placed his head in her hands, narrowing her eyes at him. A little shocked at what she was doing, he held her gaze, ashamed of his red and puffy eyes. "Don't you ever," she said softly, "think you're weak. Don't ever hesitate on any decisions." She let go of him and motioned him to follow her back to the house. He followed and walked alongside her in silence. As he looked around at the scenery in the dying light, he heard Airaen say, "It's funny, I guess."
He looked at her. "What is?"
"That the whole world rests on the shoulders of two little children."
**
The next morning dawned bright and fair in mockery of Rohkensagen's funeral. His body was carried through the village as villager after villager wept for his passing. Many simply sat down on the ground and wept for their lord, while others reached out and touched him in a final farewell. Stone-faced, Roh walked on at the head of the long line of people who would follow to the Burial Ground, Airaen, feeling as awkward as ever, at his side.
The Burial Ground lay just outside the village on a grassy hill overlooking the sea. Each grave was decorated with a ring of red flowers and a token bearing the dead one's name attached to each. There, at the highest point of the hill, Rohkensagen was lowered into his grave. Silently, Roh, in the ancient tradition, spoke in the Old Hylian tongue, "Desa fera sons Rohkensagen, kavara des Sidar." Here lies Rohkensagen, Lord of Sidar, it is translated.
As Rohkensagen was buried, Roh made his way over to Airaen and whispered in her ear, "Is everything made ready?" She nodded. Smiling, he said, "Well, come on then. We should get started, then I guess." She looked at him, noting his blank expression, though his eyes, squinting in the morning light, spoke determination. Sighing, she made her way down the hill and back towards the House of Sidar, now belonging solely to Roh.
**
"What do you plan on doing once you get there, Airaen?" Gate asked her as he watched her pack her things in the guestroom. "You do realize that Ganon wants those last two pieces of the Triforce, and will try to kill you when he sees you?"
Still packing, she said, hiding a smile, "I'm not an idiot, you stupid fairy. Of course he'll want to kill me, assuming he'll actually find me. Roh's leading the diversion so I can get my father and m-...I mean, Zelda out of there. Once we do that, then we can head back here and figure something out. I certainly don't plan on fighting the bastard. I tried that and cut run through with a sword, remember?"
"Yes, yes, I know that, but Ganon isn't an idiot. He'll probably see this as a diversion and will be expecting you. He knows you enough now, and will probably try to lure you to him."
"And you know this how?" she asked, looking at him with a raised eyebrow. She had finished packing her things and was clasping the sheath of the Master Sword across her chest in the fashion of her father. She was wearing the usual brown pants and boots and green top, but, on Roh's urging, wore a coat of mail underneath it as well.
"Airaen, child, I'm just saying, we should use caution. Ganon is as unpredictable as...well...you, I guess."
She raised her eyebrow at him. "Are you comparing me with him? Because, if you are, I'll kill you for it."
"You see? That's exactly what I'm talking about. You both have such tempers, and I'm saying you need to keep your emotions in check." He lowered his voice, "Not only does it make you reckless, child, it also affects your Triforce pieces."
Airaen laughed, trying to mask the small wave of fear in her. "Oh, yes, I swear I'll be a good little girl and not go looking for trouble. Come on, Gate, it's already late in the morning." She made her way out the door, Gate following close behind.
**
The bright sun gleamed down on the troop of soldiers, some three hundred. Airaen felt a sense of ease to be back on the road again. Perigan, too, seemed happy, for he trotted along at the head of the entourage. Roh rode next to her on his own horse, Stilfala. They had been riding for three hours since leaving Sidar. Airaen felt a little impatient at how slow they were crawling towards Gerudo Valley. "At this rate," she said to Roh, "it'll take us a week to get there!"
Roh smiled. "The path we're taking will only take at least a day or two with hard riding. It loops around Lake Hylia and cuts in through the mountains surrounding the Valley. There's a tiny path that cuts off from the road we'll take that goes up through the mountains that surrounds the fortress. You'll be able to infiltrate the fortress easily enough, but you'll have to wait until I start the diversion. Then you can get your parents out of there and we can get out of there as quickly as possible."
"And these men are willing to die for just two people?" she asked, looking back over the sea of fighters, all grim-faced, but eager for a battle.
"These men," Roh said with satisfaction, "would die for the Hero of Time and the Queen. Sidar owes much of its security to both of them. We just want to repay the favor."
Airaen smiled slightly; she had had no idea how important her parents actually were, despite all the stories her father had told her of his defeating Ganon, and of how her mother had also helped to defeat the Evil King. "Well," she said with a grin, "I guess I'll be repaying a favor for them, too." She rode on ahead.
** Ch. 14: Help is on Its Way
"Well, that was interesting, and no mistake," Gate said as he flew into the guestroom with Airaen, who nodded.
"What I don't get," Airaen said, "is how he could've known so much about...well...me, I guess, for starters."
"The Lord of Sidar is wiser than you can know, some say as wise as your mother. Speaking of your mother, a day ago you didn't seem so eager to help both your parents, as I recall." Airaen shrugged and sat down on the bed, the last remnants of the setting sun creeping in through her blonde hair from the window that overlooked the sea. After nothing was said, Gate said, more out of pity than scorn, "You are much too quiet to be the obnoxious Airaen that I know of. What's wrong?"
"He...won't last very long, will he." It was not a question.
"I doubt very long, at any rate. He hides most of the pain, but his eyes, to those who see it, betray him. It took a lot more than a strong will to have him meet you at that gate this morning; it would have killed him," Gate replied sadly.
Poor Roh, Airaen thought sadly. "You should go to bed, you know, even though it's not that late. Three days of hard travelling...you deserve the rest," Gate said softly. She nodded. "Go on and go to sleep. I'll come back to get you in the morning."
"Where are you going?"
"Just to have another look around. This is a very beautiful place," the fairy said and flew out the window.
Yawning, Airaen slipped into a nightgown that had been set on the pillow and slipped into bed. She fell asleep before her head even hit the pillow.
**
The shadow that stood between her and its intended victims loomed closer. She couldn't move in her fear, yet she knew she had to get at them before the shadow claimed them, too. But, her legs were heavy, refusing to move, though she screamed at them to do so. The shadow loomed up in front of her, filling her vision as she shook with fear. I have no sword, she thought desperately, Goddess, where is my sword? As if in answer, the shadow lifted a long, gleaming, evil-looking sword as laughter like the sound of a dying horse escaped from the black form. It flung her to the ground as it raised the weapon. Flinging up her hands in defense, she screamed aloud as the sword came ringing down upon her.
**
Airaen awoke with a small cry, her arms out in front of her to ward off the sword. But there was no sword, no sword in that little room in Sidar that lay near the beach. Chilled sweat trickled down her face and back as she shivered with fear. Gathering her blanket around her, she rocked gently back and forth, squeezing her eyes shut in an attempt to push the vivid nightmare out of her mind. Despite her efforts, it remained: the shadow, the sword, the two fearful figures, even her own helplessness.
Over a time, she calmed down, though still fearful of the darkness that lay around her, desiring above all things the bright light of day. But, she knew it would not come for a few more hours. Exhausted, Airaen lay back on the pillow. As she closed her eyes, she thought desperately, What am I going to do?
**
It was at least two hours after that finally Gate came flying back through the window, his wings exhausted from flight. Not enough soldiers to even turn Ganon's damnable head towards them, he thought glumly as he came into the room. His thoughts were broken by the sound of a muffled moan. Startled, he glanced over at Airaen, who, to his surprise, was tossing and turning in her bed as if in a fever, talking in her sleep. "Mother..." she whispered softly, "Mother...where are you? Momma, I...can't....find you...Daddy...Daddy, help her..."
Pity breaking his heart, he flew over to her. As his fairy light illuminated her face, he was shocked to find her feverish. He knew, being a fairy, many spells of calming and sleep, but many of them were forbidden by Fairy Law to be performed on mortals except as a last resort. Gate knew this, yet couldn't bear to see Airaen's fevered sleep, filled, he knew, with nightmares and visions of events yet to come: an inescapable trap of the mind, yet another "wonderful gift" from the goddesses. I know I shouldn't do this, he thought bitterly, but I can't just let her be like this. Floating just above her face, he murmured a calming spell in the fairy language, his voice like the soft jingle of bells on a soft, foggy morning. Slowly, Airaen settled, her creased brow relaxing and her murmured talk ceasing until she finally fell into the welcoming arms of deep and untroubled sleep.
Sighing, Gate decided to "sleep," whispering to himself, "This is too much a burden for anybody now."
**
Airaen awoke from her first untroubled sleep in a week late that morning. Yawning and stretching as the sun filtered in from the window, she got into a light pink dress that one of the servants had laid out for her earlier, and slipped on some comfortable-looking sandals that lay beneath the dress. It was then that Gate came flying back through the window. "Well, it looks like you've finally woken up today, Princess," he said. Airaen flinched at the title.
"Whatever, I was tired. Is there any breakfast? Did Roh and his father have any yet?", she asked.
Gate replied, "Well, yes and no...there is some breakfast left for you, but Roh's father was unable to get up this morning. His fever has reached a peak...he's dying, Airaen..." His voice lowered to a whisper, as if afraid the words would reach out and kill the Lord at that very instant. Airaen's heart tightened, and she dug her nails into her hand in anger.
"And all this," she said through gritted teeth, "from that goddam bastard Ganon. I hate that shithead's guts." Her thoughts went immediately to her sword, which lay on the chair by the window, sheathed and silent.
"Come on, kid, let's get you some breakfast. We can talk about this at a later time. You really should see more of Sidar. It's beautiful," Gate said, trying to change Airaen's mood. Sighing heavily, she nodded and followed the fairy as he led her to the dining hall.
**
Airaen was not surprised that Roh was nowhere to be found after her breakfast of bread, cheese, and fruit. It was a pity, though; she had, she thought with a surprise, wanted to talk to the poor boy. However, she followed Gate's advice and wandered around Sidar for the rest of the day. After spending much time in the market, she made her way down to the port that lay at the end of the village and watched the sailors tend to their boats. A few of them even gave her some advice on sailing to which she listened to eagerly.
It was nearly sunset when Airaen made her way back to Rohkensagen's home. Though she had shared a lunch with a girl she had met in the market, she was getting hungry again. The very air seemed tense as all waited for a report on the Lord's condition. Airaen shook her head sadly; she knew he would die.
She softly padded into the house, which was eerily deserted. Airaen was just about to find something to eat when she heard a voice calling her name. Spinning around, she saw the same maid who had given her clothes yesterday at the spring. "Netha! I'm over here," she called in reply. Netha trotted over immediately, shocking Airaen with her tear-stained face. "Netha...? Hey, what's wrong?"
The maid wiped her face with her sleeve even as fresh tears welled up in her eyes. Staring at her feet, she whispered, "It's his Lordship, my lady...he...he has...Oh, lady Airaen, Lord Rohkensagen has died!" She broke out in sobs, falling against Airaen's chest. Instinctively, Airaen pulled her into a hug as her own tears formed in her eyes. She refused to let them go.
After a time, she pulled the crying Netha away from her and asked, "Roh...where is Roh, Netha? Where is he?"
Still crying slightly, the maid pointed behind her, saying, "My Lord Roh has gone to the spring, I have heard...wait, my Lady!" she called as Airaen ran back outside towards the spring, "His Lordship ordered that none should disturb him! Lady Airaen!" But Airaen would not listen. Wiping the few stray tears off her face, she ran the familiar path around the house towards the spring, not stopping until she finally reached it.
Looking around, she could not find Roh anywhere among the rocks. Frowning slightly, she yelled out, "Roh! Roh, are you there!? Hey, I'm talking to you, idiot! Roh, answer me!" Her lonely words echoed among the rocks. Damn it all, she thought, clenching her fist. She made to leave when she heard a soft rustle behind her. Turning, she saw the boy sitting against the tree, his face hidden in his arms as he sat with his knees against his chest. "There you are," she said, slightly out of breath, "I've been looking for you..."
"Go away," he said, his voice muffled, not looking up.
Sighing, she moved over to him, saying, "I'm not going away, Roh. You need to talk..." The boy did not reply. Her heart nearly breaking with pity, she sat down on a rock nearby, placing her chin in her hands as she gazed at him. "Roh..." she began.
"LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!" Roh cried, looking up at her in his fury, tears running down his face. "I DON'T NEED ANYONE! ESPECIALLY NOT FROM SOME STUPID LITTLE GIRL! YOU THINK YOU WANT ME TO HELP YOU?! YOUR STUPID PARENTS CAN ROT FOR ALL I CARE!"
Airaen stood up and stared down at him, tears forming. Calming herself, she asked, "What do you plan on doing, now? I won't judge you...you're free to do as you will."
Roh stood up, enraged, yelling, "WHAT DO I PLAN ON DOING?! I DON'T KNOW AND I DON'T CARE! I'M NOT GOING TO RULE ANY OF THIS! I DON'T CARE WHAT HAPPENS TO SIDAR NOW! I JUST DON'T CARE ANYMORE!"
Airaen moved over to him and did the only thing she knew that would calm him down; she slapped him hard across his face. Holding his stinging cheek, he glared at her. "How dare you!" he cried.
"How dare I? How dare you, you selfish brat! How dare you refuse to do your job! I don't care if you help me anymore...that I can do alone! You, on the other hand, should be ashamed of yourself, carrying on like that! Do you really think your father would have left his beloved country in the hands of a selfish little brat? I don't think so! You need to do your job as ruler of this place, idiot, not prance around in self-pity and abandon your people!" Angered, Roh, crying out, swung his fist at her. However, much to the surprise of both of them, Airaen whacked his hand away nonchalantly, slapping him again. "Stop acting like a scared little boy and lead your people, Roh! I know it hurts to lose a father, but the time to grieve isn't when you're at the brink of war! You've got to keep a clear head for your people right now!"
Roh looked at her, tears still streaming down his face. Slowly, he sank to his knees and sobbed, pounding the ground with his fist. Slowly, Airaen knelt down in front of him and held him as he cried into her dress. Is this how a mother feels? she found herself asking herself, thinking suddenly of her own mother. After a time, Roh's sobs ceased, and he pulled away from her, wiping his face with his own sleeve. "I'm...I'm sorry..." he said slowly, looking at her again, "It's just...it's just, I've lost everything. My father taught me everything he knows about ruling, and I know I can do it, it's just...I want him alive so badly. I hate that bastard Ganon for doing this! He's taken too many lives away, enslaved people, and now he wishes to take over the whole world again! When the late King of Hyrule was murdered by Ganon when he invaded the Sacred Realm and claimed the Triforce, it was all my father could do but have our land overrun by that maniac's followers! Without the Castle's support, we were helpless...and now we're in the exact same position; without Zelda, we can't do anything! Our armies are just not enough! I wish my father was here to set things right again, and I don't even know if your plan will work at all. It's not like we have enough resources...but I know that saving the Queen and your father will give us a greater advantage. Not only will Lady Zelda be able to rally her own forces, we'll also have the Hero of Time on our side!"
Airaen stood, brushing the dirt off her dress, and sighed. She leaned over and helped Roh to his feet, subconsciously brushing him off, too. Silently, and without knowing why she did it, she softly placed his head in her hands, narrowing her eyes at him. A little shocked at what she was doing, he held her gaze, ashamed of his red and puffy eyes. "Don't you ever," she said softly, "think you're weak. Don't ever hesitate on any decisions." She let go of him and motioned him to follow her back to the house. He followed and walked alongside her in silence. As he looked around at the scenery in the dying light, he heard Airaen say, "It's funny, I guess."
He looked at her. "What is?"
"That the whole world rests on the shoulders of two little children."
**
The next morning dawned bright and fair in mockery of Rohkensagen's funeral. His body was carried through the village as villager after villager wept for his passing. Many simply sat down on the ground and wept for their lord, while others reached out and touched him in a final farewell. Stone-faced, Roh walked on at the head of the long line of people who would follow to the Burial Ground, Airaen, feeling as awkward as ever, at his side.
The Burial Ground lay just outside the village on a grassy hill overlooking the sea. Each grave was decorated with a ring of red flowers and a token bearing the dead one's name attached to each. There, at the highest point of the hill, Rohkensagen was lowered into his grave. Silently, Roh, in the ancient tradition, spoke in the Old Hylian tongue, "Desa fera sons Rohkensagen, kavara des Sidar." Here lies Rohkensagen, Lord of Sidar, it is translated.
As Rohkensagen was buried, Roh made his way over to Airaen and whispered in her ear, "Is everything made ready?" She nodded. Smiling, he said, "Well, come on then. We should get started, then I guess." She looked at him, noting his blank expression, though his eyes, squinting in the morning light, spoke determination. Sighing, she made her way down the hill and back towards the House of Sidar, now belonging solely to Roh.
**
"What do you plan on doing once you get there, Airaen?" Gate asked her as he watched her pack her things in the guestroom. "You do realize that Ganon wants those last two pieces of the Triforce, and will try to kill you when he sees you?"
Still packing, she said, hiding a smile, "I'm not an idiot, you stupid fairy. Of course he'll want to kill me, assuming he'll actually find me. Roh's leading the diversion so I can get my father and m-...I mean, Zelda out of there. Once we do that, then we can head back here and figure something out. I certainly don't plan on fighting the bastard. I tried that and cut run through with a sword, remember?"
"Yes, yes, I know that, but Ganon isn't an idiot. He'll probably see this as a diversion and will be expecting you. He knows you enough now, and will probably try to lure you to him."
"And you know this how?" she asked, looking at him with a raised eyebrow. She had finished packing her things and was clasping the sheath of the Master Sword across her chest in the fashion of her father. She was wearing the usual brown pants and boots and green top, but, on Roh's urging, wore a coat of mail underneath it as well.
"Airaen, child, I'm just saying, we should use caution. Ganon is as unpredictable as...well...you, I guess."
She raised her eyebrow at him. "Are you comparing me with him? Because, if you are, I'll kill you for it."
"You see? That's exactly what I'm talking about. You both have such tempers, and I'm saying you need to keep your emotions in check." He lowered his voice, "Not only does it make you reckless, child, it also affects your Triforce pieces."
Airaen laughed, trying to mask the small wave of fear in her. "Oh, yes, I swear I'll be a good little girl and not go looking for trouble. Come on, Gate, it's already late in the morning." She made her way out the door, Gate following close behind.
**
The bright sun gleamed down on the troop of soldiers, some three hundred. Airaen felt a sense of ease to be back on the road again. Perigan, too, seemed happy, for he trotted along at the head of the entourage. Roh rode next to her on his own horse, Stilfala. They had been riding for three hours since leaving Sidar. Airaen felt a little impatient at how slow they were crawling towards Gerudo Valley. "At this rate," she said to Roh, "it'll take us a week to get there!"
Roh smiled. "The path we're taking will only take at least a day or two with hard riding. It loops around Lake Hylia and cuts in through the mountains surrounding the Valley. There's a tiny path that cuts off from the road we'll take that goes up through the mountains that surrounds the fortress. You'll be able to infiltrate the fortress easily enough, but you'll have to wait until I start the diversion. Then you can get your parents out of there and we can get out of there as quickly as possible."
"And these men are willing to die for just two people?" she asked, looking back over the sea of fighters, all grim-faced, but eager for a battle.
"These men," Roh said with satisfaction, "would die for the Hero of Time and the Queen. Sidar owes much of its security to both of them. We just want to repay the favor."
Airaen smiled slightly; she had had no idea how important her parents actually were, despite all the stories her father had told her of his defeating Ganon, and of how her mother had also helped to defeat the Evil King. "Well," she said with a grin, "I guess I'll be repaying a favor for them, too." She rode on ahead.