I don't own anything to do with Zelda.
"Hello Daddy," Zel crooned, walking towards them. Kelvin took a step back, frozen with shock. Aedan tried to get his father to move, but to with no luck. Link stood in front of them, blocking Zel's path, and drew his sword.
"So you'll kill my niece with that blade too?" A rasping voice asked. Link looked behind Zel and swore. Rising from the ground was Aegri, complete with a crazed grin and bloodstained clothes.
"Murderer," Aegri said to Link, advancing. Zel scowled, but gave way.
"I could say the same of you," Link retorted, pointing his blade at Aegri. "You sold your niece, who died due to the Skull King. You stabbed Izal in the back, in blatant disregard for not only the treaty between the tribes, but also in direct violation of the sanctuary laws of the Temple of Time." He paused, letting his words sink in to those around him.
"Now, shall we see if this sword hurts more when you're living or when you're dead?"
A whistling sound alerted Link to the huge rock that was flying towards him. Dashing back, he narrowly avoided it. He pushed those around him, including Aedan and Kelvin, back out of the way as it thudded into the ground.
"You won't escape next time, goro," the rock's thrower said. Link looked over to see a Goron, missing a hand, standing next to a pile of rocks. Scowling, Link grabbed a nearby soldier's bow and quiver. Drawing it, he muttered a command, causing the arrow's head to explode into flames. He sent it flying towards the Goron, who barely managed to get out of the way. However, his arm that still had its hand was hit, and it fell off, burning. Moaning in pain, the Goron sunk into the ground to heal.
Turning, he pointed the bow at Aegri, who had retreated.
"Fire is the coward's weapon," Aegri hissed, preparing to retreat to the safety of the earth.
"Then tell that to your king, who set my mother's village on fire," Link snarled, and spoke the command again. However, as soon as they saw the fire explode onto the arrow point, Aegri and Zel disappeared into the dark embrace of the earth.
All then turned to face Kelvin and Aedan. A tall man, dressed in finer clothes than most, was the first to speak.
"The King is dead. Long live King Aedan." Aedan paled, but nodded. He had been trained for this day for many years; it was still too soon for him though. People pressed around Aedan, asking for reassurance and offering support. Some congratulated Kelvin, commenting on how he and Selen must be proud. Kelvin's reply quickly circulated through the crowd: Selen was dead. Condolences were offered, and a group of women went to take her to the House of the Dead and prepare her for burial. The crowd made Link edgy; he could easily see someone stabbing Aedan in the confusion. Kelvin soon decided that enough was enough and ordered everyone to return to their tasks and to give his son some room. Most went off willing, understandingly, but some left with anger in their eyes. Aedan was a young king, and easily impressionable.
Aedan, Kelvin, and the king's advisors made their way to the central building, which was used as a type of hearing room where the king heard complaints and discussed matters with his advisors. Link stayed behind, not wanting to appear to be pushing the new king.
"Azaman," Aedan said when he noticed Link hanging back. "Will you join us? You seem to know more about these undead than we do." Link raised his eyebrows in surprise, and nodded. When he caught up with them, they started on their way again. Some of the advisors gave Link friendly smiles, for they were glad that he was here and welcomed his advice. Others though, regarded him with suspicion. During Aegri's rule, they had held positions of high respect due to their brown nosing and numerous favours that they did for the king. With the rise of a new king, their positions were insecure, and they feared that the newcomer would one day stand where they had.
After many, frustrating hours, they had all finally agreed on what to do. Link personally thought that Aedan should have just told the advisors to can it, but he also realized that Aedan needed their support at this time. So he had refrained from telling them to can it.
"We need someone to go to each tribe, carrying a message of what has happened," Aedan said, wearily.
One of the advisors, an old supporter of Aegri's, gasped. "Sire, that would be inviting an attacking force of who knows how many of the other tribes!" Link rolled his eyes. No one seemed to have a clear idea of what a cease fire would be or how to get one.
"Not if you wish to speak of peace," he stated, equally weary. The protesting advisor scowled at him.
"And you know this because?" he demanded angrily.
"One of the undead that attacked was a Goron. The tattoos he had are consistent with those that the members of Goron royal family are given. Hence, they will be receptive to a treaty that will bring peace once the Skull King is stopped. The Gerudo were equally sickened when they found out that Zel had been turned into an undead. They are a reasonable people who have to deal with extremely hard circumstances. The Sheikah will help, should the proper respect be shown. Their leader was almost killed by your king; Aegri broke the treaty, so you must give them cause to reinstate it. A promise of peace will most likely do, just follow through with it. As for the Zora-"
"They will only consider this peace treaty you speak of should you be receptive to what I have to say." Link whirled at the voice, his hand on his sword. Before him stood a tall Zora warrior, wearing the robes of an ambassador. Link removed his hand and surveyed the Zora. He stood proudly before them in a relaxed, yet ready, pose. His arm fins were rigid, proof that they were used for the popular technique known as the Zora Boomerang. His head fin sloped backwards and had a distinctive tattoo on it. Likewise, his right arm had a complex tattoo on it. Link smiled to himself; this was most likely Mikau's illustrious ancestor. Or, at least one of them, as he was descended from a line of Zora heroes.
"Would you be Akoni?" Link asked him, remembering the genealogy lesson that Mikau's mask had given him. The Zora looked at him in suspicion.
"That is my name. Tell me, strange youth, how do you know it? We do not give our names to the land folk." Link smiled, amused. Akoni had chosen to call the 'land folk' by the Hylian equivalent, and not by the Zora term, which was extremely demeaning.
"A descendant of yours is a good friend of mine in my time." Akoni smiled, and passed over the fact that Link was from another time when he answered.
"So my line survives. I am glad. Is he a warrior?"
"One of the best," Link said sincerely, remembering the tales of Mikau's exploits. Akoni smiled warmly, and extended his right hand. Link grasped it, extending his left, which Akoni then grasped. This was the Zora's traditional handshake, where each member grasped the others fins, or in this case, the upper arms.
"Welcome to my friendship, and may your days be long," Akoni spoke in Zora; he spoke a traditional Zora greeting to a new acquaintance or friend. Link smiled in return and spoke the expected return greeting, which included his name. He could speak some Zora from his time when he wore Mikau's mask, but it was heavily accented and very jarred.
Akoni laughed, "You shall never cease to amaze me, warrior of many talents. Now, shall we get down to business?" Link nodded and turned to face Aedan, who was smiling in relief. Two of the advisors were scowling; the others wore similar expressions to that of Aedan.
"What can we do for you?" Aedan asked politely, and Akoni gave his message.
The tale that Akoni told was not an uplifting one. The Zora king's youngest daughter had been kidnapped by the undead. The Skull King had ransomed her for the Zora's Sapphire, and he had sent one of her fins as proof. The King, beside himself in grief, knew not what to do, for the Zora's Sapphire was a treasure from the Goddesses. About a seven day after the ransom note had been sent, an undead force attacked the Zora's main city, which was at the source of the Zora's River. Leading the force, to their dismay, was the young princess. She was aided by a Hylian girl, who was also undead. The ambassador to the Hylians recognized her, and told the king that it was Zelda, daughter of Kelvin and niece to the Hylian king. Mourning, the king had sent Akoni to tell the Hylian king of this and to propose a cease fire, or if possible, to draft a peace treaty.
When Akoni had finished, he stared at Aedan expectantly. Aedan was trying to think of what to say while ignoring his advisors; not an easy task.
"Will the lot of you shut up!" he finally shouted. It was late, he was tired, and he did not need their ceaseless arguing.
Some of the advisors had the grace to look abashed, but Aegri's favourites would not be swayed. Indignant, they drew themselves up and prepared to bombard Aedan until he acquiesced and listened to them. Kelvin, noticing this, cut in before they could begin.
"I believe that was an order," he stated quietly, daring the advisors to refute him. "Sir Akoni, thank you for your tale. We too, have seen the cause of this. Aegri is also in the ranks of the undead now."
"That would explain the new king," Akoni stated and Aedan, as well as Kelvin, nodded. The advisors looked even angrier, if that was possible.
"It is late," Akoni said suddenly, "And you are undoubtedly tired. We can continue this in the morning."
"Very well," Aedan agreed, not bothering to conceal his relief.
Akoni was shown to the house that was kept ready for diplomats, while Link followed Aedan and Kelvin back to their house. He did not want to infringe on their hospitality when they were going through this period of turmoil and grief, but he had no where else to go, and he knew no one else. Not to mention a good number of people would rather kill him than help him.
Aedan groaned when the door shut.
"I can't do this," he stated, flopping down on the couch. Kelvin raised an eyebrow, staring at his son.
"What do you mean?"
"This king stuff. I can't do it; I can't be king."
"Nonsense." Kelvin was visibly shaken, and Link had a bit of an idea why. Should Aedan abdicate, the logical successor would be Kelvin. And it looked like Kelvin was not too keen on filling that post.
"You are the heir, or at least you were. You have been trained for this day for years Aedan; this is your job." He was in the kitchen as he said this, putting water on the stove.
"I could always abdicate." The pot fell.
"No."
"Father, please."
"No. Do you know who is up next, should you abdicate? I am. And I will not be the next king; I will not, you hear me?" Aedan stared at his father, in disbelief. Kelvin had never protested so violently; to his son, it seemed as if another person stood in his father's shoes.
"Fine." Stalking off, Aedan entered his room and slammed the door. Sighing, Kelvin picked up the pot and put it back on the stove, refilling it with water.
"He has a point," Link said quietly. Kelvin stiffened.
"Just listen. You can either agree with me or disagree, but listen. Those advisors, they're too powerful. Aedan won't always have you to stop them from berating him until he gives in. They don't respect him. In fact, they didn't even respect Aegri from the looks of it. However, they respect you."
"I will not become king," Kelvin stated quietly, but firmly.
"It is up to you, but I was always told that those who do not want to have power use it the most wisely."
"I do not need to be lectured by a guest, no matter what his age." Link stopped there, sensing a sensitive subject.
"Then I'll bid you goodnight." He then left Kelvin to his tea and his thoughts, however unwanted they were.
The next day, Link set out for the Sheikah complex. He could sense his unwelcome, and due to the increased demands on Aedan's time and his argument with Kelvin, he could not rely on them for help. So he offered to go and tell Izra of what happened to her brother and to bring her and Impa here.
Aedan had agreed gratefully; it was one less thing he had to orchestrate. The talks with Akoni were going well when Link left, and he had a hopeful view of future relations with the Zora.
Before he left, Link had set a warp point just inside the camp, near a deserted corner. He then warped to the Shadow Temple by means of the Nocturne of Shadow. Impa and Izra were actually outside when he arrived; they had noticed smoke signals on the horizon.
"Do you know what they say?" Impa asked as he walked up.
"Hello to you too," he said, peering at the distant plumes. "They say that the prince is gone, to stop looking. Then, I can't make out the name, but someone is to meet the Goron king." Izra looked at Link, impressed. He brushed away her compliments; the skill he had in reading Goron smoke signals was gained the same way his ability to speak Zora was, but from Darmani's mask instead of Mikau's.
"So what news do you bring?" Izra asked as they were returning to the complex.
"Well, Aegri is dead. Aedan is now king, though he's not happy about it. The advisors are a pain in the ass." Izra nodded, agreeing with his assessment of the advisors. Link paused, not knowing how to phrase the next part.
"And Izal? Did you see him?"
"Yes… I did."
"What is it? What is the matter?" Izra asked, noting his hesitance. When he did not answer, she stopped and stood in front of him, hands on her hips.
"Tell me boy, what happened to my brother?"
"He's in the Hylian infirmary with a stab wound to his back. He has a punctured lung."
"Who did it?"
"Who else?"
"Tell me; I've had enough of your games!"
"Aegri."
Izra stared at him, pale and unblinking. She suddenly turned around, pivoting on one foot, and stormed off. Link sighed and turned back to face the smoke.
"Who killed Aegri?" Impa asked softly.
"I did."
"Why?"
"Does it matter?"
"Yes, you know it does," Impa said, staring at Link. Before, he had always made sure that he never killed anyone unless they were Ganon's goons. Whenever possible, he knocked his opponents, whoever they were, unconscious.
"He stabbed Izal in the back."
"That never qualified as a reason before," Impa remarked.
"My reasons are my own," Link stated, ending the conversation on that topic.
"Why are you here then?" Impa asked, exasperated. She would find out, sooner or later.
"To get you and Izra; Aedan needs to talk to you." Link turned to Impa, his eyes sad.
"Can you tell Izra? I . . . I can't face her right now." Impa almost asked, but something kept her back. Maybe it was the look in his eyes, she did not know, but she did not ask. Nodding, she went to find the other woman.
Izra was instructing another when Impa found her.
"Hain is to be in charge, understand? I will be gone for a while; Izal has been injured, and I need to be with him." The Sheikah nodded, showing his understanding.
"You won't need a horse," Impa said as Izra turned towards the stables. Izra whirled around; she had not noticed the Sage.
"I'm going," she stated.
"I know. But Link was sent to bring us, so you will not need a horse."
"Oh?" Izra raised an eyebrow, confused. Impa shrugged.
"I don't know the exact means, but he'll have something up his sleeve." Extending her arm, she indicated that Izra precede her. Izra studied her for a moment, and then swept past her, returning to where Link waited for them.
"How are we to get there without a horse?" Izra demanded when she saw Link.
"Farore's Wind," Link stated. "It is a warping spell that allows the caster to return to the spot where he set a warp point. Hold onto my left arm, both of you. You don't want to get lost during the warp." Staring at them until they complied, he began the spell. As he chanted softly, green magic surrounded them, sending the three back to the Hylian camp.
Their appearance shocked the people who were standing nearby. The warp point had been noticed by some guards, and the elders were brought to inspect it. The sudden appearance of not only Link, but of the Sage and Izra, scared everyone.
"I knew it," one person whispered, "He's a sorcerer. Who else could throw fire and warp?"
"Aye," someone whispered back, "And he's trouble. Looks like he gets along well with those Sheikah dogs. Who is this guy, anyways?"
Impa glanced at Link; certain he had heard the exchange. His face betrayed nothing; he just stepped forward, beckoning to the two Sheikah to follow him. The crowd parted as they passed, acting as if Link was cursed or had leprosy.
"Why do they avoid him so?" Izra muttered in Sheikah. Her anger, once directed at Link, was now being directed at the Hylians who shunned the youth.
"He killed Aegri, and I suppose most do not trust sorcery," Impa replied. Izra snorted, her eyes snapping.
"Fools."
A/N: Poor Link, no one likes him. Sorry about taking so long, but school has been eating me and then I got a job (yay!) which means less time and all that. But more money…
Allyanna: Glad you liked the twist.
x636: Yes, I can be evil. Thank you for the comment.
Justin Time: You shall find out his motives later, but he was basically conned into it. And yeah . . . it wasn't pretty, but hey, that's why this story is rated T.